Looking Back
1913
A chain of grocery stores started by Mr. Burleigh of Fairbury failed. One of these stores had been in Fairbury.
A pair of young Mollie mules brought $302 at Ed Jones’ sale, and a three-year-old Percheron stallion sold for $335. However, The Fairbury Journal believed the stock “sold low.”
“Washing your duds in our suds” was the slogan of the J.A. Westling laundry, then in business in Fairbury for 43 years. It was located east of the GAR Hall (later known as the American Legion Building). It was owned and operated by C.L. Lambert in connection with his dry-cleaning business after Westling’s retirement.
1928
A large cedar tree about 25 feet tall was brought from South Bend and transplanted on the Rock Island grounds near the depot, to use as the annual Christmas tree.
1931
A rumor that Eldon Wickes, who along with Harvey Vernon was accused of robbing Daykin Bank a month before, had died in California was unfounded. The Fairbury Journal reported that Deputy Sheriff Clarke said, “We have received word from Sheriff Helvey that they are on their way home with the prisoners.” Wicks was wounded in the foot by a piece of shot as he fled form the scene of the robbery in a hail of lead from the cashier’s shotgun. Sheriff Helvey and Patrolman Joe Cook brought Wickes and other suspects from the West Coast back to Nebraska. The robbery itself made history as it is believed to have been the first ever bank robbery in Jefferson County.
1932
Plans for a county taxpayer’ league were formed at a county Farmers Union Meeting. Chris Milius was named to set up a meeting.
W.H. Smith, state tax commissioner, informed County Assessor Fred Jones and Clerk W.H. Nider that a statewide reduction of property valuation, personal and real estate, would be illegal.
A temperature of two degrees below zero froze up many auto radiators and carburetors.
1933
A public forum was held at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon to discuss President Roosevelt’s farm relief measure before Congress.
Former Fairburian Peggy Purcell was among the cast in the Movie, “42nd Street,” a Warner Brothers film musical with choreography by Busby Berkeley. She received positive notice in an entertainment column, “Hollywood Talkie-Talk” in the Evening Sun of Baltimore, Maryland, which said, “Among the glorified dancers in ‘42nd Street’ and ‘Golddiggers of 1933’ you notice Peggy Purcell, the girl from Fairbury, Neb. She is so noticeable, in fact, that it looks as though bigger and better roles were in prospect for the agile lady.”
Tuesday, April 4, 1933, was the First National Bank of Fairbury was robbed by the infamous Barker-Karpis gang. From Fairbury, the gang went on to Kansas City, home of yet another criminal well known to the gang, Verne Miller. Karpis had tried to recruit Miller for the robbery as well but Miller had, wisely, declined. Most of the gang, including the matriarch, Ma Barker herself, ended up being killed in encounters with law enforcement. Doc Barker was sent to Alcatraz, only to be killed trying to escape. Only Karpis would ultimately survive capture. In an interesting criminal footnote, and another example of cultural confluence, while in prison, Karpis claimed to have taught guitar to a young inmate he knew as “Little Charlie,” aka Charles Manson.
1959
Richard Goebel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Goebel of Fairbury, won $1,000 cash in an Underwood portable typewriter contest. He was a state winner, one of 49 college students to be awarded a cash prize. The contest involved writing 100 words or less about how a portable typewriter could help with his school work and finished with a 25-word slogan for the typewriter. When asked what he would be doing with the money, Goebels said he would be using it for his education, “I probably will get a typewriter because I’m going to need one.”
1976
Fairbury Journal-News editor Clyde R. Moore retired from full-time work with the paper, although he agreed to do some special writing and fill in when needed.
1992
Patients who were transported by Jefferson County Ambulance District 33 were to pay more for their ride, $100 for in district, $130 for out of district and 33 cents for the loaded mileage rate.
