100 years ago, August 8, 1923
MATTOON — The death knell of what is known as the “stock show,” such as those which have been exhibiting under canvas on certain vacant lots the present summer, is seen in an ordinance which was presented to the city council on Tuesday evening for first reading. In the ordinance also is seen another whack at the carnival, which if the ordinance becomes a law, will be forced to pay a license fee of $200 a day, instead of the $100 daily, as the present ordinance requires. The death knell of the “stock show” is expected to result from the prohibitive license fees contained in the new ordinance.
50 years ago, 1973
MATTOON — The body of Barbara Beasley, 12, was found at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a drainage ditch west of the Columbia Machine Co. plant. Coles County Coroner Richard “Dick” Lynch told the Journal Gazette identification was made through clothing and the girl’s bicycle, which was found in the area near the body. The girl was reported missing to the Sheriff’s office Saturday. The report stated that she had disappeared at approximately 10 a.m. Friday, riding a white Stingray bicycle. She was found in the drainage ditch approximately one-quarter of the mile west of Columbia Machine Co. and north of the Cross County Mall and the Penn Central Railroad tracks. The area is accessible by a gravel road which runs east along the Penn Central Railroad tracks from 10th street. The ditch runs in a north-south direction through a heavily brushed, gulley-like area…CHARLESTON — The Charleston City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday night creating a city operated emergency ambulance service. The council also approved a resolution leasing an ambulance for a period of one year. The ordinance provides for a municipal ambulance