Friday, June 29, 2018
9. Remembering Wayne High School In Randolph County, Indiana
By Mrs. Chester (Thelma Smith) Stump, 1991 News Gazette
When I was a child there were eleven one-room school houses in Wayne Township. I was the only daughter of W. R. and Jennie Smith and I had four brothers, Claude, Harry, Don and Elvin. They went to school #5 which was located on the corner of State Road 227 and the South Salem-Jerico road. Bernard Good now resides there. My brothers graduated from the 8th grade school #5. At that time. we lived on the State Line. one mile east, so we had to walk approximately 1 1/2 miles to school. I started to school the year my brother Elvin graduated in 1912, and I had to miss a lot of school that winter because of bad weather. Don Ward was the teacher at school #5.
Any of the children who graduated from one of the one room schools had the opportunity to attend the Union City High School. They had to provide their own transportation. A few years later, as I remember in 1917, the Union City school burned Down. The school had an iron fence around the school yard and it was decided that the fence was too dangerous and not safe for the children. The fence was put up for sale before the new school was built, and my father purchased the iron fence. He and my four brothers took down the fence and installed it out on our farm where it still stands.
Early in 1912, plans were made to build the Wayne Township school which at that time was known as school #6. In July of that year, the building contract was awarded to G.W. Carson at a total cost of $23,000. C.C. Shultz was township trustee and when his term expired, Jim Frazier was elected. During that time a local farmer, Bert Thornburg, made a school hack from wood. It was made at a local lumber yard here in Union City and was put on a Ford chassis. The remainder of the new motor busses were built at a local factory.
Prior to the more modern motor busses, I rode to school in the horse-drawn hacks. My father was one of the eleven drivers. Back in those days, the horse-drawn hacks had a "pot belly" coal stove in the front to keep the children warm. Marvin Heuss, a senior in school, was my hack driver. I still remember when I was age 7 and on a very cold day, Marvin got too close to the edge of the road and our hack went in the ditch and rolled over on a picket fence. The picket fence came up through the side windows. No one was hurt, only terribly frightened. Marvin held his foot up against the stove to keep it from falling over until we children could get out. He burned a hole in his shoe during this frightening experience.
The hack driver furnished us with a board to put on our laps and we would play cards and jacks stones while riding to and from school to pass the time.
The next year, 1913, Uncle Dave Gettinger drove the hack and he was eventually replaced by Ennis Bennett. When the weather got bad and we got too much snow, he would hitch up to a "bob sled." I still remember the time we slipped off the road and upset. We got on the hack at 6:30 and didn't get to school until 8:30. Two hours was a long time to ride back in those days. It wasn't until my senior year, in 1922, that I rode on the more modern motor bus.
Another point I should mention is that even though Wayne school was grades one through twelve and the township had gone from eleven one-room schools to one high school, there were residents who lived in the northern part of the township who felt their children had too far and too long to travel to school.
Then in 1917, the Wilson School, grades one through eight was erected on the old Union City-Winchester road to help solve the dispute. Children residing north of the Union City/Winchester road attended Wilson school up to the eighth grade, and those residing south of the road attended Wayne High School. This continued until 1938 leaving only one school in the township. Wayne School continued to progress until the "consolidation times" hit our area. The last graduating class was in 1957.
Jim Frazier later purchased the Wayne School and raised chickens in it. Apparently this didn't prove successful and the school was eventually torn down. Only the old school #6 still stands and it was made into a dwelling.
My oldest son, Carl, graduated in 1947 from Lynn High School during the time we farmed in the southern part of Randolph County. Later that year we moved back to the "home place" on the Arba Road and my twin sons, Donald and Ronald graduated from Wayne.
I am proud to be a member of the 1923 graduation class of Wayne High School. Other members of my class were Mabel Burk, Ralph Shockney, Herbert Wisner, Herman Heuss, Blanche Jeffery and Juanita Ingle. Herman Heuss, Juanita (Chenoweth) Ingle and myself are still living.
8. Joshua and Caleb Swingley, Randolph County's Oldest Twins
This was originally printed in The Union City Eagle, August 9, 1917.
The above picture contains the oldest set of twins in the state. They are Joshua and Caleb Swingley. They are eighty-five years of age, having been born in Antioch, Ohio, on February 2, 1832, which at that early date was considered the frontier of the United States.
In the year 1849 the parents began to feel the march of civilization westward and with their family took up the journey westward and settled in Stoney Creek Township, Randolph County, when the twins were seventeen years of age. Here the family remained, the young men becoming instructors in the schools, a profession they followed for several years.
Both were married in the year 1852. Unto Joshua and his wife were born eight children, while Caleb and his wife became the parents of nine children, several of whom have passed to the great beyond.
Although this part of the country at that time was nothing more than a vast wilderness, they believed in the future and lived to see the neighborhood become thickly populated and become one of the richest farming communities in the county. Joshua and Caleb Swingley are considered two of the township's most substantial farmers.
Joshua, whose picture appears on the left of the group, takes great pride in the fact that he owns the Andrew Riley homestead. Andrew Riley was the grandfather of the great Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, and oftimes during his lifetime, the poet took great pleasure in visiting the old place and spending the day with Mr. Swingley.
Joshua Swingley is the grandfather of Mrs. William Farmer of Union City. He has visited here on many occasions and has many friends who hope he and his twin brother will live to enjoy many more years.
Jonathon, whose likeness appears in the center of the group, is another brother and is ninety years of age. He is as spry and active as his twin brothers, although five years their senior. His home is at Amboy, Indiana.
Joshua and Caleb live on farms two and one-half miles south of Parker, Indiana, near the place where their parents settled with their family in 1849 and live within a mile of each other. They have been residents of Stoney Creek Township for sixty-eight years.
These men formed the habit several years ago of wearing their beards trimmed alike but on this occasion, the photographer caught them otherwise. They are both hearty and are enjoying the best of health, being more active than many men several years their junior.
The above picture contains the oldest set of twins in the state. They are Joshua and Caleb Swingley. They are eighty-five years of age, having been born in Antioch, Ohio, on February 2, 1832, which at that early date was considered the frontier of the United States.
In the year 1849 the parents began to feel the march of civilization westward and with their family took up the journey westward and settled in Stoney Creek Township, Randolph County, when the twins were seventeen years of age. Here the family remained, the young men becoming instructors in the schools, a profession they followed for several years.
Both were married in the year 1852. Unto Joshua and his wife were born eight children, while Caleb and his wife became the parents of nine children, several of whom have passed to the great beyond.
Although this part of the country at that time was nothing more than a vast wilderness, they believed in the future and lived to see the neighborhood become thickly populated and become one of the richest farming communities in the county. Joshua and Caleb Swingley are considered two of the township's most substantial farmers.
Joshua, whose picture appears on the left of the group, takes great pride in the fact that he owns the Andrew Riley homestead. Andrew Riley was the grandfather of the great Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, and oftimes during his lifetime, the poet took great pleasure in visiting the old place and spending the day with Mr. Swingley.
Joshua Swingley is the grandfather of Mrs. William Farmer of Union City. He has visited here on many occasions and has many friends who hope he and his twin brother will live to enjoy many more years.
Jonathon, whose likeness appears in the center of the group, is another brother and is ninety years of age. He is as spry and active as his twin brothers, although five years their senior. His home is at Amboy, Indiana.
Joshua and Caleb live on farms two and one-half miles south of Parker, Indiana, near the place where their parents settled with their family in 1849 and live within a mile of each other. They have been residents of Stoney Creek Township for sixty-eight years.
These men formed the habit several years ago of wearing their beards trimmed alike but on this occasion, the photographer caught them otherwise. They are both hearty and are enjoying the best of health, being more active than many men several years their junior.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
7. What's A Bootjack?
Joe Hamilton, Lynn Indiana 1950
I went to visit a friend one day last week and was surprised to find a bootjack occupying a prominent position in the kitchen of my friend's house. When I asked him about it, he explained that he had made the bootjack recently for his boys to use in taking off their rubber overshoes. This was the first bootjack I had seen in years.
For the benefit of those who never saw a bootjack, an explanation might be in order. A bootjack, an ordinary one at least, consists of a long piece of board some two feet long with a V-shaped notch cut in one end of it and a block of wood about three inches high fastened on the underneath just back of the notch.
The idea is to place one foot on the end of the board and then put the heel of the other boot in the notch and pull off the boot. To take the other boot off the procedure is duplicated.
In the days when leather boots were worn by most people, the bootjack was a household necessity. There were the simple kind described above, and there were also fancy cast iron ones and ornate wooden ones, but they all worked the same way.
Now, my grandpa was never a man to sit around and spin yarns, but neither was he a man to be outdone by one of less prevaricating ability than himself. So, one day when neighbor Tom Cars dropped in and found grandpa whittling on a board, he became curious and wanted to know what grandpa was making and grandpa said he was making himself a bootjack. Tom, noticing that the board was somewhat large for a bootjack, remarked that he had a cousin that had such large feet that instead of using a bootjack to take off his boots, he always stepped outside and made use of the forks of a tree.
Grandpa, being quick on the trigger, immediately responded that he had a brother who lived on the treeless plains of Kansas, and his feet were also large and that a bootjack was of no avail.
"Then how, pray tell," says Thomas, "does the man remove his boots?"
"Well," answered grandpa, "every night when he gets ready to take off his boots he walks a quarter of a mile to the FORKS OF THE ROAD!"
I went to visit a friend one day last week and was surprised to find a bootjack occupying a prominent position in the kitchen of my friend's house. When I asked him about it, he explained that he had made the bootjack recently for his boys to use in taking off their rubber overshoes. This was the first bootjack I had seen in years.
For the benefit of those who never saw a bootjack, an explanation might be in order. A bootjack, an ordinary one at least, consists of a long piece of board some two feet long with a V-shaped notch cut in one end of it and a block of wood about three inches high fastened on the underneath just back of the notch.
The idea is to place one foot on the end of the board and then put the heel of the other boot in the notch and pull off the boot. To take the other boot off the procedure is duplicated.
In the days when leather boots were worn by most people, the bootjack was a household necessity. There were the simple kind described above, and there were also fancy cast iron ones and ornate wooden ones, but they all worked the same way.
Now, my grandpa was never a man to sit around and spin yarns, but neither was he a man to be outdone by one of less prevaricating ability than himself. So, one day when neighbor Tom Cars dropped in and found grandpa whittling on a board, he became curious and wanted to know what grandpa was making and grandpa said he was making himself a bootjack. Tom, noticing that the board was somewhat large for a bootjack, remarked that he had a cousin that had such large feet that instead of using a bootjack to take off his boots, he always stepped outside and made use of the forks of a tree.
Grandpa, being quick on the trigger, immediately responded that he had a brother who lived on the treeless plains of Kansas, and his feet were also large and that a bootjack was of no avail.
"Then how, pray tell," says Thomas, "does the man remove his boots?"
"Well," answered grandpa, "every night when he gets ready to take off his boots he walks a quarter of a mile to the FORKS OF THE ROAD!"
Monday, June 25, 2018
6. Mrs. Louisa Smith Remembers Winchester
Mrs. Louisa Smith, Winchester's oldest resident, celebrated her ninety-sixth birthday last thursday. Mrs Smith was born in 1824 near Eaton, Ohio and came to Winchester with her parents in 1833 and first lived in a little log cabin on Main Street where the Central Hotel now stands. [118 N. Main St., a city parking lot 2018.]
At that time Winchester was nearly all a forest and the few cabins which composed the town were built in a small section which had been cleared of trees from what is now North Street.
There were no schools, no churches, no streets and only one store, the contents of which would scarcely fill a wheelbarrow. Religious services were held once in a while in the old cabin where court was held and would be conducted by a circuit riding preacher.
The first school was a private one established in 1834 in a cabin located where doctors Hunt and Brenner have their office. [103 North East St.. Randolph Central School Superintendents Office 2018.]
She was married when fifteen years of age in 1839 to William Smith in her father's tavern, it being the first tavern in town. They went to housekeeping in a cabin where the J.C. Hirsch residence is [103 South East St. 2018] and they then purchased a lot, a quarter of a square where the present home stands at the corner of West North and North Meridian St. [Winchester's Post Office sits there today, 2018.] She says the entire cost of the house and lot with fence and painting was less than $250, the lot costing only $5 and it was the best house in town at that time. When the house was built, Mr. Smith hired a man to paint it and also put a paling fence around the lot for which he paid a pair of shoes, he being a shoemaker.
Mrs Smith remembers the first log court house and jail, the first church, school house and tavern. She says that bear and deer would steal into town in the early days and eat fruit and vegetables from the garden. She relates that a bear was killed near the present site of Governor Goodrich's home. [226 East South St. 2018] She remembers well the Indians coming to town to trade furs for ammunition. Sometimes they would get whiskey, get drunk and raise a disturbance. She was present when Judge Leander J. Monks, Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana for many years was born seventy-six years ago and dressed him for the first time. Mrs. Smith is a most interesting lady.
Winchester Journal 1920
This photo shows Mrs. Smith sitting in front of her home on North Meridian Street which is now the site of the Post Office building.
Mrs. Smith only lived another year past the publishing of this article. She died in 1921.
___________________
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
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Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
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At that time Winchester was nearly all a forest and the few cabins which composed the town were built in a small section which had been cleared of trees from what is now North Street.
There were no schools, no churches, no streets and only one store, the contents of which would scarcely fill a wheelbarrow. Religious services were held once in a while in the old cabin where court was held and would be conducted by a circuit riding preacher.
The first school was a private one established in 1834 in a cabin located where doctors Hunt and Brenner have their office. [103 North East St.. Randolph Central School Superintendents Office 2018.]
She was married when fifteen years of age in 1839 to William Smith in her father's tavern, it being the first tavern in town. They went to housekeeping in a cabin where the J.C. Hirsch residence is [103 South East St. 2018] and they then purchased a lot, a quarter of a square where the present home stands at the corner of West North and North Meridian St. [Winchester's Post Office sits there today, 2018.] She says the entire cost of the house and lot with fence and painting was less than $250, the lot costing only $5 and it was the best house in town at that time. When the house was built, Mr. Smith hired a man to paint it and also put a paling fence around the lot for which he paid a pair of shoes, he being a shoemaker.
Mrs Smith remembers the first log court house and jail, the first church, school house and tavern. She says that bear and deer would steal into town in the early days and eat fruit and vegetables from the garden. She relates that a bear was killed near the present site of Governor Goodrich's home. [226 East South St. 2018] She remembers well the Indians coming to town to trade furs for ammunition. Sometimes they would get whiskey, get drunk and raise a disturbance. She was present when Judge Leander J. Monks, Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana for many years was born seventy-six years ago and dressed him for the first time. Mrs. Smith is a most interesting lady.
Winchester Journal 1920
This photo shows Mrs. Smith sitting in front of her home on North Meridian Street which is now the site of the Post Office building.
Mrs. Smith only lived another year past the publishing of this article. She died in 1921.
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
Scroll to the right or below the article to click "FOLLOW" to get email updates as soon as a blog is uploaded. This is a great feature to share with family and friends who are not active on social media.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
5. Was Your Grandpa A Randolph County Vigilante?
Randolph County, Indiana Recorder's Office, Winchester Indiana.
The BLOOMINGSPORT VIGILANCE SOCIETY, State of Indiana to wit:
Be it known that the undersigned Citizens of said State of Indiana whose respective places of residence are set down hereafter, for the purpose of organizing a Company for the purpose of detecting and apprehending horse thieves and other felons, in pursuance of an Act of the State of Indiana approved March 9th, 1832 to authorize the formation of Companies for the detection and apprehension of horse thieves and other felons and defining their powers. The members do hereby, each for himself subscribe the following "Article of Association" to wit:
Article 1, The name and style of the Corporation shall be "The Bloomingsport Vigilance Society."
Article 2, The residence of the members of this Association is Randolph and Wayne County, in the State of Indiana.
Article 3, The number of members of the Association shall be one hundred.
Article 4, The number of years this Company shall exist is ten.
Article 5, The number of officers to manage the affairs of the Company shall be six.
And so hereby declare that the following names of the officers elected by us from our own number to constitute the first Board of Officers of said Company to wit: George Veal President, Isaiah Ellis Vice President, George Stevenson Secretary, William Engle Treasurer, William Byrd Captain and William Botkin Lieutenant.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our names as parties to the above Articles of Association this 26th day of January, 1861.
From WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP: Isaac Engle, Jonathon Hutchens, Abner W. Hoggatt, Evan Garrett, James Bales, Isaiah Ellis, Jesse Kennedy, Doogan C. Whinney, Henry Garrett, Nathan Thornburg, Edward Thornburg, John Bakehorn, David Semans, Owen + Griffin, Nicholas Garrett, Robert Aiken, John Ballinger, Robert Miller, Denson Hutchens, Samuel + Hodson, William Engle, Thomas Willis, Ira Davison.
From WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP: William C. Byrd, Martin Hoover, Lewis + Cox, George Stevenson, William Willcox, Jacob Farquar, William M. Botkin, Peter Botkin, George W. Veal.
The above Articles of Association Recorder March 13, 1861-William Burres, Randolph County Recorder.
Note: ( + within a name means he signed with his mark)
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Want to learn more?
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
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The BLOOMINGSPORT VIGILANCE SOCIETY, State of Indiana to wit:
Be it known that the undersigned Citizens of said State of Indiana whose respective places of residence are set down hereafter, for the purpose of organizing a Company for the purpose of detecting and apprehending horse thieves and other felons, in pursuance of an Act of the State of Indiana approved March 9th, 1832 to authorize the formation of Companies for the detection and apprehension of horse thieves and other felons and defining their powers. The members do hereby, each for himself subscribe the following "Article of Association" to wit:
Article 1, The name and style of the Corporation shall be "The Bloomingsport Vigilance Society."
Article 2, The residence of the members of this Association is Randolph and Wayne County, in the State of Indiana.
Article 3, The number of members of the Association shall be one hundred.
Article 4, The number of years this Company shall exist is ten.
Article 5, The number of officers to manage the affairs of the Company shall be six.
And so hereby declare that the following names of the officers elected by us from our own number to constitute the first Board of Officers of said Company to wit: George Veal President, Isaiah Ellis Vice President, George Stevenson Secretary, William Engle Treasurer, William Byrd Captain and William Botkin Lieutenant.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our names as parties to the above Articles of Association this 26th day of January, 1861.
From WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP: Isaac Engle, Jonathon Hutchens, Abner W. Hoggatt, Evan Garrett, James Bales, Isaiah Ellis, Jesse Kennedy, Doogan C. Whinney, Henry Garrett, Nathan Thornburg, Edward Thornburg, John Bakehorn, David Semans, Owen + Griffin, Nicholas Garrett, Robert Aiken, John Ballinger, Robert Miller, Denson Hutchens, Samuel + Hodson, William Engle, Thomas Willis, Ira Davison.
From WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP: William C. Byrd, Martin Hoover, Lewis + Cox, George Stevenson, William Willcox, Jacob Farquar, William M. Botkin, Peter Botkin, George W. Veal.
The above Articles of Association Recorder March 13, 1861-William Burres, Randolph County Recorder.
Note: ( + within a name means he signed with his mark)
Pictured here is Abner W. Hoggart from Washington Township.
___________________Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
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Friday, June 22, 2018
4. You Think You Have Troubles?
Accompanied by Detective Buck Fletcher a HERALD reporter called at the home of William Kirkland and family on North West street last Friday afternoon. We say home, but that is hardly the proper name as it lacks a great deal of being a home. That there are people living in Winchester in such filth and in such a destitute condition we had no idea. We read with horror the description of the homes in Packingtown as told in the Jungle, but we were convinced last Friday that the same conditions exist in Winchester. And we do not exaggerate when we say equally as bad. The Kirkland family live in one room, ten by twelve feet in size. There are four little children, besides the parents. Mr. Kirkland has the consumption and it is only a question of a few weeks, if that long, until he will be relieved from his suffering by death. At the side of the bed was a can used for a spittoon and it was filled with corruption that the poor man had spit up. In fact the can was too small and the corruption was all over that part of the floor and being spread everywhere by the bare feet of the children. Later in the afternoon Mrs. Kirkland emptied the can a few feet from the rear and only door leading outdoors.
In the same bed lies the oldest boy, who is probably ten or twelve years old, with the measles. The other children of course, are exposed and are sure to contract the disease.
On the table, which is used for all purposes, were the dirty dishes and from there appearances they probably have not been washed for weeks, if ever. Judging from the filth on all sides water is seldom used.
The stove is a poor excuse. Very often it goes out and is not started for hours, yet a man is in that room lying at the point of death with tuberculosis. A few strips of carpet are on the floor and one does not need a magnifying glass to see the filth. The walls and ceiling are black with dirt and the bed clothing is the same way. We imagine that bed bugs, lice and all other such living creatures find this home a most agreeable place for their existence.One of the little girls was bare foot and the faces and hands of the entire family were like the ceiling and walls as described above. Their clothing were in rags.
At night as many get in the one bed as possible and the others must lay on the floor.
Mr. Fletcher took them some cake and canned fruit. It was indeed a pleasure to see those children go after that cake. All they had to eat that day was some potatoes and biscuits and with all respect to Mrs. Kirkland, who probably does the best she could under the circumstances, the biscuits were not fit for a dog. But nevertheless to a hungry person most anything is acceptable.
Mrs. Kirkland is not the proper person to have charge of children and to take care of a man nearly dead with a dreadful disease.
As soon as the matter was reported Trustee Williams and Mr. Fletcher looked after the wants of this unfortunate family and when possible the children will be taken to the Orphan's Home. Only a few weeks ago one child died.
Before the children were taken away another little girl died and she laid in the same bed with her brother and father for three days before her body was removed.
--The Winchester Herald 1907.
___________________
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
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Tuesday, June 19, 2018
3. Hot Bath!
Hot Bath!
For the eighth or ninth time the K. of P. block caught fire about 4 o'clock last Saturday afternoon. Which for awhile threatened the entire building. The blowing-out of a valve in the gasoline lighting plant in the barbershop of William Saucere resulted in a blaze which easily might have been a very serious one. In less than ten minutes the entire room was a mass of flames. Everything in it was destroyed. Including the fixtures, a great many valuable shaving cups belonging to the customers and all the razors except one.
The boy who works in the shop was pumping the machine at the time and although covered in gasoline he escaped through the side door uninjured.
Calvin W. Diggs was in the tub in the basement having his Saturday bath and by the time he discovered the building was on fire. Escape by the stairway was cut off by the flames. There was only one other way to get out and that was through a cellar window facing the alley on the north. Because of iron bars a person ordinarily could not have squeezed through, but by the assistance of Mr. Saucere and others he managed to get out. To put his clothes on was out of the question as there was no time to be lost under such circumstances. Naked and cold he was, but safe.
From the Winchester Journal, 1907
The Knights of Pythias building is at the Main and Washington crossing, on the northwest corner. The China House Restaurant is there today in 2018. To see the photo below, visit the Museum.
To learn more about Calvin W. Diggs, his service in the Civil War, teaching school, or service as Auditor of Randolph County, schedule a Private Research appointment at the Museum. There is no charge for an appointment.
___________________
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Want to learn more?
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
Scroll to the right or below the article to click "FOLLOW" to get email updates as soon as a blog is uploaded. This is a great feature to share with family and friends who are not active on social media.
For the eighth or ninth time the K. of P. block caught fire about 4 o'clock last Saturday afternoon. Which for awhile threatened the entire building. The blowing-out of a valve in the gasoline lighting plant in the barbershop of William Saucere resulted in a blaze which easily might have been a very serious one. In less than ten minutes the entire room was a mass of flames. Everything in it was destroyed. Including the fixtures, a great many valuable shaving cups belonging to the customers and all the razors except one.
The boy who works in the shop was pumping the machine at the time and although covered in gasoline he escaped through the side door uninjured.
Calvin W. Diggs was in the tub in the basement having his Saturday bath and by the time he discovered the building was on fire. Escape by the stairway was cut off by the flames. There was only one other way to get out and that was through a cellar window facing the alley on the north. Because of iron bars a person ordinarily could not have squeezed through, but by the assistance of Mr. Saucere and others he managed to get out. To put his clothes on was out of the question as there was no time to be lost under such circumstances. Naked and cold he was, but safe.
From the Winchester Journal, 1907
The Knights of Pythias building is at the Main and Washington crossing, on the northwest corner. The China House Restaurant is there today in 2018. To see the photo below, visit the Museum.
To learn more about Calvin W. Diggs, his service in the Civil War, teaching school, or service as Auditor of Randolph County, schedule a Private Research appointment at the Museum. There is no charge for an appointment.
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Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
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Friday, June 15, 2018
2. Killed at Snow Hill on the Pennsylvania Railroad (1938)
RCHS Blog Post Number 2.
Killed at Snow Hill on the Pennsylvania Railroad
Published in the Winchester Journal
June 1938
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They are working on the theory that the boy may have escaped from some penal institution and Sunday uncovered a photograph in their files which resembles somewhat that taken from his person.
The boy was killed instantly at noon Saturday when he fell from a southbound Pennsylvania freight train near Snow hill, four miles south of Winchester. The gruesome discovery was made by James Hollingsworth, a farmer living south of Snow Hill, the badly mangled body being found on the railroad tracks.
No papers were found in the youth's clothing, the only clue to identity being the picture. Writings on the back of the photograph, in ink, had been erased, but submitted to ultraviolet rays, it was partially revealed as follows: Roland ______, 701 or 702 St., Ft. or Fl.
The "Ft." could have been Fort Wayne and the coroner Dr. Lowell Painter Saturday night notified police authorities there. Police in Richmond, Muncie and other nearby cities were also called.
Coroner Painter said the boy was about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed approximately 145 pounds. He had dark hair, gray eyes and was about 15 or 16 years of age. His left heel was built up.
It was revealed Sunday that a boy answering the description had been missing from a section in the south, but after investigating, it was discovered that the built-up heels were of different feet. A Fort Wayne man Sunday failed to identify the body.
Authorities are of the opinion the boy was "riding the rods" under a freight car, became unbalanced and fell from the train under the wheels.
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Two Days Later:
The 15-year-old boy who was killed last Saturday when he fell from a Pennsylvania train at Snow Hill, last night was still unidentified, although perhaps a score of persons had viewed the mangled body.
Yesterday the body was removed from the Fraze Funeral home in Winchester to the vault at Fountain Park Cemetery where it will remain unburied for a short time more.
A pathetic scene was enacted yesterday when a woman from Canton, Ohio was certain at first examination that the boy was her son, but proved eventually not to be.
Persons have viewed the body from Albany, Dunkirk, Portland, Muncie, Toledo, Ohio, Elwood and Cincinnati.
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One Week Later:
A simple graveside service was solemnized at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester yesterday as the body of a 15-year-old boy--unidentified--was buried. After holding the body for possible identification since Saturday, June 25, authorities decided that identity would never be learned, although utmost effort had been made.
Rev. Lee Jackson, pastor of the Winchester Church of Christ, officiated. The only person attending were Winchester police officers Charles Bullock, Lester Puterbaugh, and John Dietz, Sheriff Kora E. Davis and Lester Mann.
From the Winchester Journal, 1938.
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The Crypt. Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana. Enter the main gate, go around the General Stone monument, continue to the left and it is nestled in a bank just ahead. A perfect place to park out of the way so you can wander the older parts of the cemetery. A time capsule from the bicentennial was placed inside. Some history of the crypt: It was designed to store nine bodies awaiting burial in the winter. There are compartments made of granite and bronze. Mr. Fleshman of Cincinnati, Ohio constructed it in Barre granite from Barre, Vermont. Photo taken October 2021. |
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UPDATE: November 2021
Find A Grave record has been created to share the story and honor the final resting place of the young man.
If you know more in the identification of this boy or where his unmarked grave is located within Fountain Park Cemetery, contact the cemetery sexton or Randolph County Historical Society, Inc. in Winchester, Indiana.
___________________
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
Read page 246-247 article "Railroads" to learn a bit more about transportation history in Randolph County.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
Scroll to the right or below the article to click "FOLLOW" to get email updates as soon as a blog is uploaded. This is a great feature to share with family and friends who are not active on social media.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
1. The Angels Took "Mudder" Away
RCHS Blog Post Number 1.
The Angels Took "Mudder" Away
Winchester Journal, 1915
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The boy's mother, who maiden name was Ethel Macon, died last March at the family home in Missoula. The boy's father is John M. Davis, son of George Davis, of near Bloomingsport. They located in Montana soon after their marriage. The father is left alone and it was thought best to send Floyd to the home of his grandparents where he can be better cared for.
The little fellow created quite a stir in Chicago. He was given every attention and the Chicago Herald published a picture of him holding his grip in one hand and a doll baby in the other. The following write-up accompanied the picture:
As a long distance traveler, "Tiny Floyd" Davis is in a class by himself. "Tiny Floyd"- He is only four years old- Stopped over in Chicago yesterday long enough to enjoy a spin over the boulevard and pose for a Herald photographer. He is en route from Missoula, Mont., to the home of his grandparents in Lynn, Indiana.
He had intended to make the trip with his mother, but he explained, "Angels too Mudder away," and he was compelled to make the long journey alone.
The child traveler arrived at Union Station on the "Olympian" of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad.
He was entertained in royal fashion by passengers en route. He displayed a pocketful of coins and a rag doll when he stepped from the train. Women passengers insisted upon showering him with all sorts of gifts.
Several asked permission of John Gilbert, Passenger Agent at the Union Station, to take the boy home with them, but their requests were denied. Instead "Tiny Floyd" went motoring in the passenger agent's machine.
"Mighty fine boy," Gilbert volunteered upon their return to the railroad station. "Wouldn't mind keeping him here for myself. He behaved like a little gentleman."
"Tiny Floyd" rather seemed to enjoy the fuss made over him. He was especially pleased when his picture was "tooken." He left at night for Ridgeville, Indiana over the Pennsylvania Road. His grandparents have arranged to meet him there.
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| Headstone of "Tiny Floyd" in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Washington. Source: Find A Grave, November 2021. Noted obituary is on his Find A Grave record. It states he was a 1929 graduate of Lynn High School. |
Do you know any of the people mentioned in this article? Would you like to share their story? We'd love to hear it! Just stop by the Randolph County Historical Museum in Winchester, Indiana to tell us your tale!
___________________
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
Read page 246-247 article "Railroads" to learn a bit more about transportation history in Randolph County.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.
___________________
Visit The Museum.
Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society
Visit the website.
Here is a link to the cemetery database. https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database
Follow the blog.
Scroll to the right or below the article to click "FOLLOW" to get email updates as soon as a blog is uploaded. This is a great feature to share with family and friends who are not active on social media.
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