Pickings from Pike’s Past: 75 YEARS AGO: TWISTER HITS HANNIBAL AND NORTHWEST PIKE COUNTY
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150 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 1874
Yesterday was a cloudy, raw, dismal, drizzling day.
A very rare sight was witnessed in Pittsfield the other day, which was none other than a flock of over 500 turkeys and 175 geese being driven on foot to the depot, thence to be shipped to New York. Those who saw it described it as a very orderly and well-behaved procession.
The tickets are out for the third annual holiday ball to be given at Bush’s Hall Christmas night. It is expected that old dancers, young dancers, middle-aged and all who love to dance will be present. Prof. Richter’s full quadrille band will furnish the music.
125 Years Ago
Dec. 20, 1899
The 23rd annual meeting of the Pike County Teachers’ Association was held early in December at the East School building in Pittsfield. Miss Ivah Scanland sang a solo, “Pretty Primrose Flower,” which was much enjoyed. The president, Mr. P. F. Grote, delivered the annual address. Mr. Shastid called his address “Jubilee Meeting,” as it was just 50 years since the first regular institute was held in Pike County.
The audience was well-pleased with music by the Pittsfield High School orchestra. “Morals and Manners,” as presented by J. B. Gragg was the subject of one of the best papers presented at the meeting. A violin solo by Hoy Davis was much appreciated. The teachers were in session for two full days, having three meetings the first day and two the second.
The old Fishell Opera House in Pittsfield, which had recently been used for an armory was recently destroyed by fire.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 1924
Everybody was ready for Pittsfield’s first Community Christmas Tree which was put up in the courthouse park. Ray B. Stephenson furnished the tree. Pittsfield grocers and markets furnished candy and oranges for 1000 “kids.” CIPS strung the wires over the tree to furnish lights, and church choirs and school children led in the singing of Christmas carols.
Seventy-seven members of the Pittsfield Masonic Lodge consumed 5 gallons of oysters which had been added to 12 ½ gallons of milk, and drank six gallons of coffee at their recent holiday supper.
Folks who have visited Springfield, Jacksonville, Quincy and other nearby cities report that none of these cities have anything on the Pittsfield merchants when it comes to window decorations. Take the Shaw Grocery for instance, where would you find two more beautifully decorated windows?
There will be a community Christmas tree and a program at the Baylis Coliseum Christmas Eve.
75 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 1949
Pittsfield High School defeated Jacksonville 49-37 on Friday night, but a flashy Hannibal quintet stopped the Saukee winning streak with a 51-31 victory Saturday night.
A twister hit Hannibal Sunday afternoon, and then headed northeast into Pike County, damaging several farms in the western part of the county. Supervisor Fred Schwartz said, “It was the most savage storm we ever had in that section to my knowledge.” Barry got a deluge of rain, but no rain fell in Pittsfield. Detroit and Florence had very heavy rains, but no wind damage.
Dec. 14, 1949
Beuna Kay Franklin, charming little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harris Franklin of Pleasant Hill, celebrated her second birthday Dec. 2. With her in the picture is her big brother Bill, who was three years old in May.
Dec. 15, 1949
Three Griggsville businessmen are in one of the most highly competitive businesses—the manufacture of television aerials. The men are Harry Kopps, J. L. Wade and G. N. Carmichael. When a reporter from the Pike County Republican visited the plant in early December, he learned that the firm had recently shipped more than 300 antennas in less than a week. Carmichael has developed the double dipole antenna, which is attracting nationwide attention and is almost certain to be copied by other firms.
The old Christian Church in Bedford was packed with a happy and congratulatory crowd of well-wishers 50 years ago, Dec. 14, 1899 for the wedding of James E. Dillon and Pearl French. The building is gone now, but the Dillons held an open house in their home a short distance north of Montezuma, overlooking the Illinois River to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 18, 1974
A citizens advisory committee of 13 men and three women has been appointed by the Pittsfield Unit 10 board of education to help conduct a unit-wide survey or “program audit.”
The members are as follows: Jim Ottwell and Joe Rowlett, Pearl; Mrs. Joyce Harpole and Carroll Borrowman, Nebo; Jim Gay and Joe Lister, Rockport and Summer Hill; John Phillips and Bill Christison, Detroit and Florence; Mrs. Alice Moon, Bob Dempsey and Gaylord Rhodes, Pittsfield; George Claus, Mrs. Keith Allen and John Kearns, Milton; Everett Dean and John Waters, Baylis and New Salem.
Sunday postal service in Pittsfield will be discontinued beginning Jan. 4, 1975. Postmaster Charlie Stephenson said the cutback will also affect Kinderhook which no longer will have a Sunday morning pick-up.
New officers of the Pike County Fair Board are Bob Dempsey of Pittsfield, president; Junior Syrcle of Barry, vice president; Bob Robertson of Pleasant Hill, treasurer and Mrs. Ed Lowry, secretary.
Pamela Sue Zumwalt became the bride of Daniel L. VanHecke in a Nov. 29, 7 p.m. ceremony at the Church of Christ in Jacksonville. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Hal Zumwalt of Pittsfield and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Haven of Greenfield. The bride teaches kindergarten at East School in Pittsfield. The bridegroom teaches special education at Beardstown.
Eric Dean Scranton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert D. Scranton of Nebo, celebrated his fifth birthday Dec. 16.
25 Years Ago
Dec. 15, 1999
On hand for a joint check-passing to the city of Pittsfield Friday were U. S. Congressman John Shimkus, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood, Pittsfield aldermen Andy Borrowman and Bill Rinehart, and Pittsfield economic director Bill McCartney. The city received checks from Shimkus and Wood totalling $570,600. The money will be used to finish the city’s industrial park on the north edge of town. The ceremony was held Friday morning at Longhorn Confinement, the only current resident in the park.
Wednesday in a luncheon at the Red Dome Inn, Bettie Harrison, of the Nancy Ross Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented Carolyn Casteel and Mr. and Mrs. Ed House certificates of award for their outstanding services to the community.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 2014
Roger and Charlotte Dunham of rural New Salem will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house, cake and punch reception from 2-4 Sunday Dec. 28 in the Crossroads Center. Mr. Dunham and the former Charlotte Richardson were married Jan. 2, 1965 at the Trinity Methodist Church in Salem, Ill.
The Griggsville- Perry Tornadoes brought home the North Greene Spartan Classic title after defeating the previously undefeated host Spartans 67-65 in overtime in Friday’s championship game.
Compiled by Michael Boren
