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Clay
Delving Into Yester~Year
Local historian and writer Paul Miner takes items from The Republican’s Yester-Year column to develop an interesting, informative and often humorous article.
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To the Editor:
Innovators and inventors were prized in Hendricks County’s past; they were considered vital.
“A world without inventors would consist only of forest and swamp,” the Advertiser declared in 1850.
The Commissioner of Patents, in nearly a full front-page report, the essence of which I do not even pretend to boil down, described those creative souls’ mission: “The inventors are . . . the revealers and expounders of the practical doctrines of civilization, and more than any other class have they shown us how to lessen life’s evils and multiply its good.”
In 1847, Danville’s Henry Burger patented a cross-cut machine for sawing logs up to three feet in diameter, and stone. Lightweight, two men could carry it. “A boy of 12 years of age can saw one cord of wood suitable for any stove in one hour.”
I’ve sawn hundreds of cords; Burger’s boast is impressive.
Eel River Township carpenter Isaac Carman claimed status around 1870 as an “inventor of wings, but did not get the flop good.”
I bet they were wooden wings. Imagine if he’d been successful. Danville could have been an air freight hub for farmer milk, bacon and egg deliveries. With Danville’s central location, town merchants could have dominated the county business scene.
Green Valley’s G.W. Woods demonstrated “his ingenuity” in 1888 with a hog ring contrivance, allowing one man to easily handle the task. “It is praised by all who see it.”
Having helped ring hogs, I can attest it’s unwise to grab them by the back legs.
John Shaffer, formerly of Danville, arrived back in town in 1889 “in the interest of a patent thimble, of which he is the inventor.” A seamstress thimble or a stove pipe thimble?
Clayton broom maker C. Hunt devised a “simple contrivance” in 1889 for sweeping high ceilings for “those housewives who are desirous of clearing the cobwebs from remote corners in high places.”
Attaching a hollow tin tube to the end of a mop stick and inserting the broom handle transformed the broom into something “to sweep the sky.”
In 1890, Mill Creek’s William H. Tinder invented a bean threshing machine. “It is a great invention, and if patented, will, without doubt, bring him a fortune.”
Edmund B. Walkup invented a typesetting machine he used in his newspaper office in Ottawa, Ohio. He didn’t live in Danville, but he died there in 1919 and is buried at the South Cemetery.
Danville man James Budd who moved to Kansas held several patents for washing machine inventions. Charles Dill invented a street annunciator for street cars in 1900. The device showed the names of cross streets, “thus relieving the conductor of the trouble of calling them.”
Pittsboro’s Oliver C. Warrick invented and patented an automatic cultivator in 1911 that could be “converted into three distinct implements by a simple device.”
In 1913, Warrick patented and marketed a fence ground anchor. I have to wonder whether Oliver, who lived until 1953, was the same guy who patented “an apparatus” for air and sea navigation in 1930, and a method of grave vault construction in 1949.
Coatesville’s Claude Wilson sought a patent in 1913 for a clock he devised which called out the time rather than striking. The “talking machine attachment” could be programmed to say whatever Wilson desired, including playing any choice of music.
Joseph Keeney, formerly of Danville, spent “considerable time” experimenting, and invented the King mop, a revolving kitchen cabinet, a combination table-bed, “besides several other household articles,” according to his Indianapolis Star obituary in 1913.
Danville Light, Heat & Power Co. manager M.K. Foxworthy invented a wind guard for Ford cars in 1917. The guard blocked air from coming in between the car top and the windshield.
Former Danville merchant William Vawter launched a business files operation with Albert Baker sometime in the late 1800s; they formed Baker-Vawter Company.
Vawter invented the loose-leaf ledger system, “which revolutionized bookkeeping and office systems.” Vawter, who died in 1921, became “very wealthy.”
I’ve seen cabinets bearing that company name.
Paul Miner Lizton
Publisher’s Point of View
Sitting Down with the Candidates
6 East Main Street ~ P.O. Box 149 Danville, IN 46122 Phone: 317-745-2777 / Fax: 317-647-4341
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SUBSCRIPTION RATE $50 PER YEAR SINGLE COPY $1.00 PUBLISHED WEEKLY MEMBER SINCE 1933
The Republican Hendricks County, LLC Gerald W. Vornholt, President
Spring is here, the weather is nice and you want to be outside. But how are you going to read next week’s newspaper to learn about local candidates running for office if you are outside? No problem. Next week’s newspaper can be read outside. No cables, batteries or Wi-Fi needed. Warning: may need a source of light after dark.
With the help of contributors Melissa Gibson and Cooper Lee the newspaper will have responses from almost every candidate running contested races in the county. I personally covered the Sheriff, House District 28, Center Twp. Trustee and Danville Town Council races. Out of the nine candidates I interviewed, all nine feel strongly about serving. All nine came into the newspaper and answered questions for about two hours each without knowing the questions in advance. Each one was recorded with their permission.
There are three candidates running for Hendricks County Sheriff. Since there are no Democrat challengers, the next Top Cop of Hendricks County will most likely be chosen on May 3. Do you know how each one feels about “constitutional carry”? Find out what they want to accomplish during their term. Find out what, in their opinion, is the biggest law enforcement issues facing Hendricks County.
Jeff Thompson has held the Indiana House District 28 seat for 24 years. What do you think he has to say about term limits? Hear what his Democrat opponent, John Futrell, has to say about it. Find out how Jeff voted on controversial House Bill 1134 and why.
In other races you can learn what Town Council candidates in Plainfield and Danville think are the biggest issues facing those towns. Brownsburg and Avon town councils do not have any contested seats in the primaries.
It has been fascinating talking to these candidates. You get to know people well after spending two or more hours with them. For the first time in my voting life, I am keenly familiar with each candidate. The newspaper will not be endorsing any of the candidates at this time but I know who I would vote for if I could. Don’t just keep next week’s newspaper to yourself, please share it with those that don’t subscribe. They need to read it before making their vote. On an optimistic note, each candidate, unsolicited, made a point to say they would not run a negative campaign against their opponents. Let’s hope. Always remember and BETTY JO BARTLEY never forget, a conservative Editor is someone who believes in reform… but not now, a liberal’s generosity is only limited by your income, and an independent is a guy PRINTED ON RECYCLED who wants to take the poliPAPER WITH SOY INK tics out of politics. _____ The Republican has published local news weekly since 1847. We offer this column as a look back at events from our archives and to help connect today’s readers to the people and events in our past.
Water will run uphill at Hargrave’s wonder entertainment, April 5th.
John Kain will build a home this spring on North Washington street. A plan is on foot to widen that portion of the street from Dr. Hoadley’s, north by the property owners dedicating five feet to the roadway.
Everyone who is interested in a graded school for Maplewood, either in Center, Union or Middle township, should sign the petition for a joint school.
Brownsburg: The boys have opened a first class club room at the railroad. It is in a box car and the pass word is “come down to Brynies and eat soup with the boarders.”
Plainfield: Since the match between Corbett and Fitzsimmons has been on, pearly all the youngsters from the age when boys don knee pants to the age of twenty-five have been straining every muscle to become scientific boxers.
Good Outing bicycle, almost as good as new, will trade for good young house. J.W. Ayers.
The best wheel is the Bellis. Fifty and seventy-five dollars at McCurdy’s.
Avon: Eli Euliss’ straw hat is beginning to look a little more. In season. He has worn it all winter.
New Winchester: Some persons attending church Sunday night has a collision with their buggies on account of darkness. Ed Nichols and wife were thrown out and their buggy turned upside down, but neither was hurt.
In the primary contest to decide who should represent Danville High School in the discussion contest, John Hume won.
A German Coach horse show on our streets Saturday attracted much attention. The animal is a beautiful dark bay, 16 ½ hand high and weights 1,450 pounds. He was imported from Oldenburg, Germany.
The debating club of Central Academy has been a success the past term and the boys will strive with renewed vigor to become debaters of note during the next term.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of March 23, 1922
An effort is being made to widen the Rockville road so it can carry its heavy traffic more safely and also as a preliminary step in its permanent improvement.
Friday, April 21, will be the big day of the school year in the county. All the school children are to be brought to Danville for a play and educational festival. The day will open with a parade from the Mattie A. Keeney building to the park.
Articles of incorporation have been filed in the recorder’s office for the NonTheft Steering Wheel Company, with its main office oat North Salem. J.S. Baker is president and J.B. Fleece is secretary.
Danville lodge, Knights of Pythias, is preparing to modernize and improve its castle hall on East Main street. A cement foundation will be put under the building, connection made with the sewer, a steam heating plant installed and the building will either be brick-veneered or stuccoed.
Twentieth century chicken thieves, operating with a truck, made a cleaning in the southeast part of Danville early Tuesday morning. They took chickens by the wholesale and left no trace.
Amo: Telephone dues are to be paid April 1 to 10. Service will be denied to those delinquent. The dues on owned phones is $15 and the rental phones $2.25 per quarter.
J. Sherry Jones, of Clayton, is rambling around over the United States, starting with a pocket full of railroad passes, and intending to be gone until they are all used up.
Girls’ clubs have been organized at New Winchester, Avon, Hazelwood and Clayton. Home Economics agent Miss Dix has been visiting school in various parts of the county looking after these organizations.
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of March 20, 1947
Over 500 people, including visitors from all over the county, attended the spring opening of the Pittsboro Hardware Company. Mrs. Charles Blevins received the door prize, a Filter Queen Vacuum Cleaner.
Mrs. Arthur Shartle, Danville, and Mrs. Eva Waters, Pittsboro, whose pen name is “Tiny Mite,” were the first prize winners in a state poetry contest recently conducted by Poet’s Corner, Indianapolis.
Center Township War Mother are making plans to send Easter boxes to patients at Billings hospital.
Wilson H. Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parker, 252 S. Cross St., has received the Rector Scholarship award at DePauw university.
Miss Betty Lou Craig of Plainfield has been appointed exchange editor of the Ball State News at Ball State College. Mis Craig is a sophomore and a member of the Pi Kappa Sigma and Girls Club.
Young musicians of the county high schools are rehearsing for the annual All-County Musical to be in the Canterbury gymnasium Friday evening, March 28, at 8 o’clock. More than a thousand students will take part in the annual classic, which is free to the public.
FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of March 23, 1972
Richard J. Groover, judge of the Hendricks Circuit Court, has ruled that the election conducted by the Town of Coatesville on November 3, 1971 to elect officers of that town was a legal election. The ruling came following the review of a suit filed by Jerry L. Underwood.
Beta Unit of Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority, Danville, met at the home of Mrs. Rex Skillman to plan an organization meeting of the Danville Friends of the Library.
Danwood Neighborhood has sold 699 cases of Girl Scout Cookies.
The Hendricks County Young Republicans had an organizational meeting last night, in the GOP headquarters, south side of the square, Danville.
Russell H. Rayburn of Plainfield, former superintendent of schools in Hendricks County and a 50-year educator, has been named one of five Hoosiers to be included in the 1972 edition of “2,000 Men of Achievement.”
Hendricks County Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes will have an organizational meeting, Sunday, in the Plainfield First Savings and Loan.
The engagement and approaching marriage of Miss Barbara Jane Whicker and Mr. N. Michael Peters is announced by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Whicker, RR3, Danville.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of March 20, 1997
The Hendricks County Museum will celebrate its recent renovation with a special two-day open house on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23, from 2 – 7 p.m.
The Mill Creek Tri Kappa, Zeta Tau chapter, annual Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 22, at the Cascade Junior High School.
Danville Police Chief Garry Edwards reported to the Danville Town Council that they got a nice slice of the E-911 pie, $27,900.
Marcia Mussman of Danville has received at $50 Merit Award for a photograph entitled, “Misplaced” in the Juried Student Art Competition at Saint Mary of the Woods. She is a senior humanities major.
Hendricks County Senior Services announced the retirement of Violet Zinn, services coordinator for the past nine years.
Brock Ridgeway, Avon, was awarded a master’s degree in Business Administration.
Amanda Arnold, a student at Mill Creek West Elementary and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Arnold, is the winner of the DAR American History Essay Contest in the grade 6 category.
TEN YEARS AGO Issue of March 22, 2012
Indiana State Senator Connie Lawson (R-Danville) was appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels as the Indiana Secretary of State last week and sworn in by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
Hendricks Regional Health’s Chief Executive Officer says he will resign from the post this month. Dennis W. Dawes has been with HRH since 1972.
Hendricks County Parks & Recreation wants to blaze a new, modern-day trail with the expansion of the Vandalia Trail.
Frank & Mary’s restaurant at Pittsboro has been sold to Joe Boarin and Chef Sean McBride.
The Hendricks Elite Aquatics Swim Team (HEAT) is a new swim club offering year round swimming as well as seasonal lessons and a two month summer competition team.
Danville Community Middle School swimmer Kendall Startzman left 22 challengers in her wake to win the 2012 Sagamore Conference Middle School 50-meter freestyle swim competition at Crawfordsville High School on March 13.
