..stockings for Santa Claus to stow goodies in..

The History Center will NOT be open this Sunday November 16.

November 12 1880

Now that the elections were over, the local news was more abundant in Lawrence County.  Mary Buntin, the editor of the Rural Republican, stated that the ladies were all about electing one of their sex as a school director.  She promised to see that there was fair play, and a fair ballot. She also advised that her long illness had made large demands upon her pocketbook and asked that anyone owing money for advertising or a subscription to the newspaper to come forward and relieve pressing necessities.  

 The public well on the courthouse lawn was walled up and just needed a ‘good stout curb and windlass’ and it would be the best watering place in town.  But most people agreed that it also needed a pump.

Leonard D Cullom had celebrated his 82nd birthday. He voted for Jackson, Clay, Harrison, Scott, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and the reporter said that it looked like he would probably vote in 1884 for the next Republican president.

Sam B Day, foreman of the Rural Republican, was married on Wednesday evening November 19, 1880, Miss Emma E Buntin, sister of the editor. But there was sadness in the Buntin household as the mother of the family, Mrs. Eliza Jane Buntin, aged about 56, died November 6, 1880, of consumption. She was born in this county in the month of June 1824 and married the late John F Buntin in November 1849.  Mrs. Buntin was for a long time in feeble health, and the death of her only son, George K, in his 25th year was such a terrible blow that there was no doubt that  it shortened her life. As a result of the serious illness of her daughter Mary, (the editor,) the funeral took place at the family residence on Sunday November 7th attended by most of the citizens of Lawrenceville.

The editor was not so sick that she couldn’t mount the ‘bandwagon’ and give her views about the votes coming out of Lukin Township. She felt she had to denounce the petty juggling and fraudulent methods where illegal votes were allowed to be cast. That the judges there should permit the ballot box to be open during the day and take out a ticket or two was but one example of their dubious ways. “Such proceedings as were allowed demanded a visit from the United States Marshall,” she said.  Fraudulent votes were also cast in Denison, Lawrence, and Bond and an interview by the United States courts with certain parties would disclose abundant reason why some people objected to the final returns. “Already some of those implicated were explaining how and why they came to do it. Yet others would probably suddenly disappear some dark night to avoid too close an inquiry,”

 Lafe Barnes published a thank-you to the voters of Lawrence County for electing him circuit clerk.  Thanksgiving Turkeys were fattening and promised to be plentiful. Good red top or mixed hay sold for $7.00 per ton delivered. Honey was scarce and the price high; some were asking $0.20 per pound; last year the price was 12 cents. Farmers were engaged in husking their corn.

Albert Dobbs, colored, left Bridgeport to locate at Terre Haute.  William Black took his place at the Milburn shop. Ed Abernathy, O&MA RR agent, rented rooms at the Centennial hotel. William Reiber moved to his residence just vacated by Mr. Abernathy and took charge of the brick blacksmith shop.

Charles Pinkstaff advertised that he had two fresh milk cows for sale with calves at their side as well as 50 tons of good timothy hay for sale at $8 per ton free of weeds. Vincennes organized a roller skating club.

Col W H H Meiure and Mr. J C Bryan were elected Representatives in the Illinois Legislature. The members of the Sumner Christian church presented Mrs. Rev Collius with a beautiful shawl.

 On November 9, 1880, at St Francisville, Mr. Florice Tougaw (19) married Miss Emma Brouillette (18).  The attendants were Mr. Alex Brouillette and Miss Belle Tougaw, brother of the bride and sister of the groom and Mr. George Tougaw and Miss Laura Brouillette, brother of the groom and cousin of the bride.  The bride was attired in a wine- colored cashmere en train dress of brocaded silk and fringe trimmings, veil and orange blossoms. Miss Belle Tougaw was handsomely attired in black cashmere and crepe, and Miss Brouillette was bewitching in blue cashmere.  The groom and groomsmen were dressed in conventional black.

 It was one of the most brilliant affairs that was ever witnessed in the city.  The ceremony took place at High Mass. At 10 o’clock, breakfast for the family was served. At 11:00 pm, after the arrival of the guests in the evening, supper was served. After partaking of all good things imaginable under which the table groaned, dancing was the order of the evening and was kept up until the wee small hours. The band from Vincennes furnished the music.

Presents included several sets of table linens, several towels and sheeting, three bedspreads, butter knife, several sets of napkins,  teaspoons,  glass preserve dish, two silver castors and silver mustard spoon, wash bowl and pitcher, two lamps, silver tablespoons, two silver dollars, silver butter dish, silver butter knife, twin dolls, stockings for Santa Claus to stow goodies in, pincushion, satin hand- painted fan, steel and silk coin purse, celluloid comb and brush, towels and cake stand, embroidered handkerchief, three fruit dishes, China tea set, vases, soup tureen, glass pitcher, vegetable dish, knives and forks,  and a set of dishes.  

Ed. Note: By 1900, the couple had two children, lived on Vigo Street in Vincennes and Florice ran a saloon.