St. Francisville (population 759) is located in southeastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of Lawrence County. The town is located on the banks of the mighty Wabash River. County Road N.150th Street connects St. Francisville to Illinois Route 1, just two miles to the west. The Prairie Central Railroad currently runs tracks through the heart of town.
St. Francisville is ripe with history. Besides the annual Chestnut Festival celebration in town, St. Francisville once was a stop for the mightiest railroad line of song, the Wabash Cannonball. The bridge over the Wabash River that once laid the way for the Cannonball still remains on the outskirts of St. Francisville.
More research on the history of the town and its school system is needed. St. Francisville may have been in the education business in the early 1800’s. We do know that a high school was in place by the late 1800’s. St. Francisville High School served the residents of the area for well over seven decades. It was in 1973 that the decision was made to close the high school in St. Francisville. At some point, in fact, all public school funtions have been closed in St. Francisville. The kids of the town now attend school in Lawrenceville ten miles to the northwest.
The fate of the original St. Francisville High School building is being sought. We do know there is a private school (grades K-8) remaining in St. Francisville called the St. Francisville Christian Academy. However, we are not aware of where the classes for this school are held.
St. Francisville High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800’s
Year closed: 1973
Consolidated to: Lawrenceville School District
St. Francisville HS team nickname: the “Saints”
SFHS team colors: Orange & Black
SFHS School Fight Song: “St. Francisville Loyalty”
University of Illinois Fight Song Tune
Words provided by HOLLY TAGGART
We’re loyal to you St. F. High
We’re fighting for you, St. F. High
You’re put to the test, and we’ll do our best
But you must do the rest, St. F. High!
Rah! Rah!
So go down that floor, St. F. High
And put up that score, St. F. High
All we’re asking you to do
Is make a few points or two
We’re boosting for you, St. F. High
ch hee – ch ha,
cha-ha-ha-ha,
St. Francisville High School
Rah, Rah, RAH!
Bring out that dear ol’ flag of Orange & Black,
Bring out your sons and daughters fighting them back
Like men of old and giants, giving alliance, shouting defiance
Oskee-wow-wow———
Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land,
For honest labor and for learning we stand.
And then again we pledge our heart and hands,
To Alma Mater, St. F. High!
Athletics
St. Francisville High School was VERY successful as far as the small schools in its area go in the sport of boys basketball. We believe that the school may have offered baseball and track as well. Coaches’ names, team records, and names of prominent SFHS alumni are items we are seeking at this time.
DIstrict Championship Trophy of 1930
Courtesy of Holly Taggart
Boys Basketball
Talk about the mightiest of the mites for their area! St. Francisville was a constant threat each year to represent the small school of their area in the Regional Tournament. The boys of SFHS won a total of TWELVE District basketball titles (www.ihsa.org). The titles were won in five different decades beginning in the early 1930’s. What a great job by the St. Francisville basketball program.
Several scores involving St. Francisville HS participating in the IHSA tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below. Unfortunately none of the team records during these or any other great SFHS seasons are currently known. The photos and player names of the District Championship teams below were submitted by a great fan of the St. Francisville High School Saints, Holly Taggart!
1922-23 through 1928-29 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.
1921-22 Bridgeport District Tourney
Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Keensburg 29-16
Bridgeport beat Sumner in title game
1929-30 District Champions
Coach’s name & record needed
Robinson DIstrict Tourney Scores
1st Rd Score Needed
2nd Rd Beat Flat Rock 31-10
Semi-Final Score Needed
Title Game Beat Mt. Carmel 19-17 (O/T)
Salem Sectional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Olney 44-22
Olney won Sectional Tourney
Olney would place 3rd in IHSA Tourney
*An interesting note about the 1930 District Title winner: We are told that going into the state tournament, the Saints did not win a game, but won all three contests to claim the District championship!
Decatur Herald Newspaper Clipping, March 10, 1930
St. Fancisville Saints 1929-30
Coach Samuel J. Gray
St. Francisville Saints – 1929-30
District Champions
1929-30 team members: Forrest Hart (Captain & forward), Charles Brian (guard), Donald Keneipp (forward), Carl Hart (forward), Willis Litherland (guard), Lester Boyer (forward), Roger Cullison (forward), Eddie Barnett, Charles Lane (guard).
1930-31 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1931-32 Bridgeport District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Lawrenceville 31-13
Lawrenceville beat Bridgeport in title game
1932-33 Lawrenceville District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Browns 39-27
2nd Rd lost to Lawrenceville 30-25
Lawrenceville beat Flat Rock in title game
1933-34 Bridgeport District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Bellmont 32-15
2nd Rd Beat Mt. Carmel 26-25
Semi-final lost to Lawrenceville 41-16
Lawrenceville lost title game to Bridgeport
1934-35 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1935-36 Bridgeport Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Lawrenceville 25-20
Semi-final lost to Olney 46-13
Olney lost title game to Bridgeport
1936-37 Bridgeport Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Sumner 41-23
Semi-final lost to Olney 20-16
Olney lost title game to Palestine
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 District Champions Coach Samuel Gray
1st Rd Beat Claremont 76-12
Other District Scores Needed
Bridgeport Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Robinson 26-20
Semi-final lost to Lawrenceville 25-19
Lawrenceville lost title game to Olney
St. Francisville Saints 1938-39
Coach Samuel J. Gray
St. Francisville Saints – 1938-39
District Champions
1938-39 team members: Lewis Tougaw (Captain), Dick Litherland (forward), Jack Brian (guard), Loren Leathers (guard), Roy Meeks (guard), Oliver Tussey (guard), Lyle Tougaw (center), Jack White (forward), Lee Carter, Maynard Hill, John Stangl
1939-40 Bellmont District Runner-UpCoach Samuel Gray
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game lost to Bellmont 30-14
1940-41 Bellmont District Tourney Coach Samuel Gray
1st Rd Beat Mill Shoals 44-24
Semi-final lost to Bellmont 29-21
Bellmont beat Bone Gap in title game
1941-42 Bone Gap District Champs Coach Samuel Gray Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Beat Bellmont 32-24
Mt. Carmel Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Mt. Carmel 44-29
Mt. Carmel lost in semi-final
Crossville beat Allendale for the title
St. Francisville Saints 1941-42
Coach Samuel J. Gray
St. Francisville Saints – 1941-42
District Champions
1941-42 team members: Johnny Tussey (Captain), Victor Harness (center), Louis Burns (guard), Winnie Litherland (center), Forest Spidel (forward), Caryl Cline (guard), Patrick Diver (guard), Mack Hall (guard), Dick Eggebrecht (center/forward), Beryl Weaver (forward), Beryl Tredway (forward)
1942-43Mt. Carmel Regional Tournament Coach Samuel Gray
1st Rd lost to Allendale 34-27
Allendale lost in semi-final round
1943-44 District Champions Coach Samuel Gray District scores needed
Regional scores needed
St. Francisville Saints 1943-44
Coach Samuel J. Gray
St. Francisville Saints – 1943-44
District Champions
1943-44 team members: Verle Tredway (guard/forward), Jerry Foss (guard), Joe Diver (guard), Jack Caldwell (center), Joe Lyons (guard), Bob Ackman (forward/guard), Nub Fortner (guard), Forest Fortner, John Bell, Bob Gremore, Goon Sangle, Jay Wieler
1944-45 District Champions Coach Samuel Gray
District scores needed
Mt. Carmel Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Albion 24-20
Semi-final lost to Grayville 38-27
Grayville lost title game to Mt. Carmel
St. Francisville Saints 1944-45
Coach Samuel Gray
St. Francisville Saints 1944-45
District Champions
1944-45 team members: Jack Caldwell (captain), Joe Diver (forward), Joe Lyons (guard), Bob Ackman (forward), Nub Fortner (guard), John Bell, Bob Gremore, Jim Gray, Bob Edwards, Bill Carter
1945-46 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Samuel Gray
1946-47 St. Francisville District Runner-upCoach Samuel Gray
1st Rd Beat Lancaster 49-23
Semi-final Beat Browns 34-30
Title game lost to Allendale 26-25
1947-48 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Samuel Gray
1948-49 St. Francisville District Champions Coach Samuel Gray
Title Game Beat Allendale 46-44
Mt. Carmel Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Crossville 36-34
Semi-final lost to Carmi 49-37
Carmi beat Albion for the title
St. Francisville Saints 1948-49
Coach Samuel J. Gray
St. Francisville Saints 1948-49
District Champions
1948-49 team members: Tom Flanders (captain), Paul Moyes (guard), Jack Deckard (center/forward), Don Sowder (center), Jim Bell, Eddie Tussey, Ike Caldwell, Charles Pulleyblank, Don Dennison, Don Brunson, John Pulleyblank, Bob Caldwell, Alfard Pierson, Pete Ackman, Howard Lynn, Don Mason, J.R. Tetidrick, Marshall Potts, Bill Padgett, Paul Fleenor, Bill Pavitt, Joe Wolfe
1949-50 Bridgeport Regional Tournament Coach Samuel Gray
1st Rd lost to Bridgeport 49-44
Bridgeport lost in semi-final round
1950-51 Palestine District Champions Coach James Williams
Semi-final Beat Hutsonville 39-37
Title Game Beat Palestine 38-36
Bridgeport Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Bridgeport 49-44
Bridgeport lost in semi-final round
St. Francisville Saints 1950-51
Coach James Williams
St. Francisville Saints 1950-51
District Champions
1950-51 team members: Bill Padgett (co-captain/center), Marshall Potts (forward), John Pulleyblank (co-captain/guard), Eddie Tussey (guard), Howard Lynn (forward), Don Brunson (guard), Paul Fleenor (forward), Bill Pavitt (guard), Carl Stephenson (forward), Jack Lynch (center), Joe Wolfe (student manager), Bob Rasico (student manager)
1951-52 St. Francisville District Champions Coach James Williams
Semi-final Beat Sumner 60-44
Title Game Beat Palestine 72-63
Robinson Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Bridgeport 76-52
Bridgeport lost in semi-final round
St, Francisville Saints 1951-52
Coach James Willliams
St. Francisville Saints 1951-52
District Champions
1951-52 team members: Don Brunson (guard), Bill Pavitt (guard), Howard Lynn (forward), Paul Fleenor (guard), Carl Stephenson (forward), Norman Michael (forward), Dick Carter (center), Jack Lynch (center), Robert Fleenor (guard), Paul Brunson (guard), Bob Rasico (manager), Glenn Schrader (manager), Eugene Blair (manager)
1952-53 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1953-54 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1954-55 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1955-56 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1956-57 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1957-58 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1958-59 Hutsonville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Allendale 81-55
Allendale lost in semi-final round
1959-60 Sumner District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Noble 56-42
Noble lost in semi-final round
1960-61 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1961-62 Sumner District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Hutsonville 63-45
Hutsonville lost in semi-final round
1962-63 Sumner District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Noble 76-56
Noble won District title
1963-64 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1964-65 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1965-66 Hutsonville District Champions Coach Eugene Salmons
Season record needed
Hutsonville District Scores
1st Rd Beat Hutsonville 71-65
Semi-Final Beat Dietrich 60-52
Title Game Beat Noble 76-70
Olney Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Palestine 70-58
Palestine lost to Lawrenceville in title game
St. Francisville Saints 1965-66
Coach Eugene Salmons
St. Francisville Saints 1965-66
District Champs / Little Ten Conference Champs
1965-66 team members: Jerry Scott (center), David Andrews (center), John Martin (forward), David Kendall (forward), Don Diver (guard), David Diver (guard), Gary Kasinger (guard), Bob Tillotson, Larry Ice, Steve Shearer (manager)
B-Team:
Kenneth Emmons, Mike Buchanan, Rick Potts, Tom York, Jeff Gates, Roy Kendall, Mike Bledsoe, George Gognat (manager)
1966-67 Sumner District Champions Coach Eugene Salmons
Semi-Final Beat Dietrich 60-42
Title Game Beat Allendale 53-40
Mt. Carmel Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Bridgeport 84-76
Bridgeport lost in semi-final round
St. Francisville Saints 1966-67
Coach Eugene Salmons
St. Francisville Saints 1966-67
District Champions / Little Ten Conf. Champs/Round Robin Tourney Champs
1966-67 team members: David Diver (guard), Donnie Diver (guard), David Andrews (guard), John Martin (forward), Tom York (center), Dan Andrews (center), David Kendall (forward), Gary Kasinger (guard), Bob Ensor (guard), Mike Buchanan (forward)
B-Team:
Sam Brian, Andy Brian, Mike Porter, Chuck Edgin, Bob Mills, Mike Leighty, Bob Ensor, Bernell Gray, Roger Wrinkles, Dude Martin, Bill Stone,
Managers:
Mike Tredway, Mike Shappard, Mike Bledsoe, Gene Young
1967-68 Sumner District Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Allendale 70-61
Semi-final Beat Hutsonville 72-57
Title game lost to Noble 74-64
1968-69 Allendale District Champions Coach Jack Rawlinson
Semi-final Beat Hutsonville 62-52
Title Game Beat Noble 61-55
Bridgeport Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Robinson 68-61
Semi-final lost to Lawrenceville 68-61
Lawrenceville beat Oblong for title
St, Francisville Saints 1968-69
Coach Jack Rawlinson
St. Francisville Saints 1968-69
District Champions
1968-69 team members: Tom York (center/forward), Mike Leighty (forward), Andy Brian (guard), Don Fortner (guard), Don Martin (guard), Mike Porter (center), Steve Cogdill (forward), Bernell Gray (forward), Rex Tillotson (guard), Mike Tillotson (guard)
Junior Varsity:
Jim Moyes, Mike Shappard, Steve Scott, Joe Leighty, Mike Deckard, Sam Brian, Gordon Litherland, Mike Tollotson
Managers: Henry Smith (head manager), Steve Martin (statistician), Joe Smith (JV manager)
1969-70 Hutsonville District Champions Coach James Dunn
Title Game Beat Noble 60-48
Bridgeport Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Newton 77-58
Semi-final lost to Lawrenceville 73-64
Lawrenceville won Regional title
St. Francisville Saints 1969-70
Coach James Dunn
St. Francisville Saints 1969-70
District Champions
1969-70 team members: MIke Porter (captain/center), Mike Leighty (captain/forward), Dude Martin (guard), Bill Stone (guard), Dennis Ivers (forward), Joe Leighty (center), Don Fortner (guard), Gary Smith (guard), Mike Deckard (forward), Sam Brian (guard), Mike Shappard (guard)
B-Team:
Scott Litherland, Gordon Litherland, John Hoh, Joe Leighty, Jim Cladwell, Bruce Lane, Mike Tillotson, Tom Hovermale
Manager: David Cogdill
1970-71 Sumner District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sumner 53-37
Sumner lost in semi-final round
1971-72 Lawrenceville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Palestine 75-55
Palestine lost to Lawrenceville in title game
1972-73 Robinson Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed
*1st Rd lost to Bridgeport 62-59
Lawrenceville beat Robinson in title game
*Final game for the St. Francisville High School boys basketball program. School district consolidated to Lawrenceville in the summer of 1973.
We Need Your Assistance
Help us to properly remember the history and accomplishments achieved by those who made St. Francisville High School a success for so many years. If you have any information, especially a photo of the original High School building, you would like to share please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us via real mail at:
