Building a Ghost Town
By Gary Beams
There are much factual
evidence that leads to the belief that Galesburg is building a ghost town in the
near future. Think back to the surrounding communities, which were towns of
prospective growth with visions of enlargement. Now they lie in heaps of empty
store fronts and barren streets with only a few people surviving. The stages of
their cities' destruction are written in the minds of the old folks who still
reside there remembering the times of long ago, and they tell the stories to
the young ones as they pass through. Now, as I write, yes, I believe that
Galesburg may one day be one of these smaller communities being visualized in
the minds of all who are listening. All one needs to do is read the signs of
self-destruction that are written all around us. The opening of their eyes, to
view those things that people are trying to hide, the fact that Galesburg is
slowly drifting away into the quicksand of becoming a ghost town.
Focusing on the darkness of
the factories that once stood proud and tall with all the people employed, this
would be the first stage of becoming a ghost town. The newspaper would report
that this shouldnÕt be anything to be concern about. In the top ten stories of the
newspaper, it rings out the truth in summary of the closing of the factories,
ÒPeople seem to be coping with it and going about their job from day to dayÓ
(PJStar). There have been over seven big factories in this town that closed
their doors for good. They have left vacant lots that are filled with trash,
which are tossed about like tumbleweeds blowing in the wind. The factory that
once bellowed happy smoke because it was something in the community now hangs
its head, not allowing anyone in because of its shame. Empty lots that were
once filled with cars and people walking to their work place kept the town
alive. Now, the factories are only monuments waiting for the sands of time to
completely destroy them. The loss of jobs makes the people weary and distraught
because of the lack of income. There are no other places to turn to find
employment to supplement their needs for survival. The clanging of the locked
doors is a constant reminder that the cash flow has stopped.
The stage is set for the
second part of destruction, and that is: No jobs mean no money. The local
newspaper states that, ÒThe unemployment rate isnÕt any higher than it has been.Ó
(Landis). After about six months, sometimes more, the money that comes from
unemployment will stop. This places another burden on the unemployed. There is no
need of alarm for we are looking good in the eyes of statistics, according to
the true facts produced by the paper. Those facts in reality leave a false
impression to the ones who are reading the figures. The reason being that they,
the unemployed, are living proof that the statistics lie, because the
unemployment check has stopped, and the system believes that since no one is
receiving pay they must be employed somewhere. The battle never ends for those
who are under the burden of financial difficulties, fretting and worrying, with
the clouds of darkness always hanging over them from day to day. In this state
the unemployed wonder what to do next or where to go to find their next pay
check. The government has set up a program for additional schooling for those
who are called Òdislocated workers.Ó This may be a good start, but the problem
arises, with all the additional training there are still no jobs available.
What do they do next?
Questions that need to be
answered, brings the explanation of the third stage. The moving of the people
to different locations where the jobs are available, wherever they may be.
Still we hear from the newspapers that people are not moving or relocating; ÒWe
have a lot to offer hereÓ (Mann). This is a sad time because people hate to
leave their relatives and friends for the uncertainty of the future. The scary
effect and the butterfly feeling mixed with other emotions of doubt fill the mind.
The unemployed still cling to the hope that Galesburg will blossom again, but
in reality they fear that it is all over. The signs go up all over town: moving
sale, house for sale, etc. That is like handwriting on the wall that the town
is growing smaller in size. The public officials try to grasp the hands of the
unemployed by stating that ÒBetter days are aheadÓ to satisfy themselves that
they tried their best. The light that the official tries to display in order to
keep the people in town gleams dimly by the vacant houses. The hope grows sad
as the passing lines of people, still crying because they have to leave. The
town starts to crumble before everyoneÕs eyes.
Quickly, this leads on
towards the fourth stage, the stage of business closing. The department stores
are losing business, the reason being that the factories are closed and the clientele
have moved away looking for jobs, like a hungry dog looking for food. It is the
continuation of the repeating article that so much as states Òno problemÓ (my
words). The city officials believe Òlook what we are doing in trying to get new
business in townÓ (Martin). The signs of the times from the enormous stores,
vacant with "for sale" or "for lease" signs in the window
are revealing evidence. The signs might as well be wreathes of the passing away
of a loved one, stating, Òrest in peace.Ó The dreams of the store owners clad
with their merchandise hoping for a profit ends up in a loss. With the store
owners heads hanging down, they struggle to save whatever they can, moving on
with the crowd to other places where the hope lies of growth. One by one the
store fronts vanishes, left only are the covered windows that scream out ÒGo
away, there are ghost in here!Ó As one would walk down the streets of the city
of Galesburg and envision what once was, it could fill the life that used to
be. Now, there are empty dreams filled with lost in thought eyes viewing the
blank windows of the vacant store. Another sign of a ghost town in the making,
the eyes are closed, hoping that it is all a dream.
The stage is set for the
fifth area of the building of a ghost town, the final piece to the puzzle. The
question finally comes, what has happened? Or, when has this vacancy occurred?
The destruction has taken a long time in physical years. The fears and doubts
that everyone was trying to conceal, because of the reason they believe it
would never happen to them. It is now finally time to admit that it is
happening and it was happening all the time. Depression sets in because the
truth is out, and the people with little to no reason start packing, for there
is nothing left here in Galesburg to keep them going. Everywhere they turn is
another vacant building, destruction of fire and theft. For the people have to
do something to keep food on the table, and make a living. Disgust, bitterness,
hatred, all of these and more are the motivation that burns a fire in the
people now because they wasted all their time grabbing hold of a false reality,
ending up with nothing. All of the time they felt secure in their beliefs and
fought the battle to keep this town going. It is the time now where the
struggle of the fittest will win, with no care of those who struggled with
them. The ghost has taken another town as it looms over our fair city, covering
us with the ashes of pseudo dreams. The only thing alive now is the cry of woe,
for the city will soon grow cold with empty buildings.
In conclusion, this
building of a ghost town is only the preview of the past sentences of things
that have happened in the past, and for certain this city is heading down the
same path. The signs are out all over the city now. The silence of the
factories, the people moving, the stores closing, and the depression of the
misled people are all there. It is time that people opened their eyes and admit
that sooner or later their town is going to be a ghost town. How long will
people hold on without admitting that the signs are stacking up? How long will
it be before they see that their town will vanish as dust in the wind? What has
to take place before they wake up? This came to my mind when one of the
factories closed its doors:
Once
there was smoke that bellowed forth from the stacks that reach towards the sky.
Now
stand silent in the night
The
clanging of machines and sparks that flew as they press down,
Hands
that handled the machines that are replaced by the vines that cling to the
switches now,
The
shouts of the men and women who filled the building with their experiences
Replaced
by the tumbling of the tumble weeds and the whistle of the wind.
The
factory lies in a state of destruction as the rustic equipment has ceased to
move,
Another
deserted building filled with the ghosts of the past,
Another
passing of the men and women as they punch the time clock for the last time.
All
the warmth of the hated work place now brings the reality:
What
to do now? Where to go?
Once
there was another place to be employed,
Looking
around to see that there is a long list of ghost buildings lying in heaps
As
they say good-bye and seek work else where,
Another
town closed for business,
Another
vacant lot for sale with no one to buy, no one to care,
Once
a work force, now no work at all,
Once
a place of building homes, now "Get out while you can."
This
ends another era of the town as they fold up and leave.
Here lies the choice before
us, the choice whether to struggle and allow this town to become what we fear
the most, a ghost town. Or be challenged enough to do something about it. The
choice lies in each individual, for if we stand united we can overcome the
Òbuilding of a ghost town."
06/08/06