Looking Back: 75 YEARS AGO: STRIKE THREATENS REA CUSTOMERS
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150 Years Ago
Sept. 21, 1871
The Quincy, Louisiana and Alton Railroad has affected a crossing at Hull Station and the iron is laid about two miles south of that place. The contract has been let for grading between Rockport and Pike Station.
The railroad across south Pike has now reached to the west line of Spring Creek Township, and now iron is being laid at the rate of 1¼ miles per day. It is expected that cars will be running on the line by next week. Nebo now has two dry goods stores, a drugstore, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, a hotel and one church, and other buildings going up.
The annual meeting of the Pike County Board of Supervisors began Sept. 12, and ended Sept. 15.
The Democratic county convention was one of the largest, most orderly, and intelligent of any ever seen convened in Pittsfield.
Kinderhook looks dusty at present but her business is quite lively. She can point to three dry goods stores, one hardware store, one harness shop, one hotel, two churches, a good school house and a flouring mill second to none.
125 Years Ago
Sept. 23, 1896
Did you know that it is time to lay in your winter fuel and get some more bed clothes? The slight frost Sunday morning says so, if you haven’t found it out otherwise.
During the year ended last June 30, there were 1,046 pupils enrolled in our Pike County schools. This year we still have 28 county schools which do not have a teacher. The schools should all begin as early as possible, for it gives the little ones a longer time to attend during good weather.
Principal Miller of Hull reports that $23 has already been collected for the Hull library, with the prospects that the good people of that town will do more yet in the way of private subscriptions.
There will be lots of fun at the baseball park tomorrow when the Fats and Leans of Pittsfield will cross bats.
100 Years Ago
Sept. 28, 1921
Burglars dynamited the bank safe in the New Salem bank last week. About $1000 was either carried off or destroyed by the blast, and the safe was ruined.
A fund for repairing the road between Atlas and Pike Station was raised last week by solicitors. A total of $1000 was raised, half of which was subscribed by Louisiana merchants. Ross and Atlas townships also gave $250.
The knickerbocker style is the first real sensible dress reform ever proposed. In recent years the girls and women have rebelled against the long skirts and petticoats and adopted short skirts, some of them up to their knees, but this fashion has been severely criticized as it reveals too much of the human form divine. And while we are on the subject of women’s fashions, we want to go on record as favoring bobbed hair.
The several churches of Barry have organized to make clothing for the suffering children of famine-stricken Russia.
In the leading hotels in St. Louis a room costs $3, a porterhouse or T-bone steak $1.50 and a cup of coffee 10 cents.
75 Years Ago
Sept. 25, 1946
Miss Francis Vogler, area director of the Red Cross, recently presented a review of the disastrous flood at Pearl which occurred Aug. 15. She told of the emergency aid the town received after 465 people were made homeless by the flood.
Miss Dorothy Wainman was crowned queen of the fourth annual Griggsville Apple Festival Friday night. She was crowned by Frank E. Penstone, president of the Illinois State Horticultural Society. Norma Jean Birch was the retiring queen.
Griggsville and Valley City have had a great apple harvest. Pike orchardists assert that Pike is now the banner county in the state when it comes to quality apples. The Valley City vinegar plant, capable of grinding and pressing 8-10 million pounds of apples in a season, may soon be operating around the clock.
The Christian Science Society Church of Pittsfield will open formally on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Thousands of REA customers in Pike and neighboring counties are today facing inconvenience and discomfort and possibly more serious consequences as the outside Union of the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is calling a strike, effective at midnight tonight.
50 Years Ago
Sept. 29, 1971
The Barry community will hold its second annual Apple Festival Friday and Saturday with a full schedule of activities and free entertainment.
Gov. Ogilvie last week vetoed H.B. 26 to provide ferry service across the Illinois River at Pearl.
The Saukees won their 47th in a row, as they defeated Winchester 33-0, but Coach Pollard was not happy with the performance of the Pittsfield defense, as Wildcat Paul Peak gained 115 yards rushing on draw plays and wide sweeps.
Phil Bradshaw, of Griggsville, state president of the Pork Producers Association, recently presented a ham to Governor Richard B. Ogilvie.
25 Years Ago
Sept. 25, 1996
Kendra Conkright, daughter of Jason and Denise Conkright of Griggsville, was crowned Queen of the Griggsville Apple Festival last week. Her mother was Apple Festival Queen in 1978. Keith and Carole Bradshaw were named this year’s honored citizens.
The Griggsville United Methodist Church was the setting for the Aug. 10 wedding of Lori Jane Dunham and Matthew Bradbury. Music was provided by Charlotte Dunham, pianist, and Jamie Kelley, soloist. The bride is the daughter of Larry and Barbara Dunham of Griggsville. The bridegroom’s parents are Fred and Carole Bradshaw of rural Griggsville.
Henry Speckhart became Pittsfield High School’s first freshman to shoot an even par 36 in competition at Old Orchard Country Club in a match with Barry and Southeastern. He was followed by James Feldpausch with 43.
10 Years Ago
Sept. 28, 2011
The Pleasant Hill/Western Wolves, led by quarterback Matt Gunterman, rolled past the North Greene Spartans 42-8 Friday night. Their record is now 2-3 on the season, as they face Calhoun for the 50th anniversary of the Oaken Bucket game this Friday night.
Jodi Hoover, daughter of Lori Hoover and the late Steve Hoover, was crowned Miss Milton Corn Carnival Friday night. First runner-up was Ammie Booth and second runner-up was Julie Mountain.
Oct. 27, 1961 was Dr. Warren Barrow’s first day of practicing medicine in Pittsfield. Oct. 27, 2011 will be his last. He is retiring after exactly 50 years
ν Compiled by Michael Boren
