Estill County Sesquicentennial

"A flotilla, a colorful parade, the coronation of a queen, and the presentation of a pageant depicting the history of Estill County ushered in the week-long sesquicentennial celebration, which took place July 20-26, 1958.

The week’s activities opened when a flotilla of speed boats arrived from Beattyville at the boat dock, beneath the Main Street bridge to salute Estill Countians on their 150th anniversary celebration. A group of bearded men in their tall black hats, carrying canes, accompanied by their ladies in colonial attire, in keeping with the celebration were on hand to welcome the visitors.

A church service which included all denominations of the county was held at the Estill County High School Sunday evening with Dr. Francis Hutchins, President of Berea College, delivering the sermon. He spoke to a packed house on the accomplishments and developments of the county since it was formed in 1808. Choirs from all churches in the county furnished the music with the congregation participating. Thomas Bonny led the singing with Patsy Lewis at the piano.

A pageant, Within These Hills, based on data compiled by the author of this history, was shown each evening. The cast included 300 men, women, and children. The only professional having a hand in the affair was the director, John Mickey, of the John B. Rogers Producing company, Fostoria, Ohio. All characters in the drama were our home people.

The opening day parade, Monday at ten o’clock composed of some thirty floats, people walking, also riding horseback presented by far the best parade ever in Irvine. Heading the parade was a band from Eastern State summer music camp. The queen, Miss Faye McIntosh of Ravenna, was chosen queen by popular vote. She reigned as the queen of Estill County’s Sesquicentennial throughout the week. Her court, composed of Misses Mary Joe Horn, Elizabeth Blackwell, Pat Hardy, Patsy Witt, Pamela Dalton, Faye Witt, Nelle Bonny and Carol Combs, followed the band on a mammoth float. The parade started in Ravenna and ended at Irvine High School. More than 5,000 persons lined Broadway and Main Street along the two and one-half mile route.

In preparation for the celebration, citizens checked their attics and old trunks for antiques; many were displayed in show windows all over town. Men of all ages proudly displayed their whiskers and the women and girls went in pioneer costumes. The parade of colorful floats represented business houses and civic groups, which were repeated each morning during the week. Among the historical items in the parade were a horse-drawn hearse, an early type fire wagon drawn by a pair of fine horses with the proverbial spotted dog lingering near, a mule drawn oil rig, a small L & N engine, and two atomic weapons were displayed by the Blue Grass Ordinance.

A number of lovely floats representing the different chapters of Sesqui-Belles, Brothers of the Brush and American Legion Auxilliary highlighted the parade. One of the most unique floats was that of the Coral Belles Chapter. It represented an early American kitchen containing an old step-stove burning and holding a steaming coffee pot and teakettle. A baby was being bathed in a wooden wash tub, and clothes were being washed by hand on a wash board. Also displayed in the parade were log cabins, covered wagons, horse and mule teams. Mrs. Coleman Benton, clad in riding habit of the early period and riding side-saddle on her favorite horse, brought back to memory the days when it was considered undignified for women to ride astride; some thought it sinful. A float which received a hearty ovation portrayed a church scene with members in colonial attire grouped around an old fashioned organ singing hymns, while the minister in the pulpit looked on. There were many other good floats not mentioned here but all enriched the parade.

Within These Hills, the pageant, opened to capacity crowd each night. On Monday night in the preliminaries, Gov. A.B. Chandler crowned Miss Faye McIntosh, a 16 year old Estill High School senior, as the Sesqui Queen. After placing the crown upon the queen in the presence of her court of princesses, the governor completed the ceremony with the traditional kiss. He then spoke briefly paying tribute to the contributions of the people of Estill County in war, peace, industry, and in educations.

After the presentation of the petite queen, the pageant broke into a dance of Indians in war gear and feathered costumes. They represented the Shawnees, who resided in this area when the settlers arrived on the scene. This scene was portrayed by Scoutmasters Charles Vanhuss and Richard Folger as Indian chiefs and Scouts of Troop 144 personified the Shawnees in dance regalia; these included Jiggs Stokes, Bobby King, Marvin Clem, Perry Litteral, Danny Bush, Clyde Wiseman, Mike Meade, Bobby Hoover, Tim Monson, Danny Birchfield and Jim Caywood. All action was in pantomime. The narrators were Mrs. Earl Broaddus, Mrs. Cecil Noland, Mrs. Wayne Christopher, Scottie Durbin, Glen Clive Rogers, and James Smith. While the narrators (hidden from view) told the story of the coming of the pioneers, their hardships, their joys, and their sorrows the actors illustrated in pantomime.

Our early churches and schools were given significant attention in the production. Estill Springs, once a famous resort visited by Henry Clay and other persons of note, was depicted as one of the major scenes.

In a Civil War sequence President Lincoln (played by former Mayor Henry W. Hood) attempted to console a war widow (portrayed by Mrs. William Bybee). Mr Hood, with his dark beard and somber costume, bore a striking resemblance to the war-time president. The dance forms of early and modern Estill County were exhibited during the pageant including square dances, the “Charleston”, and other lively steps which created a frolicsome mood. When the medicine man put on his show he livened it up with Lois Jane Comley, Myra Sue Durbin, Trusie McClanahan, and Charlotte Levy as Can-Can girls.

In the pageant’s grand finale all actors were on stage or in front of it. Mayor R.W. Smith, General Chairman, publicly complimented the cast on their fine performance and thanked all those who had worked so hard in promoting “this, the largest undertaking in the history of Estill County.”

On Saturday morning all of the floats, displays, and marching units that had formed the daily parades assembled in a massed finale. The parade route extended from the Ravenna Armory into downtown Irvine. Judging of the parade participants resulted in a first prize for the covered wagon, drawn by ponies, with Bimbo Williams and his family as occupants. The old-fashion kitchen float won second prize for the Coral Belles and third prize was awarded to the Mending Belles. Many other entries were favorably received and complimented. Some of them were “Coon in the tree with the hound dogs barking,” “The Village Blacksmith (portrayed by Elijah Begley) under the spreading chestnut tree,” “The Dark Hollow Express,” “The Old Fashioned Hearse,” and “The Sugar Cane Mill.”

The celebration was staged by the Estill County Sesquicentennial Corporation with Coleman Benton as president. The General Chairman was Mayor R.W. Smith, Jr., whose father served in a similar role at the centennial celebration at Irvine fifty years earlier. Other officers of the corporation included Oakley French, Vice President, Mrs. Joe W. Eversole, Secretary, and William Powell, Treasurer. Mrs. J.J. Johnstone wrote the history which appeared in the brochure sold during the sesquicentennial. More than $3,000 was realized from the projects which comprised the celebration; the money was devoted to community purposes.

Below is the program that was handed out at the sesquicentennial in 1958.

ESTILL COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL

Irvine, Kentucky - July 20-26, 1958

“WITHIN THESE HILLS” A mammoth historical pageant presenting the history of Estill County in drama, music and dance. Nightly through Saturday, July 21-26, 8:15 Irvine School Football Field.

SPECIAL DAYS

SUNDAY July 20 - Inner faith day, special service for all churches and faiths, Football Field 8:15pm’

MONDAY - Official opening of celebration 9:00 a.m. Giant parade 10:00

TUESDAY - Youth Day. Parade at 2:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY - Education and Women’s Day. Parade at 4:00 p.m.

THURSDAY - Veteran’s Day. Parade at 4:00 p.m.

FRIDAY - Agricultural Day. Parade at 2:00 p.m.

SATURDAY - Special programs by

Brothers of the Brush and the SesquiBelles at various times during the day

GIANT FIREWORKS display each evening after the pageant at the Irvine High Football field.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND."

- From "History of Estill County," Hallie Tipton-Johnstone, 1974.