Years Gone By

5 years ago:

     • Greg Williams, head coach of the Monticello High School boys track and field team for 22 years, is one of eight coaches nationwide to be nominated for National Track Coach of the Year. Williams and the other seven finalists will attend the NHSAC Convention June 25-29 in Louisville, Ky. Each will present a session at the convention on a topic of their choice.  (3/16/2016)

25 years ago:

     • Louis Soppe, captain of the Monticello Police Dept., was appointed police chief last Friday. Soppe was hired 23 years ago by former chief John Cook.  (3/20/1996)

50 years ago:

     • Monticello firemen were called to the Hoag Duster Factory about 11 a.m. Monday to extinguish a fire which apparently started in wood shavings near a lathe in the basement. The factory’s automatic sprinkler system was activated by the intense heat and firemen were hampered by heavy smoke. Damage was minor, according to Steve Hoag, and the machine which is used for making duster handles, was back in operation by Tuesday. Fire chief Gilbert Hearn estimated firemen were at the scene about 45 minutes. (3/18/1971)

75 years ago:

     • The Monticello city council at a meeting held Monday night issued a building permit to Rudolph Monk for a shop and display building to be erected on property recently purchased from the Fred Kellum estate. The new building will face First Street and will have a frontage of 36 feet. It will be erected of brick and tile. (3/21/1946)

     • Last Sunday a fox hunt was held near Monticello with 37 hunters taking part. The group ran across four foxes and got one. Another fox hunt will be held next Sunday, March 24. Hunters will meet on the west side of the Zimmerman Western Auto and Supply store. (3/21/1946)

100 years ago:

     • A case of furious driving on First Street occurred shortly after eight o’clock last Monday evening. A Ford touring car with curtains down was driven over the slippery pavement at a thirty mile clip. (3/18/1921)

     • The high school team was given a “feed” at the Peacock Shop to celebrate its victory over Dubuque. Guilford & Maire have promised them another celebration if they win at Iowa City. (3/18/1921)