Looking Back: 2-19-26

130 Years Ago

February 15, 1896

The G. W. Vickory family has moved here from Wolcott, Ind., and are occupying the Dever property.

Miss Mayme Braun and Miss Louise Gillette spent Sunday in Chatsworth, guests of Miss Orra Smith and Miss Bessie Brown.

The people who have been wanting snow are being satisfied. It started snowing Wednesday, and by Thursday morning was over five inches deep. There was no wind with it and the sleighing is fine.

Cropsey — The two-inch lumber has been purchased for our new sidewalks and will arrive this week. Much credit is due Ira C. Pratt, Daniel Coleman and G. M. Meeker for their untiring efforts to secure this much needed improvement for our burg.

120 Years Ago

February 16, 1906

A certain young man of this city was badly afflicted with a cold and thought to take a hot toddy Wednesday night just before retiring. He fixed up the toddy and placed it over a lamp to heat. When it became sufficiently hot he started to his room with it carrying it on the lamp. Going up stairs he stumbled, the tin cup containing the toddy slid off the lamp and emptied the hot liquid on his manly bosom. What he said is not for publication! He says, however, that the dose cured the cold, at least he don't notice it now.

On last Wednesday morning the ladies of Charity Home Rebekah Lodge gathered at the home of Mrs. Frank Combs and marched in a body to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Hollenback. The occasion was a surprise quilting party on Mrs. Hollenback. When the guests, with their well-filled baskets, entered the home and began to sing, "Won't you come to my quilt party, all the Beckha will be there," no one indeed but the host could begin to describe the surprise. Everyone present had a most enjoyable time.

George Hayes, whose home is somewhere, came to Fairbury last Friday and, while inspecting the stores, managed to appropriate a number of articles for which he paid nothing. Dunn & King got onto his curves and traced him to Forrest, where Deputy Sheriff Ives captured the gentleman. He was taken to Pontiac and Tuesday was bound over in the sum of $500 to await the action of the grand jury.

110 Years Ago

February 18, 1916

It has come to us on good authority that there will be no Fairbury Fair here next September. The reasons for this are said to be many, but the main reason is that the stock in the fair is held by private stockholders, and as most everyone knows county fairs are not a paying proposition. Last year the association went in debt about $2,000. In spite of this, the Fairbury Fair is known as one of the best in the state, due to the untiring efforts of those in charge. That the Fairbury Fair should pass out of existence is something that is to be regretted, and if possible steps should be taken by the business interests of this city and the people in general to see that it is kept going.

The residence of John Huette on south Fourth Street caught on fire Monday evening about 7:30 and before it was put out had done damage to the amount of about $1,500. The upper portion of the two-story part of the house was the part damaged, the fire catching from sparks from the chimney on the one-story part of the building. The fire was first noticed by C. J. Merit who lives just east and a little north of the Huette residence. Mrs. Huette and son, Charles, were out in the country at the time and Mr. Huette had just gone up town. Mr. Merit telephoned in the alarm, and the fire company responded quickly, but by the time they arrived the upper part of the house was in flames.

H. J. Foster had the misfortune to fall Saturday and, lighting on his side against a platform, broke three of his ribs. He was doing some wiring in the Bolliger house in the southeast part of town at the time of the accident.

100 Years Ago

February 19, 1926

Although George Decker hasn't found the time to take a sojourn to Florida this winter he received this week a sample of their main crop – an alligator about four feet long. It was sent to him by Joe Kuenzi of this city, who is spending the winter at Bunnell, Fla. The alligator arrived in good shape, and is now on display in the show window of Decker & Sons drug store.

With all the appointments that fit in with Valentine's Day, Lincoln and Washington's birthday, the Browning Club, and a number of guests, were delightfully entertained Monday afternoon by Mrs. R. E. Melvin, Mrs. E. C. Zook, Mrs. Elmer Bailey and Mrs. Roscoe Combes at the Melvin home. After a lively afternoon at games and stunts, dinner was served. The large table in the dining room was centered with a log cabin, a miniature of Lincoln's birthplace, patriotic decorations and Valentines were used on the other tables.

J. Bauman, of Forrest, sustained painful injuries in a fall from the top of the stairs to the first landing at his home on Tuesday of last week. Miss Nellie Bollier, of Wing, is assisting his daughter, Miss Bertha, in caring for him.

90 Years Ago

February 14, 1936

A short time ago, a dinner was held in Fairbury that turned out to be rather high priced. It seems that a couple of our nimrods went out and shot a couple of pheasants or so out of season, and then invited six other wild game lovers in to help eat them. The meal passed off all right, but somehow it leaked out and reached the ears of L. C. Johnson, one of the deputy sheriffs of the local Sportsmen's Club. There was some further investigation and last Saturday the two hunters appeared before justice of the Peace Bedell, where they were fined $50 and costs each, which they paid. It is understood that the other six who were in on the feed helped to pay the fines, which dividing it up among them, amounted to $12.50 per plate.

The ninth annual Cropsey Community Sale will be held in that village on Thursday, February 27. This sale attracts hundreds and hundreds of people to Cropsey on the day it is held and the livestock, implements and miscellaneous articles sold total to a nice sum. Cropsey merchants always make special inducements on that day for their visitors.

The frame one-story building on North Second Street, just back of the Home Cafe, owned by E. B. Ramsey and occupied by B. V. Romig with a cream and produce station, was destroyed by fire last Saturday evening about ten o'clock. Mrs. F. L. Churchill saw the fire from her home and phoned in the alarm to central. Through some misunderstanding the firemen went to the Romig residence on west Elm street and strung out a lead of hose. When they reached the door Mr. Romig informed the firemen that he had just received a telephone call, informing him that the fire was at his place of business. Leaving what hose they had on the ground there the firemen made a hurried run to the produce station. The fire had gained such headway that it was impossible to save the building.

80 Years Ago

February 15, 1946

Dr. B. H. Johnston, of Piper City, has leased a room in The Blade building and will locate here. The room is now being remodeled to suit the needs of Dr. Johnston, and his equipment will arrive in a few days.

One of the largest business deals occurring in this section of the state in recent years was consummated this week when Harry Tjardes, of Strawn, sold his elevator at that place, his two elevators at Risk and his elevator at Cereal, to the Quaker Oats Company. The new owners will take over their new properties the first of next month. Fred Aellig, who has been in the employ of Mr. Tjardes, will manage the Strawn elevator for the Quaker Oats Company. Mr. Aellig, who has been living on rural route two out of Fairbury, moved to Strawn yesterday. Mr. Tjardes has been offered a position with the Quaker Oats Company as a field man.

John Rusterholz met with quite a serious accident last Saturday forenoon at about 9:30 o'clock at the Lester Abbey farm home. Mr. Abbey was moving some baled straw from Mr. Rusterholz's farm. Mr. Rusterholz was on the wagon as a load of bales started up they swung around and knocked him off the wagon. At the time he did not think he was badly hurt and did not go to the doctor until Sunday morning. X-ray pictures showed the small bone leading from the right hip to the back bone was fractured. He was taken to the Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington.

70 Years Ago

February 16, 1956

The Cropsey Independent Oil Co. has announced its purchase of the Hoffman Service Station, located at the corner of Seventh and Oak Streets. The station will be managed by Joe Glover and the adjoining ice cream store by Mrs. Glover. Marathon products will replace the Shell line which was handled by the station for many years. The Cropsey Independent Oil Co. is the fourth to hold ownership to the station since it was constructed in 1926. It has been operated by eight different persons during the past 30 years.

A caboose was loose in Fairbury one day last week. The early morning east-bound train of the T. P. & W. had just cleared the seventh street crossing when the air brakes snapped on and ground the train to a halt. The engineer looked back to see his caboose rolling along all be itself on the other side of the crossing. The train was backed up, the errant caboose reunited with the rest of the train, and they went off together.

Following the fire that destroyed Eli Ward's home on W. Ash Street Wednesday last week and after the remains of the house were wet and cold, Eli was downtown and happened to feel in his hip pocket for his wallet. It was not there. Then he remembered putting it under the mattress and decided to go look for it – It contained more money than he usually carried – $98. When he went into the still smoking house, there was the wallet, water soaked, protruding slightly from the mattress. One end was badly burned. The paper money still had the serial number and was more than half there. He took it to the First National Bank and they promptly gave him new crisp bills for the damaged $98.

60 Years Ago

February 17, 1966

At gunpoint, State Trooper Milo Olson arrested a motorist in a hastily established road block at the intersection of U. S. 24 and Illinois 47 in Forrest Friday morning. The timing was so close on the arrest that Olson had barely arrived at the corner from the west, and quickly halted the first two vehicles approaching from the north. The first was a Harms Meat Company truck from Pontiac, which Olson wanted only for use as a shield. Right behind was a black Chevelle which he halted on the railroad tracks and ordered the driver out. The man was identified as Rudolph Paul, 20, of Elgin, a member of the Air Force and stationed at Chanute Field. He was suspected of fleeing a gas station at Mazon without paying. When State Police received complaint from Mazon, they diverted state police aircraft from traffic speed control over U. S. 66 and dispatched it to Route 47 to look for a black car.

The Fairbury-Cropsey Parent-Teacher Association executive board at their meeting Monday night, endorsed creation of a full-time kindergarten in the unit school system to replace the summer session now on the curriculum. Earlier this year, a group of unit mothers had visited the board meeting to ask for a kindergarten. At that time, the board had expressed sympathy with the question, but had pointed out the lack of class room space.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ahring of Weston announce the engagement of their daughter, Judith Ann, to Roger Lynn Dameron, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Dameron of Fairbury. The bride-elect is a graduate of Fairbury-Cropsey High School and is now a sophomore in home economics at Illinois State University. Dameron is also a graduate of Fairbury-Cropsey High School, attended the University of Illinois, and is presently employed by Dameron Plumbing and Heating of Fairbury. No wedding date has been set.

50 Years Ago

February 19, 1976

Employees of CTS of Fairbury showed up for work one hour early Wednesday. They agreed among themselves to do it. No, the workers were not bucking for a raise. Rather, they agreed to rise early and put in a 6 a.m. appearance at the plant in order that the group could take an extended lunch hour and celebrate the second anniversary of the opening of the Fairbury facility. By arriving at work early, the workers could celebrate and still get in their eight hours on the job.

Three area men received Awards of Merit at the Vermilion Valley W. D. Boyce District Scout appreciation dinner held Sunday evening. One of the recipients was Sam Runyon of Fairbury. He was recognized for the time and effort he has expended in the Scouting program, in service organizations and community affairs. Credits include Fairbury City Council, Lions Club, Fairbury Swimming Pool Board, Jaycees and various Scouting positions. He is currently serving as Scoutmaster of Troop no. 70. Awards of Merit were also presented to Martin Tipsord of Chenoa and John P. McGuire of Streator.

A space heater in an upstairs bedroom is blamed by Fairbury firemen for starting a blaze Thursday afternoon that badly damaged the home of Harold Rothenberger. Fire Chief Wayne Moser said the fire was confined to the upstairs area of the house with most of the damage to the bedroom where the fire started, and to an adjoining hallway. Three other rooms also suffered smoke damage. No one was injured in the fire, although Mrs. Mary Rothenberger and three children were home at the time of the blaze.

40 Years Ago

February 13, 1986

At the closing of last Wednesday night's meeting of the Fairbury City Council, the council accepted the resignation of Fairbury's Chief of Police, Bill Spray, effective Feb. 15. Lt. Sam Hedrick will take over as commanding officer until a new police chief is appointed.

Mark Virkler of Fairbury recently spent a two-week holiday in London as part of a group of 30 faculty, staff and students from The School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. Mark is the son of James and Diane Virkler, Fairbury, and is a senior at the School of the Ozarks, an accredited four-year, liberal arts, co-educational college.

The campaign to raise funds for a new ambulance to replace the front-line unit at South East Livingston County Ambulance Service got a $1000 boost this week from the Fairbury City Council. At their Wednesday night meeting, they approved a donation to the fund in that amount, which is in addition to the $7,000 they have donated annually for the past several years toward SELCAS operating funds. The volunteer staff covers more than nine townships and five communities. With the check from the city council, the fund for the new vehicle has reached $24,441.63, according to campaign co-chairmen Everett Sutter and Si Moser.

30 Years Ago

February 14, 1996

For the first time in the history of Prairie Central Junior High School, a student has placed in the Tenth Annual Lincoln Essay competition, sponsored by Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Five students from schools throughout Illinois received honors at a presentation Sunday, Feb. 11 at the 187^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth in Springfield. Adrian Bachman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bachman of Forrest, placed third. The competition is open to all eighth grade students in Illinois. The topic this year was "The Lincoln Legacy."

Saturday morning, Bluestem National Bank's Forrest Branch officially opened under their new name. John W. "Bud" Gerber Jr., President of Bluestem National Bank of Fairbury, said the bank, which closed as First of America on Friday, will be a full service facility. The Forrest facility has about 15 hundred customers with 21 million dollars in deposits. All current staff will remain, with Ann Francis of Forrest as Branch President and Mary Beth Decker as Assistant Cashier.

The top two spellers from each English class at PCHS competed in an annual school spelling bee on Feb. 6. Lena Oldfather, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Oldfather of Fairbury, was the winner, and Kenzie Livingston, daughter of Tami Atkinson and Tom Livingston, both of Fairbury, was runner-up. On Feb. 23, both students will represent PCJHS in the Livingston County Spelling Bee competition at Pontiac High School.

20 Years Ago

February 15, 2006

Kent Casson of rural Fairbury was recently named program director for WJEZ-FM in Pontiac. His duties include overseeing daily operations of the radio station. Casson works closely with the on-air staff to maintain a quality sound for the radio station. Casson will continue to serve as WJEZ News Director and Livingston County news reporter for WJBC-AM, Bloomington. He is a 2001 graduate of Prairie Central High School and a 2003 graduate of Heartland Community College. He has worked for the Pontiac radio station since 1997, and the WJEZ news department since 2002. Casson is the son of Terry and Jane Casson of rural Chenoa.

A new radiator repair business has opened in Chatsworth. Cooling Systems Plus, owned by Duane Shannon, opened last week. In addition to radiator and gas tank repairs, Shannon also specializes in brake repair, starters, alternators and heater cores. The business is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Prairie Central Junior High recently held its school spelling bee in order to determine which students would represent the school at the Livingston County Spelling Bee on Feb. 24. Kourtney Haas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold Haas of Fairbury was the winner and Gustav Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brett Johnson of Chenoa was runner-up. Both students will participate in the bee at Pontiac Township High School.

10 Years Ago

February 17, 2016

Prairie Central Superintendent Dr John Capasso was the keynote speaker at Prairie Central High School's annual National Honor Society induction ceremony, Monday, Feb. 8. Scott Willi, PCHS physical education department chair, also spoke on behalf of the high school faculty. National Honor Society President Luke Zimmerman, Vice President Kyler Knapp, Secretary Caitlyn Ifft and Treasurer Luke Dotterer presided over the tradition candle light ceremony after which new members were sworn in by Principal Dan Casillas and NHS Adviser Ruth Getchius. This year, the following nine students were inducted: seniors Trenton Edelman and Lori Young; juniors Jillian Appel, William Hunter Bolen, Logan Miller and Braden Thomas; sophomores Megan Ifft, Janessa Knapp and Milan Leman.

A card shower is planned for the 90^th birthday of Thomas Simpson of rural Fairbury. Simpson was born Feb. 20, 1926, the youngest of eight children born to Grover and Kittie Knisley Simpson. He married Lois Fitzgerald on Jan. 18, 1946. She passed away on Sept. 24, 2014. The Simpson's had a daughter, Jo Lynne Simpson Berger, who died on May 16, 2010. Simpson served in the U. S. Army in the European Theatre Campaign of Central Europe as company clerk. He and his wife farmed in Livingston, McLean and Ford counties until their retirement. After retirement, they attended many craft shows with their woodworking.

Daniel Costa, a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, was recently awarded the 1^st Chair Bassoon position in the Honors Band at the Illinois Music Educators All-State Music Festival in Peoria. It was the second consecutive year that he attained that designation. In addition, Costa has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Youth Orchestra (CYSO) and performed at the annual CYSO Gala celebration on Feb. 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Looking Back is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home.