Scheister Gazette Archives
“Recovered newspapers, editorials, advertisements, letters, announcements, public notices, and other printed materials published by The Scheister Gazette and preserved by the Schitt Family Historical Archives.”
The Scheister Gazette has served Little Schitt’s Crossing and the surrounding communities since 1869. While the newspaper has never claimed neutrality regarding local politics—or the Schitt family in particular—it remains one of the most valuable surviving sources for county history.
Many issues exist only as incomplete or damaged copies. The documents presented here have been digitized and annotated where appropriate.
Researchers are reminded that newspaper reporting reflects the opinions, assumptions, and knowledge available at the time of publication.
Archived Documents
SG-2009-12-23
Who Exactly IS Jack Schitt?
Letter to the Editor
Published: December 23, 2009
Publication: The Scheister Gazette
REF SG-2009-12-23
Scheister Gazette —“Who exactly IS Jack Schitt?” – Letter to the Editor
Acquisition: Donated anonymously to the Schitt Family Historical Archives in 2016.
Curator’s Note: Anonymous my hind leg… Everybody in this county knows who slid it under my office door.
Filed by: Crock O. Schitt, County Family Historian
Curator’s Remarks
Now folks have asked me over the years why I keep this here newspaper clipping in the Archives.
Simple.
“’Cause” this is the first documented occasion where somebody outside – but used ta be inside – tha family accidentally confirmed a whole pile of Schitt genealogy while tryin’ to embarrass one Schitt in particular.
Ms Noe done wrote that letter thinkin’ she was settin’ Jack straight. Woman fergot she had 29 years ta do that ‘n never succeeded ……. Once.
What she actually done was leave future historians one mighty fine primary source. Course… she likely weren’t thinkin’ about historians at the time.
She was simmerin’ about Jack like a hot teapot.
Now… She does make one statement I feel obliged to address.
“…I will not mention a goat.” Well NOW…
She done mentioned the goat.
That officially places a goat into the historical record ….. agin’.
Unfortunately she neglected to identify which goat she wus blamin’.
We’ve had several.
As for Jack…
County records verify the divorce.
The Gazette verifies the letter.
Jack verified absolutely nothin’.
I asked him ‘bout it.
He said,
“I ain’t discussin’ it.”
He looked at me fer’ bout five seconds… then shut the barn door.
Historians call that “limited cooperation.”
Which, for Jack, was considerably more words than usual.
Curator’s Conclusion
Researchers are advised to remember two things.
First…
A spouse generally knows more than the neighbors.
Second…
A divorced spouse generally tells the neighbors considerably more than they actually need to know. Readers are therefore encouraged to compare Miss Noe’s comments with other contemporary records before reaching any final conclusions.
Third…
All I’m a sayin is this —– twenty-nine years, a hot summer, a fryin pan er’ onions er’ whiskey … a barn and well, all sudden ya git Schitt-Sherlock, mita’ been hanky, culda’ been panky but it WUS somthin’.
Except the goat. There was definitely a goat.
Crock O. Schitt
County Family Historian
Schitt Family Historical Archives