130 Years Ago
May 12, 1894
T. A. Beach has purchased the O. P. McDowell farm northeast of town for $37.50 per acre. It contains 156 acres.
Walton Bros. are building new awnings in front of their clothing and grocery departments.
While driving over the crossing at Mundt's corner Tuesday, C. A. Roscrier spilled out a boy and a few egg boxes.
A. H. Mundt's jewelry store has been a place of interest for some weeks past to those who have lots of curiosity. The attraction is one of Mr. Mundt's aquaria, in which he has placed some nest-building fish. It was quite a novelty to see those fish build their nests, deposit eggs and hatch the young, all of which was successfully accomplished.
120 Years Ago
May 13, 1904
Very few couples live together fifty years and few indeed live to celebrate their sixty-first wedding anniversary. Fairbury can boast of a couple who have peacefully tread life's pathway together for sixty-one years and are still enjoying fairly good health. Miss Lydia Hubbs and Mr. Patton John were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony May 7, 1843, in Green Co., Ohio. Both were born in Green Co., Pennsylvania. Mr. John Dec. 15, 1820, and Mrs. John Dec. 19, 1820. They were both a few months over 23 when they were wedded. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are alive, Miss Addie John, of this city, and Elmer J. John of Des Moines, Iowa.
T. S. O. McDowell was backing his new automobile out of the barn the other day, and getting up a little too much speed, backed into a cherry tree, smashing the tonneau. The five-year-old son of John Fry was watching the operation, and when the air had cleared somewhat, he looked up into T. S. O.'s face and innocently asked, "Mr. McDowell, why don't you cut that cherry tree down?"
A new eighteen horse power automobile was unloaded in this city Monday forenoon and was taken to the machine shops of Flanagan & Alt where it will be put in running order. The machine is a powerful one and looks like it would get over almost any kind of roads without injury to its running gear or tires. It is a bright red and black in color, and it burns coal which is thought to be less expensive than gasoline. It belongs to a company of gentlemen in Eppards Point Township, called the Eppards Point Threshing Machine Co., and will be used by the gentlemen this fall in pulling and operating their threshing machine.
110 Years Ago
May 15, 1914
At the special school election held last Friday a majority of the people voted for a new township high school and a $60,000 bond issue. The election was a rather warmly contested affair, both sides making every effort during the day to have all voters appear at the polls. On the bond question 267 women voted yes and 238 no, with 24 not voting; 283 men voted yes and 292 no, and 31 did not vote. For building, 281 women voted yes and 235 no, 13 not voting; the men voted 404 yes, and 292 no, with 34 not voting. The bond issue passed by a total of 20 votes, and the building issue by 160 votes.
Carl Goudy took one second and one third in the motorcycle races at the Hawthorne track in Chicago Saturday, and in Sunday's races he won two races and a second. Witnessing the races from Fairbury were Fred Kelso, Clyde Shearer, Rex Williams, Will Hampton, Perry Keck, Paul Onerus, Louis Dirks, John Purdum, Don Wade, J. Moran, Dean Voorhees, N. J. Claudon and Charles Schnetzler.
100 Years Ago
May 9, 1924
The Farmers Market held last Saturday showed a pleasing increase in the number of sellers and in the number of buyers. As previously experienced the things brought in from the country sold fast. Cottage cheese was the biggest item on the market. Most every one of the fourteen or fifteen ladies who brought things to town had this popular dairy product for sale. Both the ladies who brought things in and the folks who purchased them were well pleased with Saturday's market and every indication points to a very healthy growth of this new institution.
One of the loveliest of spring parties was the five o'clock tea at which Mrs. W. C. Schmidt and Mrs. T. D. Karnes entertained fifty-four of their friends at the Schmidt home on Monday afternoon. The tea table presided over by Miss Mildred McCormack and Miss Margaret Jones, was beautifully decorated with spring blossoms. The guests afterwards formed a party at Central Theatre where they witnessed "Where the North Begins" in which Rin-Tin-Tin, the police dog, plays the stellar role.
Screen sides and canopy tops are now being supplied by the Ford Motor Company as additional equipment for the new Ford one-ton truck equipped with all-steel body and cab. The screen sides which are of heavy mesh in strong frames, are securely bolted to the cab and body. The top is covered with weather-proof material, similar material being used for side and end curtains which are rolled up and held in place by straps when not in use. With the screen sides and top the truck has a loading space of approximately 114 cubic feet. The body is four feet wide, 7 feet 21 inches long and has a loading height of four feet.
90 Years Ago
May 11, 1934
John Cook was absent from the Rotary club meeting and dinner on Tuesday evening. And that is something, for it is the first time since the Fairbury Rotary club was organized (over six years ago) that Mr. Cook has not been present at the regular weekly meeting. His absence was due to illness. The fact that he was not present was a topic of conversation around the dinner table, and the club took formal recognition during the business session of his absence and voted to extend official felicitations.
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Kaisner have just received a letter from their son Louis, who is in California. Blade readers will remember that Louis was taken ill with appendicitis and was taken to a hospital. He did not have to have an operation, but was in the hospital for some time, first at Burbank and then at Los Angeles. In his letter to his parents, he said he did not think he would join the other Fairbury boys in Oregon, as he didn't like to ride on the train since having his attack of appendicitis. He thought perhaps he would get work in one of the fruit canneries.
The formal opening of the Walton Department Store was held last evening. The store, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion, was filled with people throughout the evening. A fine program of songs, musical numbers and dances was given by the Petardi Family, of Bloomington. Each one present received a favor – the ladies a flower, the gentlemen a cigar and the children all-day suckers.
80 Years Ago
May 12, 1944
Mrs. C. A. Thompson fell in the home Wednesday morning early and broke her right hip. She was taken to the office of Dr. Langstaff who made an X-ray picture which revealed the break at the tip of the bone. She was taken to the Fairbury Hospital for further treatment.
"Crackpots" was the general subject of a brief but intensely interesting speech by Livingston County Farm Adviser Robert Smith at the Tuesday evening dinner meeting of the Fairbury Rotary Club. James Watt, inventor of the steam engine; Robert Fulton, inventor of the steam boat; John Deere, inventor of the steel mouldboard plow; Cyrus H. McCormick, inventor of the harvesting machine, and others, were cited as famous crackpots of their day who were regarded as such by many of their fellow men.
D. S. Voorhees, who for the past 21 years has been town clerk of Indian Grove Township, resigned last week, the same taking effect last Saturday. Last Saturday night at a meeting of the town appointment board, consisting of the supervisor, the justices of the peace and town clerk, Chester Maier was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. Voorhees. During the 21 years he has been in office Mr. Voorhees has served the township well.
70 Years Ago
May 13, 1954
Members of the Walton Department Store Women's bowling team are Mrs. Arlene Hallock, Mrs. Marie Wessel, Mrs. Thelma Slagel, Mrs. Mary Beckley, Mrs. Eileen Paternoster and Mrs. Mag. Hildreth. The team won the championship on the Forrest lanes during the past season.
Two cars were damaged to the extent of about $300 each Sunday evening at the intersection of Webster and Chestnut Streets. One of the cars was driven by B. M. Jarvis, aged 65, of this city, and the other was operated by Leonard Denham, aged 50, of Wilmington. At the time Mr. Jarvis was going east on Chestnut Street, and Mr. Denham was going north on Webster Street. The accident occurred at about 7:30 o'clock.
The Fairbury-Cropsey Grade School band received a first rating at the state contest held in Bloomington Saturday. The band also won thirteen firsts and seven seconds in the solo and ensemble contest May 7. It is the second year in a row the band has won such honor. First winners were Dixie Roth, Joy Bruniga, John Seltman, Evette Ziegenhorn, Karen Stevens, Anita Dolgin, Marianne Barnes, Judy Elliot, Billy Householder, Dickie Anderson, Jack Gittinger, Woodwind Trio and the Brass Sextet. Second winners were Jean Beyer, Sherrill Harvey, Ann Sullins, Gary Stevens, Robert Brucker, Flute Trio and the Clarinet Quartet. The band is directed by William Wagner.
60 Years Ago
May 14, 1964
After four days of practice, a small tornado, or at least a "twister," struck southeast of Forrest Friday night, wrecking several buildings and part of a 69,000 volt CIPS power line. A total of eight farms were damaged in the area.
A soft maple tree crumpled onto the south wing of the Robert Maurer home in Fairbury. Not a window was broken, not a wall or ceiling leaked rain! The tree withstood five days of continual high winds, which reached 60 miles per hour, before falling during a rain squall.
Mrs. Gertrude Henderson fell Monday afternoon and had the misfortune of breaking her hip. She was attending a luncheon at Oh Susannah when the accident occurred. She was reported to be in fair condition at the Fairbury Hospital. John Henderson arrived Tuesday night from his home in Houston, Texas, to be with his mother.
Dave's ad — Large box of Tide, 19c; Ivory soap, 12 bars for 69c; Puffs facial tissues, 6 large boxes of 400 for $1; Royal gelatin or pudding, 2/25c; Del Monte peaches, large can, 4/$1; Hills Bros. coffee, 2 pound can, $1.29; Ground beef, 39c/pound; Pork butt roast, 33c/pound; Pork steak, 39c/pound; Armour's bacon, 37c/pound.
50 Years Ago
May 16, 1974
From Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Moline, Rev. Delmar D. Smith, 40, has accepted a call to serve the United Methodist Church of Fairbury. He succeeds Rev. George Russell, whose re-assignment to Taylorville was announced three weeks ago. Rev. Smith is expected to arrive here to assume his new charge soon after June 15. A native of Tazewell County, he attended Mackinaw schools and graduated from Delavan High School. He was graduated by Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington in 1961, earning a bachelor of science degree with double majors in psychology and sociology. He then enrolled in Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, from which he was graduated in 1964.
The Hoopeston High School band, en route to El Paso High School in two busses leased at Onarga, were detained at Fairbury for some time late Wednesday morning when one bus broke down on U. S. 24, near the corner of First Street.
Wendall and Mary Ellen Nylander have purchased Mr. G. Flower and Gift Shop on South Seventh St., Fairbury, from Thomas Glennon. Possession date for the new owners is June 1. The business, prior to the Glennon acquisition in June, 1972, was operated for a number of years as Copes. Harvey and Margaret Copes erected the shop and residence above it where they resided until selling. The Nylanders have no plans for extensive changes, but expect to continue the service and grow with the community. They formerly farmed in the community and have currently been employed in Fairbury, Wendell by Moorman Mfg. Co. and Mary Ellen at Walton's where she has been in charge of the Drapery Dept.
40 Years Ago
May 10, 1984
Bruce and Janet Hammitt will be the guests of honor Sunday, May 20, at a farewell reception staged by the Fairbury-Cropsey band boosters. After 16 years at FCHS, Hammitt has resigned to take a sales position in Monticello. The Hammitts' success at FCHS, and Bruce has insisted for several years that Janet earns co-billing for her work with the auxiliary units, has been capped off by six consecutive state marching band division titles. The Hammitts were particularly pleased a few years ago when the marching Tartars were named Grand Champion Parade Band, excelling over schools with 10 times the enrollment, at the prestigious University of Illinois band competition.
An underground electrical line "blew out" over the weekend at Westview School, plunging the elementary building into darkness. The problem was discovered by school custodians on Sunday. Temporary electrical service was provided by a special above-ground electrical wire Monday and Tuesday while work crews were on the scene hooking up new service. The new transformer was installed on a pole near the Westview baseball diamond.
Brian Bolliger of Forrest, son of John G. Bolliger, has graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago, with a Degree in the Electronics Engineering Technology Program. A graduate of Forrest-Strawn-Wing High school, Bolliger has accepted a position with Bell Laboratories in Naperville.
30 Years Ago
May 11, 1994
Fairbury residents can expect to receive 911 services next year, the Fairbury City Council learned at their meeting last Wednesday. "It should be on line by the first of October in 1995," 911 Board member Don Estes informed the aldermen. He said the county has been remapped, with addresses being assigned to rural residents to help emergency personnel find callers' homes. The 911 plan also calls for additional radios and pagers for rescue personnel.
Thirty-six people attended the May 7 euchre tournament sponsored by the IOOF Lodge 290, Fairbury. First place was split between Melvin Metz and Bill Zbinden. Jim Winters received second place; Vernon Stephens, third; and Phyllis Tipton, fourth. The jackpot was split between Helen Rapp and Orville Johnson.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald D. Harms Sr. of Fairbury were guests of honor at a 45th wedding anniversary dance given by their children April 9 at Indian Creek Country Club, Fairbury. Harms and Patricia J. Hatfield were married on May 8, 1949 at the Forrest Methodist Church. They are the parents of eight children: Deborah Gilliland, Fod du Lac, Wis.; Donald Jr., Westminster, Colo.; Lucinda Gregait and Bonnie Weger, both of Geneva; Donna Cross, Metamora; Carol Waibel, Normal; Patrick, Forrest; and Bethel Harms, Bloomington. They have 16 grandchildren. Harms is engaged in farming.
20 Years Ago
May 12, 2004
Norman Rittenhouse of Fairbury's Planning Commission brought a proposal to the council on Wednesday night concerning a community center. He said the commission realizes that the community needs a center that is large enough for receptions, reunions, business banquets, etc. Rittenhouse said they have considered different buildings and at one time had looked at the old hospital, but it needed a lot of work and the rooms were too small. He said in the last 45 days they have become aware that Huber's will be closing their business and they are considering the Walton building which doesn't need repair, just some remodeling.
The Fairbury Echoes Museum has completed its relocation from the Carrithers house next to Dominy Library to its new location at 126 W. Locust. The museum will now be open on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The museum was made possible through the generosity of Floyd and Marion Stafford, coupled with the volunteer efforts of many members of the community.
Tom and Mary Lou Culkin of Fairbury are announcing the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Joni Lynn, to Dayton John Kilgus. he is the son of Tom and Pam Kilgus and Denny and Pam Stephens, all of Forrest. The couple is planning a July 17, 2004 wedding at First Lutheran Church in Pontiac.
10 Years Ago
May 14, 2014
This year's Fairbury Citizen of the Year is Phyllis Eilers. The presentation will be made on Sunday, June 22 with a supper of all past COTYs in the north pavilion at North Park. Eilers is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury where she sings in the choir, participates in sewing and helps with funeral meals. She has been going to Westview School for 10 years where she listens to third graders read. She has been a Red Cross Volunteer for 10 years and assists friends by driving them to appointments when needed. She is a member of Shakespeare Club and Friends of the Library.
The Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) has announced Janessa Knapp as a recipient of the 2014 Scholar Attitude Award. One student from each of the 15 IESA membership divisions was selected by a panel of judges. To be considered, a student must be of 8th grade status, have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale,must have participated in at least one IESA activity during each year of their junior high career and demonstrated outstanding citizenship during their junior high tenure. Miss Knapp has excelled in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in fine arts activities and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in her community.
Michael Froelich was recently honored by the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association as being an outstanding service forester. He was also give the distinction of being an “Honorary Colonel” by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Froelich, his wife Tracy and their daughter Kyla reside in rural London, Ky. He has been a forester for the state of Kentucky for seven years. A graduate of Prairie Central High School, Froelich is the son of Dan and Debbie Froelich of Forrest.
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