Delving Into Yester~Year

Editor’s note: In searching for a photo to illustrate this column, we came across this. We were unsure if it was meant to be a cautionary that chicken thievery could led a child on the path to ruin or if it revealed the rooster as the gang boss behind the fowl crime. It seemed to suit a variety of explanations.

Local historian and writer Paul Miner uses items from The Republican’s Yester- Year column to develop an interesting, informative and often humorous article.

19th Century Chicken Stealing

To the Editor:

Eel River Township had a “festive chicken thief” in February 1896. I do not understand that. Furtive I can grasp. Perhaps the chipper roost raider patiently pinched pullets, squelching squawks.

Chicken chuckers were common criminals. The old Union newspaper described the worst criminal as “a foul-mouthedlow-minded, ignorant sneak thief, a disgrace to his species” and a “bloated, blear-eyed, hang-dog ulcer of a coward.”

I guess a chicken thief can be merry.

Chickens were advertising tools back then. Amo’s S.F. Tincher sold Spring Chicken cigars in 1883. What were they wrapped with? And he peddled Little Harry chewing tobacco. Quids for kids?

North Salem’s poultry dealers shipped 5,000 pounds of turkeys to New York in November 1884, which raises the question: were there turkey thieves? Chicken thieves, melon thieves, horse and buggy thieves, sneak thieves snatching money and sleeping men’s trousers, con men, safe crackers, white mule runners – Hendricks County had them all.

Danville’s greatest nuisance in March 1882 was a hat thief. Who trafficked in heisted hats?

Chicken stealing was nationwide, with the exception of the Wild West. Outlaws there would never stoop to stealing chickens. Not a hanging offense. Assuming some moonless night a gang wanted to rustle a chicken flock – that simply is impossible. Chickens can’t see after dark.

Not only that, horses step on chickens. Drovers generally herded chickens on foot enroute to Abilene and Dodge City, or used bicycles.

Any drover run over and pecked during a spooked Leghorn stampede would definitely die, but only from humiliation. Sodbusters ridiculed chicken drovers, especially those who rode side saddle, and that kind of shame is not easy to shake. Chicken boy. Hence the popularity of chuck wagon counselors. I can’t say singing to a chicken will calm it. No one knows what kind of music poultry favor. Clucking and badawking all day long, they’re probably deaf.

There’s no way you can punch or sling chickens across a river or down a steep hill. You can’t brand them. Ever smell burning chicken feathers? If you pluck them before branding, chickens will freeze to death on those cold prairie nights. If you brand a chicken you might as well go ahead and eat it, but by the time the drive is over there won’t be anything left to sell to those hungry Easterners.

You can’t rope a free-range chicken. A chicken hook would look goofy hanging from a saddle, but you’d need one if you’re still in a branding mood. You wouldn’t need a trail boss to kick drovers awake, not with an alarm of roosters in the herd.

What did drovers do with all those eggs? Saddlebags are designed for whiskey bottles, extra bullets and spare bandannas. You’d have a mess. Ten-gallon hats would hold a least a dozen Large eggs, and maybe even a dozen Extra Large, but then what do you do?

Do you leave the eggs behind? Hostiles would have an easy time tracking you. Hardboiled eggs might work on short drives, but they don’t last long when crossing salt flats or deserts.

An enterprising Alabama crime fighter in 1881 developed the Torpedo Chicken. Not an actual chicken, the device was loaded with four ounces of birdshot, two ounces of powder, and when a would-be thief reached in at night to pluck it from the roost, a spring forced a hammer to strike a percussion cap, detonating the “chicken.”

Shot goes everywhere, striking the thief and likely ventilating every chicken in the general area.

Two Pittsboro Road henhouse robbers were sent to the state penitentiary in January 1885 for a year.

Fighting chicken thieves can be hazardous. One local guy shot a stray calf after dark when he heard a noise near his coop and a blame fool went out barefoot, stepped on a toy wagon and about went lame.

A Rainstown fellow, down on his luck for four years, stole a horse, buggy and some chickens in December 1913 from his ex-wife for pin money. Arrested, he was charged with chicken stealing.

In trouble before, he had been advised to leave the state and not come back. “His former wife’s chickens, however, put temptation in his path which he could not resist.”

Paul Miner

Lizton ______________________________________________________________________

A Festive Question About Slang

Mr. Miner puzzles over the use of the word “festive” as an adjective modifying the word “burgler.” So does your Editor. The festive burglar has made many appearances on the pages of The Republican, but the word has also been used in other ways.

On June 10, 1886, the Tilden correspondent wrote poetically: “And now cometh the time when the festive road supervisor putteth on his war paint and goeth forth to invite the busy farmer to labor a few days upon the highways and fences.”

On March 9, 1892, it was announced that “B.M. Tomlinson has purchased tools and will become a festive plumber.”

Local news on June 18, 1896 admonished, “The festive weed needs cutting in many parts of town.”

In the midst of the Spanish American War, it was noted on June 2, 1898 that “A train load of the festive army mule passed through here one night last week.

The March 16, 1899 issue reported “the festive buzz-saw” at Danville Lumber Co. took off about a third of John Kendall’s thumb.

The March 11 issue of 1915 reported Judge Brill anxious to move from his temporary court room into the new court house because “he decided that the festive microbe was having too good a time at the expense of officials...”

The Yaller Front ad of March 18, 1917 suggested “Plow up the tennis court and croquet groud and raise the gay and festive potato.”

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 February 13, 1896

Plainfield: The sassafras peddler was on our streets one day last week dealing out the herb. It was whispered about that Frank Phillips, George Bell and Lewis Robbins and other native born Morgan citizens purchased a liberal supply.

Avon: The painters are now at work on the new depot and ere long, operator Barker will be slinging lightning from his new quarters.

The opinion of the town board is that there must be an extension of cement walks this year into the residence portion of Danville.

Tonight and tomorrow night, Dr. Matthews, the medium from Brooklyn, N.Y., will hold séances in the G.A.R. hall, commencing at 7:30 o’clock. The admission will be 25 cents, and interesting entertainments are assured.

Blind Boone, an educated negro, who lost his sight while young, will give a concert in the College chapel Thursday night, March 5th. He is a pianist of renown and comes most highly recommended by the press.

Milton Heath and John Noland, of North Salem, attempted to settle their differences in a fight which resulted in Heath being fined one dollar and cost amounting in all to seventeen dollars.

Lizton: The business houses of Thompson & Richmond, Ellis Bros., and W.R. Wheat have indulged themselves with new signs painted over the doors of their respective places of business.

Rainstown: The Quartette has been christened the Banner Quartette. They blackened their faces and did some good negro minstrel singing at the Hamilton school house Friday night.

Stilesville: Our streets and church-ways will soon be well lighted up.

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ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Issue of February 10, 1921

Kenneth C. Hogate, who has been on the Detroit News for over two years, leaves that paper this week to take a position on the staff of the Wall Street Journal, a New York City daily devoted to business news.

Planning an initial capital of $25,000 to go into the bulk purchase and sale of farm necessities, the Farmers’ Federation is widening its field of operation.

Hazelwood: The attraction at the “Cozy Theater” Saturday night is “The Man Who Dared,” a six reel special with William Russell and also Snub Pollard comedy.

The Hendricks County Duroc Breeders’ Association has adopted the State rules for pig clubs. The contest will start April 1. The successful candidate will go to the State contest.

Beginning tonight at American Legion hall, a series of old-time “square dances will be given every two weeks. The music will be just plain “fiddlin’ accompanied by guitar, and a caller whose voice can be heard above the noise of the shuffling feet as he roars “four hand round – Salaam and left!”

The fox hunt in Washington township last Saturday attracted an unusually large crowd, but the ground was so wet and soft that the lines could not be kept intact in closing in. As a consequence, out of the four foxes sighted, only one was captured.

Samuel Jordan has been awarded the contract to carry Uncle Sam’s mail between the Big Four station and the local post office on and after March 1.

Amo: Mrs. Estella McAninch has had the interior of the post office rearranged so that it is much more commodious and sanitary. She has also treated herself and small son to a new Sonoroa graphophone.

Tentative plans were made by the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, Monday night, for enlarging their church property. To the west of the present building and made a part of it, the thought is to erect a brick annex extending to the alley line on the west and from the property line to the property line north and south. ______

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of February 14, 1946

Veo Sanders has been employed by the town to roam Danville’s streets nightly as a protection to local merchants, who have suffered several burglars lately. The watchman is bonded and will wear a uniform.

“Pepsi,” four-month-old German shepherd and police dog, arrived in Danville, Monday, and was claimed by his little mistress, Nancy Bever, after three years of military service.

A business transaction was completed, Monday afternoon, for the purchase of the

McAllister Welding shop on North Washington street by Sam Anderson. Included in the purchase is the building and equipment as well as a vacant lot.

The appearance of “Aunt Jemima” at the Edwards Food Market, Saturday, brought large crowds to the store to sample her famous pancakes.

Mrs. Bernice Pruett will take over the Danville Beauty Shoppe, now operated by Miss Rechaby McAllister.

Harry Blair, senior veterinary student at Michigan State college recently was awarded the Rommy Steensa award based on scholarship, personality, and service in the veterinary field.

Due to a ruling made Monday by the State Fire Marshal’s department that not more than 2,500 persons be allowed in the Central Normal College gymnasium at any one time, ticket sales for the annual sectional basketball tourney will be strictly controlled.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, was Christmas Day, 1945, at the home of Grant Martin on North Cross street because his son, Corp. Frank “Squeek” Martin was home to celebrate a belated Christmas and open the gifts which he had saved for the occasion.

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FIFTY YEARS AGO Issue of February 11, 1971

Monday night, the Danville Community School Board approved initiation of the first public kindergarten for the local students beginning in the fall of 1971.

The proposed new Danville Optimist Club has named temporary officers and nominating committee. Richard Washburn is temporary chairman, Willard Eggers, temporary treasurer, and J. Gordon Gibbs Jr., by-laws.

The North Salem Saddle Club met, Monday, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stokes. Sam Anderson was the guest speaker.

Miss Jan Gill and Kirt Mckenna, senior band students from Danville Community High School, who have been selected by the Indiana Bandmasters Association for “Our State Band,” will rehearse and perform in Clowes Hall, March 13 and 14.

Treat your Valentine this year and bring her to the Danville Community High School Band Concert, Sunday afternoon, 3 o’clock, in the high school gymnasium.

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TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Issue of February 8, 1996

North Salem’s efforts to revitalize their downtown area have finally been rewarded. The Indiana Department of Transportation has awarded the contract to Niles Concrete & Construction Co. on their bid of $256,000.

The Wa-Pe-Key-Way Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the Revolution met at the Plainfield Public Library on January 23. The sign with the DAR logo was unveiled by Mrs. Harvey Goff. This will be installed on the Welcome to Plainfield sign on US 40, at the west edge of Plainfield.

Danville Tri Kappa will sponsor the Cinergy Collection Regional Art Exhibit & Sale, March 6-7 in the Hendricks County Court House Rotunda.

The Hendricks Community Hospital Guild is hosting a Sweetheart Jewelry Sale on February 8,from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the hospital conference room.

Franklin College students gain career experience by serving internships during the school’s four-week winter term in January. Jaime Bohler, daughter of James and Mary Bohler, Danville, is working for Indiana Golf INFO 1996 in Indianapolis.

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TEN YEARS AGO Issue of February 10, 2011

Efforts are underway to rescue two Hendricks County landmarks from demolition by moving them to another site. The historic barn and home on the Cartlidge farm at Avon must be moved to make way for the new Hendricks Regional Health YMCA.

On behalf of Hendricks Power Cooperative and its members, Dana Servaes presented Paul Morton, chairman of the Avon World War II Memorial Park Commission, a $5,000 check to be used towards the Park, located at the northwest corner of CR 100 S. and Dan Jones Rd.

Sunday’s snowstorm caused the cancellation of many events, among them Phil Gulley’s 50th birthday party. Looking on the bright side, Phil says he can remain 49 for another year.

As we slowly return to civilization, this week’s tale will be told to our grandchildren, who will wonder why we insisted on calling them the “good old days.”

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