Hello
I wanted to write to you, as a Greenbush Illinois or Snapp Researcher, and
tell you about this story, so that possibly it can be saved for history.
My name is Thomas William Rogers, and my mother is Cleta Irene (Caves)
Rogers, granddaughter of James Oscar Simmons and Margaret Drake of Greenbush
Illinois.
My grandmother, Beulah Estella Simmons, married Martie W. Caves in 1915.
Beulah Estella Simmons, at some point in her life, had accumulated a huge
number of the books "The Early Days of Greenbush" by William Snapp. As a
young child, I was very curious about the large bookcase, with several
shelves, that was entirely full of just this one book. As I researched my
familytree, this was one story I wanted to learn more about, especially after
my mom shared a copy of the book with me for my research efforts.
My mom grew up poor, and said that her mom was always dragging something
home that she thought she could use, sell or trade for what she needed. On
one occassion a home across from hers, on the north west side of Greenbush
came up empty. After the people cleaned it out, my grandmother, Beulah
Estella Simmons went over and dragged more than a full box or more of books
home, saving them from the burn pile. They were all of this same book, "The
Early Days of Greenbush" by William Snapp. As I heard the story, I wondered
why she kept so many, and then proudly displayed them in a book case all
together for so many years.
I finally got my answer earlier this year. In talking to Dwight Simmons of
Greenbush, and others from Greenbush who confirmed it, I was told that Beulah
Estella Simmons was photographed as a very small child, and that photo was in
the book. Well, I looked and looked, but could not find the photo in the
book, so I went back and asked again. What I found was this. In the lower
right hand corner of the photo of the old Acedemy, in the book, is a barely
barely visible child, nearly doll like, sitting on a stump just like the
people described to me. But, even under 10 power magnification, one can
barely make out that a child is sitting there. So I sat out to see if it was
possible that a original copy of the photograph was around, so that I could
have an enlargement done. I have no photo of my grandmother as a child, and
this would be a special find.
So I started posting emails to the internet, hoping to find somebody who
might be able to help. I got several emails on suggestions, and information,
but have yet to find a photograph. However, I have found something special
and historically important. I found out why and how the books came to be
placed upon the burn pile in the first place.
I've received a hand written letter from Gene Snapp, the grandson of the
William Snapp who wrote "The Early Days of Greenbush", now 90 years of age.
The following is a transcribed copy of that letter, that I am sure, he won't
mind me sharing with you for history's sake.
April 2001
Dear Thomas:
It was very interesting to hear from you. You are right I can't
help you with the problem of the original photo. I don't remember ever seeing
any of the pre-printing records of the book. If there were any around they
were probably thrown away. The only thing I can think of is probably of
little value, a faint chance - that's if the old printing company still
exists and have not discarded old records.
I'm sending a copy of a picture that was on an ancient postcard.
It's probably of no value with your problem but I thought you might find it
interesting.
The story of the saving of the books from burning is good. I have
an explanation which may be true to add. After William L. Snapp was born, his
father died in a few months. Some years later his mother married Thomas
Darneille. There were 2 children Leander and Orlando, known to me as Uncle
Lee and and Uncle Land. Orlando married fairly late in life and lived in a
home on the west edge of Greenbush on the north side of the road. With my
family I visited the house a number of times in childhood. It sounds like the
house was near that of your grandmother. Orlando and his wife died, I believe
in the mid or late 1920's. My family had moved out of the state in 1923. I
suspect that a box of "The Early Days of Greenbush" had been stored with
William L. Snapp's half brother Orlando. Probably the cleaners of the house
on that memorable day you described wre not acquainted with any Snapps and
were not history lovers. Thanks to your grandmother (Beulah Estella Simmons)
the books were not destroyed and got to people who were interested in them,
I'm glad
With all my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I could
probably use a box of the books.
Your suggestion that we meet at Greenbush to talk sounds very good
to me. There are problems (1) I'm living in eastern Ohio to be near 2 of my
daughters and (2)
I am 90 yeas old and though I drive, I shouldn't go long distances on my own.
Maybe I'll still get out there someway - there are several things I'd like to
see.
Anyway, writing like this is easier for me with large amounts of
material and I'm new to computers and no whiz at typing.
Thanks again for your very interesting communication.
Gene Snapp
Forrest E. Snapp
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transcription ------------------
No, we know the full story. My grandmother, Beulah Estella (Simmons)
Caves saved the books from the burn pile because her childhood picture was
hidden inside the pages. The books were placed on the burn pile because of
where they were stored and a set of circumstances that lead them to be seen
as unimportant at that moment in time.
But I shall continue to seek a copy of the original photograph that was
used for the book, even though it may not exist.
Thomas W. Rogers
P. O. Box 85
Deer Creek, Illinois 61733