Allison and Robert E. Lee Tour the Jefferson County Historical Museum

Allison and Robert E. Lee left 625 Wham Drive and went to Allison's house for the weekend. Allison, Robert E. Lee, and Allison's mom went to Mt. Vernon to the Jefferson County Historical Museum. Robert E. Lee loved the museum and got to see a surgical kit from the Civil War. The museum had artifacts from many times in history. It had a dentist chair and many artifacts from even before Robert E. Lee's time. The museum contained ballots for governor elections from the 1930s and dental tools. The nice man at the museum took out the surgical kit and took a picture with us. One of the facts that the man mentioned was that the kit did not include anesthesia. Robert E. Lee found this interesting, because this is something that was implemented after the Civil War. The injured people had to endure a great amount of pain when having wounds treated. Allison and Robert E. Lee traveled 193.4 miles for a grand total traveled of 2,723.72 miles. Allison hopes to return to the museum to learn more about history and the types of products used.

Robert E. Lee and Chelsea took a trip to the Historical Jail Museum in Benton, IL

Robert E. Lee and Chelsea took a trip to the Historical Jail Museum in Benton, IL. They traveled 100.9 miles round trip. There is an entire room dedicated to John A. Logan, Robert was not too fond of this part of the tour. There are occasionally re-enactments held at this location which are open to the public. There is also a lot of memorabilia from the Civil War including many things from the Benton area. A monument is located here that is dedicated to Logan and the 209 soldiers from Franklin County who lost their lives during the Civil War. Although, most of the Civil War history found at the jail museum was in honor of General John A. Logan, Robert and I had a great time. General Robert E. Lee has now traveled 1837.22 miles total!!

Danielle and John A. Logan go to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield!

Danielle and Major General John A. Logan took a long trip to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Republic, Missouri. The Battle of Wilson’s Creek, named for the stream that flows through the area, was fought on August 10, 1861, and marked the first battle west of the Mississippi during the Civil War. During the five-hour struggle between the Union and Confederate forces, there were more than 17,000 troops involved and 2,539 killed and wounded.

Danielle and Major General John A. Logan traveled 637 miles together. Major General John A. Logan has traveled 1,736.32 miles in total!

Denise and Robert E. Lee Visit Marquette Park

Denise and Robert E. Lee visited Marquette Park in Chicago, Illinois that is down the street from Denise’s home. They traveled from Carbondale, Illionis (625 Wham Drive Carbondale Il. 62901) all the way to Chicago, Illinois (6734 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago Il. 6062) in Denise’s car. Denise and Robert traveled a total of 325.49 miles together to and from the site making a total of 650.98 miles. Marquette Park is the largest park on the south west side of Chicago. This park that they visited is also know for being one of the places in Chicago that Martin Luther King protested in and marched in 1966. During this time this area was still and all-white hausing area. The protest held was part of the Chicago Freedom Movment. It was during this movement that Martin Luther King was struck with a rock.

During the 1930s this area of Chicago was primarily composed of Luthuanina culture. Therfore, there is a monument, that Denise and Robert visited, that was built to honor Luthuanian-American aviators Lithuanian-American aviators Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas who perished during the transatlantic flight of the Lituniaca.

Jessica and Robert E. Lee go the Biograph Theatre!

Jessica Benser and Robert E. went from Wham to Jessica’s townhouse in Aspen Court to Jessica’s Home In Grayslake Illinois to the Biograph theater in Chicago, Illinois where John Dillinger was killed back to Jessica’s Home, to Jessica’s townhouse in Aspen Court and lastly to Wham. Total miles traveled in Jessica’s car were 833.86 miles.

One of the most famous haunted theaters in the history of Chicago is the Biograph Theater. It is located on North Lincoln Avenue in downtown Chicago. The Biograph theater has many characteristics including a storefront-width lobby, recessed entrance, free-standing ticket booth, and canopy marquee. The building is finished with a red brick and white-glazed terra cotta. It was originally a theater but now presents live productions. The theater is on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a Chicago Landmark on March 28, 2011.

It was in 1934, that John Dillinger the bank robber was killed in front of the Biograph Theater. On the evening of July 22, Dillinger was seen leaving for the theater with Anna Sage along with another girlfriend Poly Hamilton to see the film Manhattan Melodrama. He had been hiding out for months in her North Halstead Street apartment. He was being pursued by Melvin Purvis, the head of the Chicago branch of the FBI. He missed catching him several times, but it was then he put an end to Dillinger.

When Dillinger walked into the theater that night, he was set up by Anna Sage, who had taken him there at the request of the FBI. She promised she’d be wearing a red dress for identification purposes. Sixteen cops and FBI agents waited outside of the theater for over two hours waiting for Dillinger to walk out. Finally, Dillinger left the theater and ran into Melvin Purvis outside. He stepped down from the curb, just passing the alley entrance and tried to run. He also reached for his gun, but it was too late. Four shots were fired at him, but only three hit. He fell and when he hit the ground he was already dead.

The scene at the Biograph Theater was chaotic. Tradition tells that people who passed ran to the scene and dipped their handkerchiefs in the blood of John Dillinger, getting a souvenir of this event.

At this theater people reported cold spots, icy chills, explainable cool breezes, and odd feelings of fear. Local business noticed people stopped using the alley for a shortcut on to Halstead Street. It seemed haunted to some.

During the 70s, the balcony was converted into two small additional screens. The original décor mostly lost, the Biograph continued to show movies until 2001. The theater reopened in 2002 under the Village Theatres Chain, who operated it until 2004. The interior was entirely rebuilt, which originally seated over 900 to now 299 today. The theater was repaired and cleaned to resemble its original appearance. Then the theater closed again. In 2006, the Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph reopened with the drama “Denmark”.

Michelle and John. A travel to Maple Hill Cemetery

John A. Logan, Michelle, and her furry companion Beavis took a drive to visit the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, Illinois. They traveled 76 miles round trip. While at the cemetery Michelle, Beavis and John A. viewed a wide variety of memorial head stones for those who have passed, including war veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Korean War, Vietnam, and the World Wars. They made a special stop at the grave site of the Civil War veteran Reason L. Minor and his wife Margaret. Mr. Minor not only served as a young teen in the Civil War but he also served as a Mason during his life along with other organizations as shown by the symbols engraved on the head stone. Family members of Reason L. and Margaret Minor still reside in Sesser. Every summer Mr. Minor along with many other passed veterans are memorialized by the placing of American flags next to their burial sites. The flags wave proudly with support for those who fought for our freedom and country throughout the years. John A. has traveled a total of 1,099.32 miles.

Robert E. Lee Visit Posey County Civil War Monument in Mount Vernon

Robert E. Lee and Jennifer took a trip to the Posey County Courthouse in Mount Vernon, Indiana. They traveled 261.76 miles round trip. The courthouse lawn is where a statue dedicated to the Civil War heroes is located. The statue was built in 1908 and includes a replica of Lady Liberty at the top of the statue. At the base of the statue are soldiers. Robert E. Lee and Jennifer went on to visit the local cemetery where 3 union generals from the Civil War are buried. Robert E. Lee and Jennifer had an fun time in Mount Vernon, Indians. Robert E. Lee has now traveled 2530.32 miles.

John A. Logan Visits the Old Courthouse

John A. Logan and Kim went on a road trip to St. Louis, MO. They departed from 625 Wham Drive, Carbondale, IL, and drove to Kim's house in Chesterfield, MO. Once Kim picked up her dad, they traveled to 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, MO, which is the location of the old courthouse. The old courthouse in St. Louis was the site of the Dred Scott Trial in 1857. Scott attempted to gain his, and his family's freedom by claiming that they were used at slaves in states in which slavery was illegal. The Supreme Court ruled against Scott seven to two. John A. Logan and Kim stood in the courtroom where Dred Scott tried to fight for his freedom. They also explored the first two levels of the courthouse. A lot of the original items from the old courthouse still remain. John A. Logan and Kim traveled a total of 308 miles round trip. John A. Logan has traveled a total of 1023.32 miles.

Robert E. Lee Visits the ALLM

Robert E. Lee and Whitney went on a road trip to Springfield, Illinois. Their first stop was Knight's Action Park, where they spent the day having fun. After this they went to the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum that is also located in Springfield. The ALLM contains many Abraham Lincoln artifacts which are on display. There is also a room that contains an exact replica of the log cabin that Lincoln grew up in. There are several performances about Lincoln and his wife, Mary. The ALLM also boasts a war gallery, where you can see a multitude of photos of soldiers from the Civil War and discover what happened to each of them. Finally, the ALLM offers a room called Mrs. Lincoln's Attic, where children can dress up and play in an old log cabin. Robert E. Lee traveled 346.8 miles roundtrip, which brings his grand total to 2268.56 miles.

Robert E. Lee Visits Union Station

Robert E. Lee and Natalie visited the Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri. The total round trip from Wham to Natalie's house and to St. Louis was 362 miles. The Union Station first opened in 1894 as the train station in St. Louis. The Union Station was the busiest and biggest train station of its time throughout the world. This is where many soldiers left their families to go to war in the years to come. One interesting part of the Union Station that Robert E. Lee and Natalie visited was the whispering arch, which is where two people stand on opposite walls and talk to the wall. The other person will be able to hear what the other person has said on the opposite side of the room, the sound travels through an arch that goes across the room. Robert E. Lee and Natalie also saw some old trains and equipment from the time when the station was actually functioning. Robert E. Lee and Natalie had an awesome time visiting the Union Station. Now Robert E. Lee has traveled a total of 1921.76 miles. Wow Robert E. Lee!

John A. Logan Visits Ulysses S. Grant Historical Site

John A. Logan and Kelli took a trip to Ulysses S. Grant National Historical Site in St. Louis, Missouri. They traveled 244.40 miles round-trip. This site is where Grant had met his wife, Julia, in 1843 and then in 1848 the two got married and had a family. The Grant family then farmed the land from 1854-1859. The farm is now called Grant Farm and is an attraction to families to explore different wildlife. The cabin in which the Grants lived is still standing in Grant Farms. Ulysses S. Grant played a critical role during the Civil War as a commander for the Union Army and through his leadership the Union was able to stop the Confederate Army. Ulysses S. Grant then went on to become the 18th President of the United States of America. He served from 1869-1877. John A. Logan has traveled a total of 715.32 miles.