119. Randolph County Misc.

Ridgeville, 1939.

  The Nazarene Church congregation has recently purchased the building on North Walnut street, known as the LeRoy Hotel. With the lumber from the building, which they purchased from D. E. Becker, they intend to build the upper part of their church which is located just back of the Walker Tin Shop. They intend to use as much of the lumber as possible for their completion. It was noted that perhaps one of the most unique features of the building was the fact that the corner posts are hand hewn
  The old building, which at one time was known as the "Old Eagle House" was built in 1875, started by a man whose name was not learned, finished by Dr. Bailey who also had a drug store in the building when it was first built. Dr. Bailey was the grandfather of Gale Bailey, of this city. The building formerly had three storys, the top story being torn off by Mr. Becker.
  The structure had a colorful history during its 64 years here. During that time it has been besides a hotel and drugstore, a cigar factory, a barber shop, a furniture store, pool room and in recent years had been used as living quarters for different families. The building contains 21 rooms.
  John Ryan, at one time owned the hotel, and also a Mr. Swatwood. Mr. Tom Madden, who owned the hotel for some time, gained fame when the bank, which is just across the alley, was robbed. Mr. Madden was the star witness and identified Eddie Kelly as the robber. Kelly was sent up for life on the bank holdup charge.
  When the Ridgeville High School burned in 1898, classes had to be held in various buildings and the Old Eagle House was used for this purpose.   Randolph County News, 9-8-1939.


Farmland, 1892.

  Farmland is surely one of the best little business cities in Eastern Indiana, and if the Winchester Journal will allow us space we will give you some of the business firms of the town which are as follows;  Jethro Macy, Tin Shop; Mrs. Good and Mrs. Fowler, Milliners; J. C. Ward, Barber; Mr. Addington Photographer; Eli Hiatt, Tin and Stove store; C. M. Hatfield, Druggist; C. O. Morris, Grocery; John A. Moorman & Marsh, At'ys.; C. M. Archey, Restaurant; Collins, Milliner; Boli Bros., Furniture; J. W. Ether, General Store, Dry Goods and Groceries; David Cropper, Boots & Shoes; J. B. Branson, Grocery; Weiler Bro's., Dry Goods & Clothing; W. W. Thornburg, John R. Lumpkin & Dennis Thornburg, Grain Dealers; S. S. Clark, Justice of the Peace; Joe Hunt, Blacksmith; J. L. Mills, Lumber Yard; G. E. Retter, Hotel; G. E Davison, Jeweler; Davison & Jones, Blacksmiths; Joseph A. Keever, Liveryman; Reed & Gamester, Meat Market; T. T. Dailey, Express Agent; Meeks & Wood Hardware; H. F Wood, Grocery, Bakery & Restaurant; J. R. Meeks, Druggist; Elza Foster, Shoe Shop; Isaac Thornburg, Meat Market; Fletcher Barber & Dolly Watson, Novelty Store; L. M. Thornburg, Postmaster; W. W. Wilson, Buggy and Carriage Dealer and Repairer; J. R. Galliher, Blacksmith; John H. Ritenhour, Buggy Trimmer; M. L. Ross, Liveryman; T. O. Ebey, Agriculture Store; Mrs. N. E. Gray, Milliner and Sewing Machine, Agent; Bly & Thornburg, Druggists; W. C. West, Editor, Enterprise; G. E. Retter, Manager of the Opera Hall; K. L. Mull, Boot and Shoe Store; Farmers & Citizens Bank; Emma Burres, Milliner; H. A. Moorman, Undertaker; Baker & Mills, Harness Shop; W. W. Foeler, Notary and Insurance Agent; Farmland Milling Co.; S. F. Wilson, Sawmill; G. Ash, Handle Factory; Keever & Morris, Tile Factory.   By Billy Barlow, Winchester Journal, 1-27-1892.



Winchester, 1943.

 The beer shortage struck Winchester full blast yesterday. At 5 p.m. as far as we were able to learn there were only three cases of beer for sale in the city. Art's Place and Ed Lenkensdoffer and partner John Lennon's City Cigar Store, the two adjoining pool rooms and eating establishments on North Main street, were closed yesterday for two weeks due to the lack of eats and drinks. Art posted a sign saying he was on vacation for two weeks. Spotted Ed going into his closed business and he said it was the "first time in 38 years." The City Café at 122 West Washington street ran out of all kinds of beer mid-afternoon, but expected a small shipment later on. Albert Overmyer's Restaurant, at 602  East North street by the glass factory had the three cases at 5 p.m.
  Further information indicates that whiskey sales are negligible too. The two liquor stores and the two drug stores which handle that commodity can't supply the demands. Brink Shires, to offset his loss of business, has established a concession stand at his residence near the swimming pool to dispense soft drinks and sandwiches. Martin Shires Liquor Store, at 219 West Washington st., his brother, reportedly has no whiskey for sale, a little gin and some champagne and wines. Drug stores have been taking applications for weeks and one must wait his turn, so 'tis said.   Win. Jrl-Hrld, August, 1943.

118. Randolph County Misc.

She Loves Me. She Loves Me Not, 1903.

Modoc ----  She Loves Me.   Twice upon the marriage dockets of Randolph County can be seen the license of Harrison Howell to Alice C. Howell, both well known people living north of Modoc. There are very few such instances as took place last week and probably not another one like it in the state.
  Only Saturday these two were granted a divorce by Judge Macy. A fierce divorce case had taken place and both sides put up a hard fight. Yet, while all this had taken place, in the hearts of both of them was that real love, that knows no ending. They had had some trouble and a divorce case was the result. But to be separated forever could not be. After the granting of the divorce they realized their folly and began to understand better what real separation meant. They truly loved each other and to live apart the remainder of their lives seemed to be an impossibility. Promises were made and Wednesday morning the couple appeared at the clerk's office where their second marriage license was secured.
 With the services of Olynthus Cox, the two were again united in the holy bonds of matrimony, the ceremonies taking place in the law office of Nichols, Goodrich and Bales. The groom is forty-three years old and the bride thirty-nine.
  The Herald joins their many friends in wishing them a married life free from all trouble and hardships, but everyone has their troubles and a life free from trouble is hard to be found. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are highly respected citizens of this county and they have a host of friends that wish them an exceedingly bright future.  Winchester Journal-Herald, July, 1903.

Ridgeville ---- She Loves Me Not.    A sensational case has come to light through the second elopement of Mrs. Maude Stewart, of Ridgeville and the abandonment of her pretty two year old daughter; and both times the unnatural wife and mother took up life with a man at Marion.
  In February, 1900, Miss Amanda Wood, near Hartford City, fell violently in love with Al Stewart, of Ridgeville, then an employee of the steel mill at Montpelier, but Stewart did not return her love. Miss Wood then went to Hartford City and swore out a warrant charging him with paternity. Stewart, though claiming to be innocent of the charge, married Miss Wood, and after twelve months a daughter was born to them. By this time Stewart had learned to love his wife, but strange to say her own affections had waned. Sickness then came on Stewart, and he was compelled to give up his work and from brooding over his misfortune he became mentally deranged. On April 25, 1903, his wife confessed to him of being untrue and left him and their little daughter, going to Marion, where she was joined by a man by the name of Cooper.
  Stewart, on account of his condition was not able to support the child, she was placed in the Randolph County Orphans' Home west of Winchester.
  About four weeks ago Mrs. Stewart, having tired of Cooper, returned to Ridgeville, begged forgiveness of Stewart and asked to be taken back. Her request was granted, She also wanted the child. Money was borrowed from a neighbor and the child was taken from the home.
  Last Monday she asked for money so that she could go to Marion and get the furniture which she and Cooper had been using. At the same time she told him that she had forged her father's name to a note and placed it in the Citizen's Bank at Hartford, and asked him to pay it. Stewart, in order to save her, borrowed the money and took the note, and also gave her money to go get her furniture. Since then she has not been heard from, and Mr. Stewart is inquiring as to her whereabouts. It is believed that she is now in Marion with Cooper.
  Mrs. Stewart is only 20 years old, and a very good looking woman. The child will have to return to the Orphans' Home.
  The Journal-Herald was informed that the little girl, now nearly three years, was brought back to the Moorman Home last week.    Winchester Journal-Herald, December, 1903.


Gunfire At Winchester Party.
Winchester Jrl-Hrld, Jan. 11, 1911.

  Winchester was the scene Sunday of a "wild west" affair that put to shame any of the moving picture films that have been thrilling the lovers of the "life and death" game, and if an enterprising motion picture photographer had secured it his fortune would be made. The scene of action was the extreme north end of North East street, the principal characters were John Cunningham, his son Shirley, the police forces of Winchester and Randolph County and several dozen innocent bystanders. Rot-gut whiskey, revolvers and a "black jack" were the "props." Father and son were celebrating the boy's seventeenth birthday, and as they hail from the mountains of West Virginia, mountain dew was used to excess in the celebration. The whiskey's first influence seems to have put the pair in a playful mood, and their sense of humor gave play in their shooting at one another's feet and then into the sky both inside and outside their home.
  Officers were called and in endeavoring to pacify the celebrators the whiskey turned their mood from the humorous to the fiendish, especially the father, and but for the good judgement displayed by the officers, a tragedy might have resulted.
  Cunningham is a blacksmith, large and strong and drunk and defied Sheriff Strahan, Deputy Sheriff King, Marshal Mills, Night Patrolman Durr and special officer Buck Fletcher and being enthroned in his own home, put up a serious and threatening resistance to arrest. The officers were unarmed, but the five of them bravely faced the father and son and after a spirited struggle, overpowered the pair. The fathers strength was attested by him snapping asunder a pair of handcuffs placed on his wrists. They are now in jail and will face Judge Engle today.


Farmland Opera House,
Winchester Journal, October, 1889.

  Farmland now has what Winchester has long needed - an opera house. It is a two-story brick with business rooms below and two offices above in front of the hall and a basement, full size of the building.
  The building was erected by those enterprising druggists, Blye & Thornburg, one room of which will be occupied by their business. The north room is 18 x 77 1/2 feet and the south room 15 x 62 1/2 feet. The office rooms above are fine ones, each having a grate. The opera room has a dress circle 36 x 60 feet, the gallery extending out at the east end twenty feet and out  and above eight feet clear around the room. It has a seating capacity of 700.
  The building was designed by W. A. Yowmans, of Chicago, a very popular architect. The windows are on the north, south and east, and with a ventilator in the center of the roof will give plenty of good, pure air.
  The tiling and cornice and trimming were made by the Pioneer Company, Ottawa, Illinois. This style of ornaments are rarely seen in this part of the country.
  David Wasson superintended the work, while Frank French had the contract for doing the brick work. Thornburg & Taylor did the painting. The plastering has not yet been done.
  Farmland can boast of having the finest opera house in the county, which speaks well for her enterprising people.



Bloomingsport - Johnson's Station - Lynn.
Richmond Daily Telegram, Jan. 7, 1888.

  Marshall Buck Fletcher, of Winchester, Ind., arrived in the city last night on his way to Osgood, Ind.
Buck, though a young man, has a reputation as a thief-taker that many Tan older officer would be proud to claim and has made himself a terror to crooks of low and high degree all over the country.
  "I am going to Osgood to get some witnesses against old Jess Way," was the officers reply.
  Pressing him for something of the history of Way, Buck and the reporter and the officer related some of the incidents in the career of this most noted of crooks.
  Where Jesse Way was born, no one knows. He dropped into the vicinity of Bloomingsport, Randolph County, which is just a little across the Wayne County line, many years ago and his little hut in the vicinity of Johnson's Station is the only home he has had, save the State's prison, that anyone is aware of. He had not been in the locality a great while until a good deal of crooked work began. Houses were robbed, horses stolen, barns burned, but the perpetrators went unpunished. Way made a great fuss and noise in his efforts to capture the marauders who were never captured. He was unsuspected of the crimes, but in after years, when the blackness of the crimes came out, the old settlers were of the opinion that it was he who had committed all the mischief.
  To give a full history of Jesse Way's crimes would more than fill this issue of the Telegram. There is hardly a crime in the catalog but he has been guilty of. Over thirty years of his life he spent in different prisons and there is hardly a penitentiary west of the Allegheny mountains but he is familiar with the inside of it. He has broke jail in Winchester, was carted out of Michigan State Prison in a lot of rubbish and he once scaled the wall of a Columbus, Ohio jail.
  He was a member of the Jess Toney gang of counterfeiters when the gang was captured by Detective Rathbone a number of years ago. When Will Dormer was a guard at the State's prison south, Way was an inmate. In and around Johnson's Station, of late years, he has been a terror. Everyone was afraid of the tall old man who roamed the southern Randolph county woods with his dog and gun, but never worked any. Horses were stolen and houses were robbed. The victims were satisfied that Jess Way did it, but they had no proof and were afraid to make their suspicion public.
  Several years ago he was sent to the penitentiary from this county for stealing wheat and has not been out over two or three years. But the many punishments inflicted on him could not make him honest and he is in the Winchester jail, with a dead certainty of going to the State's prison again.
  Several months ago the barn of Leander Holloway, residing at Neff, Randolph County, was broken open and a fine mare was stolen. Marshal Fletcher was notified and followed the trail to Osgood, Indiana, where he found the mare in the possession of a man named Levi. Levi is a crook, also, a member of the old Tittenhouse gang, that used to make Osgood its headquarters. Levi readily gave up the horse and it was taken back to Winchester. Fletcher found that Jesse Way had taken the animal to Levi and so he got after Jess. He found that individual walking the streets of Lynn, and slipping up behind him, captured him after a struggle which ended when the old crook found Buck's revolver under his chin.
  Way was heavily armed and had not the officer surprised him there is no telling what the result might have been.
  Of course he denied his guilt, but the evidence is all against him and he is booked for another term in the State's prison. Fletcher had the old fellow's picture, which was not a very good one as he fought hard against having it taken and two officers had to hold him while the photographer pulled the camera on him. It is likely that his friend Levi will have a charge to meet when he gets to Winchester.


First Live "Purdue Pete" Mascot From Union City.
Winchester Journal-Herald, Jan. 31, 1957.

  The cover of the January issue of the Purdue Alumnus magazine features a Union City boy, but no one would recognize him as Larry Brumbaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brumbaugh, North Howard street, and a senior at Purdue University.
  His oversize head of paper-mache featuring large bulging eyes, a button nose and a wide happy grin, and his massive shoulders and chest of foam rubber are the characteristics of "Purdue Pete," the new Purdue Mascot.
  According to an article which appears in the Alumnus magazine, "Purdue Pete" made his first appearance at a pep rally the night before the Missouri-Purdue football game. During the game, working with the cheerleaders in keeping spirits high, he was an immediate success.
  It was early last spring that the pep committee and cheerleaders began thinking about having a mascot appear on the field at football games. They had in mind something similar to the Northwestern Wildcats, the Illinois Indian or the Chicago Bear. After the project was approved by the Dean of Men's office and the athletic director, tryouts were held to select a student to be "Purdue Pete." Larry was selected because of his ability as a tumbler.
  When it came to getting a suitable costume for "Pete," who has long been a symbol of the university, problems arose. Price estimates ranged from $500 to $700 in most cases, and when this was reported to the university, it was suggested that the idea of a mascot be postponed. By this time it was August, and a letter was sent to Larry explaining the situation. Undaunted, he visited costume companies in Richmond, Muncie and Dayton, Ohio, but all estimated the cost to be more than $500. However, he did get some helpful suggestions from them, including the use of football pads, foam rubber, and a separately constructed head for the costume.
  When he returned to school in the fall, Larry, discussed these ideas with the pep committee and the athletic department who gave him the go-ahead signal. It was then that Mrs. John Keltner, of Union City, came into the picture. Her hobby is making paper-mache figurettes, and after Larry had contacted her, she agreed to make a head for "Pete." Anne Ream and Ona Russell, Purdue students, sewed and shaped the remainder of the costume, which is black and gold and is identical in image to the symbol that has become famous in identifying Purdue University.
  Brumbaugh will graduate in June from the school of mechanical engineering. He is president of Sigma Pi fraternity.



Lynn Plans New City Building.
Winchester Journal-Herald, Feb. 1969.

  The Lynn town board paid $20,000 for a corner lot plus a lot immediately to the east of it, the lots running 200 to 300 feet deep north and south. The ground, purchased from Clarence Retter and Clyde Waldron and located at the corner of Main and Church streets, was bought as the location of a new city building and fire station.
  According to Leslie Ponder, president of the Lynn town board, the new structure will cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and will house the police and fire departments, city clerk-treasurer's office and town meeting hall.
  The board, Ponder said, also is considering the construction of a community room, but this is not included in the present building plans.
  It is anticipated that sometime in the future a downtown public parking area can be situated on a portion of the purchased land.
  Ponder said that the board already has the money needed to pay for the building itself. The $20,000 for the lots was included in this year's tax rate. Reserves to pay for the city building will be taken from three funds: Capital improvement funds, water department reserves and the accumulative fire fund.
  If the board stays within the building's price range, it is anticipated the structure will be of brick veneer.
  Members of the board, in addition to Ponder, are Howard Marquis, Reed Engle and Irene Addington, clerk-treasurer.



Ridgeville Cossacks.
The Portland Commercial Review, May 20, 1978.

  What's in a name?
  Usually not much. But, in the case of now-closed Ridgeville High School, a name is a unique bit of lore of Indiana High School basketball.
  The Ridgeville players were the "last of the Cossacks." When Ridgeville High became part of the Winchester Community consolidation in 1966 there were no more prep athletic teams going by that nickname anywhere in the state.
  It was much the same for the Cossacks as it was for a couple of other one-of-a-kind team names, like the Dunkirk Speedcats and the Hartford Center Gorillas, that now belong to the pages of history.
  Like a lot of schools that have faded into consolidations, the last few years of Ridgeville basketball were a kind of "playing out the string," The Cossacks didn't win the sectional tournament in their last year of existence. They didn't even have a winning season.
But there had been past days of glory.
  Ridgeville basketball teams claimed four sectional titles, and they had to do some traveling to get a couple of them. They won it all in the Hartford City sectional in 1936 and 1938.
  Earlier, within the confines of Randolph County, they had taken titles in 1921 and 1926.
  The 1938 sectional crown was the last for the school. The Cossacks got close in 1957 at Winchester, but bowed out in the championship game to the Yellow Jackets.
  The Cossacks had the satisfaction of taking out the team host in the 1938 sectional, trimming Hartford City 30-29.
  In the 1936 title contest the Ridgeville squad got past Madison Township of Jay County 24-21.
  The 1921 and 1926 title game victories were lopsided ones. The Cossacks stopped Jefferson 36-17 in 1921 and pounded Winchester 30-15 in 1926.
  Ridgeville always got moved around a lot in terms of sectional tourney playing sites.
  Although the school is in Randolph County, the Cossacks were often sent, not to Winchester but to Hartford City or Portland.
  The fact that the Cossacks were sent to the tourney at Hartford City in 1938 was, apparently, the cause of some gloom at Ridgeville.
  The Cossacks had a good team that year and, judging from newspaper accounts, they were the class of Randolph County. The situation was to be different at Hartford City, however.
  The Commercial-Review of Feb. 8, 1938, put it this way: "It certainly is a tough break for the Ridgeville Cossacks if they have to play in this sectional (at Hartford City) when they would have about everything their own way were they to play at Winchester."
  The Cossacks, in other words, "weren't supposed" to win the sectional at Hartford City. One reason was that Hartford City was the defending champion and seemed a good bet to repeat. Hartford had also won the sectional six of the last eight years prior to the 1938 battles.
  Still another reason was an outstanding Dunkirk team, which posted a 20-1 regular season record.
  But Dunkirk didn't make it to the finals. Hartford City did, but this time the Airedales didn't quite make it.
  Along the way to the final game Ridgeville, led by Stanton Cope in scoring and coached by I. E. Templin, disposed of Montpelier (in another one-point game) and Poling.
  The Cossacks got past the first game in the regional tournament  at Fort Wayne, too. But then, in the regional tourney championship game , they had the misfortune of running into the Archers of Fort Wayne Southside. The Cossacks campaign came to an end on the short end of a 54-25 score.
  Southside went on to take the 1938 state championship, stopping a lot of other good teams along the way as they had before the regional.
  The Archers, coached by Burl Friddle to what was his second state title as a coach, finished with a 29-3 record.

The 1965-66 Ridgeville Cossack Team- Dave Doughty, Jon Young, Don Cox, Joe Bolich, Dennis Heniscey, Mike Boolman, Chris Lay, Dan Antrim, Jim Painter, Mike Gayheart and Bob Bond. David Barr was the student manager and Richard Burgess was the coach of the last Cossacks team.


 

117. Ridgeville, Winchester, Parker, Farmland, Union City, Spartanburg & Blooming_port.

Ridgeville Centennial.

  Ridgeville's centennial celebration closed Saturday with a crowd of approximately 5,000 persons thronging the city during the day for the event.
  A complete day's program began in the morning with contests for the children and a concert by the Eaton band.
  The Indian frontier marker on the Citizens State Bank building corner was dedicated Saturday afternoon. This marker is on the exact line of the "Twelve Mile Purchase" established by a treaty with the Indians from 1809 to about 1819.
  It was an interesting fact that this line, which crosses Ridgeville from northeast to southwest, so far as possible settlement was concerned, was actually the extreme northern boundary of the state of Indiana at the time of its admission to the Union in 1816.
  The marker was unveiled by Miss Mary Stone who was selected as "Miss Ridgeville" to reign as queen of the city during the centennial.
  The program which followed was opened by the invocation by Rev. Saunders; Al Cobe., full blooded Indian, delivered the address; and Rev. Cromer said the benediction. Al Cobe and an Indian family presented a typical Indian war dance to conclude the program.
  A two-mile long parade of floats, pets, Indians, autos, bicycles and bands, led by "Miss Ridgeville,"  wound through the midway in the afternoon.
  The Ridgeville Grain Company was awarded first place for the best of the decorated floats. The Kraft Cheese company won second place and the Ridgeville Sales Company, third. Armstrong's Grocery was given honorable mention. Judges of the parade were from Muncie, Hammond and Elyria, Ohio.
  Winners in the children's bicycle and wagon division were Junior Zimmerman, Billy Painter, Betty Gimmel, Lilith Zentgraff and Lee Arthur Painter. Pet division winners were Phyllis Ann Keener, Betty Cull, Virginia Patterson and Esta Mae Hester.
  Features of the evening program were WLS Radio station free acts and a free talking picture show. Preceding the picture show, slides showing scenes of Ridgeville business houses of thirty years ago were shown on the screen and explained by C. F. Young. The slides are owned by William Edwards and were used in his picture show about thirty years ago.   Winchester Jrl-Hrld  Aug. 30, 1937. 82 years ago.


A Parker "Blind Tiger" Raided.

  Randolph County Sheriff Albert King made a raid the other evening on the "blind tiger," (a booze/gambling den) which R. B. Barnhart has been operating in Parker City for several years. The sheriff was assisted by a number of local citizens who were sworn in as deputies. The raid was a complete success and Barnhart was surprised beyond a doubt. An effort has been made before, it is said, to put a stop to his unlawful methods of doing business, but without success. This time all arrangements were made "on the quiet" and but a few people were aware that anything of the kind was to take place.
  A short time after dark the sheriff and his deputies made the raid and two wagon loads or seventy-five cases of beer were confiscated and taken to the town hall.
  Barnhart has been carrying on a smooth business for some time and because Parker City is a "dry" town so far as saloons are concerned, he has been doing an enormous business it is said.
  The building in which the "booze" was found is adjacent to a livery stable and the only entrance was through a secret door in the back of a horse stall.
  Barnhart was arrested and taken before a squire. He was later bound over to the circuit court under a bond of $200.   Winchester Herald, March, 1907.


An "s" in Bloomingsport. Yes Or No?

  In the Smith-Driver "Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana," on the organization of Washington Township, it states that it is "ordered that all elections in Washington Township shall be held at the house of Jonathon Beeson in the town of Blooming Port."
  The latter spelling, "Blooming Port," brings up one of the biggest controversies of Bloomingsport since its birth 147 years ago. That is whether the name of the town includes the "s." Charles Engle, a farmer near Bloomingsport who knows quite a bit of the history of the town, is among those who believe that the name is with the "s." In a detailed map of Washington Township in the Tucker History of Randolph County, 1882, the town's name includes the "s" so that it supports Mr. Engle's opinion. However, Bill Reed, who lives on the town's outskirts, opposes that theory. He says that it is an "absolute fact"-the proper name is "Bloomingport" as it has been stating on the sign on Highway 36 for many years. After thorough research by this writer, I've come to the conclusion that the question is unanswerable. Official records show both names as well as quite a few other odd spellings such as "Blooming Port and "Blooming's port." With that bit of information, the only fit conclusion to the argument is "Case Closed."   This is taken from a story by Ken Thomas, date and source unknown. Possibly the Richmond Palladium-Item.


Winchester.    They'll be the "Golden Falcons."   Driver High School students chose this nickname for their athletic teams Thursday morning, putting an end to the Winchester Yellow Jackets and the Giants of White River.
  Principal Robert Jones said "Golden Falcons" received nearly 300 votes, while Golden Dragons, Tigers and just plain Dragons trailed far behind.
  The students Wednesday, had chosen gold and white as the school colors.   Winchester Jrl-Hrld, Sept. 17, 1959. 60 years ago.


Farmland.   Foster's Shoe Store.  Ground has been broken for the site of the new Foster's Shoe Store in Farmland. The new store will be located on the east side of Main street where formerly were located Christine's Beauty Shop and the Steiner furniture repair shop.
  Owner Gene Foster says he hopes to have the new store open in August. Farmland has had a Foster Shoe store since 1883. It was established by C. E. Foster on the northwest corner of the square. The building on the southeast corner was built in 1894 and leased to C. E. Foster and purchased from Mr. Cramer of Dayton, Ohio.
  In 1928 H. G. Foster purchased the store from his father. In 1949 the store passed to the third generation when Gene Foster took over the operation. H. G. Foster died in 1951. A son-in-law of Gene Foster, Bill Glover, has been associated with the store for several years.   Lynn Herald, June 8, 1961. 58 years ago.


A Coal Mine For Spartanburg?

  Some years since, in digging a well at Spartanburg it was discovered that there was coal under the skirts of that hamlet. No further steps were taken to find out the extent of this now antiquated fuel (for us gas cities). It comes to us that a gas well will, with probability, be sunk in that town and if they fail to get gas, they may at least know the depth of that coal vein. They are going to "kill two birds with one stone," so to speak.   Winchester Journal, May, 1889.


Riding An Interurban Car From Winchester To Parker Then To Union City.
By Joe Hamilton, Lynn Herald, July, 1950.

  I said earlier that I would explain why a journey on the traction car was always so exciting and interesting to a small boy around 1910.
  We were on the car in Winchester, settled in our seats and the bell had clanged out the information that we were about to start our trip.
  The first leg of our journey covered but a short distance-only a little less than 200 feet. The car started up and went only to the Pennsylvania railroad crossing at West Washington street and then came to a full stop. The conductor got out and went to a pole near the tracks and pulled on a lever while the car went slowly across the crossing. Once on the other side the car stopped again while the conductor got back on the rear platform. But his stay in the car was to be brief for we were to stop again a block farther down at Jackson Street and again at the old creamery at the city limits. Next stop was Lykins, a little station house about six feet square, less than a mile from the city limits. There was always someone to get on or get off at most of the rural stations. In some cases there were 10 gallon milk cans to be loaded or unloaded. There was a steady flow of commerce along the traction right-of-way.
  After Lykins came a procession of rural station stops: Moorman's Orphans' Home, Funk's Lake, Green's, Moorman's crossing, Franklin's, Maxville, Mills' Lake, Botkin's and then came the long curve toward  Farmland and one of the highlights of the trip, crossing White River on the high trestle!
  As boys we were thrilled no end at crossing the river valley high above the tree tops. But the big thrill was in the spring of the year when the river was out of its banks and the lowlands flooded. Then the car would approach the trestle gingerly and would cross at a snail's pace, prolonging the feeling of danger mixed with high adventure that welled up in a small boy's breast.
  At Farmland a full station stop was made with all the bustle and excitement of loading and unloading passengers, freight and express. We always watched the faces of those who got on, hoping to see someone we knew.
  Leaving the station in Farmland we soon came to the sharp curve to the west, thrilling because the car wheels screeched as they bit into the rails and the car seemed to be going sideways! These things were big events in a young boy's life in those unsophisticated days!
  After Farmland came Gray's Stop and Hill's, with every road remembered until Parker, our destination. There was a power sub-station in the rear of the station and we always paused there to listen a while to the mysterious humming of the generators.
  One trip we went beyond Parker to Mud Valley in the distant, unknown prairie between Parker and Muncie, but that is a different tale to be told at another time.
  The eastbound trip to Union City from Winchester was equally as interesting. Stops were made as follows: First, the siding between Meridian street and Tell Wilson's large stable and livery barn where the east and west-bound cars always passed on East Washington street: then East street, Union street and Litschert's stop at the east edge of town. Then came Stringtown, Hiatt's, Crowley's, Marlatt's, Saratoga Road, Wayne, Harrisville, Chapel, West Union, and finally, after crossing under the Big Four Railroad, the terminal at Union City. Here our car backed onto a "Y" preparatory to turning around and going back to Muncie.
  Among the other boys I enjoyed a certain distinction on account of having an uncle who was
 a motorman on the traction line! I was supposed to have the absolute inside track on what was going on in the Indiana Union Traction Company!

116. Randolph County Misc.

Winchester Band-Aides Tour Of Homes July, 1980.

  Dr. and Mrs. Robert Shumaker's home at 200 E. South St., is the oldest house of the four featured on the Winchester Band-Aide's Tour of Homes to be held Sunday, July 13 from 1-5 p.m.
  The three-story white 10 room house which sits regally on the corner of East. South and South East Streets, was built in 1911 by Tell Wilson, who was a distant relative of Mrs. Shumaker's. Since it's construction, the house has had only four owners, including the Shumaker family, which bought the house in 1970.
  The windows and woodwork of the home are its main attractions. Each window contains either stained, tinted or original beveled, leaded glass, including a magnificent "apple tree" window in the dining room. Mrs. Shumaker says that most of the stained glass was imported. The house's woodwork is quarter-sawed oak.
  The home has two fireplaces, one on the first floor and one upstairs. They are made with the same oak woodwork and accented by ceramic tile. The house also has two stairwells-one in the front and one in the back.
  The home still has its original light fixtures in every room except the kitchen.
  Mrs. Shumaker's talent for interior design is apparent as visitors enter the house. She has painted, papered and decorated the entire home herself.
  Visitors on the tour will be served refreshments on the Shumaker's patio, which is made of old city paving bricks from downtown Winchester.
  Tickets for the Tour of Homes are available from any band member or from Haines Rexall Drugs.


Lynn Herald Reprint, 1-22-1954. 65 years ago.

  George Ryan, owner and operator of Ryan's Barber Shop in Lynn, was born September 20, 1888 in Winchester. His father Isaiah, better known as Pony, was a barber in the then small county seat. Pony, by the way, was a drummer boy in the Civil War and acquired the nickname due to the fact that in marching, the long drum he carried would bounce off the ground after every other step.
  George attended school at the North Ward school in Winchester but entered barbering at the early age of 13 years. He stood on a special platform built around one of his father's chairs. He also had three other brothers in the same shop with he and his father.
  George was very active in sports as a young fellow and participated in football, baseball, ice skating and rollerskating.
  As a young lad, George not only worked at barbering but also for the Fraze funeral directors as a driver of their horse drawn hearse. It was on a two day trip to Lynn for Fraze that George met Vada Reece, the innkeepers daughter where he was staying, and on January 20, 1909, they were married.
  In 1910, George bought Orla Hill's barber shop in Lynn and worked here for one year before accepting a position as manager of a shop in the Hotel Severin in Indianapolis. While at the Severin, George had the opportunity of working on several celebrities including Will Hays, James J. Corbett, bob Fitzsimmons, Jack Clifford of Vaudville fame, Jim Goodrich, James Watson and Senator Hemingway.
  In 1918, George moved back to Lynn, and took over the Ben Johnson barber shop on South Main street. He recalls how the muddy streets in front of his shop were hazardous for man and beast and in the winter with ice on them, it was almost impossible to stand up. One thing that stands out in his memory of the mud streets concerns a cold, snowy day when the streets were frozen solid and covered with a layer of ice. A farmer north of town was driving several head of white face steers down Main street to the loading shute but the frozen mud was so slippery the cattle could not walk. After much deliberation, the farmer got a spike tooth harrow and broke the icy streets from the point where the library now stands to the railroad. The cattle were then able to walk.
  George moved to his present location in 1942. He remodeled the building and put in a modern apartment as well as a modern barber shop. He recalls how in the olden days, he would open his shop to find several men waiting in line outside the door, for a quick shave or an early morning haircut. Upon moving to the new building, this stopped as all barbering since 1942 has been by appointment.
  George's favorite hobby is his beautiful rose arch that is a focal point of Lynn. If you have never seen the rose arch, it is worth your time to drive to Lynn when the roses are blooming just to observe the lovely gateway of flaming red. Also he collects state plates and displays them on the south wall of his living room.
  The Ryan's have one daughter, Mrs. Robert Bausman. who resides at Tucson, Arizona. In talking with the Ryans, one gets the impression they would love to join their daughter in the western state where the sun shines every day but hate to pull up and leave Lynn. Not just yet.


Spartanburg plans to build park, Win. Journal-Herald, 10-1955. 64 years ago.

  The Spartanburg community has made plans for the purchase of land for a park. The land, located at the eastern edge of the town, is known by the popular name "The Fountain Lot," this being due to a fine flowing well which has been flowing for many years.
  At a meeting last Friday night at the Spartanburg school building, attended by 60 persons, a park board consisting of Russell Manning, Kenneth Comer, Joe Harris and George Clark was selected.
  Colby Reed acted as chairman of the planning committee and was spokesman when the request was made of Herschel Tillson, trustee of Greensfork Township, to indicate his willingness to accept the land after purchases, in the name of the township for a park.
  The answer was favorable, so plans were made for an immediate drive for funds to make the purchase.
  The property under surveillance has an artesian well, which is 1,100 feet deep and has been tiled for drainage to a nearby creek.
  The township is proposing that a large concrete slab be laid near the center of the park for use in playing basketball, volley ball, tennis, shuffleboard and in the winter, be flooded with water for ice skating.
  The south end of the park will be laid out for picnicking with tables and outdoor fireplaces installed and playground equipment set up for the younger set. The oldsters will not be left out as horseshoe and croquet courts will also be near the picnic area.
  With approximately 350 families residing in Greensfork Township it appears the project will have sufficient backing to become a reality.


A few county merchants in 1961:

  Lynn-
Lynn Coin Laundry. One block east of U.S. 27 after crossing the railroad in south Lynn. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Morton.
Hazel's Dress Shop.
Cage Service Station.
Coatses Locker Plant.
Clark's I.G.A. Food Market, North Main.
Mitchell (Blue Roof) Truck Stop
Hutchens Gravel Co.
Hinshaw's Greenhouse, 218 S. Main.
Morris Furniture and Appliance, 108 S Main.
Lynn View Restaurant, West Cor., Church and Main.
Chenoweth's.
Baker's Package Store.
Thornburg Market, Cor. Church and Oak.
C. F. Smith, Electric and Plumbing.
Retter Sales and Service.
Snack House Drive-In.
Wolfe Sales and Service.
R. C. Cashan Grain Co.
Lynn Radio and TV Sales and Service, Next To Post Office.
Lynn Elevator Inc.
Polley Farm Service.



  Spartanburg-
Lahey's Hardware Inc.
Patterson TV and Radio Service.
Freeman I.G.A. Market.
Teeter's Hatchery.
Freeman Insurance Agency

  Farmland-
Abernathy Garage.
Dari-Delite Drive-In.
Foster's Shoe Store, 101 Main.
Marlin Hardware.
Bly's Store.
Ethel's Country Kitchen.
James Hardware and Appliance, 141 Henry St.
Mills Drug Store.
Keever Studio.
Bob Sites Standard Service.
Hensley's Café.
Shaw's D-X Service.
Necessary Sinclair Service.

  Parker-
Charlie's I.G.A. Market, Next Door To Post Office.
Coffee Shop.
Jacob's Insurance Agency.
Morgan Motor Sales, Main and Howard.
Woods Store.
Opal McCormick Café.
Panther House Café.
Harness Home Store.
Griffith's D-X Service.
Village Store.
Gibson's Cities Service.
Jim Lawrence Chevrolet, Eldon Lawson, Salesman.
Ruble's Flower and Gift Shop.
Sharpe's Variety, 1 Block East Of Bank.

115. Coroner's Report, Winchester Brothers Drown In White River

Winchester Journal-Herald
January 23, 1943

  Tragedy ended a gay afternoon of play for three Winchester school pupils Sunday afternoon when two of the group lost their lives after plunging through the ice on White River at the north edge of town.
  The victims were:
    Raymond Charles Fields, age 11, 624 North Meridian street.
    Robert Lee Fields, age 10, of the same address.
  A third boy, Dick Siebert, age 12, North Meridian street, escaped the fate of his companions although he, too, was in the water.
  The victims are the sons of Mrs. Margaret Fields, of the Meridian street address and William Fields Sr., Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Fields is employed at the Anchor Hocking Glass Co. and worked from 6 a.m. until noon Sunday.
  Elsworth Hutchens who lives near the city disposal plant made a vain attempt to rescue the boys but was unable to reach them in time. Mr. Hutchens, the only known eye-witness to the tragedy said he believed the older Fields boy attempted to rescue his brother and that neither was able to reach the river bank. The water is estimated to be approximately 10 feet deep where the boys went through the ice.
  Sheriff Kora E. Davis was called to the scene and later was joined by other officials in dragging the river. The first body was recovered about 5 p.m.-approximately one and one-half hours after the drowning-and the second body was found shortly before 8 p.m. Both were within a few feet of the point where the ice had broken under the victims.
  The first news of the drowning came when the Seibert boy rushed up the river bank shouting for help. Mr. Hutchens ran to the Pennsylvania railroad bridge spanning the river just above the point where the boys broke through the ice, crossed from the south to the north bank of the stream and ran down the bank.
  "I saw a dark form, probably one of the boys, bobbing up and down under the ice when I crossed the bridge," Mr. Hutchens said, "and the other boy was grabbing at the edge of the ice but it kept breaking. I picked up a stick as I ran and tried to get the end of it to the boy but it was too short."
  In the meantime neighbors were aroused by the shouts of the Seibert boy and the sheriff and police officials were called.
  Grappling hooks from the sheriff's office were used and a boat borrowed from Ray Augsburger, 829 Beeson Drive, was taken to the scene and used in the search.
  In addition to the sheriff, Deputy Sheriff Lester Puterbaugh, who found one body about 7:45 p.m., Police Chief Charles Bullock, who found the first body about 5 p.m., Officers Cliff Hines and Forrest Holdeman and State Police Officer Merrill Wann aided in the search. Coroner Lowell W. Painter also was called.
  Two pike poles were borrowed from the fire department and used after the grappling hooks repeatedly became entangled in the masses of metal, fencing and trash that had been dumped into the river from the city dump which is adjacent to the scene. One set of grappling hooks caught in the refuse and probably will not be recovered until the water level lowers, the sheriff said.
  The water was described as being from one to two feet above normal because of recent rains and melting snow.
  Artificial respiration was applied to the first boy recovered but attempts at revival failed.
  The Seibert boy, greatly upset by the tragedy, was placed under the care of a physician as was Mrs. Fields, mother of the boys, and Mrs. Phyllis Welch, Mrs. Fields daughter.
  Mrs. Fields was at the scene of the drowning for a short time but then was returned to her home.
  The Seibert boy lives next door to the Fields home and resides with his uncle, Harry White and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank White.

This is from the Randolph County Coroner's Report to the Circuit Court on January 30, 1943.

Statement of witness Elsworth Hutchens:   I live on what is known as the City Farm at the north edge of Winchester. I live about 500 feet from where the boys drowned, that is where my home is. Some little boy ran up to our house yelling for help and my wife and the boy went to the telephone to call the police and I went down to the railroad bridge at the river to see what I could do. That was about 3:00 in the afternoon. One boy had gone down and I could see a dark shadow and I thought I could hear him under the ice. The other boy was in the water and I could see him and that he was drowning. I got a stick about five feet long and tried to reach it to him but I couldn't reach him. I don't know how to swim and I didn't think it would help him to jump in there as the water was over ten feet deep. It was about two minutes that the boy struggled to get on the ice but it kept breaking under him and then he went under. I could see him under the ice and then he went down. The boy didn't come up again. I stayed there until more help came. It didn't seem very long until Kora Davis, the Sheriff came.

Verdict: Accidental death of both boys by drowning.
Lowell W. Painter M.D., Coroner of Randolph County

The Fields boys headstone at Maxville Cemetery in Randolph County, Indiana

Union City Times-Gazette
Tuesday, January 26,1943

Double funeral rites for two brothers to be Thursday afternoon.
Double funeral services for Raymond Charles 13 and Robert Lee,10,sons of Mrs. Margaret (Yost) Fields of Winchester,who were drowned when they plunged through the ice on the White river at the north edge of Winchester Sunday afternoon,will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Nazarene Church. Rev. N.B. Herrell,the pastor,will officiated. Burial will be in the Maxville cemetery. The bodies will be removed about noon today from the Summers mortuary to the residence 624 N. Meridian street, Winchester. Friends may call after the noon hour.

114. Winchester's J. M. Best Grocery

The Richmond Palladium-Item
October, 1962.


  You think your eyes are deceiving you when you leave the modern conveniences of surrounding downtown Winchester stores and walk into the J. M. Best grocery at 108 West Washington street.
  There before you stands the central heating stove, a row of candy cases like grandmother used to see, racks full of items almost forgotten in this modern space age and an owner who started the trend toward cash sales when cash sales were unheard of to any degree.
  Ed Best, grandson of Thomas Best, who started the Winchester store in 1867, and son of J. M. Best, owner of the store until taking his son Ed as partner in 1913, now owns and operates his grocery like days of old.
  He is proud that the store is the oldest business establishment in Winchester. And he is even more proud that his store is unusual in its products, giving it appeal over the supermarkets that have caused the downfall of so many small groceries.
  "We can't compete on prices with supermarkets," said Best, "so we make it up with hard-to-find articles."
  For example, seeds are one of the biggest selling items in the Best grocery and each sale brings a few choice comments from the Winchester man on how and when they should be planted.
  Candy is another big item.
  "We get the best there is available," said the 81-year-old proprietor, "including many of the hard-rock candies seldom stocked in other stores."
  In the Best grocery you can find kerosene lamps, dried fruits of the finest varieties and in bulk, peppermint lozenges, practically any variety of plant or seed desired and employees who know what it is to make "the customer always right.
  Thomas Best ran the story until 1896 when his son, J. m. Best, took over. In 1906, Ed Best came into the store to work and he learned the business quickly and from a past master.
  Like any other young man, Ed soon found he was not getting ahead as an employee for his father. So in 1913 he said he either entered the business as a partner or he was going elsewhere.
  "I bought 50 percent of the business for $700 in cash and a $1500 note held by my father," the store's present owner said.
  "And," he continued, "due to remodeling, moving and adding new products, it took me 20 years to pay off that note."
  In 1920, Best married Beshia Simmons of Winchester.
  Their only son was captured by German troops at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and was killed by American bombs while he was being held in a Nazi prison camp.

  The Winchester grocer says he never made any money in the business until he quit selling on credit.
  "The stores of Winchester wanted to stop the credit business back during the late depression days," said Best.
  "We had a meeting of store owners," he continued, "and when the discussion started on stopping credit, I informed them the J. M. Best and Son grocery had ended all credit two days before."
  Then with a laugh he added, "it sure shook up the town of Winchester."
  Today the sign on the window says, "J. M. Best and Son cash grocery."
  Best goes in for Christmas trees, decorations and candies in a big way, saying he has a good stock in his basement now, ready for the nearing season. He gets three cases of each variety of candy that has become a standard and much sought after item each year in his store.
  He said the biggest change in one item he has seen is coffee.
  "We used to have three grades of coffee, Lion, Arbuckle and Jersey. It sold for three pounds for 25 cents and was ground in our store.
  "Blended coffee came into being in 1896 and from then until now they have experimented with the coffee beans until darn near all of it has been ruined.
  "Speed of making coffee has replaced the real taste of the drink," he said.
  How does Best decide which candy, fruit or other food product he will buy? "It is very simple," said the Winchester grocer, "I taste the food item and if I don't like what I taste, I don't buy it."
  In its 95 years, the Best store has moved five times. But today it stands on the spot where it first started in 1867 and its present owner vows it will stay there for many years to come.

113. Winchester Youths Killed In Muncie Wreck

Winchester Youths Killed In Muncie Wreck

Winchester Journal- Herald,
Tuesday July 9, 1940

  Arthur Overmyer and John Lykins, most seriously injured of the survivors of the auto wreck near Muncie early Sunday in which Miss Roberta Meyer was killed, remained in a grave condition at Ball hospital last night, with the former still listed as "critical" and Lykins as "poor."
  Miss Virginia Irish, who suffered a fractured ankle, was dismissed from the hospital at 3 p.m. yesterday and was brought by her mother, Mrs. Ben F. Rison, to their home at 503 West South street.
  Remaining in the hospital and reported in "fair condition" are three others of the seven Winchester young people hurt in the fatal birthday party accident. They are Thelma Foutz, Theresa Fortner and Joe Miller.
  Because of their injuries none of those who were with her when she met death can attend the funeral of Miss Myer today. The services will be held at the Main Street Church of Christ with burial in Fountain Park cemetery.
  From her bed at her home on Greenville Avenue yesterday afternoon, Miss Elizabeth Lee, (The future Elizabeth Gardner, longtime Home Ec teacher at WHS) least injured of the eight youngsters hurt in the accident, told of the forming of the happy little party that was to end in tragedy and what she could recall of the horror that followed after the machine bearing the ten slid from the pavement at the unexpected curve and rolled over and over through a ditch and wire fence into a field.
  "We all just happened to get together at 'Pop' Edwards ice cream parlor," she said, talking with difficulty through cut lips patched with adhesive and her pretty face marred by a great bruise where her nose was fractured, blackened eyes and scratches across her forehead.
  It was Theresa Fortner's birthday and we said we would help her celebrate it. I said it could celebrate my birthday too, for I'll be 19 next Saturday. Arthur had his folk's car and we decided to go to Muncie and dance. It's too bad there's no place in Winchester where young people can go to have a good time. If there had of been, this terrible affair wouldn't have happened.
  "At about 10:30 we all piled into the car. You know how kids are-just jam in and sit anywhere they can. Next to Arthur was Thelma Foutz and I sat on Earnest Tidlow's lap-He's the New Casstle boy that joined the party with Herb Wantz of Mooresville-and that made four of us in the front seat. In the back were the other six, with Wantz, Joe Miller and John Lykins on the seat and Virginia Irish, Theresa and Roberta on their laps.
  "After we got to Muncie we cruised around a while debating where to go and eat and dance. Then someone suggested Yorktown and we started for there.
  "Where I was sitting was right up against the windshield and I was looking ahead at the road. I guess I'm a backseat driver-my daddy will tell you that-and am always giving advice and directions. But, although I thought we were going the wrong way I didn't say anything. We weren't going fast, that is not very fast; if we had of been I certainly would have warned Arthur. Suddenly I felt the car sway and saw there wasn't any road in front of us at all-just an open space. Then we began whirling and I remember some of the girls screaming. I don't recall any crash but I do remember spinning about and drawing my legs up away from something.
  "The next thing I knew-I must have been unconscious a little while-I was lying on the ground outside the car. I struggled to my feet and almost at once fell over a boy's body, got up again and tripped over a girl's leg. I could see bodies all around me but it was too dark to recognize anyone. Then I heard Joe Miller's voice, asking someone to go with him for help. I called out that I'd go and we went to a farm house that had lights shining from the windows. Whether we ran or walked I don't know. I could hardly see from the pain across my eyes and the blood. Joe asked the farmer to telephone for ambulances and the police and we stayed there. The farmer turned on water at a tap and I dashed some over my face and eyes and then tried to help Joe who was badly cut. The ambulances came a few minutes later and took us all to the hospital.
  Miss Lee remained at the hospital only long enough to receive first aid treatment and when her parents, high school custodian and Mrs. John Lee arrived from Winchester she was taken to a nasal specialist and was brought home Sunday afternoon. In addition to the facial injuries she has a hole in her right arm above the elbow. She will be confined to her bed for at least a week. Miss Lee graduated from the Winchester high school in 1939 and finished her freshman year at Ball State Teacher's College last spring.


Wednesday, July 10.
Six young men, former schoolmates of Miss Roberta Meyer, bore her body to the grave at Fountain Park cemetery yesterday following services at the Main Street Church of Christ. The pallbearers were Harry Reno, Robert Reno, Elvin Rector, Robert Overmyer, Paul Beachler and Don Spear.

Miss Roberta Meyer headstone at Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana

Thursday, July 11.
Pneumonia, developing from injuries received early Sunday morning in the automobile crash in which a girl companion was killed and eight other young persons were injured, caused the death of John P. Lykins, 25, of Winchester.
  The popular Winchester young man, who was head of the designing department of the Overmyer Mould company, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Lykins, 402 Residence street.

Headstone of John P. Lykins, Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana

111. Negro Brawl At Ridgeville

Negro Brawl At Ridgeville

Winchester Journal Herald.
October 9, 1951

  Jewell Webb, about 45, whose address is said to be Chicago, is in the Randolph County hospital in Winchester, victim of a negro attack sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
  Hospital attaches say his head is bashed in from the severe beating and stomping he received during a drunken brawl following payday to about 75 negro Pennsylvania Railroad section hands at Ridgeville.
  In jail is his alleged attacker, one Doc Menzie of Mississipi with charges against him awaiting the recovery of Webb.
  There usually is plenty of excitement in northeast Randolph and southwest Jay counties when the section gang gets paid of, this pay day was no exception.
  Webb is a white cook, working in the commissary at the tent grounds where the workers live. He is not a railroad employee.
  Sheriff Cliff Hines received his call at 8 a.m. Tuesday and before long eight other officers were on hand to help quell the ongoing brawl. They included Deputy Perry Jennings, State Police Patrolmen Bob Davis and Merrill Wann of Winchester, John Markle of Marion and Earl Warnock of Portland, plus Marshall Ermin Cox and his deputy, Glen Ritchey, of Ridgeville, plus Sheriff Fred Pensinger of Portland.
  The trouble actually started Monday night when Sheriff Hines picked up a drunken negro five miles northeast of Winchester near the Bob Ward farm. He said he had been robbed, but bore no traces of it. He was jailed.
  Up in Jay county one of the drunks got into bed with a white man in his home near the Lee Ware auction barns on U.S. 27.
  The party was going good at Ridgeville.
  There were plenty of fist fights, and Webb got slugged and tromped on, his face and head "was a mess," witnesses said.
  Going to Ridgeville, Sheriff Hines herded the staggering crew hands into a field and ordered the gang boss to sort out the trouble makers.
  Seventeen were picked out, loaded into a truck and taken to the Winchester jail where the Monday night drunk was still locked up and the whole caboodle was then taken to Richmond for train transportation back to Chicago.
  Richmond police were called to have an extra "guard" on hand as the bunch was getting pretty unruly again.
  The crew is stationed at the north edge of Ridgeville laying new ties on the east and west Pennsylvania line.

______________________

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110. "Red Sails" The Flying Horse - Crete, Randolph County, Indiana

  South of Crete on the Arba Pike along the eastern edge of Randolph County, a small monument rises up from a clump of grass to commemorate one of the area's greatest legends.

  Inscribed on the stone is the singular name, "Red Sails"; the dates "1948 to 1954" and the epitaph, "One In A Million." Also inscribed on the monument is "1:58."

  Time has not dimmed the memory of Red Sails, the spirited pacer who not only set records at hundreds of tracks across the country, but won the hearts of thousands of race fans. Red Sails' rise to record-holding popularity was as swift as his untimely demise into his ultimate resting place along Arba Pike, a scant six years later.
  Red Sails' story began on the farm of his owner, Herbert King, near Crete, where he was foaled on a fine spring day in 1948 by Marigold. Red Sails' geneology can be traced back through some of the greatest harness horses to ever grace a racetrack-a claim that would ultimately be made about the Randolph County horse by race fans and horsemen alike.
  Marigold was foaled out of Single Ann (sired by the famous Indiana horse, Single G) and Cold Cash (the fastest son of Peter Volo.)Marigold was bred to The Abbot, a horse renowned for his competiveness on both pacing and trotting tracks across the country. The result of blending the bloodlines of these two fine steeds pad off that spring day in Crete-Red Sails.
  From the moment he was born Red Sails looked like he had something special about him-the air of a winner, it could be called, according to Mrs. Gladys Anderson, from Union City. Mrs. Anderson, King's cousin, who was then acting as the horseman's housekeeper, bookkeeper and general manager, took quite a liking to the spirited young colt. Her voice still cracks and her eyes turn misty when recalling Red Sails' first days on the farm.
  The red chestnut colt had a perfect confirmation and behaved well, Mrs. Anderson recalls, "but he did have a mind of his own and an abundance of spirit."
  The name "Red Sails" can be credited to Mrs. Anderson, who named most of the horses on the farm. The colt as a weanling would often romp around the pasture and race with his mother along the fences.
  One evening, a visitor watching the frisky colt cavort around the field commented: "Look at him sail." Mrs. Anderson, thinking of the colt's reddish coat and a popular song of the time, "Red Sails In The Sunset," said, "Lets call him Red Sails," and one of the most popular names in harness racing annals was christened.
  Red sails was placed under Roy Reigle's care for training as a two-year-old and raced extensively at the Darke County, Ohio fairgrounds. That year with Reigle's son, Gene, doing most of the driving, Red Sails won six times, was second four times and placed third three times in 20 starts. An impressive enough impetus to encourage King and the trainer to continue racing Red Sails.
  The Reigles continued training and racing the horse until 1953 when Bob Walker took over the training reins. With Walker and driver Gene Sears, Red Sails came into his own. Although he only won four races in 1953, he brought home to Indiana $28,207.50 in purse money.
 The next year, 1954, became the era of Red Sails. Sears, combining good horse sense with gentleness and firmness, brought the big red chestnut across the finish line ahead of the fastest horses in the country 12 times. That year Red Sails was top money-winner in his division with earnings of $66,615. After a clocking time of 1:58 during a mile race at Lexington, Kentucky he was named the Fastest Racing Pacer of 1954.
  Another record was set at Yonkers, New York in 1954 with a time of 2:08. Although the record has been matched, it has never been broken.
  Red Sails was considered something of an "individualist" and would rebel against trainers if the training wasn't administered with a generous quantity of kindness and consideration. Occasional kicking at boards in his stall and snapping at unliked grooms and trainers or a rival horse gained Red Sails the title of being "a cantankerous and mean horse" by some horsemen.
  The horse was once said to kick his driver out of the sulky before thousands of surprised spectators at Roosevelt Raceway in New York. After that, his reputation as a mean horse was hard to dispel.
  However, Mrs. Anderson strongly disputes this contention. "A lot of people referred to him as mean, moody, bad tempered, but I could handle him," she said, "all the bad reputation he had over the years was absolutely untrue. Mr. King found out that a good part of his bad reputation was because the trainer and one of the drivers were not treating him right. If he was abused he would fight back."
  She says he hated the sight of the whip and one of the drivers would always sit on the whip to keep it out of sight. "The drivers never had to use the whip" she said. "Red Sails just enjoyed the race-he'd love to start out with a competing horse and then take off and leave it behind."
  "He knew when he was out in front and had the race won, because you could see him let up before he crossed the finish line," she continued. "We had pictures to prove that. After winning a race, he would automatically walk to the winner's circle-he knew when he won, he was almost human."
  Red Sail's last race was his greatest and probably one of the most memorable races in harness racing history.
  The sun was going down at the last race of the Golden West Pace in Hollywood, California, throwing an orange tint to the large grandstand and paddock area as the horses lined up for the start. Red Sails and his arch-rival, Knox Hanover, were expected to battle it out neck-to-neck for the $30,375 purse.
  Red Sails, coming out of the start strong, bypassed the field and as he was coming across the finish line, with his red mane flowing in the breeze and the long shadow of his legs cast beyond the white-boarded paddock area, the crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators gave the horse a rising ovation, singing "Red Sails In The Sunset."
   Red Sails had not only outdistanced his rival by three lengths, but he had won the prestigious Golden West Pace at a record clocked time of 1:58.
  About a month later, Red Sails was hoisted up in a large sling to breathe his last. The mane laid lifelessly on his red chestnut neck. The next morning he died of tetanus infection.
  Subsequent investigation hd borne out that before his death a farrier at the California race had driven a nail too far into the horses foot. After the race, King had sent the horse to the Castleton Farm in Kentucky for rest and winter training. The owner had instructed the handler to remove Red Sails' shoes as soon as he was unloaded at the farm; however, this was not done and the tetanus developed.
  Red Sails, showing his owner and fans alike what great heart and determination he had, won the race with the nail impaled an inch or more into his foot.
  Red Sails, at his owner's insistence, was brought back to Crete to be buried. Mrs.  Anderson recalls a large number of horsemen and racing fans from throughout the country gathered at the farm for the burial. Neighboring farmers dug the grave and donated a thick bed of straw for his final resting place. A blanket Red Sails had won at one of his races, was put around the horse. Telegrams and letters of condolences were received by King from all over the country. The Hollywood Park raceway held a Red Sails Memorial Race the following year.
  The Arba Pike monument still remains a mystery to the motorist occasionally passing the site, but those who saw Red Sails on the track are fortunate to realize the courage, beauty and spirit the gravestone represents.    Winchester News-Gazette, Sept. 4, 1976. Eric Rodenberg.

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109. Reed's Drug Store, Goodrich Park And Go-Kart Track

Reed's Drug Store Closes. 
By Lucille Thomas.
August, 1970, unknown newspaper.

Winchester-  The closing of Reed Pharmacy last weekend marked the end of an era for the 100-year-old firm on the northeast corner of the public square. Jim Detwiler, owner of the pharmacy for the past four years, has accepted a position at Thrift Drugs in Richmond. Detwiler said the decision to close the firm was made "because of being unable to secure professional help."
  The establishment became known as Reed's Drug and Book Store in 1871, when William Way Reed purchased the business from a Mrs. Hebbard, who opened the store. The time of the opening by Mrs. Hebbard is not known.
  Reed, a grandson of Paul W. Way. who is credited with surveying the original plat of Winchester, remained an owner of the pharmacy until his death in 1925. A son, Charles E. Reed, became a partner in the business with his father around 1903. The son continued operation of the pharmacy until a few months before his death in 1946. Charles Reed was a graduate of Purdue University School of Pharmacy and served 13 years on The Indiana State Board of Pharmacy. He sold the business to Frederick R. Stotelmyer and it remained in this family until purchased by Detwiler in 1966.
  W. W. Reed, born in White River Township in 1848, attended a school south of Winchester and spent two years at the County Seminary. At the age of 17, he entered into a three-year apprenticeship with Joseph C. Hirsch, a Winchester druggist. After completion of the apprenticeship (the only requirement at that time for a pharmacist) he and a partner, Milton R. Hiatt, opened a drug store in Ridgeville in 1869. Two years later, the Ridgeville firm was sold and Reed established the drug store at Winchester, which remained under the name of Reed for nearly a century.
  The only break in his 54 years of active operation of the pharmacy was a few months in 1873 when he owned and operated a drug store in Indianapolis.
  The firm, in addition to being known as Reed's Drug and Book Store, has been under the names of Reed's Drug Store, W. W. Reed and Son and Reed's Pharmacy. At different times during the early years Reed had as partners Peter (Pet) Reinheimer, Carl Puckett, William R. Halliday and J. M. Carver. Will Preston and Ol Reinheimer were long-time employees of the firm. The latter remained with Reed for almost 17 years, according to his daughter, Mrs. Herbert Chenoweth of Winchester.
  Miss Marianna Reed of Winchester, granddaughter of W. W. Reed, has many recollections of the firm owned by her grandfather and father. She especially recalls the stove and loafing corner of the store and the huge curved showcase at the front of the store containing various brands of cigars.



Goodrich Park.
Winchester News.
July 3, 1959.

Seventy-five or more acres of recreation facilities is the goal of Winchester and its city park board in the Goodrich park area.
  The north end of the park, overgrown by trees for many years, is being cleared this summer and one of the physical results already apparent is the twelfth-mile asphalt track being used by the Go-Kart enthusiasts of the county.
  In recent years the park has become a steady recreational area for Randolph county persons and those from the adjoining counties of Delaware and Jay.
  The city is clearing and hopes to establish the north section as a permanent picnic area, getting away from the low ground in the main part of the park. The track was constructed on a co-operative basis between the city and the Randolph County Kart Club, with the city furnishing the majority of the materials. Bleachers have been installed in the area and large crowds have attended the first several racing events on Sundays.
  Two baseball diamonds are in use with the Winchester Lions club contributing greatly to the construction and operation of the Little League diamond. Both the Little League and Pony and High School loop diamonds are nearly complete with outfield fences. It is hoped that a concession stand can be constructed for the Little league area to supplement the one now in use in the main grandstand.
  The two diamonds are in constant use this summer for league play Monday through Friday.
  Mayor Ralph West said this week "the north end of the park is prime picnic area." He hopes to construct new roads in the area and reports plans are in the works for blacktopping current roads used in the main section of the park. Some of this may be accomplished yet this year.
  Also in the future, possibly next year, are new playground equipment and horseshoe courts. An eight-pit horseshoe court is planned just west of the baseball grandstand. When it is completed horseshoe enthusiasts in the county are hopeful of a county-wide tournament with winners moving on to state contests each year.
  The tennis courts and picnic areas are now available in the park are receiving heavy use, says park director Jim Mock. Blacktopping of the tennis courts is also planned, either this year or next.
  The park's shuffleboard facilities are attracting older persons from everywhere. Persons from Selma, Portland, Union City and all parts of the county have been volunteering help in maintaining the shuffleboard courts for their use over weekends.
  Traffic in the park is being somewhat successfully controlled following the installation of five-mile-per-hour speed limit signs. Mock has been happy with the operation of the swimming pool and reports attendance between 300 to 500 daily during the
hot June days. Season ticket sales are the highest in the history of the pool, with sales currently $1,000 higher than any previous year.
  "The possibilities of the park are unlimited, says Mayor West who hopes to increase the park's budget in order to provide greater facilities and entertainment for Winchester and Randolph county residents.
  The demand certainly is there. Last weekend over 2,500 persons filled the park, taking advantage of the current facilities. This Fourth of July weekend should find the park popping at its seams!

Kart Track.
July 10, 1959.
The Randolph County Kart Association will stage its grand opening Sunday on the new 1/12-mile asphalt track in Goodrich Park at Winchester.
  There will be four heat races of 12 laps each: two special events; a consolation race for non-winners of 15 laps; two heat races for drivers under 16 years of age; a feature race of 20 laps for the same age group, and a main event race of 25 laps for the adult drivers.
  Expected to participate in the opening event are Wayne and Tim McGuire, Ivan and Dave Puckett, Gene Abernathy, Vernon Hubbard, Everett and Larry Smith, Jack and Bud Shockley, Keith Hernley, George and Jim Lykins, Jim and Dan Crist, Pat Daly, Merritt Adkinson, Jackie Miller, Bud Randall, Larry Girton and other pilots from Richmond and Muncie.
  A special car, known as the "Bomb" will make an appearance from Richmond. It is powered by two Westbend 5 1/2 horsepower engines.
  The racing event will be under the supervision of Claron James, association president, and J. Cody Longnecker. (Jack Shockley and Jackie Miller were the feature winners.)


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108. Winchester Area People And Places.

' Band-Aid' Bandit Arrested- Using adhesive tape on his face, the "band-aid" bandit robbed at gunpoint at least three stores and possibly four. He has admitted to robbing the Haloed Kow I. G. A. market east of Winchester, of the Bartonia grocery and a pool room at Glen Karn, Ohio. However he has not admitted the holdup at Fountain Park service station. He has a long criminal record in the Winchester area and had recently returned here on parole from San Quentin penitentiary in California. 1962

Duane Wickersham opens his new pie baking factory in the Kelly building at the corner of North East St. and Rail Road Avenue. 1957.

The Governor Goodrich home will be torn down- The Winchester Foundation announced that it had decided to demolish the former Governor's home on East South Street and the contract was awarded to Jim Grove to take down the house and level the site. A "Save The Goodrich Mansion" organization had been formed earlier and had received a letter from the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana in support of stopping the homes destruction, but it was to late.
  I talked to Jim before he began about the contents of the house and he said that it had been stripped of anything of value. One of the few things saved were the cherry bookcases from the library. The Peoples Loan & Trust Bank hired Jim Benson to take out the bookcases and install them in the presidents office. Jim asked me to refinish them which I did after he had completed their installation. November, 1976.

The Winchester Alumni Association faces disbandment. The Alumni Association of Winchester, Driver and Winchester Community High Schools is experiencing financial difficulty and may be forced to disband after this year's banquet. The major problem is being able to have any kind of operating balance at the end of one year that will allow for the planning of the next year's banquet.
  Association President Mrs. Anne Riddle, Winchester, stated that it has gotten to the point where pre-banquet expense-such as mailing notices to Alumni advising them of the banquet-must be borne by officers and committee members until dues and banquet reservation money becomes available for the current year.
  Mrs. Dallas Cheesman, Association Secretary-Treasurer, Winchester, stated that the cost of conducting an Alumni Banquet averages between $750-$800. The postage fee for mailing notices is in the vicinity of $160 per year.
  When asked if any suggestions had been received by the Association concerning making the event more successful financially, both women said that they have received some. One is to change the date from Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend.
  However, Mrs. Moorman states, this has been the traditional date for the banquet for years and many people from out-of-town plan for it from year-to-year. She adds that, unfortunatey, the change of date suggestions usually come from people in Winchester or Randolph County who wouldn't attend the banquet anyway due to weekend commitments elsewhere during the spring and summer. April, 1978.

Not Winchester, but this story reminded me of Ed Best's grocery store on the north side of the square in the 1950's-  Joe Hamilton from his column "This Is My Own..." in the 7-8-1959 Winchester Journal:  One day last week while I was driving down a sort of by-road in our neighboring state of Ohio, I saw a small boy trudging down the road toward me with a sack of groceries in one arm and a gallon can of coal oil in the other hand. There really wasn't anything so unusual about seeing the boy bringing home provisions from the cross roads store, one is apt to see that any day, anywhere. But the thing that struck my nostalgic fancy was the fact that the gallon coal oil can had a potato stuck on the spout to take the place of the long lost stopper.
  Now that is something I haven't seen in years, and yet it was a common practice in the days in my youth to close the spout of a kerosene can with a potato, and to stick a corn cob down in the mouth of the vinegar jug. (Who could ever find a cork large enough to fit the opening in a jug?) But a corn cob was just the right size, and a small square of muslin placed across the opening forced in with the cob, sealed the jug in a very satisfactory manner.
  A little farther down the road I came across the store itself. The press of business hindered me from stopping in and shaking hands with the good and humble soul who put the potato on the oil can's spout and thereby carried out a time-honored American tradition. I wanted to stop and chat with him about many such things potatoes, corn cobs and crackers in barrels and dill pickles in big glass jars on the counter. I wanted to recall with him how raisins used to come in wooden boxes and get webs and worms in 'em, and how pickled pig's feet used to come in kegs of brine and schmierkaise was always sold in bulk and weiner-worst came in bundles of a hundred from the Cincinnati butcher shops.
  I wanted to talk about how folks used to get a big sack of "Boston baked beans" for a penny, and how a loaf of "bakers bread" would have been as out of place in a grocery store as it would have been in a blacksmith shop. I wanted to find out if he had any "soft A" sugar, and get him to mix me a half pound of tea.
  I wanted to do all these things, but I couldn't. I had other things I had to do and my time was running out. But as I drove along toward my distant destination my thoughts lingered a while in the old-time grocery store where we bought our food in the days of my boyhood.
  How unfortunate, I thought, that the youth of today and forever to come shall be denied the wholesome smell of the back room of an old fashioned grocery store.
  Take a hundred gallon tank of coal oil, and a fifty gallon barrel of vinegar, add a barrel of rancid butter and the rinds of strong smoked-meat: have a box of over ripe apples and some rotten potatoes and get somebody busy grinding fresh roasted coffee, and the effluvia from all of these blended together would approximate the odor which arose from the back room of an old country store!
  But it was not an objectionable odor. It was an odor that spoke of good things to come when all the family gathered around the table to enjoy the luxury of "boughten" foods which were a supplement to the home canned stuff and garden sass which otherwise composed the meal. For it was only the well-to-do who could afford to "live out of sacks and cans" and the poor were forced to subsist on such humble, homemade fare as buckwheat cakes, smoked ham, chicken and dumplings, apple pies and common old home baked bread, cornbread and sweet cream butter.

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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.