Looking Back: 5-6-26

130 Years Ago

May 2, 1896

The work of buying goods to start up the big Walton Bros establishment following the fire, was done in Chicago last week. Isaac Walton was at the head of the force of buyers and he was assisted by Walter Grether, Charles Neitz, Harry Amsbary and Misses Maggie Moore and Mary Young. The force made its headquarters at the Great Northern.

Mrs. George Decker and daughter departed Tuesday for Chicago, where they will stay while the Chicago club plays there. Mr. Decker plays first base with Anson's Colts.

Dr. J. R. Rayburn has completed his arrangements and next Monday will open his new dental parlors. He is nicely situated upstairs in the Claudon bank building.

120 Years Ago

May 4, 1906

During the storm of Tuesday night, Ora Hanna lost three valuable horses, the animals being killed by lightning while standing in the barn. The barn was not injured to any great extent. The electrical storm south of town was much more severe than in this city, the storm seeming to lift up when it came to Fairbury. North of Forrest, the rain and wind were very heavy.

Sixty-five of the old friends and neighbors of Mrs. Ella Virgin and daughter, Ada, gathered at their old home, Champlin Station, last Saturday evening and gave them a very pleasant farewell surprise. The surprisers took with them plenty of good things to eat and after an evening spent in social pleasures and games, the company enjoyed a delightful luncheon. Mrs. Virgin and daughter have moved into their residence property in this city.

The Stars, champion ladies' baseball club of the world, who are now making an extensive tour of this country en route in their own $10,000 special Pullman under the management of F. C. Schmelz, will make a tour of Cuba. This great club of lady baseball players will make their first appearance in Fairbury on Thursday, May 17 when they will play the Fairbury team. All lovers of the great national game should not fail to witness this game, as it will be the only novelty of the season. The game will be played at the fair grounds and will be enclosed with a large canvas fence, including a grand stand, nicely covered, with a seating capacity of 2,000 people, making a complete portable baseball park.

110 Years Ago

May 5, 1916

Bob Harris has been kept pretty busy this spring moving buildings of various kinds and from the looks of things will be busy for some time to come. At present he is engaged in moving a house for Ernest Demler from the Finnegan property on east Ash Street to the lot which Mr. Demler recently purchased of G. B. Gordon in the west part of town. James Powell, of Avoca Township, has purchased the house on the A. B. Claudon Jr. lot and will move it onto the Powell estate lot on Eighth and Walnut Street. The house that is now located on that lot will be moved to the lot just west. M. Nichols has purchased the Gaudineer house just north of the Presbyterian Church and will have it moved onto a lot on east Walnut Street.

Sunday, April the 30^th, was Mrs. C. W. Deputy's 57^th birthday. The children had planned to give her a surprise. As usual Mrs. Deputy went to Sunday school and when she returned home about thirty of her relatives and friends had gathered at her home with their baskets full of the best things that such ladies can prepare. A carnation for each year was given her by the children and she also received many other beautiful gifts. The table was beautifully decorated and a most sumptuous dinner was served. In the center of the table was a large birthday cake bearing the words “Birthday Greetings to Mother.”

The Presbyterian church is making arrangements for special services on Sunday, May 14^th, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of Mr. Davies' pastorate. Dr. J. G. K. McClure, of Chicago, president of McCormack Seminary, and for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, of which Mr. Davies was a member when in college, will occupy the pulpit both morning and evening. Dr. McClure preached the sermon when Mr. Davies was installed. On Monday evening a general reception will be held in the church parlors to which the public will be welcome. Members of the congregation and all friends of Mr. Davies are specially invited to all the services and the reception.

100 Years Ago

May 7, 1926

Monday evening Officer Harley went down into Litney Crowder's shoe shining parlors and picked up one Charles Facion, a colored fellow, who has been around here for some time. Facion went along with Officer Harley until the city jail was almost reached, when he started to run. Officer Harley called to him to stop and shot once into the air. This however, only added to Facion's speed, and long before the bullet had come down to earth Facion's features and the night's darkness had merged. Facion was wanted on an old charge.

Federal Judge Lewis FitzHenry last Friday ordered the sale of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. In his decree the court ordered the property offered for sale as a whole and in parcels. If the bids for the road in parcels exceed the bid for the line in its entirety, it will be sold to the parcel buyers. Several railroads now use a portion of the T. P. & W. lines on this side of Peoria, so it can be easily seen why it is being offered in parcels. If it is sold in parcels it wold be rather hard to imagine just what kind of train service the people along the line would experience, with so many different lines in possession.

John Joda Post fife and drum corps of this city has made arrangements with the Fair Association to rent the fair grounds dance platform this summer. The dances will be held on Friday evenings, with a thirty minute concert beginning at 9 o'clock preceding the dance. Clay Carr and his popular orchestra have been engaged to furnish the music for the summer. This announcement will be good news to the music and dance lovers of this vicinity, who well remember the delightful evenings several years ago spent “dancing under the trees” under the auspices of this peppy organization. The drum corps expects to use the proceeds of these dances to buy uniforms.

90 Years Ago

May 1, 1936

Monday afternoon Dr. O. P. Hamilton, of Forrest, received a message asking him to meet the 2:10 fast Wabash passenger at Forrest. What the call was about the doctor learned when he boarded the train. Mrs. Frank Gutirrez, of Chicago, with four children and her parents, had boarded the train in that city, en route to Houston, Texas. But she had five children before she reached St. Louis and that was the reason of the doctor's urgent call to meet the train at Forrest. The doctor helped to usher the child, a boy, into the world and accompanied the mother and babe as far as Monticello. In the meantime a Pullman car had been made into a maternity ward. Having performed his professional services the doctor returned to Forrest on the evening train.

Carl Schmidgall, residing just at the south edge of Fairbury, recently sold a dog to parties residing in Missouri and decided to ship the animal last Thursday. Expressman Henry DeFries took the dog to Forrest, all fixed up nice in a crate made to measure. There was considerable wait at Forrest for the southbound train and the dog and crate were left on the platform. When the train arrived and the express messenger was getting ready to pull the express (including the dog) into the train he remarked, “that is a nice crate, but where's the dog?” Sure enough, the dog had departed, his exit from the crate having been made possible by his gnawing one side of the boards in two. The next day Mr. DeFries noticed the dog going through a nearby field. He whistled and the dog came running up until he got close enough to see that the truck was the same one that had taken him to Forrest the day previous. The dog then turned tail and the speed he made in going away from Mr. DeFries was wonderful to see and that was the last seen of the dog.

80 Years Ago

May 3, 1946

Elisha H. Bastion was 80 years young Wednesday and that event was celebrated in a manner that Mr. Bastion will long remember. Helping him celebrate his four-score years were 170 students at the Fairbury Township High School, the high school faculty and a couple of editors and a photographer thrown in for good measure. For thirty years Mr. Bastion has been the engineer at the high school and is most popular with the student body and faculty. When Mr. Bastion was ushered into the assembly room Wednesday afternoon by Principal M. F. Fullmer, he was greeted with a lusty 180 or more voices singing “Happy Birthday to You.” He was then seated at a flower-decorated table, centered with a birthday cake that had so many candles on it that it looked like a forest fire when they were lighted.

More than a thousand people jammed the Forrest Township High School gym last Friday night to hear the fourth annual Tri-School Festival, and these more than a thousand people went away brimming over with enthusiasm and praise for a musical program that was the best ever. The schools taking part in this annual musical treat are Chatsworth, Forrest and Fairbury, and 280 pupils appeared in at least some part of the program. Of this number, 70 were from Fairbury, 100 were from Chatsworth and 110 were from Forrest.

Jesse Howard, of this city, is in a Bloomington hospital with a dislocated hip and many bruises as the result of his running his car into the traffic signal at Locust and Third Streets. As for the traffic signal itself, it was also put out of business for the second time within nine months. Those who have looked the traffic signal over and seen the car are wondering how Mr. Howard escaped alive. The base of the traffic signal is of concrete, weighs around a ton and is (or was) held in place by pieces of railroad rails sunk into the pavement. The base was torn loose and raised up an inch or so on the east side. The traffic signal had only been in operation a couple of months since it was put out of commission August 11 last, when a truck driven by a man from Morris ran into it. Up to that time it had served its purpose very acceptably for a number of years without being pushed around.

70 Years Ago

May 24, 1956

Some chilly weather during the evenings failed to hold back attendance at the Fifth annual spring festival held in Central Park Thursday, Friday and Saturday. John Wade, president of the Fair Association and Everett Sutter, president of the Chamber of Commerce, estimated the attendance as “every bit as good as the past couple of years.” Carnival receipts were off a bit, however, a circumstance which was no doubt directly caused by the chilly evenings. The weather for the Saturday afternoon parade and kiddie matinee was ideal. Mrs. Jim Peters received what was probably the thrill of her lifetime by winning the trip to Florida, given as the main prize of the festival. George Zimmerman won the clothes dryer and Elmer Alberts of Chenoa, the air conditioner.

A station wagon pulling a house trailer driven by Mrs. Don Kelso was involved in an accident two and a half miles west of town on Route 24 about 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The accident happened as Mrs. Kelso was driving west after leaving Fairbury with the Imperial Shows Carnival a few minutes before. The trailer apparently began to weave and as Mrs. Kelso applied brakes, the trailer pushed against the rear of the station wagon, causing the unit to jack knife. The station wagon came to a halt off the highway and heading north. The trailer remained on the highway and coupled to the station wagon. Mrs. Kelso was not injured. Mr. Kelso witness the mishap from another truck belonging to the Imperial Shows Carnival which he was driving behind the other vehicle.

A Remington .22 automatic rifle, 12 boxes of shotgun shells and a collection of small tools, with a total value of $415, were taken early Thursday morning from the Weston Grain Co. office. The break-in was reported to the sheriff's office Thursday morning by Clifford Denker, office manager. Sheriff A. M. Campbell was investigating the break-in Thursday morning. Entry was made by breaking a window, according to Mr. Denker.

60 Years Ago

May 5, 1966

To a stranger, it might have sounded routine when Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Fultz Monday night announced at the Fairbury Association of Commerce's annual dinner that they had sold their photo studio to Mr. and Mrs. William Morse, who operate the Vermilion Studio of Pontiac. Fultz has operated his studio in Fairbury since 1909, a total of nearly 57 years! Before that, he compiled an 18-year career as a school teacher, which today is nearly enough to retire in that field. In short, Dudley D. Fultz has compiled enough time for four careers, by most standards, and has time left over. He will be 93 on his next birthday anniversary. Dudley has lived a remarkable life, and now as he gets ready to retire, he's thinking about a third career. “I believe I'll write a book for my grandchildren.”

Someone once said that ignorance of the law is no excuse, but once in awhile it gets a trifle ridiculous. Ex-Fairburian Dave Parmele, now living at Fort Collins, Colo., had a recent experience in this department. On the morning of March 6 he took a friend to the City of Denver airport to catch a plane for the Peace Corps Volunteers. When the bag was set on the scales, the weight master noted that the bag was awful heavy, to which Dave jokingly replied, “Yea, it's got a bomb in it.” Parmele and his friend were separated and quizzed about the comment. Of course, a search of the luggage found nothing, but Parmele was advised by FBI agents that he should seek the services of an attorney since he could be fined $5,000, imprisoned up to five years in jail, or both.

Bruce Huber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Huber of Fairbury, has been awarded a scholarship to the National High School Institute of Northwestern University, Evanston. Currently ending his junior year at Fairbury-Cropsey High School, Bruce is president-elect of the Student Council. His five-week stay at Northwestern, will find him concentrating in the Engineering field, where he will study math “and all the fields of science from computers to medicine, radio and soil studies.

50 Years Ago

May 6, 1976

Virgil Hulse, vice-president and treasurer of Fairbury Federal Savings and Loan, was named the community's Man of the Year Monday night at the annual Association of Commerce banquet. The award was given to Hulse by incoming Association President Roger Duffy, who noted Hulse's successful leadership of the two most recent community United Fund drives as well as the recipient's work for the pool board, Lions Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Calvin Jackson of Carterville formally signed his contract last Friday to succeed Lester Miller as superintendent of the Fairbury-Cropsey school system.

Fairbury-Cropsey High School opened the doors of its Student Lounge for a trial run on Wednesday. The trial period, which will extend to the close of the present school year was recently approved by the Unit 3 Board of Education at the urging of high school principal Bill Winn. Winn and members of the FCHS Student Council had worked for months developing guidelines for the lounge, which is now open for any junior or senior who posted at least a 3.5 average for the third nine-week grading period. Student Council members will be in the lounge each period during the first week of operation to familiarize students with lounge rules.

Patty Perkins, of Fairbury, graduated April 30 from the University School of Beauty Culture. She will be employed at the Fashion Plate Hair Stylists in Bloomington. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Perkins of rural Fairbury.

40 Years Ago

May 1, 1986

Joe U. Slagel, who has spent more than 45 years in business in Fairbury, and whose courageous recovery from a serious stroke has inspired his many friends, was honored Monday night by the Fairbury Association of Commerce as the recipient of the annual “For A Better Community” award. Slagel is a former president of the Association and served for eight years as president of the Fairbury Fair Board. He has lengthy and distinguished service with the Boy Scouts, and also served on the board of directors for the Untied Fund, swimming pool and Indian Creek Country Club. He is a former school board member. The former insurance man  has rebounded from a stroke to make his hobby of making picture frames into a thriving second career.

Put Tim Stork's name in the PCHS record books and remember him as the answer to a Hawk trivia question in 10 or 15 years: who pitched the first no-hitter for Prairie Central? That's right. Tim Stork threw his gem Monday afternoon on the PCHS diamond, slamming the door on Odell. Stork struck out seven and walked just three batters. The hurler got plenty of help from his Hawk teammates, too, as they battered two Odell pitchers for 10 runs in five innings. A five-run first inning gave Stork room to work. He took care of the rest. The Hawks added two runs in the third and pushed across three more in the bottom of the fifth to win by the 10-run rule.

Dominy Memorial Library, Fairbury, has been awarded a state grant of $3,544 to be used to supplement the library's regular budget. This amount represents $1 per capita for the population served by the library. This is the first time in history that the State of Illinois has been able to provide the full amount to each library that is allowed by law. In his letter to Fairbury's library congratulating the board on the grant award, Secretary of State and State Librarian Jim Edgar stated, “I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide these funds to help support the important work of your library.” The library will use the grant money to improve service for children and for senior citizens.

30 Years Ago

May 1, 1996

Fairbury attorney Tom Brucker told 120 members of the Fairbury Association of Commerce that everybody's cooperation and ideas are needed to promote Fairbury. This followed his overview of the future plans for renovation of the downtown Fairbury area. New trees will be planted in October. Old fashioned street lights will be located between the trees, along with wooden benches for residents and visitors to rest upon. More parking spots will be added across from Bluestem National Bank down to Sunken Park. 

Due to the many donations received, the Forrest Lake will open this summer, said President of the Forrest Lake board Kay McBride. “Many volunteered their time and/or money to keep the lake open, but still more donations are needed,” said McBride. An estimated $3,000 plus is needed to keep the lake budget afloat, added McBride, which does not include upkeep and maintenance.

Former Cropsey resident Lanee Webel, first year teacher of special education at Pleasant Acres Elementary School, Rantoul, has been nominated by her Superintendent for the national “Sallie Mae First Class Teachers Award.” Webel has been responsible for establishing a new program in the school district – a local program to serve severely/profoundly disabled children.

20 Years Ago

May 3, 2006

At Tuesday night's Forrest Board meeting, Karen Leman of the Forrest Historical Society presented a community website she has been working on for the village. Its theme is the railroad and the site has an antique look. On the Home Page it states, “Tracks from the Past – Visions for the Future, The Beginning of a Village.” Leman said she took information from the village's centennial book and the bound books of the Forrest News for the home page. The website is an effort of the Forrest Historical Society and the village.

Josh Clemons of Bloomington has joined Keck's Agency, Inc. in Fairbury as vice president of the firm. Clemons is a native of Arthur and is the son-in-law of Keck's Agency owner and president, Jay Walter. Clemons is married to the former Michelle Walter. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in History and Illinois State University, where he earned a degree in History Education, Clemons has taught history and coached football at several area schools. Clemons said that he and his wife plan to move to Fairbury in the near future.

The Forrest American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor Emily Rieger as a delegate to Illini Girls State. Rieger is president of the junior class at Prairie Central High School. She is a member of National Honor Society, PCHS Band and Chorus. She is the daughter of James Rieger of Forrest. Girls State, a leadership opportunity for young women, will be held June 18-24 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Jenna Harms, daughter of Rick and Mindy Harms, was selected as the alternate delegate.

10 Years Ago

May 4, 2016

When the runners took off for this year's running of the Boston Marathon on April 18, one of the runners was Ryan Harms, son of Norman and Karen Harms, and the brother of Rebecca Casson and Angie Kratochvil, all of Fairbury. Ryan Harms' quest for the Boston Marathon began about four years ago when he ran a 5k for East Elementary in May of 2012, placing first for his division. After placing first for his division at Ankeny Summerfest 5k, he decided to train for a marathon.  Ryan Harms' bib number for Boston was 3258 out of 30,000 runners. The bib numbers are based on qualifying time. He finished the race in 1,741^st place with a 3:02.14 time.

Scout Troop #1347 recently completed a 3-step badge set called a “Journey,” about promoting kindness and friendship . . . and avoiding stereotypes, cliques, peer pressure, etc. They ended it with a “take action project.” Their project was to promote kindness awareness by donating the book, “Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson, to Dominy Memorial Library, as well as each of Prairie Central's grade school libraries. They also designed a bookmark that is available at Dominy and will be distributed through the grade schools. Scouts working on this badge were Alli Hetherington, Emma Hansen, Kailey Masters, Sophie Small, Sydney Nimbler, Adeline Kilgus, Liz Duffy, Piper Rieger, Alianna Knapp and Tabitha Yoder.

Prairie Central senior and Notre Dame recruit Kassadee Ifft cleared 13 feet in the pole vault at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Track and Field Championships March 25. The high vault for Ifft won her the 2A championship at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. Ifft attempted to break the 2A meet record but went out at 13-3. Ifft will be pursuing another state championship in the pole vault this 2016 track season. She won the 2015 2A outdoor IHSA pole vault state championship at 12-9.

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