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: County relics often are lost or forgotten, replaced, or inadvertently destroyed. Sometimes, people don’t know what they have – or had. We’re occasionally left with early old-timer accounts. Undergoing repairs in 1879, Robert Russel’s house on the Square’s east side reportedly was the first brick building in town. Built around 1829, for 30 years the relic was the post office. Postmaster William S. Crawford would appear at a small window on the building’s west side and call out names of those receiving mail. Out-of-state mail cost 25 cents, which was more than some could afford. They’d have to wait and save before reading their letters. The bench that shoemaker C. Guenther used once served as a blackboard which Henry Ward Beecher employed during Sunday School lessons. I think it was at the old Presbyterian Church north of the standpipe. George Rich then used Beecher’s blackboard to display buckwheat (shape) notes in teaching music. After that, Lena Miller used the blackboard to teach school in a private home. Afterward Guenther converted it to his bench. Boys abused it as a snow sled. Speaking of relics, Bishop John Lancaster Spalding, addressing Notre Dame University commencement exercises in 1890, called “the present position of women . . . a relic of barbarism.” He advocated higher education for women and equal pay with men. “He also condemned the saloon as a barbarous relic.” Pittsboro carriage and school wagon manufacturer Charles Olsen in 1896 owned the former family carriage of Governor Oliver P. Morton. “It is a relic that should be preserved.” Olson also built two automobiles. James Hughes and Jasper Swain bought them. When the former Courthouse was razed in 1912, the relic box within the cornerstone contained an account written on sheepskin parchment by Simon T. Hadley in June 1860. It described histories of the local Masons, Odd Fellows and churches, and included personal notes from residents and Danville Academy students. The Belleville homecoming in 1921 yielded two relics I doubt anyone could find now. A chair former state senator and representative Leander M. Campbell used when he taught school there – he arrived as a young man in the winter of 1852 – was shown by son-in-law Thad S. Adams. Townspeople made the chair and presented it to Campbell, who paid 75 cents a week for room and board. While prosecuting attorney beginning in 1854, Campbell earned no salary; instead, his income was derived entirely from fees yielded from convictions. I see motivation for aggressive prosecution. During that homecoming, Fred Breedlove of Plainfield displayed a cane fashioned from a log from the Belleville log courthouse, built around 1823 for $147. In 1920, Thomas Bence gave John W. Tinder’s Civil War musket to the Grand Army of the Republic relic room at the Courthouse. Tinder and his wife took Bence in when he was 14. The room was set aside in the Courthouse in 1915 “to perpetuate the memory of the heroes of the Civil War.” The county commissioners had “in grateful recognition of the services and achievements” of Union Army and Navy veterans, declared the rooms were “irrevocably set apart as a Memorial Hall and Relic Room . . . for the sole use of the Grand Army of the Republic . . . and for all organizations which may hereafter be formed for the cultivation and promotion of patriotism.” The location, at the first floor’s southwest corner, is now occupied by Superior Court 4 offices; they’re shown on the original floor plans. The “most prized” relic was the group of photographs of Company A, 7th Indiana Volunteers, with half the 77 men from Danville. Most of those donated relics are now at the county museum at 170 S. Washington St. Joe Hess, who ran the Danville Progress one door east of the Post Office at the Square’s southeast corner, displayed a slew of war relics in 1915. There was John Lewis’ saber, fashioned at his blacksmith forge, and “not much larger than a butcher knife.” Seen through the show window, there was Jonathan S. Marshall’s saber from his days with the 21st Indiana Heavy Artillery, and his Spencer carbine. William Selmire contributed the haversack, canteen and cartridge belt he carried for three years. Enoch V. McVay’s powder horn was displayed. He served four years. Paul Miner Lizton ______________________________________________________________________
Publisher’s Point of View Start Talking…
What is Critical Race Theory? More specifically, what does critical race theory mean to those in our community expressing strong opinions about it? As a parent, it is a fair question. As anyone interested in the well-being of our next generation, it is a fair question. In last week’s newspaper we told you about the two guest writers we invited to compose their thoughts on subjects that concern our community. In this week’s newspaper we are publishing their views on critical race theory being taught in public schools. You can find them on page 8. An agreed upon topic was selected from a list. The intent was purposely not to be a point- counterpoint or a Lincoln-Douglas style debate to persuade. Fair warning: these are not toxic clickbait, adrenaline-rushing, hot-under-the-collar essays. Just a couple of opinions. If you want to have fun, read each of these out loud to another person or group and discuss what each writer is wanting to convey to you. How do you feel about what they are saying? Did they give you pause or make you want to learn more about this? Have you discussed this with your kids? Hearing the words spoken out loud can give us a more robust understanding of what is being said. Let us know your thoughts on this and if you would like to see our guests tackle another topic next month. They are willing and ready. ______________________________________________________________________
It’s News To Us
The Republican Hendricks County, LLC Gerald W. Vornholt, President
If you have a local news item to share, our deadline for is noon on Monday for inclusion in Thursday’s edition. You can send your local news items to us by e-mail to therepublican@ sbcglobal.net. Call 317745-2777, send by fax to 317-647-4341. After hours, news items may be slipped in the mail slot in the front door at 6 E. Main, Danville. ___________
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Thursday, November 18, 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 November 19, 1896 The Vandalia railroad, for so many years the most valuable railroad property in the state, is in the hands of a receiver and the holders of small blocks of stock, many of whom live in this county, are wonder what their stock is worth. The Marquette club, of Danville, and the Ben Hur club, of Clayton, will play a game of foot ball Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the Estep ground. Admission fifteen cents. Ladies free. J.T. Thompson, of Amo, was in the city Monday. He thinks he holds the bicycle record between the two towns. He is sixty-three. Years of age and wheeled to Danville via Hadley in one hour. The Republican jollification in Danville Friday night was all that could be desired. The crowd was immense and the fireworks, rockets, candles, colored fire and bombs all burned in excellent style. Some wheelbarrow bets were paid and all in all, it was a pleasant evening – for the Republicans. Alva Huron, of Avon, has been successful in an experiment with hog cholera. He took and boiled a tea from them. This tea was then mixed with the feed with most satisfactory results. Cockleburs have long been known as a house-hold remedy. Will exchange photographs for stove wood at Pendergast’s gallery. Home Wanted: For boy of eight months and girl of four years. The children are of American parentage, sound in body and mind. For information, apply to Moses Dicks, Fillmore, Indiana. The next change in the election law should be to adopt the use of machines in voting. It has many arguments in its favor and would give more nearly a secret ballot than the present method. New Winchester: We think our village can boast of the youngest and best looking grandmother in the county. She is barely thirty-five years old and looks much younger. For further particulars, call on Mrs. Mat Pierson. The advertisements of John Rawlings, boot and shoe dealer, that appear in this paper are attracting much attention. They are the work of Clyde Warner. Several of them have been submitted to eastern advertising experts and pronounced excellent. _____ ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of November 17, 1921 The beautiful new parsonage at Coatesville was dedicated Sunday, Nov. 6. This modern, one-story-and-a-half brick building is of the bungalow design, equipped with all the conveniences of the present day, an up-to-date pastor’s home. Sheriff Clark threw a little party yesterday morning. It was a liquid party and the aroma of the news spread throughout the court house. The Sheriff destroyed the liquor recently captured on the National Road. Prosecutor Hume was a guest and the other guests were the editor of the Gazette and the editor of The Republican. Mr. Hal and Mr. Hogate did the pouring as the contents of the pints and quarts gurgled into the sewer. Mr. Hume stacked away the empty bottles. Old-time friends of Harry D. Wishard will be glad to learn that his most recent honor was that of his election to the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce on the island of Kauai, territory of Hawaii. Homer Clark, northeast of town, was the victim of a birthday surprise party, Sunday, when some 100 neighbors called on him with well-filled baskets. James V. Cook was honored by being elected senior vice primo of the Boys of Auld Lange Syne, a social club composed of men who have been members of the Elks lodge for twenty-one years or more. Coatesville: Sidewalks have completed from West Main street along Elrod street to the interurban station. _____ SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of November 21, 1946 Dr. Edgar C. Cumings, 36-year-old native Hoosier, was inaugurated as first president of Canterbury College during colorful ceremonies, Saturday morning. Leighton Platter, operator of the Danville Bus Line, became a member of the Hendricks County Council at the organization meeting, Saturday. Bonnie Sue, small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Worrell, of Lizton, was taken to Riley hospital for the treatment of polio. In a recent report on Indiana weekly newspapers, made by the American Weekly Newspaper Publishers Council in New York, The Republican was the only news-
paper in Hendricks county rated above average for the state in all its departments. The Hoosier hotel changed management when Mrs. Frank Draper and son, Paul H. Draper, of Thorntown, assumed management November 16. Miss Martha Hoban joined The Republican staff this week as sports writer. The New Winchester Night Owls defeated the Roachdale Independents Thursday night, score 41-31. November 20, 1946 can be remembered as the day that violets were in bloom on the lawn at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Gulley. _____ FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of November 18, 1971 Phase III construction project of the Hendricks County Hospital was schedule to begin this week. Approval was granted for the conditional use of a landfill in Washington Township by the Hendricks County Board of Zoning Appeals, Monday night. Miss Ina Shaw, librarian for the Danville Public Library for 18. Years and Vernon Nichols, a member of the library board for 17 years, were honored at a party given by the board members, November 10. The Hendricks County Historical Society plans the production of a booklet of “Historical Landmarks of Hendricks County,” and the possibility of a future Hendricks County Museum. James E. McCart, superintendent of the Indiana Youth Center, has been named the new director of the Indiana Diagnostic & Reception Center. Avon schools were closed and several families in the area were evacuated from their homes. Friday, when a ruptured railroad car released chemical vapors at the Big Four Railroad yards. Striving to make a happy Christmas for patients at Mucatatuck State Hospital, collection boxes for Christmas gifts and donations have placed all over Hendricks County. Nancy Wright was chairman for the Christmas in October for the Women of the Moose. Gifts donated by members and co-workers were sent to Mooseheart and Moosehaven. _____ TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of November 14, 1996 The 1996 General Election set at least three records – number of residents eligible to vote (51,487); number who voted (36,318); and the number of absentee ballots (2,410). Mrs. Ann Tussey, Danville School Corporation kindergarten teacher, has arranged her collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and memorabilia at the Danville Public Library. She has at least 100 dolls of various shapes and sizes in this group. The Coatesville Advertiser is going to keep open after the death of its owner, Charles Zoder. His widow, Mrs. Avis Zoder, will conduct business as usual. The Hendricks County Youth Council developed a new recognition program in the areas of leadership, achievement, and citizenship in 1996 by giving certificates of excellence in each of those three categories for a young man and young woman. Cheryl Bell, a clinical care coordinator on night shift and Hendricks Community Hospital was selected as November Ambassador at the hospital. A daughter was born November 7 to Mr. and Mrs. Allen A. Hasagawa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cora Kiyoko Hasagawa tipped the scales at 7 lb. 4 oz. The mother is the former Janet Helton of Danville. Lois Tincher of Danville has been selected as one of Hardee’s Best Biscuit Makers in a system-wide competition by the fast food chain. _____ TEN YEARS AGO Issue of November 17, 2011 A new facet has been added to the fifth annual Christmas on the Square, to extend the fun for an additional two weeks: a 30 x 45 ft. synthetic skating rink will be set up over a portion of Marion street, on the south side of the square. Alexandria Lawson, 18, has been selected as a member of the 2011 U.S. Saddle Seat International invitation team. Danville Community High School senior Kaitlyn England has signed a letter of intent to play softball at the University of Southern Indiana. The Hendricks County Convention & Visitors Bureau spokeswoman, Holly Hendricks, is back, along with her family, to share the spirit of the season with visitors and county residents. _______
