Shotgun Raid at Annie's Woods in DeKalb in March 1922

From the March 8, 2022, MidWeek "Looking Back. 100 Years Ago.

Annie's Woods is a park named after Annie Glidden in DeKalb, Illinois, by NIU.

"As a result of a shotgun raid conducted here yesterday by Sheriff W.H. Decker, Deputy William Berry, Chief of Police  Frank Riddell and Officer  Rowe, 24 gallons of  moonshine was seized  as it was being transferred from one automobile to another in Annie's Woods.

"Christ P. and Henry L. were arrested on charges of transporting liquor.

"Later in the day, a raid was conducted on the house of Hugh V. on Market Street.  Here a  still and several gallons of mash  was confiscated and V. placed under arrest."

--Cooter

NIU 1922: Ain't No 'Girls College' No More

From the March 8, 2022, MidWeek "Looking Back."  (DeKalb County, Illinois)

Here is a name for Northern Illinois University that I did not know.  But, evidently in its earlier days it was called "Girls College."

Here's the article from March 1922:

"It will not be many days before the work of installing a chapter of the Y.M.C.A. at the Teacher' College will be completed.  Dean of Men Robert G. Buzzard called a meeting of all men members of the student body and faculty at which time a brief  outline of what is to be done was given.

"A forming of the Y.M.C.A. at the Teachers' college would be a fair indication that the college is growing away from the old name "Girls college."  The last few years has seen a wonderful growth in the number of men students at the college."

And the gals were so happy.

No More "Suitcase College" Here.  --Cooter

DeKalb's Radio Station WLBK, 100 Years Ago

Same source as the last two posts.

1923, 100 years ago.

"Know  Your DeKalb Today presents 'Station WLBK, the Friendly Voice of Northern Illinois.' 

"That's the salutation and signoff for DeKalb's newest medium of entertainment, education and information.  It's a month old now, having first gone on the air December 8, and the novelty has somewhat worn off.

"It is beginning to get that comfortable, settled feeling of 'belonging,' of being a part of DeKalb."

It is still around.  WLBK, AM 1360 and FM 98.9.

--GreGen

The DeKalb Theatre

From the January 10, 2023, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1923, 100 Years Ago.

"Work on the DeKalb theatre, DeKalb's newest playhouse, is progressing rapidly now and many people stop to give the beautiful front a careful  inspection.

"Today, much additional equipment for the place arrived, as three large loads of  steam radiators were lined up in front of the place for an hour or more.

"The furniture is purchased and will be shipped as soon the order comes from the manager.  Plans are about completed for opening the new playhouse  about May 1."

And, it still stands.  The famed Egyptian Theater also is in DeKalb.

--Cooter

May 1972: The Two Year Anniversary of the Kent State Killings

From the MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back" for May 4, 2022.

1972, 50 years ago. 

"On Thursday morning, students at Northern Illinois University will conduct an anti-war march into DeKalb  and will hold a moratorium on classes at the university.

"The march is being held on the second anniversary of the killings at Kent State University and the subsequent  death of 15 people in demonstrations at Jackson State and Augusta, Georgia."

The Kent State shootings caused some violent confrontations between students and various law enforcement groups.

--Cooter

A 'Stray' Baby Found in DeKalb in 1920

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

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"At 9:30 o'clock this morning the police received a call from the New DeKalb restaurant that a stray baby had been there for an hour and no one had called to claim it.

"The baby was left at the restaurant and within ten minutes Mrs. T.H. Hobbs called up the police and asked if a baby had been seen.  It turned out that the baby was that of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Duncan  and it was soon returned  to her."

Imagine if that happened today, and why was it that Mrs. T. H. Holmes called the police when it was someone else's baby?

Imagine what would happen if the same thing happed these day?

Must remember to leave the pasture gates closed as those babies can crawl faster than you think.

A Whole Lot More Than A Returned Baby, I'm Sure.  Did They Round Up Stray Babies Back Then?  --CootBaby

A Coal Shortage in 1920

In the last post, I wrote about the Normal School in DeKalb, Illinois, (NIU) having a shortage of coal in 1920.  Evidently this was not just here, but elsewhere.  I came across an blurb in the September 20, Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph newspaper from 1920 as follows:

"A large group of citizens met in the BHS (Bloomington High School)  auditorium to  tackle the coal shortage.  They decided to wire President Woodrow Wilson and ask him to take action against speculators.

"Keeping the McLean  County Coal Co. open is the heart of the issue."

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And, I found a copy of the November  2, 1920 Duluth (Minnesota) News Tribune with headlines "Duluth Coal Companies Charged With Illegal  Combination, Shortage Forced, Prices Boosted."

"A group of West Duluth residents yesterday charged that coal companies have conspired to cause a shortage of coal and to boost prices.  The residents have formed a committee to urge the U.S. District Attorney to  start proceedings against the coal companies."

--Cooter

A Coal Shortage at the Normal School in DeKalb (NIU)

From the September 2, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"The Normal school is in quite a predicament  at present in regard to coal there being not a single lump of coal in the bins at school.   Ever since  the first of May the school has been without fuel and all of the electricity  that has been used has been obtained from the electric company.  

"Now that the start of the fall term of school is near the shortage  is very serious as everything in the dormitory is run either by steam or electricity.  There is a car of coal  on the way but when it will arrive is a matter of speculation.

--CootCoal

'Jesse James' Rides Horse on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb in 1920

 From the August 19, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Last night about six o'clock the people of the business section were  very much surprised to see  a girl come riding on horseback down the Lincoln Highway dressed like Jesse James in his prime.  The girl looked to be about 12 or 13 years old and when asked where she was from, replied Vermont and that she was on her way to California.

"The biggest surprise to the crowd who gathered was the fact that she was 22 instead of just being just a 'kid.'  She stopped  for about 15 minutes then was on her way west."

I couldn't find any information on her but that sure would have been an interesting story.

--CooterJames

If It's Not Tonsils, It's Polio in DeKalb County in 1920 and 1945

 From the August 12, 2020,  MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Tonsil cases at the hospital occupied a great deal of the time of the attendants this morning because of the fact that there were four who had their tonsils removed instead of the usual one or two.

"The children having the occupation performed were Waite Embree, Evelyn Hiland, Marian Miller and Lilea Miller.  All of the children are doing nicely  and will be able to go to their homes this evening."

I had my tonsils removed  when I was child.  That was so mean, they promised me ice cream but my throat was too sore to eat any of it.  I screamed for ice cream.

1945, 75 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb Lodge Loyal Order of the Moose has purchases a portable  iron lung from the Portable Life Saving Company of St. Louis, Mo.  The new equipment is now at the fire station, where every member of the department will be taught how to use it."

The portable iron lung was used to treat cases of polio.

That Promising Ice Cream That You Couldn't Eat Was Not Nice.  --DaCoot

DeKalb's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock

From the March 4, 2020, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1995, 25 Years Ago.

"The restoration of the DeKalb Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock, located on the north side of Lincoln Highway near Third Street, has been a project of the DeKalb Landmark Commission, the Downtown DeKalb Association and the DeKalb Memorial Clock Committee for about two years.

"The clock was originally erected with donated funds in 1921 and was located at the northeast corner of Third and Lincoln."

--Cooter

Coal Restrictions (Because of the Coal Strike) Lifted in 1919, Just in Time for Christmas Shopping

From the December 18, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Sighs of relief were heard all up and down Lincoln Highway yesterday and last evening.  The coal lid had been lifted and stores were running on regular schedule, lights  were on, and shoppers could shop as early as they wanted to.

"Merchants abided by the coal restrictions last week, although the shortened hours hindered Christmas trade and caused confusion and congestion during the few hours stores  were allowed to be open, but were grateful for the order which came Saturday announcing that all restrictions  were to be lifted Monday."

There was a coal strike going on in the United States.  No wonder the stores were staying open a bit longer as mentioned in the post yesterday.

--CooterCoal

Top Prices Paid for Skins, Hides and Junk in DeKalb in 1919

From the Nov.  27, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

Advertisement in local newspaper.

"WANTED FURS--  Skunks, $2 and $6;  Muskrats, 75c to $3;  Mink, $3 to $7;  also horse hide, beef hides, sheep hides.  And also pay the highest prices for junk.

"Call 1026, Ike Gordon, 232 South 5th, DeKalb, Ill."

Got Junk?  Got Hides?  --CootSkunk

Moratorium Problems at DeKalb High in 1969

From the Nov. 20, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, 50 Years Ago.

"A couple of NIU students were reported to have been physically ejected from DeKalb High School by high school students yesterday, following the passing out of moratorium day literature.

"George Walters, principal, stated that the university students  were in the high school building without permission."

*********************************

"Effective September 1970, DeKalb Senior High School will change from a three year  high school, grades 10 through 12, to a four-year high school, grades 9 through 12.

During the Vietnam War Era Protests.  --Cooter

Coal Strike Hits Home in 1919

From the Dec. 4, 2019, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Lincoln Highway resumed its war-time appearance again last evening, this time doing its bit in the conservation of coal.  All boulevard lights with the exception of corner lights were dark last evening by order of the city administration and folks passed up and down the main street in darkness as they had done during the war.

"But, today the country faces the most critical stage of the coal strike, the small surplus is gradually being consumed  and as the pile decreased, the demand for wages increased, and no arbitration in sight."

Use the Coal for Bad Little Boys and Girls.  --Cooter

NIU Makes Plans for Building Construction in 1970

From the March 4, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1970, 50 Years Ago.

"New buildings which NIU plans to construct in the next 10 years include a science building, student services center, liberal arts classroom, men and women's physical education buildings, a fine and applied arts structure, more student housing and a building with business affairs and computer services will be housed.

"Also to be considered would be the construction of a golf course, sports arena and auditorium and a building to house an engineering school."

This is Northern Illinois University's 125th anniversary.

In the Midst of a Building Boom.  --Cooter

Anti-Vietnam War Protest in DeKalb By NIU Students in 1970

From the April 15, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1970. 50 Years Ago.

"More than 200 Northern Illinois University students led by the Student Mobilization Committee marched through downtown DeKalb at about 9 p.m. last night to protest the Vietnam War.

"The campus activities are related to the nationwide anti-war week.  The SMC attempted to have the college shut down classes today, but permission was refused.  Students also picketed the draft board office on North Fourth Street yesterday."

I was at Northern Illinois as a freshman living in Lincoln Hall when this happened.

It Was a Scary Time.  --Cooter

No Shooting Allowed at Annie's Woods in 1920, Big Fine

From the May 6, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Anybody caught shooting firearms at Annie's Woods or anywhere else in  the city limits, is liable to feel the effects of the law's  penalty, which is a fine of from $1 to $200."

Annie's Woods is located by the Kishwaukee River just to the east of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  At one point this was considered a major place to go for couples to make out.  Hopefully it didn't lead to the shootings.

Don't Shoot Me.  --CootBang

Death of a 5-Year-Old in DeKalb By Disease in DeKalb in 1920

From the May 27, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illininois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Bernard Welstead, 5-year-old son of Claude Welstead of 120 Cotton Avenue, passed away last night at 9:30.  The cause of his untimely death was the children's disease now prevailing, measles.

"It will be remembered that his mother, Mrs. Hazel Hetchler Welstead passed away from pneumonia about a year and a half ago."

And, the Spanish flu was still around as well.

Diseases Killing People Is Not a New Thing.  --Cooter

Fifty Years Ago, the Kent State Riots at NIU

From the May 20, 2020, MidWeek "Looking Back.'

1970, Fifty Years Ago.

"Students and police left the western part of the Northern Illinois University campus deeply scarred after a nightlong  series of hit-and-run clashes.

"Fifty-four persons were arrested, five police officers and four students injured, two university cars and two trucks were burned, and countless windows broken."

******************************

"A Rumor Control will be established  at 5 p.m. tonight by the DeKalb Human Relations Commission.

"The number to call is 756-XXXX for clarification  of any rumors you have heard or any information you have gathered pertaining to violence or disturbances in town."

To read about my experience during this time, click on the NIU Kent State Riots label below.

These Were Very Strange Times Indeed.  And, I Was on Campus When This All Happened.  --RoadDog