130 Years Ago
January 5, 1895
J. W. Morris has sold his restaurant business to Walter and Harry Amsbary. Walter Amsbary takes personal charge of the business and Harry will continue at his post in the employ of Walton Bros.
Conrad Wenger was badly injured Thursday evening when a gun he was using at the charivari party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Metz exploded.
The genial face of Ed Funk is missed from behind the counter of Walton Bros., he having accepted a position as traveling salesman.
James Hagen, working for John Jackson, blacksmith of Chenoa, drove sixty-six shoes in six hours and twenty-five minutes, this being the most shoes ever put on in Chenoa at one time.
The New Sherman House is prepared to accommodate a few roomers and boarders.
120 Years Ago
January 6, 1905
Fred Wessles, the 14 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jons Wessles, west of Fairbury, was terribly mangled by a savage dog Tuesday. The dog was owned by Mr. Wessles and was usually kept chained. He was a savage brute and was as heavy as a man, weighing 165 pounds. The boy started to run by the kennel, going out to the barn, when the dog sprang at him, seizing him by the leg. Before assistance could arrive the dog had bitten and torn the lad's foot and leg in a terrible manner. Dr. Robinson was called and dressed the boy's injuries and he is getting along as well as can be expected but it will be some time before he recovers. The dog was killed.
Mrs. W. T. Jones, living southwest of Fairbury, on the William Brooks farm, is one of the most successful poultry raisers in the country. Last week she sold to George Cottingham 318 head of pure blood Buff Cochin chickens. Of this number there were 153 capons which brought her nearly $140, and the balance consisted mostly of pullets which brought her almost $70, the total amounting to over $200. On account of preparing to leave the farm, many of the chickens were sold before they were full grown and had they been held until fully developed before selling they would have brought much more. Mr. and Mrs. Jones expect soon to move to Fairbury to make that their future home and reap the reward of their many years of hard and honest labor.
The high school boys' and girls' basketball teams left for Minonk at 12:35 o'clock this afternoon. They play the Minonk High School teams tonight. They are confident that they will come back covered with glory.
110 Years Ago
January 8, 1915
Joe Carrithers was struck by an automobile Saturday while crossing the street between Decker's Drug Store and the post office. He was not injured.
The Tri-Gamma Fraternity celebrated its fourteenth anniversary with a dancing party last Friday evening at the Fairbury Opera House, about 75 couples participating. The grand march was led by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Ramsey, assisted by Miss Anna Loughran and Frank Phelps.
The city clerk has been instructed to notify the property holders on the north side of Maple Street in the block west of First Street that the outbuildings which are in the street must be moved and cleaned up.
An Iowa firm was represented here this week, and are looking over the town and consulting with the business men in regard to putting in a gas plant for lighting the city and also for cooking and heating purposes. Since the city has been receiving its "juice" from Watseka, the power situation here has been very poor. Residents would certainly welcome any relief from this unsatisfactory condition.
100 Years Ago
January 9, 1925
A gospel crusade to rescue the lost art of soul-winning and "to seek and save that which is lost" is now on at the M. E. Church and will continue until the 18th of January. This is a part of a district-wide movement under the leadership of Dr. F. E. Shult and preachers of his district, a simultaneous effort to press home the claims of Christ. The evangelist who is directing the crusade is P. Raymond Powers, a man of fine presence, a magnetic speaker, a convincing preacher of the gospel and a fine brotherly man.
The cold, following in the wake of the sleet storm, which has kept central Illinois wrapped in its snowy robe, and which has brought to this part of the country the first real winter weather it has seen for several years, has taken heavy toll among the furry and feathered fold of the fields. J. D. Lannon, of Saunemin, has been hunting several days and reports that he has found hundreds of quail frozen in the hedge rows in the vicinity of Saunemin. In one place he found eighteen rabbits, frozen to death, their rigid little bodies huddled together. Other bunches of quail flushed by the hunter were so weak that they could barely fly.
In addition to the auto storage, Dr. Calkins has added to the business, taxi service with new enclosed cars with heaters. Cars driven by a licensed chauffeur. When in need of a taxi for local or long distance trip call 1L-388.
90 Years Ago
January 4, 1935
Chevrolet presents for 1935, two new lines in the two lowest price ranges. The new Standard Chevrolet, lowest-priced six, big roomy body by Fisher, smooth powerful brakes, blue-flame valve-in-head engine. Flashy acceleration, 23% more power for getaway and hill-climbing, $465. The new Master DeLuxe, new streamline styling, turret top body by Fisher, $560. —Fairbury Auto Co.
William Keeley, of Forrest, had a harassing experience with his car last Sunday. He was driving east on Route 24 and as he neared the bridge at the west edge of Forrest, the icy pavement caused him to lose control of his car, which ran into the guard fence. The guard rail broke, entered the front end of the car and ran right through it. When the car came to a stop the end of the rail was pressing against Mr. Keeley's shoulder.
Miss Emily Purdum entertained 20 friends at her home Monday evening, New Year's Eve. The evening was spent at playing cards and games and a few minutes before 12 each guest was given a noisemaker and the incoming New Year was gayly greeted. At midnight lunch was served.
80 Years Ago
January 5, 1945
Mention was made in The Blade last week that Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Werling were selling out their stock of meats and groceries and that place of business would be closed. Mr. and Mrs. Werling are retiring but that well known establishment will continue in business, the Werlings having disposed of their business and meat and grocery stock together with the building to Harold Schultz, of Herscher. Mr. Schultz recently received a medical discharge from the army, after serving 15 months. He and his wife will occupy the apartments over the store as soon as they are vacated by Mr. and Mrs. Werling, who have as yet not decided what they will do.
Conrad Munz is just about through with his ice harvest, and will finish the job today or tomorrow. It has taken a little longer this year than usual due to the scarcity of help. He is filling all three houses which will take a thousand or twelve hundred tons. The ice is about 12 inches thick and of exceptionally fine quality.
Nineteen year old T/Sgt. Donald F. Short, of Forrest, top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, has been awarded the fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement" while participating in bombing attacks on Nazi installations. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Short, of Forrest. A graduate of Forrest High School, he was employed at Walter Mayhews' drug store, Forrest, prior to his entry into the AAF in April, 1943.
70 Years Ago
January 6, 1955
Kim Ann Range, a 7 lb., ¾ oz. baby girl, arrived at the Fairbury Hospital at 12:46 a.m. Monday to qualify as the first baby of the year. The infant's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Range of Chenoa.
Protective shots of the Salk polio vaccine will be available for every first and second grade child in the unit, if a scientific report next spring indicates that the vaccine is effective.
Burglars blew open a vault-like safe at Walton's Department Store on Dec. 23, 1954, and made good their escape with $3,500 in cash and $3,000 in checks. The thieves have not yet been apprehended.
Ralph Freed and a Wabash diesel engine crossed paths at the Second Street crossing here last Thursday. Since the engine was switching at a slow rate of speed, Freed was unhurt, the car sustained only slight damage and the diesel engine was unmoved.
60 Years Ago
January 7, 1965
Probably the most specialized business in Fairbury is also its newest – Hoffman Tool and Die Works, located in a gleaming new green steel building on U. S. 24 west. Opened by Ralph Hoffman, the plant is one of two new structures erected just across from Ziegenhorn and Sons farm equipment firm. Hoffman is in the easternmost building, while Loren French is in the other building with his well-drilling equipment. Hoffman, for eight years was a tool and die maker for American Screen, and is a Fairbury native. His staff was doubled this week when Fred Schenk of Chenoa joined him as a full-time employee.
Lora Ann Coyne weighed in at 7 lbs. and 12 oz., as she became the first baby of 1965 at Fairbury hospital, at 4:56 a.m., Friday, Jan. 1. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coyne of Manteno, and the mother is the former Mary Ann Woodward of Fairbury. Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woodward, also of Fairbury. Oddly enough, while the Coynes were coming from near Kankakee to have their first-born child in Fairbury Hospital, a Fairbury couple, Mr. and Mrs. James Agner, who reside just across the street from the local hospital, were parents of the first baby born in McLean County. The Agner infant was born at 12:37 a.m. Friday, at Mennonite Hospital. The baby, who has been named Joseph, weighed 8 lbs.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Metz and Roscoe Combes returned January 7 from a two-week conducted tour from Chicago to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. While there they visited Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Capistrano, San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. New Year's Eve was spent at the famous Palladium in Hollywood where they ushered in the New Year with champagne music from the Lawrence Welk Show. The Tournament of Roses parade and the Rose Bowl football game were two highlights of the trip.
50 Years Ago
January 9, 1975
The first baby born in 1975 at Fairbury Hospital was Thomas James Sutter, first son for Mr. and Mrs. James Sutter of rural Fairbury. The new baby has two sisters, Mary Lou, 2½, and Marci Kay, 16 months. His father is employed by Honeggers & Co., Inc. and helps his dad, John Sutter, farm. Mrs. Sutter is the former Kathryn Heath of Pontiac. An R.N., she is employed part-time in the obstetric ward at Fairbury Hospital.
The District 3 Board of Education Monday set the wheels in motion to cut school programs and spending in light of the financial woes facing the unit. The extent of the cuts remains unsettled and depends, in part, upon the success of the $450,000 cash bond proposal to be voted upon March 8.
A preliminary hearing tomorrow in Pontiac has been ordered by associate court judge Darrell Reno for two suspects in December's armed robbery of Hummel's grocery in Fairbury. The two men, Henry Payne, 23, and Milton Burns, 28, both of Elgin, are each being held in Livingston County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond after being charged with the robbery which netted close to $700. Fairbury police chief Maurice Cox said that the first break in the case came when Elgin police entered a woman's apartment and found Burns there in possession of a billfold belonging to Vincent Endres Sr., of Forrest. Endres had lost the wallet to the armed robbers during the hold-up.
40 Years Ago
January 3, 1985
Clinton John Barker, son of Rusty and Becky Barker of Chatsworth, made his way into the world at 5:57 a.m. Jan. 2, to become Fairbury Hospital's first baby born in 1985. The little tyke weighed in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. He will be welcomed home by three brothers, Dana, 11, Travis, 5, and James, 2. Grandparents are Elmer and Dorothy Dassow Jr. and Russell and Loretta Barker, all of Chatsworth. Great-grandparents are Pearl Wagenseller, Colfax; Anna Dassow, Piper City; and Fred Flessner, Chatsworth.
An oversized piece of mail stuffed in the Locust Street curbside drop box plugged the chute and led to the tampering with "between 25 and 30 pieces of mail" according to Postmaster John Reis. The incident, Sunday, Dec. 23, was discovered about 8:30 p.m. when a woman picked up a check on the sidewalk. Since it was signed by a friend, she took it to her home. That lady, knowing that it had been in an envelope she had mailed, called Fairbury police, who in turn called Reis. They discovered several pieces of mail which had been ripped open and discarded, some with checks.
Gailyn D. Thomsen became president of Honeggers & Co., Inc. Jan. 1, 1985, replacing George Hawkins who resigned. Thomsen has been with Honeggers almost 10 years, serving in several positions, but since Jan. 1, 1980, he has been vice-president in charge of Operations and Marketing. Prior to joining Honeggers, Thomsen spent 13 years in various management position with Con Agra, Inc., Omaha, Neb. Hawking, who was president for almost 11 years, will continue with the company as a director and part-time consultant.
30 Years Ago
January 4, 1995
If you live in Cabery, Chatsworth, Colfax, Cropsey, Cullom, Forrest, Strawn and parts of Roberts and Ransom, you probably received your "new address" in the mail last week which will enable Enhanced 9-1-1 emergency services to work properly. It is legally necessary that you post that new address within 90 days of receipt. The new addressing system turns old rural route plus box number indicators to a four or five-digit number, plus a letter direction indication, plus another number for your street/road plus another letter indicating the direction.
With four 20-plus scoring efforts in her last six games, junior forward Melanie Ward has solidly taken over the scoring leadership for the Illinois State Lady Redbirds. Ward, a 1991 graduate of Prairie Central High School, averaged 16.3 points per game through Illinois State's first nine games of the season, including a 22-point performance in the Redbirds' 74-72 heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the undefeated Drake Bulldogs. Ward's honors don't end on the court. The accounting major has been a member of the ISU Athletic Director's Honor Roll in each of her semesters at Illinois State University.
Barely an hour into the New Year, a young Chatsworth couple stood shivering on the sidewalk watching flames and smoke pour from their rented house. Only days before, both had lost their jobs. Glen and Sally Forster were visiting friends in Champaign when they learned of the fire. Their children stayed with their Champaign friends as Glen and Sally returned to their home to see the remains of Christmas presents and toys destroyed by fire and water.
20 Years Ago
January 5, 2005
Monday was a day that Loren Gillette had NOT been waiting for nearly 40 years. "Some people just can't wait to retire, said Gillette, who officially retired Monday, as postmaster of the Chatsworth Post Office. "I never did count the years, months or days until I could retire." Gillette began his career with the USPS on Feb. 13, 1965, working part-time, two hours in the morning and again for two hours in the afternoon. He was named postmaster at Forrest in 1980 and in 1986 was named postmaster at Chatsworth. For the past 10 years, Gillette has trained postmasters and has been on the ZIP Plus 4 detail for two years.
"An awesome experience," and "It's cool being involved in school, it's like going back and reliving the days when I was a cheerleader in high school." Those were the words that Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School Cheerleading Coach Jill Doran used to describe her past five years as cheer coach at GCMS. Doran, a Fairbury native, whose father, Stan McCulloh, was a former Fairbury businessman, was a high school cheerleader at Fairbury-Cropsey High School, until severe injuries sustained during a tornado left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Erik and Michelle Schaffer of Forrest are parents of a baby boy born at 5:19 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2004, at OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac. Eli Jacob weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 21 inches long at birth. He was welcomed home by siblings, Thane 8, Ethan 5, and Lyndon 4. Maternal grandparents are Carlos and Marty Bahler of Fairbury. Paternal grandparents are John and Sally Schaffer of Fairbury.
10 Years Ago
January 7, 2015
As he prepares to step down as Illinois State Treasurer, Dan Rutherford says he has enjoyed working closely with those involved in agriculture during his term. When Rutherford became treasurer, he met with representatives from Illinois Farm Bureau, Farm Credit and banks for input on the Ag Invest program. The groups did not have positive participation in the program prior to his term. Rutherford is also proud of the Bright Start and Unclaimed Property programs. Once his term as treasurer ends, Rutherford plans to take some time off to relax and go scuba diving. He also plans to remain active by voicing his thoughts on what needs to be done to make Illinois a better state.
Freshman Drew Hoselton, in his first high school tournament, seemed like a wrestler with years of experience under his belt. And rightly so. Hoselton has years of wrestling experience, and seemed to cruise through his first three matches as he defeated Jesse Brady of Joliet Catholic by fall in :57, then Quinted Carver (unattached) by fall in :40. Hoselton then faced Carnell Wrencher of Simeon and won by technical fall 18-1. In the finals Hoselton faced John Drozd of Mt. Carmel, Chicago and won by decision 7-5.
Principal Club winners at Chenoa Elementary are Julianne Woodrey, Zak Erickson, Maya Gradberg, Camden Gibson, Hallie Stevens, Taylor Fosdick, Lita Brewer, Lauren Hoselton, Mya VanOver and James Parga. Citizens of the Month at Chenoa Elementary are Andrew Daugherity, Chloe Hoselton, Timmy Wilson, Lilly Dobson, Katelyn Kennell, Helina Stevens, Alex Meier, Connor Gibson, Parker Harms and Carson VanScoy.
"Looking Back" from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home.
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