Bygones – August 18, 2021

By Editor | August 19, 2021

25 YEARS AGO – Vacation Bible School was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from June 25 through June 29. “Go For the Goal” was the theme for this year. A total of 19 children were enrolled. Pictured are, first row, Kathryn Coon. Second row, left to right: Michael McCoy, Justin Bevill, Trent Vannoy, Jaime Bevill, David Finke, Krista McCoy. Third row, left to right: Susan Coon, Jacob Coon, Linda Compere, Rev. Robert Compere, Bruce Vannoy, Anna Mae Smith, Edie Finke and Ardith Finke.

100 Years Ago

August 17, 1921

One of the biggest and most disastrous fires in Palmyra occurred August 17 when the Burlington Railroad Station was totally destroyed by fire. It is thought the fire started from sparks of an engine.

The Bethel Chatauqua closed at Bethel Thursday night in a blaze of glory. There were 86 persons who attached their signatures to a guarantee for a return engagement next summer.

Johnson Bros. of Epworth held their second sale of Big Type Poland China hogs in Shelbyville Wednesday. A sales pavilion was erected in the Wallace Garner barn in Shelbyville. The top price for a hog was $87.50 the next, $70.00 and $65.00.

In a bill passed at the recent session of the General Assembly gave Shelby County 54 miles of through State Highway. It is hoped that the east and west highway will pass through Shelbyville.

There has been no new cases of diphtheria reported this week in Shelbyville and it seems the disease is apparently checked. There has been one death in Shelbyville from the disease, little Billie Thompson, five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Thompson, died of the disease last Wednesday.

W. W. Johnson, Epworth, had 16 acres of timothy that threshed out 100 bushels of seed. He also has 20 acres that yield 66 bushels.

There will be a Wild West feature and lots of comedy and something new, Aesop’s Fables modernized, at the Bethel Theater on August 20. The admission price is 10 and 20 cents.

75 Years Ago

August 28, 1946

G. H. Jordan of Shelbina was appointed Friday by Gov. Phil M. Donnelly as Shelby County superintendent of schools. Mr. Jordan, whose appointment is effective September 1, will fill the unexpired term of Fredrick Dodge who recently resigned to become manager of the Campus Book Store in Kirksville.

Henry Fox of Bethel observed his 84th birthday anniversary Saturday. He was born August 17, 1862, in Obrigheim, Germany.

Mrs. Wm. Ritter of Steffenville, former Shelbyville resident, suffered painful injury one day last week, while canning vegetables in a pressure cooker and one of the jars exploded in her face. In an attempt to dry the liquid from her face with her apron, all of the skin was removed. After receiving medical treatment, she was reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

A 6 ¼ lb. daughter was born August 16 to Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Purdy of Shelbina. She is their third child and has been named Charlotte Ann. Mrs. Purdy is the former Wanda Lee Sherry.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Caldwell of Shelbina are parents of a 7 lb. son born August 17. Mrs. Caldwell is the former Elizabeth Sherwood.

50 Years Ago

August 18, 1971

Miss Connie Norene Purdy and Samuel Elma Snider were united in an impressive, full mass ceremony performed at 2 o’clock, August 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shelbina. Monsignor Joseph Bugler officiated at the double ring ceremony.

Carl Berry, Bethel, was shown holding a rattle snake that he killed at the Central Stone Quarry at Monticello last Wednesday afternoon at 5:30. Berry, a foreman for Central Stone Company, was at the Scale House at the Monticello quarry when he saw the snake. The rattler measured 47 inches and had nine rattles on it.

J. Denton Tarbet, formerly of Shelbyville, received his Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Houston, Texas, in commencement exercises held Saturday, August 14.

25 Years Ago

August 14, 1996

An electrical storm caused damage to several residences in Shelbyville on Wednesday, August 7. A bolt of lightning caused serious damage to the earth home of Linda Donaldson in the east part of town. Lightning struck the roof on the west side of the house immediately over the garage area, causing a fire. The Shelbyville Fire Department was called and the smoldering area was quickly extinguished. Electrical outlets and numerous appliances were damaged. No injuries were reported. The area received about three inches of rain from the storm.

Jamie Pantaleo, a graduate of North Shelby High School, has been accepted as a new student for the fall 1996 semester at Culver-Stockton College.

The annual Beckley and Schwada reunion was held on August 3, at the Leonard Community Center in Leonard. A carry-in dinner was held at the noon hour. The blessing was given by Veron Schwada. The afternoon was spent visiting and taking pictures.

The family of Noble and Orma Leda Lindsey gathered Sunday, July 28, to help them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married July 25, 1936 in Edina and have lived most their years in Knox County.

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