Looking Back: 7-23-26

130 Years Ago

July 18, 1896

David Henry, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Henry, had his arm badly broken Thursday morning while scuffling with another boy.

E. A. Agard is attending the national convention of the American Glass Blowers at Streator. Mr. Agard is a member of the executive committee of that body and prominent in the councils of the leaders.

D. K. Unsicker has traded the Seeders property, corner of Elm and Second Streets, and 17½ acres southwest of town, for an elevator in Iowa.

The following from Fairbury are camping on the Kankakee river at Custer Park: Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Purdum, Mr. and Mrs. Al Russell, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hahn, M. A. Anderson, Pearl Hawk, Marshall Gordon, Edna Ross, Hattie Westervelt, Nelle Gillette.

120 Years Ago

July 20, 1906

The city council of Fairbury should buy a steam roller if they intend to go into the road improvement business to any great extent. There are very few cities in this state the size of Fairbury, but have paved or macadamized roads in the residence districts and one thing is noticeable, the more they get, the more they want of them. Fairbury has every facility at hand to make macadam roads. Other cities have to ship in their cement workmen, while we have both the stone and the workmen. If the city would purchase a steam roller they could build roads at a price the people could afford to pay for them and they would be glad to do it.

Kemp Sisters' Wild West and Indian Congress gave two performances on the old show grounds in Pontiac yesterday, the evening attendance being considerably larger than during the afternoon. While the show does not claim to be the largest on earth, it is one of the best and cleanest shows of its kind on the road. G. P. Kemp, the manager, is well known in this vicinity, having resided for many years at Lexington and Gridley. He now lives near LeMar, Mo., where he owns a fine farm. The performances yesterday were first class, many new and novel acts being presented. The show was devoted in showing border life on the frontier in the early days.

Kemp Sisters shows are camped out in the timber along the Vermilion River and many of the show people are making their headquarters in this city. They have been taking a few days rest and are changing from a wagon to a railroad show. They have decided that traveling by wagon is altogether too slow for them and will, when they leave this city, travel by rail. They will make longer jumps hereafter and when they arrive in a town they will not be tired out. A number of new people will join the show at this place.

110 Years Ago

July 21, 1916

The Fairbury Fair Association will give an automobile away this year. While the association is not ready just yet to give out the name of the machine they say it will be a good machine. Everyone who buys a dollar ticket to the fair will have a chance to win the prize. It looks like the officers of the fair have hit upon something that will prove a big drawing card as everybody wants an automobile even those who have them. It is a sure thing those who attend the fair will receive their moneys' worth whether they get the auto or not.

A box containing about 100 dozen cookies, smoking tobacco, cigars and other articles that will add to the joys of the inner man, left here Thursday morning for the Fairbury Co. F boys at Fort Sam Houston, Tex. The contents of the box were gotten together by the mothers of the boys in Texas and others who are interested in them. No doubt “mother's cookies” will taste exceedingly good to the boys, and the smoking tobacco and other articles will also receive due attention.

Francis Keeley, the 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Keeley, southeast of town, was badly, but not seriously injured Wednesday at the elevator at Risk. The boy, with other children, was playing around the hoisting elevator that takes the workmen to the top of the structure, when young Keeley got on the elevator and it was started upward. He was not able to stop it and was caught between the elevator and the rafters. He was injured about the chest, but is improving.

100 Years Ago

July 23, 1926

The mines of the Fairbury Coal Company will not be put in shape for operation again; that is at least by the Fairbury Coal Company. This was decided fully the latter part of last week. It will be remembered that the tipple, chutes and large coal bin were destroyed by fire on the morning of Thursday, April 29, 1926, with a loss totaling around $20,000. Since that time the members of the William Morris family, who owned the mines, have gone into the matter of rebuilding the tipple, etc., but after due investigation, have decided not to do so. The property on which the mine proper is located belongs to Chris Koerner and it, together with the engine house and machinery, have been turned back to him.

Fairbury is to have another business firm in the Adams Variety Store, the proprietors having leased quarters in the new Duell building Wednesday of this week. They will open for business on Saturday, August 7, in the room just south of the H. B. Bedell news-stand. D. Adams, of Peoria, will operate the store, and he and his son, W. Adams, were here on Wednesday making the necessary arrangements to get the building in shape for occupancy. W. Adams is general supervisor of a number of Larkin stores, and while he was here with his father this week, he is not associated with him in the local store. The stock of goods to be carried will be, as the name implies, a variety stock and will vary in price from five cents to a dollar.

Frank Thomas fell from the roof of a house on Tuesday morning to the ground, a distance of about 14 feet, and while no bones were broken he was badly shaken up and has been confined to his bed. He was shingling Mrs. Charles Hill's house at the time of the accident.

90 Years Ago

July 17, 1936

Mrs. Annie Waters and committee have about completed the plans for program and entertainment for the annual English picnic to be held at Marsh Park, Sunday, August 2. Always a large gathering of English-born and English descendants, those in charge are hoping that every one under those two heads will plan to be there and make this the biggest and best yet. Remember, basket dinner at noon for which iced tea will be provided. Entertainment at 1:30.

Corn in the Fairbury community has been severely damaged since last Friday by the unparalleled drouth and heat which have gripped this locality and the middle west. The blazing sun and searing drouth have begun to burn white the tassels and top leaves on the corn, which until the end of last week had stood up well. Each continued day of heat cuts thousands of dollars from the value of the crop. If the present heat and drouth continue there will be small prospect of a crop this year.

Levi Troehler's Chevrolet, the car which he won in the Buccaneer contest last fall, was damaged considerably in an accident which occurred on Route 24 a short distance east of Chenoa Tuesday morning about 8:30. Mr. Troehler was on his way to Peoria to attend a meeting of the State Association of Dry Cleaners. In front of him was the light delivery truck owned by Mr. Davison, of Chenoa. The truck, which is equipped by Mr. Davidson as a sound demonstrator, has been seen in Fairbury many times recently. Without any warning the truck suddenly stopped, Mr. Troehler says, and as there was a car approaching in the other lane, Mr. Troehler could see no way to avoid a collision. The entire front end of his car was considerably damaged, including fenders, bumpers and radiator, and it is estimated that an expenditure of about $100 will be necessary to put it in first class shape again. Mr. Troehler was driving at a speed of about 30 miles per hour when the accident occurred. This is his first car accident.

80 Years Ago

July 19, 1946

Hiram Steidinger, who for a number of years past has been associated with A. J. Kilgus in conducting a barber shop in the Duell building, will open a jewelry store in the same building in the room just north of the post office on September 1st. Mr. Steidinger will give up his barbering business and conduct the store himself. Mr. Steidinger has been a barber for the past 20 years. During a number of these years he did clock and watch repairing as a sideline. During the last few years his watch and jewelry business has grown to that extent that he has decided to discontinue the barbering trade and devote his full time to watch and clock repairing and his jewelry business.

Orrie Sourbier, residing on a farm near Cropsey, owned by Ernest T. Lange, of this city, was in the Fairbury Hospital several days this week suffering from injuries to two of his fingers. Mr. Sourbier was working on his combine Sunday, getting it ready to use Monday. The gasoline engine that operates the combine machinery was running and the machinery was in gear. Mr. Sourbier accidentally got the ends of his third and fourth fingers in the auger that carries the grain and they were badly mangled up to the first joint. However, it is thought they can be saved.

K. V. Keck, John Wessels, Edward Lange and Eli Schlipf were in Champaign on Tuesday, where they purchased bleacher seats that will accommodate 2,000 people. The present bleacher seats used in connection with the midget races belong to the Warren County Agricultural Fair Association and are rented from them. They will be returned to them August first. The bleacher seats purchased by the local fair association were bought from the University of Illinois and had been used in the gym there. They are installing new ones. With the purchase of the seats by the Fairbury Fair it will be possible to continue the midget auto races through August and September.

70 Years Ago

July 19, 1956

The entire rear wall of the building at 130 E. Locust Street collapsed during a rain storm about 2 a.m. Last Thursday morning. The two-story building, occupied by the Dean Williams jewelry store until about a year ago, has been vacant since that time. It is owned by the George H. Franzen estate. The upstairs of both buildings on either side of the damaged structure are occupied as residences. The Ira Kilgus', who live upstairs in the building to the west, were awakened by the noise of the falling bricks, which they described as “sounding like thunder.” They looked out the window to see the entire back of the building in a heap in the alley. The back of the building has had a bulge for some time. It was thought that streams of water caused by the heavy rains may have washed away enough dirt as to materially weaken the foundation and bring down the wall.

The fox and crow bounties paid in June of this year far outnumber the bounties paid in '55. Bounties were collected on eighty-two foxes in comparison to fifty-eight of last year. During the same period bounties were collected on 263 crows; in June '55 only fifty-two pairs of feet were brought in. The bounty on a fox is three dollars, and on a crow 20 cents. During June eighty-five crow eggs were also turned in; they bring 10 cents each.

Over 300 persons took part in the Fourth Annual Field Day of the Fairbury Junior Farmers 4-H Club. The event was held last Sunday at the James Goold farm, three miles northwest of Fairbury. Those attending included 4-H members and their folks and friends. Main attraction of the Field Day was barbecued lamb and beef prepared by a committee of the 4-H fathers. The purpose of Field Day, according to Bill Freed, club leader, is to bring about a closer relationship among friends, neighbors and families. Milton Harms is the assistant club leader.

60 Year Ago

July 21, 1966

Resources of The National Bank of Fairbury have topped the $10 million mark for the first time, as recorded by the Federal “call” for a report of condition at the close of business on June 30, 1966. President John Gerber noted that the bank's resources had exceeded this figure a few times previously in daily fluctuations, but never were over at the time of any required report. Since the last “call” in December of 1965, the bank gained $370,000 to total $10,195,381.52. A review of the bank's regular reports for the past three years reflects a steady growth pattern.

Music by some 80 U. S. high school students, playing in the American Youth Band and Chorus during a month-long concert tour of Europe, bridged all kinds of language gaps, according to two Fairburians. Diane Harms, clarinet, and Harlan Geiser, trombone, returned Friday night to the homes of their parents, the John Harms and the Donald Geisers, respectively. Also a member of the group was Sue Flessner of Chatsworth. Each youth, after being accepted by audition, paid his own expenses, approximately $800 each. Both youths will be seniors at Fairbury-Cropsey High School this fall.

Jim Tipton, of Fairbury, a major in the 33^rd Infantry Division, Illinois National Guard, has been on riot control duty in Chicago since reporting last Friday. He is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1^st Brigade, stationed at Joliet. The race riots, centered along Roosevelt road on Chicago's West side, have been relatively quiet the last few days, and troops were withheld from the area Tuesday night. Tipton has been in the National Guard since his high school days, and had five years of active duty during World War II, and two years duty when the 44^th Division, to which he was then assigned, was recalled for service during the Korean Conflict. Despite his long tenure, this is the first time that Tipton had been called for a civil emergency.

50 Years Ago

July 22, 1976

Attended by perhaps the largest crowd within memory at any farmland auction is this area, bidders at the sale of the Mrs. Bill (Edna) Maier estate on Saturday afternoon in Fairbury's Central Park not only set a record for the audience size, but also for the price. Vying for three tracts, two of 80 acres each and one of 77, the bidders decided that one of the 80's, on the west side of the road, 2¼ miles north of Fairbury, on the First street blacktop, in Avoca Township, was worth $3,800 per acre. The price is described as the highest ever paid at public auction in either Livingston or McLean County for farmland. The buyers were Dennis and Ralph Fehr, brothers who live just northwest of Fairbury and who never hesitated in their quest to acquire the land in the face of strong efforts by several others.

Debra Jean Tomlison, 16, rural Fairbury, departed July 14 for Lyons, France, where she will be a guest for three weeks of the Colas family. Her visit in France was made possible thru a culture exchange program of Seminars International, Chicago. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Tomlison. Last summer, the Tomlisons hosted a girl from Rennes, France, also in cooperation with Seminars International. Debra is expected to arrive home August 6.

Thieves entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Gaston  in Forrest between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday night, July 12. What appeared to be the most valuable among the many articles taken was a coin collection valued at between $1,200-$1,400. The thieves were able to remove a color television from the residence. Another item of the robbery which had an estimated value was a $75 watch. Another item of value included a spoon rack holding 25 spoons collected from other countries.

40 Years Ago

July 17, 1986

Continuing an annual surprise ritual, this year's catalog for the Fairbury Fair is dedicated to John P. Wade. Now retired from the fair board, and from a long and successful career in the insurance business, Wade served many years as a director of the fair, and ultimately as president for a number of terms. He also did double duty, serving for years and years as the announcer for the harness races and the tractor pull. It has been 110 years since the fair originated, and for 50 years, it has been owned and operated by John Joda Post 54, American Legion.

Prairie Central graduate Ty Cottrell is one of 20 incoming athletes who have told North Central College football coach Paul Connor they intended to play for the Cardinals this fall. Cottrell, who was named the most Valuable Player on last fall's 7-2 PCHS team, is listed as a defensive back on the Cardinal's team. The Cardinals begin two-a-day practice sessions on August 25 in preparation for their season opener at North Park College on September 13.

Staff Sergeant Theresa A. Thomas, the daughter of James and Rosemary McKeon of Fairbury, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. While located at the army base in Fort Knox, Kentucky, she received this honor based on her effective leadership and administrative ability. Sergeant Thomas is now performing duties at Fort McClellan, Alabama, as an Operation Sergeant at Cadre Training Center. She graduated in 1977 from Fairbury-Cropsey High School and received her associate degree at Central Texas College in Youngsan, Korea, in 1984.

30 Years Ago

July 17, 1996

The Fairbury VFW Auxiliary has won first place plaques at District and State in the Buddy Poppy Display Contest. Their entry will compete at the national level Aug. 18-23 in Louisville, Ky. The display was required to tell a poppy story. The display, which must be made of poppies, features a VFW Post, with a red poppy roof, and military men in training around the home. The display is bordered in poppies painted red, white and blue. The Fairbury Auxiliary used 525 poppies in their display. VFW members, Commander Steve Drach, Tom Arends and Don Rabe took the display to the state competition on June 22 in Chicago, where it won in Category 3, Division A, for originality, neatness, composition, artistic and decorative.

After 10 years “in the books,” Janet Miller is retiring. But only from library service here, a work she has loved. “Now I'll have some time for planned travel and continued mission work,” says the wife of Rick Miller, well-known pork producer north of town. The Millers and another local couple will leave in December for a Peace Corps trip to India where they served previously.

Sarah Schneider and Jason Huber have each been awarded $1,000 scholarships by Tri-County Health Services Auxiliary to assist them in furthering their health care careers. Sarah, the daughter of Sandra and James Schneider, plans to attend Parkland College in Champaign to work toward an associate degree in Nursing. She graduated in the class of 1996 from Prairie Central High School. Jason Huber, a 1995 graduate of Prairie Central High School will begin his second year of nurse's training at Methodist School of Nursing in Peoria in the fall. His goal is to acquire a bachelors degree in Nursing. He received a $1,000 scholarship last year and is receiving the same recognition for the second year.

20 Years Ago

July 19, 2006

Raymond and Esther Brucker of Fairbury will celebrate their 45^th wedding anniversary with an open house on Sunday, July 30 at the Walton Centre in Fairbury. The event will be hosted by their family and friends. Brucker and the former Esther Justice were married July 29, 1961 at the United Methodist Church of Cropsey. Rev. Roy Unzicker officiated. They are the parents of Connie (Larry) Corey of Fairbury and Teresa Kay of Chatsworth. They also have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is semi-retired from PTC Alliance in Fairbury and she is a homemaker.

The Village of Colfax is celebrating their 125^th anniversary on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23. The celebration begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday with a breakfast in the main pavilion at Octavia Park. A parade will follow at 10 a.m. There will be a motorcycle and tractor show at 11 and at 11:30 there will be dinner at the pavilion, free swimming at the pool and the kids' play area will open. At 12:30 there will be a cake walk at the small pavilion. A Colfax Idol Karaoke contest and displays open in the main tent at 1 p.m. At 4:30 there will be a showing in the main tent of the movie of the 100^th anniversary of Colfax. A 5 p.m. supper in the main pavilion will be served by the Colfax Bowl followed by the Ridgeview Community Choir performing and fireworks in the northern sky.

Nathan and Jill Waibel of Forrest are parents of a baby boy born at 8:51 a.m. on June 25, 2006 at Gibson Area Hospital. Laban Eldon weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 18½ inches long at birth. Maternal grandparents are Charles and Joanne Steidinger, Fairbury. Paternal grandparents are Eldon and Marge Waibel, Fairbury. The new arrival, who was middle-named after his maternal grandfather, is the baby brother of Christine 5, Jonathan 3 and Jeana 1.

10 Years Ago

July 20, 2016

Sherry Metz was honored at a recent American Red Cross Blood Drawing with a gift thanking her for her years of service as chairperson of the Transportation Service in Fairbury. The service began in 1974 and was instigated by Jean Goold and Kathy Honegger. They saw the need for people to get medical care at facilities located in and out of Fairbury and some of those people had no family to take them and could not drive themselves. They recruited volunteer drivers who received only mileage reimbursement.When Goold and Honegger decided to step down, Metz was asked to fill their shoes and she has done so quite capably for 31 years.

Eagle Scout Trevor Plenert was honored by the Forrest American Legion Post at the July 7 meeting for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, after 10 years of activities, community service and accomplishing many other skills along the way to earn the most prestigious rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Plenert, the son of Brian and Denise Plenert of rural Forrest, will be a junior at Prairie Central High School this fall. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop #1870 in Fairbury.

Savannah Gonzales is the 10 & under swimmer of the week and Caden Travis is the 11 & older swimmer of the week. Savannah is an incredibly dedicated, self-motivated swimmer who is always positive during practice and meets. Caden is a vicious competitor and a dedicated swimmer. He went from being a bit of a trouble maker to being a positive role model for his peers and one of the biggest cheer leaders in and out of practice.

"Looking Back" is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home.