Category Archives: Uncategorized

First auto-related fatality, 1906

Raymond Livingston, age 6, was trying to dodge an oncoming automobile when he was run over by a Springfield street car on April 29, 1906. See Springfield traffic rules, 1903.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Train robbery, 1912

Two robbers stopped the Chicago & Alton “Hummer,” bound for St. Louis, south of Iles Junction on Christmas Eve 1912. After failing to blast open the baggage car safe, they  fled when police arrived. Authorities indicted Elmer Vigas and Jack … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

‘Deadman’s Crossing,’ 16th Street and Sangamon Avenue

The railroad intersection at 16th Street and Sangamon Avenue earned the nickname “Deadman’s Crossing” in the years before an underpass was built to route traffic below the train tracks. At least 16 people were killed at the crossing between 1903 … Continue reading

Posted in Local government, Railroads, Transportation, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Catharine Bergen Jones, oldest woman voter, 1914

Catharine Bergen Jones cast her first vote (in support of liquor prohibition) in 1914, at age 97. Her obituary described her as one of “Springfield’s best known and most interesting characters.” See Women’s vote history, Sangamon County. This entry has … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Women register to vote, 1914

A massive outpouring of women added more than 10,000 names to Springfield voting rolls in a single day, March 17, 1914. It was the first time women were allowed to register to vote in local elections other than schools. See … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mary Morrison (woman school board member)

Mary Morrison was one of two women elected to the Springfield School Board in 1911. She and Ida Hanes were the first two women to serve on the board. See Women’s vote history, Sangamon County.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ida Hanes (woman school board member)

Ida Hanes was one of two women elected to the Springfield School Board in 1911. She and Mary Morrison were the first women to serve on the board. See Women’s vote history, Sangamon County.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mary Howard

Mary Howard (later Mary Howard Miles) was the Anti-Monopoly Party’s unsuccessful candidate for Sangamon County school superintendent in 1873, making her the first woman to seek an elective office in the county. See Annie Rheem Hannon.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

First woman to run for election

Mary Howard (later Mary Howard Miles) was the Anti-Monopoly Party candidate for Sangamon County school superintendent in 1873. See Annie Rheem Hannon.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

First woman elected to public office

Annie Rheem Hannon was appointed Sangamon County school superintendent in 1892 and elected to the post in 1894. See Annie Rheem Hannon.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment