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Way Down South in Illinois
online supplement, August/September 2007 issue

by Kelly Wingard

Opportunities for side trips abound in Southernmost Illinois. Following are several destinations, including a close-up on historic Mound City National Cemetery and a list of upcoming events.

Attractions along the Ohio River Scenic Byway

- Cave-in-Rock State Park: home to river pirates, this 55-foot wide cave was carved from limestone rock over a thousand years ago

- Fort Massac State Park - Illinois' oldest state park houses a replicated 1802 American fort and museum, displaying Native American artifacts and items from the fort's French and American periods. The annual Fort Massac Encampment is held the third weekend in October, featuring mock battles, traders, craftsmen, and period music, food, and dress.

- Garden of the Gods - ancient sandstone rock formations, with names like Camel Rock Anvil Rock, and Devil's Smokestack

- Golconda – the Golconda Marina and the irresistible delights of the Chocolate Factory attract visitors to this town

- Kincaid Mounds - prehistoric Native American settlement, with a viewing platform and interpretive panels

- Metropolis - 15-foot bronzed statue of the man of steel, Superman Museum, and Harrah's Casino

Mound City National Cemetery
Abraham Lincoln authorized establishment of the Mound City National Cemetery in 1864 as one of twelve original national cemeteries created to inter soldiers who died fighting for their country. This site was selected because of its proximity to two large Army hospitals located in Mound City and nearby Cairo, Illinois.

Original interments from these hospitals numbered 1,644. However, by 1869 the remains of other Civil War soldiers buried in the area were recovered and brought to Mound City for reinterment, raising the number of burials to nearly 5,000. Over half of these soldiers' identities are unknown, marked only by small numbered stones. More than 9,000 bodies are now interred at Mound City, including war veterans and their spouses dating from the Spanish-American War to the Persian Gulf conflict.

Twenty-seven Confederate soldiers are buried at Mound City. Surprisingly, their graves are not segregated, but rather they were laid to rest beside Union soldiers. Confederate markers are distinguished from the round stones commemorating their Union brethren by their pointed tops. Other stones scattered throughout the cemetery contain markings such as "C IF," used to identify soldiers who served in the Civil War's Colored Infantry.

Mound City contains a few infamous characters from the Civil War. Stone No. 2097 identifies the deceased as "J. Purveyer, Spy, June 23, 1862." Purveyer reportedly was snooping around the shipyards asking too many questions. After he was found with "papers" on him, he was accused as a spy and shot on site. Curiously, fresh flowers recently were found at his gravesite.

Russian-born Col. John B. (Ivan) Turchin, also known as "the Mad Cossack" for his unscrupulous war tactics, is buried in Mound City along with his wife, Nadine. Turchin is notorious for his statement, "I shut my eyes for two hours. I see nothing," which preceded the looting and pillaging of Athens, Alabama. Nadine Turchin also is in the history books as one of several notable women who served in the Civil War. When her husband became ill, Nadine commanded his regiment in battle.

August
11 Living History program (Massac Co) Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis.Massiac Marines re-enact the 18th century life at the fort. Free, 618-524-9321

13-18 Pulaski County Fair (Pulaski Co) Hwy. 51, Pulaski. Features carnival rides, games, concessions, demolition derby, tractor pull, horse show, mud bog races and exhibits. $2 per car. 618-342-6412.

September
3 Labor Day Celebration (Massac Co) Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis parade at 10am and live music. 618-524-9202

3 Horseshoe Lake Labor Day Celebration (Alexander Co) Horseshoe Lake Community Center, Olive Branch. 6:30am pancake breakfast, 10 to 4 BBQ, music all day, games, prizes, crafts & bake sale 618-776-5198

7-9 Cache River Days (Pulaski Co) Ullin ball park. Beauty pageant, arts & crafts, flea market, yard sales, parade, softball tournament, BBQ and music.800-248-4373

8 Wonderful World of Cattails (Johnson Co) Cache River Wetland Center, Hwy.37, at 10am & 2pm. Learn about the many historic and modern values of cattails and make a basket craft to take home. 618-657-2064

8 Living History Weekend (Massac Co) Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis. Massiac Marines re-enact the 18th century life at the fort. Free,618-524-9321

15 Shrimp Festival (Pope Co) Celebrate the harvest of southern Illinois fresh water shrimp, Shawnee Queen River Taxi and Horse & Buggy rides, Shrimp cook-off, entertainment and songwriters showcase. 11am to 10pm Golconda.618-683-6246

October
4-7 Riverboat Days (Alexander Co.) 8th St Cairo. Annual event features a golf tournament, parade, Riverboat queen contest and ball, Little Miss contest, quilt show, church tours, pet parade and flea market. Admission charged for some events. 618-734-2737

4-6 Fall Festival (Johnson Co) Sponsored by the Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce at Vienna City Park. Carnival, Sat: Parade, Mr. & Miss Pageant, games, prizes and karaoke contest. 618-658-2063

7 Annual Custom & Classic Car Show (Johnson Co) Vienna City Park. 618- 833-7027 or 618-658-8808

8 Guided Hikes in the Cache Wetlands (Johnson Co) - a 9 a.m. morning hike at Heron Pond, and a 1 p.m. afternoon hike at Wildcat Bluff. Cache River Wetlands Center-618-657-2064 or Cache River State Natural Area, 618-634-9678.

13 Cemetery Tour (Pope Co) 4pm at Golconda historic City Cemetery, reception at Museum. 618-683-3341

13, 20 & 27 Leaf, Bark and Seed Hikes (Union Co) Giant City State Park Visitor Center, 10am to noon. Come meet the trees of the forest and discover why leaves change color in the fall. Learn way to identify trees as their leaves disappear. 618-457-4836

14 Golconda Fall Festival (Pope Co) Downtown Golconda, some of the best crafters in Southern IL display their wares. 618-672-4317

14 Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament (Pope Co) Golconda Marina, 618-683-9702

20-21 Annual Fort Massac Encampment (Massac Co) Ft. Massac State park, Metropolis. 10am to 5pm daily. Military and civilian craft activities and demonstrations. Both days begin with a post of colors. Highlights include mock battles and tactical demonstrations, voyagers, traders, craftsman, children’s games, music and period food and dress. Free admission. 618-524-9321

This is a supplement to an article which originally appeared in the August/September 2007 issue of Decatur Magazine.
It may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part without the publisher's consent.
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