Editor’s note — We’re continuing our tradition of 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 years gone by.
This week in 1917, the Hillsboro Gazette reported that an 87-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman from the area who wanted to get married had to obtain their marriage license in Kentucky due to pending court proceedings here.
A group of “local sympathizers” formed a committee to help “the many thousands of blinded soldiers of Britain, France and Belgium.”
In opinion briefs: “That snow storm last Sunday gave the Easter bonnets an awful jolt … Assist in reducing the high cost of living by making a garden this spring … Many ministers preach war on Saturday and peace on Sunday… The wind takes too many liberties with the flag in front of our office. It keeps us busy unwinding it.”
Cline’s, at the first door west of Feibel Brothers, advertised three full-size loaves of fresh bread for a dime, Saturdays only. Large packages of powdered ammonia for softening water, whitening clothes and making wash day easy, were 7 cents.
In news from Round Head: “War is on every tongue… Our young men have to be marched off to war from nearly every home.”
C.F. Faris, a local optometrist, advertised, “One pair of eyes to a lifetime; do not neglect and abuse them.”
This week in 1950, the Hillsboro Press-Gazette reported Hillsboro’s historic Town Hall, “in shambles since a disastrous fire in February 1949,” was sold to Homer Gass, manager of Henselman’s Tire Station, for $9,100.
Saturday was the opening day of the Hillsboro Water Reservoir, where Ora Thompson, Erin Kerr and Eddie Kerr were shown fishing early in the morning.
Area high school outdoor spring sports had been stymied due to a sudden bout of winter weather. Whipping snow and a 36-degree temperature cancelled the Hillsboro-Wilmington baseball game after only one inning. A triangular track meet scheduled for April 18 had been pushed back to April 26.
A man, woman and 6-year-old child, all residents of South Lebanon and formerly of Hillsboro, were found dead of suffocation in a tourist cabin in Mason.
A new bridge opened one mile south of Mowrystown.
Hillsboro’s Board of Public Affairs was authorized to renew a contract with Columbus & Southern Ohio Electric for power to the waterworks plant. The contract would be in force through May 1960.
Charles “Jum” Summers Jr. was running as a Republican candidate for Highland County commissioner in the May 2 primary.
Beechnut coffee was 81 cents per pound at Schaefer’s Super Markets, Borax was 27 cents and Spanish stuffed olives were 26 cents.
The Colony Theatre advertised showings of “East Side, West Side,” and “Backfire!”
Mrs. Lizzie Shelton of Sugartree Ridge was pictured with her great-great-granddaughter, Linda Lou Marcum, in the social events section. Mrs. Shelton was celebrating her 90th birthday.
This week in 1976, the Press-Gazette reported two men were charged with breaking into the Hillcrest Pharmacy after they tripped an alarm in the drug store that alerted police.
At the Colony Theatre, it was Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman in “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother.” Showings were Friday at 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. with weekend matinees starting at 2 p.m.
The legendary Tom Sawyer was going to be “in person” on April 24 to help the Hillsboro Restoration and Beautification Committee during the spring painting jamboree of the city. Strolling troubadours, a banjo picker and guitar strummer were also going to be on hand to help with the painting event.
Men’s leisure suits were $29.99 at United Department Store.
Caroline Colthar, Marvetta Elliott, Denise Reffitt and LeAnn Lowe won fruit sale scholarship honors at the local FHA banquet.
Daylight Saving Time was going to arrive on Sunday, April 25 for the annual ritual of moving the clocks forward by one hour.
“You get more to like at Burger Shef” was what the radio jingle said, and at the Hillsboro location, they wanted customers to be “nautical and nice” when they bought the Skipper’s Treat fish sandwich. It was just 69 cents and lovingly prepared by Burger Shef and Jeff.
There were “Great Bargains at Great Scot,” with five-pound bags of sugar for 77 cents; king size Cheer laundry detergent,the big 84-ounce, box for $1.99; and Betty Crocker cake mixes were three boxes for $1.
The Ohio Department of Transportation had plans to relocate a stretch of road in the area of Barrett’s Mill, preserving the covered bridge there.
Unemployment in Highland County climbed to 9.3 percent despite the recession relaxing its grip on the nation.
State Representative Bob McEwen of Hillsboro announced he was supporting legislation in the Ohio House that would establish a police and firemen’s death benefit fund for those killed in the line of duty.
This week in 2018, The Times-Gazette reported Shane Wilkin and Beth Ellis tackled the issues of Ohio’s 91st District as they squared off for the Republican nomination for state representative.
The old parsonage behind the Greenfield Church of Christ was razed to make room for an enlarged parking lot.
Hillsboro City Schools honored a”The Marching Mothers” and their children, who were responsible for bringing integration to fruition in Hillsboro in the late 1950s.
U.S. Bank was closing its office on West Main Street and consolidating operations to North High Street.
Highland County’s sales tax revenue was continuing to drop, and officials called the trend “concerning.”
The last Anna’s Army Day was held in uptown Hillsboro, honoring the late Anna Reno. Anna Christine Reno passed away from cystic fibrosis at the age of 8 in 2008.
Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.
