Pickings from Pike’s Past: ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO: PIKE COUNTY BANKERS OFFER $1000 FOR BANK ROBBERS DEAD OR ALIVE
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150 Years Ago
June 3, 1875
I now proceed to inform you that Griggsville is experiencing all kinds of weather, with warm and dry prevailing. The corn looks well and there is a large amount planted.
The Grangers held a picnic at Griggsville Landing and all seemed to enjoy themselves. We noticed, among other things, the presence of two candidates for county treasurer with a hayseed appearance.
A joint picnic of all the Pittsfield Sunday Schools comes off at Watson’s Grove today, and is expected to be a most joyous affair.
Seldon and Sourbeer did their first casting in Pittsfield last Saturday, and it proved to be a grand success. Their foundry is in full blast and they are fully prepared to do good work.
125 Years Ago
June 6, 1900
The public is invited to the Pittsfield telephone exchange the 14th and 15th at which time someone delegated will be present to explain its mysteries.
The courtyard would be greatly improved by the use of short clippers, but we understand the committee on public grounds and buildings have given orders to let it go to seed, as it is thought that this will greatly improve the sod. It looks more like a farm than a park in its present condition.
The Pittsfield public library will be compelled to close its doors July 1 for want of funds with which to run it. This is indeed a sad commentary. Why not start a paper for the relief of the public library?
At last Milton has a hotel, something we have wanted for lo, these many moons. The exercises for Decoration Day in Milton were a great success. By noon quite a crowd of people filled the park. The Marshal band from Summer Hill was on hand, along with good vocal music. I. J. Dyer made the opening speech and it was a good one, after which, Col. A. C. Matthews rounded things up all along the line.
100 Years Ago
June 3, 1925
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet A. Rowland, Ellis Smith and Mrs. Edythe Hobbs drove to Indianapolis to see the auto race. Park Lacey and Elza Wheeler also went. Newspaper reports showed an attendance of 145,000 with a general admission of $2.50.
The William Biddle ice plant is now beginning a truck service carrying ice to New Hartford and Summer Hill every other day.
Pike County bankers gathered in Pittsfield Wednesday to organize against bank robbers. A complete system of home guards will be organized in each banking community, and will be deputized by Sheriff Frank Troutner. The Pike County Banker’s Association will pay a reward of $1000 for the capture, dead or alive, of any person robbing or attempting to rob a bank in Pike County.
According to Sheriff Troutner, the bank at Mozier in Calhoun County was robbed Monday night. The robbers are believed to have left town in a northerly direction, traveling in a car along the Mississippi bluffs.
Paul H. Harpole is the Valedictorian for Nebo High School. The eighth grade and high school graduation exercises include a quartet number by Frank Yokum, C. S. Franklin and Mrs. Harry Craig and Mrs. Harry Peck.
Decoration Day services in Pittsfield last Saturday included a splendid address by Judge Paul Grote at the east entrance to the courthouse. A crowd of several hundred was deeply impressed by Judge Grote’s fine patriotic oratory.
75 Years Ago
May 30, 1950
Three of the Gay boys, formerly from Rockport, came trooping into the Republican office the other day, bringing some fragrant memories of the old times with them. They were Dr. Fred S. Gay of Biloxi, Miss., W. W. (Wid) Gay of El Paso, Texas and C. L. (Lute) Gay of Cuero, Tex. All have been away from Pike County for more than 30 years. The family started with James Gay who came to Pike County out of the east early in 1834.
May 31, 1950
Next fall the largest freshman class in history will enroll in Pittsfield High School, as 110 eighth grade students received diplomas in the promotion exercises of Pittsfield Unit District No. 10 held in the gym Thursday evening. This included over 60 from Pittsfield and the rest were from New Salem, Baylis, Rockport, Toll Gate, Independence, Martinsburg, Summer Hill and other rural schools in this area.
June 1, 1950
A crowd, estimated and 1600-2000 attended the fourth horse show sponsored by the Boot and Saddle Club of Pittsfield held at the Legion Park in south Pittsfield.
Come, visit us at Aldrich Drug Co. grand opening June 2-3.
50 Years Ago
June 4, 1975
Impressive ceremonies under a bright blue sky marked the observance of Memorial Day in Pittsfield, conducted by American Legion Post 152 at the West Cemetery. Paul Grote coordinated the event. It was attended by James McHose, one of the few remaining World War I veterans remaining in the county.
“Pat, Linda and Company”, of Perry, will be entertaining at a cancer benefit show at the Perry gym June 14. The company consists of Pat Webel, Linda Bartlett, Debbie Liehr, Tammy Liehr, Robin Whittaker, Jane Browning and Mary Browning. Barbara Thiele is their pianist, Tim Powell of Pittsfield is the drummer, and Bill Gard of rural Barry plays the banjo.
Dr. Paul Heath, 41, has been named president of John Wood Community College. The announcement was made by James Reed, of Hull, chairman of the JWCC board of trustees.
Travis Wayne Puckett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Puckett of Pittsfield, celebrated his second birthday May 26 with a barbecue at his home.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gerard, Pittsfield, had a son, Brandon Michael, born at Illini Hospital, May 30.
May 31, 2000
A Friday evening storm did considerable damage to trees and cabins in Bedford, but no injuries were reported. “I’ve been doing a history of Bedford for a number of years,” said local historian, Jim Sanderson. “This is the first reported tornado I’ve heard about. The National Weather Service does not confirm a tornado, only straight-line winds. Some locals claim a circular movement to the winds.
Bona Coultas is retiring! Come celebrate her years of hard work and dedication at the Pike Press. Join us at the Red Dome Inn from 5-7 p.m.
The announcement was made Wednesday, May 24, that Barry Community Care Center has been purchased by Jim Giardina, president of Community Care Systems, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. The facility has been owned by members of the Hubbard family of Barry since it opened in 1975.
June 3, 2015
The County Board took no action May 26 after a lengthy and sometimes passionate discussion of Hickory Ridge Landfill’s counter offer regarding the proposed host agreement being negotiated.
Charles and Mary Gates are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They were married at First Christian Church in Pittsfield June 6, 1965. Best man was Gene Martin and matron of honor was Evelyn Black.
Compiled by Michael Boren
