Looking Back: 4-29-26

130 Years Ago

April 25, 1896

Walton Bros., whose store was burned last week, will have new goods in a few days and will be running as usual. The grocery department will be Thompson's old stand and the other departments will be where the implement store has been.

Adam Hoker, who has been city marshal for the past year, resigned the next day after the election. Fred Baird has been appointed in his place.

A year ago Conrad Munz, south of Fairbury, discovered a 2-acre tract of excellent gravel and since then has delivered many orders for the building of concrete sidewalks. Mr. Munz thinks the supply is practically unlimited.

The observance of Arbor Day by the Fairbury High School aroused much interest. Rev. Wilson made an address and John W. Woods made a good speech in behalf of the ninth grade.

120 Years Ago

April 27, 1906

Dr. D. Brewer started his stone crusher to work the first of the week and it does the business to perfection. The gentleman who came here, in commenting on the quality of the stone, said that it was far superior to the Indiana rock for road building purposes. The road commissioners now have the material at hand for the making  of good roads and as they have a good supply of money they will probably do some road building. The city might improve the streets also.

According to the latest dispatches, the people are leaving San Francisco by the thousands, and many declare they will never return. They have become panic stricken by the last quake and fear the ground upon which the city was situated will sink into the bay.

While Frank A. Martin was disking on his farm near Strawn, Wednesday, he saw an old lady fox moseying around. He investigated and found a hole which he explored with the aid of a spade and was rewarded for his labors by capturing seven bright young foxes. He brought them to town Thursday and placed them on exhibition in Geo E. Milne's drug store, where they attracted the attention of every passerby.

110 Years Ago

April 28, 1916

Thursday, while raising the Aline Sommer house on west Ash Street, Robert Harris came across a board about three or four inches wide and about fifteen inches long on which was written the following: "James Smail, March 1892. This house was built for Mart Pierson by Brownson & Waggoner." This board had laid tucked away in a far away corner under the house, where it had been nailed to a sill for almost a quarter of a century. Mr. Smail, who evidently was the man who nailed it there, formerly resided here and worked at his trade of carpentering, but returned to his native land, Scotland, a number of years ago.

Livingston Lodge, No. 290, I. O. O. F. of this city, celebrated the ninety-seventh anniversary of the founding of the order at their home in this city Tuesday evening. The members and their families were present to the number of about 200 and the evening proved a most enjoyable one. Following an interesting program, a banquet was served and a social hour enjoyed.

Adam Hoker, residing in Belle Prairie Township, shipped to Chicago the first of the week, a hog that weighed almost a half ton, or to be exact 945 pounds. For this chunk of pork Mr. Hoker received nine cents per pound or $85.05. Not so bad when you consider it was just one hog and not a half a dozen.

100 Years Ago

April 30, 1926

The plant of the Fairbury Coal Company went up in flames early yesterday morning, entotalling a loss that will probably reach $210,000, including the loss of the use of the shaft itself. The loss is only partly covered by insurance. The fire consumed the tipple, the various coal chutes and the large bin where the coal was graded into various sizes and loaded into wagons for their trade. In this big bin was some 40 tons of coal. That the engine room did not burn with the other structures was due only to the fact that the burned structures were north of the engine room and a rather stiff wind was blowing from the south.

John Joda Post of this city last Monday evening enjoyed a horseshoe tournament and smoker at their rooms in this city. An excellent plate supper, by Harris, was served later. The evening's entertainment was provided by Frank L. Smith of Dwight, as a mark of his appreciation of the practically solid Legion support given him during his recent senatorial campaign.

Mrs. Charles Miller, out in Avoca Township, is putting in a little of her spare time these days looking for the nicest piece of silk for a new dress, and Mr. Miller is going to pay for it, without registering the slightest objection. The reason being he used poor judgment in who he thought would be elected supervisor at the recent election in Avoca. Mr. Miller pinned his faith on Francis Masterson, while Mrs. Miller couldn't see any other offered to back her judgement with a couple of cowhides made into a pair of shoes which she would buy Mr. Miller in the event Mr. Masterson won, and Mr. Miller said he would bet a few thousand cocoons made up into a silk dress that Mr. Goold did not win. Mr. Goold won and so did Mrs. Miller.

90 Years Ago

April 24, 1936

Representatives of John Joda Post, American Legion, of this city, in cooperation with a citizens' committee, are making plans to revive and preserve the Fairbury Fair. This is a proposition in which every citizen of Fairbury and the surrounding community should be interested. For more than 55 years the Fairbury Fair has been a vital part of the community life of this city and the surrounding territory and any effort to retain it should meet with a hearty response from everyone.

Work was started Tuesday morning by WPA employees of taking up the brick in the center of Main Street in preparation for the laying of the 20-foot concrete pavement. L. B. Dyer, the Hoopeston contractor, is expected to have his paving machinery here this week.

John Sullivan suffered a paralytic stroke Saturday. His condition has improved somewhat during the week. His sister, Mrs. Margaret Donahue, who had been in Washington, D. C., for several months visiting her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Johnson, arrived home Sunday to assist in caring for him.

John Joda Post, American Legion, are making plans for a Fourth of July celebration to be held at the fair grounds in this city. The Legion has on previous occasions had charge of the Fourth of July celebration here and they put on real entertainments.

80 Years Ago

April 26, 1946

E. B. Gruver, national representative for Illinois of the Townsend old age pension plan, was in Fairbury on Wednesday and while here announced that the Townsend members of the seventh region are to equip a room in the new addition to the Fairbury Hospital. While it is the members of this region who are paying for the equipment, the movement to make this contribution to the hospital originated with the Fairbury Townsend Club. It will be known as the Townsend Memorial room. Mr. Gruver said the annual Townsend Homecoming would be held here this summer, but the date has not been set.

A couple of the local taverns are suffering a drouth. For several days now they have been out of beer, both bottle and draft, due it is said to the grain shortage at the breweries.

At a special meeting of the city council yesterday afternoon at five o'clock they voted unanimously to go on daylight saving time. The new time goes into effect tomorrow night at midnight and ends at midnight on September 28. In voting for the daylight saving time the city council placed Fairbury in line with practically every large city in the state and most of the smaller ones. Don't forget, if you want to go to bed at midnight tomorrow, "hit the hay" at eleven o'clock for at midnight it will be one o'clock.

70 Years Ago

April 26, 1956

Fairbury's new $15,000 fire truck arrived here Thursday. It was taken to the Munz sandpit, where it was subjected to pumping tests and final inspections by men from the State of Illinois. Fire Chief Oscar Hannie said the truck was put into service Friday. The delivery of the new truck brought to three the number of fire trucks now in use by the Fairbury Fire Department. A new water-carrying truck, with pump attached, was put into service in March. The other fire truck has been in use since 1946.

Twenty tons of scrap paper were collected by 30 Boy Scouts Thursday evening, to net $120 for the local scouts. Six trucks were used in the operation, which lasted from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., when they gathered at Deckers' Cafe for refreshments.

Albert J. Kilgus has been able to move about with increasing ease as his broken hip is healing and is planning to open his barber shop, on a limited basis at first, within a couple of weeks.

Mr. and Mrs. Alden Nussbaum on Saturday purchased the home on South Fifth Street belonging to Mary and Lydia Peter. The Nussbaums, with their four children, plan to move when they sell their present home on Hickory Street.

60 Years Ago

April 28, 1966

Joseph E. Carrithers, 76, died Friday, April 22, 1966 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairbury Hospital where he had been a patient for two weeks. Joe left Fairbury in 1911 to homestead in Colorado. After serving in World War I, he lived in Chicago for several years, returning in 1932, during the height of the depression. But it was as proprietor of the Grey Goose that Fairburians will best remember him. During his career at the Grey Goose, Joe was a confidant of hundreds of political candidates, large and small; and grew famous for his gruff and cantankerous mode of tending shop, pioneering self-service long before the rest of the retail world caught on to the 'modern way' of economy. The Grey Goose was sold in 1959 to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Whately, who in turn sold it to the Royce Carters in 1962. The shop is now known as the Fairbury News Stand.

Three Fairbury youths, a fourth one from Forrest and a fifth from Pontiac, were announced this week as scholarship winners. University of Illinois scholarships went to Ron Monroe, Fairbury, in agriculture; Roger Lee Bruley, Fairbury, child of a veteran of World War II; and Janice L. Kennedy, Pontiac, home economics. The county general scholarships, good for tuition and fees at any of the seven state-supported schools for a period of four years, go to James H. Bailey of Forrest and Gary J. Ifft of route two, Fairbury.

The Fairbury tomato pickers arrived in Princeton this week to work the asparagus fields. They won't move here for a couple of months yet.

50 Years Ago

April 29, 1976

The United Methodist Women of Fairbury have filed suit in Livingston County Circuit Court to recover $1,005 plus court costs from National Consumer's Research, Inc., of Raleigh, N.C. The suit alleges that a representative of the firm collected that amount from local businesses for advertising in 200 cookbooks that the company was to print for the UMW, under a contract dated May 1, 1974, and promising 90-day delivery. Efforts since then to get delivery or a refund have only produced excuses. The church's attorney, Harvey S. Traub, has discovered that the Carolina firm is not licensed to do business in Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. William Schauble of Fairbury are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Cindy, to Russell Miller, son of Mrs. Donald Johansen of Fairbury and Leon Miller of LeRoy. Miss Schauble is currently a senior at Fairbury-Cropsey High School. Mr. Miller is employed by William P. Schauble Contractor. The couple plans a July 25 wedding.

Reservations for Monday night's Fairbury Association of Commerce 25^th anniversary banquet have reached the 250 mark, according to Perry Burroughs, executive secretary. Speaker of the evening will be John Lester Buford, from Mt. Vernon, where he served 27 years as superintendent of schools and rose to be president of the National Education Association. He is a brother of the late Rev. R. E. Buford of Fairbury, who filled the Methodist pastorate here from 1936 to 1939 and who later moved here in retirement.

40 Years Ago

April 24, 1986

The Prairie Central FFA Agricultural Mechanics team placed first at the Section 9 contest held at ISU in Normal. Team members and their areas of participation included Tom Franey, surveying; Greg Yoder, agriculture power; Bruce Young, electricity; Brian Ifft, welding; and Randy Miller, carpentry. Students in each area answered written questions, solved problems and conducted skills. Winning the section contest makes the team eligible to compete in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Contest held at the University of Illinois in June.

Daryl Tinges has been elected president of Fairbury Lions for the 1986-87 year. Other officers are Jay Walter, 1^st V.P.; Ross Joiner, 2^nd V. P.; Robert Walter, 3^rd V. P.; Charles Sasse, secretary; Jay Goold, treasurer; Ira Grandon, tail twister; William Van Antwerp, lion tamer; Ron Huston and Ray Householder, two-year directors; and George Fyke and Grandon, holdover directors. The club received a patch for their banner from CARE for participation in that program.

Several from Fairbury attended the "Gong" show on Thursday evening, sponsored by the radio station, WJBC of Bloomington at the College Hills Mall. Karen Sprout of this city, an RN at Mennonite Hospital of Bloomington, was one of the participants.

30 Years Ago

April 24, 1996

Long-time Fairbury resident Ed Hohulin was guest of honor at a surprise party in recognition of his 90^th birthday, hosted by the Fairbury Fire Department, on April 15 at the firehouse community room. Hohulin has been a volunteer on the fire department for 44 years. The confirmed bachelor was greeted by a room full of people and cake and punch and was given a plaque in appreciation of his service by the fire department. "I don't think anyone has ever devoted as much time as this man has to a volunteer organization," said Fire Chief Keith Klitzing. He added that Hohulin continues to be an active volunteer, manning the radio and watching the station during calls.

Kevin Ryan, Pontiac, has been employed by the City of Fairbury as a police officer. He began his duties on April 18. The 22-year-old Minonk native was previously employed as a correctional officer at the Livingston County Jail in Pontiac. He will complete his police officer training at the Police Training Academy in Champaign in June and will relocate to Fairbury with his family soon afterward. Ryan and his wife, Carmody, have two children, Madeline, 2, and Jared, 7 months.

J. A. Folwell Unit #174 oft the American Legion Auxiliary of Forrest has chosen Jennifer McCarey as their delegate to Girls State. The 1996 session will be held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston in June. Jennie, a junior at Prairie Central High School, is the daughter of Jim and Cris Fisher of Forrest.

20 Years Ago

April 26, 2006

At Fairbury's City Council meeting on Wednesday night a new officer was approved for the police department. His name is Steve Waugh and he will be replacing Eric Hyatt. Waugh is 24 years old, and is from El Paso. He attended Eureka College where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He was also in internship with the Illinois State Police in Peoria. He will attend the academy in Champaign in June.

Twenty-year Air Force Veteran, Master-Sgt. Bruce White, has recently been selected for promotion to the rank of Senior M-Sgt., the most difficult enlisted promotion to attain in the Air Force. By Federal Law, only two percent of the Air Force's total active duty enlisted strength may hold this rank. M-Sgt. White is currently stationed at RAF Lakenheath, in the United Kingdom, serving as the 48^th Component Squadron's Propulsion Flight Production Superintendent. M-Sgt. White will be returning to the United States this July, after 20 years overseas, to assume the position of Air Mobility Command's F108 Propulsion Systems Functional Manager, at Scot AFB, in southern Illinois. He is the son of Roger and Doris White of Fairbury.

The Livingston County Farm Bureau Foundation Board has announced the winners of the 2006 Farm Bureau Foundation/Ethel K. Hoerner Scholarships. Students selected were: Jared Walter, son of Peter and LaRue Walter pf Forrest; Reid Zehr, son of Quinn and Joan Zehr of Fairbury; David Shier, son of Marion and Jeannea Shier of Chenoa; Douglas Hoerner, son of Eddie and Dawn Hoerner of Chenoa; Amber Ann Culkin, daughter of Tom and Mary Lou Culkin of Fairbury. The LCFB Foundation was the recipient of a portion of the Ethel K. Hoerner estate. Hoerner gave this wonderful gift which will enable the Farm Bureau Foundation to move towards its goals of providing scholarships to students in the county.

10 Years Ago

April 27, 2016

Officer Jason Graves, of the Fairbury Police Department, was on duty last year and was called to the scene of a possible overdose. Officer Graves found the individual with no signs of life and began CPR. The ambulance crew arrived shortly thereafter, administered Narcan and the patient was successfully revived. A “Save” pin was presented to Officer Graves by a representative from OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center at the Fairbury City Council meeting on April 20.

Prairie Central, Pontiac and the other three Corn Belt Conference Schools not leaving by the end of the 2016-17 school year will be original members of the Illini Prairie Conference beginning the following year. The newly formed Illini Prairie Conference will include Pontiac, Prairie Central, Central Catholic, Olympia and Chillicothe IVC from the Corn Belt and St. Thomas More, Monticello, Rantoul, St. Joseph-Ogden and Tolono Unity from the Okaw Valley. The conference was named after the student bodies of all participating schools chose their favorite conference names and submitted them for consideration by the principals. Illini Prairie was the unanimous choice.

The PCJH Scholastic Bowl team captured the championship in the Twin County tournament last week. With a 3-1 record in the round robin tourney, they tied with PBL but beat PBL in head-to-head competition, thus the championship! Two matches went into overtime, one with a win and one with a loss. Team members are Carson Bounds, Nicholas Feber, Collin Fogarty, Sheldon Riedel, Elise Dotterer, Ashlyn Kratochvil, Ainsley Kratochvil, Elisabeth Barth, Addie Raber, Trenton Nicholas, Alaina Daugherity, Hannah Norris, Christian Taylor, Grace Eisenmann  and Marissa Lanz. The team is coached by Scott Saffer and Amber Hays.

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