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News from the past - January 16, 1913: $20,000 Library for the City of Minonk
Sunday, January 13, 2013 - Posted 10:06:05 PM
This article was printed in the January 16, 1913 edition of the Minonk News-Dispatch
Will of the Late David Filger Contains Big Surprise For Our CitizensMinonk is to have a $20,000 public library. This is not rumor or supposition but a reality as the site and money were bequeathed to the City of Minonk by the late David Filger. The gift came as a surprise to everyone as Mr. Filger had not made the fact known to anyone except to J. M. Fort, the attorney who drew up the will. When it was opened at Danforth's bank on last Saturday the good news first came to light.
This is the only gift of any consequence that was ever left the City of Minonk and our citizens will no doubt highly appreciate it, as $20,000 will put up and furnish a much finer structure than any of the small cities have. Steps should be taken at once to come into possession of this gift and start to getting plans for the structure. Mr. Filger also bequeathed the M. E. church of this city $5,000. The text of the will covering these two clauses is as follows:
"CLAUSE IV.—I give, devise and bequeath to the Methodist Episcopal church of Minonk, Woodford county, Illinois, the sum of five thousand ($5000) dollars to be kept loaned on farm real estate mortgages forever, the net income there arising to be used perpetually to support the minister and said church. Should said church become extinct, or the official board thereof, fail to comply with the terms of this clause, then devised moneys shall revert to my niece, Miss Stella Filger ."
CLAUSE V.—I give, devise and bequeath to the City of Minonk, Woodford county. Illinois, lot thirteen (13), block ten (10;, in the original town, now city, of Minonk, Illinois, for a site for a public library to be in memory of my parents, forever called "The Filger Library," together with the sum of twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars to be used in erecting thereon a library building, furnishing the same, providing and maintaining books and other necessaries therefor,same to be otherwise forever maintained by said city, for the inhabitants thereof and the said sum to be expended according to any law governing such, or if none, then by three trustees and successors, duly appointed by the mayor of said city, and confirmed by the aldermen thereof, and who shall give bonds and be directed in their duties by ordinance, duly passed, or the laws of the state of Illinois, as above mentioned in this clause. If for any reason the said lot is deemed by said city unsuitable, then it may be sold and the purchase price shall be added to said fund aforesaid, conveyance to be made by my executrix. Should the said lot and said money set forth in this clause, or either, for any reason be declined by said city within one year after my decease, then the same shall go to, and become the property of my said niece, Miss Stella Filger".
The site given for the library is the vacant lot just across the street from the Filger residence and it is an excellent location for the building. The will further provides that Miss Stella Filger be named executrix without bond and that she gets the 160-acre farm southeast of Minonk, also the Minonk residence and contents, automobile, carriage; and everything pertaining thereto. She is empowered to sell the 160-acre farm north of this city and execute a deed therefore.
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