How Time Flies for July 21, 2009:

100 years ago

July 21, 1909: William Jennings Bryan, three-time Democratic nominee for President, stopped here for a short visit. He came on the 6 a.m. train, napped at the Illinois House, then called on Adlai Stevenson and Mr. and Mrs. B.S. Green. Bryan later went on to Pontiac for a speech.

75 years ago

July 21, 1934: The old court house at Tremont survives as part of the Zelle home. Abraham Lincoln tried cases there. The story goes that General Shields once challenged Abe to a duel on that site. But friends intervened and there was no duel.

50 years ago

July 21, 1959: Two guys pulled into Barr's Cities Service station, 601 West Locust, for gas and an oil check. They helped themselves in the cash register while the attendant was busy with their car. The getaway car, a gray-over-yellow '52 or '53 Plymouth, should be easy to spot.

25 years ago

July 21, 1984: WBLN, Bloomington's financially troubled TV station, was sold today to Denver-based Orion Broadcasting, which also has stations in Rockford and Mt. Vernon. The $3.5 million sale is still subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission.