Looking Back: 6-25-26

130 Years Ago

June 20, 1896

The new pump at the city well is in position and working smoothly. The supply of water seems ample.

Last Wednesday evening, Charlie Fitzgerald, on returning home, found 60 of his friends and relatives assembled at his residence for the purpose of helping him celebrate his birthday.

Forrest has become a great baseball center. The nine there is in the habit of wiping up the scenery with any other aggregation that is rash enough to tackle them. They have won eight of nine games played.

The Weston School closed Friday with a program which was given in the town hall. Henry Stephens, Jim Pool and Anna Ziller enjoy the distinction of being the only ones who were not tardy or late during the year. Prof. W. H. Martin has been engaged for another year.

120 Years Ago

June 22, 1906

John Woods has become tired of resting and running for sheriff as a business, and Thursday he closed a deal with Harry Olmstead whereby Mr. Woods becomes proprietor of the West End Restaurant. The price paid was $600. Mr. Woods is a caterer of well known ability and his friends will be glad to know that he has again put on the harness.

Thomas Ritchey, a brakeman on the Dwight branch of the C. & A. found a purse belonging to a lady living at Wenona, on the train the other day, which contained about $500 in diamonds and a sum of money. He returned it to the owner and was rewarded with two or three cheap cigars. Thus is honesty rewarded.

Last week The Blade, as well as many other papers throughout the county, stated that the decision, taking away the Village of Weston's charter, was rendered on the grounds that many of the names signed to the petition were not bone fide residents of the town to be incorporated. Such was not the case, however. The decision was rendered because there was not enough inhabitants within the specified limits of the proposed village at the time the application was made for incorporation papers.

110 Years Ago

June 23, 1916

Last Friday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock during the storm, the large barn on the Conrad Munz farm, about two miles south of town, occupied by Jonathan Munz, was struck by lighting and burned to the ground. Jonathan Munz was in the barn at the time the lightning struck, working at an iron vice. His fingers were somewhat numbed by the shock, but otherwise he was not hurt. There were three horses in the barn, and they also escaped injury. Mr. Munz noticed that the barn was on fire a few seconds following the stroke, and although the barn burned rapidly, caused by the fifteen ton of straw in the mow, he succeeded in getting all of the horses out. Mr. Munz lost several sets of harness, a good wagon, a good binder and numerous other farming implements. The loss, which was upwards of $2,000, was mostly covered by insurance.

One of Fairbury's young business men Forded over to Forrest Sunday evening and before he got back the strong arm of the law had reached out and grabbed him to the extent of $3.50. It seems that some of the Forrest band boys who were here last Sunday did not know that another year had been in operation for about five months and a half, and consequently was still using a 1915 number on his auto. He was awakened from his six months sleep by Officer Baker and given a small fine to keep him awake. The Fairbury gentleman pulled into Forrest that evening and of course the talk naturally drifted to the Rip Van Winkle act and the sudden awakening of the Forrest gentleman. It seems, however, that in going over to Forrest, the tail light on the Fairbury car went out and with what happened in Fairbury last Sunday, it didn't take the Forrest officer long to see it. Accordingly, the Fairbury gentleman was called on to make up the deficiency that was caused by the Forrest man's donation in Fairbury.

100 Years Ago

June 25, 1926

John Beckley has taken his son, David, into partnership with him, turning over to him the management of the men's clothing department. David has grown up in the store, having worked around the store in various capacities from a small boy up through his high school days. With the benefit of his father's experience and advice the Beckley clothing department, with its well-established trade, offers a good opportunity for David.

Mrs. Cora Ploense and Miss Alma, assisted by Mrs. Effie Deist and Mrs. Nelle Nimmo, entertained the Home Domestic Science Club at its June meeting. It was a patriotic meeting and the rooms were beautifully decorated with flags. Miss Gladys Freed gave a history of our flag. Mrs. Pearl Cuddeback gave instructions for the proper display of the flag with Mrs. Pearl Koerner demonstrating.

The Legion drum corps, Woodman band and, it is hoped, at least 100 cars, will constitute a delegation to boost Fairbury and the July 3^rd celebration to be held here. Cars will be decorated with advertising material and concerts will be played in the surrounding towns. The reaction of the people in towns visited will be sure to be favorable. The invariable remark will be, “The business men of Fairbury are a bunch of live wires. They must have something worth while up in that town.” Let's put it over big. Everyone that reads or hears of this trip is urged to fall in and make a joyful afternoon of it. The trip will start at 12:30 Tuesday noon.

90 Years Ago

June 19, 1936

John Joda Post, American Legion, has booked an exceptionally fine program of free acts to be given on the big platform in front of the amphitheatre, afternoon and night, July 4. Included in the program are the following: Famous Windisch Family, acrobatic act; Valdare Duo, aerial ring and cradle act; Windisch Duo, comedy rocking table act; Dainty Ida Mae, the Darling of the Air. These are four real acts that in themselves are worth more than the price of admission. In all, eight free acts will be given. In addition to the free acts there will be a full afternoon of racing.

The Martin trio – Louise, Glen and LaVerne – youthful musicians of more than ordinary ability, who reside with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Martin, on the farm near Forrest, were guest entertainers at the Rotary Club dinner Tuesday evening. The most remarkable thing about the performance of these youngsters is their versatility in adapting themselves to the large assortment of instruments upon which they play. The instruments used in the Tuesday evening program included the cornet, saxophone, trombone, clarinet, accordion, banjo, trumpet, xylophone and piano, most of the instruments being played by each of the three. Their program consisted principally of popular songs, new and old, the score for the various instruments having been written by Glen, the elder member of the trio.

T. D. Karnes is leaving on Sunday morning for Chicago, where he will take a special train in company with other Democrats from Chicago and downstate, for Philadelphia, Pa., to attend the Democratic National Convention, which gets under way there Tuesday. Mr. Karnes goes as an alternate delegate.

80 Years Ago

June 21, 1946

Five hundred or more people were at Bach & Sons' Lumber Yard office at various times last Saturday and Saturday evening helping them celebrate the 45^th anniversary of their entering business here. There was a treat of ice cream for both old and young and 25 gallons were served during the day and evening.

A big army truck stopped briefly in Chatsworth on Saturday afternoon and parked in the business section, supposedly to give local people an opportunity to inspect a few war things like rubber life boats, gas masks, instrument panel for planes, arctic suits and miniature models of planes. They had a loud speaker and whooped it up until they had a crowd of boys on hand to try their hands at switching the controls on the big plane instrument panels. Quite a few grown-ups visited the caravan but the outfit did not stay long enough to let people look it over.

Dr. D. H. Johnston, who opened his dental office the first of March in The Blade building, has leased of Mr. and Mrs. David Munz, the residence property on W. Maple St., formerly occupied by the late Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Wessels. Dr. and Mrs. Johnston plan to move there soon. He had been driving back and forth from Piper City.

70 Years Ago

June 21, 1956

Bill Fugate has got a horse. Now, even in this age of 1000 miles-per-hour airplanes and atomic bombs, it's not too unusual that a man has a horse, but there is considerable out-of-the-ordinary about this particular horse. Mr. Fugate credits the animal with very probably saving his life, and at least saving him from a serious injury. Ever since a sunshiny October day back in 1942, Sandy, the horse, has lived the life of Riley as a guest of Mr. Fugate, who is not about to forget what transpired on that autumn morning. Sandy, then five years old, was hitched to what ordinarily was a plow built for two horses, instead of one. Sandy was plodding steadily along with Mr. Fugate following behind the plows, the reins looped around his middle. Suddenly, Mr. Fugate sank to the ground in his tracks, the victim of a brain hemorrhage. Nine out of ten horses would have continued on and what could be done to a human being while being yanked along the ground next to a heavy plow can best be left to the reader's own imagination. The fact that Mrs. Fugate got her husband out of the field and to a doctor really is not important to this tale. The important thing was that Sandy stopped as soon as he felt the lines slacken. “That plow could have chewed me up good,” Mr. Fugate said, and you have to go along with that.

Swimmers at the Munz sandpit for the past few weeks have been bothered by a rather gruff-acting drake which bit and attacked them each time they got close to the west bank. The reason for the drake's antagonism was discovered one day when a nest of duck eggs was found in the grass on the bank. Tuesday of last week quite a group of little ducklings developed claustrophobia and commenced to crack egg shells all over the place. The young ones – eight in all – are now housed in John F. Wink's former quail pen, and won't be released until they are able to shift for themselves on the water. Those who habit the sandpit are equally happy over the blessed event, and the thought that the drake's disposition will now improve.

60 Years Ago

June 30, 1966

The Sunday afternoon concert by the Fairbury Municipal Band scheduled for July 3 will begin at 1:30 in Marsh Park. Improvements made recently on the bandstand have tended to enhance the sound of the 20-member organization. The new roof, besides allowing shade for the members, also serves as a shell which unifies the sound before it moves out from the band stand. The pre-holiday concert will include many audience favorites.

Fred Kyburz of Chatsworth showed both the grand champion bull and reserve; and Dean Kyburz of Chatsworth had the grand champion female of both the open and the junior show, when the Vermilion Valley Holstein district held their Black and White show at Fairbury Fairgrounds Friday, June 24. Judge was Glenn Holmes, Holstein breeder from Peotone, as 22 exhibitors entered 44 head in competition. Kyburz' grand champion bull was Morfred Anthony Simon; while the grand champion female was Norfred Jim Poppy.

Miss Judy Gualandi, 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gualandi of Kempton, was chosen 1966 Dairy Princess in ceremonies held in Forrest on Friday night. This was in conjunction with the annual Diary Day celebration June 23-25. Miss Gualandi is a sister of the 1964 Dairy Princess, Kathy Gualandi, and was salutatorian of the 1966 class of Kempton-Cabery High School. Wanda Kaisner was first runner-up and Lynda Kyburz, second runner-up.

50 Years Ago

June 24, 1976

The Fairbury-Cropsey communities will host 39 foreign students during a four-day, five-night American Field Service bus stop starting Monday night, July 5. The youngsters, who have spent the school year in individual homes in the Minneapolis area, are on the first leg of their long voyage home. The Fairbury-Cropsey AFS chapter is hosting the local stop, which is the first of three or four the bus will make en route to the east coast. Mrs. Gerhard Heppner, bus stop chairman for the F-C AFS chapter, has planned special activities on some days for the group, and on others they are free to accept the hospitality of the area families which will host them.

A diagnosis of rabies has been confirmed by the Galesburg Diagnostic Laboratory in a calf owned by Elmer Stoller, Forrest. Dr. E. W. Flint, Fairbury veterinarian, made a clinical diagnosis of rabies on June 16. The animal was euthanized by Dr. Flint and submitted to the Galesburg Lab by Dr. W. J. Boddington, county veterinarian. Stoller had a cut on his hand when he handled the calf and thus may have contacted saliva from the calf before it was euthanized and will have to undergo a series of twenty-three injections of anti-rabies vaccine.

Debbie Friedman, senior captain of the Fairbury-Cropsey High school Tartarettes, was named outstanding group leader last week at a workshop for drill teams and pompon squads at Indiana State University. Twenty-one Tartarettes were among nearly 200 high school girls taking part in the week-long session. FCHS girls attending the workshop were: Tracy Bazzell, Nancy Borngasser, Lori Clark, Kathy Davis, Denise Freed, Debbie Friedman, Susan Haas, Tina Hobart, Kim Hoffman, Gail Hoffman, Diane Ifft, Carol Kelson, Krysti King, Jan Magee, Barb Metz, Sandy Metz, Robyn Schmidt, Tammy Schroeder, Carol Tavener, Beth Zimmerman and Karen Zimmerman.

40 Years Ago

June 19, 1986

Prairie Central High School's Future Farmers of America chapter, already twice decorated with state championship teams earlier this year, added a third last week as the ag mechanics unit was recognized as the state's best at the annual Illinois FFA Convention in Champaign. Each of the five members on the mechanics team focused on a single area during competition. Those specialties included: Tom Franey, surveying; Brian Ricketts, electricity; Brian Ifft, welding; John Slagel, carpentry; and Greg Yoder, ag power (small engines). The PCHS ag mechanics group became the third FFA unit to claim a state title in the first year of the consolidated high school. Earlier this year, the meats judging team and the farm management team won.

Debbie Steidinger, daughter of David and Deann Steidinger of Fairbury will be among the candidates competing for the title of Miss Teen of Illinois to be held in Peoria, June 20-22. Miss Teen of Illinois will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship to the college or university of her choice. She will join the title holders of the remaining 49 states and receive an all-expense-paid trip to participate in the eight-day, nationally televised Miss Teen of America pageant. Debbie will be sponsored in the pageant by Steidinger Shelling and Trucking Service, Inc.

During the season of alumni and family reunions, a reunion of a different nature was held Saturday night at Steve's Cafe in Chenoa with 39 attending. This was a reunion of the “Jolly Girls Kids.” The kids often accompanied their mothers to club meetings, hence there is a strong bond that is still felt. Some of “The Kids” had not seen each other in over forty years. “The Kids” are scattered from California to Virginia and from Florida to Michigan. The Jolly Girls Club was organized on Oct. 21, 1916 at the home of Hazel (Farley) Leffingwell and Lillian (Farley) Hanes. Clara Snead was the first president.

30 Years Ago

June 19, 1996

The bid of McCoy Construction of Pontiac was approved out of six bidders at Monday night's special meeting of the Fairbury City Council. They were the low bid at $502,000 for the new city hall to be built at the corner of Second and Locust Streets at the former Honegger Building site. Days to complete job were quoted at 135 by McCoy. Two additional alternatives were approved with McCoys: site paving and finishing work at $26,800 and elevator equipment at $19,000. Other bids include AJS Construction Co., Normal, at $625,000; Felmley-Dickerson Co. of Bloomington at $558,400; Schieler and Rassi, Deer Creek, at $538,970; Stelle Construction Co., Bloomington, at $537,647; and Vissering Construction of Streator at $556,000.

The Fairbury Lions Club ended their 39^th year of service in the Fairbury area with a steak dinner at Munz's pit on June 3. District Governor John Hawkinson from Coal City was on hand to install the following new slate of officers for the 1996-97 year: President, Phil Orr; Vice President Robert Sikorski; Secretary, Darryl Tinges; Treasurer, Eli Meister; Tail Twister, John Marshall; and Lion Tamer, Gerry Vance. The club was chartered in the fall of 1956 with the Forrest Lion's Club as their sponsoring club. There were 35 charter members with Leland S. Rolf elected as the club's charter president. Two of the original 35 members are still active today. They are George Fyke and Darol “Doc” Johnston.

The United States Achievement Academy announced that Kelli Zimmerman has been named All-American College Scholar. The USAA has established the All-American Collegiate Award program to offer deserved recognition to superior students who excel in the academic discipline. Kelli, who attends Illinois State University, was nominated for the national award by Dr. Dennis Crowell. She will appear in the All-American Collegiate Yearbook, which is published nationally. She is the daughter of Randy and Mary Zimmerman of Forrest and granddaughter of Melvin and Ardella Zimmerman and Roy and Cova Smith, all of Fairbury.

20 Years Ago

June 21, 2006

Spence Farm, the oldest family farm in Livingston County, will be the site of a special event on Saturday, June 24. The Spence Farm Foundation will host 1860's Day at Spence Farm, from 1 to 5 p.m. This event commemorates the Phelps Schoolhouse, built in 1860 on land located one mile southeast of Spence Farm. This schoolhouse, which was moved to the farm last year, will be a part of living history on the 24^th with a live interpretation of school mistress, Mary Elizabeth Darnell, who taught at the school in the 1860's. Other events will include impersonators portraying President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. Area artisans will be on hand to demonstrate the traditional trades and crafts of the era. There will be a Union soldier encampment and the 33^rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment using authentic instruments of the 1860's will perform.

Amber Rock, daughter of Tom and Jill Rock of Roberts and granddaughter of Maurice and Joy Zimmerman of Forrest was honored during Millikin University's annual Distinguished Faculty Lecture and Honors Convocation program recently. She received two awards, the Phi Delta Kappa Prospective Teacher Award for a junior Millikin student demonstrating scholarship, commitment and potential as a future teacher, and the Linda Weatherbee Mathematics Award for an outstanding junior mathematics major.

Evelyn Yoder of Fairbury received a Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award at the RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) annual spring luncheon held recently at Eureka College. Yoder has  served and recorded over 4,000 hours of volunteer service. Those serving in Fairbury or Livingston County received the following awards: Yoder, gold award for 500 hours or more; Lloyd Bachtold, Nancy Bachtold, Ellen Runyon, Walter Teubel and Iva Whately, silver award for 250-499 hours; Betty Nussbaum, Alma Schmidgall and Allen Zimmerman, bronze award for 100-249 hours.

10 Years Ago

June 22, 1016

A donation of $5,000 from Prairie Central Co-Operative was presented to the Fairbury Fire Department. In addition the the Prairie Central donation, Cobank has contributed a $5,000 match from their Sharing Success program. The donation was given to Leroy McPherson, Fire Chief, and several members of the fire department. The department visited the Fairbury grain elevator to exchange information, learn about grain dryers and important points of interest relevant to an emergency response.

The Sibley Burr Oaks Relay for Life Tractor Drive will make a stop in downtown Fairbury on Saturday, July 2, during the annual drive. The caravan will stop between Fourth and Fifth Streets in Fairbury at noon and remain in town for about an hour.The public is welcome to stop by and view the variety of old and new tractors, hot rods and motorcycles.

Faith Bachtold was named to the first team of the all-Corn Belt Conference softball team for 2016. She was named as one of three outfielders. First baseman Kylie Vogel was named to the second team. Catcher Abbie Bazzell received honorable mention.