100 YEARS AGO — 1918

Danville is now in the grip of the worst weather the city has experienced in the memory of many of the oldest inhabitants. Saturday night the mercury dropped to 17 below zero in Danville, and water pipes and other plumbing was put out of commission in the best-built houses in town. Sunday’s weather report promised better things, but yesterday morning our people awoke to find snow falling heavily and six or eight inches more on top of what was already there. Sharp, cutting winds sweeping through the city drove pedestrians from the streets; scores of cases of frost bite; and intense suffering among many on account of the shortage of coal; business almost at a standstill; trains running far behind schedules; and mail arriving too late for delivery in time to execute orders, were some of the conditions in Danville following the snowstorm Friday and Saturday.

For the first time in many years, the farmers are storing ice. The ice that has been cut is 14 inches and some as good as 15, but in some instances the snow which has fallen so frequently has been frozen in the ice. This makes blemishes, but on the whole, the privilege of storing ice is appreciated and the filling of ice houses. The best ice cut in this county in 30 years has been cut this past week and it is to the farmers like the reviving of an old industry.

Billie Stout was found almost frozen on Main Street Saturday morning. He had left his home on South Fourth Street to take his usual morning jaunt. His weakened condition and the mercury 15 to 20 below zero was more than he could endure and he fell on the sidewalk. He was carried in by a good samaritan and later taken in charge by city and county officials and on Saturday afternoon he was tried on a lunacy charge, was ordered sent to the Insane Asylum at Lexington. He was taken over yesterday. The action of the court possibly saved Billie Stout’s life.

Monday in Danville for the next 10 weeks will be like an additional Sunday. The business of the city will pause an extra day each week, amusements will close on Monday and business and professional offices — except those designated as necessary — will be closed, following the new law laid down yesterday by the Federal Fuel Administrator. The order issued by which manufacturing plants must close for five days, beginning Friday, does not greatly affect Danville. The flour mills are exempt but a number of other manufacturing plants where articles are made here, among them candy and other products, will be closed. Danville, however, is more of a commercial than manufacturing center and will be much more greatly affected by the Monday closing orders. Drug stores, under the law may remain open all day on Mondays, and retail stores that sell food may remain open until noon. This means all candy kitchens, bakeries, butcher shops and groceries must be closed after the noon hour.

Anybody with ordinary sense can be President of the United States. The history of this country has demonstrated that fact. But the fellow who keeps the corner grocery and is able to squeeze out a profit, there is the highest type not only of statesmanship, but brains.

75 YEARS AGO — 1943

An ordinance pertaining to blackout authorization and procedure was passed at the regular Danville council meeting. This ordinance authorizing blackouts and air-raid procession orders, rules and regulations prescribing penalties for violations and declaring an emergency, paves the way for the blackout scheduled in Danville for Jan. 15.

A jury found two youths guilty of bicycle theft in circuit court, culminating a six-month outbreak of bicycle stealing which had developed into a juvenile “ring” of bike rebuilders and marketers of stolen vehicles. The youths age 16 and 15, were indicted jointly. The investigations found the boys had been taking bicycles, dismantling them, destroying the frames, on which serial numbers are found, then rebuilding the vehicles. The jury recommended one year with probation. In another trial, John E.D. Evans was sentenced to life imprisonment on a charge of attempted assault and robbery.

Four sons in the United States Army and one “ready to go” is the contribution to the war effort of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lewis of Parksville. All former students at Parksville High School, one son has achieved rank of corporal. His name is Howard B. Lewis, stationed at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri. Private Jackson F. Lewis volunteers with the army and is now stationed in California. Two more brothers are privates Frank F. Lewis Jr. at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and Hubert C. Lewis at Van Buren, Arkansas. The fifth son, Lyn Hocker Lewis, classified 1-A is waiting to be called to active duty. Mrs. Ray Moore, sister of the boys, is a teacher of English at Hustonville High School.

A tin-can salvage campaign will begin on Feb. 15, with the first collection of cans by the Boyle County Salvage Committee. The chairman of the committee urges all housewives to save cans until the collection date and learn the four simple rules for the care of tin cans until they are collected by the salvage trucks.

John L. Bratton, Seaman Second Class United States Navy is “missing” in the performance of his duties and in the service of his country according to a telegraph from the Navy Department which expressed deep regret, and the inability to give further details to the young man’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Bratton of North Third St., Danville. John is about 19 years old, attended Danville High School, and was employed at the State Theatre before joining the Navy a short while ago.

50 YEARS AGO — 1968

An old ordinance on the books of the city of Danville provides that property owners must clear snow and ice from streets adjacent to their property. It was said at city hall that it has not been customary to enforce the provisions of the ordinance, but that enforcement of it will probably be started unless property owners voluntarily comply with its provisions. Many complaints have been coming to city hall, especially from pedestrians, who say they are having trouble negotiating ice and snow covered streets. The city’s plan is to start enforcement of the ordinance, beginning in the areas where there is most pedestrian travel.

St. Asaph Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, met and heard guest speaker Enos Swain, editor of the Danville Advocate-Messenger discuss old churches in Danville. He stated that Danville’s first church was the First Presbyterian founded in 1783, and the next church was the Second Presbyterian. The Methodists built a log cabin in 1789 on the site of their present church building. The Baptist and Catholic churches soon followed, Mr. Swain said. Trinity Episcopal church was the third Episcopal church to be built in Kentucky. In 1843 the Christian Church was organized with 17 members and in 1860 a big fire hit Danville and destroyed the Second Presbyterian and Christian churches. Swain state there were currently 70 churches in Danville and their history has touched the lives of all people who have lived in Danville.

25 YEARS AGO — 1993

The way was cleared for an inn to be established at the former Riffemoor antique store. Boyle County Fiscal Court approved the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission to rezone 7.355 acres of a 17-acre plot on Lexington Road. The zone change from agricultural-residence (AR-1) to commercial (C-1) will allow Julie Williams Ballard to open a small inn and private restaurant there. No new buildings can be constructed under the conditions put on the approval, and the appearance of the property from the road cannot change.

The bitter rivalry between Danville and Boyle County high schools spilled off the basketball court last night as students gathered outside the Danville High School gym to fight after a game between the two schools.

Incumbent district judges Darren W. Peckler and Harold Burks are seeking re-election. They serve Boyle and Mercer counties.

Boyle County Schools Superintendent Emajo Carlton, 53, has announced that she will be retiring at the end of June. She has steered the school system since 1986.

Two vital pieces of equipment arrived last week that will greatly assist the local Salvation Army. One is a mobile feeding unit that will provide hot meals for victims and emergency personnel involved in disasters, fires and other major emergencies. The other is a baler that will give the Salvation Army the capability of packaging and recycling old clothing more quickly and in a greater volume.