100 YEARS AGO — 1916

Mr. D.C. Curtz of Danville, experienced some destruction of his property while in Perryville last night. His buggy harness was badly cut up, the mane of his horse trimmed, and his lap robe was taken. He was able to patch up the harness and get back to Danville where this morning he gave the appearance of being a most conscientious and law abiding citizen and in no way responsible for the sport made of his belongings.

The Civic Department of the Woman’s Club held its regular monthly meeting, and the Hospital Committee reported canned fruits and bundles of soft rags have been sent to the hospital, and more contributions are needed. Also, it was reported that $10 had  been given by school children for the purchase of flower bulbs which were distributed on Arbor Day. Through the kindness of six club members, a root of white Iris was given to each member of both the Broadway and Maple Avenue Public Schools, while jonquils were given to each child who had a garden and who had attended the Children’s Market last summer. In this way, club members hope to get all the children interested in making their home gardens a thing of beauty.

Annie Cox, who was seen acting on the street in a peculiar manner, was arrested and brought into police court. She has been noticed acting this way for some time. Investigation revealed that these eccentric outbursts take place at every change of the moon and her mother and other witnesses, who appeared on her behalf, testified that she had been acting this way all her life.

Willis Givens, known as Puddin Scott, was arrested in Junction City on the charge of selling liquor without a government license. Scott is a large man and has practically no use of his lower limbs. A skid had to be used in loading him into a wagon so that he could be brought to Danville for trial.

Quite a number of tax-payers said they do not like the architectural design of the proposed high school building. They hope the school board will have other architects with a better eye for the beautiful to submit sketches.

75 YEARS AGO — 1941

Plans are being completed to have the newspaper carrier boys of The Advocate-Messenger cooperate with the government in selling Defense Savings Stamps. The newspaper boys will volunteer to do this work as a patriotic duty and we know the people of Danville will do their parts.

Due to the bombing at Pearl Harbor, all private planes in connection with the Civil Pilot Training program at the local airport have been ordered grounded, according to H.A. Richardson, chairman of the Danville Airport Committee.

In view of the developments that have taken place during the last 24 hours which have placed the United States on a full war-basis, the local Navy recruiting station is calling for Danville and Boyle County men to enlist before more time is lost and help protect their country. The first man to respond to this call to arms was Jas. William Stigall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Prewitt Stigall.

No word has been received here from Sherman Ferrell who has been stationed in the Hawaiian Islands with the U.S. Army Anti-Aircraft units since Sept. 1940. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ferrell. Roy Spears, of Danville, who is attached to the U.S.S. Saratoga, one of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, wired relatives today that he is safe in Los Angeles but has been ordered to report to his shop at an undisclosed port immediately.

There are no Japanese in Danville, according to Danville Police Chief, R.E. Durham. He said he was requested by the F.B.I. to make an investigation and learn if there were any Japanese here and at Centre College in order to prevent sabotage. Chief Durham said that the city water plant and Dix Dam have been under close guard for quite some time.

50 YEARS AGO — 1966

The Garden Club of Danville will have a “Green Tea” on Wednesday afternoon. Each member is requested to have a contribution at the tea for the Salvation Army equal to the amount that would have been spent on a Christmas stocking. All members may invite guests to the tea. McDowell House will be decorated for Christmas. Mrs. Louis Beto is chairman of the decorating committee.

Boy Scouts were recently presented special awards at a district meeting for having personally recruited at least one new youth for the Boy Scouts of America. They are: Mike Simpson, Joey Frankel, Jimmy Dale Roy, Tad Kreamer, Shawn Kerbaugh, Dennis Cloud, Bennie Auxier and William Hayslett.

Amphenol Corporation’s Cable Division in Chicago has announced plans to build a cable manufacturing plant on an 18-acre tract in the Industrial Park, just north of the new Burlington plant and west of the proposed new American Greetings Card plant.

The critical shortage of substitute teachers in the Danville schools, with vacancies difficult to fill, was emphasized by Superintendent R.E. Purdom at the Board of Education meeting. The board also approved the purchase of a radio unit to be installed in the schools’ maintenance vehicle so that the maintenance man may report at all times where he is and where he is going in order that he may be reached quickly in the event of an emergency.

25 YEARS AGO — 1991

Melvin T. Veatch Jr. has informed county officials that he will be retiring as Boyle County treasurer on March 31. Veatch has been treasurer for nearly 17 years. Veatch, a Danville native who is a 1944 graduate of Danville High School and a 1949 graduate of Centre College, was named to the treasurer’s office not long after retiring from a 23-year career with the CIA.

Two Lincoln County men who survived the raid of Pearl Harbor 50 years ago still have vivid memories of that battle that brought the United States into World War II. Lewis Reno Nunnelley, 68 of Stanford, and Estill Johnson, 71, of Kings Mountain talked about their experiences after the surprise battle and other clashes that followed in the Pacific.

Being exposed to the destruction of a war can compel people to help build up the lives of others when they return home. Carl Preston, a Navy veteran of World War II, and his wife “Blondie” were honored at Junction City Christian Church for their good works. Preston credits being in a war with motivating him to help people. Carmi Lockhart, 75,  who was also being honored, said, “Being in a war makes you have feelings for people that you wouldn’t otherwise have.” Other veterans who were recognized were Ancil Shepherd, 73, who served in the infantry in Germany; Sam Belcher, who served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Iowa; and Junction City Mayor Harold Leach, who served in the Army under General Patton.