130 Years Ago
March 24, 1894
The disc sharpener, lately invented by Lee Straight, an old Fairbury boy, is one of the best of the new implements among farm machines.
About thirty horses changed hands on the streets Saturday, the number being pretty equally divided between home and foreign buyers. The prices ranged from $50 to $125.
Running and squealing and tussling with young men on the streets is very unladylike and improper by day or night. There is an unpleasant amount of such conduct to be seen on Fairbury streets almost any evening and in many cases by young people who pride themselves on their reputation and social standing.
Miss Jessie Parsons, aged twelve, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. N. S. Parsons, gave a birthday party last Saturday evening to about sixty of her young friends.
120 Years Ago
March 25, 1904
Neils Mattison, the proprietor of the glove factory which is going to locate in this city was here part of this week arranging details and signing the contract. At a meeting of the subscribers Thursday afternoon, H. W. Pence, M. H. Baily and W. R. Bane were appointed trustees and will collect the money and pay it over to Mr. Mattison. Mr. Mattison agrees to move his entire plant for the manufacture of gloves and mittens to Fairbury at once and establish it in a suitable building. The subscribers agree to pay Mr. Mattison $5,600, $600 for expenses in removing the plant to this city and $2,500 after the plant is installed and ready for operation; $1,250 in 30 days thereafter and $1,250 within 60 days of first payment, there being no default by first party in the meantime.
Forrest — Several of the boys around here were lucky enough to win a few dollars in the lotteries this month, but none were as lucky as the agent at Blandinsville, who won fifteen thousand dollars for one dollar. T. R. Knox is laying off this week and is hunting ducks up around Custer Park. Geo. Leonard received a car of cattle from Chicago, Wednesday.
Wing — Wm. Large shipped a car load of hogs to Chicago Thursday. Mr. Melvan is still in a bad condition, a trained nurse from Chicago is caring for him. Chas. Green and wife have arrived from Vandalia, Mo. They expect to live in the McElroy house in Wing. Karl Funk left home Friday morning. His parents have been searching for him but have found no clue of him yet.
110 Years Ago
March 27, 1914
"Derby" Wilken, Fairbury's baseball and basketball player, left Thursday morning for Terre Haute, Ind., where he will be given a tryout with the Central League team of that city.
Miss Marguerite Fry entertained the Fairbury High School at her home Wednesday evening. The young people went out on hayracks, and as it was an ideal spring evening, had a fine time coming and going. A most enjoyable evening was spent and a fine luncheon partaken of.
M. Mohler, proprietor of the Illinois Hotel, has been placing fire escapes to each room not easily reached by the outside ladder escapes.
Paul Munz is now the happy possessor of a Ford automobile.
M. J. Ridder, who last December purchased the Henderson stock of groceries, is shipping them to Radner, Ind., where he will open a store.
100 Years Ago
March 21, 1924
The question of dogs running at large and the complaints coming from many of our citizens regarding them has been a bugbear to the city fathers for some time past. Repeated notices to keep the dogs up has failed to bring results, and now one of the aldermen informs us that as long as there is no one in the city who is fleet enough of foot to catch the dogs they are going to try out bullets and see if they can't catch them.
If all the snow that has fallen within the past two weeks had stayed with us we would be in snow up to our necks. Yesterday, as a climax to the many other snows, we had a real one. And this in spite of the fact that spring was supposed to begin yesterday afternoon.
Harry Farley captured the first prize in the Sargent Declamation contest at Northwestern University for his excellent delivery of "Americanization" by Hall. His offering met with enthusiastic response from the crowd which attended the contest, and gave him the $50 prize that is awarded the winner. Last night's contest marked the 25th of its kind in the history of Northwestern. The series was established by George M. Sargent, a prominent Evanstonian who was closely affiliated with Northwestern activities. There have been many local men who, in the past, were awarded this prize and who later became prominent in the field of speech work.
90 Years Ago
March 23, 1934
Operations at the Fairbury Garment Company got under way Tuesday morning. At the present time around twenty women are employed on the machines and more will be put to work as soon as it is possible to get the machinery ready and instructions given in operating them. In addition to the women, several men are also employed.
Ruth Downing, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Downing, had the misfortune to run a rusty nail into the ball of her foot Tuesday. She was given antitoxin and it is believed that she will get along all right.
The largest load of grain which has ever been weighed on any elevator scale in Wing drove on the Wing Grain Company scale on last Friday morning, when a large truck owned by George Diehls, of Dundee, who had purchased a quantity of seed oats from Delbert Green, and hauled in one load, 326 bushels of oats, the total gross weight being over 17,000 pounds, which came close to the maximum capacity of the scale which is ten tons. The oats, which were held over from the 1932 crop, were sold for 40 cents a bushel.
The work on the CWA projects in Fayette Township has stopped, as all the men have been laid off.
80 Years Ago
March 24, 1944
Joyce Peterson, three and a half year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Peterson, of Weston, is a patient at the Fairbury Hospital with a scalp wound and bruises. Joyce suffered the injuries last evening, south of Weston, when the door of a moving car in which she was riding with her parents, flew open and she fell out.
The "ag" classes visited the Honegger feed mills, poultry farms, hog lots, dairy herd and hatchery March 8, seeing some very interesting work that has been and is being carried on. Paul E. Hannah gave a brief sketch of Honegger's business and explained the work they are doing. One of the highlights of the tour was the inspection of 35 purebred Hampshire gilts. When the group returned to the hatchery, P. K. Loomis, head of the hatchery, explained their hatching process and how the chicks are sexed and culled.
Francis Haase, who works on Saturdays with the local section crew of the T. P. & W. railroad, was injured last Saturday while working near Weston. He was driving a spike into a tie when a glancing blow sent the spike flying. It hit his leg, inflicting a painful injury, which laid him up for several days.
70 Years Ago
March 25, 1954
Rotarians celebrated their twenty-sixth meeting with perfect attendance Tuesday evening with a steak dinner furnished by C. C. Thompson, secretary. Art Melvin and Larry Bean entertained the group with several excellent skits.
The Weston Community Club met Thursday at the school. Miss Joyce Peterson sang a solo "Maytime" and William Kelleher sang "Sing Me A Chanty With A Yo Heave Ho" under the direction of Mrs. Calhoun, the music director of Chenoa, Weston and Yates Center Grade School. The school children presented a health play under the direction of Miss Nellie Fitzpatrick. Musicians from Pontiac and Bloomington presented some music on violin, steel and electric guitars and accordions.
M. A. Anderson was awarded the 60-year jewel in special ceremonies during the regular meeting of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 290, here Tuesday evening, and two other members were presented with 25-year jewels, Milton Mowery and Carl Metz. Mr. Anderson was presented the 60-year jewel by Harry Bodley, right supporter to the vice grand of the lodge. It was but the second such jewel ever presented by the local lodge. The 60 years of continuous membership was begun by Mr. Anderson on Tuesday, February 2, 1894, and was completed on Tuesday, February 2, 1954.
60 Years Ago
March 26, 1964
After four attempts in the past few weeks, drillers Saturday hit water on the John E. Sutter farm just east of Fairbury on U. S. 24. This was one of the keys winding up right of way acquisition for construction this summer of a new highway by the State of Illinois. As mapped by engineers, the road, coming off a new bridge over Indian Creek, would bury the present water supply of the farm. The doomed well is located several hundred feet northwest of the farmstead, and it has never been possible to hit water in the immediate area of the buildings, Sutter told The Blade two months ago when the state first revealed plans for the roadway.
Floral Hall has now been completely torn down at the Legion Fairgrounds. Contractor for the job was Robert Schmidt. Initial plans are underway for rebuilding the hall. Two meetings have been held. Legion members and Fair Board officials are ironing out problems. Floral Hall stood just east of the grandstand.
Cropsey — Herbert Thomas had the misfortune of severely injuring fingers on his right hand when he reached up to steady an auger he was using Wednesday, catching the middle finger. He was taken to Fairbury Hospital where 33 stitches were required to repair the injured members.
50 Years Ago
March 28, 1974
Income of $19,738.01, or roughly $1,700 per month, was received by South East Livingston County Ambulance Service during the first year of the all-volunteer emergency unit, according to a financial report published today. The service had expenses of $32,159.55, and thus a net operating deficit of $12,421.54 for the 12 months ended January 31 of this year. Included in the expenses was depreciation of $5,606, while compensation for the ambulance crews, who are drawn from the all-volunteer staff, amounted to $14,416. The volunteers are paid only for the trips they make, and do not receive compensation for the time they are subject to call.
Second graders and their teacher, Mrs. Norman Rittenhouse, toured the National Bank of Fairbury Tuesday afternoon. Their tour guide was cashier Hartzell Munz, who let them view and handle $100 bills. This bank tour was an extension of a second grade unit study on money and its value. At the bank, they were introduced to concepts of the importance of accurate record keeping and money tallying, as well as functions and services offered by banks and the various banking occupations available. They also learned how to fill out and endorse checks, and the importance of having a savings account.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huette of Wing observed their 40th wedding anniversary on March 19, 1974. That evening their nieces and nephews, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Roth and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schmidt of Fairbury and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Schuler of Cornell, stopped by their home and hosted a surprise party. Ice cream and cake were served. The Huettes were married March 19, 1934 at the Presbyterian parsonage in Fairbury. Rev. Charles Davies officiated. They have one son, Maurice, of Wing. Frank drove a FSW school bus for 26 years, retiring in 1972. He is now beginning his 25th year as Pleasant Ridge highway commissioner.
40 Years Ago
March 22, 1984
As expected, voters in the Fairbury area turned out in record numbers Tuesday, drawn not only by the school tax referendum which was passed after two earlier tries, but also by primary races of state and national importance in both political parties. The 75-cents tax increase for the Unit 3 education fund passed by nearly a two-to-one margin. The final count showed 1,248 "yes" votes, compared to 663 "no" votes, indicating a tremendous change in public sentiment since a similar proposal lost by 94 votes in February, 1983. Officials are saying that about 70 percent of all registered voters within the school district voted on the referendum question Tuesday.
The old adage "where there's smoke, there's fire" left Fairbury firemen baffled after a 6:15 rural alarm Monday. Responding to an alarm from Randy Freed, they found smoke but were unable to determine the source in the farm home located two miles north and three miles west of Fairbury. Chief Keith Klitzing said there was slight smoke damage but they were absolutely unable to determine where it had originated. "There were no hot spots anywhere and the smoke dissipated," he noted. A circuit breaker was tripped, but it didn't supply the area where the smoke was found. The house was later checked by both an electrician and a furnace specialist and no problems could be located.
Fairbury-Cropsey girls' basketball coach George Fyke said his team played as well as it had all season. And that effort came close again. But for the fourth consecutive season, Fyke and his Tartars end up with the bridesmaid role in the regional tournament. FCHS has now finished second in the past four regionals. Forrest-Strawn-Wing got the win this time around, edging past a determined FCHS team 48-43.
30 Years Ago
March 23, 1994
Every year the Forrest Lake Association find themselves in deep financial waters as they prepare to open another swimming season. Every year the Association wonders if they should even open, and every year they remember how important the lake is in the summer when kids need something to do. Last year over 700 swimmers and sunbathers entered the gate at Forrest Lake, which was open all but seven days during the season, because of inclement weather. The lake is scheduled to open May 28.
Heart's Desire Crafts and Gifts received a new roof and dormers this past week by Zimmerman Construction of Fairbury. The new business will open "hopefully by April 30," according to owner Marlene Colclasure. The business will be located on the east side of Fairbury along U. S. Route 24, in what is known as the old Exact Vendors building. Colclasure says that 32 individuals have consigned space to sell crafts and that more spaces are available. The store will feature everything from stained glass, porcelain dolls and wood items to antiques and reproductions.
Spring was still a few days away, but some children in Fairbury had already perfected their bunny hops, for a good cause. About 20 to 25 of Sandy Hetherington's former and present daycare charges participated in a "hop-a-thon" last week to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The children asked for sponsors to pledge an amount of money for each time the kids could hop during a two-minute time span. The event held a special meaning for its participants because another child who formerly attended Hetherington's daycare, Kyle Kimmel, has muscular dystrophy, a condition in which the muscles gradually deteriorate.
20 Years Ago
March 24, 2004
Visitors to downtown Fairbury Monday morning were shocked by the "Quitting Business" window coverings at Huber's necessities, Gifts & More. Although business owners Richard and Dawn Huber would not disclose what their future plans are, they did say that the building is currently for sale or lease. A sale of the store's inventory will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Livingston County voters resoundingly told the county board that they want Livingston Manor to remain a county nursing home and secondly they want a newer, more modern facility built. Of the 22,647 registered voters in the county 9,469 or 41.81 percent went to the polls on Tuesday. On the ballot question of whether Livingston County should build a new nursing home utilizing host county fees collected from the Livingston Landfill 71 percent of those voting or 6,360 said yes. No voters on this issue tallied 2,598 votes or 29 percent.
Summer Dehm, daughter of Heather and Lance Dehm of Chatsworth, recently received word that she has been accepted in the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution. Summer's application has documented her ancestry back to her seventh great-grandfather, Lt. Col. John Stark, who served from 1776 through 1782, with the New Jersey Militia, War of the Revolution. Summer's mother, Heather Dehm, and her great-grandmother, Emma Yoder of Forrest also have DAR memberships.
10 Years Ago
March 26, 2014
The GFWC IL Fairbury Woman's Club winners in the art, short story and poetry contest were presented monetary awards by the local Rebekahs. Winners were Alexandria Hari, 1st place poem, “Two Bored Cats”; Lindsay Hari, 1st place pencil drawing and 2nd place short story, “Hard Way of Life”; Camryn Hari, 1st place poem, “Save America's Horse” and 1st place short story, “For My Mother”; Brittany Hari, 1st place short story, “My Last Chance.” The girls' work was sent on to the GFWC IL State contest. They are the daughters of Art and Stephanie Hari of Fairbury.
Kelly and Cindy Kinate of Fairbury celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on March 24 with a dinner with family and friends. Kinate and the former Cindy Willis were married on March 24, 1984 at Champaign. They are parents of Heather (John) Romang. They also have one granddaughter, Emilia. He is employed as an insurance agent with American Family Insurance, and she is employed by the University of Illinois extension office in Pontiac.
Republican Tony Childress will be the next sheriff of Livingston County after defeating Jack Wiser, Marv Rutledge and Mark Scott in the recent primary. Childress said his 23 years of continuous law enforcement service to the residents of Livingston County has helped shape and mold him to take the challenge of being sheriff. In the district three county board race, which includes the Fairbury area, the winners were Justin Goembel, Mark E. Runyon, John Yoder and Stanley Weber. They defeated Carl Borngasser and Brad Duncan.
(Looking Back from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week by Duffy-Pils Memorial Homes)
