Pickings from Pike’s Past: 50 Years Ago: Saukees Give up First Points Since 1969
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150 Years Ago
Oct. 12, 1871
The governor has called for the assembling of the legislature for the purpose of taking steps toward relieving the Chicago sufferers following the devastating fire that has left 100,000 people homeless in that city.
A fire in Kinderhook did considerable damage last week. A Mr. Steadman was burning rubbish on his farm. The fire got mastery of him and spread with alarming rapidity from field to field and fence to fence until it passed over the greater portion of his farm and part of his neighbors’ farms.
125 Years Ago
Oct. 7, 1896
William R. Barney, our clever and genial school teacher at Time, has opened a barber shop in the old store building, where he will be found when not employed in teaching.
The Democrats will give an all-day political meeting Oct. 13 in Barry. Several brass bands will be present, and there will be a torch light procession in the evening.
The encyclopedia man is abroad in the land, visiting many schools and school officials.
Each of the seven organs in the East School building was carefully repaired last week.
Pittsfield will be full of teachers Thursday and Friday for the county institute. The good people of the community are asked to aid in giving a favorable impression of the city.
The Spring Creek creamery is now thoroughly established. The butter is in demand at all the markets, and brings the highest prices.
100 Years Ago
Oct. 12, 1921
No damage has been reported from the first frosts of the season last week. Some reported seeing ice Saturday morning.
Miss Elizabeth Mayo became the first Pike County woman admitted by the Supreme Court of Illinois to practice law. Only two women in a class of 125 took the examination for admission when she did.
An outstanding show was staged on the public square in Milton last week by F. S. Johnston, keeper of three big Percheron stallions.
Griggsville High School has an enrollment of 125, an increase of 67 percent since 1919.
Rally Day at Detroit last Sunday brought out more than 100 to the Detroit M.E. Sunday school. A basket dinner was served at the noon hour.
On April 21, 1835, the first white child was born in the city of Pittsfield, and this child, at the age of 86, is still living in the town of her birth in the person of Mrs. Sarah E. Howland, who resides with her granddaughter.
75 Years Ago
Oct. 9, 1946
A rather unusual thing happened at Nebo last week when not a dissenting vote was cast in a special election held for a $5000 bond issue to replace the bridge over Bay Creek which broke down several months ago. The steel for the new bridge has been received, but a shortage of concrete for the abutments is holding up the work at present. A temporary low-water bridge has been constructed across the creek, and it is no longer necessary to detour around it.
More than 250 teachers attended the Pike County Teachers Institute in Pittsfield Friday. County Superintendent Ross J. Nichols was in charge of the meeting.
People down in Martinsburg Township, headed by their township road commissioner, Forba Stout, last Thursday completed a job of road building that might well serve as an example to other communities that are in need of an improved road. People donated labor, equipment and cash for the project.
What is said to be Pike County’s largest rock quarry and stone crushing outfit went into operation Sept. 16. It is located on the Pearl-Nebo road, west of Pearl, and one mile west of state route 100. It is known as the Ed Mitchell quarry, and is powered by a 240-horsepower diesel motor.
50 Years Ago
Oct. 12, 1971
State Representative Jerry Corbet of Hardin has announced he is a candidate for the Illinois Senate in the new 49th legislative district. He is now serving his second term in the Illinois House.
The Saukees worked hard to win their 49th consecutive game Friday night at home. The visiting Staunton Bulldogs scored first on a 51-yard running play, only the second time in 49 games that a running play scored on Pittsfield. But the Saukees, led by Jay and John Carlton, came back to dominate in a satisfying 43-12 victory over a strong opponent, the first to score on Pittsfield since 1969.
Pleasant Hill had an easy time with Meredosia of Friday, winning 38-0. Rick Conner scored three touchdowns and passed for another.
A population explosion has hit all at once at Hal Zumwalt’s farm located north of Pittsfield on the New Salem Road. Two of his Polled Herefords gave birth to twin calves on the same day—Friday, Oct. 1.
25 Years Ago
Oct. 9, 1996
City engineer Bob Benton told the Pittsfield City Council last week that the dredging of Pittsfield Lake may start this year if the basins for the dredged sediment are big enough.
John Shimkus, Republican candidate for Congress from the 20th District, spoke at the Pittsfield Rotary Club Sept. 25. He was introduced by Rotarian Johnson Stillwell.
Long time local favorite Ken Bradbury will bring his production, “Coonridge Digest, the Play: An Evening with Frieda Marie Crump,” to Pittsfield for one night only, Saturday, Oct. 26 in the First Christian Church.
The Pittsfield High School Drama Club will present William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the PHS auditorium. The two leads in the play are Melissa Evans and Zack Boren. Others in the cast include Leecia Carnes, Sarah Bagent, Clint Weir and Beth Willman. The play is directed by Erik Anderson.
The Saukees won their homecoming game over Rochester 40-3, with former players from 1929 to 1995 there to cheer them on. Jessi Speckhart, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Dan Speckhart, was crowned the 50th PHS Homecoming Queen.
10 Years Ago
Oct. 12, 2011
It has been a dry summer. Kate Smithers, a farmer’s wife of rural Pittsfield, recorded less than an inch of rain in each month from June through September. She said, “I know there are areas that have gotten more rain, but we’ve been watering cattle all summer.”
Heading into this year’s Illinois high school golf post-season, Pittsfield senior Sydney Hawley had a clear advantage over many area golfers—a state tournament run in 2010. She scored a 76 Monday at the Illinois Class 1A Sectional in Macomb, and will advance to the state tournament again this year.
■ Compiled by Michael Boren
