Looking Back: 9-3-25

130 Years Ago

August 31, 1895

The grand opening given by W. J. Bethard at his east end dry goods and clothing establishment Tuesday evening was a very flattering success. The store was handsomely decorated and Burch's orchestra furnished music. A novel souvenir in the shape of an "Aunt Jane" doll was given to each visitor.

Among the new additions to W. J. Bethard's force of clerks are Gottlieb Stoller, Miss Mattie Henry and Miss Lizzie Beckley.

The Chicago clothing store at this place was closed by Sheriff Reed on Saturday.

We can thank the bicycle for one thing – it has stimulated a movement all over the country for better roads.

120 Years Ago

September 1, 1905

Next week the big Fairbury Fair will be in full blast and everything is in readiness. The merchants are busily engaged in fitting up the floral hall and that place will undoubtedly make as good a showing as in the past years. The Okabe family of Japanese acrobats, eight in number, and the finest performers in this line in the country, will be here and give exhibitions each day of the fair. Burch's celebrated band will furnish music and it will undoubtedly be the kind that will be enjoyed by everybody.

The Bloomington Pantagraph says there were a large number of gamblers and spindle wheel men at the El Paso fairgrounds until Thursday noon of the fair, when they were fired off by the fair officials. It was noticed that a number of smooth looking strangers appeared in Fairbury, Friday morning, and it is probably the advance guard of the El Paso bunch of tin horns and sharks. The best way for the people who come to the fair to do is to let these fellows strictly alone. If they are running a game, it is their game and if you play it you stand no show to win.

The "Has Beens" were victorious, defeating the "Would Be's" by a score in the ball game Tuesday afternoon, of 13 to 11. It was a great game. At least that is what the people who witnessed it from the grandstand and "bleachers" say, and they ought to know. The score shows it to have been replete with some of the most magnificent muffs, fumbles and errors ever witnessed on a diamond. Even in this respect the "Has Beens" hold it all over the "Would Be's" as the score shows the former are credited with four more errors than the latter and consequently the victory is more victorious, as it were.

110 Years Ago

September 3, 1915

Carl Goudy and Bob Perry won the 200-mile motorcycle relay race at Columbus, O., Sunday and in so doing, established a new world's record for the distance.

Dr. J. C. Page has a broken arm. Desiring a little change from his daily routine he went out to the Wilson Morris home, south of town, last Friday, where they were threshing. He had been pitching in the field and was riding to the house on a load of bundles. He decided he would transfer to another wagon they had met and jumped. He lit on the other load of bundles all right, but slid off, breaking his arm.

The fortieth annual exhibit of the Fairbury Fair closes today. From an entertainment point of view it has never been excelled. The weather was ideal, but the backwardness of the threshing season cut the attendance down lower than in former years.

100 Years Ago

September 4, 1925

A monster Labor Day celebration will open the Golden Jubilee exposition of the Fairbury Fair this year. The varied program arranged will eclipse all previous years and will hold sway for six full days and nights. The Labor Day exhibition promises to be the biggest event in central Illinois. Two grand stake races with large entries of the best horses, and purses totaling over $1,200, will provide an afternoon of high class racing. A state wide horseshoe tournament will be staged featuring the very best pitchers in the country. The Forrest Municipal Band will provide high class music afternoon and evening. Seven big Free Acts, the very best obtainable, will perform both day and night. The D. D. Murphy Carnival Shows will be in full swing all day, providing countless enjoyments in the way of thrilling rides, entertaining shows, etc.

The sheriff's force of McLean County, made capture of another bootlegger Monday when a man giving his name as James Ryan, of Dwight, was arrested at Colfax by Deputy Sheriffs Linn Morrison, Charles Morrison and Fred Dryer. Ryan had about 14 pints of whiskey. He is charged with possessing and transporting intoxicating liquor. A car which Ryan had was confiscated.

The Mid-State Theatre corporation of which E. B. Ramsey is president, is now in possession of the Rialto Theatre in this city, formerly operated by the Taylor Theatre Company. The opening show will be given on Sunday, with A. Larsen as manager. The local house is to be redecorated a little later and a new pipe organ installed.

90 Years Ago

August 30, 1935

A car driven by Wayne Mitchell, of Saunemin, ran into a T. P. & W. train at the First Street crossing yesterday morning about two o-clock and from the looks of the car it was a wonder that Mr. Mitchell was not seriously injured or killed. As it was he received a broken forefinger on his left hand, a rather bad cut on his head and numerous other cuts and bruises. He was taken to Fairbury Hospital, where his injuries were dressed and he was released. The train had been stopped on the crossing, while the engine was doing some switching. Mr. Mitchell had been to Fairbury to call on friends and was going south on First Street.

Sunday was Gottlieb Tyler's birthday and he was paid a surprise visit by his daughters, Mrs. Louisa Anliker and Mrs. Minnie Anliker, their husbands and families, who came from Francesville, Ind., to spend the day with him and his wife. His sons, John and Charles, and their families, of near Forrest, joined the party for the evening.

The general store of T. J. Reany at Meadows, was robbed late Saturday night or early Sunday morning and a quantity of merchandise stolen. An auto trailer belonging to Mr. Reany was also stolen, being used by the thieves to haul the loot away. The two-wheel trailer was found abandoned and stripped of its tires on a side road northeast of Meadows Sunday morning. Taken from the store were several cartons of empty quart fruit jars, two sacks of potatoes, a sack of sugar, several sides of bacon and a quantity of dried beef.

80 Years Ago

August 31, 1945

Dwight and Fairbury residents will have an opportunity within the next two weeks to see the portable Mullikin iron lung bought by the Pontiac Moose Club for use by any physician or person in Livingston County. A demonstration is to be scheduled in Dwight next week and in Fairbury the week following. The iron lung, which has been used widely by the army in cases of infantile paralysis, will be available in any emergency case of suffocation or paralysis of the lung muscles. The lung will be kept at the Pontiac Fire Department.

Last evening at the Masonic Temple at a meeting of St. Paul Commandery No. 34, Knights Templar, G. A. Sutton was presented with a 50-year jewel. The presentation was made by Sir Knight Murray A. Stillwaugh, of Chicago, very eminent deputy of the grand commandery. The address of the evening was made by Sir Knight Clyde Kinsinger, of Bloomington. Also present was Russell H. Sherwood, of Chicago, eminent grand junior warden of the grand commandery. Mr. Sutton petitioned for membership in St. Paul Commandery on December 19, 1892.

Last Saturday and Sunday marked the seventh annual homecoming of Dr. Francis E. Townsend, of California, founder of the Townsend Plan. People were here from practically every state in the union. The big day was Sunday, with religious services being held at the fair grounds in the morning and a big meeting at the same place in the afternoon. It is estimated some two thousand to twenty-five hundred people were present at the afternoon meeting. There was a short address by Dr. Townsend, speaking of the merits of the Townsend Plan, what progress it had made and its future outlook.

70 Years Ago

September 1, 1955

Perfect weather smiled down upon the 80^th annual Fairbury Fair during its five day run concluded Saturday, and that fact, combined with a good racing program and other entertainment features, pushed attendance figures 17 percent above 1954.

A total of 940 students are enrolled in the Fairbury-Cropsey schools.

The Junior Woman's club is almost a fourth of the way home in their drive to raise funds to cover the purchase price of two new oxygen tents for the Fairbury Hospital. The club was able to raise $225 from the sale of oxygen tent tags during the Fairbury Fair. The two tents will cost slightly over $1,000.

The Sievers Drug sSore, which opened in the Bartlett building in November, closed Saturday night.

60 Years Ago

September 2, 1965

Fairbury-Cropsey schools have enrolled 1,208 pupils, a gain of 56 over last year, and about twice the increase that had been projected by school authorities on the basis of known transfers plus the pre-school census. An increase of 30 had been projected. Supt. Les Miller said that the increase reflected growth in the community, since "it shows up in every grade, almost, so either there are more families in the community, or, if we've had an exchange of families, those moving in have more children." By grades, there are 127 first, 126 second, 126 third, 111 fourth, 93 fifth, 89 sixth, 95 seventh and 84 eighth graders. The high school enrollment is almost level class by class: 87 freshmen, 85 sophomores, 84 junior and 86 seniors.

The Fairbury Stone Company, located two miles west of here and an eighth mile north, announced today that their modern "closed circuit" plant is now manufacturing all sizes of stone – from the one-quarter inch up through four inches. A closed circuit operation means that stone is mined from the quarry, carried up a conveyor system and graded into four 70-ton overhead bins. The plant is located on the Reuben Fehr 160-acre farm. Fairbury Stone is engaged in manufacturing fine, high calcium limestone for agriculture. The quarry has a daily 1,500 ton capacity.

Glen Davis, formerly of Bloomington, has moved to Fairbury and will manage Old Susannah Lanes, it is announced by Bill Weber and Dr. D. H. Johnston, proprietors. Davis is married to the former Pat McDonald, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John R. McDonald of Fairbury.

50 Years Ago

September 4, 1975

Gov. Daniel Walker's much talked about six percent across the board cut has hit Livingston County school districts, including the already financially-strained Fairbury-Cropsey system right in the pocketbook. According to figures released Tuesday by Wayne H. Blunier, regional school superintendent, Walker-ordered cuts in school financing by the state will cost Unit 3 more than $20,000 in state money this year. Adding insult to injury, the reduced spending for schools, as implemented by the Illinois Office of Education, is shorting Unit 3 some of the money which it was underpaid last year.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Walters of Strawn and their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Walters of Forrest, were guests of honor at a family gathering held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Durham, Pontiac. Mrs. Durham is a daughter of the Anthony Walters. They celebrated two anniversaries. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Walters were observing their 56^th jubilee, while their son and his wife noted their 26^th anniversary. The birthdate of Mrs. Helen Spence of E. Gary, Ind. was also observed. She is the daughter of the Anthony Walters.

John Laesch of Virginia Beach, Va., arrived last Tuesday for a five days visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Laesch. His friend, Miss Nancy Bornhost of Chicago, was a weekend guest. They all attended the Laesch family reunion in Maplewood Park, in Normal, Sunday. There were 124 members present. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Laesch were honored with a reception at the reunion, to celebrate their Aug. 12, 60^th wedding anniversary.

40 Years Ago

August 29, 1985

The 109^th Fairbury Fair had its ups and downs, but none that affected management and operations. The "ups" were higher entries in many departments, including the most sheep in a quarter century, and a record number of 212 race horses competing in a four-day program. The "downs" were in attendance, insofar as single day admissions were concerned. A total of 9,621 adults and 1,489 children paid admission to the grounds, according to Treasurer Elmer Hallock. That's down by 3,500 from 1984's 14,648.

Susan Hilt, RN, previous nursing supervisor at Fairbury Hospital has been elevated to the position of Director of Nursing Service for the hospital effective Aug. 15, 1985. Hilt brings to her new position experience in various levels of nursing. She is a graduate of Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing and North Park College of Chicago. She began working at Fairbury Hospital on a part-time basis in 1983 and gradually increased her nursing commitment to the hospital until she became a full-time nursing supervisor.

Debold Householder made his traditional visit to the Fairbury Fair on Friday. He has attended every fair since he was a baby, and at 102 years old, that's a lot of fairs! With Householder were members of his family, daughter Janet Woodall from Marengo, grandson Byron Day and family from Mt. Victory, Ohio, and son Raymond and his wife Alice Householder from Fairbury.

30 Years Ago

August 30, 1995

New "Welcome to Fairbury" banners have arrived and will soon decorate the streets of Fairbury. The 28" x 7' Persian green banners with a replica of the business front, were a brainstorm of Kathleen Durnham, D. D. S., who worked on the design and colors of the 15 banners. The City of Fairbury and the Fairbury Association of Commerce shared the cost of the banners, which cost a little over $1,100.

The Chautaugua Literary and Scientific Circle will celebrate its 100^th year anniversary starting this fall. On No. 16, 1895, a group of Fairbury ladies organized a study club. The club's purpose was expressed in the constitution's preamble which stated, "Seeking knowledge and mental improvement; and believing that we can accomplish more in our study and research and at the same time promote good fellowship by being banded together, we hereby form ourselves into a society." The preamble is still being observed 100 years later.

The Champion Liar of the Pontiac Heritage Days Greatest Liars Contest claims to be the evil twin of Mary Renee McReynolds. She also claims to be "Weird Al" Yankovic's birthday twin, which has been confirmed since they were born on the same day. McReynolds (not her twin), who operates Ultra Tech Community Services in Fairbury, won the first-place trophy at Pontiac's Heritage Days. She was second-place last year.

20 Years Ago

August 31, 2005

Local citizens attended Fairbury's City Council meeting on Wednesday night to request that the cannons and plaque that were taken from Central Park several years ago be put back in the park. Doug Steidinger and Randy Weber presented a proposal to the council detailing what they want to do. After some discussion, everyone agreed to work together to bring back the cannons and plaque to Central Park. A motion was made to place the cannons, plaque and a sidewalk where it can be easily maintained in Central Park.

Benjamin Brewer, M. D. of the Forrest Family Practice Center was honored with the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) President's Award. Each year, the outgoing IAFP president may present a "President's Award" to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding achievements or service which helps to advance the IAFP mission and/or the specialty of family medicine. Brewer provides the full scope of family medicine, including delivering babies.

The 58^th annual Bachtold Reunion was held on Sunday, June 12, at the firehouse community room in Strawn. There were 57 descendants of Samuel Bachtold and three guests in attendance at the 4 p.m. potluck dinner. After the dinner and business meeting, they enjoyed playing Reunion Bingo and Bachtold Trivia. There were also children's games, several guessing games and a door prize drawing.

10 Years Ago

September 2, 2015

H. Elery Perkins will celebrate his 100^th birthday on Sept. 9. He was born in rural Chatsworth and has lived in the area his entire life. Perkins married Margery Eleanor on March 29, 1941. She died March 13, 2008. They had two children, Ronald of Chatsworth and Judith Green, who is deceased. There are also four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is a retired farmer, trucker and crossing guard for Prairie Central schools.

Don and Martha Smith of Fairbury will celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary with a family dinner. Smith and Martha Schrock were married Sept. 3, 1950 at Meadows Mennonite Church. Their attendants were Alice Miller of Lexington and Herb Miller of Chenoa. They are the parents of Marcia (Jay) Walter, Fairbury; Jayne (Don) Trowitch, Fairbury; Kim (Mark) Traub, Charleston; and Janet (Greg) Leake, Lexington. They also have nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The couple was engaged in farming south of Weston, and are now retired.

Andrew and Valerie Dotterer of Fairbury are the parents of a baby girl born Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015 at Gibson Area Hospital. Malia Marie weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and was 19½ inches long at birth. Paternal grandparents are Dale and Elaine Dotterer of Forrest. Maternal grandparents are Bob and Sally Rinkenberger of Congerville. The new arrival was welcomed home by her older siblings, Jesse, 11; Anna, 9; Kaylee, 7; Raelynn, 5; Justin, 4; and Brielle, 2.

(Looking Back is sponsored each week on Fairbury News by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home)