Looking Back
130 Years Ago
October 8, 1892
Walton Bros. this week sold 200 chairs with which to seat the new hall at Weston.
The N. B. Claudon family this week moved into their elegant residence just completed at the corner of Fourth and Elm streets.
Rev. S. F. Sharpless, of Bainbridge, Ohio, is the new pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He takes the place of Rev. Vander Las, resigned.
Coffeyville, Kansas — The Dalton gang has been exterminated, wiped off the face of the earth. Six of the gang rode into town Wednesday morning and robbed two banks. Their raid had become known to the officers of the law, and when the bandits attempted to escape they were attacked by the marshal's posse. In the battle which ensued four of the desperadoes were killed outright and one badly wounded.
At a meeting of the board of trustees Wednesday evening, ordinances were adopted providing for the borrowing of $15,000 with which to extend the present water mains and provide for the connecting of private dwellings with the public mains. Under the program outlined, any residence within the corporate limits will be within easy reach of fire protection.
120 Years Ago
October 10, 1902
The finishing work is being done on St. John's Church in this city. A new 1,200 pound bell has been hung in the tower and the workmen are hustling to get everything in readiness for the dedication which will be Sunday November 9th. Right Rev. John L. Spaulding will officiate assisted by Right Rev. P. J. O'Reilly. The church is one of the most beautiful as well as one of the most expensive in this part of the state.
Mrs. Fran Wilson-Finley and Miss Myrtle Stafford gave a clover party to the teachers of the public schools of this city at the home of Rev. and Mrs. E. S. Wilson Thursday evening. The house was beautifully decorated in green and pink. Each guest was presented with a little sack upon which was painted a four leaf clover, and in various nooks and corners were hidden clovers for which they searched. It was one of the very enjoyable affairs of the season.
Forrest — A stranger came here a short time ago and worked on the section a few days. Saturday he went on a spree and continued until Monday when he went up north in the Wabash yard and sat down on a tie on the main track and went to sleep and was soon struck by an engine, tearing the flesh off from the right thigh and hurt internally. His father came and took him home to Chicago Tuesday. It is thought he could only live a few hours.
110 years Ago
October 11, 1912
Fire was discovered in the front of A. H. Mundt's jewelry store a little before twelve o'clock Saturday night. The alarm was turned in and the fire department responded promptly and had the fire out in a short time. The fire caught in or near the waste basket at the end of the work bench, burning the end out where the parts of watches were kept for repair work. The large regulator was badly damaged and stopped at 20 minutes after twelve. It is supposed that the fire started from spontaneous combustion.
Fifteen of the members of the Phi Chi Psi fraternity journeyed out to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harlow King Tuesday evening and took that worthy couple, who were married a short time ago, completely by surprise. The surprisers took with them tin horns, cow bells and other noisemaking instruments, and with these going at full capacity it did not take Mr. King long to find out that someone had arrived. The surprisers also took along some oysters and all the "trimmings" that go with them. The evening was pleasantly spent, cards and music being the evening's diversion.
L. L. Treavis met with a very painful accident Thursday afternoon of last week. He was pressing straw, and in stepping up on the press, his foot slipped and he stepped on the plunger just as it started. The foot was caught between the plunger and a bolt and badly squeezed. Although the shoe and stocking were cut, the skin on his foot was not broken. The ligaments were torn, a blood vessel in the foot bursted and he will be unable to use the foot for some time.
100 Years Ago
October 6, 1922
Jesse White parked his Ford sedan in front of the Phoenix Hotel in Pontiac on Saturday evening about 8:30 o'clock and when he returned some twenty minutes later the car was gone. Shortly afterwards it was found out near the high school building where it had been abandoned after the battery had run down. The fellow that ran away with it was also found in the person of ten-year-old Dick Grube who admitted his guilt when questioned by the policeman. He didn't tell how he managed to start the car, however, but it was not with the key, as Mr. White had that in his pocket.
On account of the popularity of this orchestra, Clay Carr's Camels have been secured to play again for the concert and dance at the fair grounds pavilion this evening. Mr. Carr will put on a special concert and with the weather promising to be mild, another enjoyable evening is assured.
The large grain elevator located at the south edge of Ocoya and owned by Rufus Mutchler, of Chenoa, was completely destroyed by fire last Thursday morning, together with a large portion of its contents. Mr. Mutchler had approximately 15,000 bushels of grain in storage at the time of the fire. There is $13,000 insurance carried of which $6,000 is on the building and $7,000 on the grain. The insurance has been on the building and its contents but a few days.
90 Years Ago
October 7, 1932
The 1932 world's series baseball games were a short and sweet affair, terminating Sunday in Chicago. The New York Yankees defeated the Chicago Cubs in four straight games, the scores being 12 to 5, 5 to 2, 7 to 5 and 13 to 6.
A. H. Mundt, who for more than half a century has been in the jewelry business here, has given to the local Presbyterian Church a fine electric clock, and it will be unveiled and accepted with appropriate ceremonies at the Sunday evening services. Mr. Mundt is the oldest member in the church. The clock will be unveiled by its youngest member, Dorothea Crum, and will be received for the congregation by the pastor, the Rev. C. S. Davies.
The first home game of the Fairbury Township High School team will take place this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at Lewis Field, when the Forrest Township High School team comes here. Not only are the football fans assured of a good game, but the people of Fairbury owe it to Coach Arends and the team to give them their support by being in attendance.
80 Years Ago
October 9, 1942
The first young lady from this community to enter the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps paid Fairbury a visit the first of the week. She was Miss Maribeth Mies and she was visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Mies, northwest of this city. Miss Mies entered the WAAC at Des Moines, Ia., July first and graduated with the rank of third officer. For the past four weeks she has been located at Ft. Riley, Kansas, taking a mess officer's course.
War conditions are causing the closing of a local place of business, the Western Auto Associate Store. Thomas E. Holland opened the store in the east business block on April 20, 1940. Mr. Holland stated that it was getting to a point where it was impossible to get stock for his store and that condition was gradually getting worse. Hence his decision to sell his stock and close the store.
With the start of the corn husking season the corn pickers start their grim work, that of mangling arms and hands and in some instances causing death. The first of this season's accidents occurred yesterday morning three miles east of Chatsworth when John Gerdes, Jr., aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gerdes, got his right hand caught in a corn picker, the hand being badly mangled up to the wrist joint. He had reached in the picker to grab a cornstalk that had become lodged. He was brought to the Fairbury Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the hand at the wrist.
70 Years Ago
October 9, 1952
School bus drivers report that many motorists do not observe the law regarding the stopping of automobiles for school buses, when they are stopped. The law applies for automobiles approaching the bus from either front or rear.
Ira Kilgus this week announced that he will close his Ike's Royal Blue store next Wednesday, when he will take over the meat market at Dave's Superway store. Allyn Parks, who formerly operated Al's Market at the Superway store until Monday, left that day for Pekin. Mr. Kilgus has operated the Royal Blue store since he purchased it from Harold Shultz on April 1, 1946.
The state corn picking contest is set to get underway Saturday on the Brokaw farm east of Bloomington. Twenty-four farmers, each sponsored by a farm implement dealer, will match skill for the honors. Representing Fairbury are Elmer Bolliger, who is sponsored by Schrof Bros., and who will use a Dearborn-Wood Bros. Model 16-4 picker, and Irwin Gerber, who is sponsored by the Fairbury Implement Co, and who will use a 1950 Oliver 2-row pull-type picker.
60 Years Ago
October 11, 1962
A severe hailstorm, accompanied by high winds, struck Fairbury about 5 p.m. Sunday causing an estimated $20,000 in damages to houses alone. An insurance adjuster told the Blade that the hailstones, some well over an inch in diameter, struck the siding of many homes in the community. The siding was dented and will need to be filled and repainted, he said. Damage to the Presbyterian Church was estimated at $2,500. To date, almost 200 claims have been filed with Fairbury Insurance men. Superintendent of Water Works Dave Schlipf told the Blade that it rained an inch in eight minutes, which should set some sort of a record for this community.
Herman Teubel is recovering at his home from an injury he received in a corn picker accident last Wednesday. Two fingers of his left hand were injured when he accidentally was caught in the husking bed of his corn picker. A piece of bone was torn out of one finger. He was brought to Fairbury Hospital for a few days, and it appears that his recovery will be satisfactory.
State Police are looking for the owner of an old-model Chevrolet who is said to have caused an accident east of Forrest about midnight Friday, when two Fairbury men, Bill Tarza and Bill Estep, ran into the rear of the car, which they said was parked on the highway in the heavy fog. Bill Estep's head smashed a hole in the windshield, inflicting many cuts which required almost 30 stitches at Fairbury Hospital. Tarza was driving his car, with he and Estep the only passengers. A rear bumper guard of the mystery car was found, but the car drove away after the collision.
50 Years Ago
October 12, 1972
Glen Alford, a Fairbury native, assumed the role of Fairbury's fourth policeman last week, filling out the force to its former level. Alford, 23, replaces officer Wendell Cooperider, who left the force September 1 for a job at Fairbury Hospital. Alford, who graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School, spent four years in the Marines as a Motor Transport section leader and served in Vietnam. He was later stationed in San Diego, where he underwent civilian criminology training.
Mrs. Inez Price and Mrs. Esther Gooding were in Chicago Monday afternoon to attend a reception at McCormick Place for Mrs. Richard Nixon. Bill Kelleher drove the ladies to Chicago. Also attending the reception for Mrs. Nixon were Mary Beth and Ruth Teubel of Fairbury, nieces of Mrs. Pauline Henry, Forrest, who were guests of their aunt for a day in Chicago.
Plans are currently underway for the 1972 Homecoming at FSW. The traditional bonfire will not be held on Thursday night due to the state law prohibiting burning within a community of 1,000 or more. A pep assembly has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 3:20 at the football field and the snake dance has been scheduled to be held prior to Friday night's game against Onarga. The homecoming dance will be held on Saturday night and the king and queen will also be announced and crowned.
40 Years Ago
October 7, 1982
Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) attention from a stock boy and a customer at Weber's IGA last Friday evening saved the life of 90-year-old Fairburian "Bud" Wink, who suffered a heart attack as he was preparing to pay for his purchases. Doug Travis, a senior at Forrest-Strawn-Wing high school and a part-time clerk at the grocery, joined Mrs. Sally (Wink) Tipton, a respiratory therapist at Fairbury hospital, in working to keep the stricken man alive until SELCAS ambulance personnel reached the scene.
Marching Tartar band director Bruce Hammitt has sounded the call for "old-timers" who wish, once again, to thrill to marching down Locust Street during a Fairbury-Cropsey Homecoming parade. Hammitt said this week more than 100 former FCHS marching band members have already signed up to march in the alumni band in this year's parade. This will be the third time around for the alumni band. On each of the previous two occasions, this has been one of the most – shall we say "interesting" – units in the Homecoming parade.
Mrs. Sonnie Smith harvested an unusual product from her garden on East Locust Street this week. It was a weather balloon which apparently landed sometime during the night Monday or early Tuesday morning. Mrs. Smith took it to the post office in accordance with the instructions. Gordon Sands filled in the tag which came with the balloon, giving information as to where and when it was found, and returned it to Peoria, where it had apparently originated.
30 Years Ago
October 8, 1992
"I'm really impressed with Fairbury," said Joyce Ginn, a 33-year veteran of the nursing profession, who assumed the position of Director of Nursing at Fairbury Hospital on Monday, Sept. 21. Ginn, a widow, has three grown children and has adopted her 13-year-old grandson, Christopher, who is an 8th grade student at Prairie Central Junior High School.
Three area students of Double M Appaloosas placed at the KWI Open Horse Show in Limestone Sunday, Sept. 27. Doug Tollensdorf, Fairbury, placed second in the Foal of 1991 category with Lucky. Theresa Reid, Forrest, received fifth place in Quarter Horse Halter with Richard. Jennifer Haney, Chenoa, placed first in Aged Halter, second in Youth Showmanship – 13 and Under, and third in Youth Western Pleasure – 13 and Under, with Dandy.
"Officer Friendly," AKA Deputy Terry Sullivan of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department, presented a safety program for children Sept. 29 at Forrest Library. Sullivan stressed the importance of wearing seat belts and never talking to strangers. Following the program, Sullivan made the children junior deputies after they recited a pledge.
20 Years Ago
October 9, 2002
Colfax area farmers assisted, Saturday, with the corn harvest of their friend and neighbor, Brian Dameron of rural Colfax who suffered a heart attack and underwent heart by-pass surgery in July and is unable to harvest his crops. Farmers, over 50 people, from Colfax, Anchor, Cooksville, Saybrook and Lexington stopped work in their own fields to assist with Dameron's harvest. Dameron said the group worked only five hours, and harvested 440 acres of corn Saturday. Dameron's volunteers brought 14 combines, 20 grain trucks and semis and eight grain cars.
Capt. Ken White of the Livingston County Sheriff's office appeared before the village board of Forrest Thursday with his regular report and also with some news about towing away junk vehicles from private property. He said that a ruling has come down from the 14th Appellate Court stating that it would be an illegal seizure of private property. To tow anything you have to have written permission from the owners, or a court order. In the past, Forrest has sent a notice to owners of junk cars requesting the removal of the vehicle or they will be towed away.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Everett and Jean Sutter were privileged to share the guest table at Fairview Haven with Rev. Kenneth Tyler, who married them 60 years ago on Sept. 22, 1942. Shirley and Roy Gardner of Fairbury and Carol and Steve Pollitt of Colorado also joined the group. The Sutter's have one son, Craig B. Sutter of Rolling Meadows.
10 Years Ago
October 10, 2012
Pontiac Bancorp, Inc. and Bluestem Financial Corp. have mutually agreed that Pontiac Bancorp, Inc., parent company of Bank of Pontiac, shall acquire Bluestem Financial Corp., whose primary subsidiary is Bluestem National Bank in Fairbury. Bank of Pontiac opened in 1947 and presently has branch offices located in Pontiac, Odell and Dwight. Bluestem National Bank was founded in 1918 and has branch offices in Fairbury and Forrest. Both institutions are well-capitalized and profitable and provide a wide variety of financial services to their customers. Bank of Pontiac has approximately $375 million in assets and Bluestem National Bank has approximately $95 million in assets.
Lisa Maurer and Kevin Edelman, both of Strawn, are announcing their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Tom and Carolyn Stephens of Forrest. The future bridegroom is the son of Levi and Donna Edelman of Forrest. The couple plans a Nov. 10, 2012 wedding at the Cropsey Methodist Church.
Local resident, Lillian Rathbun, has narrated an audio book. “The Last Call of Mourning,” an Oxrun Station Novel written by Charles L. Grant and narrated by Lillian Rathbun, is available at audible.com, iTunes and Amazon.com. Rathbun lives in Fairbury with her husband and son and has a background in on-camera and voice-over commercials She has worked in radio as Stevie Jansen and was the television spokesperson for Oak Express.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Looking Back The Blade history backward glances
