Beason, Illinois
| Beason, Illinois | |
| CDP | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Illinois |
| County | Logan |
| Township | Oran |
| Elevation | 640 ft (195.1 m) |
| Coordinates | 40°08′37″N 89°11′36″W / 40.14361°N 89.19333°W |
| Area | 0.625 sq mi (1.62 km2) |
| - land | 0.625 sq mi (2 km2) |
| - water | 0 sq mi (0 km2), 0% |
| Population | 189 (2010) |
| Density | 302.4 / sq mi (116.8 / km2) |
| Timezone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 62512[1] |
| Area code | 217 |
| GNIS feature ID | 404039[2] |
  Location of Beason within Illinois
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 Location of Illinois in the United States
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Beason is an unincorporated census-designated place in Oran Township, Logan County, Illinois, USA. The town lies one mile (1.6 km) south of Illinois Route 10. As of the 2010 census, Beason has a population of 189.[3] Beason has a post office with ZIP code 62512.[1]
History
Beason was established on July 29, 1872 by Silas Beason, for whom the town is named. It was founded as a stop on the Havana, Lincoln, and Eastern Railroad, which is now a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. The first store in Beason was a grocery opened by Berryman H. Pendleton, who later became Beason's first postmaster. Beason's school was built in 1893 and its Methodist church was built in 1904.[4]
2009 murders
In September 2009, five members of the Gee family were murdered in their home in Beason. The incident was shocking to most residents.[5] Investigators stated that all five family members died of blunt force trauma but have not released other details concerning the case as of September 24, 2009.[6] The community of Beason is planning on erecting a playground in honor of the family's name.
According to the Peoria Journal Star, the defense attorney for Christopher Harris, one of the alleged murderers, stated that Harris walked in on one of the couple's children, Dillen Constant, murdering his family and killed the teen in self-defense. Jason Harris, Christopher's brother, is the other defendant. Circuit Judge Thomas Harris (no relation to either defendant) denied a motion to give the defense team access to the boy's medical, educational, and criminal records, until the defense can be more specific in the request (they had until October 5, 2012 to do so; Christopher Harris goes on trial in April of 2013).[7]
The brothers could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On May 31st, 2013 Chris Harris was convicted of murdering all 5 Gee family members and attempted murder of the couples 3 year old daughter among other crimes committed during the murders.
Jason Harris testified during his brother's trial. Jason testified to what he heard and seeing outside the Gee home the night of the murders. Jason received a 20 year sentence for his testimony.−
Geography
Beason is located at 40°08′37″N 89°11′36″W / 40.14361°N 89.19333°W at an elevation of 640 feet (200 m).[2]
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, Beason has a population of 189.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ZIP Code Lookup
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beason, Illinois
- ↑ "American FactFinder". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 23 April 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ↑ Stringer, Lawrence (1911). "History of Beason, IL". History of Logan County, Illinois. Pioneer Publishing Company. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ↑ "5 slayings stun farm town". Chicago Tribune. 23 September 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ↑ O'Connor, John (24 September 2009). "Sheriff: Family killed by 'blunt force trauma'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ↑ Woodside, Nathan (26 September 2012). "Attorney claims teen killed Beason family in 2009". Peoria Journal Star (Gatehouse News Service). Retrieved 24 April 2013.
External links
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