40 Years Ago
Here’s from Editor Claude Walker’s “Personal Observations” column – a lesson or a lament? The joys and jaundices of doing a weekly column for too long?
He thought that since his 59 readers knew more than he about putting out a newspaper, they should do just that. Walker said he was tired of people whining because their name was in the papers. Don’t do anything illegal or immoral that gets your name in print, he suggested. Or don’t be such an isolationist that you resent public mention of even your most innocent doings.
The U.S. Constitution shouts “Freedom of the Press,” wrote Walker, and said his newspaper represented just that. He added that Fairness of the Press is equally important, and came with the Truth. It’s a fact, he wrote, that two Forest Park weeklies (back then) were the arbiters of Truth, and that the Review editor would decide what was news, newsworthy or no news – in his.
From the Aug. 29, 1968, Forest Park Review
30 Years Ago
Speaking of “Freedoms,” that of “Speech” was exercised by the owners of a tavern at 7335 Roosevelt Road – anonymity requested. For those without a magnifying glass, their posted sign read, “Due to the mediocre mayor and council of Forest Park, we have shorter hours: Weekdays – 1 a.m., weekends 2 a.m.”
The early closings applied to all local bars due to the repeated rowdy and raucous behavior of some departing, juiced merrymakers – the result of many early morning complaints by nearby residents. This tavern’s management seemed reluctant, yet complied while summoning another freedom – that of opinion.
From the Aug. 23, 1978, Forest Park Review
20 Years Ago
Winning the Illinois State Lottery versus a newsboy winning a four-day trip to New York was covered in last week’s column. This week it’s about someone who sold the ticket and a “lucky” winner cashing it in. Four people split a $21,748,136 jackpot, one of whom bought his ticket from Charley Bean, White Hen manager at 7300 Roosevelt Road. But the winner lived apart from his family – a mother and four children – who made first claim to the prize. (One wonders if he took issue with newspapers publishing his name.) “Small world,” said comic Stephan Wright. “But I wouldn’t want to paint it.”
From the Sept. 14, 1988, Forest Park Review
10 Years Ago
Remember the guy who took three bullets to the head? A week later police got a clearer picture of what happened. (Surprise! Drugs were involved.) The two shooters were brought together to the man’s apartment at 528 Desplaines Ave. by a woman. At stake was a half-pound brick of marijuana for sale by the man. For reasons then unknown, one of the gunmen fired a bullet into the back of the man’s head before the transaction was completed. As he lay on the floor, the three ransacked the place. While they searched for the “gold” the victim stirred, and the second man shot him in the head. Once the cache was discovered the trio made off with it, plus $150 in paper money. As they left, apparently for good measure, a third bullet was pumped into the victim’s skull.
But – not good enough! Those who read the earlier report of this shooting know that the victim somehow got to his feet, dragged himself to a next-door neighbor and got help. Yet even this wasn’t all. Believe it or don’t believe it, the victim was released from the hospital in less than two weeks!
The trio was caught within 48 hours and placed on a $1 million bond.
From the Aug. 5, 1998, Forest Park Review
Bob was born in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1932. His family encouraged him to join the Air Force (ours) during the Korean War. There, he fell into the clutches of Barbara Miles. They still have two world-class daughters, Jill and Cara. “Each of the four of us likes the other three of us,” says Bob.
