"The Pig Lady and the Cross"

"The Pig Lady and the Cross". . , Even with the generous donations that were being sent in, there were still not enough funds to continue with the construction plans for the Cross., Left without many choices, Wayman Presley decided to take a leave of absence from his postal service position and threw himself wholeheartedly into the fundraising process. It was around the same time that a widow named Myrta Clutts, who at the time was a resident of Cobden, Illinois, noticed something quite unusual about her old sow named Old Betsy. Rather than having the typical litter of around seven, Myrta Clutts realized that Old Betsy had an astonishing twenty-one piglets! Myrta Clutts knew realistically there would be no way for Old Betsy to care for all of these tiny piglets, and in an effort to save them, she brought six to her dog Flossie, who had recently lost her litter of puppies. Thankfully, Flossie took to these odd-shaped babies and protected and nursed them as if they were her own., Myrta Clutts and her family firmly believed that these piglets were "an answer to [her] faith." She was able to sell fourteen of the hogs, which ultimately allowed her to contribute a $100 "Faith" pledge toward Wayman Presley and Rev. W.H. Lirely's vision for the Cross., Upon hearing Myrta Clutts' unique story, Wayman Presley encouraged her to allow him to take the remaining four brood sows from the large litter and give them to other farmers to raise and breed. Individuals from across southern Illinois worked together to make sure this idea was a success. Farmers would allow Wayman Presley to collect corn from their fields for feed, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale even allowed him to take their garbage for the pigs. In total, 1,600 piglets were delivered and raised alike on Protestant and Catholic farms in eleven counties throughout southern Illinois., The opportunities to bring individuals together from these two specific religious groups was especially fascinating in itself. This is because, at this point in history, Protestant and Catholic children were not even allowed to socialize or play with one another. Once these piglets reached "market size," the farmers would send the sale price to the Bald Knob Christian Foundation's Bank in Carbondale. From this campaign, an amazing $30,000 was raised.