Read it Again: Week of Nov. 15, 2001

80 years ago this week. A grade Shorthorn cow, owned by Miss Libby Hamilton, 80, of southwest Columbus, is believed to be the oldest milking cow in the country – at 39 years old. “Rexy” is still giving enough milk to make 4 pounds of butter a week. She last freshened at the age of 31 (and that daughter is still milking at age 8).

W.A. Snyder of Columbiana was elected president of the Columbiana County Agricultural Society. Other officers are: vice president, J.E. Rice, Wayne Township; secretary. H.E. Marsden, Lisbon; treasurer, J.O. Ewing, Lisbon; speed secretary, J.R. Morrison, Lisbon; show horses, Frank Dickey, East Liverpool; cattle, Frank Bowman, Lisbon; poultry and machinery, Frank Bye; grains, seeds, vegetables and fruits, L.H. Copeland; fine arts, John Patterson; educational department, W.A. Lyder; and newly elected board member, John M. Kerr, sheep.

50 years ago this week. Contentedly grazing on a small hillside pasture at the home of G.H. Knoll of Homeworth, Ohio, is “Roxy.” Her appearance is not unlike that of other ponies, except that she no longer makes such a handsome appearance as in former years. But despite her rough coat and protruding bones, Roxy holds one distinction. She is probably the oldest pony in Ohio, and perhaps in the nation. Believe it or not, she is 44 years of age.

Raised by Dan Bowman, Roxy was foaled on the same day as Bowman’s daughter, Ann Greenawalt of Alliance, Oct. 7, 1907. She was later purchased by a Mr. Grove to be used as his coal bank near New Franklin. However, Roxy proved to large and was sold to Harvey Betz of New Franklin, who, in turn, sold her to Ralph Grimes in 1929. The son-in-law of Knoll, Grimes bought 22-year-old Roxy for his daughter, Shirley. For over two decades the pony has been at home in the small pasture by the Knoll home north of Homeworth Presbyterian Church. Before the gate was bound with wire, Roxy used to open it herself and have a good run.

25 years ago this week. The 1977 Buckeye Barrow Show will still go on, said Herbert Barnes, Extension swine specialist at Ohio State. A major setback halted performance testing when the building in which 162 barrows were housed at Wilmington College burned Oct. 17. However, Don Chafin and Paul Moffit of Wilmington College have agreed to feed another group of pigs in a different facility.