The Bullitt County History Museum

It Happened in 1975

Over the years, Charles Hartley has shared glimpses of what was being printed in The Pioneer News in different months and years. This page includes what was taken from the January through July issues of 1975.


January 1975

Mrs. Charles Ridgway of Nichols reported that the Hill View Methodist Youth Group visited Brad's Skating Rink; and that Mr. and Mrs. Archie Foster of Lyndon spent Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Foster.

Clara Simmons of Pleasant Grove reported that Shanda Armstrong was sick with the mumps, and was staying with her Grandmother Armstrong. She also reported that Hillery Bleemel was in the hospital at Suburban.

The Hebron reporter said that Dr. Larry Robey was a dinner guest of Mr. and Mrs. George Z. Wigginton; and that the Wiggintons visited Mr. and Mrs. Carl Beam.

Dr. M. J. Cundiff was elected as vice-president of Lincoln International, the company that operated the Bourbon Stockyards in Louisville.

The Good Folks of Hebron Church of Christ moved into their new building across from Hebron Junior High School.

Mrs. Mary Whitworth of Cedar Grove reported that Mr. and Mrs. Otis Ray Ratliff spent Christmas Eve with Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Carter and children, and then spent the night Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day with Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Brown and David.

The paper reported that Reverend Noah Benningfield, City Clerk of Mt. Washington, passed away leaving a great loss to the community and county. He had been City Clerk for 12 years.

Coach Bob Carpenter was pleased with his team's 60-38 victory over Lebanon Junction. Mike Seaton led the SJHS Rams with 17 points, David Masden added 15, and Sammy Swearingen collected 10. Phillip Capps pulled down 8 rebounds while Robbie Williams had 4 assists and 4 steals.

Meanwhile, on the girls' side, Debbie Philpott scored 10 points to lead her team to an 18-14 victory over LJ. Cleda Greathouse had 6 points and Beth Korfhage added 2 points.

Donna Sweat, down at LJ, reported that Timmy and Tommy Kappel enjoyed their trip to Florida with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Wall.

Patty Wick won first place in the Conservation Poster Contest. She was a fourth-grader at Overdale. Debbie Gayle Troutman, a 7th grader at Roby took first place in the Conservation Essay Contest; while Fredrick A. James, Jr., a 7th grader at Hebron placed second.

The County Board of Education elected Jean C. Hall as Chairman, and William L. Dawson as Vice-Chairman for the year. They also welcomed Marian Farris as a new member of the Board.

Out at Bullitt Lick, Gladys Shepherd reported that Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Montgomery celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary, and their son Ronnie took them out to dinner.

Ralph Lutes of Mt. Washington announced his intention to run for Circuit Clerk. He was elected as Mt. Washington Police Judge in 1973.

And twenty-eight scouts and four leaders of Boy Scout Troop 5 braved the cold, windy, rainy weather on their annual winter camping trip at Camp Covered Bridge in January.

Scouts participating were Milton Price, Alan Fischer, Russell Forshee, Daryl Hensley, Tom Breeding, Alex Horton, Paul Parsley, Junior Sanders, Tony Lacefield, Ronnie Shewmaker, Gerry Breeding, Barney Gatton, Wade Schroader, Robbie Bischoff, Ronnie Williams, Dale Taylor, Ronnie Bischoff, Mike Freeman, John Reid, Tom Kallin, Chuck Woodfin, Troy Hensley, Curtis Hensley, Steve Watkins, Bryan Oser, Dean Oser, Mark Taylor, and David Reid.

Their leaders were Assistant Scoutmasters Mike Mayes, Eric Fischer, and Tom Baker; and Scoutmaster Charles Hartley. (Great memories!)

February 1975

Pastor Estell R. Casebier of the Dennie Memorial United Methodist Church in Lebanon Junction announced that the new church building would be dedicated this month.

Jean Hatzell announced that she was a candidate for Circuit Clerk in the May primary.

Shepherdsville Mayor Margie Eddington proclaimed the week beginning February 9th as Future Homemakers of America Week in Bullitt County.

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Brown announced the opening of their new Western Auto building on Highway 61 just south of the Salt River bridge.

New Bullitt County Shrine Club officers were announced. They include President Jim Ryan, Vice President John R. Smith, Secretary & Treasurer C. L. Lane, Temple Director Bud Hardy, Sands Representative Ike Neal, and Motor Corps Director Vernon Patterson. The Board of Directors included Quentin Johnson, Jim Roe, Carroll Neeley, Owen Miller, Bob Kyser, Grant Heath, Steve Plenge, Jim Welker, Ed Pierson, and Benny McDonald.

The Bullitt Central Cougars may have found spacious Freedom Hall intimidating in the first half of their game against Henry County, but they came back to win 65-50. Mark Hardy had 17 points, Jim Troutman 11, Bruce Coulter 9, and Howard Miller 9.

Ida Atkisson lost a pair of bifocal sunglasses in Lebanon Junction. Have you seem them?

Mrs. Anna Hawkins retired as Postmaster of the Shepherdsville Post Office. Before that, she was Editor and Manager of the Pioneer News for her parents, J. W. and Myrtle Barrall from 1931 until 1966.

Bob Carpenter's Shepherdsville Jr. High Rams used a half-court press to defeat Taylorsville 62-23 after trailing 10-8 after the first quarter. Mike Seaton led with 15 points. Donnie Doan added 10 and David Masden 9 points for the Rams.

Peggy Francis of Mt. Washington was named chairman of the 1975 Easter Seal campaign for Bullitt County.

And Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cornell announced the engagement of their daughter, Marilyn Patrice, to Mr. Bill Hardy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hardy of Shepherdsville. Congratulations on 40 years, Bill and Marilyn!

March 1975

The newly formed Jaycees held their Charter Night banquet at the Best Western Motel with several honored guests including Judge Arson Moore, School Superintendent Frank Hatfield, State Representative Tom Givhan, City Judge Art Hartlage, School Principal George Valentine, and Roy Kulmer, a member of the Shepherdsville City Council.

The following officers were sworn in: Frank Smith, President; Richard Fetty, Internal Vice-President; Jim Simms, External Vice-President; Tim Meyers, Secretary; Ted Korfhage, Treasurer; Ken Fox, State Director; Danny Anderson and Pat McGruder, Directors; and Bob Fagan, Parliamentarian.

Gayle Troutman announced that he had purchased the McAfee Funeral Home in Mt. Washington. The funeral home would now become the McFarland-Troutman Funeral Home. Gayle, son of Vernon and Alberta Troutman, married Eleanor McFarland, daughter of Grigsby and Elizabeth McFarland.

Clara Simmons, the Pleasant Grove correspondent, wrote that "we are having our winter in March this year." Sound familiar?

She also reported that Mrs. Lilburn Robinson visited her sister, Miss Gladys Alcorn, over the weekend.

Mary Whitworth, Cedar Grove correspondent, wrote that Mrs. Meg Waters and Mr. Berly Jackson canned 114 quarts of potatoes last week.

She also wrote that Hugo Maraman treated his wife to lunch at the Kentucky Kitchen in honor of her birthday.

The Hebron correspondent wished a happy birthday to Mrs. Alberta Kinnaird who celebrated her 94th birthday in March. The correspondent also congratulated Mr. and Mrs. J. T. McGruder who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Sherman Tinnell received an award for song lyrics he wrote titled, "She Hurts, But No One Can See."

Oretha Ridgway, from Nichols, wrote that Steven, Kenny, and Tracey Sumner stayed at Clarence Dawson's home for a week while the water was over their road.

Gladys Shepherd of Bullitt Lick reported that Stephanie Troutman has the mumps. She also said that Mr. and Mrs. Chester Shepherd had visited the Holy Land, and was to show slides of this at the Mt. Eden Church.

In an article about the Belmont community, we read that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Etherton, life-long residents of the place, recalled the time there were four schools nearby: Zion, Hayes, Culver Springs, and the Belmont school. That building was still standing, and was being used as as flea market. It had closed as a school with grades 1-8 twelve years earlier.

Jim Troutman of Mt. Washington, who helped the Bullitt Central Cougars to a 10-1 season, signed a National letter-of-intent to attend Morehead State University.

Abby Jockell placed first in a model car contest at Hebron Junior High School. Randy Fox was second and Jody Fowler third.

Barbara Owen of Mt. Washington received the Irene Carroll Scholarship award. She plans to enroll at the University of Kentucky and major in Special Education. Previous winners of this scholarship have been Carolyn Coleman, Debbie Ray, and Vickie Caddock.

And Glenna Spratt, the popcorn lady, was recognized in the paper for her volunteer work at the Cedar Grove school. Can you smell that popcorn?

April 1975

Robert E. McDowell, Sr., a noted local author and historian, died. Mr. McDowell was responsible for much of the research into early Bullitt County history. He also wrote a novel, Tidewater Sprig, based on his research into our county's early history.

Dianah Pike, a junior at Bullitt Central, was one of the finalists in the WHAS Crusade for Children King & Queen competition.

Clara Simmons of Pleasant Grove reported that Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Gentry entertained Sunday for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Gentry, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stallings, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Roy Gentry, and children. She also reported that Mrs. Lilburn Robinson was too sick with a cold to attend church on Sunday.

In the Hebron Newsletter, we learned that Mr. and Mrs. George Z. Wigginton entertained some 23 guests at dinner on Easter Sunday, They had an egg hunt in the afternoon for the children. We also learned that Mr. and Mrs. Ray Becknell were home after vacationing in Texas for several months.

She also reported that Ethel Jones, Dorothy Reader, Maxine McGruder, Mildred Crumbacker, Faye Crumbacker and Tyree Hinshaw would be calling on the community for contributions for the crusade against cancer.

Mrs. Mary Whitworth of Cedar Grove reported that Mrs. Bertha Bowman had returned from Florida where she attended the church her grandson was pastoring in Tampa. She also reported that the Bill Miller's luncheon guests were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Coakley, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Frank Masden, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lamb, all of whom had a good time.

Bullitt County Superintendent Frank Hatfield was appointed by the governor as chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Council to discuss implementation of the new Title IV federal program.

The paper wrote about Lloyd Mattingly's interesting hobby of making models of historical items. Mattingly who retired from the railroad, has his workshop filling up with his projects. (If you want to see two of his larger projects, visit the Courthouse and see his model of the 1917 train wreck, or visit Paroquet Springs Center and ask to see his model of the Paroquet Springs Hotel.)

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Roland Baughn celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversay on Easter Sunday. Mr. Baughn was Camp Ranger for Camp Shantituck for 14 years.

Rene VanVactor, Carla Hourigan, Debbie Doan, Beth Walker, Lois Metcalf, Vicki Ingram, Susie Bryant and Terry Phillips were selected as cheerleaders for Bullitt Central. All were from Lebanon Junction.

The 19th annual Cancer Dinner was held at Shepherdsville Junior High School. Neil Boggs of WAVE-TV was the guest speaker. Luke Lucas of Mt. Washington provided entertainment along with The Tonemaster Quartet. Mrs. Dorothy Hartsell once again provided dinner music. Nina Jasper, Maureen Hester, and Nancy Strange were presented with pins for 25 years service working with the Bullitt County Cancer Society.

And Gary Browning, Dianah Pike, Michael Lewis, Jacqueline Richardson, David Pike, Ann Huber, Eric Farris, Kathy Strange, and Shelia Roberts were rehearsing for their performances in an upcoming production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Bullitt Central under the direction of Barbara Elliott.

May 1975

Clara Simmons of Pleasant Grove reported that James R. Stallings' little girl Laquita had her tonsils removed, and was doing fine. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Grant entertained Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Gaddie, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Grant and son Kendall for Sunday dinner.

G. K. Bass of Mt. Washington reported a number of people in the Louisville hospitals including Maude Wigginton, Kenneth Smith, Sue Swearingen, Betty Cardwell, Mary Burnett, Clyde Eldridge, Marie Shelman, and Ray Rouse.

The following Bullitt Central students were to represent the school in National Speech competition and the National Student Congress: David Pike, son of Mrs. Nell Sanders Pike, Kathy Strange, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Strange, Kevin Sturgill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sturgill, and Gary Browning, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Browning.

Debbie Gayle Troutman, daughter of Christine Troutman, won the Conservation Essay Contest. She was a student at Roby Elementary.

Patty Wick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wick, a fourth grader at Overdale Elementary, won the Jim Claypool Conservation Poster Contest.

Ralph Coomer of the Cedar Grove community was presented with the Master Conservationist Award for carrying out at least 90% of his Conservation Farm Plan.

Oretha Ridgway of Nichols reported that the Jack May family bought the farm of Henry Sanders.

With the construction of the new jail behind the courthouse, parking was becoming a problem. J. C. Thompson, owner of the Hardy Market and Bullitt County Hardware helped to solve part of the problem by graveling in three acres across the alley behind his store. The front part was for his customers, but the rest was available for the general public.

The Hebron correspondent reported that 22 boys and 5 leaders from Boy Scout Troop 20 spent the weekend at Camp Horine. I wonder how many snakes they saw?

She also wished Cora Ney Hardy a happy birthday.

The paper also reported that Dickie Lawson and Larry Squires of Troop 20 were presented with their Eagle Scout awards. Quite an accomplishment!

Bullitt Central's production of Fiddler on the Roof was well received. Gary Browning starred as Tevye, and Dinah Pike as his wife Golde. The B.C. Band, led by Joe Herde, supported the cast by providing the music for this musical play.

In the May primary election, Julian Carroll, Thomas Givhan, and Nancy Strange were victorious in Bullitt County.

And the Lebanon Junction correspondent reported that Miss Kathy Beeler had graduated from U.K. and would begin teaching at Maryville in the fall.

June 1975

Steve Larimore won the scholarship awarded to the outstanding player of the Bullitt Central baseball team. This is awarded in the memory of Barry Watson, and was presented by his father Sam Watson.

Rev. Jerry Whitley was assigned to Davidson Memorial United Methodist Church as their new pastor.

Memorial services were held at the Pleasant Grove church with the message delivered by Rev. Harold Ray Armstrong.

Lynda Jenkins of Mt. Washington was chosen to represent Bullitt County at the 1975 Session of Kentucky Girls' State held at Morehead State. She was sponsored by the Bullitt County Woman's Club.

The Hebron correspondent reported that Rev. Doug Stader was on vacation in Florida. The Presbyterian Church welcomed Don Smith as their minister for the summer months.

Trooper Kenneth Rigdon received special recognition as a part of the State Police's "Screaming Eagle" contest.

Ray Shelton of WHAS TV was the guest speaker as the local Lions Clubs installed their new officers. The incoming presidents were James C. Crawford Jr. for Lebanon Junction, Leon Remington for Mt. Washington, Sam Underwood for Shepherdsville, and Raymond Crowe for Zoneton.

Roy Emerson Welch received his B.A. degree from Wofford College. A history major, Roy was on the Dean's List.

Larry L. Robey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill L. Robey of Shepherdsville, received his M.D. degree from the University of Kentucky Medical School. He had just returned from a pediatrics rotation in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Danny Gentry became the first Bullitt Central student to be elected to a state F.F.A. office when he was selected as the state reporter.

Mr. and Mrs. John Berry celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at the Lebanon Junction Baptist Church.

Judy Raley was Bullitt Central's recipient of the 1975 Crisco Award for Outstanding Leadership in Home Economics.

Walter Magruder "who has been custodian, counselor and friend to so many students" at Lebanon Junction, was sad to see the old school on the hill closing.

Remember when the Southern States store opened south of the Salt River bridge in 1975?

The Hebron correspondent reported that Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cox, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jenkins spent the weekend camping at Barren River. Wonder if fish was on the menu?

Raymond L. Patterson and Ronnie D. Compton, two 1967 S.H.S. graduates, graduated with honors from W.K.U.

Eric Tinnell received a Savings Bond from the Bullitt County Conservation District Junior Board for selling the most trees in their contest.

And Helen Scott and Owen Risk got hitched! Congratulations!

July 1975

Carolyn Jackson opened a new sewing center on Buckman Street in Shepherdsville. Mrs. L. B. Kerberg won the grand opening prize, a new sweeper.

Clara Simmons of Pleasant Grove reported that Floyd Stallings was still suffering from shingles, and that Frances had been shocked by the electric fence so bad it burned her hand. She also reported that everyone was happy to see Glayce Masden at church after a bout with strep throat.

Gladys Shepherd of Bullitt Lick reported that Dode Shepherd hit his first home run in the Little League games. She also reported that a group went to the Jamboree at Hodgenville including Mr. and Mrs. Lee Edgar Howlett, Mr. and Mrs. Lynwood Pike and Annette, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Philpot, Pauline's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sears, Mr. and Mrs. James Sears, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Skaggs, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Skaggs, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Wales, Mr. Terry Etherton, and Miss Ann Maimes. Sounds like everyone liked country music.

The Hebron correspondent reported that Mr. and Mrs. Don Smith and children, Laura and Donald, were getting settled at the manse of Hebron Presbyterian Church, and welcomed them to the community.

Oretha Ridgway of Nichols reported that Mrs. Dwight Able celebrated her birthday at Bernheim Forest with lots of friends and family. She also reported that Alvin Freibert and Michael Freibert vacationed in Colorado.

The Jesus Express, the youth singing group of Shepherdsville First Baptist returned from a tour in Indiana and led their home church's service. They were pictured on the front steps of the church. Great bunch of kids!

Brent Goodin, son of Ivan Goodin of Lebanon Junction, was pictured with his bay pony, Piglet. Brent placed third in Pole Bending performance, and fifth in the barrel racing at the Louisville Area 4-H Horse Show.

Miss Alberta Maraman, assisted by Roy Welch, gave an interesting talk on life in Saudi Arabia to a senior citizens group. They wore Saudi costumes and showed artifacts.

Dr. Bruce Hamilton announced a new addition to his physician's staff: Dr. James Richard Cundiff, Jr. Rick Cundiff graduated from Shepherdsville High School in 1967, and was the school valedictorian.

The 1955 class of Shepherdsville High School had their reunion at the King's Table. Attending were Hilda Ogle Blizzard, Sarah Crigler Ashbaugh, Peggy Sadler Nutt, Dorothy Shaw Goforth, Patsy Logsdon Larimore, Laura Wise Elkins, Margaret Frantz Dawson, Joyce Harris Houchin, Opal Cox England, Jesse Compton, Howard Moore, Buddy Larimore, Joyce Farmer Trammell, Clarence Crigler, Billy Streble, and Billy Webb.

And the paper announced the forthcoming wedding of Elise' Givhan to John Spainhour. Fine couple; quite successful. Of course I knew she'd do well back when she was an 8th grader!


Copyright 2018 by Charles Hartley, Shepherdsville KY. All rights are reserved. No part of the content of this page may be included in any format in any place without the written permission of the copyright holder.


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/1975.html