Old car cruise comes to visit

We got a call a few weeks ago about an old car cruise that was going to be cruising through Oakland.  They wanted to stop and visit at the Dr's house.  So on Saturday, October 26th we had several pretty cool looking cars drive in and park out by the highway.  The owners, from the Decatur area, toured the grounds.  It was a really fun morning visiting with the guests but also getting to stroll through the cars to take a look.

 These two were Clayton's favorites.

 And these were the winners according to Braden.

 An here we are waiving good bye as they were heading west for lunch.

Mail Pouch Barn in all it's splendor.

Took this picture a couple years ago.  It's one of my favorites.  Pretty enough for a postcard.

This barn was originally located south and east of Oakland on the Warrington Curve.  It was loaded on a trailer and moved to Oakland where it has stood with pride ever since.  After being placed at the Landmarks property it was painted by Harley Warrick, the Mail Pouch Barn painter.  This barn has been quite a tourist attraction through the years.  Charles Kuralt & Eddie Albert to mention a few.  Currently the barn is under renovations by the Oakland FFA chapter.  They have almost completed the painting and will be working towards repairing the foundation and cleaning and itemizing the many items stored inside it's walls.

A Pioneer Dr.

Welcome!

Just a little part of the interesting story of Dr. Hiram Rutherford.  Oakland's first educated Doctor.  Hiram Rutherford came to a community called Independence in December 1840.  He came on horseback his medical tools and his skill as a doctor and a ten dollar gold piece in his pocket, to set up his medical practice.  In 1842 after getting settled he traveled back to Paxtang Pennsylvania to marry his sweetheart Lucinda Bowman.  They set up housekeeping in this small community.  In 1844 they were blessed with a son and named him John.  In a little more than a year after John was born tragedy struck the young couple.  Lucinda was taken ill after attending a Methodist camp meeting.  She passed away leaving the young doctor and their son.  Lucinda's mother never forgave Hiram for taking her away.

1847 was a year of many changes for the Doctor.  He had started building the first two story house in Independence.   Also in 1847 Dr Rutherford met Harriet Hutcherson in Charleston during the Lincoln/Matson slave trial.  Harriet had traveled from Springfield Illinois to Charleston to attend the trial as it was a pretty big deal in 1847.

In 1848 The Dr traveled to Springfield where he married Harriet.  She bore the Dr nine more children.  Two of whom died in infancy.  She was definitely the Dr's helpmate as she helped prepare salves and pills for his office use, nursed itinerant wayfarers who became ill while in Oakland and managed her household.

The doctor lived in Oakland, he raised his family and was a well respected physician.  He passed away on April 29, 1900 at the age of 85.  Harriet died on January 21, 1914.