Grundy County, IL

Phoenix Advertiser
Minooka News

October 1, 1903
Vol. 28, No. 40


C. K. DAVIS was in Chicago on business Tuesday.

A. K. KNAPP continues to gain strength slowly.

George COLLEPS was in Chicago on a business trip Tuesday.

M. L. KAFFER was billed for the state fair at Springfield 
Tuesday night.

Thomas KETTLESON is having a large barn erected on his farm 
in Seward.

N. J. COMERFORD is helping out in the building line by 
having a barn erected on his farm near town.

A fine little daughter arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Andrew FEENEY Tuesday, Sep. 21, 1903.

The corn cutting festival is now on with the farmers and 
they will have short time for any other proposition for a 
few weeks.

John BRANNICK's new house, a mile south of town, is receiving 
the attention of the plasterers and will soon be at a state 
of completion.

The Knights of Pythias of Minooka lodge will give a grand 
Thanksgiving ball at Union hall on the eve of the festive 
holiday, Wednesday, November 25.

The ladies of the M. E. church held a fair and gave a supper 
at Masonic hall Wednesday afternoon and evening. The weather 
was decidedly unfavorable but there was a fair attendance.

Several Minooka people have been in Joliet this week to 
deliver up their dimes for a glance at Wild Minnie, Speedy, 
the high driver, Diavolo looping the loop and the carnival 
congress of artistic grafters.

N. J. COMERFORD and M. L. KAFFER were in Chicago on business 
Tuesday. It was Mr. COMERFORD's first trip to the city since 
his illness. He is still gaining strength and all hope for 
his early recovery to perfect health.

At the sale of the CAMPBELL house last week on the lot 
recently purchased by St. Mary's church, the purchaser was 
Patsy DWYER who paid $37 for the property. He has been 
negotiating with N. J. COMERFORD for the purchase of a lot 
near by and if he buys the lot will at once move the 
building thereto.

Miss Mae ANDREWS, of this place, and Mr. Harry JOHNSON, 
formerly night operator for the Rock Island to Joliet, made 
a voyage to the Gretha Green across the lake from Chicago 
last Thursday, Sept. 24, and when they returned from St. Joe 
it was as husband and wife. They will reside in Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. John BUCKLEY, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. HOLBROOK, Mrs. 
C. E. DAVIS, Miss Lottie WATSON, Miss Ella ANDERSON and W. H. 
RANDALL went to Joliet last Monday night as members of 
Minnehaha Chapter of Eastern Star, of this place, to attend 
the 12th anniversary of Marguerite Chapter of that city. They 
might also have taken in the carnival sights but this they 
disclaim.

C. B. CHASE has been offered a proposition to go to Seattle, 
Washington, to superintend the erection of a brick plant and 
will probably accept the situation and soon be westward 
bound. Mr. Chase is much impressed with the possibilities 
in the field of brick manufacture and at some future time 
may embark in the business himself. Out at Deadwood from 
whence he lately returned he says that paving brick from 
Galesburg, this state, are being freely used. The freight 
considerably more than equals the cost of the brick.

John GATONS, who shot and killed his son, John GATONS, Jr., 
at his farm in Troy Township a few weeks ago, died at St. 
Joseph's hospital in Joliet last Friday morning. Since the 
appalling tragedy the aged homicide had been filled with 
remorse and refused nearly all sustenance. Age, grief and 
repining combined led steadily and surely to the end and 
before the indicting body of Will County reached his case 
the slayer of his son expiated his crime in a death produced 
by greater agony than the scaffold gives. The funeral was 
held at the old farm home in Troy Saturday morning at 10 
o'clock, the services being conducted by Rev. Dr. D. C. 
MILNER, the Presbyterian pastor, of Joliet, for whom the 
dying man had sent to comfort him in his last troublous 
days. The burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

The remains of Rev. Father WELSH were taken up from their 
long resting place beneath St. Mary's church last Monday and 
were taken to Joliet and buried in Mt. Olivet. Father WELSH 
was the second resident priest here and died in 1878. In 
accordance with his request his body was buried beneath the 
sanctuary where he had so long and faithfully taught his 
people. The burning of the church some time ago and the 
decision to rebuild on another site led to the removal of 
the remains which are only the bones. The clothing is said 
to have been in a fair state of preservation. Father WELSH's 
predecessor, the first resident priest in St. Mary's parish, 
was Rev. Father SHEEDY. There have been only three other 
priests here, Rev. Father MOLONEY, the first Father McMAHON, 
now at Rockford, and the present clergyman, Rev. Father 
Joseph McMAHON.

Transcribed 11/09/98 by Deb Haines