This ban became effective in 1908, but was not widely known or enforced. Some high schools which came along in the early 20^th Century would organize girls teams without realizing they were violating IHSAA rules.

In late 1927, the IHSAA sent a strong letter to school administrators admonishing them to not allow girls to compete in athletics against other schools (“too rough and unladylike?”). So, shortly after the 1928 season, girls were banned from playing interscholastic sports. The ban lasted into the 1970s! (Source for above two paragraphs: IHSA article by Scott Johnson, entitled “Not Altogether Ladylike.”)

The photo below was sent to us by John Bybee.

TWO TRAGIC DEATHS IN VERMONT

by

John Bybee

     One hundred and seven summers ago, Friday, August 11, 1905 was a day of evil in Vermont, Illinois.  Two of the village’s citizens—one a young schoolteacher, the second a middle-aged storekeeper-- both died violent deaths within the same hour. 

     Miss Minnie Carnahan was born in Vermont on May 18, 1884 to William Fielder and Sarah “Sally” Ann (Webster) Carnahan.  Fielder was a black-haired, black-eyed veteran of the Civil War.  He had been a blacksmith in his younger years, but was now a poultry dealer.  The Carnahans maintained a modest home in the south part of the village.

     Minnie was the youngest child.  Her older siblings being Alma D. (1871), Angeline (1873), Maud (1876), and Harvey (1879).  Minnie was of a quiet disposition and devout.  In September 1903 she united with the Vermont Christian Church.

     Minnie in the spring of 1904 taught school near Lewistown.  In April of 1905, she became ill and consulted Vermont’s Dr. C.H. Hamilton.  Minnie complained of spinal pain and attacks of blindness.  She had no appetite and was quite nervous. 

     On Friday, August 4, 1905, Minnie was in Lewistown attending a summer school institute.  A series of blinding headaches forced her to return to Vermont on the afternoon train.  She did not sleep well Wednesday night August 9^th and on Thursday she felt her mind was wrong and she again consulted with Dr. Hamilton in his 3^rd Street Office.  She questioned the doctor if he thought she was losing her mind.

     That night, Minnie’s mother noticed that Minnie was more confused and sicker than usual.  Minnie went to bed at her regular time.  Sally Carnahan looked in on her daughter at 1:30 A.M., and she appeared to be sleeping soundly. 

      The Carnahan family awoke at 5:00 A.M. and discovered that Minnie was gone.  Thinking perhaps that she may have sleepwalked the half-mile to the railroad trestle, which spanned the Vermont-Astoria Road, Richard Alexander, her ten-year-old nephew from Lewistown was dispatched south to the railroad.  Minnie’s brother-in-law Charles Beaty headed north to search for her.

      C.B. & Q. engineer M.J. Steinmiller of Rushville was running engine #411 and bringing the morning passenger train to Vermont.  Number 22 was due in Vermont at 5:35 A.M. but was behind schedule.  At about 6:15 A.M. Steinmiller whistled for the station board about a mile west of Vermont.  He notched the throttle back and drifted towards Vermont.  A hundred yards ahead, Steinmiller saw an object on the track.  He whistled but saw no response from the unknown shape.  As the train closed the distance, he was startled to see the unknown object transform itself into a woman!  Steinmiller whistled a series of short urgent shrieks of the whistle. 

      The woman had her shoes off and appeared to be changing her hose.  Steinmiller slammed the brake handle into emergency and again whistled.  The woman rose to her feet and stared at the oncoming train.  She still had plenty of time to get clear of the track, instead, she dropped and layed across the rails!

      Richard Alexander arrived on the east side of the trestle only seconds before the train came along.  He could only stare helplessly as the train struck his prostrate cousin.

     Steinmiller climbed down from his cab and tried to calm the distraught youth who was screaming, “You have killed my Aunt Minnie!”  Minnie’s body was carried to the baggage car and the train proceeded to the Vermont Depot where station agent Ed Thomas took charge of the body.  Thomas sent word of the tragedy to the Carnahan family and summoned by telegraph Coroner Zeigler from Canton.

     At the exact moment the Carnahan tragedy was occurring, Jesse Burr Witchell was eating breakfast.  Burr’s health had been declining and he had not slept well Thursday night either.  Born in Vermont on June 11, 1853 he was the eldest son of I.B. and Sarah Witchell.  Burr had two brothers, John and Walter.  Two sisters, Eva and Mrs. Adaline Branson.  Burr left the family farm early and spent two years in Kansas.

      Burr was back in Vermont by 1885 and entered into a parternership with his uncle Hiram S. Thomas.  The businessmen opened a book and stationary store on the west side of North Main.  Two years later, Burr bought Hiram out.  Burr served one term as Postmaster.  He never married, said he never had the time.  Friends and customers later recalled that he was more despondent in the summer.  

      After his skimpy breakfast Burr stopped at the post office and opened his mail.  He arrived at his store at about 6:30A.M. and swept the floor.

     Drayman Frank Van Antwerp had a consignment of merchandise for Burr.  Frank pulled his team and wagon up in the front of Burr’s store and went inside.  Frank saw nothing of Burr and went to the back door and looked out.  Still no sign of Burr, Frank ducked back into the store and soon discovered Burr’s body hanging in a kneeling position by a small rope tied to the knob of a showcase, about four feet above the floor.

     Coroner Zeigler impaneled a six-man inquest jury headed by village marshal William Austin Fair.  Zeigler conducted both inquests on Friday evening.  On Saturday at 9:00 A.M. Christian Church Elder G.W. Ross presided at Minnie’s funeral, which was held at her home.  After lunch, at 2:30 P.M. Elder Ross conducted services for Burr at the Branson home located in the two-story brick house at the corner of West Fifth and South Liberty; now known as the former Price and Midge Nielson home.