Glancing Back for July 6: Police shoot feeling man (2024)

100 years ago,

July 6, 1924

No paper, Sunday.

50 years ago, 1974

CHARLESTON — John E. Sanders, 21, was shot by a Charleston policeman early Friday while apparently feeling police. Sanders was listed in "fair" condition today in the intensive care unit at Charleston Community Hospital. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. at Decker Springs Trailer Court in Charleston. According to police, Sanders, formerly of Charleston, was wanted on burglary and theft charges in Champaign County. A police press release stated that Chief Tom Larson, officer Wayne Campbell and a police cadet responded to an ambulance call at the trailer court. They discovered a person who had apparently been in a fight. Police then noticed Sanders and arrested him for the Champaign County warrant. The release said Sanders broke away. Campbell pursued Sanders across a field. The press release said he yelled repeatedly for Sanders to halt. Campbell then fired his revolver. Sanders went down but was not hit. As Campbell approached, Sanders got to his feet and began running again. Campbell fired again and the bullet struck Sanders...MATTOON — Howard Cordes has resigned as Mattoon City dogcatcher. The resignation was effective Friday. Cordes, in a letter to Mayor Roger Dettro, cited poor pay as the main reason for quitting. The position pays $6,000 a year. Cordes said he could not support his family on the salary the city pays him. Cordes, who has had several confrontations in the past with members of the local human association, also started that there were "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." He did not elaborate.

25 years ago, 1999

SHELBYVILLE — Police say a tip from the public Thursday helped tie evidence together and lead them to an arrest in the Heather Lynch murder case. Robert M. Woodall, 21, of Shelbyville was arrested at his place of employment in Mattoon Friday evening for first-degree murder of Lynch. Though police said no motive is known and no weapon has been found, evidence and statements link Woodall to the scene of the crime. Woodall's name came up early in the investigation and again as late as Thursday, when police were then able to obtain a search warrant for his residence and an arrest warrant for him. He was taken into custody without incident...MATTOON — Visitors packed the Coles County Memorial Airport to view 25 minutes of non-stop fireworks that included a showy finale Sunday. With a simulcast of music from WXET (107.9) radio, the show kicked off with poprock tune "1999." "What really set it off was the selection of music. It was excellent," said Dustin Janes, 12, of Mattoon. Organizers said about $12,000 in fireworks topped last year's display of about $7,000 and was staged by Central Illinois Fireworks Association...TRILLA — A fire caused extensive damage to one family's home and external damage to a neighbor's home in Trilla Sunday. The home owned by Jeff and Jamie West of 205 W. Main St. in Trilla, received substantial damage, though firefighters friends and family were able to save some of the family's personal belongings. Lt. Rob Ratliff said Lincoln firefighters went into the home and tried to salvage what they could, especially from the children's rooms. Firefighters were first called about 5 p.m. Sunday and returned to the station about 10:30 p.m. Upon arrival, the garage was fully involved with fire that was spreading into the house and moving to the neighbor's house. Volunteer firefighters from all three Lincoln Fire Protection districts in Mattoon, Lerna and Charleston were called, while Wabash Fire Protection District and Neoga Fire Protection District were called for mutual aid. Neighbors called the Lincoln Fire Department again at at 11:10 p.m. when they noticed the roof fire was rekindling, said Ratliff. Lerna firefighters were on the scene almost two hours the second time.