In Review
Third Week of December 1866-1996
140 Years Ago (1866):
Arrangements for the M. E. Sabbath School exhibition and Christmas Tree
are progressing finely. The
Superintendent goes to Chicago the present week to get the prizes for the
children, and to purchase books for the S. S. library.
We understand he also thinks of stepping over to Michigan to get a couple
of beautiful evergreen trees for the occasion.
Parents, don’t forget that your children are expecting you to hang
their Christmas gifts on the tree. There
will be room for sleds, skates, boots, and shoes, pants, coats, knives, dolls,
and all kinds of toys; in fact everything useful or ornamental for old and
young, large and small, male and female.
130 Years Ago (1876):
The Dramatic Association experienced one of the most inclement nights of
the season to present the play “Married Life,” and “Out in the Street.”
But for all this, the house was well filled, and everything went off
pleasantly, and satisfactorily, to the audience, so far as our discernment
justifies an assertion. The stage
was rather cold for the actors, and the auditorium too much so, for real
comfort. Without stopping to
particularize: we think we express the good sense of the community in their
hearty approbation for the manner the plays were rendered.
To theatre going people, defects in amateur actors might have been
discernable; but being all home talent, and not professional artists, we give
them the general verdict—“did well.”
The closing play “Out in the Streets,” drew forth many cheers of
approbation. The chief actor, Mr.
Carey Wilder, more than outdid himself in the humorous scene of “Pete.” It
provoked a great amount of pleasantry throughout the play.
We understand it is the purpose of the Association to present another
play immediately following the New Year.
120 Years Ago (1886):
DUST TO DUST The
remains of Mrs. Ella P., wife of Mr. John Frantz, who died of consumption at
Minneapolis Monday evening, where she had been for medical treatment, were
received here by her stricken husband and friends, by the 8:25 St. Paul express,
Wednesday morning. They were
accompanied by her father, Rev. Calvin H. Wilder, who had been her attendant
during her sickness. Her age was 29
years. Undertaker Potter was at the
train waiting with hearse to take the remains to her late beautiful residence on
Main Street, that she had left only a short time before under the flattering
hope of relief, first to Chicago, then with the impression that the bracing air
of Minnesota might help her, changed her treatment but it brought no relief.
Her husband had visited her not long ago and left her under the seductive
impression from her doctor that she would recover soon and be able to go home.
Her father went later (having no mother) and did all for her that human
agency could and later, her husband's sister, widow Frantz, went and remained
until her death. She was buried
from her late residence, Thursday; funeral obsequies conducted by her late
pastor, Rev. E. R. Curry of the Baptist church and her remains were followed to
the cemetery, east of town, by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and
relatives.
110 Years Ago (1896):
Last Monday evening about fifty relatives and friends gathered at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. James Ballard to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of
their wedding. Supper was served at
the home of Mr. E. J. Ballard which is next door and after an informal reception
of the guests they were invited to refreshments which were bountifully and
handsomely served. Many beautiful
presents of jewelry, cut glass, silverware and furniture were left behind by the
guests as remembrance of the occasion. Mr.
and Mrs. Ballard are among the oldest and most highly esteemed residents and
their many friends join us in congratulations.
100 Years Ago (1906):
About three o’clock Sunday morning, Mrs. Fred Janes discovered their
residence to be on fire; she phoned an alarm, and a general alarm was sounded.
Mr. Janes was out of the city at the time; but Mrs. Janes remained calm
and by throwing on water succeeded in extinguishing the flames before the fire
department arrived. The origin of
the fire is a mystery, but, it started under the stairway, where clothes were
hanging, it is thought that mice and matches were the cause.
90 Years Ago (1916):
The marriage of Miss Pearl L. Kleinsmith and Wm. F. Blumenberg, Jr., was
solemnized at noon today, at the home of the bride’s father, William
Kleinsmith, near town. The Rev.
Zellmer officiated. [Note:
the date of the newspaper was December 21, 1916.]
80 Years Ago (1926): Prompt
action on the part of the employees of the store and the use of the fire hose
system which is kept in readiness, together with the prompt arrival of the fire
department, Monday afternoon averted what would have proven a very disastrous
fire to the Grange Store and to the whole block in which the Grange Store
stands. The fire started in the
room used by Mr. Harte for his optical business and the room quite crowded with
books, curtains, and other inflammable materials, it had gained quite a headway
before it was discovered, despite the fact the store was full of people doing
their Christmas shopping. The
contents of the room which consisted of Mr. Harte’s books and some valuable
optical instruments were almost an entire loss.
The coats and other outer garments of several of the employees of the
store, which had been hung there, were also burned.
The prompt action of the employees and the fire department however kept
the fire in the limits of the room and no damage was done otherwise to either
the store or stock, excepting the stock or sunshades and umbrellas which
happened to be so close that they were damaged slightly by the chemicals.
Smoke damage was averted by the way in which the building is built and by
the prompt action of the clerks who at the first alarm, jumped on the counters
and let down the canvas curtains which protected all the goods from smoke and
water damage. On account of the
dome in the center of the store the smoke ascended there and did not get into
the lower part of the store building. It
is thought that the fire was caused from the insulation on an electric light
wire becoming worn, causing a short circuit.
Had the fire started in the night when there was no one there, it would
in all probability proven a very serious one.
Mr. Harte’s loss is covered by insurance.
70 Years Ago (1936):
Adding materially to Evansville’s festive appearance this year is the
Maxwell gas station at 215 East Main street which is acclaimed to have the most
unique and attractive individual decoration in the city and which is attracting
considerable attention among both tourists and townspeople.
Designed and erected by Frank Maxwell, owner and operator of the station,
the setting represents the Bethlehem Star on either side of which and below are
Christmas trees colorfully illuminated with electric lights.
The star, itself, is 12 feet in breadth, constructed of lath, and
illuminated by 40 blue lights. The
setting is illuminated nightly and is a sight well worth seeing.
Mr. Maxwell first introduced his ability as a decorator here in 1933 when
he remodeled his station into a World’s Fair setting.
The yuletide decorations last year were in the form of a 20-foot wreath
of evergreen illuminated with red lights and clearly seen as far distant from
the city as the Stanley Perry dairy.
60 Years Ago (1946):
Betsy Claire Wolff, daughter of Mrs. Mable Trebs, 7 ½ E. Main Street,
and Keith Edwin Savage, Peoria, Ill., son of Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph
Savage, Brimfield, Ill., were united in marriage Nov. 18 in the parsonage of the
Union church at Brimfield. Miss Wolff chose a tan gabardine suit with brown accessories
and a corsage of red roses for her wedding costume. Miss Jean Wolff, as maid of honor for her sister, wore a
black and white checked suit with black accessories and red rose corsage.
Richard Savage served his brother as best man.
Mrs. Savage is a 1944 graduate of the Evansville high school and was
employed at the Parker Pen Co., Janesville.
Her husband, a 1937 graduate of the Brimfield high school, was recently
released from the army after four years service.
He is now employed at LeTourneau’s in Peoria.
50 Years Ago (1956):
Mr. and Mrs. Ole Hatlen entertained at a pre-Christmas gathering Sunday.
Present were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Decker and daughters, Cathie and Connie,
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Meredith of Madison and Mrs. Robert Hatlen. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Decker and daughters will leave Friday
for Fairlawn, N. J., to spend the holidays with the former’s brother-in-law
and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Prueher and family.
60 Years Ago (1966): Mr.
and Mrs. Paul Gransee, 32 Grove Street, will celebrate their 50th
anniversary with an open house on December 26 at the Magnolia Advent Christian
Church. The former Ruby Greatsinger
and Paul Gransee were married Dec. 26, 1916, in Evansville.
They have four children, Earl, Oregon; Mrs. Pauline Champion, Oregon; the
Rev. Louis Gransee, Baraboo; Mrs. Merlin Reese, Evansville; 13 grandchildren and
one great-grandchild. The couple
farmed in Magnolia Township until retiirng five years ago when they moved to
Evansville.
30 Years Ago (1976): Mrs.
Victor Tullis, Evansville, will be the guest of honor at an Open House on Sunday
afternoon, Dec. 26 at the Evansville Baptist Church.
Mrs. Tullis will be noting her 85th birthday, which occurs on
Sunday. The event is being hosted
by her family.
20 Years Ago (1986): The
children of St. Paul’s Church in grades 1-6 will present the play “The
Little Boy Who Lost Christmas. Aaron
Dobbs will play the part of Tommy; Jeff Jones, Joey (and Joseph in the pageant;)
Brady Bauer, Dickie; Mark Schuh, Harry; Melissa Whitmore, Ruthie; Robin Johnson,
Sarah (and Mary in the pageant;) and Katie Buttchen will play the organ.
The director is Karen Bauer.
10 years ago (1996): St. John’s sanctuary was transformed into the city of Bethlehem for the annual children’s Christmas program. 240 people attended the performance in which 180 children sang traditional Christmas hymns and acted out the story of Jesus’ birth. The night started with a beautiful performance by Sharon Magee singing Long Time Ago with the 4th grade Story Tellers, Kimberly Beedle and Adam VerKuilen accompanied the song on glockenspiels. Third grade Class cast as nativity story characters were Rachel Martin, Joshua Schnell, Ashley Phillips, Charlee Larson, Lyle Schultz, Christina Peterson, Bethany Sarow, Nichole Valerius, David Halvensleben, and Nicole Guth. Fifth through 8th grade members sang The Little Drummer Boy accompanied by Allison Schneeberger on the piano, Chet Heacox on drums and Adam Burner, triangle. This the third year the program has been directed by Linda O’Leary and Tammy Schnabel and accompanied by Amy Eager.