Pickings from Pike’s Past: 100 YEARS AGO: SCULPTOR LORADO TAFT SPEAKS AT MONUMENT DEDICATION IN PITTSFIELD.
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150 Years Ago
July 1, 1875
The corn crop, though a little late, looks very fine, but so do the weeds. And as the ground is constantly wet the farmers cannot plow it. The uncertainty of the weather is proving very trying to the human family, some days being terribly warm, while the majority are altogether too cool.
In regard to the late storm, I would say that Detroit has fared as badly as any portion of the county. The people are so busy placing things to rights that they do not know what they have lost as yet.
Harry Higbee and Frank Jones of Pittsfield close their career at Yale this summer, and with great credit to themselves.
The Fourth of July is near at hand, but still the approach of it does not seem to stir the latent patriotism of our townsmen, but nevertheless as the year rolls on, each one will be preparing for the Centennial celebration of our nation, and it promises to be a day worthy to be remembered 100 years from now.
125 Years Ago
July 4, 1900
The Democrat goes to press early this, the Fourth of July morning. It does so to give the boys of the office a chance to have some fun, if they can find it in the last half of the day. Several days since our last paper the thermometer has reached 96 and 97 degrees. Last Friday a storm prevailed and the temperature fell 40 degrees, and it did not get hot again until Monday.
Naples, New Canton, Winchester, Baylis and Milton are among the neighbors who are holding celebrations today. Pittsfield is very quiet. Many of her people are picnicking in the woods, “where the hand of man has never set his foot.”
What are you going to do today in honor of the illustrious founders of our government, and where are you going to do it?
Mrs. Fred Chamberlain’s kindergarten class gave a matinee Saturday afternoon which was well attended by young and old.
100 Years Ago
July 1, 1925
Many prominent persons were present for the unveiling of the memorial stone in the courtyard. Among the speakers were Lorado Taft, Dr. R. E. Hieronymous, Thomas Rees and Jess Thompson. Pittsfield was enraptured with Taft’s short speech. He said, “People and communities should stand with arms outstretched, one hand reaching the goodbye and reverence to those who have gone before—and the other extended in welcome to those who are to come.”
Louie Melton of Nebo has been employed to teach the eighth grade of the Roodhouse School at a salary of $120 a month, which is double the amount paid to any teacher in that grade before. The Meltons come from a family of teachers. County Superintendent of Schools John B. Gragg contends that Fred Melton, who is in charge of the Nebo eighth grade, is one of the best grammar teachers in Pike County. His students got the highest grades in the finals this year.
Elder Bowling Green Reavis has been holding a big revival in Pearl and we understand that a community church will be established in that community.
75 Years Ago
June 27, 1950
The annual Nebo Picnic, consisting of former south Pikers from the Nebo vicinity who now live in southern California, was held recently in a park in Ontario, Calif. A list of more than 100 names of attendees was sent to the Pike County Republican. This may throw some light on the population loss of Pike County in the past decade.
Sunday afternoon, June 25, 1950 at the tent on the Burbridge lots in Pittsfield the Calvary Baptist Church was officially organized. It will be part of the Bay Creek Baptist Association. The congregation will meet in the American Legion hall each Sunday until they can locate lots and erect a building.
Herbert Wendler, for the past four years agriculture instructor at Hardin, has been employed as Pike County farm adviser.
June 28, 1950
The Methodist Church at Detroit was the scene of a very pretty and impressive wedding last Saturday afternoon, June 24th at three o’clock, when Miss Velma Reel, daughter of Harry O. and Francis Ellis Reel, became the bride of William Christison, son of Melvin and Marvin Kesterson Christison of Bluffs, Ill.
Rev. Ward S. Humphries of Watseka, Ill., has accepted a call as pastor of the First Christian Church in Pittsfield., and expects to take up his work here about Sept. 1.
Billy Lowry, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Ed Lowry, in the smallest racing sulky ever built, will lead the parade to the post at the Griggsville Fair harness program.
June 29, 1950
Rev. L. E. Mustain, pastor of the Baptist Church at Griggsville, advises the Republican that Aug. 3, 1950 will mark the 116th anniversary of the founding of the First Baptist Church of Griggsville. It may be the oldest church in the county that is still functioning.
The M. D. King Milling Company of Pittsfield is announcing the grand opening of their new 140,000-bushel concrete elevator which will be this Saturday, July 1. An electrically operated elevator will carry passengers to the top of the flat roof on top of the concrete elevators which are 100 feet high.
Groggsville’s largest fair in history will open next Monday, July 3 and continue through Friday. With the cooperation of the weatherman, the fair promises to be a huge success.
Rev. and Mrs. Hansel Eason, Virgil Parks and Miss Marian Scranton attended the opera “Rosalie” in St. Louis, Tuesday night.
50 Years Ago
July 2, 1975
The East Pike FFA chapter received the alumni chapter award at the Illinois FFA convention held recently in the Assembly Hall at Champaign. Clay Laux and Jack Phillips are the president and vice-president and Larry Fischer is the East Pike FFA advisor.
Pittsfield’s full police force gathered Sunday afternoon at the ambulance building open house. The members are Chief Cliff Wilder, Sgt. Larry Snyder, Cpl. Mike Clendenny and patrolmen Bud Ellis, David W. Ealey, Robert Yelliott and Rick Orr.
Following a wedding trip to Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Belford are living at 328 East Adams in Pittsfield. The marriage of Miss Linda Wilder and Tim Belford was an event of June 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wilder and Mr. and Mrs. Terrill Belford, all of Pittsfield.
A hillside at the Mississippi Valley Christian Service Camp near Detroit was the setting for the June 21 wedding of Kathy Denise Long and Bradley Willman. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Long of Pittsfield and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Willman of Pleasant Hill.
Births at Illini include Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pressey of Pittsfield; daughter, Kimberly Sue, June 26 and Mr. and Mrs. Myron Casteel of Pittsfield; daughter, Maria Kay, June 26.
25 Years Ago
June 28, 2000
Mary Jane Orr and Earl Wayne Pursley exchanged wedding vows April 29 at the Detroit United Methodist Church. The bride is the daughter of Ronald and Betty Orr of rural Pittsfield. Her grandparents are Leota Foiles of Winchester and Eileen Orr Morris of Pittsfield. The bridegroom is the son of Floyd and Donna Pursley of rural Pittsfield. His grandparents are Frances Giger and Wayne and Mabel Pursley, all of Pittsfield.
Robert and Pam Wood celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary June 13. They were married June 13, 1970 at the United Methodist Church in Pittsfield. Mr. Wood is employed by the Illinois State Police Headquarters in Macomb and Mrs. Woods is a kindergarten teacher at South School in Pittsfield.
10 Years Ago
July 1, 2015
The wettest June on record in the state of Illinois ended last night at midnight but the effects will linger for a long time in Pike County. Sandbagging is going on between Valley City and Chambersburg, several roads are impassable because water is over them or culverts or bridges have been washed out.
Don Peebles of Pleasant Hill, an unofficial watcher of the weather, says he has recorded 18.1 inches of rainfall between June 12 and June 28, with at least two rainfalls of 3 inches or more. Last Thursday, June 25, approximately 4 inches of rain fell in a short period of time, causing three motorists to be swept off roadways by the water. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The rain has been spotty with some areas not getting quite as much, but Pleasant Hill, Nebo, Pearl and surrounding areas have been hit the hardest.
Compiled by Michael Boren
