Jan. 15, 1925
The members of the Board of county Commissioners of this county, have been meeting quite frequently here of late. The Board is endeavoring to check up on the county officials of our county,aiming to determine their financial standing in regard to their account with Calhoun county. Tuesday of this week the Board met to take up the report of Sheriff Anton Schleeper. This Board appointed Philip Aderton of Hardin special auditor to go over the books and records of the county officials and make a report to them as such auditor. The auditor found the account of Sheriff Schleeper unbalanced to the amount of several thousand dollars. Tobias Schleper of Brussesl, father of the Sheriff, came up to Hardin on day last week and we lear, made a satisfactory settlement to the extent.
Jan. 12, 1950
It is a time honored custom for the residents of any community or county at the beginning of a new year to cast the eyes of reflection back over the year that has just passed into history. In deference to such custom we might do just this in regard to the Kingdom of Calhoun. About the best thing that happened to the county last year was the near completion of the REA system. About 500 homes were lighted during the period and a little more work next spring will service several others. The program has brought the county into the top bracket among all rural areas in the country in regard to the electrification of homes and farm buildings. With the advent of power, the homeowners have probably bought close to a half million dollars of electrical appliances. Installation of the appliances and the wiring of buildings has brought its full share of prosperity to businessmen and workers. Scores of television sets were also installed during the year. Tourists and sightseers coming into the county broke all records. The two big events of the year, apple blossom week and apple festival, brought an estimated forty thousand visitors and the beauty of the orchards and hills brought many thousands more. Needless to say that these visitors have done a lot for the prosperity of local communities.
Jan. 16, 1975
Prior to the building of the Hardin bridge a ferry operated just upriver from where the bridge now stands. At that time there was no other bridge within miles and the ferry was the only way across the Illinois the people of the Hardin area had. The ferry was owned by Fred Herter, who purchased it from his father, John Herter Sr, by trading one of his farms. He moved back to Calhoun after farming in North Dakota for 11 years. He left North Dakota because of poor crops and bad weather conditions. He took over operating the ferry in 1914. At that time it was not a very progressive business as there were no hard roads and very few automobiles. In the winter, when the river froze over, Herter sawed a channel and pushed the ferry through it. Many times he could barely get the people across who came in on the East Hardin train. As time went on the government began improving roads and traffic picked up and the ferry became a progressive business. Later the State of Illinois decided to build a bridge. The last few years Mr. Herter hired extra help and he was glad when the bridge was opened. The bridge was dedicated on July 23, 1931. It is called the Joe Page Bridge.
Jan. 12, 2000
The public was invited to the Apple Shed in Batchtown to participate in a kick-off celebration commemorating the formation of Calhoun County 175 years ago or, as it is officially called, “Centeseqptquinary.” About 65 people did so, including dignitaries Miss Calhoun County 1999 Traci Strauch, State Representative Tom Ryder, County Board Chair Vince Tepen, Calhoun 40 Superintendent Terry Strauch, Brussels Mayor Sarah Kinder, Kampsville Mayor Ted Schumann and Judge Richard D. Greenlief. State Senator Vince Demuzio was unable to attend but sent a proclamation. Rep. John Shimkus sent his congratulations. “Calhoun County is the entrance to one of the most scenic portions of the entire state, and I am proud that it is part of my district.” Senator Peter Fitzgerald commended the staff of the Calhoun Historical Society for its dedication to education and preservation. On behalf of the citizens of Illinois,he sent his congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful celebration on this momentous day.