Burlyn G. Brown

--Newspaper Clipping. 

TRAIN-AUTO ACCIDENT TAKES TWO LIVES
The lives of two men were almost instantaneously taken by an accidental collision of a train and auto at the McLaughlin crossing Sunday evening. These men were Verne Hunt, of Melvin, and Burlyn G. Brown, of Roberts.
The wives of these two men are sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Brown make their home with Mrs. Brown's father, Ernest Tornowski in Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. Hunt and daughter Caroline, had spent the day at this home. As evening came they prepared to go home and the other family decided to accompany them. Mr. Hunt and Mr. Brown went in Mr. Hunt's car and Mr. Tornowski with Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Hunt and Miss Caroline went in Mr. Tornowski's car a short distance behind the other car.
Evidently when the first car came to the McLaughlin crossing where they left the concrete and crossed the R. R. track they did not realize that the train was so near them. However they had crossed the track and were almost clear from it when the train struck the rear of the automobile and swung it around so that it landed beside the fence on the south side of the road headed east. The car was so close to the fence that a board torn from the fence penetrated the top of the car. The car still stood upright with the lights burning and the engine running.
Mr. Brown, who was driving the car was thrown out and landed in the road. He was badly crushed and hurt inwardly but did not show many outward marks. He was alive when picked up and lived for several minutes after he was taken to Dr. Boshell's office. Mr. Hunt, who was riding in the back seat, was thrown out of the car and over the fence on the south side of the road. His skull was crushed in two places and one leg was broken and otherwise badly crushed. He was dead when picked up.
The first persons to arrive on the scene after the accident were Mr. Tornowski and Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Brown and Caroline. The train stopped and came back to the place. A large number of citizens arrived within a short time and Dr. Boshell was among them. The bodies were gathered up and taken on the train to the depot and then to Dr. Boshell's office. The body of Mr. Hunt was then taken to his home. Mr. Brown died within a very few minutes.
Coroner S. A. Hanson of Elliott was called and empanelled the following jury: W. C. Holmes, D. B. Thompson, H. H. Hackett, G. F. Howk, George D. Ensign and Seward Arnold. The bodies were taken and the jury adjourned until Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock when the train crew gave their evidence.
The train which struck them was due in Roberts at 5:53 and passed through here at about that time though it may have been a little late. It was due in Melvin at 5:58 and it was probably near that time when the accident happened. The train was held in Melvin nearly an hour on account of the accident and pulled into Gibson City at about 6:55.
Verne Hunt was the son of Clyde and Clara (Yackee) Hunt. He was born at Melvin, Illinois, November 9, 1900, and would have been thirty-one years old Monday of this week. He was a first class auto mechanic. He had lived in Melvin all his life except for two years when he worked in the Yackee Garage in Roberts. His funeral was held at the home in Melvin, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
Mr. Brown came to Roberts about two years ago from Wayne City, Illinois. He was 26 years, two months and seven days of age at the time of his death. His funeral was held at the Lutheran Church in Roberts, today, Wednesday, November 11, at two o'clock, Rev. Henry Foelsch, officiating.
The obituaries of both will be published next week.

--Roberts Herald. 11 November 1931.

Edna Brown lived right beside the RR tracks on Green Street kind of behind the lumber yard. She was only married to Burlyn Brown for just over a year when he was killed in 1931. His obituary states that he had no children, but Edna was pregnant when he was killed. Glen Vernon Brown her only son was also killed in an auto accident in 1952 when he was 20 years of age. 
Edna never remarried and had no other children. 
Where is the McLaughlin crossing? 

Elias B. Beighle CW Vet

Civil War Veterans buried in Lyman Township Cemetery:
ELIAS B. BEIGHLE
1836-1910
 

Ohio Heavy Artillery
E. B. Beighle, one of the oldest residents of this vicinity died at noon. His death came as a great shock to the community, as he was taken ill only Saturday. He was 75 years old and had resided in this vicinity 40 years. Several years since he moved into town from the farm. He and his brother had been keeping house. He is survived by seven children. For many years he had been a member of the Presbyterian church at Piper City.

--Paxton Record. 20 January 1910.

John Hummel CW Vet

Civil War Veterans buried in Lyman Township Cemetery:
JOHN HUMMEL
1834-1911

 
John Hummel, son of Ludwig and Catherine (Glock) Hummel was born in Germany, August 7, 1833, and departed this life at Seattle, Washington, Saturday morning, July 1, 1911, aged 77 years, 10 months and 24 days. The family emigrated to America in 1850. During the civil war Mr. Hummel served his country as a member of company E, Eight-third Illinois Infantry from which he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee in June 1865 and mustered out of service in Chicago July 5 of that year.
On January 1, 1867 he was joined in marriage with Miss M. Supson of Galesburg, Illinois who survives him. To this union eight children were born, six of whom are living. In 1869, Mr. Hummel came with his family to Lyman township, Ford county, which was his home for many years. About seventeen years ago, however he moved to Normal to obtain better educational facilities for his children, afterward going to Urbana for the same purpose. The past few years he and Mrs. Hummel have made their home with their children in the west. His health has been good and it was a great surprise to his many friends here when a telegram was received announcing his sudden death and requesting arrangements to be made for the funeral.
He was a member of the Congregational church and during the many years that he lived here he ranked high in both social and business circles of this community.
The funeral services will be held at the Congregational Church in Roberts Sunday, July 9 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. Rev. W. B. Milne officiating, after which the remains will be laid to rest in Lyman cemetery. The remains are expected to arrive in Roberts tonight at 8:44, accompanied by the family. --Roberts Herald.

--Melvin Motor. 14 July 1911.

CHRISTIAN STUTZMAN

Christian Stutzman, oldest son of C. Stutzman, of this town, expired after a short illness on Wednesday, February 28th.

--Paxton Weekly Record. 7 March 1872.

The oldest publication of an obituary/death notice for Lyman Township Cemetery I have found.

August 31, 1894

Today, as we write this, it is Friday August 31, 1923, and the minds of many of our people are turning back to another day, just twenty-nine years ago today, and that was Friday also. Friday, August 31st, 1894. During the hour of noon, the cry was sounded "Fire". The days before Roberts had been celebrating. A great Woodman picnic had been held here. That day Roberts was placed in sack cloth and ashes. From the ashes has sprung what is now the real Roberts. Fire is a great calamity to any community but frequently the calamity proves a blessing, not to the person who suffers the losses but to the town that springs up in the place of the one destroyed.
This was not the first great fire in Roberts. There was one when the town was first started that probably was as great in proportion to the value of the town as was the great fire of 1894. This fire of 1873 was one of which we have been unable to get much particulars except that the business part of town which had been in the block now occupied by the Star Garage, poultry house, harness shop, etc. was entirely wiped out and was rebuilt on Green Street making that the main street instead of Main Street as named.

--Roberts Herald. 5 September 1923.

ROBERTS HOSPITAL

Sam E. Wells who submitted to an emergency operation for a ruptured gangrenous appendix at the Roberts Hospital last Thursday evening passed away at the Hospital at 4:45 A.M., Sunday.
Ruloph Warnke of Thawville has been receiving treatment at the Roberts Hospital for cuts and bruises received in the accident near Chicago.
Mrs. John Nichoalds of Onarga was admitted to the Roberts Hospital Tuesday morning as a medical patient.

 
--Roberts Herald. 28 February 1934.

KESTING HOUSE SOLD

Mrs. Cora Stutzman has sold her house in Roberts (known as the Kesting house) to I. Merritt of Hoopeston to be moved to the farm occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Houtzel to replace the one burned last week.
Edward Kesting will move to the Harry L. Whorrall residence property near the hospital now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harion Hodges. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges will move to the Fred Barber property at the west end of Green Street.

 
--Roberts Herald. 27 May 1936.

FARM HOME BURNS

Last Sunday, June 10th. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Houtzel and family, who live on a farm six miles southeast of Roberts, ate their dinner early and then drove to Thomasboro to visit a former neighbor, who had recently moved to that place. They had been gone but a short time when the neighbors discovered their home to be on fire. The fire was burning in the kitchen but had gained such headway that there was no chance to save the building and but little property could be carried out. The neighbors broke open the doors and carried out the piano and a couch but were unable to save anything more.
No word could be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Houtzel as none of the neighbors knew where they had gone so that the first knowledge they had of their loss was the discovery on their return.

--Roberts Herald. 13 May 1936.

BIG BUSINESS IN ROBERTS

Roberts people sometimes complain that Roberts is not a live town and that there is no business energy here. We frequently hear it stated that our merchants ought to do something to keep on the map or people will forget that there is such a place as Roberts.
In a sense that may be true but in a larger sense it is questionable. Roberts merchants could do many things they do not do but when we consider that we have business and professional enterprises h...ere that are not equaled in any other community within fifty miles at least we know that Roberts is still holding a position on the business map of the state.
We have frequently called attention to the wall paper business conducted by Frank Linn. We believe that there is not other Wall Paper Dealer in a town of this size in Illinois which can equal the business he does in wall paper and we would not fear to take in much larger territory and even much larger towns.
Then the Roberts Hospital. From the cars that are parked at the hospital corner every forenoon except Sundays and Wednesdays we know that Roberts is on the professional map of the state of Illinois.
Then there other places of business here which are gaining a reputation as places of much business development.

--Roberts Herald. 22 April 1936.

SEVERAL MOVES

During the past week the following families have changed their places of residence. Mr. and Mrs. Stalter and family moved from the Zahn property to the Kemnitz residence property on Adda Street.
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rueck and family moved from the Newman residence to the Sophia Zahn residence which they purchased.
Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts and Mrs. Flossie Talbot and family moved into the Newman residence property which Mrs. Roberts purchased. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barber and family are preparing to move into the O. J. Roberts residence property which they purchased.

--Roberts Herald. 16 October 1935.

Cooking with Friends

 

--My copy.

L. E. Bressie CW Vet

Civil War Veterans buried in Lyman Township Cemetery:

Lewis Edward Bressie, son of William F. and Ann (Finger) Bressie was born at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, April 17th, 1845, and died at his home in Roberts, Illinois, Saturday, September 6th, 1924, aged 79 years 4 months and 19 days.
When barely 18 years of age, viz. April 1863, he enlisted in Company C 117th Indiana Infantry and was first sent to Indianapolis for guard duty but was soon sent down through Kentucky into Tennessee where they were in a number of engagements the most severe being at Blain's Cross Roads. They were at Cumberland Gap on the cold new year's day noted in history, Jan.1, 1864. Here Mr. Bressie and most of his regiment were without shoes but had soles fastened to their feet with thongs. On that day they marched 23 miles in that condition. He continued his service with that regiment until discharged and then re-enlisted in Co. C 144th Indiana Infantry and served until the close of the war being discharged August 12, 1865.
January 4, 1866, he married Miss Sarah Ann Suplee at the home of her parents at Salem, Indiana. To them were born three children Albert J. of Bloomington, Charles E. who died at Roberts August 12, 1920, and Minnie Bertha who died at the age of 6 years. He leaves to mourn his death one son, seven grand-daughters, and eight great-grandchildren, also one sister at Olney, Illinois, and numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Bressie came to Roberts in 1874 and he worked as plasterer for eleven years, then for three years dealt in harnesses, boots and shoes. In 1888 he purchased the general merchandise store of Flora & Newman which he conducted for many years since which he has lived a retired life. He was an active member of Melvin Post No. 500 G.A.R., Lyman K. of P. and of Gibson City Lodge A.F. and A.M., also a member of the Congregational Church in Roberts. He was a man of sterling character, strong personality, and determined energy. He served his community in various official capacities, and was ever known as a man whose personal opinion and integrity could not be swayed by hopes of popular applause.
The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Roberts Sunday afternoon, September 7th, at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. J. O. Ferris and Rev. J. T. Killip officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery. Lyman Lodge K. of P. had charge of the ceremony at the grave.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Samuels and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Overymeyer, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Overymeyer and B. Kenney of Clinton, Lem Smedley and Mrs. Hall of Rantoul, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hawthorne and family and Mrs. E. Roberts of Urbana, Mr. and Mrs. Fidell Hummel of Strawn and Mr. and Mrs. Kirker Hawthorne and H. M. Hawthorne of Piper City.

--Roberts Herald. 10 September 1924.

David Woolsoncroft CW Vet

Civil War Veterans buried in Lyman Township Cemetery:

DEATH OF DAVID WOOLSONCROFT.
Last week David Woolsoncroft of Roberts was on our streets shaking hands with old friends, and Tuesday of this week he died at his home in Roberts. He was a veteran of the civil war and a member of the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Since the war he has farmed and worked at masonry in the vicinity of Melvin and Roberts, and was well-to-do. He was 68 years old.
The funeral was held in the M. E. church at Roberts, Thursday, at 2 o'clock. There were members of the G.A.R. present from that section, Onarga, Thawville and Piper City. Comrade James McBride represented our Piper City Post. The burial was at Roberts. -- Pan-Handle Advocate.

--Paxton Daily Record. 4 August 1908.

DAVID WOOLSONCROFT
David Woolsoncroft was born in Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois, July 18, 1840, and departed this life at his home in Roberts, Ill., July 28, 1908, aged 68 years and 10 days.
Mr. Woolsoncroft, in the usual manner of farmer boys, spent his boyhood days on the farm, afterwards learning the trade of stone and brick mason and plasterer, at which occupation he spent a good bit of his time in later years.
He was an honored veteran of the civil war, his enlistment at Magnolia, Ill., on Aug. 20th, 1861, being the first important event of his life. He enrolled his name among the boys in blue of Company I, Eleventh Ill. infantry. From Magnolia he proceeded to Bird's Point, Mo., where he was mustered into service. He was placed on duty as a teamster, and went to Fort Donelson just after the battle, and thence to Fort Henry and up the Tennessee river to Pittsburg Landing, whence he advanced to within five miles of Corinth, Miss. He then turned and went to Jackson, Tenn,. and thence back to Cairo and Ft. Henry and across the river to Ft. Donelson. He was later at Paducah, Ky., where he shipped aboard a transport for Memphis, Tenn. From Memphis the troops went to Lake Providence. La., to Mississippi, and afterwards on transports to Grand Gulf and to the rear of Vicksburg. They took part in the battles of Jackson, Champion Hills, the Black River Bridge and the siege of Vicksburg until the surrender of that city, July 4, 1863. Next they went to Natchez and after retuning to Vicksburg, went to Yazoo City. Soon afterwards, Mr. Woolsoncroft's time having expired, he was sent to Springfield, where he was honorably discharged, September 16, 1864. He was ever a faithful soldier and fortunately, though participating in several hard fought battles, was never wounded. His constitution, however, was impaired, and he never fully regained his health.
On the 5th of March, 1868, Mr. Woolsoncroft was united in marriage to Mary Warner, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Warner, of Peru, La Salle county, Ill. To this union there was born three children, James Henry, John Edward and Gilva Victory, all of whom, with the bereaved widow and two brothers, Abraham, of Baileyville, Kansas, and Wilbur, of Montgomery City, Mo., and two sisters, Mrs. Hannah Owens, Rockwell City, Ia., and Mrs. Maria Buzick, of Champaign, Ill., survive to mourn his loss.
Mr. Woolsoncroft and his wife began their married life on a farm two and a half miles out from Roberts and until the time of Mr. Woolsoncroft's decease as above mentioned, they had resided either there or in Roberts.
Mr. Woolsoncroft's long residence in this vicinity, his unobtrusiveness, his good-natured and genial companionship had won for him a large circle of friends who sadly lament his loss. --Roberts Herald.

--Paxton Daily Record. 11 August 1908.

Roberts United Church of Christ

 

--My copy.

Pheasants

Getting ready for 450 Baby Pheasants

Roberts, May 23 --(PDR)-- On Saturday, members of the Ford County Sportsmen's club erected a brooder house on the Eli McNeil lots at the east end of Main street, in preparation for 450 baby pheasants, which will arrive from the state hatcheries the first of June. A wire fence has been erected and within the enclosure a space has been prepared in the blue grass sod where rape and sunflower seeds have been sown. The brooder house is eight feet in width and sixteen feet in length.

--Paxton Record. 26 May 1938.

Tragic Fire

High School Principal, Two Children Burned to Death Saturday
Fire of Unknown Origin; Frank Lyons Carries Townsends from Blazing House: Roberts Schools Closed
By Maryjo Lankston

Roberts, Feb. 21 --(RNS)-- One of the grimmest tragedies ever to strike in Ford County occurred here Saturday noon as Roberts high school principal, Loren F. Townsend, 31, and his two small sons, Stephen and Roger, died from burns suffered in a fire which destroyed their home.
All were rushed to the Paxton Community hospital but the severe burns took their toll; Stephen,6, dying at 7:30 p.m., Mr. Townsend, popular school administrator, at 11 p.m.; and little Roger, 3, at 12:15 p.m. The heartbroken wife and mother was downtown shopping at the time the disaster occurred.
Frank Lyons, 63, neighbor to the Townsends, first saw the fire and made two trips into the burning house on his hands and knees to save the three victims.
Mr. Lyons told the story in his own words; "I saw the flames coming out of an upstairs window about 12:45. I shouted "Fire" and ran over. Mr. Townsend had crawled to the door with Roger in his arms. I pulled them out and said, "Where's the other one?" He said, "In there," and tried to go back in.
I pulled him back and crawled in and grabbed little Stephen, who was burned badly on his face and arms. Just before Mr. Townsend passed out, I asked him how it started, and he said, "Frank, I don't know."
Laud Lyons' Deed
As friends lauded Mr. Lyons for his heroic deed the janitor at the high school insisted that anyone would've done what he did, "as their duty."
The three were taken into the homes of the neighbors until the ambulance arrived. Mr. Lyons received burns on his neck and face, for which he received medical treatments.
The fire was so intense that firemen were hardly able to get close enough to the adjoining houses to save them. Wet blankets were held up to separate them from the intense heat. They saved the two adjoining houses by spraying them with water repeatedly.
Fire departments from Melvin, Thawville, Paxton, Gibson City, Onarga and Piper City arrived to help Roberts firemen but the fire was well under control by the time the last three arrived. The town's water tank was twice drained of its supply, and firemen had to wait until more water was pumped in.
No accurate estimate of the loss was available. The Townsend house was valued at $5,000.
Mrs. Arthur Seng, neighbor to the east of the Townsend home, first called in an alarm at 12:55. Mrs. Townsend was uptown shopping when she first heard of the disaster.
No Explosion
The nine-room frame house was completely destroyed by flames that could be seen six miles away. The interior walls were of wallboarding, which made it so readily inflammable. It was believed that the fire must have started in the walls, because it was so long before it was discovered.
A rumor was circulated that an explosion must have caused it, but there was no evidence to support this theory. The house was heated by a coal-burning furnace, and an electric stove was used for cooking.
When the east wall of the home crashed, it buckled in the middle fortunately, otherwise the sheet of flames would have struck the Seng property which already was smoking and scorched from the intense heat.
Only a vacant lot between the burning home, which blazed like a tinder box, and the Lyons property saved the house for the wind was from the east.
A huge crowd quickly gathered as firemen concentrated on keeping the fire from spreading. An added difficulty was the absence of near fireplugs. Nearest plug was two blocks distant.
Formerly of Thawville
Stephen Townsend was born April 19, 1941, in Morris. His mother was the former Ava Hollingsworth of Thawville. The boys' paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. George Townsend, Thawville.
Townsend, youngest man ever to head the local high school, succeeded E. C. Nichols as principal last summer. A native of Thawville, he held a master's degree from the University of Illinois and was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan university, Bloomington.
Before coming to Roberts, Townsend was a civilian instructor and supervisor at Chanute Air Force Base for five and one-half years and previously taught mathematics at Morris high school.
Henry Hanson, Ford county coroner, said that inquests on the deaths are scheduled for 7:30 this evening, at Roberts: Jurymen are Thomas Trigger, foreman; A. D. Seng, John Minch, Muryl Sturm, Chet Wright, and Francis Russell.

--Paxton Record. 26 February 1948.

Art Seng lived in the large white two story home where the Trees family lived in the 60-70's. So this home would have been just to the east. 

Bees

A BIG MONEY PRODUCER
Samuel Ebert of Roberts is probably one of the biggest honey producers in this part of the state. Mr. Ebert is in the mercantile business at Roberts, but still finds time to give to his bees, and he is an expert apiarist. His bees are the three-banded leather colored Italian variety and Mr. Ebert believes there are no better kind of bees as honey producers. This year his bees produced nearly eight tons of honey of the finest quality. Besides producing honey for the market, Mr. Ebert raises queens for sale, and has already disposed of about 150 this year. He is as careful to keep his bees up to the highest standard of breed as would the breeder of pure bred livestock. --Paxton Record.

--Roberts Herald. 16 August 1922.

Killed by Indians

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ercheringer, of Tacoma, Washington, have been visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rueck and Mr. and Mrs. S. Ebert and other relatives here for the past week. Mrs. Ercheringer is a cousin of Mr. Reuck and Mr. Ebert, whom they had not seen for 33 years. When she was a child of about 5 years of age her parents and baby sister were killed by the Indians at New Ulm, Minnesota. Her brother, John, aged 11, seeing the Indians shoot their parents, led his three smaller sisters safely to a fort 11 miles away. Mrs. Ercheringer never knew whether the baby sister had been killed by the Indians or carried away, until some 28 years ago. Then a tenant, who was setting posts on the farm where they had lived notified her that three skulls, two large ones and a baby one, had been found there. Upon learning this the remains were taken to St. Paul and buried. Mr. John Kockendorfer, the brother mentioned, is now living at St. Paul and here two years ago.

--Roberts Herald. Old clipping. No date.

Lyman Township First School

Among those who attended school in the early days of the first school in Lyman Township were the following. (this list is not complete) George P. Lyman, Edmond Havens, John Havens, Albert Havens, Dwight Havens, Robert Forbes, Lyman Peck, Amos Peck, Charles Peck, Gilbert Wyman, Martharetta Wyman, Edward Lyman, Charles Forbes, Helena Forbes, Emily Forbes, Arthur Forbes, Alexander Smith, Bessie Henry, Georgianna Henry, John Lyman.

--Roberts Herald. 24 October 1923

Yackee Blacksmiths in Roberts

A. A. YACKEE RETIRES
At the close of business next Saturday evening the firm of A. A. Yackee & Sons general blacksmiths will quit business and with their close Roberts will lose (as a business man but not as a citizen) a mechanic who has held a leading part in the industrial life of Roberts for the past forty years. A. A. Yackee will retire from actual participation in the work and will let the other fellows do the work while he looks on. The many years of service he has given the community entitles him to a rest. The other partner in the firm, W. H. Yackee, will devote all his time to the work of the firm of the Yackee Brothers, which is increasing too rapidly to permit him longer to divide his energies between the two business places.

--Roberts Herald. 3 March 1920.

Mrs. S. K. Marston

Sixty-four years ago this winter the first school that was taught in what is now Lyman Township was taught in the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Marston, in an up-stairs room. Mrs. Marston was the teacher. Later a school house was built and Mrs. Marston continued to teach in the new quarters. Many years after that, one of her pupils wrote of her, (his letter lies before us as we write) " A good teacher she was too. Patient with some of us who were either too stupid or too dull to make good scholars."
"One of the painful memories which lingers with me is the accident that made a cripple of her life. The snow lay deep on the ground. A horse was brought for her but she had scarcely mounted when she was thrown off and her hip dislocated." (We hope to publish more of this letter later.)

--Roberts Herald. 10 October 1923.

Mastadons in Roberts

A RELIC OF LONG AGO
Last Saturday Henry Kietzman was plowing for his brother John Kietzman on the Robert Hawthorne farm northwest of Roberts when his plow turned over a large tooth of some prehistoric animal, perhaps a mastodon. The tooth is a most perfect specimen. There are seven well developed roots, each about four inches long and from two to three inches across at the base. There are nine crushing surfaces with wide spaces between. Two of these prongs are broken off. One was worn down somewhat from use in eating.
The tooth has a depth from top of crown to end of roots of about seven or eight inches. From back to front it is about seven inches and in width about four inches. It weighs 4 lbs. 6 ounces. The enamel is in excellent state of preservation and the whole tooth has the appearance of not having been in the ground more than a few months whereas it probably has lain in the peat bog of that farm for thousands of years. The fact that it was in peat bog would indicate that it is of comparative recent origin as the peat is the latest land formation here.
Later: O.C. Dilks took the tooth to Chicago yesterday and had it looked over at the Field Museum. They said it is a mastodon tooth and has been in the ground only one or two thousand years.

--Roberts Herald. 5 May 1926

Queen Visits Beset Grove

QUEEN OF ROMANIA VISITS ROBERTS.
Roberts have no claim to aristocrisy. (sic) We never expected to entertain nobility. But last Saturday our township received nobility quite unexpected.
Queen Marie of Romania, traveling in her special train, was billed to pass through Roberts which she did on schedule time but the unexpected happened when the train was stopped at Beset, three mile northeast of Roberts, and members of the party got off the train and a number of photos were taken. Our reception committee taken unawares, was a little late in greeting the queen, but as they never shirk a duty, their greetings followed.

--Roberts Herald. 18 November 1926

1894 Fire

TWENTY-NINE YEARS AGO
(From Chicago Daily Record, Sept. 1, 1894)
DISASTROUS FIRE AT ROBERTS
...

Greater Part of the Business Section of the Village Destroyed.
Special to the Chicago Record.

Roberts, Ill. Aug. 1. -- A fire broke out at about 1 o'clock today which destroyed the greater part of the business portion of this village. Following are the business buildings destroyed: Roberts Exchange bank, A. Buzick grocery store, Archer's barber shop, E. G. Reinhardt's drug store, William P. Landel, hardware and furniture; Mrs. I. McNeish, boots, shoes and harness; T. H. Fencken & Co., building owned by J. P. Smith, groceries and dry goods; John Ortlepp, hardware and furniture; Mrs. F. L. Hanson, millinery; William Hahn, wagon shop; Kolp & Sandsted, blacksmiths; Foster Bros, hardware and furniture. The south side of the business block, including twelve buildings, was entirely wiped out. Loss amounts to about $35,000, partially insured. The fire originated in the rear of W. P. Landel's hardware store, but from what cause is unknown. the entire business portion of the village would have been destroyed but for the efforts of citizens in extinguishing the fire as fast as it caught on the opposite side of the side street.

--Roberts Herald. 22 August 1923.

E. F. Gullett

--Gibson City Courier.  14 November 1918.  Page 8.

This obituary includes information on the Pettit & Gullett Store.