Homer Historical Society Homer Illinois, 500 E 2nd Street, Homer, IL (2026)

06/05/2026

Today in Homer History - June 5

1858 - A young man, named Peter Butler, was drowned at Lander's Ford, in the Salt Fork. Up to this time, his body has not been found. Since writing the above, we learn that a Mrs. Jarvis and child were drowned at Yager Ford on the Middle Fork, last week. They, in company with others, were crossing the creek in a skiff, when it parted in the middle and they were drowned.

1886 – The Soldier’s Reunion at Camp Yeazel - The scribe of the Danville News must have been "scared" when he estimated the crowd at the reunion, Wednesday, at 4,000 or 5,000. The News did injustice to the occasion by this false statement. No one put the estimate below 9,000 and some as high as 12,000. Ex-Gov. Hamilton said he was safe to place the number at 10,000. There was never such a demand for stand booths as there was a Camp Yeazel. All told, there were between sixty and seventy. The general refreshment stands numbered 27; candy stands 3; hot coffee, 2; shooting galleys 4; games of skill, 6; skating rinks 1; dining halls 2; auctioneers 2; ice cream parlor 1; peanut stands 3; amusements 1, and several other minor attractions for making money.

1909 - The firm of Hickman Brothers, grocers of this place, has sold their stock to T. R. Butler, another grocer here, and the former firm will retire from the field. Monday Mr. Butler will combine the two grocery stocks in the room where he has been doing business for several years. The room vacated by the Hickman's will be turned into a garage to be conducted by a local party. This is the first enterprise of this kind in Homer and will probably develop into a profitable business by reason of the fact that there are more machines here than in any other village in the county.

1909 - Dr. J. T. Hall holds the record for being the first auto driver in Homer who has killed a dog this season. On Saturday morning the doctor “ironed out” a small rat dog for George Porter.

1913 - Teddy, the park bear, broke his fastenings and wandered out in the woods for adventures. His captors were the ones who had the adventures, however. He was finally captured in the Morrison woods east of Homer.

1915 - John Berkley, until recently employed at the Homer electric plant, is in the county jail waiting to be taken to Lebanon, Ind., where he is wanted for abandoning his wife and five children, having been arrested at Melvin, fifteen miles north of Paxton. Deputy Sheriff Harry Evans went to Homer to arrest Berkley the other day, but he escaped by a rear door. Notices were sent out and Sheriff Flora of Ford county wired that he had the man. Deputy Evans went up after the prisoner.

1918 - Homerites have had ample opportunity to see aeroplanes this week. On Monday five were parked for a time at the Boggess farm just east of town. On Tuesday six were noticed around and early Wednesday morning flyers were humming in the air. It is understood that flyers from Chanute field will be in this vicinity the greater part of this week.

1918 - Following is the list of young men, registered at Urbana from this township. Henry R. Ellis, Chester R. Price, Paul Sanks, Carl C. Rohl, Melvin Hilliard, Dwight C. Stevens, Daniel B. Pridemore, Mark C. Howard, and Cyrus C. Bradford, In addition to these boys there are several young men just across the Vermilion County line who registered in the Hoopeston district among whom are Frank Hodgson and Ralph Junkens. A number of these young men will enlist if given the opportunity.

1929 - Irvin Boggess met with a very painful accident while at his father's farm, southeast of town. He was working around a wagon and to save steps undertook to throw a single tree to another spot. The clip caught around the fleshy part of the thumb and almost severed it. A local medic dressed the wound taking several stitches to close it. Yesterday the wound was causing considerable pain.

1940 - Fanned by a brisk southwest wind, fire quickly destroyed the barns and sheds on the Ed Canaday dairy farm a mile north of Homer this afternoon. The fire was under headway when discovered and beyond any control whatever by the time help arrived. A quick response to the alarm was made by the fire department. The truck was parked on the sand beach in Homer Park below the dam on the north side of Salt Fork and hose was run across Salt Fork bridge and up the hill to the Canaday home nearly a quarter of a mile away. At this distance and elevation two good streams of water were played on the fire-too late to be much effect except to protect a coal and cob house that otherwise would have been destroyed. Cause of the fire is unknown. Mrs. Canaday had been to the barn to look after some chickens only a short time before she discovered the blaze. Two or three calves and some implements and feeds were destroyed. The high southwest wind carried fire to the Charles Wilson house several hundred yards east of the Canaday place and started two or three roof tiles that were quickly put out.

1957 - A cow was killed instantly, a woman and child miraculously escaped serious injury, and a 1955 Chevrolet was badly damaged when it hit the cow about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5th, about six miles south of Homer. Mrs. Ivy Williams was enroute from Mount Vernon, Ind., to her home in Rolling Meadows, a suburb of Chicago, and was accompanied by her granddaughter, Vick Fuller, 22 months old. Mrs. Williams saw two cows being driven down the road on the left side by two women, and immediately allowed down from about fifty miles and hour at which she had been traveling. However, when she was within just a few feet of the cows one of them suddenly darted across the road, directly in front of the car. The cow was hit by the left front side of the car, throwing it in sort of a spin, so that it then hit again on the left side of the car. The cow, which belonged to Dale Taylor, was killed instantly. It, and the other one, had gotten out of the pasture and were being driven home by Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. John Wienke, a neighbor. Mrs. Williams and her granddaughter were brought to a local doctor's office where it was determined that they had received no injuries other than a bruise on the side of the head of Mrs. Williams and a bruised elbow. The child had been lying in the front seat and was thrown to the floor under the dashboard by the impact, but was not injured. State police officers Jake Emberton and Lawrence Shirley investigated the accident and Mrs. William's car was towed to Brewer's Garage. Damage to the car was estimated at $400.

1972 - Homer Village Board adopted a resolution for the purchase of Grab-It building on Main and First streets for a sum of $15,000. This was the Opera House and served as the village hall until 2006.

06/04/2026

Today in Homer History - June 4

1872 - Supt. Scott presented a petition to the County Board of Supervisors, signed by about 95 voters living in the east part of Stanton and the north part of South Homer townships, praying the Board to create a new town out of territory to be taken from the towns of Stanton and South Homer, to be called Ogden.

1884 - A circulating library has been established at Homer.

1884 - There were seven headstones erected at the old Homer cemetery and three at the Insley (Lost Grove) cemetery at the graves of soldiers, on Decoration Day. There are thirty-two graves of deceased soldiers at the Homer and Insley cemeteries.

1888 – “Bunty” Lacey, of Homer, moved Wesley Churchill’s store house, from old Orizaba to Prairie View. Mr. Churchill will stock the store with hardware.

1898 - Lyons and Palmer have their acetylene gas plant in operation. It works splendidly and their rooms are beautifully illuminated. They also furnish light for the Odd Fellows Hall. During the 2002 restoration of the Odd Fellows Hall the tubes for the acetylene gas were still in the ceiling joists.

1910 - Julian Wallace was somewhat bruised and his buggy broken in a runaway Friday afternoon. Young Wallace together with Ben Hall was driving north on Main street when their horse became frightened at something, the boys do not know what and started to run. At the Wabash tracks the horse turned and started down the tracks, Hall jumped out and advised Wallace to do likewise but he did not do it. The rig struck the iron pole that carries the notice of the crossing and Wallace was thrown out. The horse got free at this place and later was caught down the tracks. Both boys had a very narrow escape from injury.

1910 - One of the most unique and pretty weddings which has occurred in this vicinity for some time took place at Horn Bluff camp at Homer park, Saturday evening, when two well known young people were jointed in matrimony. The principals were Miss Elsie Mae Taylor, and Mr. Ora Stanley Fisher, both of Champaign, and the announcement of their wedding comes as a surprise to most of their acquaintances here. In company with a half dozen others they left the city Saturday morning for a two days camping trip as guests of Miss Zella Radebaugh, and gave no hint that it was to be a honeymoon trip as well. The ceremony took place at 7 o'clock amid surroundings unusual for such an occasion. Horn Bluff cabin is a typical log cabin, harmonizing perfectly with the landscape of the beautifully wooded cliff on which it is located. The bridal party stood beneath an arch of boughs which had been erected at one end of the rustic porch. The bride wore a simple gown of white and carried bride's roses. Amid such solemn and impressive scenes Rev. Stephen E. Fisher, minister of University Place Christian church, brother of the groom, spoke the words which united the two. After the ceremony a four course supper was served.

1934 – With prohibition ended and local licenses allowed, Charles Ellis applies for a license to sell beer. It was granted.

1974 - Homer residents approved by a 63-49 vote a proposition to establish and maintain a free public library in the Village of Homer. There were 5 spoiled ballots among the 117 cast. Library directors elected were: Barbara Deffley and Mae Jennings, 1-year terms ; Bobbie Newlin and Pat Varvel, 3-year terms, and Betty Lacey, Jackie Reeley and Gerald Webb, 5-year terms. The library, started by the Girl Scouts, has been sponsored in recent years by Homer Woman’s Club and has been limited in service to books contributed. Members of the club also have been manning the library on a voluntary basis. With local tax support, the library will be able to obtain state financial and through the Lincoln Trail Libraries System which would enable local persons to access to books in many other libraries and to borrow pictures, films and tapes. Persons outside the village will be able to purchase a card for access to the library, based on what the village resident is taxed.

2018 – Repairs on East First Street are completed after the village dug up a portion of the street to effect repairs. Volunteers and the village crew replaced the bricks.

06/03/2026

Today in Homer History – June 3

1884 - A rat-killing extraordinary took place on H. V. Taylor’s farm, near Homer today. During the forenoon four men and a small dog killed 381 rats, and some got away. This is too many rats for one man and a republican to own. Mr. L. Hogan vouches for this report, for he helped do the killing and counting.

1896 - The fight between Sidney and Homer people continues, and there is no indication that it will soon cease. Some time ago the Wabash made a change in its time table, and it appears that through the change some of the trains which had stopped heretofore at Homer, were made to run through without stopping, but they still stop at Sidney. This was considered sufficient cause by some of the Sidney people to have fun with Homer, and they have been having it. Hundreds of postal cards have been exchanged between the two towns, and the latest move is an invitation by Sidney to Homer people to move their town over to Sidney to get all "the benefits of a first-class town," as they put it. Up to the time of going to press the invitation had not been accepted.

1907 - Frank Swearingen was arrested Monday for slapping his wife. He pleaded guilty before Police Magistrate Garwood and was fined $3 and costs. She also had a round with his mother.

1913 - U. S. Thompson is making arrangements to move his electric light plant on the lot west of the interurban station. He recently purchased a large boiler in Champaign and has unloaded it on the new site.

1916 - James Link has purchased the greenhouse of Addison Clutter, located west of Homer park, and will move it to his land northwest of town.

1932 - Freeman Meade, 72, a prominent farmer residing four and one-half miles northwest of here, ended his life about 10 o’clock this morning in a small shed at the rear of the house, shooting himself through the heart with a shotgun. Mr. Meade, who has been suffering with heart disease for several months, but not bedfast, had returned to his home from Homer this morning. His wife, Mrs. Allie Meade, stated that she was talking on the telephone when she heard the shot and ran to the shed to find her husband dead when she reached him. Mr. Meade who had been a resident of Champaign county for many years has been active in civic affairs in and about Homer. He leaves his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Bessie Chapman, of Homer and one grandson.

1942 - Housewives of Homer vicinity are registering for sugar for canning purposes this week at the Town Hall. War Ration books must be brought along to register for the sugar. Hours are from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m.

1955 - Lt. and Mrs. Nolan Craver Jr. arrived recently from Maxwell Air Force Base near Montgomery, Alabama, where he has served in the Air Corps for the past two years. Lt. Craver received his discharge from the service and is making plans to reside here and take up the practice of law in this vicinity. There are at present at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Craver.

1967 - Kirby Funeral Home, which burned last August, is now completely rebuilt and open for service. It is an attractive frame building with Bedford stone frontage and is well landscaped. The same floor plan was used as some of the original walls could be utilized, but the structure is now 1-story instead of 3 stories. The interview, which is not partitioned, has 300 square yards of open floor space covered with green carpeting. A triangular Crab Orchard stone planter centers the room. Greens and blues are the predominate colors. Cascade paneling is used throughout and there is indirect incandescent lighting. The Kirbys, Ken and Harriet, plan to purchase a Hammond organ for the funeral home with contributions made to them after the disastrous fire through efforts of Homer Lions Club and Broadlands Community Club. Anyone will be welcome to use the organ. Kirby, a native of Farmer City, was graduated in 1962 from Worsharn Mortuary School of Chicago. Prior to that he attended Danville Junior College and Illinois State University. Mrs. Kirby is the former Harriet Stensel, whose father has mortuaries in Leroy and Farmer City.

2015 - Sidell State Bank has agreed to be acquired by Paris-based Edgar County Bank & Trust, the two banks announced. Under the arrangement, the Sidell State Bank offices in Sidell and Homer would become known as Prospect Bank of Homer and Sidell. "We believe the transaction is in the best interests of the organizations and their customers, shareholders and employees,” said Dawn M. Fieldbinder, the president and CEO of Sidell State Bank. Following the transaction, Fieldbinder would become regional president for Prospect Bank of Homer and Sidell. All current Sidell State Bank employees are expected to continue as employees of the combined bank.

06/02/2026

Today in Homer History – June 2

1886 - The M. E. folks have had a new picket fence built on the east and south sides of the parsonage and have had some of the trees cut down, which adds greatly to the appearance of the place.

1906 - James McPherran has been awarded the contract to build cement floors in the basement of the school house.

1911 - A deer at the P. E. Wiggins home butted John Junkens over and severely bruised him. The hurts were not serious but the boy was badly scared. The deer was a pet.

1913 - Homer is to have a traffic ordinance that was practically decided at the meeting of the village trustees. The ordinance will be similar to that recently passed at Danville and will require that all vehicle and automobiles keep to the right side of the street and also that square corners instead of cutting corners. This ordinance comes at the selection of a number of automobilists in this vicinity who realize the advantages of such regulations.

1924 – Lewis Scott Perry, a 69-year-old farmer of near Homer, died at Lake View hospital at 7:05 o’clock Monday morning, of lockjaw, due to an injury in the bottom of the right foot, where he had stepped upon a nail. The accident happened almost a week ago. The usual home remedies were applied and it was not regarded as a serious injury until Wednesday, when a doctor was called. He ordered the man removed here at once and he reached the hospital Wednesday night. The tetanus antitoxin, was administered but the trouble was progressed too far for it to be of any benefit. After being taken to the hospital he realized that the end of life was near. He called his dear ones to his bedside and expressed his desires as to what should be done after he had gone away. The body was taken to the home of the deceased by a Homer undertaker. He was buried in GAR cemetery.

1970 - Sp5 Gene Jones of Homer is again becoming accustomed to the designation Mr. Jones since his discharge from the Army . He last served in the 249th General Hospital at Tokyo, Japan. His wife, Sharon, was with him over there. They both are taking it easy this summer and adjusting to civilian life. Gene is looking around for the kind of teaching job he would like for fall. The Jones’ are dividing their time between his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Jones of Homer and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Foley of McLean.

1971 – Jess Parliament, age 73, longtime resident of Homer, died in Urbana. Jesse and Elsie Parliament operated the J & E café for 30 years in Homer. Jess and Elsie are buried in the GAR cemetery.

06/01/2026

Today in Homer History – June 1

1886 - A passing engine set the roof of the depot on fire Tuesday afternoon, and if it had not been discovered when it was, it is probable that the Wabash would have been minus a depot here, as it would have been impossible to have extinguished the flames if they had got a fair start, everything being so dry. As it was no damage was done to speak of.

1892 – Wiley Jones opens his new barber shop.

1896 – On the farm of A. J. Swearingen, four miles northeast of Homer, occurred one of those strange freaks of nature of which even the scientists cannot give a satisfactory solution. Mr. Swearingen, while leisurely walking upon his farm, had his attention directed to the north, where he saw what appeared to be a dust storm. He paid no further attention to it until a day or so later when he happened in the neighborhood where the storm occurred. He observed that all vegetable matter was withered and dead. His corn field through which the storm had passed will have to be planted over, and even blue grass along the fence was seared and brown. The track of the storm covered a space varying from five to twenty-five rods wide.

1898 - Incandescent lights have been placed in the Christian Church. There are seven men now employed in the tile factory, twenty-six in making concrete walks, besides a force of electricians putting in lights in private residences.

1904 - Gertrude and Lonnie Lyons have been very ill with pneumonia the past week. Gertrude's life was doubtlessly saved by the use of oxygen, a can of which was rushed to this place from Danville on a special Wabash engine. Gertrude Lyons died in June 1949 in Lewiston, Idaho.

1909 - It is probable that the contract for the new fire department building will not be let early in June. The plans and specifications have been completed. The new building, a hone story structure, is to be constructed of cement blocks at a cost of approximately $1,000. For the purpose of keeping the water in the fire engine from freezing, the structure to be made as nearly frost-proof as possible, the plans providing for double walls, floors, ceilings and windows. It will also have double refrigerator doors.

1909 - Virlie Peters and Charles Abbott, two prominent citizens of this village, indulged in a fisticuff near the Rose elevator here and were trying hard to do each other as much damage as possible when friends interfered and separated the belligerents. It appears that the trouble arose from Peters having scared Abbot's team with his automobile. There was no blood spilled, however, but it is hard to tell what might have happened under the circumstances.

1914 - Jake Miller, chauffeur for Meis Bros. of Danville, was brought to Homer by Constable Patton and tried before Justice Clark. Miller was accused of driving the Meis automobile at an excessive speed on Decoration day while in the limits of Homer. Mr. Miller and accompanied by Lucien Meis. Fines and costs amounted to $39 which were paid. Dr. C. H. Evans, of Danville, is expected here in a day or so to settle with the Justice for a similar trouble.

1928 - Louis V. Jurgensmeyer of Homer, who yesterday morning was held up and robbed of a diamond ring worth $2,000 and his Buick roadster, by a man representing himself as a prospective farm purchases, today has his property back and the satisfaction of knowing that the bandit is safe behind the bars. The robber, Leslie Heidman, 32, a public accountant living at 7356 Dorchester avenue, Chicago, was captured last night at Kankakee after an exciting chase in which he tried to elude several police officers. An officer happened to be out on the highway south of the city, looking for another stolen car, and when Heidman passed him, became suspicious. The police station was notified and the chase was on four policemen going in pursuit of the racing car. Heidman lost a lead when held up by traffic, but managed to throw the pursuers off his trail for the time being. Finally, he was traced to Aroma park, where he turned off his lights and went into hiding. Police also hid in the park and after while Heidman, thinking the coast was clear, started to drive away. He was pounced upon and captured and, after spending the night in jail, was turned over to Sheriff Chester Davis this morning. Davis went to Kankakee and returned with the prisoner this afternoon. Heidman was carrying a C**t automatic pistol, the same he used in the holdup, but made no attempt to use it in avoiding capture. morning. Leslie G. Heidman was given a sentence of 1 year to life. He was paroled from Menard prison September 27, 1935. He died in Elgin in November 1987.

1928 – The body of Roy Hecox was identified by Walter Hecox and Mojave County Arizona Sheriff Brewer. Hecox was robbed and murdered along the Santa Fe railroad tracks near Franconia, a rail siding in Arizona. Roy was a Homer boy, University of Illinois student, and worked on the railroad until an accident took his arm. For decades he roamed the United States using the rails and would occasionally come to Homer to visit relatives. The decomposed body of Hecox was buried along the railroad tracks.

1936 - Sam Goad, mechanic, was injured when a gasoline tank, which he was preparing to solder at Hillard Garage, exploded. Mr. Goad received a deep gash about two inches long above his eye. He had flushed the tank several times and thought there was no gasoline left in it, but when he applied his torch the tank exploded, blowing out both ends. John Unwiller, an onlooker, received either a broken or badly sprained wrist. Chester Hillard, also watching the procedure, was knocked backward and blinded for a moment. Mr. Goad was taken to his home.

1943 - A prank that easily could have cost a life was discovered Tuesday morning, when C. A. Morehouse, Homer undertaker, found that someone had stolen the gas from his ambulance. Morehouse, who always keeps the machine ready for use in emergencies, was forced to lose precious time hunting fuel while a very sick man lay on the street. The person responsible for this delay should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

1978 - Phyllis Grubb of Homer will assume management of Mary Jane's Fashions from Mary Jane Burton. Mrs. Grubb, who formerly worked for Hunter-Webb Lumber Company in Ogden in interior design, purchased the shop from Mrs. Burton. She is planning a grand opening for the weekend of June 10-11 when the Chamber of Commerce has its flea market in downtown Homer. There will be a drawing with prizes for customers. Mrs. Mayo Warters of Allerton will assist when Mrs. Grubb must be away. Mrs. Warters also helped Mrs. Burton in this capacity. The name of the store will remain the same and so will the telephone number, at least for the time being. The shop concentrates on clothing for adult and teenage women, and will continue this line. Mrs. Grubb would like suggestions from customers and potential customers in this age group about what they would like for her to carry to meet their needs. The shop will be closed on Mondays but will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Mrs. Grubb is the mother of 3 children-Brian, who is 20 and lives in Homer with his wife; Tim, 18; and Maria, 11. They recently moved to a new home in rural Homer.

05/31/2026

Today in Homer History – May 31

1858 – John and Nancy Insley give one acre of ground “for the use of a Public Burying Ground, with the express understanding that the Trustees make or cause to be made, a good substantial plank fence around the said land…” This was the Lost Grove (Insley) cemetery.

1877 - George W. Carnes, our champion lightning-rod peddler, now makes his headquarters at Rossville, where he is bulldozing the innocent and unoffending farmer into buying his double-jointed, back-action thunder poles.

1881 - During the rainstorm lightning struck the chimney on the residence of Dr. Rowland and run down into the room occupied by Mrs. Alice Rowland and her little daughter, scattering soot, plastering and other debris all over the lady and her child, and setting fire to the ceiling. The fire was extinguished by a passing gentleman. Mrs. Rowland and child escaped unhurt. The “daughter” is George Alexander Rowland born August 1880.

1884 – Michael Henry Depue of Homer receives a patent for a feathering paddle-wheel. Depue was an inventor who lived in Homer. He died in Homer in May 1943.

1886 - The Memorial Day proceedings began early by getting the streets decorated for the ceremonies, and by 9 o'clock the streets were filled with people ready to take people by twos they marched to the opera house which by this time was filled, with the exception of the seats reserved for them. At 10 o'clock the exercises began by singing and prayer, after which the audience listed to an address from Rev. Goldsmith. By special request the recitation by Lillian Harden was repeated. A quartette, "An Offering of Flowers to Thee we Bring" closed the exercises at the hall. The procession was formed, led by the band which proceeded to the Old Homer cemetery. The exercises there were conducted by the officers of the G.A.R. post, after which the soldier's graves were profusely decorated with flowers.

1895 - Several Jewish ladies went down to Homer Thursday to meet with the Jewish societies of Danville and Indianapolis and other cities at the home of Mr. Emanuel I. Fisher. This is one of many events held by the Jewish citizens of Homer and the surrounding communities.

1897 - A fistic encounter occurred on main street Monday morning between two of Elliott & Co.'s cigar makers over a 50-cent debt which one claimed the other owned him, and in the evening a quartet of young men, whose names are withheld, engaged in a similar affair.

1911 - Robert Groves of Sidney, who appeared against W. J. Stevens and Harvey Allison to recover $64 damages as the result of a dispute over a hog deal, failed to justify his claim before the jury, and verdict was returned for the defendants.

1915 - The career of “Wild Bill” Humble hero of more gun battles than any other man, except war veterans, in Champaign county, is ended. The former notorious Colonel Bill, as he was sometimes called, whose exploits in the past five hears included a shot gun dual with a neighbor, a pot shot at a Homer officer that hipped a button from the latter’s coat, and subsequently a gun battle with Sheriff Evans, then deputy sheriff, and Ed Ulitsch, in which the two officers mowed with rifle bullets a quarter acre of corn in which he had taken refuge, lies in pieces at Effingham after having been run down by a train. His head was cut off, both legs crushed off and the body badly mangled. In justice to Bill, it must be stated that bad whisky was the cause of all his trouble. When not drinking he was quiet and peaceable and frequently gave the officers valuable information. He is believed to have had knowledge of who murdered the stranger whose body was found buried in a field north of Rantoul several years ago, and, although he imparted his information to the sheriff, the clew could never be run down. He lived near Fisher and at several other points in Champaign and Douglas counties.

1916 - For once Decoration passed in Homer without rain and the day was an unusually good one for the Boys of the Blue. Exercises for the day were held at the Pastime Theatre. Rev. M. G. Coleman, a former Homer boy and well known to all of the older residents, was here and delivered the address of the afternoon. Following the conclusion of the meeting at the Pastime the soldiers and others marched to the G. A. R. cemetery where the graves of the departed comrades were decorated.

1918 - Through the kindness of Major Kraft, commandant at Chanute Field, an aeroplane was sent here Decoration Day to assist in the exercises. During the services at the G. A. R. cemetery the machine circled overhead and dropped wreathes of flowers on the graves. The machine with two aviators arrived here about 2:30 p. m. and alighted on the Alva Junkens meadow just east of town. A number were attracted to the scene. The Decoration Day exercises were held at the pastime theatre. Rev. J. A. Biddle gave the address while the recently organized Community Chorus rendered patriotic songs. The line of march to the cemetery was formed with school children. Red Cross workers and members of the local G. A. R. post in the line of march.

1928 – Louis V. Jurgensmeyer, wealthy resident of this place, was held up and robbed of his Buick roadster and a diamond ring valued at $1,000 at 8 o'clock this morning, at a point two and one half miles southeast of here. The bandit was one of two men who arrived in Homer yesterday in a Buick seven-passenger sedan, that it since has been learned, was stolen from Chicago. They pretended to be in the market for farm land and one tried to induce Jurgensmeyer to accompany him out to look at the Price farm last night. Jurgensmeyer refused and made an appointment to drive the stranger out to inspect the land at 8 o'clock in the morning. Jurgensmeyer kept the appointment this morning, taking his own car, after they had covered two and one-half miles, the passenger put a gun on the driver and forced him to surrender his diamond. Then he compelled Jurgensmeyer to drive west, saying he wanted to go a mile in that direction. The man at first insisted on the evening trip to the farm, claiming that he wanted to start to Indianapolis early the next morning to take his daughter home from a school she was attending in that city. Jurgensmeyer drove two miles, however, hoping to meet assistance. After traveling that distance, they were stopped by a road grader that blocked the way. The bandit then forced Jurgensmeyer and the grader crew, Milt Hardin, road commissioner, and Roy Riggs, driver, to walk west across a field, threatening to shoot the first man to stop or turn around. While they were crossing the field, he rode off with the car and diamond ring. The bandit had previously told Jurgensmeyer that if he would meet him in the Pennsylvania railroad station at Terre Haute, Ind, at 4 o'clock this afternoon, he could have the diamond back for $400. The last heard of the bandit was when he and his companion stopped at the Freeman filling station in Ogden and filled up with gas and oil. They were headed east. More tomorrow.

1935 - Miss Dorothy Atkinson, living three miles north of Homer, was painfully injured recently when the handle of a washing machine flew off and struck her on the forehead.

1940 - Over 200 attended annual alumni party at Homer Community High School this evening. Business meeting and a short program were followed by dancing to the music of Johnny Bruce and his orchestra. During the business session the following officers were elected for next year: President, Gordon White; vice-president, Mrs. Edna Lewis; secretary-treasurer, Miss Wilma Lacey, all of Homer.

1945 - Mr. and Mrs. Otis Robertson sold the fixtures in the Homer bowling alley the first of the week to Elmer Jarred, who moved them to Chrisman on Tuesday. He will operate a bowling alley in Chrisman. Jarred was in Homer a short time ago acting as relief manager for the Grab-It-Here store after Leslie Krugh resigned to enter service. The Purina feed store operated by Robertsons, east of the post office, will be moved to the Main street building made vacant by the removal of the bowling alley, and the present feed store will be used as a warehouse. The Robertsons are understood to have closed the bowling alley here because the village board insisted on enforcement of an ordinance requiring bowling alleys, pool rooms, etc. to pay a village license fee. Local opinion on the subject is divided. Some believe that since the ordinance was in force at the time the Robertsons took over the business, they should be obliged to pay the fee of $10 per alley per year. Others hold that the tax is discriminatory, since other amusement places here are not taxed.

1948 - William Henry Bear, 73, died shortly after midnight in Burnham hospital, Champaign, after a major operation. He had been a patient there for the last week and death followed three weeks of illness. Services were conducted at 2 p. m. Thursday in Scott funeral home and burial was in GAR cemetery. The body remained at the home of a son, Lawrence Bear, until time of services. Born Sept. 3, 1875, north of Homer, the son of Pinckney and Matilda Bear, he had farmed in the Clark neighborhood for many years. He was married in 1902 to Flossie Robbins of Greenfield, Tenn. Four children were born to the couple. Mrs. Bear died in 1913 and an infant son also preceded him in death. In 1915 he was married to Fannie Pruitt. Four children also were born to this union. Surviving are two sons, Lawrence and Bennie, Homer; four daughters, Mrs. Marie Rodgers, Fairmount; Mrs. Edith Keist and Mrs. Naomi Alagna, Champaign; Mrs. Ruby Roderick, Urbana; three brothers, Marion, Isaac and Frank, Homer, and a sister, Mrs. Rosie Smith, Homer. There are a number of grandchildren. Another daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Phillips, preceded him in death. He became a member of the Methodist church when church services were conducted in Clark school, north of Homer.

2018 – Today’s late-afternoon storm caused power outages and knocked down utility poles and power lines in eastern Champaign County. Ameren Illinois reports that as of 8 p.m., power has been restored in the St. Joseph area. Champaign County Highway Maintenance Supervisor Tracy Wingler said he had reports of poles down along County Road 2300 E east of St. Joseph. Winds reportedly led to power outages about 6 p.m. Ameren Illinois reported 3,085 customers in the St. Joseph area were without power at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. As of 7:30, the number on its outage map was at 1,754. In Homer, about 723 customers lost power early in the evening. Homer Village Board Member Charles Montgomery said that power had been out in the village for about an hour and was back on before 6:30 p.m.

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