Looking Back… News items from the past pages of the Calhoun News-Herald

By Editor | March 31, 2026 |

100 years ago
April 1, 1926
A jury in County Court Monday morning awarded the heirs of the late Stephen Reddish damage in the amount of $100 in friendly condemnation proceedings instituted to secure right-of-way involved in the proposed construction of a state hard road between Fieldon and Hardin, a distance of 7-miles under the $60,000,000 bond issue system. The suit was brought in the name of the Department of Public Works of Illinois, who were represented by Sumner and Reardon, and was for the purpose of determining the amount of damage incurred by reason on the establishment of the right-of-way through lands owned by the said heirs in Jersey County. The verdict completed all of Jersey County litigation in connection with the securing of right-of-way grants on the Fieldon Hardin hard road. The Jerseyville Chamber of Commerce and local business men provided funds for the securing of right-of-way grants in a number of cases and have continued to show an active interest in untangling the knotty problem. A report from Springfield stated that the work on the unpaved gap in route 38 between Fieldon and Hardin, through Jersey and the south-west tip of Greene counties, will be rushed during the coming construction season.

75 years ago
March 29, 1951
Although the recent weather has been discouraging to thoughts of spring and apple blossoms, a very enthusiastic group of committeemen met here last Wednesday evening to continue the work on plans for apple blossom observance. It looks like apple blossom time would be unusually late. There has been no swelling of the buds yet and it takes several weeks for a bud to mature to the blossoming stage after it starts swelling. Of course the rate of development may be hastened by ideal weather. One orchardist at the meeting said he didn’t expect apples to bloom until late April. Final details of the apple recipe book were worked out by the committee. Response to calls for donations from orchardists and businessmen has been very favorable. Plans for the big Sunday of Apple Blossom Week were completed at this meeting. Queen Margarett Ann German will try to meet as many visitors as possible and will head apple tours throughout the county.

50 years ago
April 1, 1976
Eleven supporters of the Batchtown Sportsman’s Club pitched in and helped clean-up the Prairie Pond area of the Batchtown Division. Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge. The cooperative effort of the sportsman’s group and refuge staff resulted in the removal of a pickup truck load of beer cans, soft drink cans, bottles, and other debris discarded by thoughtless individuals. Fishermen and other users of refuge areas are urged to cooperate with the Batchtown Sportsman’s Club and Mark Twain Refuge staff to keep public lands attractive and litter-free.

25 years ago
March 28, 2001
After hearing concerns from several Brussels residents about the prospect of having to hold graduation ceremonies in St. Mary’s Church, Superintendent Mike Harris inquired with Missouri Floor Company regarding the possibility of having the start date for the removal of the old gym floor moved back. Fortunately for many, the company agreed to delay commencement of the removal of the floor to June 18 in order to allow the school district to hold its graduation ceremonies in “home territory.”

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