Looking Back 4-9-26

130 Years Ago

April 4, 1896

Rev. Charles S. Davies, of McCormick Theological Seminary, who received a call from the Presbyterian Church of this place, has notified the session that he will accept the same. The Presbyterians are well pleased and there is every indication that Rev. Davies will make a successful and popular pastor. He will occupy the pulpit next Sabbath morning and evening. "The Order of the Resurrection" will be the theme of the morning sermon.

Col. A. J. Cropsey, who will be remembered by many in this vicinity, and who in connection with Mr. Chanute, laid out the original town of Fairbury, died at Ogden, Utah, March 25^th.

The firm of Payne & Willhite has been dissolved, Mr. Willhite having purchased Mr. Payne's interest in the drug store.

Fred Humphry, Dave Barnes and O. Miller have purchased new buggies.

120 Years Ago

April 6, 1906

John Conerus started his cigar factory in Fairbury and ever since April 6, 1881, he has been manufacturing high grade cigars for the smokers of this city and vicinity. May 10, he is going to take a vacation, and together with Mrs. Conerus, will sail for the old country in the good ship, "America." They expect to be absent several months and will leave his business in care of his son, Paul.

The building season commenced this week and more activity has developed in this line in the past few days than for a year past. The weather has been favorable and masons, carpenters and workmen in all lines are hustling. Among the new buildings going up are the following: brick addition to the Duell livery barn; James O'Malley, fine new residence, corner of Ash and Third Streets; Mike Nicholas, new ten-room residence, corner of Webster and Elm Streets; Mrs. Elizabeth Patter, new modern cottage, Elm Street between Fourth and Fifth; Mrs. Wm. Goslin, new modern cottage, corner of Second and Chestnut Streets; Ben Demler, new modern cottage on Chestnut between Sixth and Seventh.

Officer Amos Brown and George Meiries went on a duck hunting expedition on the Illinois River, west of Peoria, the first of the week. The warm weather had driven the ducks north, however, and their kill was rather light.

110 Years Ago

April 7, 1916

The voters on Main Street Tuesday were very strongly reminded that this is a "dry" town. The dust was blown off the pavements in regular clouds and the water wagon wasn't in sight.

The Misses Hazel and Mayme Jessup were hostesses at the Sunbeam Club, Wednesday, March 29. Seventeen girls answered the roll call, "Your Favorite Book." Special business was transacted and a motion was made, seconded and carried that hereafter officers were to serve a year instead of six months. After a social hour a delicious two-course luncheon was served.

J. A. Patterson this week purchased the residence property of Mrs. Ede Earnheart on Chestnut Street and will move into the same within the next ten days. Mrs. Earnheart will make her home with her son in Peoria.

Ben Zimmerman, the eighteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Zimmerman, residing northwest of town, was severely injured Sunday afternoon. He was in the barn yard and had just mounted a rather lively horse, when the animal reared up and fell over backward. The boy was unable to get away and the horn of the saddle caught him in the groin on the left side. Although a rather dangerous injury he is getting along as well as can be expected.

100 Years Ago

April 9, 1926

This vicinity is practically out from under the heavy snowstorm of last week. The roads in most places have been practically cleared up, and the traffic is again making its way, although with some difficulty, as mud has taken the place where snow has melted. The snow of Tuesday and Wednesday of last week was added to by another heavy fall last Friday, making traffic worse than ever, if such a thing was possible. The mail carriers on the rural routes did not resume their full trips until yesterday, and in many places, they found the going extremely difficult, for while in town the bright sun of Saturday and Sunday melted much of the snow, the deep drifts out in the country were not so easily eliminated.

When the National Building & Loan Association meeting convenes in Minneapolis, Minn., next July, Illinois will be represented there by one delegate from Fairbury, Miss Georgiana Brown, secretary of the Fairbury Building & Loan Association. When it is taken into consideration that possibly only ten or a dozen delegates are selected from down-state, including cities like Peoria, Elgin, Rockford, etc., the selection of Miss Brown as a delegate is an honor for her as well as the local association.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Wenger, driving to Fairbury Saturday in their Klondyke, turned off of the pavement to allow another vehicle to pass and in trying to turn into the road again, struck a bad place in the road and overturned. Mrs. Wenger was thrown out with such force that her collarbone was broken.

90 Years Ago

April 3, 1936

It has been only a few years ago that Forrest was a division point for the Wabash and the yards there presented a lively appearance, it being the terminal for numerous trains on the St. Louis-Chicago line and the Streator branch. The T. P. & W. also used the Wabash terminal facilities and yards for some of their crews. Then the Wabash officials decided to discontinue Forrest as a terminal point and shortly after the yards began to assume a different appearance. First the passenger crews were removed; then the freight crews. The coal chutes were torn down; then a part of the depot; freight house and a portion of the yards. Switching crews, yard clerks, dispatchers and other employees were transferred to Decatur or elsewhere and now the roundhouse is being torn down. They cannot move the well, so it and the tank will remain.

Along about the first of last November Thomas Williams, of Indiana Harbor, Ind., while going along Route 24, near Chatsworth, picked up an Irish setter dog that seemed to be lost. He brought the dog to Fairbury and, as he had a dog of his own, gave the animal to Ray Estep. The dog belonged to M. H. Goodrich, of Piper City, and following its disappearance he offered a reward of $25 for its return, without result. Tuesday Mr. Goodrich came over to Fairbury on a business mission. When in front of the Gray Goose Confectionery he spied the dog which had taken a leave of absence from the Estep home. He gave a peculiar little whistle that caused the dog to stick up his ears. The next instant he saw his master and rushed to him, climbing and jumping all over Mr. Goodrich and all but pushing him over in his joyous greeting. As they left for home it was hard to determine who was the happier, the dog or Mr. Goodrich.

80 Years Ago

April 5, 1946

Contributions for the purchase of a twenty-acre tract of woodland a mile north of Pontiac city limits are being solicited throughout the county. The park will be owned by the Livingston County Farm Bureau for use as a permanent park for 4-H clubs, Rural Youth and other groups; county 4-H club show grounds; athletic field; camping; judging contests; picnics; night softball games and other youth events.

Plans are now being made to bring two outstanding men to Fairbury, who will speak in an open air meeting on the temperance issues Saturday afternoon at three o'clock at Central Park. Rev. R. D. Dexheimer, state superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of Illinois, and Rev. Sheldon Jones, temperance crusader of the league, have been chosen. Details are being worked out by a committee chosen from the Fairbury Council of Churches. Churches cooperating are the First Baptist, First Methodist, Christian, Fairbury Baptist, Free Methodist, Presbyterian.

The Silver Star has been awarded posthumously to Clifford L. Atterberry, who lost his life in France as a member of the United States Infantry, and was presented to his brother, Richard Atterberry, at the meeting of John Joda Post, American Legion, Monday evening. "...for gallantry in action near St. Germain, Sur Seves, France, 12 July 1944. The initiative and courage displayed by this soldier reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States." The presentation was made by Capt. J. Pizirki, of the U. S. Army, Bloomington.

70 Years Ago

April 5, 1956

Sheriff's officers were still looking today for a pair of burglars who were routed early Monday morning from an attempt to break into Dave's Supermarket after trading pistol shots with Fairbury Police Officer E. T. Walters. The would-be burglars fled toward Cropsey and escaped after outdistancing the police car. The thwarted burglary and ensuing gun battle took place in the alley just north of the Maurer & Roth building at 3 a.m. Officer Walters said he had left city hall a few minutes before to make a tour of the alleys when a shot rang out. The officer stopped the car and got out at the same time a second shot slammed into one of the car's headlights. He dropped to the ground and returned fire "two or three times."

Work began this week on the construction of a gigantic grain storage building for the Koehl Grain Company. The 80x200 foot steel building, one of the largest ever built by the Butler concern, will cover a half acre. The workmen of the Mendota Service are erecting the building and expect to complete it by the end of April. Last August a 40x100 foot building was erected by the Mendota concern for Koehl's.

Captain Joseph Mattioli, formerly of Colfax and Fairbury, was retired from service at ceremonies held recently at Sixth Army Headquarters at San Francisco, California. Captain Mattioli received the Sixth Army Certificate of Achievement from Lt. Gen. Robert N. Young, Sixth Army Commander, in recognition of his service as a general staff officer since December 1951. Captain Mattioli enlisted in the army in December 1934 and was commissioned on Battan as second lieutenant in January 1941. Prior to his capture by the Japanese upon the fall of Corregidor, he was cited three times for heroism, receiving the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters. Released from 40 months of imprisonment, he returned to the Untied States in 1945 and served tours of duty at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, and Ft. Jackson, S. C.

60 Years Ago

April 7, 1966

Two Fairbury-Cropsey High School musicians, Diane Harms, clarinetist, and Harlan Geiser, trombone, have been accepted for the 75-piece American Youth Band which will embark from New York on a month's tour of Europe on June 15. Each student pays his own expenses, amounting to $898 each. Before returning July 14, they will have played in England, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Holland.

An 1,125 pound Hereford steer belonging to Jerry Schahrer of Fairbury was selected by the Livingston County Steer-Of-Tomorrow contest committee April 1, Paul T. Wilson, farm adviser, announced today. After looking at 600-700 steers in six different feedlots, this Hereford steer was selected after much discussion, Wilson said. The committee included Robert Schaffer, John Roth, Max Smith, Jerry Schahrer of Fairbury and Paul Zehr of Flanagan.

Tuberculin skin tests were given to 500 students in Fairbury first, fifth and high school grades. Thirty school personnel also received the test. Four positive reactors were found, reports, Mrs. Betty Schultz, TB nurse. All new reactors and members of their families are urged to get a chest X-ray at the sanatorium.

50 Years Ago

April 8, 1976

A talented Fairbury musician, Lester Singer, 20, is leaving Monday for Nashville, where he will be playing lead guitar for Mel Street. Street, who has three hit records out now, is forming a new band. They will be leaving soon on a tour which includes bookings at Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Little Rock and Dallas. Lester's parents are both music lovers. Joe Singer used to be a disc jockey at WHOW radio station in Clinton, the country and western music center in Illinois. Joe taught Lester to play the guitar and since age 12 the offspring has been performing professionally. He has been dreaming about going "big time" for some time.

Fairbury gained eight apartment units in less than one day Thursday when employees of Control Builders of Peoria erected a pair of four-plexes on two lots at the west end off Hickory Street. Each of the one bedroom units is designed for low income housing under a Federal grant. The units were trucked to Fairbury last week, stored on the Methodist Church parking lot, and then put in place by a large mobile crane.

Becky McCoy and Gerald Miller, both of Fairbury, were chosen by Fairbury-Cropsey High School to join hundreds of other students this summer on the annual United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth sponsored by Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges from throughout the United States. The local lodges will be sending these two students. Gerald, 16, is the son of Mrs. Donald Johansen of Fairbury and Leon Miller of LeRoy. Becky, 17, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McCoy of Fairbury. The alternate delegate is Marcia Kennedy, rural Fairbury.

40 Years Ago

April 3, 1986

Temperatures soared to the 80s Saturday to greet Fairbury's 35^th Annual Community Sale. From early morning 'til late afternoon, crowds packed Locust Street. Registered buyers numbered over 900, while over 1200 'lots' were sold. Early reports from sale organizers indicated sales leaped to nearly $13,000, a 25 percent increase over the 1985 sale which took place during cold, damp conditions. Touches of Spring could be found all over the street from wooden bunnies, just in time for Easter, to real baby animals, a favorite with the younger set. Everything, including the kitchen sink, was available Saturday at Fairbury.

Loren Ifft, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Ifft of rural Fairbury, will be one of four high school graduates this spring who will enter Southern Illinois University as recipients of a University Foundation award. Ifft will graduate this May from Prairie Central High School. The SIU Foundation grant covers tuition for one full year at the university and also includes a $500 cash award.

Ex-Fairburian Mrs. Muriel Hoffman was in town Friday to pick up more copies of her family album, which was published at Cornbelt Press. Mrs. Hoffman moved to Wheaton 18 months ago to be near both her son's and daughter's respective families. Her son, Lowell, is vice president in charge of purchasing for Dart-Kraft Corp. His daughter, Catherine, is a member of the prestigious Glen Ellyn Chorus, which is affiliated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

30 Years Ago

April 3, 1996

The 45^th annual Community Sale, sponsored by the Association of Commerce, attracted over 140 sellers and approximately 800 buyers last Saturday from as far away as Missouri, Michigan and Texas. Some of the more unique items auctioned off this year were a restored antique Cub Cadet tractor and a peacock as well as a Rhea (an exotic bird).

Roland "Rollie" and Alberta "Bert" Kinate of rural Forrest, will celebrate their silver wedding anniversary on April 7 with an open house at Ethel's Lodge, Rt. 47, 1/4 mile south of Forrest. Kinate and "Bert" Klehm were married April 9, 1971 at Dwight United Methodist Church. They are the parents of Michael, Steven and Chris, all at home, Kelly Kinate of Fairbury and Kandace Boudra of Highlands Ranch, Co. "Rollie" is employed by Forrest Milk Products and "Bert" is a teacher at Dwight High School.

Two Prairie Central High School teachers, Tim Deaver and Judy Dameron, were honored with awards of excellence by the Region 14 Service Area of the Illinois Education Association. Dameron teaches family and consumer science and Dever teaches mathematics at PCHS. Dever is president of the Prairie Central Education Association and Dameron is secretary. They were chosen by a five-member personal and professional development committee that reviewed nominations submitted by members of Region 14.

20 Years Ago

April 5, 2006

According to township record books, the Chatsworth-Charlotte Cemetery is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Chatsworth Township and Charlotte Township joining together in maintaining the cemetery. The minutes of the annual town meeting of Chatsworth Township held on April 3, 1906, stated "Therefore be it resolved that the Township of Charlotte and the Township of Chatsworth unite jointly in maintaining the Chatsworth Cemetery. One hundred years later, the Chatsworth-Charlotte Cemetery continues to operate through the joint union of the Chatsworth and Charlotte Townships.

When Dick Kirchner went home from work Friday at Steidinger Tires in Fairbury he had completed nearly 48 years of employment with the firm and also had repaired 130,000-plus tires during his career. An open house was held in his honor Saturday morning.

Severe storms that roared through the Anchor area Sunday evening caused damage at two farms located south of Anchor. A two-car garage was destroyed and there was damage to two other sheds at the Bill Raber farm. It appeared to be straight line winds that caused the damage which was estimated at $15,000. Another farmstead located within 1/4 mile of the Raber farm also received damage in the Sunday evening storm. A shed was damaged and the roof was blown off at the Steve Reynolds farm. Damage was estimated at $5,000. Metal from the roof was strewn approximately one mile across the field.

10 Years Ago

April 6, 2016

The Prairie Central Board of Education is considering a partnership with the Prairie Lands Foundation which would create the “Soaring Hawks Fund,” to which citizens and corporations could make charitable donations under IRS 501 (c) (3) and support Prairie Central's athletic and fine arts endeavors. Athletic donations could help meet major facility or equipment needs. On the radar for some time has been the PCHS football complex, which desperately needs new bleachers, a press box, sound equipment and lighting. Fine arts contributions could “raise the roof” on an auditorium project, enhance lighting, sound or acoustics, or provide large instrumentation (pianos, sousaphones) in the area of music.

Dale C. Maley, local Fairbury historian, recently decided to update the image of the first locomotive owned by the TP&W Railroad. Fairbury was founded in 1857 when the TP&W Railroad laid their new tracks from Peoria to Indiana. Steam engines ran through Fairbury every day until the TP&W bought its first diesel locomotive in late 1947. Green Frog Productions is a company that specializes in making videos of the different railroads. Their video of the history of the TP&W Railroad includes a poor resolution image of the first steam locomotive purchased by the TP&W. Maley used Internet searches to discover the company that made the locomotive and was able to find a scaled two-dimensional image which exactly matches the poor resolution image in the Green Frog DVD of the TP&W. Construction of a new pavilion was recently completed at CAPS Pool in Chatsworth in order to accommodate more reservations for reunions, parties and family get-togethers. The new structure is located just to the north of the red barn. Another pavilion sits near the pool area.