100 YEARS AGO — 1920

 

The Cecilian Park Farm, located on South Second Street, was auctioned off in nine tracks. There was a large crowd on hand and the bidding was at all times spirited. The property was owned by C.P. Cecil and the heirs of the late Granville Cecil and was sold under a decree of the Boyle Circuit court to wind up the estate, the total amount the sale brought was about $50,000.

 

George Chinn and Dennis Mulligan, of Lexington, are building a large bath house at the Chinn place at Munday’s Landing on the Kentucky River. The beach at this place is one of the best in the state and the new house will add much to the comfort of the visitors.

 

When Sheriff Morris Farris Jr. and Chief of Police George Thurmond stepped through the ropes of the boxing ring during a bout at the Junction City Street Fair the referee made a hurried escape. Being unable to show their state boxing licenses, the two pugilists, Jimmy Murphy who claims to be the champion southern lightweight, and Mysterious Rex were arrested and taken to jail. They were released on a bond of $50 each and their trial was set for 9 this morning. Neither showed up for trial thus their bond was forfeited. A large crowd had attended the boxing match that evening, and the spectators were given back one-half of their admission by the management and were entertained with a rather tame wrestling match.

 

Sam Gabhart, well known Salt River farmer in Mercer County, has a mule that is untamable and no one has ever been able to straddle him successfully. This week a cowgirl named Annie Shaw blew into town and announced that she could ride any animal. Sam brought his cranky mule to town and dared her to try it. Annie took the dare and staged an exhibition on Broadway. It took four men to get a saddle on the mule and hold him while Annie took her perilous position. The fancy bucks and capers that mule tried delighted the crowd and Annie stuck to her seat until finally the obstinate hybrid gave up. When she dismounted, the mule followed her around like Mary’s little lamb. The crowd took up a collection and gave her $10.

 

75 YEARS AGO — 1945

 

Danville Mayor Henry Nichols has been asked to accept contributions from Danville and Boyle county people in the state-wide drive to raise funds to purchase a farm for Sgt. Frederic Hensel, the Corbin boy who lost both legs and both arms in this war. Sgt. Hensel is the only American casualty of the war thus far who has lost all of his appendages. He is now receiving hospital treatment and has expressed the hope that he can return to Corbin and start a chicken farm.

 

Adult members of the Danville Country Club are invited to be guests of the social committee at a “tacky” party to be held at 8:30 Saturday night. Guests are requested to come in costume. Suitable refreshments will be served.

 

Help wanted: Woman, colored or white, to live in the country. General housework. Weekend off if desired. Three in family. Room and board included.

 

Technician Fifth Grade John J. Leber and Private First Class Harlan M. Leber are spending simultaneous 30-day furloughs from duty at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.B. Leber of Parksville. The brothers are both recovering from serious wounds they received in European action.

 

Pfc. George M. Wilder, son of Mrs. Mollie Wilder of Boyle County, who is basic serviceman with the Fifth Army in Italy, was with special troops of the 339th “Polar Bear” Regiment on the day they discovered many famous German political prisoners and immense caches of gold, currency and art works in the Dolomite Alps in Italy. Also in the outfield was Private Mirda Jones, of Lincoln County. The political prisoners included Leon Blum, Kurt Von Schusschnigg, Martin Nienoller, Joseph Stalin’s son and Fritz Thyssen. Hidden in an old castle, they found old masterpieces valued at $400,000,000.

 

50 YEARS AGO — 1970

 

The business building occupied by Ray’s Market on Wilderness Road was sold by auction on Saturday. The successful bidder was Leonard Eubank of Danville who paid $9,475 for the property as an investment. The building had belonged to Elmer Stephens The property is a concrete block store building on a 20 by 113- foot lot.

 

An antique cherry cupboard-on-chest was added recently to the museum collection at the restored Shaker Village near Harrodsburg The cupboard, which once belonged to Sister Mary Settles the last Shaker at Please Hill, was owned by the late Catharine H. Headley of Lexington. Mrs. Headley willed the piece to Shakertown. It has been placed in the Center Family House in the front bedroom that Sister Mary Settle occupied. Born in Louisville in 1836, Sister Mary became a Shaker in 1859 and lived in the village until her death in 1923.

 

Jerry’s Restaurant in Danville is offering a buy one shrimp dinner and get one free for $1.85. The dinner includes shrimp with shrimp sauce, lemon wedge, french fries and tangy cold slaw.

 

Michael Thompson, the new drum major for the Boyle County High School Band will attend Smith-Walbridge Camp in Syracuse Indiana in August. There he will take instruction in signals, conducting and strutting.

 

The Young Democrats of Boyle County have now organized and elected officers. Mark Dexter was named president; Kathy Selby, secretary; Bruce Feather, treasurer, and Gary Huffman, vice president.

 

25 YEARS AGO — 1995

 

Bob Floro of Danville has been named the 1995 recipient of the American Lung Association’s prestigious National Volunteer Excellence Award for Association Management and Administration. Floro is the vice president of development for Resprop Home Health Care.

 

Just as the state is about to replace one Danville School Board member, comes news that another must resign next month. Vice Chairman Terry Crowley will step down when his brother Andrew Crowley becomes principal of Bate Middle School. Andrew Crowley is a 1978 graduate of Danville High School. He will replace David Davis, who resigned as principal last school year to return to teaching.

 

Eight Danville grade school students have been part of the Wings to the World program this past school year just completed a week-long summer camp. Throughout the school year, the Wings program has taught children from public housing about aviation. It is funded by a drug elimination grant to the Housing Authority of Danville. “It’s better to teach these children something about propellers than about pot and pistols,” said Stuart Powell, chairman of the airport board, and car dealer who donated the use of vans for transporting the children during the camp.