Pickings from Pike’s Past 2.22.23

By Editor | February 21, 2023 |

50 YEARS AGO: GIRLS IN PHS FFA FOR THE FIRST TIME

150 Years Ago

Feb. 27, 1873

The various committees that have been sitting in investigation of the corruption in and about Congress have reported, and it is now evident that everybody implicated is to be generally whitewashed and sent forth untarnished and pure, save in public opinion.

Derry Township, including El Dara, is one of the finest townships in the county, and a first rate set of people live here. The school is a success and Drs Reynolds and Morehead attend all our wants when we are sick.

From the homes of the smitten and bereaved in Rockport we chronicle the ravages of a terrible disease–cerebro spinal meningitis, spotted fever or head fever—which has been raging in our community. Seven percent of our community have been smitten and three percent have died, and some have died of other causes. Our streets are nearly deserted and people avoid our village as a plague spot.

125 Years Ago

March 1, 1898

February went out rather rough but March comes in today like a lamb. Will it go out like a lion?

It was a pleasing sight Saturday to see Pittsfield again filled with people after the many weeks of desertion, owing to bad roads.

Did you ever hear of a night cap social? Well, there is going to be one in the parlors of the Pittsfield Christian Church and it will cost you only 15 cents to find out all about it.

One week ago yesterday a free-for-all fight occurred on the Pursley farm south of New Philadelphia, between three colored and four white gentlemen. It seems the cause of the quarrel was the division of some corn.

March 4, 1898

The bluebirds and robins made their first appearance of the season a couple of weeks ago and yesterday bicycles were on the streets of Pittsfield for the first time. Also, the good housewives are setting hens and cleaning house.

The politicians, including W. C. Bush, candidate for county treasurer, feel better about the roads and weather and are working very hard against the day of destiny.

100 Years Ago

Feb. 28, 1923

Pittsfield High School defeated Kinderhook and Baylis and lost to Keokuk and Carthage in the past week. Keokuk leads the conference, which includes Macomb, Quincy, Carthage, Pittsfield and Fort Madison.

Several Detroit families have gone to join the “Community of Saints” in the Ozark Mountains at Gilbert, Ark. The colony is made up largely of Illinois people, about 200 in number. They believe that a religious war will break out in America in the spring of 1923, and that it will eventually engulf the world. They feel that their community and other similar ones will be isolated and secure from the war and its plagues.

Hurray for the Bible school at the Pittsfield Christian Church. The attendance is coming up sharply toward the old mark. The young men’s class had 23 in attendance; Mr. Hicks’ class 18; Mr. Shastid’s class 17, and so on through the entire Bible school. Watch Mr. Hesley’s class grow next Sunday. We should have at least 300 present Easter Sunday for Bible school.

Ku Klux Klan literature was distributed in Pittsfield for the second time one day last week. Klansmen have visited her twice recently and it is hinted a Klan may be organized here.

There are 39 inmates in the county farm, 29 men and 10 women.

75 Years Ago

Feb. 25, 1948

Pike County turned down the single school unit proposed by the survey committee. The unofficial vote was 1,335 for and 4,235 against. Out of a total of 44 voting precincts in the county, Nebo, Spring Creek, Milton, Montezuma, El Dara and the village of New Salem voted in favor of the one county school district. All other precincts voted decidedly against it. The first so-called “land grab” petition in which we understand Pleasant Hill seeks to add territory in Calhoun, Spring Creek and Atlas, has been presented to County Superintendent Ross Nichols.

Mrs. Eugene Dark and son, Meredith, are opening a new neighborhood store at 510 N. Jackson Street Friday. This is the former Fred and Mary Hobbs store building.

Farmers of Pike County, Ray Peters announces that Peters Implement Co. is now your new Oliver dealer, temporarily located in the R. C. Gray Chevrolet garage.

Irene Waits has opened a new florist shop, which will be called Irene’s Flower Shop. She has previously been employed at the Avalyn Shop.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 28, 1973

Pike County’s various taxing bodies stand to lose about $650,000, or approximately 16 percent of their total tax revenue, as a result of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling exempting individuals from the personal property tax. The court upheld a 1970 referendum, approved by the voters of Illinois, abolishing the personal property tax on individuals, but not on corporations. Supervisor of Assessments Marshall Roberts said that at one time personal property assessments accounted for about 25 percent of the total tax revenue of the county.

For the first time, girls are FFA members at PHS. Among the first are Gina Frazier, Debbie Conrad, Linda Smith, Connie Johnson and Sherry McKee. Chapter officers are Mike Barton, Eric Gerard, Donnie Snyder, Alan Brokaw, Ron Booth, and Scott Syrcle. Award winners are Roger Hall, David Benz, Mike Barton, Scott Syrcle, Dana Ferguson and Don Barton.

West Pike High School, led by 6-5 Bob Gray, won the Pike County Conference title with a 9-0 record and a 23-0 overall season record. Mike Fray’s Barry Tigers, led by Jim Koeller, were second at 7-2 and 17-7.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 25, 1998

The answer is “Yes, but don’t make a habit of asking.” That was the consensus sentiment conveyed by the Pikeland Unit 10 school board last week in granting permission for two high school groups to participate in two out-of-town events on a Sunday. The measure passed by a 4-3 vote.

Pittsfield Moose Lodge #420 held its 50th anniversary celebration Friday, Feb. 13 at the Pittsfield Moose Lodge. Dick Zumwalt is the Governor and J. D. Haney is the Administrator.

The Griggsville-Perry Eagles claimed the fourth-place trophy at the state tournament. Veteran Coach Kenny Stauffer said, “It was the third year in a row we were defeated by the eventual state tournament winner.”

Gasoline prices are at a 5-year low in Illinois, averaging $1.057 per gallon locally.

Dora Zumwalt and employees celebrated the 25th anniversary of Dora’s House of Flowers on Valentine’s Day.

10 Years Ago

Feb. 27, 2013

On a closely divided vote, the Pike County Board Monday night passed a 4% hotel tax for the county. The county previously has not had such a local tax.

Two snows of at least six inches each caused county school closures of several days during a two-week period.

• Compiled by Michael Boren.