Pickings from Pike’s Past: 125 YEARS AGO: RECORD-BREAKING SNOWFALL IN PIKE COUNTY
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150 Years Ago
March 4, 1875
Let it be recorded that on 4th day of March, A.D. 1875, the ground is covered with snow from four to six inches deep, and the ground is frozen from 24 to 32 inches. Selah!
First rate sleighing, and the news from all north of us is heavy snows and very cold weather.
In Griggsville we are treated to a variety of weather, such as rain, snow and then cold, with sidewalks of a transparent hue and possessing smoothness in a high degree, which has brought many of our people to pay their respects to mother earth in postures which are evidently not studied.
Our Griggsville fire company now has a regular engine house, upon which they have placed an alarm bell. This will avoid the delay of hunting up the key of some church in case of fire.
The Illinois River is rapidly rising and the settlers along the banks are preparing for an overflow.
Elder Lucas, who so waked up the sinners of the Griggsville area last summer, is now performing a like service for our sister town of Perry.
125 Years Ago
March 7, 1900
Snow commenced falling in the Pittsfield area Feb. 27 and continued, accompanied by high winds until the next evening. Railroads were completely blocked and traffic practically suspended. The snow was 20 inches deep in Hannibal and in places drifted to a depth of six to eight feet. Does anyone know of as great a fall of snow in the last half-century in the same length of time?
Our inhabitants at Pike Station said that last week’s snow was the largest they had seen in many a year. It was estimated to be 14 inches deep on the level.
100 Years Ago
March 4, 1925
Among the new faces in the Illinois General Assembly is that of Democrat Carroll Bush of Pittsfield, who was elected last November. He is the editor of the Pike County Democrat.
Rev. Harry E. Keltner, pastor of the First Christian Church of Pittsfield has tendered his resignation, effective June 1. He has served the church for three years. The church voted to accept his resignation and also voted to appoint a committee to select and purchase a parsonage.
The Hull High School basketball team defeated Pittsfield 27-21. Robert Windmiller was high scorer for Pittsfield with 8 points.
Statistics in the office of the county clerk show that Pike County had a “bumper crop” of babies in 1924, a total of 562.
The greatest radio “hook-up” the world has ever known will be accomplished to allow the inaugural address of President Calvin Coolidge to be broadcast to all parts of the United States. For the first time millions of Americans will be able to hear the address of the nation’s chief.
The life of the average person in Illinois is 58 years, declared Dr. Isaac Rawlings, state health director recently.
75 Years Ago
Feb. 28. 1950
The east part of the oldest business building in Nebo collapsed around 8 p.m. Monday last week. The brick building housed the Turnbeaugh (Ross and Russell) Store and survived the fire which swept the village 50 years ago last year. It was erected about 1890 and was called the Bush Building for many years. It had a business space on the ground floor and a theater and entertainment hall above, equipped with a stage. It is hoped that the building can be repaired and stand for another 60 years.
Pittsfield’s Saukees nosed out Carrollton 54-52 last Friday night in the final game of the regular season. The victory was the 6th in a row for the Saukees, who have a record of 16-5 for the season. Lou Dean Predmore was the hotshot of the game, pouring in 26 points. Most of Predmore’s scoring was long-distance.
Marshall Chaisson, manager of Pittsfield Ready-Mix Concrete company, has been appointed dealer for Willys-Overland, manufacturers of world-famous Jeeps and trucks. The firm will operate under the name of Pittsfield Motors.
Paul Durbin has opened his new Nash Automobile agency this week at 115 South Monroe Street in Pittsfield.
Due to the coal shortage Central Illinois Public Service Company is requiring every customer to reduce their use of electricity by 25% starting Feb. 27.
March 1, 1950
The Father and Son banquet at the Pittsfield Methodist Church last Wednesday night was a big affair and quite an enjoyable occasion. There were 135 fathers and sons present, the number having increased each year since the first banquet three years ago. The women of the church served the banquet.
March 2, 1950
Gunnar Clausen has finished construction of his new building to house his photo-engraving business. The handsome structure on S. Monroe St. has been a subject of a zoning controversy, and it is not yet certain that Clausen will be able to use it for his business.
On the coal strike, the Chicago Tribune says, “Truman is not President of the United States. He is a tool of special interests whose demands he cannot ignore to work for the common good. He is a coward. He should be impeached.”
50 Years Ago
March 5, 1975
Owner Bill Goodwin is changing the name of the Bowl on the southeast corner of the Pittsfield square to the Red Dome Inn, suggested by the dome of the historic courthouse. There has been no bowling at the bowl for the past few years.
Pittsfield defeated Winchester at Griggsville last week, winning their eighth regional championship since 1960. They lost to Piasa in the sectional Tuesday night, ending the season with a 12-15 record.
The Pittsfield post office, as of Monday, became the outlet in Pike County for the sale of food stamps. Since the program started eligible recipients have purchased food stamps at the public aid office in West Pittsfield. Postal clerk Lyndle Burbridge has recently attended a training school on food stamp operations.
25 Years Ago
March 1, 2000
The Pittsfield Saukees captured their 21st regional plaque after a tough battle with Griggsville-Perry at Calhoun High School. Josh Brawdy sank the last shot to give PHS a 35-32 victory. Now they will take their 25-3 record into the QND sectional today.
Jessica Geiselman won the first place in the class A girls’ three-point shootout at Redbird Arena in Bloomington. She is the daughter of Stan and Monica Geiselman of Pittsfield.
10 Years ago
March 4, 2015
The third ranked Griggsville-Perry Tornadoes upset the highly touted Payson Indians 58-50 in the championship game at the Brown County regional tournament. Payson had defeated Griggsville-Perry 53-44 on Feb. 13, giving the Tornadoes their final loss of the season. It was Coach Todd Bradshaw’s third regional championship.
Griggsville-Perry expects to extend an employment offer to a middle school principal candidate as early as this month, according to Dr. Janet Gladu, district superintendent.
Compiled by Michael Boren
