247. COUNTY CLIPPINGS

Ladies Clothes by Harry Karns.

The way that ladies dress nowadays sure is a freedom over the old. They wore rats in their hair, also wore false hair if they didn’t have enough to cover the rats. Bustles on their hips, heavy undergarments, two to four petticoats, then outside skirts. Also some wore hoops in older days, also pads or rats on their breasts. Material was lots heavier then than it is now. Also they would lace so tight around their waist that some would spit blood. Just tried themselves to see who could get the littlest waistlines, fat ones had a time. Skirts were long to the floor and they would have to hold it up with one hand while walking the street to keep from getting dirt and tobacco spit on the bottom. Dress in one hand and umbrella in the other. Sure kept them busy. Heavy woolen or cotton hose, heavy shoes-sure is a great freedom, the style of today over the old. Winchester Journal, 1907.

The Indian Mound near Windsor, by Harry Karns.

It is related that back in the early part of the last century the Muncie Indians held sway in the hills and valleys around Windsor in western Randolph County. On the farm of Granville Thompson, a short distance east of Windsor, there is a great mound that is said to have been built by the Indians as a fortification. Some say the mound was built by the Mound Builders, but there is no proof that they were its architects. The mound has been there for many years, for on it grew several old trees that bear the marks of time. One of them, a white oak, shows every evidence of having passed the century mark. The mound rises prominently above the surrounding plain and is so well rounded that it is hard not to see that man created it. Not far from the mound is an old Indian burying ground that offers further proof that the Red Men once made this section their abode. The burying ground is now in service as a gravel pit. “Uncle Billy” Fitzpatrick relates that not long ago, while he was at work in the pit, a pick he was using, struck a piece of bone. He carefully uncovered the bone and it led to other parts of the human skeleton. “Uncle Billy” called several fellow workmen to him and they carefully removed what proved to be a skeleton of an Indian. It was in an upright position. Fitzpatrick placed the bones in a box and gave them to a friend who Ida physician. Indian trinkets of every description have been unearthed at the gravel pit and there are few homes in Windsor without a relic of some sort. Winchester Journal, 1907.

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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.

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