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Newspaper
Oak Park Vindicator
Location
Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1896
Page
3
Subscriptions complaints prompt publisher to ask carriers to verify Saturday delivery and instruct patrons to collect missed papers at the post office. Brief notes report political chatter, health news, and local civic updates, including McKinley’s Chicago visit and public salary changes.
The page blends political talk on greenbacks and naval budgets with local gossip. It mentions Senor Quesada in Washington, Salvation Army dinners in Chicago, Volunteers of America, debates over currency and honesty, new street arc lights near Halsted to Garfield Park, and marriage news involving Louise Bonaparte and Count Adam de Moltke-Huitfeldt. It also notes Cicero politics and potential split rumors, urging unity through independent leadership.
The writer questions William Waldo Astor's decision to relinquish his U S holdings, noting there are other Astors and suggesting the family fortune relied on less savory sources and rents from New York tenements rather than notable achievements.
Reform groups in Chicago hosted a banquet for the Illinois General Assembly where speakers challenged lawmakers on temperance and social issues. The report notes prominent figures, street beggars, and local crime involving John Ryan and a serious home incident at 45 Lowell Place.
The piece reports a heated senatorial contest with wounded candidate George St Adams dropping out and mass meetings opposing Madden. It notes Alitt’s rising fitness support, Chicago mayors veto of four cent streetcar fares, and a financial panic in Chicago tied to the National Bank of Plincis and Dreyer Co losses totaling about 4.2 million. Bank examiner takes charge as deposits and retail trades suffer.
The Vindicator will be distributed on Christmas Day with a festive note to readers. Weather described as fair and invigorating with snow on the ground. Next Friday marks New Year’s Day and the paper will be one day ahead of its usual schedule.
A sketch recalls the original Oak Park Orchestra founded around 1850 and active until 1884, listing members such as Win Corbett and H H Wilkins. It notes past concerts, notable performers like Miss Georgielke Lay, and the transition to the current Oak Park Orchestra, with hope for a bright future amid Oak Park’s growth.
The ongoing court deposition details the romantic exploits of John McCaffery, highlighting his marriage to Nancy Gance in Hancock Maryland during the 1850s, their brief bride, and his later civic role in Cicero Illinois. The document notes his wealth, canal era ventures, and political influence shaping Brighton Park and surrounding districts.
John Karson head of Farson Leach Co and Calumet Electric president says the firm is not closing and remains financially strong. He notes New York house reports a $100000 bond sale and says bonds are hypothecized as collateral while the Illinois bank clears through National Bank of Illinois.
Advertises Bucklen’s Arnica Salve as the best remedy for cuts bruises sores ulcers salt rheum fever sores chapped hands chilblains corns eruptions and piles. Promises full refund if not satisfied. Priced at 25 cents per box and sold by Lovell’s drug store Oak Park and Falki’s Beier Crore in Astia.
Miss Jessie Olivia Swartley of Oak Park and Mr. Corliss Fay Willard of Clinton New York wed at First Presbyterian Oak Park Tuesday evening. Ceremony followed by reception at 334 Maple Avenue and wedding trip to Chicago. Community notes the couple’s popularity and future prospects.
Suburban Railroad proposes 25 miles of new electric double track lines linking Austin Ridgeland Oak Park Harlem and River Forest with funds secured by a 2 million trust deed. Plans include a power house on Twenty second and Harlem to electrify leased lines Chicago Harlem Batavia and Chicago Southwestern and extend to La Grange and beyond.
Harry Outrage alias Lord Athel.las loses his voice in Oakland California. The incident leaves him temporarily unable to speak, with recovery anticipated though specifics are not provided.
A Tuesday night concert at the Oak Park Club drew 400 of Chicago students and residents to hear the University of Chicago glee and mandolin clubs perform a varied program. Applause greeted the artistic work, followed by a luncheon arranged by Mr. Smart. The programme included Estudiantina, Vienna Darlings, Annie Laurie, Schubert's Serenade, El Capitan, Alma Mater and other selections, with solo and ensemble pieces by the Glee and Mandolin Clubs and guest performers.
At a meeting of the Austin Republican Club the plan to split eight new precincts from existing ones was approved after debate. Proposals outline shifting lines along Willow avenue Superior street Park avenue and Washington boulevard to create voting blocks with specified vote counts and polling places. The group also sought better mail service with officials to discuss daily carrier routes.
The Oak Park state bank in its final report shows over 40 000 deposited across national banks. It had 410 000 in the National Bank of Illinois just before suspension, but officials managed to draw most of it out in parts, leaving about 500 unrecovered with hopes of recovery.
The George Rogers Clark chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution plans a loan exhibit of colonial relics at the Seoville Institute from January 10 to 17. The room will open daily with guides, commentaries, and music. Oak Park Celesta may perform. Admission will fund the chapter. relics promised come from local, Chicago, and nearby cities. The exhibit will be guarded and displayed behind glass. Miss Wood invites owners to loan items pre Revolutionary era. contact 308 Oak Park Avenue. A meeting of DAR Ladies is set for Friday at 2:30 PM at Mrs. Wood’s residence to discuss the January exhibit. attendance asked to be limited.
The Maywood and River press news for the Proviso villages was not ready in time for this issue due to Christmas earlier press schedule. Our reporter missed the earlier deadline and could not deliver the two village coverage.
Melrose Parks defeated St Lawrence 3 to 1 on rough ground with a strong breeze at Melrose Park. Wentworths beat a mixed St Lawrence and Illinois Steel side 7 to 2 at Thirty-ninth Street and Wentworth Avenue, after trailing in the first half.
The Oak Park club fifteen night billiard tournament nears completion with twelve games left. A. O. Butler Jr. has posted the best game so far, recording an average of 16 25. Current standings follow, listing top performers and scores.
A series of bowling matches at the Oak Park club house is announced with dates from December 23 to January 6. Competitors include Gardner Morris, Bert Ball, C H Walker, M Butter, Thomas Morris, W J Hatcher, John H Palmer, Roser, Bert Hell, J T Butler, A O Butler Jr., H O Adams, G W Ingersoll, and G Morris.
The meeting of the Oek Park Chess Club will be held this Saturday evening at 321 South Grove Avenue the residence of Mr W R Vosburgh. Chess players are invited to attend practice.
An Oak Park lab meeting on Saturday discussed dividing Cicero into four municipalities with a north south boundary at Twelfth Street and divisions by Austin Avenue and the second street east of Austin. Attendees split on the plan with Few from the south town and sewer concerns noted. no action proposed.
A Thursday morning blaze at 4 o clock destroyed John Grant's home at Thir ty-ninth and West Washington in La Vergne. Origin traced to a defective flue, Mrs. Grant woke to smoke and alerted the family escaping in night clothes. neighbors saved most belongings before Berwyn and a vide fire crew arrived, total loss with damage about 3,000. Grant serves as president of the Gear Cutting and Special Machinery Company.
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