100 YEARS AGO — 1919

Maryville College was so battered and injured by the game against Tennessee on Oct. 4 that they were physically unable to play Centre College last Saturday. The inactivity of Centre’s Varsity on Saturday gave the players and many students an opportunity to go to Lexington to watch the Indiana-Kentucky game, to observe the playing tactics of the Wildcats, and to gather valuable information and knowledge that will be of great advantage on Nov. 15, when the Wildcats come to Danville to attack Centre’s Colonels.

 

Parksville telephone subscribers of the Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company were protesting against the excessively high rates that were being charged. For example, monthly rates and the number of subscribers on each line included: Dr. R.L. Foster, $8.75, 2 subscribers; J. H. Brown, $5.90 and 5 subscribers; J.M. Kimberlin, $2.90 and 5 subscribers.

 

The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors discussed business plans for Danville at its regular meeting. Among the new business enterprises being considered by the chamber is a ginger ale plant. Secretary J.W. Harlan is negotiating with the Beechnut Packing Co. of New York, which is seeking a location for such a plant. The water supply is being investigated and it is very probable that the company will come here. Harlan is also negotiating with businessmen to establish a hosiery mill in Danville. Several businesses are becoming interested, and because there are no hosiery plants in this part of the state, there is every reason to believe a business of this kind would do well here. Harlan has also written to the Western Union Telegraph Co., requesting night telegraphic service in Danville.

 

The pie supper for the benefit of the Junction City football team seemed that it was going to be a failure because it had rained steadily all day. But about dark it quit raining and 20 pies and a fine cake were put up to sell. A show company on its way to Dayton, Tennessee, was present and made the bidding on the cake more lively. The pies brought over $36 and the cake brought in $51. Miss Katherine Camp, teacher at Shelby City, won the cake over Miss Steiner of the show company. Miss Camp generously gave it to Miss Steiner. John Holtby, who has control of the Crystal Theater, gave the football players the use of the building for free. The team can now get the necessary equipment they need.

 

75 YEARS AGO — 1944

 

A new schedule of costs for preparation of graves at Bellevue Cemetery was announced by the Danville City Council. An increase in prices was deemed necessary because of higher labor costs. In the future the preparation of graves for boxes will be $8 instead of $7; and the cost for preparing vaults will increase from $8 to $10. On Sundays, the rates will be $5 higher for both types of graves.

 

Advertisement for the Community War Fund: “It’s tradition in America that every boy has a chance to be president someday. But the war has given lots of kids a start along the road that leads not to the White House, but to the penitentiary. Their fathers are in the Army, their mothers are in war plants. Left to shift for themselves, many of these boys — fundamentally nice kids — have drifted toward juvenile delinquency. By giving to your local Community War Fund, you can help to remedy this tragic situation. A portion of the money you give is used to provide normal recreation and adult guidance for boys and girls at this critical age, to keep them from becoming casualties of war. That part of your gift which goes to the National War Fund supports the U.S.O., brings aid to torpedoed merchant sailors, to prisoners of war and sends food and clothing to the bombed-out and starving peoples of Europe.”

 

City of Danville proclamation from Mayor Henry L. Nichols: “In cooperation with the President of the United States and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I hereby proclaim Friday, Oct. 27 as Navy Day and urge our entire citizenship to pay tribute to our first line of defense.”

 

Over 100 people attended the open house held by members of the American Legion, Boyle Post 46 and the Legion Auxiliary at the new men’s center over Veatch’s store on Main Street. Servicemen who are passing through Danville, those who are stationed here or nearby and those who are visiting in this area are all invited to use the resting facility.

 

50 YEARS AGO — 1969

 

Dedication of a clock to the memory of the late A.B. Coyle, former Perryville mayor, was part of the 1969 Perryville Battlefield celebration. The clock, with Roman numerals on an aluminum weather-proof base, was dedicated in a brief address by Enos Swain, editor of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.

 

Letter to the editor: In regard to the children at Centre, because that is what they are. They haven’t grown up yet. Now they are protesting the Vietnam war. I am proud of my son who leaves for the second time Nov. 4 for Vietnam by his own choosing. … I hate to see him go, but at least he is acting like a man about the whole thing. He isn’t protesting. …”

 

A 2,000-pound, 11-foot-high bronze monument in celebration of Centre College’s Sesquicentennial Year has been erected on the school’s campus. The sculpture theme is “The Flame” a symbolic representation of the torch of knowledge which appears on Centre’s official seal. The project was entirely funded by Miss Dorothy Jane “Dottie” Smith of Danville and Dallas, Texas, in memory of her late father, Ray Smith.

 

Danville City Council gave unanimous approval to one of the biggest urban renewal projects in years. It is an extensive face-lifting for the areas of South Second, Green, Walnut and Main streets. The resolution pointed out the need for the project and desire to eliminate blighted areas. Many old houses will be razed, but historical buildings will be retained.

 

25 YEARS AGO — 1994

 

The Boyle County Fiscal Court voted to spend up to $4,500 to correct plumbing problems at the jail. “The plumbing may have contributed to some of the unrest at the jail,” said County Judge-Executive Tony Wilder.

 

A reluctant Junction City Council voted to increase sewer rates. Mayor Dale Walls said it is costing the city about $2,000 a month to cover a recent rate hike from Danville. The increase will make the charge go from $4.59 per 1,000 gallons to $5.87, which is a 28% increase. In other Junction City news, the council sees development in the community centered around the new U.S. 127 that has cut the town in half. The land-use map, which shows zoning guidelines, is now being developed as part of a countywide updating of the Community Land-Use Map. Council member Don Putteet said “We want more commercial on the new road.”