Years Gone By

5 years ago:

     • Private Lucas Hinrichs, son of Jeff and Sandy Hinrichs, arrived home on Dec. 23 after serving five months in Iraq. Hinrichs was among one of the last waves of troops to leave Iraq, signifying the end of the war.

     He joined the army in October 2010. While in Iraq, Hinrichs was part of a security platoon. He said his unit was lucky they didn’t experience any major incidents overseas.

     Arriving home just before Christmas, Hinrichs said he’s never missed a Christmas home in Monticello. (1/4/2012)

10 years ago:

     • Thanks to the efforts of locals like Bill Corbin and Bill Meyer, Bowens Prairie Cemetery now has a Civil War memorial. Corbin designed and made the memorial, taking three years to build. Corbin is an avid local historian. The memorial honors 17 men from east Bowens Prairie that served in the Civil War. Corbin learned they either died of disease or were killed in battle. Corbin also made 17 headstones out of wood and router for each veteran, lined up in a V-formation. At the center of the memorial is a statue of a civil war solider with the words “Guarding Their Memory.” (1/3/2007)

25 years ago:

     • Bob Devaney was honored for his 35 years of service to Monticello State Bank during a special salute to his retirement on Dec. 30 at the bank. Devaney joined the Monticello State Bank on May 1, 1956 as head teller. He was promoted in 1963 to assistant cashier. Later promotions included assistant vice president and vice president.

     Devaney and his wife Rose reside in Monticello. (1/1/1992)

     • A fire destroyed a barn on the Melvin Manternach farm on Dec. 30, 2 miles west of town on D-62. No injuries were reported. The Monticello Fire Department was called out around 12:30 a.m. and found the barn fully engulfed in flames. Anamosa and Hopkinton fire departments assisted on scene until 8 a.m.

     Manternach stored hay, straw and shell corn inside the barn. He was able to evacuate 600 head of cattle. Fire Chief Clarence Goedken said damage totaled in excess of $100,000. A cause had not been determined. (1/1/1992)

50 years ago:

     • Ten-year-old Jude Haag is being held in juvenile custody following the intentional shooting of his father, Victor Haag. Jude shot his father during a quarrel between Victor and his wife, Jude’s mother. Victor was wounded in the right side of his back below the shoulder blade. He was taken to John McDonald Hospital and transferred to the veterans’ hospital in Iowa City. Two other Haag children were home at the time of the shooting. (1/5/1967)

     • Nicholas Simon Knapp, who was born on Jan. 1 at 2:29 p.m. at John McDonald Hospital, is the first baby of the New Year. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp of Cascade. Nicholas joins four older brothers and three older sisters.

     The lucky parents will collect $100 in prizes from Monticello merchants. (1/5/1967)

100 years ago:

     • Sam Christ, the Greek shoe repairer, has installed a new machine for stitching shoe soles. It’s an expensive machine, costing in the neighborhood of $500. It’s adaptable to any thickness or width of sole and will do smooth work on a lady’s fine shoe or a heavy soled boot. (1/4/1917)

     • Fritz Yossi has purchased his partner’s interest in the pool hall and soft drink parlor, which before now was referred to as Harms and Yossi. Fritz has recently installed three pool tables and a 10-pin bowling alley. (1/4/1917)