Looking Back
130 Years Ago
December 24, 1892
A lodge of the Rebekah degree is soon to be instituted in this city under the auspices of Livingston Lodge No. 290, I.O.O.F. A large membership will undoubtedly be secured.
At a meeting of the Amish Church last Sunday $4,500 was raised with which to erect a new church edifice, which they will do in the spring. The two old buildings will be removed.
Hugh Salmon, who has been attending the Chicago Dental College, came home to spend the holidays.
Rev. W. L. Riley has been assisting at a series of revival meetings at Ocoya this week.
Prof. Ripley's rchestra furnished the music for the masquerade at Chenoa Wednesday evening.
120 Years Ago
December 26, 1902
A cold wave swooped down upon this section Wednesday, and the thermometer has been hovering around zero every day since and dropping below 5 to 6 degrees at night. In addition, a strong wind from the northwest blows the cold in through every crack and crevice. A light snow made people who were afraid of a "green" Christmas happy.
Cropsey — Next Saturday night at the Barnes Hall the Band boys will give a basket social. Everyone is invited. The boys are at quite an expense in maintaining their organization and they should be given the support of the people.
Wing — A freight train going south on Tuesday became detached when a short distance south of Wing and when the engine backed down to the rear end of the train to connect, it came with such speed that several cars were knocked off of the track and caused a delay of several hours before trains could pass.
110 Years Ago
December 27, 1912
W. G. Henning and family had one of the narrowest escapes from serious injury in an automobile accident Thursday of last week that anyone could have. They were driving on the road west of town, Walter handling the steering wheel. He was driving on the north road off the grade near the Wm. Nimmo residence and started to run up on the grade to avoid a team coming from the opposite direction. The ground was smooth and hard and when the machine was about half way up on the grade it turned turtle. The top was up and the occupants of the car were all caught underneath. For a wonder not a single one of them was injured in the least.
There never has been finer weather in Illinois than the people have been favored with for the past month. The days are clear and only moderately cold. The lowest the thermometer has dropped this season is eight above. There has been no bad wind thus far and no snow. The little folks like a little snow for Christmas but the older ones like it well enough without.
Alderman James Woods arrested a fellow named John Dorn Saturday for acting indecently on the street. The fellow said he was a barber and that he lived in Piper City. When arraigned before Squire Zimmerman the morning after he had a very woozy idea of what he was on earth for. Squire Zimmerman sized him up over his glasses and assessed him $5, leaving him enough money to get back to his native village. If Piper City has any more like John they had better put tags on them before they leave home as they are liable to get lost.
100 Years Ago
December 22, 1922
In turning out to pass a team, a car driven by Mrs. John Disco, of Colfax, skidded and overturned into the ditch. Mrs. Hannah Thiss, of this city, was badly cut about the head and face. Mrs. Disco suffered no injuries aside from a severe shaking up. The accident occurred on the road between Anchor and Colfax, on Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday noon when L. F. Pratt arrived home from his morning trip to town he was greatly surprised to find a company of his friends assembled there, who announced their intention of helping him celebrate his eighty-second birthday. One of the main attractions of the celebration was the birthday feast.
Cropsey — On Sunday night a contest will begin in the Epworth League between the Reds and the Whites. Captains and sides will be chosen. The points will be as follows: Ten points for each member present on your side; 25 for a visitor; 100 for a new member; 150 for an Epworth Herald subscription that cost $1.00. Come and show your League spirit. If you stay for the preaching service you get 75 points and when this contest is started a certain number of points will be given for visits to the sick, Bible verses memorized and attendance at socials.
90 Years Ago
December 23, 1932
Some time during last Friday night or early Saturday morning someone, possibly local talent, tried to jimmy the front doors of the James Meat Market, the Model Grocery and the Beckley Store, all in the east business block. The doors bore the marks of where some instrument had been used on them without success. Marshall Bodley is of the opinion that the attempt at burglary was made after he went off duty Saturday morning, as everything in that block wall all right when he made his last rounds.
Wing — It has been several years since it has been possible to cut ten-inch ice, but the ice harvesters are taking advantage of the recent cold snap which has frozen the ponds and Vermilion river to an unusual depth for this season of the year. Monday morning George Anderson and a crew of ice handlers began cutting and hauling ice from his pond at the north edge of Wing, which was formerly the old tile factory pond, and has recently been dredged out and used as a swimming pond in the summer and ice and skating in the colder seasons.
McDowell — Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wagner and Arno Kipfer motored to Fairbury on Tuesday, calling on Mrs. Wagner's father, Ernest Westervelt, and also Mrs. George Westervelt.
80 Years Ago
December 25, 1942
Steve Holzapple, a lad about nine years old, took a fall of about nine feet last Saturday afternoon in the Walton Department Store and all he had to light on was the main floor. He was pretty badly shaken up and was dazed for a time as his head hit the floor. The boy was either leaning over or was starting to slide down the banister to the east stairway, when he lost his balance and fell.
Conrad Munz, proprietor of the Fairbury Ice Company, completed his ice harvest Tuesday evening. He did not get through any too soon, as it has been thawing since then. The ice is of good quality, Mr. Munz says, and is about nine to ten inches thick.
Mrs. William Lee of Weston, is recovering from quite serious burns she received on her face last Thursday. Mrs. Lee was ironing, using a gasoline-heated iron. She turned out the light in the iron and then took off the cap where the gasoline is put into the iron. As she did this the fumes from the container caught on fire from the hot iron and exploded in her face, burning her quite badly.
70 Years Ago
December 25, 1952
This year's volume of Christmas mail handled by the Fairbury Post Office is establishing a new record, according to Postmaster F. M. Masterson, who said Christmas mail is running 6 percent ahead of last year, which was the previous peak. As of Saturday, stamp sales were $215 ahead of last year's sales for the corresponding period and during the same period, 112,000 letters had been cancelled. Last Wednesday 15,400 2 and 3 cent letters were cancelled. The high for last year was Dec. 18, when 13,000 letters went through the meter.
Last week, Mrs. Jay Carter had a caller who really proved to be Santa Claus in person. The caller was Fred Carey of Peoria. He was sent by The Quaker Oats Company to notify Mrs. Carter that she was the first-prize winner in the national "Aunt Jemima Recipe of the Month" contest conducted by the Quaker Oats Co., manufacturers of "Aunt Jemima" products. Mrs. Carter was awarded a check for $100 by Fred Cary, district representative for the Quaker Oats Co, Saturday afternoon at Dave's Super Market. Mrs. Carter's prize-winning recipe was for "Aunt Jemima" Sour Cream Apple Pie.
Henry Rusterholz, a member of the Fairbury fire department since January, 1920, has resigned, the same to take effect the first of the year. Mayor Taylor made the announcement at last Wednesday evening's meeting of the city council. In making the announcement the mayor noted the faithful and efficient service Mr. Rusterholz had given to the department during his more than 30 years with it.
60 Years Ago
December 27, 1962
Fairbury garages and service men were deluged with calls from unhappy motorists this past week as temperatures nose-dived to minus five degrees yesterday and many autos would not start. Snowfall began Friday, hindering driving conditions. Several accidents have been reported by wrecker crews. Hazardous driving conditions cleared up again until Christmas Day, when once again icy roads were the result of vehicle accidents.
One Fairburian and three Forrest men returned recently with four deer shot in Pope County, southern Illinois. it was John Ziegenhorn's first venture into the sport and he claimed an 85-pound buck, after it was dressed out. Virgil and Dale Farney and George Kinate, all of Forrest, each killed deer that dressed out to 61, 100 and 124 pounds. The party traveled to Pope County the first weekend of December and hunted on a 1,200 acre farm. The four local men were in a party of 12 hunters.
Michael L. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan L. Brown of Fairbury, completed recruit training Dec. 7 at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. During the nine-week indoctrination, recruits are trained in physical fitness, basic military law, military drill, customs and etiquette of the naval service, swimming and survival, first aid and basic shipboard routine. During the training, recruits receive tests and interviews which determine future training and assignments.
50 Years Ago
December 28, 1972
Saturday afternoon 15 people, who had been members of the First United Presbyterian Church of Fairbury 50 years or more received commemorative certificates from the church. Eight Fairbury ladies who received certificates and the dates when their membership in the local Presbyterian church began, are Mrs. Jerry Milne, Mar. 25, 1914; Mrs. Ross Hildreth, May 26, 1912; Miss Neva Decker, Mar. 24, 1914; Mrs. Ed Thomas, May 21, 1911; Mrs. Walter Nussbaum, Apr. 27, 1919; Mrs. Harold Barnes, Jan. 11, 1914; Mrs. Robert Schmidt, Apr. 5, 1914; and Mrs. J. G. Masterson, Jan. 5, 1919.
When air traffic throughout the nation was curtailed last weekend as O'Hare International airport at Chicago was forced to close two runways after a Wednesday evening crash in bad weather, at least three Fairbury youths on the east coast ran into difficulties getting home for Christmas. John Traub, stationed at the U. S. Navy Submarine base at New London, Conn., found early Friday that two flights from New York to Chicago were cancelled because they were unable to work them into the landing pattern which was severely restricted. He drove home, pulling into the driveway of his parents at 11 a.m. Saturday. Bruce Huber, a student in the Harvard Graduate school of Business Administration, started home from Boston Wednesday night. Some 24 hours later he made it, on a flight that was postponed, delayed enroute, re-routed to Louisville, Ky., and "then they finally found a hole for us in Chicago." John Munz, also a student at Harvard where he is in law school, finally managed to get to Champaign's Willard Airport, via Washington, D. C. from where he called for a ride home.
40 Years Ago
December 23, 1982
Civil Defense, ambulance and law enforcement facilities will have a helping hand this winter when it comes to retrieving snowbound motorists or residents. The High Rollers Four Wheel Drive Club, the brainstorm of Fairburians Gary Doran, Phil Dohman and Keith Huber, have volunteered their time and trucks to assist in rescue-type operations. The drivers, which number 13 at the present, will be in contact with officials via CB radios and, with the use of their four wheel drive vehicles, will transport personnel to places that would otherwise be impossible to reach.
John Carter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Royce Carter of Fairbury, has been appointed assistant in the Public Defender's office in Knox County, the first person to hold that post. Carter, who was admitted to the Illinois Bar this fall, started his new post in Galesburg on Dec. 1. He handles misdemeanor, juvenile and mental health cases, and felony matters to the trial level.
Mary J. Alford and Duane L. Ifft, both of Fairbury, were married on Dec. 4, 1982 at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury. Rev. Al Nelson of Fairbury officiated the double-ring ceremony in the presence of 250 guests. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Willis Alford of Fairbury and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Ifft of rural Fairbury. After a wedding trip to Florida the couple will reside in Fairbury.
30 Years Ago
December 17, 1992
A 1952 Fairbury-Cropsey High school graduate and former Latin and French teacher at Fairbury-Cropsey, Jean Mattioli Ahlberg, was recently chosen Educator of the year (1992-1993) for the Springfield public schools. She is a French teacher at Lanphier High School, Springfield, where she has been teaching for 19 years, and the daughter of the late Bruno Mattioli, who for years owned and operated Little Joe's Market in Fairbury. Ahlberg, 58, moved to Fairbury from her native country of Italy in 1949.
Lois J. Zimmerman, Fairbury, recently had an original poem published in "On the Threshold of a Dream," Vol. III, a treasury of today's poetry compiled by The National Library of Poetry. Zimmerman's poem is titled "Storyteller," and the main subject is telling a story. Zimmerman has been writing for six years. Her favorite subjects and ideas are stories for young children.
A 3,000 square foot building will stand at the site of the infamous old Crossroads Tavern and bowling alley and of the Kwik Stop Convenience Store at the corner of U.S. 24 and 47 in Forrest. The Quick Six store will offer the lottery, liquor, snacks, Hot Stuff pizza, a sit-down area, truck parking and Phillips 66 gasoline. New owner, Dan Rogers of Piper City said the store, which will "probably have seven to 10 employees," will be open 5 a.m. to midnight.
20 Years Ago
December 25, 2002
Bluestem National Bank presented a check in the amount of $3,500 to the City of Fairbury last week, for the purchase of the community's first K-9 dog unit. Bluestem Bank president, J. W. (Bud) Gerber made the presentation on behalf of the bank, to Fairbury Chief of Police Jack Wiser and Mayor Robert P. Walter Jr. on Wednesday. Bank officials have been consulting with Fairbury city officials and Chief Wiser for some time regarding the opportunity for this addition to the local law enforcement capabilities. Gerber said that bank officials felt very gratified in substantially participating in the efforts to keep the community free of drugs, and by providing another important tool for the deterrence of crimes.
Fairbury Police Officer, Sgt. Martin Travis, was honored at a reception on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at City Hall. Travis, who has been a Fairbury police officer for 18 years, retired at the end of his shift on Wednesday. Several councilmen and other city officials stopped by to wish him well.
Mary Ellen Nylander was pleasantly surprised when she was presented with a cake for her 75th birthday on Thursday. Mary Ellen started to work in the "Walton's" building several months after her husband, Wendell, passed away in 1994. She worked when it was Walton's, Stage and now as Huber's Gifts & Necessities. Some say she comes with the building. She said she enjoys meeting people and will work as long as she is able.
10 Years Ago
There is no need to travel to the North Pole to see Santa's workshop – it's right here in Livingston County. This is the busiest time of the year for Orley Plennert of rural Forrest, who has a hobby of making toy farm buildings in his basement. Plenert started making replicas of tool sheds, cribs and barns more than 50 years ago when his children were young and is still going strong today. He also farms and works on his projects mostly during the summer and winter months.
The Chenoa VFW Post #8350 and Fairbury VFW Post #9789 recently sponsored the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy contests at Prairie Central Junior High and High School. Winners of the Patriot Pen contest at the junior high were Gera Reis, Tristin Rieger, Joelle Bachtold, Macy Vaughan, Kyiie Vogal and Benjamin Maier. Winners of the Voice of Democracy contest at the high school were Madison Kupferschmid, Courtney Reaves, Kyle Moody, Kytela Medearis, Emily Heiser and Ariess Vanfleet.
“What a battle! We fought from the jump ball to the last buzzer. We just wouldn't quit. No one quit!” said eighth grade girls' basketball Coach Joe Oprondek. The Hawks were down 10-4 at the quarter and 25-11 at the half but never gave up against the taller Rochester Rockets playing on their home court. Rochester pulled away in the second half to defeat the Hawks 49-25 at the state tournament. The Hawks finished their season with a 19-4 record, placed second in the county tournament, won the Twin County Conference tournament, were undefeated conference champs, regional champs, sectional champs and finished in the Elite 8 at state.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Looking Back at Fairbury area history through pages of The Blade
