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News
Yesteryear for March : News : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisYesteryear for March
| 3/4/2010
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Compiled from articles published in the Ledger-Sentinel, 1980-present; Fox Valley Sentinel, 1974-1980; Oswego Ledger, 1949-1980; Kendall County Record, 1864-present and historical information provided by the Village of Montgomery.
Five years ago this month...
The Oswego Village Board approved the annexation, zoning and preliminary plans for Prairie Market, the largest retail shopping center yet proposed in Kendall County. Plans called for the U.S. Route 34 center to be anchored by a Lowe's and Super Wal-Mart store.
The Ledger-Sentinel reported March 24: "It will likely be years before the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) gets around to widening U.S. Route 30 from two to five lanes in Montgomery and Oswego. But Marilyn Michelini, Montgomery, village president, believes IDOT officials should act now to curb the noise from the heavy truck traffic in the village's Seasons Ridge Subdivision. "Even though they won't be widening the highway in the near future, I want to go on record as asking IDOT to put up some noise walls," Michelini said.
10 years ago this month...
Construction on a new elementary school in the Fox Chase Subdivision, located west of the Fox River in Oswego, was set to begin in April, the Ledger-Sentinel reported. School district officials said the new school would be ready to open by the fall of 2001.
Following a 30 minute executive session, the Montgomery Village Board voted unanimously to hire Anne Marie Gaura as village manager. Gaura had served previously as assistant village manager in the west suburban community of Lombard. Gaura succeeded John DuRocher as the village's top administrator. DuRocher, who worked for the village from 1988 to 1999, held the title of administrator. In hiring Gaura, the board changed the title to village manager. Board member William Keck explained the board had increased the scope of the responsibilities for the position and, as a result, chose to change the position's title.
A Kendall County Circuit Court Judge strongly objected to comments made by a county board member concerning the possible expansion of the county jail in Yorkville. During a candidates' forum March 15, Tom Fletcher, an incumbent board member seeking re-election in Republican Party primary, told the audience that the county board could be ordered by the circuit court to expand the jail if the board did not do so voluntarily. The county board was seeking voter approval of a referendum to increase the county sales tax to finance the expansion of the jail located in Yorkville. A newspaper report of Fletcher's comments prompted Circuit Judge James Wilson to send a memo to the county board. In the memo, Wilson described Fletcher's comments as "totally false" and charged that they were made with "a total wanton disregard for the truth." Wilson said at no time has any county judge indicated that a court order would be issued to the county board to expand the jail or build a new one.
15 years ago this month...
In 1994, contractors for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) widened a busy section of U.S. Route 34 to four lanes west of Fox Valley Mall to Montgomery Road in Aurora. State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, told the Oswego Village Board he didn't want the improvements to end at Montgomery Road, Instead, Cross said he had recently met with IDOT officials in Springfield to discuss the possibility of having the highway widened from two to four lanes from Aurora to Ill. Route 71 in Oswego.
AT&T announced plans to close its massive Montgomery plant in October. The plant was one of the largest employers in the area. During its peak of operation in the late 1970s, the plant had employed more than 2,000 people. At the time of the closure announcement, just 193 workers were employed at the plant.
20 years ago this month...
Oswego School District officials and supporters were dejected on primary election night when a school district utility fund tax hike referendum failed by a margin of 39 votes out of 4,065 ballots cast.
Concern over Kendall County's anticipated population growth was also cited by local political leaders as the decisive factor in the outcome of the Republican Party primary race for county board. County voters turned out four incumbents who were seeking to retain their board seats. Prior to the election, Crain's Chicago Business had described the hotly contested board race as a "referendum on county planning."
The Illinois Department of Transportation awarded a contract for the reconstruction of Ill. Route 31 through Montgomery. The project included the installation of new traffic signals at Webster Street.
Contractors were busy at Oswego High School putting the finishing touches on a $9 million addition. The project included an auditorium, learning center and cafeteria.
25 years ago this month...
A section of Oswego's Brookside Manor Subdivision just north of Illinois Route 71 flooded twice due to separate, heavy rainstorms. The flooding prompted several frustrated subdivision residents to voice their concerns during a village board meeting.
30 years ago this month...
The Montgomery Village Board approved a pre-annexation agreement for a 31 acre parcel at Douglas Road and U.S. Route 30 for the construction of a Kmart store.
In a political upset, Dr. Forest Etheredge, president of Waubonsee Community College since 1970, defeated incumbent State Sen. Robert Mitchler of Oswego in the Republican Party primary election. Mitchler had served as state senator for Kendall County since 1964. The election was Etheredge's first bid for elective public office. Another long-time incumbent, State Rep. Al Schoeberlein, R-Aurora, however, managed to fend off a challenge in the Republican primary from another political newcomer, Dennis Hastert, a Yorkville High School teacher and wrestling coach.
Charles Gaylord, president of the Montgomery-Countryside Fire Protection District announced the fire district would no longer provide ambulance service to residents south of U.S. Route 30, including the Boulder Hill Subdivision. Gaylord cited the increasing volume of calls and the fact the area is not in the fire protection district as the key factors in the decision.
35 years ago this month...
The Oswego School Board reviewed plans for the expansion of Oswego Junior High School (now Traughber Junior High).
Terry Peshia, a member of the Oswego Village Board, unveiled a $70,000 plan to expand parking in the village's downtown business district during a meeting of the Oswego Business Association. The plan included the construction of a municipal parking lot behind the fire station and a parking area behind the buildings on the east side of Main Street, south of Washington Street on a site that included the old location of the CB&Q depot.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the meaning of the term "liberated woman" were topics for letters to the editor in the Ledger.
40 years ago this month...
The Burlington Northern Railroad closed its railroad depot on the south side of Jackson Street at the railroad tracks in downtown Oswego.
A letter writer to the Ledger was upset over the contract the Oswego School District Board had awarded the district's superintendent. The two year contract gave the superintendent a $26,000 annual salary. "Assuming he (the superintendent) is worth it, does he need to surround himself with a large group of overpaid assistants?" the letter writer asked.
45 years ago this month...
Ford Lippold the founder, publisher and editor of the Ledger announced March 26 he had sold the paper to Don and Ann Krahn of Oswego. The Krahns were set to take over publication of the paper April 1, 1965. In a farewell, column, Lippold wrote, "It is always a temptation to look backward at a time like this, I yield to this temptation only to quote an editorial from the second issue, Nov. 24, 1949: 'The first issue of the Oswego Ledger is history. On the whole the comments about the paper were kind and generous. There were a few, however, who took one look, lifted a knowing eyebrow, and said, 'It won't last! Nothing in Oswego ever does!' Each comment was listened to carefully. The task of the Oswego Ledger, it would seem, is now twofold: First, to prove to the majority that their initial enthusiasm is not misplaced; Second, to prove to the minority that they were wrong. It will be left to time to tabulate the results."
Lippold added, "I would also be remiss if I did not say something nice about the readers of the Ledger over all these years, both those who commented favorably and those who criticized from time to time. The first kind of comments caused a warm glow of satisfaction and the latter proved to me that the Ledger was being read. I have no way of guaranteeing what the editorial policy of the new owners will be, but I am sure that they are thinking in terms of a bigger and better Oswego Ledger. I wish them every success, and hope that 15 years and five months from now the Ledger will still be serving the Oswegoland community."
(Note: The Krahns sold the Ledger to the Kendall County Record, Inc. 14 years later, in 1979. The next year, the Record also purchased the Ledger's rival, the Fox Valley Sentinel, and consolidated the two newspapers. The first issue of the Ledger-Sentinel was published in July 1980.)
The Boulder Hill Civic Association's safety committee was investigating the possible installation of street lights at the major entrances to the unincorporated subdivision. A key issue was which government agency-state or township-would pay for the lights.
50 years ago this month...
Legal maneuvering to consolidate the Oswego grade and high school districts into a single unit district was continuing. This report was printed in the March 3 Ledger: "Circuit Court Judge Cassius Proust rendered a decision Friday, Feb. 26, favorable to the formation of a unit district for Oswego community schools, thereby confirming the decision of county superintendent Irving Shears given nearly two years ago. Mr. Shears, acting as administrative officer, ordered an election to be held. Certain objectors took administrative review of this decision to the Circuit Court. The appeal was dismissed on legal technicalities. A further appeal was taken to the appellate court, which remanded the case to the circuit court for a hearing on the merits. This hearing was held before Judge Proust in Yorkville on Dec. 8, 1960. The favorable decision of Feb. 26 means that county superintendent Shears will be obligated to call an election for the formation of a unit district as described in the original petition."
In a letter to the editor, Oswego resident Jane Steele wrote: "It has been a very gratifying experience in Oswego this winter to have the streets so quickly plowed after each snow, and to see the downtown area cleared. Car Smith and his committee are to be commended for a job well done."
55 years ago this month...
Oswego High athletics received another big boost last weekend as two Oswego grapplers won state titles in the wrestling finals at Champaign. Alvin Wheeler took the 103 pound title, while Brad Smith brought home the 127 pound championship.
The Oswego Fire Protection District was looking for several items to complete the furnishing of its new Main Street station. The Ledger reported, "The local fire department is looking for a used refrigerator, sink and kitchen cabinets for the new fire barn kitchen. If you have any of these items, at a reasonable price, contact Chief Al Shuler."
In an editorial, Ford Lippold, editor and publisher of the Ledger, encouraged area residents to vote in the upcoming local election. Lippold wrote, "If all of the people eligible voted in next Tuesday's election, over a thousand ballots would be cast in the two Oswego precincts. Chances are that about fifth percent of that number will be cast. For some reason, perhaps lack of glamour, voters do not take the interest in local elections as they do in national elections. However, it is just as important that local governments be headed by solid, respectable people as state and national governments. The spending of the taxpayers dollars is still the prime factor."
The Oswego Post Office was moving to roomier quarters at the northwest corner of Main and Washington (U.S. Route 34) streets. This report concerning the move appeared in the Ledger: "Postmaster Bartholomew requests that all who possibly can pick up their mail Saturday afternoon and evening so that moving will be facilitated. The new quarters, about a third larger in size than the present building, will be equipped to offer post office patrons handier and more efficient service."
60 years ago this month...
The Oswego Lions Club put on their annual amateur show in the gym at Oswego High School (the old Red Brick School). The Record reported the show, featuring "15 big acts," was limited to just one night, however, due to uncertainties concerning the gym's heating system.
70 years ago this month...
"As usual Oswego went 'over the top' with a quota of $1,750 for the Red Cross drive. Over $2,000 has been turned in," the Kendall County Record reported.
The Record's Oswego correspondent also reported: "Many farmers are in the fields here this week. If we get a hard freeze now it will be bad for the many little green leaves and plants that are coming out. After an unusual winter we are having an unusually warm sunny March--so far to date--March 19."
There are a number of cases of the measles among the little folks in and around Oswego, the Record reported.
100 years ago this month...
"Word came to Yorkville Monday morning that Mr. Nathan Hughes had died at his home Monday morning, aged 86 years, at his home in Specie Grove. Mr. Hughes was a well-known colored man who served his country as a Union soldier during the civil war. He was a member of Yorkville Post, GAR. Comrade Hughes was respected by his neighbors and the comrades of the Post; he was always a gentleman in his intercourse with our people and his color made no difference in his reception by his friends. It is a pleasure to bear testimony to his worth as a man and a patriot; he was loyal to his country and in all his associations was a quiet, self-possessed man of the best of traits. Comrade Hughes had been failing health for a long time, but was patient and courteous till the end came. A good citizen, he has left a vacant place in the ranks of the 'boys in blue,'" the Record reported.
"Daniel Engle, a well known character at Oswego, committed suicide by shooting himself at that town this morning. He has been out of work for some time and this morning went to Mrs. Osmond's, where he has been boarding, and shortly after the report of a revolver was heard. Engle was despondent over being out of employment and old age was overtaking him. He was about 50 years of age," according to a report in the Record.
110 years ago this month...
Under the headline "Brick Block Burned," the Record reported on March 21, 1900: "The stores built by J. [John] Tickler on the west side of Main Street (in Oswego) were [sic.] burned out Thursday evening, as were the next set of buildings owned by Knapp." Destroyed were the stores of H.S. Warner (where the fire started) and the Edwards meat market, plus the barbershops of W.P. Wormley and Fred Figge, plus the Woodman Hall. In Knapp's building, the Croushorn furniture store and Malcom meat market were forced to temporarily relocate. Schickler and Knapp quickly rebuilt the buildings, which today house the Marmalade Tree, the Portrait Beauty Salon, and Art's Barber Shop in the old Schickler building, and the Masonic Hall, the Oswego Family Restaurant, and Floral Expressions and Gifts in the Knapp Building.
120 years ago this month...
"Frank Hawley is extensively in the sheep business, both in the keeping and selling of them," the Record's Oswego correspondent reported on March 19, 1890.
The Record contained the following obituary: "The funeral of Mrs. William Brown (colored) down the river, whose death had taken place suddenly Thursday, occurred Sunday afternoon from the Cowdrey school house, where a large congregation of friends paid their last respects to the deceased. The obsequies were performed by a colored clergyman from Aurora. Shaver & Eastman had charge of the funeral. The deceased was about 50 years of age."
The Record reported, "Thomas Belschner sold out last week, quit farming and gone into the saloon business by buying out the Geo. J. Burghart place. He has taken possession of it, moved his family into town and is using the upstairs part of the saloon for a residence. Tom has been having rather bad luck; as a railroad man he was all smashed up; as a farmer, especially of late, he had horses die and otherwise made snow progress; and now as a saloon-keeper it is predicted that he will succeed no better."
125 years ago this month...
Oswego's venerable Old Stone School was gutted by fire in 1885. The school district quickly rehabbed the old abandoned Kendall County Courthouse, which stood where the post office and the Oswego Community Bank are located today. According to the Record on March 4, 1885: "The school house burned down last week. School will commence again next Monday in the old courthouse which has been fitted up for temporary use. The upper and intermediate departments are together upstairs in the old courtroom, with a recitation room in the circuit clerk's office below; the primary department is occupying the grand jury room. It required a good deal of whitewashing to extinguish the illustrations and writings on the wall."
130 years ago this month...
"The slaughter house has been removed and is now situated on a line with Van Buren Street on the river bank," the Record's Oswego correspondent reported on March 4, 1880.
The Dick Oglesby Troubadours performed to a rather small house Friday evening, the Record reported.
135 years ago this month...
The Record reported, "The German Methodists have decided upon an institution which should be imitated by other church organizations, at least by some in this town; while they are zealously working for the welfare of their souls they mean that the same time the bodies of their horses shall be kept comfortable; a conference was had a few days ago at which it was determined to build a shed, 108x24 feet, to be partitioned off so that each householder shall have his own apartment which he may keep locked--as each will have its own door--and have for his sole use; the lumber has been engaged already."
The March 11 Record contained this report, "The claims of inexorable death have fallen on three of this community in the past week. First, little Edith, five years old, daughter of Oliver Hebert, the pet of the family, who was taken with a fit Tuesday evening, from which no relief seemed to be procurable and which ended her life early the next morning. Second, Mrs. Patrick Devinny, aged 52 years, who died Saturday. Yesterday her remains were taken to Aurora and buried according to the rites of the Catholic Church. Third, Gracie Weeks, nine years old--only child of Mrs. Amanda Weeks--one of our smartest and liveliest little girls, died Sunday having been sick one week from congestion of the brain and lungs.
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