Pickings from Pike’s Past: 150 YEARS AGO: BUFFALO GNATS ON THE RAMPAGE
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150 Years Ago
May 6 1875
The season still continues very backward, and we have rarely, if ever, seen any grass as short at this season of the year. Sunday morning ice formed half an inch thick. Some few have planted corn and most wish they hadn’t. One may truly say that “winter lingers in the lap of spring.”
It seems not enough to have the playful potato bug, the omnivorous grasshopper and sweet-scented cinch bug for purposes of destruction, for here now the Buffalo gnat has got on the rampage.
There are thousands of acres of wheat on the Sni bottom which would have been submerged last week but for the levee.
A select school will be opened by Miss Mattie Garrett on May 10 in Pittsfield in the room in the public school building in which she taught last winter. Children will be instructed in all the English branches of education, including a thorough drill in grammar, from 8 a.m. to 12 each day. Terms: primary branches, 35 cents a week; higher branches 50 cents per week.
125 Years Ago
May 9, 1900
The rain so badly needed came Saturday night and several times since in great quantity, and field work has been kept back as it could well afford to be, as several of our county farmers have got through planting corn. The weather is fairly warm and fine for the growth of crops today.
The fourth annual commencement exercises of Chambersburg High School was liberally attended. The address of County Superintendent, Miss Caroline Grote, was a thoughtful presentation.
Report of the Pittsfield Public Library for the month of April: number of visitors, 805, average 32 per day. Number of books taken out, 472, average 18 per day. Books and periodicals added: “Samantha Among the Brethren,” “Samantha at Saratoga,” and the Cosmopolitan for 1899.
The El Dara Christian Church was struck by lightning Sunday morning, but the damage was light. Some of our telephones were burned out by lightning, but we have the majority of them in talking order now.
Coroner I. L. Lemmon, of Nebo, was in Pittsfield yesterday with his children, and no doubt took the little ones to the circus.
100 Years Ago
May 6, 1925
Arrangements for Dollar Day are coming along fine. The Farmers State Bank is offering $10 in gold to the first young man and woman who will agree to be married on the north steps of the court house at 2 o’clock Dollar Day. The three Pittsfield newspapers will give one year’s subscription to the couple and F. A. Main, the jeweler, will give the bride a solid gold wedding ring.
Pleasant Hill, with a well-balanced team of athletes, easily outdistanced all competitors in the track and field meet held at Pittsfield, earning 63 points. Milton and New Salem tied for second with 17 points each. Chambersburg won first in declamation and vocal contests.
W. S. Booth, Assistant State Superintendent of Education, finds serious fault with the Pittsfield East School. His most serious criticism is the use of an old church erected many years ago by the colored people, and now used for some grade school students. He says it does not meet requirements of the sanitation law, and should be replaced.
The large barn on the Ben Wheeler farm east of Milton burned yesterday morning, the origin of the fire being unknown. The horses and other livestock were saved, but 400 bushels of corn, a lot of baled hay, a wagon, drill, disc and other implements and tools were destroyed. There was some insurance on the property.
75 Years Ago
May 2, 1950
“Bloody 36” takes another life as Mrs. Clara Schmidt of Barry is killed at the intersection of the El Dara road. She is the 6th death on highway 36 in the past five months and the 75th to die on highway 36 in Pike County since it was completed in 1927.
The first census reports for 1950 show a population of 3560 in the city of Pittsfield.
May 3, 1950
A delightful operetta “Wedding of the Flowers” will be presented Friday evening at the Pittsfield High School gymnasium by first and second grade children. Approximately 130 children will take part in the program. Sharon Jones as Lilly of the Valley will be the bride and Carl Mueller as Johnny-Jump-Up is to be the groom. Miss Evelyn Ransom is directing the operetta which is the first one to be presented in Pittsfield by such youthful performers.
May 4, 1950
Albert L. Wuellner became sole owner of the Strauss company store, effective May 1.
Many volunteers planted trees on the slopes of a gully above Pearl during Tuesday’s city-wide holiday. The seedlings were provided by the state to reduce erosion.
Ted Dell has announced that the new Zoe Theater, under construction by Clark Armentrout, will be equipped with the latest type air-conditioning unit. It was supplied and installed by Rex Fenton.
50 Years Ago
May 7, 1975
Cliff Wilder is Pittsfield’s new chief of police. His appointment was confirmed Tuesday night along with other department heads submitted by Mayor Dudley Williams. Wilder, who has been on the city police force 15 years, takes over from Jess Hull, who can remain on the force as a patrolman if he chooses. Hull, who has worn the chief’s badge 20 years, is eligible to retire in November. The change did not occur without some comment and controversy.
John Graham and five men from the Black Oak Church of Christ, Gary, Ind. Spent Sunday night at the home of John’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Graham. The group attended services at the Milton Christian Church, where John gave a message in song. Attendance was Bible School 101; morning worship 137; evening worship 65.
Students from five different countries were special guests at the annual international dinner held recently by Pike Youth International at the home of Miss Helen Harman in Pleasant Hill.
Todd Leon Holcomb celebrated his third birthday April 25 with family. Mr. and Mrs. Leon Holcomb of Nebo are Todd’s parents.
Terry Denison, Manager of Pike County Savings and Loan says that mortgage money is more readily available than in 1974 and that the supply of housing is becoming more plentiful.
25 Years Ago
May 3, 2000
Medical clinics in Pittsfield and Pleasant Hill owned by Illini Hospital closed Friday afternoon. New plans call for Blessing to purchase the clinics and lease them to health providers.
The 1991 Pittsfield Saukee basketball team was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Saturday at Illinois State University. Those inducted were Coach Dave Bennett, Coach Steve Rylander, Doug Wade, Greg Scott, Josh Townley, Brian Feezel, Keith Griffeth, Jason Smithers, David Marable, Rob Lemons, Jamie Sweeting, Tony Baker, Troy Taylor, Jon Borrowman and David Fox.
Griggsville-Perry junior high coach Ken Stauffer received two awards Saturday as he was named coach of the year for the eighth time and also received accolades for his 800th career win.
10 Years Ago
May 6, 2015
Pike County has a new canine unit. Mike Lemons and his dog, Buster, have been on patrol in their new unit since April 28. The money for the dog, the vehicle, all the equipment, installation and training came from a grant from the Howard Buffet Foundation.
The Griggsville-Perry school board swore in four newly-elected members during a trio of brief special meetings Monday night. Pictured are the new members, Marsha Dehart, Chontel Whitaker, Bill Camphouse and Eric Kunzeman. Following the oath of office, board members selected old board president Steve Myers as president of the new board and new members Bill Camphouse and Chontel Whitaker as vice-president and secretary, respectively.
Compiled by Michael Boren
