The Way It Was

100 years ago

Prominent Illinois woman beats an adopted child

ALEDO, Ill. -- Upon evidence of having inflicted 200 wounds, Mrs. Mary A. McKinney, a prominent society woman and church worker of Aledo, was yesterday by a jury found guilty of cruelty to 15-year-old Stella Grady, whom Mrs. McKinney adopted. Sentence was deferred until Judge Graves hears arguments on a motion for arrest of judgment. The plea of defense was insanity.

50 years ago

Merriott to retire Jan. 15

On his 70th birthday, Sunday Daniel E. Merriott, 721 North Main, Farm and Home archivist, will retire after 35 years of service to the firm. Mr. Merriott, however, will not become entirely inactive. Since he, better then anyone else, knows his way around the thousands of files that have been accumulated by the association through the years, he will remain on the staff as a part-time member.