PULASKI'S PAST: John Sears' Mill dynamited Today (2024)

Ninety years ago this week, the world was just getting to know a character named Donald Duck, Jackie Wilson of “Higher and Higher” fame was born, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park was dedicated, and Adolf Hitler was well on his way to becoming one of the deadliest power trippers on the planet.

Closer to home, residents of Pulaski County were still finding ways to try to stay afloat in the middle of the Great Depression. Omitted from this week’s piece due to space constraints, the June 20, 1934, issue of The Commonwealth contained details about some work being done by local women in an effort to repurpose clothing. The women were dismantling and re-sewing used men’s pants to turn them in to pants for children. We sometimes joke about the older generations’ tendencies to hold on to material objects and to make the best use of their possessions, but when we read details about the Depression era, we understand better why they did these things.

One lesson from the past that we might be better off not understanding, however, is the “professional” cleaning solution recommended in the week’s “Hints for the Home” piece. A mix of ammonia, alcohol, chloroform, ether, borax and gasoline must have been brutal on the respiratory system.

A reminder: As you read these words from the past, please keep in mind that certain terms were used during those days which would now be considered inappropriate. I have copied these articles as they appeared in that timeframe.

Here’s what was newsworthy in Pulaski County this week in 1934, from the pages of The Commonwealth.

400 Hear Ed Morrow at Science Hill

Four hundred persons heard former Governor Edwin P. Morrow speak at the Science Hill gymnasium Saturday night. Mr. Morrow was introduced by Mr. W.H. Lyon, prominent citizen of Science Hill. Mr. Morrow had on his fighting clothes and replied to charges made by his opponent in a speech at Somerset Saturday. He denied that he had given jobs to his brothers or brothers-in-law while serving as Governor, and said he had received a pension for disabilities received in the Spanish-American War and not because of J.M. Robsion’s pleadings in his behalf. Mr. Morrow said it was time for this end of the district to elect one of its citizens as congressman, and discussed important issues of the campaign. His remarks were frequently cheered and applauded.

Eubank Boy Found Dead on Tracks

Muril Larkins, 18, son of Mr. And Mrs. Tom Larkins, of Eubank, was found dead on the tracks of the Southern Railroad at 10:30 o’clock Saturday night about two miles south of Eubank. His body was found lying between the north and south tracks by two boys. Both legs and the right arm had been severed and his skull had been crushed. The body was brought to the Denney-Murrell-Ramsey funeral parlors here and was later removed to Eubank where funeral services were held Sunday afternoon. Burial was at Good Hope Cemetery. In addition to his parents, he is survived by three brothers and three sisters. After conducting an inquiry into the youth’s death, County Corner E.B. Hargis announced that death was due to being struck by a train.

Seven Injured in Auto Collision

Seven persons were injured when two automobiles collided head-on in front of the Peggy Ann Tea Room on the Burnside Pike at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon. William Gibson, of Bronston, was treated at the Somerset General Hospital for numerous cuts and bruises about the face and body. His tongue was almost severed. Others treated for minor cuts and injuries were Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Loveless and three-year-old baby; James Daughetee and Joe Edwards. Edwards and Gibson were riding towards Somerset in a car driven by Chyle Gibson, of Bronston. In the other car, driven by Loveless, were Mrs. Loveless and baby, Mrs. Georgia Collins, Walter Gossett Jr., James Daughetee and Howard Daughetee. Both cars were badly damaged.

John Sears’ Mill Dynamited Today

Culprits dynamited the stone mill of Mr. John Sears, well known Shopville farmer, at 2 o’clock this morning, and pulled up all the plants in his large garden. The water mill, located at Short Creek, was more than 80 years old. Several sticks of dynamite were set off near the floor of the mill. Mr. Sears came to Somerset this morning and reported the damage done to his property. Captain George Blaydes, county patrolman, called W.F. Kirk of Hustonville and Mr. Kirk came here immediately with his bloodhounds. Shortly after 10 o’clock Captain Blaydes, Mr. Sears, Mr. Kirk and bloodhounds went to the Sears farm to see if they could get a clue as to who committed the offense. They had not returned to Somerset at 2 o’clock. Mr. Sears, one of Pulaski’s best citizens, said if he had any enemies he did not know it. Five hundred cabbage plants, many potato plants and onions were destroyed by the intruders. The mill can be rebuilt, said Mr. Sears.

Rob Wholesale House

Burglars pried open the rear door of the R.J. Smith Company’s wholesale house in Burnside Saturday night and carried off an adding machine and a small amount of merchandise. No trace of the thieves has been found by officers.

Cigarettes and Tobacco Stolen at Kroger Store

Cigarettes and tobacco valued at $75 were stolen Monday night from the Main Street Kroger Store by thieves who gained entrance through the front door transom. The robbery, which occurred shortly before midnight, was discovered by Patrolman Catron, who noticed that the screen to the transom had been removed and a ladder had been placed against the door on the inside.

Electric Freaks on Exhibit Today

The Westinghouse Electrical Circus, direct from the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago, is giving a one-day exhibit at the Hotel Beecher today. … Seven electrical freaks, listed as modern scientific wonders of the age, including Cy Clops, the one-eyed electrical fireman; Mystery S, the automobile with human ears; Electrynx, the electric palate, and the Wide-Eyed Warden, who foils a desperate jailbreak, will be displayed and demonstrated. The circus is free and is open to the public. The first 300 persons who attend the circus will receive keys. Two of the keys will unlock the padlock in the window of the Kentucky Utilities Company. Holders of the lucky keys will each receive free the first down payment on an electrical stove, water heater or any other Westinghouse appliance.

To Black Top No. 80

Highway Commissioner E.M. Gatliff advised Somerset friends this week that bids for putting a black top on No. 80 from Somerset to Nancy would be asked soon. The work will probably be done late this summer.

To Complete Work on N. Vine Street Soon

Numerous complaints have been made about the condition of North Vine Street. Reconstruction of the street was started as a CWA project but was not completed before the CWA program ended. Mayor W.C. Norfleet stated today that as soon as the city street crew completed its patching of streets work would be resumed on Vine Street. The rock will be rolled down but the street will not be surfaced at the present time.

Theatre Guild Play Successful

The Somerset Theatre Guild’s presentation of “The Brat” was enthusiastically received by a large audience at the Kentucky Theatre Tuesday night. The production was acclaimed by many as the best stage play seen in Somerset in many years. The presentation was under the direction of Mr. C. Homer Neikirk, and much of the success of the performance was due to his skill and energy. Mrs. Jean Inman and Mr. William Humble were outstanding in the leading roles and carried the play along in a smooth and interesting chain of action ably supported by other members of the cast. It almost seemed that the play was written especially for Mrs. Inman, so ably did she portray her part. … The role of Mrs. Forrester, the mother of the leading men and a member of a prominent social set, was capably taken care of by Miss Rosemary Talbot. Mr. William Parker Gragg took the part of the author and played in faultless fashion. Mr. Ambrose Dudley, president of the guild, played the role of a bishop and relative of the Forrester family. Both he and Miss Ruth Sitton, playing as the bishop’s wife, were excellent. Miss Marian Ellis and Miss Mildred Crabtree, prominent family friends and rivals for the affections of the author, gave splendid interpretations of their parts. The part of a small girl was attractively taken by Miss Helen Holloway. Other characters were Mr. George Bruce Miller as butler, and Miss Ella Tibbals as the housekeeper. The production staff of the play was composed of Walter Mavity: stage manager; Jack Ashurst, property manager; and Ivan Kelly, advertising manager.

State News:Read the Pulaski Past story in its entirety at www.somerset-kentucky.com.

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