Fire at the Glidden Home in 1943

From the September 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Fire which broke out  just before 9:00 o'clock did considerable damage to the Glidden home on West Lincoln Highway.

"The blaze, which was caused by a spark in the chimney, had obtained a good start when the fire trucks arrived but was soon brought under control and damage was held to a minimum."

Fires Happen to Famous Families Too.  --DaCoot

School Attendance in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1943

From the September 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Enrollment at the Ellwood school showed an increase of 51 over  last year but the other  school enrollments will be about the same.

"In the three city schools 935 have reported to classes and 240 have enrolled at the McMurry Training School, just a few more than at the close of school in the spring."

--CootEd

The Horse That Got Away

From the September 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Mr. and Mrs,  Harrison Sibley wondered for a time if their riding horse had been stolen for black market 'steaks.'    However, the horse was found in the rural areas late in the day.  She had merely run away.

"It was about 1:30 o'clock in the morning that Mrs. Sibley called to her husband saying, "Harris, there goes our horse."  Mr. Sibley thought she had been dreaming and paid no more attention until daylight.  Then he discovered true enough  the horse was gone.

"An examination  of the pasture fence  disclosed the gate locked but hoof marks  brought to light that the horse had jumped  an eight-foot fence."

Sign the Horse Up for Steeplechase.  --Cooter

Chicken Thieves in Esmond, Illinois, in 1943

From the September 12, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, IL)  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Chicken thieves are operating in Esmond according to reports from several  homes.  Harry Gustafson, living a mile north of Esmond, lost over 100 chickens one night during the past week.  He heard the thieves and put on the yard light, which he now says was a mistake.

"He managed to reach his car  and chased the thieves to the Greenway school house a mile west of his place, but he lost track of the car at the four corners.  A few nights earlier Clarence Barry reported 60 chickens taken from his place and Mr. Nelson also reports the loss of 40 hens.

Dirty, Rotten Chicken Thieves.  Probably Nazi Saboteurs.

A Klucking Shame!!!  --Cooter

Still Looking for "Big Joe's" Mate in 1943

From the August 15, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

I first wrote about this on August 20, 2018.

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Although one effort to secure a cow buffalo for Hopkins Park brought only temporary success, the buffalo passing away shortly after arriving in DeKalb, efforts are being made within another week to secure another mate for "Big Joe" the present occupant of the tract in back of the Sanatorium."

Joe Needs a Wife.  --Cooter

The Problem With Crickets in 1943

From the August 29, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Crickets and more crickets are being found throughout the city and the business section was again overrun last evening with pedestrians encountering much trouble as they walked along the main streets.

"Thousands were swept into the street as the merchants arrived to open their stores this morning, doorways and along the edges about store fronts being literally covered."

--Cooter

A Detasseling Tale, Part 2: Home Front 1943

From the August 1, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"More than 100 theological students were scheduled to arrive in DeKalb late this afternoon or tonight from Chicago and will be employed as corn detasselers by the DeKalb Agricultural Association.

"The young men ranging in age from sixteen to 25 years of age were secured through the cooperation efforts of the Ag Association and the United States Employment agency."

A Corny Thing To Do.  --Cooter

How Cortland, Illinois, Got Its Name

From the August 1, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"In a recent article in the Chronicle by John Spy mention was made  of the names of various towns around here and how they were adopted.

"In the case of Cortland, the name  came from Cortland Keys, a resident of Dixon who was greatly interested in the community when the Chicago and North Western  railroad was built through that vicinity."

Wikipedia says it was named after Cortland, New York.

--Cooter

A Cow-Buffalo Comes to DeKalb in 1943

From the July 25, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"A cow buffalo, which was secured through the efforts of State senator Dennis J. Collins, arrived at Hopkins Park to be a mate for 'Big Joe.'

"The cow buffalo which was at the park died a couple years ago.

"Although efforts had been made to secure a cow for Hopkins Park since the death of the other one, all efforts had been to no avail until recently when the DeKalb senator was able to secure one from Lincoln Park in Chicago."

A Hot Time In the Park.  --Cooter