37. Notes From The Randolph County Infirmary

1907

The Grand Jury for the November term of the Randolph Circuit Court visited the county infirmary and found it in excellent condition except, as follows: We find that there are two incurable patients suffering from a loathsome disease who are quartered in the infirmary and from whom there is a very bad stench, which unavoidably pervaded the entire building: we think there should be a separate building provided where these incurables can be properly cared for outside the main building, as we consider their continued presence in the infirmary a menace to the health of the other inmates and the Superintendent and his family. We recommend that such quarters be provided for these patients without delay. We also advise the installation of a laundry in the basement, where the clothes from the inmates may be washed without danger of contagion and injury to the health of the wife of the Superintendent and the inmates who assist in this work. We consider the equipping of a suitable laundry to be a matter that should be attended to without delay. Respectfully submitted, J.W. Ruby, Foreman.

1915

 The Board of County Commissioners and County Council met last week and decided that the antiquated and dangerous system of lighting the county infirmary by natural gas is at last to be done away with, and the up-to-date mode of lighting by electricity is to be substituted. Current will be furnished by the Citizens Heat, light & Power Company, the lines of which already run along the road in front of the building. An electric motor is to be put in so that water can be pumped when the present gasoline engine is out of repair, which is frequently. The State Board of Fire Inspection has ordered four additional fire escapes placed on the building and the improvement has been directed to be made. Since the recent deadly fire in the Delaware County infirmary public authority has awakened to the necessity of additional protection of their wards.

1942

  It cost taxpayers of Randolph county just $8,855.52 to operate the infirmary located south of Winchester on state road 27 during 1941, according to figures of Superintendent Roy Thornburg.
  With an average of 76 inmates-high as 93, low as 73- the per capita cost per inmate was $113 for 1941.
  Spending $12,450.41 from the allotted appropriation, Superintendent Thornburg turned back to the county revenue fund a sum of $3,594.89, this amount being from sales of livestock, vegetables and other farm produce during the year.
  At the present time there are 82 inmates at the infirmary.
  Questioned about the work during the year, it was ascertained that the superintendent, other than supervising the average of 76 inmates, did the following (of course with the help of Mrs. Thornburg):  60 acres of corn (3000 bushels), 35 acres of wheat (1000 bushels), 26 acres of oats (1200 bushels), put up 40 tons of hay, has on hand 52 head of cattle, raised 96 head of hogs, has five horses, has butchered 50 hogs and will slaughter 20 more soon, raised 500 chickens, netted 500 bushels of potatoes, 40 bushels of sweet potatoes, canned 75 gallons of pickles and 1200 cans of tomatoes, rhubarb, beans, greens, apples, beets, peas and corn.
  One bushel of dried corn was canned, in addition to 300 cans of meat.
  Here is what was expended: salary of superintendent, $1500: salary of attendants, $1082: physician and medicine, $1284.47: operating expense, $6663.50; building and fixed equipment, $409.25; repair of buildings, $227.15: livestock $227.; manure spreader, $145.64; ensilage cutter, $87.50; refrigerator, $495; stove, $306.50; spruce trees, $22.40.

1950

  An 82-year-old inmate of the Randolph county home, south of Winchester on U.S. 27, was hospitalized after he had been found crawling on his hands and knees in the snow on the highway.
  He is Alec Goff, home inmate for the past two years, who hospital attaches said at noon was "in pretty good shape" despite his harrowing experience. One foot, it is reported, was frozen.
  Goff was discovered crawling along the road about 5 a.m. by four occupants of an automobile returning to Winchester from work at Richmond. One was identified as Don Wells.
  The aged man was brought into Winchester and taken to the Randolph County hospital by city police. Mr. Goff was wearing light clothing and was carrying his shoes.
  Mrs. Roy Thornburg, matron of the home, said Mr. Goff, as usual, had been locked in his room, but got out into the bitter morning cold by going down a fire escape. The Police report did not show how far Mr. Goff had crawled before being picked up.

36. First Winchester Soldier Home From World War 1

Blog Post #36.
Posted on August 29, 2018.

First Winchester Soldier Home From World War 1 

Winchester Journal
January 22, 1919.

Photo location: Winchester, IN.
Photo is owned by RCHS, Inc and is part of the Chase Cook slide collection.
The Reyman building is currently the business known as Haines Hallmark store in 2018.

  Ed Armstrong, husband of the former Miss Maude Ryan, is the first Winchester man who was in France, to return home. He was wounded twice and gassed twice while in action. He was taken to a hospital there where he was treated until strong enough for the trip home.
  He enlisted at Muncie, October 1, 1917 and was sent to Fort Thomas Kentucky, where he remained for three weeks when he was transferred to Washington Barracks, Washington, D.C. He went overseas with the Sixth Engineers in December, 1917. His company was attached to the British army and they were engaged in the building and repairing of roads until March when the Somme offensive began.
  On March 28, 1918 he suffered three broken ribs from shrapnel and was gassed while laying wounded on the field in the same fight. His cartridge belt was struck by a piece of shrapnel which possibly saved his life. He has the fragment of the shell which struck him, the piece weighing about six ounces. After recuperating from his wounds and the effect of the gas, he entered active service again on the Somme front. Within two weeks his engineering corps was sent to Chateau-Thierry and attached to the 3rd Division of the American Expeditionary Force or the AEF.
  Here on July 15, 1918, the Boche started their great drive to Paris with seven days' rations on their backs. It was in this drive that Armstrong received the wound that put him out of business for the balance of the war, when near Cantigny he received a machine gun bullet, wounding the left wrist which cut the muscles and rendered his left hand useless for some months, but by skillful surgery he has regained partial use of the thumb and first two fingers. At the time he was wounded he was also gassed again by both chlorine and mustard gas. When wounded he used his first aid kit and then walked nine miles to a field evacuation hospital.
  He sailed for home from Brest, France on the steamer La France and arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, December 24, having been in France just one year.
  He ranks as a First Class Private and wears a silver star on his left sleeve showing that he is an enlisted man, he also wears two gold triangular bars on his left sleeve showing that he was twice wounded and two gold bars on his right sleeve showing one year's service abroad. He has three citations due him, two from the French and one from the British, from the French for bravery on the Chateau-Thierry front for driving the Huns back and aiding the wounded and one from the British for holding the Huns and building bridges in the face of machine fire on the Somme front.
  He will return to Camp Sherman where he will undergo further treatment for his  wounds before receiving his discharge.

35. Winchester Trivia 8/27

RCHS Blog Post Number 35. 

Winchester Trivia originally shared on August 27, 2018. 

Last Driver Junior-Senior Prom (1966), Mardi Gras at the park (1965), Golden Falcons nickname (1959), Beeson Golf Hole in One (1965), Home for old ladies (1919), Liquor stores can sell cold beer (1966), Night Football? (1948)

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Last Driver Junior-Senior Prom

Published on May 6, 1966. 

  The Junior Class presented an unforgettable evening of enchantment by creating a castle complete with shields depicting the coat of arms in the days of magic Arthurian lore. Banners and other Round Table bits rounded  out the Camelot motif.
  The music for dancing was presented by Al Cobine and his seven piece orchestra from Bloomington, Indiana.
  Preceding the announcement of the queen and her court, the class president, Terry Hunsucker welcomed the Seniors and their guests. He then introduced the principal, Mr. Robert Jones for the presentation, who had the honor of announcing the 1966 queen and her court.
  Miss Sandy Slusher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Slusher, was chosen queen of the prom. Her attendants were Marsha Horn and Nancy Romack. These girls were escorted to the throne by Terry Hunsucker. John Hardwick and Greg Hahn.
  Dennis Dwiggins sang the Queen's song written especially for the occasion. His accompanist was Steve Zell.
  Intermission featured the theme song, Camelot, and other favorites sung by a trio composed of Jane Cable, Nicki Bosworth and Cynthia Harrison. Their accompanist was Steve Zell.

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Mardi Gras To Be At Goodrich Park This Year

Published on March 2, 1965. 

      Winchester Jaycees, who for 18 years have held an annual fall festival-the Mardi Gras- in downtown Winchester, will be required to move their celebration to the Goodrich Park fairgrounds area despite a plea from their membership for a downtown site. The Board of Works had voted after the last city council meeting that no further fairs, carnivals or other events would be held on the public square.

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"Golden Falcons" Nickname For Driver High

Published on September 17, 1959

  They'll be the "Golden Falcons."
  Driver high school students chose this nickname for their athletic teams Thursday morning, putting an end to the Yellow Jackets of Winchester and the Giants of White River.
  Principal Robert Jones said "Golden Falcons" received more than 200 votes, while Golden Dragons, Tigers and just plain Dragons trailed far behind.
  The students Wednesday had chosen gold and white as the school color.

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Hole in One at Beeson Golf Course

Published on April 8, 1965.

  Gene Study was the first man to score a hole in one this year at Beeson Park Golf Course. Study scored one last year on the same hole. He was using a No. 6 iron on the No. 3 hole. He has been golfing since 1953. The rest of his foursome was Rudy Litchert, Bud Perkins and Marvin Holdren.

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Hetty Vorhis "Home For Old Ladies" Donated To Randolph County

Published in January 1919.

  Mrs. Hetty Vorhis, one of the county's benefactors, donated $50,000 for a home for aged women in 1916. A handsome modern building was constructed and grounds beautified, making it one of the attractive places in the city. Through lack of support, Mrs. Vorhis and the trustees and board of managers decided to close the home and offered the place to the county for use as a hospital. Mrs. Vorhis was given her farm of 280 acres and her former home at 500 North Main Street by her husband, a prominent Winchester attorney, at his death in 1909.
The Home at the present time only holds one inmate and Mrs. Vorhis, who will return to her home on Main Street. There has been only nine inmates since it was first opened. The Home can be easily converted to a hospital.

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Liquor Stores Can Sell Cold Beer!

Published in 1963.

  Under new state legislation, liquor stores can begin selling "iced" beer after August 1, 1963.
  In Winchester, Martin Shires of Shires Liquor Store, said that he is shopping for a refrigerator for his place of business behind the Peoples Loan & Trust Bank and plans to begin selling cold beer as soon as the ruling becomes effective. Fred Downing, of the Main Liquor Store, will not be effected by the ruling since he does not sell beer.

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Night Football?

Published in 1948. 

  The Winchester school board will take $5,000 of it's $7,500 cigarette tax distribution from the state and install lights at the Goodrich Park football field. Hopefully the work will be done before the opening game Sept. 17 with Portland.

__________________
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 129-140 to read "Death Records And Cemetery History." Page 131article titled "Franklin Township Cemeteries: 1. Race Street" has a very brief description.

Read page 446 to read the family history of Joab Addington which was submitted by Joanne Moulton.

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

34. A Section Of The Oddfellows Building Cornice Falls. Feb. 2018

I took this picture of the Odd Fellows building on North Main St. about an hour after the fallen center section of the cornice had been hauled away and the sidewalk swept.
  The original building was erected in 1883 and was two stories tall. In 1916 a third story with the cornice was added.
  After the brick masons were finished and before they took down their scaffolding the carpenters built a frame out of 2x4's and fastened it to the walls along the front and north side of the building and then the tinsmiths nailed the cornice to the frame. The cornice came in 6 to 8 foot long sections and after they were mounted each joint was soldered sealing out the effects of rain, snow etc.
  After 100 years the wood frame is pulling away from the walls, creating a rather hazardous condition below. Another short section has fallen earlier from the north side.
  I think Terry Hunsucker owned the building at one time, but died before he could save it from problems like this.

33. The Monks Home-Virginia Monks

The Monks Home - Virginia Monks

J.L. Harris, 1978.

  Why did Virginia Monks decide to provide a home for women who are alone?
  When her husband, Merrett Monks, first was elected to office in the Randolph County court house, neither he nor she believed in nepotism, and she decided to get a job or start a business to keep occupied while he was at work.

  Recalling how much her aunt had enjoyed living at the Margaret Smith Home in Richmond, Mrs. Monks wondered whether such a project would be practical in the Winchester area. After discussing it with several women who had business acumen, she was encouraged, so began a search for a possible location. After looking through the vacant Miller home on South Main street, both Mrs. Monks and her husband were impressed, and she obtained a loan with which to make the purchase. This was in 1944.
 Next, she inserted in the local newspaper an article announcing her plan to establish a home for women, and then started cleaning up the property's three floors and basement. Four women who needed a place to stay, moved in before the house was completely ready for occupancy, and by the spring of 1945 the Monks Home was housing 10 residents.

  For the first 15 years Mrs. Monks worked at her project alone, with her husbands encouragement. Then they formed a partnership, and he took an active interest in the business until his death in 1966.
  Mrs. Monks was born in Goshen, Ind. The early years of her life were spent with her family in different parts of the country. The family moved to Randolph County from the state of Oregon when she was 10 years old. She has lived in Randolph County since, except for a year spent at Terre Haute Normal College. Before her marriage, she taught at Deerfield School for one year.

  Mrs. Monks, 76, who for the past 33 years has owned the home for women who are alone, currently  has ladies staying with her that range in age from the 60's to the 90's and there is always a waiting list of persons wishing to move in.
  Mrs. Monks, who refers to herself as one of the girls, admits that she is slowing down and that she is becoming hard of hearing. She has more help than she used to. In addition to two cooks, there is a woman who does the general cleaning on a regular basis, and a woman who goes in at nights to relieve Virginia of some of the 24-hour-a-day responsibility, allowing her full nights of rest. Mrs. Glenn (Harriet) Engle sees to the wants and needs of the residents, and the house, of nights.

  Like the other women, she has one room to call her own and is filled, almost to the brim, with her personal possessions. She points out it's 'areas', office, sewing, library, sleeping, TV, living (an easy chair, plus a rocker and some straight-backed chairs), and, under a table, a toolbox. Her closet, she says, is like Fibber McGee's-when she opens it's door, she must stand out of the way of it's exploding contents. Her piano is in the living room for everyone to enjoy.

  Mrs. Homer Waltz, her neighbor just across the alley, says "I couldn't praise her enough. She's a fine neighbor, a delightful person. All this sounds as if she is too good to be true. But she's real!"

32. Winchester Trivia 8/20

RCHS Blog Post Number 32.  

Winchester Trivia

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Who Remembers The Police Station On The Corner Of Washington & Main?

Published in the Winchester Journal 1952.

     Have you ever called the police station and received  no answer? Here's the reason and a suggestion by chief "Fozy" Holdeman. There's no radio hookup like most modern towns have, so when the officer is out in the patrol car no one is in the station. However, when a phone call comes in, a light goes on, on top of the courthouse tower, day or night. That's the signal for the cruising officer to rush back to the station right away. Many times however, actually most of the times, when they do get there the caller "has hung up."
  So chief Holdeman's suggestion is simply this-"Hang on until you get an answer." By then you've probably forgotten your reason for calling in the first place. The officers are L-R; Wendell "Jake" Gullett, Gene King, Sgt. Lester Addington, Don Ullom, Mayor Floyd Warren, Chief Forrest "Fozy" Holdeman, Prosecutor Zane Stohler, meterman Jack Davis, State Patrolman Robert Davis, Lewis "Bud" Riley and Robert Willhite. 
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Fountain Park Cemetery

Published in 1903.

  While Fountain Park cemetery is not primarily a place of entertainment, there are hundreds of people who visit it every Sunday and many times during the week, especially of an evening. After a day of hard work nothing is more resting and refreshing than to lay on the beautiful green grass of the cemetery, along the artificial lakes. At all times this burial ground presents a beautiful appearance.
  While the grass on some lawns over the city is almost dead from the excessive heat of the sun, that at the cemetery is kept green. The reason for the beautiful appearance of the cemetery is largely due to the hard and faithful work of Nate Hunt, the attendant. Mr. Hunt takes much pride in his work and as a result, Fountain Park cemetery is one of the prettiest in the state.
  The place is well shaded and many persons go there for a few hours rest. The lakes although small, are the chief attractions. The fish in these small bodies of water command considerable attention, especially from the children, who feed them with bread, cake, crackers etc.
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Duane Wickersham

Published in 1952.

  Duane "Wick" Wickersham, owner and operator of the Rainbow Bakery in Winchester, is in fair condition as the result of injuries sustained in an accident east of Modoc.
  According to reports, Wickersham is suffering from a head injury, possible skull fracture and numerous bruises. He was injured when the bakery truck overturned east of Modoc near the intersection of Indiana 1 and 36. The accident occurred just before daylight.
  Wickersham apparently dozed at the wheel of the truck which crossed the road, went into the ditch,
struck a mail box post, overturned and rolled to the opposite side of the road. The truck was reported a total loss.
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Passmore & Hutchens.

Published in 1947.

  Want some sign painting done? Jim Passmore and Jack Hutchens are in the business and their first job is on display at the Boston Store. It includes two 15 foot and one 7 1/2 foot "Dollar Day" signs.
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Jo's Shoppe

Published in 1947.

  Operating 2 businesses in these rushing days is a big job, but Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Barnhart (Barney & Jo) seem to thrive on all the hard work and long hours it takes to run their stores. Jo is in her third year in her shop in the Oliver building on South Main street, having opened in July of 1944. Selling ladies and childrens wearing apparel is her specialty. Twice each year she makes buying trips to New York and Chicago.
  Before coming to Winchester from Rochester, N.Y. several years ago Jo managed dress shops in New York City. She has been helping the fair sex choose their clothes since she was 17 years old. Assisting Jo in the shop are part-time employees Shirley Sanzo Botkin, Juanita Conyers and Chic McVey.
  Barney also has a full time job operating his service shop at 230 1/2 West Franklin St. which he opened 2 years ago. Barney and his helper, Homer Sneed do all kinds of radio repair work and build home and store equipment. They also sell Emerson radios.
  The Barnharts live on Route 2, and have two children, Sandra Marie and Beverly Rose.
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Zicht's Greenhouse.

Published in 1948.

  Mr. and Mrs. Ray Zicht and their son Ray Jr. own and operate Zicht's Greenhouse on the corner of the Huntsville Road and Beeson Drive. Mr and Mrs Zicht built the greenhouse in 1924 after coming to Winchester from Union City where Mr. Zicht was in the floral business with his aunt. Ray Jr. entered the business with his parents upon completion of a course in floral design in Denver, Colorado recently.
  At the present time the greenhouse is composed of 10,000 sq. ft. of glass but in the near future a complete remodeling of the building will be started, enlarging and modernizing the present site.
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New Milers In Esther Engle Baker's Club At Goodrich Pool

Published in 1951.

  Shirley Dull 10, Andy Puterbaugh and Kau DeRyke 9, Mike Sumwalt 8, Ann Cassidy 10 and Charlene Cultice of Saratoga. Each swam I mile last week. Old milers repeating this week were Emily Stonerock and Rita Beck, 2 miles, Jane Davisson, one.
  Does anyone remember how many laps it took to do the mile?

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Notes from RCHS Volunteer Thursa.

Wick’s Pies is a county destination for many folks for breakfast, lunch, and the discount pie area where you stock up for a gift of food or for holiday meals.

Sugar Cream Pie is the official state pie of Indiana. And it’s thanks to the hard work of Wick’s.

The couple behind the business are laid to rest facing north with a view of the historic sections of Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana.

Where the factory offices are is what was the funeral slipper factory for the McCamish Family who have the large white column monument in the distance for the Kitselman-McCamish family if now tge offices of Wicks Pies.

The Kitselman brothers are well known for working hard for their fortune manufacturing a woven fence business in Muncie. The family was born and raised in the Ridgeville area. Their parents are buried at the base of the columns. Their sister and her family are there also, The McCamish family.

The two businesses are also tied in their product was an extremely profitable business from the women of the family.

Strong women with husbands who helped with the product and marketing to build empires in their market niche. In eras where women are often spoken of as being at home morally supporting their husbands, these women were the power couples.

And as Wicks’s says… when you are in the area, ‘don’t forget to try the pie.’ 

__________________
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 129-140 to read "Death Records And Cemetery History." Page 131article titled "Franklin Township Cemeteries: 1. Race Street" has a very brief description.

Read page 446 to read the family history of Joab Addington which was submitted by Joanne Moulton.

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

31. Jericho Friends Church Cemetery

Winchester News, July, 1952, By Philip Kabel.
This is a combination of two articles by Mr. Kabel.



  It was nothing unusual in the early days for the old settlers to have their family burying grounds on a gravelly knoll, and this was the case at Jericho.
  The first burial here was that of a little Pickett boy who choked to death while eating a roasting-ear.
  He was buried on top of the mound and a tall rail pen was built around the little grave to keep animals from digging down to the body. This was a custom in the early days. The little slate marker, picked up in a nearby field, has on it his initials and 1833.
   The boy's mother, Aunt Polly (Pike) Pickett, was a sister of John Pike, who owned the farm. She came here from North Carolina in 1829, on horseback and carried all her belongings tied up in a large handkerchief. This was seven years before John Pike deeded this land to the trustees of the Jericho meeting for church and burial purposes.
  The early settlers of this community came principally from North Carolina and their first burial ground was on the east bank of Owl Creek in the woods on what is now the James Chenoweth farm about a mile and a half northeast of Jericho.
  This little creek was at one time known as Peacock Creek and later as Sorghum Creek. The Hills and Peacocks were some of the first settlers, and one of the Peacocks had a sawmill just north of this old burying ground.
  The sawing was done with what was called a sash-saw, one that was run up and down, the buzz-saw coming later on.
  A Mr. Cox also had a flour mill run by horse-power.
  The Peacock cemetery was a private burial ground, and the one at Jericho started out as a private one, but was opened to the public in 1836.
  In 1818, before Randolph county was organized, John Cox with his good wife and eight children, one of whom was Simon Cox, settled near White River a short distance east of the present site of Winchester. About two years later, 1820, White River meeting was set up and the Jericho meeting was begun soon.
  Here they built a little log church, with no windows, but merely holes with shutters for light. The women's side, which was separated from the men's side by a partition, had a big fireplace, but the men's side had only a hearth on the bare ground in the center of the room with a hole in the roof directly above to let the smoke out.
  Whenever possible charcoal was burnt on this hearth, since it made very little smoke.
  On May 19, 1840, Simon Cox and his wife Tamer, purchased a farm situated 5 miles east of Winchester and one mile south of Harrisville. Although farmers, he and his son Elisha were also skilled cabinetmakers, making coffins and serving as undertakers for the community. Simon Cox made two coffins, one of which was to be used for himself and the other for his wife. They were made of walnut and due to the custom of making them to fit the body, measurements of the person were taken and exacting skill was required to mitre and fit the joints perfectly so as to make a smooth finish as it was all hand work.
  At that time coffins were made and stored, or especially made to order. When stored they were not trimmed until needed. The two which he had made for himself and wife were stored in an upstairs room in their home where they remained for several years, the one made for himself being considerably larger than the one for his wife. For some time prior to her death she had dropsy, and on account of the swollen condition of her body the casket was too small and the one which he had made for himself had to be used for her.
  Mrs. Eleanor Beals, mother of Will and John Beals, whose first husband was Elisha Cox, helped trim many of the coffins which were made by her husband and father-in-law. The coffin which was made for Simon's wife was never used for burial, and for many years was stored in an upstairs room at the Beals farm, Will and John using it as a place for storage of walnuts which they had gathered. Some years ago El Fraze, undertaker of Union City, moved it to his funeral home there.
  The following is from an interview with Rev. C.A.(Addison) Peacock: "To the best of my recollection William Cox, or as we called him, "Uncle Billy Cox," sat at the head of the Jericho meeting. After his death Simon Cox sat at the head. Simon Cox and his son Elisha were what might be called undertakers, having made the coffins they also took charge of the remains at the service.
  At that time we had no special minister to preach the funeral, but any one who felt called upon to speak was at liberty to do so. After the remains had been carried into the church the congregation sat in silence until the head of the meeting, or some other Friend, would arise from his seat and speak a few words, followed by others until all those who felt so disposed had spoken.
  When the head of the meeting thought the time had come to close the meeting, he would say-"Friends, I think the time has come when those in charge might proceed to open the coffin."
  I can almost today see Elisha Cox arise from his seat, holding in his hand a long screwdriver, walk up to the coffin and remove the screws which fastened the lid, which was laid aside until the congregation viewed the remains: after this the lid was again replaced.
  Here the services of the undertaker ended as he did not provide means of conveyance to the burial ground, the coffin being loaded into the big wagon which had belonged to the deceased, or that of one of the neighbors, and those who had volunteered to dig the grave took charge when the funeral procession arrived at the cemetery."
  The first undertaker of this community who gave his entire time to this profession was John W. Diggs, grandfather of Max Diggs. He was born in this county in 1826, devoting his time to farming and the carpenters trade until 1855, then taking up the cabinetmakers trade which he pursued successfully until the beginning of the Civil War, in the winter of 1861-62, when he entered the profession of the undertaker, following this until the time of his death.
  When he conducted his first funeral at Jericho, at which he used his new hearse and his sleek-coated horses bedecked with shining harness, it was quite a shock to some of those staid old Quakers, some of them thinking that they had deviated far from the right path and were becoming too worldly, making a show of such a sad occasion.
  At both the White River and Jericho burial grounds, many of the graves are unmarked, some have only rough, unmarked stones, while others have initials with neither name, age or dates. It seems strange that the discipline of a people like these old Friends, so kind, so affectionate, so full of veneration for their departed ones, should have denied them the right to erect suitable memorials marking the last resting places of their loved ones, not costly and for vain show and display, but modest and appropriate, that future generations might know where lie the mortal remains of those who were honored and loved.

  Two former slaves are buried on the northeast slope of the Jericho mound, and the monument which was erected a few years ago, has on it the inscription: Elijah Johnson Died 1888-Born In Slavery-An Honest Upright Colored Man Respected By All Who Knew Him Who Felt Called To Preach Repentance That Others Might Be Freed From The Bondage Of Sin, Hannah His Wife Also A Slave Died 1895. Donated By Jericho School.
  Elijah Johnson lived in a little log cabin just north of the cemetery and preached in the Jericho neighborhood for a number of years.
  He was a highly respected citizen and always welcome in the homes of these old Quakers.

30. The First Winchester Hospital Opened In 1915 At 711 West Franklin St.

Winchester Herald, Feb. 3, 1915.



  It is indeed very gratifying to the people of Winchester and vicinity to receive a letter from Dr. and Mrs. Langdon announcing the opening of a new hospital in this city. It is the one institution this city badly needed. How comforting it is to know when our friends need hospital care, they need not go out of town where their friends can not see or hear from them often.
  Mrs. Elizabeth Langdon, who has always called this city her home, is a graduate from the Cincinnati Hospital Training School for Nurses, having taken a three year course. Her efficiency as a nurse has been recognized here, for she has nursed many difficult cases in and near this city. Over a year ago she conceived the idea of establishing a hospital here, as she could so well realize how much it would mean to the community.
  After her marriage with Dr. Langdon, they together formulated plans which resulted in their getting possession of the house built by Mr. Tansel at 711 West Franklin Street. The location is good. No buildings are very near the house and only one block from the interurban line on Washington Street. In a well lighted basement they have two large rooms, one in which they have installed a fine heating plant, the other a kitchen, presided over by a competent cook, who understands Dietetics which is so very necessary. The kitchen is so well placed that no odors from the cooking can reach the patients on the first and second floor.
  On the first floor is a neatly furnished reception room which contains office desk, table, library and chairs, a bed room, operating and sterilizing rooms. On the second floor there are three bedrooms, each opening into a hall. These rooms have two windows each except the front room which has three. They are well lighted and have good ventilation. The white enamel beds, small rugs and muslin curtains gives an air of purity and cleanliness. The electric room warmers and electric bed pad warmers are the latest models.
  The most important room, of course, is the operating room. It has three windows on the east and one large one on the south. The walls, ceiling and woodwork are of white enamel. the floors of all the other rooms are of hardwood but here linoleum of white and green design covers the floor. The instrument stand is also of the white enamel. The operating table is a Walker-Baldwin Self Balancing make and certainly could not be improved on. Everything is perfectly sanitary and before and after an operation the room and fixtures are thoroughly disinfected. The hydrogen lights over the operating table give such a bright white light that in an emergency case an operation could be performed at night as well as day. The thermometer registers the temperature and moisture.
  Leading from the operating room is the sterilizing room. Here they have their electric sterilizers, one for the operators instruments and the other for dressings, bandages etc. A glass case of instruments is conveniently placed for use of the nurses. These rooms are well equipped and make an ideal place for operations.
  Everything for the care and comfort of the patients have been anticipated by the management. No contagious diseases will be admitted, but all surgical and obstetrical cases are at the command of the patrons and their physicians. The Lancet Clinic, a medical journal of medicine and surgery, has to say of the hospital: "A new departure in hospital management is here inaugurated, in that patients are admitted by their own physicians only, no patients being accepted by personal application."
  The hospital is at the disposal of the medical profession in Winchester and surrounding country. Laboratory diagnostic work will be done. Dr. Langdon does no operating, he is superintendent of the hospital. He is a graduate of the Medical Department of the Cincinnati University. For a few years after his graduation he served as intern in a hospital in that city and is thoroughly competent in his work. For their opening day they had issued invitations for persons interested to inspect the hospital, but a telephone message from a local physician that he wished the use of the operating room for that day changed their plans. However the invitation still holds good and anyone may visit the hospital and inspect the facilities there. There are now three patients there, all improving nicely.
  We predict for Dr. and Mrs. Langdon unbounded success and are very glad to welcome them to our city. Should they meet with success they hope for, and they out grow their present quarters, they intend building a modern hospital with more wards in it.

[The Langdons, nor their hospital, were ever mentioned again in following newspapers. No phone numbers are found in the 1916 directory. Hetty Voris donated her "Old Ladies Home' to Winchester for a hospital, but remodeling didn't start until 1919 so there was no competition for them from there. It looks as though the local doctors didn't see the need for a hospital at that time. After all of the hype in this article, they just vanished.]

29. Mr. Mick and the Moorman Orphanage Ledgers

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&feature=vm&video_id=CacH58VYzU8

28. Quaker Wedding Of Jesse Reynard And Anna Diggs At Old Dunkirk Church, 1842.

Winchester Herald, June 25, 1919.

Sunday, June 22, will long be remembered as an ideally perfect day, both as to weather and enjoyment by the descendants of Jesse and Anna Diggs Reynard, who gathered at the old homestead near Buena Vista, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Clifton Reynard, to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Jesse Reynard on June 20, and also the wedding anniversary on June 16, of Jesse and Anna Diggs Reynard.
  The afternoon was very happily spent with music, reminiscences and a short program. The principal features of which was the reading of an account of the marriage ceremony of Jesse Reynard and Anna Diggs at the Friends church at old Dunkirk on June 16, 1842:

 " Whereas, Jesse Reynard, of Indiana, in the County of Randolph, son of Solomon Reynard of the same place, and Rachel, his wife and Anna Diggs, daughter of William Diggs of the county and state aforesaid, and Charlotte, his wife, having declared their intention of marriage with each other before a monthly meeting of the religious Society of Friends held at Sparrow Creek and having consent of parents, their said proposals of marriage were allowed by said meeting. These are to certify whom it may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said intentions this sixteenth day of the sixth month of the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, they, the said Jesse Reynard and Anna Diggs, appeared in a public meeting of the said people held at Dunkirk and the said Jesse Reynard taking the said Anna Diggs by the hand, declaring that he took her to be his wife, promising with divine assistance to be unto her a loving and faithful husband until death shall separate them and then the said Anna Diggs did in like manner declare that she took him, the said Jesse Reynard to be her husband, promising with divine assistance, to be unto him a loving and faithful wife until death should separate them and moreover the said Jesse Reynard and Anna Diggs, she according to the custom of marriage adopting the name of the husband, did as further confirmation then and there to these presents, set their hand.

JESSE REYNARD
ANNA REYNARD

  "And we, whose names are here unto subscribed, being at the solemnization of the marriage, have as witnesses there unto set our hands, the day and year above written.

Signed:

William Diggs
Marshal W. Diggs
Matthew Hill
Rebecca Hill
Elihu Bond"

27.Randolph County, Indiana, Black History Interview, Jan. 1959

By Lloyd H. Whitehead, Author of "Modoc-The First 100 Years 1883-1983."
Another "Random Notes" Interview By Mr. Whitehead-Carver and Lou Jordan.


  I talked with Carver and Lou Jordan this morning (Jan. 8) about the "Colored meetings" formerly held in the woods across from the Baptist cemetery south of Scott's Corner on State Road #1 just north of Modoc. The following things were gleaned from their recollections: These meetings which were discontinued some 20 years ago, were annual affairs, held on Sundays in warm weather. Similar meetings were held at the grove at the Baptist cemetery, as well as at a place a mile north of the Blountsville school house at the Pat Jordan corner. The first Carver attended on the east of the highway was around 1904. These were fellowship meetings, and drew people from colored churches from as far away as Muncie or Richmond, although transportation was by horse drawn conveyances. They were all-day affairs and featured basket dinners at noon. Preachers were always, as far as he recollects, colored, and the main body of those who took active part in the service were colored also, although many white people attended.
  A platform was erected for the preachers and Elders and other dignitaries to set upon and to preach from, and seats made of boards supported on blocks of wood were provided for most of the congregation. Many whites sat in their buggies, or sat in the shade of nearby trees, visiting together or listening to the services. The main attraction, from the standpoint of the whites, was the spirited singing in the peculiar harmony that still characterizes negro group singing. These who attended often shouted and otherwise demonstrated their feelings, to the enjoyment of the believers and the amusement of those who came to be amused, or to scoff.
  At the time these meetings were at their peak there was a much greater colored population than at present in this region. Sam Woods, who built the brick house where Oliver Rawlings lived so long, told Carver that in his time a man could begin at his place and walk all the way to Georgetown bridge (over White River, south of Farmland on S.R.#1) without stepping off of land owned or farmed by negroes. This would be a distance of approximately 10 miles. At that that time, both the Baptist, where the graveyard is, and the Methodist Church, which was still standing, were in regular use. The little store at Scott's Corner was in operation at this time. It had been founded by Eleazor Scott, who was the father of Jim Scott, recently deceased, and of the wife of Albert Barrax who is still living. A colored school house at Barrax's a mile west of Scotts Corner and another half mile south of the same place were in operation during or shortly previous to the time when these meetings were at their height. The school south of Scott's Corner as long ago as I (Lloyd) can remember, had been remodeled and was the home of Arie Scott, who at that time was well known as a faith healer of sorts, although he made no particular claim to being religious. He was a Negro; had formerly lived north of Blountsville, was a lover and owner of good horses and worked as a more or less, professional wheat stacker. In that day wheat was cut, bound and shocked a dozen sheaves in a place, then hauled to the stack lot and made into large stacks. After a curing period it was then threshed from these large stacks. It took a certain skill to build these stacks waterproof and symmetrical, and Arie had that skill. Mr. Scott attracted scores of people to his home for healing, and many claimed to have been healed, while others claimed he was a complete fraud. Neighbors said he used leaves from a plant or bush in his garden, although he used no medicine, but rather used them as a witch doctor uses certain properties in his rites. He was reputed to have become rather well off in a financial way at this activity. Many white children also went to these colored schools, so in that early day integration had already been solved in this particular neighborhood. The A.M.E. church has recently been holding these basket meetings at their church, but they no longer attract the crowds that the former ones did. In another set of notes I shall try to speak a little more in detail about the drugless healing practices of this vicinity and some of the persons involved.

26. Winchester Trivia 8/13

Winchester Mayor Calls Halt To Gambling Parties And "Girlie" Shows;
                       
   Mayor Ralph West leveled a blast at the Phi Delta Kappa fraternity organization and other social clubs which feature stag nights and "girlie" shows at the conclusion of Monday's hearing in Winchester city court on charges filed by the club's president of assault and battery against four Winchester men during a "free-for-all" at the club.

  Winchester Journal-Herald, March, 1957.


 Works Projects Administration (W. P. A.)  Accomplishments In Randolph County Since It's Start In   1935.

  Paved or improved 46 miles of roads, streets and alleys.

  573 local men and women have been employed.

  Construction of a covered grandstand seating 250 people at the Goodrich Park ball diamond.

  Construction of a 9 hole golf course and club house at Beeson Park.

  Construction of a swimming pool at Goodrich Park.

  Winchester Herald, June 1940.

 Leonard's Drug Store.

    Forrest and Kathryn Leonard came from Elkhart, Indiana in 1940 and started in the drug business in Winchester by buying the Lewis and Elliot store located at 114 West Washington St.
    In February of 1942 the store was almost completely destroyed by fire and they moved to 107 South Main to the rooms formerly occupied by the Miller-Jones shoe store.
    Employees today are Mrs. Edith Magner, Miss Naomi Timmons, Miss Mary Norris and Keith White.

  Winchester Journal Herald, January, 1947.


In 1947, Winchester High School's Jr. Varsity basketball team's name was the "Bees."


 Also in 1947, on April 28, Horace "Pop" and Edythe Sullivan announced the "Grand Opening" of their new restaurant at 730 West Washington St. They would keep their first restaurant, the "B&B" on North Main open for another 2 years, closing it by 1950. I'll have more on the Sullivans later.


Problem with pool repairs.

   The Goodrich pool opened Tuesday for a few hours and then closed when black asphalt                    resurfacing material, furnished by a Texas firm, began to break up and stick to the swimmers.
    Dick Valandingham, the pool manager, said that the deep area and the inner circle, the wading  area, have been repaired and they may start filling the pool late Saturday evening.

    Winchester Journal-Herald, June, 1957.



Winchester's First Mini-Mall, 1916

  Located at 120 South Meridian St. in the three story Canada Block were three businesses. The Hecker and Doyle Ford Automobile Agency, The Union Heat, Light and Power Co. and the S.E. & O.O. Fraze Undertakers Parlor. Coming in the center door, the Union office was on the right, Fraze on the left and down a short center hall the Ford agency was in the back half of the building.
  New cars came from Detroit on The Big 4 Railroad in crates and were unloaded at the freight depot behind Graft's grain elevator on North Main St. They were then taken to the Ford garage where they were uncrated and assembled by the mechanics.
  By making just one stop you could pay your utility bills, buy a brand new Model T Ford and on your way out, make your funeral arrangements.
  Up until 1925 the word "Block" was used to describe a building of two or more storys with two or more business rooms on the first floor: Canada Block, Engle Block, Davis Block etc. The Canada Block today is home to The Muncie Mission-Attic Window.

 

25. Winchester High School Cheerleader Yells From 1920- Baker, Moorman

1920 W. H. S. "Melting Pot" Annual.



  Kate Baker was one of the snappiest little yell leaders that ever coaxed howls for the "Gold and Blue": Always on the job with all kinds of pep.

  Russel Moorman, "Bus", her co-gloom buster, was also right there with the proper zip and acrobatics. We can't see how Barnum and Bailey ever missed him.

1.  Riff  'em,  raff  'em, beat  'em  black  and  blue,
     Slip  'em,  slap  'em,  break  a  rib  or  two,
     Gouge  out  an  eye,  twist  off  a  jaw,
     Grind  'em  in  the  floor  till  they.re
     Raw,  Raw,  Raw.

2.  Rid-ley,  Rid-ley,  Rah!  Rah!  Rah!

     Winchester  High  School,

     Ha!  Ha!  Ha1

     Biff!  Boom!   Who  Are  We?

     Winchester High School,

     Don't  you  see?

3.  There  haint  no  fleas  on  us,
     There  haint  no  fleas  on  us,
     There  may  be  one  or  two  on  you,
     But  there  haint  no  fleas  on  us.

4.  Brac-a  co-ax,  co-ax,  co-ax  

     Brac-a  co-ax,  co-ax,  co-ax

     Whoa  up,  Whoa  Esther,

     Hullabuloo,  Winchester.

5.  Re  Ri  Ro,  Ring  Rung  Rang
     Winchester  High  School,
     Zip!  Boom!  Bang!

6.  Chick-a lacka,  Chick-a-lacka,  Chick-a-lacka  Loo
     Winchester  High  School,
     Yellow  and  Blue.

7.  Boom-e-lacka,  Boom-e-lacka,  Bow,  Wow,  Wow,
     Ching-e-lacka,   Ching-e-lacka,  Chow,  Chow,  Chow,
     Boom-e-lacka,  Ching-e-lacka,  Who  Are  We,
     Who's  From  Winchester?
     We!  We!  We!

8.  Onsky  Wow-wow,
     Skinny  Yow  Yow,
     Winchester  High  School,
     Wow!  Wow!


9.  Muncie  up  a  gum  stump,
     Portland  in  a  hollow,
     Bluffton  on  the  city  dump,
     Decatur  soon  to  follow,
     Zip,  Zip,  Zip,  --  Zip,  Zip,  Zite,
     We  are  the  people  out  of  sight.

10.   Chick-a  go  runk,  go  runk,  go  runk,
        Muncie  go  flunk,  go  flunk,  go  flunk,
        Chick  a  go  runk,  go  runk,  go  ray,
        W.  H.  S.  will  win  the  day.

11.  In  the  back  woods  of  County  Jay,
       I  chanced  to  hear  a  hoot-owl  say,
       Hoo   Ho-o --- Hoo   Hoo,
       W - I - N- C - H - E - S - T - E - R.

           Kate                                     "Bus"
   

24. 4-H Club Shows: 1939 Goodrich Park, 1947 Beeson Park, 1948 Lynn School

Winchester Journal-Herald and Lynn Herald

Goodrich Homestead in Winchester, IN
Photo from The Goodriches: An American Family
By Dane Starbuck

 Aug 8, 1939.   With the arrival in Winchester of the tents the Randolph county boy's 4-H club show officially got under way. Junior and adult leaders helped with the erection of the various tents in the northwest part of Goodrich Park and with the construction of pens, gates and fences. All the livestock will be housed under these large tents for the two-day show and judging will take place in the park.
Tuesday morning will place swine and sheep. Tuesday afternoon will place the dairy classes and poultry. Wed. morning will place Herefords, Shorthorns and Angus cattle. 4-H club colts will be in their stalls by Wed. morning and judging will begin at 11 o'clock.

Girls clothing exhibits, food preparation exhibits, baking, room improvement and canning will take place at the Winchester High School gym Tuesday and Wednesday.

Aug. 6, 1947.   The annual Randolph County 4-H Club show will be held at Beeson Park, Winchester, Thursday August 7 and 8. Arrangements are nearing completion for this annual affair which highlights the year's activities of some 800 girls and boys enrolled in 4-H club work.
Clothing, baking and other home economics exhibits will be housed in the club house. Livestock will be in two tents, one 40 feet by 220 feet and one 40 by 150 feet. The two tents will nearly cover the lot just north of the club house.
Under direction of Roy Shierling, a 4-H band concert will precede the girl's dress revue Wednesday night. The band is made up of approximately 25 Randolph county 4-H boys and girls, who were already in an organized township band.

Aug. 6, 1948, The Lynn Herald.   The annual 4-H Club Show will open next Thursday at the Lynn school building. Exhibits will include livestock, home economics and other activities beside the exhibits of dealers in farm machinery and other products who will have displays on the grounds. The local Lions Club is cooperating with the County Extension Office in sponsoring the 1948 Club Show. Randolph county 4-H exhibits from over 500 club members enrolled in Home Economics projects will be displayed in the gymnasium of the Lynn school.
[The article goes on to tell about the livestock exhibits but doesn't give a location. I assume they were on the school grounds, or nearby. The show opened in 1953 at the permanent 33 acre tract south of Winchester on US 27 and again under large tents. The dress revue was held at the Winchester gym.]

Here is a short history from 1922 to the 1939 show, which was the only year it was held at Goodrich Park. 1940 to the 1947 shows were held at Beeson Park and 1948 thru 1952 at Lynn:  Purdue Extension service was started in Randolph county in 1922 and the barrow club and calf club shows which started that year could be termed the forerunners of the 4-H Club Show. The barrow club was sponsored by the now defunct Atlas State Bank of Union City and had 22 entries (17 of the 22 completed the club work.) The completed entries were shown at the Union City community fair in September of 1923. The calf club was co-sponsored by the Union Stock Yards and the Farmers and Merchants Bank, former Winchester firms, and 41 boys and girls enrolled. In September of 1923 a calf roundup was held at Winchester with 31 entered.
Formal 4-H club work began in Randolph county in 1927 with 25 boys and 13 girls enrolled. By 1929 the number had increased to 98 boys and 285 girls. The rise in enrollment was steady until 1944 and 1945. Then World War II with it's draft of 18 year olds and the shortage of help and supplies considerably curtailed the enrollment. Following the war, 4-H enrollment again climbed and by 1957 the enrollment in the county was 1,372. In 1928 a 4-H Club Show of sorts was held at the McKinley gymnasium. For the next few years the club shows were held around Winchester.

I put this post together from several different sources and at different times during the last month. I hope it isn't too confusing. mh