100 YEARS AGO — 1917

City of Danville Ordinance No. 290 states in part: The following diseases, having been declared by the State Board of Health to be dangerous to the public health, and must be reported within 24 hours to the local board of health: Anterior poliomyelites, cerebro-spinal meningitis, diphtheria, measles, opthalmia neonatorum, scarlet fever, smallpox, tetanus, trachoma, tuberculosis (any form), typhoid fever, varicella and whooping cough…Upon the existence of any of the following diseases, cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, scarlet fever, smallpox, anterior poliomyelitis, whooping cough and measles — a warning placard shall be conspicuously placed upon the house or compartment where the case is located. Such placards shall only be removed by a representative of the board of health, and any person removing, destroying or defacing the same shall be liable to a fine of not more than $100.

One of the most loved women in our town met with an unfortunate accident this morning when Mrs. Bettie Melvin slipped and fell on the steps of a home where she was visiting. A doctor was hastily summoned, and found that in addition to a considerable shock, Mrs. Melvin had sustained a fractured ankle. The news of the mishap spread and many good friends were soon at hand ready to do all that could be done to bring relief. Very many of our townspeople will be hoping for the speedy recovery of this good Christian woman.

Mrs. W.T. Cozatt, while gathering the family wash from the clothes line because a storm and heavy rain was anticipated, was struck by lightening. Her right arm and left leg below the knee were severely burned, and one side partially paralyzed. One of her shoes was torn from her foot and a sheet and dress hanging on the line were totally consumed by fire.

Beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, examinations will be held at the court house for those wishing to qualify for entrance to the County High School. 

75 YEARS AGO — 1942

There were tears and sobs from mothers, wives and sweethearts and friends, but from the men themselves there was an expression on their faces that loudly said, “We’ll blast the hell out of that bunch of Japs, Nazis and Dagos,” as 21 men who left Danville this morning for Army duty were giving a rousing send-off party by local citizens. A crowd estimated at close to 1,000 people were up early this morning for the affair, the first of its kind here. The send-off party was sponsored by the local Rotary club, along with several other civic clubs.

An advertisement for the store Baugh and Garner, located on North Fourth Street in Danville says, If it isn’t right, we make it right. Radio sales are not frozen! It’s as easy to buy a radio now as ever before. Only the manufacture of all radios has been stopped, not the sale of those in the retail stores now. 

Today, May 6, is the 32nd anniversary of the Danville Messenger, and while we have adopted the volume numbers of the Advocate, which will be 77 years old June 20th, we desire to call attention to the Messenger end of the paper. The two newspapers were merged on Feb. 1, 1940 under the combined name of Advocate-Messenger and now we have as subscribers, and friends of both papers.

Ensign Buford Guerrant, who is stationed with the U.S. Naval Air Force in New York City, will receive his A.B. degree in absentia from Centre College at the regular commencement on May 25. His will be the first degree in absentia which Centre has awarded under its policy of allowing credit for partially completed work to students who are called to the service.

50 YEARS AGO — 1967

Arthur Robinson, serving as mayor pro tem of Danville, has ordered the flags of the city be flown at half mast from Saturday morning until after the funeral service is held for Pfc. Roy Allen Robertson, a member of the U.S. Army and resident of this city, who died in action in Vietnam on April 29. This is in tribute to Private Robertson, who is believed to have been Boyle County’s first serviceman to give his life for his country in Vietnam.

Get a beard or get arrested is the edict that has gone out from the six service clubs that are sponsoring the beard growing contest for the 175th observation of the birth of the state which is June 1. The owner of the most perfect beard on June 1 will receive a $25 savings bond. Second and third best will each get $10. The women of the city will compete for duplicate prizes — but not by growing beards. Their prizes will be given for the best costume worn that day that best duplicates dress worn by pioneer women 175 years ago.

Steve Bright, who has just finished his freshman year at the University of Kentucky, will work full time at The Advocate-Messenger this summer as a general reporter. He was associated with this newspaper on a part-time basis during his senior year at Boyle County High School, and he has been a frequent contributor to sports coverage while at UK. His work this summer is to cover sports and all other phases of news gathering. Mr. Bright is planning to get his degree in mass media and major in journalism.

25 YEARS AGO — 1992

The owners of Elmwood Inn treated Perryville Elementary School primary students to a May Day celebration. The students prepared for a tea hosted by Shelly and Bruce Richardson by practicing their manners and reading an abridged version of “Alice in Wonderland”. The Richardsons sent baskets and cut flowers to the children beforehand so they could make May baskets to bring to the tea. As the children crossed the Chaplin River to Elmwood Inn they could hear strains of Baroque music and see the ribboned maypole they would later dance around.

Paul Morse, a Danville High School senior has set an all-time high school home run record with a blow that gave the host Admirals a thrilling 9-8 win over Boyle County on Thursday. Morse has now hit 55 homers during ninth through 12th grades. Morse also has a school record with 16 home runs this year.

The West T. Hill Community Theatre has announced the cast of the upcoming show “Born Yesterday.” The play will be directed by Stan Campbell. Cast members include David Dewitt, George McClure, Wayne Slavit, Dale Kihlman, Mac Monroe, Cheryl Hart, Brian Conn, Pamela Jones, Bill Robertson, Richard Brown, Bethany Rogers, Jon Sanders, Mat Mayhall and Anne Byrom.