As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the village, we’ve taken a look back at some early issues of The Doings, which started covering the village in 1895.
These news briefs show not only what was going on in the 1920s, 1930s and 1970s, but how reporting has changed over time.
Big vote for annexation
April 14, 1923 — The annexation of Fullersburg became a reality after the votes were counted at the special election Tuesday. Though only a small vote was polled, it was so overwhelmingly in favor of the proposition that there was no question left in one’s mind as to the public sentiment toward a Greater and Better Hinsdale.
Two hundred and sixty-three votes were polled. Of these, 247 were in favor of annexation and 16 against. There was some electioneering against the annexation by a few residents of Fullersburg who feared an increase in taxation, but it had little influence.
The annexed territory, which becomes a new gateway to Hinsdale and is traversed by the State Road, will become a part of the village which in time will contain some of the prettiest spots in town. The wooded section offers excellent home sites and the southern end of the Cousins subdivision is high class property. This subdivision will grow rapidly now that water, sewers and electric light are available.
The village board at an early date will consider plans to carry village improvements into the annexed territory. Street lights and sidewalks will be the first improvement, and later water, sewers and pavement will come as property owners petition for the same.
No News; So We Have to Make a
Little of Our Own
March 16, 1933 — All was quiet in Hinsdale about ten o’clock on Friday morning. News was as scarce as “hen’s teeth.”
Then all of a sudden things began to happen.
The cold spell necessitated a little more heat than usual to warm up the shop at the Merrill Printing company. The furnace responded, but the flue pipe “couldn’t take it” and as a result became overheated. The soot caught fire and the situation became rather serious.
A quick call to the Hinsdale Fire Department brought Chief Henry Domianus and his men over in a hurry, with a result that the chemicals soon had the blaze extinguished.
The Doings takes this opportunity to thank the local firemen for their quick action and fine results.
Globetrotters trot to town
Oct. 12, 1972 — Hinsdale is getting the basketball works Tuesday night at Central high school. And that means Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal and the gang.
All that gang is the Harlem Globetrotters, the Clown Princes of the Court. Lemon remains the center of attraction, according to former Globetrotter Bobby Milton, but he also acts as a coach and no doubt will be on the bench when the Globetrotters play for real.
But you’ll be able to tell when the fun’s about to start because he’ll be out there, along with Neal, who still dazzles with his dribbling.
Their foes will be the New Jersey Reds, featuring little Red Klotz, who has real ability but is taken advantage of by the Globbies. ... The night is sponsored by the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Jaycees.
Milton played for 18 years for the Trotters and coached the team upon the death of Abe Saperstein in 1966. Milton no longer plays, but guaranteed that the team at Hinsdale Tuesday will put on a “complete show — the same one that’s given at the Pope’s house.” Also on the team are Nate Branch, ex-Nebraska star, and Jumpin’ Jack Jackson out of Virginia Union.
The Globetrotters are starting their 47th season. The stop in Hinsdale is one of their first before “they’re long gone,” laughed Milton.
