100 YEARS AGO — 1918

Some excitement was caused in Danville at noon today when the fire department was called out to extinguish the fire at the home of J. Edward Allen on Maple Avenue. A fire had been started in one of the closets by the children in the home, but was put out before firefighters got there. The children were making jack-o-lanterns near a closet and clothing in the closet accidentally caught fire and was destroyed.

The Rev. Horace Turner was seen helping to put in the Shop-Perfect window a war map which will show each day the progress made by the Belgians, the British, French and American troops on the western front. The pins are red, white, blue and yellow for each and are moved up each day, but we hope never back.

Mrs. Sallie Gaddis Martin, of Moreland, would like to rent a small house in Junction City this winter because her husband, Albert Martin, is in France. Any one having a house of this description to rent from $5 to $7 per month is asked to phone No. 46, Junction City.

Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Lester, of Grant Street in Danville have just received a letter from their son, Donald Lester, who was wounded on the battlefields of France last summer. He said he is recovering but it would be six months before he would be able to join his company on the battle lines. He is now being used as a prisoner escort in France. Anyone who wishes to write to him may address him at U.S.P.O. 726 Casualty Co. No. 2, American Expeditionary Force, France.

75 YEARS AGO — 1943

In conjunction with the coming observance of Halloween over the weekend, Chief Tom Clark of the Danville Police Department warned today that police will be on the lookout for pranksters who will not be tolerated by virtue of a city ordinance. Persons over 12 will not be permitted to wear masks, due to a federal regulation under the present war emergency. Chief Clark asked that celebrants refrain from the mischievous use of soap and glycerine which are so necessary to the war effort. By wasting those two items, persons will be helping Hitler and Hirohito.

Miss Lucile Floyd entertained her kindergarten class with a Halloween party at the Maple Avenue school. The large room was decorated with witches, cats, pumpkins and other motifs. The entertainment included rhythm in games and stories about Halloween. Favors of bags of nuts and candy with an American flag flying from the top were given to each child. Members of the kindergarten, who came in costume representing different countries and stories about which they have heard were Martha Ann Acton, Mary Ellen Brown, Maurice Baxter, Dudley Bryant Jr., Delores Crook, Helen Glore, Brooke Griffith, Eliza Hundley, Eddie Lewis, Paula Mannini, Judith McMakin, Bobby Miller, Mona Minor, Milton Minor, Add Pence, William Steffey, Lucy Sharpe, Sandra Weitz and Hugh White.

Mrs. Thomas L. Jackson, the former Miss Annie Potter, retired after 25 years of service as an operator with the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company office in Danville. Mrs. Jackson’s service was terminated with full honors and on a full pension. Fellow employees presented her with a handsome three-way electric floor lamp.

50 YEARS AGO — 1968

Nevin Hall, a new dormitory for 300 men, was dedicated Saturday in a brief ceremony before the Centre-DePauw football game. Dr. Thomas Spragens, president of Centre, delivered the dedicatory address, in which he paid tribute to Hugh L. Nevin, of Louisville, for whom the building is named. Mr. Nevin had been on the board of trustees for several years and he designed eight buildings on Centre’s campus, including all of the men’s dormitories.

The Garden Club of Danville has planted nine new trees at the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge. These are special trees and were located in a special place. They include three pin oaks, two maples, holly, foster holly, cedar and a red bud. The nine trees were planted along the farm house entrance road and it is hoped that flowering trees may be located in this area at a later time. The club members have also planted some Solomon Seal wildflowers below the barn on the opposite side of the road, an area that has been set aside as the Wildflower Trail.

Streets and roads in Boyle County will be patrolled on Halloween night by members of the Boyle County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentucky State Police, according to Sheriff Walter Clem. Officers will be in unmarked cars patrolling the areas.

The Danville Lions Club’s ladies night program, and dinner held last night served at the kickoff for the forthcoming radio auction over WHIR which begins Nov. 18 and will continue through Nov 23.

The emergent financial condition of the Comprehensive Care Center was the main topic of discussion by the Trustees of the Southern Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board Inc. It was reported that the Comp Care Center had been in operation for over a year with a resulting loss of more than $12,000. The loss was partially blamed on the fact that the board underestimated the number of indigent patients they would serve who could not afford to pay for services, plus the lack of local financial support.

25 YEARS AGO — 1993

The Boyle County Fiscal Court gave its blessing for the Health Department to proceed with plans to obtain grant money for a new building. The department is planning for a new building costing about $1 million at its present site on South Third Street. Steps already are being taken to buy Kentucky School for the Deaf property next to the existing building said Pete Yankey, administrator of the Boyle County Health Department.

Two Casey County High School students have been expelled from school for allegedly possessing a loaded weapon during school hours. The boys involved apparently made a deal to sell the gun during school hours. Although the gun was loaded with one bullet, no one was threatened.

The coming of a Walmart Supercenter will benefit Danville but will require existing merchants to re-evaluate how they do business, said Dr. Kenneth Stone, who is an expert on mass merchandisers. “You should be very, very happy you’re getting a SuperCenter in town. It will make you a regional trade center… It will be pulling people from 60,70, 80 miles away.”