Looking Back: 1-1-26

130 Years Ago

December 28, 1895

The weather the past week has been abnormally warm for this time of year. It has rained considerably, but the sun has shone several days and the high waters have abated.

The Salvation Army meetings at the Methodist Church during the past week have been crowded to the full capacity of the building.

John Scharlach, who has been employed in Walton Bros. Grocery for several years, has purchased a partnership in a hardware and implement store at Cissna Park, and left for that place the first of the week.

Walter Watterson and Harvey Baylor, both attending school at Onarga, are home for the holidays.

120 Years Ago

December 29, 1905

Christmas in Fairbury was given up principally to family dinners and there were many gatherings of this kind participated in. The stores closed up at 10 o'clock a.m. and did not open until the next morning. There were large numbers of people standing around on the street during the afternoon, and as there were no business houses open, the saloons did a thriving business. After standing around in the cold for about an hour, C. R. Virgin declared himself a candidate for the office of mayor on the ticket of closing the saloons on all legal holidays and at six o'clock every evening, the same hour the business houses close.

A. D. Westervelt gave us some figures Thursday, which show what clover will do for corn land. On his mother's farm, south of town, the amount of corn produced five years ago was 40 bushels per acre. There had been no clover sown on the land for many years. Since that time the land has been renewed by clover and this year the land produced as follows: 45 acres, 60 bushel of corn per acre; 40 acres, 54 bushel of corn per acre; 40 acres 63½ bushel of oats per acre. The land is farmed by Taylor Rudkins and Fred Cooper.

Ben King marketed his hogs this week, Fry & Weber being the purchasers. There were 53 hogs in the lot and they averaged 310 pounds. One of the animals was a monster, tipping the scales at 740 pounds. Mr. King understands thoroughly the art of fattening hogs for market and this bunch was an exceptionally fine one and will undoubtedly bring top prices on the market.

110 Years Ago

December 31, 1915

William Rilland, one of the drivers down in the mine at the west coal shaft, was badly, but not seriously, injured when two strings of cars came together and he was caught between them.

Rev. Father Aout and his parishioners have received a Christmas gift that is a fine one. The gift is a pipe organ for St. John's Catholic Church of this city, and its donor is Andrew Carnegie, the millionaire and philanthropist. The organ has already been ordered and will be installed some time next month.

Ice about six or seven inches thick is being put up this week in the ice houses of the Perlee Produce Company and the Chatsworth Produce Company. The ice is cut from the Munz gravel pit.

If the youngsters had ordered the weather themselves for the Christmas holidays they couldn't have done a better job than the weather man has done for them. It snowed the day their vacation commenced, and every day this week the streets have been alive with "kids" who hook their sleds on every moving vehicle that chances to come their way.

100 Years Ago

January 1, 1926

Conrad Munz Jr., started Tuesday to gather his ice crop for 1926. He is getting the ice off the creek to fill the bottom of one house, but started taking it from the gravel pit Thursday morning. The ice is about ten inches thick and of fine quality. Mr. Munz has recently built another large ice house in which to store ice for his increasing trade. If the weather continues favorable he will finish the harvest in about six days.

The residence on West Pine Street, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Biggers, and owned by Mrs. C. D. Howarth, burned to the ground this morning about 6 o'clock, together with most of the household goods of the Biggers family. How the fire started is not known. The fire company responded to the call, but the hose would not reach the scene of the fire. The property is outside the city limits. The Biggers family was not at home at the time.

Mrs. C. W. Griggs and daughter, Miss Lucile, entertained a company of ladies at six o'clock dinner Tuesday evening. The place-cards were sweet peas and narcissi. Butterfly ladies in complimentary colors were the table decorations. Places were arranged for twenty-two. Out-of-town guests were Miss Harriet Lewenberg, Oak Park, and Miss Florence Tredennick, of Strawn, who is home from Oak Park during the holidays.

90 Years Ago

December 27, 1935

The fire department was called to the Isaac Walton school house last Friday about 7 a.m. to extinguish a blaze that did damage to the amount of around $200. The fire was discovered by Charles Wesser, the janitor, some 15 or 20 minutes after he had come back from breakfast. The fire had started in an abandoned air ventilating shaft, the most damage being done in the recitation room on the second floor in the southwest part of the building. The room just below it, the sixth grade, was also damaged some. The fire did not interfere with the school work for the day, and the damage will be repaired during the holiday vacation.

The dream of ages came true Saturday night before Christmas, when the electric current was turned on the new high line into Wing, and local residents who had previously been connected up had their lights for the first time. Only four houses in town were connected and meters installed Saturday, Willard Barclay, Clyde Allen, Homer Gibb and Mrs. Laura Perrine, but others were hooked up by Monday and Tuesday, and there was plenty of light for Santa Claus to see to fill everybody's stockings on Christmas eve.

James Glennon, residing several miles northeast of this city, received a number of cuts and bruises Christmas Day, one of the cuts on his head requiring five stitches to close. Mr. Glennon's car had become stalled. He threw the car in gear with the wheels spinning and then went around to the rear and gave it a push, intending to climb in when the car started. The car got in motion all right, but went much faster than he had anticipated. He got on the running board of the car just as it started for a fence, which knocked him off and injured him as above stated.

80 Years Ago

December 28, 1945

Pedestrians and automobiles have found the going pretty slippery the past several days. Following the cold spell of ten days or so, it moderated the day before Christmas, and Christmas Eve there was a heavy rain. It turned quite cool again Christmas Day and there was a light snow, the result being slippery roads and slippery walks. The snow was blown by a brisk wind and some north and south roads were blocked. Buses through Fairbury did not operate Wednesday.

An accident, caused by the slippery condition of things occurred in the alley back of Harper's Grocery, when a big Armour's truck went out of control and ran into a big telephone pole. The pole went down and there was a grand mixture of telephone wires. It took workmen about a day to straighten things out.

A final attempt to reorganize the F. T. H. S. Alumni Association will be made at a meeting which will be held in the basement of the library building at 7:30 this evening. All members of the association and all persons who graduated from F. T. H. S. since 1942 who did not have an opportunity to join are urged to attend this meeting. If we fail in this attempt to elect a group of officers for the coming year, the association will have to be considered inactive. —Committee.

70 Years Ago

December 29, 1955

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brandt were named winners this week in the annual Christmas home decoration contest sponsored by the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce.

Donald Rabe, 23, of Fairbury, an employee of the Texas-Illinois Natural Gas Co. had two fingers of his left hand amputated following an accident.

Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Fosdick of Route 4, Pontiac, will celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary at an open house at their home New Year's day from 2 until 5 in the afternoon.

Edward Kahle, Chenoa, paid $599.70 an acre for 150 acres at a sale in Lexington Township. The land was part of the estate of Ira Zook.

60 Years Ago

December 30, 1965

The high wind and rain of Christmas Eve and early the following morning caused a Limestone Transit semi-trailer to do a "headstand." The trailer was uncoupled from its tractor at the company's lot west of Fairbury on U. S. 24. With the nose to the east and slightly lower, about 100 gallons of water collected at the nose on the tarp covering, and this weight, coupled with the wind buffeting the other end, caused the trailer to nose over during the night. Limestone's owner, Herschel Leffingwell, said that no damage was done to the trailer.

A Norfolk and Western Railroad southbound passenger train won a race with the stork Wednesday afternoon, with the aid of Forrest Ambulance Service by Clarence Culkin and the staff of Fairbury hospital. The fast-moving story began on Train 111 when Mrs. Margaret Johnson and her six children were en route to their home in St. Louis from Chicago. Nearing Forrest, Mrs. Johnson told Conductor Harry Kammerman that the time had arrived for the birth of her seventh child. Kammerman radioed ahead and Culkin had his ambulance at the depot where Mrs. Johnson was removed from the train on a cot and rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, Mrs. Johnson gave birth in less than an hour to a 6 pound 2 ounce daughter.

Leroy "Peanut" Miller will retire today from the U. S. Postal Department at the Fairbury office after 41 years and eight months of service. Miller, who is 60, started as special delivery and mail messenger in 1924. Postmaster John Reis said that Miller was "a post office fixture, he's been with this office longer than any other employee."

50 Years Ago

January 1, 1976

Today opens the calendar year in which the United States observes its 200^th anniversary. Nostalgia fills the air, and to join the birthday anniversary celebration, The Fairbury Blade today announces plans to publish a book of historic photos from the Fairbury-Cropsey area. For more than a decade, The Blade has been publishing each week, old photos, ranging from nearly a century in age to as recent as 15 or 20 years ago. For some time, the possibility of compiling these historic treasures into book form have been weighed by Blade Publisher Jim Roberts, and this week the decision was made to launch such a project.

The elevator in the front of the Keck building in Fairbury will come in especially handy for insurance man Dean Broquard, but if he'd used it last week, he wouldn't need it now. If that sounds cryptic, it must be explained that Dean was leaving his upstairs office in the building by way of the back stairs when he slipped and fell, injuring a knee. Dean is off his feet now and surgery may be needed if the joint doesn't heal properly.

Honeggers' and Co., Inc. stockholders met Wednesday, Dec. 31 in Fairbury to make a decision about mortgaging company property. In a separate matter, shareholders will also decide whether or not to merge with a Delaware corporation. According to Richard Funk of Honnegger's, the Delaware corporation was initiated with the distinct purpose of changing Honeggers' charter from Illinois to that state. While stating that "there will be no change in the company's name, its business, its assets or its management" as a result of the proposed merger, they do admit that "certain rights of shareholders will be changed as a result of the change in corporate domicile." They did not specify the rights which would be affected.

40 Years Ago

December 26, 1985

A tool shed and three vehicles were lost in a Saturday morning blaze where cold weather hampered efforts of four fire departments. The near zero temperatures froze up some of the pumpers. Saunemin firemen first responded to the alarm about 7:20 a.m., 1½ miles east of the curve on the Fairbury-Owego blacktop and on County Road 1700 North. They called for tanker assistance from Fairbury, Pontiac and Odell. Lost in the blaze, at the Steve Schaffer property, were a grain truck, a car being stored there and a pickup truck belonging to Edwards Soil Service, by whom Schaffer was employed.

Keith and Lois Coleman of Fairbury announce the engagement of two of their daughters. Becky S. Coleman will marry Todd Webster of Forrest on May 17, 1986. His parents are Gene and Betty Webster of Buckingham. Connie D. Coleman will marry Jim D. Gentes of Sibley on March 8, 1986. His parents are Don and Faye Gentes of Sibley.

William Dean Nussbaum, named for his grandfathers, was born to Jay and Ann Nussbaum of Fairbury on Dec. 18, 1985 at Fairbury Hospital. The 7 pound 10½ ounce baby boy is the couple's first child. Grandparents are William and Mary Orth of Fairbury and Dean and Betty Nussbaum of Chatsworth.

30 Years Ago

December 27, 1995

Four days before Christmas, a Fairbury family of five lost all of their possessions to a fire which they narrowly escaped. Denzil Wilson, 29, and his wife Cherri, 28, were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by SELCAS. Their three sons, Bradley, 6; Denzil Jr., 3; and Alexander, 2, did not require treatment. Firemen from Fairbury, Chenoa and Forrest responded to the 8:45 a.m. blaze, which totally destroyed the 2-story structure that sits on the north side of U. S. 24.

About 160 people attended a special 100^th anniversary/Christmas open house hosted by Anchor State Bank on Friday, Dec. 8. Pins of service from the Community Bankers Association were awarded to Maynard Schleeter, who has been a director of the bank since 1967; Dean Bright, a director of the bank since 1974, bank president from 1979-1993 and chairman of the board from 1975-1993; Louis Martens, who was recognized for being the longest depositor (since 1920); Jim Eckert, a director and chief executive officer at the bank since 1979 and bank president since 1993; and Margery Eyer, employed the longest at the bank (1955-1993) and assistant cashier from 1988-1993.

Pittsburgh Tube Company of Fairbury announces the following organization changes and promotions: Jill Davis is promoted to the position of Manager-Accounting, personnel, benefits; Rob Fornnarino is promoted to the position of Manager-Quality Assurance; Dan McMinn is promoted to the newly created position of Manager-Receiving, Finishing, Traffic; Ron Parrish is promoted to the newly created position of Manager-Slitting, Welding.

20 Years Ago

December 28, 2005

Jon Bachtold of Advanced Communications gave a presentation on security cameras to Fairbury's City Council on Wednesday night. Bachtold told the council he would install six cameras and where they would be placed. The locations were: a camera placed in an area to capture people coming to the police department; a camera pointing at the parking lot; a camera at the rear door covering the drop box; a camera at the front door of city hall and a camera in the basement to capture the evidence room door. Later the council approved $6,386.91 to Advanced Communications for the installation of six cameras.

Fairbury Curves owner Laurie Sturm recently honored elite member Mary Lou King of Fairbury for her consistent workouts. Mrs. King, who has been a member since Curves opened in July of 2004 has thoroughly enjoyed her 290 workouts. Since the Fairbury facility opened, women members have lost a total of 681 pounds and 1,300 inches.

Sixteen Prairie Central High School seniors have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), for their outstanding academic achievement. Students from nearly every high school in Illinois competed in the 2005-06 program. PC State Scholars are: Cole Cluchey, Emily Bane, Jodie Bittner, Jenna Honegger, Kelli Coldren, Rochelle Gerber, Steven Dray, Joel Gerber, Marissa Keever, Cara Lanz, Crystal Stoller, Brad Kafer, Amanda Pilgrim, Kami White, Caitlin Schaffer and Reid Zehr.

10 Years Ago

December 30, 2015

Dorothy Hubly will celebrate her 85^th birthday with an open house and card shower on Jan. 9, 2016 at her home in Chatsworth. She was born Jan. 8, 1931 in Chatsworth and married Robert Hubly on Sept. 18, 1950. He passed away on Oct. 22, 2003. Her children are Diane (Mark) Kerber, Chatsworth; Dan (Jackie) Hubly, Naperville; Denise (Barry) Corban, Fairbury; and Debra (Jim) Corban, Greeley, Colo. Mrs. Hubly also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. One granddaughter is deceased. She worked on the family farm with her husband and they enjoyed traveling and hosting family reunions.

Prairie Central Upper Elementary School held its 2016 Geography Bee on Dec. 21, 2015. Alex Williford won first place and Katy Curl was runner-up. In January, Williford will take the online qualifying exam to see if he is eligible for the state level.

The first weekend of December not only celebrated the beginning of the Christmas season with the Fairbury Christmas parade, but also marked a successful platelet drive. There were 15 donors on Friday and 10 donors on Saturday. Platelet donation requires a special commitment because it takes two hours or more and requires a needle in both arms. Whole blood is taken from one arm, and the platelets are removed. The remainder of the blood, along with some fluid, is infused back into the other arm. Volunteers, who staff the kitchen and coordinate alternates, were Joann Van Antwerpe, Mary Beth Steidinger, Jan Lancaster, Darlene Helmers, Shirley Meenan, Joann Slagel, Linda Zick and Karen Harms.

(Looking Back is sponsored each week by Duffy-Pils Memorial Homes)