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Record The Putnam County
Volume 146 No. 5
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Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Looking back in Putnam County Historical book should be ready in December By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — A story 188 years in the making is about to be told. After two years of researching and story gathering, the “History of Putnam County” should be available from the Putnam County Historical Society just in time for Christmas, with release expected in December if all goes well.
The book is being printed by Acclaim Publishing in Kentucky, a company that specializes in printing county histories. “We’re hoping that it’ll be ready by the end of the year, but it depends on what other counties (Acclaim) has in the pipeline,” said Sidney Whitaker, president of the Putnam County Historical Society. “All of the family stories and the photos that came with
them have gone in. We received about 260 family stories and around 300 photos to go with them, and they have to be laid out, so it makes sense. “We’re now getting the general history, so there will be not just the family stories but the historical events to put it into context,” Whitaker said. “The family section with the photos should be between 100 and 150 pages, and the history
pages should be about the same magnitude. It’s going to make a nice coffee table book.” The first idea for a historical book about the county actually popped up 35 years ago in 1978. Some research was done, and some publishers looked at but never got any farther. About the same time, the society acquired the Pulsifer House and decided to put their efforts into restoring the home instead of writing the book.
However, according to Whitaker, the idea came back around 20 years ago. Since then, several pamphlets have been distributed by the society during key anniversary dates such as sesquicentennials for local villages, schools and churches. “The background material for those were put together by a lot of people who aren’t with us anymore, unfortunately,” said Whitaker. “But those materials will be used in the book.”
The book will be in a 8 1/2-by-11-inch format with a leatherette cover and retail for $54.95. So far, 300 have already been ordered. Advance orders can be placed with the Putnam County Historical Society, but time is limited. Whitaker said there will be some overstock available. “Acclaim told us that often, people have asked for a book after seeing one for themselves. It’s a lot cheaper to print some extras than it is to go back to press with it,” she said.
What lives below? Berg will present local geology at library’s 75th anniversary speaker series By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
MCNABB — The Putnam County Library 75th anniversary speaker series continues on Oct. 7 with the presentation of “Putnam County: Little county, big geology.” The presentation will be given by Richard C. Berg, PhD. Berg is the chief scientist at the Illinois State Geological Survey of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Berg will use slides, wmaps and his own experiences to inform attendees of the major geological formations under Putnam County. He has studied the area for 12 years. According to Berg, millions of years ago the Mis-
sissippi River, along with the Illinois River, washed all over the Putnam County area, occupying the Illinois Valley River Valley. This phenomena has left the Putnam County area with very unique geological markings right under its own feet. One of these is a huge ground water resource. “In the Illinois Valley area, there is a huge ground water resource, not only in the sands and gravels on the terraces on either side of the Illinois River but beneath the up terraces,” said Berg. “Up underneath the bluff, there is an aquifer that is at least 100 feet thick. It is a huge resource.”
See Speaker Page 2
Rescuing Doogie Standard Fire Department pulls dog from well By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
STANDARD — It’s not just humans who have a tendency to leap before they look, but it probably won’t happen a second time for Doogie. Arch Hopkins had been having some problems with his well and hired someone to take a look at it on Sept. 21. They had opened the well and were about Vol. 146 No. 5 One Section - 16 Pages The Putnam County
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to inspect it when Hopkins’ dog, Doogie, a golden retriever/poodle, came running to greet them. Doogie didn’t see the hole in time and fell into the 37-footdeep well, landing in 14 feet of water. The Standard Fire Department was called at 10:45 a.m., but they weren’t quite sure how to carry on. “There’s a first time for everything,” said Standard Fire Chief Mike Skowera. “This is obviously not something you run into often.” The close confines of
See Doogie Page 3
Putnam County Record photo/Ken Schroeder
The great pumpkin pounce at Boggio’s Sophie Ploch of Oglesby navigates some pumpkins during the annual Boggio’s Pumpkin Harvest Craft Show on Sept. 28.