Editor’s Note: Due to gaps in our archives, the Sun will be publishing occasional, time-appropriate excerpts of The Woodford Sun, Woodford Weekly and Woodford Pennant, in addition to the Bluegrass Clipper, which is largely about Midway.
Bluegrass Clipper
January 5, 1905… Farmers Bank of Midway’s quarterly report shows total resources of $95,048.44 and deposits of $57,325.97. C.W. Parrish is the cashier. The quarterly report of Citizens Bank of Midway shows resources of $145,816.15 and deposits of $76,009.004. John A. Steele is the cashier.
The wind which blew so fiercely here on Tuesday was especially severe in the vicinity of Pisgah Church. Two-thirds of one side of the roof was blown off and one corner of the historic old building was damaged. Many trees were blown down in the cemetery. The church is over 100 years old, and the roof, which is made of tin, was put on in 1868 following the war. Dr. Rutherford Douglas was pastor there for more than 30 years.
Page three of this issue had a chronological review of 1904, including all important events of the Russo-Japanese War, business failures, foreign news, disasters, lynchings, federal, state and local government and politics, sports, fires, crimes, industrial, weather and a necrology.
Gov. Beckham appointed Judge R.L. Stout to fill out the unexpired term on the circuit court of Judge Cantrill who moves up to the Court of Appeals. The appointment was greeted by enthusiasm in Woodford County. He followed this with the appointment of James T. Wilhoit as county judge to replace Judge Stout.
The new year came in as mild and pleasant as a lamb, but was on its good behavior for only a day. Monday, the rain fell in heavy showers and at night it turned into snow, Tuesday saw the earth covered with the heaviest blanket of winter yet. This followed a number of heavy rains last year. By Wednesday, the thermometer nearly got to zero.
Steele & Co. grocers went out of business.
Samuel H. Shouse died on Friday at his home on McCoun’s Ferry Pike. He had been an invalid for several years. He was born in Woodford County in 1827, the youngest of 10 children born to Samuel and Catherine Perry Shouse. His grandfather, Henry Shouse, came from Pennsylvania in the 1790s, and settled on the farm where Mr. Shouse died. He was a farmer all of his life and was married in 1857 to Miss Mary J. Orr, who survives. Five of their seven children are living – Fannie, Mamie, James, Albert and Henry. He was a magistrate of the Mortonsville District and twice elected representative from Woodford County to the legislature. He was vice president of the Harris-Seller Banking Company and a consistent member of Hillsboro Baptist Church.
R. A. Woolums and family, former Midway residents, have recently moved from Richmond to Versailles.
Woodford Sun
January 1, 1925… When the Midway graded and high school resumes its sessions next week, it will occupy a handsome new building on Winter Street, one of the finest in the state according to state professionals. Including furnishings, the investment will be $100,000. The grand amount was met from $28,000 in insurance proceeds from the burning of the last school, a $40,000 bond issued by Midway, and the balance came from a wealthy Midway citizen whose gift was contingent on the person remaining anonymous. Frankle & Curtis were the architects and the general contractor was Jackson Lumber Company of Lexington.
There was a 25 percent decrease in marriages in Woodford County in 1924, with 12 licenses issued. There were 64 burials in Versailles Cemetery, three fewer than the year before. There were 66 criminal cases, a large jump from 1924, which had 49.
The home and contents of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Guyn on the Munday’s Landing Pike burned on Monday. The estimated loss is $20,000.
Neville Graddy, his cousin Lafe Crutcher, had a miraculous escape early Sunday morning. Graddy was driving his Buick when it skidded on ice, went off the road and overturned. Both occupants escaped unhurt, but the poor Buick was utterly wrecked.
The four fine English broodmares purchased by Sen. Camden landed safely in New York and arrived via transport to Heartland Farm here over the weekend.
The Christmas entertainment at Grier’s Creek School, provided by teachers Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Tromper, was enjoyed by a large audience that crowded the schoolhouse.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lea Sudduth, 75, wife of William Sudduth, of Montgomery Avenue passed away from pneumonia.
The dance at Pisgah School last Tuesday was a delightful success with sandwiches and the melodies of the Woodford Six.
J.R. Bond and W.B. Cogar have filed to run for Woodford County Sheriff.
Mrs. Francis Breckenridge Steele of Midway passed away suddenly while visiting her daughter in Quantico, Virginia, per a telegram received shortly before the deadline. She was the widow of Captain John Andrew Steele, C.S.A., and the daughter of Gen. John C. Breckenridge, C.S.A. Her body will arrive by train on Saturday, and she will be interred with her late husband in Frankfort in a funeral to be overseen by Rev. E.C. Lynch of Versailles.