SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Page 2
The Republican
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.
To the Editor: The 1874 Hendricks County “People’s Guide” published a township-by-township directory of mainly males, citing name, occupation, general location, where and when they were born, when they settled here, and political and religious affiliation. This directory offered “a collection of very important documents and statistics connected with our moral, political and scientific history.” That includes churches, lodges, schools and “improvements.” Remembered pioneers were cited. A Clay Township carpenter of roughly 50 years living in Amo, John Lesley was a self-proclaimed pettifogger. He bickered and quibbled over trifles. Or he engaged in chicanery. Either way, I would like to have known him. He was honest about himself. He was a Republican and religiously Independent. J.M.G. Lesley, also of Amo and a county native of roughly 24 years, was a plasterer and contractor. The Republican was a free thinker. Most county men were farmers. Our first settlers arrived from North Carolina in 1818. The first settlements were in Liberty and Guilford Township. The county was organized in 1824 when roughly 1,000 lived here, and the commissioners divided it into four townships. This county went from “a howling wilderness, inhabited by the wild beasts of the forest, to one of the best improved counties in the State, populated by over twenty thousand intelligent, Christian people.” I know there were unrepentant heathens. By 1874, “the wild beasts of the forests (had been) slaughtered and driven from her borders, and the serpent and reptile have been killed and destroyed.” The wolf and bear were gone. County citizens were “industrious, honest and temperate.” A licensed saloon could not be found – not for years. Folks were “liberal, intelligent and church-attending.” Seven Dugans lived northeast of Brownsburg; six were born in Ireland. All were Democrats and Roman Catholics. Martin Dugan, born in Eire in 1818, arrived here in 1853. Joseph Lamer, farming a mile south of Royalton, was “gone from home.” That’s all the Guide had to offer. “Morality, education and temperance” went “hand in hand” in “Centre” Township. Danville was “the resort for those who wish to educate and the home for the retired Israelite.” G.W. Arnold, farming two miles north of Danville, had arrived the year he was born in 1838, was a Democrat and religiously “slim.” I believe he’s buried at the Arnold-Stuart Cemetery just off Ind. 39, south of White Lick Creek. Danville’s N.B. Chamberlin was a boot, shoe and leather dealer born in Connecticut in 1846, arriving in 1872. That Republican was a Free Thinker, meaning he formed his opinions “on the basis of reason independently of authority,” and was a religious sceptic. George Chamberlin, in the same business, surely was related. Born in Connecticut in 1813, he arrived in 1853. The Republican was a Universalist. I don’t know where either are buried, but I learned of custody officer George Chamberlain, age 24-25, murdered by escaping Indiana Prison South inmates in 1874. He rests at Danville South Cemetery. Erasmus D. Nichols, a Danville trader, was county-born in 1843. He enlisted twice for the Union, first with the 53rd Infantry, then the 17th Indiana. His daughter, Mayme, was the second wife of Judge George Woodward Brill. His father, Thomas Nichols, was the county’s second sheriff beginning in 1828 when Danville had but four or five residences. He raised a company of 54 men for the 1832 Black Hawk War. A carpenter and contractor, he built numerous town houses. A justice of the peace, he married at least 150 couples. Dressmaker Adaline Johnson of New Winchester was born in Virginia in 1830, arriving here 29 years later. A Presbyterian, she was a Democrat. Belleville blacksmith E.H. Carter plugged his skill – “shoes a horse so as not to interfere.” Birthed in Kentucky in 1833, he settled in the county in 1867. He was Republican and Christian. I think he was a widower during the war, serving in the 9th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, his three young children remaining behind. Stilesville teacher of vocal music William J. Wilcoxson was born in 1830 in North Carolina and arrived here two years later. He rests at Stilesville Cemetery since 1901. Tennessee-born (1828) Joshua Norman of Clayton had been here since 1833. An Independent, the blacksmith was “free and easy” when it came to religion. I’ll buy that. Paul Miner Lizton ______________________________________________________________________
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It’s News To Us
Birthday parties, new babies, anniversaries, visits from long-lost cousins -these items that make up the kind of news you only find in the pages of The Republican. If you have a local news item you’d like to contribute, you can call us at 317-745-2777, send by fax to 317-647-4341, e-mail to therepublican@ sbcglobal.net or drop by the office at 6 East Main in Danville. Our deadline for submitting news items is noon on Monday for Thursday’s edition.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
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 June 18, 1896 Last week was a busy one for your photographers making likenesses of the students before They left for their homes. Plainfield: The thirteenth annual commencement of Central Academy was held in the Friends church Friday morning. They graduating class consisted of three ladies and eight gentlemen. Arthur York is an unusually industrious young man. He pitched hay Saturday afternoon while the ball game was in progress within hearing distance of the rooters and did not go over. What promises to be one of the most attractive churches in Hendricks county is now being constructed in Cartersburg by the Methodists. The town board and the Electric Light Company had a real love and loving time Friday night. Mr. Richards, of the Light company, presented a bill for service from January 3rd, when the lights were turned on, to July 3rd. It was found the town owed the company $305.58. The festive weed needs cutting in many parts of town. There is no time to do it than today. J.N. Stout, of Hazelwood, presented this office some of the finest raspberries ever seen in the town. W.J.. Wingate has an interest in a recently patented bicycle lock that promises to be a good thing. Plainfield wants bicycles kept off the sidewalks. Brownsburg: The remains of John Sheridan, who was killed at Bloomington last Tuesday by being struck on the head by a base ball, were brought here for burial, which took place Saturday at Greenlawn Cemetery. The superintendent of Indiana University accompanied them here. _______ ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of June 16, 1921 East end citizens are wondering whether they must arm to protect themselves against the rats which have made their headquarters in the newly-filled section of Marion street between Tennessee and Wayne. This is what was formerly known as “the hollow.” John W. Trotter plans to leave in a few days for another trip to his Arkansas farm, where oil operators are trying to lease additional acres of his holdings. Harold Thompson and sister, Miss Effie, left, Saturday, on a motor trip to Portland, Oregon. It was their intention to reach Portland the first week in September, when Miss Effie will resume her Chautauqua work and Harold will enter Washington State university at Seattle. Donald D. Hogate left this morning to take an editorial position on the Logansport Press, a morning daily. Memorial hall, in the court house, and all the flags used in the different ceremonies have been thoroughly disinfected since the smallpox scare a few weeks ago. Bratcher DeMarcus, who has been in an orchestra at West Baden, goes this week to New York City to play in a saxophone orchestra in one of the great gardens. Clayton will have a three day session of Chautauqua work this summer. The date has been set for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 1921. Amo: Wendell Fuson has received an appointment of a clerkship in the Secretary of State’s office and began his work last Monday. At the May primaries in the Hawaiian Islands, Harry D. Wishard was elected supervisor. Mr. Wishard has held this office for some twenty years, it corresponding in a large degree to county commissioner in Indiana. It’s Here. Now open for your inspection, Matthews’ Serve-Yourself Grocery, with prices as low as any Indianapolis Chain Store. Farmers Loan Building, South Side Square, Danville. ______ SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of June 20, 1946 The county’s first colorful mass celebration for returned veterans will begin at 8 o’clock next Thursday evening, June 25, in the Central Normal College gymnasium. George H. Moore, local insurance agent and a veteran of World War II, was elected commander of the Hendricks County Post No. 118 at a meeting at Houseman’s restaurant, last Thursday night. “Canterbury College” is the name selected officially for the school to succeed Central Normal College, according to an announcement made this week by officials of the college and the Episcopal Church. The new name will be adopted at the be-
ginning of the fall semester in September. Approximately 1,000 persons wiped their brows and got a good suntan, Sunday, at the Danville Saddle Club’s Spring Round-up at the club grounds, north of Danville. More than 300 horses participated in the grand parade, which opened the afternoon program. Supervised play at the Danville park began Monday morning with sixteen boys between the ages of six and ten in attendance. More than thirty boys in the ten-tosixteen years group took part in the afternoon play. Mrs. Retta House has resigned as postmistress of the North Salem post office because of ill health the past year. She was appointed in 1933. ______ FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of June 17, 1971 Eighteen Hendricks County 4-H girls are competing for the title of “Miss Hendricks County 4-H Fair.” Over 300 persons attended the Country & Western Benefit Show, Sunday afternoon, at Cascade High School, for the Evelyn Miller Artificial Kidney Fund. Joseph R. Root, of Plainfield, is the new commissioner of the Indiana State Bureau of Motor Vehicles. State Trooper Robert Clark and wife, of North Salem, were injured in motorcycle accident on I-65 near Jefferson. Larry Huff, newly installed president of the Danville Jaycees, has been presented a plaque made by the children at Opportunity Cottage for selling the most honey on Honey Sunday. Huff recorded a record sales of 63 bottles. Charles Etienne, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Edward Etienne, is taking internship at Veterans Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. He is a student at the Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology. Messrs and Mesdames Lois J. Arnold, C. Rawleigh Baker, and Willard Eggers of the local First National Bank and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hiser and Huber Fleece of the Danville State Bank, were at French Lick last week for the annual convention of the Indiana Bankers Association. ______ TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of June 13, 1996 The Danville Community School Board meeting, Monday night, drew a capacity crowd of approximately 75 parents concerned about the feasibility study, the size of the Grade 6 class in the fall, and the dress code. The Cartersburg Fire Department will have its 41st annual Fish Fry, June 13, 14 & 15. “Blanche Accounts” is the title of a McNeely Family Story, published by 95-yearold Danville public accountant Blanche M. Wean, relating her accomplishments as a teacher, mother, accountant, associate and civic-minded friend. Dr. Adolph Moser, Danville pyschologist, has published his fourth book in the Landmark Edition’s highly acclaimed Emotional Input series: “Don’t Despair on Thursday! The Children’s Grief Management Book.” The Amo High School Alumni Association established an educational grant fund through an endowment with the newly-formed White Lick Heritage Community Foundation. The Alpha Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha in Danville awarded a $500 scholarship to Wesley Archer of Danville Community High School. Dave Griffith of Danville, line working foreman for the Hendricks County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, was awarded the state-wide Ernie Shearer Memorial Service Award in recognition of this true co-operative spirit. _____ TEN YEARS AGO Issue of June 16, 2011 More than 6,000 visitors are expected to gather at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex for the 25th National Powwow, an American Indian cultural event, July 6-9. It’s going to be great to have another business at North Salem – Perillo’s Pizzeria – Authentic Italian Food, 5 South Broadway. Family and classmates of Charles “Chuck” Ellis dedicated a tree to his memory in Ellis Park last Saturday. Charles was the grandson of Harvey Ellis, the longtime superintendent for whom the park was named. The Kiwanis Club of Danville recently awarded two $500 scholarships for 2011 to Danville High School Seniors Morgan Katheryn Mason and Kelsey Newcomer. Both will be attending Indiana University.
