LOOKING BACK February 16, 2000
By Dixie Terry
In the February 16, 2000 edition of the Goreville Gazette, was this headline: “GOREVILLE GOES HOG WILD.” Goreville went hog wild, so to speak, last Wednesday, when a truck carrying forty-one hogs to market, turned over at the corner of West Main and Broadway, scattering the frightened animals through back yards and alleys,
According to the Goreville Police Dept., Lavern Smith, age 70, of rural Belknap, was hauling the pigs to the IPLA Barn ,located west of Goreville, when the brakes on his
1975 two-ton Ford truck failed. The apparent brake failure occured as Smith was attempting to make the corner next to Union Planters Bank onto West Main causing him to flip the truck on its side.
Smith, miraculously escaped injuries in the accident and was faced with the prospect of corraling his wayward swine, that were starting to enjoy their newfound freedom.
Police units arriving on the scene were concerned, as the pigs were beginning to fan out and starting to create risks of further accidents.
Within minutes of the accident, a makeshift corral was created on the middle of the bank parking lot, thanks to the men at Walker’s Home Supply. Using stock trailers, volunteered by passing farmers, the recovery effort was underway.
Within forty-five minutes of the accident, all the hogs were loaded out to waiting trailers and taken to the IPLA Barn, still on time to be sold. One pig was killed and four others received noticeable injuries. Police credited the response of private citizens with bringing the situation under control and keeping any further complications from arising, as a result of the accident.
More excitement was shared on the front page, that happened on Feb. 9 at the Scenic Ridgr Plaza, west of Goreville, located at the corner of Goreville Road and I-57. Sheriff Deputy Chad Gurley reported that around 10:55pm an unidentified white male entered the business, brandishing a pistol. He ordered the single customer to the floor, and instructed the owner, Jackie Sullivan, to hand over the money from the two cash registers. The bandit then fired his gun onto the front door before leaving on foot The back roads were scouted by State Police, who were unable to locate the man. who escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.
With all that local excitement going on, there were also some positive events underway,
There will be a 90th birthday celebration for John Vancil on Saturday, Feb.19, 3-5pm at his residnce on Collins Street. All family and friends are invited.
Pictured were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hickam of Eagle Point Bay, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their vows at an open house at the Lick Creek Pentecostal Church. Jese and Sarah Cooper were wed on Feb. 20, 1950, in Piggott, Arkansas. Their children are: Joyce Stout, Big Lake, Texas; Roger, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; and Belinda Smith, Marion. They also have 5 grandchildren.
A “young man” in our community had his 95th birthday on Feb.11 and was honored at the basketball game, on Friday, along with the senior players. He was honored as being one of the first team of basketball players at GHS back in 1923-24, Congratulations!
The Goreville Centennial Committee will meet on Feb. 21 at 6:30pm at the Village Hall on Collins Street. All volunteers are urged to attend. The big celebration will be held the week of May 7-14!
Lucille Dickey was the Mystery Photo of last week and no one recognized her. So, she received the prize of two breakfasts from the Longhorn Restautant, courtesy of Goreville Livestock Auction.
Theresa Lucille Billingsley was born on July 15, in a home delivery in Johnson County, to Herb and Lena Hodge Billingsley. Her brothers are Bob of Herrin and George of Goreville.
She attended Cedar Bluff School in Happy Hollow, southwest of Goreville.
She was married to Lowell Jack Hancock in 1944 in Jackson, Mo. They have a son, Jackie Don.
Jack passed away in 1974.
Lucille married Merv Dickey in 1977, He passed away in 1987.
She has worked at Vaughn Grocery, Newton Grocery, Sangamo Electric, Radionics, and the Vienna Glove Factory.
She is a member of Eastern Star and Busby Chapel Church.
Her hobbies are horses and her animals.
And so it ws, on Feb. 16, 2000, in Goreville and Lake of Egypt.