130 Years Ago
December 8, 1894
Fred M. Stoller has moved his barber shop from under the New Sherman Hotel to the building one door east of Dr. Max Medicine Company's office.
Miss Wintah Kelso, west of town, Kirk Potter, south of town, and Owen Crouch, west of town, started to school in the high school room Monday.
Wednesday night thieves stole a fine team of mares from R. T. Slater's barn, three miles north of Cropsey. They took the stolen horses to Abbey's place nearby and O. R. Abbey's harness, buggy and robe went with the outfit.
Eric Gullberg has opened a lunch counter in McCormick's Saloon.
The Eastern Star lodge had a splendid session on Tuesday evening, at which time the following were initiated: Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Stevens, Mrs. J. P. Braun, Miss Louise Gillette, Hugh Pence, H. C. Amsbary.
120 Years Ago
December 9, 1904
Henry Haymond has purchased the C. A. Purdum residence property, at the corner of Fourth and Maple Streets, paying $3,000 for same.
E. C. Meeker has taken a position in the hardware department of Walton Bros. Co.
E. E. Meharry has accepted a position in Walton Banking Company's bank, commencing his duties Wednesday morning.
The Pontiac Shoe Factory caught fire this morning at 10:30, and before the flames were under control the old original part of the factory was consumed. Owing to the fact that there was a large stock of manufactured shoes on hand the loss will probably reach $50,000.
Weston — Considerable is being said both pro and con as to whether G. E. Wild, of Pekin, intends to locate here and open a bank March 1, next.
110 Years Ago
December 11, 1914
Louis Koehl, Andrew Steffen, Miss Lydia Anlicker and Miss Lydia Gerber went to Roanoke last Saturday and remained over Sunday visiting relatives.
F. T. Milligan this week moved his undertaking parlors from the J. W. Woods building to the Blevins building.
D. V. Beggs has sold his livery stable on West Main Street to Virgil Butler, who lives south of town, trading it in on a farm in Michigan owned by Mr. Butler.
On account of the foot and mouth disease there will be no public sales in Livingston County for the next two weeks at least, this being the verdict of O. E. Dryson, state veterinarian. Of course this ruling affects other counties also.
100 Years Ago
December 12, 1924
The spirit of good fellowship is in the air. Fairbury's citizens and those of the surrounding community are to have a community Christmas tree. Many organizations are joining in the work wholeheartedly, and no organization is excluded that desires to help. B. W. Danforth has given the committee the permission to cut a large evergreen tree from his farm south-east of town. This tree will be brought in some time next week, set up in Central Park and decorated. Everything will be put in readiness for Santa's visit Tuesday evening, December 23.
The merchants of Fairbury have been enjoying a splendid holiday trade and there is every reason why they should. With one of the most complete lines of holiday goods to be found anywhere, people are coming for miles to do their shopping in Fairbury. Every day sees all the available parking spaces for automobiles in the business district taken. The window displays are not only beautiful, but they abound in Christmas suggestions for the entire family, and the prices add to their attractiveness.
The C.I.P.S. Company has just closed a home lighting essay contest, in which a number of the Fairbury high school pupils were contestants. The winner of the first prize was Catherine Conners, who received a radio set. Pauline Brown captured second prize, a set of boudoir lamps, and Kenneth Tyler, who took third prize, received a gold pen and pencil. Miss Conners, in addition to receiving the local first prize, also took the group prize, this prize covering the cities of Fairbury, Forrest, Chatsworth and Piper City. Her essay will also be sent in to compete for the international prizes.
90 Years Ago
December 7, 1934
Beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the lodge room and dining room greeted members of Charity Home upon their arrival at lodge on Monday evening. The evergreens were not make-believe, but the real thing, and were lovely in their silver baskets. This being the time for the annual election of officers, the following were chosen: N. G., Una Schmidt; V. G., Edytha Decker; Rec. Sec., Lucille Lewis; Fin. Sec., Dora Bennett; Treas., Margaret Pratt; Deputy, Irene Denarske; Capt. Degree Staff, Thos. Milne.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Barnes entertained a number of friends and relatives at their country home, five miles south of this city, on Friday evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George Barnes and family, residents of that neighborhood for the past twenty-five years, who are soon to leave for their former home at Metamora. A cafeteria dinner was served at 6:30 o'clock. Following the dinner progressive euchre was the principal diversion.
This part of the country was swept by a regular gale last Friday that did more or less damage. In town the worst damage done was to one of the big plate-glass windows of Mapel Brothers Store, which was blown in. This window had previously been weakened by a bullet hole a year or so ago. Although this hole was clean cut, it had the effect of weakening the glass. Out through the country, several windmills were damaged by having the fans blown off, while roll-top roofing was roughly handled in a number of instances.
80 Years Ago
December 8, 1944
Oscar Hannie, chief of the Fairbury Fire Department, states that recently autoists have been guilty of running over the fire hose while it is in use. Damage to fire hoses by cars running over them is always more or less serious. There is an ordinance against driving over fire hoses, the offender to be punished by a fine or jail sentence or both. From here on, that ordinance will be enforced, Mr. Hannie says.
Ernest Brauman, residing northeast of Forrest, had his left leg broken just above the ankle Wednesday. The accident happened about four miles northeast of Forrest, where Mr. Brauman was helping repair a telephone line at the time. He was driving a "jeep" with some repairs in the back of the truck. He looked around to see if all the repairs were still there when he lost control of the truck on the gravel road. When the truck headed for a deep ditch, Mr. Brauman jumped out and his leg hit one of the wheels.
John Kaisner has leased the Reis building just east of the Sweney Oil Station, and will operate a feed store there. Mr. Kaisner will not formally open for business until January 2, but is serving some of his customers now.
70 Years Ago
December 9, 1954
Forrest-Strawn-Wing voters Saturday turned down for the second time in a period of one month prepositions to build a new 14-room grade school building, to buy a site upon which to build it and to issue bonds in the amount of $560,000 to be used for the construction of the new building and the remodeling of present facilities. The vote against the propositions was more conclusive than at the Nov. 6 elections, when the issue to remodel the present building passed, but the other two proposals were rejected. Saturday there were 620 no ballots against 387 yes votes to buy the site and construct the new building. The proposal to issue $560,000 worth of bonds lost by 227 votes Saturday, as compared to rejection by only 48 votes Nov. 6.
Four service stations in Chatsworth were the targets of burglars Sunday night. One of the places entered was the Hicks Gas Station. Here the cash drawers were opened, but nothing was taken. James Rebholz discovered the break-in. The office of Jerome Baldwin at the rear of the Shell Station was also broken into and $30 was taken from a change box. At the Phillips Service Station owned by Lyle Dehm, some merchandise and an undetermined amount of cash was taken. At the Mobil Gas Station, owned by Gene Nance, the cash register was ransacked, but nothing was taken. In each instance entrance was gained by breaking the glass in the door and releasing the lock.
Army Pfc. Raymond Baker, 21, son of Mrs. Ruth E. Baker, Forrest, recently spent a seven-day rest and recreation leave from his unit in Korea at Kobe, one of Japan's largest metropolitan areas. Sightseeing and entertainment facilities in Japan provided him with a welcome break in the task of maintaining security on the Korean peninsula. Pfc. Baker is a member of the 54th Transportation Lt. Truck Company. He has been in the Far East since November 1953.
60 Years Ago
December 10, 1964
Rural telephone patrons in the Fairbury area will be upgraded to four-party service on August 1, 1965, it was announced today by Virgil Brown, district manager for General Telephone Company in Pontiac. Presently county customers are on 10-party lines. Brown said that Fairbury was the only exchange in his 26-city district slated for this conversion next year. At the same time, the company is eliminating 4-party lines within the city of Fairbury.
During the next two weeks preceding Christmas, the Fairbury post office expects to handle an extra 200,000 letters and parcels, John Reis, acting postmaster, said today. To help alleviate some of the congestion, the post office windows will remain open until 5 p.m. for the next two Saturdays (normally they close at noon on Saturday).
George Meyer of Saybrook purchased the Forrest Livestock Sale Barn from Ivan Metz, of Forrest, on Wednesday. Meyer is an auctioneer and has lived in Saybrook the past 12 years. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have four children, Lynda 11, Lisa 8, Mark 4 and Jay 2. The Meyers plan to move to Forrest after the first of the year and at this time are looking for a modern home to rent.
50 Years Ago
December 12, 1974
Two male customers filling a cart in Hummel's Superway Grocery in Fairbury suddenly became armed robbers Tuesday night at 7:30 when one of them brandished a sawed off shotgun when he reached the checkout counter, knocked a customer to the ground with it and fled with an estimated $600 to $700 from both cash registers. After forcing Mrs. Marilyn Hummel of Cabery, wife of the owner, to clean out the two registers, they took the billfold of Vincent W. Endres of Forrest, the man they had clubbed with the gun, and an additional $8 in cash Mrs. Endres had in her coat pocket.
Miss Dorothy Steffen on Tuesday said that she is taking definite steps to re-open Fairbury Manufacturing Company, the dress-making firm which was wiped out by fire last month. She also said she knew her 50-member work force was vitally interested in the decision, and that she would be seeing people in Chicago next week regarding sewing machines. Miss Steffen has been the managing partner in the corporation, which only last year changed its name from Casual Classics, a long-time Fairbury institution.
Headlined by Grandpa Jones of Hee Haw TV fame, two Reeves and Crystal Gail. Miss Gail, the sister of the well-known Loretta Lynn, has two new records just ready for release. The attractions were booked last Tuesday when the board held their regular meeting and re-elected all officers. These include, Duane "Buck" Morris, president; Art Walter, vice-president; Clarence Simpson, board secretary; Elmer Hallock, treasurer; and Bill Fugate, fair secretary.
40 Years Ago
December 6, 1984
Dennis Kaisner is the new president of the 109th Fairbury Fair, succeeding Art Walter, who has been a board member for 35 years and president since 1977. Kaisner has most recently been superintendent of grounds and vice president of the fair, which is owned and operated by John Joda Post 54, American Legion. Post 54 members also re-elected directors Clarence Simpson, Everett Crews and John W. "Bud" Gerber, to three-year terms as directors. Wayne Ziller Jr. was elected vice president to succeed Kaisner, while Secretary Bill Fugate and Treasurer Elmer Hallock were re-elected. Other directors are Dick Kirchner, John Luttrell, Everett Meister, Russell Mowery and Francis Ricketts.
Mr. and Mrs. Virg Kyburz have closed their Locust Street businesses, Virg's Carpet Shop and Fay's Plastercraft and sold the building at 105-107 West Locust street to Mr. and Mrs. James Roberts. The acquisition will permit expansion of the newspaper production and commercial printing operations of Cornbelt Press, Inc., from the two buildings immediately to the east at 101-103 West Locust.
Tim Rathbun, manager of Walton's Department store, has been appointed secretary of the Fairbury Rotary Club by President Jerry Fairclough. He succeeds Larry Hardman, who has moved from the community.
30 Years Ago
December 7, 1994
While many are commiserating over the demise of Fairbury Hospital, administrators and board members are looking ahead to a resurrection from the proverbial ashes, which could see the soon-to-be former hospital as a diagnostic/referral center possibly known as Prairie Central Medical Center, said administrator Dick Shelton. In-patient services as well as the emergency room will be closed by mid January. The hospital license will not be renewed according to Shelton.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wilson of 305 E. Elm, Chatsworth are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Wilson and Delphia Weaver were married Dec. 8, 1934 at the home of Erskine Wilson in Chatsworth. They are parents of Don of Bloomington, Betty Thompson of Roberts and Diane Leto of Denver, CO. A son, Jack, is deceased. The Wilsons have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Wilson is a retired contractor and carpenter. The Wilsons are charter members of Calvary Baptist Church.
"She is a great worker, fun to work with and I think she is a hard worker," are the comments about the November Fairbury Hospital employee of the month, Janis Potter. Janis works in the dietary area of the hospital. "She is always in a positive mood and also helps the MTA's in the pavilion," her nomination reads. "A very dependable employee and gets along well with people."
20 Years Ago
December 8, 2004
Sixteen Prairie Central High School students have been named Illinois State Scholars for 2004-05 by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Selection is based on ACT and/or SAT test score results and class rank. Prairie Central students named State Scholars include Whitney Adams, Corbin Anliker, Mark Augustine, Luke Cleary, Jeremy Dassow, Wendi Kelson, Thomas Leef, Carlee McCulloh, Sara Pica, Aimee Rieger, Kristin Schmidgall, Denver Slagel, Julie Slagel, Renee Slagel, Lisa Sullan and Corey Todd.
Modified stock car driver McKay Wenger, 17, of Fairbury, was recently awarded the Kankakee Motor Speedway's "Rookie of the Year" title for the 2004 racing season. Wenger accepted his award at the Kankakee/Crown Point Racing Banquet held at the Kankakee Hilton Garden Inn, Nov. 20. Earlier this year, Wenger was also honored to get the 10th slot as one of the top 10 area drivers at Fairbury's American Legion Speedway.
Last year's Prairie Central High School cheerleading squad went all the way to state competition, and this year's squad has already started strong, winning the cheerleading competition during the Thanksgiving tournament at Danville. Members of the cheerleading squad include Kate Whitman, Megan Shier, Emily Rieger, Beckie Sass, Kayla Froelich, Kayla Pullman, Niesha Williams, Ashley Lawless, Kaleen Bittner, Erin Petersen, Cindy Allonge, Andrea Brown, Daniele Brown, Jessica Delaney, Emma Mason, Kristin Diller, Alyx Shafer, Nikki Frye, Carlee McCulloh and Liz Froelich.
10 Years Ago
December 10, 2014
Grants could be utilized to upgrade Fairbury's aging tennis courts. Joe Costa appeared before members of the Fairbury City Council Wednesday night, bringing attention to cracks in the asphalt and foliage growing between those cracks. Costa said a grant is possible through the United States Tennis Association. Also, Prairielands Foundation and a private donor have shown interest. Resurfacing the tennis courts would cost around $25,000 and another $13,000 if two small courts are developed in the empty area. The size of the gates would need to be increased as well. Council members agreed that the tennis court proposal was a good idea and a motion was approved to address a letter to USTA.
Prairie Central High School cross country awards were recently presented to Caitlyn Ifft, MVP; Trystan Anderson, Hawk Award; Abbie Bazzell, Most Improved; Avery Walter, MVP; Nathan Somers, Hawk Award; and Carter Evans, Most Improved.
Ted and Rita Dunn of Chatsworth celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with family on Dec. 7. Dunn and Rita Kimmel were married Dec. 7, 1984 in Pontiac. They have one son, Jon (Amy) Cabbage, and two grandchildren, Kendra and Dakota.
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