Trial & Tribulations Ends with Praises for Second Year

Thanks to dozens of members of the community, Trial & Tribulations completed its second year with praise from all quarters. From all reports and the evaluations, the consensus is that the program improved from last year.

The Lincolns, the trolley on Saturday, the meal from Lincoln Springs Resort, and the play were all different this year and were appreciated by those attending.  The highlight of the meal was the bread pudding dessert.  Words like “interesting,” “informative,” “enjoyable,” “excellent,” show up often in the evaluations to describe the interpreters, the play and historic site format.

Six schools and 168 people visited during the school tours on Friday morning.  Two hundred and thirty people enjoyed the public evening programs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Two-fifths of the audience came from Oakland-Hindsboro; another fifth from the Champaign/Urbana and Charleston/Mattoon areas; one-fifth from about a thirty mile radius; and the last fifth from all over the state including western Illinois and the Chicago suburbs.  From comments on the evaluations, it seems that there was a large number of people who returned from last year.

The program required the help of more than sixty volunteers to staff all the sites and various activities.  The support of the Oakland community was critical to its success and is much appreciated.

The event is sponsored by Independence Pioneer Village, Oakland Historical Foundation, Oakland Landmarks, Oakland Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Oakland. It is made possible in part by grants from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University, and the Oakland-Hindsboro Foundation.  Visit the website to leave a comment on this year’s program in our guest book: www.matsontrial1847.org .

Scenes from 2010 Trial & Tribulations

School Groups Enjoy Trial & Tribulations

We had 150 students tour the two historic sites and the historical museum this morning, meeting the seven characters and touring the Rutherford Home.  One homeschooled boy was heard saying "I liked that!" as he was leaving the Lincoln's.  A couple of kids tested Mary Corbin's new found patience when they picked apples from her tree (they did discover she still has a temper- all as part of the fun of the program).  One of the teachers said he used to teach theater and that our interpreters were excellent!  The public will get to meet the same seven characters this evening from 4-8:30 p.m. and tomorrow from 2-8:30 p.m.  Tickets are still available.  And we'll be sure to tell Mary Corbin, it's o.k. to pick her apples...

Thursday Night Program Begins T & T 2010

The program went well tonight! A homey and devoted crowd that included two Rutherford descendants. The word is the dinner is wonderful - better than last year! And the play has a different feel about it, not as heavy. We had half the audience from Oakland and the rest from Decatur, Champaign and Urbana.

Pennsylvania Railroad Depot Welcomes T & T Participants

The old Oakland depot for the Pennsylvania Central Railroad has been given new life by Landmarks, Inc. to serve as the welcome center for Trial & Tribulations.  The historic building is on the north side of State Route 133 as you enter Oakland.  Participants in the program next Thursday, Friday and Saturday will park on the south side of the depot and purchase or pick up tickets to the event in the depot. 

The Welcome Center is being staffed by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce one of the sponsors of the Trial & Tribulations program.  In addition, Bill Chandler, who is a retired railroad man will be inside the depot to talk about it's history from his first-hand experience from working in it. 

Greg Baker, a member of Landmark's board of directors and publication chairman for Trial & Tribulations, has put in the lions share of the work to clean, paint, and repair the rooms so they will be ready for the public.

Independence Pioneer Village Gets Refreshed by Tennessee Group

Mt. Gilead Baptist Builders / Disaster Relief and their youth group, Example 13:15, from Tennessee were at Independence Pioneer Village this weekend to do some heavy cleaning and sprucing up. Thanks to them the village looks great! And they got to learn and practice skills they use in their mission trips while dipping into some history.

Keith Coffman, their leader notes, "We are looking for ways to teach our youth about missions and teach them some skills along the way.  I feel we accomplished that this weekend.  Most of our youth met new friends, learned a little about History, took part in something they haven't done before, got to take part in a Great Drama Presentation and had fun doing it.  Thanks again for the opportunity and for the hospitality."

The Lee Family that owns the Village is also very appreciative to have had the groups' assistance.  They were able to accomplish things like repairing a chimney and flooring in one of the cabins, cut down a large dead tree, and clean out overgrown brush.  In the family's words, "The Village looks awesome!"  It is a beautiful setting in which to meet Mary Corbin, Lucy Dupee, Jane and Anthony Bryant to hear their stories.  We will have four cabins, the general store, and the church/school open for visitors to tour during Trial & Tribulations.

Play Rehearsals Continue

The cast of 11 have been working hard with Dr. David Jorns, writer and director.  This photo was taken by Amy Rose, writer for the News-Gazette for her upcoming article.  Saturday they were able to practice for the first time with Ed Adams who is playing the new role of Frederick Douglass.

Harriet Tubman Comes to Life on Saturday

Trial & Tribulations is honored to have Kathryn Harris joining us with her presentation of Harriet Tubman on Saturday, Sept 18, at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. at Independence Pioneer Village.  While Harriet is not part of the Matson Slave Trial story, as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, she represents the only route to freedom for many slaves. This presentation compliments the Bryants story by highlighting the struggles that many other slaves endured to achieve freedom.

Harriet Tubman was born between 1820 and 1823; having been born into slavery, there are no written records of her birth. In 1849, destined for freedom, she escaped to Pennsylvania with the help of abolitionist friends. Harriet made her first trip back to the south to free other slaves just two years later.

Harriet eventually conducted numerous trips on the Underground Railroad and led some 300 people to freedom. Following the Civil War, Harriet was a part of the Freedman’s Bureau, which worked to teach former slaves to read and write, present themselves for work, and be their own masters.

Although Tubman's travels and activities didn't bring her to Illinois, she does have a connection to Abraham Lincoln. In the 1850s, Tubman was given land by William H. Seward, then the governor of New York. Seward would later become a member of Lincoln's cabinet.

About a decade ago, Harris was asked by a colleague to join in an outreach project of bringing history into the schools. So when she was approached by a colleague and asked if she would give it a try for an upcoming program, she agreed.  "I've always been a bit of a ham," Harris says.
                                              
To prepare for her portrayal, Harris read every book on Tubman she could find. She read encyclopedia entries, books about the Underground Railroad and even children's level biographies. "It became a passion," Harris said.
                                              
Phil Funkenbusch, director of the shows division at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, said Harris is a natural when it comes to her portrayal of Tubman. "It's almost like she channels her," Funkenbusch said. "She gets inside her own skin."

All told, Harris estimates she does about 30 Harriet Tubman performances a year. Along with schools, she goes to churches and civic groups. Harris explains, “My goal is to give people a better understanding of slavery and how one person can make a difference.”

Kathryn M. Harris serves as Library Services Director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (ALPL), formerly the IL State Historical Library (ISHL), in Springfield, IL.  Harris joined the ISHL staff in 1990 as the Supervisor of Reference and Technical Services and was named ISHL Director in 1996.  With the opening of the ALPL in 2004, Harris assumed her current title.  Harris says that the highlight of her professional career was being involved in the planning and construction of the ALPLM.  

She is active in  various library and history-related organizations and has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award, Springfield YWCA Women of Excellence Award, the Webster Plaque and the President’s Award from the Springfield Chapter NAACP.

Harris has appeared on stage as “Sadie Delany” in local productions of “Having Our Say” and she has also portrayed “Elizabeth Keckley” in “The Last of Mrs. Lincoln”, both performances having been presented in the Union Theatre at the ALPM. 

Christian Author sheds light on Matson Slave Trial

Christian author, Robin Lee Hatcher, a descendant of Gideon Ashmore recently shared a family letter with Roger Ashmore who portrays Gideon in the upcoming Trial & Tribulations program that reveals the depth of relationship between Gideon and the Bryant family.

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. She makes her home in Idaho where she enjoys spending time with her family and her high-maintenance Papillon, Poppet. Robin's many awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian fiction and the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance.  Her blog is WriteThinking.

Roger explains, “I am always doing research on the Ashmore family and I discovered Robin’s blog where she mentioned that Gideon was her great great grandfather.” After e-mailing and contacting her on Facebook, she shared a letter written by her grandmother about the Matson Slave Trial. Her grandmother, Madge Ashmore Johnson, was a storyteller and she wrote the letter submitting this family tale for a storytelling event in which she wanted to perform.

There were several new pieces of information contained in the letter, notes Roger. According to this story, Gideon did not immediately agree to help the Bryants. After talking to a tearful Anthony, he rode to Charleston and spoke with attorney Orlando B. Ficklin to see if there was a case that could be won. Ficklin agreed that Jane and the children should be free and said he would donate his services if Gideon would cover the actual costs. They planned to have the Bryants come to Oakland and to protect them so that Matson would have to go to the law and start the legal proceedings. The Bryants also wrote to Ashmore from Liberia expressing their thanks.

Johnson mentions in the letter that the story can be corroborated in Sandburg’s and Beveridge’s published biographies of Lincoln. Several sections of the letter actually reflect the influence of these works, but the above-mentioned facts are new. There are also small errors in some details that hint at the oral recounting of the tale over three generations – from Gideon to his son Mark and then from Mark to his daughter Madge. Trial & Tribulations coordinator, Renee Henry, comments “Its like playing the party game, Telephone, what you start with usually isn’t accurately recounted at the end of the game.”

The new information will be incorporated into Roger Ashmore’s portrayal of Gideon in Trial & Tribulations: The Story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial program that will be in Oakland on September 16, 17, and 18. The innovative event combines first-person interpretation at two Oakland historic sites, an 1847 meal, and the performance of Three Fifths of a Man, an original drama.

Cast for Play Deep Into Rehearsals

Trial & Tribulations: The Story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial program will be in Oakland Illinois on September 16, 17, and 18.  The innovative event combines first-person interpretation at two Oakland historic sites, an 1847 meal, and the performance of Three Fifths of a Man, an original drama.

Dr. David Jorns of Oakland is the writer and director of the play. He states, “We have a great group of dedicated individuals for the play this year.”  They are all working hard to make the production memorable.

Four cast members from last year are back: Jacob Norris, Benny Lee, and Bill McBurney (all of Oakland) are recreating their roles as Lincoln, the patient, and Matson respectively.  Stefanie Borntrager, Oakland, is also returning, but has an expanded part this year as Interlocutor #1 and Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.  Borntrager notes, “I loved doing the play last year and had to come back. I love acting and working with Dr. Jorns.

Stefanie is also responsible for recruiting Brittany Olinger, Oakland, who is playing Interlocutor #4. “I really liked watching the play last year, and I’ve been in some of the musicals at the high school, so when Stefanie talked to me about it, I figured I’d give it a try.

Another former cast member recruited April Noel of Kansas to play Interlocutor #2 and Mary Chestnut.  In fact, their first names are the same (April Lee was the recruiter) and they’re playing the same character.

Tracy Flesner, Oakland, rounds out the females in the cast by playing Interlocutor #3 and Mary Corbin.  She is sure to give a feisty rendition of the woman who started the whole issue with her temper.

Four new men have joined the cast. David D. Biggs, of Westfield, portrays Rutherford, and his son David M. Biggs of Newman is lawyer, Orlando B. Ficklin.  Both men have had experience acting in community theater which has been helpful in preparing for these roles.  Randy Walters, Hindsboro, is taking his career talking in front of people as a minister into a new venue by taking on the characters of William Gilman and Joe Dean.  The final man is Ed Adams of Round Lake Heights in suburban Chicago.  Ed attended the program last year and has volunteered with the steering committee this year and agreed to create a new role, Frederick Douglass, for this year’s production.

Public presentations of the program are Thursday and Friday evenings from 4-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 2:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Participants should plan to attend the entire time to take advantage of the many activities that shed light on this trial and all its participants.  Tickets are $25/person and are limited, so advance purchase is encouraged.  Groups of ten or more will receive a discounted admission price.  Call 217-508-9113 or e-mail trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com to reserve tickets.

Trial & Tribulations: New in 2010

Once again, history comes to life in Oakland on September 16, 17 and 18 when you meet  seven historical characters who lived through the Matson Slave Trial. The trial freed the Bryant family from slave holder Matson even though Abraham Lincoln represented Matson. Ticket holders will also enjoy an 1847 meal and watch the original historical drama, Three Fifths of a Man, written by Dr. David Jorns. The program starts at the Rutherford Complex at Pike Street and State Route 133 and is from 4-8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s program is from 2-8:30 p.m.and includes three extras: 1840s music performed by Motherlode String Quartet, Harriett Tubman portrayed by Kathryn Harris, and craft/life-style demonstrations replicating the nineteenth century nearby free African-American community. A ticket for any night is also good for the Saturday extras.  For more details visit our website at www.matsontrial1847.org, call 217-508-9113 or email us at trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com.   Tickets are $25/ person and include site admissions, the meal and the performance.  
The committee announces the following changes for this year:

• People will pick up their tickets and be welcomed in the Depot on the Landmarks property.
• Interpreters in town will be located in buildings: Rutherford at the house, Ashmore in the Historical Museum, and Lincoln in the Meeting House.
• Meal will be catered by Lincoln Springs Resort and will be ham/turkey, vinegar coleslaw, cornbread, chunky applesauce, vegetarian baked beans, and bread pudding.
• More of the houses in the village will be open.
• Saturday extras as listed above.
• Play has been slightly rewritten and will have some new cast members which will change the performance.
• No gift shop, but publications and postcards will be for sale at the depot and the Columbian Building.
• Some of the interpreters presentations have been altered to reflect new research and to add more variety to the stories.
• The Lincoln Springs Trolley will be here on Saturday to move people between town and the village.
• Golf carts will be available at the village to help people move between houses.

Comments in the Mattoon & Charleston Newspapers from last year for tell an excellent program in 2010

Bill Lair, Managing Editor of the Mattoon Journal-Gazette and the Charleston Times-Courier had the following to say about T & T:

"The people of Oakland did an outstanding job in bringing the people, passions, morals and legalities of the time to life...While I have known the basics of the Matson slave trial for many years, I learned so much more on Saturday...Originally, my wife Cheryl and I thought we might just go for the meal and the play. But the first-person interpreters really added to the understanding of the magnitude of the case...Roger Ashmore, a descendant of Gideon Ashmore, and Kim McGee posed as Ashmore and Rutherford outside of Dr. Rutherford’s historic home. They did a great job of portraying the two key figures in the story and explaining their involvement and their willingness to take action on their beliefs...Marylee McGee, Kim’s wife, portrayed Mary Corbin. She was a hoot! It was not difficult to get a sense of the real Mary Corbin’s temper and charm when visiting with her at a cabin at Independence Pioneer Village. The interpreters, as well as the actors in the play, all are local residents. Three performers from Indianapolis, also at Pioneer Village, portrayed freeman Anthony Bryant, Jane Bryant and Lucy Dupee, a resident of the black community that was just north of Oakland. I don’t know their names but they brought emotion to the roles so visitors could get a sense of the misery and cruelty of slavery..."Three Fifths of a Man” was the play written and directed by David Jorns, former president of Eastern Illinois University. It was more like readers theater, with few props, and very fast-paced. The cast sparkled...Incidentally, I thought the play treated Lincoln a bit harsh but the Matson slave trial is about so much more than Lincoln. It was a polished performance by all."

 

Many of the interpreters and several of the actors will return to their roles this year.  The play has a couple of extra characters, and special activities have been added for Saturday (though any ticket will admit you to those events).  Get your tickets today by clicking on contact us on the website.

2010 Meal Catered by Stovepipe Grill & Smokehouse

The 1847 meal this year is catered by the Stovepipe Grill & Smokehouse at Lincoln Springs Resort outside Charleston, Illinois.  The meal will have smoked turkey and ham, a vinegar coleslaw, stewed tomatoes and okra, chunky applesauce, cornbread, vegetarian baked beans, and bread pudding.  These are all dishes that were available on the Illinois prairie in that period.  It will be delicious!

An Evening With the Lincolns

Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s visit to Oakland reveals much about their personal and public lives. B. F. and Dorothy McClerren brought these two historic Illinoisans to life for an audience of fifty at the Columbian Building on Friday.

B. F. portrayed the famous Lincoln humor and eloquence as he recounted Lincoln’s life story.  He told of courting Mary and living in New Salem and continued with stories from his years in the national spotlight.  He quoted from Lincoln’s speeches and writings with a voice and mannerisms reminiscent of Lincoln.

Dorothy held the audience spell-bound as she depicted Mary Lincoln.  She recanted her childhood and Mary’s motherhood all in character.  She spoke of the difficulties she had with her step-mother and how that led to her being more educated than the average woman of the day.  She also talked of the birth and deaths of her children and how they raised the boys.  Her presentation ended when she stepped out of character to explain Mary’s tortured life after Lincoln’s assassination.

The program was a fundraiser for the Trial & Tribulations: The Story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial event scheduled for September 16, 17 and 18.  The audience contributed $255 and another $300 donation was received in the mail.  The McClerren’s waived their normal fee in support of the September program.

Trial & Tribulations is sponsored by Independence Pioneer Village, Oakland Historical Foundation, Oakland Landmarks, City of Oakland and Oakland Chamber of Commerce and is made possible in part by grants from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University and the Oakland-Hindsboro Foundation.

Auditions for Three Fifths of a Man

Local amateur actors and actresses are invited to audition to become a part of history, or at least to portray characters and events from history.

Open auditions for the original play Three Fifths of a Man, about the 1847 Matson Slave Trial at which Abraham Lincoln represented a slave owner for the only time in his law career, will be held on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbian Building in Oakland Illinois.  The building is located at the corner of Pike and Main Streets on the picturesque town square.

Male and females over the age of 16 are welcome and no prior experience is needed to audition.  One minute prepared auditions are welcome, but not necessary.  Tryouts will involve reading from the script written and directed by Dr. David Jorns.  Jorns has a PhD. in Theater History from UCLA and has been on faculty at several universities in Missouri and Illinois.  He has directed over 50 plays and is currently teaching theater history classes for Eastern Illinois University at Parkland College.

The mostly male cast will portray real people from 1847 highlighting their inner motivations as well as the historical events.  Jorns explains, “It’s so unlike the history we know from school.  Performers do not need any prior experience in plays to succeed, though they will be required to rehearse regularly.” Jorns is understanding of people’s prior commitments and will be as flexible as he can with rehearsal schedules.

The performance is part of an innovate historical program, Trial & Tribulations, in the evenings on September 16, 17 and 18 where audience members will informally meet seven of the characters from the trial at three historic sites in Oakland, enjoy an 1847 meal, and attend the performance of this play.

The program is made possible in part by a grant from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University.