HR1378 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1378 LRB095 21617 GRL 51759 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

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

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

WHEREAS, Intrigued by the peculiar history of Walkerville, Bond Beard, Lisa Bridges, and Jennifer Graham, along with many other North Greene students, worked long hours during and after school to create the play; and

WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" is a dramatic play which also blends some elements of comedy and light-heartedness in the midst of its grisly events; the production also boasts a musical production and lovable characters, as well as direct quotes from articles on the events that ran back in early editions of the White Hall Register; and

WHEREAS, "A Rough and Boisterous Place" was nominated for an award by the Illinois Geneological Society for its attention to history and research; and

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

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

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