130 Years Ago
February 3, 1894
A large crowd was in town last Saturday to watch the balloon ascension. Instead of a man making the ascension, some goats harnessed to a wagon were attached to the parachute. As the balloon went up the sand started running from a clock-like machine attached to it. About 3,000 feet up this machine operated a knife that cut the parachute loose. The goats landed safely out near the Kring Nursery.
McDowell Bros. have bought the big livery business of Emil Huber on North Third Street. McDowell Bros. need no introduction and Grant McDowell, the resident partner, is one of Fairbury's hustlers.
Mrs. Mary Ray, residing on the north side of town, will be 102 years old tomorrow.
W. J. Bethard is succeeding H. C. Plimpton in the east end mercantile establishment. Mr. Bethard comes here from Hays City, Kan.
120 Years Ago
February 5, 1904
There is an eccentric character in the village of Anchor. His name is Jack Taylor and he makes his home in a tent. During the coldest winter weather he has stuck to his tent, cooking his own meals and sleeping on rough boards. He follows the occupation of hunter and trapper and makes a comfortable living. He enjoys good health, but is considered a little "off" by the natives of the village.
Wing — Herman Summers was blind folded and held up by robbers at Forrest one evening several nights ago. Mrs. Horine has purchase a new piano. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Halihan returned after visiting several weeks at Emington, Ill. Joe Zajac, the barber of Wing, has gone back to Chicago. Coal is still scarce in Wing and several families have been compelled to haul some from Forrest.
Cropsey — A bobsled load consisting of ten young people from Colfax attended the revival meeting here last Friday night. Harvey Meeker won first prize in the boys' class offered by Funk Bros., of $5 in gold on best specimen of corn at the Bloomington institute. It was the Leaming variety and was grown by himself. Harvey Meeker plays the snare drum in the Cropsey band and is the son of E. C. Meeker, living a mile and a half west of town. Meetings will continue all this week at the M. E. Church except Saturday night. All the business houses have arranged to close during the hours of service.
Strawn — The misses Brenimersbedt of Shumway, Ill., were guests of Mrs. J. P. Hayes this week. They attended the leap year ball while here. Frank Wurzurger has leased the butcher shop for a year and is now to be seen at his place of business. Frank Kuntz will assist him. The German medicine show troop is here this week. They play the same old plays in the same old way, but the price is within the reach of all. As a result, they have played to fair-sized houses each night.
110 Years Ago
February 6, 1914
The Fairbury Hospital was formally opened Monday with a reception during the afternoon and evening, many of our citizens taking the opportunity to visit and inspect the building. Miss Rachel Olson has taken charge as superintendent, assisted by Miss Marie Arntzen, both experienced nurses.
Miss Mae Bennett and Miss Elsie Herzog, of the B. & V. Store, are in Chicago this week attending the spring fashion show given by the Chicago Manufacturers Association.
Grant Hakes, who has been employed in the Carter Pool Hall, will till the soil next year. He will work for Henry Smith, two miles north of town.
Over 300 people saw the Bon Ton Limits defeat the Champaign Blues last Friday night at the Fairbury Opera House and over 300 people were kept in the wildest excitement form start to finish. The score of 50 to 20 might indicate a one-sided game, but it was not, the visitors being in the game every minute. The game was rough, but none of the players was any the worse for that after the game was over.
The Christian Scientists of Pontiac will establish a church in that city shortly, with a membership of over fifty.
100 Years Ago
February 1, 1924
A loss of $3,400 from fire occurred Monday morning on the Glennin farm, tenanted by Dick Campbell, ten miles northeast of this city, when a large tractor backfired and caused the gasoline tank to explode. The loss included the tractor, which was practically new; 1,000 bushels of corn, quite a large amount of farm implements, crib and tool shed. The loss to the Glennin heirs is about $1,200 with about $600 insurance. The loss was settled yesterday by the Keck Agency.
The members of the Avoca Home Bureau unit gave a farewell party at the J. C. Meis home last Friday night for the Harry Ward family, who are moving this week to a farm near Thawville. Lunch was served to about sixty. To show their appreciation of her, the Home Bureau members presented Mrs. Ward with a gift of silver. She has been an active member of the Avoca unit and they regret very much to lose her.
Howard Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Taylor, of near Cullom, is a patient at St. James Hospital, Pontiac, suffering with a broken leg and fractured rib, as well as severe bruises, the result of injuries received Tuesday afternoon at his home. He was engaged in removing nails from lumber when a pile beside him collapsed, pinning him face downward beneath, and rendering him unconscious. The patient was rushed to the hospital at Pontiac, where an X-ray examination verified a broken right femur slightly below the hip, and a fractured rib. The patient had a restful night and his condition is improving.
90 Years Ago
February 2, 1934
John Wantland, residing southwest of town, is confined to his home suffering from a couple of broken ribs, a sprained back and some other minor injuries, resulting from an accident when he failed to negotiate a bend in the road near the Jesse Cumpston home, a mile and a quarter southwest of this city. Mr. Wantland had driven that road thousands of times and know each individual rock and bump in its whole contour, but just at this particular time he was probably figuring more on getting home for supper than he was on making the turn. The result was the car ran into the fence, and the injuries noted were sustained. The car was not badly damaged.
Route 8, which goes through Fairbury, will hereafter be know by its federal highway number, which is 24. Other state highways that are federal routes will also be known by their federal numbers. Last week highway employees covered the state numbers, leaving only the federal highway numerals visible. Temporary changes in route markings will be made permanent later.
At an informal meeting Wednesday night between a number of Fairbury men who are interested in hunting and fishing, together with the county game warden, Mr. McConaha, it was decided to form a local chapter of the Livingston County Sportsmen's Club. There will be a general meeting to elect officers at the city hall on February 6. Everyone who is interested in having more fish in the streams and more game in the fields, is urged to attend this meeting. A big crow hunt is being planned.
80 Years Ago
February 4, 1944
Miss Virginia Koehl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Koehl, will be united in marriage to Lt. Dennis Marvin Huette on Monday afternoon at Chanute Field. It will be a military ceremony and the attendants will be Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Rieger. Lt. Huette is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Huette of Forrest. He is in the United States Air Service, and arrived home Sunday from several months' service in Greenland. He is on 20-day leave and reports for duty at the end of his furlough at Miami Beach, Florida.
The annual party of the Browning Club for husbands and guests was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Baily on Monday at 6:30 p.m. It was a cooperative meal and the tables were prettily decorated in keeping with Valentine's Day. A unique plan was used in obtaining partners for dinner. Various games were played throughout the evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Redford are moving this week to the property at Webster and Livingston Streets which they recently purchased from Orlow Bryant, a former Fairbury resident now living at Newark, N. J. The property formerly belonged to the late Robert Baird, an uncle of Mr. Bryant.
Wing — A farewell party was held at the Wing Hall on Wednesday evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Hanley, who are moving to Fairbury.
70 Years Ago
February 4, 1954
The marking of the streets of the city with signs placed at each intersection, which has been in progress for several weeks, was completed last Wednesday by Supt. of Streets C. C. Runyon and his men. The signs are neat and easily read and add to the convenience of those looking for street addresses.
The Board of Directors of the Fairbury Chamber of Commerce met Monday evening at the First National Bank where they heard a proposal by A. B. McCollum and Art Nelson, of the McCollum Theatre circuit, concerning the building of a theatre here. Mr. McCollum, owner of the Central Theatre here which burned in June of 1952, had at that time stated intentions of rebuilding, but later gave up such plans. Si L. Moser, President of the Chamber, stated that the board expects to explore McCollum's newest proposal and will meet with him again in the near future.
Fairbury High School will be among 71 Illinois schools represented in the second annual Illinois All-State Grade School Band at the University of Illinois Feb. 5 and 6. Members of the All-State Grade School Band are selected upon recommendation of the school band directors, including William Wagner, of F.H.S., who will attend the two-day session at the campus. Students selected from Fairbury Grade School were Billy Householder and Mary Ann Barnes. Conducted by Prof. Thomas S. Richardson of the University music faculty, the 147-piece band will prepare and record a concert on the campus. The same group, with Prof. Richardson conducting, is also scheduled to play in Chicago Mar. 27 before a general session of the Music Educators National Conference.
60 Years Ago
February 6, 1964
Fire ripped through a downtown business building at 102 E. Krack Street, Forrest, at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, gutting the two floors and causing damages estimated at $15,000 on the building alone. Forrest-Strawn-Wing firemen fought the blaze and smoke for some two and one-half hours before it was brought under control. Origin of the fire was undetermined but was believed to have started near the Primp Shop, owned and operated by Mrs. Helen Oyer. The beauty shop is one of three business housed in the building owned by Milton Kinate and Harry Austman. The office of attorneys Hanley, Phillips and Traub, as well as Forrest Grain Company's warehouse was gutted by the flames.
Frank C. Ahlstrom and James D. Ahlstrom, R. R. 3, Fairbury, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil F. Ahlstrom, were two of the fortunate few to personally witness the launch of the C-1 Saturn rocket from Cape Kennedy, Thursday, Jan. 29. Sixteen cadets from the University of Illinois Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps were visiting Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, as part of the AFROTC program of introducing the cadets to Air Force life and the activities of an Air Force base.
Michael Lorch celebrated his fifth birthday with a family dinner at his home on Friday, January 31. Guests of Michael, his parents, Mr. and Mr. Ben Lorch and his sisters, Mary Jane and MaLinda were: Mr. and Mrs. John Lorch and Betty, and Mr. and Mrs. John Bushman and family.
50 Years Ago
February 7, 1974
The date for Fairbury's 23rd annual Community Sale is Saturday, March 9, it was announced this week by the Association of Commerce's Retail Committee. This is the first time in the sale's long history that it hasn't been held on a Wednesday or a Thursday. The shift was made in response to continued requests from people who would like to attend but who are employed from Monday through Friday. Originally, the sale was conceived as a facility for farmers, but while they provide much of the support, it now offers extra lure for antique collectors and hobbyists due to the type of merchandise which currently shows up, consigned both from rural and urban households.
The independent truckers' strike, which has hindered the movement of goods throughout much of the nation, has not yet affected local businesses or industries. A telephone survey around town today revealed that, except for a few delays, trucking operations are continuing and goods are being delivered to Fairbury stores.
Highway signs posting the state's new 55-mile hour speed limit will have an area touch, coming from the Pontiac Correctional Center. The prison, long a source of road signs for the state, has been ordered to turn out 3,500 plates for use when the new speed limit takes effect on Feb. 25.
Seamstresses from the area gather on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, and sometimes in the evenings, at Fairview Haven, to spend hours quilting bedspreads for friends, relatives and others. Last year, the ladies completed 63 quilts, which included several baby bedspreads. Tuesday afternoon, a "quilting appreciation tea" was held at the home for all women of the area who do volunteer sewing at Fairview. More than 60 seamstresses, guests and residents of the home attended.
40 Years Ago
February 2, 1984
Mrs. Jane Kirgan of Forrest was admitted to Fairbury Hospital where she remains in good condition Wednesday afternoon, after her car collided with a truck Tuesday afternoon on U. S. 24 near Forrest. The eastbound truck, driven by Sam Wenger of rural Fairbury, suffered about $7,000 damage when it overturned. Mrs. Kirgan's car was also damaged severely. Authorities said she skidded on ice and lost control.
Fairbury police estimate that burglars were inside the Fairbury-Cropsey Junior-Senior High School complex for well over an hour late Friday night, breaking into both the high school and unit offices. Police Chief Bill Spray said his department found no sign of forced entry into the school. The building was also burglarized in December with no sign of forced entry. Authorities said someone entered the unit office in the junior high area by removing a metal panel. Desks had been ransacked and an attempt had been made to open the safe. Entry was gained to the high school office by breaking an interior window to unlock the door.
Illinois farms declined in numbers and increased in size between 1978 and 1982, according to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. Preliminary reports just released for the 1982 Census of Agriculture show 98,489 farms, compared with 104,690 in 1978. Land in farms totaled 28.7 million acres, an average per farm of 292 acres, compared with 282 in 1978. Total sales of agricultural products amounted to $7.3 billion in 1982.
30 Years Ago
February 2, 1994
Gene Weber, Chatsworth farmer and recently retired Prairie Central agriculture/ICE teacher, will be presented with the Education Award this week from the Illinois Pork Producers Association in Peoria. The Education Award recognizes individuals for their expertise in animal evaluation, economics, nutrition and other areas of the pork industry. The IPPA stated that Weber has had an extraordinary effect on students through livestock judging. Weber and wife Jean, who is a teacher, have four children, Dan, Joe, Sarah and Becky.
Kay Haab of Forrest and Ryan Shiflett of Chenoa have chosen April 16 as their wedding date. Their parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haab, Forrest, and Mr. and Mrs. Roger Shiflett, Chenoa.
Justin J. Fairley, a 1992 graduate of Prairie Central High School, was recently promoted to Airman First Class. Fairley is trained as a video documentation specialist and graduated from combat camera tech school at Denver, Colo. He is presently stationed at Scott AFB. Fairley is the son of Jerry Fairley of Chenoa.
20 Years Ago
February 4, 2004
A "Celebration Sunday" will be observed at the First United Methodist Church of Fairbury, on Sunday, Feb. 8, to honor 100 years of the church as it is known today. Rev. Doctor Keith Zimmerman, district superintendent of the Vermilion River Valley, will give the sermon for this event. Early history of the church reveals the then village of Fairbury was surveyed November of 1857, the church moved here in the spring of 1858 with 19 members. They first met in homes, and as the membership grew, so did the church. Wind and fire destroyed the early establishments, thus, by 1903, the church as it is known now, was built.
The Prairie Central High School cheerleaders celebrated following the announcement that the squad had advanced to state competition. The squad competed at the ICCA Regional at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School Jan. 31, and received a second place trophy. The cheerleaders will compete at the state competition on March 14 at Springfield.
Spelling Bee winners at Chatsworth Elementary School are Connor Groskruetz, first place; Troy Kemnetz, second; and Tyler Brewster, alternate. Landon Honegger was the top speller at Meadowbrook Elementary; Daren Anliker was runner-up and Taylor Crane was the alternate. The top two students will represent their schools at the county bee later this month. The alternates will participate in the event that the first or second place winner is unable to attend.
10 Years Ago
February 5, 2014
United states Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill., 16th District) and State Representative Josh Harms (R-Watseka) spoke with area residents on Friday, Jan. 24 at Chatsworth, regarding Illinois' recent passage of concealed carry laws and its impact on the region moving forward. The legislation, which passed the General Assembly in July 2013, made Illinois the final of all 50 states to allow concealed carry, permitting residents who meet certain criteria to carry a concealed firearm. The Senate passed the legislation 41-17 to override an amendatory veto made by Democratic Governor Pat Quinn following a House vote of 77-31. These tallies, which met the three-fifths threshold needed to override the veto, allowed legislators to move forward with the law, despite Quinn's well-documented resistance.
A fundraiser on Jan. 18, hosted by the Committee to Elect Jack Wiser for Livingston County Sheriff, proved to be a great success. “Wiser stated that he was very humbled by the turnout and support of the voters of Livingston County. The fundraiser, held at the Walton Centre in Fairbury, was well attended and generated $5,000 in contributions to the campaign. Wiser, who served as chief of police in Fairbury for 13 years, has 25 years of law enforcement experience. He is facing three opponents in the March 18 primary.
Tiffany Steffen and Reid Zehr, both of Fairbury, are announcing their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Corey and Beth Steffen of Fairbury. She is a 2011 Prairie Central graduate and is currently attending Illinois State University, Normal. The future bridegroom is the son of Quinn and Joan Zehr of Fairbury. He is a 2006 Prairie Central graduate and a 2013 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He is currently employed at Eastside Veterinary Clinic, Fairbury. The couple is planning a June 1, 2014 wedding at the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Church.
(Looking Back from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week by Duffy-Pils Memorial Homes with locations in Fairbury, Chenoa and Colfax)
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