Days Gone By

10 years ago

The Times Record

Nov. 10, 2010

County ponders selling the hospital -- The Mercer County Board met Thursday, Nov. 40, 2010 and agreed to hold a public hearing Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. about the affiliation agreement with Genesis Health System concerning operation of the Mercer County Hospital. The discussion will also include information on an option to transfer ownership of the hospital to Genesis.

Watson visits Head Start students -- Ron Watson, part of the Illinois National Guard's 2nd battalion Alpha Battery in the 123rd Artillery from Milan visited students at the Head Start office in Aledo on Friday, Nov. 5. Watson brought a video of his time in Egypt. He and other members of his battalion are stationed in Egypt for a year. Students in Head Start sent members of his battalion pictures while they were overseas and Watson was returning the favor with a visit to Head Start.

Quinn survives close battle with Brady -- At 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Nov. 3, the Illinois gubernatorial race is still in doubt. With 93 percent of the precincts reporting, Pat Quinn (D) held a slim lead over Bill Brady (R) All results are unofficial. Brady has since conceded the election. Brady won the majority of votes in Mercer County. Brady unofficially won all but four of the 102 counties in Illinois -- Alexander, Jackson, St. Clair and Cook.

25 years ago

The Times Record

Nov. 8, 1995

Aledo City Council selects most expensive water system over expert's , public's advice -- Despite objections that the recommendations were not based on sound engineering principles, the Aledo City Council meeting Monday voted to proceed with a reverse osmosis water system to be used to treat the city's water system. The cost of installing the system and maintenance, as reported by Alderman Bob Figenbaum was over $37 million for a period of 40 years. The vote was 5-4, with Aledo mayor C. W. "Red" Stancliff breaking the tie.

Sherrard Village Board considers installing new water dispenser -- The village's automatic water dispenser is broken and village officials are wondering if they should install a new system or discontinue the service. The village sells water by bulk, mostly to areaq farmers, who fill tanks that they mix chemicals to be used on their fields.

Freeden wins top honors at Horse Congress -- David Freeden Jr. of Eliza, Illinois recently attended the World Percheron Horse Congress in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed in Bonner Springs, Kansas, where the farm team division was held. There he took 1st place in the sulky plow contest. There were 13 entries.

50 years ago

The Times Record

Nov. 4, 1970

Four area contests decided; Republicans sweep local contests; Turn-out unusually heavy -- In Mercer County contests for four of five county office, the Republican candidates were successful in their bid for those posts. Votes in Mercer County will not be canvassed until Thursday, Nov.9, so all vote result figures in today's newspaper are unofficial…. Heavy voting was reported in Mercer County, unusual for an off-year election, it was stated that approximately 7,000 out of nearly 9.700 registered voters in the county turned out at the polls, a far cry from early anticipated light turn-out figures quoted by some.

Junior high basketball at Winola -- The first Winola Junior High basketball game scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, has been changed until Friday, Nov. 20th, due to the fact that Winola's final football game is being played on Nov. 6. Monday, Nov. 9th will open the Winola Junior High School basketball season when Winola plays at Westmer.

United Presbyterian Church members first met in 1871 -- On Sabbath, April 4, 1871, a number of members from the Norwood and Spring Grove (later Gerlaw) United Presbyterian churches met in a schoolhouse one half mile southwest of Alexis (then Alexander) for religious services. Feeling this location better satisfied them and feeling anew for a church in the vicinity, the people petitioned Monmouth Presbytery for permission to organize a congregation.

75 years ago

The Times Record

Nov. 14, 1945

Kiwanians give games to entertain troops -- The Aledo Kiwanis club has completed its project of filling an ammunition box with games, books and otters recreational equipment to be sent to troops at debarkation centers. Included in the donations were checker boards, jigsaw puzzles, checkers, dominos, soft balls cribbage boards, dart games, dice, bingo games, books, cards and other games.

120 Mercer children receive aid by state -- Fifty three warrants providing assistance for 120 dependent children in Mercer county were issued during October, State Auditor Arthur C. Lueder announced. Total amounts of the benefits provided was $2,711.

Norwood man honored on 92nd anniversary -- Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blair of Norwood entertained a group of relatives and friends at a 6 o'clock potluck dinner Sunday, honoring P. B. Sperry on his 92nd birthday. The table was centered with a birthday cake baked by Mrs. Blair bearing 92 candles.

100 years ago

The Times Record

Nov. 11, 1920

Mercer stock at International Show; Horse and pony show strings going Willett Downey will show Angus steers -- At the International Livestock Exposition which opens at Chicago November 21, Mercer County will be well represented in the show barns with livestock from her best herds. Thos. Kiddoo and Sons will gb there with fourteen Shire show horses from their stable, including the many times grand champion stallion Royal Faun and Osco King. In mares, Kiddoo and Sons will show the champions Delilia, and Gwendolyn and Montrose. This firm also exhibits one care load of steers in the fat car lot classes.

Red Cross averts epidemic at Moline -- Timely action on the part of the American Red Cross averted what threatened to be a serious epidemic in Moline, Ill. The Red Cross nurse in her inspection of the children in the rural schools in this district found they were drinking water from a very shallow well.

Plumber is injured by fall of a radiator -- S. O. Boruff of this city, one of the plumbers employed by Detwiler Bros. Hardware Co. was painfully injured aery Tuesday morning by the fall of a heavy radiator, while working in the Wallen building.