Clark County IL Archives News.....Redman-Bennett Reunion 1921 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarch.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarch.org/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern May 2000 Redman-Bennett Reunion Was A Monster Affair 800 Present For Thursday, 18 August 1921, Kansas (IL) Journal The attendance at the reunion of the Redman and Bennett families Sunday is estimated to have been 800 persons. The affair was held at Rich Woods, seven miles south of Kansas. Seven states were represented by those in attendance, 600 of those present being blood relation or direct members of one of the two families. A feature of the day was the monster dinner spread at noon on a table 140 feet long. A better day to hold the affair could not have been selected, the weather being just cool enough for everyone to enjoy themselves. A feature of the program was a community sing in which the throng without musical accompaniment sang the favorites of the olden days. The following officers were elected: President--J. G. Bennett, Vice President--P. V. Starks, Sec'y and Treasurer--J. C. Redman. The committee on invitation will be the same as last year and the same committee on grounds will be in service for the next reunion. W. E. Redman of Paris presided and read an intensely interesting paper, giving reminiscences of the early settlers of the Rich Woods section. Col. Herrick O. Boyer of Paris gave a talk in which he paid a glowing tribute to the sturdy qualities and the practical virtues of the early settlers. He spoke from an intimate knowledge of the daily lives of the men who made up the community, most of whom were personal acquaintances. W. O. Pinnell of Kansas also gave interesting and amusing reminiscences of the old families. L. Adams of Marshall, who taught the Rich Woods school 52 years ago, made a short talk. He asked those who were his pupils to stand and twenty of the class arose. He told of many amusing incidents of the teacher's life of the pioneer days. Mrs. Emily K. Moffett effectively read a poem composed by Mrs. Harriet Rogers, a former teacher of the Rich Woods School. The poem was written 77 years ago. R. S. Briscoe of Kansas, Ill, made a speech touching on conditions when he was sheriff of Edgar county many years ago. Attorney Ben. H. Redman of Paris read a genealogical sketch of the families compiled by W. E. Redman. W. H. Drewell, president of the Westfield Bank made a brief address. Miss Lema Davis, who has a musical studio in Rockford, Ill., led the singing, the songs being printed on the back of fans. Rev. Mr. Fonger of Kansas pronounced the benediction. Horace Fulwider of Redmon took a panoramic photo of the crowd. Mrs. Joseph H. Bennett, 87, and Joseph Redman, 84, were the two oldest relatives in attendance. C. C. Griffith, of Danville, made a short talk which was well received. A partial list of those present follows: Mr. and Mrs. N. R. Bennett, Bessie Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Houghton, Mrs. Jessie Luther, Madge Luther, Mrs. Floyd Barbee, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Russell, Clarence Redmon, Mr. and Mrs. Mollie Redman, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Drewel, Mr. and Mrs. James Lowry, Miss Jean Kincheloe, Gladys Lowry, Joe Stewart, John Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Mayme Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bennett, Dorothy and Mary Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Redman, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Bennett, Nat Redman, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Briscoe, Charles, Max and Rowena Briscoe, of Westfield. Mrs. Stella Epperson, Miss Hazel Epperson, Mr. and Mrs. Will Redman, Mrs. Leon Ashmore, Fern Redman, Mrs. Bess Davis, Mrs. Dan Shields, Mrs. Ella Shuman, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jones, Carl, Pauline, Lewis, Earl Jones. Mrs. Phillip Waltz, Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Cockroft, C. C. Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Coutant, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Edwards, Miss Kelly, Mrs. W. E. Hawkins, Mrs. Sam Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Black, Mrs. Edwin Stark, Joe Tyler, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Marrs, Mr. and Mrs. Len Tyler, Richard Curtis, Edwina Tyler, Mr. and Mrs. Ike Marrs, Mrs. Gertie Gill, Archie and Ida Marrs, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Marrs, Mrs. Harvey Bennett, E. C. Behner, W W. Brinkerhoff, Miss Celia Redman, Hart Smith, Buelah Smith, Elsie Massey, Rebecca Redman, Mrs. Allie Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Ervie Bennett, Harold Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Redman, Walter Redman, Mr. and Mrs. Burl Redman, Robert Cornwell, Glen Wilhoit, Bruce Fulwider, Warder Redman, Byron Kirkham, Arthur Beuhler, Eugene Kerr, Atty and Mrs. Ben Redman, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Kirkham, Mary Kirkham, Mrs. E. W. Taflinger, J. L. Bennett, Jean Kincheloe, Joe Stewart, John Stewart, Mrs. Sylvian Dawson, Mrs. Emma E. Stark, Mrs. Granville Neal, Evelyn Neal, Ethel Stark, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. DAvis, Misses Mayme, Lena and Josephine Davis, Mrs. Myrtle Edwards, Miss Marie Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Newgent, Mr. and Mrs. George Wheeler, Mrs. Lottie Woodruff, Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Bates, Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Stark, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Fitzgerald, Mary Jane Fitzgerald, Mrs. Ella Boyer, Mrs. Effie Yates, Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Boyer, Mrs Phillip Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Roe Redman, Lancaster Redman, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Bell, Archie Rogers, Agnes Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs Orson Redman, Mrs. Lucinda Menk, Michael Menk, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Tichenor, Miss Mary Lyles, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Safford, Mrs. Ike Bennett, Miss Bertha Sexton, W. H. Sexton, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Redman, Miss Lucille Redman, Mrs. Rebecca Redman, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Redman, Mrs. Charlotte Ratts, Mrs. Zollie O'Hair, Mrs. Ed Mattingly, Mrs. Riley Starks, Miss Bertha Combs, Mrs. Joe Lowery, Mrs. P. C. Wells, Mrs. Nettie McClain, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Tibba, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Shields, Charles Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Shinkle, Byron Shinkle, Mr. and Mrs. Ora Bussart, Everett and Ivan Bussart, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Walts, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Shields, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cockroft, Mildred Tibbs, Mary Eleanor, Billie Tibbs, Otho Tibbs, Wayne Tichenor, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Bennett, Huber, Ruth, Marle, May and Doris Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Redman, Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Barr, J. C. Smith, John B. Yowell, Miss Lucille Yowell, Mrs. J. C. Smith, Clara Bell, Mrs. Stella Yowell, Miss Mabel Bennett, Mildred Cline, John Graham, Sam Bennett, Evea Pinnell, George Beuhler, H. Pinnell, Archie Menk, Mrs. Eunice Pinnell, Marjorie Stark, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkham, Nina Lucille Kirkham, Lillie, Daisy, Robert and Vivian Kern, L. O. Tyler, Winford Tyler, Mrs. George Heltsley, Mrs. Exie Hopkins, Edith, Wilbur, Kenneth, Arthur and Shelby Bennett, Mrs. Otho Tibbs, W. H. Sexton, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Pinnell, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Houghton, Mrs. Jessie Luther, Madge Luther, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Tate, W. E. Hawkins, Glen Hawkins, Mrs. Emily K. Moffett, Mrs. Bell Rogers, Mrs. Lucinda Griffin, Lula Omer, George Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tibbs, Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Bennett, Mrs. Archie Woods, Mrs. C. V. Smith, Mrs. Mansa Balantyne, Miss Dora Mays, Miss Bessie Bennett, Col. H. G. Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zink and Miss Olive Mapes. Following is the interesting paper read by W. E. Redman: "This section which now embraces Kansas Township was originally settled by the Boyers, Pinnells, Arterburns, Wilhoits, Bennetts, Redmans, Kesters and others. The first land entry and settlement made in the township was made by Solomon Boyer, October 25th, 1823, and upon this land was the first log cabin built. A few years later, this land was sold to William Kester, and for almost one hundred years has remained in his estate, his daughter Charlotte Woodruff is the present owner. At that time this section was wilderness inhabited by a tribe of Kickapoo Indians, and long known for their happy hunting ground. It was a heavily timbered section, covered with oak, walnut and sugar trees and the home of the deer, wolves, bears, wildcats, and other wild and savage animals. This section was first called Rich Land, but later changed to Rich Woods.In the year 1822, all lands of Illinois, west of the Indian Boundry Line were opened up and made subject to entry. This caused a great emigration from the State of Kentucky to this section. Among some of the early settlers were Thomas Frazier, Absalom Kester, Richard M. Newport, Solomon Boyars, John Bennett, Daniel Bennett, Joseph Redman, Nathan Kester, Jeremiah Cornwell, Edward Pinnell, Julius Wilhoit, Henry Randall, Francis Davis, William Comstock and many others. Their log cabins, in that early day were nearly all built on the same plan, built of hewed logs, laid up in the manner of building a rail pen, the cracks between the logs being dubbed with mortar the roof was constructed with what they called clapboards held in their places by the weight of poles laid thereon. The door was made of boards hung on wooden hinges and fastened with a wooden latch. A log cut out for a window, with greased paper in lieu of glass. The fireplace was the most important part of the building, it was placed in one end of the structure, and would be from six to ten feet wide, made with oak sticks, daubed with mortar, both inside and out, and extended about two feet above the building. In building these chimneys, each fireplace was built with a good strong crane which would swing in and out, which was used to hold kettles for cooking purposes as that was the only means of cooking. A high rail fence was built good and strong around the yard and barn lot, this was for protection against wild animals and mad dogs. Their furniture was such as the settler with axe and auger made himself. Bedsteads were often made by boring a hole in the cabin wall, putting in pins supported by others from the ground poles laid across the structure and a bed made of straw or prairie grass composed the bed. Chairs were blocks of wood, with holes bored in them and legs in. Tables were puncheons or slabs split out of trees, with similar legs as the chairs. But even under all these circumstances, the early settlers of Rich Woods enjoyed life better perhaps than they do today. There were social and would all be neighbors together. A man would loan his neighbor anything he had, except his wife and babies, if a cabin was to be raised or there were logs to roll, the neighbors were all there. If there was sickness or distress, genuine sympathy was tendered from all around. The early settlers of Rich Woods believed that churches and schools were the only basis of society, and they taught their children accordingly. In the fall of 1831, they organized and constituted the Rich Woods church, with the following members, Thomas Frazier and wife, Absalom Kester and wife, William Walker and wife, Daniel Bennett and wife, Henry Randall and wife, also Rebecca Davis. The name of this church to be known as the Concord Baptist Church. The first meeting was held in the home of Francis Davis, and on the second Lord's day in October 1831, the following named members united with this church: Joseph Redman and Lucy Redman, his wife, John Bennett and Charlotte Bennett, his wife. As there was no church house in the neighborhood, they held their services at the different neighbors' houses. During the first year, the following named persons united with this church: Joseph Redman and wife, John Bennett and wife, Harvey Bennett, Matilda Bennett, Lucy Bennett, Letitia Bennett, Nathan Kester, William Kester, Fergus Johnson, Vincent Redman, Elizaeth Kester, Fanny Ann Kester, Rachel Johnson, Isaac P. Dougherty, Fanny W. Kester, Francis Davis, John Black, Polly Black, Alexander McGraham, Rebecca Stark, Abner Stark, Elizabeth McGraham, Enoch Hawkins, Alexander Black, Wm. Steely, John Bennett, Phamy Bennett, Amandaline Redman, Byron Kester, Wm. Comstock, Sallie Barbee, Parkerson Walker, Eunice Kester, and Susan Tichenor. Their first pastor was Richard M. Newport, who served them twelve years. John Shields, their second pastor, served them several years. Coleman B. Dawson, their third pastor, served them for forty years. In the early thirties, the present location of the church was purchased from John Barbee, and a building 24 feet by 30 feet of hewed logs was erected. Adjacent to the church house was their cemetery, which to this day is a well-kept burying place. The first burial in this cemetery was that of Daniel Bennett, one of the first members of that church. The early settlers of Rich Woods encountered many hardships, the winters were usually cold, and snow lay heavy and deep through all the surrounding forest. The wild animals were numerous and would play havoc with their stock. They would kill their sheep, the fox get their chicken and the eagles their pigs. The Indians were likewise plentiful, being of the Kickapoo tribe, and for hundreds of years had made this land their hunting ground. They were on friendly terms with the whites and aside from their natural propensity for stealing were harmless. On one occasion the Indians were persuaded to go on the war path, and that was in the early history of the settlement. They took some stock, burned a few cabins and ran the settlers from their homes. Thomas Frazier was one who had to take his family and hide in the woods. They burned his buildings and destroyed his home. He rebuilt on the same spot a few years later and remained there until his death. The winter of 1831 and 1832 several hundred Indians camped almost in the center of the Rich Woods. It was near where Joseph Redman and John Bennett had erected their buildings. The Indians were very friendly with the whites and frequently would invite them to their camp to dine with them. One Sunday the young folks of the neighborhood congregated together for the purpose of visiting the Indian camp. It was interesting to hear their story and the way the Indians had acted and the way the squaws cooked dinner. They had large camp kettles hung over the fire. They would take a deer and take its hide off and then its entrails out, leaving eyes, horns, tongue, hoofs and tail on. It was then put in the kettle with other meats of various kinds, also corn, wheat and herbs of different sorts, all cooked until the whole mass was of the consistency of thick soup. Frequently the Indian squaw would take the deer by its horns and turn it in the kettle to keep it from burning. When done, the savory mess was swallowed by the reds as fast as they could get it, some eating from wooden dishes, others with wooden spoons, others dipping their hands in the kettle. One of the most noted places in this settlement and one that was a terror to the neighborhood was a quagmire near where the Indians camped. It embraced almost an acre of land and was a wet boggy ground and would yield under the feet. It was a regular trap for all kinds of stock, especially deer for the Indians. Whenever a settler would miss some of his stock, he would nearly always find it stuck in the quagmire. He would have to fasten a rope around the animal and with a strong yoke of oxen pull it out of the mire. This quagmire many years later was drained and is now unknown to many of this generation. Another noted place in the neighborhood and near where this homecoming is being held, was a deer lick. It was a spot of salt ground where the deer would come and lick. The usual time for them to come to this place was just at dawning or a little before daybreak. This was a noted place for the sons of Joseph and John Bennett to hunt the deer. When the moon was its brightest and early in the morning, these boys would go to this place and with their rifles climb up in the trees and hide themselves. It wouldn't be long until the snapping of a twig could be heard and a fallow deer would quietly come slipping through the brush. The boys understood that when a low whistle was given, they were to fire. This nearly always brought down a deer. The happiest event of the year was sugar-making time. This would usually begin about the middle of February and last through the month of March. Extensive preparations were required before sugar-making began. A large furnace with kettles had to be made, troughs had to be dug for sugar water and splies had to be made for the trees and wood cut to fire the furnace. Some of the largest camps in the settlement in that day were owned by Absalom Frazier, Thomas Frazier, Joseph Redman, William Cumstock, John Bennett, Henry Randall, and in fact, nearly all the early settlers of Rich Woods made sugar. Sugar making time was great sport for the young folks. They would visit the camps at night, especially when it was necessary to boil sugar water all night. They would pull taffy, roast chickens, sing songs, dance the old Virginia Reel until almost morning. It was places like this that many of the young folks wooed and won in love their companions for life. It is a splendid thought to think of those young people who really loved. Through their hardships of life, through the wrinkle of time and the music of years, they never grew old to each other. Another happy event of the settlement was log rolling time. This was usually in the springtime. The settlers would cut the timber through the winter months from the land they wanted cleared, and when ready, they would invite all the neighbors to the log rolling. The whole neighborhood would be there. The women would prepare the dinner, the men and boys would do the log rolling. They would carry large logs and pile them in great heaps while the old men and children would pick up the limbs and brush and pile them on the log heap as high up as they could pitch them. Everything was then ready for the fire. As there were no matches, they had to go to the house and get a shovel of fire. A roaring fire was made in the log heap and the smoke ascended almost to the clouds. Children yelled and hollered with great delight for it was a great sight to them. The call for dinner came at last.Everyone was ready. The woman prepared the dinner in the pioneer way. There was not a cooking stove in the whole settlement, and consequently they did all their cooking by the fireplace. The meats were cooked in a lager kettle hung on a crane, the corn bread cooked in a skillet which stood on three legs and had a lid with a flaring top. Fire coals were put underneath, and on top of the skillet, so every part of the skillet was hot alike. They would also make the favorite Johnney-cake. It was a flat cake, mixed with Indian meal and milk, and cooked on a large smooth oak board which was set up before the fire-place and baked until it was good and brown. The first school house built in the Rich Woods was about one-half mile east of their church house. It was built of unhewn logs with a large fireplace at one end with greased paper for window lights. Seats for the scholars were made from hewed slabs with short sticks of wood for legs. On one side of the room was placed a long smooth slab on pegs which were driven in auger holes in the wall. This was where the large children practiced their writing with the goose quill pen. One of the requirements of the teacher was that he must know how to make these pens. A new building was built on the same ground in the early fifties and remained there until the Civil War when it was burned down. The location was then changed to the present site and a new building erected. Many of the pioneer settlers who came from Kentucky and Virginia and settled in Rich Woods were very superstitious. They believed in signs, tokens, spirits, ghosts and many other peculiar things and were very honest in their belief. They would not plant their potatoes until the full moon, and other garden stuff that made itself in the ground must be planted in the dark of the moon. There was certain time to cover houses, build fences and set out orchards. They also believed in the signs of the zodiac. They never would wean a colt or calf unless the sign was in the feet. Friday was usually considered an unlucky day. They never began work on that day unless they knew they could complete it. On going to a neighbor's house or to church, if a cat should cross the road in front of them going to left, it was bad luck, if to the right, good luck. If it was a black cat and it ran to the left, it meant death in the neighborhood. In getting breakfast--if the lady of the house should drop a dishcloth on the kitchen floor, it was a sure sign they would have company for dinner and she would prepare for them. If a teakettle hanging over the fire in the morning should hum a little loud, it was a sign of a death in the family. A certain lady of the neighborhood noticed the kettle humming unusually loud one morning. She called her husband's attention to it. He said it meant a death in their family. This proved true. Just fifteen years, almost to a day, her grandfather fell stone dead. Following is the poem read by Mrs. Moffett: My Spring time of life has departed Its romance has ended at last. My dreamings were once of the future But now they are all of the past And memory oft in my trials Goes back to my past times at school And pictures of children that loved me In the beautiful Rich Woods school. The school house still stands by the roadside And green is the spot where we played And flecked with the sun is the shadow Of the evergreen wood where we played The thrush in the meadowy places Still sings in the evergreen cool But changed are the fun-loving faces Of the beautiful Rich Woods school. I remember the days when a teacher, I met those dear faces anew The warm hearted greetings that told me The friendship of children is true I remember the winters I struggled When careworn and sick in my school I remember the children who loved me At the beautiful Rich Woods school. So true in the days of my sadness Did the hearts of my trusted ones prove My sorrows grew light in the gladness Of having so many to love. I gave my own heart to my scholars And banished severity's rule And happiness dwelt in my schoolroom In the beautiful Rich Woods school. I taught them the goodness of loving The beauty of nature and art. They taught me the goodness of loving The beauty that lies in the heart. I prize more than lessons of knowledge The lessons I learned in my school The warm heart that met me of mornings At the beautiful Rich Woods school. I remember the hour that we parted I told them with moistening eyes That the bell of the schoolroom of Glory Would ring for each of us in the skies Their faces were turned to the sunset As they stood 'neath the evergreen cool I shall see them no more as I saw them In our beautiful Rich Woods school. The bells of the "Schoolroom of Glory," Their summons have rung in the sky The moss and the fern of the valley On the graves of ____ ____ pupils lie. Some have gone from _____ studies Of earth, to the ________ Some faces are bright with the Angels, Who belonged to our beautiful school. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/clark/newspapers/redman.txt File size: 23 Kb