USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Old Sandy remembers: Evans Township, Marshall County [history] > Part 5
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Letters began to come in from a wide area when listeners heard WIBI and wrote to congratulate Wenona on their entertaining programs. One letter came from as far as Rock River, Wyo.
The studio graduated from a Sunday only rrogram to a daily broadcast. Local merchants provided some of the material and any church or organ- ization program was sure to find a spot on the air. What was listed as the first "educational program" was broadcast in March when the debating teams of the Wenona Community High School debated on the question of "Resolved that a Department of Education be created by Congress and a Secretary of Education be added to the Cabinet." For the affirmative were Marion Whitney, Edward Beckman, Edmund Metzger; for the negative Harold Whitney, Iliff Jackson, and William Uebler.
Ella Marie White, a Wenona prodige, appeared at least twice a week with readings. The Lone Scout hour each Monday evening was the only program of its kind in the United States with George B. Robinson of LaSalle conducting the period of instruction for WLBI Lone Scouts. Between scheduled programs records were played and many requests were called in. The announcer was never known as a "disc jockey". Programs were listed each week in the Index.
In March 1927 a new power plant was built on the roof of the Index
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office on South Main Street with a new motor, generator, and equipment to make a 500 Watt Station. After June Ist the wave length was changed from 296 wave length to 238 meters.
For practical purposes the studio closed during the summer of 1927 and opened again in October when their new studio was opened on the second floor of the M. N. Holmstrom Implement store on South Main Street and Rev. Rezner promised another good winter of entertainment.
In May 1928 WLBI was dealt its first blow when Rev. Rezner left Wenona to live in DeKalf. Later that month the Federal Radio Commision dealt another blow when it moved to cancel the licenses of 169 small radio stations throughout the country. The local station was one of the stations listed and by June WLBI signed off permanently.
WENONA INDEX
In 1865 Jerry S. Grable and Fred L. Crosby were two young men who came to Wenona to start a newspaper. After advance preparations were over and a fairly complete history of the first years of the town compiled, issue No. 1, Volume I of the Wenona News Index went to press and everyone in town could have a free copy if he or she wished. It was a seven column, four page folio. Soon Grable became sole owner and he continued until 1867 when he sold to W. Farker. In June 1870 Cadet Taylor bought the paper. In 1880 Otis Montgomery joined the Taylor's and in 1898 Mr. Taylor sold out to Mr. Montgomery. He continued to publish the Index until April 1929 when he sold to Mr. N. F. Purcell a capable newspaper man from Mechanicsville, Iowa. The depression was at its height while he was editor and it was a trying time for everyone. Mr. Purcell died in September 1942 and his business was sold to Ray Link. Few editors were more history conscious than Mr. Link. He urged that the old stories of Evans Township, Sandy settlement and the city he preserved through publication in the Index. The Wenona Index is now housed in the remodeled Scope Theatre, the move from the south block being forced by a fire in December 1948. Floyd Johnson, our present Index Editor, went to work in the office in 1929 and learned his trade from Mr. Purcell. He continued to work for Mr. Link and in 1954 Floyd purchased the Index, just two weeks before Mr. Link died.
"Index" editors down through the years have taken their work seriously and with a philosophy well expressed by Howard L. Taylor when he sold the paper to Otis Montgomery in 1898, his valedictory -- "Index policy has always been to be 'for' rather than 'against' undertakings of every legitimate char- acter and to advocate those things which seemed beneficial to the town and in addition to make a local newspaper of influence a credit to the town."
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ARMY RADAR SITE
In January 1958, Wenona's famous old landmark, the "Coal Dump", which has aroused the curiosity of thousands of tourists, was chosen as the site of an army radar station. Capt, Ernest J. Arnold had conducted a survey within a radius of 200 miles of the Chicago-Gary defense for locations. He was very much impressed with the coal dump, and the fact that the Coal Company offices were available. The purpose of the radar station was to safeguard the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Gary, and Milwaukee with an earlier warning capability than had previously been available. It was manned by U. S. Army Anti Aircraft Personnel with approximately 20 soldiers from the regular army.
In February the initial work was started with the grading off of 30 feet of the 125 foot high coal dump, to provide a flat surface for buildings. A circular roadway was built around the dump with entrance on the north west corner, off Route 17. A six strand barbed wire fence surrounded the base of the reddish hued slag pile as sightseers were not allowed within the enclosure. A special grass was planted to keep the road from sliding, but it was difficult to keep it in good condition.
The installation consisted of two metal buildings and a huge radar antenna. One of the metal structures -- housing radar equipment, office and storage space and recreation room -- occupied a space 20 by 40 feet. The second building, containing an emergency diesel unit and commercial power installations was also 20 by 40 feet. The radar antenna, a concave fan made of steel, was 40 feet from tip to tip and 15 feet high. This apparatus -- when in use -- revolved a full 360 degrees six times a minute in scanning the heavens for aircraft.
The supply and maintenance shop, located in the Coal Office, had personnel on duty 24 hours a day.
Sleeping quarters, a dining room, kitchen and office were provided for the service men on the second floor of the Goodwin building in down- town Wenona, and in apartments in Hotel Stanton.
On the week-end of April 18th, open house was held and the public was invited to visit the installation. It was estimated that several thousand visited the site. Visitors were conveyed in two station wagons which left from the barracks area. The barracks were also open to inspection.
The station was in operation until December of 1959 when all stations were moved back to the Chicago defense area.
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WENONA CITY PARK
The Wenona City Park was born from two fellows, Mr. Andy Bishop and Dr. Willis A. Myers on a street corner one evening, and although Mr. Myers died some time before the park plans began, Andy always kept the idea in mind.
Some time later the Grade school was discontinued and a new build- ing was constructed. Andy was elected mayor, and I was elected alderman. When Andy Bishop resigned I was appointed and later elected for several terms.
We had no money and lots of free advice. Many people didn't care if we had a park. I told Andy that if would take about eleven years to finish it, but we would not let anyone change our rlans.
We first appointed Mr. Edward Donnelly treasurer. Believe me, it was "no easy picnic". I went to the Community High District to see if they would sell the school ground back to the city for one dollar as the city had sold it to them. The vote was five to one to transfer it back.
We started to work making one project pay for another. Taking and widening the depth of the ditch on the west end of town was one job. The top dirt we sold, and the yellow clay we used to cover the ground from six to eighteen inches deep. We also started a tree planting program. There are over sixty different trees, and also the four trees that were on the west side of the Legion Hall which were to commemorate the memory of World War I veterans. These trees are now on the south side of the park, that is to say east of the ball diamond and tennis courts.
First we built a Little League ball diamond using pickets we bor- rowed from the state, later a permenent fence of oak. With a backstop and dugout. As we started to take down the old school we wanted to save all the pipe and sell what we could. There is always an accident and yours truly happened to be the one. As I was taking the pipe out, I hit one of the elbows and the whole string of pipe came down and broke my ladder. I had a nice soft landing, fell about sixten feet. Yes, on a cement floor ! I was laid up for about four months. They said I wouldn't walk, but I had other ideas.
Andy had a tool shed which he gave to the Fark and it kept our equipment. It is located back of the fence in centerfield with a nice score board "thanks to the Coca Cola Company".
Next we built the rest rooms and storage place which, I might say, are nice and are kept clean. Then I got the Chamber of Commerce to do- nate the proceeds left from the Centennial for playground equipment. We went to Indiana and got baby swings, youth swings, a merry-go-round, a slide and a Jungle Jim. These are put on the south side. Andy made over hand ladders, one to go on the south side and one on the north; also we put up a large slide and large swings. Then we built three tennis courts
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and the basket ball court with a ten foot fence for protection, also a drinking fountain with tree and flower beds.
Next we built the Broken Arrow. This is Quite a building. It has all the conveniences, a large shelf, hot and cold water, with door that opens up for serving, a place for storing pop, and when not in use, we have a large door in front which opens so that coke or whatever you like can be served by machine. In the front we have a hitching rail and a flag pole. Many may wonder why the date 1891 is on the Broken Arrow. That's the date the old school was built.
Building the shelter was something else. I believe Andy and I made every shelter in the state and they all lacked something. In 1962 we laid the foundation and filled it with gravel. It did my heart good to see the kids. They danced and played all kinds of games. One little girl even asked me to dance. We ran water for the drinking fountains on the north and south sides. In 1963 we built the frame. This is built of 8" by 8' with poles between and an approach made on four sides. In 1964 the top was put on, and I want to thank the good people who helped. They put the sheeting on one night, and then came back and shingled it the next. Then we put in a ceiling so you don't have any birds. We put lighting and outlets at all four corners and a sidewalk around the shelter.
The flower beds are taken care of by the good ladies of the Garden Club. The large glad pole in back of centerfield was erected by the Junior Woman's Club. Bird houses were built and squirrel houses, some of the money being donated by various organizations. Benches, tables and picnic tables were built. One may wonder why the five and eleven on the clock on the north and south are of different color. It is to show the little ones it is time to go home.
I want to thank Andy Bishop for all he has done, and all the good people who helped in any way, and those who gave financial help. A special thanks to Mrs. Edward Donnelly for so much work and so little thanks. But when we see the children playing, aren't we glad we live in America?
Andrew Bishop Superintendent of Maintenance & Construction
Wm. Frank Pickard City Clerk
Genevieve Hallam City Treasurer
J. P. Manley, Mayor
Aldermen
Clarence Pomerenke Edward Maikels Konald Kane Frank Hill Walter Wenzloff James Kupec
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CHAPTER VII
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE! AS REPORTED AUGUST 17, 1890
The long looked for fire in the south block came Sunday forenoon, August 17, 1890. The destruction of buildings complete -- Greater part of stocks and household effects were saved in damaged condition.
Is it not lesson enough to induce our people to make a move for water works? New Brick buildings already contemplated, with possibly a brick hotel among the number Contract already being lot.
The quietness of the usual Sabbath was broken about half past eleven o'clock last Sunday morning, by an alarm of fire, which was caused by smoke issuing from the southeast corner of the third story of what was known as the Parker building. The hook and ladder truck and many people responded quickly but the location of the fire was such, together with the fact that the babcocks failed to work satisfac- torily, that it could not be readily reached and the result was that in a short time the fire had spread over the building to such an extent that it was beyond control with the apparatus at command. Notwith- 1 standing the Parker building burned quite slowly to all outward ap- pearances, it is evident that the fire was making headway inside the building in a way that meant a great loss in that and surrounding buildings in a short time. Many people who to the alarm worl-si man- fully but at each point where an effort was made to check t !.. fire they were driven back by the flames, the fire making its way worth and south, the frame buildings on either side being ready l'ond for it. Fortunately the fire burned slow enough to permit, the removal of a large part of the contents of all the building oferit, por:bly the Parker building, which was largely machine repels of various kinds. The fire was not long in enveloping the Power building and al- most immediately spread to the Lauf building on the south and quickly after to the Sullivan building on the north. At this time there was no hope whatever of saving the three buildings of the rooth, including the Clifton Hotel on the north corner of the block, all three of them being frame and built closely together, but there was herals room for hope that the fire might be checked at the McG: : : brick building next
south of the Lauf building, but the pres. .. . on; tar in the way of stationing willing workers with a suppl; ( as a, the different windows on the north in the brick building proved fruitless, as when
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the fire broke through on the south side of the Lauf building, it shot through the windows of the McGrath brick building as if fired from a gun and the workers inside were driven from their posts. An effort was also made to cut out an entrance way between the Lauf and McGrath buildings, with the hope that its removal might prevent transmission of the flames from one building to the other so readily, but the short time for the work was not sufficient to accomplish it, and when the fire reached this passage it made its way through the hall-way in the McGrath building at such a pace that those inside had to move rapidly to get out of the way of it, and in far less time than it takes to tell it the en- tire inside of the McGrath building was burning. The next building on the south was the two-story frame building owned and occupied by James Morrissey as residence and saloon, which soon went the way of the oth- ers, the fire probably reaching it first through the windows and a frame building in the rear of the McGrath building used as a kitchen for the Whitaker hotel. In the meantime hard work was being done to tear down the blue front building and the McQuaid shop with the hope that their removal would stop the southward progress of the fire. The effort on the blue front was successful, the building being torn down and a good part of it pulled out and carried beyond reach of the fire, but the work on the McQuaid shop was not too successful, only a portion of it being torn down when the fire reached it and it was removed, but not by the willing hands that had worked so faithfully to get it out of the way. Notwithstanding the residence of Mrs. F. P. Monser had been thoroughly wet with water, and ample time was had to remove almost the entire con- tents, the heat had become so great that the fire was quickly communi- cated to it and that also was destroyed. As the fire progressed, the sheds, barns, and ice house on the rear end of the sullivan lot, etc., became enveloped in flames, from which coal houses on the rear end of a couple of A. H. Stateler's tenement lots, across the alley, and the store house of Hoge Brothers were fired and destroyed. At this point there was also hot and hard work to keep the fire from going further west and destroying the Huwalt shop, Chinese Laundry, City Hall, etc., but fortunately there was a slight change in the wind at just the right time which aided very materially, together with a couple of vacant lots between the Hoge building and Huwald shop in checking the progress of the fire in that direction, and the work of destruction by the flames was practically completed.
In the early stages of the fire Mayor Charles Burgess Sr. tele- graphed to LaSalle for a steam fire engine, and the summons for aid was responded to as quickly as possible, but too late for the LaSalle Fire Company to accomplish much, and yet in ample time to prevent further destruction of property, as would undoubtedly have been the case had there been much of a wind during the fire.
In 28 minutes after receiving the notice the LaSalle firmen had made the run from their engine house to the I. C. depot in LaSalle and had their steamer and hose cart loaded on the cars ready to start -- in the mean-time Wallace lighthart, I. C. Agent at LaSalle, had given the necessary directions to have the locomotive and cars in readiness for the fire engine, -- and about 37 minutes were required to make the run to Wenona. The engine pulling the train was an old switch engine and not
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fitted for an extra fast run, and yet, all things considered LaSalle came out to aid with a promptness and good will that made our people feel grateful. The steamer was located at the old I. C. tank well southeast from the fire and soon had two streams of water on the ruins, one of which was turned upon the yet burning kitchen of the Mrs. Monser residence, and in a few minutes our people had an opportunity of seeing what a steamer or even a good water system and plenty of water with sufficient force, can do with a fire. The LaSalle firemen continued to play upon the ruins until the water in the well got below the reach of the suction of their steamer, when the firemen were taken to Payne's for dinner, by Mayor Burgess, given a box of cigars and asked what their bill was, but the reply was that they had no bill. The Mayor then in- formed the Chief that they would hear from Wenona later, which probably means a nice little present to the LaSalle firemen. The LaSalle fire apparatus was loaded upon the cars after all danger was over and all had been done that could be done, and with three cheers and a tiger for Wenona, our LaSalle visitors departed, followed by much gratefulness on the part of our people for their prompt response to the Mayor's appeal for help.
THE LOSSES -- While it is a hard matter to make and accurate esti- mate of the loss sustained by the different occupants of the buildings destroyed and the building owners the following will give a pretty cor- rect idea, and in round numbers in the neighborhood of $30,000 to $35,000.
Peter Hagen, two-story frame building,-Clifton House -- and saloon building adjoining barn, shed, etc., loss $4,000; insurance $2,050. The buildings were occupied by Andy Rogers with hotel and saloon, who succeeded in moving nearly everything, and his loss will be light but the goods were more or less damaged. No insurance.
Mike Sullivan, two-story frame building, the second story occupied by him as residence, and the first floor by Sullivan & Lauf's saloon. Contents generally saved, but in somewhat damaged condition. Sullivan's loss about $2,000; no insurance.
The three-story frame building known as the Parker building, own- ed by Mrs. Nellie Montgomery, of Petersburg, and the building.in which the fire started, was valued at about $1,000; no insurance. Uncle Charley Parker had quite a lot of machine repairs in the building, of- fice fixtures, etc., nearly all of which were destroyed.
Wm. Lauf's loss on two-story frame building, -- the old Mills build- ing, -- owned and occupied by him as proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, to- gether with contents will probably reach $4,000, on which he had $1,300 insurance. Considerable of contents was saved but more or less damaged.
Charles Hoge carried about $1,500 worth of groceries, on which t there was $500 insurance. Most of the goods were carried out, but what amount was saved an invoice will probably have to determine.
Frank Barret carried in the neighborhood of a $3,000 stock of
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hardware, etc., probably over that rather than under, on which he had $1,000 insurance. While the stock generally was removed how much was saved had not been determined.
The Whitaker Hotel occupied the next room, and the rooms above in the McGrath brick building. The value of furniture, fixtures, carpets, etc. was probably not less than $3,000 on which there was $1,200 insur- ance. The contents of the hotel was nearly all carried out, but con- siderable is in a damaged condition, and no small quantity was burned by being deposited too close to the burning building after being re- moved from other buildings.
Thomas McGrath's loss on brick buildings was probably $6,5000; no insurance.
James Morrissey's loss on two-story frame building and saloon be- low, will probably foot up $2,000, the contents being mostly saved; in- surance $1,000.
William McQuaid carried $400 insurance on his shop and contents, and his loss will be light.
The "blue front", owned by Mrs. Koutz was probably worth $300.
Loss on the Mrs. F. P. Monser residence will perhaps come near $1,000; no insurance. Contents generally saved.
The burning of Hoge Bros. store house and contents, located across the alley from the burned district, will probably cause them a loss of $1,000. Some of the contents, which was made up of farm machinery, wagons, stoves., etc., was saved. By the way, this building was the old Presbyterian church, and one of the old land marks.
A. H. Stateler sustained small loss by destruction of coal houses, etc., and William Huwalt's shop was somewhat disfigured by an effort to tear it down, with the idea perhaps of preventing further progress of the fire.
At one time portions of Jack Kane's building, at the corner of the brick block, was on fire, but quickly extinguished, and his loss will be practically covered by exchanging cash for an outside stairway, the one he had being torn down.
NOTES ON THE FIRE
W. McQuaid has moved his shop to the rooms over Isaac Vaughn's drug store.
Can Wenona afford to continue without a system of water works for fire protection?
Some of the goods removed were burned after being carried into the street or alley.
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William Lauf of the Windsor Hotel has rented the George Swift house as an abiding place.
Water works or a steam fire engine would have prevented the greater part of Sunday's losses by fire.
Frank Barrett has his goods stored in the Foundry Buildings, where he will do business for the time being.
Charley Hoge is temporarily quartered in the rear part of the Jack Kane brick building with his grocery stock.
We heard of but little thieving during the fire. Probably the fire occurring in daylight prevented anything of this nature.
A bureau was started down a ladder, but not being endowed with life it landed on the ground in no less than a thousand pieces.
No such destruction of property has occured in Wenona for over twenty years, -- the big fire was twenty years ago the 17th of last .. May.
The city council met Monday morning and very wisely and properly included Block 16 in the fire limits, which mean brick business build- in that block.
It is reported that during the excitement a baby was thrown out of a second story window of the Clifton House, landing safely among the crowd below. We give this for what it is worth.
Andy Rogers has rented the basement and second story of the INDEX building and is fixing it up to keep boarders, etc. Andy had only just gotten nicely settled in the Clifton Hotel when the fire came.
After the fire a large piece of ice was found intact in Mrs. Mon- ser's badly charred ice box. A good recommendation for Mark Tisdale's ice. It seemed to stand the heat of the fire better than the summer's heat.
Washington, Metamora, ElPaso, Minonk, Mendota, Fairbury, and other towns no larger than Wenona, have water works and it is a shame that Wenona stands back and makes no move for protection against losses by fire.
Hoge Bros.' store house contained about 75 to 80 stoves; about half of them being stored by different individuals for the summer, which will tend to cause many investments in heating stoves this fall.
The Whitaker hotel folks are quartered in the Doede brick building in the north block, but had to wait for the insurance adjuster to come before doing anything in the way of getting in shape to do business.
Jimmy Fee and Tommy Barker were on hand with a team ready to haul the LaSalle fire engine and hose cart to the desired location upon its
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arrival and they were not long in locating both after the train arrived.
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