Pickings from Pike’s Past: 150 YEARS AGO: FOURTEEN INCHES OF SNOW IN LATE NOVEMBER
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150 Years Ago
Dec. 3, 1874
A snowstorm commenced last Friday (the 27th) continuing through the day and night. Saturday morning revealed a depth on an average of 14 inches. Monday morning the thermometer stood at 9 degrees above zero, but the weather has been moderating ever since. Our people have done their level best to get the greatest possible amount of sleighing out of the snow before it leaves.
The ladies of the new M. E. Church in Pittsfield will hold a fair and festival in the new church Dec. 22 and 23. Parents will find many things to gladden the hearts and fill the stockings of their children on Christmas Eve. The old-fashioned meal, such as our grandfathers delighted in, will be furnished by veritable old folks in costumes of other days.
Thanksgiving was generally observed in Pittsfield—in fact much more than heretofore. There was a general cessation of business during the day.
125 Years Ago
Dec. 6, 1899
What with the teachers’ institute, the circuit court, the good roads and the good weather, Pittsfield was fully crowded with people and their teams Saturday. A few more could have got in had they come earlier.
The Shaw building on the north side of the square is now completed. It is an imposing structure.
The new Dow and King mill is also all completed with the exception of a little work on the interior.
A general invitation is extended to our friends to call and see what a really up to date printing office is like. The new press which has been installed in the DEMOCRAT office is an improved Cranston, built of the best material and unexcelled in fine workmanship.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 3, 1924
The good weather still continues. It got down to 12 above a few days ago, but did not stay down. Yesterday was clear with the wind in the south, just a nice fall day. We still have not had any snow.
Forty or more representatives of Pittsfield churches, lodges and clubs who attended a meeting last week, voted unanimously to launch a movement for a community Christmas tree.
The ladies of the Christian Church of Detroit cleared about $150 on their annual Thanksgiving dinner and supper. Twenty geese and five ducks were served at the dinner while a large number of chickens were fried for supper. Everyone who attended declares the dinner was fine but that the ladies should raise the price from 50 cents to a dollar. Many people went from Pittsfield.
The Ladies of the Pittsfield Christian Church will hold their bazaar, housekeeper’s table, candy and crackerjack sale next Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the church. The ladies will meet at the church this afternoon to complete the work for the bazaar.
C. W. (Bub) Hancock, night watch at the King Mill, won first prize of $25 at the old time fiddlers’ contest given by the Barry Fire Department last Thanksgiving night.
Speaking of the Christmas T.B. Seal sale, the Pike County nurse says that there are 28,000 people in Pike County, and if only 14,000 would buy Christmas seals it would allow the county to maintain a county health nurse, who is not paid by county funds.
The M. D. King Milling Co. urges you to eat more bread. Flour is cheaper now than it has been for years.
75 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1949
Under construction in Barry is the huge new Barry gym, and about 100 feet to the east a new farm mechanics building is also under construction.
Plans have been announced by King Milling Co. to suspend flour milling operations Dec. 31. All other company operations will continue. The decision by the board of directors interrupts 81 consecutive years of flour milling in Pittsfield. The first flour mill in Pittsfield was constructed in 1868 by C. P. Chapman.
Mr. A. F. (Frank) Turnbeaugh, former teacher, Nebo banker and insurance man, died in his Nebo home at the age of 82. On the occasion of the Turnbeaugh’s 60th wedding anniversary two years ago, Bona Boren, an appreciative neighbor girl, wrote a wonderful story for THE REPUBLICAN about her good neighbors. (Included in the article)
Nov. 30, 1949
Miss Bette Bea Guthrie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mayo Guthrie of Nebo, became the bride of Roy Suhling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Suhling of Hamburg, in a quiet but impressive ceremony Saturday, Nov. 26, at the home of the Rev. Joe Maynard in Pittsfield.
Dec. 1, 1949
Pittsfield High’s Saukee Indians trounced Beardstown 47-33 Tuesday night in the season opener. This may be the sign of another tournament winner, as Beardstown is usually tough competition.
The Western Union is trying to work out a plan for continuing the Western Union telegraph office in Pittsfield. It seems probable that the telegraph company and the bus companies will combine the bus station and telegraph station.
Dan Bodine plans to open a barber shop and shoe shine parlor in Pittsfield. He has leased a space from Henry Awbrey between the Awbrey Drug Store and the Philbert Country Grill on West Washington Street.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 4, 1974
The four newly-elected members of the Pike County Board, Vinton L. Dunham, Derald McGlauchlen, Lester Vincent and Ronald Ehlert, were sworn in by Circuit Judge Cecil Burroughs Monday morning. The other members of the board are Bruce Boren, Harold Booth, Glenn Secrest, Oral Bethard and Lyle Hayden. Board members Gawain Brokaw and Lois Franklin did not run for re-election. Ronald Ehlert was elected County Board chairman. The board is now seven Democrats and two Republicans. Retiring County Clerk Wayne Lightle was honored, as newly-elected County Clerk Carrol K. Hoover took his office.
Carrol Hoover has announced that Freda McCoy will be his chief deputy, with Betty J. Clough, Lorena l. Smith and Ann Richards serving as deputies. Dick B. Hoover is the newly-elected County Treasurer, and so far he has filled only one position, appointing Carole Campbell as chief deputy.
Rollie Lee and Phillip Hirst are co-owners of Barry’s stereo music center “The Black Market.” They have a fine selection of Craig stereo and electronic products.
Farmers National Bank of Griggsville is getting its face lifted. A new brick front is going to be put on as part of a building program which also includes a drive-up window and an expanded lobby
25 Years Ago
Dec. 1, 1999
After months of planning and research, the Farmers State Bank in Pittsfield has unveiled its remodeling/expansion plans. “We decided we wanted to go with a more traditional look,” said Lewis Grigsby, Jr., president of the bank. “Once we got to thinking about it, we decided we wanted a little bit more feeling of old Pittsfield.”
Friday afternoon Dr. Ansar Ansari was flying his plane from Omaha, Neb. with several family members on board, when he experienced complete electrical failure. The manual crank on the landing gear was inoperable, so he decided to make a successful belly landing at the Pittsfield airport. He said, “There was some damage to the propeller, the electrical system, the motor has some damage from the sudden stoppage, and of course, the belly is scraped pretty badly. There were no injuries in the mishap. My family and I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.”
The Pleasant Hill Lady Wolves realized a hard-earned dream by winning the Pike County Conference basketball tournament. The team went 4-0 with wins over Barry, Liberty, Griggsville-Perry and Brussels. Dave Young is the Lady Wolves’ coach.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 3, 2014
Judge Frank McCartney swore in Sheriff Paul Petty, County Clerk Donnie Apps, and Supervisor of Assessments, Cindy Shaw Monday morning. All are incumbents. McCartney also swore in new County Treasurer Scott Syrcle and new State’s Attorney Zachary Boren. He also swore in new County Board members Rodger Hannel and Carrie Martin and incumbents Fred Bradshaw and Jim Sheppard. The rest of the County Board consists of Dr. Dan Mefford, Michael Boren, Cleve Curry, Tami Webel and Chairman Andy Borrowman.
The Pike County Health Department moved all programs and services to 606 W. Adams Street into the former Quincy Medical Group building located directly across the street from HIS Pharmacy and Niebur Funeral Home.
Compiled by Michael Boren
