Pickings from Pike’s Past 12.21.22

By Editor | December 20, 2022 |

100 YEARS AGO: MORE THAN 20,000 RABBITS SHIPPED TO CHICAGO

150 Years Ago

Dec. 26, 1872

The cold snap commenced with a fall of snow of about two inches. Saturday was terribly cold, the thermometer going down to 18 or 20 below. Very little improvement followed Sunday, and Monday night it went clear down, one thermometer hung out under a cedar tree going down to 28 below.

The Christmas tree at the Episcopal Church in Pittsfield was a grand success and many a young heart was gladdened with its fruit.

The New Hartford and Summer Hill mails have been carried since Friday by private hands, the contractor’s horse being down with the epizoot.

We notice that our friend, Dr. Aiton, is flying around this cold weather and attending to his patients as though it were as pleasant as a summer morning.

125 Years Ago

Dec. 29, 1897

Last Saturday Uncle John Hoskins hitched up his sled and took his family and started to Summer Hill to trade. Just above Jim Posten’s the sled turned over, throwing them all out and the team went on at a four-minute gait for about a quarter of a mile. No one was seriously hurt.

One hundred thirty nine rabbits were the results of Saturday’s hunt in the New Hartford area, Clay Shaw being the beater.

Down at Pleasant Hill John Smith and others took a three-hour hunt on “French Joe’s” farm and killed 227 rabbits.

The grand rabbit hunt last Thursday in the middle of the county went far beyond everyone’s expectations, there being a total of over 1100 killed. It took two wagons with sideboards to haul them to market.

Bertha Cliningsmith broke her leg near the hip, May Dowell sprained both ankles and Vie Mayes escaped unhurt when they all went coasting together down the school house hill in Barry, and the directors say no more coasting thereon.

100 Years Ago

Dec. 27, 1922

Hunters report the biggest bunny crop in years. More than 20,000 rabbits have been bought by the Carlton and Marshall Poultry House in less than two weeks. None of the local produce houses had been buying rabbits until the east side house opened a Chicago outlet and got into the market. They pay 8 cents each, and in Chicago they sell at about $3.00 a dozen, undressed.

Women of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rockport are planning to have a pedestrian excursion. Tickets are 35 and 20 cents. All will start from the church and stops will be made at six homes.

Merle S. Barber, former Pike County treasurer, has been appointed deputy bank examiner by State Auditor Andrew Russel. His territory will be western Illinois and he will still make Pittsfield his home.

Fred Salzman, who operated a popcorn and peanut wagon at the southeast corner of the Pittsfield square last summer, has driven to Florida for the winter. The total cost of the trip there in a Ford car was $42.30.

Many Pittsfield merchants reported the best Christmas sales ever. Good weather and good roads and Ford cars were given as a reason for the excellent Christmas trade.

The New Hartford Christian Church reports a good Sunday with Bible School attendance 92 and a collection of $3.16. And the preaching service had a still larger attendance, which speaks well for the community.

75 Years Ago

Dec. 24, 1947

The Pittsfield Rotary Club had its third annual Christmas program and treat for Rotary juniors or Rotary “angels” in the Christian Church dining room Thursday evening. Ed House headed the Christmas party committee and was ably assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Fesler, Rev. and Mrs. Claude Cummins, Walter M. Plattner and Bob Kelly. The Rotary “angels” were Jack Barber, Marvin Fesler, Lenny Litvan, Bobby McAllister, David Plattner, Tommie Plattner, Carol Ann Fesler, Gary Spangenberg, Keenan Barber, Bill Kraybill, Ann Kraybill, Dee Ann Fisher, David Shulman, Jean Shulman, David Williams, Jr. and Johnny Litvan.

The deep oil and gas test well on the Mumford No. 1 location northwest of Pittsfield was abandoned the past week. It produced plenty of water, but no oil and no gas.

W. J. Wise of Barry has just been named the 1947 Pike County corn growing champion for producing a yield of 91.54 bushels per acre in a five acre plot on his farm near Barry.

Fred Bergman, heading a Citizens’ ticket in the city election at Griggsville, Dec. 16, was elected mayor of the city, succeeding Mayor L. G. Brown. Lawrence Robins, Elmer Ellis and Alfred Sargent were elected city dads on the Bergman ticket.

The annual Vesper service at the Pittsfield Christian Church was held at 5 p.m. Sunday evening. Twenty-six senior voices performed, with solo parts taken by Miss Carolyn Zimmerman, Miss Wilma Atwood, Mrs. Juanita Motley and C. A. Barber.

50 Years Ago

Dec. 27, 1972

The first bid for a cut of the county’s federal revenue sharing “pie” reached the Pike County Board Tuesday. It came from the Pike County Senior Citizens’ Council and called for $7,595 to operate a county-wide transportation system for senior citizens. Basil Williams, president of the organization, made the presentation. The board took no action, but requested additional information.

Chairman Glen Secrest said he will call a special meeting of the board in January to discuss how the county will spend its share of the federal revenue coming its way.

Steve Cox and Ruth Ann Hoover, two Pittsfield High students, have attained the honor of being selected for the All-State Chorus. They are the first PHS students to be chosen for an all-state performing group.

David Awbrey, a representative of Trio Manufacturing Company and the Griggsville Wild Bird Society, will present a program on wildlife art at 7:45 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Community Center for the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

25 Years Ago

Dec. 24, 1997

The Pike County Young Republicans have new officers, new committees and a fund raiser planned for February. Elected at its December meeting were Gary Mendenhall, chairman; Brian Hoover, first vice chairman; Donnie Fray, second vice-chairman; Joanna Foote, treasurer; and Cheryl Shelton, secretary. A membership committee chaired by Jessica Forgy and a fund-raising committee chaired by James T. Smith also were created.

Jamie Allen and Todd Westfall were crowned homecoming queen and king Friday night at Griggsville-Perry High School.

The Pittsfield chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 13 new members at a candlelight ceremony Monday, Dec. 15. Bill Ferguson was guest speaker. Halley Spann is the NHS president. The new members are Becky Barger, Justin Cobb, Zack Boren, Justin Dodd, Helen Smith, Ricky Clendenny, Dee Collins, Jessica Carmitchel, Brooke Dunham, Mark Johnson, Jacob Kingery, Shaylon Siepker and Gabe Ritchart.

10 Years Ago

Dec. 26, 2012

Heavy snow and fast winds swept through Pike County Thursday, Dec. 20, leaving stranded cars, closed businesses and schools in the aftermath. Winds clocked at more than 50 miles per hour and snowfall that persisted for hours ravaged all the county. Schools were let out early Thursday, so Christmas vacation came a day ahead of schedule.

Kennedy Kattelman sank two free throws with sixty seconds showing on the clock as the Pittsfield Saukees edged the Griggsville-Perry Tornadoes 43-41. The game had been close the entire time and was tied 17-all at the half. Kattelman’s two free-throws added to his team high 14 points. Ty Rylander added 9. Griggsville was led by Dryden Craven with a game-high 25, including two three-pointers.

ν Compiled by Michael Boren