Editor’s note — As The Times-Gazette celebrates its 200th anniversary, we’re taking a look back each Saturday at some of the important, interesting or even odd events as they were reported during the same week throughout the years, along with interesting advertising features from back in the day.

This week in 1879, the Hillsborough Gazette reported on a number of “vegetable wonders” in the area, including a 70-pound pumpkin, a 14-pound beet and a 7-pound turnip brought into the newspaper offices.

A new Presbyterian Church was established in New Petersburg, and the Rev. W. J. McSurely of Hillsboro preached “an able sermon from the text, ‘Evil communications, corrupt and good manners.’”

Spargur Bros. & Co. on High Street opposite the Wright Hotel advertised “fancy dry goods,” boots, shoes, hats and oil cloths.

“The old reliable” Harsha & Son monument company advertised monuments, tomb stones and “all kinds of cemetery work… at prices lower than ever.”

Seventy new books were delivered to the local library, including “a fine selection of old and new books of travel, several biographical works and a few choice pieces of fiction by standard authors.” The newspaper noted it did not have the space to include a full list.

A well-known local elderly man was reportedly “bedfast, and has lost flesh until he is a mere skeleton of his former self.”

This week in 1921, the Hillsboro Dispatch reported two cousins from the New Market area died at the same time many miles apart, one from apoplexy in Belpre, Ohio, and one by car accident in Elwood, Ind.

A new furniture factory was coming to Hillsboro. The Superior Furniture Manufacture Company was to “furnish employment to a number of men” and be located at the corner of Catherine and West streets in town.

The local Modern Woodman chapter was set to have a rabbit fry, according to one article, “that is if the committee appointed can succeed in locating a sufficient number of the cotton tails to make a feast.”

The paper published on the front page a list of amenities that would make Hillsboro a more desirable place to live, including a YMCA, boulevard lights, an adequate water supply, a perpetual clean-up attitude and rigid enforcement of traffic regulations.

Local farmers were losing “thousands of dollars” due to hog cholera in the area, according to a local doctor.

Lucky Strike cigarettes advertised a new “toasted” flavor.

Bell’s Opera House advertised a performance of “The Mollusc,” a three-act comedy.

This week in 1955, the Hillsboro Press-Gazette reported a local jury was unable to reach a verdict in a rape trial and came back “hopelessly deadlocked.”

Three Cincinnati men escaped a sinking boat on the western end of Rocky Fork Lake. They were on a duck hunting expedition.

A large turnout was expected statewide in the General Election, one article said, “although little interest in most of the balloting has been shown here, thus far.”

The Roselawn Drive-In at Allensburg advertised showings of “The Outlaw,” starring Jane Russell, and “Revenge of the Creature,” starring John Agar.

Fancy fresh stewing chickens were on sale for 39 cents per pound, whole pork loins were 47 cents per pound and sliced bacon was 47 cents per pound at Albers Super Markets.

Elberfield’s advertised girls’ dresses from $1.35, double blankets for $3.99 and stretch gloves from $1.

This week in 1987, the Press-Gazette reported an appeals court heard a request to overturn the conviction of Johnny Paycheck on aggravated assault and tampering with evidence charges. Paycheck, a renowned country singer from Greenfield, was sentenced to at least nine and a half years in the state penitentiary.

A “rollicking chase” through Hillsboro ended in a number of charges being filed against a local man after he led officials on a pursuit, striking a car in an auto lot and sideswiping a police cruiser.

In sports, the Hillsboro Indians football team closed its season as winners with a 28-8 victory over the Springboro Panthers.

Bob & Carl’s advertised fryer chickens for 49 cents per pound, ham for $1.99 per pound, ground beef for $1.09 per pound and chuck roast for $1.59 per pound.

The Hillsboro Women’s Club met at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant and discussed hospital auxiliary activities.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570.