135. Randolph County Misc.

1947. Goodrich Bros. Co.

  The Goodrich Bros. Co., Inc., is a successor or rather a continuation of the business of John Baldwin Goodrich, the founder of the Goodrich Bros. Co. sometime before 1860. The old records of the company were burned a good many years ago and they haven't anything authentic about this except P.E. Goodrich's memory. The business was established on the same ground now being operated on at Winchester. John Baldwin Goodrich died in 1872 and the Goodrich brother's grandfather, Edward E. Edger, succeeded to the business and operated it until sometime in the early 1880's when the elevator burned and he went out of business.
  In 1889 John B. Goodrich, next youngest brother to Gov. James P. Goodrich, started a hay business on the same lot and shortly after, he acquired an abandoned elevator on the adjoining lot. He did a very extensive hay business and also started in the seed business. Indiana was a great producer of clover seed at that time, growing more than any other state and half of that produced in the United States. Motive power of the seed cleaner was an old darky, Anderson White, who ran a hand cranked fanning mill to clean the seed.
  In 1895 the other four brothers formed a partnership company, the J.B. Goodrich & Co. At that time they began in the grain business, leased an elevator at Saratoga and two years later built their first elevator at Snow Hill.
  In 1897 P.E. Goodrich entered the firm and they organized the company into a stock company under the name of Goodrich Bros. Hay and Grain Co. P.E. Goodrich became secretary and John B. (Jay) Goodrich, president. They did a very large hay business in Randolph county and adjoining counties around it and gradually picked up some small elevators.
  In 1904 they bought the elevator at Westfield and some loading stations on the Central Indiana railroad and in succeeding years they continued to build or buy elevators until now they have twenty-four and a farm supply division.
  In 1909 they built a little transfer house and put in an air corn drier. This elevator burned in 1913 and they built the elevator they now own in Winchester. It is about 225,000 bushel capacity, does a transit business and has a large drier which since the hybrid corn has come into being runs all winter as a rule and it has run as far in the spring as the middle of May and this year is still drying corn. At the same time they built a brick fire proof seed house and became a force in the seed business in Indiana.
  They bought a four-story brick building 40 feet wide and 130 feet long in which they are doing a jobbing business of farm supplies and field seeds. (This was the red J.A. Long Produce Co. building which is still standing, 2019, just north of the railroad on N. West st.) Previous to WW I when goods were flowing freely they were the largest handlers of American Steel and Wire fence in Indiana. They are one of the largest jobbers of poultry supplies in Indiana. They have been in the feed business in a very small way now since 1930, gradually increasing until they find it necessary to build a modern up-to-date stock feed plant. They bought 30 acres of ground just west of Winchester and are there putting up a modern fire proof feed plant that will not only take care of their twenty-four branches they own at this time, but it is their purpose to buy and build more plants as the time seems right to do so.
  They are members of the Chicago Board of Trade, Indianapolis Board of Trade and various business organizations that it is necessary to belong to in the grain, feed and seed trade. Their business has gradually increased year after year. As far back as they have any record of the amount of grain handled through their own houses it has quadrupled since 1929, gradually each year.   Winchester Journal-Herald, July, 1947.



1912. County Asylum.

  There was a pathetic scene enacted in the Circuit Court at the courthouse Saturday afternoon when Miss Clara Hoke of Union City, signed the papers giving her little four month old baby daughter, Helen, to Mr. and Mrs. George M. Whetzel. Back of the birth of the child is a story of pathos. Ignorant of the ways of the world, young Miss Hoke was an easy victim to the father of her babe.
  Knowing she was to become a mother and having no one to whom to turn in her hour of distress, she was admitted to the county asylum and there on February 3 her babe was born.
  Reluctantly she signed the papers which took away from her all claims to her child. Tears filled her eyes as she did so and frequently she would have to stop and wipe them away before she could finish writing her name.   Union City Times, June, 1912.



1863. Lynn. Civil War Traitors Among Us.

  Mr. Editor:--Our little town is becoming a place of treasonable gabble, and strangers passing through our place, report it as a den of rebels. This has raised the patriotism of a few loyal citizens to almost a boiling point and in order to show that the odious name of traitor does not, deservedly, apply to Lynn; therefore I respectfully ask that you give this a place in your columns as expressing our indignant feelings and arraying ourselves on the side of the Government. We are sorry to say we have rebel sympathizers in our midst, and hope if they are not arrested by the proper authorities for speaking treason against their country. that God will arrest their guilty souls and punish them according to their just deserts; would it be to hang them?
  While we have men in our midst persuading deserters and absentees not to return to their regiments, would to God that they might be taken down South and made to mark time to Yankee Doodle until every word of rebellion was marched out of their traitorous carcasses and then returned home with "Hail Columbia" on every one of their guilty tongues.
  As we have men in our midst who swear they will resist the Conscription Act, and thus bring a revolution upon us at home, would it be right for "Uncle Sam" to kindle the torch of patriotism in the bosoms with the smell of gunpowder and make it burn until every taint of disloyalty was consumed and their hearts renovated with a love of Free Government?
  We have men all over the State who are traitors at heart and the crisis is upon us in which it behooves all who have within their bosoms patriotic hearts, to rally to the preservation of the Union and strike a blow at treason wherever found, either among friends and neighbors of Lynn, or open enemies.  signed, TRUTH.   Winchester Journal, March 23, 1863.



1947. Winchester Cycle Mart.

  The Cycle Mart at 829 Beeson Drive is a haven for sporting enthusiasts who can find the very latest models in bicycles, motorcycles, boats and guns. The business, owned and operated by Ray Augspurger, was established fourteen years ago and has always remained in its present location. Prior to opening his own shop Ray was employed at the Vern Simmons garage on South Meridian St. for nine years.
  According to Ray the bicycle business is booming and this year will probably double any previous record. Ordinarily about 125 bikes are sold each year. He believes the increase is due to the fact that bicycles have been scarce due to the war and there is now a great demand.
  Huffman and Schwinn are the two standard make bicycles sold at the Mart in addition to the new motor equipped Whizzer bike. Ray is also the authorized dealer for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In stock at all times are Evinrude outboard motors and fishing boats. Pleasure crafts are not kept in stock but can be ordered on demand. A complete supply of parts and accessories are also available at the shop. The shotgun and rifle trade is a new line inaugurated during the war when other merchandise could not be purchased. However, Ray says it has proved to be a valuable addition.
  Ray is a native of Wayne county but came to Winchester approximately 29 years ago. His wife, Bessie, is a native of the county. They are the parents of one son, Bill, 16, who will be a junior at Winchester high school this fall. They live in a new seven-room home at 831 Beeson Drive, directly adjoining the shop.    Winchester Journal-Herald, August, 1947.



1912. Saratoga Hotel Sold.

  Mr. J.E. Rife of Union City, has purchased the Bousman Hotel at Saratoga, Ind., and will open it up for business on July 1st.

  Mr. Rife, who was formerly employed with the Union City Body Co. has for the past few weeks made an earnest effort to start up in some business in this city, being desirous of remaining here, but failed to be able to find a business that was not already well established in the field. Mrs. Rife formerly lived in Saratoga, and is well acquainted with what the conditions are, and it is their intention to re-furnish the hotel throughout and open it especially for automobile parties.
  While Union City does not like to see Mr. and Mrs. Rife leave this city, yet they wish them all kinds of success in their chosen field.    Union City Times, June, 1912.



1931. Colored Drivers At Funk's Motor Speedway.

  Twenty-three entries are already in and more arriving daily as July 4th draws near when the colored boys line up to show the fans something new in auto racing.
  Some of the outstanding stars that have sent in their entries to date include Wm. Jefferies of Chicago, the world's largest colored driver weighing 227 lbs., driving his noted Frontenac, Bob Wallace, of Indianapolis, driving Mrs. Dutch Baumans famous Duce, Bob Wilcox, of Columbus, Ohio, driving Albert Burrels No. 11, Bill Corson, of Chicago, holder of the world's champion cup for colored drivers and many others.
  With one hundred dollars offered for a new track record, the colored boys are looking the 23 2/5 seconds over.
  Lots of interest is being shown in the battle royal put on in front of the grandstand which includes six colored boxers in an arena, all fighting at the same time. The last one standing draws the prize.
  Some of the latest entries, E.G. Cunningham of Chicago driving his Blue Streak Special and Taft Woodson of Richmond.   Union City Times, July 2, 1931.



1866. Drunken Irish Brawl In Winchester.

  A bloody and brutal fight took place on Saturday evening in the north part of Winchester between a party of drunken Irish, in which, as is usual on such occasions, men, women and children were indiscriminately mixed up, and during which several of the party were badly hurt. We were unable to learn from what cause the fight had its origin, but presume the prime mover in the difficulty was rot-gut whiskey.
  Clubs, rocks, bricks and other dangerous missiles were freely used, and many a son of Ireland received his quietus in the shape of a broken head or bruised countenance, or both. One fellow, who claims to have taken no part in the muss, further than in using his efforts to quell the row, was set  upon by some half dozen of the frantic brutes, knocked down, beaten and stomped in a horrible manner, and, it is thought, would have been killed outright had it not been for the timely interference of some of our citizens. His face and hands were horribly bruised and mangled, and presented more the appearance of a mass of bloody liver than anything human.
  Another Irishman, who says he was on way to the depot for the purpose of taking the train to Union City, to attend the marriage of a sister, was also attacked by the drunken mob and received a like treatment with the other, being inhumanly beaten and otherwise maltreated.
  The women, it is said, took an active part in the shindig, throwing rocks, bricks etc., at whoever or whatever came handiest; and one of the women is said to have been "slightly wounded in the fracus."
  Altogether, it was the most disgraceful affair that has occurred in our town for many a day.   Winchester Journal, October, 1866.



1863. Union Literary Institute Student Newsletter.

  "The Student's Repository," Vol. 1, No. 1.--This quarterly publication of the students, male and female, of the Union Literary Institute at Spartanburg, Randolph County, Ind., is interesting, not because of its merits are great when compared with those of other magazines, but because it is entirely the production of colored writers. , mem, women and children
  When the slender educational advantages of the authors are taken into account, some of the articles will be found deserving of praise. The enterprise should be encouraged.   Cincinnati Gazette.

  The Editors of the Union Literary "Students Repository," Messrs. Smothers and Buckner, were at our office a few days ago and informed us that they had met with very encouraging success in obtaining subscriptions to their magazine.
  We earnestly recommend all our friends to send for a specimen copy and subscribe for the work. On sale, and subscriptions received, at this office. 15 cents a single number; 50 cents per year.   Winchester Journal, October, 3 1863.



1912. Sampletown.

  Farmland, Ind., Oct.2-- A land deal was consummated here today which recalls the time when Sampletown almost became the capital of Randolph county instead of Winchester, a few votes sending the county seat to its present location.
  The little village was laid out by a Mr. Sample, but all that remains to show that the place really existed is an old cemetery. The daughter of Mr. Sample lives in Iowa and is now over ninety years of age. She is an aunt of Guy McIntyre of this place.
  The deal that was made was when Wes McAllister bought from Charles Johnson the latter's farm of 110 acres. This farm is locater four miles southwest of Farmland. Mr. Johnson bought the farm ten years ago and paid $90 per acre but today he received $125 per acre. This is the farm on which Sampletown was located.   Union City Times, October, 1912.



1867. Marble Playing Leads To Gallows?

  We are not opposed to boys enjoying themselves at any innocent and healthful amusement, when engaged in at the proper time places. but the game of marble playing, as conducted by many of the boys of Winchester, has become a grievous nuisance, and is ruinous in its effects upon the minds and characters of the youth generally. Our sidewalks are monopolized by these idlers who, instead of being at school or engaged in some profitable and useful employment which will fit them for respectable, honorable stations in after life, are allowed to spend their time, from day to day and from week to week, in this species of gambling, wrangling, quarreling, swearing and fighting and uttering language the most vile and profane.
  Nor is the case during the week-days only, but the Sabbath day is shamelessly desecrated in the same manner by these same neglected youths. Persons on their way to and from church, have their feelings wounded and their senses shocked by the most obscene and indecent utterances falling from the lips of these youthful aspirants to the penitentiary and the gallows.
  That this nuisance should be at once and effectually abated, no man, having the welfare of his own children and the good of society at heart, will deny. Parents, who know and properly appreciate their duty to their off-spring, also know precisely what course to adopt to put a stop to this state of things.
   Winchester Journal, April, 1867.



1912. Orphans' Home At Modoc.

  An orphans' home sprang up in a day in the vicinity of Modoc last week. Mr. and Mrs. Croker of Chattanooga, Tenn., business men of that city.arrived on the train from the east with twenty-seven colored orphan children, for the summer outing and they are now located in an old store building near the depot, entirely too small for convenience.
  Tents and provisions have been shipped here and they will soon be living in the open air on the outskirts of this little city. There are to be 80 children in their new Modoc home.   Union City Times, May, 1912.



1924. New Winchester Business.

  The Winchester Dehco Enameling Company is a new concern, which has opened up in Winchester, which is backed by several business men of that city.
  At the start the company expects to confine its attention to the refinishing of automobiles, trucks etc. They have the exclusive right in this territory on a new and patented process whereby an entire car, including wheels and all running gear may be enameled in less than three days time. A feature of the new process is the fact that enameling may be done in any desired color.
  The Dehco enamel bakes at a temperature of 165 degrees, which makes it possible for the entire car to be placed in the oven without removing the upholstery or cloth top without injury to either.
  The possibilities for a plant of this kind are almost limitless, as their attention need not be confined to the automobile business. The enamel can be used on wood as well as metal and articles which have heretofore been painted can not be given a more durable finish.
  The automobile owners here in Union City who have seen cars enameled by this concern are very enthusiastic over the work done.   Union City Times, April, 1924.  (This paint shop was located in the wood frame, three story building built by Charlie Favorite where he built buggies and carriages, 1890- 1915. The building was on the north side of Pearl street where a laundromat is 2019. They changed their name to the Winchester Enameling Company and were out of business in 1928.)



1963. "Lynn-Burg" High School.

  Trustees of Greensfork and Washington townships today adopted a joint resolution declaring their intention to consolidate the two school townships. The expected move had the blessing of the Randolph County School Reorganization Committee, it is understood.
  Reginald Chenoweth, Greensfork township and Robert Morris, Washington trustee, made the move after Union Township's proposed merger with Stoney Creek (Henry county) had been approved by the state. Two earlier votes had proposed a merger of Greensfork, Washington and Union township schools, but had been vetoed by Union voters.
   The proposed merger could be tested by vote, as was the Union-Stoney Creek merger. The vote could be called for by petition by 50 legal voters in either township, which would result in a vote in that township to see whether the majority of its voters favor the merger.
  The name of the proposed new school corporation, the trustees resolved, is to be the "Lynn-Burg School Corporation," becoming effective January 1, 1964.   Winchester News, August, 1963.



1913. Will Fight New Ridgeville Cemetery.

  Jerry and Mattie Mack, residing on a farm three miles east of Ridgeville, filed suit today in the Randolph circuit court against O.O. and Elizabeth Fraze of Ridgeville, asking a temporary restraining order and injunction to keep the defendants from proceeding in the improvement and platting of ten acres of the farm of the defendants, for the purpose of making a public burial ground within 250 feet of the plaintiff's residence.
  The plaintiffs also ask a perpetual injunction against the defendants from proceeding further or even platting ground or making a cemetery, averring that inasmuch as a bed of gravel and sand underlies the plaintiff's farm and the ground to be platted, and the making of a cemetery and the burial of the dead would render their water supply useless and would also cause them a great deal of annoyance and inconvenience because of its closeness to their home and would also affect the money value of their premises.



1966. Wright Covered Bridge Burns. Three Youths Arrested.

  The dwindling number of historic covered bridges in Indiana was less by one today, after the Wright covered bridge southwest of Farmland was destroyed by fire. This leaves only one covered bridge remaining in Randolph county.
  The structure, built in the last century, was repaired extensively on order of the Randolph county commissioners in the summer of 1964. It was reinforced with new inside planking, new heavy metal siding on the exterior, and a new paint-job for the roof.
  The fire which destroyed the bridge was reported to the Randolph county sheriff's department around 4:20 a.m. Thursday by a nearby resident. However, the message was relayed to the sheriff as a fire at the Emmettsville bridge near Ridgeville, a mistake which caused Sheriff Jack Cox to drive the nine miles north of Winchester to the wrong bridge, and summon Ridgeville firemen. When a radio message made a correction for the sheriff he returned to the Wright bridge to find Farmland firemen already there, but the structure was beyond saving.
  Both Farmland firemen and Sheriff Cox said that the fire was undoubtedly set by arsonists, possibly the same type of vandals who had earlier attempted to dynamite the covered bridge near Ridgeville. Sheriff Cox said that the fire would have to have burned for three or four hours before the alarm was turned in, unless it was started by kerosene or other fuel soaking the wooden bridge interior. He said when he arrived on the scene the bridge had fallen into White River and was merely smoking ruins.
  The bridge stood on the county road north of the Windsor road and southeast of Farmland.   Winchester Journal-Herald, October 13, 1966.

October 22, 1966. Three arrested for burning bridge.

   Friday morning, Oct. 21, Delaware county authorities and two Indiana state police detectives, Sgt. Don Hart and Sgt. Arthur Sanders, arrested three Delaware county men in connection with the Wright covered bridge fire which took place early on Oct. 13, according to Randolph county Sheriff Jack Cox.
  Cox added that two other subjects who were picked up with the three also were allegedly involved. Bruce Wright, 18: Donnie Rhum, 20, and his brother, Terry Rhum, 19, all implicated in the burning of the bridge and all of Muncie, are in the Randolph county jail at this time.