PICKINGS FROM PIKE’S PAST: 100 YEARS AGO: PITTSFIELD SWEPT BY DEVASTATING SLEET AND ICE STORM
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150 Years Ago
Dec. 24, 1874
There is a Christmas tree with lots of gifts at St. Stephens’ Episcopal Church in Pittsfield this evening.
Our correspondent in Griggsville has come to life and we in the DEMOCRAT are happy about that.
The number of good spellers in most communities is very small, even among those who have been to academies and colleges. There are a number of persons now teaching school in Pike County who can spell correctly very few words of more than two syllables.
125 Years Ago
Dec. 27, 1899
A very select social was held at the Time Christian Church Thursday night. On Saturday night the sleigh riders divided, part going to Cyrus McFadden’s and part going to Phil Conboy’s.
Time expects to be “in it” for a while at least. Taffy pulling and musical entertainment at the M. E. Church Friday night, including a vocalist from Jacksonville Academy and other talent. An oyster supper Saturday at the Christian Church. The Woodmen’s annual dinner Dec. 30, and a big hunt in the future.
Dr. C. E. Thurmon in Milton now has a telephone in his office and is in direct “hello” with the outlying districts. This telephone is open day and night.
Dr. Thurmon came near having a serious accident on the gravel road near Detroit recently. The front axle of the buggy broke and the doctor took a header over the dash and down at the horses’ feet, but at once was on his feet and had the team in hand. As Sol Chrone used to say, the doctor was not “fatally killed or mortally wounded.”
The K of P lodge at Milton is certainly in prosperous condition, for people don’t spend good money for new clothes unless they can afford it, and the lodge has invested $155 in splendid new regalia.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 24, 1924
Pittsfield was swept by a sleet and ice storm Wednesday evening which continued, almost without interruption, for 24 hours, followed by a temperature which gradually dropped to the zero point. Phone and electric service were hard hit, with both going out of commission around midnight, and business was at a standstill. The scene was one of “indescribable, but terrible beauty.” The community Christmas tree project was called off because the CIPS company faced a tremendous task of restoring service to patrons. Electric and telephone wires were still covered by a thick coating of ice for several days. Every tree in the courtyard is topped and some of the larger trees are veritable skeletons. Hardly a tree in the entire area has escaped devastation. Hurley Groom, directing the crews of the electric light company, turned on his first “juice” about four o’clock in the evening Saturday, giving only limited service to parts of the city.
The Bushes, Swans and Caughlans agreed that all three newspapers in Pittsfield, the Democrat, the Republican and the Times, would pool their interests and unite in a common cause,–which was to “get out the paper at all costs.” The various ways and means devised would fill a book, but subscribers got their papers—and on time.
We hear much discussion as to when the last big sleet storm occurred, some say 1881 and some say 1882. That storm in the eighties was only a side show compared with the destruction of this one.
The Pittsfield post office reported that the busiest day in its history occurred Dec. 22.
Sheriff Frank Troutner and his deputy “Bib” White are pictured with many still and paraphernalia associated with the manufacture of “moonshine” liquor. They have many gallons of “hootch,” wine and other types of alcoholic beverage, which were poured out after the photo was taken.
75 Years Ago
Dec. 20, 1949
Griggsville IOOF is sponsoring a special exhibition basketball game between the Harlem Aces, formerly known as the Globe Trotters, and a team from the IOOF at the Griggsville gym Wednesday night Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.
A total of 276 foxes have been killed and the county bounty of $2 a head claimed on them since the bounty went into effect last September. Only one wolf bounty has been paid in that period.
The Pittsfield Community Teacher’s Association held a meeting at Nebo on Dec. 7. The Nebo P. T.A. served a delicious dinner. The meeting was chaired by V. A. Collins of Nebo, the president of the organization.
Dec. 21, 1949
Several hundred worshippers attended the Vesper Services at the Christian Church in Pittsfield last Sunday night. Two choirs, including more than forty voices, were directed by Mrs. Louis Stone.
Rayola Sanderson of Detroit entertained several of her little friends at a birthday party Saturday afternoon. We are sorry to hear that Terry Rush is in the hospital with pneumonia. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Dec. 22, 1949
Mrs. Ellen Harvey, the Republican’s weather observer at Griggsville, reported 1.60 inches of rain Dec. 20 and `1.62 inches Dec. 21, a total of 3.22 inches in a rainstorm that ended in an ice storm. Streets and roads in Pittsfield were not glazed, but further west the traveling was hazardous. The storm ceased in Pittsfield just as trees were beginning to break under the weight of the ice.
Zimmerman Bros. announced yesterday that the Zimmerman Skelly Service station on East Washington Street will soon be operated by Phil Casteel, son-in-law of Guy Zimmerman.
The Illinois Commerce Commission has ruled that Wabash Railroad has permission to discontinue the operation of the last two passenger and mail trains between Decatur and Hannibal.
Work is being done to reclaim the sand slide or “Little Grand Canyon” south of Pearl. It is 150 feet deep and 300 feet wide. A 24-inch pipe is being buried to carry off part of any storm waters which in previous years have washed out the huge gully.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 23, 1974
Four-year-olds from the First Step Nursery school sang Christmas songs at the Pike Press recently. Pictured are Kent Davis, Sara Kendall, Candi Wagy, Eric Scranton, Charles Edward Johnson, David Shonhart and Tom Rinehart.
Members of Chapter CD, PEO, were hostesses at a tea Saturday at the home of Mrs. Paul F. Grote, Sr., honoring her on her 93rd birthday. Mrs. Grote is the only living charter member of the organization.
Five generations are pictured above. Annette Summers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Summers is the first great-great grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. William McCann of Nebo. Mrs. Imogene Laux of Pearl is the great-grandmother, and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Laux of Pearl are the grandparents. The mother is Jan Summers of Milton.
25 Years Ago
Dec. 22, 1999
Monday night the Pike County Board approved Alan Walch to fill the vacant seat on the board. Walch, a 64-year-old farmer from Hull, will fill the seat left open by the resignation of Bob Dieker. Walch’s father, Harry Walch, was a member of the County Board at one time.
Pittsfield started the basketball season with a loss to Liberty in the QND Tipoff. Since that time Jon Hampton’s Saukees have manhandled opponents, winning by an average of 12 points. Their record now stands at 8-1.
It has been announced that the Pittsfield Saukee 1991 boys basketball state championship team will be inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame this spring.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 24, 2014
Kathy Hull has announced that Illini Community Hospital of Pittsfield will add a geriatric psychiatric unit, pending state approval.
The Pike County Farm Bureau received three awards during the 100th annual meeting of the Illinois Farm Bureau in Chicago. Pike County Farm Bureau president David Gay is pictured receiving the Liberty Bell Award, given in recognition for work in legislative, political process and local affairs achievements.
Compiled by Michael Boren
