Sunday, Oct. 15^th eighty relatives and friends of Mrs. Blaine Simmons gathered at her home and gave her a birthday surprise. She was taken for a ride and on her return home she found a large table loaded with good things to eat. In the center of the table was a large angel food decorated with 50 pink and yellow candles. After everyone had seen Mrs. Simmons blow out the lighted candles and were satisfied with all the good things to eat they were entertained by the excellent string music furnished by Jim Simmons and sons of Herrin.
Those in attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Simmons and seven children, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Simmons and two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Webb and six children, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Johnson and three children, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Webb and four children, Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Lemaster and three children, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Webb and aunt, Josie Edmonds, Mr. and Mrs. John Simmons and two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Johns and two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Kelley and son, Mr.and Mrs. Allen Vinson, Mr. And Mrs. D. C. Vinson and son, Wayne, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Vinson and two sons, Mrs. Lutitia Harris and son, Dewey, Mrs. Gracie Boner and two sons, Mr. And Mrs. Gardner Moore and son, Hazel Bradley, Mrs. Syrilda Simmons, Norma Lee Eastman and Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Simmons and eight children. All left saying they had never spent a more enjoyable day and wishing Mrs. Simmons many such happy birthday occasions.
__Copied from Vienna Times 1939.

"Ghost Towns of Southern Illinois ( copied from a newspaper clipping ) by Glenn J. Sneed, 1968