The Bullitt County History Museum

It Happened in December

We will be looking back 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 years to see what was being printed in The Pioneer News in 2002, 1982, 1962, 1942 and 1922 in the month of December.

2002 - 20 Years Ago.


Preston & Santa

William Porter


Bonnie Breeden

Little Preston Hagerman visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hillview.

Nominated by her high school counselor, Bullitt East student Jennifer Burress attended the Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. She joined more than 500 students from around the country in learning more about the workings of our government.

Mt. Washington Lion of the Year William F. Porter helped charter the group in 1948. Porter, who had lived in this community all his life, was part of the family that had operated the Cyclone Home Center for more than a century.

Mt. Washington Lioness of the Year was Bonnie Breeden who helped charter that organization, and who had been active both locally and statewide.

North Bullitt teacher Cindy Williams and the school's baseball coach Brent Childress were both pictured aboard donkeys in a Donkey Basketball game.

The school winners for the poster (P) and essay (E) contests for Red Ribbon Week included the following: Tiffani Green (E), Sarah Spurling (P) and Allie Myers (P) of Lebanon Junction Elementary; Christina Davidson (P), Brandon Hanna (P), Paige Downs (E) and Dillon Sego (E) of Pleasant Grove; Taylor Noonan (E), Andrew Mills (E), Chase Payne (P) and Joey Grom (P) of Old Mill; Sabrina Baxter (E) and Eric Gray (P) of Mt. Washington Middle; Whitney Shofner (P) and Renee Burns (P) of Overdale; Haley Kile (E) and Derek Hall (P) of Bernheim Middle; Alex Beasley (E) and Megan Allen (P) of Brooks, Kaitlyn Golab (P), Kristin Johnson (P), Kylie Meiser (E) and Austin Williams (E) of Freedom Elementary; Rachel Kolle (P) of Cedar Grove; Brooke Hamilton (E), Michael Duggan (E), Kendall Miller (E) Sherah Fowler (P) and Loren Beckley (P) of Mt. Washington Elementary; Chelsey Hall (E) and Michelle Hodge (P) of Bullitt Lick Middle.

The district poster winners were Christina Davidson, Brandon Hanna and Michelle Hodge. The district essay winners included Dillon Sego, Alex Beasley, Kendall Miller, Haley Kile, Chelsey Hall and Michael Duggan.


Big Jim

Nine local men represented the officials on the gridiron for the Bullitt County Youth Football League All-County Day. They included Darrell Collins, Joe Downs, Ron Washburn, Mike Garrett, Josh Carey, Wesley Soutar, Jeremy Curtis, Brian Allen and Joey Downs.

First-year Bullitt East Head Coach Troy Barr picked up his first career win as his team defeated North Bullitt 102-80 in a shoot-out. Daniel Alcorn led his team with 31 points, Travis Kotheimer added 26, Brandon Fentress and Kyle Downs each contributed 13, and Justin Hall completed the double-figure scoring with 12. North Bullitt was led by Mark Sturgill with 30, Brian Steele with 20 and Lee Sims with 16.

And Big Jim Enlow retired as chief from the Shepherdsville Fire Department after 30 years of service.

1982 - 40 Years Ago.


Check Received

Fiscal Court accepted County Police Chief Danny Thompson's recommendation to place a new radio tower on Lester Coy's property, following the county's receipt of a grant of $38,000 from the state to pay for it. Chief Dispatcher Billie Hawkins and Judge Executive Clifford Haley were pictured presenting the check to County Treasurer Elizabeth Deacon.

James Harned of Lebanon Junction was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. He was majoring in Agricultural Engineering.

Clara Simmons of Pleasant Grove wrote, "Our mail carrier had the misfortune of some car hitting her car in the back. I am just thankful Mary wasn't hurt too bad. It happened at J. B. Proctor and others boxes there on top of church hill. This is a dangerous place."


Kammie & Barbara

Julia, Amy & Santa

Kammie McNay of Lebanon Junction and Barbara Hodge of Shepherdsville were pictured practicing checking out groceries at the new Winn-Dixie Store in Shepherdsville ahead of its grand opening.

Oretha Ridgway of Nichols wrote that she and Bobby and Janet Belcher gave June Dawson a birthday dinner with guests including Clarence Dawson, Clayton Dawson, Dwight Able, Lynda Able, Tony Able, Craig Dawson, Dorte Carman and Charles Carman. Also Julia Sander and Amy Poppell got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas at the Santa festivities at Nichols School.

Mrs. Allen's fifth graders at Cedar Grove entertained the PTA by explaining Christmas traditions around the world. Tara Cook and Kimberly Burks were pictured telling about the traditions of Mexico and China.


Tara and Kimberly

Clifford & Ella Bell

Ruth Owens wrote that an open house was held at Belmont Baptist Church to celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. Clarence DuVall. Bro. DuVall would also celebrate his 10th anniversary as pastor of the church. She also wished a Happy Birthday to Mr. VanVactor on Church Street at his 101st birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Bell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with an open house at the Cedar Grove Methodist Church. Clifford and Ella (Bolton) Bell were married on 23 Dec 1932 in Bardstown.

Tammy Brinley was pictured slipping a ring on the finger of Troy Johns as Jerry Parker looked on in a mock wedding held at Bullitt Central.


Mock Wedding at B.C.

Mary C. Holsclaw of the Hebron community congratulated Andy Crumbacker on his graduation from EKU. She mentioned that Sam and Joe Rhea spent a week at Reelfoot Lake hunting ducks. She also mentioned that the Hebron Church choir was preparing a special music program and also a live nativity scene.

Bullitt Central's speech and debate teams traveled to Cincinnati where Rafael Rosa placed 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking, and Karen Bleemel progressed to quarterfinals in Original Oratory.

And North Bullitt's Linda Pryor was pictured trying to move around Bullitt Central's Michelle McGrane in a basketball game won by the Lady Cougars.

1962 - 60 Years Ago.

Glenna Jackson, an 11th grader at Shepherdsville High School, was nominated by Mrs. Helen Underwood, her Home Economics teacher, as the Co-Ed Magazine correspondent for the school. Glenna was the daughter of Haskell and Laura (Jones) Jackson.

C. E. Roby was high point man with 21 while Russell McCubbins added 18 as the Shepherdsville Rams won their season-opening basketball game. Other members of the team included Jim Hatfield, Reed Lee, Rusty Meyers, Bob Bush, Carl Lee Troutman, David Fearnbach, Capps Sanders, Crit Sanders, Donald Price, Joe Knopp and Smoky Rhea.

Leonard Dever lost two cows when they got out and were struck by a train near Brooks Station.

Cora Ney Hardy, missionary to Nigeria, was a guest speaker at Little Flock at the invitation of Rev. Darrell Overstreet and the Woman's Missionary Society.


Herman Snawder, Jr.

In Mt. Washington news, Alberta Troutman, Rita Sherman, Mary McClure, Ann Waller and Alice Venthoff attended the "Gospel Sing" at the Memorial Auditorium in Louisville. Also, the 6th grade class of Mrs. Sudie Holloway and the 3rd grade class of Mrs. Neva Lloyd at Mt. Washington Elementary School were the winning classes in the PTA membership drive.

Specialist Fourth Class Herman Snawder, Jr. of Brooks was pictured in the paper upon his return from overseas, having completed his two year tour of duty.

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Spurgen, having lost their home and possessions in a fire, expressed their gratitude to the Rescue Team of Bullitt County for coming to their aid.

Among the school winners in the county soil conservation essay contest were Jan Braden of S.H.S., William Glenn Dawson of St. Aloysius, Phillip Rogers of St. Benedict, Arthur Pennick of Lebanon Junction, and Jackie Sue Wade of Roby Elementary. However, in the countywide competition, Janice Coulter of St. Aloysius was the winner.

In the Hill View News column, Mrs. Charles Ridgway wrote her thanks to Dewey Foster and Archie Whiteman for "the construction of the porch railing."

The Nichols School 7th Grade Kentucky History Club met was Mr. Monroe Major as their guest speaker. Mr. Major, who was the county Pupil Personnel Director, talked about the history of Bullitt County. The meeting was called to order by President Danny Marsh and adjourned by their sponsor, Mr. Kolb.

The Lebanon Junction FHA welcomed a number of new members including Shirley Gutterman, Lora Johns, Susan Meadows, Debra Murray, Marilyn Ryle, Jill Roberts, Donna Ryan, Mildred Sturgill, Fay VanVactor, Linda Jo VanVactor and Margaret Reade.

Miss Burnell Pike, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Burlyn Pike of Shepherdsville, was one of he performers in the Centre College production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner."

And the new highway bridge being constructed over Salt River would be raised three and a half feet to eliminate potential flooding according to Highway Commissioner Henry Ward. This followed concerns by many including Nancy Strange that the lower construction would act as a dam and cause additional flooding in town. This new bridge was replacing a single lane, wooden floor bridge built in 1902.

1942 - 80 Years Ago.

James Masden, Richard Masden and Clarence Oscar Schooling were among the many local men inducted into the armed forces. Among those enlisting were Charles Samuel Robinson, Rubert Elwood Hawkins and Bassell Duke Tinnell in the navy; and Reason George Newton, principal of the Lebanon Junction school, who enlisted in the Marines.

The schools at Sunny Side and Mt. Elmira failed to open in December because no teachers could be found for them.


Samuel James Stallings

Mr. and Mrs. George Bradbury and Dolores Mae of Belmont community attended the golden wedding anniversary celebration in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Hoagland of Bardstown Junction. John C. Breckinridge Hoagland and Lula Mae Swinney had been married in 1892. The informal gathering was organized by their children, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Key, and Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Underwood of Louisville, and Mr. and Mrs. John Edwin Hoagland of Bardstown Junction.

Samuel James Stallings, son of the late W. W. Stallings and widow Lila F. Stallings, was appointed as an instructor at the Jefferson School of Law in Louisville. He was a graduate of Shepherdsville High School.

Robert Ice, a former resident of Bullitt County, died on December 7th. He had started a truck line in Bullitt County more than twenty years earlier before moving to Bardstown. He was the son of James and Mattie Ice who owned the Shepherdsville Roller Mills for a number of years.

The Hebron correspondent wrote that Mr. and Mrs. Price Howlett sold 49 hens for $73.50 and about 75 fryers at 28 cents per pound. She also reported that the Hebron Church had a very beautiful service flag honoring her boys in the army.

Mr. and Mrs. Carey Smith of Needmore Road community hosted Bro. Wyman Wood, Mrs. and Mrs. Russell Stallings and family, Billy Bleemel, Gordon and Ella Proctor, Mina Lee Montgomery and Mrs. Walter Devine and daughter following church services led by Bro. Wood.

William "Wirelegs" Hatfield was one of a number of local boys in the armed forces who wrote back thanking the editor for sending them the newspaper free.

Miss Margaret Combs, who had many local friends and relatives, joined the WAVES and was stationed in Massachusetts.

Staff Sergeant Marion D. Rogers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rogers of Shepherdsville, was commended for his prompt actions in the rescue of several soldiers from drowning during an exercise on the Sabine River in Texas.

Mary Lucy Marr, an 8th grader at Lebanon Junction was the winner of the annual spelling bee contest.

And Allen R. Hawkins Jr. left for the armed forces in December. He and his wife, the former Anna Barrall, had been running the newspaper for about eight years. Anna, the daughter of former editor J. W. Barrall, would continue operating the paper with the aid of Mrs. Anna Underwood.

1922 - 100 Years Ago.

Lebanon Junction Fourth Graders Maggie Hart, Pauline Basham, Kathryn Bowman, Helen Carpenter, Virginia Raney, Lena K. Roby, Amy Chaddic, Edna Kappel, Fred Shuffitt, William Sweat and Leo Bowman all made the honor roll.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Harris of the Victory community entertained Ruth Crenshaw, Violetta Thompson, Texia Swearingen, Eva Mae and Mary Jones, Clifford Bolton, Vern Jones, Elmer Crenshaw, Randolph Porter, Curtis Ratcliff, Leroy Harris, Marshall Porter, Rouse Jones, Dave Shaw, Virgil Roby and Arthur Harris.

The Shepherdsville town basketball team included Ralph Henderson, Charles Ashby, Jerome Monroe, Henry Buckman, Roger Wiggington and George Wiggington.

Rev. Hilary Burns conducted the funeral of Mrs. Katie Samuels Barrall, wife of L. M. Barrall, and daughter of Charles R. and Mary E. Samuels. She was survived by her husband, mother, son Dr. George M. Barrall of Kansas City, and daughter Miss Josie Barrall.

Rena Shaw of Mt. Washington wrote to Santa asking for a doll with brown eyes. She also reminded him that her cousins Lillian King and Virginia Grigsby would be at her house so he should bring their toys there.

In other letters to Santa, William Wallace Armstrong wanted a pair of gum boots, Fronia Crenshaw a pair of gloves and a box of candy, Goldia May Owen a wrist watch, Ada Florence Noe some candy, nuts and fruit, and Henry Lewis a wagon and little ax.

J. W. Smith of Brooks had a fresh cow and calf for sale, extra good grade, that he would sell at a reasonable price.

C. H. Kurtsinger was selling his farm, livestock, tools etc. as he was quitting farming. His place was about 225 acres located two miles from Pitts Point.

Another farm for sale was that of Elmer Welch located on Pitts Point Road.

Mrs. Willie C. Quick, the popular teacher at the Licks, fixed a hot soup lunch every day for her students. The parents were happy to provide the necessary vegetables which beat cold lunches in the wintertime.

Miss Jennie Carpenter, a prominent local teacher, had been on the sick list, but was much improved and able to be out again.

G. S. Patterson had his two new houses about completed on Second Street in Shepherdsville.

Mrs. J. H. Sanders was having a sale of hand made scarfs, centerpieces etc at her home.

The jury in the case of Will Marran for killing Lee Middleton returned a verdict of not guilty.

Fannie Belle McCubbins, age 21, died of pneumonia. The daughter of Frank and Sophia Raley, she was survived by her husband John, two daughters Iris Louise and Sara Aileen, her parents, and nine siblings.

And Roy Maraman and C. F. Troutman attended the Shriners banquet.


The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 13 Jan 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/happened/dec2022.html