Pickings from Pike’s Past 9.15.21
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75 YEARS AGO: STATE BANK OF NEBO ORGANIZED
150 Years Ago
Sept. 21, 1871
Illinois seems to be taking a grand purge. Covered wagons innumerable, with their white sheets flopping in the breeze, are pouring through Pike County in a steady stream for the land of the sunset. The hearty wish of your reporter is that those who are being carted away to the land of the “injins” may be spared the condition of the gentleman who some years ago returned to Illinois, the home of the poor man and the garden spot of the world, with a dilapidated wagon, a spavined horse, several sick children and an empty purse.
In spite of the wind and weather the Pike County fair held in Pittsfield last week was a grand success, all must admit. The receipts of the fair for five days were $4,155. Premiums paid were $2,123. In the horse department we have seen heretofore a far superior show. In the hog line, however, there was as fine a display as any county fair this year will present. Berkshire and Poland and China were the breeds most fully represented, with but few of the Chester Whites.
125 Years Ago
Sept. 16, 1896
Last week the thermometer flirted above the 90s. Apples are very scarce and falling badly. The hot weather ripened the fruit two or three weeks earlier than usual.
About 20 citizens of Pleasant Hill went to St. Louis recently to hear the next president, William Jennings Bryan.
The public schools at Barry opened with a total enrollment of 376.
Wabash agent Pennington is very proud of the freight train that went out from Pittsfield this morning. It was made up as follows: One car of flour to London, one to Belfast, two to Glasgow, one to Rochester, two to Holyoke, Mass., three double deckers of hogs to Meriden, Conn. and one to Chicago.
The promoters of the Pittsfield city telephone exchange are at work putting up the poles.
All the houses in Time are occupied and we need more dwellings. Dinsmore and Henry are talking of organizing a building and loan association.
100 Years Ago
Sept. 21, 1921
Temperatures have remained nearly normal. Corn is ripening fast. Much has already been cut, and meadows and pastures are in fine shape.
New rates for ferries operating on the Illinois River have been announced. They range from 90 cents for four horses and wagon to $5 for a traction engine. Foot passengers are 10 cents each.
The moving picture service at the Congregational Church Sunday evening drew such a large attendance that many were turned away.
Baylis won the championship of the Little Six conference by defeating second place Pleasant Hill in the last two games for a 16-6 record. Pleasant Hill was 14-8 and Pittsfield 13-7 for the season.
There are 1091 high school students in the 18 high schools of Pike County at the present time. Pittsfield leads with an enrollment of 276, Barry is second with 154 and Griggsville third with 122.
75 Years Ago
Sept. 18, 1946
The State Bank of Nebo has been organized in that village, which has been without a bank for the past 15 years. It will be in the old Minier building. Frank W. Caldwell is the bank president; other directors are Walter C. Grimes, O. A. Booth, F. M. Sheppard and Mary Pearl Grimes.
The Pittsfield Christian Church has influenced the life of Pittsfield for 110 years. This anniversary is being fittingly recognized through two special Sunday night meetings in October.
The local Brown Shoe factory, like most other businesses, is still short of help, and everybody in the plant could be earning more money if there was more help.
The Baylis Fall Festival Saturday was attended by an immense crowd. Robert Earl Hughes, who weighs 710 pounds and, as far as is known, is the world’s heaviest man, attracted much attention. He had autographed pictures of himself which many people bought.
The new store “Help Yourself,” operated by Willard and Willard, held its opening Saturday at Milton.
50 Years Ago
Sept. 22, 1971
The longest winning streak in the history of Illinois high school football reached 46 last Friday evening. The Saukees literally overwhelmed North Greene 39-0. This game marked the sixth year in a row that the Spartans have failed to cross the Pittsfield goal line. Brothers Jay and John Carlton led the Saukee scoring.
Some of the pros and cons of county zoning were discussed at a public meeting of the county planning commission last week in the courthouse, attended by about 30 people.
Dudley Williams’ seeking a referendum on the city’s proposed community airport has reached the circuit court. Judge Paul Durr denied the city’s motion to dismiss Williams’ petition for a vote of the people.
25 Years Ago
Sept. 18, 1996
Pittsfield Theatre Guild’s upcoming musical “Forever Plaid,” is set in the 1950s. It stars H. Todd Evans and Clint Weir of Pittsfield and Dan Long and Ken Doil of Pleasant Hill. Sue Coldwell of Pleasant Hill is the director.
Pittsfield Walmart’s Vision Center is now open. It is the first “hometown store” vision center in the Walmart chain.
A large crowd turned out for the grand opening of Arends-Awe Implement in Perry last week.
The Saukees are breathing a sigh of relief after their 41-6 win over Petersburg Porta Friday night at Petersburg. Pittsfield had lost the first two games of the season by a total of three points.
Pvt. Cory Kattelman graduated Aug. 22 from basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. where he is presently stationed for advanced individualized training in transportation.
10 Years Ago
Sept. 21, 2011
The future of Big River Fish is still in question as the potential building for relocation is still unknown. So far the company has received applications from potential employees to fill the 61 jobs that will be created from the expansion.
Paige Brokaw was crowned PHS Homecoming Queen last week. Kaitlyn Forshey was first runner-up and Loren Newingham was second runner-up.
Jacqueline Bingham was crowned Griggsville Apple Festival Queen this past weekend. First runner-up was McKenzie Vose and second runner-up was Kelsey Sargent.
Pittsfield/Griggsville-Perry head coach Don Bigley has been waiting for speedy receiver Dillon Butler to have a huge game, and it happened at the Saukee homecoming game Friday night, as the home team defeated West Hancock 39-27. Butler pulled in seven passes from quarterback Seth Petty for 164 yards and four touchdowns.
• Compiled by Michael Boren
