HR1378

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate Clint Kesinger, 
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Deanna Shive, Brandon Early, and their fellow students and 
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faculty for their successful production of "A Rough and 
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Boisterous Place" at North Greene High School; and

 
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    WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" is a play based 
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upon a book, titled "Murder, Legend & Lore of Walkerville, 
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Illinois 1836-1898", written by history teacher David McGraw 
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and former North Greene students Bond Beard, Lisa Bridges, and 
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Jennifer Graham in 1998; the original research paper was turned 
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into a pamphlet and sold, with the money raised given to the 
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girls for their college expenses; both the play and the book 
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recall the tumultuous events surrounding three murders in the 
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1800s in the Greene County township of Walkerville; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Founded by John Walker in 1836, Walkerville was a 
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tiny hamlet that was plagued by violence in the middle to late 
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19th century; in one case, an argument broke out during a 
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festival and a young man, John Calvin Vineyard, shot and 
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murdered a young man by the name of Edgar Yager; Vineyard was 
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never tried for the murder because no one attempted to 
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apprehend him after the murder took place; years later, a man 
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born  by the name of Frank Painter was responsible for the 
 


 






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deaths of Thomas Tatman and Perry Johnson, the latter of whom 
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was the town's deputy; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Intrigued by the peculiar history of Walkerville, 
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Bond Beard, Lisa Bridges, and Jennifer Graham, along with many 
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other North Greene students, worked long hours during and after 
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school to create the play; and
 
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    WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" is a dramatic play 
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which also blends some elements of comedy and light-heartedness 
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in the midst of its grisly events; the production also boasts a 
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musical production and lovable characters, as well as direct 
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quotes from articles on the events that ran back in early 
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editions of the White Hall Register; and
 
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    WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" was nominated for 
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an award by the Illinois Geneological Society for its attention 
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to history and research; and

 
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    WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" has been a 
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completely student-driven project, from set design to 
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directing to the script itself; students from North Greene have 
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been involved in every aspect of the play's research and 
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writing, making the play  a truly unique project in this State; 
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therefore, be it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Clint Kesinger, Deanna Shive, Brandon Early, and 
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their fellow students at North Greene High School for their 
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successful production of "A Rough and Boisterous Place" and 
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applaud their dedication to Illinois history and folklore; and 
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be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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presented to Clint Kesinger, Deanna Shive, Brandon Early, and 
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North Greene High School as a symbol of our esteem and respect.