The Holy Prophet Malachias lived 400 years before the Birth of Christ, during the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. Malachias was the last of the Old Testament prophets, wherefore the holy fathers call him "the sealing-shut of the prophets." Manifesting himself an image of spiritual goodness and piety, he … Continue reading Science of the Saints, 16-I-2019 (3 Jan.), Prophet Malachias

Thanksgiving is the oldest and most distinctive festival of American origin. Begun at the end of the Pilgrims' first year here, the practice was confined mostly to the New England states for the first two hundred years. After that long period as a somewhat local custom, the practice spread until it became nationwide.Thanksgiving was first … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Thanksgiving

In addition to recording information concerning the individuals they are designed to honor, gravestones often suggest other stories to those acquainted with local incidents. Such stories are seldom recorded, but nearly every cemetery can supply a few of them.An interesting story is brought to mind by a broken marker in an unprotected cemetery located on … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: The Night the Stars Fell

Lakey's ghost had a definite location, and its story is associated with an actual event. This ghost that once made appearances in the southeastern part of the present city of McLeansboro has a story that even yet is heard in the vicinity.It centers about a man named Lakey, one of the early settlers in the … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Lakey’s Ghost

Records and oral traditions tell of numerous tragedies that occurred along Ford's Ferry Road. One of these concerns William Potts's son, generally called "Willie." According to this story, Willie succeeded only too well in the plans he made to play a joke upon his parents. His success cost him his life, caused his parents many … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: The Legend of Willie Potts

The forest roadways of southern Illinois were lonely ones and ofttimes hazardous. This is suggested in the early records of Randolph County by recurring entries like, "For holding an inquest over a body found on Ford's Ferry Road - 10 dollars."That an item of record for the Cave-in-Rock region should appear in the Randolph County … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Hazards of Travel

Missionaries of the Catholic faith and French explorers came into the Illinois country together. The missionaries, a most devoted group, came to convert the Indians to Christianity. The explorers came seeking to discover the resources o£ the new country and the opportunities it offered. The explorers, as explorers must, kept moving onward. The men of … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Our Oldest Church

Persimmons apparently have suffered a loss of popularity. They once were, after a few good frosts, a favorite delicacy for wandering boys and for hunters, particularly those who hunted possums at night. By combining the fruit of the Diospyros virginiani, the scientific name for the lowly persimmon, with turnips gleaned from an isolated patch or … Continue reading Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois: Persimmons