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Fairbury News staff

Looking Back: 6-21-23




130 Years Ago

June 17, 1893

J. A. Reckerd and wife left Friday for a ten days' trip to the world fair in Chicago.

The schools of Miss Emma Langabeer, Miss Mabel Powley, Miss Hattie Thornton and Frank Atwood joined together Friday for a grand picnic. They met at Avoca and went to Tucker's Ford, where the day was spent at boating, fishing and games.

A newspaper is to be started at Cullom soon.

A. B. Claudon has commenced operations on his new bank building, and is clearing off the ground preparatory to building.

Markets — hogs, $6.25; wheat, 50c; corn, 33c; oats, 29c; butter, 10c to 13c; eggs, 11c.


120 Years Ago

June 19, 1903

The Co-operative mines in this city are undergoing some extensive repairs during the dull season and when the harvest and fall trade opens up they will be ready to furnish all comers with coal. Among the repairs and improvements being made are a new boiler which is being put in this week. Mechanics are here from Streator also and are putting the engines in first-class condition and new sheave wheels are being placed on top.

A movement is on foot to build a new opera house in this city and if subscriptions for stock continue to be as good as they have started out the enterprise will undoubtedly be a success. It is the intention to build an opera house which will cost about $15,000. F. L. Churchill has the subscription paper and up to the present there has been $8,500 in stock taken. The investors in the enterprise will undoubtedly reap goodly returns from their investment. Fairbury is considered one of the best show towns in the state of its size and with an up-to-date opera house, with a central location, the business will undoubtedly be greatly increased.

The directors of the Fairbury Fair decided to build a new grand stand on the Fairbury fair grounds. The two old grand stands will be torn down and the new one erected on the site. It will be up-to-date in every way and will have a seating capacity equal to double the capacity of the present stands.


110 Years Ago

June 20, 1913

The Creve Coeur Club of Peoria held their annual picnic out at the mile track in Peoria last Friday and it was then and there that J. T. Wilcox, of this city, proved that he was no "has been" when it comes to foot-racing. He entered the fat man's race and if it hadn't been for two other fellows he would have won it. The other fellows got first and second. George Royal McCabe and a side partner were in the three-legged race and did almost as well as Wilcox.

Edward Hilsabeck and family moved to this city from Forrest last week and now occupy the residence property on the southeast corner of Fifth and Ash Streets.

J. T. Cox and Dr. A. W. Pendergast were going out to visit the former's son, south of town, Wednesday afternoon in Mr. Cox's automobile. Mrs. G. H. Bennett and children, who had been to town, were returning home. As Mr. Cox started to go around the buggy driven by Mrs. Bennett, he got too close and took off a wheel. The team became frightened and started to run, throwing Mrs. Bennett and children out and scattering them at various points along the road. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Dr. and Mrs. G. C. Lewis and daughter Alma, left Saturday for a two months' trip through the Northwest and Pacific states. They will also go to Dawson City, Alaska, before returning home.


100 Years Ago

June 15, 1923

The board of directors of the Fairbury Fair have held two meetings in the past two weeks laying plans for the biggest exposition which has ever been held in Fairbury. The first full week in September is the time for this big event. Some phenomenal free acts, fireworks displays from the biggest company in the business in the United States, added live stock premiums, the securing of one of the best bands in the middle west, and other arrangements either completed or in the process of completion are making the Fairbury Fair without a superior in central Illinois.

Fifty-five years ago last Friday in England occurred the marriage of George Gibb and Miss Mary Masters. They set out at once on their wedding journey across the ocean and upon their arrival in New York started for Fairbury, where they made their first home. Last Friday they were honored guests at a small family dinner party at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Roscoe Combes.

A band of gypsies invaded this city Tuesday morning. They were only here for a short time, however, as Officer Baker had been apprised of their visit and soon had them going on their way. There were probably 50 or 60 of them and when they started to "work" Main Street they seemed to pop up from every direction. They traveled in 12 touring cars, most of them Hudsons.


90 Years Ago

June 23, 1933

The music situation in Fairbury came in for a lengthy discussion at the regular meeting of the city council Wednesday evening and the aldermen were not all in tune with the proposition to make the Fairbury Township High School band Fairbury's municipal band. Several years ago the city voted a band tax, the funds of which were to go towards supporting a municipal band, since which time our city has been having band concerts during the summer months. These concerts were at first given by the Fairbury-Forrest band, a fine musical organization, and for the past few years the concerts have been divided between the Fairbury-Forrest band and the Fairbury Township High School band.

Chenoa — The Rev. Kenneth W. Tyler, pastor of the local Baptist Church, who was at the Presbyterian Church last Friday morning, during the Daily Vacation Bible school, had the peculiar experience of seeing his car driven away by a young man. The auto was standing in front of the church, and upon stepping out of the building, the Rev. Mr. Tyler endeavored to stop the youth by signaling him, but to no avail. The man drove east a few blocks, where he picked up another young man. The young men, both aged 18 years, of Texas surrendered after abandoning the car near Campus and running across a field. The automobile was returned to Mr. Tyler. It was considerably damaged, however, by having been driven at too high a rate of speed.

Last Friday evening at the country home of Anne Louise King, there were eighteen in the party of young folks that took part in a scavenger hunt. The spoils turned out to be such articles as rusty nails, hedge posts, a dandelion or a postage stamp and the hiding place might be nearby or a mile or two away. When the hunt was over there were dancing and refreshments.


80 Years Ago

June 18, 1943

A cow belonging to Gillom Hurt, who tenants the J. E. Thomas place west of Fairbury, was killed by lightning during the storm Sunday afternoon. The cow was out in the pasture at the time.

L. J. Haberkorn, veteran business man of Chatsworth, met with an accident Friday evening that put him in the Fairbury Hospital for a few days. While making repairs on a building, a ladder slipped and threw him into a pile of stone. While he received no broken bones his head and face were badly cut and there were a number of bruises on his body. His daughter, Mrs. E. B. Herr, and husband, took him to the Fairbury Hospital where 35 stitches were taken in his head to close the cuts. He was able to be brought home Tuesday and showed more grit and stamina than many a younger man would under the same circumstances.

The Grey Goose Confectionery was a little bit crowded the first of the week, for in addition to its group of philosophers, prophets, etc., that assemble there daily, trestles for supporting the decorators who are painting the metal ceiling and walls have had to be walked around, too, to get up to the counter. The new decorations give an added attractiveness to the establishment.


70 Years Ago

June 18, 1953

Fairbury will soon have a sign of greeting to motorists who enter from either direction on Route 24. Four of the city's service organizations – The American Legion, The Rotary, The Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Chamber of Commerce – voted this week to erect a greeting billboard at the east and west entrances to the city. Details of the signs are yet to be worked out by a joint committee.

Andy's Dairy Mart, located at Fourth and Walnut Streets, will have its grand opening Saturday. The Dairy Mart is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Andy Rapp. The new drive-in offers Tastie-Treat cones, sundaes, root beer, milk shakes, hot dogs, Coney Islands and barbecues. A large area to the south of the building affords plenty of parking space for patrons.

A plane owned by Honeggers' & Co. crashed near the Gilman Airport Saturday about 8 a.m., but both occupants of the plane walked away from the wreckage uninjured. The pilot, Gilbert Barber, 33, of Kankakee, and a passenger, Zach Taylor, 52, of Tipton, Ind., are employees of the Honegger Co. Barber was enroute to Chatsworth and had decided to land at Gilman to refuel when the crash occurred. He was making a preliminary run over the air strip when the engine suddenly quit. The plane was in a bank when the engine stalled, but Barber was able to right the plane and bring it down in a cornfield.


60 Years Ago

June 20, 1963

Legion officials are commenting this week that they are having difficulty finding a commander for John Joda Post No. 54 for the 1963-64 year. One officer said that the whole post could fold up if no one is interested in taking over the reins. Bill Dawson, of rural Fairbury, is the retiring commander.

A 27-year-old Japanese girl and a Hungarian refugee, also 27, teamed up this past weekend to visit the farming sights about Fairbury. Hironko Nogami, who hails from the largest city in the world – Tokyo, Japan – and her escort, Steve Takacs, formerly of Budapest, Hungary, but now of Chicago, arrived here Friday night for a whirlwind tour of the Honegger farms, John Roth's farm and Melvin Metz's farm. Warren Olson and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Jeffries hosted the pair, plus several Fairburians, to a steak supper Friday night at the Olson home.

The 35th annual Illinois FFA Convention was held in the new U. of I. Assembly Hall June 11, 12 and 13. Attending from the Fairbury-Cropsey chapter were Harvey Schieler, Walter Steffen and Sam Hoffman accompanied by Harry White, chapter advisor. Harvey Schieler received a bronze plaque and $100 for the most efficient milk production project in the state. Harvey was also honored with a plaque and $100 for the best dairy production project in the state and now advances to national competition in this field. In the closing session, Harvey was honored as the District II Star State Farmer.


50 Years Ago

June 21, 1973

Rieger, Incorporated, a coil manufacturing firm which has been located in Forrest since its foundation nine years ago, has purchased a two-acre tract in Fairbury and will erect a new building on it as soon as possible. The company is hoping to have the construction completed by October 1.

The Fairbury-Cropsey School Board came within a "second" of selling the school's bus fleet Monday night, but delayed the decision until a later date. The board, at their regular meeting, talked for more than an hour, part of that time with representatives from Aldron Leasing of Fairbury, about selling their bus fleet to that firm and then leasing the service from them, but came no closer than a postponement of the decision until the next meeting.

The Illinois Funeral Directors association recognized Roger Duffy of Fairbury and the Duffy-Pils Funeral home as its 750th firm member at their 93rd convention in Springfield on June 14. Duffy operated funeral homes in Fairbury and Chenoa, with his father-in-law, Gilbert Pils. His firm is the second to be recognized as part of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association growth during the past year.


40 Years Ago

June 16, 1983

The Forrest-Strawn-Wing School Board Monday night voted 5-2 not to support an election seeking to consolidate that district with the Fairbury-Cropsey School system. The FSW decision came after a lengthy meeting during which district residents spoke both in favor and against consolidation with Fairbury-Cropsey. Over at Fairbury-Cropsey, superintendent Calvin Jackson said Tuesday his board will still spend some time next Monday at its regular meeting discussing consolidation. But with the FSW decision last Monday, it appears as though the question has been answered for the present.

Tamra Dee Shannon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rod Shannon of Fairbury, will compete for the title of Miss Teen of Illinois in Bloomington July 7 to 9. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Miss Teen of America Pageant, a $1,000 cash scholarship, and other awards. Tammy is sponsored by The Fairbury Jaycees.

For two weeks, many members of the Rotary Club of Fairbury, following their regular dinner in McDonald's Restaurant, adjourned to the computer lab in Fairbury-Cropsey High School, where the system's superintendent, Dr. Calvin Jackson, conducted a cram course on uses of the electronic marvels. Each of those attending had a chance to try their hand at working problems.


30 Years Ago

June 17, 1993

Jason Kilgus, 18, of rural Fairbury, and a member of the Prairie Central FFA, was chosen as the Illinois Star Farmer last Thursday at the Illinois FFA Convention at the University of Illinois, Champaign. He is the first Prairie Central student to win the honor. To earn the honor, Kilgus said a lot of time and dedication must be spent on record keeping. He was chosen as one of five finalists in the state following district competition. At the state level, Kilgus and the others had their record books reviewed and were individually interviewed by judges.

Late Friday afternoon, Fairbury firemen set off the long blast of the tornado siren around 4:45 p.m., but as Fire Chief Keith Klitzing put it, "Everybody was standing out there gawking and sittin' in their swings." With the sun shining and skies looking clear, it was hard to believe the warning sent out by Cropsey's Fire Department that a tornado had been spotted on the ground and was headed for Fairbury. The tornado that formed from an apparently isolated storm cell picked up a 4,000 bushel steel bin at the Ron Mueller Jr. farm east of Cropsey, and laid it in a field before heading northward.

"We're looking for the biggest and best liar in Central Illinois," said Margo McCoy of Pontiac, chairman of Pontiac's Heritage Day celebration August 7. The Liars' contest is being held in conjunction with the event. Entries for the contest should be 300 words or less. Judges for the contest are William Caisley, Charles Glennor and Harold Frobish, all judges in the 11th Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois, and well qualified to recognize a good lie when they hear one!


20 Years Ago

June 18, 2003

After thanking the Chenoa Board for the opportunity to speak to them, the President of Prairie Central's school board, Jay Nussbaum, said that they (the P.C. Board) believe that a merger between schools would be beneficial. A merger would allow its goal of maintaining the programs they now have and help both schools to a better financial standing. Prairie Central Superintendent John Capasso said that PC now joins 172 other school districts which are designated "Financial Early Warning" by the Illinois School Board of Education. He said the EAV has diminished over the past three years, along with enrollment. This problem has stunted revenues.

Chatsworth will celebrate "Heritage Days" Thursday through Saturday, June 19-21 under the auspices of the Chatsworth Historical Society. The event has been celebrated, until the past two years, during the month of July, to commemorate and observe the anniversary of the famed "Chatsworth Train Wreck."

The 51st Harms reunion was held June 8 at Marsh Park in Fairbury. President Terry Miller of Sugar Grove read the minutes from last year. Francis Harms of Fairbury was the oldest member present and the youngest was Josiah Howell of Bloomington. Those coming the farthest distance were Margaret Harms Smith and Bob and Shirley Smith of Naples, Fla.


10 Years Ago

June 19, 2013

Chatsworth Township Library is in the midst of completing plans for a new building project. In April, 2012, the Chatsworth Library applied for a grant from the Illinois State Library, backed by federal funding, specifically for needy libraries. After completing a burdensome 400-page application that required hundreds of hours of time and research, a grant for $1.17 million was awarded. The Chatsworth Library will receive the $1.17 million, 75% of the cost to build the new library. The balance required to build the library, 25% of the building cost, or $390,000, needs to be raised through fundraising. Through generous donations up to this point, the library has received almost $100,000.

HIS Kids Preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chenoa held its graduation ceremony on May 22. Nine children graduated from preschool, and are now ready for Kindergarten. The students sang four songs for family and friends, and also received diplomas, tassels and medals. There was a reception in the church parish hall following the ceremony.Those graduating from preschool were Liam Donovan, Gabe Mason, Sam Honegger, Camden Gibson, Cooper Gentry, Alvin J. DeLong, Julianne Woodrey, Kate Slagel and Derick Kauffman.


("Looking Back" from Kari Kamrath is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Homes in Fairbury, Chenoa and Colfax)

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