JESSE JAMES TALE PART OF SCOTT CITY TOUR

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City Historic Home Tour could be considered a tribute to the legendary train robber Jessie James.

Local legend says James had come through the Scott County area in the latter part of the 19th century. One night, it's told, he slipped into a farm and made off with a horse, leaving money and a signed note tacked to a tree.

One of the homes on this year's tour stands on the land, and near the site, of that farmhouse. The historic preservation commission also has a favorite James' target on the tour, a train caboose.

"It's supposed to be very near to the tree," Scott City Historic Preservation Commission President Jeannine Schuenemeyer said, "but it's just folklore. Just a nice story to tell."

The home, which is known as Twin Oaks, was built in 1902 by the daughter and son-in-law of Henry Hillemann, the owner of the farm. Charley Morrill, who was a foreman on the Thebes Railroad Bridge construction project between 1902 and 1904, was the builder of the home.

Twin Oaks will join two other historic homes and the city's newest tourist attraction, a 1978 Southern Pacific Railroad caboose, on the tour.

Also on the tour, which is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, is John and Susan Steel's Bed and Breakfast, built in 1845 and known as the oldest home in Scott County. Commissioned by Ignatius Wathen, a riverboat captain, it stands at 39 Water St. in Commerce.

Melvin and Erma McCurter's house, 719 Fourth St. E., is also known as the Church House after the original owners and was built in 1914. This home, as well as others on the tour, has characteristic 10-foot ceilings and original wood workings.

The Schreiffer Home, 103 Jefferson Ave., which is owned by Larry and Sheila Gray, was built in 1915 in a mission style, Schuenemeyer said.

The last exhibit will be the city's caboose, which was donated in July.

The proceeds from the tour will go towards making an historical marker for the caboose.

Schuenemeyer said she's hoping at least 100 people take the historic home tour.

The city has conducted the historic home tour since 1992, which also marks the best year for that event. Schuenemeyer said as many as 125 visitors took the tour that year.