We are back for another look at Pulaski County 90 years ago — in June of 1934. Even though this era pre-dates most of us, we still can recognize several of the names and many of the places mentioned – and that might make 90 years ago seem not all that far away.
One of the most interesting things I found from this week’s newspaper edition was the mention of the opening of the Giant Wonder Caves south of Burnside. In my years here, I’ve never heard of such a place. Do you remember it?
Here’s what was newsworthy in Pulaski County this week in 1934, from the pages of The Commonwealth.
Burnett Brothers Held for Robbery
Fred Burnett was arrested at his home, near Somerset, Thursday night, on charges of assault and battery, with intent to rob. His brother, Robert Burnett, was arrested in Somerset Saturday night on the same charge. The arresting officers were County Patrolmen George Blaydes and Jack Edwards. It is claimed that the two men attacked John Catron, Wednesday night, about five miles from town on the old London Road. It is charged that the Burnetts blocked the road with an old truck and when Mr. Catron got out of his car to investigate he was attacked and hit in the head and on the right hand. Mr. Catron had only a small amount of change with him. The brothers will be tried in county court on June 26.
Robbery Attempt Fails
Burglars attempted to enter the Kroger grocery store on South Main Street some time Monday night, but were not successful in their efforts. Screws in the front door lock were removed but the intruders could not force the door.
Sam Colyer Store Robbed Monday Night
Burglars visited the store of Sam Colyer at the corner of Monticello and Langdon Streets Monday night and carried off some sugar, cigars and cigarettes. Entrance to the building was gained by breaking out the pane of glass in the front door. Police are working on the case but have found no clues.
Gas Franchise at Ferguson is Sold
The Peoples Gas Company purchased the Ferguson gas franchise sold by the trustees of the city at their meeting Saturday night. The franchise was for a period of twenty years. The rates to be charged by the gas company will be the same as those now in effect here. The Peoples Gas Company paid $100 for the franchise. Work on extending the gas lines will be started as soon as the company gets rights to lay its mains in the county from the Fiscal Court. The purchaser of the franchise has lines laid now down Jacksboro Street, but about two more miles of lines must be put down. Employment will be given a crew of men when the extension work is started.
To Open Bids for Surfacing No. 80
Bids for low type surfacing the Somerset-Russell Springs Road, beginning at Nancy and extending to the Casey County line, will be opened by the State Highway Commission Thursday.
Given $500 Judgment
W.H. Hudson was given a judgment of $500 against A.J. Colyer in a damage suit in the Pulaski Circuit Court last week. Mr. Hudson’s car, in which he and members of his family were occupants, was struck by a truck belonging to Mr. Colyer on Highway No. 80 and overturned.
Dr. Campbell Issues Health Warning
Dr. F.C. Campbell, head of the Pulaski County Health Unit, has issued a warning to residents of the county to avoid drinking from springs, streams or wells which may possibly contain typhoid germs. The limestone formation of this section of Kentucky is especially conducive to transmission of germs for a considerable distance from their original source. Dr. Campbell stated: “Every year typhoid takes several lives in Pulaski County. Unless your well or other form of water supply has been carefully tested and approved you are taking a chance on contracting this disease. The Health Unit will make free tests for you. All that is necessary is to call at the office in Somerset to get the proper type of container for the sample of water, and to bring the sample back for test.”
Bus Terminal Shows World Fair Pictures
A special “moving picture” device, showing scenes at the Chicago World’s Fair, has been installed in the ticket office at the bus terminal here. It has a square front, with a theatre-like lighted stage opening. A cylinder on the inside, with various pictures of the fair on it, revolves, giving colored pictures of various sights at the fair.
Police Court News:
-C.A. Blackswell, arrested June 2 by Patrolman George Bugg on a charge of breach of the peace, was fined $7.91 Thursday. -Samuel O’Brien, arrested Wednesday by Chief J.B. Jasper on a charge of drunkenness, was fined $17.90 Thursday. -Chester Brown, arrested Thursday by Patrolman Bugg on charges of assault and battery, failed to appear for trial Saturday and is now being sought by police. -W.C. Siler, arrested June 5 by Chief Jasper on a charge of drunkenness and illegal liquor in possession, failed to appear for trial and will probably be extradited from Jellico, Tenn. -A.M. Phelps, arrested Sunday by Chief Jasper on a charge of drunkenness, was fined $17.90 Monday. -Oscar Phillips, arrested Monday by Chief Jasper on a charge of drunkenness, was fined $17.90.
Community News:
Upcoming Event:
Formal opening of the Giant Wonder Caves, located south of Burnside on U.S. Highway No. 27, will be held Sunday, June 17. The caves were recently leased by three eastern gentlemen and are under the management of Mr. P.C. Irwin. The entrances to the caves are located a short distance from the main highway and Mr. Irwin is now building a hard surfaced road from the caves to the highway. ... Twenty tourist cabins are being constructed and the management contemplates building a large hotel on the site in the near future. Recently many new passageways have been discovered in the caves and a new entrance made. The visitor at the caves will be impressed with the beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites found there. Many who enter the caves have expressed the opinion that the formations there are more beautiful than those in Mammoth Cave. Several chambers, 150 feet high, 200 feet wide and more than 400 yards in length, have been discovered. Lost River is of interest to many who visit the caves. A beautiful underground lake there has also been greatly admired. The management plans to put boats on the lake in the near future. The largest saltpeter mines in the State are in the Giant Wonder Caves. The imprints of the hands and feet of the people who worked in the mines years ago are found on the solid rock. ... Mr. Irwin plans to make the Giant Wonder Caves an outstanding tourist attraction for this section of the State.
To the Editors of the Somerset Newspapers:Showing This Week at the Virginia Theatre:Read the Pulaski’s Past article in its entirety at www.somerset-kentucky.com
'; var element = document.getElementById("sub_message"); element.appendChild(subMessage); console.log("Code Loaded!"); } else { var subMessage = document.createElement('div'); subMessage.id = 'sub-message-top'; subMessage.class = 'panel panel-default'; subMessage.style.backgroundColor = '#eee'; subMessage.style.borderRadius = '5px'; subMessage.style.padding = '10px'; subMessage.style.marginTop = '25px'; subMessage.style.marginBottom = '25px'; subMessage.innerHTML = '
Support local journalism.
Subscribe Today'; var element = document.getElementById("sub_message"); element.appendChild(subMessage); console.log("Code Loaded!"); }}
