Pickings from Pike’s Past 2.15.23

By Editor | February 14, 2023 |

25 YEARS AGO: COACH DAVE BENNETT GETS 500TH WIN

150 Years Ago

Feb. 15, 1873

The weather acts up as if spring was right at hand.

Mr. A. J. Brown of Milton sold 61 hogs. They were a cross between the Berkshire and Poland, were nine months old and averaged 301 pounds, all smooth and nice and all the same size and color. All who saw them said they were the finest lot they had ever seen. They had been fed raw corn.

The war against the whisky sellers at Rockport is about to assume formidable proportions.

125 Years Ago

Feb. 22, 1898

The Ladies Athletic Association had a crowded house Saturday at the armory hall to witness the game of basket ball, at which many of the members have become quite proficient.

During the past 10 days that bit of gravel road made by Martinsburg citizens last year has been the subject of much commendation. We hear of parties coming from Nebo cutting across “lots” just to get on it and give their teams a rest.

Chicago’s sermonizers Sunday were about equally divided in their sermons between the disaster on the battleship Maine and tribute to the life work and memory of Miss Frances E. Willard.

Last Friday Alf Lidgard of Perry walked from Summer Hill to Pittsfield. George Main of Hardin Township walked from Baylis to Pittsfield and Parvin P. Johnson of Barry walked from Milton to Pittsfield. All are candidates for sheriff and said they preferred to walk because they had a chance to see so many voters by so doing.

Feb. 25, 1898

From dispatches sent out it is evident that the war feeling is rampant throughout the state and many officers of the Illinois National Guard are getting their regiments ready to move at an hour’s call.

Griggsville honored the memory of George Washington by a display of flags on post office and school houses.

The mumps have taken a fresh start and many in the Detroit area are wrestling with them.

Some fellow evidently got a good dose of religion at Summer Hill during the late revival, judging from that deck of cards lying along the road.

Wire fencing is so cheap that there is no excuse for lack of fences on our Pike County farms.

100 Years Ago

Feb. 21, 1923

The two-story building owned by Strauss & Bro., and occupied by Karl Greife as a grocery store, caught fire about half past nine o’clock Thursday night. The fire was put out, but most of the contents were damaged by water, steam and smoke.

Dr. J. H. Welch of Rockport states that he has been visiting from 10 to 40 flu patients each day for three weeks.

The Milton school reopened Monday, having been closed for 10 days owing to the flu. The severe cold weather has driven the flu out of town.

John Dinsmore recently bought the old Methodist church building in Time for $200 and is having it torn down. The lumber is of the very best and is in splendid condition.

The Pike County Teachers’ Association at the annual meeting elected Byron Garrison of Pearl, president; Nannie Bickerdike of Griggsville, vice president and Minna Bauch of Pittsfield, secretary.

75 Years Ago

Feb. 18, 1948

The weather has been bright and sunny and the snow has disappeared, a pleasant change from the first half of February.

With only five seconds left to go Jim Denison grabbed the ball from the referee for an out-of-bounds play at the high school gym last night and hurled a circus pass the full length of the court. Dick Zimmerman, on the receiving end, chucked it in the hoop, giving Pittsfield High a last-second victory over Griggsville, 38-37.

Col. Lahey of the 44th Illinois Infantry has notified Commander Albert W. Schimmel, Jr. of the local American Legion post that Pittsfield’s facilities for a National Guard installation are satisfactory and that a National Guard unit definitely will be installed here in the near future.

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Smith, Nebo (Joan Johnson) are the parents of a daughter born Feb. 13, named Dinah Rhee.

Dr. and Mrs. C. J. Voelker, Pittsfield (Mildred Koeppes) are parents of a daughter born Feb. 14, named Sharon Anne.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Jeffries, Pittsfield (Lois Eleanor Nicholson) are parents of a daughter born Feb. 17, named Diana Lynn.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 21, 1973

The Pittsfield Legion Hall (officially “The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall”) is for sale. It has been the home of Pittsfield Post 152 for more than 45 years. It was built in the 1920s mainly by volunteer labor, or as one participant recalls, “guts and overdrafts.” Most of the building’s steady income is derived from rental of office space at the northwest corner to the driver’s license examining station.

“Mary of Scotland” will be presented by the PHS Thespians this week. The dramatic dimensions of this play surpass anything director Jon Robb has tried before with his talented students. Queen Elizabeth is played by Sue Weil; Mary, by Darla Roberts.

Efforts to establish a West Central Illinois junior college district failed in 1963 and 1968. Under present legislation all parts of the state must be in some junior college district by Aug. 1, 1974.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 18, 1998

In the last 22 years, Pittsfield head coach Dave Bennett’s hard work and dedication have brought him to a career milestone that only 55 other coaches in the state of Illinois have ever reached—Bennett coached his 500th win Saturday in an exciting 65-50 win over last year’s state champion Warsaw Wildcats.

Bennett’s two sons, Layne and Lee, both had the chance to be involved in the Saukee basketball program and both are now coaches.

The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra will complete its ninth season with the annual spring concert Sunday March 8. Mariah Booth of Pittsfield will be among those performing.

Pittsfield dentist Dan Speckhart, moonlighting as a bowler, recently turned in a spectacular performance at Thunders. He bowled an 802 in a three-game series, an occurrence even rarer than a 300 game, according to Thunders owner Rick Thorton.

10 Years Ago

Feb. 20, 2012

Sheriff Paul Petty reported that the Illinois Sheriff’s Association recently voted unanimously not to support an assault weapons ban. The association’s statement said, “Society needs a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to this multi-faceted issue.”

“The Music Man” is taking shape on the Pittsfield High School stage. Katie Hull, Kyle Boshardy, Mitchell Barton and Madalene Davis are among the stars of the all-school musical. Spencer and Kayla Boren are the directors and Jade Roseberry is the choreographer.

Pittsfield senior wrestler Zack Abney took second place in the state wrestling tournament Saturday in Champaign.

• Compiled by Michael Boren.