Perryville

Editor's note: This is the second of two stories about a Perryville resident's memories of that town after the Battle of Perryville. PERRYVILLE - William L. Linney was 9 years old when his family moved to Perryville in January 1866, not long after the famous Battle of Perryville. It did not take long for him to get acquainted with the people, and learn about the town's businessmen, churches, schools and the crime in this small town. He wrote his memories 50 years later and added a couple of poems.

Beyond the battlefield, there's the story of civilians that largely goes untold. It's the story of the men and women who were living in the towns when armies came through, forcing them to be uprooted. At the Battle of Perryville re-enactment, these individuals are brought to life through the Living History Village, a community of tents filled with civilian refugees. “We're here to demonstrate and give people an appreciation for the way things were,” said Amy Clark of Raymond, Miss.

PERRYVILLE - Billy Matherly waited 54 years to make the phone call. Still, the long search for the name of the person on the other end of the line seemed easy compared to figuring out what to say if she answered. So, when he heard Nell Dixon Mahoney's voice, he paused, wondering if his hope was too delicate to test. “I said, 'If everything's correct, then this is Robert William Dixon. That was the name that you gave me.'” He heard his mother's voice for the first time since his adoption at 9 months old. “I always knew you would find me,” she said to him. “I never gave up hope.” The phone call led to Matherly, 54, meeting Mahoney in person on Aug. 14. The two are thrilled to be reunited and are already planning their next visit.  “I'm so happy that he's back in my life,” Mahoney, 70, said.

Dear Editor, Thank you to the citizens of Perryville for your attendance at the voting polls on Tuesday. Citizens like you create a large impact upon the betterment of our community. The thoughtfulness that you showed toward the election did not go unnoticed. The willingness of the citizens to strive toward a prosperous future, concerning Perryville, is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Sheila R. (Claunch) Cox Perryville

PERRYVILLE - The Perryville City Council budget meeting to discuss the second reading of the city budget has been postponed due to the absence of council members. The meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Perryville city hall. Not enough council members would be present to vote, according to City Clerk Mona Followell. The meeting is postponed until further notice. Followell said council members still are being contacted to determine the best time for another meeting. The budget must be passed by July 1.

Dear Editor: I live on Jackson Street in Perryville. I am very concerned about the traffic on this road. Around 4 p.m. every day, there are numerous cars that do speeds up to 60 mph. This is a 35 mph zone. My son ran in the road a year ago and was hit by a car, doing the speed limit. I can only imagine if one of those cars that do 60 had hit him. So, please, if you travel down Jackson Street in Perryville, go slow because there are a lot of children in this area. Jami Tyler Perryville

Country music singer Eddie Montgomery was honored for being one of Perryville's "favorite and best-known sons" Monday when a sign proclaiming the city as the "Home of Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry" was unveiled on U.S. 150. An emotional Montgomery wiped away tears before kissing the sign. "Perryville is America. This is where you want your family to be. When I go out on the road, I can't wait to get back here," Montgomery said. Signs are being placed at the four major entrances to Perryville.

PERRYVILLE - A Perryville man died Saturday after he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a guardrail. According to the Boyle County Sheriff's Department, Robert L. Roemisch, 71, of 2330 Battlefield Road was driving his 1982 Suzuki motorcycle near 328 N. Jackson St. in Perryville when the accident occurred. The motorcycle flipped over an embankment and was totaled as a result of the accident. A neighbor heard the crash about 7 p.m. Saturday, and Roemisch's landlord reported him missing, said Boyle County Coroner Dr. James Ramey.

PERRYVILLE - Mayor Bruce Richardson, owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and Benjamin Press, is recuperating from a fall. Richardson expects to be released from Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville in the next few days. Full recovery is expected to take approximately six to eight weeks. While Richardson is recovering, Councilwoman Anne Sleet will serve as mayor pro-tem. No further information was available from the family or the city.