Yester~Year

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.

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of April 30, 1896

Pecksburg: The remains of Milo Hardwick were put off here Friday evening and buried at Mill Creek. He was nineteen years old, six feet four inches high and weighted 216 pounds and fell 136 feet off of an Indianapolis building.

Avon: Charley Ragan wheeled up from Plainfield to see old friends, Sunday.

Plainfield: Lawn tennis is all the go at the academy.

They say: There is a grandmother in Danville learning to ride a wheel.

Charley McCurdy will repair anything at his shop except bicycles and on them he draws the line.

It would surprise you to know of the dignified people who have been practicing on a wheel these moonlight nights.

It is said that a plan is on foot whereby the Vandalia will build an electric line from Terre Haute to Indianapolis. This line will be used for local traffic and the main line will be used for through business and freight.

Danville will have an election after all. The mistake in not certifying the ticket caused quite a commotion and lawyers were in demand.

Evan Estep has passed the examination and been admitted to the practice of law at Honolulu.

W.R. McClelland, bicycle, met a buggy, fell off, almost broke an arm.

A new press will shortly be added to the outfit of his office which will be in still better condition to turn out the neatest and best work.

The colored people had a social event of no little important last week, in the marriage of Mangrum Phillips and Mary Harper, Rev. Taylor officiating.

The McKinley club of the college has received a number of fine McKinley badges and they are to be seen on almost every student. The club now numbers about 400 members and will exceed 500 when the ladies are enrolled as members.

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ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of May 5, 1921

The architect who came to inspect the Mattie A. Keeney building last week though some of the walls were not in the best condition and estimated that $40,000 would be required to put the building in shape.

Avon: Forrest Hessong has a Jersey cow decorated with the badge of the Legion of Honor. She is the greatest milker on that street.

Brill & Roberts, last week, purchased from Cunning Stewart, the vacant lot on West Broadway, between south Jefferson and Cross streets, and will erect a large warehouse and garage upon it. The building will be so constructed that it can be converted into a dwelling house, if the occasion arises.

The service flag of Central Normal College was taken down yesterday morning with appropriate exercises.

New Winchester: Leslie Goodwin held a “rat killin’” in his barn Monday afternoon in which they murdered one hundred and fifty-two rats and let one get away.

A model school will be conducted in connection with the college this summer thus affording a number of children the opportunity of a longer term of schools.

Friday evening, stockholders of the farmers’ organization completed their organization. Those named as directors were Norman Parsons, C.A. Mackey, Horace G. Miles, J.C. Lowe, J.H. Bradford,John G. Shelton, and Arthur M. Davis.

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SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of May 2, 1946

Willa Dean Harris, popular Danville high school senior, will reign as queen of the annual May prom, Friday evening, May 10,in the gymnasium. William Mc- Clain, president of the senior class, will be Robin Hood.

Of the 191 enrolled for the spring term at Central Normal College, 119 are men, while the women make up the minority group of 72. Eighty-three veterans have enrolled, half of whom are completing college work interrupted by the war.

A notice to proceed with dismantling and removal of three barracks from George Field, Lawrenceville, Ill., and their re-erection and conversion for emergency housing use at Central Normal college was given this week.

Danville’s new Mecca airport was opened, Saturday, by its manager and owner, O.M. Shutts. Two runways have been cleared and flying instruction and rides will be offered each Saturday and Sunday.

Gordan Smith, of Indianapolis, former pilot and instructor will give instructions. A hanger is under construction and final plans include an additional hanger and a chicken dinner establishment.

With a class of twenty, Mrs. Martha Eunice McHaffie Traylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melville McHaffie of Clayton, was administered the oath before the Supreme Court, Wednesday, April 24, in the court chamber, admitting her to the practice of law. She will enter general practice immediately.

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FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of April 29, 1971

Five students from Hendricks County are among the 115 to enter the finals of the Central Indiana Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Indianapolis News. They are: Jeff Browning, Central Elementary, Plainfield; Larry McClane, Cascade Junior High, Clayton; East Elementary, Brownsburg; Greg Robinson, Lizton Junior High; and Vickie Russell, Hazelwood Elementary.

Construction work has resumed at Avon High School’s new addition after several months of delay caused by cement drivers strike and other problems.

Paul T. Brenton, age 48, has joined the Danville law firm of Palmer & Hinkle. The firm will now be called Palmer, Hinkle, Brenton & Keck.

Marion Township 4-H Dairy Judging team will represent Hendricks County in the state meet. Members of the team are Roger Riggs, Rob Thomas, Richard Thomas, and Jess Wagner.

The fairboard announced several new activities are being studied for this year’s fair – horseshoe pitching, freckle counting, watermelon eating, greased pig catching, cheerleading, band battle, and teen dance.

The Danville Band Parents Association is making plans for the annual Birthday Calendar drive.

Daniel Weaver, 102 S. Indiana, Danville, was among those honored at the recent Chemistry Banquet at the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University.

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TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of April 25, 1996

Citizens of Danville are encouraged to participate in an intense, 2-day town meeting focused on preparing the community of over 5,000 for the future. The meeting will be Friday and Saturday, April 27-28 in the new Town Hall, corner of Jefferson and Main streets.

The spring semester Government classes of Mike Neilson at Danville Community High School will be hosting a Meet York Candidates Night in the high school auditorium on April 30, at 7 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. Georgie James Woodrum, 103 Old North Salem Road, will celebrate their 25th anniversary.

The Spartans of Danville 10 & Under AAU boys basketball team advanced to the final16 teams in the state at the North Regional at Anderson of April 11-14.

Total enrollment is projected to increase to 2,300 students by the year 2005 according to the Danville Community School Corporation presentation by the Educatrade Service Co.

The Hendricks Community Hospital Guild is hosting an Art Sale on May 2, in the hospital’s conference room 1.

The Danville Community High School proudly presents Music Shoppe in concert Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., in the high school auditorium. The 13-member girl group, directed by Mark Montgomery, will pay tribute to the music of Broadway and the music of Duke Ellington.

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TEN YEARS AGO Issue of April 28, 2011

The First Friday Cruise-Ins return starting May 6, from 5-9 p.m. Hosted by the Downtown Danville Partnership and Indy Hi-Winders Car Club. This will mark the third year for the event.

Terry Gregory, Brownsburg, claimed his million dollar prize with his wife, Shelly, at Hoosier Lottery Headquarters in Indianapolis.

After a search for candidates, the Town of Brownsburg has hired Grant A. Kleinhenz for the position of Assistant Town Manager.

Hendricks Civic Theater will present “The Dixie Swim Club” April 29 & 20, May 1,6,7,8, 13 & 15 at Longstreet Playhouse, 4998 CR 100E, Danville.

U.S. Attorney General Joseph H. Hogsett recognized Tamatha L. Hasty, Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office as a recipient of the Carol S. Morris Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Rights of Victims.

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