Pickings from Pike’s Past: FIFTY YEARS AGO: DEMOCRATS CONTROL NEW NINE MEMBER COUNTY BOARD, 7-2

By Editor | March 30, 2022 |

150 Years Ago
April 6, 1872
There will be divine service in St. Stephens Church, Pittsfield at half past 10 o’clock on the morning of Good Friday, when the rector, the Rev. Dr. Hume, will preach a sermon. Also, on the same day in the afternoon, Dr. Hume will celebrate communion, with appropriate sermon, at the mission in Bashforth’s Hall, Griggsville.
The City Market in Pittsfield is now in full running order and prepared to furnish everything in the eatable line at the lowest price. Fresh meat of all kinds; smoked meat of all kinds; dried meat of all kinds; pickled meat of all kinds; pickled fish of all kinds, and fresh fish received daily. Fresh garden vegetables received daily from St. Louis.

125 Years Ago
April 6, 1897
The upper Illinois is falling, but opposite Pike County it is spread all over creation. The Mississippi is so high it won’t let the waters of the Illinois into it. The Wabash Railroad will probably run an excursion from Pittsfield to Valley City Sunday afternoon to give all a chance to see the high water.
Closely woven but medium weight wools are the very best fabrics for utility gowns for spring and early summer.
The ladies’ minstrels promises to be the event of the season in Pittsfield.

April 9, 1897
There’s a screw loose. Good heavens! How it rained yesterday and last night, and knocked oat sowing into the middle of next week.
Our Democratic brothers in Chambersburg, for some cause, let the Republicans elect the supervisor. What’s the matter down there?
Toll Gate school directors are thinking of employing two teachers for an eight-month term the coming year. Mrs. Allen had an enrollment of 62 for the spring term.
The Griggsville high school has been place on the accredited list of the University of Illinois on all branches taught in that high school.
Landlord Dick Flynn of the Mansion House this morning served notice on his boarders that the place will be closed as soon as he and his family get through moving out. Mr. Flynn has been trying to dispose of the business, but finding he was getting deeper and deeper in debt all the time, he adopted the above course.

100 Years Ago
April 5, 1922
On March 19, 1922 the Christian Church of New Harford celebrated its 71st anniversary. It was organized in the school building on the 19th of March, 1851, with eight members.
March 28, 1922 was the day of an election in Perry on the question of discontinuing the high school there. The proposition to discontinue lost by eight votes.
Perry Post No. 348 of the American Legion was organized Tuesday night of last week with 17 members, and several names have been added since. R. L. Witham is the post commander.
All Pittsfield Township offices were carried by Democrats in the recent election, except for the office of assessor, which was won by Republican Harry Barber.
Henry Lindermon is tearing down the old Huseman brick yard and kiln. One of the landmarks of Pittsfield will be a thing of the past, along with the Kespohl pottery, which went the same way years ago.

75 Years Ago
April 2, 1947
As has been the custom for several years, Mayor Hooper and the Chamber of Commerce recommend that all places of business in Pittsfield close during the Good Friday services from 12 noon until 2:15. There will be an outdoor Good Friday service at the Brown Shoe factory from 12:25 to 12:55. Chairs and a public address system will be furnished by Plattner Funeral Home.
Henry Busche, director of choruses and band at MacMurray College, has agreed to direct the rehearsals and concert for the Pike County Music Festival, to be held in the Pittsfield Community High School Gym Friday, April 11.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cress, Belleview, (Eldena Gertrude Webb) had a son born March 30 at Illini Hospital, named Jerry Lee.
There will be five services at the Pittsfield Christian Church on Easter Sunday, beginning with a sunrise service at 6:00 Sunday morning, and ending with a Vesper service at 5 p.m., with soloists Miss Wilma Atwood, Miss Rosemary Canterbury, Miss Carolyn Zimmerman, Mrs. R. L. Harp, R. L. Harp and Harry Barber.
Republicans gained two supervisors in Tuesday’s election, making the new Board of Supervisors stand at 13 Democrats and 11 Republicans.
Gail Jean Hubbard will celebrate her first birthday April 5. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hubbard, R.F.D. 1, Pittsfield.
Paul Burdette Irwin, son of Mr. and John Irwin, celebrated his fourth birthday Sunday.

50 Years Ago
April 5, 1972
Democrats swept seven of the nine posts in the new Pike County Board in Tuesday’s election. Lois Franklin of Pleasant Hill, the only female candidate, was top vote-getter. Bruce Boren of Nebo was second. The Republicans elected were Oral Bethard of Barry and Lyle Hayden of Pleasant Hill. The other Democratic winners were Glenn Secrest, Gawain Brokaw, Harold Booth, Ronald Ehlert and Derald McGlauchen.
By a slim margin, the voters said that the office of county coroner should be eliminated.
Two new signs have been erected at the east and west edges of Pittsfield, proclaiming the Saukees as “Illinois’ Winningest Football Team,” with 54 consecutive victories.
Ranft’s Dairy Delight is now open in Detroit.
Mr. and Mrs. Kermit W. Couch of Nebo have announced the engagement of their daughter, Mary Lou Couch, to Elbie Lee Buchanan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Buchanan of Pleasant Hill.

25 Years Ago
April 2, 1997
In the race for mayor of Pittsfield, Larry Snyder swept all four Pittsfield precincts for a convincing win over challengers Alderman Jim Halpin and James “Cork” Lemons.
More than 1000 people attended the two-day Easter musical “I Stand in Awe,” presented by the Pike United Christians. This was the first year the program was planned to be held inside—at the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene.
Twenty-eight seniors from Pike County’s five high schools will be the honored guests tomorrow night for the 14th annual Pike Press All County Scholar’s Banquet, sponsored by the newspaper.
“My Fair Lady” is coming to Pittsfield High School April 11, 12 and 13. Among the stars of the show are James Feldpausch, Jennifer Lierly, Tom Grimes, Zack Boren, Clint Weir and Aaron Ruble.
Lady Saukee basketball coach Matt Elledge has been named District 17 coach of the year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Elledge led the Pittsfield Lady Saukees to a berth in the Elite Eight this season.

10 Years Ago
April 4, 2012
At the 2011 Pike County Chamber of Commerce awards the “Business of the Year” award went to Area Disposal Services, Inc. The Western Community Center YMCA won the award for Community Betterment. The two recipients of “Volunteer of the Year” were Bonnie Bruce and Doug Whitlock. And the “Fickle Goddess of Fortune Award” was presented to Dale and Linda Black by past Chamber president David Fuhler.
Mayor John Hayden says he hopes the project to redesign and reconstruct Piper Lane will get underway in June.

■ Compiled by Michael Boren