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1921 – 100 YEARS AGO
Following an informal discussion of traffic regulations and violations at the city council meeting last night, it is probable that by the time spring and summer traffic again opens up, that iron posts will be installed at every street intersection from First to Seventh Street, that pedestrians’ lives will be less endangered and traffic more easily controlled. The plan is to install three of four of these iron posts firmly seated in the pavement at each intersection and all motorists will then be compelled to follow the traffic laws to be outlined in the meantime.
Fred Jensen, tender at the coal chutes at Nelson, was injured yesterday morning when a heavy spout on the chute fell, striking him with considerable force.
With his engine running almost perfectly, the mail man and his monoplane flew over Malta yesterday afternoon about two o’clock and many people said they never heard the machine when it sounded as if it was running as satisfactorily as on this occasion. The machine was flying higher than usual having little trouble in keeping track of his guide lines, the North Western railway.
It isn’t often that a town of this size is permitted to advertise the appearance of a man as famous as Lorado Taft, one of the world’s greatest sculptors. However, through the effects of the Normal school and the local Woman’s clubs he is appearing here on Monday, February 14.
Although there is not much water in the Normal pond at this time the youngsters of the city seem to be having considerable fun there at this time with their ice skates. The ice is said to be thick enough so that the little fellows are not in so much danger of falling through. It is said the pond is the lowest at this time that it has been in many years.
A couple of lads with a truckload of dirt thought they would slip up the First Street hill without stopping to bother about going slow around the corner from Locust street, just before three o’clock today. As a result, they dumped their load of dirt onto the curbing in front of the M. E. parsonage while the truck flopped over on its side against the curb. No one was injured and the boys shoveled the dirt back on the truck which was not badly damaged.
1946 – 75 YEARS AGO
Students of the Northern Illinois State Teachers College who make their home with the Stanley Irving’s’ at 325 West Locust Street, had a coke-tale party last evening preceding the N. I. ice capades.
On Thursday afternoon, “Bob” Robert Switzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Switzer of North Seventh Street, phoned from Switzerland, Bob being on a furlough there at that time. The connection was very good and he was able to visit with his parents and Ruth Williams for a few minutes. Bob has been overseas for over a year and stated on his phone call that he hoped to be home by June of this year.
According to a release made yesterday by the Copley Press, the War Assets Corporation has offered for sale or lease the Anaconda Wiring Cable Company of Sycamore. The offer for sale of the surplus telephone wire plant was made February 1. The Anaconda plant has a capacity of 6,500 miles of wire a month. The property has eight buildings with 20 sections. There are now two buildings on a tract of three and one fourth acres.
Headquarters for the DeKalb Daily Chronicle in Sycamore are no longer at Lamb’s Printing Service shop. Temporary arrangements have been made for the news items to be left at the Fargo Hotel. The Chronicle has rented the second floor located in the Obridge property on the southwest corner of State and Maple Street and expects to open this office within the next few weeks.
Plans for the erection of a new addition at the DeKalb works of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company were announced this morning. Plans call for the erection of a single story building, east of the main plant and along Pleasant Street. The building will be 266 feet by 151 feet and provide more than 40,000 square feet of floor space for factory purposes. In addition to the accordion manufacturing, some of the space will be used for a research laboratory and other factory needs.
The Headquarters Company of the 129th Infantry held an informational reunion Tuesday evening at the invitation of Capt. Al Binder. The reunion, held at The Ranch, was well attended by recent returnees from the Pacific and also by former members who were with the company when it was the National Guard here in Sycamore.
1971 – 50 YEARS AGO
Apollo 14 astronauts made up lost time today as they hurled through space for America’s third moon landing.
Snowmobiling, the winter time sport that is rapidly growing to become as large as any summertime outdoor activity, will be even larger after this weekend of activity on snow at the Sycamore Speedway on Route 64 west of St. Charles. The Speedway frequently attracts 60 or more stock cars for auto racing programs but the number of snowmobiles taking part in the 2nd Annual Winter Carnival will exceed 200.
If a DeKalb citizen collapses with a cardiac arrest, he can hope that a DeKalb Kiwanis Club member will be there to help until the professionals arrive. Kiwanians learned Monday night, from a team of Dr. Kurt Biss and DeKalb Hospital assistants how to give the resuscitation that can save thousands of lives.
Students from Clinton Rosette Middle School yesterday collected approximately 3,500 pounds of glass bottles, jars, and containers. The glass which will be sorted and ground up, will eventually be sold to a glass plant for re-cycling in Marengo. The students hope to set up a collection day once a month as a part of their “clean up pollution” campaign.
The DeKalb Barb wrestling team finished their 1971 dual meet season with an 11-2 record, thanks to a fine effort here Saturday by heavyweight John Watson.
1996 – 25 YEARS AGO
It’s official, a WalMart Superstore is coming to DeKalb. The nearly 200,000-square-foot store will be the second major anchor in the DeKalb Market Square Shopping Center on the former county farm property. The Super WalMart, which will more than double the size of the current WalMart store, will also house a grocery. Construction is to begin this spring, with an expected opening in January 1997.
About a dozen people braved last night’s frigid temperature to heat up city hall as Commonwealth Edison explained their tree trimming program.
Not to paraphrase George Orwell, but it appears Big Brothers (and Sisters) will be watching the DeKalb area for a long time to come. Family Service Agency announced yesterday it has established an endowment to ensure the future of its Big Brothers/BigSisters program.
The Stage Coach Players of DeKalb County will begin their 50th season on Saturday, March 16, with a Golden Anniversary Celebration in the Duke Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center, Northern Illinois University.
– Compiled by Sue Breese