Pickings from Pike’s Past – 10 YEARS AGO: FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 175 YEARS
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150 Years Ago
Oct. 26, 1871
The sere and yellow leaves that so profusely cover the ground in this vicinity give evidence that chill winter is at hand.
The work of adorning the courthouse square with a new fence is completed, and the structure is being embellished by the plain artist’s brush.
The beautiful three-story building, the Bush block on the south side of the square, that was blown down a short time ago, is once more up, and will soon be ready for occupancy.
Notwithstanding the order issued by the president of the board of town trustees last week concerning the penning up of hogs, Pittsfield’s streets and alleys abound with them – hogs we mean. The order does not seem to have had any effect on the oleaginous quadrupeds.
125 Years Ago
Oct. 26, 1896
A very cold, heavy frost formed last night, bracing and pleasant this morning with bright sun.
A lunch will be given by the ladies of the El Dara Christian Church at the Dolbeare house on the evening of the election, so that those staying to hear the returns will not go hungry.
The New Canton Breeze will soon cease blowing in that village, but will send out its zephyrs from Hull. There are some very ambitious citizens in Hull.
A five-county teachers’ institute was held in Pittsfield Oct. 15 and 16. About 400 teachers registered. Carriages, decorated in our national colors, met the teachers at the trains, and conveyed them to the court house. The program included many vocal solos, quartets and other musical selections, also reports and speeches.
Chief of Police O’Neil called at the east building recently, and took some boys before the magistrate.
About 500 Odd Fellows and Daughters of Rebekah gathered at Fish Hook, and with grand ceremonies dedicated the new $2,200 hall recently erected by the Fish Hook lodge.
100 Years Ago
Oct. 26, 1921
Splendid October weather the past week. A good shower last night laid the dust, and it is clear and warm today.
A new Masonic temple is being constructed in Perry to replace the one that burned last June.
Large numbers of road commissioners, patrolmen and road workers of every class from Pike County came to Pittsfield last Friday and Saturday to see the demonstration of the new Avery one-man road machine, the “Road Razer.” Loyd Hardware is the local distributor of the Avery line. The Pike County highway committee purchased a new one-man road grader for $1600.
The old fashioned road grader with a four-horse team and two men would take about four times as long to do the same job as the Road Razer.
The sixth annual convention of the Pike County Federation of Women’s clubs, held at Detroit on Thursday, proved a most happy occasion. Nearly 200 delegates were registered.
75 Years Ago
Oct. 23, 1946
Captain Albert Ransom led the Pittsfield Saukees to a decisive 31 to 12 victory over White Hall in an Illinois Valley Conference game played at White Hall on Friday, Oct. 18.
The State Bank of Nebo will be opening at 9:00 Friday morning. Frank W. Caldwell is the president and R. H. Daily is the cashier. The opening has been held up by the remodeling of the bank building, which was slow due to difficulty in securing materials.
The courthouse restrooms were locked a few weeks ago due to a lack of toilet paper. We have seen some toilet paper in stores the past few days, and it may now be more plentiful.
The Illinois Division of Highways has notified the Democrat that action is being taken to eliminate the dangerous sharp curves east of Pittsfield on Route 36.
Mr. and Mrs. William Batz (Evelyn Winningham), Pittsfield, had a daughter, named Mary Louise, born Oct. 22 at Illini Hospital.
50 Years Ago
Oct. 27, 1971
The County Board had a prolonged discussion about changing the number on the new board from nine to seven to five, and increasing the pay previously agreed upon. Ultimately, the board voted to leave the number at nine, and the pay at $20 per diem plus mileage. Currently nine Democrats and five Republicans have filed to run for the new board.
An impressive Veterans Day ceremony was held Monday morning on the south side of the courthouse, featuring a display of American flags donated by relatives of deceased veterans. The flags will later be secured in fixtures around the court yard for display on patriotic and other occasions.
Pearl Grade School celebrated the annual PTA Halloween party last week. The prince and princess are eighth graders Clay Laux, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Laux and Vicki Johnston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnston.
The Saukees continued to display an awesome running attack as they recorded consecutive victory number 51. The Central Panthers went down 60 to 8. Central did return a kick-off for a touchdown, the only time that has happened during the winning streak. Pittsfield plays undefeated Beardstown in the homecoming game next Friday night.
25 Years Ago
Oct. 23, 1996
The Pike County Board on Monday night once again postponed facing the county’s ambulance crisis, which has been worsening for at least three years, according to Health Department head Judy Schlieper.
A Civil War re-enactment Saturday and Sunday near Pittsfield pitted “Yanks” against “Rebs” in a battle that was described as a skirmish.
Martha Ruhl, a 93-year-old great-grandmother, is the oldest person currently exercising at Illini Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.
Hard work by a lot of people last week, including inmates at the new prison work camp, helped make the move of third and fourth grades from the Higbee Junior High building to the new Pikeland Community School relatively easy. Students helped too.
Heartland Lodge is an outstanding addition to Pike County! The Village of Nebo is proud to welcome the Heartland Lodge to our community, wishes them continued success.
Rita Burbridge of Pittsfield has been selected by the Library Board of Trustees as the Head Librarian of the Pittsfield Public Library. She will assume her new duties Nov. 1.
10 Years Ago
Oct. 26, 2011
The weekend of Oct. 28-30 will highlight the 175th anniversary of the First Christian Church of Pittsfield. The public is invited to attend a meeting in the church sanctuary, sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society, Friday, Oct. 28. Michael Boren, Historical Society president, will talk about the history of the church, and long-time members will be asked to share their reminiscences.
The new skate park at King Park in Pittsfield is in the final stages of construction. A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 6, according to Scott Hill, who has been helping with the effort along with several members of local trade unions.
Work has begun on a new two-story facility which will replace the present eastern portion of the Green Acres Motel. The western bank of rooms will stay intact and have been completely renovated.
Barb Cunningham has been associated with the Pike County probation office since Dec. 8, 1974. Friday, Oct. 28 will be her last day, as she is retiring.
– Compiled by Michael Boren