Howard Herron Memoir - University of Illinois Springfield

Howard Herron 5
guess Jesse James wanted to make it right with them, that they didn't
have to depend on anybody after that. This McNab told me that story and
I know he used to work in a grocery store here when they moved up here to
Auburn fr>om Hamburg. And they just didn't get them all right then, that
they'd get them, so they just, none of them would do the job.
Q: But he actually did see Jesse James?
A: Yes, he told me several times the same story and I know it was true
because every time he told the story the same time, three times, you know
it was right and he was telling the truth because you can't remember how
you tell it.
Q: That's good. So your uncles were cowboys, farmers . . .
A: My uncles and my father.
Q: Your father was also a cowboy?
A: Yes, when they wanted food they would just go out and kill ducks or
rabbits or anything, Their log cabin is still right there, still on
Birds' farm where they were born and raised.
Q: Is that right?
A: Still stands there.
Q: Isn't that close to here?
A: Oh, yes. Down here just south of Hamburg, Illinois. Right next to,
our family cemetery is there too.
Q: Is
that where most of your family is buried?
A: We 11, not most, I wouldn't say most but there is quite a few buried
there, cause as they grew older they scattered. They were like quail you
know.
Q: But you did get together and have family reunions?
A: Oh, yes, we do, we have one every year. Had a Herron family reunion,
was held here the first Sunday in October and there was about forty some
here.
Q: Do you still do that?
A: Oh, yes and there was some from Detroit, Chicago, Centralia and they
come from all over.
Q: What are some of the things that the people grew up to do?
A: Oh, getting back to my Grandfather Herron, his sister was the second
wife of President Howard William Taft. She was the second wife of his
and she was, now this is, I'm quoting family history they have and I know