Looking Back

130 Years Ago

September 10, 1892

The 17th annual Fairbury Fair closed yesterday and verily it was a hummer. The gate receipts Wednesday were $1,200. This is far in excess of the same day at any previous fair.

A number of fellows who were working a "shell game" at the fair grounds were run onto by Policemen Fitzgerald and Bailey, who captured two of them. The other one ran through the west gate and was going down the alley when Officer W. H. Karnes saw him. Taking in the situation Mr. Karnes mounted a horse and gave chase, finally capturing his man near the Babcock house.

Saturday was a big day for Fairbury merchants in the way of a crowd from the country. By actual count there were hitched along Main street at one time 233 teams.

120 Years Ago

September 12, 1902

The school bells which have been silent the past three months jingled and clanged Monday morning, calling the children to their studies for the opening of the term of 1902-3. As a rule the children responded with cheerfulness and their bright, happy faces were pleasing to look upon. The rooms are well filled and the pupils resume their studies with added vigor.

The prizes offered for the finest babies at the fair last Friday were awarded to the babies of Mr. and Mrs. John Baily, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Eddy and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Besgrove. There were quite a number of babies entered for the prizes.

For the past two or three weeks there has been a large camp of Gypsies in this vicinity. They caused the farmers lots of trouble as the women folks of the camp persistently visited the houses in the vicinity of the camp requesting anything that the farmer's wife would give in the way of eatables, etc. The authorities tried to drive them away but only succeeded in making them move a little ways from their old camp each time.

Quite a number of farmers are now engaged in cutting corn. This operation is not now attended with the arduous labor of a few years ago. Instead of taking a corn knife and going through the field, carrying an armful of corn to the shock, the farmer rides on his corn harvester, which cuts the corn and ties it in bundles and dumps it off, much the same as a self-binder handles oats or wheat.

110 Years Ago

September 13, 1912

A car of watermelons belonging to David Wright of this city was destroyed by fire at Champlain Station Thursday. James Hogan, the grain buyer at Champlain, had just purchased a melon from Mr. Wright, who was in the car. The melon was not ripe and he went back for another and found Mr. Wright laying on the ground outside the car and the interior of the car aflame. Mr. Wright was stunned somewhat by his fall from the car. The straw on the bottom of the car had caught fire in some way. The car and contents were destroyed.

The next big event in this locality is the Cropsey Fair which will be held on Ira Pratt's farm in Cropsey Wednesday and Thursday of next week. The admission is free to all and there is always a big attendance. The baby show is a big event and the floral hall is an attractive place for the ladies. This year a new feature will be added, the giving of a badge to the people who have lived here 50 years. The Belle Prairie Band will furnish the music and there will be ball games, political speeches and other amusements.

Frank Pratt is somewhat of a fruit raiser. When he lived in the country he used to raise fine fruit and in town he still continues the work. He raised some large and luscious white grapes this season as were ever produced in Illinois, and we know because he brought a nice box to the Blade office.

100 Years Ago

September 8, 1922

To say that the Fairbury Fair of 1922 is the best in the history of the organization is saying a great deal, for Fairbury has had some mighty fine fairs, especially within the past few years, but such is the case. Never before has there been such an exhibition of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, chickens, etc., as was on the grounds this year, and the regrettable part of it is that the association had to turn away many entries in these classes on account of lack of room.

Around 70 members of John Joda Post of this city, accompanied by the fife and drum corps, went to Lexington last Friday evening, where they took part in the Lexington Legion celebration. The local post and the Bloomington post were tied for first in the largest delegation contest and in the toss-up Bloomington won, receiving the first prize of $50. The second prize of $35 went to John Joda Post.

Wednesday afternoon while assisting in getting the Lodemia school house in order, Dr. E. F. Law discovered that the Lodemia "union station" was on fire. He, together with Chris Ziller, Jesse Ruff and Frank Masterson who were also at the school house, gave the alarm and started in to fight the fire. Had it not been for them and the fact that a carload of corn was standing between the burning building and the elevator, the elevator itself would probably have burned.

90 Years Ago

September 9, 1932

N. J. Claudon is lamenting the loss of his boat. He has kept a row boat on the water at the Munz sandpit during the summer months, and a few days ago when members of the family went to the pit to use it, it was gone.

Russell Brown, of Piper City, was arrested Monday afternoon by Officer Cooper when he insisted on riding his motorcycle on the sidewalks in the northwest part of the city. He was given a hearing before Justice of the Peace Bedell and assessed a fine of $3 and costs, which he paid.

Next Thursday is Dollar Day in Fairbury. That is all that is really necessary to say. It means that everyone living in the Fairbury trade territory, or even farther away, understands at once that next Thursday is the day to come to Fairbury. It means that on this day your dollar will buy more of the things you need than for many, many years. In years past Fairbury merchants have had dollar days, but never before have they staged one that quite equals the values they are offering next Thursday.

80 Years Ago

September 11, 1942

When P. M. Hotaling checks up the cash register tomorrow night and turns the lock on the door, he will have closed a career of 42 years in the grocery business, for he is "shutting up shop." What stock he has at the close of business tomorrow night is being taken over by the Walton grocery department. It was some 43 or 44 years ago when Mr. Hotaling, who resided on a farm northwest of Fairbury quit the farm because of his health and came to town. He had a couple of jobs during the next year and a half and it was in January of 1900 that Mr. Hotaling bought the interest of the late Jarvel White in the grocery firm of White & (Frank) Reany, and started on his two score and two years in the grocery business.

Tuesday afternoon at about 2:30 o'clock at the crossing in Meadows an eastbound T. P. & W. freight train hit an automobile driven by Edward Zimmerman, who resides south of Meadows. Mr. Zimmerman, who was driving south, was alone at the time. He was taken to the Mennonite hospital in Bloomington, his condition being quite serious. Mr. Zimmerman was almost across the tracks when the engine hit him. The engine hit the rear of the car, and as the car turned around the engine hit it in front. Mr. Zimmerman was thrown from the car and parts of the wreckage fell on him. The car was demolished.

Eddie Ray, 14-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Mardis, residing west of Fairbury, had the end of the second finger on his left hand badly injured last Saturday when it was caught in a door that was pushed shut. Although the end of the finger was hanging by just a piece of skin, it is believed that it will grow back.

70 Years Ago

September 11, 1952

Forrest voters will have the opportunity Tuesday, September 30, of voting on issuing $60,000 in bonds for three proposed improvements to the village. The improvement plan includes the improvement of business district lighting by new ornamental street lights at an estimated cost of $8,000. The bond issue also provides for the installation of storm drainage sewers at a cost of $7,000. The largest and most expensive improvement would be $45,000 worth of street improvements, including sidewalk repairs and possibly some new ones. Curbs, gutters and drains would be installed on a total of 24 blocks.

No one was injured when a gas stove exploded in the Gar Drennen home Friday morning. The explosion occurred as Gar was lighting the oven to take the chill from the kitchen. When he attempted to light the oven burner, the entire burner did not ignite. Gar turned up the gas a bit for it to catch, and was just shutting off the valve entirely when the gas exploded. Gar was knocked down, but not injured.

A total of 302 new cases of polio reported in Illinois the past week brought the total Monday to 1,613 cases. The state total is now only about 350 below that of the corresponding date in the epidemic year of 1949. Seven cases have been reported in Livingston county thus far this year.

60 Years Ago

September 13, 1962

The Fairbury Fair Stock Car Races, rained out for the second time Saturday night, were rescheduled for this Saturday night, after a drizzle forced their cancellation. Three 35-lap feature races, stock, modified and rail, will feature the racing program, which is expected to give the tops in the year's racing entertainment.

Beginning instrumental instruction is being offered to the sixth grade in the Fairbury-Cropsey schools this year. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Lincoln School Cafeteria. At this time, Mr. Wayne Bradtke, Director of Music, will meet with interested parents and their children to discuss the beginning instrumental music class. A representative from the Pontiac Music Co. will have a display of the various instruments and will help in the selection of instruments.

Mrs. Ted Williams suffered a serious foot injury about 3 p.m. Monday when the lawnmower she was pushing cut off four of the toes on her right foot. The little toe was then removed during surgery at Fairbury Hospital. Relatives say she doesn't know exactly how the accident occurred. Mrs. Williams was mowing near a fence at their farm four miles west and four miles south of Fairbury. She is in fair condition at the hospital.

50 Years Ago

September 14, 1972

Bruce Huber of Fairbury has received a two-year fellowship to attend the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University in Boston, Mass. Huber, an engineering graduate of the University of Illinois last year, has been employed in that capacity by Proctor and Gamble in Chicago, a post he resigned last week. Accompanied by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Huber, he left Friday morning to enroll at Harvard.

Using a maneuver more familiar to poker-players than to church trustees – a big raise – officers of Fairbury's United Methodist Church on Saturday afternoon bested two other bidders to buy the 77-year-old Isaac Walton school for $40,000. The raise came after a short intermission during which Stoller and Maurer Construction Co. held the bid at $35,000, which ended when Bud Thompson, head of the church trustees walked over to Col. J. C. Ebach, the auctioneer and told him, "We'll give you $40,000!"

Marine Pfc. James A. Somers, son of Mr. and Mrs. William V. Somers of Fairbury, has completed the Marine Corps ammunition handling and storage course while serving at the Marine Corps base, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

40 Years Ago

September 9, 1982

They called it "Gasoline Alley" and for about 60 years it housed at least three automotive agencies plus a couple of gasoline stations, a 'new fangled' tire firm and a blacksmith. It was between First and Second Streets of Fairbury's primary retail district; an area which in the last half-dozen years has fallen, for the most part, into varying degrees of vacancy and disrepair. Today, two new buildings have been erected, one is occupied while still under construction and the other is expected to be occupied next Monday or Tuesday while part of it too is still under construction.

Cropsey farmer Herb Steffen outlined some of the problems he sees facing today's farm families for Time Magazine correspondent Lee Griggs. Griggs visited the Steffen farm Saturday to gather information for a special report Time is preparing on farming and agribusiness. National Bank of Fairbury farm manager Bob Maurer arranged the meeting after Griggs contacted Maurer seeking help in talking to a typical area farmer.

Kathy Ward of rural Fairbury and Greg Popejoy also of Fairbury, were married at 7 p.m. in a single-ring ceremony on Sept. 4, 1982 at St. John's Catholic Church in Fairbury. Father George Hiland officiated in the presence of 360 guests. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Ward of rural Fairbury, George Popejoy of Cropsey and Sherill Popejoy of Fairbury. A reception and dance immediately followed the ceremony at Indian Creek Country Club. Following a wedding trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn. the couple will reside in Fairbury.

30 Years Ago

September 10, 1992

Mary Dehm Wallrich remembers attending a one-room grade school around the year 1900. She walked to school (of course), "Except for the one time they came after us with a bobsled, the snow was so bad," she recalls. Mary was born on a farm near Piper City on Sept. 12, 1892. This Saturday, she will be 100 years old. Mary was 23 years old when she married Wallace Wallrich. Always a farm wife, Mary was 47 years old before electricity came to her and Wallace's farm home. It was also around that time when indoor plumbing was installed for the first time in the Wallrich household.

Strong winds and rain that hit around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, turned Fairbury streets into what looked like a war zone, with trees and limbs blocking streets and downing power lines throughout town. Fairbury's fire department responded to many areas receiving damage, and Don Faw, superintendent of the street and alley department, had every available employee at work cleaning up the mess early Tuesday morning.

Suzanne Slagel, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Ron Perkins, Piper City, and wife of Mark Slagel, rural Strawn, has been accepted to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana. Only one out of every two or three qualified applicants is accepted to the college each year, based on grade point average, admission test scores and personal interviews. Slagel graduated from New Dorp High School, Staten Island, N. Y. in 1988. She then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she majored in animal science.

20 Years Ago

September 11, 2002

Donald and Marilyn Lowery of Chatsworth will be honored in observance of their 50th wedding anniversary at a 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth. Fr. Dick Brunskill will officiate. Their family all plan to be home to celebrate with their parents Saturday evening, and on Sunday a cookout will be held for extended family and friends at the Lowery home. The couple was married on Sept. 16, 1952. They are parents of Teresa, Jody, Ted and Michael, Phillip, Randy, Dan, Donita and Carla. They also have 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Prairie Central Athletic Boosters have announced the creation of a "Spirit Committee" for the purpose of generating school spirit. One of the first promotions for the committee will be to encourage all Hawk fans to show their school spirit on Fridays by wearing school colors, Navy, White and Columbia Blue, to display school flags and banners, to decorate windows and mailboxes, to attend home and away events and to enter the "Blue Friday" drawing. Winners of the drawings will be announced at home games.

The GFWC Fairbury Junior Women's Club will start the 27th year of RIF (Reading is Fun) at Westview Grade School on Nov. 18. This program is made possible with funds from the Fairbury Community Fund and serves 800 students each year, who all receive a free book of their choice three times during the school year.

10 Years Ago

September 12, 2012

King and queen candidates for the 2012 Prairie Central High School Homecoming are Sabin Brummitt, Jackie Duffy, Jenna Hale, Tami Steffen and Jordyn Weber, for queen; Evan Rieger, Addison Bounds, Ian Briscoe, Jordan Dunahee and Evan Bahler for king. The king and queen will be announced at the pep rally following the volleyball match on Thursday night. Freshmen, sophomore and junior attendants are Thomas Huisman and Madelyn Krenz, Wade Fehr and Adriana Macias, and Devin Crews and Laura Crane.

On Aug. 18, the third running of the Fairbury Fair 5K, 2 Mile Walk and Kid's Fun Run was held. One hundred thirty-eight participants showed up for the event, the most participants for this event so far! The overall male top finisher was Eli Walter from Fairbury with a winning time of 18:05. The overall female finisher was Addie Ahlemeyer Ince from Bloomington with a winning time of 22:15. Both received trophies for their outstanding efforts. Medals were also awarded to the top three finishers in 12 different age categories for both men and women, and to each participant in the Kid's Fun Run.

A beautiful sunny afternoon served as the backdrop for the Livingston County Farm Bureau's 100^th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Aug. 25. Approximately 800 people enjoyed the delicious meal. The first LCFB Distinguished Service Award was presented to Rosie Duffy of Pontiac for her volunteerism as Women's Committee chairman and board member for the past 26 years.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Looking Back Fairbury history in the pages of The Blade