From our files
Published 9:36 am Saturday, November 4, 2023
100 YEARS AGO — 1923
• G.W. Walsh was picked as the man who had made the greatest contribution to life in Danville at the Danville Exposition. He was judged on Christian character; gifts of time and means to community enterprises; business integrity; democracy of spirit; likable disposition, and forward look into building the city beautiful.
• Boyle County officials had three large elm trees cut down in front of the Courthouse. The dying trees were decayed by beetles.
• The “gallant, fighting and praying” Colonels left for Philadelphia where it was scheduled to play the University of the Pennsylvania football team. The score was Pennsylvania 24, Centre 0.
• Burglars entered offices of the Boyle Roller Mills in Shelby City and attempted to blow the door of the large fireproof safe that contained checks and a large sum of cash and checks. However, the safe was so secure it did not open.
• A tribute was paid by the Chamber of Commerce to George W. Welsh at a luncheon in his honor held at the Danville Exposition. He was voted the one as having contributed the most to the upbuilding of Danville and institutions in his time.
• The Chamber of Commerce decided to call a mass meeting at the courthouse to discuss the proposed bond issues concerning the tax rate.
• The Danville High School Midgets defeated the Stanford Midgets by a score of 21 to 0.
• “Hallowe’eners” left their impress in several parts of Danville. Fences were torn down, gates removed and one automobile was painted white.
• Football had its start in Danville with the coming of Professor W.D. Berry of Boston who came to Centre College to take charge of athletes.
75 YEARS AGO — 1948
• The local Women’s Missionary Social Union sponsored a clothing drive in eight local churches to collect winter and summer clothes and shoes for children for Overseas Relief.
• The Rev. Yandell Page of Georgetown accepted a call to be pastor of Danville’s First Presbyterian Church. He replaced the Rev. Charles G. Bruce.
• W. Terry Griffin and George Grider of Danville got a permit to operate a drive-in theatre on Shakertown Pike. The theatre was t accommodate 500 automobiles and in-the-car speakers.
• Floors at McDowell House were improved with Robinson Paint Store in charge and compiled a committee to study Furniture of the Correct Period of the House was named. Dr. George McClure, a local physician and surgeon, was designed to serve as advisor to the work.
• Over 125 residents and businessmen were asked to pledge year-round gift to the Red Feather Services which had a goal of $22,863.
• Three children of Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Harris of Harrodsburg Road, Perryville, escaped with bruises and scratches when they were struck by a car as they left a county school bus in front of their home.
• New officers installed by the Danville Kiwanis Club included Earl Davis, president, and Joe Rimstidt, treasurer.
• Danville High Admirals won its third straight football game at Millersburg when they edged out Millersburg Military Institute 14 to 7.
• Knitters in Boyle County were asked to make 17 coat or cardigan sweaters for the county’s chapter of the American Red Cross. The yarn and instructions were at the Red Cross headquarters.
• Boyle County voters followed the nation’s trend in the general election giving President Truman 3,338 votes to 1,897 for Governor Dewey, a majority of 1,439 for the Democrats.
50 YEARS AGO — 1973
• A boiler explosion caused an estimated $5,000 in damages to the Salvation Army building on South Fourth Street. The loss was not covered by insurance.
• Guy Best, local executive director of Urban Renewal, was named vice president of the Kentucky Housing and Redevelopment Association.
• Mary Turley, trust officer and assistant cashier at Citizens National Bank of Danville, was named as “The Woman of the Year” in Boyle County by the Danville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
• Danville City Commision approved an agreement with Rexnord Inc. for the city to issue $5 million in revenue bonds for construction of a new plant on Lebanon Road.
• An unidentified portrait that hung in Boyle Circuit Courtroom for many years was identified to be that of Judge John L. Bridges, a leading citizen and eminent jurist who served as first judge of Boyle Circuit Court.
• During raids in Danville, state police confiscated two pickup truck loads of beer and whiskey and several truck loads of gambling equipment.
• Boyle Fiscal Court got a look at preliminary plans for construction of a new jail, building an addition at the rear of the courthouse and remodeling the current jail into county offices.
• Paul Simms was named president of the Danville Country Club. Other officers elected were Chris Jackson, vice president; and Peggy Evans, secretary-treasurer.
• An economist predicted Burley prices were expected to be higher this year. Prices could be six to nine cents above last year’s levels of 79 cents a pound.
• Boyle County Deputy Sheriff G.G. Harmon and former deputy Karl Luttrell were found not guilty of setting fire to the County Court Clerk’s office after a two-day trial inn Boyle Circuit Court.
• Centre College’s $5 million Regional Arts Center was dedicated.
25 YEARS AGO — 1998
• Plans were announced for a new Kroger store in an area to include three retail stores and a residential development on the south side of Danville.
• Eight suspects were arrested on illegal drug charges in a four-county area including Boyle County by state police and local officers. The charges included marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine, along with beer and whiskey.
• David Grissom of Louisville made challenge gift to Centre College launching an academic initiative expected to raise $12 million for the school.
• Centre College music professor Vince DiMartino made a trip to Ukraine, where he was a guest performer and instructor for a conference hosted by the European International Trumpet Guild.
• Voters turned out early in the 19 precincts in Boyle County and many indicated their votes were mostly for local issues and not for state and national candidates.
• Brad Ellis was named the new director of Boyle County Emergency Medical services. Ellis was among 15 people who applied for the job. He replaced Michael Peyton, who died in a swimming accident.
• An exhibit by local landscape artist David Farmer was at Elmwood Inn in Perryville.
• State and national experts said allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in more areas of the state would give Kentucky’s slumping tourism industry a much-needed kick during a meeting hosted by the Shakertown Roundtable. Thirty of the state’s 120 counties had legal alcohol sales.
• Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at Arby’s Restaurant on Hustonville Road. They had the attic blaze under control in less than 10 to 15 minutes.