101. Gravel Streets Oiled By City 1942

Gravel streets oiled by city

Winchester Journal Herald.
July 1, 1942

     Oiling of all gravel streets within the city limits has been completed it was announced last night at the regular meeting of the city council.  Streets oiled include Beech, Walnut, Oak, Ann, Fifth, North Meridian, Residence, back drive at the Beeson club house, Brown, Race and West North to state road 32 (Lennon drive).
     Little business was transacted at the meeting, attended by all council members, Mayor Oran E. Ross, City Attorney Raymond R. Tanner and Clerk-Treasurer Estrella B. Davis.
     Council approved an application of Meeks Cockerill to tap a sewer on North West street and adopted a resolution to transfer $500 from the cemetery fund to the treasurer of the Fountain Park cemetery.
     Mrs. Davis's office in the city building soon will undergo a paint job, council approving of the repair.

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99. The Great Brickmaking Race of 1832

The Great Brickmaking Race

Winchester Journal Herald
April 7, 1979

     It may not be as well known as the Great Riverboat Race, but the Great Brickmaking Race between Randolph County locals Silas Connell and Elisha Martin, scion of a brick-making family, held almost 150 years ago right here in Winchester was a contest worthy to go down in history, if not in legend and song.
     America was in the business of building towns in the 19th century, and in frontier areas like eastern Indiana in the 1830s where whole communities were being carved out of the forests building materials were at a premium. Wood, of course, was the most convenient building material -first as rough-hewn logs for cabins, and later in milled lumber for frame houses. But as the towns grew the mark of status was a substantial brick structure. This was a sign that the community was not just a temporary  encampment, but a town which had come to stay.
     Transportation at that time was difficult, the quickest route being along the rivers. The only alternative were the roads, which consisted of dirt or mud, or at best of corduroy construction. With these conditions it was inevitable that any community with aspirations of permancy would soon develop its own brick industry to supply local needs, and the local brick-makers were proud of the speed with which they could mould bricks by hand. Elisha Martin was a brick molder who helped supply the Winchester area.

     Martin had three sons who followed him in the brick-making business: John K., Elisha Jr. and Oliver. John, who was born in 1837, five years after the great brickmaking race, went on to produce brick for many notable buildings still standing in Winchester today, including the Stone mansion, the courthouse and the county jail. He is also credited with manufacturing the first drain tile ever made int he state of Indiana.
     As Elisha Sr. recalled for Randolph County historian Ebenezer Tucker over 50 years later, the great race was held in June of 1832, and Martin was pitted against local favorite Silas Connell:
     "I was about 20 years old," Martin said. "I had a man on his yard and he on mine. They set their watches just alike, and we begun to a second. We worked till dinner. I had my dinner brought to the yard, took a few bites and went to molding again. My father-in-law scolded me; told me I should not have tried it, and that I could not stand it. He stood by me and kept me from working full speed till 2 p.m., when he told me to 'go it.' Silas led me all the forenoon. A great crowd were looking on, and they bet two to one on Connell. By and by the tide turned, and the bets became five to one on me, and I beat. I molded, from sun to sun, 25,148 brick, and he 23,365. Men said I molded forty-eight brick the last minute.
     "They carried me to the house, washed me in whisky, and would not let me lie down till near morning. I went to work the third day after. The bet was only $10 on a side. People after that offered to bring men to beat me, but they never did."

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98. Parker City's Railroad

Parker City's Railroad  

Winchester News-Gazette, Jan. 1983
By Rick Reed

  All Aboard!
  What now is a strange phrase to Parker City residents was pretty darn familiar around the turn of the century. It was the sound of a conductor calling to passengers to board the train. It was the era of "Boomtown" as 74 year old Parker resident Naomi Meyers recalls.
  Today, the only remnant of the New York Central or "Big 4", as it was better known, is the building that once was the depot. It has been restored to a veterinarian clinic and is located where it always has been-in the center of town along the railroad tracks. It's official address is 206 Main Street.
  Many residents around this small western Randolph County town still refer to the site as "the old depot," remembering either it's busy days of shuffling passengers off to Winchester or Muncie, or remembering its days of vacancy when it eventually became rundown and an eyesore. It was not until a few years ago that the building took on its better fate as the clinic.
  Naomi Meyers, who resides at 205 S. Franklin just behind the former depot, has a special interest in the history of the building. After all, it was her father who held down the position of depot agent for nearly 45 years. Many of the elderly Parker residents may remember Joe Myers as the agent.
  Naomi remembers that her father took on the Parker depot duties in 1906 after moving from Pemberton, Ohio, where he had similar duties. The job of depot agent, she said, was up for bids and the man with the most experience (Joe Myers) was given the job.
  Naomi was only two years old at the time. As the years passed by she recalls fond memories of the building and the era of its existence.
  "I practically grew up in that building," she recalls without hesitation. "There used to be a passenger train stop in Parker every day. This used to be a boomtown but now it's nothing," said the long-time Parker resident.
  Other sites in Parker contributing to Myers "Boomtown" label included a furniture factory, a glass factory, a millinery and two or three elevators.
  Yet another town resident who can recall the depot and it's effect is Hilliard Porter. Porter distinctly remembers purchasing a ticket for the passenger train and riding to Farmland to buy a pair of shoes
  Somewhat of an oddity occurred when it was decided that double tracks were needed along the depot, remembers Porter, "'long about 1915." He said that there was insufficient room to install the added track and the depot was moved farther south. Porter said that in the squeezing process an entire house was moved to another area of town, something Porter said was not uncommon in those days.
  "I could tell you about a lot of houses that were moved entirely to any area of town," he proclaimed.
  The memories of the old depot are pleasant ones to Porter. His memory focuses on an old pot-bellied stove where many would gather to warm-up in the winter.
  He remembers the express trains racing through town on their way to Winchester, Union City or Muncie to make good time.
  Yes, these were good times for Parker residents. When considering the fact that it only cost a quarter to board a passenger train in Parker and ride through the countryside to Muncie, how could one stop from having a good time on The Big 4 railroad?

Unidentified railroad workers. 

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97. The Carlos Sentinel Newspaper, It's First Issue September 22, 1927.

The Carlos Sentinel, Carlos, Indiana.
Vol. 1-No. 1, September 22, 1927.


A View Of Carlos In Ten Years

  The following story was written by Mr. Karl J. Thomas, well known throughout this section of the country as one of the best sales managers who has had charge of  sales for merchants and business men throughout the state of Indiana. Mr. Thomas accompanied the organizer of the Carlos Sentinel to our city this week and while waiting in a car outside the Farmers Bank drew a fantastic if not interesting picture of the Carlos of the future.
  While the story is somewhat far fetched we could not resist printing it in this first issue of our newspaper and we trust that all of our readers will bear in mind that the author, Mr Thomas, has drawn on his imagination to a liberal extent in his verbal picturization of the Carlos of ten years, 1937,  from the date of the issuance of the first home newspaper for our city:

A Dream By A Dreamer

  This being a layman's view of the future possibilities of our little rural community with business men, and residents of both the town and countryside cooperating in an endeavor to bring industry of the right kind into our midst.
  In our early endeavor to place Carlos on the map as a thriving and industrious little city we found that it required continuous effort on the part of the leaders to keep the interest of our community alive to the various opportunities which presented themselves.
  Our first procedure was to procure title to several sites along the right of way of the New York Central railroad where switching facilities were available, and yet close to and adjacent to the principal thorofare of the town.
  At a mass meeting of the entire populace for miles about we obtained consent of the farmers for the storage and holding of their eggs and poultry until such a time as market conditions warranted a movement to the cities where high prices prevailed.
  To hold and store these commodities above mentioned, we communicated with the manufacturers of ice making and refrigeration machinery and requester their efforts in getting in touch with a client interested in a location for just such a plant as we desired. In a few weeks we had several visitors who came to look at the free sites we had available and to investigate our ability to supply sufficient patronage to warrant their establishing their business in Carlos. At the end of the sixth week a contract was closed for site No. 1 and construction on the buildings commenced, with a number of our home folks buying stock in the industry. You know the rest.
  Our next endeavor was to obtain a canning plant to take care of a greatly increased crop of garden vegetables. Finally site No. 2 was a scene of great activity, where the construction of several buildings were progressing rapidly--so that this new industry could take care of the on coming crop of peas, golden wax beans and sweet corn. In this plant was to be an innovation--a special process was to be used in the canning and preserving of roasting ears of sweet corn on the cob--a process that assured the consumer corn on the cob the year round with the natural taste and flavor retained.
  With these two industries established the rest became easy--a goodly number of new families had moved into our city--new homes had been erected--new homesites laid out in several additions to the original town plat--and a general air of activity permeated the atmosphere. Our original merchants began to take advantage of the new patronage, remodeling and rearranging their stores to take care of enlarged stocks and enlarged patronage, new stores, garages and shops began to spring up on Main street.
  Not yet satisfied, our leaders were in the field for industry that would still increase our populace and quite naturally with increased population came increased property values.
  A commercial traveler solved the problem. Stepping into our bank to cash his weekly pay draft he commented upon the growth and the business acumen of our citizens and suggested that like the great packing houses of the nation, (who were accused of even canning the squeal of the pigs they killed) we should use to a good advantage the feathers that came from the chickens, geese and ducks that were dressed and stored at the immense poultry house.
  A thought well spoken. At another mass meeting our people, who were now waxing wealthy from the sale of land for building sites and the products of their lands at greatly enhanced prices, immediately subscribed in full, the necessary stock for the erection and equipping of a bedding factory where not only the feathers and down from the poultry house are used but where today are made the finest of cotton and down comforts are manufactured and shipped the wide world over.
  Those of you who have lived amongst us these last ten years know the story--of all the flurry of a progressing city--of all the drawbacks that we have encountered and surmounted.
  You look at Carlos today and you are proud of this city of beautiful homes with well shaded and well kept lawns, its contented people who have earned their just reward of municipal government that is honest in its operation of its municipal water works, electric, fire and sewerage departments.
  You look at the thriving industry that provides the employment for so many of our young men and women. The creamery has been enlarged to care for the increased dairy herds of this section of the country. Our famous ROSEBUD brand butter is now known in practically all of the cities of the U.S.A. This plant is now employing some forty men and women and are operating a large cold storage plant in connection.
  The storage facilities of the Carlos Storage & Packing Co. are taxed to the limit as hundreds of cars of eggs are stored during the summer for winter markets. The storage of apples and pears is also quite an adjunct to this plant's business.
  The Poultry Plant has grown by leaps and bounds until now they are occupying more than an acre of ground with their buildings. Have forty or more regular employees and a great many extra are used during the fall when turkeys and geese are being dressed by the thousands.
  Scarcely a day passes that from one to five cars of mattresses and bedding does not leave the Carlos Perfection Bedding Co.'s plant. The success of this industry is best described by a survey of the hundred or more women, girls and men who leave the modern well lighted plant at the end of each day.
  In season the canning factory is in operation 24 hours a day to care for the ever increasing crops of garden vegetables and sweet corn. Several hundred people are brought in from other cities and towns nearby to help harvest and can the products. Many of these additional people make their homes in tents erected under the shelter of the pecan grove just west of the canning plant.
  Our city is supporting winning baseball and football teams--a musical organization known as the Carlos Concert Band, a product of our high school and is known throughout the entire state. In fact we have gained a big point. We are a contented people, we have work, we have our play--we have our homes--we have our families--we are happy.
  A "Wild Dream" you'll say. Yes, but some dreams are made to come true. Can this one? Let's see what the good people who live in and about Carlos will do about making it come true. The end.

Also in this 1st edition:  New Store For Carlos-- Wayne Whitehead is preparing to construct a new and modern business building just west of the Odd Fellows building. It is to be constructed of hollow tile with a composition roof which will assure practically a fire proof structure.
  This building when completed will be occupied by Whitehead & Son with a full and complete line of hardware, implements and house furnishings, and congenial merchants, in a new store.
  We are sure that with this form of building, with new and modern fixtures, their future prosperity is more than assured.

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96. Grocery ads 1939

Grocery ads

Step back to 1939 to plan your supper menu this week, and shop local.

Here's a shocker... $1 in 1939 → $18.11 in 2019.

Kroger, 215 W. Franklin.

Bunsold's, 109 W. Franklin

Puckett and Helms, 114 S. Meridian.

Ed. Rogers & Son, 113 W. Franklin

A & P Food Store, 120 E. Franklin St.

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95. Lyric Theater Closes Doors After 33 Years

Winchester Journal, May 1959, 60 years ago.


  Attempts by the Lyric theater in Winchester to bring better movies to the community to increase patronage came too late today.
  The theater closed its doors Thursday night and ironically the last engagement on film at the theater was an academy award motion picture starring Susan Hayward entitled "I Want To Live."
  The Lyric theater had been in continuous operation in Winchester since 1926.
  At one time the city had three movie houses and recently there remained two, the Cozy and Lyric. Six years ago in 1953, the Cozy, which had by then limited itself to the showing of westerns, closed.
  Under its recent operation, the Lyric was owned by the Young and Wolf theater chain. The theater owners for the past year had hinted they would close the Lyric, since they claimed it was a financial flop.
  Winchester businessmen tried several times through promotional programs to keep the theater in business. But their time and money was not enough. Movie fans wanted the first-run films, but the theater could not offer them. And instead people traveled to nearby cities to see them or stayed home and watched television.


 The following Lyric/Cozy article is by Mike Oakes for The News-Gazette, May 21, 1977.

  For residents of Winchester, somewhat of an era came to an end in May of 1959. The lights in front of the Lyric theatre on South Main street were shut off, never to advertise another Lon Chaney picture again.
  After 33 years of continuous operation the Lyric left all of Winchester without an indoor theater. On North Main street, the Cozy, another feature of this era, had closed a little more than six years before this. The Lyric was forced to die alone.
  It was an era of movie entertainment that the people of Winchester built. They packed the theaters every Saturday afternoon to catch an hour or two of their favorite stars. They entered in pairs in the evening with teenage boys paying for their dates. And they lined the walls, just like the rest of the country when "Gone With The Wind" flashed on the screen.
  Of course, Hollywood was doing it's share. Some of the greatest films of all time were introduced during this period. But they could hardly have matured to that greatness without the thousands of tickets sold for them, and in turn, without the thousands of individuals who bought those tickets.
  Like riding into town for the weekend haircut and shoeshine, the Lyric and Cozy became a way of life.
  There are many memories to re-capture here. First of all, the movies and the stars; Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were favorites of patrons of the Cozy, along with Lash Larue, Red Ryder, Gene Autry, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto. Their flashy cowboy-cowgirl scenes were typical of the western productions and even more typical of the Cozy, which had later restricted itself to westerns. The mushy love scenes always brought boo's and howls from the young boys in the audience.
  The "horror" films with Bella Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney as the Wolfman, and Boris Karloff as Frankenstein were also popular along with the famous "Road" shows starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour.
  In the 1930s, during the waves of the Great Depression, gangster movies drew in the audiences. The Lyric, even in the midst of a collapsed economy, remained in business. Tarzan became another big seller starring Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller.
  The list goes on and on. Betty Grable and Dan Daily were always smash hits. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn are another pair who people routinely paid to see as well as Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. Deanna Durbin, June Allison, June Haden, Sunset Carson, Peter Lorre, Humphrey Bogart, Van Johnson, Hop-Along Cassidy were all brought to fame in this era by the projectors at the Lyric and Cozy.
  There were other small features as well. The "Movie Tone News Reels" which began with the old style movie camera cranking off a reel of film. Time magazine's "Time Marches On", and a classical comedy act of "The Three Stooges" or "Abbott & Costello." "Superman" became famous when the Cozy presented it as a serial, showing 15 minute segments at a time.
  Although the Hollywood attractions were the highlight of an evening or afternoon showing, the theaters themselves put on quite an act. At the Lyric, for example, door-prize drawings on Wednesdays and Saturdays gave customers an opportunity to take home a bicycle or a pair of roller skates. The Cozy sponsored a "Lucky Name" contest and both theaters held special shows during the County and Sectional tournaments such as daily showings of James Dean in "Rebel Without A Cause" in the mid 1950s.
  Also at the Lyric was the annual Winchester Beauty Contest, of which previous winners still reign in the community. (Later the Pumpkin Festival's Pumpkin Queen took over.) And who could ever forget the specially flavored pop-corn sold by Pat Davis at his little stand in front of the theater.
  In the years between 1949 and 1952, a device known as the television made its debut in the homes of the community. The following year, 1953, the Cozy shut down operations. A few years later, there were signs that the Lyric was also on its way out: the last owners, the Young and Wolf theater chain had been hinting around that they might have it closed. As a 1959 article phrased it: "they claimed it was a total financial flop.
  Television's popularity grew and grew until it even began to replace an institution like the radio. TV shows such as "Howdy Dowdy" and "I Love Lucy" became the day's entertainment instead of "The Shadow", Fibber McGee and Molly" and "The Fanny Brice Show."
  There were several attempts to improve upon the Lyric's business in those last years. Here in town, businessmen tried to better its publicity through promotional programs but it came to no avail. Their time and money were not enough.
  Movie fans, at this point in time, could now afford to start being more particular about what they paid to see. Television made it possible for them to stay at home on the weekends if they didn't happen to like what was playing at the time.
  They began to demand first-run movies and the Young and Wolf chain could not provide them. Thus, staying home is exactly what they did. And if the evening at home was not quite entertaining enough, a nearby city was easily accessible.
  So the tale goes on and on. Television never stopped growing and improvements made it more irresistible than ever. Transportation changed too. Longer distances were travelled in shorter times and in modes designed for comfort.
  Just as fast as the Lyric and Cozy became a way of life, they choked, sputtered and died. They fell quietly into the ranks of "the good old days" and will continue to remain there, being revived only on memorable occasions when someone utters that inevitable phrase: "Remember when..."

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94. Sally Smith, Longtime Winchester School Secretary

Sally Smith, Longtime Winchester School Secretary

Winchester News-Gazette, Feb. 1983.

Miss. Smith. 

  "Forty Years Our Sweetheart" was the theme of a Valentines Day surprise party honoring Sarah Elizabeth Smith (better known as Sally), the Winchester Community High School secretary.
  Sally has seen thousands of students pass through the halls in her 40 years as school secretary. "I like teenagers," Sally states. "Students now are more academically inclined. They take more classes: therefore, they work harder."
  Sally attended high school in Winchester and after graduation attended Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana. She majored in business administration, studying courses in marketing and personnel. She became secretary at the then Winchester High School in February of 1943.
  Sally has worked as secretary to six principals and seen thousands of students during her 40 years with the school corporation.
  "She is a real fine person," states Richard Valandingham, former principal at the high school. "When I was there, she was my right hand woman. She was indispensable."
  As the high school's administration changed through the years, so did Sally's job. The school developed guidance counselors, class sponsors, a nurse and clinic, which took over some of the many responsibilities Sally had had in the past. However, along with these responsibilities, Sally has gained many of the things needed in such a position.
  "Sally has a good sense of humor and is fun to work with," states Nyle Fox, current high school principal. "Sally knows what's going on. She's thorough, efficient and a good secretary."
  The party was given for Sally by the teachers and administration at Winchester Community High School. Former principals, family, friends, teachers and past students attended.

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93. Man Dies As Blaze Destroys Winchester Business Block, 1944

Winchester Journal-Herald 
Randolph County's Oldest Republican Newspaper
Volume 23, Number 90
Tuesday, February 1, 1944
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Man dies as blaze destroys Winchester business block

Elvin Bragg is fire victim; loss may be $75,000

     The three-story Masonic building on the north side of the Winchester public square was a steaming shell this afternoon following fire that swept the structure early this morning and was still being fought this afternoon.
     The blaze claimed the life of Elvin Bragg, 41, whose burned body was found near a front view window of the Bragg and Bragg insurance office above the J. M. Best grocery. Mr. Bragg lived in a room immediately back of the insurance office and the bedroom was reported ablaze when firemen were called at 6:45 a. m. The front office, however, was not burned at that time.
     Preliminary estimates placed the loss at $75,000 to $100,000, although insurance adjusters had made no careful check of the building yet this afternoon. The ground floor rooms were occupied by Leonard drug store, the Watters Variety store and the J. M. Best grocery. The Bragg office and law offices of Bowen, Mendenhall and Hunter were on the second floor of the building along with the Masonic clubrooms. The third floor was occupied by Masonic  orders.
     Officials of the Knights of Pythias who occupy the building east of the Masonic structure have offered the use of their club rooms to the Masonic orders it was said this afternoon.
     The building was owned mainly by the Masonic lodges although parts of it were owned by Chauncey Watters and J. M. Best. It was constructed about 60 years ago.
     Masonic lodges which have been located in the building include the Winchester lodge No. 56, Order of Eastern Star, Royal Arch Masons, Winchester Council No. 20 and Winchester Commandery No. 53.
     Firemen were called at 6:45 a. m. after smoke was seen coming from the east end of the building above the Best grocery. Mr. Bragg's body was found against the front window, firemen said, and was taken from the room by Fire Chief Bert Harvey and Harrison McLaughlin, volunteer fireman and a former chief. They were assisted by Glenn Mills, regular fireman.
     Lloyd (Chick) Waltz of Beasley and Waltz drug store notified the fire department after an unidentified man stopped him on the street and asked how to call the fire department. Smoke at that time was so thick that it was impossible to climb the stairway to the Bragg office.
     A small amount of smoke had been seen by a passerby at 5:30 a. m., it was disclosed this afternoon, but the witness said that the smoke was believed to be from a fire in a stove. A few minutes later when the witness looked up again the smoke had disappeared and it was presumed there was no fire.
     The fire department was not called until the blaze was re-discovered shortly before 6:45 a. m. and the fire is believed to have burned through the rear and the upper floor of the building.

Blaze In East End
     The blaze at that time was largely in the east end of the building, according to Mayor John P. Clark who was called to the fire scene, and shortly before 8 a. m. appeared to be under control only to break through the roof in the west and central portions of the building.
     Dr. Lowell W. Painter, county corner, had not completed his investigation early this afternoon, but his investigation showed that death was probably caused by burns from a blast of hot air which preceded the main part of the flames. Circumstances surrounding the death still were being investigated this afternoon.
     Mr. Bragg's body was badly burned but his clothes were only slightly damaged by the fire. The room in which he was found was not badly damaged by the flames until after the blaze had broken through the second time, Mayor Clark said, although his bedroom had been extensively damaged by the flames.
     Mayor Clark called fire companies from Portland, Union City and Lynn about 8 a. m. and with their help the blaze was brought under control about 11 a. m. Five hose lines were laid and four pumpers were used to boost water to the third floor of the building.
     The roof of the building collapsed shortly after 8 a. m. and a section of the west wall gave way later in the morning.
     There were no reports of injuries among firemen or spectators.
     Washington street in front of the burned building was roped off this afternoon because of danger from the front wall. The entire roof was burned away and timbers supporting the walls were destroyed.
     Water damaged Baily's grocery, adjoining the Masonic building on the west, and the bowling alley above the grocery and the Magee Hardware company was damaged extensively by water and flames which caused a small section of the roof to collapse.
     Only small damage from smoke and water was caused in the rooms adjoining the Masonic building on the east.
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Funeral rites for Elvin Bragg are incomplete

     Funeral arrangements were incomplete this afternoon for Elvin Alva Bragg, 41, who died this morning when fire swept the Masonic building on the north side of the square.
     Mr. Bragg was born May 2, 1902, and had been employed at the Winchester News and Journal-Herald. Survivors besides his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Bragg of Winchester, are one brother, Kenneth of Winchester and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Barker of Richmond, Miss Leona Bragg of Salem, N. J., and Mrs. Ruth Vest of Winchester.
     The body was removed to Maynard and Walker mortuary pending word from relatives.
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FIRELIGHTS

     It was just three years ago tomorrow, Feb. 2, 1941, that the disastrous fire amounting to $30,000 damaged the Kabel building directly across the square from the fire today.

     Men were seen in King's insurance agency standing in the windows yanking down curtains by the armfuls.

     By the time the water from the hose had reached the burning building the reflection from the sun on the spray of water formed an almost complete rainbow.

     An energetic person coming down the steps between the Randolph county bank and Litscherts jewelry store ended his climb by sliding all the way across the sidewalk on the ice that had formed from the water used to fight the fire.

     Al Von Dran trudged over to Art's pool room and returned with hot coffee for the firemen.

     Many men who are fearing being drafted willingly lent a hand to remove all the board's files but all the while wishing  that their own classification cards would be destroyed but hoping that others would be saved.

     One businessman in the building was asked if he would hold a fire sale but his answer was that more than likely there would be nothing left for sale.

     The Lynn fire truck came breezing down the street with siren screeching to aid in battling the fire. The Union City and Portland trucks had already been summoned.

     Excited men were seen removing merchandise from Best's grocery in what apparently was a coal truck.

     Mayor John P. Clark was seen helping to handle the hose at one time when they were running a line to the top of the building.

    At the start of the fire the wind was from the west and it drove the fire more to the east but kept the flames confined to the one building. Later the wind changed to the north and blew the smoke across the street.

     Four men were seen sliding a kitchen stove down the railing of a back stairway.

     The building was so full of water that it looked as if it were raining on the inside.

     Since the wind was coming from the west at the beginning of the fire the double fire wall at that end saved the K. of P. building.

     All the time the fire was burning the water from the hose was freezing on the sidewalk making it difficult to walk.

     Spectators at the fire were seen busily scurrying to and fro carrying articles of all descriptions from the various places of business.

     Jacob Frazier's jewelry store, around the corner from the burned building, was evacuated at the early part of the second outbreak of the fire.

     It was reported that the Portland fire truck came into town so fast that after it hit the first railroad track on North Main street it sailed completely over the others.

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92. A Victim Of The Civil War

A Victim Of The Civil War

For William "Mitch" Campbell, As For Other Veterans Of The War Between The States, The Greatest Horrors Did Not Lie On The Battle Field

By William Jackson

Winchester Journal Herald
February 24, 1979

     The American Civil War has been called the first modern war, at least partly because the conflict saw the development and use in the field of vastly superior weapons of destruction and the application in the field of the latest advances in medicine in an effort to save lives. It is ironic, in view of these facts, that of all the deaths in that bloody conflict, more men died from disease in the camps and hospitals than from wounds on the field of battle.

William "Mitch" Campbell

     Many of the soldiers who were still alive when the war ended in 1865 had left their regiments with broken health, only to become casualties of the war long after the last shot had been fired. One of these men was William Mitchell Campbell, or Mitch, the great great great grandfather of Beverly Vardaman, of Lynn. Mitch served as an officer in the 19th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, a part of the famous Iron Brigade. He survived the bloodiest fight in American military history without a scratch, but died more than 20 years later as a result of his service.

Mitch Campbell

     Mitch Campbell was the son of William and Maria Campbell, who moved west from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively, and married in Hamilton County, Ohio. He was born in that county on Nov. 17, 1818. Mitch married a Hamilton County girl, Mary Ann Rude, in 1840, and by 1850 the couple had moved west and were settled in Washington Township in Randolph County. Mitch stayed in this county for the rest of his life, with the exception of his service in the Civil War for a little over a year.

Mary Ann Rude Campbell

     Campbell was an industrious farmer, and from 1850 to 1856 he worked a farm located about one and a half miles north of Lynn. He and his wife began raising a family which would eventually include six children: Mary Jane, Hester Ann, William B., Sarah Frances, Amaretta and Cinderella Maria. He was a Republican, and with the ascendancy of that party in the middle of the 19th century Mitch began a limited career in politics as the first Republican sheriff for Randolph County.
     Mitch was to serve three terms as Randolph County Sheriff, the first of these beginning in 1856. He moved his family to the county seat in that year, and remained there until the expiration of his second term in 1860. By that time the nation was heading for a nearly fatal rift, and with the Republican victory in the presidential election that year the secession of the south, and the ensuing Civil War, was sealed.
     Hostilities began in April of 1861, and by July of that year companies were being raised in Randolph, Delaware, Wayne and Henry Counties for what was to become the 19th Ind. Vol. Infantry. Mitch signed up with Company C, which he may well have had a hand in raising. At any rate, he was a prominent enough citizen in the county to land a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the company when he was mustered into the service on July 15.
     The regiment left Camp Morton, in Indianapolis, on August 5, and by the ninth it had joined the Army of the Potomac. The regiment saw minor action in Lewinsville shortly after entering the service, and as a lieutenant Campbell was engaged in the fighting at Falls Church on Sept. 28. On Oct. 12, however, Campbell was transferred to Company I, where his appointment as Captain was approved on Nov. 11. This approval was retroactive, and the new captain was to receive captain's pay dating from Oct. 12.
     The 19th Indiana spent the winter at Fort Craig, on Arlington Heights, and by this time Campbell had begun to develop the problems with his health which would plague him for the rest of his life.
     Robert Hamilton, a doctor from Lynn, had been Campbell's physician for a number of years before he entered the service, and knew him to be in sound health prior to 1861. Hamilton became the regimental surgeon for the 19th Indiana, and as such treated Campbell during that year.
     "While the regiment was in camp at Fort Craig, said soldier (Campbell) had an attack of urinary disease that  rendered him unfit for duty the greater portion of the winter of 1861 and '62," Hamilton wrote to the War Department years later.
     Mitch Campbell recovered enough to remain with the regiment during the summer of 1862, serving up to and through the bloody day of Sept. 17 at Antietam which claimed the lives of more American soldiers than any other battle in the history of our country. Campbell survived that fighting without a wound, but it was at about that time that he lost his health again, which he never regained.
     Less than a month later, on Oct. 11, Campbell was to write to Lt. Col. Williams, commanding the 19th Indiana at camp near Sharpburg, Maryland, "I hearby tender my resignation in consequence of ill health." The next day, one year from the day from when he had been appointed captain of Co. I, he was examined by a surgeon, and the resignation was accepted.
     "I have carefully examined Capt. William M. Campbell of Co. I, 19th Indiana Vol., and find him in a condition during four weeks. He has had frequent relapses intermittent during the last year. He is unfit for present active duty," the examining surgeon reported.
     Three days later, in special orders number 282, Maj. Gen. McClellan discharged Campbell from the service.
     Mitch returned home to Greensfork Township, and by 1863 he had settled with his family on a farm near Spartansburg. He was again elected to a two-year term as sheriff in 1868, but he continually plagued with the weaknesses which had attacked him in the army. One doctor even reported treating him for recurrences of typhoid fever several years after his discharge.
     The worst problem that he brought home with him from the service was that disease of the bladder and urinary track which had plagued him through the winter of '61-'62, and which was slowly but surely killing him. Ebenezer Tucker, in his History of Randolph County, published in 1882, described Mitch Campbell at 64 years of age as "Hearty and robust and wide awake to the affairs of his community, but hearty and robust was probably stretching the point a bit. Perhaps this departure from the exact truth can be forgiven in view of the fact that Tucker's son, Charles F., had married Cinderella Maria Campbell, Mitch's daughter.
     Dr. Hamilton, Campbell's long-time physician and comrade in arms, continued to treat him after the war, and testified later that "He was afflicted continuously up to the time of his death. The immediate cause of death was uremic poisoning."
     William Mitchell died on St. Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1885, almost 20 years exactly after the end of the Civil War, a victim of that conflict.


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More of the story.

1850 Census
William M. Campbell, a male, age 32, born about 1818 in Ohio. He is listed as head of household and a farmer in Washington Township, Randolph County, Indiana. Also listed in the home are Mary A. Campbell age 31, Mary J. Campbell age 9, Esther A. Campbell age 7, William Campbell age 4, Sarah F. Campbell age 1, and Edward J. Campbell age 28 -also noted as a farmer.

Plan a visit to RCHS, Inc. to peruse The Genealogy Library for loads of more information on his family and life...

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Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society

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91. Theater Ads 1939

Downtown Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana in 1939.

This is Thursa. I am interrupting Mick's blog posts again.  I noted on a work table that Mick had out a collection of 1939 newspapers.  I took some photos of the advertisements in it to share.

90. The Old Randolph County Jail

The Old Randolph County Jail

Winchester News-Gazette, Jan. 1978.
by William Jackson.

Randolph County Jail, located in Winchester, Indiana

  Human nature being, unfortunately, what it is, one of the first necessities of local government on the frontier in the early days of Indiana was a jail. After Randolph County was organized in 1818, one of the first public buildings, in fact, one of the first buildings of any kind to go up was the county jail.  The first jail, which was made of hewn logs, went up in 1819, and stood for many years. It would be 63 years before the present building housing the jail would be built, and the log jail would hold felons responsible for every type of mayhem listed in the laws of those days.
  Running a jail was no simple trick, in even those simpler days. A grand jury report concerning the jail, issued in 1827, found that it was clean, but not strong enough. The next year the grand jury reported that the jail was "sufficiently strong, but not sufficiently clean." By 1829 the jail had been made both strong and clean, but it was found by the grad jurors to be not sufficiently warm.
  The charges for which persons were lodged in the jail were many and varied. Petit and grand larceny were frequent, with horse stealing being especially popular in the latter category. Frequent arrests were made for public intoxication, several men were arrested for acting as pimps, and of course the world's oldest profession is well represented in the old records. Rape also appears occasionally.
  One pour soul was arrested for the heinous crime of pigeon dropping. I am sure that the blood of every law abiding citizen of Winchester and Randolph County boiled at the very thought of pigeon dropping, but exactly what was involved in this crime I have no idea.
  One man, brought in the middle 1870's, had written on his record, in the space provided for "charges", simply "crazy'"
 Tucker, in his history of Randolph County, states that for a dozen years after the county was organized, not more than 12 families lived in the new town of Winchester. By the last half of the 1800's, however, the picture had changed, and people from all over the world were into the area. Booking records for this period provide a space for listing the "nativity" of the prisoners, and these forms reveal that Buckeyes, from Ohio, were jailed along with Hoosiers, and settlers from Pennsylvania and old Virginia.
  Prisoners also came from as far away as France, England, Italy, Holland and "Jermaney." One variety of prisoner is listed as a 'smoked Yank." The origins of a smoked Yank are as obscure as those of the crime of pigeon dropping.
  By far the most frequent nationality to appear in the arrest records, however, was Irish. Although they weren't discriminated against, and were arrested for every type of crime, the most popular seemed to be intoxication.
  In October of 1880 Sheriff W.W. Macy turned the jail over to his successor, R.V. Murray along with his "best wishes-hoping that he may extract much joy and immense wealth out of keeping the county jail and boarding prisoners at 40 cents per day-in which I have failed."
  Murray was to be the first sheriff to use the new, modern jail, which was constructed in 1881 and 1882, and served as the sheriff's residence and a hospital as well as a jail.
  The contract for the new building was let to A.G. Campfield in April of 1881, to be built to the design of Hodson, architect. The cost of the building was $34,500.
  The specifications, as described by Tucker, called for a 45 by 58 foot jail area, and a sheriff's residence of 54 by 29.5 feet. The floor of the jail was to be of stone flagging and the roof was to be slate covered mansard. The cells, arranged in two tiers, were of iron with a seven foot passage completely encircling them. Above the cells, in the second story was the hospital for the jail.
  Tucker said in 1882, "Great improvements, so reckoned, and great expense as well, in jail construction, have been made since the days of the hewed log jail built in 1819. Then, log jails at a cost of $100 or less were strong enough to hold the rogues of that day; now, whether a jail built wholly of iron will hold the villains of the present time remains yet to be tried.
  The new jail, although not built "wholly of iron," did suffice to hold the villains of that day, and has now for 96 years. If it could talk, what stories it would have to tell of those 96 years!

The Dungeon of the Randolph County Jail in Winchester, Indiana

  Beneath the jail are rough hewn stone cells, locked away behind iron doors. Commonly referred to as the "dungeon" by the present staff at the jail, it is tempting to imagine the desperate criminals who pined away for years, wrapped in these cold, dark chambers. The true story is much less exciting, however, they were used to hold persons who had been declared insane by a judge until there became space available at the State mental asylum in Richmond.
  The hospital area, with it's large rooms and fireplace heated wards, is now closed off, no longer serving any purpose. The solid brick walls have since been used for target practice and are pock marked with bullet holes. Of course, all of this took place "under a previous administration," one deputy assures.
  Although state law still requires each county to provide the sheriff with a residence at the jail, sheriffs have not been required to live on the premises since the advent of all night radio operators. The Randolph County Sheriff has not lived at the jail for over three years.
  The sheriff's department, of course, would like to see a new jail replace the historic present building. Just how long the present jail will continue to hold 'the villains of the present time" remains as Tucker said, yet to be seen.

The Randolph County Jail, located in Winchester, Indiana

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89. Winchester's Boston Store Will Close, 1983

Winchester's Boston Store Will Close

Winchester News-Gazette, Jan 1983.
by Rick Reed

Boston Store. Located on the south side of the courthouse square in downtown Winchester, Indiana.

The Boston Store will close; It only seems fitting that when the W.E. Miller Store at 115 West Franklin St. went out of business in 1934, the building there would be taken over by the Boston Store, then owned by Louis Zaltsberg.
  Zaltsberg had been in the area for about 12 years travelling from Elwood, Indiana, to set up shop in Winchester. For the first 12 years he operated the Boston Store at 120 S. Meridian where Hile's True Value currently stands.
  During the early years of the century, W.E. Miller had prospered as business flourished at his three-story building. When the store finally went out of business it had gained fame as one of the nicest places to shop in the area.
  Whoever would have relocated into the Miller building when 1934 and it's change in proprietorship rolled around, was going to have to fill some mighty big shoes. Had it not been for the Boston Store, a family-oriented store that had begun to flourish, the building may have had only a half era of history behind it.
  When the locale change was finally accomplished it didn't take long for the new store to expand. As many as 11 Boston Stores eventually were involved in the Zaltzberg chain. Many of the chain stores were located in Ohio.
  In 1950, when Louis Zaltsberg died, his two sons, one of which was Harold, husband to current sole owner Sue Zaltsberg and a son-in-law became new Boston Store owners. Eventually the Winchester store became Harold's when the other two would move on to their own stores.
  Since that time the store has been successful with their most prospective years in the 1950's and 1960's. Now, after nearly 60 years of service to the community, the building will be sold.
  Current owner Sue Zaltsberg reported that her license to operate the store will expire on Jan. 27. The store is currently conducting a 'going out of business sale" to distribute its remaining stock.
  Remnants of both the W.E. Miller and the Boston Store still exist within the building and probably will as long as it stands.
  Although the Boston Store did not utilize the upper two floors, they did create a tradition in software on the main floor while using the basement for stock and supplies.
  In taking a tour of the building last week, it seemed an interesting venture through the past as several items from the Miller store were preserved by the Boston Store. The old cage elevator, which ran from the basement to the third floor is still there. The display sign which signified Miller's store lies on the rear portion of the third floor, and old photographs, including ones of Louis Zaltsberg and the W.E. Miller family can be found.
  As the Boston Store becomes an empty building, it might be appropriate to remember its history and tradition. They were valued assets to this community.

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Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society

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88. William F. Reyman death notice, 1942

William F. Reyman, 59, prominent Winchester business man, dies at his farm home after lingering illness 
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Winchester Journal Herald
September, 2, 1942

     William F. Reyman, 59, prominent Randolph county businessman, died at his farm home southeast of Winchester at 2:45 a. m. Tuesday following an illness of several years.
   
     He had lived in the county 32 years, coming here from Mt. Carmel, Ill., and had been in the furniture business in Winchester for 30 years. His first furniture store was on West Franklin street opposite the city hall and later he had stores on East Washington street, North Main street and the present location at Washington and Meridian streets.
 
     Twelve years ago he opened a furniture factory in Winchester but sold the major part of his manufacturing business when the building burned four years ago. The overstuffed furniture division was moved to the present By-Lo store as that time. The building was purchased from heirs of the Beeson and Kelley estates and remodelled into a retail furniture store on the lower flower and into apartments on the upper floor.

     The name "By-Lo" was copyrighted by Mr. Reyman and used in connection with many of his business interests.

     Four years ago Mr. Reyman retired from active management of the furniture business and purchased the By-Lo farm southeast of Winchester. He also purchased a number of saddle horses and established a riding stable on the farm.

     Five months ago he underwent an operation at the Indianapolis hospital and during the last month he had been confined to his bed.

     The body will be taken to the residence at 10 a. m. today from the Maynard and Walker funeral home and services will be Thursday at 2 p. m.  Rev. Raymond Harris will be in charge and burial will be at Fountain Park cemetery.

     Survivors are the widow, Margaret; a son, Rollie Reyman; the mother, Mrs. Sarah Reyman; two brothers, Walter and Philip Reyman, both of Mt. Carmel, Ill.; four sisters, Mrs. A. E. Herrin and Mrs. C. A. Eaton, both of Mt. Carmel; Mrs. A. F. Hansen, Salem, Indiana, and Mrs. Catherine Howe, Chicago, and two grandchildren.
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Note the Reyman building in the background. To learn more about the photo significance, read Blog Post #36. 

Is there more of the story? 

     Thursa did a little research and here's some genealogy information that can help tell a bit more of the family story.

1900 Census.
Willie Reyman was 17 years old, born February 1883 in Illinois. In 1900, he lived in Mount Carmel, Wabash, Illinois. He was single, a white male, and noted as the son of head of the household.  He spoke English, and he could read and write. Others in the home listed on the Census included his parents, Philip S. Reyman and Sarah Reyman; brother Walter Reyman; brother Charles Reyman; sister Stella Reyman; sister Ella Reyman; sister Cora Reyman; and "servant" Mary Couch.

1910 Census.
William F. Reyman was 27 years old, born about 1883 in Illinois. In 1910, he lived at 223 North West Street, Winchester,  in White River Township, Randolph County, Indiana. He was married, a white male, and was noted as the head of household. He is listed as married to Margrett Reyman for 6 years. His native tongue is English and he is able to read and write. He's listed as  wage earner in a box factory as a laborer. He is noted to live in a house he owns which is mortgaged. Also listed in the home are his two sons: Theodor Reyman, age 5, and Rolla M. Reyman, age 3.

1920 Census.
William F. Reyman, age 37, was born about 1883 in Illinois. Home listed as Marshall Hill in Civil District 5, Sevier, Tennessee.  He was listed as a white male, head of household, who was able to speak English, and read and write. He was married to Margaret Ryman. He noted his occupation as a proprietor, employer in the industry of "chair factory." Others in the household include son Rolla Reyman, age 13; and Phillip Reyman, age 20, noted as brother and a laborer in the chair factory.

1930 Census.
William F. Reyman was born about 1883 in Illinois, and was age 47. He was a white male, who spoke English, and was able to read and write.  He owned a home with a value of about 5000. He listed his address as Main Street, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana. Interesting is a Census question asked if the household owned a 'radio set', and their answer was yes. He noted his first marriage was age 21, and he was married to Margaret E. Reyman (Margaret E. Taylor). He reported he was a proprietor who was an employer in the industry of "furniture store." Also at the residence is his son, Rolla M. Reyman, age 23; grandson Richard Reyman, age "0" as in he was a newborn; and Nellie Taylor, widowed mother-in-law at age 62.

1940 Census.
William Reyman, age 57, was born about 1883 in Indiana. He noted his education as elementary school, 5th grade and 'no' to college. He listed his class of worker as "working on own account." He was listed as the head of household in White River Township, Randolph County, Indiana. The property was an 'owned' farm which was valued at 1500.  He was married to Margaret R. Reyman.  Also listed in the home was Rollie Reyman, age 35, son of head of household, marked as married, but no wife was noted on the household list of residents.

     A little more digging and there is a Theodore W. Reyman who died following a 2 week duration of spinal meningitis. he was 2 years, 6 months, 24 days old. The date of death is listed as: 15 May 1907. Puzzling how in 1910 the Reyman family listed a son as 5 years old. The mother is listed with number of children born as 2 and number of children living as 2. It could be that the census taker record was taken prior to the death of Theodore. I tried to confirm where Theodore is buried. The death certificate writing it not clear, but Mick agrees it most likely says Fountain Park as in Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana.

     Mr. and Mrs. William Reyman are noted as buried in Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana.  He died in 1942, and the cause of death listed on the death certificate is carcinoma of the stomach.  He was noted as married, and died at home with address listed as 4 1/2 miles south east in rural Winchester, (Randolph County), Indiana. Mrs. Reyman died in 1951, and the cause of death listed on the death certificate is chronic interstitial nephritis. She was noted as widowed, and her occupation was housewife. The residence listed on her death certificate is 503 South Main Street, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana.

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Even MORE of the story... of the photo.

To read more about the story of the photo, see the original posting of the photo in Blog Post #36:


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Want to learn more?
Visit The Museum.
     Hours vary with volunteer availability. Check the website or Facebook for current open to the public hours or call/message/email to arrange an appointment.
Facebook group: Randolph County Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society

Visit the website.
     Here is a link to the cemetery database.  https://rchsmuseum.org/cemeteries-database

Follow the blog.
     Scroll to the right or below the article to click "FOLLOW" to get email updates as soon as a blog is uploaded.  This is a great feature to share with family and friends who are not active on social media.