Newspaper Clippings for
March, 1903
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 6 March 1903
THE FIRST FARMERS' LINE
Telephone Company Started Near Millburn by Farmers.
PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT
For an Extensive Private Concern
-Many Now Have the Accommodation.
To the progressive farmers around Millburn belongs the credit of
putting in the first genuine rural phone service in Lake county.
Some time ago the thought of a system of phones between a number
of farms was concreted into a call for a meeting, which resulted
in what will be a beginning of the installation of numberless
systems throughout the county.
The Sun sent a representative to the office of the president and
secretary to get the facts regarding the company. Only the
loudest praise is heard on all sides. The name of the company is
the South Side Telephone Company, and its object is to erect and
maintain a telephone line between Millburn and its members.
The officers of the company are:
President-John Bonner of Millburn.
Secretary-treasurer-E. P. Dodge of Millburn.
Directors-Elmer N. Cannon of Millburn, Jas. H. Bonner of Millburn,
and George E. H. Credie of Lake Villa.
On Dec. 27, 1901, a meeting was called at Dodge school house for
the purpose of organizing a telephone company. About fifteen
persons responded and an agreement was there entered into to go
ahead with the phone.
The above officers were elected and no time was wasted in "getting
to work" with the result that within 24 hours poles were being set
in place and within 30 days a number of phones were in working
order, and within less than 60 days 18 members are in the company
and 12 have 'phones, phones in actual use.
The plan on which the company is worked is each member is to pay
equally the cost of maintaining and erecting the poles; each
subscriber buys his own `phone which is to be his own
property.
The `phone line thus far arranged for is over 6.5 miles long.
Thirty-two 16-foot posts to the mile are used, except at road
crossings, where a 20-foot clear space is allowed.
In purchasing the outfit the very best materials were used.
The average cost to each subscriber will be under $26 for the
complete outfit.
As yet no central station has been arranged for and although one
is not strictly needed, as each subscriber can be raised by a
prearranged signal, yet a central will undoubtedly be installed
because of the large number of subscribers.
Great interest has been aroused by the installation of these
`phones, not alone for the great success and perfect working , but
on account of the convenience. A Sun representative interviewed a
number of the subscribers and each was enthusiastic in praise of
the new line. President Bonner said " I do not know how we have
delayed putting in the `phone so long. It is a great convenience
and a safety to us."
Secretary-Treasure Dodge-"Is very handy, our `phone has been used
on several occasions by neighbors who call up physicians."
Director Cannon-"The `phone has already become one of the family
and is a great convenience."
Director Bonner-" I am glad that the `phone is in. It is very
convenient and promotes closer neighborly feeling and
friendship."
The Subscribers are:
Mrs. Mary E. Bater of Millburn.
Millburn Creamery Company of Millburn.
William McGuire of Millburn.
William Chope of Millburn.
John Chope of Millburn.
A H. Stewart, one mile southeast of Millburn.
John Bonner, mile and a half southwest of Millburn.
E. P. Dodge, mile and a half southwest of Millburn.
George McCredie, two and a half miles east of Lake Villa.
John A. McCredie, four miles east of Lake Villa.
William McCredie, one and one-half miles south of Millburn.
Charles Ames, one and one-half miles south of Millburn.
James H. Bonner, one and three-quarter miles south of
Millburn.
John Wedge, one and one-half miles southeast of Millburn.
Elmer N. Cannon, two miles southeast of Millburn.
Theodore Van Alstine, two and one-half miles southeast of
Millburn.
John Eichenger, two miles and three-quarters southeast of
Millburn.
Dr. H. E. Jamison, Millburn.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 11 March 1903
ARE TO CHANGE ITS NAME
Hospital Association to Formally Adopt a New Name
WILL BE THE "MC-ALLISTER ASSN."
Fitting Act of Recognition to Donor of New Institution.
As will be seen in the notice below the Lake County Hospital
association is to change its name.
What better act of appreciation could the ladies take than to
select as they have the name of the Jane McAllister Hospital
Association, that they may in a degree honor the good old lady who
has given the city money for a new and modern building.
While it had been hoped that such a step would be taken, the
association is to be commended for not delaying the matter in the
least.
NOTICE
To the members of the Lake County Hospital Association:
You and each of you are hereby notified that there will be a
special me eting of the members of the Lake County Hospital
association on the 14th day of April at the hour of 2 o'clock, p.
m. in Temeparnce Temple, for the purpose of voting upon the
proposition to change the name of Lake County Hospital Association
to that of "Jane McAlister Hospital Association."
It is desired that every member of the association be in
attendance at said meeting.
MRS. E. SPRING, Pres., Mrs. G. B. Watrous. R. S.
12 March 1903
HUNG SELF IN GRANARY
BERNARD WERNER SUICIDES NEAR MILLBURN
Tells Friends to Come and Visit Him
and They Find Him Hanging From Rafter.
After making sure that his neighbors would find him in good time
Bernard Werner, a man 51 years old, went to the granary on the Harris farm,
near Millburn, Saturday afternoon and hung himself to the rafters.
Before jumping from a box he had carefully tied the door shut with
ropes. He was unmarried and lived alone on the place. His body was found
by Henry Wedge a few hours after the act had been committed.
Shortly after noon Werner had gone to the Wedge farm and told Mr.
Wedge to be sure and come down to his place after dinner, that he wanted to
see him. Wedge thought it was a business matter and later in the day went
to the farm. He did not find Werner and returned home. He mentioned the
fact to his wife and they thought it over with the result that they
returned to see if they could find him. They looked about the place with
no success and were about to leave when Mr. Wedge happened to go to the
granary. He pulled the door open and there found the body dangling from
the roof.
Coroner Taylor held an inquest Saturday and the jury brought in a
verdict that death was due to alcoholic poising, evidence having been
produced which showed that he had been on a protracted spree. Werner had
lived in that locality for about eight years.
Vera Worden, of Rochester, spent Sunday at home.
Wedding bells are ringing every where in this vicinity.
Mrs. Eugene Clark is reported on the sick list again.
Mr. Pollock and J. A. Strang were Chicago visitors this week.
Mr. Starkweather, of Rockford, was the guest of Mr. Pollock a few days
last week.
Mr. John Roberts and James Jamieson spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. James
Jamieson.
We are all very sorry to hear that Mr. George Dodge is entertaining very
poor health.
Mrs. John Pollock is home to spend the spring and summer with her mother
Mrs. Watson.
Quite a number from here attended the surprise party at J. A. Thain's
last Friday night. An hour of games was enjoyed then refreshments were
served, after which dancing was indulged in. All reported an excellent
time and voted that Mr. and Mrs. Thain to be charming entertainers.
19 March 1903
Bad roads.
Mr. Lee, of Chicago, occupied our pulpit Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Thain gave a dinner party Monday.
Scott Levoy and family will move into the Anderson house soon.
J. A. Strang shipped sheep to Chicago Sunday night returning home Monday
evening.
The surprise party on Mr. and Mrs. Tower was well attended and all
report an excellent time.
The C. E. Business meeting was held with Misses Lucy and Emma Spafford.
A large number attended.
Miss Carrie Bater expects to leave Saturday for Chicago where she will
visit with friends a couple of weeks.
loose obituary, source unknown 21 March 1903
GABRIEL ODETT
On Saturday, March 21, 1903, at his home west of Gurnee, occurred the
death of Gabriel Odett, from pneumonia, after an illness of only a
week. He was well known in Lake county, having lived here over sixty
years and will be remembered to many who were his customers while
engaged in selling meat.
Mr. Odett was born in Lower Canada, Jan. 15th, 1820, and was married
to Barbara Ogston on June 2nd, 1846. Seven children, five sons and two
daughters, blessed their union, of whom four sons and a daughter with
their mother are left to mourn him; besides fourteen grandchildren and
four great grandchildren.
The funeral was held from the Millburn church on Tuesday, March
24th. Mr. Rev. Shumaker, of Chicago, conducted the services. Interment
in the Millburn cemetery.
