May Pike County History Nuggets
Published 5:32 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Blame the president
The Clarksville Sentinel played the blame game on May 15, 1896: “Sunday was a scorcher and reminded one more of the very hottest days of July than of the pleasant sort of May we used to have before (President Grover) Cleveland betrayed the Democratic party. Nothing has gone right in the country since that old sinner has polluted the seat of Jefferson. Even the seasons kick and go off at a tangent.”
‘Til owe do we part
In May 1906, the Bowling Green Times got a letter from a Curryville man who said he would not be responsible for his wife’s debts. In a letter of response, the wife replied that “he will do well to pay his own debts.”
No prurient pedalers
The Frankford Chronicle had a warning for readers on May 29, 1896: “The clergyman who is declaring that bloomers are the proper costume for feminine bicyclers must not be understood as inclining to loose habits.”
Deal him out
The Louisiana Journal in May 1886 reported on the progress of local pastor Sam Jones, who had controversially sermonized against card games during a trip to Baltimore. “His attack on the progressive euchre player stirred up the natives in that place, and the ministers of that city are taking a hand in the matter against the Reverend Samuel.”
Give ‘er a hand
The Ergonian Class of Bowling Green Presbyterian Church had a going-away party for teacher Sarah Ann Burkholder in May 1926. The Bowling Green Times reported that the “afternoon was thoroughly enjoyed by all present” and that Burkholder received “a handsome box of handmade handkerchiefs.”
Super Mom
The Frankford Chronicle of May 14, 1886, hailed Cynthia Kirtley for the dramatic rescue of her daughter, Lutie. The girl fell into a well and became trapped. The mother plunged into seven feet of water when she jumped in. As “she came up she saw the child just descending for perhaps the last time,” the newspaper said. Cynthia grabbed her daughter “and in an instant the loving arms of the mother encircled” the child. Cynthia clung to Lutie with one hand and a rock with the other until help arrived.
