Pickings from Pike’s past: 25 years ago: Governor Jim Edgar to cut ribbon at Pittsfield work camp
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150 Years Ago
Sept. 7, 1871
It is a little vexatious to see, during the present scarcity of water, 15 or 20 moving teams watered at a time at our public wells, when they have just within a mile or two of Pittsfield passed streams, where, but for the laziness of the drivers, they could have been watered.
The proposal to establish a public park on the south of Pittsfield seems to meet with general approval.
More beef was manufactured on the railroad last week, one cow having been killed between Pittsfield and Maysville, and a cow and two steers between Griggsville and the river. We believe there will be no letup to these accidents until the railroad is fenced.
125 Years Ago
Sept. 2, 1896
Last Saturday was a big day for William Jennings Bryan’s Free Silver party in the Barry vicinity. The pole raising at Hart’s corner was a great success. At least 1500 people were in attendance. The pole stands 100 feet high surmounted by a rooster with a 15-foot flag floating from beneath.
The Ringling show drew out what many claim was the largest crowd ever seen in Pittsfield. At the afternoon performance there were well over 12,000 people, while at the same time the town was well-filled with those not attending.
A lot of people in New York City think and proclaim that the world is to come to an end today, but as we go to press it continues to be as round as ever. The Democrat is on time even though the heavens may fall and the earth be rolled together as a scroll and go up in fire and smoke.
It is a good plan for teachers to begin as if they meant business at the first tap of the bell. There is no reason why the first day of the term should be idled away.
100 Years Ago
Sept. 7, 1921
Pittsfield schools opened Sept. 5 with a total enrollment of 650.
Apple picking in the Griggsville – Valley City district started Monday. The crop is very short and those desiring to put away some apples for winter use have been warned to get their orders in early. There is a fair crop of Grimes on the Griggsville orchards.
The Herbert Franklin hardware store in Pearl was burglarized last Wednesday morning, and a quantity of cutlery and other light articles were taken. The affair must have taken place at about the same time of the burglary of the Hull bank.
Remember this is seed corn month. Save at least twice as much as you need. Pick it by hand before the last day of September.
Ford prices have “hit the bottom!” Touring cars without starter are just $406 and sedans with starter are $656.
75 Years Ago
Sept. 4, 1946
Pittsfield schools opened Sept. 3 with a total enrollment of 717, a substantial increase over 1945.
We are pleased that the Pittsfield Lions Club is taking a stand for modernizing U.S. 36 from east of Pittsfield to the Illinois River. This is a stretch of road on which many have been killed on the “death curves” on obsolete sections of the road.
Miss Wanda Lee Zimmerman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Zimmerman of Pittsfield, became the bride of Eugene Kenneth Hutter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Hutter of Barry, at St. Mary’s Church in Pittsfield, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.
Virgil Parks, wisely chosen by the committee to honor Dr. Frank Johnston for his nearly 50 years of service to the Milton community, rose magnificently to the occasion, and delivered a splendid tribute to the beloved doctor.
Ben Daniels has started construction on Pittsfield’s first “super market.” Wm. Biddle and Sons are remodeling their ice plant and milk room, and Homer Turnbeaugh has started construction on an auto display room on West Washington Street, as Pittsfield continues to grow.
50 Years Ago
Sept. 8, 1971
Workers on three new buildings at the new Mississippi Valley Christian Service Camp recently included Herschel Carter, Kyle Chamberlain, Floyd Lacy, Robert Ockerhausen, Richard Hobbs, Max Hallock, Harold Johnston, Hugh Graham and Paul Dunham.
The American Legion Post 152 in Pittsfield has proposed the establishment of an avenue of flags to be displayed on national holidays in honor of deceased veterans.
Miss Margaret Ellen (Peggy) Stilwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Stilwell of Pittsfield, became the bride of William Earl (Bill) Durall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Durall of Pittsfield, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
New teachers in Unit 10 include Mrs. Joan Feldpausch, vocal music at Pittsfield High School and Milton; Mrs. Janet Lane, English and Latin at PHS; William Ferguson, social studies and basketball coach at PHS; Mrs. Portia Hamilton, reading teacher at Higbee; and Mrs. Judy Davenport, part-time title 1 reading teacher, Pittsfield.
25 Years Ago
Sept. 4, 1996
Governor Jim Edgar will be in Pittsfield Thursday at 11 a.m. to officially open the state’s 400-bed prison work camp west of town, with the public invited to attend the ribbon cutting. All the prisoners at the work camp will be “short-timers,” with less than two years of their sentence to serve. The inmates will be available to work in the community and within a 50-mile radius of Pittsfield.
Tara Sweeting was crowned Miss Pittsfield Thursday night at the Fall Festival. Amber Reel was first runner-up, Amanda Hammitt, second runner-up, and Kris Street was third runner-up.
It was an exciting game, but unfortunately the Saukees fell inches shy of a game-tying two point conversion with no time left on the clock, resulting in a 30-28 loss to Farmington in the season opener. Quarterback Jonas Petty had a 32-yard touchdown run and was five of 14 in passing for 72 yards and one touchdown.
10 Years Ago
Sept. 7, 2011
Without additional rainfall the Illinois River is expected to dip below a river level of two feet later this week, matching the lowest in 10 years. The river was at 1.94 feet Nov. 19, 2000; 1.32 feet Oct. 22, 1999 and 1.13 feet Nov. 30, 2002. The Army Corps of Engineers has an agreement to maintain a 9- foot draft, and so far that has been maintained in the channels.
The Purple Martin Inn at 105 Quincy in Griggsville is going to be torn down, according to owner Betty Lacy. It was closed Aug. 7 when structural damage was noticed.
Kayla Spangler was the Pittsfield Rotary’s guest speaker Wednesday at their regular meeting. Kayla and several members of the First Christian Church of Pittsfield went on a missionary trip to Bolivia, and Kayla shared highlights of her trip. Spangler is a teacher at Barry, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Scranton of Pittsfield.
Makenzie James was the 2011 Pittsfield Fall Festival queen. First runner-up was Bailey Henderson and second runner-up was Addie Cunningham.
– Compiled by Michael Boren
