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Community of LeRoy
Reminiscences
Charlie Whitaker
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

Charlie Whitaker, as he was enjoying the pleasant shade in the city park last Sunday, became reminiscent. Among other things he mentioned, was that 70 years ago, he hauled a load of wheat to Chicago. His father also took a load. Mr. Whitaker's load was drawn by a team of horses, and contained 30 bushels. His father. Marshal Whitaker had a load of 45 bushels, drawn by two spans of oxen. It took four days to make the trip to Chicago, and as there were no bridges they had much experience fording the creeks and rivers. Pontiac was the only town in his memory, through which they went. Near to Chicago was a large swamp the worst place on the road. Mr. Whitaker remarked that LeRoy now, is a better town than Chicago was at that time. The dwelling houses were mostly shacks and the streets were in bad condition. The price received for the wheat after being delivered 150 miles by wagon, was 50c per bushel. The wheat was sacked and it was often necessary when stuck in a mudhole, to unload the wagons, pull out, and then reload. In order to get enough sacks for a trip like this, the whole neighborhood had to be depended on for sacks, which were about as scarce as stovepipe hats are at the present time. [Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois (1976) LeRoy Historical Society; LeRoy Bi-Centennial Commission]

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