The Ultimate Find - Finding My Own Family In An Antique Store

3 SIU (Southern Illinois University) Yearbooks, The Obelisk
1937, 1938, 1941

They were purchased in an antique store in Anna, Illinois.

The 1937 and 1938 yearbooks have my Great Uncle Russell Boren.
The best though was the 1941 yearbook had my Grandma in them!!!!
I didn't even know she went to college!

Grandma is Iola Mae Baxter. Also known as Peggy Baxter, Peggy Boren, and Peggy Scott.
Iola Mae Boren. Iola Mae Scott.

1941 Obelisk, SIU Yearbook

The page with my Grandma.

Close up of the class picture with my Grandma, Iola Mae Baxter.
She is in the middle row, first girl on left.

Even closer view.
Iola Mae Baxter, top left.

Identified Picture - Merrill Fountain in Detroit, Michigan

Yeah!  I can't believe it but I figured out where this picture of my Grandma Margie Flora Foster was taken.

Margie Flora Foster at Merrill Fountain, Palmer Park, Detroit, Michigan

Historic Detroit (historicdetroit.org) has all kinds of historic pictures and information on Detroit.  I've only begun to explore this website.  But I found a picture of Merrill Fountain in Detroit.  Yup, that's it.  That's where Margie is sitting in the above photo.  Merrill Fountain in Palmer Park in Detroit.  I haven't read up on it yet.  Too excited.  Had to post this right away.  You get it don't you?  I noticed older pictures of the fountain look to be in a city area, while later photos it appears to be in a park like setting.  It turns out they moved the fountain.  Originally Merrill Fountain was in front of the Detroit Opera House in downtown Detroit.  In 1925, when Woodward Avenue was widened, the fountain was moved to Palmer Park.  (How do you move a fountain?  Oh wait that would be a topic for some engineering blog.)

Here's one of my favorite pictures of Merrill Fountain I found at Historic Detroit.Org.

Merrill Fountain in Detroit, Michigan

Here's the link to the picture at Historic Detroit.org - Merrill Fountain.
I love this picture of the fountain with all the swimmers.  And yes I collect old pictures and postcards of people swimming and playing in the water.  Any kind of water - ocean, lake, pool, fountain, even playing in the water hose.  So this picture is right up my alley.

Here's some more pictures of Merrill Fountain -

Merrill Fountain in front of Detroit Opera House.  By Detroit Publishing Company [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

And below we have Merrill Fountain in 2012.  Still in Palmer Park, but dry and in a state of decline.
I think it's still pretty. This picture is from I Love Detroit Michigan.com.  Maybe one of these days I'll get to go there and take a picture in the same place as my Grandma.

http://ilovedetroitmichigan.com/detroit-architecture/30-famous-architects-with-designs-in-detroit/

Margie Flora Foster In Highland Park and Detroit Michigan

While the rest of the world is talking about the abandoned and dangerous city of  Detroit, I have become obsessed with Detroit.  Yes, I want to go to Detroit.  But it's quite a distance from where I am at so I really need to do more research.  At this time I know very little about Detroit.  But I have found that it was once the quintessential American City.  It was where everyone went to achieve the American Dream.  Thanks to the war industry and auto industry it was full of growing factories promising jobs and a secure future.  And for many years, Detroit did fulfill the American Dream for our ancestors.  

One day while looking at old pictures with my Mom I discovered that I had family that went to live in Detroit, Michigan.  Highland Park, Michigan to be exact.  Highland Park is in the middle of Detroit. I don't know if I am stating this correctly, but Highland Park is it's own city (or town).  But since it is in the middle of Detroit, you could say it is also Detroit.

In this old box of pictures we were looking at I came across this envelope.  (very sadly the letter was not in the envelope)  This envelope was from my Grandpa Bill Foster, stationed in Hawaii during WWII,  addressed to his future bride, my Grandma Margie Flora, residing at 113 Church Ave., Highland Park, Michigan.  

Envelope from my Grandpa, William Foster, to his future bride, my Grandma Margie Flora, residing at 113 Church Ave., Highland Park, Michigan.  Grandpa was stationed in Hawaii at this time, 1944.

I learned that my Grandma lived with her brother who was married and had a little girl. The names of that family are Herman Flora, Alice Flora, and Beverly Flora.  I posted pictures of my grandma and her cousin, Beverly, a while back.  You can see that post here.  I think those two pictures were taken at a Detroit or Highland Park photography studio.

My Grandma Margie's mother, Maude Ann Choate Flora (1892 - 1930), died when Margie was around 4 or 5 years old.  I posted pictures earlier of Great Grandma Maude Ann Choate Flora's funeral  here.  Anyhow.... because Grandma Margie's mother died so early, Margie was shipped around to various family members to look after her.  Now I don't think this happened right away because Margie's older sisters still lived at home and could look after her.  It wasn't until the older sisters got married, moved out and moved away that Margie's addresses changed.  Great Grandpa Fred Flora (Charles Frederick Flora, 1883-1974) I guess did not want the responsibility of raising a daughter.  I can't prove it, but I believe my Great Grandpa Flora did some running around.  And I have one family member (I will not say who) that has given me the impression that he was not a very nice man.  Sorry to family who may be reading this and disagree.  But regardless, it is a fact that my Great Grandpa Fred Flora did not raise my Grandma Margie.

Places that I know or believe Margie Flora lived.

 -Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois

 -Crainville, Williamson County, Illinois

 -Carterville, Williamson County, Illinois

 -St. Louis, Missouri (with her sister, Freda Flora Briley and Freda's husband, Carol Briley)

 -Highland Park, Michigan (with her brother, Herman Flora, his wife, Alice, and cousin, Beverly)

So that brings me to these pictures of my Grandma Margie with friends that I am posting below. Where were they taken?  Johnson County, Illinois?  Williamson County, Illinois?  St. Louis, Missouri?  Highland Park, Michigan?  Detroit, Michigan?  She looks young in these pictures. But I'm not sure how young - grade school, junior high, or high school.  Anyone out there recognize the place or the other young ladies?

Margie Flora, 2nd from left.

Margie Flora, on the left

Margie Flora, 3rd from left. (or 2nd from right)

Margie Flora, 3rd from left, (or in the very middle) the girl that you can only see her face.

I have a few more pictures of my Grandma Margie that may have identifying landmarks.  Well if one knows of those identifying landmarks. LOL  Maybe someone out there will recognize the statue or monument that Margie is standing by in these pictures.

I have to admit I am not very savvy at this blog stuff.  I posted these pictures in their original size so that anyone interested could see the details in the backgrounds.  I normally don't post pictures so large.  Does this cause the page to load more slowly for you?  If it does please let me know and I'll make them smaller.  There is nothing I hate more then waiting on a slow loading page.  (which is one reason I don't have music playing in my blog)

Look Who Got Into the Wrapping Paper

OK this one may be a little blurry but it's the ONLY one I look remotely happy in.

I'm curious about the Christmas presents. I just know there's some under there for me!

Still sniffing.

Ok, I'm just going to ignore you.

I'm not really very happy about this.

Please let me out of this!

I really don't have time to be wrapping the pet dog in wrapping paper but it just hit me. Yes another diversion to make me forget what it was I am supposed to be working on. Oh yeah I was bringing the box of wrapping paper up from the basement. This roll fell out of the box and rolled down the stairs. (Probably because I was bringing the Christmas Tree box AND the wrapping paper box up at the same time.) The wrapping paper came partly unrolled. And in this house that means it's a goner....can we say FURRY wrapping paper. Can we say DOG HAIR wrapping paper. So the pet dog got wrapped in wrapping paper for her punishment for leaving dog hair all over the floor.  LOL.

And we continue with more of Breslau BAKER's Dexter, Missouri Scrapbook

The next pages of Breslau BAKER's Dexter, Missouri Scrapbook you may find boring since they don't

include those wonderful pictures. But if your doing genealogy research in Dexter, Mo. or Stoddard County Missouri then these pages may be a goldmine.

My goldmine, my most current BIG wish is to find a 1938 Carterville, Illinois yearbook. A 1937 or 1936 Carterville, Illinois yearbook would be my 2nd and 3rd wish.  For those yearbooks should have my Grandpa Johnny BOREN and my Grandma Peggy BAXTER in them.  Both Grandparents graduated from Carterville High School in 1938.

Anyhow here are the next few pages from the Dexter, Missouri scrapbook.

High School Honor Roll
Excellent conduct with a grade of S entitles students to a place on this roll.
1921 (handwritten)
Seniors (handwritten) - Maude McNeil, Mabel Montgomery, Gladys Norman. Juniors (handwritten) - Desta Brown, Mildred Hall, Mable Stone. Sophomores (handwritten) -  Esther Smith, Moses Boyer, Ulyses McLain, Robert Newhouse, Ethel Brown, Velma Mitchell, Loudean Robertson. Freshmaen (handwritten) - Lois Johnson, Bresleau Baker.

Last Monday night our girls' basketball team played the Charleston girls team. The game was the fastest and best of the season, although Charleston won the game of 7 to 10 our girls are proud of the showing they made. The Charleston girls played a splendid game and we trust that we shall play them again next year.

'21 (handwritten)  Dexter 9 - Bloomfield 3

Wednesday, Dexter and Bloomfield High School teams met on the Dexter grounds and played seven innings resulting in a score of Dexter 9, Bloomfield 3.
WIFE WANTED - By young man whose assets are: 1, bureau and scarf, 2, feather bed and pillows: 3, quilt; 5, and the notion to wed - everything but the girl. Applications wanted. See or phone, LONE BACHELOR, care of Mildred and Julia.

Miss Elizabeth Keaton has been very ill of the influenza for several days, but is improving.

"MISS SOMEBODY-ELSE"
_______________
The Seniors' Class Play at Weeks' Theatre, Tuesday night was well staged, the different parts were depicted with skill of professionals, and all who saw it voted it one of the best amateur performances we ever had here.
We regret having to miss it as we had an appointment for the same night at Malden.

 A football "pep meeting" was held at the assembly period on Tuesday morning of this week. Miss Bondurant and Mr. Hill had charge of the meeting. The High school song, football yells and introduction of member of the team were features of the meeting. Capt. Gervis Baker made a splendid speech. The meeting evidenced the fact that the team means to make football history this season and that the student body is behind them with real football spirit. Sept. 18, -'22 (date is handwritten)

The Junior class went to the country for a wiener roast last Friday night. They were chaperoned by Mr. Hill and Miss Bondurant and report a splendid time. Sept. '22 (date is handwritten)

Misses Fern Cain and Breslau Baker now regular added attractions to the sales force of Ed. S. Carter's on Saturdays.

DEXTER GIRL HELPS WIN COLLEGE DEBATE
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     Miss Lurlyne Hart, of Dexter, represented the Hesperian Literary Society at the Cape Teachers College against the Sorosis Society of the same institution in a debate of the question, "Resolved, that the Ship Subsidy Bill should be passed by the present Congress."

     The debate was held last Monday in the Chapel of the college at chapel hour.

     Misses Ruth Bynum and Lurlyne Hart represented the Hesperians and Misses Langhennig and Theresa Day represented the Sorosis.

     Miss Hart is one of Dexter's brightest girls and has taught successfully several terms in the schools of Chaffee and elsewhere.

     The Heperians gave a banquet in their honor.

ANOTHER FRYE WINS ORATORICAL HONORS

-------------------------------------------------------------------

     The oratorical bug seems to have bitten the entire Frye family, of this county. Grant Frye distinguished himself as an orator here, in the Cape and in the State University and now his little brother, Clay, a graduate from Dexter High only last year, comes to the front among the orators at Cape Girardeau, last Friday evening.

     While he didn't win first place, he was second on a list of eight contestants and a strong second, and a much older man at the business was the only one to beat him.

WHIPPING BOY ENDS IN FIGHT WITH SCHOOL HEAD

Last Tuesday at noon as Prof. F.W. SNIDER, superintendent of Dexter's schools, was going home to lunch, at the rear of the residence of Mrs. Fanny MORGAN on Elm and Stoddard, Jim GAINES, a helper in Dixon's blacksmith shop, stopped him, and began discussing his whipping of GAINES' son, Glenn GAINES, at school a day or so before.

Snider states he and GAINES had talked about ten minutes, and he didn't anticipate that he was going to be attacked when he remarked he had only an hour at noon and had to go to lunch, and as he turned to go, GAINES struck him on the head, dazing him, and then the teacher grappled with his assailant, and they fell into a rose bush in MORGAN's yard. After the melee, the teacher bore two scars on the top of his head, which bled profusely, and some scratches on his face, but no serious injuries.

Snider states he and GAINES had talked about ten minutes, and he didn't anticipate that he was going to be attacked when he remarked he had only an hour at noon and had to go to lunch, and as he turned to go, GAINES struck him on the head, dazing him, and then the teacher grappled with his assailant, and they fell into a rose bush in MORGAN's yard. After the melee, the teacher bore two scars on the top of his head, which bled profusely, and some scratches on his face, but no serious injuries.

It is also state the boy had told SNIDER when he started to chastise him, that if the teacher did it his father would whip him. To this professor SNIDER replied, "I can't help that, it has come to the point where nothing but a whipping will do you." SNIDER says the boy had on several thicknesses of shirts and pants, evidently had been anticipating a whipping, and he had no means of telling how much to whip him till he had indicated it by crying and promising obedience. He denies that he whipped the boy unmercifully. The boy's parents says he bore marks of the whipping in blood blisters. We give statements of both sides of the affair so that deductions to follow may show an impartial interpretation.

(I am skipping the next few paragraphs as the left hand side is missing from the article. Will resume with the ending on the next picture.)

  

It is to Mr. GAINES' credit that he went to the Mayor and pled guilty to assault and battery before a warrant was issued for him, and Mayor BLANKENSHIP assessed a fine of $20 and costs.
GAINES is a hard-working man, and as far as we know has never been in trouble here before, and we sincerely regret that he did this thing to mar his record as a good citizen. No one needs to take the law in his own hands and mete out punishment.  If SNIDER had beaten the boy unmercifully, as alleged, nothing prevented him being brought into court and having all facts brought out and a penalty fixed, if such were deserved. Resort to force never finally settled any controversy.

Vintage Christmas Cuteness

Vintage Christmas Cuteness

From a vintage children's book

The Snowman Who Wanted To Stay by Sarah Derman

Illustrations by Dorcas, Copyright, 1948, by Whitman Publishing Co.

Yes I have tons more cards from the Virginia Simmons Scrapbook.  And yes I have oodles more to share from the Dexter, Missouri Scrapbook of Breslau Baker.  But I am ADD and I never stick to the point at hand. Sooooo...here's some cute Christmas pictures from a vintage child's book, "The Snowman Who Wanted to Stay." 

I found this book at a yard sale this fall. I bought them from the original owner (who is much older now). He was very happy to sell them to someone who would love and cherish them like he did. He was surprised that I wanted them as the books (I bought 2 books) did not have the covers.

I have to also mention that the seller was going to sell a United States Navy pillow case from WWII that his father sent home to his mother.  He had the letter to go with it in the original envelope with postmark and all. I asked the seller, "Are you sure you want to sell this?" He thought a second and said, "No I believe I don't." Whew! Close call on his part. I'm so glad he kept such an important memento. 

Don't get me wrong. I love to find these types of old things. Letters, pictures, scrapbooks, etc. The things that really tell us about someone's life. Things that tell us a History. But I'm always amazed that some family member doesn't want these things. Shoot, I want to purchase my parents a fire proof safe to keep all their things in so as not to EVER lose them in a fire. But I could never afford a safe big enough. Hahaaha.