Bond Monument rededicated in grand fashion
<span>CHESTER -- The ceremonial scissors were put to good use on Sept. 21, as the Shadrach Bond Monument was rededicated in a formal ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.</span>
<span>Originally dedicated in 1888, the obelisk was damaged in the May 8, 2009 Super Derecho when a tree fell on it. Three years later, two women - Betty Wagner and Marlene Seymour - set out to repair the monument named after the state's first governor.</span>
<span>"Betty Wagner took it upon herself in May of 2011 to start a campaign to restore the monument," said Chester Tourism Commission Chairwoman Sandra Starr. "Marlene Seymour joined her later and this goes to show you how two women can make a big difference."</span>
<span>The Chester Tourism Commission became involved about a year ago and received a bid of $8,700 for the monument's restoration. Located in Illinois' smallest state park, measuring 25 feet by 90 feet, the Bond Monument now has a bench made from one of the pieces of the old obelisk.</span>
<span>"I did write a lot of letters and was told by the Illinois agencies who did respond that there was no Illinois funds available for this," Wagner said. "For the ones who didn't, I picked up my cell phone and thank God for cell phones because I used it a lot."</span>
<span>According to a release from the Tourism Commission, funds from organizations, individuals, small businesses and Save Illinois History made the restoration possible.</span>
<span>"As the state of Illinois prepares to celebrate 200 years in 2018, it is important to preserve the history of our historic buildings," said Catherine Shannon, deputy director of Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, who attended the ceremony.</span>
<span>Bond served on the Indiana Territorial Council and was a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Illinois Territory from December 3, 1812 to August 2, 1813.</span>
<span>He was elected to be the first governor of the State of Illinois and inaugurated on October 6, 1818, serving until December 5, 1822.</span>
<span>The state capital was moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia during Bond's term in office and the state's constitution at the time prohibited a governor from serving two terms.</span>
<span>Bond died at his residence on April 12, 1832 and was buried near Kaskaskia. Due to the encroachment of the Mississippi River, the remains of Bond and his family were moved to Evergreen Cemetery.</span>
<span>In 1881, the Illinois General Assembly approved $1,500 for construction of the Bond Monument. Two years later, the 27-foot tall structure was completed.</span>
<span>On Sunday, Robert Yale - the great-great-grandson of Shadrach Bond - spoke at the ceremony.</span>
<span>"The only people left in the (family) line are me and my daughter and I'm honored to have them," he said. "The monument is beautiful and I've been to see it five times.</span>
<span>"I thought it was going to cost $16,000 and I guess it didn't cost quite that much, so there you go."</span>
<span>Also speaking at the event were Phil Neal and Bryan Everhart from Save Illinois History and Steve Colonel sung the state song, "Illinois," to close the event.</span>