Pickings from Pike’s Past
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150 YEARS AGO: STEWART OR STROUT OR STRAUT?
150 Years Ago
May 11, 1876
Our correspondent at Stewart, on the railroad between Nebo and Pearl Station, notices the change of the name of the post office and station from Stewart to Strout. We are inclined to think that the latter name is spelled Straut, and is the name of a gentleman who was at one time president of what was known as the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago and Alton Railroad.
The farmers at Stewart or Strout have commenced farming in earnest and some corn has already been planted. The prospect for wheat is very flattering and promises a great yield.
Our silver cornet band is progressing finely. They are second to none in the county. We had a fearful rainstorm in Strout Saturday, which raised the creek higher than at any time last season.
Augustus Dow bought two acres just east of John L. Field in Newburg Township for a building spot, and will proceed to erect a handsome dwelling thereon. The location is a very pleasant one, and we congratulate Gus on his purchase. $1,100.
An $1800 pipe organ is to be built immediately and placed in the Pittsfield Methodist Church.
A tremendous fall of rain occurred in this section Friday night and Saturday afternoon, which seems to have been general, as the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers all took a big rise the next two days.
125 Years Ago
May 15, 1901
There was quite a frost in the low places and a slight formation of ice Sunday night. The weather is still quite cool with plenty of sunshine.
A rural mail delivery, first in the county, will start from Griggsville July 1.
The PHS senior play and class day will be held at the K.P. opera house May 21. Admission 15 cents.
Hon. Henry T. Mudd and wife are in Pittsfield this week. He is really the “oldest inhabitant,” as he came here in the fall of 1833, the year the first sale of lots in the place was held. He is still in the business of setting out fruit trees.
Wool has now gone down to 16 cents, and what are those who voted for McKinley going to do about it? [Compiler’s note: Republican President William McKinley was shot and killed by a deranged anarchist named Leon Czolgosz Sep. 6, 1901.]
100 Years Ago
May 12, 1926
The purchasing committee of the Board of Supervisors has let a contract for selling bread to the county farm to O. T. Kirby, who operates the Ideal Bakery. He is to furnish 25 to 30 loaves each day at 8 cents a loaf.
O. L. Steers of Rockport has bought a Ford Roadster from Gray Bros. of Hull. He has been re-employed to teach Cincinnati School at $90 a month.
Dave Altizer, former big league baseball player, has located in Pleasant Hill and will manage the Pleasant Hill baseball team this summer. The Pleasant Hill Messenger says that Altizer will also take his place in the lineup.
Tom Troutner has been awarded a contract for building an addition to the Farmers State Bank. The 26 x 30 ft. room will provide for a lobby, rest room and fire proof vaults.
This past Sunday through the courtesy of E. D. Glandon, Rev. Russell E. Booker of the Pittsfield Christian Church was the first of several local ministers who will be able to preach to Mr. Glandon’s customers through his wireless broadcasting station each Sunday.
75 Years Ago
May 8, 1951
State Representative William J. Thorton of Nebo died suddenly at Illini Hospital at 12:45 a.m. Saturday. Death was caused by a severe throat infection. Funeral services, Monday were attended by more than 500 people (100 of whom were unable to get inside the Christian church). Casket bearers were Kenneth Stark, Bob Franklin, Evans Franklin, Cecil Applegate, Archie Jackson and Oscar Thornton, Jr. Mr. Thorton died five weeks to the day after the death of his friend, Pike County Republican editor Jess Thompson of Pittsfield. Both men were 73.
This past weekend Pike and Calhoun counties were adorned with lovely apple blossoms.
No new records were set at the Illinois Valley Conference track meet, which was held at night for the first time in the chilly air at Roodhouse. Carrollton took first place with 61 points. Pittsfield came in fourth with 22.
Pleasant Hill’s graduation class includes 16 girls and eight boys. Barry’s class of 25 was almost equally divided as to boys and girls. Nebo’s seniors numbered 14.
May 10, 1951
The historic Summer Hill Congregational Church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground after midnight last night. The building was erected about 57 years ago, replacing a church which also was struck by lightning and burned. The Summer Hill Methodist Church suffered the same fate around 1930.
50 Years Ago
May 12, 1976
Tonight, Wednesday, may be the final Unit 10 showdown on the future of East Pike High School. Then again, it may not. It will all depend on how the school board interprets the latest confusion of developments.
In a special thanksgiving service Sunday, May 16 at 10 a.m. the original building committee of the St. Paul Lutheran congregation of Pittsfield will conduct a mortgage burning ceremony. Members of that committee are Ed Hillebrenner, Herbert Lehenbauer and Max Robinson.
Pittsfield city hall now has a new bicentennial flag and the courthouse lawn has several red, white and blue benches, painted by the work activities program of the Mental Health Center.
The S & S Dance Studio presents “Get Dancin’ “ at the recital to be held at the PHS auditorium at 2 p.m. May 23. Shirley Lowe and Stacy Hillebrenner are the instructors. Admission $1.
There will be two opportunities to hear the musical program presented by the Saukee Singers, the popular swing choir at PHS. Both will be at Orr Hall of the United Methodist Church May 13 and May 18 at 7:30 p.m. The singers are under the direction of Joan Feldpausch and accompanied by Pat Beckenholdt on guitar, Jack Feldpausch on drums and Mrs. Feldpausch on piano.
25 Years Ago
May 9, 2001
Gas prices are rising to all-time high. Illinois is ranked third among the 50 states in cost-per-gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, with an average of $1.855 per gallon. Only California and Hawaii are above Illinois. One of the factors is the closing of one of the largest oil refineries in Illinois by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Omer Bridgeman was honored Sunday afternoon for 60-plus years on the Baylis Volunteer Fire Department. Bridgeman said he was the first-ever fire chief in Baylis. “In those days when the alarm sounded, it meant grab a bucket,” he said.
Trooper Roger Fox is the district 20 Officer of the Year for 2001. Trooper Fox began his career with the State Police in 1977.
10 Years Ago
May 11, 2016
Lanhum Chiropractic is open and accepting patients. Chris Lanhum, a Pittsfield native, joined an existing practice at the same location in 2014 and recently became the sole owner. His office is at 200 S. Madison, across from the Dari Ripple.
Griggsville-Perry graduated 16, Pittsfield High graduated 88, Pleasant Hill graduated 24, and Western High School graduated 26 seniors this spring.
■ Compiled by Michael Boren
