Looking Back 10-8-25

130 Years Ago

October 5, 1895

The game between Anson's Colts, of Chicago, of the National league, and Fairbury, played here Wednesday, was rather one-sided, Chicago winning 30 to 4. There was a great big crowd, spectators coming from Pontiac, El Paso, Chenoa, Saunemin, Forrest and other cities. Fairbury gave the National leaguers a goose egg in the first inning but after that they were not in it. Fairbury people were especially interested in one of their own players, Decker, a member of the Chicago team.

The James Kirby family have this week moved to the Mrs. Clemens residence on South Fifth Street.

The school board is having a cement walk eight feet wide put down in front of the new school house on the north side.

Births — to Mr. and Mrs. Sebo Mehrings, Thursday, October 3, a boy; to Mr. and Mrs. Mano Harms, Friday, September 27, a girl.

120 Years Ago

October 6, 1905

Attorney J. H. McFadden, Bloomington, has opened a law office in the rooms formerly occupied by Attorney Herbert Powell over the Fairbury Bank. Mr. McFadden comes to Fairbury highly recommended as an attorney and gentleman.

Swift Dawson, of near Weston, is recovering from a severe attack of typhoid fever.

The high school boys have organized a baseball and a football team. Walter Gregg is captain of the baseball team and Harley Bedell is captain of the football team. The high school pupils have also organized two literary societies, the Athenians and the Hyperions. James Wade is president of the Athenians and Charles Schnetzler is president of the Hyperions.

Henry Nussbaum left yesterday for points in Michigan, where he will put in two or three weeks buying apples, pears and potatoes for the Perlee Produce Company.

110 Years Ago

October 8, 1915

Walter Babb, former Fairbury boy, met death at Champaign on Monday when he fell from the second story of the new Vivarium building on which he was working. He will be especially remembered by lovers of football as one of the best halfbacks or ends that ever played on a Fairbury football team.

By winning the 100-mile race at Peoria Wednesday, Carl Goudy set another world's record for a dirt track, making the distance in 82 minutes and 32 seconds, or an average of 72.6 miles per hour. The race was hard fought from the beginning, Carl not getting into the lead until the 94^th mile. Roy Creviston, of Chicago, finished second, about 30 seconds behind Carl. Carl races at Boston, Mass., next Tuesday and says this is his last race, as he is going to quit the racing game.

L. B. Decker, W. J. Braun, John Fugate and Louis Dirks motored to Peoria on Wednesday in the former's car and saw Carl Goudy win the 100-mile motorcycle race.

Louis Hauswirth has moved his household goods to Fairbury from Kankakee and the family will make this city their home. Mrs. Hauswirth and baby are already here.

100 Years Ago

October 9, 1925

The new concrete mixer purchased by the I. D. Lain Construction Company, was put to work Monday. It is operated by a gasoline engine and one of the best made for the type of work being done here. Rain again put a stop to the work Monday, but the laying of the concrete was resumed again yesterday.

Those taking part in the Rodeo today and tomorrow, together with some 30 or 40 Brahama steers, the wildest of wild steers from the plains of Montana, buffalo and elk, arrived here on Wednesday evening, it taking three large baggage cars to handle the horses, steers and other animals. The three horse barns at the fair grounds are filled with these animals which will thrill the crowds who come here the next two days. Great exhibitions of trick and fancy riding, roping, bulldogging, bucking mule and all other numerous feats that were part of the early pioneer life of the American settlers in the west will be put on for your entertainment this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow afternoon and night.

Twenty-six of the Boy Scouts of this city were in Champaign last Saturday, where they were guests of the University of Illinois at the Illinois-Nebraska game, which Illinois lost 14 to 0. The trip was made under the supervision of Scoutmaster Bridgewater. Following the formation on the University parade grounds of all the Scouts, they marched into the big stadium and were seated mostly in one section. They had a cheer leader and made themselves heard throughout the game.

90 Years Ago

October 4, 1935

The car of Dr. H. C. Cantle, of Cropsey, did a little circus stunt on Monday evening. The car was not exactly in running condition when it stopped, neither was the doctor. However, his worst injuries were a cut on the head and a badly wrenched shoulder and back and he was able to get away under his own power. The car had to be towed in. Dr. Cantle had been to Bloomington and was on his way home when the car left the pavement and turned completely over, being right side up when it stopped.

Jack Ziller, Weston, the biggest man to visit the Board of Trade in years, was shaking hands with friends there this morning. Mr. Ziller weighs just under 500 pounds, has lost 80 pounds recently, but looks healthy. He stands 6 feet 6½ inches tall. Long ago he was a resident of Peoria but in recent years has been in California and Nevada. He is now interesting himself in country grain elevators.

A number of years ago the members of John Joda Post, American Legion, took it upon themselves to paint the name of the street and the block number on the curbing at the various intersections over the city. This numbering and painting of the street names proved very helpful, especially to strangers. Recently the names and numbers have become dull and the members of John Joda Post have started to repaint them.

80 Years Ago

October 5, 1945

Charles Warren, pastor of the Fairbury Baptist Church since July 16, 1944, will bring his last message as pastor Sunday evening. He will go from here to teach in the Fundamental Bible Institute of Kentucky, located at Corbin, Ky. Mr. Warren says, "We have enjoyed working here and do appreciate all the kindnesses extended to us by the citizenry."

Foltz & Perrine have begun the erection of a new garage at the corner of Maple and Clay Streets. The building will be of concrete blocks, one story high, 50x60 feet, facing the west, with show room and parts room on that side. They are agents for the full line of Minneapolis-Moline farm machinery, and also do automobile repairing. Their present place of business is just to the south of their new building site. 

Ted Williams had a close call on Tuesday when digging post holes with a power digger at the Harry Elliott farm. His clothing was caught in the power takeoff and his overalls were torn off completely. His son Bob who was driving the tractor, happened to see him and stopped the tractor. Mr. Williams was considerably bruised and one knee was hurt so badly that he will probably walk with a limp for a week of so.

70 Years Ago

October 6, 1955

Fairbury and community has been ravaged by 25 fires during the past 12 months, with an estimated loss of $15,000 resulting to local property.

Foltz and Perrine have begun the erection of a new garage at the corner of Maple and Clay Streets. Howard Perrine, one of the firm, is a comparative newcomer to Fairbury. His home was formerly at Patoka.

A strike of the T. P. & W. Railroad lines went into effect Monday, and no trains have been over the tracks since.

The world series between the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers was tied up today at one game apiece. The Cubs won 9-0 and then lost, 4-1.

60 Years Ago

October 7, 1965

Homecoming plans are well underway at Fairbury-Cropsey High School. The big weekend is set for October 14, 15 and 16. Girls vying for Homecoming Queen honors are Sandy Abbey, Linda Stephens, Peggy Dameron and Connie Nussbaum. Attendants are freshman Cindy Huette, sophomore Sandy Schieler and junior Bonnie Abbey. The queen will be crowned at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, during the dance.

Cornering the market on holes-in-one at Indian Creek Golf and Country Club this season are the two Floyds, McGillen and Stafford. Stafford was the latest, scoring an ace on the No. four hole with a seven iron Tuesday afternoon. Oddest part of it all is that his partner was McGillen, and on July 12, the roles were reversed as McGillen had an ace on the same hole, with Stafford as his partner. Tuesday, Stafford went on to shoot a one-over-par 36, as he had two birdies "and then I fell apart," he says. It was the third hole-in-one Stafford has scored in his golfing career, two of them being on the Fairbury course.

Delta Zeta Sorority has chosen Miss Marsha Purdum, immediate past president of the Gamma Omega Chapter at Southern Illinois University, as 1965 recipient of The Grace Mason Lunday award. This award is presented annually to its outstanding senior member. Presenting the award at a luncheon ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 3, was Mrs. H. M. Lunday, for whom National Council of Delta Zeta named the award. Mrs. Lunday has been a member of Delta Zeta for more than 50 years. Miss Perdum is from Fairbury and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Purdum of Fairbury.

50 Years Ago

October 9, 1975

A 23-year old Rankin man remains in fair condition at Fairbury Hospital after falling 45 feet from a silo Monday afternoon at the Arthur Bahler farm, southeast of Fairbury. Roger England, an employee of Hoffman Silo, Cissna Park, was putting a new roof on a silo when he fell from the structure. England hit the ground feet first and complained of back pains at the scene and was undergoing extensive x-raying to determine the extent of his injuries.

Selections from the assorted writings of the late Fairbury attorney, Seymour "Cy" Dolgin, have been edited by his eldest daughter, Betsy Dolgin Katz and published as a memorial by the family. A number of Fairbury friends have received copies of the just-published, hard-bound book. The volume opens with a three-part serialization of the Dolgin family's temporary but event-filled exodus from Fairbury to New York in the late 50's so their three daughters could be educated in a synagog there.

If you ever played a band instrument you are eligible to join the Fairbury-Cropsey Remember When Alumni Marching Band. This band of graduates from the 1940's through the 1970's will march in the F-C homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 17. The first rehearsal will be Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in the F-C High School band room. Anyone who is interested in joining this band is urged to attend.

40 Years Ago

October 3, 1985

Negotiators for the Prairie Central Education Association and the board of education reached "tentative agreement" at 4 a.m. Wednesday on a contract for the 1985-86 school year. Representatives of the school board and teachers began the marathon bargaining session at 8 p.m. Tuesday night at the junior High School in Forrest. The apparent agreement comes one week after the PCEA membership gave its leadership authority to file intent-to-strike papers.

King and queen candidates are Amy Waibel, Debbie Douglass, Paula VanWinkle, Jackie Hoffman, Carol Ward, Tim Stork, Nelson Zehr, Ty Cottrell, Mark Bachtold and Shane Dawson. Class attendants are freshmen Heather Bachtold and Thadd Walter, sophomores Paula Hoffman and Steve Zehr and juniors Shelly Haab and Brad Metz.

The John Rich family showed their "Good Samaritan" virtues this past Saturday. Three college students from the east rode bikes from Massachusetts, having left on Sept. 4, their destination, California. The trip will take six to eight weeks. Mrs. Rich (Connie) saw them at City Hall as she was coming from Dave's Supermarket on Saturday. They wanted to contact police as to where they might pitch their tents for the night. Connie told them they were privileged to "camp" in their yard. Not only did she provide their supper and breakfast, but did some laundry for them.

30 Years Ago

October 4, 1995

A photograph created by Ron Jankun Sr., of Jankun Studio in Forrest, has been selected for inclusion in a special photographic exhibit at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. "Dawg Tired & Without A Clue" will be on display Oct. 9 through Dec. 1 at the Innoventions East, Epcot Center at Disney World. The portrait is of Brianna Grieff and her dog Cleo and was taken in Jankun's Studio where an Old English library setting was created with a Sherlock Holmes theme. Brianna is the four-year-old daughter of Rich and Deb Grieff of Odell.

Members of the Prairie Central Homecoming Court are King and Queen candidates Abby Rieger, Danny Harms, Jenny Haab, Chad Bach, Addie Ahlemeyer, Jon Posey, Denise Banwart, Greg Kurtenbach, Julie Cress and Sean Quigley. Class attendants are freshmen Megan Moran and Robbie Rafferty, sophomores Shanna Hetherington and Dustin Benway and juniors Karissa Livingston and Andy Bassett. The king and queen will be announced at the 1 p.m. Pep rally on Friday at the football field in Fairbury.

Navy petty Officer 2nd Class, Conan D. Champlain, son of Anita Meintz of Forrest, has departed on a six-month overseas deployment aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, as part of the USS Independence Battle Group. Champlain is one of 450 sailors aboard the cruiser, which departed Yokosuka, Japan, along with four other ships. Champlain is a 1989 graduate of Streator Township High School and joined the Navy in September 1989.

20 Years Ago

October 5, 2005

The Prairie Central Marching Hawks competed in the Washington Panther Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1. The band competed in Class AA with a total of seven bands, receiving first place and best percussion in the morning parade competition. In field competition, the band received second place. Their combined scores also earned them first place overall and a monetary award in Class AA. The band is directed by Lesa Starbuck and Greg Zalapi. Drum Majors are Emily Metz and Caitlin Schaffer.

One hundred years ago, a little girl was born on a farm in Cissna Park. At the time, Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States and the Panama Canal, "engineering marvel of the 20^th century," was under construction. Leah Maurer was born on Oct. 18, 1905, in Cissna Park, the fourth child of John and Anna Heinold. She had two brothers and three sisters, who are all now deceased. Leah married Martin Maurer and lived on a farm north of Forrest. They had six children. Leah's son, Roy, now lives on the family farm, where his parents and grandparents lived before him. Leah also has 20 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

On Sept. 3, 82 descendants of Valentine Martin Darnall and Malachi Spence met to celebrate the 175^th anniversary of the 1830 Darnall Homestead. As the guests arrived, they were met by hosts, Marty and Kris Travis, current residents of the farm. The day was spent touring the farm and the 1902 home, trekking through the timber and prairie, going to the 1832 Spence Cemetery and visiting the 1860 Phelps schoolhouse where artifacts, genealogy and school memorabilia were displayed. One of the highlights of the day was a huge Spence Family Tree that stretched 38 feet and was hung on the side of a machine shed.

10 Years Ago

October 7, 2015

This year's homecoming king and queen candidates, all seniors, are Maddie Krenz, Tori Edleman, Callie Williams, Julia Schuler, Renae Steffen, Luke Sieving, Hayden Wenger, Victor Strong, Jacob Keller and Corban Roberts. Junior attendants are Tristin Rieger and Brent Edelman; sophomore attendants are Faith Bachtold and Carter Evans; freshman attendants are Paige Glowacki and Collier Palmore.

When Tricia Slagel moved to this area about four years ago, she began thinking about opening a little drive through coffee shop, something that was popular in the small town of Silverton, Ore., where she grew up. “I thought it would be fun to start something like that here since there is nothing like this around here,” said the owner/operator of The Coffee Steamer in Forrest. “I wasn't planning on being mobile, but with the initial start up costs being much less, it felt like the right way to go.” Last winter, Slagel and her husband Brandon Slagel came across the trailer on eBay, took a trip to Nashville in May to look at it and ended up pulling it home. The Coffee Steamer, located at 101 W. Wabash St., Forrest, opened July 16, 2015, with lots of drinks to offer, including Lattes, Mochas, Frappes and their special Java Frostys.

Several farmers gave up a recent Sunday to help harvest someone else's crop. Fields in the Lexington and Cooksville areas were full of auger carts, semis and combines as Mark Richard's crops were harvested. Richard passed away this year, but neighbors and friends pulled together to make sure his corn and soybeans were properly removed and taken to the elevator. Luke Winters helped organize the group harvest effort and was impressed with the number of people in the community wanting to become involved. Richard's widow Mary joked it doesn't matter what color machines are when everyone comes together like this.

(Looking Back from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home)