Pickings from Pike’s Past: 75 YEARS AGO: FLYING SCHOOL IN PEARL

By Editor | July 26, 2022 |

150 Years Ago
Aug. 1, 1872
The weather for the past three days has been terribly hot, the thermometer ranging anywhere from 96 to 100 degrees.
The Grantites have lost none of their hatred for Democrats whom they have called copperheads and traitors. They are little interested in the Horace Greeley presidential ticket save when they are dangerous to the schemes laid in the interest of the Grant ring.

125 Years Ago
Aug. 3, 1897
A reliable, well posted farmer claims that Pike County, from present appearances, will raise the largest corn crop this year ever raised here. He says that crops of 50 bushels to the acre will be common and there will be many of 100 bushels to the acre.
Superintendent Glandon of the telephone system has made arrangements to receive the daily weather reports and will display the signals from a staff on the courthouse. As there is no pay in it, the work is a labor of love, and Mr. Glandon is to be commended for his liberality.

Aug. 10, 1897
The wave of prosperity has struck the New Hartford area. Men are offering 75 centS a day for threshing and haying.
Eight hundred and eighty-seven tickets to Griggsville and return were sold at the Pittsfield station during fair week. The railroad only allowed one extra car for the run, and when it comes to crowding 246 passengers into two coaches and a baggage car it made it rather uncomfortable.
It was on Aug. 10, 1865 when the name of J. M. Bush first appeared on the mast head of the Pike County Democrat. He states that “Thirty-two years of steady work at one desk represents a considerable amount of labor.”

100 Years Ago
Aug. 2, 1922
Pittsfield’s deep well has been finished and a splendid flow of water was struck at about 875 feet. The water, however, as predicted by the engineer, is highly mineralized and not fit for domestic purposes. But it could be used for extinguishing fires and other purposes.
Much of the county was visited by a heavy rain Saturday night, which was greatly needed for the pastures and the corn.
The third annual Farm Bureau picnic is slated for Pittsfield Wednesday, August 16, and promises to be one of the most enjoyable of any of the picnics yet held by the bureau.
On Thursday, July 20, 1922 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carl J. Wall and Miss Virginia Dinsmore, both of Nebo. The wedding took place in the Christian Church in Louisiana, Mo., Elder B. G. Reavis of Mexico, Mo., officiating. The young couple were attended by Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Caldwell and Miss Eleanor Dinsmore.
The annual Anti-Horse Thief picnic of Rush Lodge will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12 in the Walker Grove, east of Perry.
Pike County has had more than one baby born per day so far during this year. The most popular name for girls is Mary and for boys is Robert.
Forty years ago, nobody swatted a fly, knew about radio or wore a wrist watch. Many people read by candle or kerosene light, the heavens were not full of “manbirds,” the butcher “threw in” a chunk of liver, many folks retired a 9 p.m. and rose at 5 a.m.

75 Years Ago
July 30, 1947
The second annual New Canton Methodist Church Fair and picnic closed Saturday night with more than 5000 persons attending the two-day event. The various entertainment groups included a male quartette from Pittsfield, consisting of C. A. Barber, Bruce Peebles, Walter Winter and Bob Robinson.
The U. S. Army Mothers collected buffalo nickels Saturday and took in about $55, which will be used to purchase a wheel chair to be used in this community, which will cost around $75.
The Pittsfield branch of Brown Shoe company is slowed down for lack of help. Pike County people who want to work at the highest wages ever paid by the local factory should visit the plant and talk with the foremen of the various departments. The factory is trying to make 5,500 pairs of shoes a day, but is not always making it because of help shortage.
The Pleasant Hill-Pike County Fair will be held at Pleasant Hill Tuesday-Friday, Aug. 5-8.
Major Roy Atherton and Lewis A. Pontero of Pearl have started a flying school with a new Piper Cub cruiser. Pontero also operates the Pearl-Kampsville bus service, which is now operating between Pearl and Pittsfield and Pearl and Alton.
The Christian Science Church on South Memorial Street in Pittsfield meets at 11 a.m. Sunday mornings.

50 Years Ago
Aug. 2, 1972
Members of Pike’s chapter of People to People recently hosted over 60 visitors from the Netherlands, members of the Excelsior Band of Grijpskirk. The members arrived July 27 and stayed until Aug. 1, presenting a concert Friday evening.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) is meeting every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Pittsfield Community Center.
Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Scranton and children recently returned home after attending the rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Chamberlain and Teresa returned home last Friday from a two-week vacation in Florida. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kindle and daughter, Jane.

25 Years Ago
July 30, 1997
The corn fields of Pike County are “a-hurtin”—at least in some places. And the next two weeks are critical for many farmers. Hot weather and sparse rain have made some farmers edgy about their crops.
Gary Harpole of the Heartland Rural America Foundation is pictured with five recipients of funding from Whitetail Days in Nebo. A total of $3000 was divided among the Village of Nebo, Spring Creek Fire Department, Perry Free Lending Library, Pleasant Hill Playground Committee and the Pearl Twin Culverts Restoration Committee.
The Pittsfield Rotary Club barbershop quartet was busy Saturday. They entertained a good crowd at the annual Griggsville Preservation and Restoration ice cream social and then entertained at the annual Republican picnic at the Dyer farm near Nebo. Members of the quartet are Keith Smith, Randy Hires, Eric Dolbeare, Chuck Barber and Mel Martin.

10 Years Ago
Aug. 1, 2012
At a meeting called by State Senator Sam McCann, IDOT officials stated that the closed Florence bridge, built in 1929, will “most likely” be repaired.
Ferry service at Kampsville and Brussels is in no danger of shutting down due to low water levels in the Illinois River, according to Joseph Monroe, IDOT district engineer.
Pike County was officially declared a drought disaster area July 25, after weeks without significant rainfall.
The resurfacing and other restorative work on Piper Lane is expected to begin Aug. 13, according to Pittsfield Mayor John Hayden.
The Franklin School is having a reunion Aug. 17 at noon at the Red Apple Room in Pittsfield.

■ Compiled by Michael Boren