100 Years ago in West Jefferson
June 7, 1912
Madison County Democrat — On the night of June 7, 1859, occurred one of the hardest freezes to this country. The spring had been favorable for planting corn and many fields were knee high but the frost cut it all down to the ground.
The corn had to be planted over and the later corn, however, came on and made a fair crop. Some fields of wheat that were in blossom were killed entirely and other fields sown later were not materially impaired. All the fruit of every description was killed. We had fine growing weather after the frost and there was enough raised to fully supply all of our people.
— The members of council have had the Main Street oiled, which is a great improvement.
— The Coral Rebekah Lodge No. 222 is prospering nicely and at their meeting Monday evening the new members were initiated into the order.
— Miss Mary McNeal who has a position at Columbus, spent her week’s vacation with her mother, Mrs. Laura McNeal.
— Quite a number of old soldiers from here attended the Grand Army of the Republic Reunion at Springfield last week.
— This month was named in honor of Juno, the wife of Jupiter, and the queen of heaven. The most important historical event that ever occurred in this month was the Battle of Bunker Hill, which occurred on June 17, 1775, near Boston, Massachusetts.
This was a mere skirmish when the number engaged is taken into consideration but was an object lesson that made a lasting impression on the American people and proved that the disciplined troops of the English army were not invincible, even when confronted by farmers untrained in the art of war.
Part II
The Madison Press, Dec. 29, 1952 — Many, many Christmas colored lights hanging above the Main Street of our town casting their various hues on the eager shoppers and the faces of children watching for Santa.
Under these same lights passed many people hurrying to various parts of the United States for Christmas. (Main Street was U.S. Route 40 the main east and west route across the country.) They must have admired the very nice tree in front of the city hall, the star above Mellott’s Drugstore, the beautiful poinsettias in the Building and Loan window. You could pause and hear the carols and admire the very beautiful nativity scene and lights at Sts. Simon and Jude Church.
If prizes were awarded, surely the A. J. Braithwaite home would have received the honor. (Current site of Flyers Pizza.) The pretty trees at the Blauser home, (corner of Main and West streets) and the scene of the Christ child at the Town & County Market.
— Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ogilvie were one day late with their Christmas dinner, awaiting the arrival of their son from Korea.
Sergeant George Ogilvie, U.S. Marine Corps, got in this morning, a tired but happy boy. He will spend his 30 day furlough with his family and friends.
— There was just one member absent at the Cecil Forrest family dinner on Christmas Day, Cpl. Robert M. Forrest, stationed in Germany.
Present were the following: Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Forrest, and children, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Forrest and sons, Mr. and Mrs. James Forrest, of Galloway, Mrs. Robert Forrest, of Rome, and Mr. and Mrs. James Andrix, of Grove City.
