Pickings from Pike’s Past: 25 YEARS AGO: PIKE COUNTY TO HAVE EMERGENCY HELICOPTER SERVICE

By Editor | July 19, 2022 |

150 Years Ago
July 25, 1872
The weather is somewhat damp. Last week we were favored with a great deal of rain. No doubt it is good for corn, but prevents farmers from stacking wheat.
The citizens of Rockport convened at the M. E. Church for the purpose of considering the propriety of enforcing the provisions of the new temperance law.

125 Years Ago
July 27, 1897
Friday night there was a terrific electric storm with a heavy rainfall. Saturday night a heavy rainfall, but not so much lightning. Sunday night–good heavens, how it did rain in Pittsfield and leave our neighbors a little way off untouched! The drenching rains did a good deal of damage to oats in shock, but a great deal of good for the corn.
There is hardly a property owner in Pittsfield who has not from one to a dozen shade trees adjacent to his lots that need trimming. Why shut out God’s sunlight and the fresh air to keep cool? It breeds pestilence and disease besides interfering with the passage of pedestrians along the pavements. The proper place for drooping trees is in a graveyard.

100 Years Ago
July 26, 1922
The new deep well being drilled for the city of Pittsfield is now about 800 feet in depth, and the drilling completed only within a few feet of St. Peters sand stone, where it is hoped that good water will be secured.
The construction of the hard road between Pittsfield and Florence is being interfered with by material not reaching here on time.
The second annual union picnic of the First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and First Christian Church, all of Barry, will be held east of the city in the T. C. Coffman grove, Friday July 28.
Uncle Abraham Collins, well-known colored resident of Pittsfield, and president of the Collins Milling, Cider and Vinegar Company, was married at Clarksville, Mo. last Thursday to Mrs. Eliza Douglas of that city by a minister of the gospel. Mr. Collins is 72 years of age and his bride is 66. Mr. Collins’ first wife died years ago, and he secured a divorce from his second wife a few years ago. Mr. Collins came here from Clarksville 47 years ago and knew his present wife when they were both much younger.

75 Years Ago
July 23, 1947
Every one of the sixty-four members of the Pittsfield Lions Club has been assigned a job for the Lions Club carnival to be held on the north side of the square Friday and Saturday nights of this week. When the carnival is over the Lions have painlessly extracted enough money from the generous public to carry on their charitable community projects for another year. Something new at the carnival this week will be a merry-go-round for the children. G. Vander Stoep, owner and proprietor of the Gambles Store on the south side of the square, is the originator of the contraption, which is said to be a dandy.
Harold Voshall, superintendent of Pittsfield schools, was inducted into the office of president of the Illinois Education Association at a ceremony which was part of the National Education Association convention, held at held at Cincinnati, Ohio July 7-11.
After Sunday’s games Time remained the only undefeated team in the Pike County league in the second half of the season.
The Illinois corn crop is still about two weeks behind normal, according to estimates made by the Illinois Agricultural Association. Farm Bureau leaders were of the opinion that given a fair share of hot weather and warm nights and a somewhat late fall, Illinois farmers would provide a corn crop of about 70 to 80 percent of last year’s record breaker.

50 Years Ago
July 26, 1972
The county board accepted the bid of Henson Robinson Co. of Springfield in the amount of $18,213 for extensive repair, repainting and refurbishing of the courthouse dome and roof, intended to make the tower water tight.
Debra Curfman, 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Curfman of RR 1, Griggsville, was named Miss Pike County Fair Saturday night at Pleasant Hill. She was one of 22 contestants.
An extensive remodeling project was begun last week at the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield. It includes a completely new heating and air conditioning system for the sanctuary and Orr Hall, the removal of the balcony and stage in Orr Hall, renovation of the kitchen area and the addition of rest rooms on the main floor.
The Pittsfield Unit 10 board of education last week hired Dale Willard, Higbee Junior High teacher, as unit athletic director.
Miss Carolyn Barber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. C. Barber, Pittsfield, became the July 15 bride of Ron H. Sealock in a single ring ceremony performed at the First Christian Church in Pittsfield by Dr. Charles L. Emerson. Mr. Sealock is the daughter of Joann Sealock of Pittsfield and the late Rev. William Sealock.
Milton and the surrounding area have been quite hot and dry the past week. The temperature has been in the high 90s and has reached 100. Harry Wright, Pike County farm advisor, says “a decent rain is badly needed in the county.”

25 Years Ago
July 23 1997
Pike County will begin receiving emergency helicopter service after Aug. 1 when Air Evac EMS of West Plains, Missouri will offer the service. The helicopter will be based in Blessing Hospital in Quincy but will transport patients to the nearest appropriate hospital or the patient’s choice.
Painting work will begin on the courthouse dome within the next two weeks, according to John Sheppard, chairman of the building and grounds committee of the county board.
Approximately 30 people gathered Thursday morning in West Pittsfield for the ground-breaking for the new 8000 square foot Sears store.
It has been 25 years since Congress enacted Title IX of the Educational Amendment Act. In Pike County today boys and girls each have 20 sports opportunities.
The 1997 Miss Pike County Fair is Christina Harshman, 18-year-old daughter of Debbie Harshman of Barry. First runner up is Susan Cawthon, 17-year-old daughter of Joey and Rosie Cawthon of Pittsfield. Second runner up is Melissa Freesmeyer, 16-year-old daughter of John and Becky Freesmeyer of Pleasant Hill.

10 Years Ago
July 25, 2012
Parts of Pike County are now called “extreme drought,” and forecast 100-degree days this week will probably put the entire county in that category.
With approximately $38,000 in grant money from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, and with Sheriff Paul Petty and some inmates doing most of the labor, a portion of the basement of the jail has been transformed into a command center.

■ Compiled by Michael Boren