Pickings from Pike’s Past 2/13/2025

By Editor | February 12, 2025 |

150 Years Ago

Feb. 18, 1875

The wicked stand on slippery places, but there have been some places on our sidewalks the past week that it would puzzle the devil to stand on.

Judging from the legals we publish this week, there are some folks that don’t live together as much as they used to.

John Bollig of Pittsfield is manufacturing two brands of cigars, “La Flore de Cuba” and “Flor del Fumar,” which are proving very acceptable to smokers.

125 Years Ago

Feb. 21, 1900

Last Wednesday it commenced snowing and the next day there was a total of 4 to 6 inches. Then the zero weather set in and lasted until Sunday. Yesterday it rained and today is drizzly and foggy.

The Illinois River at Bee Creek is gorged with ice and rising fast. Mr. Fisher, the Bee Creek poultry dealer, made the largest shipment of dressed poultry he had ever assembled, the consignment weighing over 600 pounds.

The boys of Pittsfield Township have killed 2,511 English sparrows up to date.

Inmates of the county farm will no longer be buried without benefit of clergy, as the ministers of Pittsfield have tendered their services for all funeral occasions at that institution.

The First National Bank of Pittsfield some important changes and rather extensive improvements in their counting rooms. Counters will be extended east and west and north and south and safety deposit vaults will be put in at considerable expense.

100 Years Ago

Feb. 18, 1925

A new headlight dimmer law has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.

Supervisor Claude Watters has employed the White Hall tree doctors to save as many trees as possible in the courthouse park. The recent ice storm has left five or six of the trees as total wrecks, which will have to come down.

Griggsville is investigating various means to provide more and better water to the community.

Hurrah! The Pittsfield Christian Church Bible School is back to the standard again. The attendance last Sunday morning was 203, bringing an offering of over $9.00.

75 Years Ago

Feb. 14, 1950

Dan Bodine’s “scintillating syncopators” charmed a packed schoolhouse at Independence. Dan handled the violin, was master of ceremonies and also convulsed the audience with some of his stories.

It appears that both parties will fill their tickets for the upcoming election with two exceptions: Republican Judge Lee Capps is the only candidate for county judge, and Democrat Ross Nichols is unopposed for county superintendent of schools.

Two Pittsfield women became American citizens in a hearing at Quincy. They were Kathleen Joan Akin, wife of John Akin, and Isabel M. Giger, wife of Charles Giger.

Pike County’s board of 24 township supervisors, all present and voting last Friday forenoon, elected Mrs. Helen Mink Johnson, wife of former sheriff Wendell Johnson of Pittsfield, for a four-year term as Pike County’s first supervisor of assessments. The salary is $3500 a year. She was selected in a secret ballot over 8 other candidates. The office is a new one, created by the State Legislature.

Feb. 15, 1950

A tense, terrific basketball battle with Griggsville was won by Pittsfield here last night, 41-38. It was the second time the teams have met, with Griggsville winning the first encounter. Friday night the Saukees defeated Quincy Notre Dame in Quincy, 57-45.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Boren and Bona, of Nebo, left Saturday to spend a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boren and Gail and attend the commencement exercises at the University of Illinois where Henry received his M.A. degree in history. They continued on to Wheaton, for a few days’ visit with Mr. and Mrs. Ned Foote.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 19, 1975

Mayor Dudley Williams reported that there are 32 applicants for the job of city dog warden—two of them women.

Daylight saving time will return Sunday, Feb 23 at 2 a.m.

The higher than normal gas bill for Unit 10 reported last week was reduced when it was determined that a meter had been mis-read.

East Pike now has an organized girls’ basketball team, coached by Rodger Hannel. The first game was played at Perry, with East Pike winning by the score of 31-24. High scorers for the game were Elaine Cook with 18 points and Lisa Lemons with 8.

Mrs. Lynn Curry of Griggsville is the new president of the Illini Hospital auxiliary. Mrs. Diane Brown is treasurer; Mrs. Mikki Rush is secretary and Mrs. Judy Scranton is vice president.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 16, 2000

Former Congressman Paul Findley was in Pittsfield last Thursday speaking to a group of more than 50 people, touting the benefits of Pittsfield’s Lincoln heritage. The meeting was hosted by Carol McCartney, Pike County Historical Society president. Findley’s remarks centered on the Shastid House as “Pittsfield’s precious heirloom.”

The Griggsville-Perry Junior High Eagles soared into state competition with hopes of bringing home some gold. They sported an impressive win over St. Mary’s (Mt. Sterling), 45-29 to take the sectional crown. They advanced to the Elite eight with a tough victory over Catlin, 34-22. However, the young Eagles, coached by Ken Stauffer, had their wings clipped in the quarter-final match by Springfield Blessed Sacrament, 50-38, to end their season with a 21-3 record.

10 Years Ago

Feb. 18, 2015

Marissa Downey and Riley Bradshaw were elected queen and king of the Griggsville-Perry homecoming Friday night following the game. Downey is the daughter of Brian and Tara Pillips and Bradshaw is the son of Brian and Marni Bradshaw.

With a win against Triopia Tuesday night, Griggsville-Perry will have at least a share of the Western Illinois Valley conference championship. The Tornadoes were 8-0 heading into Tuesday’s game and were in sole possession of first place.

Compiled by Michael Boren

Posted in Society