194. Early Theatre In Winchester

 April 1907.  Luther DAY opened his new theatre, The Arcade, on West Washington street last Thursday and notwithstanding the inclement weather, large and appreciative audiences attended until a late hour. Nearly everyone that attended the Electric Theatre on Meridian street also took in the performance at the new theatre.
  The bill for the first night was one of the best films ever seen in Winchester and the audience was kept in a continuous uproar. The "Wig Chase" and the other two features were very good. The illustrated song was the same as that at the Electric Theatre, but a change will be made in this respect and hereafter everything will be different. The Vaudette on Main street is also a busy place every evening. With three moving picture theatres and a penny arcade, the people of Winchester need have no complaint for some place to go.
(The "Arcade," was located at 122 W. Washington, next to Magee's Hardware store. It was also a two story brick, with apartments and office rooms on the second floor. It was torn down in the late 60's to make room for an expansion of the Randolph County Bank building. The "Electric Theatre" mentioned was at 117 N. Meridian, gone also and now Merchants Bank parking lot. The "Vaudette" was at 113 N. Main.  mh)
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September 1903.  The popular Magee & Ward's Opera House will have a strong attraction in "a Romance of Coon Hollow," which appears here tonight. A Strong card is the favorite little actress Ruby ERWOOD. The play will have an elegant and entirely new scenic production with a select cast and as added features, a quartette in songs of the South and a troupe of plantation dancers of unusual merit. There will be a score of people in the cast. The comedy is entering upon its tenth season of success, which is the greatest testimonial to its merits that can be given.
(The Magee & Ward Opera House was in the 2 story brick at 120 West Washington St. The building was owned by Charlie MAGEE who had his hardware store in the first floor room and the opera house was on the second floor. This was a long, high ceilinged room with the stage at the north end along with the dressing rooms. There was seating for 200 people and at this time, tickets were 25 and 50 cents. The building is gone now, being torn down to make room for a bank expansion.  mh)
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October 1903.  A fairly good crowd witnessed "A Montana Outlaw" at the Opera House Monday night and judging from the frequent applause, the performance gave satisfaction. This play is exciting from start to finish and all through there was a great deal of fun that kept the audience in a continuous uproar. The plot was in Montana and was extremely thrilling. Mr. W. A. Clarke, who played the part of "Jack, The Buster," is certainly a star in his profession. Every member in the company was good. The company carries a band and an orchestra.
  On next Monday night the Who, What, When minstrels will appear at the Opera House. The company is probably the most amusing, musical, original, magnificent minstrel combination that has ever visited this city. This is an all-white company with half a hundred people that travel in their own cars and giving a performance that is fairly overwhelming all competitors.
 The order at the Opera House was commendable as to what it has been most of the time heretofore. The way that order has been carried on at most of the shows by whistling, yelling etc., where there was no necessity for it has been disgraceful and should not be permitted for a moment. Applause is all right in the right place, but there should be a limit. We are informed by the management of the Opera House that there will be order hereafter or there will be some arrests and everyone knows that Mr. Magee means business when he says that, so look out in the future.
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December 1907.   A complete judge of high grade entertainments which instruct more than they amuse will be more than satisfied with the film to be run at the Arcade Theatre. "Making A Modern Newspaper" is the title of the film. It shows how a great metropolitan newspaper is made from the start to the time it is in the hands of the reader. Included in this program is another very instructive picture entitled "The Wood Industry In Norway." :Only A Soldier Bay" is the title of the illustrated song.
  The film at the Arcade Theatre entitled "The Clockmaker"s Secret" pleased everyone.
  "The Real Widow Brown" at the Opera House was the best play seen in this city this season. Everybody was well pleased.
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August 1934.  The Cozy Theatre will be moved within the next two weeks to a new location in the Odd Fellows building on North Main St, the room formerly occupied by the Winchester Bowling Alley.

  This room will be completely remodeled for showroom purposes. The front will be changed and an overhead entrance protection will be constructed. Remodeling has started and the new Cozy will be opened in approximately 30 days.
  W. H. BRENNER, proprietor, announces that the new theatre will be operated under a policy similar to the one now in affect at the Cozy.
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October 1934.  The Cozy Theatre was opened in it's new location on North Main st. to a capacity audience. This room, formerly occupied by the Winchester Bowling Alley, has been remodeled and constructed into one of the best and most comfortable smaller motion picture houses in this district. The proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. William BRENNER, will continue to operate the business on their same policy. They have been engaged in the theatre business in Winchester for 16 years. They first opened the Cozy in the Kelly building, later operated the Arcade in the room now occupied by PERKIN's Shoe Store on West Washington st., but finally dismantled the Arcade and continued with the Cozy.  (The Kelly block is now Haine's Hallmark store. The Arcade was at 122 W. Washington and had only penny game machines at that time. The building is gone now.  mh)

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March 31, 1939.  Purchase of the Cozy Theatre from William H. BRENNER by Theatrical Managers Inc., owner and operator of the Lyric theatre, was announced by V. U. YOUNG, of Gary, president of the organization which owns several show houses in Indiana.
  Saturday will be the last day of management for Mr. Brenner, one of eastern Indiana's pioneer theatre men.

  It was announced that Theatrical Managers Inc. will put in a new front at the Cozy, redecorate the interior and install new and improved sound and projection equipment. Booking arrangements have been made whereby the latest pictures will be shown at both the Lyric and Cozy theatres as soon as in other key cities in this section of the state.

 Fred DOUGHTY, manager of the Lyric, will also manage and operate the Cozy it was announced. Local persons will be employed wherever possible.

  For 20 years, Mr. Brenner has been interested in the theatre field in Winchester, coming to this city from Rensselear. First location of the Cozy under Mr. Brenner's ownership was in the Kelly block, where now is located the By-Lo Furniture store.

  Shortly after coming here he acquired the Arcade theatre and operated it along with the Cozy in the location now occupied by the Gary PERKINS shoe store. Ten years ago, the Arcade was closed. The Cozy has been in its present location about four years.

  Asked as to his future plans, Mr. Brenner said he would devote most of his time to the Randolph Poster Advertisig company, of which he is the owner.

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193. Articles From The Museum Newspaper Collection. 2

Articles From The Museum Newspaper Collection

1897. 123 years ago.   A Modern Winchester Home.  Doctor A.F. HUDDLESTON is fixing the Lasley property at 230 South East St. which he recently purchased of Theodore SHOCKNEY in about as neat and convenient a manner as can be imagined. He has repapered and repaired the residence which is very commodious and conveniently arranged. In it is all of the modern conveniences, electric light, heat supplied by a furnace, bath and toilet room and a fine water supply forced from the flowing well, just east of the creek, by a hydraulic ram, making as complete a water service as any resident of a metropolis is blessed with. In addition to these conveniences and comforts a speaking tube runs from the Doctor's bed room up stairs to the front door, thus relieving him the necessity of going down stairs to answer night calls.
  He has recently built on the premises a large new barn which is also fitted with all of the late conveniences known to modern mechanics. The grain is all stored in bins in the loft, but chutes from the bins to the first floor necessitates no stair climbing. By an arrangement in one corner of the barn the vehicles can all be cleaned in doors. The electric light and water service is fitted therein. He has also built a neat two story office on the southwest corner of his lot, 119 E. South St.,which is also fitted with electric lights and water. The reception area is a large room in front with a consultation room and an operating room in the rear. In the operating is the latest modeled operating table and a case of the latest improved surgical instruments. In the consultation room is a medicine case, which though very small, is so systematically arranged as to be able to contain a fair sized drug store. The rooms are handsomely carpeted and furnished. The planning and execution of all these conveniences and comforts has taken time and money but the Doctor and his family can be proud of them. The family have moved to their new home, where they are at home to their numerous friends. (The house, barn and office, located on the NW corner of S. East and East South Streets are gone now, torn down before the new jail was built.  mh)
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1923, 9/27. 97 years ago.   Klan Meeting At Funk's lake.  The Journal-Herald is informed that extensive preparations are being made for a big Ku Klux Klan meeting to be held at Funk's Park and Speedway, Saturday, September 29. Invitations have been sent to Klansmen throughout Indiana and surrounding states to attend the meeting.
  Detailed plans for handling the big crowd expected are being perfected. Extensive arrangements for feeding the people have been made with fraternal orders, the eating places at the Park and the restaurants in town so that no one need go hungry. Parking places for those who will come in automobiles have been provided and Klansmen will be stationed at all incoming points to direct people to the Park and parking places. Reduced fares on steam and traction roads have been secured and those who come on those roads will have their comforts looked after. Those who arrive the night before will find accommodations on the Park grounds. The grounds will be placarded so that Klansmen and visitors will know where to go for the various exercises.
  Prominent speakers of the organization will be present to explain the plans and purposes of the Order.
  This meeting promises to bring a big crowd to Winchester from this and other states. Many of these visitors will be prominent and representative citizens from their respective communities and we predict that every citizen of Winchester, whether he believes in the Klan or not will extend every courtesy possible to Klansmen and their visitors.


1923. KKK Rally adv.   Ku Klux Klan Grand Picnic Celebration,  Winchester, Indiana  Randolph County  Funk's Park And Speedway  Saturday, September 29  All Day And All Night  Breakfast, Dinner and Supper served on the grounds.  Largest Public Celebration ever held in Eastern Indiana.  Noted State And National Speakers  Mammouth PARADE Moves Promptly at 7:30 P.M.  The entire Klan Review In Fireworks. Center of Speedway at 9:30 p.m.  Aeroplane Displays, Music, Eats and Amusements of All Kinds.  BANDS, DRUM CORPS, QUARTETTES  All roads from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana lead to Winchester on Saturday, September 29.  Don't forget the time and place.  RANDOLPH COUNTY KLAN, KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN.


1923, 10/4.  The meeting of the Ku Klux Klan at Funk's Lake last Saturday, while not as large as throughout the day as had been expected, was greatly augmented at night. The day was spent in speechmaking, those in attendance being addressed by men who are prominent in the Order. Many of the members brought their families and had picnic dinners in the Park.
  In the evening a procession of Klansmen in regalia formed at the Lake and marched into Winchester and paraded in the streets.
  No disturbance of any kind either at the Lake or during the parade has been reported. From all accounts everything passed off quietly.
  A mystery connected with the meeting was the disappearance of the Organizer for Randolph County, H. H. Huddelson, whose whereabouts has been unknown since about 6:30 Saturday evening. The following from Newcastle, Mr. Huddleston's home, in the Muncie Star, relates to the matter:  Newcastle, Indiana, October 2-- Howard Huddleston, 30, of this city, an organizer for the Ku Klux Klan, has been missing from Winchester, Indiana, since last Saturday afternoon, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Huddleston and Klan officials here have been notified. No reason has been assigned for his disappearance and foul play or suicide is feared by relatives here.
  Huddleston has been in Winchester since last April working for the Klan, and last Saturday a demonstration was held at Funk's Lake. The afternoon crowd was a disappointment and Klan officials there told local officials that Huddleston acted discouraged. He failed to show up for the night meeting and a country wide search was conducted for him Saturday night. He was last seen enroute from the Lake into Winchester in his automobile. His clothing was found yesterday at the hotel there where he stayed.
  It was stated his accounts were in excellent condition and that a bank account in Winchester was still intact. His father said Huddleston had appeared very nervous of late and he believes he suffered a breakdown.
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1882. 138 years ago.  The name of the new station on the I B & W Railroad, at the Washington and West River Township line will be called "Browne," in honor of General Tom BROWNE. M.V.R. WEAVER has erected a two story business house there, 20 x 40 feet, and will put in, within a few days, a general stock of dry goods, groceries, hats, caps boots and shoes, notions etc. An effort will be made to establish a post office at the station to be called Browne.
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1897. 123 years ago.  Telephone Service.  The Winchester Telephone is now in complete operation giving service to 104 phones, counting the Union City toll line, which is connected to forty phones in that city. It is a plant that the city can well be proud of, being complete and modern; the phones and switch board are of the best makes and all phones have return circuits, two wires. They are so general in use as to be practical and very useful, saving much time and annoyance. The services so far by the new operators has been very satisfactory, and will no doubt continue so. The Fockler Bros., who owned the original plant, placed all the new lines and finishings in position can well be proud of their work. Frank FOCKLER, who with the assistance of his estimable wife, has been running the plant, have moved to Union City to look after the plant there, which he and his brother still own. Their transactions in this city were perfectly satisfactory and will no doubt be the same in Union City.
  The Company here have room on the switch board for nearly fifty more phones and say now is the time to subscribe for a share of stock. By a rule which has recently been adopted, Sunday service will be until 8:45 a.m. and from 3 to 4 o'clock p.m.
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1952. 68 years ago.  Morton School Custodian, Mr. CODDINGTON, Stricken.  Loring Coddington, 59, custodian of the Morton grade school, is reported in critical condition at the Randolph County hospital where he was taken after being found in an unconscious condition in the school's basement boiler room.
  Reportedly he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage sometime during the night.
  Due to Mr. Coddington's apparent night long unconsciousness, there was no heat at the Morton building and school was dismissed by Principal James Yarling an authorization of Supt. Dale Braun.
  School convened at the regular time in the afternoon after the fire had been re-started by Pete WOODS, high school building custodian sent over for the emergency.
  Mr. Coddington was found about 6:30 o'clock by Frank QUINN, who like Mr. and Mrs. Coddington lives at the home of Mrs. Charles LEWIS, 125 Railroad Ave.
  Her husband had gone to the Morton school about 3: p.m. Sunday to check on the building and the heating system. It was not uncommon for him to stay late on Sundays and he often missed his Sunday evening meal.
  When he failed to return later in the evening, Mrs. Coddington assumed he must be having trouble with the boiler or that he had stopped along the way to talk to friends.
  The members of the household retired rather early and it was not until about 5:30 o'clock that Mrs. Coddington noticed that her husband had not returned. She then asked Mr. Quinn to look for him or his car, Quinn find the machine at the school and the light on in the basement.
  Entering the building, Quinn found Mr. Coddington unconscious on the boiler room floor.

  Mr. Coddington dies:  Loring R. Coddington, 59, custodian at the Morton school in Winchester, passed away Feb. 8, 1952 at the Randolph County hospital.
  A Randolph county native, Mr. Coddington was born August 4, 1892, the son of David and Della (BAIRD) Coddington. He resided at 125 Railroad Avenue. The deceased had been custodian at Morton for the past 11 years and prior to that was employed at the Ed Bailey grocery.
  Survivors include the widow, Vera; a son, Charles Robert at home; a sister, Mrs. Garnet PETERS; a brother, Vergie of rural route, Greensfork; the stepmother, Mrs Ola Coddington of Portland.
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1887. 133 years ago.  The Bee Line passenger train due in Winchester last Saturday afternoon, ran over Durant SMITH, an old and well known citizen, killing him instantly and mangling his body beyond description. Coroner Carter was notified and at once repaired to the place, about two miles east of town. He gathered up the mangled parts as best he could, they being scattered along the tracks for about two hundred yards. The head was smashed to a jelly, both legs and arms and the body were torn and mangled so that there was scarcely a resemblance to humanity left. At the inquest, it was shown that the deceased was on his way from his son, A.J. Smith's house to Coble's blacksmith shop to get some work done. The engineer and fireman of the train testified that when they saw him he was lying down on a cattle guard and they supposed it was a turkey or something of the kind until too late to stop the train as it bore down on him. This is all that is known positively, but the supposition is that while crossing the cattle guard he fell through, and having, to some extent, lost the use of his lower limbs, was unable to get out, had exhausted his strength and was unable to rise up to signal the train and could only watch as it came on him.
  Durant Smith was past his eightieth year. He was born in North Carolina and was married there to Elizabeth KEYS, with whom he lived fifty-three years, her death having occurred about three years ago. He moved to this county in 1832, and has lived here ever since. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living.
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1923, Dec. 97 years ago. Sinning At The Mill's Lake And Funk's Lake Dance Halls.   For some time the moral conscience of the law abiding citizens of Randolph county has been stirred by the immoral conduct and disregard for the Sabbath day by a certain element of society within the county.
  In order to safeguard the morals of the people and to preserve the spirit of the Sabbath day, an organization was formed with the purpose of assisting the officers in enforcing the law. This organization is known as the Randolph County Vigilant Committee, with one central committee and chairman in each of the twelve townships.
  The chief offences have occurred at Mill's Lake where dances with paid admission are held every Sunday night and at Funk's Lake where dances of like
 sinful character are held and also where on last September the management made bold to use the Sabbath day for auto racing on a large scale. This being the first offence of its kind in the state, as far as we can learn would appear to be the opening wedge for Sabbath desecration in a much larger degree in the future.
  Early last spring after securing legal advice the Committee went before the people of the county for funds to bring these cases into court and carry them through to completion. A sum of $500 was asked for and generously given.
  A reliable detective was placed on the grounds of one of these places to secure evidence for use in court. On twelve visits, evidence on bootlegging, drinking and immoral conduct was secured. In carrying out his work he also made twenty-one arrests for bootlegging and intoxication where the offenders were brought into court and prosecuted.
  After a later and more thorough investigation into the law effecting these cases it was the consensus of opinion that they are being operated in violation of the law and contrary to the spirit of the American Sabbath, but are very difficult to stop under present conditions due to the fact that our Sunday laws were made for the people of the past generation and do not have a sufficient penalty to force the larger concerns on the present day to respect them. We were advised that we probably could get judgement at the hands of the court, but that the maximum penalty of $10 could be paid following each arrest without stopping the operation of the concern.
  In light of these facts, the committee did not think it wise to take the time of the court and spend the people's money without accomplishing its purpose. Therefore they have taken the only course left open, namely, the placing of a new Sunday law on the statute books on the state bearing a penalty large enough to force its recognition.

More Mill's Lake Sinning, 1924, Jan.   Muncie, Indiana.  After Judge Clarence W. DEARTH, of the Delaware Circuit Court, had denounced from the bench the park and dance hall known as Mill's Lake in Randolph county, and had asserted that one case of juvenile delinquency after another in Delaware county was directly attributable to the influence of the resort, he asked Van L. OGLE, prosecuting attorney, to request the authorities of Randolph county to close the place under the provisions of the nuisance law.
  Judge Dearth's denunciation came in the progress of the trial of two boys who admitted stealing an automobile in Muncie that they might take two young girls to Mill's Lake.
"We have had 140 wards in the juvenile court since I became judge a little more than a year ago and most of the girls have said they traced their troubles to the Mill's Lake dance hall," said Judge Dearth. "They bought liquor there and committed deeds of shame. If that place were in Delaware county it would be wiped out of existence by the grand jury. That is what I think of Mill's Lake. The dances there have caused our county more trouble than anything else. I don't know why the Randolph county authorities allow such a thing to exist."
  Ogle said he would take up the matter with the authorities of the adjoining county. Mill's Lake is a resort for eastern Indiana persons in the summer time and the dances there are popular in winter. The lake is a small body of water surrounded by wooded shores and is about four miles from Winchester. In summer it is a favorite spot for picnic parties. It is contended by some of those who attended the Mill's Lake dances that most of the trouble there has been caused by liquor brought from Muncie in automobiles by young men and women of this city.
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