100 YEARS AGO — 1917

With corn shucking in full blast, tobacco almost ready to be stripped and much wheat still unplanted, the Mercer County farmers are having troubles. Labor is awfully scarce and consequently high. Corn shuckers are asking 25 cents a shock.

In response to the inquiry from government officials as to this desire as to burial of the body of his son, Mr. Samuel G. Goode immediately telegraphed to Washington that it was his wish that the body be sent to Danville. The message announcing the death of the young soldier was received on Wednesday. It was announced that Private Morris F. Goode died while swimming at Cape Hayti. News of his death was a great shock to the community. He was 17, and prior to answering his country’s call, he worked at the laundry and in the Advocate office. When trouble arose with Mexico, young Goode quickly responded and enlisted in the Second Kentucky at Lexington. He was on the Mexican border eight months, returning when the trouble settled. He was at home 10 days when the country again needed help so he rushed to Cincinnati and enlisted in the Navy. He was assigned to the Cruiser Charleston, on which vessel he served until his death.

The well known old “Wakefield” livery stable on Main Street near the hotel now has absolutely nothing left to resemble the once famous stopping place. The front has been converted into a modern garage, while the long building running to Walnut Street has been made into a warehouse. The former stable will be long remembered by visitors to Danville, as it was the main stopping place and headquarters for many prominent Danville people the visitor would naturally want to see first. Some of the rising generation will not recognize the name “Wakefield’s Stable.”

W.H. Arnold, the Messenger’s expert linotype man, who recently bought an automobile, says the cost of upkeep would break the Bank of England, so yesterday, he sold “Maude” to Col. Peck Mannini. He said in future trips to Parksville and Junction City he will walk.

75 YEARS AGO — 1942

Five hundred officers’ uniforms are being turned out every day in the Goodall plant on Stanford Road in Danville. Currently there are 550 employees with more new people being added. It is the expectation of the Goodall Company, which is not yet working exclusively on uniforms, eventually to be filling orders for 1,000 uniforms per day. The company superintendent said it would take time and adjustments to work up to the quota of 1,000 uniforms per day, but that the program will probably be perfected in another month. It was also said that the plant has a back-log of orders sufficient to continue at full blast until June 1.

The number of bandages to be completed immediately by the Red Cross surgical dressing committee has been raised to 150,000 because of a tremendous shipment of gauze materials just received, according to Mrs. Martha Rodes Read, chairman. Mrs. Read appealed for volunteers to report to the working room at the Young-Rodes library where surgical dressings sessions are held daily. One quota alone of dressings which must be completed calls for 60,000 2 x 2 inch; 54,000 4 x4 inch; and 7,200 4 x 8 inch.

The Farmers Supply Company of Danville has added thousands of dollars worth of McCormick-Deering parts to their equipment and are now ready to repair all farm machinery. With new farm machinery being rationed, it is important that old machinery be repaired quickly and efficiently. W.B. Coleman and Jeptha Jett, owners of Farmers Supply Co. are asking farmers to bring in their machines for repair before the big rush starts.

Advertisement: The Hub department store is closing out its stock of toys, which makes this a great time to start your Christmas shopping. All toys are one-half off.

50 YEARS AGO — 1967

A week of rehearsals and filming on West Main Street in Danville ended Friday and directors of Colodzin Productions Inc., New York City, cameramen and crews departed from here this weekend after completing a 60-second television commercial for the Clark Oil Company. Mayor Eben Henson, who served as location manager said, “This is merely the first of what we believe will be many more movie and television companies to come to Danville in the near future to help boost the economy of the city, as well as Kentucky.” The production company president said he estimated the company spent about $25,000 here, with $4,000 going for hiring local persons as extras working in crowd scenes and as spectators, plus off-duty policemen and firemen who were given extra work.

The Indian Hills Homemakers Club will hold its Christmas workshop in the home of Mrs. Freddie Nikirk on Shawnee Road on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All members are urged to take part and to bring any piece of material that would make a garment for a 10-year-old girl, and a pair of scissors. It was also voted that each member would donate $1 for the project.

A family reunion was held at the home of Mrs. Dorothia Record, of Junction City, in honor of Pvt. Garry Record who is home on leave after finishing Infantry training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

25 YEARS AGO — 1992

Casey County High School juniors Shawn Pierce and Kelli Luttrell are watching a young bald eagle in the large cage at the school’s wildlife refuge. The 30-pound bird was found with a broken wing by a deer hunter in Clinton County last weekend. It was then operated on and sent to the Casey County Wildlife Conservation Club at the high school where it will rest under the watchful eyes of club sponsor, Frances Carter, and her students. Carter hopes to nurse the bird back to good health and release it.

Boyle County will open a new children’s shelter on Friday, filling a long-time void in the area’s care for children in trouble. Court designated worker Michael Ray said, “It’s something we’ve needed for years that we’re just now getting around to. It’s not a jail. It doesn’t resemble a jail. Kids will get a hug as they walk in the door. They’ll get a warm meal and a hot bath and clothes if they need them. It’s a safe house.” Danville Housing Authority has leased one of its units in Batewood Homes to the Boyle County Fiscal Court to house the shelter. The home, damaged by a fire, has been completely renovated with an $8,000 Justice Department grant and is is completely handicapped accessible. It will eventually house up to eight children, none for more than 72 hours.