SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Page A-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: Old-time comportment guidelines, I find, are generally most instructive. From 1882, I learned tilting back in your chair at the dinner table and idly drumming on your head with a fork is condemned in good society. When introduced to a young lady, “immediately ask her age and the size of her shoes. This will put you on an easy conversational plane.” I’ve never been that charming. The Republican advised in 1895 that nothing beyond a bow was required when men or women were introduced to you. I shall remain silent when next I meet someone. If you were a boarder or a guest at a big mansion in 1882, you never hurried down for dinner if someone was running late. Wait at least half an hour. It just might be you next time crawling around looking for a lost collar button. Or possibly misplaced dentures. Readers were advised in 1880 not to interrupt when another was speaking. Nothing was recommended when the speaker wouldn’t allow a word in edgewise. I’m constantly in this situation, my thoughts inaudible. For that reason, I’m considered mysterious and potentially aloof. If you can speak, never shout during conversation. Instead, “a firm, clear, distinct, yet mild, gentle, musical voice, has great power.” Never condemn ugly people, particularly when one or more with that “defect” are within earshot. Union readers in 1881 discovered it was quite the faux pas – at least among Austrian ladies “of high station” – to serve two dishes of the same color in succession. One Austrian lady did and it was “a fault for which she was hardly to be forgiven.” I bet it was sweet corn and squash. Possibly peppers. Laramie Boomerang editor Bill Nye advised in 1883 against loving a young woman without her knowledge or consent, or “she will hit you with something and put a Swiss sunset over your eye.” Instead, “give her 20 or 30 years in which to see your merits.” Sound suggestion. “The main thing you have to look out for now is to restrain yourself from marrying people who do not want to marry you.” Again, sagacious counsel. Dear Editor, the defunct Brownsburg Record’s etiquette columnist in 1923 was just as wise in describing a “real gentleman.” If dining with his beloved at his future mother-in-law’s residence and the old woman launches into a coughing fit, the gentleman quietly rises “with a manner full of respect and consideration,” and proceeds to pound her on the back with his fist until the episode passes. And if you’re taking a young lady for a motor ride, never insist she pony up for all the gas and oil. Rather, “if she wants to buy a new tire occasionally do not mar her pleasure by refusing.” Danville in the mid-1800s was divided into a class society and the twain never mixed. Population was somewhat beyond 1,000. “It is a well-known, as well as a lamentable, fact that for a number of years Danville society has been considerably split up.” The Union in 1876 identified three to four classes, “each holding aloof from the other, and seldom, if ever, co-mingling in social, or even neighborly, intercourse.” I know the populace at the town’s southwest was seedier, but that was decades later. As well, that far back hardly anyone lived on the other side of the railroad tracks. “Cod-fish aristocracy” occupied the top berth. Those folks were “galvanized, silver-plated and gold-mounted.” Most likely, they were the ones who paid attention to etiquette and fashion recommendations emanating from New York and Paris. They deigned not to mingle with the middle class, “hence they have been left alone in their glory to waste their sweetness on the desert air.” The middle class, in turn, “have turned the cold shoulder to those of the lower class.” The fourth class was not identified. Perhaps mentioning that caste was forbidden. As a result, “the beautiful embryotic city of Danville” had been unable to assemble enough young people to “compose a social party large enough to be dignified by the name.” Times were changing. The cod fish wanted to mingle with the masses, particularly during election time. Danville could be on the cusp of “the dawn of a better day.” Paul Miner Lizton ______________________________________________________________________
East Coast Report by Jerry Vornholt [The Republican’s publisher shares observations and reflects on his recent trip to his home state of Delaware.] The Boardwalk, A Lesson in 3 Acts: Part II, John and Brenda “Hey,” a stranger yelled out to me while I walked on the boardwalk trying to take a picture of the sun rise, “You want me to take a picture with you and the sunrise?” I had no idea who this person was, but he and his wife were sitting on one of the boardwalk benches with Yeti mugs full of coffee and wearing naturally gentle smiles. “Uh, no, I’m good. Thanks for asking though,” I answered. “Well, you should enjoy every sunrise of every day if you can,” he replied. “Yes,” his wife echoed, “we come out every day to walk and watch the sunrise.” I got up late and wanted to run to the beach to catch the sunrise. I had no idea why this lovely couple started talking to me. That is, until 30 minutes later, after having shared an abridged version of their lives and mine. John was a salesman for a commercial contractor in New Jersey for 50 years. Brenda raised the kids. About two years ago, John had a life-threatening heart attack. He and Brenda concluded every day was a blessing so they committed they would wake up every morning and drive to the boardwalk to watch the sunrise (yes, even in winter). Over the course of two years, they made lots of boardwalk friends. We were constantly interrupted by passersby. “Morning John, morning Brenda,” said one. “Hey John, I see you found another victim,”said another nodding towards me. John and Brenda were just two content people enjoying the moments they were living in. They remind me of some of our readers. People who make me want to be better.
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Epilogue I made a list of possible stories to write for the newspaper. I realized a theme ran through them. The powerful third act of a play; learning out of thousands of souls saved by the lifeguards very few expressed their thanks; and John and Brenda living an appreciated life. Savor the sunrise. Every day. __________ We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Buddha
Thursday, October 21, 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 October 22, 1896 Lizton: The new school house in district No. 3 being completed, Mr. Brammell began the second term Monday. Avon: Joe Reid has purchased the old Bailey school house and leased the ground where it stands. He has partitioned it off make a snug four-room cottage of it. Amo: The measles are still on the boom with thirty-five or forty new cases this week. The schools at Hazelwood are closed on account of diphtheria. It is recommended by the Board of Health that each child at school have its own drinking cup. Monday’s rally at North Salem was a surprise to the good people there, who, while they expected a crowd, were totally unprepared for the thousands at thronged the streets. Avon: A rapid flurry of big snow flakes Oct. 18th made the small boy’s blood and body leap and caused the old man to shiver and sigh. Oak Ridge: We have a man in our township who does nothing but attend rallies and ‘rah for McKinley. New Winchester: Since our last report, the Republican ranks are re-enforced by two boys, Henry Baird’s and Ezra Mason’s. The former has called his boy McKinley. The Avon McKinley Club had one of the best meetings of the campaign last Saturday night. Ira J. Ross carried the house the house by storm in an eloquent flight of oratory. Amo: The McKinley club of this place is very enthusiastic. Our glee club, that call themselves the “Triplet Quartet,” render a number of original songs at each meeting. Dr. Parker, health officer, made. Round of the town last week to inspect the cases of diphtheria to ascertain if it would be prudent to open school Monday. _____ ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of October 20, 1921 Yesterday morning, the E.R. Robards bank at Stilesville failed to open its doors. A posted notice stated that the bank has closed for voluntary liquidation. It is believed this is the first bank in Hendricks County every to close its doors because of financial embarrassment. Five boxes, containing 275 garments contributed by Friends of Danville and Mill Creek, were packed this week and will be forwarded for relief of suffering in central Europe. Miss Heacock, county nurse, has been in Guilford township this week and today is examining the children of the Quaker school. J.L. Darnell received a car of fine northern Wisconsin potatoes Tuesday and they are the only real Wisconsin potatoes. Sherman Christy was an extra clerk at the grocery during the potato rush. A notable meeting of the Up-to-Date club was. Held with Mrs. Charles Smith yesterday afternoon, when Miss Hazel Hargrave reviewed “Main Street” and charmingly interpreted the heroine, Carol. Straight salary, $35.00 per week and expenses to man or woman with rig to introduce Eureka Egg Producer. The Boy Scouts, in charge of Assistant Scoutmaster M.L. Hess, went on a “hike” to the “Devil’s Back Bone,” Friday afternoon and spent the night. Mrs. Anna Tincher grew on her farm a monster pumpkin seventy-two inches in circumference, is forty-one inches long and weighs sixty-five pounds. The Pollyanna Girls Sewing club will entertain, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the mothers and members of the Home Economics club in the American Legion hall. _____ SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of October 24, 1946 Roy Callahan, a returned veteran of Stilesville, and a forger sergeant in the Marine corps, was awarded a new Oldsmobile from the Essex company in Indianapolis. This is the first government car to be received by an injured veteran in this county. Dr. E.C. Cumings, president of Canterbury College, announced today the appointment of Fredrick Neal as new Dean of Men. Mrs. John Jenner has opened Boots’ Beauty Box Shop on the second floor of the Porter building. E.E. Long sold his grocery store and huckster route at Hardscrabble and is moving to Danville. Allen Campbell was elected president of the Hendricks County Tuberculosis As-
sociation at a recent meeting of the executive committee. Representatives from each of the sororities and fraternities on the Canterbury College campus met recently for the first Greek Council meeting. South Liberty Home Economics club met last Tuesday at noon in the dining room of the Spring Hill Café. Center Township War Mothers are asking for the names and addresses of all men and women from the township who are now in service overseas, in order that they may be remembered with Christmas gifts _____ FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of October 21, 1971 Announcement was made, Monday, that the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board has decided to build the state’s new Police Academy on a 310-acre tract of state-owned land at Plainfield. The Halloween spirit roams the hills of the Frank Konovsek farm, Brownsburg. For the third year, Mrs. Konovsek and her husband, with the aid of their six children, have transformed the barn into a Halloween fantasy for youngsters. Marion Ginn, president of the State Bank of Lizton, and Hildon Ayers, vice-president and branch manager at Pittsboro, held break ground, last Monday morning, for a new branch building on South Maple St., Pittsboro. An open house is scheduled for October 24, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Brownsburg Public Library, 104 E. Main. Mrs. Sandra Martin Burnell was among 79 students receiving graduation certificates, October 1, from the School of Practical Nursing at Arlington High School, Indianapolis. Louise Platter, Danville, received the United Farm Bureau Insurance Award for the painting, “Ladybug Retreat,” at the Indianapolis Artists Club award tea at L.S. Ayers. Visit our newest facility – Drive-In, Walk-up – West Marion St., Danville, across from the Post Office. The Danville State Bank. _____ TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of October 17, 1996 The Greater Danville Chamber of Commerce has embarked on the information highway with its own World Wide Web page on the Internet to provide instant information about the community. Monday night, the Danville School Board honored Helen Disney, food service manager for 40 years, upon her retirement. Levi Riggs, Danville Middle School Grade 6, is back by popular demand – he will be giving an encore performance during the “Nothing But Country” musical concert sponsored by the Danville Community High School Choral Department on November 2. Levi brought down the house at last year’s Grade 5 “Monster Mash” with his rendition of “Sold!” The Association of Indiana Counties honored Hendricks County with its “County Achievement Award” and County Clerk Connie Lawson with its “Outstanding Clerk of the Circuit Court” award at its recent 38th annual conference. Shelly Buckingham, 16 year old daughter of Dick and Jane Buckingham, North Salem, received the honor of having her drawing and writing selected for the Peace Wall Project at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. _____ TEN YEARS AGO Issue of October 20, 2011 Brownsburg Community School System became the latest school system to adopt the balanced calendar for the 201213 school year. To answer a growing need in these hard economic times, the Hendricks County Food Pantry is sponsoring its second Treats for Tots campaign. The original, signed manuscript that eventually became Front Porch Tales, the first book from best selling author Philip Gulley will be auctioned by the Hendricks Regional Health Foundation as part of the Treat People Better award and auction event. North Salem: The new Italian restaurant will soon be open. They have spent so much time completely re-doing the former Dr. Wisehart office. A new sign, proclaiming, “Downtown Danville – Since 1824” was added to the upper side wall at 58 West Main on Wednesday. The sign was put up by the Downtown Danville Partnership, with the cooperation of the building’s owner, Gerald Vornholt. __________
