130 Years Ago
June 23, 1894
Miss Nettie Lough is spending a few days with Mrs. G. F. Blesch in Chicago.
The coal miners' strike here has ended. They have gone back to work at 45 cents a ton, mine run.
The Fry school, taught by Miss Goldie Spence, closed last Friday.
Cropsey — Oats are worth more here than corn. There is to be an election here Saturday to bond the district for $1,500 to build a new school house.
120 Years Ago
June 24, 1904
Henry H. Wells, of Peoria, who for thirty years had been an engineer on the T. P. & W. railroad, was found dead in the water closet at the residence of D. H. Shaver, of Forrest, Sunday. He had not been feeling well for some time and had been granted a lay-off in which to recuperate, and was spending some time in Forrest. He had been troubled with a weak heart, was a widower, 65 years old and had accumulated considerable property during his life time. He is survived by one child, a daughter, who is married and resides in Peoria.
Joseph Reis spent a few days with his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Reis this week. Last Friday he graduated with honors from St. Bebe College, Peru, and Thursday morning he departed for Beatty, Pa., where he will finish his studies for the priesthood. It will require six years of study before he will be ordained and it is probable he will not return before that time. He is an exceptionally bright young man and his many Fairbury friends wish him success.
New York — A determined effort to ascertain as nearly as possible the number of persons who took passage on the excursion steamer General Slocum when she started on her ill-fated trip up the sound one week ago, has been begun under the direction of the police department. One hundred patrolmen, specially selected from the various precincts, have been detailed to visit the home of every person whose name has been in any way mentioned in connection with the disaster. On Wednesday 37 bodies came to the surface, making the total number recovered 883. Of these, 778 have been identified.
110 Years Ago
June 26, 1914
Things are beginning to look a little more school-like at Lewis Field and the new school site. The long line of hedge which extended along the road and through the middle of the field has been pulled out. men are also digging the ditch for the water mains. Plans and specifications for the new school building are here and bids for the erection of the same will be received up until July 14.
The name of George H. Franzen, of this city, was yesterday sent to the senate by President Wilson for their approval as postmaster at Fairbury.
Miss Emma Cox of the Frances Willard Hospital, Chicago, spent Sunday at her home here.
Carl Goudy finished third in the 100 mile motorcycle race at Terre Haute, Ind., Sunday afternoon. He was leading in the race when he broke a valve on his motorcycle. Jean Morrison also took part in the race, but was forced out at 50 miles because of tire trouble.
100 Years Ago
June 20, 1924
Mrs. Edward Mahanna, writing to her parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. H. Thatcher, says that they arrived in St. Augustine, Fla., June 11, being just a week on the way. They had a very pleasant trip and were delighted with St. Augustine. Mr. Mahanna will have charge of a potato ranch, owned by William Humphry of Cropsey. Mrs. Mahanna stated that many fields along the route in Indiana and Ohio had not been plowed this spring on account of the wet weather. The Carolinas and Virginia looked more prosperous.
T. G. Henderson, an old and respected resident of this city, had the misfortune to fall early last Friday morning and break his right hip. He had gotten up while it was quite dark and becoming dizzy in making his way around the room, he fell. He is 79 years old and this serious injury is exceptionally hard on him.
One of the large engines on the T. P. & W. Railroad was off the tracks here last Friday for over six hours. The mishap occurred on the siding just south of the freight house and was caused by the rails turning over. The engine, with two or three cars attached, ran only some ten or twelve feet following the accident. A good-sized audience was on hand to watch the workmen get the engine back on the tracks. Light rails and rotten ties caused the trouble.
90 Years Ago
June 22, 1934
The stage at Central Theatre was made the setting of a very pretty wedding on last Friday evening when Miss Nellie Koons became the bride of Raymond West. The bride wore a gown of light blue organdy and carried a bouquet of white roses. The attendants were Miss Harmon and Mr. Dash. Preceding the ceremony Miss Dorothy Thompson sang "The Day of Golden Promise" and "Because." Miss Marjorie Abbott played the wedding march from Lohengrin. Leading the procession were the flower girls, Valerie Mae Fultz and Edith Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. West were given a good start in their married life by many of the local merchants who donated liberal gifts from their own particular lines of merchandise.
Two of the gravel trucks that are being used in this vicinity have come to grief within the past week. The first accident occurred on last Friday on the coal shaft road just opposite the Paul Munz residence. This truck was driven by Gilbert Heins, who was taking a load of gravel to that point where it is being spread on the roads several miles south of Fairbury. As he approached the Paul Munz home, Conrad Munz was driving out the entrance. In swinging out to miss the Munz car the Heins gravel truck went into the ditch, which is quite deep at this point. The truck turned over as it went into the ditch but Mr. Heins was not hurt, nor was the truck damaged to any great extent. Wednesday afternoon as Arthur Holcomb, a gravel hauler from Streator, was going north on the water tower road, he also had an accident in which his truck was quite badly damaged, but in which he escaped injury. As he approached a point near the corporation limits either something went wrong with the steering apparatus on the truck or the truck skidded. A small cattle truck belonging to Henry Lawrence was parked along the road at that place, and the Holcomb truck ran into it and then went into the ditch.
The Lawrence truck was only slightly damaged.
80 Years Ago
June 23, 1944
Thomas D. Karnes and Nettie Lough were married June 22, 1894. They are observing their 50th anniversary with an open house on Saturday, June 24. In the afternoon from 2 to 5 o'clock they will welcome their friends at the office of the Farmers Grain Company, and Saturday night from 9 to 11 at their home. Mr. Karnes has been manager of the Farmers Grain Company 32 years last January. For the past eleven months Mrs. Karnes has worked for the same company. The anniversary will be marked by informality and simplicity.
Pfc. Thomas Glennon, who is stationed at Orlando, Florida, and who is home on furlough, met up with a former Fairbury printer just before he came home. He was standing at the bar of a tap room in Orlando and talking to another Illinoisan from Joliet. The bartender looked up when he heard the word "Illinois" and asked if they knew of a place called Fairbury. Pfc. Glennon said he sure did, for that was the town he was from. Then they had a regular talk-fest, for the man back of the bar was Ralph Pool, a former employee and foreman of The Blade office approximately 40 years or so ago.
The radio tower of the state police station WQPP at Pontiac, erected in 1935, was wrecked by Sunday evening's wind storm, being left a mass of twisted steel. It cost $10,000 when built, and there were built at that time six other such towers over the state as a part of the state police system. In March the tower located at Sterling was blown down during a storm, and work on replacement has not yet been started. R. W. Banta, radio operator at WQPP, said that several months would be required for the building of a new tower. The steel structure will be sold for junk, he said.
70 Years Ago
June 24, 1954
The Fairbury-Cropsey Board of Education is considering renting space in Fairbury church basements for next year. The board instructed Supt. R. C. Todd to get in touch with the churches concerning acquiring such space Monday night at their regular board meeting. The use of space in churches was recommended in a report submitted to the board by M. R. Sumption, head of the office of field services of the University of Illinois College of Education. The result of a brief survey conducted by Sumption's office recently.
The decision on the question of whether or not the City of Fairbury will add Fluoride to its drinking water – left to be made by residents of the city by recent action of the city council – will not be reached until next spring. Mayor Roy Taylor and City Attorney Henry Phillips this week announced that, according to the statutes of the Illinois Municipal League, a special election for the purpose of deciding the fluoridation issue cannot be called, nor can it be incorporated in the fall congressional elections. According to the League, the vote on fluoridation must wait until the next "authorized general or special municipal election." This would mean the city elections in April, 1955.
Thomas H. Keeley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Keeley, has been promoted to the rank of staff Sgt. Sgt. Keeley is stationed at Memphis, Tennessee Air Force Base, since his return from a year's tour in Korea. He entered the service in December 1951.
60 Years Ago
June 25, 1964
Joe Dowell and his guitar will be entertaining patrons of Oh Susannah Restaurant Saturday night, June 27, with ballads, folk songs, and two of his popular recordings which were international hits a few years ago – Wooden Heart was No. 1 across the country, and Little Red Rented Rowboat was in the Top Ten. Dowell, who hails from Bloomington, is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Journalism. Last summer, he won encores from audiences at his concerts in Europe. The previous summer, he was a member of Jimmy Dean's highly successful troupe touring Canada.
Lt. Elmer Readle, El Toro, Calif., Marine Corps Air Station, arrived here Tuesday morning on emergency leave to visit his mother, Mrs. Fred Readle, at Fairbury Hospital. Lt. Readle flew to Chanute AFB from El Toro in a Marine jet F-9 fighter-trainer. He rode as a passenger in the two-seated aircraft. He expects to return to his California base Friday, but plans to be back in Fairbury again August 1 when he and his family transfer to Quantico, Va.
Another parking lot for Fairbury was created last weekend on railroad property between Third and Fourth streets, south of the T. P. & W. tracks, when the area was graded and then coated with oil and limestone chips. cost of the project was borne by surrounding merchants, Dave Steffen, Si Moser and Son, Earl Roth and Fairbury-Forrest Clinic, plus a contribution from The National Bank of Fairbury and the Association of Commerce.
50 Years Ago
June 27, 1974
Winds of reported 75 miles per hour velocity whipped Livingston County Thursday and the tornado warning whistle was sounded shortly after the winds struck Fairbury between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Farm residents northwest of the city reportedly sighted a funnel cloud following the path of the Norfolk and Western tracks toward the city after the storm had struck Pontiac a few minutes earlier. In Fairbury, the winds blew straight out of the west, laden with a reddish dust which didn't come from the rain-soaked local fields.
The Fairbury Hospital Auxiliary Board voted last week to open another recycling store in Fairbury. Assuming temporary chairmanship of the project will be Mrs. Nik Kothari of Fairbury. This time the recycling store will be housed in a building located at 300½ S. Fourth St. Mrs. Kothari said the new store will not be called The Attic, which was the name of their first recycling operation that closed last year, but will be renamed.
Miss Peggy Rae Adams of rural Strawn and Stanley Ray Blunier of rural Forrest were married June 22, 1974, on the 23rd wedding anniversary of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Adams, in the Cropsey United Methodist Church. Parents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. Homer Blunier of rural Forrest. The new Mrs. Blunier was a 1970 graduate of Forrest-Strawn-Wing High school and received her elementary education degree from Illinois State University, Normal, in 1973. She teaches second grade at the Strawn Elementary School. Mr. Blunier was also a 1970 graduate of FSW and in May, 1974, received his Agricultural Mechanization degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign.
40 Years Ago
June 21, 1984
Futura Fashions, for the last four years located at 127 W. Locust, will move to the corner of Locust and Third streets. The building, part of the National Bank of Fairbury complex from 102-104 East Locust, was until recently occupied by the Fashion Shop. Futura Fashions owners Donna Bess and Mary Moser say they expect to make the move around July 10, and be back in operation, at the new location, no later than July 15.
Superintendent Calvin Jackson had good news Monday night, not only for his Unit 3 Board of Education, but for all taxpayers residing within the boundaries of the proposed area consolidated school system. Jackson told his board members the Fairbury-Cropsey system will end its fiscal year on June 30 "in the black" in the education, building and transportation funds. That's also welcome news in view of the upcoming consolidation vote. With one of the participating districts now "in the black," the state – anxious to promote consolidations – will pick up the operating deficits of the other two districts as of June 30.
After four years, the Moore triplets were reunited here Sunday to celebrate their 42nd birthdays. Jane Lutteke, Janice Rohrer and June Green, daughters of Edith Moore Leonard and the late Guy Moore, were feted with a dinner and party by their mother and step-father, the Howard Leonards. Also attending were the triplets' families and their brother ,Jim Moore, and family. Jane, Janice and June were born June 19, 1942 at Carle Hospital, Urbana. They moved to Fairbury in October of 1945 when they were four years old, into a house located on North Fourth Street, which at that time was surrounded by corn fields, they recall.
30 Years Ago
June 22, 1994
While other high school graduates are planning their future, keeping their feet firmly on the ground, Darren Goembel is happiest when his head is in the clouds. The 18-year-old Prairie Central 1994 graduate is studying to obtain his pilot's license. He is currently taking flying instruction at Clark Aviation at the Bloomington Airport. He estimates he has 12 of the necessary 40 hours required by the FFA. He plans to major in aviation at the University of Illinois. Darren says he hopes to fly for a Corporation, or for Federal Express or UPS. He says he is not interested in the big airlines.
Bud Gerber, President of the National Bank of Fairbury, has announced the addition of Dennis Vaughn to its management staff. He will serve the bank as Vice President in the Lending Department, Gerber says. Vaughn was manager for First of America in Forrest for the past 12 years. He graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School and Illinois State University in 1975 where he majored in Psychology. Vaughn and his wife Kathy, and sons Casey and Colin, reside in Forrest.
Dave's Supermarket at Fairbury is expanding their store by 5,000 square feet, says Mark Steffen, a general manager. Most of the area will be for storage, which will replace the current storage of two semi-trailers and a former gas station office. The station, located across the street to the east of the supermarket, will be razed soon, making more parking room. The addition will double the seating capacity of the sit-down deli, which will have an expanded menu. Part of the expansion will also be for the bakery prep area, Steffen said.
20 Years Ago
June 23, 2004
The Village of Colfax is once again without a police chief. Acting Police Chief Ritchie Cooper resigned, effective June 20, for "personal reasons." Cooper was appointed by Mayor Gary Milton as acting Police Chief on May 24 replacing Michael Walters who was police chief for the past 10 years. Cooper stated, "I need to spend more time with my wife and kids. It's hard to work two full time jobs." Cooper works full time at the Illinois Department of Corrections, Pontiac, as a Correctional Officer.
The cause of a fire that totally gutted a home at 300 W. Hickory St. in Fairbury Saturday night is being investigated by the state fire marshall, according to Fairbury Fire Chief Keith Klitzing. The Fairbury Fire Department received mutual aid in battling the blaze from Forrest, Chenoa, Cropsey and Pontiac Fire Departments. Klitzing said he was very happy that no one was injured while fighting the fire. He also said that the cooperation from the other communities in situations like the one Saturday night is overwhelming.
Prairie Central head girls track coach, Joe Oprondeck, announced special award winners for the 2004 girls track season at Prairie Central High School. Those receiving special recognition were Leslie Freehill, Leadership Award; Kelli Coldren, Most Improved; and Maggie Odum, Most Valuable Player Award.
10 Years Ago
June 25, 2014
At the conclusion of this school year, Kay Rich of Fairbury retired from Prairie Central with 29 years of dedication to the teaching profession. She spent 23 years at Chatsworth Elementary, one year at Odell Grade School and seven years at Saunemin Elementary. Her family hosted a retirement party at the Indian Creek County Club on June 8. Many former students, parents, colleagues and friends gathered to thank Kay for her hard work and commitment. She is excited about retirement and all her extra time helping to teach her newest “student,” her granddaughter, Jesslyn.
James and Meg Baer of Tremont are the parents of a baby girl born at 8:35 a.m. Sunday, June 8, 2014 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal. Domenica Everlee weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 20½ inches long at birth. Paternal grandparents are Tom and Martha Baer of Tremont. Maternal grandparents are David and Barbara Gorsshans of Fairbury. Great-grandparents are Albert Demilioof Harpursville, N. Y. and Aaron and Mary Helen Neukomm of Cissna Park. The new arrival was welcomed home by her three big sisters, Damaris, 4½; Ainsley, 2½; and Anja, 18 months.
The Prairie Central Athletic Boosters received permission from the Prairie Central Board of Education Thursday night to hold some fundraisers. The boosters plan to hold a donkey basketball game in the fall, before the high school basketball season begins. Plans include having teams made up of alumni, community members, current students and possibly teachers. A golf cart raffle is also in the works with a Hawk-themed golf cart given away at the end of the year, around the time of the sports banquet.
(Looking Back from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Homes)
