Pickings from Pike’s Past: 125 YEARS AGO: PITTSFIELD DEFEATS ILLINOIS COLLEGE IN FIRST FOOTBALL GAME OF THE SEASON

150 Years Ago

Oct. 22, 1874

The weather continues most mild and pleasant, but the cry that goes up for rain is continuous and long drawn out.  Rain is much needed.

After the first day of January next year we will be compelled to pay postage upon all papers sent out of the county by us.  We shall therefore, require the pre-payment to us of the subscription and postage  on all such papers, or we shall not send them.

From Kinderhook we receive the following: “Our corn crop is good; we are already feeding 1,000 head of hogs that have been brough here from Missouri, and can feed more.  Let them come, we have corn to spare.”

125 Years Ago

Oct. 24, 1899

The warmest of fall weather prevails and the wheat and grass are doing fine.

This is the obscene time of the year.  Naked limbs of trees are in sight on every hand and the fields are as bare as could be imagined.  Summer, the jade, is lingering in the lap of winter and it is small wonder that the corn is shocked.  It is the time of year when the coal dealers advance the price of coal. It is also the season when you rake your lawn, and your neighbors’ trees will again fill it with leaves.

The citizens of Nebo voted to purchase property for a park in that village.

The Pike County Teachers’ Institute comes to Pittsfield next year.  Our poet prepared the following yell: “Hike! Hike!  Get on your bike in 1900 and come to Pike!”

Oct. 27, 1899

The Pittsfield team defeated Illinois College in the first football game of the season, 11-10.

The indications are that, in spite of the fire, Nebo will be more prosperous from now on than they have been for many years.  Nebo is going to boom.  Mark the prediction.

100 Years Ago

Oct. 22, 1924

A crowd estimated at 8,000 to 10,000 heard Republican Governor, Len “Good Roads” Small speak at Winchester last Wednesday. Pike County sent a huge delegation to the meeting.

Karl Hum, editor of the Milton Beacon, and Miss Dulcie Kerr of Pittsfield were married Oct. 6. Hum is the son of the late Henry Thorne Hum, well-known newspaperman and playwright.

The El Dara school district has decided to abandon its two-year high school.  The first day of school only seven students of a possible 15 reported to the school. The seven students have entered the Pittsfield, New Canton, Rockport and Barry high schools.

Late Thursday night fire destroyed three businesses in Pleasant Hill, DeCamp’s restaurant, Venable’s Meat Market and Windmiller’s Barber Shop and other stores were damaged.

The November ballot in Pike County includes 10 political parties: Democratic, Republican, Socialist, Progressive, Socialist Labor, Workers Party, Commonwealth, Prohibition, Independent, and Limit Land.

75 Years Ago

Oct 18, 1949

Pittsfield’s high hopes for another Illinois Valley Conference title were dimmed last Friday night when a speedy, able Greenfield eleven took the Saukee measure 6-0.

Lewis and Gloria Grigsby set the pace at last Wednesday night’s style show.  In the photo, Lewis is all dolled up for Sunday School, while sister Gloria, hugging her doll and toys, is ready for sleepy-time.  Garments are from English Dry Goods.

Oct. 19, 1949

Pictured are Calvin Lee and Larry Gene Mooney, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Mooney of Rockport.  Larry was one year old Sept. 21 and Calvin Lee was four on Sept. 28.

Oct. 20, 1949

As is often the case, the day before the Saukee homecoming appears mighty wet and gloomy. 

Pike County School Superintendent Ross Nichol was elected President of the Mississippi Valley Division of the Illinois Education Association.  Unfortunately, Nichols was in Illinois Hospital at the time, due to a heart attack.  It is reported that he is recovering satisfactorily.

50 Years Ago

Oct. 23, 1974

Pittsfield’s new Lowry Park, dedicated last Sunday, was described by Don Mellon, master of ceremonies for the dedication, as “a magnificent facility….justly named for the late Ed Lowry….a man who had more vision than most for what makes a community a growing structure.” Mellon predicted that “thousands of boys and girls will enjoy the park as time goes on.” Many of the Lowry clan were gathered for the occasion.

The Pike County Board voted to raise the salaries of county elected officials and also of the board members.  Gawain Brokaw was the only one of the nine board members to vote against the increases.

The Milton Harvest Festival will be this Saturday, Oct. 26.  Serving will start at 5 p.m. in the East Pike hot lunch room.  Each class will have a stand.  Bingo will be played and there will be a cake walk.

The Christian Brothers Raiders used three aerial bombs to scalp the Saukees 20-7.  The only PHS score came when Dana Ferguson dragged three raiders into the end zone as he scored.  Craig Stauffer booted the extra point for a 7-0 lead at that point.

Pleasant Hill picked up win number two by whacking Virginia 22 to 0.  Mark Kinscherff had 2 TD’s and Mike Rayner the other.  Coach Wes Rayner has high hopes for the Wolves for the next two seasons.

Governor Dan Walker made his first visit to Pike County Monday afternoon, since his election two years ago, campaigning with Vince Demuzio, Democratic candidate for State Senator from the 49th District.

Rev. Wallace H. Robinson has been selected the new pastor of the First Christian Church of Pittsfield.  His first sermon will be at the regular morning service, Sunday, Nov. 3.

25 Years Ago

Oct. 20, 1999

The Pittsfield City Council approved giving the Shastid House $10,000 over the next two years in two equal payments.  The motion came after a request by Pike County Historical Society member Linda Lovell. The council also agreed to loan Stacy Roseberry, owner of S and S School of Dance, $5,000 to restore the front of her studio at 313. N. Monroe.

Jim and Marie Miles have donated a stained glass window on the south side of the courthouse, which was installed Wednesday.  Smaller windows are being replaced, with the opportunity for donors to defray the cost.

10 Years Ago

Oct. 22, 2014

The official numbers aren’t in yet, but Kaye Iftner, of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, says the people she has talked to believe the 2014 Fall Color Drive may have attracted record crowds.

This fall, incumbent County Clerk Donnie Apps, Jr. is running against Patrice A. Mills.  Incumbent County Treasurer, Jeffrey L. Gerard is running against Scott Syrcle and Interim State’s Attorney Matthew Goetten is running against Zachary Boren.

For the County Board, Democrat Harry Wright and Republicans Fred Bradshaw and Jim Sheppard are incumbents, while Democrats Larry Fitch and Curt Simonson and Republicans Rodger Hannel and Carrie Martin are new faces.  Four are to be elected.

Compiled by Michael Boren