Watch Those Corn Machines in 1942: They'll Get Your Fingers

From the October 27, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Within a few weeks farmers will be making use of modern machines, the mechanical device for picking corn.   The machine not only enables them to accomplish a tremendous amount of work but also turns into almost a meat grinder taking an annual toll of fingers, hands, and even arms.

"Farmers are warned to take a few more seconds time and shut off the power of the machine when it becomes jammed with stalks for husks.  Allowing the machine to run and trying to clear the rollers with a gloved hand may be accomplished once and lead to tragedy the second time.

"Shutting off the power is the safe way to handle a dangerous situation."

--Cooter

Stealing Christmas Trees in 1942: But, the Scrooge Get Scrooged

From the December 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Someone who wanted a larger than ordinary Christmas tree and didn't care about paying for it, invaded the farm of Carl Johnson, south of DeKalb and cut down an evergreen out of the windbreak that has been planted near the farmhouse.

"The person or persons cutting the tree evidently were not well acquainted with evergreens as they cut a Norwegian spruce that will probably shed its needles within three or four days after being taken into a warm room."

Serves the Scrooge Right.  Cleanup in the Living Room.  --Cooter

Hemp Coming to DeKalb in 1942

December 6, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Farm advisors from northern Illinois met in DeKalb and made plans for the introduction of the crop of hemp in the area.

"The introduction of the crop to this locality is being urged by the government which plans the erection of about ten or twelve processing plants in this part of the state."

Probably part of the war effort, but isn't there some connection between hemp and that thing people illegally smoke in the state?

--GreGen

A Drunk Driver Finds Himself Between a Fence and a Fire Hydrant in 1942

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Police department officials had something new to look after while cruising in the squad car, and one that required some dexterity on the part of the city street department workmen to extricate the automobile of a Cortland man.

"From information available, the Cortland man had spent much of the day in taverns and as he attempted to return home, turned the wrong corner and found himself on a dead-end street and the next thing he had driven his machine between a fence and a fire hydrant, the rear of his machine hooked onto a fire plug.

"He endeavored to release his car and threw enough dirt with the back wheels to resemble an early spring plowing task."

Don't Drink and Drive.

Oops.  --Cooter

The Local Blacksmith Gets Anvil for Headstone

From the Feb. 1, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Bygone sites in DeKalb include the blacksmith shop on the 300 block where P.W. Vaughan pounded out many of the devices that improved Uncle Joe's barbed wire machine.

"The anvil on which he worked was first to come into this territory and it now serves as a headstone on his grave in Evergreen Cemetery."

Uncle Joe would be Joseph Glidden, barbed wire's inventor.

Not Your Usual Headstone.  --Cooter

A Milk Bottle Shortage in 1942

From the January 25, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Milk bottles are again scarce with the dairymen in Sycamore, according to reports heard yesterday, and another appeal is made to householders everywhere in the city, not to throw the bottles in the ash can but put them out that they may be picked up when milk is delivered."

Not sure if the milk bottle shortage was because of the war effort.

--GreGen

People Stealing Bicycles

From the Feb. 1, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942. 75 Years Ago.

"Warning!!  Lock your bicycle inside your garage or home.  A bike stealing blitz is believed started.

"Sycamore police reported that three bicycles were stole from two front porches within a few blocks of each other Thursday night."

I liked the newspaper calling it a "blitz."  A little war terminology goes regular.

And, you thought people were so honest back then.

Sounds Like a Crime of Opportunity.  --Cooter

Ice Skating Fun in 1942

From the January 18, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Ice skating has again become a popular sport and during the past few days the Teachers College (NIU) pond (the Lagoon) has been crowded with skaters.

"The college pond is not the only popular spot for skaters.  The artificial pond on the Everett playground, near the Haish school, is also well patronized at the present time."

--CootFallOnMyFace

Looking Back to 1942: A Fire Break

From the January 18, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago

"At 8:45 o'clock this morning, the DeKalb fire department had enjoyed a 24-hour period without a fire call.  This is news because the company had its nineteenth call in thirteen days, yesterday morning."

A Much Needed Break from the Flames.  --Cooter

Crime Spree in Sycamore in 1942: Police Suspect Thirst Led to It

From the May 10, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Sycamore's crime problems have been few and far between in recent years.  The latest episode on the blotter is a minor theft that must have been brought on by last week's heat wave.

"A case of pop was burglarized from the cooling machine in the George Miller gas station on DeKalb Avenue."

A Case of Drink and Relief.  --Coothirst

NIU History: New Science Building in 1942

From the April 12, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Work has begun on the fourth and fifth floors of the new science building, being constructed on the southwestern portion of the State Teacher's College campus."

That would be Northern Illinois University today.

--Cooter