235.The Rainbow Restaurant - Jackie Metz. (1960s)

RCHS Blog Post Number 235. 

The Rainbow Restaurant - Jackie Metz

_________

The Rainbow Restaurant - Jackie Metz  

Journal-Herald, by Jacquelin Gustin.

 

  Twenty-five years in the restaurant business will end Saturday, December 30, 1967, for Mrs. Dale (Jackie) Metz when she officially retires at about 12:30 p.m.

  Mrs. Metz began her restaurant-managing career in 1942 when she and her family purchased a confectionery store from Tommy Ghocpalle in Galion, Ohio. They managed the shop in that city until 1946 when they purchased the Rainbow restaurant in Winchester from Duane Wickersham. At that time Wickersham also ran a small bakery along with the restaurant, but the bakery business prospered to the degree that he divided the two and sold the restaurant.

  Mrs. Metz has managed the present restaurant since 1946 and revealed that she has seen many changes in that length of time. She lists the changes as follows; When they started business they served dinners for 65 cents and now they are $1; at present there is more of a trend for people to eat out and, consequently, the restaurant business has prospered; the public demands more salads and less starches in its menus and more diet food is served today than ever before.

  For 21 years Mrs. Metz had the assistance of her son-in-law, Leon Hendrickson, and her daughter, Ruhama Hendrickson. In October of 1966 Mrs. Metz and Hendrickson sold the restaurant. Hendrickson now owns a coin shop in Dayton, Ohio, and Mrs Hendrickson owns and manages a dress shop in Dayton.

  During the early years, basketball teams were served meals following games, along with many, many teen-agers. At one time teen-agers lined up outside the restaurant waiting to get in to be served while their favorite basketball team was being served. This was during the late forties and on through the early fifties. At this time hamburgers were sold for 20 cents and French fries for 15 cents. These two favorites, along with chili, composed the teens favorite menu. Another specialty of the restaurant at this time was it's own homemade ice cream.

  The Rainbow restaurant was the favorite hangout for Yellow Jacket basketball team fans who gathered there along with fans of the McKinley and Lincoln schools to discuss county basketball and various other happenings. The Rainbow during this period of time was the favorite meeting spot of both young and old.

 On many occasions during tourney time, following midnight shows at the Lyric and Cozy theaters and after other happenings in the community, teen-agers would pack the restaurant, enjoy the music and generally have the place in a state of havoc, Mrs. Metz said.

  When the basketball tourney was moved from Winchester to Farmland in the late forties, the Rainbow was still the favorite spot for the young people of the county who drove from the tourney site and continued to eat at the local establishment following the close of the evening sessions.  

  During this time Mrs. Metz also helped, along with other members of her family, at their skating rink on North Main street. This later was sold and is the present location of the Overmyer Mould Corporation pattern shop. Her family during the growing up period assisted at the restaurant and with the skating rink. The family includes Patsy McManes, now of Columbus, Ohio and the wife of Dr. Joseph McManes; Richard Rhoades, who moved back to this community in November of this year from California where he had resided for several years, and her oldest daughter, Ruhama, who worked for twenty years in the restaurant along with her husband, Leon Hendrickson.

  During this long time family business venture, they were robbed four times and one time since Stanley Hendrickson purchased the restaurant.

  The restaurant presently is for sale again, as Hendrickson is suffering from ill health.

  Mrs. Metz is planning to assist on a one-day-week basis for Hendrickson, until the restaurant is sold, then plans to spend her time enjoying her six grandchildren, knitting and perhaps doing some traveling.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

234. From The Museum Genealogy Files; Letter By Rebecca (Little) Hinshaw. Reunions; Moore 1937, Smiley 1937, Hinshaw 1937, McBeth 1934, McGunnigill 1967

RCHS Blog Post Number 234. 

From The Museum Genealogy Files; Letter By Rebecca (Little) Hinshaw. Reunions; Moore 1937, Smiley 1937, Hinshaw 1937, McBeth 1934, McGunnigill 1967

_________

Letter By Rebecca (Little) Hinshaw

Winchester Journal-Herald, April 2, 1960.

     Family history from an unexpected source- Through the courtesy of Miss May FELLOW of Windfall, Indiana, aunt of Horace LEE of Winchester route 3, the Lees are in possession of a letter dated April 1, 1859, written by Mrs. Rebecca (Little) HINSHAW of the Jericho community, to her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas BALDWIN of Fairmount. Horace's great-grandparents.

     The father of Mrs. Hinshaw lived on the farm now owned by Neil BRUMFIELD, formerly the Clark PEACOCK farm. The letter proved to be of special interest to Mrs. Lee since she found in it, written over a century ago, details concerning the accidental death of her great-uncle, Isaac LAMB, the youngest brother of her grandmother, Rhoda (Lamb) THORNBURG. The excerpt follows, as written:

     "Last seventh day a young man by the name of lamb, who lived at poplar run was at his brothers in this settlement: in the evening they started a hunting they got about a mile from home when they came to a large pond his brother shot a duck then loaded the gun laid it down went around on the other side of the pond to look for the duck and his brother Isaac waded in the pond and got on a log and while he was standing there an other young man came up to where he was standing he told him to reach him the gun he did so taking hold of the muzle and as the breech came down the gun went off the load entering his left brest and killed him instantly."

     Adding to Mrs. Lee's interest is the fact that in 1885, a brother of the above mentioned Mrs. Hinshaw, Isaac Little, sold the farm to Thomas C. Thornburg, father of Mrs. Lee, where she and her sisters, Mrs. Mary KEMP and Mrs. Mae HOUGH, were born and reared. The pond mentioned was on the farm now owned by Dale St. MYERS, and the brother of the victim of the accident was Will Lamb, who lived where Virgil Peacock now lives. The unfortunate young man was only 16 at the time of his death.

_________

Moore Reunion

July, 1937.

     The Moore reunion, descendants of David Moore, was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William CATEY, near Carlos. Those present were Mrs. Katie HARRIS and son Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Ora HOWELL and sons, Eugene, Bobby and Larry of Losantville, Mr. and Mrs. Silas HUNT of Modoc, Mr. and Mrs. Pat CLINE and daughters of Windsor, Mr. and Mrs. Charles GORDON, Mr. and Mrs. Van Gordon and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Gordon and son, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin PEGG and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Moore and George ALLEN of Unionport. (Also DISINGER, ROBBINS, Moores)

_________

Walter B. Smiley Reunion

June, 1967.

     The Walter B. Smiley reunion was held at Goodrich Park June 25. A bountiful dinner was served at the noon hour. Herbert JACKSON gave the grace.

     In the absence of the president, the vice-president, Louie GROW acted as the chairman for the business meeting. The minutes were read and approved. A letter was read from Mr. and Mrs. Don WEIMER of Orlando, Fla.

     Two deaths were reported as follows; Coleen Weimer, Union City and Newton MOYER, Ridgeville.

     Births have been Chad Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith GIRTON; Mandie Lyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael METZ and Michael Byron, great grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Don Weimer.

     David GARRINGER, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Garringer is in the service, located in the Philirrine Islands; Larry ALEXANDER is in the Army; Ronnie Metz is in the Army.

     Marriages reported were Linda WARREN, daughter of Charles Warren, to Kelly BUCKINGHAM; Serena Girton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Girton to Larry Alexander.

     Mary Metz was recognized as the oldest member present and Kyle Jackson was the youngest descendant present.

     Officers were elected as follows; president, Louie Grow; vice-president, J. C. McKAHN; secretary and treasurer, Mamie Jackson; assistant, Grace Girton. (others present; SHIERLING, CORN, PFLASTER, KRUMWIEDE.)

     Mrs. Carl Metz entertained the group by playing a hand organ dated 1887. The rolls were made in 1884 and 1885.

     Mrs. Foster (BRAGG) VEST was an afternoon caller.

_________

Edmund Hinshaw Reunion

August, 1937.

     The descendants of Edmund Hinshaw, who lived for many years northwest of Winchester, held a reunion at Goodrich Park, Sunday.

     Forty-five were in attendance. Ben Hinshaw of Winchester is the only child living. Mrs. Wilbur GROW of near Stone Station is a granddaughter. Other grandchildren and great grandchildren live in Dayton, Summitville, Pennville, Jay county, Muncie and Randolph county.

     Logan Hinshaw of Summitville was elected president and Mrs. Gerald ESROW of Stone Station was elected secretary and treasurer.

    Distant relatives present were Arthur Hinshaw, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hinshaw and son, Allan of Dunreith, Miss Bernice Hinshaw of Detroit and Mr. and Mrs. S. E. AVEY of near Bryant, Ohio.

     The next meeting will be held at the park in Portland, August 29, 1938. Mrs. Ann Elizabeth STAKEBAKE, a guest of the family was the oldest person present. She is past 89 years of age.

_________

McBeth Reunion

September, 1934.

     The third annual reunion of the McBeth family, the first ever held in Indiana, took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. HILL of Winchester.

     Election of officers was held and the following persons were selected; Mrs. Hill, president; Mrs. Amanda WRIGHT of Springfield, Ohio, vice-president; Mrs. Mary MATSON of Springfield, secretary; Mrs. Everett JOHNSON of Springfield, treasurer.

     Members of the family attending were; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph BALES and daughter, Martha, of Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Charles BAKER, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Wright and three sons, Mr. and Mrs. William Wright, Mrs. Mary Matson, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest BARCKLEY and five children, Mr. and Mrs. Charles LOBAUGH and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Johnson. (Also COLLINS, TUWELL, REBERT, BROWN, BRAGG.)  

_________

Silas A. McGunnigill Reunion

1967.

     The descendants of Silas A. McGUNNIGILL met Sunday July 9, 1967, at the Parker Lion's Clubhouse at Parker. This was the first reunion in twenty years. A beautiful carry-in dinner was held at noon, with prayer being offered by the only living child of Mr. McGunnigill, Mrs. Carrie AMBURN of Winchester.

     Those in attendance were; Mrs. Amburn; Ted and Ruby SPARKS of Phoenix, Ariz.; Orville and Ruby HOLADAY; Russell and Beulah LAWSON of Gaston; Joe and Jean Holaday and family; Albert and Mabel Holaday and family; Jomes and Ermlee Holaday and family; Robert and Mary JOHNSON and family; Glen and Sylvia Johnson of Selma; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Amburn and grandson Brad LACY of Farmland; Nulan and Ruby Holaday of Losantville; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur SNYDER of Winchester and grandson Greg WIDGER of Elliotsville, N. Y.; Frank and Blanche Holaday of Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Snyder of Lynn, and Mrs. Iretta WALDREN and daughter Clara Jane and Mr. and Mrs. Omer Amburn.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

233. A Few Reasons For A Memorial Day. (1948)

RCHS Blog Post Number 233. 

A Few Reasons For A Memorial Day

_________

Body of Lynn Soldier Being Returned Home

July 1, 1948.

     Remains of 5,374 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to the United States from Europe aboard the United States Army transport Lawrence Victory.

     Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom are among those being brought back to this country.

       A total of 200 remains are being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Indiana.

     The body of a Randolph county soldier, T-Sgt. John M. Elliott, will be among those to return on the Lawrence Victory.

     Elliott, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Elliott of Lynn lost his life on May 12, 1944, in a plane crash in England. His brother, William M. Elliott, was stationed with the Army in England at that time and attended funeral services there.

     Elliott was born May 25, 1920 and enlisted in the air corps on April 17, 1942. He received training at Patterson Field, Ohio, Bowman Field, Ky., Lawson Field, Ga. and Del Valley, Texas, being sent overseas in November of 1942. He was a radio operator in the troop carrier command, flying in the commanding officer's plane. He wore the good conduct ribbon and the ETO ribbon with five stars designating the following combat areas; Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy and England. In January of 1944 he was awarded the air medal for his part in the Salerno, Italy invasion.

     He was graduated from the Lynn high school with the class of 1938. He was a member of the Lynn Lodge, F and A. Masons and the Methodist church. Prior to his enlistment in the air corps, he was employed at the International Harvester company plant at Richmond.

_________

The Body of Donel Cross Returns From Europe

July 8, 1948.

     The body of Pvt. Donald J. R. Cross, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cross, of Losantville, is included among the remains of 112 Indiana World War II dead returned to the United States from Europe aboard the U. S. Army transport ship Oglethorpe Victory, the department of the Army has announced. The remains of 4,383 Americans who lost their lives in the Second World War were returned aboard the ship. This is just one of many ships bringing home our dead.

     Pvt. Cross was killed in action in Luxembourg on February 11, 1945. He entered the service August 9, 1944 and received training at Camp Blanding, Fla. In January of 1945 he was sent overseas and became a member of General Patton's Third Army. He was killed shortly after arriving there. He was 24 years old.

     Surviving in addition to the parents are a daughter, Barbara Marie; a son, Donel Wesley: four brothers, Lewis Cross of Muncie, Lawrence of Farmland, and Robert and Wilson of Losantville; two sisters, Mrs. Pauline Fruit of Modoc and Mrs. Bertha Gordon of Parker.

     The body will arrive in Winchester by train and will be taken to the Summers funeral home in Winchester.

_________

Military Rites for Pvt. Basil Shaw

July 17, 1948.

     Full military honors will be accorded Pvt. Basil E. Shaw at Woodlawn cemetery, at Maxville. Rev. N. H. Thornburg and the Farmland American Legion post will be in charge.

     The remains of Pvt. Shaw arrived in Redkey and were removed to the Thornburg funeral home in Farmland.

     Pvt. Shaw was killed in action in France on August 27, 1944 at the age of 33. He was inducted into the Army on December 10, 1943. Prior to his entry into the service he was employed at the Warner Gear plant in Muncie.

     Surviving are the wife, Thelma; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shaw of Farmland and two brothers, Kenneth of Farmland and Merle Of Parker.

_________

Return Body of Pvt. Geesy

July 8, 1948.

     Pvt. Robert D. R. Geesy, whose body arrived in Union City by train, was a native of Winchester. He was born on May 18, 1925 and attended Winchester and Wayne Twp. schools.

     He came to the Union City community in 1938 and was employed at the Red 73 Creamery before entering the service on September 17, 1943.

     He received training at Camp Van Dorn, Miss and Camp Breckenbridge, Ky., leaving for overseas the latter part of March, 1944. He was killed in action in France on July 12, 1944, at the age of 19.

     Surviving are the father, Donald Geesy, of route four, Union City, and three brothers, Harold, Floyd and Lloyd, all of Union City.

     The body of Pvt. Geesy was recently returned from Europe to this country aboard the Army transport ship, Greenville Victory.

     Burial will be made in the Union City cemetery.

_________

Return Body of Pvt. Barber From Europe

July 9, 1948.

     The remains of Pvt. Alten M. Barber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bunress A. Barber of Winchester route 2, is enroute to the United States from Europe. Upon arrival in this country the body will be sent to Indiana by train and will be taken to the Thornburg funeral home in Farmland.

     Pvt. Barber was killed in action in Germany on February 28, 1945. He was inducted into the Army through the Randolph county draft board on August 9, 1944, and sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison. He received basic instruction at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark., and was then sent to Fort George G. Meade, Md., from where he sailed for Europe on January 4, 1945. Upon arrival in Europe Pvt. Barber was assigned to Gen. Patton's Third Army.

     Surviving in addition to the parents is his wife, Hazel, and three children, Donnie, Linda and Sondra, all of Muncie; two brothers, Forrest D. Barber of Muncie and Bob G. Barber of Los Angeles Cal.; one sister Mrs. Hellen Howell of Winchester.

_________

Return Body of T-Sgt. Coyner

July 10, 1948.

     The body of Tech. Sgt. Orville J. Coyner will arrive in Winchester for final rites. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John Coyner of Winchester, Tech. Sgt. Coyner died November 16, 1943 from wounds received in the month long fight with Japanese forces in the battle of Munda Point in the Solomon Islands, southwest Pacific.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

232. Ayres, Jennings, Tank Arrives, Dr. Dininger, Thompson, Coach Guenther.

RCHS Blog Post Number 232.  

Ayres, Jennings, Tank Arrives, Dr. Dininger, Thompson, Coach Guenther.

__________

Off to West in '27 Model A Ford

Published on July 22, 1955.

  Off to Cheyenne, Wyoming, come Sunday morning will be two Winchester men. The fact that they're going out west isn't particularly newsworthy, it's their mode of travel.

  Sheldon Ayres, restaurateur, and Fred Jennings, tractor salesman and city councilman, will embark on their journey in a Model A Ford, a smooth working vehicle bought by Ayres about six months ago from an elderly man near Parker.

  A third member of the party, Warren 'Butch" Thornburg, the fire chief, is backing out at the last minute. Didn't think he could stand the strain.

  Anyway, Ayres and Jennings are going more or less on a dare. Seems like someone or some few aroused their anger and the dare was accepted.

  "We'll show 'em," says Sheldon and Fred.

  The trip starts over state road 32 west out of Winchester and will angle northward until the Model A and passengers hit U. S. 30, which will take them to Cheyenne.

  Expected arrival - Tuesday morning, "depending on traffic."

  After taking in the "Cheyenne Frontier Days" (rodeo), back home the Winchester men will start. Expected arrival - a week from Monday, "depending on traffic."

  All Winchester says "Bon voyage."   

Note from Mick: (I don't think they made it. More later.)

__________

Bronze plaque reads:  In Commemoration of the Veterans of World War II and Korean Conflict - Randolph County - Dedicated May 30, 1958

___________

Sherman Tank Arrives. December 24, 1957.

  Winchester's 36-ton Sherman tank was delivered from the National Guard depot and will be repainted and finished with the proper insignia. Through the efforts of Hernly Brothers Construction of Parker and Winchester city street employees, it sits on the east side of the court house square.

  The tank, purchased from the state adjutant general's office for $100. will serve as a memorial to our World War II and Korean veterans.

  The purchase of the tank was effected through the work of the Winchester American Legion post, the National Guard company in Winchester and the Winchester city administration.

Doctor Gets Birdie. May 8, 1941.

  Dr. W. S. Dininger was unanimously chosen to Winchester's golfing hall-of-fame when he shot a hole in one.

  He teed off on No. 7 and when his drive veered sharply to the right it landed in a woodpecker hole in one of the large trees along the fairway. The surprised woodpecker came flying out with feathers ruffled and settled in the upper branches.

  The somewhat bewildered doctor refused to climb the tree to play the ball so he forfeited the hole to Francis Simpson and Walt Myers who were playing with him.

Jane Marie Thompson, 4-H Demonstration. July 9, 1955.

  The importance of a good breakfast was stressed by Miss Jane Marie Thompson of the Winchester 4-H club during her winning demonstration, "Get Time In For Breakfast," at the Randolph county senior demonstration contest held at the 4-H club building south of Winchester.

  This meal, neglected especially by teen-agers, is simple to prepare. It can give a person four of his seven basic food requirements and one-fourth to one-third of his daily nutrients, the Winchester sophomore emphasized during her demonstration.

  She prepared three different breakfasts, light, medium and hearty, during the demonstration. She is in her sixth year of club work, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Thompson.

  She will represent Randolph county in the district demonstration contest to be held at Pendleton, Ind.

  During these hot summer days, each girl should take time to be "pert and pretty" reminded little Miss Suzanne Snyder of the Winchester club who won the junior demonstration contest.

Coach Leaves WHS. June 23, 1953.

  Winchester is losing the man who put our town on the football map! Vincent Guenther, here since the 1947-48 school year, is leaving to take the principalship of the Madison-Marion consolidated school at Hoagland in Allen County. Vince, whose plans had been known, but were not yet official, handed in his resignation to the school board Monday night.

  Just recently he had resigned as basketball coach to devote full time to football.

  Here is Vince's letter of resignation:

  "I hereby notify the school board of my resignation from the faculty of Winchester high school to accept the position of principal of the Madison-Marion consolidated school-Allen county.

  I wish to specify that I have sincerely enjoyed my tenure at Winchester and it is with regret that I will be leaving the many sincere friends and friendly people of this city. I hope my friends will remember me as a person that held their children's interest and welfare above everything else and I hope the future of the Winchester high school students and activities experience nothing but success."

  It was Guenther who put Winchester on the football map, taking over the second year when the sport was resumed after a lapse of almost fifty years. A man by the name of Tyler was the immediate predecessor.

  In five years the Yellow Jacket gridders won 30 games, lost but 5 and tied 3. It was an all victorious season in 1951 and in 1952 there was but one tie to mar another perfect year. The last Winchester defeat was September 20, 1950, that a 7-13 game with Versailles, Ohio.

  Winchester was winner of the Mississinewa Valley conference football title. 

  Vince has turned out some good football men, some of whom have gone on to college competition. It was he who developed Clark Brown into all-state honors for two consecutive years, a selection which made Clarky a sure bet for a spot in the August 8 North-South game at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis.

  Guenther is working on his doctor's degree this summer at Ball State.

  So, with Vince's resignation Winchester will have an entire new coaching staff. His assistant, Bob Moore, has taken a job at Westfield, north of Indianapolis.

  Personally, this corner hates to see Vince leave. But a person must grasp opportunity when it beckons. We wish him the best of luck.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

231. Long In Darke. (Colored American Magazine, 1909)

RCHS Blog Post Number 231.  

Long In Darke

By Dr. W. E. B. Dubois for the Colored American Magazine, XVII Nov. 1909.

Published on May 19, 2021.

__________________ 

  Charming to almost weird is this tale told by Dr. Dubois in a recent "Independent" of the colored community in Darke County, Ohio, known as Long.

  Throughout the United States there are numbers of communities of black folk, segregated, secluded, more or less autonomous, going their quiet way unknown of most of the surrounding world. Some of these, like Mound Bayou, Miss. and Cass County Mich., have been exploited in the press; others, Gouldtown, N. J., and Buxton, Iowa are almost unknown. Particularly are the Ohio Negro settlements unheard of, and yet there are in Ohio and Indiana perhaps a dozen such communities, romantic in history and rich in social lessons. Black men as well as white looked toward Ohio for economic freedom in the first days of the nineteenth century. It was wild John Randolph, of Roanoke that gave his emancipated slaves the choice of Liberia and Ohio. They chose Ohio, and came in 1846 and last month 150 of their descendants held a reunion.

  It was this reunion that sent me searching for my folk in Ohio, and then almost by accident I ran into Long in Darke County.

  Long is a settlement of colored people, a hundred years old, and Darke County is in Southwestern Ohio, sixty miles north of Cincinnati.

  The land is dark and level. Great fields of corn stand strong and luxuriant. The tobacco is green and silent, and all about are piled sheaves of yellow wheat and oats. Far out in the distance there are no hills, but only the shadows of oak and beech woods and the dim dying away of level lands. The houses stand from a hundred to a thousand feet apart. Some are old and built with some shade of the old style of Southern mansions. Most of them are newer, representing a renaissance of building in the last decade or two. They show forth different ideas and degrees of living. Here is a cottage, with smooth shaven lawn and flowers; yonder a little, irregular house, with no step, but a wandering path and garden; further on are great barns and a straight busy house, naked of porch or ornament. There, where I stayed is a yellow house, surrounded by a porch with climbing clematis, barns and outhouses, and in front a view of great stretches of green corn and tobacco. Further up the road two churches crouch, looking each other squarely and suspiciously in the face. They are wooden, small and rather bard. Near them is a two story house, with lodge rooms above and a new grocery store, kept by two pretty girls, below. Three schoolhouses are scattered in the hamlet and one Quaker seminary, with traditions and history of some sixty years or more. The dusty road which runs down through the hamlet, stretching it's 4 1/2 miles through Indiana and Ohio, with it's hundred families on either side, is not apt to be deserted and especially on Sunday it is lively with buggies and well-fed horses and the voices of young people riding up and down.

  Down the narrow lane at the back of the house where I lived lies a grove of young, straight and golden green trees. Here the annual Sunday School picnic is held, and here, on the Sunday when I was there, came three hundred buggies with a thousand people. Looking at the people first you would have noted little unusual; they were well fed, well dressed, quiet and white. That is, mostly white here and there a tinge of gold and olive and brown and one or two black faces, mostly white, you would have said. Then, when you inquired, you would have learned that most of these folks were "black," for Long was settled by octoroons and quadroons in 1808.

  In this grove last year was celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Long. There was, it seems, in the eighteenth century a certain Pennsylvania Dutchman who went to Virginia and had a daughter too darkly beautiful to marry under Virginia law. He had for a neighbor, however, a man as moral as himself, whose son was born of an Indian-Negro squaw.

  This boy walked to Ohio in 1804, squatted on new land in the wilderness and returned and received the Dutchman's daughter as his wife. But the Dutchman loved his darker daughter and straightaway leaving his white family accompanied his colored children to Ohio, where he lived and died on the 782 acres which they bought. Fifty descendants of this couple now live and half of these farm on 400 acres of the original land.

  Later others came from North Carolina and Tennessee and the rest from the South. One white planter brought his colored son and ten grandchildren and placed them on 700 acres, and even as late as 1850 there came a white Mississippi planter and two black wives, with fifteen sons and daughters and $3,000 in gold.

  Then came a fight for life. The surrounding communities looked with disdain and hatred on these folk whose faces were scarce darker than their own. If a black man came to town he was liable to be chased by hoodlums, and when whites came out to stop the dedication of a Wesleyan church there was so bloody a battle with fists and brickbats that the experiment was never tried again.

  Internal development followed. The church was built and land bought and cultivated. The settlement became one of the main lines of underground railway service from the Ohio River. The Wesleyan church split in an attempt to exclude tobacco and members of secret societies, and wild young lawbreakers and illegitimate children appeared. Then the Civil War came and slowly the community gripped itself. Its sons and daughters went forth into the world and became doctors and lawyers and one a bishop. Some fifteen of the men at various times took white wives from the surrounding community and traveled away, never to return. Their children today in Chicago and New York are probably "hating niggers." The women were more loyal, and refusing to intermarry, took hold of the community. For thirty years they have kept liquor selling out of the village, smashing the last kegs themselves. Today the community is quiet, well-to-do and law abiding. The white judge of the County Court, who spoke to them while I was there said, "I have come to you; you never visit me in court." A visiting presiding elder, who has known the place intimately for more than twenty years, knows of but two illegitimate children, and one of those was begotten abroad. The people own 5,000 acres of land worth a half a million dollars, excluding improvements, and from a community of five or six hundred people. Fully half of them tomorrow could lose themselves among their white neighbors and never be suspected of black blood. Yet they keep themselves aloof, quiet and loyal, refusing to associate with their friends and relatives. Beneath the placid beauty of their fields run the waters of bitterness, but it cannot spoil their cherished past nor the singular comeliness of their growing boys and beautiful women.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.

229. From The Genealogy Files. Lynn Folks: Yates, Bowen, Mitchell (1955)

RCHS Blog Post Number 229

From The Genealogy Files: Lynn Folks -Yates, Bowen, Mitchell

________________

MITCHELL

Lynn Herald

September 26, 1955.

This sketch concerns a "duo" which began a few months ago, located two and one-half miles south on high-way 27 where they are jointly operating a truck stop known as the Blue Roof.

  Mrs. Mitchell, Nellie to her friends, is manager of the restaurant end of the business where delicious food is served twenty four daily. The restaurant, which is modern in every feature, is commodious and well lighted and occupies the major part of the front of the building.

  The mechanical part of the business is operated by "Jim," who with his assistant, offers full time service. Located on nine acres of ground it affords ample space for trucks an cars on the outside, and the garage proper is well equipped with the modern conveniences necessary for good mechanical work.

  Jim and Nellie came to Lynn from Union City in 1939 and have lived in Lynn since that time. Jim was located on South Main street where he successfully operated a filling station and motor repair shop. He is a native of Salamonia, in Jay county and Nellie came from Salina, Ohio. They are the parents of two children, Ronnie, who is married, lives at Mason, Ohio, where he is employed as an engineer in electronics, and Margo, who is a student in the Lynn high school.

  Jim is affiliated with the lodge of Masons and Nellie is a member and past president of the Hunter Home Demonstration club. Religiously, the Mitchell family are identified with the Trinity Lutheran church of Union City.

  The Mitchells are having a grand opening of their establishment, September 24, when gifts will be given with each $2 purchase of gasoline. Mrs. Mitchell reports a pork manhattan plate lunch will be served on the Saturday and the Sunday menu will include roast turkey.

  Mrs. Mitchell is assisted by Mrs. Helen Bussear, Mrs. Mollie Crow and Donna Wright, full time helpers and Mrs. Edith Magner, Mrs. Blanche Wise, Mrs. Patty Meyer, Miss Marilyn Hill and Margo Mitchell, part time.

  In the garage, Jim has as his mechanics, Chester Henisa, during the day and Earl Davis as night man.

________________

BOWEN

Lynn Herald

October 29, 1955

  Out at the Lynn union depot you will find Earl Yates, first trick telegraph operator-agent and Raymond Bowen, who operates the second trick. Mr. Yates , who came to Lynn 20 years ago is a native of Randolph county, having lived at Parker. However, he lived in Danville, Ill. and Indianapolis prior to coming to Lynn.

  Earl has been employed with the New York Central Railroad system since 1907. Married to the former Mamie Silvey of Indianapolis, they are the parents of four children, three of whom live in Lynn, Marvin, Mrs. Betty Fry and Margaret. Raymond is living at Mattoon, Ill.

  Raymond Bowen began work as an operator in 1908 with the Pennsylvania Railroad and has seen several changes made until the present time. He states that at one time there were 33 operators employed between Richmond and Fort Wayne. Now Lynn and Decatur are the only station operators employed. This was caused by the installation of the block system.

  A native of Randolph county, he was born on a farm near Crete, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Bowen. He was married to the former Nina Hinshaw, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Hinshaw. Both are descended from pioneer families. They have one son, Harold, who lives in Lynn.

  The familiar click of the telegraph key is now almost a thing of the past in the lives of these two operators. The one from Lynn to Hollandsburg, Ohio, is the only one they operate. All other messages are received and sent either by telephone or radio.

________________

Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

__________________

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 website:  https://rchsmuseum.org

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.