Pickings from Pike’s Past 6.8.22
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75 YEARS AGO: FLOODING MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT RECORD HEIGHT
150 Years Ago
June 13, 1872
The destruction by rain and storm all over the county the last two weeks has been terrible.
The Belle of Pike gives an excursion to St. Louis to the Saengerfest. Tickets for round trip, $4 each. A fine silver cornet band on board and a general good time expected.
The time for strawberry festivals is at hand. “Why don’t somebody festival?”
Griggsville will make an exhibition of its new fire engine on the 4th.
125 Years Ago
June 15, 1897
Old Sol has been making lots of trouble with the thermometer, keeping it bobbing way up in the 90s, running it up to 96 and 98. It is now dry, dusty and hot.
Some fellow borrowed a horse from Charles Brokaw of New Hartford to go to the election last Monday and has not got back yet. Charlie has entered the detective force and is in hot pursuit.
We are informed that the Perry Springs are running full blast. Perry has decided to have the 4th of July at home this year, and a sufficient amount of money has already been subscribed to insure a grand celebration, which will commence early on the 3rd, as the 4th falls on Sunday.
June 18, 1897
Chicago people are sweltering in 90 degree heat, and several heat prostrations have been reported. Quincy reported 95 degrees on June 17. The temperature in Pittsfield was 96 at 1:30 on June 18. Everything needs rain badly and the wheat begins to look like harvest is near.
The Barry Adage calls attention to the large number of new buggies and surreys in that city. Huh, that’s nothing. He ought to come to Pittsfield and see the army of bicyclists that override the city, and sometimes the people.
Perry Landess has purchased a new hack to be used in transferring Pittsfield passengers to and from the trains.
100 Years Ago
June 14, 1922
It will soon be hot enough to forget Congress and cuss the weather.
Supt. Bob Elder informs the Republican that a shortage of workers is slowing work on the new state highway. He says he needs at least 200 men on this side of the river and 100 on the Scott County side, and that he currently has only around 100 total. A work camp is being constructed near Florence to accommodate 250 to 300 men.
The Pittsfield Lions, their families and guests will indulge in an old-fashioned fried fish, coffee and bread and butter sandwich lunch and picnic down at the Strauss spring on the Nebo road, just two miles south of the city Friday evening.
Commander George P. Washburn of Ottawa, Kansas, well-known to the veterans of the Civil War, and who was the architect in charge at the finishing of the Pike County courthouse, passed away at his home May 16th.
The Pittsfield school board recently exchanged seven Remington and five Underwood typewriters for new ones to be used in the commercial department, the old ones being too badly worn for further use by the students.
75 Years Ago
June 11, 1947
The Mississippi River is at the highest recorded level of 24.1 feet. There are at least 50,000 acres of farmland under water, and the Sny levee, the largest above Vicksburg, protecting 110,000 acres, is extremely stressed, with water seeping through in several places.
Pittsfield’s first community band concert of the summer was rained out Thursday night at the halfway point. A nice crowd had gathered at the courthouse park when rain sent people scurrying for cover.
Who can beat Time? Some 300 baseball fans in Pittsfield saw Time defeat the locals in 11 innings of great baseball at Pittsfield’s new Legion Park Sunday. Time’s record is now 6-0, and they remain the only undefeated team in the 10-team league. Summer Hill and Rockport are tied for second with 4-1 records.
The County Board voted to build 3.13 miles of road from the north edge of Barry to the Adams County line. The Nebo-Pearl and Griggsville-Valley City roads remain on hold.
50 Years Ago
June 14, 1972
In the June issue of “National Hog Farmer,” Pike County is ranked as the number two hog production county in the nation, second only to Henry County, Illinois.
William Goodin has sold his interest in G and W Furniture store to his brother, George Goodin. He has been managing the furniture store since his father died 14 years ago.
Illini Community hospital employees have been asked to take one day off without pay per bi-weekly pay period as part of an economy move to stem the ever-increasing operating deficit of the hospital. Carl Frederickson, hospital administrator, said these steps were taken reluctantly and out of dire necessity.
Miss Linda Jo Gay, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gay of Rockport, and Leslie James Sachs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sachs of Wentzville, Mo., were married at the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield Saturday, May 27 at 4 p.m.
Wayne Chamberlain of Nebo is listed as one of the top returning squadmen for Northeast Missouri State College. Chamberlain is a 195 lb. defensive end and a sophomore at NMSC.
25 Years Ago
June 11, 1997
The new courthouse elevator officially opened Friday at 3 p.m., with board members Earl Hull, John Sheppard, Scott Syrcle and Harry Wright, and former board members Terrill Belford, Don Apps and Paul Collard taking the first rides. Others getting the first rides were Dustin Borrowman, Janel Irving, Kyle Woods and Sydney Hawley.
Pike County ambulance service may be saved by the efforts of State Representative Art Tenhouse, R-Liberty, to add a rider on a bill expected to be signed by Governor Jim Edgar. The bill would allow a referendum in Pike on a sales tax to support the ambulance service.
Pittsfield High School principal Andy Carmitchel rebounded from last year’s marred commencement service in the PHS gymnasium with determination and a solid and well-communicated plan, and a trouble-free ceremony ensued.
Illinois Highway 106 is being resurfaced from Detroit to Florence at a cost of $1.9 million by Illinois Valley Paving.
10 Years Ago
June 13, 2012
Fire claimed a house in New Salem that is believed to have been built during the period of the American Civil War and later served as a hotel after the railroad came through the area. Firefighters from Baylis, Barry, Griggsville and Pittsfield battled the blaze during the night.
Lyndell Charles Lindsay, 88, died at the Pittsfield Manor June 4. He operated Lindsay’s Tavern for more than 50 years. The hearse from Niebur Funeral Home made a slow pass by Lindsay’s Tavern enroute to St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Long after his retirement, he used to slowly drive by to check on the business he started in 1953.
• Compiled by Michael Boren
