Pickings from Pike’s Past 6.22.22
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
50 YEARS AGO: ALDRICH DRUG BECOMES G & R PHARMACY
150 Years Ago
June 27, 1872
So far as we are advised, the only preparations taking place for the celebration of the Fourth of July on an extensive scale in any place in the county, are being made by our wide-awake fellow citizens of Griggsville. Arrangements have been made for half fare on the railroad that day, round trip from Pittsfield, 50 cents.
On the first day of July the women of Illinois will be eligible to hold appointive offices in the state, under the act passed by the Legislature last winter. Section one enacts that “No one shall be precluded from any occupation, profession or employment (except military) on account of sex.”
125 Years Ago
June 29, 1897
If it would dry up for a day or two the binders would start. We all prayed for rain and now we are praying for it to quit. The thermometer is boiling with steam heat this afternoon with 89 degrees. Bay Creek is acting nicely. It has not overflowed any land yet.
All the men in Pleasant Hill are going into the bee business and the women into duck raising, and still prosperity has failed.
Remember the big celebration on the fifth of July, and arrange to spend the day in Pittsfield.
July 2, 1897
There was never known a larger crop of blackberries in Pike County.
Pittsfield has been without street lights for about a week owing to an armature that had to be sent to the factory for repair.
A rainbow at 11 o’clock is a novel sight, yet it was seen by a number of Rushville citizens just as the moon was rising. Several people noticed the rainbow in the west. It was a beautiful sight, the colors being more distinct than when seen in daylight.
100 Years Ago
June 28, 1922
The weather remains extremely dry. We have had but one little shower in the New Hartford area in the past 30 days.
The Barry school board is undecided about what to do concerning the high school. A majority of the voters favored discontinuing the high school, but a two-thirds vote was required.
The Illinois Supreme Court handed down a decision last Wednesday that restores Griggsville Community High School district practically to its original boundaries (with the exception of Crump common school in New Salem).
By agreement of the heirs of Lewis Dinsmore, 140 acres at Toll Gate, east of Detroit, were sold at private sale to Lewis Sneeden for $18,000.
The 4th of July will be celebrated with a grand celebration and free fish dinner at the Griggsville Fairgrounds, under the auspices of the American Legion.
The Nelson Shaw dwelling house south of Nebo was destroyed by fire due to a defective flue one day last week. The building was a total loss and most of the household goods were burned. Neighbors gave a bundle shower for the family Saturday night.
75 Years Ago
June 25, 1947
Congressman Sid Simpson has announced that a $15 million emergency flood control bill has been signed by President Truman. The highest flood stage in Mississippi River history is finally receding, but levees along west Pike are mighty soft and considered still dangerous.
Miss Donna Capps, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Capps of Summer Hill, and Wendell Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Winfred Hall of Pittsfield, were united in marriage Saturday, June 21 at 3 p.m. by Rev. G. H. Hollister at his home in Pittsfield. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Butler, Jr.
Mary Ann Shepherd and Darius Hammitt were united in marriage in a double ring ceremony performed by Rev. C. E. Cummins at his home Saturday evening June 14. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Duggins, Jr., sister and brother-in-law of the bride.
Under the new Congressional redistricting bill, four counties were added to the 20th district and two taken away. The change will place Congressman Sid Simpson, Republican of Carrollton, and Congressman Anton J. Johnson, Republican of Macomb, in the same district.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Prater, Pleasant Hill, (Bessie Katherine Dodson) had a son, born June 22 at Illini Hospital, named Allen Ray.
A large crowd attended the Time-Milton baseball game Sunday on the Milton diamond. Milton handed Time its second loss of the season by the score of 2 to 1.
50 Years Ago
June 28, 1972
The new name for Aldrich Pharmacy on the northwest corner of the square in Pittsfield is now G & R Pharmacy, for the first names of the store’s owners, Gaylord Rhodes and Rex Dinsmore. The name Aldrich Drug store has been in Pittsfield for 40 years, starting when Doc Aldrich left Moreland’s Drug store (now Miles Pharmacy) to go into business for himself. He started in business just north of the present building, where F. B. Allen now has his optometrist office. The drug store was moved to its present corner location in 1950. Rex started working for Doc Aldrich in 1946, after returning from World War II. Gaylord began working in the business 14 years ago. C. W. (Doc) Aldrich died nearly six years ago.
Is Pittsfield’s 106-year-old East School building teetering on the brink of abandonment? One day after the school board met, Warren Winston reported that a local citizen, who preferred to remain anonymous, has offered to give $10,000 toward the restoration of the historic building.
The new nine-member Pike County Board encountered it first serious case of dissention Tuesday. A morning delegation of about 30 citizens urged that the planned blacktop of the 5.55 mile El Dara to Barry remain at the top of the county highway plans. In the afternoon, about 65 people appeared before the board, urging that the 7.5 mile Nebo-Pearl road be the next one to be blacktopped.
Ed Franklin is visiting his parents, Evans and Vernice Franklin of Nebo. Franklin has been teaching school in Kuwait the past two years. He says that the constant tensions of the Middle East “are a way of life” in that region. He recently was the first American to visit Iraq since we broke diplomatic relations with that nation in 1956.
Jay Carlton, Pittsfield High School’s quarterback for the past two years, has signed a full NCAA grant-in-aid with Colorado State University.
25 Years Ago
June 25, 1997
After six years as one of Griggsville’s outstanding attractions, the Nature House Showcase is closing. Owner J. L. Wade said it took him a long time to make the decision to close, but economics dictated it.
Work is moving ahead on the new “T” intersection of Ill 106 and U.S. 54 west of Pittsfield. Highway 106 will be the stem of the “T” and the “Y” will no longer exist.
10 Years Ago
June 27, 2012
Hannah Maberry, daughter of Allen and Trish Maberry of Winchester, was crowned the queen of the Western Illinois Fair in Griggsville Thursday night. With near perfect weather for five days and nights, the fair goes into the books as a success. The school bus demolition derby brought a lot of excitement to the fair.
Don Houchins and Sharron Quincy were married fifty years ago, June 16, 1961. They celebrated their anniversary by taking a trip to Wyoming. They have one daughter, Debra Gouran, and two grandsons.
• Compiled by Michael Boren
