Freeport Journal-Standard from Freeport, Illinois • Page 6

Page 6 Freeport (HI.) Journal-Standard. Wednesday. April 17, 1974 Courthouse Wrecking A 1 By DUNCAN BIRDSELL Journal-Standard City Editor "I think it's coming down a lot faster than it went up." This was the summation of the leathery faced man leaning against the building across Galena Avenue from the courthouse as the clam shell bucket on the sky piercing crane tore another hunk away from the top side. The wreckers went to work in earnest Tuesday afternoon on the doomed Stephenson County Courthouse in a sun-splashed setting before scores of onlookers at the courthouse square. A new courthouse will rise on the same ground where craftsmen a century ago laboriously fashioned the familiar structure.

Resignation, bitterness, nonchalance and excitement coursed through the crowd as stone, brick and timbers cascaded on the worn front steps facing Stephenson Street. Dust puffed up from the growing rubble and shrouded the old skeleton of stone. The smells and sounds of demolition obliterated the open air music along the Downtown Plaza. Attentive Watchers LeRoy Bookman of Freeport, his wife and two grandchildren watched attentively from the west end of the First National Bank building. It was an afternoon of "spectatoring" for-Bookman in anpther week of all too frequent layoffs from the Chrysler plant in Belvidere.

"I hate to see it go," said "It's one of the things of our times to tear down buildings. I paid for that one and now I'll help pay for the next." Demolition gazing was not arduous for some. The bank has conveniently moved a dozen padded chairs outside for passers-by. And there were benches that had been moved across the street from the Civil War soldiers' monument. Harold Fischer of rural Freeport and his wife had more than a casual interest.

At the crane controls across the street behind the wire fence was their son Verlyn. "It was pretty well shot inside," remarked the elder Fischer about the old building. "I feel the courthouse should be right where this one sits." Angry Comment Anger flashed over the face of one passing younger woman wearing a Landmark Association button, as she spotted the newsman with his notebook. "Tell your editor I wish it was him who was getting torn down," she spat out. "I hope he's satisfied now." But emotion was not ruling the elderly man seated next to the Fischers.

Abe Julius is 83 years old and past the fitful stage. "The building is 100 years old and looks like it," observed' Julius. "I thought we'd never live to see this, but I don't feel either way about the old building. I signed the petition (to save the courthouse) because I was persuaded bv friends." Julius harkened back to the days when he served a stint of grand jury duty in the building coming down before his eyes. Albert Manus Sr.

sat as judge and Louis Reinhold was the state's attorney. Youngster Entranced A cluster of' youngsters squatted along the curb, witnessing one event that no other spring vacation adventure may equal. "Wreck it wreck it it's going to be a big one," shouted one excited boy. "Boy. You can't even see it hardly," gasped his companion when dust mushroomed around the fading building.

Inside the bank building, the daily dealings of the financial institution proceeded apace. Construction activity now sandwiches the bank, with its own addition taking shape to the rear and the courthouse demolition proceeding to the front. "Oh, it was a little noisy, but the only time we really heard anything was when they dropped a large section of block," said David Murray, a bank officer. "All the offices facing courthouse were up with people having a look. We put some chairs and coffee outside and we sure had the people inside.

Maybe we ought to get some hard hats." Father Pleases Son Over at the corner of Stephenson St. and, Van Buren bicyclist Bill Stimpert hadn't expected to be watching but he failed to reckon With Jim, his 5-year-old son. Settled in the bike rumble seat behind dad, Jim drank in the crane clawings. "We've been here about 10 min- utes," said Stimpert, 'who lives on Ringold Street aboiit four blocks north of the courthouse square. "Jim looked put the bedroom window and saw the crane moving so I thought I'd faring him down.

Any machinery him excited." Stimpert considers'''himself somewhat of a switcher on the now academic courthouse saving issue. "Quite some time ago when they started talking.abput saving the court- yhpuse I was, foV'it; but I think thfe (tearirig it down) is now the thing to 1 do. I looked inside and saw there was' no sense in sa'ving it," Stimpert said." Two Freeport teen-agers relaxed on a planter at the west end of the Plaza as the afternoon wore on. Their views' on the demise of the old building were hardly compatible. 'Cities Change' "People like to see things as they are, but.

I myself like new buildings! People change and cities change," said Gary Law, 19. "It's sad to watch it dome down," replied Kim Millam, 15, a Freeport High sophomore. "I think it should have up. We talked aboutthis in debate the hqurof 4 rolled by and the gaping hole ijMhe front of the old building facing Stephenson Street gave testimony to the efficiency of a mechanical powerhouse against an ancient structure; The wrecking strode off, a day-work done, of similar nature to follow. One of the Galena Avenue "sidewalk superintendents" sized up his feelings.

"Sure, the building could have stood forever, but it was so dirty inside; and the water came in. Sure there was sentiment for the old building, but how were they going to finance it. Sure, a lot of people signed their names on the petitions, but what if they'd been asked for $5. That's where the sticker is." Petty Theft Charge Dismissed Against Ex-Nursing Center Head "I'm happy. I'm pleased it's all over." A beaming David B.

Henschel, former Stephenson Nursing Center administrator, exuded joy and relief as he sipped coffee at a lunch counter following the dismissal today of petty theft charges against him. Henschel was arrested Dec. 31, 1973, by Sheriff Don Scofield and charged with stealing 35 pounds of beef from the nursing center. Henschel has contended since his arrest that the meat was being transferred to his home for storage. The bench trial before Associate Circuit Judge Dexter Knowlton got under way 45 minutes behind schedule.

State prosecutor Dennis Drda, an as- sistant state's attorney, surprised the 25 spectators at the trial by promptly moving for dismissal of the charge for lack of evidence. "We would not be able to sustain the burden of proof in this matter," Drda said. Defense attorney Michael Mahoney said Drda's contention that the state could not prove the charge was "an accurate appraisal" of the situation, and that the defense was prepared to show Henschel's innocence. He added that he was surprised by the state's action and had learned of Drda's intention just 15 minutes before trial. In dismissing the charge, Judge Knowlton instructed the spectators, many of whom were present or former LWV Meetings Study Home Rule Mrs.

C. Fuller, chairman of the local government committee, presented the discussion of local government and explained the difference in power between the Freeport City Council and the Stephenson County Board during unit meetings of the League of Women Voters last week. Mrs. Fuller said that although Freeport has home rule powers, the county does not because it does not have an elected county executive. Freeport has exercised its home rule powers twice; she said, in dealing with the sign ordinance and the assessment for sanitary sewer hookup on Drive.

Revenue sharing funds at! all levels were also discussed. Members were encouraged to attend City Council and County Board meetings. School finance will be the subject of the second unit meetings in April. The meetings will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the YMCA and at 8 p.m.

April 25 at the home of Mrs. Philip Gordon, 220 Park Crest Drive. A GAPING HOLE in the front of the Stephenson County Courthouse was the result of the Tuesday afternoon work of a crane and bucket. Crowds clustered around three sides of the courthouse throughout the day to witness the demolition, which will be followed by erection of a new courthouse on the same site. Journal-Standard Photos.

AFTER EASTER WOMEN'S SHOE SHOES On-The-Plaza SAVE to On Women's Shoes THURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY ONLY! Selection Of WOMEN'S DRESS Good Selection WOMEN'S PANT 4 SHOES Special Group WOMEN'S CASUAL OFF Young HIGH FASHION PLATFORM SHOES 'OFF employes of the nursing the filing of a charge is "no indication of guilt," and should not be construed as such. Henschel said his immediate plans include finding another positon, as his one-year verbal contract with the County Board expired March 1. He said he intends to stay in Freeport through the spring, "until school's out," and hopes to find an administrator's job in either Illinois or Wisconsin, the states in which he is licensed. "I have no job offers no though," he said, adding that the length of the proceedings has inhibited him from taking steps toward finding new employment. The original trial was scheduled March 19 but was continued when a key witness reportedly broke her hip and was unable to attend.

"It's a long time from Dec. 31 to April 17," he said. "It is extremely disheartening because I couldn't look for another position with this cloud hanging over me." Henschel said he was extremely concerned for the future of the nursing center. "I know all this has done much harm to the center," he said. "Before this happened, ours was far superior to any nursing home in the area, and well, the state to the best of my knowl- edge.

This has hurt the home and will continue to hurt the home for a period of time. It really bothers me that the residents and staff will have to carry this monkey around with them." The former administrator said he had "given no thought at this time" to possible suits against the state or the county for the arrest. Red Cross Offers A CURBSIDE PERCH was afforded two Intent youngsters at the courthouse razing. Spring vacation from school could not have come at a better time. First Aid Classes; Cancer Talk Given To Begin April 20 To Rotary Club Erwin Roesler, Red Cross first aid chairman, has announced the following first aid classes.

Standard First Aid and Personal Safety will be taught on Sundays beginning April 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. The course takes 16 hours and will be taught by William Olmstead. Standard Multimedia First Aid will be offered on Thursdays, May 9 and 16, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. The course takes eight hours and will be taught by Jerold Peters. For registration and information, persons may call the Red Cross office, 232-0011.

Classes will be held in the Red Cross office, 11 EV Exchange St. Local Hospital News Births At Memorial Mr. and Humphrey, 8 Pleasant parents of a son born today in Freeport Memorial Hospital. A son was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs.

Robert Petrine, 1401 Bolkinwood Drive. Patients At Memorial Surgical patients in Freeport Memorial are Richard Stafford, 1104 S. Ben- son Mrs. Willis CoUman, Freeport Route Mrs. Carl Bordner, Dakota; and Henry Kampen of Forreston.

Medical patients include Roger Anderson, 1256 W. Palmer Winona Brooks, 1112 E. Stephenson Mrs. Lewis Pettit, 635 E. Iroquois Russell Phillips, 415 W.

Spring Mrs. Carol Scanlon, W. Main and Donald Baker, Freeport Route 5. High Courthouse Perch Brings Man's Arrest Daniel L. Walker, 21, 541 N.

Waddell pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court this morning to charges of-criminal trespass to land, resisting arrest and possession of not less than 10 grams nor more than 30 grams of marijuana after an incident at the old Stephenson County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon. Walker was allegedly sitting in a top window of the structure undergoing demolition, just after 2 p.m. Tuesday. Stephenson County Sheriff Don Schofield and a deputy saw Walker at the same time and the deputy entered the building to apprehend him, Scofield said. Walker tried to elude the deputy inside the building but failed.

As Scofield and the deputy were taking Walker to the county jail after arresting him on a charge of criminal trespass to land, Walker attempted to break free and run away. When recaptured, he started fighting with the officers, the sheriff said. A routine search of Walker revealed a bag of marijuana, Scofield said. Bond on the criminal trespass charge was set at $250. On the resisting arrest charge and the possession, charge, bond was was set at $1,000 each.

Walker was remanded to jail this morning for failure to post bond. The public defender was appointed for him. A hearing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. April 29. Dr.

M. E. Boyer of Freeport spoke to the Freeport Rotary Club Monday noon about his personal battle to overcome cancer. The subject of his talk was "Cancer: Circle, Suspect and Besides having a serious operation for cancer, Dr. Boyer has lost his wife and mother to the disease.

Latest Landfill Inspection Meets State Standards Freeport Mayor Mark McLeRoy received a letter today from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency stating the city's sanitary landfill is now operating in compliance with EPA standards. The EPA inspected the landfill April 3 and this letter indicates a satisfactory inspection, the mayor said. EPA inspection procedures at the city landfill came up for extended discussion at Monday evening's City Council session as the mayor questioned whether the city facility was undergoing more intensive checking than other municipal landfills. EPA officials said Tuesday that the Freeport landfill is not more watched than others. Square Dance Meeting At Park Pavilion Adults who participate in the Freeport Park District square dancing program will meet at 7 p.m.

Saturday in the Read Park pavilion. This is a change of meeting place. Woody Fulkerson will be the caller. Interested adults are invited. A nominal fee will be charged.

For more information, persons are asked to call the park district office. Marriage Licenses AT FREEPORT David W. Tibbets Freeport Diane Williams same Daniel Kiersten Wis. Cindy Kohls Waterloo, Wis. Daniel M.

Lashinski, Freeport Mary Washburn AFTER EASTER CHILDREN'S SHOE SHOES On The Plaza Size to 4 GIRLS Size 2 to 6 FRI. And SAT. ONLY to $15.00 to Values to $16.00 Buster Brown. And.