In this week’s installment of Pulaski’s Past, we once again see how many issues that concerned adults 70 years ago are the same issues that are hot topics today.
Finding ways to put an end to drunk driving was a priority for the Pulaski County Sheriff in 1954. This problem has plagued the community since long before the county became “wet” – and to this day, impaired driving is one of the biggest and most dangerous problems in the nation.
Seventy years ago, a voice from the local health department spoke up about the importance of cleaning up trash so it doesn’t pollute our water sources. We have come a long way in this endeavor, but it’s still a topic of concern for our area.
In 1954, 70 years ago, some folks were expressing concerns that too much emphasis might be placed on sports in schools. Local school leaders argued that this was not the case in our town. Seventy years later, it would seem that even more emphasis is being placed on sports in schools. I wonder what educators from the past would think of athletics programs of today.
And Tax Day is a deadline that has loomed before Americans each year for generations. But how many of us are old enough to remember that the deadline hasn’t always been April 15?
Read carefully, and I bet you’ll find some familiar names all throughout this piece.
Here’s what was newsworthy in Pulaski County this week 70 years ago, in February of 1954, from the pages of The Somerset Journal.
Squib Youth Admits to 7 Automobile Thefts
A 20-year-old boy was arrested by county, state, and federal officers last night in Burdine Valley and confessed to seven auto thefts, three of which were in this county. (The boy,) of Squib, was arrested following a mile chase on the Burdine Road. Laurel County officers and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation started the chase near London where they saw (him) in a car stolen in that county, but lost him near the Pulaski County line. Sheriff Gilmore Phelps and deputies from his office picked up the manhunt and started to (his) home as he was suspected of the theft when the youth passed them enroute. Sheriff Phelps gave chase. (The boy) lost control of his car about a mile down the road and slid into an embankment. When he got out of the car, he had a .38 caliber Brevette revolver in his hand, but when he saw a shot gun and three pistols pointed at him, he dropped his gun and surrendered. (The boy) has been placed in County Jail on three federal charges of transporting a stolen car across a state line, four state charges of auto theft and one for carrying concealed a deadly weapon. Local officers are also investigating (his) activities which may link him with other thefts.
Campaign Started to Rid Roads of Drunken Drivers
County officers are conducting a drive to rid the highways of drunken drivers, Sheriff Gilmore Phelps said today. “A number of arrests have been made for this violation in the past few days and we are going all out to make the highways safe for sound and sober drivers,” he said. The Sheriff pointed out that the fine for drunken driving in County Court is $110.50 for the first offense and asked that when a drunk is seen on the highways, he be reported to the Sheriff’s Office immediately so that he may be apprehended.
Officers Destroy Still
Pulaski and Wayne County officers and the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Investigators confiscated a 50-gallon copper moonshine still and three barrels containing about 100 gallons of mash near Cumberland Point Lodge near Faubush Creek Tuesday. No arrests were made.
Andreasen Speaks on Sanitation
“Sanitation is a way of life,” stated Dr. A.W. Andreasen, director of the Pulaski County Health Department, in discussing modern sanitation and health at the dinner meeting of the Business and Professional Women’s Club Thursday night at the Hotel Beecher. “We must become more alert to the pollution of our streams which flow into Pitman Creek and Lake Cumberland, the source of our water supply,” warned Dr. Andreasen. “The Ohio River is 80 per cent polluted,” he said, and added that eventually it will be necessary for all towns and cities to have sewage disposal plants. “We have made some effort in our community to obtain safe sanitation conditions, but we still have a long way to go,” he stated. “We need to improve our method of garbage disposal and clean up our dumps. At present we are conducting a campaign to clean up the dumps at the approaches to our town and only through the demands of our citizenry can this be accomplished.” We must also find a solution for the improvement of sanitary conditions in our schools, he warned, and added that perhaps the best way to accomplish this is by the consolidation of the little red schools into modern sanitary buildings.
Prather to Head Red Cross Fund Drive
Arthur Prather, prominent Somerset businessman, has been appointed chairman of the 1954 Red Cross campaign for members and funds in Pulaski County, the County Red Cross chapter announced today. Meriel D. Harris, chapter chairman, said Mr. Prather is now appointing chairmen in the various communities. He is being assisted by Mr. Harris, the Rev. John Parks, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Somerset, home service chairman, Mrs. W.D. Gover, home nursing chairman, and Mrs. W.H. Faulkner, the chapter’s executive secretary. Jesse Wilson has been named to head the drive in the business district of Somerset. Like Mr. Prather, he too, is formulating plans and selecting workers. … Pointing out that a definite effort is being made this year to increase the membership of the Red Cross, Mr. Harris said the county chapter is trying to enlist 15 per cent of the county’s population.
Community News:
-Mrs. Wallace Moody and daughter, June, Mrs. Frank Newell and daughters, Judy and Becky, spent Monday in Lexington and attended the organ concert of Mario Selvador at Transylvania College Monday night.
-Little Miss Mary Jean Sears is ill at her home on North Maple Street with a virus infection.
-Mr. and Mrs. Estill Weaver and Dicky of Science Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Meece and Curtis Meece of Somerset were callers Sunday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Homer Estes.
-Mrs. Cecil Messenger has purchased a new refrigerator.
-Mr. G.M. Baker of Polebridge, who has had his leg broken was able to attend Sunday School at Oak Grove Baptist Church Sunday.
-Mr. and Mrs. Arvis Baugh of Dayton spent the week end with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Baugh and Mr. and Mrs. Brent Tarter.
-Mr. and Mrs. Murt Anderson have bought a new living room suite.
-Richard E. Cooper will leave this week for a visit with his brother, Senator John S. Cooper in Washington, and Don E. Cooper in New York.
-Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Massey and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Claunch attended the Berea-Wilmington College basketball game in Berea Saturday night. Mr. and Mrs. Massey’s son, Douglas, is captain of the Berea College basketball team.
-Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Williams and Mrs. Sam F. Parker will leave today for Miami, Florida.
-Mrs. Ben L. Adkins and Miss Maude Girdler were in Lexington shopping last week.
-Dr. E.C. Newman has resumed his practice after being confined to his home on North Main Street last week due to illness.
State News:
-Senator John Sherman Cooper today stated that he will “do everything possible to secure location of the Air Force Academy in the state of Kentucky.” The bill to establish such an academy has been passed by the House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration by the Armed Services Committee of the Senate. Senator Cooper is a member of that Committee. … Senator Cooper said, “I am very anxious that the Academy be located in Kentucky.”
-”Consumption of less sweets, fluorides and proper dental care remain the only methods of tooth decay control,” states J.F. Owen, D.D.S., Director, Division of Dental Health, Kentucky State Department of Health. A recent American Dental Association statement disclosed that … “misleading and distorted advertising claims for dentifrices containing chlorophyllin derivatives, anti-enzyme chemicals and ammonia-containing compounds were based on inconclusive data.” … Dr. Owen commented that the visit to the dentist twice a year is the best manner of preventing serious dental difficulties. A good diet along with less candy, chewing gum, soft drinks and other sweets will go far in promoting good dental health. Brushing teeth after every meal and rinsing out the mouth after eating sweets are essentials. Nineteen Kentucky communities have fluoridated their public water supplies since the State Board of Health approved fluoridation in 1950. Where fluorides can not be added to the water, Dr. Owen said, family dentists may make four applications of sodium fluoride solution to the teeth of children at the ages of 3, 7, 10 and 13 years.
National News:
-The country’s 55,000,000 individual income-tax payers will have an extra month in which to prepare their annual returns, starting next year, if a proposal approved Tuesday by the House Ways and Means Committee becomes law. The committee agreed to move the present deadline of March 15 to April 15, as recommended by President Eisenhower in his budget message January 21.
Military News:
-Mr. and Mrs. John Osborne, Russell Springs, this week received a letter from Capt. Angus Hopkins, Jr., commander of 511th Aircraft Control and Warning Group, Nemuro, Japan, extending the sympathy of the Air Force Group to them in the loss of their son, Airman Second Class Harold G. Osborne, who was a member of the detachment. … “A memorial service was conducted at Misawa Air Base on 3 February for all those who lost their lives in this accident,” Captain Hopkins wrote. “On 5 February this organization participated in a military funeral for Harold. … As an indication of the love and esteem his comrades have for him, one of them proposed that the new Chapel we have just completed here at Nemuro be known as the ‘Harold G. Osborne Memorial Chapel.’ This will ensure that Harold’s memory will forever be preserved and that his life can continue to be an example and an inspiration to all of us both now and in the future.” In conclusion, the Commanding officer wrote: “Losses such as these can never be adjusted and that we all painfully know. The pain of loss can be alleviated somewhat by the knowledge that death came fast and clean and that before death, life had been in keeping with the highest ideals of the Armed Forces and the nation we serve.”
-A2/c John O. Freeland, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Freeland has received a commission as Second Lieutenant in Medical Supplies. He is with the U.S. Air Force and has been stationed at Shepperd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, for the past year as base pharmacist in the medical corps. Mrs. Freeland, the former Miss Betty Lou Whitaker, is in Texas with him.
-Pvt. Ronald W. Hibbard is with an Engineering Corps of the Army and has been in Korea since November. He made the trip from San Francisco to Korea by plane. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Hibbard of Pulaski.
-Army Pvt. Marvin R. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Wilson, Route 3, Eubank, is, serving in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division. Rushed to Korea during the early days of the conflict, the “Tropic Lightning” division took part in some of the most bitter fighting on the peninsula. It is now undergoing intensive post-truce training. Private Wilson, a tank driver, entered the Army in June 1953, completed basic training at Fort Knox, and arrived in the Far East last month.
News from Local Businesses:
-A group of persons from three states has obtained options to purchase companies which control the Coca-Cola franchise in 39 Kentucky counties. The Somerset company was included in the transactions. … The group, known as the Heart of Kentucky Bottling Plant and Realty Corporation, will pay approximately five million dollars for the franchise and expects to assume control March 20, Myers said. … S.O. Newell, manager of the local company said he had not been informed as to what the sale will mean to the Somerset Bottling Co., or if there will be any changes at all.
-Watch for the opening of Pulaski Funeral Home soon. Office phone 32. Located at 130 S. Central Ave., Somerset, Ky. Lawrence Dye and George Jones, owners. Completely new.
School News:
-The following girls from the senior classes of the county high schools have been selected by the Somerset Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the annual D.A.R. pilgrimage to Frankfort: Margaret Blaine Neikirk, Somerset; Glenna Helton, Burnside; Fern Osborne, Eubank; Myrna Phelps, Nancy, and Virginia Prather, Pulaski. The girls were chosen for their outstanding qualifications in dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Each girl submitted an essay, “To Me a Good Citizen Means.” They will be entertained by the organization on a pilgrimage to Frankfort in the spring.
-The Pulaski County High School F.H.A. Club will have a Talent Show Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the lower auditorium at the school.
News from Local Clubs:
-Three members of Boy Scout Troop 79 discussed the history and rules of the American flag at the weekly dinner meeting of the Rotary Club at the Hotel Beecher Tuesday night. Participating in the program were First Class Scout Eddie Ledford and Second Class Scouts Norman Gover and John Robinson. The discussion was led by Donald Orwin, an Eagle Scout of Troop 79.
-Attorney C. Homer Neikirk was guest speaker at the dinner meeting of the Junior Woman’s Club Tuesday night at Seven Gables Restaurant, Burnside. His subject was “Equal Rights for Women.” The Fine Arts Department was in charge of the program. A report on the Valentine dance held Saturday night was given. The group voted to send a donation of $5 to the Crusade for Freedom. The George Washington motif was carried out in the attractive table decorations. Covers were laid for thirty. Mrs. C. Homer Neikirk and Mrs. William Davidson were guests at the meeting.
Births and Birthdays:
-A daughter, born February 10, to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Carrender of Somerset. -A son, born February 10, to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Randall of Science Hill. -A daughter, born February 12, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coomer of Somerset. -A son, born February 13, to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Redmon of West Somerset. -A daughter, born February 13, to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hargis of Somerset. -A daughter, born February 13, to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Chumbley of West Somerset. -A son, born February 14, to Mr. and Mrs. Hukert Stykes of Somerset. -A son, born February 15, to Mr. and Mrs. James Rose of Somerset. -A daughter, born February 15, to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Watson of Somerset. -A daughter, born February 16, to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hughes of Eubank.
-Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Caplin, Jr., announce the arrival of a daughter, Jeanene Elizabeth, February 6, at the Somerset City Hospital. This is their second child and first daughter. Mrs. Caplin was Miss Betty Wilson before her marriage.
-Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Moody of Tateville are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a son, Glenn Thomas, February 11, at the Somerset City Hospital. This is their second child and first son. Mrs. Moody was Miss Mildred Bryant before her marriage.
-Dr. and Mrs. Ben T. Hieronymus are receiving congratulations on the arrival of a son Sunday, February 14, at the Somerset City Hospital. He is their third child and second son.
-Mrs. Earl Godsey entertained with a dinner last night at her home on Speedway Drive celebrating the fifth birthday anniversary of her daughter, Chelya Louise. Covers were laid for ten.
-Mr. John L. Burton celebrated his 72nd birthday February 12th. His surprise birthday gift was his house wired for electric by the children.
-Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Phillips were in Louisville last week for a family reunion at the home of her sister, Mrs. E.J. Sillings. A dinner was given February 9 in celebration of their mother, Mrs. Edward Gallagher’s eighty-second birthday anniversary. Covers were laid for twenty.
Engagements, Weddings and Anniversaries:
-Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Beasley announce the engagement of Mrs. Beasley’s daughter, Miss Margaret Elizabeth Herron, to Hobert T. Withers, Jr. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hobert T. Withers and is in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Bairoko in the Pacific.
-The marriage of Miss Loucella Carlton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Carlton, to Mr. Curtis Doolin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Doolin, took place at 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Wheeldon. The double ring ceremony was read by the minister, Mr. J.C. Wheeldon, Miss Daisy Doolin was the bride’s maid and Mr. John Doolin served as his brother’s best man. Attending the wedding beside the Wheeldon family were Grannie Allen, Mr. and Mrs. John Doolin, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Hendricks and Johnny Carlton. They will make their home for the present with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charley Doolin.
Obituaries:
-Mrs. Callie Jones, 77, wife of J.D. Jones, died at her home in Welborn Friday. A native of Ash County in North Carolina, Mrs. Jones was born August 23, 1876. She married Mr. Jones in 1893 and eight children were born to this union. A devoutly Christian woman, Mrs. Jones united with the Baptist Church at an early age. She and her family moved to Pulaski County in 1919.
-Mrs. Sarah Cundiff Dutton, 86, wife of Daniel H. Dutton, died at her home on Crab Orchard Road Sunday, following an illness of two weeks. Mrs. Dutton was born near Somerset Feb. 3, 1868. She married Mr. Dutton Feb. 19, 1893, and eight children were born to this union. Mrs. Dutton held the oldest membership in the First Christian Church, having joined in her early teens. She devoted much of her time and energies to the welfare and progress of her church and was held in the highest esteem by the members of the congregation.
-Mrs. Mary Tucker died suddenly Monday morning at her home on Jasper Street following a brief illness. Death was due apparently to a heart attack. At an early age, following the death of her parents, she came to Somerset and made her home with Judge and Mrs. W.B. Morrow. Following her graduation from Somerset High School she attended Eastern State College in Richmond. Mrs. Tucker professed faith in Christ in her youth and was a sincere Christian. She was a member of the First Methodist Church. A quiet and unassuming person, she was loved by everyone who knew her. Her generous nature and the patience and strength of character were part of her every day life. She was a devoted mother and always placed the welfare of her family before her own interest. Her gentleness and innate kindness will long be remembered. For several years Mrs. Tucker had been employed at the Anderson Drug Store.
-Logan Keith, 69, Somerset architect and contractor, died at his home at 219 Ohio St. Monday after an extended illness of over two years. A native of Wayne County, Mr. Keith had lived in Somerset for the past 49 years. He was born May 28, 1884. He married Miss Lillie Mae Ridings April 19, 1906, in Winfield, Tenn. and six children were born to this union. A member of the First Methodist Church for many years, Mr. Keith was active in church affairs. During his many years here, he helped build many houses and buildings in and near Somerset. His skill as a contractor kept him in great demand in the building field.
-Robert Franklin Acey, 82-year-old Science Hill farmer, died at his home there Tuesday following a short illness. A native of Adair County, Mr. Acey had spent most of his life in this county around Science Hill. He was born July 22, 1871. He married Miniza Ellen Dick, and 11 children were born to this union. Four children preceded him in death.
This Week in Local Sports:
-Somerset and Pulaski County schools are not over-emphasizing sports, superintendents said today in reply to a national report censuring the “big-time” status of athletics in American public schools. On the contrary, City Superintendent P.H. Hopkins and County Superintendent Orville L. Swearingen said, the athletic program here … is not reaching as many students as it should. … Mr. Swearingen said inadequate facilities are hampering physical education and pointed out that a coach “can’t teach four or five classes a day and still devote sufficient time to the program.” The national report, a 116-page affair entitled “School Athletics: Problems and Policies,” … charged high-powered competition, promotion, and commercialism in athletics were penetrating even to the grade school level in some school systems. If not stopped, it said, this “alarming and unhappy” trend may cheat children educationally and may injure them physically or mentally. The report warned that the stress on “winning the game” may pressure teachers into pampering skilled athletes, force coaches to abandon good sportsmanship principles, and cause students not athletically inclined to “lose face” among their classmates.
-The Somerset Briar Jumpers were rated in the top 25 teams in the Blue Grass by the United Press this week. … Somerset, Newport Catholic and Carr Creek were tied for the twenty-fifth position. The top ten were: Lafayette, Pikeville, Inez, Central City, Henry Clay, Newport Public, Wingo, Ashland, Clay County and Louisville Manual.
-Somerset’s Dunbar Trojans snapped back from their only defeat of the season during the past week, beating Danville Tuesday night 74 to 64 and racking up West Side of Harrodsburg Saturday night, 96 to 59. Dunbar’s record now stands at 19 wins and one loss. In the Danville game, Fitzpatrick, the Trojan’s All-American high school center, was held to only 13 points, his lowest average of the season, before fouling out of the game. Mills and Caldwell, Dunbar forwards, took up the slack, scoring 40 points between them.
-The First Presbyterian Church cage squad romped over the First Baptist five Tuesday afternoon in the Somerset High School gymnasium to the tune of 50-35. … Leading scorer for the victors was Jack Een with 17, but Chester Corder of the First Baptist squad took scoring honors for the game with 19. Others scoring for the Presbyterians were: G. Cummins with 10, John Stanley Parks 9, Jim Een and Carleton Godsey, 7 each. For the Baptist team: Ronnie Rice and R. Wilson with 8 each.
Advertisements from Local Businesses:
-Dr. John F. Palmer – Optometrist. Adjacent to Anderson Drug Store.
-The Gift Nook – Lending library. Gifts, books, music. 102 N. Central.
-Somerset Undertaking Co., Inc. – Service to the living, to serve as would be served. Kenneth Gibbs, manager. Max Zibell, assistant manager.
-Coffey Paint and Wallpaper Co. – Where paint is a business, not a sideline. 211 E. Mt. Vernon Street.
-C.J.P. Carver – Insurance of all kinds. In the Masonic Building.
-Pulaski Furniture Company – 402 E. Mt. Vernon Street. Only 10 days left in our big third anniversary sale! Special closeout price on venetian blinds, $2.98 each. Heavy weight 9×12 linoleum rugs, $7.95. Poster or panel bed suites from $99.
-Rasner Maytag Co. – 122 S. Maple Street. Special reduction on new ranges, deep freezers, refrigerators, ironers. Gas ranges, $68 and up.
-Cumberland Realty Co. – Corner of U.S. 27 Truck Route and West Highway 80. Now ready to serve you if you have real estate to sell or need to buy.
-Losey & Sams Insurance Agency – 103 S. Main Street. Before you buy your next automobile see us about low-cost financing.
In the Classifieds:
-For sale or rent — House with five rooms and bath near city limits on Clifty Road. Hardwood floors, venetian blinds, part basement with hot water tank. Lot 50×300 feet. Garage and one two-room house 14×28. Price $5500. See Ernest Taylor at Taylor’s Car Lot, North 27 or at home on Elliott Drive.
-For sale — A good 60-acre farm, all tractor land, good house, barn, and all necessary outbuildings. Plenty of good water, on a good all-weather road, close to church and school, on mail route. Over one acre tobacco base. Priced to sell, $7,500.00. See W.A. Measel, Eubank. I have other farms, large and small for sale at a bargain. See me if you want to buy.
Showing This Week at Lakeview Drive-In Theatre, Virginia Theatre and Kentucky Theatre:
The Threat – West of the Pecos – Split Second — The Big Heat – Red River Range – The Yellow Haired Kid – War Arrow – Forbidden – The Great Diamond Robbery – Moulin Rouge – Quo Vadis – The Stars are Singing – A Queen is Crowned – Assassin of Youth – Bowanga Bowanga – Alaska Seas – The Maize