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Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Product Description
measures approx 8-1/2 x 11 ... Read more

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Earl Hutchison has written a beguiling yet incisive memoir of growing up in a small town in central Illinois in the 1930s. Writing in a casual and engaging way, the author evokes a past that was pastoral and idyllic for a young boy, yet at the same time somber and precarious for his family and community because of the deprivations of the Depression and ominous tensions of the coal-mining dangers and disputes that haunted his family. The times were hard and challenging, but the people we meet reflect some of the best traits of the American character - tough, resilient, adaptive, and, above all, caring about their family and their community. ... Read more

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Enjoy following the life of Arthur Bitzer as he grew up in Collinsville, Illinois, attended the University of Illinois, served in the Army Air Corp and owned and operated an automobile dealership. His wife, Marjorie, and three daughters Joan, Kay and Pat were an important part of Arthur's life. Creative and sentimental, Arthur's poetry reveals a love of writing and family. He also recorded some of Marjorie's childhood recollections. Arthur and Marjorie Bitzer's family members are found in these pages, ancestors going back to the early 1700's and descendants just beginning their life's journey. ... Read more

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The book you are about to read is intended to be a history of the countryman family of will county, Illinois. Although many questions still linger about the past, I hope that for the future generations many have been answered. I have left many questions, and hope that in my lifetime I see them answered. My purpose for writing this is to give any who wish to know their heritage, and a written document from which to work. I have made every effort to assure accuracy, and have tried to document anything I thought might be questioned. Please remember, the author is human and does make mistakes. I hope you enjoy your journey through this family as much as I have. We are a wonderfully large and strong family that has stood the test of time. May god bless us, as we continue to grow... ... Read more

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Based on a collection of fifty-two vignettes of Illinois history originally published as weekly columns in newspapers and revised for publication in book form, Tales and Trails of Illinois presents little-known episodes and adds perspective to tales of the state's varied past. Pairing readable commentary with striking description and detail, the book is a useful compendium of Illinois heritage in an accessible and entertaining format.

Stu Fliege highlights historical events, such as the Herrin Massacre and Chicago's Iroquois Theatre fire, and covers the diverse terrain of Illinois's natural and constructed wonders, from Lusk Creek Canyon to Robert Allerton Park. Readers will meet a colorful cast of characters including pioneers, squatters, miners, gangsters, and utopian leaders. They'll travel back in time to when salt production was the state's main industry and learn of the Illinois ingenuity that spawned inventions including barbed wire, the steel plow, and the Ferris wheel. From Oquawka's elephant memorial to Murphysboro's mysterious mud monster, the book also offers quirky facts and spooky stories that aren't found in the average history book. Liberally illustrated and clearly written, Tales and Trails of Illinois is a helpful learning tool for Illinoisans of all ages, perfect for families, history buffs, libraries, and the classroom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Love history?
It's obvious Stu Fliege loves Illinois history and in this collection he manages to come up with 52 fasinating, often humerous, accounts from the state's past. "Tales and Trails of Illinois" is what all history should be, informative and entertaining. Well done and highly recommended.

History of Illinois
What a fabulous book on Illinois history especially for small town trivia.

Quick brush-up on Illinois history
As a transplanted Kansan, I wanted to learn more about my new home state. I found Tales and Trails of Illinois to be packed with fascinating stories that definitely helped me to get a greater knowledge about not just Illinois but also the role Illinois has played in American history.

The book is divided into 52 brief chapters that hit the highlights of a topic in Illinois history. Many of the chapters were originally published as a series of newspaper articles and left me wanting more detail, especially the one on "Illinois's Most Heinous Murderer: Herman Webster Mudgett". Someone needs to do a movie on that guy - he could be the prototype for Hannibal Lecter!

In short, this is an interesting, quick read but definitely not for someone looking for in-depth research or analysis. (Kind of reminding me of some eighth grade reports I used to grade...)

Engaging, sometimes humorous, and always entertaining
Originally published as weekly columns in newspapers, Stu Fliege's Tales & Trails Of Illinois brings together fifty-two fascinating vignettes of Illinois history. Black-and-white photographs enhance these brief yet exciting glimpses into events such as the Chicago Iroquois Theatre fire, to the wonder of natural features such as Lusk Creek Canyon. Engaging, sometimes humorous, and always entertaining, Tales & Trails Of Illinois is also available in a hardcover edition (0252027760...) and a wonderful addition to Illinois History reading lists and library reference collections. ... Read more

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Pamphlet marking Employee's50 year anniversary of service at Illinois Central Service Railroad. ... Read more

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Hardcover reprint of 1840 Edition. ... Read more