A Look Back: Putnam County in the News

The following items were excerpted from the August 15, 1923, edition of The Unionville Republican. When you think your luck is bad, consider the story of the man stabbed in Lemons and brought by buggy to Unionville because the roads were in such bad shape. By the time he arrived, he had lost a considerable amount of blood from the chest wound. A doctor patched him up and he started the buggy ride home only to meet a car with faulty headlights that struck the buggy and took off a wheel. On a happy note, the wheel was replaced and the stabbing victim was reported on the front page to be recovering nicely at home.

COURT HOUSE PLANS APPROVED, AND CONTRACT TO BE LET SEPTEMBER

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The members of the County Court have been meeting this week with Architect Braecklien for the purpose of going over the plans of the new court house in detail. The job was finished Tuesday, at which time it was decided to receive bids for the construction of the new building on September 4.

At the time Mr. Braecklein as here and secured the contract for the job of architect the Court submitted their ideas of what was wanted in the new building, and tentative plans were discussed. Mr. Braecklein went home with the understanding that he would draw these plans in detail, make blue prints of them and estimates as to the cost thereof. …

For a few days the Court has been studying the plans with the architect, making changes and alterations until the pro- posed building met with their approval. After this was completed the architect estimated that the cost of the building completed, but without furniture, would not be in excess of $135,000. It is his opinion that the cost will be somewhat less than that. The Court, then fixed September 4 as the time for receiving bids, and arranged to give notice thereof.

In general, the plan follows very closely the original outline drawn and displayed in the office of the County Recorder. The structure is to be 62x92, and three stories high besides the basement. It is to be faced with either Carthage or Bedford stone, and undoubtedly will present a very pleasant appearance, besides being a very practical building. … ***

Excellent Balloon Ascension

“Dare Devil” Reynolds made his balloon ascension here last Thursday evening. The parachute leap was advertised as a double one, but he had another parachute completed by the time he was ready to go, and, instead of making only two leaps, he made three. … ***

Promoting A Band Stand

It has long been the desire of the Ladies; Civic League and others to exchange the present band stand in the park for something more substantial as well as more beautiful. Before the court house proposition was submitted the Ladies’ Civic League began to raise money systematically for the purpose of erecting a suitable stand, and by the time the court house proposition was submitted they had raised a large share of what they thought such a stand would cost. The Five Days in One Chautauqua, which they are promoting for next Tuesday evening, is but one of the methods they are using to raise funds for this purpose.

When Mr. J. G. Braecklein, the architect, was here this week the ladies appointed a committee to confer with him and find out what it would cost to prepare plans for an economical but desirable band stand, which would harmonize with the new court house. Mr. Braecklein graciously and generously offered to make the plans without charge for the ladies and promises to have them ready soon. It is the hope of the League that they may be able to finance the building and have the work done by the same contractors who erect the court house but as a side issue. They feel that this may be done in this way more economically than in any other, and at the same time preserve the harmony, so much desired.

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Gasoline War On

The threatened war in gasoline circles has broken out in full fury. The Standard of Indiana cut the price the first of this week over several of the Central states about six and one half cents per gallon. The other companies followed suit, and today all the companies represented in Unionville are offering gasoline at 17 1/2c per gallon.

OATS Offers Transportation Services to Rural Areas

OATS Transit offers regular transportation services for the rural general public of any age, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Please call the local OATS Transit office at 816-279-3131 or 800831-9219 to schedule a ride or find out about services in your area. You can also visit our website at oatstransit. org to view local schedules under “Bus Schedules”, then click on the county you live in. Our offices will be closed, and regular routes will not be running on Monday, September 4, 2023, for the Labor Day holiday. Please keep this in mind as you schedule trips near these holidays. OATS Transit is hiring drivers statewide in case you know of someone who would make a great driver, so we can continue serving our riders. All our openings are listed on our website.

Putnam Co. OATS Schedule

To schedule a ride in Putnam County, call 816-279-3131 or 800831-9219.

Listed below is the transportation schedule for Putnam County.

Service to Kirksville:

1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday each month

Service to Centerville:

4th Wednesday every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December)

Fares (one-way):

Within county: $3

Adjacent county: $4