Pickings from Pike’s Past

By Editor | October 14, 2025 |

100 YEARS AGO: GOLDEN ROD SHOWBOAT SINKS NEAR HARDIN

150 Years Ago
Oct. 7, 1875
Every one of the local newspapers (“exchanges”) gives the most doleful account of the prevalence of the chills and shakes. [malaria] In Pike County, except in Pittsfield, the shake is the rule, the non-shake the exception.
Examinations at school this week have stirred up the scholars wonderfully, and many a youngster rejoice at being advanced.
Barry is one of the liveliest places in all creation.
The sale of the personal property of William Ross last Tuesday was well attended and prices were satisfactory. The day was pleasant, everybody in a good humor, and all went harmoniously. Best corn in the field sold at $20.25 an acre. Hay was lumped, but generally estimated at $15 a ton; 39 fat hogs $7 cash, Poland boar, $21. One good horse, $100.

125 Years Ago
Oct. 10, 1900
It rained Saturday night, a glorious, good all-night rain.
C. E. Lame commenced putting up the scaffolding this morning preparatory to putting a new roof on the Congregational Church. It will require 100,000 shingles to complete the job and cost the society a pretty sum.
Mr. Hatfield has been reading in chapel from a little book on social forms and manners, characteristic of good breeding. Notice the Pittsfield High School pupils and see what ladies and gentlemen they are.
Pittsfield was packed with people who moved in a monster Democratic Party rally morning and evening. It is estimated that between six and eight thousand people gathered around the speakers’ stand in the park. The evening program began with a brilliant torch light procession and a bewildering display of fireworks. Congressman Henry T. Rainey of Greene County poured shot and shell into the Republican camp for two hours.
The members of the Bachelor Girls’ Marching Club are requested to meet in the county court room Thursday evening. Important business.

100 Years Ago
Oct. 7, 1925
Several members of the McWorter family were in Pittsfield on business pertaining to saving the old home of “Free Frank.” The property was bought in 1829 by “Free Frank.” At no time in the past 90 or 95 years has there been a time when children were not attending school from the old McWorter home.
The third annual fashion show given by Pittsfield merchants was attended by a “full house.” Twenty-five models displayed the latest in fall clothes.
Miss Mina Bauch has announced that she will be a candidate for county superintendent of schools on the Democratic ticket, succeeding John Gragg, who is not running for re-election. Miss Bauch is 35 years old and has been teaching for 17 years.
Homer L. Brown did the record hour’s business of his career one Friday afternoon in October when he brought in a total of $48.92 worth of cream.
The Pearl town board at a recent meeting discussed the matter of electric lights for Pearl. It is hoped that power may be secured eventually either by way of Hillview or Pleasant Hill, both of which towns are supplied by the C. I. P. S. company.
The Golden Rod floating theatre sank near the Greene County shore while attempting to land at the Hardin wharf last Monday. It hit a sunken snag which tore a large hole in her hull and she settled in about six feet of water. Several pumps were used to raise the vessel Wednesday.

75 Years Ago
Oct. 3, 1950
Everett M. Dirksen, Republican candidate for United States Senator, and one of the nation’s greatest orators, will speak twice in Pittsfield this Thursday. He will address a public meeting Thursday morning at 10:30 on the courthouse square. At noon he will speak at a luncheon meeting of the Pittsfield Rotary club.
Pfc. Robert Duran, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Duran of Barry, was killed in action in Korea, Sept. 16. He is the second Pike County soldier killed in Korea.
Pittsfield city clerk Kermit Klinefelter has “engineered” some promising improvements in the city collector’s office.

Oct. 5, 1950
The entire Independence neighborhood pitched in to help paint the belfry of the historic Independence Church. While the men painted, the women worked on a quilt and prepared dinner. The current church building was built in 1867. Rev. G. B. Garrison of Pearl is the current minister.
Supervisor and Mrs. John Johnson of Perry celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Sunday afternoon.
Jerry and Terry are the one-year-old twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Donal Daniel of Milton. They celebrated their first birthday Sept. 27.

50 Years Ago
Oct. 8, 1975
There are many different ways to say Bicentennial. In Pike County, the colors red, white and blue are showing up on clothes line poles, basketball backboards, fire hydrants, mail boxes and numerous other locations throughout the county.
Sarah Jane Cull, 16-year-old daughter of Mrs. Oral Bethard of Barry and Robert Cull of Baylis, was chosen queen of the Barry Apple Festival in a ceremony Friday night.
Dr. Leonard Joseph Litvan, well-known Pittsfield dentist, died Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Illini Hospital.
Don Mellon, Pittsfield High School principal, has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Illinois High School Association. Mellon has served as principal of Pittsfield High School for nine years. Prior to that he was a teacher and coach at Higbee for five and one-half years, and was a teacher and coach at PHS for five years.
A memorial dinner was held Oct. 2 in the new American Legion hall in Pittsfield in honor of the late Don Irving, “Mr. Democrat,” who was Pike County Democratic chairman from 1949 until his death this year. State Treasurer Alan J. Dixon was the keynote speaker for the event.
The Perry Pioneers finished a brilliant fall baseball season with a record of 16-1. Their only loss came at the hands of Griggsville, by a score of 3-2 in a Pike County Conference game.

25 Years Ago
Oct. 20, 2000
The Griggsville-Perry Eagles baseball team has made it a habit of going to state. This year was no different as the team defeated Stronghurst Southern 6-0 to win their second consecutive sectional title. The team advanced to the Elite 8 where they were defeated by a tough Potomac team. G-P is coached by Ken Stauffer, Kent Stauffer and Jason Brown.
The Pittsfield Saukee golf team hosted Quincy Notre Dame Thursday and came away with a close victory to finish out the regular season with a 19-2 record, the best record to date at Pittsfield High School. Senior Matt Thompson and freshman Keenan Yelliott have been playing tag all year. Thompson has led his team in virtually every match with Yelliott close behind.

10 Years Ago
Oct. 7, 2015
Sophomore Eli Ten Eyck began cross-country last season and has been turning heads ever since. His work culminated in the first first-place finish in his career Sept. 29 in the Macomb Invitational. He finished the three-mile in 16:01, one second off his goal of breaking the 16-minute mark. Pittsfield finished fourth as a team in Macomb. Coach Adam Singler said, “This is the best season I’ve had since I’ve been coaching here.”
Pittsfield football picked up its first victory of the season Sept. 25 against Porta. Brenton Noble led the Saukees with 100 yards on 14 carries and quarterback Quinn Leahy completed 8 of 11 passes for 211 yards and five touchdowns.
■ Compiled by Michael Boren