Kane County IL Archives News.....Vi Rouley can paint pictures in words July 25, 1974 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Dianna Williams gammadi1@newwavecomm.net May 2, 2011, 11:30 pm Copley Newspapers July 25, 1974 July 25, 1974 Vi Rouley can paint pictures in words By LIZ ROBINSON If you don't have roots in Dundee Township, talk to Vi Rouley, and she'll transplant you! Born in 1903, she has lived almost everyday of her life in Dundee. She can paint a picture in words. A picture of that other era when large families had strong ties, values seemed eternal, and life held great promise. There was a "puffle" factory on Dundee's First Street, "down by the river," and, between 7 and 8:30 a.m., seven street cars, carried workers from Carpentersville and Dundee into Elgin. Mrs. Rouley can paint a picture of that earlier time too, when buckboards, buggies, and surreys passed along quiet streets. "HORNS A HONKIN” She met her husband, Reuben, when she was thirteen, working for $5.62 a week at an Elgin Shoe Factory in the summer. A few years later, on June 29, 1921, they were married. Her voice brings back the excitement of riding through Elgin "in a 1920 Ford with tin cans and horns a 'honkin" around Fountain Square where the street cars all came in. She can make one see the honeymooning couple in a surrey pulled by Billy and Fox on the way to her aunt uncle's farm. Another honeymoon picture she paints is that of Red Cross tents set up in Hinsdale to help people who "were dropping like flies from the heat.” "BUBBLE GUM IN HER POCKETS" A year after their marriage, Mary was born. Then came Beatrice, Bobby (Who died while still a baby), Charles, David, Gerald, Vernon, Dolly, Keith, and Winfield in quick succession. All of them were born at home, and Mrs. Rouley declares that there "was nothing" to having that many. Raising such a brood of children during the depression era did not limit Mrs. Rouley . When Mr. Rouley "took over her kitchen" to start the Service Print Shop in 1929, Vi and the children pitched in to help. Everything, from the very begining of their marriage, has been fifty-fifty, they say, their delight in each other still fresh today. In 1941 they bought the Dundee Review and Tri Cities Tribune and the paper became “a family project as the children were part of everything we did.” With their mother’s apron pockets bulging with bubble gum, the children, from tot to teen, ran the cylinder press, set type, acted as copy boys and kept the floor clean – whater job their age would allow. When Mr. Rouley worked nights during the war, Vi and the children put out the paper almost by themselves. DURING THE WAR The Rouleys are proud of the fact that during the war they sent free home town newspapers to the 800 men serving from this area. They are justly proud of the special edition carrying the pictures of the "boys in service," with a full color picture of the U.S. flag on the front page. They are proud too of the five sons who served in the various branches of the armed forces. Some of the returning service-men stonped off at the newspaper on their way home to thank the Rouleys. That and some of the letters they wrote to her mean a lot to Vi Rouley. To hear her tell it, the problems, such as the press breaking down, were nothing compared to the fun and interesting experiences. A native of Tangiers subscribed to the paper in the 40's. He complained if they missed an issue and he requested that no one know he was taking the paper. They have never found out why. They were pleased to learn that their paper was listed in a Paris, France library. Overseas contact was more meaningfully carried on by Mrs. Rouley and the editors of papers in Dundee Scotland. The Rouleys, who now live in an historic house in Dundee, were able to find out a lot about the original Dundee and the founder of our Dundee. HUMOR, FAITH, KINDNESS The achievement of this mother of nine and grandmother of 39 or “something there-abouts” seem incredible even for a lady of surpassing energy. Talking to Vi Rouley, however, help one understand how it was done. It was done with humor. When she says that “God must have a sense of humor” and laughs at the unavoidable chaotic family times, one sees the real strength that a sense of humor can give. When, at a family gathering, an assembly line from the sink to china cupboard loses its discipline and begins to throw dishes around a bit, Vi Rouley says philosophically, well, “if you don’t break it, they don’t have to make it!” Her faith, she feels, could move mountains. “If I can find compassion and kindness and be considerate and gentle . . . I find that in return and I don’t ask more.” This kindness and faith and humor perhaps explain why the negative aspects of life are not mentioned much by Vi Rouley – only the positive and encouraging ones. Mr Rouley says he has to scold his active wife to get her to slow down. Nevertheless, Mrs. Rouley, who says, “I don’t feel like I want to be a senior citizen yet” has taken on a new newspaper assignment. She is going to reactivate her “Just Reminiscing” column for the Dundee Review. Her readers will be in for a great experience. Not only will they see, as this writer has, the word pictures of other times, but they will also be the recipients of her warmth, wit and wisdom. She might even, if you put in a special request, tell you what a “puffle” is! Additional Comments: Dianna Williams is the granddaughter of Vi Rouley. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/kane/newspapers/virouley197gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb