150 Years Ago
Jan 18, 1872
There seems to be a general acquiescence throughout the country to the wisdom of confining the Presidential office hereafter to one term.
The most exciting time seen in the Illinois State Assembly since last June was that of the past week in the discussion and final passage of the bill “to provide against the evils resulting from the sale of intoxicating liquors.”
125 Years Ago
Jan 19, 1897
The snow of Tuesday night was hailed with delight by the young people who have made good use of it in snowballing and sleighing.
The subscription price of the Pike County Democrat is $1.50 per year. Changing from one publication day a week to two publications days just rips the week all to pieces for the boss and all hands.
The new Presbyterian Church at Perry will be dedicated Jan. 24. The Perry News thinks that Perry has a greater proportion of old people than any other town in the county, and prints the names of 73 persons who are 70 years of age or older.
The cantata “Prince of Peace” rendered by the choir at the Congregational Church was attended by a large audience, something over $30 being taken in at the modest admission fee of 10 cents.
Jan. 22, 1897
Weather still very moderate. Sun shines bright today. Roads rather sloppy.
We are talking of electric lights in Pleasant Hill. Telephonic communication will soon be opened up with the Kingdom of Calhoun. We will soon be putting on airs.
Mr. E. D. Glandon has bought out Mr. Rickart’s interest in the Pittsfield telephone exchange, and he is now the sole proprietor.
The Pittsfield Electric Light Company, an enterprising corporation, is one of the leading institutions in Pike County. As a matter of fact, it is one of the largest and best equipped plants in this section of the state.
100 Years Ago
Jan 18, 1922
Local ice men are beginning to worry over the ice outlook. Weather is so far threatening a repetition of last year’s ice famine.
The red and black quintet went to Jerseyville and were defeated 26-24. The Pittsfield team played Bluffs the next night, and lost another close one, 24-23. When it comes to rough-neck stuff, Bluffs seems to take the prize.
Pittsfield flappers who have been sporting hideous galoshes the past 2 or 3 weeks will now follow the latest fad—patent leather boots for women, topped off almost to the knee with a band of red leather.
The Sunday evening moving pictures at the Congregational Church continue to attract a large attendance and hundreds of people come to see them. Each picture has a good moral lesson, and a splendid sermon is given by Rev. Leek, pastor of the church, before the movies begin.
The members of the Pike County Hard Roads committee who went to Springfield and presented the case for highway 36 to Governor Lynn Small are M. D. King, R. T. Hicks, W. S. Binns of Pittsfield, Earl C. Smith of Detroit, Hon. E. T. Strubinger of El Dara, R. B. Siepker, O. Williamson, W.W. Watson, C. J. McVey, Rolla Six, Dr. F. D. Kaylor and W. E. Coffee of Barry.
Pike’s average corn yield this past year was 50 bushels per acre.
75 Years Ago
Jan. 15, 1947
Fourteen A.F.L. strikers were found guilty of riotous acts in a Nov. 14 assault on an Illinois Rural Electric Association construction crew in a trial held at Carrollton last week. The maximum sentence for each defendant is six months in jail and a $200 fine.
Pittsfield Community High School’s basketball team defeated its traditional rival Winchester 57-50, in a hard fought contest in a gymnasium filled with partisan Scott County rooters Monday. On Friday, Jan. 10, the Saukees coasted to an easy 60 to 33 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at the loser’s gymnasium.
The bridge over Bay Creek between Nebo and Pleasant Hill is under construction and the community is anxious for it to be completed soon.
Mrs. Minerva McCann, well known and highly respected resident of Nebo, died Saturday at Illini Hospital. Funeral services were held at the Nebo Church of Christ, conducted by Carl Ketcherside of St. Louis. She is survived by 10 children: Goldie and Beatrice at home; Mrs. Russell Shelton, Kansas City; Mayo, Howard, Oliver, Guy and Mrs. Charles Hubbard of Nebo; Ivy of Pearl, and Virgil of Springfield, Mo.
50 Years Ago
Jan. 19, 1972
Stay home, go to bed, drink plenty of liquids and take aspirin. That’s the advice of Dr. Myer Shulman for those suffering from the current wave of flu or virus that is making the rounds in Pike County. Occasionally the illness can go into pneumonia, especially among older people. Pleasant Hill closed their schools last Thursday and Friday because of the high number of absences. Pittsfield High School had a high of 12 percent absent a few days ago, but it is now down to 6 percent.
Lt. Gen. (retired) and Mrs. Hobart Gay celebrated their 50th anniversary recently. Their last duty station was at Ft. Sheridan where General Gay was in command of the 5th U.S. Army, and where he began his career as a private in 1917.
The board of directors of the Pike County Pork Producers for 1972 includes Joe Phillips of Detroit, president; Dale Moore, Griggsville, vice president; Winfred Dean, Griggsville, treasurer; Chris Hamilton of Barry, state director and immediate past president; Keith Elledge of Griggsville, Richard Spencer of New Canton, Ronald Walch of Hull, Austin Muirhead of Rockport, and Ed Hillebrenner of Pittsfield.
25 Years Ago
Jan. 15, 1997
Pike County received approximately six inches of snowfall Wed., Jan. 8 through Friday, Jan. 10. This, combined with plummeting temperatures, wreaked havoc for local citizens. Frozen water pipes and minor injuries from falls and vehicle accidents have been reported by various companies and agencies. Nine snow plows were operating in Pittsfield. The Pike County Sheriff’s office had 20 accident reports on Thursday morning.
Bill and Greg Smithers, a father-son duo, have been selected as the 1996 Conservation Farmers of the Year by the directors of the Pike County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Smithers farm approximately 1000 acres south of Pittsfield, mostly in Martinsburg Township.
The West Pike Cardinal Pride band is planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia this year, and fund-raising efforts are now underway. West Pike has 91 students involved in the band out of a total school population of 147.
10 Years Ago
Jan. 18, 2012
The Griggsville-Perry Tornadoes took third in the 90th annual Winchester Invitational Tournament last week in Winchester, defeating Waverly 68-56. Players are Tristin Hobson, Kaleb Bradshaw, Skyler Miller, Skylar Dunham, Isaac Whitaker, Dryden Craven, Matthew Kennedy, Dylan Butler, Riley Bradshaw, Kendall Hannant, Jordan Dehart, Joe Myers, Hayden Bradshaw, Chance Vose, Dalton Westfall, Levi King, Clayton Myers, Ison Smith and Wyatt Bradshaw. They are coached by Todd Bradshaw, Josh Arnsman and Troy Kennedy.
A 90th birthday party will be held for Lillian McAllister Jan. 21 at the Old Orchard Country Club in Pittsfield from 2-4. The party is hosted by her children, Bryan, Phillip and Charlene.
■ Compiled by Michael Boren
