"Serving The Chain-0-Lakes Region Since. 1875" Volume 86 -- No. 4 3 Sections McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY. MAY 26. 1960 18 Pages-- 10c Per Copy THREATEN LOCAL WOMAN ustn Governor To Dedicate Lock Sunday One of the big events of the early summer in McHenry will be the flower show now being placed by the Garden club. AS we look over the list of ladies who are generously giving of their time for its success, it is interesting to very frequently note names of several who have been leaders in Such worthwhile endeavors in our community for more than twenty-five years. The names of Mrs. Gretta Goodell, Mrs. George Johnson, MraP Robert Thompson and Mrs. Clinton Martin -- among others -- have long been associated vyith efforts to beautify the community through a greater'interest in horticulture. In recent years, others have moved to the McHenry area knd have added their enthusiasm and know-how until the Garden club is becoming one of 0e really energetic organizations in the city. Most of us must spend so must more time today meeting the demands of the busy. . world around us, it is a refreshing change to devote a few minutes occasionally to appreciation of the beauty around us -- and nothing can spell out that word beaut} better than the proof a fine garden. Many of us will be looking forward to the June show. Governor Stratton has reportedly instructed personnel of the state Division of Highways to mpve With speed in repairing damage to state highways caused by the winter's freezing and thawing. The l»n these highways was 1 i 2 " . ? | h » r . S n ^ n i n r r r r fS! -CQMPlisJlgd iP that of past years. IMPRESSIVE PROGRAM AT DAM SCHEDULED FOR 4:45 m MAY 29, FOLLOWED BY STRATTON DINNER I _ . . .. A memorable day in McHenry will be Sunday, May 29, when Gov. William G. Stratton will come to the city to dedicate the new lock at the dam. The dedication program will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Algonquin, where the governor will give a brief talk. The boat caravan is scheduled to leave at 4 o'clock and arrive at the McHenry lock fifteen minutes later. Following the dedication, Gov. Stratton will make a trip into the Chain O'Lakes and return to McHenry, where he will be honored at a dinner at the McHenry Country club. The governor will officially open the lock, which is the first bf a series of low level dams &nd small boat locks or portage facilities designed to make the Fox river available for small craft from the Illinois river at Ottawa to the Chain O' Lakes on' the Wisconsin border. The long range program will ultimately result in construction, re-construction and acquisition of thirty-five dams and locks. With the opening of the local lock, small boats can now travel from Algonquin, seventeen miles south of here, to the Chain O' Lakes. . Lockage In Short Time The tycHenry lock has a useable chamber of 20 to 60 feet. The miter gates and the filling arid emptying conduits are electrically operated and a complete lockage can be ac- JAYCEE SAFE DRIVING ROAD-E-O IN CITY SATURDAY If th& is true, then the state is much more fortunate than local counties, where many blacktop roads have suffered greater damage than many folks can remember. In driving around McHenry county, it is evident that work has already been started in this cdifteetion. but the great number of rpads that need attention has made the task a big one. No need for speed limits in some places where only a "snail's > pace" is in order until road Crews can make the rounds. Larfce numbers of folks attended the first Home Show and Garden Walk held last we9k Wednesday in McHenry, sponsored by the W.S.C.S. of t h e C o m m u n i t y M e t h o d i s t church. Our ; community has long beon kpown for the friendship and ' cooperation between people of different creeds, and (Continued on Page 8) The lock chamber is formed of steel pilings, as are the wing walls and tie-up areas. The miter gates are of fabricated steel and are swung from gravity concrete anchor walls. Control of the water will be handled by the use of horns, signals and lights under supervision of a lock tender. A study of the Fox river, which extends 184 miles from its source in Wisconsin to Ottawa on the Illinois river, was started in 1947, but no definite progress was noted until eleven years later, when Gov. Strat- •on revived the project and appointed a Commission for the Development of the Fox River. As a result of their activities and the governor's backing of the project, funds were provided by the Legislature for the local project and for construction and re-construction of a series of dams in Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties. When the project is completed, the river will be more flexible for use by the boater, the fisherman and the hunter. Ii&pressive Parade Planned In McHenry On Memorial Day CAR WRECKED, DRIVER SUFFERS MINOR INJURIES William Sheehan of Spring Grove suffered only minor injuries last Saturday, even though his car turned over three times after he lost control of it while driving on East River Road, southeast of McHenry. The car was a complete loss. He was treated at McHenry hospital for injuries, and when released wps placed under $1,500 bond on a reckless driving charge of sheriff's deputies. When unable to pay that amount he was taken to jail. Hearing on the case was set for May 28. 'Teen-agers are asked to test their carmanship in McHenry on Saturday, May 28. at the V.F.W. parking lot in the Junior Chamber of Commerce safe driving Road-e-o. Any young motorist under 19 years of age who has a driving license may enter. Top winners in the local Road-e-o will be sent to the state eliminations and winners frbm the fifty states and the District of Columbia will compete for $4,900 in scholarships in August at the Washington, D. C., national finals. Autos will be 1960 models furnished by local dealers. This project is sponsored nationally and endorsed by the Illinois state police and Chief Joseph Grobel of the McHenry police. All parents and other adults are invited to watch the contestants complete the prescribed course next Saturday. The Road-e-o will begin at 12 noon. CHARGE YOUTHS WITH BREAK-IN AT BAKE SHOP . Cakes, Cookies, Change Taken On Riverside Drive BENEFIT DINNER A family style roast beef dinner will be served at the Ringwood Methodist church on Memorial day from noon until 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the building fund. CHANGE HOURS The McHenry Savings and Loan association will be dosed on the Memorial Day holiday next Monday, but will remain open on Wednesday, June 1. ROLE OFWDBSTRYlHCim FUTURE EXPLAINED TO TURK ORGANIZATIONS MONDAY NOON Once again this Memorial Day, tyay 30, McHenry will be the scene of one of the most imprelsive parades scheduled in this area, honoring , the veterans of all wars. Those participating in the line of march next Monday are asked to assemble not later than 8:30 at the high school, where a short ceremony will be held, including an invocation and a reading, "In Flanders Field", by Nancy Jurack. The high school band, under direction of Paul R. Yanda, will "Tfie Star Spangled Ban- CQmmander Harry Mueller of the Legion announces that parade participants will include the Viscounts drum and bugle corps, Legion rifle squad. Legion auxiliary and membership, Veterans of Foreign Wars dium and bugle corps, color guard, membership and auxiliary, World War I veterans. Scouts, Girl Scouts. Cub§. Explorers and Brownies, as well as members of other or- (Continued on page 8) White Elephant Dance For Hospital Fund The Lilymoor subdivision is sponsoring a white elephant dance as a benefit for McHenry hospital Saturday, May 28, at Club Lilymoor. Admission to the dance, which will begin at 8:30 p.m., will be a usable article hidden away in attics, basements or garages, according to co-chairmen Mrs. Fred Fradinardo and Mrs. Fred Karmel. Mrs. Steve Wijas is assisting with preparations. White elephant items will be auctioned off at the dance and the proceeds donated to McHenry Hospital's building fund. •The public is invited. FIREMEN'S DANCE Sunday evening. May 29, starting at 9 o'clock will be the fifth annual firemen's dance at the Legion home. Proceeds will be used to purchase new equipment and uniforms and for other needs of Station No. 1 of the McHenry Township Fire Protection district. An interesting and informative meeting of the McHenry Kiwanis club, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary club was held Monday noon at the Legion home, with the former acting as host organization. Donald Doherty, as M.C., introduced Mayor George P. Freund, who told the large assemblage that two new factories would be moving into the community in the near future, and that a third had shown an interest in McHenry as a location. Mr. Doherty then introduced Rn\al Rernier. chairman of the industrial development committee, who spoke on the past accomplishments of that group and its role in the future. He told of the problems involved in balancing industry with the tremendous population increase in the community. . He presented the estimated population of the city at present at 3,100, adding that this figure is expected to jump to 5.000 in fifteen years. He said that the county population is now about 85.000, with 115,000 expected by 1975, the greatest part of this increase anticipated in the eastern part of the county, which includes McHenry. Estimate Enrollment Using information supplied bv the recent survey of the McHenry : County Plan Commission, Mr. Bernier gave the estimated enrollment in the McHenry high school at 2,500 by 1969, which would be greatly more than double the number of students now attending. He continued to enumerate the problems which come with increased population, adding that it was safe to assume the tax load would be greatly increased. He said the committee feels that new industry would help carry the tax load of individuals in the years ahead. 'Statistics released by the economic research department of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States give economic and other changes in nine counties having substan- Two sixteen-year-old boys, both of whom had quit school, found themselves in trouble with the law as the result of a break-in at the Riverside Bake Shop early Monday morning. The youths are John Padgett of McCullom Lake ami John Fisher of Johnsburg, who later w?re given tickets on another charge by McHenry police officers unaware of the burglary. Officers riding in the squad car about 1 a.m. noticed a car parked on east Pearl street and became suspicious. Approaching one of -the youths walking toward the car, he told them he had been watching fishermen "on the bridge. Later, his companion was found on Green street. They were given tickets for being under the influence of liquor and sent home. A call from the Riverside Bakery informing police of a break-in during the night aroused the suspicions of the officers, who interrogated the youths apprehended during the early morning. They admitted breaking a pane in the rear door of the McHejyy bakery and gaining entrance. A quantity of cakes, cookies and a small amount of change ^re taken. The youths-will be heard by Judge Arftold mauen' on May 28. ' Cyclists Hurt In Accidents HURT IN CRASH Three motorists were injured about 11:40 Tuesday night on ' Rt. 134, east of Nippersink Drive. Robert Siebert of Round ; Lake, driver of one car, suffered a dislocated hip, cuts and • bruises, while a passenger, j Gerald Howes of Round Lake, ! had a broken arm. cuts and bruises. The driver of the second car was Peter Rosing of i Ingleside, who sustained cuts j and abrasions about the face. . State police investigated. j Express Satisfaction Over New Store Hours A meeting of the Riverside Drive Merchants association was held Tuesday to discuss the success of their recent promotion and the start of a new program of Monday night opening All rherchants who attended expressed satisfaction over the first opening night this week, and anticipated that the added service will become even better known in the months ahead. NOTICE The McHenry State Bank will close Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day and will remain open Wednesday, June 1. FILE PERSONAL PROPERTY Taxpayers are reminded that May 31 is the deadline for filing personal property tax forms with Assessor Lester Bacon. His office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 203 John street. am (Continued on page 8) A Community Moves Forward In recent years, many important milestones have been passed 'in McHenry, each opening a new way of life for local residents. One of the most important will occur Sunday, May 29, at 4:45 p.m., when Illinois Governor Stratton visits our city to dedicate the new lock at the dam, now in its completion stages. When the first settlers came to this Wilderness 124 years ago, they settled on the Fox river, which was then, and continues to be, one of the finest assets of a growing and progressive city. From a watercourse used largely as a source of water supply for man and beast and as a highway for transportation and communication, the Fox has become one of the favorite recreational spots in Illinois. From a period of water wheels operating grist mills, crude dams gave way to wooden, and later steel construction. Today finds a proud community eager to witness the latest step in progress. • The history of the Fox river is a long and proud one. With modern improvements making themselves known each day, it is difficult to realize that when the Fox valley was first settled, it was the principal highway for Indians and settlers. It is just as difficult to realize that the first pretentious attempt at river navigation was made as long ago as the post Civil War period, only to be abandoned because others were less foresighted than Octave Leundry, who secured a charter about 1867 to navigate the river from the mouth to Elgin. The last half century of the Fox river's history will be recalled by older residents who witness the dedication of the McHenry lock next Sunday. They, as well as others who have enjoyed its many advantages only in recent years, are grateful to those whose untiring efforts in behalf of the project have been responsible for this accomplishment. Motorcycle accidents caused injuries to three drivers over the weekend, ^nd one, a lrcal resident, was reported for a time in critical condition: He is Richard Pickrum of Wonder Lake, who was struck by an auto a$.he drove X>n Rt. 173, a half rtiite'ei&t of Spring Grove road, at Saturday night. ~ According to state police, Albert W. Bleiss> of Rt, 1, Antioch, was driving west on the highway when he attempted to pass an auto. He told authorities he was blinded by the sun and did not see the east-bound motorcycle. He attempted to get back in the right lane but was unable to avoid hitting Pickrum. The Wonder Lake man was taken to McHenry hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate his left leg above the knee. He also suffered a badly injured hand. His condition was reported improved by mid-week. Two drivers in the Scrambles race held at the Raven farm, southeast of McHenry, last Sunday were injured in one of tht? heats conducted at the racin" track. The ir )'orcycle driven by Robert l ord of Chicago, tipped over, and one by one, four others became involved in the mishap. Ford suffered a brain concussion and was taken, unconscious, to McHenry hospital for treatment. One other driver, G a r 1 Miehlke, also of Chicago, was the only other person hurt. He suffered a brakerr leg ^ita treated at McHenry hospital before being returned to Chicago. FREUND B0UHD7 GAGGED IN PEARL STREET HOME MONDAY AS INTRUDERS TAKE $190. RINGS McHENRY MAN NAMED PROFESSOR IN ENGINEERING Perry Sheneman, of McHenry, director of the engineering laboratories at the American Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chicago, was recently named a professor of electronic engineering. Professor Sheneman, who earned his B.S.E.E. degree at this Institute, is currently undertaking a three-year course of study for his masters degree in science, conducted at the same institution. He is the author of a text book and numerous magazine articles in the electronics field and presents lectures on various occasions. Mr. Sheneman's hobbies' include hunting, fishing, flying (commercial license) and playing with a dance band. ,, --' ' " I • -- One third of the plays of Shakespeare have Italian back- ' grounds. COUNTY BOARD VOTES IS T010 FOR DISMISSAL OF CORNUE AS SUPERVISOR OF ASSESSMENTS At a special meeting of the board of supervisors held on Wednesday morning, that group voted 15 to 10 for removal of Stanley Cornue from his office as supervisor of assessments. Action resulted after an investigation carried out by a seven-man committee into the complaints of aljout 500 county residents in regard to their treatment by him over tax inquiries. The board voted to have a secret ballot on his dismissal, after which Supervisor LeRoy Smith of McHenry made a motion, seconded by Supervisor A' Pearson, to remove him from office. In discussing the motion before a vote was taken, Supervisoi Hager asked whether legal interpretations had been secured concerning his removal from office. In answer, Supervisor Sergant, chairman of the special investigating committee, replied that there were so many aspects to consider in such a case that perhaps a court interpretation would be necessary to rule; consequently action on the motion would have to be taken before that interpretation could be received. Suggest Censure Supervisor Janak of Algonquin said that Mr. Cornue had been praised previously on his good work in office and suggested that these complaints against the supervisor of assessments were made only recently by dissatisfied taxpayers and perhaps were unjust. He posed the possibility of a censure of Mr. Cornue if they were found to be fair complaints. In answer. Supervisor Smith said he had no quarrel with the efficiency of the job of equalizing assessments since he was not sufficiently experienced with the program to do so. However, he added that in the last few years there have Census Shows Population Rise Census figures released this week indicate the tremendous population increase which has been - felt locally in the last decade. Within McHenry's rather confined limits, the increase showed a rise of little more than 1,000, from 2,147 in 1950 to 3,318 at present. The big increase in the township, from 7,296 to 16,758, indicates that the rise also has been great in the area surrounding McHenry. The township rise locally is second only to Algonquin township, where the increase was from 9,483 to 20,620. O t h e r t o w n s h i p i n c r e a s e s were as follows: Township 1950 1960 Riley 674 814 Nunda 4768 9095 Burton 547 794 Marengo 3338 4148 Chemung 4763 5418 Dunham . 975 1307 Alden 965 954 Hartland 819 956 Seneca 845 780 Coral 1254 1428 Grafton 2471 4029 Dorr 8280 9583 Greenwood 1229 3144 Hebron 1411 1450 Richmond 1511 1878 While most McHenry folks were spending a quiet Mondayafternoon, one resident, Mrs. Kathryn Freund, was the central figure in a real life story which unfolded much like a dramatic novel. Mrs. Freund, who resides on Pearl street, was bound and gagged by intruders to her home at 1 o'clock and kept under guard for about an hour while one of them completely ransacked her house. She was resting when knock called her to the backdoor in the early afternoon. The visitors, described as middle aged men wearing tan raincoats, informed her they were revenue men and asked if she had sold a particular farm. On confirmation of the business deal, ihey questioned her as to the price, then revealed that the buyer had not reported that amount and asked if they could see her tax bills. Looks For Records Although they did not produce ident if i c a t i o n, Mrs. Freund was not suspicious of the men and invited them into the kitchen as she went to the safe for record^. Just as,'•she was about to produce them, one of the men put a hand over her mouth, at the same time the other assisted in ordering the frightened woman to -the. second floor, wh%re they forced her to lie face down on the bed. ~ - There they blindfolded^ her, taped her hands and feet and also her mouth, o»^ Ing a h a n d k e r c h i e f and towel. One of the two remained inttoropm trlflle "the olhir rmnsacftMf the entire house for almost an hour. They pulled the electric clock cord at 1:30, and also cut the phone wires. After they left, Mrs. Freund managed to loosen the tape around her ankles sufficiently to walk to the door, where she managed to attract the attention of a girl who was passing by. The latter notified Edward Justen at Blake's garage, across the street from the Freund home, and he summoned aid. McHenry police hurried to the home, where they interrogated Mrs. Freund and neighbors concering the stranger^. It was learned from residents of the neighborhood that two men answering the description o! the intruders were seen walking northwest for at least a block. It was believed a vcar must have been waiting for them some distance away. Find Money Gone Investigation of the emptied drawers, safe and purse disclosed $100 missing, as well as two valuable diamond rings. A visit with Mrs. Freund Tuesday morning found her still shaken from the frightening experience, but grateful that she escaped uninjured. She had spent some time with a daughter, Marie Berndt, in DesPlaines, last winter, returning about Easter time. . Mrs. Freund is the widow of the late Matt Freund, for many years a successful implement dealer in McHenry. Bob McQueen of the Waukegan branch of the F.B.I., was in McHenry Tuesday to work with Chief Joseph Grobel on the case. Fingerprints and other material were taken as evidence and further investigation will be carried out. (Continued on page 8) Some villages, too, showed an increase. Spring Grove's population was slightly higher, with 294 compared to 269 at the time of the last census. Island Lake grew from 295 to 500. Two decreased slightly, including Lakemoor from 750 to 725 and Sunnyside from 300 to 298. U n i n c o r p o r a t e d W o n d e r Lake area showed a population of 3,517 against 1,072 at the time of the last count. The entire county population rose from 50,656 in 1950 to 83,156 in 1960, an increase of 32,500. TAX DEADLINE June 1 is the deadline date for payment of all personal property taxes and the first installment of real estate taxes. The second installment is due Sept. 1, according -to Treasurer Harry Herendeen. Payments may be made to the treasurer at the county court McH^iry State bank. PANCAKE DAY McHenry Boy Scout Troop. No. 162. will sponsor its sixth annual pancake day at the Legion home on Saturday. M&y 28, from 1C ajn. to 7 pjn. VETS PLAN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE