A Marine Speaks of Battling "The Horrible Huns" in 1918

From the December 5, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Joe Neuman, a wounded Marine,  was at Genoa last evening, where he gave a couple of addresses, telling of his experiences in the firing line against the horrible Huns.  Genoa people had planned a regular demonstration for the DeKalb soldier, but rainy weather put a halt to the plans.

"Neuman is scheduled to speak at Sycamore Friday evening and at Shabbona Saturday evening of this week, and it is probable that he will be heard by many people in both places."

--Cooter

Hot for Teacher in Bensenville in 1918

From the March 28, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Miss Charlotte Ritter, pretty and vivacious Genoa young woman who has been teaching in the Bensenville schools, resigned Friday and left her home, following an argument of several days with members of the school board and the teachers in the school because she approves of dancing and bridge whist."

What a party animal.  I am sure there were some very, very disappointed boys.

Hot For Teacher.  --CootHot

Marengo's Second Interurban Railroad-- Part 3

Dr. Charles Brown of St. Charles was the main promoter of the line and had sucsessfully developed interurban lines elsewhere in northern Illinois.

The line's first car, #711 was ordered in 1910 from McKean Motor Car Company in Omaha, Nebraska, which described its product as "a palace on wheels."

It took six months to complete the line from Genoa to Marengo.  On June 11, 1911, over 800 people attended the celebration of its dedication.

Not sure what happened to their first interurban railroad.

--DaCoot

Marengo's Second Interurban Railroad-- Part 1: Sycamore to Marengo

From the January 6, 2013, Marengo (Illinois) Union Times by Dorothy Otis.

Before the automobile put them out of business, interurban railroads were a popular and affordable way to get around between cities in the Midwest.

Marengo's second interurban began at the Sycamore city limits and followed a portion of the future Illinois Highway 23 north to Genoa then northeast to Marengo.  (This is the way we use when we go to DeKalb these days.)  By 1913, the line has 23 miles of track.

It was used for passengers and hauling light freight.  originally it was intended to use electricity as a power source but costs led to only gas cars ever being used.

--CootUrban