57. "Old 44", The Cannon On The Court House Square-Don't Scrap It Or Scrap It?

Don't Scrap It.

  Here is "OLD 44" a memento of the Civil War located on the southwest lawn of the courthouse in Winchester. "Old 44" fought in another war besides the one between the states; It battled against being scrapped for salvage during World War II, and only through insistence of the W.T. Sherman Camp 44, Sons of Union Veterans, is it still in existence today. As we recall it, and as Louis King tells it (Lou was then and still is secretary-treasurer of the Sherman Camp; Troy Simmons is commander), "Old 44" was up for scrap at the time Bruce Maxwell, now of Hendersonville, N.C. was Randolph County salvage director. Bruce, as was his duty, was taking everything he could get his hands on during a desperate, nationwide search for metal during the first year of the war. Somehow "Old 44" stayed intact, and then Lou, who followed Bruce as salvage director, began his campaign to save the old relic of the Grand Army of the Republic. He succeeded! This letter written way back then to the county commissioners will tell to what length maneuvers went:
  "As past state commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, I have been approached by several of it's members, as well as other members of local organizations, protesting its removal at this time.
   So long as there is such an abundance of scrap available, as is definitely shown when an organized drive has been made, we feel as if this cannon should not be scrapped, but should the time come when it is necessary that this take place, our organization will not only accede to the request, but will sponsor the drive.
  This cannon is the only memento of the Civil War days now on display here, and there is that deep sentiment of reverence for those who, when our nation was assailed, stood as a living sacrificial wall between its perpetuity and it's dissolution, that prompts us to make this plea.
  We believe that our organization is well enough known that its loyalty can in no way be questioned, and pledge our whole-hearted support in the prosecution of this war until right and justice prevail."
LOUIS KING, Secretary-Treasurer Old 44.
(This article appeared in the Sept. 10, 1953 Randolph County Enterprise)

Scrap It.

To the Editor From An Oldtimer:

  On account of the desperate condition of the country for want of scrap metal, would it not be the patriotic thing to offer the brass cannon on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn to our government to help alleviate the unprecedented shortage in copper and brass and thus put the old gun to use?
  Here's a little history of the old gun as I remember it.
  Early in 1880 Garfield had been nominated for president on the Republican ticket. Joseph Kemp, who was in the dry goods business on the west side of the square where the Hardman laundry is now, and Ace Kelly, a rare character about town, went to Chicago and bought this cannon from a junk dealer. This cannon was not used in the Civil War, it's baptisim with fire was in the old flax mill yard  in the west part of Winchester.
  They raised the money to pay for it among the Republicans of Winchester. It was splendidly equipped with a gun carrier and with a cassion with four high wheels under the equipment. A gun crew was organized and drilled for a few years in the basement of the courthouse, in summer, around town. Billie Reinheimer was captain of the squad of nine members as I remember, and George Ennis was drill master of the squad.
  So far as I can remember the first squad was made up as follows: William E. Reinheimer, George Ennis, Shell Bark, Charley Kizer,---- Chills, James E. Watson, Jim Elie, Elmer Way, ---- Puckie, John R. Commons, ----Granger, James P. Goodrich, ---- Seth, James A. Lesley, ---- Artemus, P.E. Goodrich, Elmer Thomas, Jonnie Gugler, Grant Ennis was powder monkey, George Hiatt.
  There were a number of other school boys and young men that trained with the above named. The regular squad was uniformed in blue trousers with red stripes down the legs and blue woolen shirts trimmed in red. What the caps were I don't recall.
  Beginning with the 1880 campaign the gun squad was as much in demand as was the Winchester Cornet Band and their gaudy band wagon drawn by four of the towns finest horses. The only teamsters I can remember were Eb Hall and the colorful Dan Rock. The gun squad with their cannon went to large rallies for many campaigns to Portland, Richmond, Muncie, Greenville, Ohio, and other nearby towns.
  In 1888 they went to a Benjamin Harrison rally in Indianapolis. They traveled to this big rally on a railroad flat car and loudly saluted the towns and countryside along the way with the roaring cannon and much gusto.
  I would like to suggest that this old cannon with this history be sacrificed to help whip Hitler and the Japs. After this cruel, uncalled for war is ended and despotism and ruthlessness is banished from this good earth, we hope for all time, we can replace the old brass cannon with one used in this war, one baptized by the blood shed by our heroes from old Randolph County."
                                                          Respectfully submitted,  An Old Timer.

(This article appeared in The Winchester Journal Herald, October, 1942.)

56. Randolph County Trivia 10/27

Randolph County Trivia

A Four-Way Generation

1949.

  A four-way generation is indeed something unusual, and it involves a certain amount of complications when one attempts to explain the various persons to the reading public.
  The Stephen and Wolfe families of Winchester and vicinity comprise the four-way four generations pictured above. Their ages range from three and one-half months to 75 years.
  This unusual family circle centers around Kellie Gene, three and one-half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Stephen. Those in the group and their relation to the little tot are as follows:
  Front row, from left to right, Mrs. Leroy Stephen, paternal grandmother; Gerald Stephen, father; Mrs Patsy Wolfe Stephen, mother; Mrs. Kenneth Wolfe, maternal grandmother. Back row, from left to right, Leroy Stephen, paternal grandfather; Mrs. Elizabeth McCamey, paternal great-grandmother; Mrs. William A Keister, paternal great-grandmother; William A. Keister, paternal great-grandfather; Robert Shandy, maternal great-grandfather;  Mrs. Robert Shandy, maternal great-grandmother; John Wolfe, maternal great-grandfather; Kenneth Wolfe, Maternal grandfather.

1934.

  Little hope is held by physicians for the life of Norman Wilson, 21, who was critically injured in an automobile accident north of Lynn Wed. night. It is thought that young Wilson is suffering from a broken back. The accident occurred when a car in which he was riding together with R.J. Tucker, a local resident and a man by the name of Hess, of Lancaster, Ohio, struck a large tire which had been lost by a truck, causing the car to swerve into the ditch and crash into a tree. Mr. Wilson is the son of Mrs. Myrtle Wilson of this city and was employed as a trucker at the General Glass Co. here. He was assistant manager of the local J.C. Penny store for 3 years and a graduate of McKinley High School in the class of 1931.

1948; Journal Herald.
"FREE ROOT BEER" With Every Order-Friday At 'NORMAN WILSON'S DRIVE-IN' Located At 'Pop' Lang's Certified Gas Station North Main Street-Winchester  Featuring Hamburgers-Hot Dogs-Cheeseburgers- Coca Cola-Coffee- Pop Corn  Open Sundays 2 PM To 12PM  Monday Thru Saturday 4 PM To 12 PM.

1939.

  Rally day Sunday at the Bartonia church was marked with special significance when the church was presented with a large 55-year-old American flag, holding interesting community history within it's folds. The large blue field of the flag contains but 38 stars.

The flag. 
The view is the flag folded in 4 layers draped over the ends of a quilting frame. Photo taken January 2020. 

  The flag was presented following the Sunday school services by Mrs. C.F. Oliver at the request of Mrs. John Harter, John W. Morton, George W. Harter and Rev. S.F. Harter.
  In the presidential campaign of Blaine and Cleveland, 1884, a Republican rally was held in Winchester with the $35 flag being offered to the community sending in the largest delegation on horseback. The delegation from Bartonia, with John W. Morton as captain, was the largest, so, therefore, it received the flag. Since that time the flag has been in the care of the Harter family. Mary Jane Harter-Stidham, deceased, had charge of it until about 1903; then it was given into the care of Mrs. John (Ida) Harter who has carefully guarded it since that time. It was at her suggestion that the flag be given into the care of the church for the Bartonia community.
  According to the most reliable information, the above three named men, Messers Morton, Harter and Harter, are the only ones living who took part in the delegation from Bartonia.
  Rev. S.F. Harter in reminiscence recalled that he rode a mule in the delegation and following their arrival in Winchester they continued south of town to lead in the delegation from the Huntsville community.
  The Sunday worship was led by Rev. Ora Bogue, the present pastor of the church. At the noon hour a basket dinner was spread on tables in the church yard. The afternoon speaker was Rev. W.O. Powers, of Ridgeville, a former minister of the church 16 years ago. Short talks also were given by Rev. S.F. Harter and J.B. Hart, former residents of the community and members of the church.
  A short history of the church is as follows: In 1848 the first class meeting was held at the home of James Bailey, who at that time lived about one-fourth mile west of the present local site of the church. Bailey had a store and inn in connection with his home. In October of 1849, Edward Barton, who lived where Robert DeBolt now lives, had the land surveyed and laid out the village of Bartonia donating the ground for the first church, which was built around 1850. This first church was replaced by the present building in the late 1880's, the first building being moved across the road where it was made into a dwelling house. Robert Bracken, Bartonia's local garageman now resides there. Edward Barton, adding "ia" to his name named the village Bartonia. While the Bartonia church has never had a large membership, it has been fortunate in being located where there is much neighborly kindness and love.
  Through the efforts of the neighbors, friends and the Ladies Aid Society, the present building has just received a new coat of paint which adds greatly to it's appearance, and for which appreciation is extended to all who helped in any way by giving money, time and labor.

1948.

  Announcement was made of the sale of the Winchester Bowling Center, formerly Falls Recreation, by Goldie and Buzz Falls to Walter Gilliom.
  Mr. Gilliom, former owner of Sunshine Cleaners and more recently affiliated with the real estate department of the Emmet Smith agency, 203 South Main, has taken possession and announces that the alleys will be reopened next August 15 for the 1948-49 bowling season.
  He plans, during the summer months, to sand and refinish the alleys, remodel and repair the interior of the building located at 120 North Main street.
  The Bowling Center was operated the past season by Duane Wickersham.

1968.

  The Frank Miller Lumber Company at Union City purchased the former James Moorman Orphans Home farm at auction, paying $502.50 per acre or a total of $84,922.50.
  The farm had been abandoned some time ago as an orphan's home. It was founded for that purpose by James Moorman, a Winchester banker, in the late 1800's and operated under a board of trustees for many years. However modern welfare department foster-home policies had caused the operation to become obsolete. After efforts to find a use for it for some similar purpose had failed, the Moorman heirs sued for their share of the property and the money it would bring if sold at auction.
  There were four bidders for the farm, Faye Fisher, the auctioneer, reported. A neighbor, Johnnie Owens, continued bidding up to $450. an acre, but Miller out-bid him.
  The farm, located west of Winchester on Ind. 32, totals 169 acres of which around 80 are tillable, and 60 are timber, including 71 large walnut trees.
  An office employee at the Miller Lumber Company said that the company hopes to make the acreage into a tree farm, and up to now had developed no further plans.
  The employee said that it was the company's understanding that the woods at the home was virgin timber, but plan to cut it only as required and with maintenance and best development of the entire woods in mind.

1952.

  Do you remember the old one-room school houses, the places where you got the Three R's-in one room from one teacher.
  It hasn't been too long ago, as time goes, as witness the pictured "student body" of the old Swamp Valley school located 4 1/2 miles west of Lynn on state road 36-on the south side of the highway on the Paul Rogers farm. The building was moved away and all that's left now is the well casing where the school pump was. It was abandoned in the spring of 1917, the last teacher being Mrs. Leota Coleman.
  But this accompanying photo was taken in 1911, or thereabouts, the picture being "retaken" by County Recorder Bob Cox from the original owned by Mrs. Belle (Oren) Byrum of Bartonia.
  If you look at the top right, peeking toward the camera you'll see the teacher-Miss Alice Funk, now Winchester city health nurse.
  Reading from left to right identification is made something like this;

  BOTTOM- Ida (Cox) Phillips, Unionport; Hazel (Miller) Noy, Cincinnati; Belle (Oren) Byrum,
Bartonia; Clyde Gordon, Parker; William Leach, Muncie; Charles Oren, Richmond.

  SECOND ROW- Rose (Miller) Willis, Unionport; William Mills, west of Lynn; Walter Harvey, Lynn, deceased; Robert ?.

  THIRD ROW- Mary Cox, Muncie; Ruth (Gordon) Pegg, north of Carlos; Elizabeth Mills, Lynn, deceased; Ethyel (Miller) Brown, Winchester.

TOP ROW- Elsie (Cox) Puckett, Palestine, Ohio; Paul Coggeshall, Winchester.




1970.

  By tomorrow the restaurants of Winchester will be able to feed over 800 persons all at the same time and without an instant's notice, should such a situation ever arise-and handle, in addition, an uncounted number of drive-in customers.
  A quick check this week revealed that there are six full fledged restaurants operating in the city (as of Saturday when the Winchester House opens), plus three taverns with emphasis on dining facilities, and two additional taverns which offer food as a state required sideline.
  Among the longer established restaurants:
  The Courtesy Café in the Hotel Randolph can seat around 100 in the two dining rooms and at a small breakfast bar.
  The Rainbow Restaurant, located on East Washington street just east of the public square can seat around 65 in a dining room and at a large counter.
  The D & J Drive-In on West Washington street at the edge of Winchester can seat 65, not counting drive-in customers.
  The Bird Inn, on West Franklin opposite the hotel, although under new management is also a long established eating place, and can seat, at tables and the counter, around 35 customers.
  Among the newer restaurants:
  The Cove, on Union street opposite the swimming pool, seats 62 diners upstairs, and has recently opened a basement dining room which although largely for banquets, can be used for diners in case of emergency, and will seat 80.
  The Winchester House, to open Saturday, located on North Main street at the former site of Jax Wearhouse, will be able to seat 212 eventually, when a basement dining room is opened. At present, the seating capacity is 56 in the coffee shop and 56 in the first floor dining room.
  Among taverns which specialize in food:
  The A & B, in the 100 block of North Main street, has been enlarged to include a dining room in addition to booths and a bar, and can seat an estimated 70 guests.
  Perry's Pub, formerly Reeve's Café and now moved to a new location at the north end of North Main street, and greatly expanded, can seat 66 in the dining room and bar.
  The Gaslight Inn, located on West Franklin street, has somewhat reduced it's food service but has a large dining room and can seat around 70 at tables and bar.
  Other taverns with food as a sideline, but available;
  The City Cigar Store, a men only establishment in the 100 block of North Main street can seat 36 in booths and at the bar.
  The Anchor Inn, located opposite the Anchor Hocking Glass plant, offers the required sideline of food and can seat 45.
  In addition to all of these facilities for sit-down diners, there is food available at numerous carry-out establishments:
  Two pizza specialty shops, one The Pizza House on East Washington street, and one the Pizza King now relocating at the east edge of Winchester, have a limited number of chairs and tables but specialize in carry-out Italian type orders.
  The D & J Drive-In, in addition to it's restaurant facilities, has a large number of park-and-serve stalls for motorists.
  The Quick Chick Inn, a new carry-out on North Main street at the north edge of town, provides carry-out broasted chicken and trimmings.
  The Dairy Queen, at the east end of East Washington street, offers carry-out fountain service and also provides sandwiches.
  The A & W Root Beer Stand at the east edge of the city on Ind. 32 , sells not only root beer, but sandwiches and other carry-out food.
  And for the tardy diner who finds all these restaurants, taverns and carry-outs bursting at the seams with standing room only, two of Winchester's drugstores offer food. Haines drugs, on Washington street provides soup and sandwiches in addition to fountain service; Leonards' on Main, offers sandwiches and fountain service.

1950.

  In 1840 John and Catherine Diggs gave an acre of ground five miles south and one mile west of Farmland for a church.
  A little group of Friends (Quakers) built the first church of the Poplar Run from logs cut there and in the immediate vicinity. It was covered with clapboards and had a stick and clay fireplace and chimney.
  The meeting was recognized by The New Garden Quarterly Meeting in 1847 and it was called Poplar Run.
  Mark Diggs gave land for a burying ground one-half mile east of the church John Diggs was buried in the Poplar Run cemetery in 1863.
  The Friends usually had a school house near a church and the children were taken in a body to the church for mid-week meetings.
  The Poplar Run log church was replaced by a frame building in 1856. This building was moved to Pinch and is now known as the Randolph County Seed Dryer. The first school house ended up as the first Nazarene church in Farmland. The last school house still stands across the road south of the church on the farm of B.C. Mendenhall and is used as a tool shed.
  The present church was built in 1883 and seats had a partition between the sides for the men and women. An organ was placed in the church in 1901, but not with the unanimous approval of the older members. This church was remodeled in 1911, a basement and three class rooms being added.
  In 1947 the church lot was landscaped and together with the grassy parking space it makes an attractive setting for the little white church.
  The need for a residence for a full time pastor cams when the old Josiah Parker homestead could be bought. As it was forty acres laying on the east side of the road just across from the church, complete with farm buildings, it was purchased in 1943. The house was remodeled and partly modernized with plans to finish the modernizing later. There the pastor, Rev. Robert Morris, and his bride Marian established their first home.
  Lester McNees, a capable young farmer, was selected to act as farm manager. All labor and machinery is donated for the planting, cultivating and harvesting of the crops and the proceeds are put into the treasury to be used as deemed best.
  It is now thought that the good barn on the premises will make a desirable rustic parish house to be used for class meetings and other social gatherings.
______________________

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(Updated January 2020)

55. Windsor Will Soon Be Under Water

News Gazette, April 1972
By A. M. Gibbons

(Editor's Note: The small town of Windsor, located on the "Windsor" road at the Delaware County line in Randolph County will be among the locations scheduled to go under water if and when the Parker reservoir comes into being. This is the story of Windsor's beginnings, its past, and its present.)

People in Windsor, like people in all the area mapped to be flooded if the Army Corps of Engineers carries out the Parker reservoir project, are mostly waiting just now, to see what happens. The degree of their interest depends on the degree to which they are involved--their family roots in the area, their businesses, their homes. Most of them have been in to see the big surveyors' map in Silvers' general store on the north side of the main street. Mrs. Silvers personally visited the offices of the Army Engineer Corps at Louisville, Ky. to get the map and other information and she is sure that the project will go through--that its confirmation before Congress next year is simply a matter of routine.
  Many of the older residents, although they will be sad to see their town wiped off the map, feel that, "I won't be around ten years from now anyway."
  In his history of Randolph County, Ebenezer Tucker commented in 1882 that Windsor, like many other towns, showed great promise but lost its major hopes when the "Bee-line" railroad was located north of the town in the 1850's. Tucker notes that "Windsor seems to have been aspiring. . . but the sad facts for Windsor and its ambitious denizens can neither be ignored nor changed. . . and her people. instead of mourning. . . may be thankful that. . . the means of solid happiness they still possess."
  All professor Tucker's musings aside, Windsor was at one time a very busy little town--a center for farmers, for business and social life. Furthermore, located on the "Muncie-Winchester pike" it saw a lot of traffic. In earlier days of slower vehicles this traffic provided much trade for the town. Now, cars and trucks roar through on the main street, but less often stop.
  Although most of the buildings are of no particular era or design (excepting two big brick houses at either end of the village, one apparently dating back to the mid-1800's and the other probably after the Civil War) each has an intensely individualistic air, like an old coat, much worn and patched but tailored to suit the exact needs of its wearer.
  The wide main street is usually empty, except for the impersonal through traffic. Children casually ride bicycles or stroll along its edges. Their elders amble back and forth to visit a grocery or greet a friend. Most of the inhabitants have a fair idea of where every one else is, most of the time. Long naps are popular. Generally, one or two elderly men can be found in good weather, sitting on an ancient church pew which serves as a "liar's bench" under a pine tree.
  You approach the town from the Randolph county side on the Windsor orad, a winding, tree lined, river bordered country highway, swoop down and around the loop, across a pretty creek and new bridge, negotiate a last steep bend and climb up to the main street.
  All this--river, road, hill and town--have been blueprinted to go under water.

Early history

  Professor Tucker writes that Windsor is exactly on the Delaware, Randolph county line (just this side) and was recorded in 1832 by John Thornburg. A series of lots was laid out from then through 1877 by Thornburg, Jerry Smith, Stephen Dye and Thomas Reece. Streets platted were Mulberry, Oak, Main. The town is 5.4 miles west of Farmland and 9.5 miles north of Losantville.

  Older residents recall that at some early time the town was called "Opal."

  Tucker's history notes that the first business was a shoeshop (cobbler's) run by Isaiah Templin. Others were a small store and smithy operated by Andrew Knapp. The mill established by John Thornburg in 1827 was the only mill on White River. Later Windsor gained another "shoe shop." William Ludworth had the first wagon shop. At one time there were "three good stores and a grocery and other things to match." 

  Tucker adds that "merchants have been Garretson, Joseph and Moses Cranor, a goods stock; Stephen Dye grocery and dry goods." A man named Chandler had a "big business with two clerks." Other businessmen were listed as Andrew Dye, Lindle Thornburg, and John M Terrell, Nathan and Joel Thornburg, Joesph Johnson, Armfield Thornburg.

   George Helm had the first hotel, which burned in 1856, but various owners continued to operate a hotel "to present time" (1882).

  Tucker lists blacksmiths over the years as Knapp, Templin, T.W. Thornburg, Oliver BEck, A.J. Dickson, Davison, Hikus and Sudworth. Wagon shops were operated by Sudworth and George Dickson.

  Doctors had been Dr. Davison, Dr. Farow and Dr. Chenoweth.

  In 1882, there were two smiths, a dry goods store, two millinery shops, one wagon shop, one shoeshop, one tanyard, one sawmill (water and steam), one grist mill, one doctor, one post office, two churches, MEthodist and Christian; a schoolhouse; one IOOF lodge; 30 to 40 houses, and 134 people as of the census of 1880.

  At that time, Tucker reports, Winsdor was a "quiet, orderly town with a people disposed to good things." 

Remembers When. . . 

  Frank Jefferson, who now lives in Delaware county and has lived in and around Windsot most of his life, is 88, but despite some deafness gives a very clear account of past days in the town. Jefferson says his father, Joshua, operated a store in Windsor for years and the family lived there until 1907.

  He recalls that at one time, Windsor was noted for the number of its lodges and secret societies with one of them meeting almost every night. He thinks that the town was then about the same size as now, possible larger by four or five houses. 

  Jefferson remembers hearing of one particularly exciting experience Windsor had back 80 or so years ago, when the Barnum and Bailey circus came through town. It didn't stop, just passed through, by-passing Muncie, but the event was as good as a performance. The circus traveled by wagon, and elephants were used to push the wagons in steep or muddy spots. 

  When Jefferson was a boy, he recalls, Billy Davis owned a general store in Windsor and there was also a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop (Milo Davison's) and paint shop for buggies and wagons.

  Jefferson remembers the old brick Christian church at the southeast edge of Windsor (now demolished) where the congregation at revivals went into trances and "jumped the benches." This church has been replaced by the frame Christian church on Main street, where services are quieter. There was also then, as now, a Methodist church. In Jefferson's time, "Old Doc" Nelson Chenoweth was the town physician and lived in the brick house he had built at the west edge of the town.

  Jefferson also recalls the big political rallies of election time with fireworks and "exploding anvils"; and Decoration Day ceremonies with a parade out to a grove west of town where the band and fife and drum corps music entertained the crowd.

  The first telephone in Windsor, Jefferson remembers, was a toll phone in his father's store installed by the Bell company. 

  Around 1907, Jefferson recalls, Windsor almost came to a fiery end. The fire started in his father's store and excitement was increased by a stock of fireworks his father had bought which went off in all directions in the middle of the conflagration. 

Other Recollections

  Harvey Patty, who at 82 still runs a barbershop in Windsor and has spent all his life in the area, remembers that 50 years ago the town had two blacksmith shops tun by Jake Dickson and Albert Nestor and that in that general period there were three barbershops, three stores, and many lodges. Windor also was visited by an ice wagon, which brought ice all the way from Mills lake six miles to the east.

  Now, Patty estimates, Windsor has around 45 houses, half a dozen trailers. The town also has two garage filling stations, one general store, one grocery, one barbershop. A modern restaurant prospered in the past decade but closed around three years ago. The population runs to around 140. Farmers from the surrounding area provide most of the business. By and large, Windsor exists very well, adapting to the modern world as much as necessary but maintaining a certain individual character not always to be found in today's small towns.

  Both Frank Jefferson and Harvey Patty, however, raise some doubts about Professor Tucker's description of Windsor "back then," as a "quiet and orderly" town. Jefferson recalls that Windsor was "always wide open at midnight." Patty remembers a popular hang-out called 'The Blue Goose' which existed half a century ago  and attracted the male population. Playing cards and shooting pool were always favorite pastimes. And some older people insist that at one time in the not too distant past, Windsor still had such a split personality that people going to church on Sunday morning had to walk around the crapshooters left over from the night before and still intent on a big game. 

Many Lodges

  The lodge ceremonies and entertainment added to the excitement. In the post Civil War days and up to the early 1990's, Windsor had more than its share of the then flourishing secret societies: The Odd Fellows, the Mason, the Red Men and their women's auxiliaries were among the groups which owned meeting places in the town and added to the social life of the entire area.

  All that is gone now, but the little town still has a penchant for fun. Fiddle and guitar music are popular and it is reported on good authority that a card game can be found without too much trouble on some nights. As somnolent and quiet as Windsor is in the daytime, it still does not shut up shop as early as might be expected, and it still proves a certain amount of social life for the farmers of the area. 

  Many of the early names associated with the town can still be found either in or around Windsor--Thornburg, Reece, Dickson, Huston, in a network of interrelated families who have lived or owned land in Stoney Creek township or Windsor since its founding.

  Occasionally, in flooding an inhabited area, the Army Corps of Engineers will move an entire village to another location. Even if they attempted this with Windsor, it couldn't be done. Windsor's entire reason for being, the surrounding farmland, will also be under water, as will its history and traditions. Once the water covers the present location of the town, the delicate fabric of history, custom and inertia which holds this little town together as a useful and functioning unit will be gone. 

  Meanwhile, on the bench under the pine tree, in the stores on Main street, and in the small houses and trailers, people wait, speculate, and shrug their shoulders to indicate their feeling of helplessness in the face of such large governmental doings.

  "Men cannot lose what they never had so Windsor has not lost a greatness which she never possessed," Professor Tucker philosophized 90 years ago. But great or small, if the reservoir is built, what has existed now for 140 years, will most certainly be lost. 

54. Randolph County Trivia

1972.

Despite rain and a somewhat difficult course, the Winchester Community high school golf team, coached by S.R. Brueckheimer, pulled through with a two stroke win (317) over Richmond in the annual 12 team, 18 hole golf invitational, held at the Beeson Park golf course in Winchester Saturday, April 29th. Low medalist for the event was Kent Ward of Winchester with a two under par 75 followed by Haworth 79, Davis 80, Study 83.
  The team is shown in the picture (from left) Rick Study, Ben Davis, Coach S.R. Brueckheimer, Kent Ward and Bill Haworth.


1890.

  Reports of cruelty toward the unfortunate inmates of the Moorman Orphan's Home having gained some notoriety, Auditor Cranor invited a representative from each of the papers to accompany himself, Frank Moorman and J.W. Thompson to that institution last Monday afternoon.
  Our limited space and time prevents us from giving all the information that was gained, and it must suffice for the present to say that it was shown that Mrs. Phillips acted too hasty on two occasions in particular, and administered undue punishment to the little ones, but the charges of cruelty and injury done were found to be grossly exaggerated. Mr. Cranor's idea was to ascertain if it was necessary to have the Commissioners called in special session to investigate the charges. It  was unanimously agreed that there was no occasion for any such action, as everything was moving along smoothly. Everything seemed to be neat and clean and the children well-cared for except that it was claimed that some of the children were not allowed as much as they wanted to eat and remained hungry at times; but it was shown that as a rule there was plenty and that it was well cooked and well seasoned food. The Commissioners will take action on this matter at their coming session. One of the surprising things to us was that there are no written or printed rules for the government of the Home, but that the entire management is left to the Superintendent and Matron. The duties of these officials should be clearly defined and regulated. We shall probably have more to say on this subject in the future, as we have no desire to shield any wrong doing on the part of those in charge of these helpless children, nor is it to the interest of the Home or the County that they should be misrepresented and false and overdrawn charges made against them, either to gratify personal spite or make political capital.

1957.

  For educational purposes there no longer is a Lincoln school building.
  The structure built in 1908, reportedly the first consolidated school in the United States, was "evacuated" Friday morning and its 240 pupils and nine teachers were transferred in seven buses to McKinley.
  The west-east move began almost on the stroke of 9:30. With first grade pupils of Mrs. Ruth Ann White leaving first, followed in order by the remaining six, the building emptied and pupils enbussed in exactly 15 minutes. Principal Tom Johnson supervised the transfer.
  While the Lincoln "evacuation" was in progress, high school students at McKinley were moved across the road to their new building under supervision of Principal C.A. Moncrief.
  The new building will house grades 7 through 12, the old structure , the first six. Principal Johnson will be in the old building, Moncrief in the new.
  Charley Moore had the distinction of being the first bus driver to unload at the new building-seventh graders from Lincoln.
  Principals Moncrief and Johnson said that school in both buildings would begin at the regular time Monday morning and that buses would make their rounds to pick up pupils on the same time schedule.
  There was no school Friday afternoon, teachers and students pitching in, getting the second floor at the old McKinley building ready for occupancy. Desks used by high school students were being torn out, to be replaced with smaller ones for smaller graders.
  Trustee Louie Grow has said the Lincoln building and adjacent custodian's home will be sold.

1929.

  A few days ago, Alva Downing, bottle opener and time-keeper at the Pastime Pool Room here in Union City, was about ready to go into retirement owing to a painful corn on his little toe.
  Along came Tom Potter who since then has received a degree and is now known as Dr. Potter, D.C. (Doctor of Corns) and he told his old friend Alva that unless he had something done with that corn he would lose at least a leg, the shape it was in. Dr. Potter said he would take charge of the case for two packs of Honest Scrap chewing tobacco in advance.
  Alva gave him the advance and "the Doctor" took his patient around to the Dan Cotter cream station where he gave the corn a good covering of an acid used in making tests. The results were far in excess of what could be expected for he removed the corn absolutely and completely together with the entire toe and about three inches of his pants leg. Alva had to be hauled home and was bedfast for three days. He is now on the road to recovery and is lucky to be on any road at all. Altogether however the operation was a success and it is considered a great medical triumph for Dr. Potter.


1951.

  Cooperation and brotherhood are the guiding words in the work accomplished by 34 members of a church class on the Charles Hinshaw farm southeast of Winchester, the 34 members of the Young People's class of the Jericho Friends congregation going into the field last week to toil side by side for their church. To help raise funds for their small farm community church, the rural residents planted nearly 30 acres of corn, beans and oats. They manned 14 tractors and at noon gathered under shady trees to eat a picnic lunch prepared by their wives, mothers and sweethearts. This is the second year that members of that congregation have planted a crop for their church, but last year's planting was on a smaller scale than the one of last week.
  In the autumn they again will go into the field side by side to harvest their crop, after alternating in its care during the summer.
  Members of the class taking part in the activities were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Keys, Ira Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. William Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Huffer, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Hinshaw, Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Buell Clark, Huey Popplewell, Will Hendrickson, Mrs. Kenneth Miller and Rev. and Mrs. E.E. Portis. Boys helping to drive tractors were Jack Miller, Ralph Barnes and Max Robinson.

1891.

  Report of the Secretary of the Randolph County Board of Health:
  The sanitary condition of the Poor Asylum is as nearly perfect as it could well be. The location good, the grounds well maintained, the yard is large and the grounds are kept clean, the buildings are in good repair and well ventilated and heated, the rooms are kept clean, beds are clean and tidy and free from vermin.
  The water supply is abundant, pure and safe from pollution, the cellars clean and dry. No decaying vegetables found in the cellars. Water closets in good order, clean and disinfected.
  There were at last inspection 33 inmates, 16 males and 17 females. all the males that are able to work get plenty of outdoor exercise and the females help to do the work in the Asylum, The inmates are compelled to keep clean and the best of order prevails. There were no sick at the last inspection. There has been one death in the past year. There are two insane, 1 male and 1 female, 4 idiots, 2 males and 2 females. It is necessary to keep two of these persons in confinement. The insane and idiotic persons are treated well.
  Food furnished is of good quality and well prepared.

1972.

  Randolph county's Soldiers and Sailors monument, on the northeast corner of the public square at Winchester, is reported to be the second largest monument of its kind in Indiana and is a source of much pride to residents of the area.
  But how many people actually know the history of this large and attractive Civil War memorial? And how many have actually looked at it closely, studied the battle scene in bronze around the shaft, or read the inscription on it?
  The monument, dedicated to the Union soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, came into being because of a bequest in the will of James Moorman-a Quaker but a devoted abolitionist.
  James Moorman, who died at Union City September 24, 1888, made a bequest of $2,000 in his will for the purpose of building a monument on the courthouse lawn as a Civil War memorial. But when the county commissioners learned of his bequest, they announced that $2,000 would be far too little to erect a suitable monument.

  After much discussion and a public  petition requesting that the project be carried out, John W. Macy who was then a joint state senator, and also commander of the Nelson Trusler Post #60 of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic-an organization of Civil War veterans) proposed and succeeded in having passed a bill in the legislature making it possible for a county to appropriate up to $25,000 for erecting Civil War monuments.
  Work began on the monument in the summer of 1889. Luther L. Moorman was awarded the contract for a concrete foundation which was to be 27 feet square and six feet deep, and cost $2579.
  A.A. McKain of Indianapolis, was selected from many applicants to design the monument itself. He began making designs in the summer of 1890.
  Work was slowed, however, because of an argument over what figure should top the monument. McKain had envisioned Mars, the classical god of war, as the highest figure on the structure but the county commissioners and monument committee objected. A second suggestion of the designer was to top the monument with a negro slave, a fitting enough idea. But this, too, was voted down. Eventually, the group settled for an ordinary foot-soldier holding the flag, and this is the figure which is to be seen on top of the monument today. Other figures, on the four corners, are a sailor, a calvaryman, an infantryman and an artilleryman.
  The bronze freize encircles the shaft, engraved verses commemorating the war dead, GAR insignia and cannon complete the work.
  The memorial was completed in the spring of 1892 at a total cost of $23,000 not including the foundation.
  Dedication ceremonies were set for July 21 of that year and included a talk by the governor of the state, Ira Chase, music by a local band led by Professor Sam Williams, salutes by "Old 44", a Civil War cannon which now stands on the southwest corner of the square, a talk by the state Adjutant General and many other speeches and ceremonies. The unveiling was done one figure at a time by veterans representing the branch of the armed forces depicted by each figure.
  The occasion drew an enormous crowd from all parts of the county. The celebration lasted all day, and included a noon picnic.
  Special commemorative napkins had been printed and were distributed to the crowd.
  The monument's base is limestone, the shaft is granite. The figures are bronze, as has been noted, and the entire structure is 67 feet high. The lower part of the monument is built in the shape of a fort with 16 bronze cannons.
  Of all the war memorials on the public square in Winchester this is the most handsome and most impressive and, ever since it was built, has been one of the county's most interesting landmarks.

53. Tennis At Goodrich Park

The News-Gazette, Winchester, Indiana.
By Kurt Fishtorn, July, 1977.



  So you belong to the tennis set. Racquet in hand, you've discovered an attractive place in the roller coaster '70's. You're not alone either. You're in universal company, numbering in the millions.
  Tennis today is something of an addiction. Americans can't seem to get enough. Singles, doubles, tournaments, couples-families, offices, companies-everyone wants in on the act.
  As challenging and exciting as contemporary tennis may seem, it wasn't always the people's choice as a means of recreation. For nearly 30 years-from the mid 40's to as recent as about six years ago-tennis played second fiddle to just about every other sport in the books here in Winchester. When the sporting trend shifted to golf, tennis rapidly lost its influence here.
  Before the tide, however, Winchester was reputed widely as a tennis boom town.

  From the mid 20's to the mid 40's tennis had Randolph County in it's grip. The local set of that era loved the game deeply-and they showed it by playing hard and often. There was an ever bigger reason for the sport's popularity during those years. Four hard, clay courts. Built in 1925, the Winchester courts nestled near Salt Creek in Goodrich Park, offered an excellent playing surface.
  Wilbur Bullen, a Winchester native since his sixth birthday, picked up his first racquet and bounced a ball back and forth there in 1930. From that day on Bullen, who still plays actively at least once a week, was hooked.
  At 63, Bullen can spin endless tales of tennis experiences. his most vivid memories, however, reflect those early years-particularly the turnout and the courts.
  "When I started," Bullen said, it seemed like half the people in town played tennis. There were more good players in town by far then than there are now.
  You either came early or you didn't play- courts were seldom vacant, he said. And the well maintained condition of the hard -packed clay kept people waiting for an opening. "They were as good as most any clay courts around," Bullen said. "They had to be rolled and relined every day."
  While the city offered several other forms of recreation, including softball, Bullen concentrated exclusively on tennis. "I just practically lived on the courts," he said. "I had the time and I put that above all my other sporting activities."
  As the sport grew, so did the need for organization. It didn't take high school administrators long to make room for tennis on the athletic program,. It was the fall of 1930 when Winchester's first boys tennis squad hit the courts.
  Bob Oliver Sr., a junior that year, was seeded No. 1. As the team's ringleader, Oliver now a Winchester Attorney, got the team pointed in the right direction in it's initial season. The next year (1931), no area school could touch the Winchester foursome, including Oliver, Wright Hiatt, Tom Barnes and Earl Carter. Competing against teams like Richmond, Muncie Central, New Castle, Portland and Union City was a breeze for the Winchester four. They swept through the 20 meet season undefeated.
  Once June rolled around, play switched from school vs. school to town vs. town. Summer competition was fierce, most of it geared to tournament play.  The annual city tournament and the Tri-County match were the two biggest. The city team, which consisted of six singles and three doubles players, traveled to as many as nine different towns, June through August. Eleven members strong, the team featured such names as Bullen, Oliver, Gerald Alexander, Herb Ryan, Bob Ward, Andy Litchert, Don Overman, Wright Hiatt, Robert Ludy, Jimmy Clark and Bob Study.
  In 1933, Oliver, who by then was generally regarded as the city's top player, took his racquet to DePauw University. His high school success carried right over to the college level that year when he and Tom Nicholson represented DePauw-even though it had no tennis team-at the state tourney at Earlham College.
  Pursuing a law degree, Oliver headed to Indiana University and was back on the tennis courts in 1935. In no time he was at the climax of his tennis career. Teamed with Ed Tieman of Hammond, Oliver reached the 1936 state finals at Earlham once again-only this time he won it all. After a grueling five game set, Oliver and Tieman finally edged their Notre Dame opponets  for the championship.
  Meanwhile, the competition continued to rage back home. in July of 1940 Oliver embarked upon another crossroad. Playing in the finals of the annual Tri-County tournament, Bullen knocked off Oliver, ending Bob's reign as the city's No. 1 player. Oliver had had enough.
  At the age of 27 Bob called it quits and hung up his racquet. "After Wilbur beat me," Bob explained, "I said I just can't keep up with it."
  Not too many years after Bob's departure, tennis in Winchester began to crumble. As far as Bullen can remember, the decline started around '46 or '47, about the time poor maintenance turned the hard, clay surface to powdery dirt. Later, as the new sporting fad moved to Beeson Golf Course, the courts were resurfaced with a "tarvey" substance. Clay tennis courts in Winchester evaporated into history after that.
  Although the game is played on a different surface today, it has fully recovered here. Somehow tennis had survived a cruel "forgotten" period from the late "40's to the early '70's.
  Steadily gaining acceptance, it returned as quickly as it departed. The rebirth began in 1971 when several WCHS students, including Dane Starbuck, approached school administration officials about penciling the sport into the athletic calendar. If school officials opposed the idea, they thought twice when they learned that competition in the sport was a must in order to stay competitive in the newly formed Tri-Eastern Conference. Adopt a tennis program or lose 30 all-sports points annually. It was that simple.
  Under the direction of Jack Skinner, WCHS re-introduced team tennis to the community in September of 1972. It immediately fused and spread like wildfire. In addition to the six high school courts, the city added two more surfaces north of the old courts at Goodrich Park in 1976. All are used heavily, particularly evenings and weekends.
  Thirty years of near extinction couldn't bury tennis. It survived. "Tennis enthusiasm here in town has just boomed",  explains Starbuck, a Huntington College junior who along with Debbie Sterling, coordinates the city's third annual summer instructional program. "Six or seven years ago there was hardly any good tennis in Winchester. Now you can go out and see men and women playing who are comparable to any city in the country.
  The sport's future can be insured mainly through instruction, Starbuck says. Instruction for everyone, not just beginners. "The difference between winning and losing is the strategy of the game," he suggests. "Tennis is a very complex game. The fundamentals are simple, the strategy is complex.
  "Six years ago people merely played for a social thing. Now people want to play more competitive. They want to play better."
  Though he was self-taught from scratch, Bullen supports Starbuck's theory. "You're better off being taught," Bullen says. "You learn all the bad things when you learn yourself. Getting started right, that's the main part of it now, more so than then," he adds.
  But lessons often are discouraging. Tennis' high handicap quickly depletes patience. And abused patience usually separates champions from also-rans.
  Though tennis can be played for either pleasure or blood, competition has kept the game alive through the lean years. "Tennis is the most violent exercise there is, "says Oliver. "To play top-flight tennis you've got to be ready to play long, hard hours in the sun."
  Most old-timers lose that competitive edge. Some, Oliver for example, refuse to play if they can't go all out. Others, like Bullen, remain active and play for fun. "It's physical now," Bullen says, "harder to get into condition. If you can't go all out, you lose some of your desire to win. I can't get to every ball now, and that was really the biggest asset of my game when I was young-to chase every ball down."

52. Wards Of The Court At The Moorman Orphan's Home, 1913

  On August 27, 1913 Allen Hiatt, Superintendent (1909-1916) of the James Moorman Orphan's Home, filed a quarterly claim with the Randolph County Auditor for $624.55. There were 25 children that had been sent to the Home by the Juvenile Court, and the County Commissioners had agreed to pay .35 cents per day for the care of each child. A few had just arrived, but most had been there for the full 92 day quarter. Children that had been sent to the Home by the court could only be removed  with the approval of the court or by reaching age 16. An example of this, is the case shown below where Imogene Codling could have left at 16 but for whatever reason stayed until she was nearly 21 as she probably had no family nor anyplace to go. The information below is as it came from the admissions book plus anything that I find from court documents such as reports from the Probation Officer to the Judge, the Probation Officer being the first person to make contact with the child.  In 1913 the Circuit Judge and also the Juvenile Court Judge was the Hon. James S. Engle and the Probation Officer was J.M. 'Buck ' Fletcher.
  I'll list the 25 children and what information I've found from the Home records beginning with Ms. Codling. The number before each name shows the order in which they were admitted. #1 being Aker, Cleota, Feb. 29, 1889.


#212- Codling;  Imogene,  Born 10-21-1893, Admission 2-19-1908. Left Home 9-24-1914. Called Home 7-17-1936 to get birth date.

#264- Driver, Sadie L.:  Born 2-2-1898, Admission 8-11-1913, Taken  5-26-1914 by her mother Dolly McCallister.  Probation Officer report 8-11-1913; I was called to Farmland to investigate a girl by the name of Sadie L. Driver who was charged with issuing a fraudulent check and after investigation she was brought to court and ordered taken to the Orphan's Home where she now is.

#250- Brenner, Cleo:  Born 1-11-1902, Admission 11-23-1910, Taken  5-11-1915 by Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey, Portland Ind.

#220- Kirklin, Dollie:  Born 3-16-1901, Admission 7-22-1908, Taken 10-8-1922 by Fidellis Hill.

#232- Spencer, Florence:  Born 7-12-1905, Admission 4-10-1909, Taken 11-12-1922. Two sisters called here Aug. 30, 1929.

#258- Brewer, Mabel:  Born 11-30-1902, Admission 9-12-1912, Taken 10-1-1918 by State Agent. (This generally means medical treatment or behavior problems)

#xxx- Sharits, Nelle: No record of admission. Quarterly claim paper shows she was only at the Home 4 days.

#234- Harmon, Hazel:  Born 1-5-1898, Admission 6-5-1909, Taken 7-13-1916 by Harry Drake.

#254- Magner, Nora Irene:  Born 11-8-1904, Admission 7-15-11, Taken 8-15-1913. Now Mrs. C.E.   Nagel, Bourden, Indiana, 4-27-1938.

#259- Brewer, Minnie:  Born 5-21-1905, Admission 9-12-1912, Taken 3-27-1919 by State Agent.

#265- Merryweather, Lucile:  Born 5-5-1910, Admission 8-11-1913, Taken 1-26-1914 by State           Agent.

#261- Brewer, Naomi;  Born 11-30-1907, Admission 9-12-1912, Taken 8-8-1922, Placed in home  of William Heart, Redkey, Indiana.

#248- Ward, James Robert:  Born 12-6-1901, Admission 10-1-1910, Ran away from Home 9-23-1916.

#231- Spencer, John Severe:  Born 8-17-1902, Admission 4-10-1909, Taken 5-12-1915 by Homer Heath, Portland, Indiana.

#xxx- Smith, Lester: No information shown other than the claim form showing that Lester Smith was at the Home in the 3rd quarter of 1913 for 92 days.

#256- Miller, Roy:  Born 2-4-1902, Admission 8-24-1912, Taken 7-20-1914 by State Agent.

#235- Harmon, Edward G.:  Born 1-23-1903, Admission 6-5-1909, Taken 3-25-1919 by State Agent.

#243- Parker, Ureal:  Born 10-23-1903, Admission 3-30-1910, Taken 8-24-1914 by State Agent.

#237- Edwards, Ephrawm M.:  Born  3-9-1905, Admission 9-25-1909, Present address Winchester, Indiana R R, 11-6-1942.

#260- Brewer, Clarence:  Born 11-7-1906, Admission 9-12-1912, Transferred To Feeble Minded Home, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 7-22-1920.

#255- Magner, Oliver E.:  Born 6-5-1907, Admission 7-15-1911, Taken out 7-22-1920, Address 4-27-1938, 348 State Line Road, Union City, Indiana.

#262- Wilson, Charles:  Born 1908, Admission 4-14-1913, Taken 5-23-1914 by father Harry Wilson, Union City, Indiana.

#263- Wilson, Merid:  Born 1911, Admission 4-14-1913, Taken 5-23-1914 by father Harry Wilson, Union City, Indiana.

#226- Williams, Herbert C.:  Born 2-14-1902, Admission 10-8-1908, Taken 7-3-1913 by State Agent Mr. Leonard.

#267- Davis, Maud-  Born 11-18-1903, Admission 12-1-1913, Taken 12-7-1918 by Henry Sheffer.  Probation Officer report; I was called to the home of Epha Davis on South Wall Street as a complaint had been sent in that she was not a fit person to have charge and raise two small girls. After careful investigation I filed charges in court and took the children, Maud and Viva to the James Moorman Orphans Home.

#268- Davis, Viva-  Born 8-18-0=1905, Admission 12-1-1913, Taken 2-19-1916. Now Mrs. Kenneth Manley, 3-23-1927.

  In the Moorman will, it was originally stipulated that the Home was to provide for any orphaned child that lived in Randolph County until they reached 14 years of age. Indiana later passed a law raising the age to 16 for tax funded orphanages which the Moorman Home honored even though the Home was self supporting. Children not born in Randolph County were to be a resident of the County for two years before they could become an inmate of the Home.

51. Hopewell Methodist Church, Green Twp., Randolph Co., Indiana

Winchester News-Gazette, 1977.
By Lottie Jacobs and Arthur Sumwalt.
Photograph By Cousins Shannon & Greg Hinshaw.


  Methodism as an organization began in 1789 as a group of people who met together to pray and to talk about things pertaining to God. As the numbers grew they were divided into classes and over each group a layman was appointed, whose duty it was to be a leader to them, to watch over their souls, and  as the head of the church; and to give spiritual counsel and instruction.
  In 1839 the title, "Methodist Protestant Church" was given these people; the name stands for "mutual rights." Christ was recognized as the head of the church; all men were equal; a church government was planned in harmony with the Republic to which they gave their glad allegiance as citizens; and it was in conformity, so far as they understood, with the principals of the kingdom of God.
  Hopewell Church was first organized about 15 years after this memorable date, a little before 1845. God planted a desire in the heart of one Rev. Jonathon Flood to organize a class in this neighborhood. Rev. Flood was a circuit rider, making the rounds on horseback from his log cabin, which stood by the fishpond just southwest of Brant Davisson's barn.
  He rode into Ohio, among other places, with his open Bible on the pommel of his saddle, stopping along the way to cheer the sick and to give a kind word to the poor, downhearted, and oppressed.
  The first preaching was held in his own house; later, services were held in the homes of others, such as John Woodard, John McCamish, Howell French and Joseph Gantz. During this period of approximately eight years, they began to have a great longing for their own church, where they could all meet and worship God with their little ones around an alter with one accord.
  In 1853 their dreams came true and a frame church was built upon ground donated by Rev. Flood. They sang and prayed as they hewed the lumber; and shouts of joy went up as they planted the first cornerstone. Their new church they called, "Hopewell."
  The church faced the south and had only one door. Handmade benches, one of which was the
"mourners bench," served as seats. Two large pillars extended from the crude, rough floor to the ceiling; and between these and the preacher's stand, on each side, was an amen corner. Under the stern eyes of fathers on one side and the anxious eyes of mothers on the other side, the young people were seated in the middle rows of seats.
  Some of the most familiar faces on the men's side of the church were Thomas Green, John I. French, Joseph Gantz, William Bailey, Billy James, John Woodard, Sanford Flood and some others. The women were Minerva Green and her little son Francis, Clorinda French, Elizabeth Bailey, Sara French, Sally Ann Woodard, Matilda French Betty Gantz and others.
  They worshiped in this church for about 24 years; but it was a cold place in which to have meetings in the winter; the floor sagged and the windows rattled with the wind; moreover the children had grown up and wanted a new church. The old church was torn down and many parts of it were saved to be used in the new church. This second church was dedicated about 1877.
  It stood a little north and west of the old one. Quite a number of the old members were still living and helped to erect it. This church was much like the first, facing south but with two entrance doors. The alter was built between two amen corners, one on the east and the other on the west side of the pulpit. The seats were circle seats, and the church was illuminated with gasoline lamps. There was a block of center seats with one aisle on each side and smaller seats on the east and west; two posts again extended from the floor to the ceiling.
  As before, Hopewell French sat by one of these posts and Robert Summerville by the other. In the back of the church, near the vestibule, stood an old coal heating stove. A few of the members at that time were Goranzo Gantz, Ben Sumwalt, John McCamish, Bob Woodard, Samuel French, Emanuel Zimmerman, Charles Green, George Bales and their wives. John I French became the owner of the ground where the church stood, and part of the cemetery; he gave the Methodist Protestant Conference a deed for it.
  In 1900 this second church was remodeled. In 1913 it was struck by lightning and no one could get to the ensuing fire which caught on the spire and our church burned to the ground.
  George Barnes was the pastor at that time. We felt like the pioneers of old, without a church home. Sister churches opened their doors; Sunday School was held in the corner school house and prayer meetings took place in the members homes. Members gave of their means; the surrounding community helped and in June 1914 this present church was built where the other one had stood, at a cost of about $4,000.
  Shortly after the first church was built it was put on a circuit with Deerfield and Bear Creek, but Hopewell alone survived. She was connected with Dunkirk for a few years following that, and then placed on the Gaston circuit with Gaston, Cammack and Mt. Olive. We had preaching services once a month, Saturday night and Sunday morning and evening. The parsonage was at Gaston and the pastor would drive over with horse and buggy.
  Quarterly meetings were held four times a year, once at each church. Class meetings were held on Sundays and prayer meetings every Thursday evening. In 1916 we were removed from Gaston circuit during the pastorship of Rev. Wooten.
  Several marvelous revivals took place during the history of the church. In wagon days people came for miles on horseback, big wagons, buckboards and on foot to attend special meetings under Rev. Remnalls. This was in 1872, and there were over one hundred conversions. In 1897, under Rev. Vice, whole families were saved during services that lasted six weeks or more. Other memorable revivals came during the pastorates of Rev. Rhodes, Teltoe and Rev. Burgess in the early days of our church.
  Perhaps, as you see the cemetery, you wonder just how old it is in comparison with the church. Actually, it was laid out by Jonathon Flood and Samuel French even before the first church was built in 1853. We have no record of the organization of the first Sunday School here, although we like to think of it as always being connected with the church.
  It was during the pastorate of Glen C. Hershberger that the churches were united, all combining to form the Methodist church. At that time Hopewell was put on a circuit with Trenton in the Muncie district. Rev. Harry Jones came in 1940 and Hopewell was placed on the Albany circuit.
  The new pulpit furniture was obtained while he was there and several children were saved during a revival meeting held when he was the pastor. In 1946, Rev. Emery Smith followed Rev. Jones serving until 1947.
  We all remember Rev. Merton Spaulding, the next minister, because he was our first student pastor from Taylor University and an energetic young man. Rev. Robert Neely, another Taylor student and a native of Philadelphia, came to Hopewell in 1950.
  We will always remember the blessings received from the music of Mrs. Neely and their family. In 1952, Hopewell was taken off the Albany circuit and was alone for a year, with Donald Wilks, again a pastor from Taylor University, serving. We have been very proud to be able to help these three young men as they started out in the ministry. Rev. Wilks has been the first pastor to be recommended by our quarterly conference for admission on trial in the North Indiana Conference.
  Today, in 1953, we are on the Dunkirk circuit of the Richmond district with Rev. Wilks as pastor. The membership stands at 44 and we are striving to "enlarge our borders" as a spiritual lighthouse and a home where God and man may commune in worship. We know that numbers mean nothing unless there is a force to give them strength and accompaniment. And, though one hundred years may seem as many, yet in the sight of God's timeless eternity, they seem so few.

50. Winchester Trivia 10/9

1903.

  There were more "doings" last Wednesday evening than Winchester has experienced for some time. The band gave a concert on the east side of the court house square and the medicine man caused a great deal of amusement for the large crowd gathered around his wagon. There was certainly music in the air on this occasion. Not only did the band furnish it but the medicine men sang and played several pieces of some of the latest songs out.
  The streets were crowded with people from 7 o'clock until after 10 o'clock and everyone seemed to be out for a good time.
  The reason for the band playing on the night as above mentioned was on account of the Teacher's Institute. The teachers are great critics in music and highly appreciated the excellent program rendered. Prof. Oscar Puckett had his band to make a special effort and they certainly did, as the music never sounded so sweetly as it did upon this occasion. In spite of all the young people could do, they couldn't keep their feet still and the court house lawn was turned into a dancing floor and quite an enjoyable dance was the result.
  The medicine man did a big business on that evening and his entertainment was highly appreciated, judging from the number of bottles of medicine he sold.


1862.

  James Hamilton, whose residence, we believe, is a few miles north-east of Winchester was run over and killed by the cars last Thursday morning at the Railroad crossing half a mile east of town. He was driving a team and was on his way to Winchester, when attempting to cross the rail road at Ludy's crossing, a train of cars-we learn it was a wood train- came upon him, killing one of his horses instantly and cutting Mr. Hamilton up in a horrible manner. He lived about two hours after the occurrence of the sad accident. The wagon was broken into pieces and the other horse was very much injured.
  Coroner John H. Leake summoned a jury and held an inquest over the body on Thursday afternoon and rendered a verdict in accordance with these facts:  On the person of Mr. Hamilton was found a quart flask, about half full of whiskey, and as it was a common thing for him to be drunk, it is reasoned to suppose that this whiskey had something to do in the case. And if he was so intoxicated, it is no wonder he did not notice the approach of the cars in time to prevent the wreck.

1957.

  Former champion, Jack Shockley has put together his current Golden Gloves boxing team at the Winchester Youth Center and it includes two boys from Union City and six from Winchester. From Union City is Errol Klem, a former East Side basketball player and Jerry Hines. From Winchester Shockley's squad includes Lowell Winningham, Bud Townsend, Larry Gaylor, Dave Johnston, Ron Fair and Ronnie Mills. Actually there are nine boys, but Jack Woolf is not yet old enough to compete in the Golden Gloves program.

1907.

  Did you ever see the like? The people of Winchester are "amusement mad." Every afternoon and evening the new skating rink in the Red Men's block on North Main Street is crowded. The three bowling alleys are rushed most all of the time and every evening last week the opera house was crowded to capacity. Besides, there were a number of other entertainments in town last week and everywhere the crowds were large. Across the street from the skating rink, boxing matches are held on Saturday nights in the Armory.
  Thanksgiving day there were more places for the citizens of Winchester to spend their time and money than ever in the history of the town. The skating rink was crowded from early morning until ten o'clock at night. In the afternoon the Hoosier basket ball team played a team from Liberty at the old German church on West Franklin street and the crowd there was also large.

1939.

  NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC!     Since no funds have been provided for furnishing the new club house at Beeson Memorial Park, donations of furniture from citizens would be of great value, the committee in charge feels. Any tables, chairs, porch chairs, dishes, kitchen utensils and other articles which may be uncovered at house cleaning time, would be welcomed, those in charge state.
  There is need, also, for a stove and an ice box. It is felt that since the club house is free for use by all citizens, the people will be willing to give whatever articles of furniture they can for furnishing it. Anyone who has something to donate is asked to call Fred Lattin at the Randolph Hotel. Citizens are urged to go out to the club house to see it, now that it is nearly completed.
  Arrangements will be made later for the use of the club house for private parties. For this privilege, a small fee will be charged.

1952.

  At the city council meeting;  Possibility of a dog pound at Goodrich Park had been discussed at previous council meetings, investigation of the proposal reported at last night's meeting. Council decided that a dog pound would be too expensive for the city to maintain. Therefore, Chief of Police Forest Holdeman has been ordered to get rid of all dogs which are a nuisance in the city. Owners of dogs bearing tags will be notified to keep animals confined or they will be shot. Council and the Police Department have received a number of complaints from residents of dogs running over gardens and destroying shrubs and flowers.
  Council has ordered four new stop lights to be erected at the following intersections: East Washington and Union, North Main and Fourth, South Main and East South and West Washington and Jackson Street.

1930, April.

  The county commissioners have let the contract for constructing the county highway garage building to H.R. Crawford and son for the sum of $9,066.50. The building will be located on a triangular tract of land just southwest of Winchester where the Bloomingsport road branches off the Bundy Mill pike (Huntsville road today). The structure will be 60 by 100 feet of steel and glazed building block with a cement floor. The building is to be completed by September 1, 1930. This building will house all the road machinery and serve as a storage for highway supplies.

1941.

  Pat Davis, the 'pop corn man' dies.  Orla Lou (Pat) Davis, 53, died suddenly Friday at his home, 229 East Franklin street.
  Afflicted with a bone disease while a young man, which necessitated amputation of an arm and a leg, Mr. Davis despite these adversities provided for a large family, became clerk-treasurer of Winchester during the administration of Mayor John P. Clark and was regarded as a successful business man.
  Known far and wide in Democratic party circles, Mr. Davis was also renowned in eastern Indiana and Western Ohio for his "Pat's" pop corn which he dispensed on the east side of the courthouse square near the Lyric theatre.

1907.

  An iron fence, on a concrete foundation is being built around the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument on the northeast corner of the Court House lawn. It is generally conceded that this should have been done long ago, but better late than never. Since the monument was built, people have been permitted to sit on it and make it a loafing place. It is beginning to show the rough usage and a gathering place for trash and cigar and chewing tobacco waste, especially on and around the base. A fence was proposed and the commissioners gladly consented to do their part. Money was appropriated, but not enough. The appropriation was increased and new bids were submitted, with the result that hereafter the monument will be taken care of, which is indeed gratifying.

49. Winchester Community High School Band & Mr. Jones

Winchester News-Gazette, Nov., 1977.
By Janet Fuller.




A little boy-age four or younger-was at a church supper in Danville (his father was the minister). He had been promised by his father that he would get to go to the high school football game after the supper. There were games at the church for youngsters that evening and his father who was busy visiting with his parishioners, figured that the games would keep his small son occupied for a few minutes.
  But, the youngster went to the front door of the church where he heard the high school band's drums. He returned to his father and nagged him until they left for the football game.
  The little boy was Winchester Community High School band director Max Jones and from that evening in Danville on, he has been stuck on bands.
  However, it took Jones a little while longer to decide on a career-he didn't decide that until he was in the seventh grade! Prior to that it was a toss up between being a band director and a railroad engineer.
  Max recalls when his family lived in Winamac, a girl down the street played tenor saxophone and he used to beg her to practice near a window so he could sit outside and listen. When the girl would have to take her instrument to school, young Jones would volunteer to carry it for her-no small task since the horn was about as big as he was. But, when it came time to decide on what instrument he wanted to play, the decision was relatively simple-tenor saxophone.

It was in Princeton-ministers move around a lot-that Jones finally gave up on trains and settled on a career as a band director. He was in seventh grade and a member of the Princeton junior high band at the time. He recalls that a railroad track ran next to the band practice field and one day during a rehearsal it came to him-he was definitely going to be a band director.
  Well, his choice of a career was an excellent one and the Winchester community has been the one to benefit most from his seventh grade decision.
  Since taking over the instrumental music reins at Winchester Community High School, Jones and his bands have built a music dynasty that has gained both state and national recognition for both the school and the community. In the past five years, the band has won three state marching championships and been runners-up twice and has participated in  numerous other marching contests and parades of national importance.
  What goes into creating a band of this caliber? A lot of hard work-that's what! But, in addition to the hard work on the part of both bandsmen and director, there are a few unknown qualities that make the difference between good, better, and best-and Jones manages to come up with "best" year after year.
  He is quick to say that the current band is the best he has ever had and notes that at the start of the season two goals were set by the band: to win the state and to go undefeated. both goals were achieved. But, perhaps, the best story is not that they were achieved, but rather how they were achieved.
  Anyone who has any dealings with a Max Jones' band knows that being in the band will not be an easy road to travel-he is a perfectionist and he demands perfection. There is no living on past laurels.
  "After we win a competition," states Jones, "we celebrate briefly. Then I remind the band that the victory they won last weekend has no bearing on next week's competition. I tell them that last week means nothing."
  He then gets his kids out on the practice field and works the legs off them.
  Do the band members complain? You better believe they do. From time to time throughout a marching season one is liable to hear great cries of woe from bandsmen who feel overworked and unappreciated-there are tears-there is talk of quitting. But, by the end of a week of practice, Jones has his band psyched up again. The tears have long since been wiped away and the thought of quitting has been replaced by a strong desire to win.
  This method of practice was perhaps best exemplified a week ago Thursday night. On Friday the band was to leave for Morehead State University in Kentucky for a competition of championship bands-but the trip and competition was to be a "fun one." On October 29, the band had won not only the state championship in it's division (class B), it had also out-pointed every other band in the state of Indiana-even Ben Davis, the class A champion.
  So, what were Jones and his band doing on the evening before their departure to Morehead State? Right, they were out at the high school athletic field practicing. This was not just a short "run through" either, it was a session where the entire show was picked apart and mistakes noted in the state championship performance were corrected. Jones commented from the top of the football stands that night: "we're being super picky tonight!" But, then he didn't get his band where it is today without being "super picky."
  Jones, as was said earlier, is a perfectionist. He wants his bands to be perfect and with perfection, winning naturally follows. But, his overall band program encompasses much more than mere victory.
  He believes that through the band program, his bandsmen build character through discipline, self-pride and desire to be the best. The character building process not only includes the band's on-the-field performances but also the bandsmen's appearance, manners and public relations.
  "We push travel in our program," states Jones. "The kids and I take a lot of flack both at school and in the community for taking so many trips. But, I think travel is important for the educational experiences it provides. A lot of these kids will never again have an opportunity to visit some of the places we visit as a band."
  He cited the band trip to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. last Thanksgiving as an example of the educational value of travel. "Now, when these kids see or read something about Washington, D.C. they feel much closer to it-they have been there."
  Jones would be quick to agree with some of his critics of the band trips were it not for the educational value. "Some people say the band program is a 'frill' and others criticize us for taking money out of the community," states Jones. "I would agree if it were just for the winning or the time out of school or the music alone, but when you think of the things these young people get to see and do, it is well worth the money spent."
  "We never go to just one place over and over," he says. "I try to plan things so the band will get different experiences. Travel was always very important in my life and I am often amazed at what some of these kids haven't seen." He then noted that when the band marched at the Indianapolis 500 parade and race two years ago, many of the members had never before been to Indianapolis.
  If feed-back means anything, the Jones' program is definitely working. His bandsmen conclude their years in band as well-rounded individuals and the letters received by school officials and Jones concerning the behavior of the young people on the road should be enough to make even the staunchest critic swell with pride. Letters have returned to the community with such comments as: "Never before have we hosted a more well-behaved and well mannered group of young people" and such letters are from very critical people-motel and hotel owners, restaurant owners-people who have observed the worst young people can dish out.
  Jones, who interestingly enough graduated from Princeton High School (Princeton has been Winchester Community's toughest rival in state marching competition the past few years), has received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Ball State University.
  However, the area of his job that has brought both him and his band the most acclaim-field show marching-is one in which he had no formal training.
  "I just went out on my own," stated Jones. "You just know what a show should contain."
  In fact, it wasn't until this past June-after designing two state championship shows-that Jones received any training at all in his specialty. He attended a clinic.
  "I spent five hours in a clinic and it was only in a 30 minute session that I learned something that I wasn't already incorporating in my show planning. They taught me how to chart a show on paper.
The rest of it I already knew-I didn't realize I knew it, but I did.
  As for winning state championships and all the glory the band has achieved, Jones says it is an odd feeling for him. "Oh, when they announce we have won, I jump up and down like a little kid," he says, "but after it is over, I have no desire to do it again just so I can say I have a championship band. I am thrilled for the kids and want to compete because of what it means and will mean for them but for me it isn't the 'ego thing' I thought it might be.
  "You know, I never tell a band that it is great unless I think it is," comments Jones. "I might tell the kids that following a certain championship they were the best in their division but it wasn't until this year that I really felt in my mind that our band was the best in the state of Indiana-in any division-and I guess their achievements throughout the season have proven me right. We just keep knocking off the big ones."
  Again, I go back to an earlier statement "there are a few unknown qualities that make the difference between good, better and "best" and I suppose if Jones could bottle his success formula, he would make a fortune.
  Meanwhile, until he gets his bottling operation underway, Winchester Community High School youngsters are being trained by one of the best in the business and are hopefully going to be better adults for the experience.