Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles

Indianapolis Daily Journal on August 4, 1862 on page 2 column 4.

War Meeting.

Fairview, Randolph Co., Ind.,

     July 29, 1862.

Ed. Journal: On last Saturday, the 26th of this month, a meeting was held at Farmland, in this county, for the purpose of getting volunteers for the war. The meeting was to have been addressed by Wm. A. Bickle, of Richmond, but received a dispatch from some other part of the country informing us that the Hon. Tom Browne, of Winchester, was solicited to attend in his place. Tom made one of those excellent speeches for which he is noted-one of those speeches which a person never gets tired of listening to.

At the close of his speech Mr. Browne said: "We propose to allow each volunteer who shall go from this county fifty dollars as a donation from the county instead of ten dollars as at first proposed."

A vote was taken by the meeting on the subject of instructing the County Commissioners to levy a tax on the citizens of Randolph county for the object before mentioned. The plan was unanimously agreed to.

Volunteers were called for by Mr. Browne and Mr. Burris, and the call was responded to with a hearty good will. Old Randolph is doing well toward the putting down of this rebellion. If this call is readily responded to in every county and State, and the new war policy is carried out, we can soon say in the language of the poet:

"The angel of death spread his wings o'er the blast,

And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed."


     J. M. B.

Contributed By: Tony Meeks

The Winchester Journal
Wednesday, August 23, 1876

When we hear of either Republicans or Democrats wishing that law prevented the discussions of politics through the papers or from the stump; it only causes a feeling of pity for the stupidity that would for a moment harbor such a thought let alone express it. We only wish such parties had to go and live a few years in some of the Nations where the press is controlled by law and public discussions of State questions entirely disallowed.

There is nothing that tyrants so dread as a free press, is nothing which so protects the general wellfare in free countries as a wholesome dread of untrammeled news papers.

We admit that misrepresentations and distortions made either on the stump or in a paper is wrong and entirely out of place and calculated to do harm, but the good done by such discussions so far overbalances the evil that it is no question for a lover of liberty and good government to discuss on the doubtful side.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Winchester Journal
Wednesday, August 23, 1876

There is a law, passed by Congress about the close of the war, that every man preferring a claim against the government on account of losses sustained during the rebellion, should be required to produce proofs of loyalty to the government before his claim should be considered.

This law is manifestly just and has the endorsement of every loyal citizen in the country. The late confederate House passed a bill introduced by Vance of North Carolina for the repeal of this law. Of course the senate did not concur.

Had this bill become a law it would have legalized enough confederate claims now pending to amount to four times our present national debt.

If Tilden and Hendricks are elected and in the course of their administration the senate should become democratic this entire amount will be saddled upon us, rebel soldiers pensioned and slaves set free by the war will be to pay for.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Winchester Journal
Wednesday, August 23, 1876

The citizens of Green Township met pursuant to notice at McCracken's School House for the purpose of organizing a Hayes and Wheelor Club.

Capt. A. O. March was present and addressed the people on the political issues of the day.

The following officers were elected: H.B. French, President; Luther L. Moorman, Vice President; B. Webb, Secretary; S.A.French, Treasurer; James Ford, Marshal,

A Soliciting Committee was appointed, consisting of L.L. Moorman, J. Ford and S. French.
It was decided that the club should be known as the Jayes and Wheeler Club of Green Township.
On motion it was decided that a copy of these proceedings be sent to the county paper for publication.
B. WEBB, Sec. H.B. FRENCH, Pres.

This article appeared in The Winchester Journal on January 9, 1878 on page 3 column 2.

The original article is on microfilm at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, IN.

Roll of Honor

The following is a report of the school in District 19. White River Township, for the month ending December 21, 1877:

Number enrolled 43, daily attendance 35, general average 31; per cent of attendance 87 ˝.

The names of those who were not absent or tardy during the month were Cora Davis, Charlie Davis, Oliver Davis, Ethellie Fray.

At the Month’s examination the names of those who did not fall below 85 per cent were Hershel Wysong, Austrellus Edwards, Ethellie Fray, Oliver Davis, Cora Davis.

Henry M. Brown.

Contributed By: Tony Meeks

April 6, 1881

Luther L. Moorman was on Monday last appointed Administrator of the estate of Samuel Gantz, who was a member of Company "A" 8th Ind. Vols. and died at Nashville, Tenn., December 29, 1861, from the effects of wounds received in the battle in front of that city.

The appointment is merely to comply with some technicalities of law, the bond being placed at $200.

Contributed By: Lucy Lussenden

The Portland Commercial, Thurs., Jan., 20, 1887.

While Al. J. BURDEN, of Dunkirk, was in Van Wert, Ohio, a few weeks since, he engaged in conversation with an old colored gentleman of that place, who finally proved to be his uncle.

Al. is the brother of our own William BURDEN, the barber, and Marshal BURDEN, of Randolph county, is the father of Al. and William.

It appears that nothing had been heard of the Van wert BURDEN, whose first name is Earle, since he left home in South Carolina, when a young man, just after arriving at his majority.

This long separation - over half a century - and accidental discovery, reminds one of the Bible story, where there was more joy over the return of "one lost sheep than the ninety and nine that went not astray," but continued to lick salt, nibble the grass, and bleat in the meadow beyond the garden and truck patch.

Every now and then similar instances are brought to light among members of the same family of this peculiar race, the causes of which are generally traceable to the heathenish system of bondage and slavery that bound them as with a vise for over two hundred years.

The BURDEN family, however, were not slaves, but free, and Earle, it is supposed, came north, like many others, to live where school houses were as popular as the slave pens in the south.

Correspondence is now being carried on between Van Wert, Randolph, and Jay county BURDEN's, and a family reunion, no doubt, will soon be held - probably in Portland, as it is the most central point, and accessable to all by railroad.

Contributed By: Rex Bertram

The Winchester Journal – Wednesday – November 21, 1900

Receive Serious Injuries on the Same Day

Had the members of the Hutchens family foreseen the terrible list of accidents and misfortunes which was invisibly hidden in the mists of last Wednesday a pall of gloom would certainly have settled over them. But, it is one of the fortunes of life that the future is hidden.

The first of a series of misfortunes began at about 9 o'clock in the morning when Jonathan, who is employed at the A. Rice saw mill, had a hand terribly crushed while engaged in handling some very heavy plank. The fingers were fearfully mangled and it will be some time before the unfortunate man will be able to use the hand in labor again.

The old adage that "misfortunes never come single" was verified in this day's record. Only two hours and a half later, or at about half past eleven, while Acquilla Hutchens was engaged in work with a team between the Bishop grain elevator and the Big Four depot, the team became frightened at the rattle of shelled corn which was passing through a tin pipe from the elevator into a car, and ran away. Mr. Hutchens states that when the team started, he was standing up on the double trees and the sudden jerk threw him face forward between the horses. The wheels passed over the right shoulder and the right side of his head, crushing and lacerating him in a terrible manner. Parties who witnessed th e accident picked him up and he was at once conveyed to his home by Frank Botkin, and Dr. G. C. Markle was hurriedly called. It was at first thought that concussion of the brain had taken place but this fortunately proved not to be correct. However, his injuries are extremely serious. The team ran at a terrific speed until they arrived in front of the Windsor Hotel, when the wagon came in contact with a hand car, breaking the axle. The force of the collision was so great that it stopped the horses and they were taken in hand by some men who were near.

This certainly was enough trouble for one family in one day, but the end was not yet. Benjamin Hutchens, who for some time has been an invalid from a stroke of paralysis and cancer, was yet to add to the already serious list of grievances. He had gone to Ludlow Falls, Ohio, the previous day, to undergo a surgical operation. While under the surgeon's knife he received a second stroke of paralysis. He was at once hurried to the depot and arrived in this city on the G.R.& I. passenger No. 5, which arrived in this city about 1 o'clock a.m. This last stroke will in all probability prove fatal as he is rendered speechless and helpless. The "hoodoo" about Friday being an unlucky day is completely knocked out in this instance.

Contributed By: Mary Kay Mills Guinn

The Muncie Morning Star, Saturday, June 5, 1909.

FARMLAND, IND.
Farmland, Ind., June 5-

Alice Nixon is visiting her grandparents in Portland this week.
Mrs. Orla B. Manes is visiting her parents, G.W. Money of near Fort Recovery.

Henry Addington and wife left Monday for Marion, where they will visit for a few days with relatives.

Will Zimmerman, wife and two sons of Ridgeville took dinner with W. B. Pace last Monday.

Earl Marshall and wife of Muncie visited John Canaday and wife last Monday.

Arthur Retter returned home Tuesday from Versailles O. where he spent a week with his grandmother.

Mrs. Hiram Harris of Parker visited Mrs. Jonathan Denton Wednesday.

Arla Jones was at Winchester Monday.

Misses Gladys Myers and Bertha Clevenger gave a "moonlight boating party" to a number of their friends last Monday evening at Mills lake in honor of their sixteenth birthday anniversaries.

Mrs. Albert Lindsley visited at Hartford City the first of the week.

Harry Garland visited his mother at Fairmont Monday.

Mrs. William Beckley and children are visiting her parents at Argosta, O.

Mrs. Ida Cole is spending the week with Mrs. Hattie Wright at Maxville.

Mrs. Ella Shaw and children dined with Arla Jones and wife Tuesday.

Hugh Byrd of Portland visited at the home of W.B. Meeks the fore part of the week.

Mrs. Sally Hines of Albany is visiting here at the home of her son, Herbert Hines, and family.

Miss Nettie Black, who has been located at Kokomo for the past nine months returned to Farmland recently.

Vance Cummings and wife of Anderson visited at the home of W.B. Meeks the first of the week.

Dan Ruble and William Mitchell of Flat Rock, Ill., visited their families here for a few days of this week.

Ed Macy, wife and two youngest children of Marengo, Okla., arrived here last Sunday to spend a week with the former's parents and other relatives.

Callie Cline, Mildred and Celia Botkin visited Jane Cline at Lynn Monday.

Walter Cunningham visited his brother at Frankton from Saturday until Monday.

Mrs. Ida Fowler returned home last Wednesday evening after spending several weeks in Chicago with friends and relatives.

Miss Lillian Kautt of Dayton , O., visited from Saturday until Monday with her sister, Mrs. Rose Shardelow.

The Gleaning society met at the home of Mrs. Eva Jones last Tuesday afternoon.

UNION CITY, IND.
Union City, Ind. June 5-

Miss Goldie Biegle entertained a party of young women from Greenville, O., Tuesday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Feroe of Marra, Okla., are here for an extended visit.

Miss Hazel Coats of Logansport is the guest of Mrs. D. F. Haireson.

The Q.Q.G. club met with Mrs. Bonnie La Paurette Wednesday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. George Reitnour are visiting relatives at Dunkirk.

Mrs. Aaron Rosenbush returned to her home at Hartford City Wednesday evening.

Miss Lena Hassimire is here from Humphrey, Neb., to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. Hassimire.

Miss Florence Hueber visited friends at Winchester Tuesday evening.

The Wednesday club met with Mrs. George Keltnar Wednesday afternoon.

Miss Edith Rathburn and little sister, Margaret of Redkey are guests of Miss Manda Lindley.

Mr. and Mrs. Gale Fielder of Winchester were guests of Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Reitenour Wednesday evening.

Miss Florence Shelby of Muncie is visiting friends here.

R.F. Johnson and wife of Dayton, O., visited relatives here Thursday.

Mrs. Angela Mackey of Denora, Pa., arrived here Thursday for the McKenna-Lawler wedding.

WINCHESTER, IND.
Winchester, Ind., June 5-

Joel Bales has gone to Wichita, Kan., to visit relatives and friends.

Mrs. George Leggett is visiting relatives at Greensburg.

Harry Jameson has gone to Artisia, N.M. to remain indefinately.

A.J. Cranor, of New Orleans, is here visiting friends and relatives.

W.C. Brown and daughter have returned from a visit with Mrs. Chal Farlow at Garrett, Ind.

Miss Marie Browne, of Richmond, is visiting Walter Parry and family.

Mrs. Jacob Simon has gone to Cincinnati to visit her mother, Mrs. J. Loeb.

Mrs. Joseph DeVos has returned from an extended visit to her son, Reed DeVoss and family at Albany.

Mrs. Tom Best has gone to Hagerstown to visit her parents, J. Mathews, and family.

Mrs. Will Kemp, of Hartford City, is visiting Mrs. J. W. Jackson and family.

Miss Gladys Caldwell has returned from a visit at Greencastle.

Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Fischer and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Goodrich are visiting Mr. and Mrs. George Davis.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Anthony are at Indianapolis with Mr. and Mrs. Lee Anthony.
Mrs. Leona Reed entertained the members of the Afternoon Musicale Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Charle Ashwill has returned from an extended visit at Fortville.

Dr. Huge Meier, of Ft. Wayne, spent a portion of the week here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Meier.

Miss Isabelle Smith has gone to Prestonburg, Ky., to spend a month with relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Bonewitz, of Marion spent a part of the week here visiting Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sala.

Mrs. Jesse Hubbard has returned from an extended visit at Charleston, S.C.

Ward Seagraves, of Indianapolis, visited here this week with Mr. and Mrs. Dave Martin.

Mrs. George Robinson and daughter, Miss Iris, left Tuesday for a week's visit with relatives at Lima, Ind.

Mrs. Charles Davis and children have gone to Wichita, Kan., where they will join Mr. Davis in their future home.

Todd Downing, of Redkey, is the guest of Mrs. Leythl Keller and Mrs. Reverdy Puckett.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Carson have gone to Curtis, Mich., to spend the summer.

John W. Macy has returned from New York City, where he has been attending the law school of Columbia University.

Miss Gertrude Unthank has gone Egbert, Wyo., to spend the summer.

Mrs. John Addington, of Dayton, O., is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Dodd.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Saunders have gone to North Manchester, Ind.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Winchester Democrat, Randolph County IN January 13, 1916.

Death Increase, Births Decrease

Comparison of Vital Statistics In City Between This Year and Last.

During the year 1915 there were seventy-five births in the city of Winchester, according to the records of Dr. F. A. Chenoweth, city health officer. This was a loss over 1914 when the number of births was 101.

Of the births in 1915, forty-one were male and thirty-four were females. The greatest number of births in any one month was ten in September, of which eight were boys and two were girls. The births by months were as follow:

January, 5 boys, 1 girl; February, 4 boys, 4 girls; March 2 boys, 2 girls; April 3 boys, 3 girls; May 3 boys, 1 girl; June, 1 boy, 5 girls; July, 3 boys, 6 girls; August, 6 boys, 2 girls; September, 8 boys, 2 girls; October, 4 boys, 4 girls; November, 1 boy, 1 girl; December, 1 boy, 3 girls.

The number of deaths in the city during 1915 was sixty-six, of which twenty-seven were male and thirty-nine were female. This was a gain over 1914, when the total number of deaths was sixty-two.

Deaths in Winchester during 1915, including the dates, names of persons and their ages, were as follows:

January, 1 Mary Catherine WHETSEL, 71;
January 3, Samuel Decater FOX, 73;
January 6, Viletta BAKER, 84;
January 9, Lewis Ross EDWARDS, 56;
January 12, Marguerite GINGER, 74;
January 18, Charles Wesley MOORE, 63;
January 19, Jennie Lee MILLER, 56;
January 26, Mary M. LOVEL, 73;
February 2, Mary DALE, 78;
February 18, Hannah HULL, 86;
March 8, Madge L. BROOKS, 3;
March 9, Emma L. STERLING, 9;
March 11, C. C. PEELLE, 63;
March 12, Eliza A. HESTON, 63;
March 15 John C. GRIMM, 74;
March 28, Rachel JESSUP, 71;
April 3, Rachel MACE, 73;
April 5, George M. HOBBIC, 77;
April 9, Susannah NICHOLS, two days;
April 29, Angeline MCNEES, 66;
May 2, Florence A. LLOYD, 38;
May 9, Martha YOUNGER, 1;
May 19, John E LONGNECKER, 76;
May 22, Sophia Caroline ULRICH, 59;
May 28, Flora WILMORE, 72;
June 8, Goldie L. NICHOLS, three months;
June 25, Emma G. SEGRAVES, 4;
July 9, Hannah Jane REYNARD, 66;
July 17, Sarah SHAW HOBBOC;
July 18, James Lafayette LOVE, one day;
July 20, Lucinda JACKSON, 66;
July 25, Robert Douglas WYSONG, 5;
July 29, Philip L. CARPER, 66;
August 11, Martin SCOTT, 57 (colored man);
August 12, George W. WEEDS, 37.
August 12, Pearl L. STOCKER, 2;
August 27, Noah C. SLIFE, 55;
August 31, Richard BOSWORTH;
September 6, Edmund D. CARTER, 77;
September 9, Infant MCCARTNEY, one day;
September 10, Jesse V. ALLEN, 4;
Septmber 20, George JONES, 88;
September 20, Robert A. BALES, 12;
September 21, John W. LOVELL, 73;
September 22, Nancy Angeline DAVIS, 78;
September 24, Violet Marie BADDER, 68;
October 5, Mary H. CLARK, 69;
October 7, Effie L. ROBERTS, 44;
October 9, Belinda Ann SUTEER, 72;
October 10, Josephine S. RINE, 49;
October 23, Alva J. SUMMERS, 49;
October 28, Charles J. CAMPBELL, 66;
November 10, Luther G. PUCKETT, 76;
November 15, Alonzo L. CARTER, 57;
November 15, Sylvia Marie REITENHOUSE, 20;
November 17, Letta E ILIFF, 43;
November 24, Caroline I. BEST, 35;
December 1, Fred JONES, 18;
December 5, Robert Ford TURNER, 14;
December 5, Ann J. YOUNG, 70;
December 13, Fred OBERLASS, 34;
December 14, Mary Catherine CLEMENTS, 23;
December 28, Rebecca Ann WINTERS, 78;
December 29, Elsie Jane DEWEY, 10.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Commercial Review, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1916

A Mysterious Disappearance -- Roy BROWN of Redkey left his room Saturday night and has not returned -- Foul play is feared -- The Koontz pool was dynamited Tuesday afternoon in search of his body.

The mysterious disappearance of Roy Brown, aged 20 of Redkey has caused his parents and friends much alarm.

Saturday night, Brown, who is in charge of a grocery at Redkey, closed his store.

He footed up the sales for the day, wrote several business letters, and closed the store. He went to his room where he placed the money belonging to the grocery, and $47 of his own money in a small table.

He slipped on a raincoat and went to a restaurant for lunch. He left the restaurant at 11:30 o'clock and he has not been seen since.

On Monday his parents, W. C. BROWN and wife of Ridgeville were notified of his absence and his father has been in Redkey searching for him since that time.

Tuesday morning, Detective Buck FLETCHER of Winchester was called and the matter turned over to him for investigation. It is the general theory that he has met with foul play some time since Saturday night.

During the night Tuesday dynamite was used in the Koontz pool in hopes that his body might be located.

No trace of his body was found in this pool on Delaware street where they again used dynamite.

Late Tuesday afternoon no trace of the missing man had been found.

Contributed By: Rex Bertram

The Muncie Morning Star, Monday, March 20, 1916

FARMER VICTIM OF RUNAWAY

Winchester, Ind., March 20-
Charles Wysong, a prosperous farmer residing two miles south of this city was injured this afternoon, when he was hauling a load of lumber from this city to the east side of his farm. When he started to come off the wagon, the horses became frightened and ran away, the wagon passing over his leg and heel. The animals ran for a mile before being caught. No bones were broken.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Muncie Morning Star, Monday, March 20, 1916

PAUL WALTERS ACQUITTED.

Winchester, Ind., March 20-
In the case of the state of Indiana against Paul Vernon Walters of Jay County, who has been tried in the Circuit Court here, for the last two weeks, before a jury for the alleged robbery of an automobile from Victor Thornburg at Union City on October 11, 1913 was acquitted this morning. The jury was out all night Saturday and handed in a sealed verdict Sunday morning, which was read in court this morning.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Muncie Morning Star, Monday, March 20, 1916

WINCHESTER NOTES.

Winchester, Ind., March 20-

Sam Stevenson and wife moved their household goods this morning to Richmond, where they will make their home.

Miss Edith Wiley has returned from a week's visit with her parents at Cincinnati, Ohio.

Miss Nellie Hill of Redkey, is visiting her sister, Mrs. George Chenoweth.

Maurice Johnson of Indianapolis spent Sunday here with relatives.

Mrs. Albert Sala of North Manchester is visiting relatives and friends here.

Mrs. T.E. Cummings has returned from Cleveland, Ohio fro a visit.

Chester Searl and Ida Davison, two well known young people of this city were married at Anderson, Saturday afternoon.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Winchester Democrat Randolph County, Indiana, Thursday, August 9, 1917

OLDEST TWINS IN COUNTY

Picture
Joshua Swingley, Jonathan Swingley, Caleb Swingley
(By Courtesy of Union City Eagle)

The above picture contains the oldest living set of twins in the state. They are Joshua and Caleb Swingley.

They are eighty-five years of age, having been born in Antioch, Ohio, on February 2, 1832, which at that early date was considered the frontiers of the United States.

In the year 1849 the parents began to feel the march of civilization westward and with their family took up the journey westward and settled in Stoney Creek Township, Randolph county, when the twins were seventeen years of age.

Here the family remained, the young men becoming instructors in the schools, a profession they followed for several years.

Both were married in the year 1852. Unto Joshua and his wife were born eight children, while Caleb and his wife became the parents of nine children, several of whom have passed to the great beyond.

Although this part of the country at that time was nothing more than a vast wilderness, they believed in the future and lived to see the neighborhood become thickly populated and become one of the richest farming communities in the county. Joshua and Caleb Swingley are considered two of the township's most substantial farmers.

Joshua, whose picture appears on the left of the group, takes great pride in the fact that he owns the Andrew Riley homestead. Andrew Riley was the grandfather of the great Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, and oftimes during his lifetime, the poet took great pride in visiting the old place and spending the day with Mr. Swingley.

Joshua Swingly is the grandfather of Mrs. William Farmer of this city. He has visited here on many occasions and has many friends who hope he and his twin brother will live to enjoy many more years.

Jonathan, whose likeness appears in the center of the group, is another brother and is ninety years of age. He is as spry and active as his twin brothers, although five years their senior. His home is at Amboy, Indiana.

Joshua and Caleb live on farms two and one-half miles south of Parker, Indiana, near the place where their parents settled with their family in 1849, and live within a mile of each other. They have been residents of Stoney Creek township for sixty-eight years.

These men formed the habit several years ago of wearing their beards trimmed alike but on this occasion, the photographer caught them otherwise. They are both hearty and are enjoying the best of health, being more active than many men several years their junior.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Muncie Morning Star, March 3, 1918

FARMLAND-

Mrs. Ella Adams arrived here Monday from Nebraska for an extended visit with relatives.

Frank Bly of Alexandria spent Monday here with his sister, Mrs. W. J. Bodkin.

Miss Alma Davids left Tuesday for Winchester, where she will make her home.

Frank Houser and family of Marion, O., are visiting relatives here.

Rada Helms and wife of Winchester spent Sunday here with relatives.

Walter Horn and wife of Indianapolis were guests of relatives here Sunday.

Charles Mendenhall and wife of Montpelier spent Sunday here with his father.

James Lumpkins returned home, Monday from a three weeks stay in New York City.

Mrs. Will Pace and son of Pontiac, Mich. are visiting relatives here.

Miss Lizzie Parker returned Monday from a visit with her parents in Jennings County.

Sheldon and Bose Hammers of Hattiesburg, Miss. are visiting their parents here.

Misses Mildred Williams and Vera Owens of Indianapolis spent Sunday here.

Miss Reba Foster of Muncie visited her father and sisters here Sunday.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Muncie Evening Press, Tuesday, June 25, 1918 (Front Page)

ABSENCE OF FARMLAND MAN CAUSES WORRY

Farmland, Ind., - June 25,
Farmers and merchants alike as well as the wife and three children, are worried over the unexpected disappearance of Beryl Lewellen, a well to do grocer and retired farmer of this town.

The police of nearby cities, including the Muncie police, were notified by phone this morning. Mr. Lewellen left Farmland Sunday afternoon and was last seen taking a traction car to Muncie at 3 o'clock.

He was going to that city, he says, to consult an ear specialist as he was suffering from deafness.

He had no troubles either of a business or a domestic nature, has no bad habits and is devoted to his wife and three children. His disappearance is a complete mystery.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Muncie Morning Star, Wednesday, June 26, 1918

NO WORD FROM MISSING MAN

Farmland, Ind., June 26.
Nothing has been heard from Burley LeWellen, 40, a business man of this place, who left home Sunday afternoon.

No cause for his departure has been found, as his financial standing was good and he had no family troubles.

He has been a sufferer for several years with his hearing.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Winchester Daily - September 12, 1918

FARMLAND BOY IN LAST WEEK'S CASUALTY LIST

Harry Hutchins, of Farmland, was mentioned in last Thursday's dispatches as being wounded in France.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hutchins of Farmland.  He has been in France since June.  Word was received by his parents in August that he had been gassed July 24 but that he soon returned to the firing line.  The telegram from Washington stated that he was wounded August 14th.  His father, mother and a brother and sister live in Farmland and another brother is in France.

(Note: Harry's brother who was also in France was Verl, at home were brother William Elsworth and sister Estella May)

Contributed By: Mary K. Mills Guinn

The Winchester Democrat - January 20, 1921

Report of Burials For Year 1920

During the year of 1920 here were buried in Fountain Park Cemetery seventy persons. Their names and ages, together with the date of burial, are as follows:

Jan 10, Catherine LEWIS, age 76 years;
Jan 20, Fred F. STUDY, age 15 years;
Jan 29, Benjamin MORRIS, age 47 years;
Jan 30, Charles A. SLOAN, dead at birth;
Feb 16, Barcleu CAFFEY;
Feb 18, Robert E. PICKETT, age 3 years;
Feb. 21, Dora R. ADDINGTON, age 54 years;
Feb. 23, Emma WATSON, age 61 years;
Feb. 26, Flora M FARLOW, age 30 years;
Feb. 28, John M KLEFEKER, age 68;
Mar. 6, Edna E. CRAWFORD, age 20 years;
Mar. 10, Minie F. ROSS, age 58 years;
Mar. 12, Sarah E. MACY, age 70 years;
Mar. 16, Glen H. OYLER, age 1 day;
Mar. 30, Helen L. SAREDEFER, age 3 days;
Mar 30, Noah K. HUNT, age 16 years;
Apr 6, William ELTZROTH, age 48 years.
The rest of the article is missing.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

Union City Evening Times - January 22, 1923

Mrs. Wm Farmer, was called to Parker this morning by a message of the death of her grandfather, Joshua Swingley.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Union City Evening Times - May 12, 1923

Will Farmer & family will leave Monday for their future home in Anderson, Ind.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Union City Evening Times - April 8, 1924

Married: at Indianapolis, Miss Ruth Brown, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. William Brown, & Raymond A. Farmer, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Farmer; yesterday; They will make their home in Indianapolis.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

Found at the Union City Library and Lynn Library.

Saratoga Independent - July 10, 1924

Marriage license
Chester Hobbick 36 of Winchester & Lucile Morgan 25 of Spartansburg.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Union City Evening Times - July 30, 1925

Marriage Licenses:  Americus Eugene Ellison, 22, baker & Nellie Marie Farmer, 21, glove maker, both of Union City.

Contributed By: Andrea Long

The Muncie Morning Star, November 23, 1933

PARKER

Parker, Ind., Nov. 23-

The women of the Pleasant Grove Church will hold a food market in Hyer's store Saturday morning.

Mrs. Ida Wise and son and daughter, of Kokomo, came yesterday to visit her sister, Mrs. Mary E. Wood, who is seriously ill.

FARMLAND

Farmland, Ind., Nov. 23-

At a meeting held here of the Home Economics Club, the following officers were elected: Mrs. Goldie Brown, president; Mrs. Hazel Lamb,vice-president; Mrs. Dollie Warner, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Stella Toney and Mrs. Neff Bosh, project leaders; Mrs. Golva Green and Mrs. Georgia Graham, alternates, and Mrs. Mary Spangler, reporter.

Robert Barker is ill in the U.S. Hospital at Indianapolis. He is a World War soldier.

The Rev. Leonard Wright and wife, of Ridgeville, have moved here into the Dunkin property.

The women of the Friends Church will hold a food market at Taylor's grocery Saturday.

Bruce Summerville, a Spanish-American War soldier, who has been in the hospital at Indianapolis suffering from an operation, was brought to his home here.

Walter Baker and wife were called to Michigan by the death of his aunt.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Membership of the Union City, Indiana/Ohio 1934 Community Band:

Director: SHIERLING, Roy E.

Clarinets: MILLS, Howard C. - KEY, Hubert - LINDLEY, Elbert - BOWMAN, June -MILLS, David

WARREN, John - HARRISON, Rosemary - GRAY, Ested - BARTH, Victoria

Saxophones: COX, Arthur - ANDERSON, Pierce - SIPE, Harold - FRIESNER, Phyllis

Cornets: AUKERMAN, Oliver - BILGER, Paul - BENNETT, Orla - VAN VICKLE, Joe - FRAZE, Ray - TURNER, Donna J. - SHANK, Robert - EISENMAN, Mary J. - THORNBURG, Dale - FOX, Raymond - MARSH, Estel - LOY, Harry, Jr. - NOFFSINGER, Gerald - WEIMER, Harvey

Altos: THOKEY, Evelyn - BILGER, Mrs. Paul - ROWE, Harry - EICHELBARGER, Mrs. Grace - HARSHMAN, Omar - CAMPBELL, Norval

Trombones: SIMMONS, Gleemer - WEIMER, Harold - HINDSLEY, Dale - WASSON, Gail - CAMPBELL, Murlin

Baritone: WOODBURY, Bert E.

Basses: WARD, D. C. - WOODBURY, Ed - BROWN, Harry - BOYER, Rolland

Drums: MANGAS, Boyd - MANGAS, Melvin

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Evening Times, Union City, Indiana, June 8, 1934

The following taken from the St. Cloud Tribune, published at St.
Cloud, Florida, will prove of interest to our older residents:

"James A. Hanlin, second oldest resident of St. Cloud, lives at the corner of 7th St. and Carolina Ave. Born in Stark County, Ohio in 1838, he celebrated his 96th birthday on March 23rd 1934.

In early manhood he was a teacher and farmer and later engaged in the grocery business for many years in Union City, Indiana. For a great number of years he was the oldest ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Hanlin has always been very active and may be seen hoeing in his garden, or among his citrus fruit trees, except on a day when he walks out to the canal to fish a few hours. Formerly an inverterate reader, he is sorely grieved that recently failing sight deprives him of that pleasure. He served during the civil war in Company I, 17th Ohio Regiment.

After living in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas, and having lived in St. Cloud for fifteen years, he declares Florida has the finest climate anywhere.

Mr. Hanlin expects to leave next week to spend the summer art the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. J. Clark, in Indianapolis, Indiana." Mr. Hanlin was in the grocery business in Union City for a great number of years.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Evening Times, Union City, Indiana, June 14, 1934

The R. Kirshbaum Company

More than 70 years ago a young jew, with a peddler's pack on his back arrived in this little pioneer town of Union City. Since there were very few stores at that period, most of the merchandising was done by peddlers and Raphael KIRSHBAUM was one of the best, alert, keen witted and of pleasing personality. He soon made a place for himself in this community. He realized there was an opening here for a store and in May, 1865 his dream became a reality; he opened for business in a small frame building, one door north of the present store, handling a stock of general merchandise including groceries. The first year Mr. Kirshbaum had but one clerk and did a $10,000 business. From this modest beginning Mr. Kirshbaum built up one of the best known and largest merchandise establishments in this vicinity, of which the present company is the modern outgrowth.

Mr. Kirshbaum and his interesting family lived in this community until about 45 years ago when they moved to Indianapolis and he became engaged in wholesale manufacturing of merchandise and amassed a fortune.

The Kirshbaum Civic Center of Indianapolis is only one of his philanthropic gifts to the city. Simon DUNN, father of the present president of the company, was an old time member of the firm and contributed largely to its success in its early days. In 1890 the business was organized into a stock company, Mr. DUNN, Frank PARKER and Anthony REITENOUR taking over the management and to these men is due much credit for the upbuilding of the company since that date. Frank Parker was secretary-treasurer of the company until his death about 12 years ago; Anthony Reitenour was vice president of the company and contributed largely to its success until his death 14 years ago; Both Mr. Parker and Mr. Reitenour visited eastern markets each year as purchasing agents for the company.

Many changes have taken place sinced that modest beginning of 69 years ago. Merchandising methods today are as different from those of that period as are the automobile and aeroplane from the old time horse and buggy. The R. Kirsbaum Company of today carries only the name of the old firm of long ago, new stocks, new business methods, modern buying methods, new officials have taken the place of the old. Today the store is a thoroughly modern department store; carrying neither the very cheapest nor the extreme in high prices in merchandise but maintaining a quality standard suitable to the demands of its customers. In other words a good quality of merchandise at reasonable prices.

While many cities of this size all over the country have seen their old time merchantile establishments close their doors during the depression of the past three years the R. Kirshbaum store has weathered the storm and served the public in the best manner possible, under existing conditions and for the past few months the volume of business has steadily increased.

Present officials of the company are: Thomas DUNN, Jr., president; R. C. SCHEMMEL, vice president; O. A. BARTHOLOMEW, secretary-treasurer. Directors -- Thomas DUNN, Jr., S. H. CLARK, O. A. BARTHOLOMEW, and Julius LEWIS. The personnel of employees in the various departments is of high standard and customers of the store may alwasy expect courteous treatment and prompt service when shopping here. The following are to be found behind the counters ready to serve you: Thomas DUNN, Jr., head of the men's clothing, assisted by George HUBER who has been with the company the past 40 years; O. A. BARTHOLOMEW is to be found in the business office but is also supervisor of the dry goods department; clerks in this department being Mrs. Mabel KELTNER, notions; Pauline KLEM and Edna POUDER, dry goods and draperies; Miss Doroty MASON, hosiery and lingerie; Miss Lydia VEIT is buyer and manager of the women's ready-to-wear department with Rena HINKLE and Mrs. Alice FOWBLE as assistants; Donald E. THOMPSON is the bookkeeper for the firm, while Bud STEIN has charge of decorations and window display. Floor coverings are to be found on the second floor with Ivan DEETER in charge. The store carries a large stock of shoes for both men and women with William THOKEY and Thomas MASON in this department.

Union City is to be congratulated in having this up-to-date department store, founded in the long ago by a Union City pioneer and maintained during the years of its existence by Union City capital, backed by the judgement and personal interests of home business men. Remember this - when you wish to buy merchandise - that a dollar spent here means a dollar returned to you, or to some other business concern in your home town. It also means the cementing of business interests and an exchange of buying and selling which is necessary for the future welfare of your own community.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Muncie Morning Star, Monday, June 18, 1934

Towns In Eastern Indiana
Winchester-

The Wyn-Lynn Supper Bridge Club met Friday night with Mr. and Mrs. William Wysong.

Mrs. R.J. Litschert was hostess to the meeting of the Needlecraft Club Friday afternoon at her home on East Washington street.

The Loyal Women's class of the Church of Christ met with Mrs. Clair Eastman at her home on North Meridian street Friday afternoon.

Those from Winchester attending the meeting of the Past Matron's Association held Tuesday at the home of Mrs. Walter Baker in Farmland were Ethel McHatton, Susan Mills, Bessie Wilkerson, Thersie Hutchens, Opal Harris, Emma Puckett, Martah Wysong, Blanche Gard and Lelia Sarig, present worthy matron of the Winchester chapter. Thirty-five past matrons were present from Union City, Ridgeville, Parker and Farmland. The next meeting will be held in September with the Parker Club. Union City past matrons will furnish the entertainment.

Twelve members were present at the meeting of the Jupon Club Tuesday night at the home of Mrs. Riley Thornburg. Plans were made for the annual banquet to be held June 23. After the business session bridge was played with Mrs. John Harris holding high score. The last meeting of the year will be held in two weeks with Mrs. Thomas Stone.

The Amicus Club members were entertained Tuesday night at the home of Mrs. Emil Martz with a losers and winners party. This was a pajama party and the hostesses were Mrs. Helen Thornhill, Miss Margaret Simons, Mrs. Glen Meyers and Mrs. Martz. The winners were Mrs. Ray Zicht, Mrs. Paul Stoker, Mrs. Mike Cover and Mrs. Charles Burke. Mrs. Thornhill will entertain in two weeks.

Mrs. Ralph Keller was hostess to the meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church. Tuesday afternoon at her home on West Washington street. The meeting opened with the song, "For the Beauty of the Earth." The devotionals were given by Mrs. J. E. Hinshaw and Mrs. Marjorie Ferguson sang, "This is My Task." accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Joseph Hamilton. A report of the convention held in Newcastle (sic) was given by Mrs. Jack Davis. Mrs. Chester Clevenger was chairman of the program committee for the afternoon and her topic was "The Road Menders." A leaflet was read by Mrs. Emma Hall. Fifteen members and one guest, Mrs. Hamilton, were present.

Mrs. David Martin and William Preston were hostesses to the O.R. Baker Sunday school class of the Presbyterian Church Tuesday night at the home of the former. Twelve members were present and the following guests, Mrs. Jay Goodrich, Mrs. Arthur Keyer, Mrs. Winifred Hunt, Mrs. Albert Jones, Mrs. William Baird and Mrs. Robert Baird and child of Richmond. The book review was given by Miss Lelia Kinkead. The hostesses were assisted in serving refreshments by Mrs. Edna Smith and Mrs. Elsie Maines.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Union City Evening Times, July 23, 1934 ---

Randolph County Farm Is Now Being Well Managed:

Randolph County can now point with pride, toward the excellent and efficient way in which its County Farm, situated two miles south of Winchester, Ind., on Route No. 27, is now being operated under the direction of Ora Study, son of the late Henry Study, who lived near Bartonia and was superintendent of this public institution for a great number of years and the excellent record made by him is now being successfully carried on by his son, in a most remarkable manner, for never in the history of this institution, since it was first founded, in 1851, soon after Randolph County, became a county in the state, has this institution shown better management than at present, and in making this statement, an investigation has been made in which comparison of the work done by past superintendents down to the present time was made.

The County Farm has always been a big problem in the hands of the County Commissioners, since it was founded in 1851, after a small tract of land was purchased which had a frame house on it. The first superintendent was William Fittzgerald, who took the position at a salary of $400.00 a year. This was destroyed by fire on January 25th, 1854, and a building was erected in 1856, to take care of the poor and destitute. During which time the township trustees looked after them and it was very unsatisfactory.

In 1899 a modern brick building institution was erected which finally cost the county about $40,000 and extensive improvements have been made since that time, until now the county can point with pride to it.

It was in 1892 that the Study family first put in its appearance as being directors of this institution, when Henry Study took charge. At that time the management was let out to the lowest bidder and he got the job at $800.00 per year. He lost the position in 1894, but in 1901 he was employed at a salary of $9798.00 for two years. He again took a "vacation" and did not return until 1914, when he was appointed superintendent at a salary of $1,500.00 per year for four years.

During this time Henry Study had his fine family with him, including his son Ora, who is now the new superintendent, having been appointed by the Randolph County Commissioners last March at a salary of $1,500.00 for four years.

When he took charge last March, he with his fine family, lost no time in making some radical changes in the operation and management of the institution. There was no farm equipment to speak of on the farm and the county purchased a "Farmall" tractor and equipment at a cost of $1,000.00 and four fine draft horses at a cost of $90.00, together with harness costing $125.00 and he started to cultivate this 302 acres of land.

It was only about six years ago that considerable agitation was up, that the land was so poor that if a crow flew over it that it would have to carry its own rations. In fact there was a strong agitation for the county to sell the farm and locate in a more fertile place in the county, but this fell through and it is fortunate for the tax-payer that it did, for Ora Study has demonstrated to the fullest extent what an experienced man can do with this particular farm, which is now the show place of Randolph County, and in the words of Judge Fred Caldwell, who has an adjoining farm, "there is considerable activity being manifested these days around that County Farm."

He has 85 acres of the finest corn in the county, many of the hills have as high as six ears and the corn is over seven feet high and in a high state of cultivation. Besides this wonderful corn crop, he has harvested some oats and wheat which he was not responsible for, as he took charge of the farm too late for this crop, this spring. He has several fine fields of clover hay, to say nothing of beans and garden truck planted all over the farm and in a high state of cultivation.

There are now 143 head of hogs and 18 head of milch cows, together with ten head of heiffers, and over 40 white leghorn chickens, and it is Mr. Study's ambition to cut the operating cost of the farm to over $600.00 a year.

One striking incident of Mr. Study's efficiency, is that all the fencing has been re-strung and repaired, which now makes this farm an exceptionally well fenced farm. Around the institution itself, old boiler flues were used as fence posts which have all been white washed, the dead trees removed and the entire farm beautified. All of this work was done at no cost to the county, except the painting by the inmates of the institution itself.

Mr. Study and his wife know human nature and know how to handle people successfully and a visit to the institution itself discloses some startling facts.

The Study family live in the front part of the institution which now has eighteen women and forty-six men in it. Most of them have their own individual rooms, and no cleaner place is to be found than here. Each room has a white enameled bed, clean bed linen and spreads, together with a dresser and a rocking chair. They are light rooms and exceptionally cheerful.

On the ladies' side is a large recreation hall with a large number of rocking chairs, donated a few months ago by citizens of the county. The laundry has a large electric tub capable of washing seventy-five sheets at one time, together with electric irons, etc., that go with an up-to-date laundry.

The ladies have the north part of the building and the north yard and the men the south side. These two sections are kept absolutely separate and all doors are kept locked leading from one section to the other and neither are allowed to associate with each other.

In making inquiry as to whether they were well treated and contented, in every incident, it was disclosed that they were entirely satisfied and spoke highly of the treatment accorded them by Supt. Study and his family. There are three unfortunate ladies that should be placed by the county in a state institution instead of being allowed to remain there.

The men's section of the institution is probably the most interesting to the person who investigates a public institution to secure current information for the tax-payers. All the private rooms were well kept clean and tidy. The bed linen exceptionally nice. We found three work shops, presided over by inmates. One a plumber who every Union Citian knows and is a good worker. He has done an exceptionally large amount of plumbing work about the institution, installing sinks, repairing water pipes and the heating system and has everything in perfect shape. His work has alone saved the county a great amount of money and the only compensation he gets is his food and clothing, yet he is in good health and happy and deeply interested in his work.

Then there is another former Union Citian who has his own private room and work shop. He is one of Randolph County's most noted painters and his initials are on signs all over the county. He has charge of all the painting on the farm and has just completed painting a hay rake that was over 30 years old, which was completely rebuilt and no company ever turned out a finer piece of machinery which was rebuilt by inmates and decorated by him. He has had charge of the painting of two new farm wagons, built at the institution and also all the painting both interior and exterior and no place in the county at the present time looks more prosperous than this county farm, and all this painting was done at no expense on the tax-payers.

Then there is an old gentleman that also has his room and work shop. He is the institution's carpenter and wood-worker and every door, window and other work in the institution is always under his eye and kept in repair. He also does the repair work necessary to the farm machinery and buildings and very shortly Mr. Study is going to re-arrange the dairy barn and make it a modern one, which is in a most disgraceful condition at the present time.

There are several aged inmates, one being Ed Flood, who has been there thirty-two years. The oldest inmate is James Davis, who is 90 years old. Then there is Emmett Deselms, who is the chief engineer, and has charge of the power plant and engine room. He takes great pride in his work and everything is kept in first-class condition.

The men in their recreation hall have their own barber shop and reading room and in their leisure hours can read and discuss the _____ of the day.

Ever since the building was built, the basement was in the same condition where the storage rooms are located, as they were when the contractor left them. Supt. Study has this section all white-washed and cleaned up and the storage room is filled with food stuff and one large room in the building at the rear is filled with smoked hams. It is Supt. Study's intention to feed the inmates more beef than ham in the future.

The question is often asked, "Do the inmates get enough food?" That is easily shown by the menu of one meal which consisted of bread, rice, tomatoes with bread, creamed potatoes, fried ham and all the milk the inmates wanted to drink. On Sunday they get stewed chicken with dumplings and occasionally pie.

The serving of the food is done by Mrs. Study and her daughter, Miss Mary, and it is well prepared and wholesome, and the inmates are well satisfied with what they receive.

This is only one of the many incidents in which the present Randolph County Board of Commissioners have shown good judgment in handling the business affairs of the county and the placing of a man of Ora Study's type at the head of the county farm, who has the ability to so organize the management of the County Farm that it will save the tax-payers a large sum of money each year.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Evening Times, Union City, Indiana, Tuesday, February 4, 1936

Lincoln Club Makes Plans To Hold Its Annual Banquet At Winchester, Ind. - Hon. Solon Carter Will Be The Featured Speaker On February 12th.

Winchester, Ind. -- The fourth annual banquet of the Randolph County Lincoln Club will be held Feb. 12, at 6:30 p. m. at the Main Street Church of Christ. Honorable Solon Carter of Indianapolis will be the principal speaker.

The committee in charge of the affair are:

Publicity – Robert Mosier, chairman
Program – S. Meeks Cockerell, chairman and Philip Kabel
Reception – Charles Segraves
Banquet – Frank McIntyre
Decorations – Marie Jones
Tickets:

Winchester – Charles Segraves, Charles Reed, Roscoe Fields, Helen Martin, Mary Frances Purdy, Mrs. Marie Jones, Ray Tanner, Louis King, Burly Bales, E. Meeks Cockerell, Eugene Brown.

White River – Elwood Keys, Reid Haworth, David H. Harris, Bert McGuire, Ernest McIntire, Roland Kenp.

Green – Nate Weekley.

Green's Fork – Glen Chenoweth, Frank Potto.

Ridgeville – Mrs. Fred Baker, Ray Walker, Arthur Lay.

Jackson – Ed Curtner.

Farmland – Harry Patrick, Hobart Alexander, Clyde Burris, James Bashia, Jr.

Parker – Arthur Cougill, Bert Murphy.

Modoc – Garver Edwards.

Losantville – John Freidline, Valetta Wiggins.

Stoney Creek – Mrs. Edgar Parker, Brazill Mendenhall.

Lynn – Sam Hinshaw, Willard Jourdan, James Bascom, Mitchell Hinshaw.

Union City – Don Turner, Dorothy Vernon, Ernest Dunn, Will Grimes,
Orlando Jefferis.

Saratoga – Harold Straley.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Evening Times, Union City, Indiana, Monday, February 3, 1936

Wants To Hear - Hoosier Who Left Here In 1875 Writes Letter Of Inquiry.

A very interesting business letter was received in this city today from a man who signs himself C. M. Hiatt, Fruita, Colorado. The letter which follows is self explanatory:

I am an old Hoosier myself. I took the No. 2 train March 1, 1875, in Union City going to Kansas. But I came to Colorado, April 1, 1888. I have lived in Colorado most of the time since. I was born three miles west of Union City. I would like to hear from any one in Indiana, and I will write more next time.

The writer is a Justice of the Peace of Fruita, which is located in the Western part of Colorado, and is not far from Grand Junction, Colo.

There will undoubtedly be some of our older citizens who will be glad to correspond with Mr. Hiatt.

NOTE:[I believe this is Colonel Mayham Hiatt, son of James Henry Hiatt. -- Billy]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Thursday, February 20, 1936

50th Wedding - Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Hart to be celebrated -
Sunday by a family gathering at Hart home in this city.

   Two of our most estimable citizens will on Sunday celebrate 50 years of married life together - Mr. and Mrs. John B. Hart of 634 West Pearl street. There will be a family gathering at the Hart home for Sunday dinner when the guests will be members of the immediate family, children and grandchildren, numbering about thirty. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have issued invitations for a reception on Sunday afternoon from 1 to 9 when they will keep open house for their many friends and will be assisted in entertaining their guests by member of the family.

   The marriage of John B. Hart and Elizabeth Wise took place on February 23, 1886, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wise, two miles north of Spartanburg. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Wollpert. The young couple went to housekeeping on a farm seven miles south of Union City which they later purchased and for the entire period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been residents of this community. They have reared and educated a family of eight children as follows: Mrs. Clara Bailey, Mrs. Florence Smith, Mrs. Ollie Armstrong, Mrs. Harry Musselman, Mrs. Homer Furby, Merl Hart, Harry Hart and Ralph Hart. The sons and daughters with the exception of the youngest son Ralph who resides with his parents all reside on farms in this community and J. B. stated that the family was a closed corporation with him as its head -- all working together in perfect harmony and helping each other. J. B. is very proud of his family and spends much of his time in visiting them and assisting them by his advice and financially when necessary as he is one of the most prosperous men of this community and one of the largest land owners.

   To have reared a family of eight children is a worth while achievement and both Mr. and Mrs. Hart enjoy their children and are proud of them. For the past thirteen years Mr. and Mrs. Hart have resided in town having purchased a comfortable home at 634 West Pearl street when Mr. Hart retired as a farmer. This home is a center of many happy family gatherings and Sunday will be a memorable day in the family history when all gather to celebrate the Golden Wedding anniversary of the parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hart are in excellent health and are looking forward to the enjoyment of many more years in their family circle. Both are members of the Methodist church and take part in its activities, Mr. Hart being a member of the official board of trustees.

    Mr. Hart has been a life-long Republican but has always declined to hold office. One of the special guests at the family reunion Sunday will be Mrs. Hannah Wise, aged 93, the mother of Mrs. Hart. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild making four generations of Harts who will be present for the family reunion on Sunday. The great grandchild is Mary Kathleen Thornburg and the grandchildren are Margery Smith, Charles Musselman, Mary Armstrong, Mildred and Kathern Furby, Phyllis and Donald Hart and Marcille Hart.

    To Mr. and Mrs. Hart on this their wedding anniversary go forth expressions of good will and kindly wishes from this entire community where they have spent so many years as upright worth while citizens.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Wednesday, March 11, 1936

Last Rails - The Final Chapter Is Being Written In The Old Traction Line
- Considerable Work Is Being Done On Pearl Street These Days.

    With the taking up and removal of the last rails on Pearl street the last chapter is being written in the traction line which was built within the memory of most of our citizens who as they watched the work of construction when the line was built little thought tat they would also see the finish of the traction line with its removal from the right-of-way. Yet that has come to pass and today workmen are removing the last rails from the west end of Pearl street. The rails have also been removed from Broadway. These latter rails by the way being curved cannot be used again. They will go to the junk man eventually to be melted and recast. All the remaining rails were sold to Israel Brothers of Dayton, Ohio.

Some of these rails may be seen at the Union City Country Club where they form excellent bridges across the Greenville creek for the golf players. These bridges bear the names of J. D. Hunt, Dr. C. C. Keffer, P. I. Turner and O. E. Jefferis who generously contributed them to the Golf club.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Friday, April 3, 1936

Repairs of Winchester Court House Clock Completed.

      The old Seth Thomas clock in the court house tower, at Winchester, Ind., has served the public for fifty years. According to some of the visitors to the tower inspecting the clock claim it will serve the public fifty years more, and longer.
      It has been overhauled, cleaned, and the new electric method of winding installed. The electric winding keeps the necessary tension on the clock at all times, and eliminates the burden of some one climbing stairs and ladders each week to wind it, which usually is the janitor, an elderly man.
      Above all, it eliminates the dangers of rusted or defective cables breaking and allowing the weights, weighing from 750 to 1,000 lbs., from crushing through ceilings, and endangering the lives of employees, and the public, as Noblesville, and other cities have experienced. The cables do not give advanced information when they are going to break. The county commissioners deserve congratulations, (Safety First) for their thoughtfulness in eliminating these dangers in due time.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Thursday, July 30, 1936

    Rotarians having charge of the fifth annual boy's picnic are as follows:

General Committee -- Fred BEATY, George FELTMAN and Paul KECK
Registration Commitee -- Ed HARRISON
Contest Committee -- Charles PATCHELL and Charles McCULLOUGH
Prize Committee -- Don TURNER
First Aid -- Drs. Robert REID and Fred RUBY
Publicity Committee -- Ray MERIDITH and Charles PATCHELL
Transportation -- Clarence HILL
Eats -- Ice Cream and Pop, George FELTMAN. Hamburgers, Harlie GARVER and Andy WEIMER
Aids -- Roy HABER, Glen BARR, Clyde CHATTIN, Bob TIBBETTS, L. SOMMERS, S. E. FRAZE, Carlton FRAZE, Kidd NOFFSINGER, Russell ROSENBUSH, Glenn HINDSLEY, Roy SHIERLING, S. J. FISHER, Fred MILLER, P. L. TURNER, Joe TEAFORD, Art SNIDER, Russell WISE

As reported in the Evening Times on Wednesday, August 5, 1936, the fifth annual Rotary Club boy's picnic was held on Tuesday, August 4th. 232 boys, ages 6 through 15 were transported at 10:30 a.m.by automobiles and trucks provided by the Backstay Welt Co. and the Union City Lumber Co. Each boy was required to have a coupon signed by their parent or guardian which was exchanged for a cap.

After the baseball game was played and the Olympic games were held and prizes awarded the consumption of hundreds of hamburgers, ice cream cones and pop began,. All boys were returned to the city by 5 o'clock.

The following were the winners in the various events of the afternoon:
50 yard dash for 6 and 7 year olds -- Robert WEIMER, 1st., Junior CLINE, 2nd., Jimmy CRIST, 3rd., and Donald BLOCHER, 4th.
50 yard dash for 8 and 9 year olds -- Dilman SKIVER, 1st., Dickey COTTER, 2nd., Paul HINES, 3rd., and John H. BARTH, 4th.
75 yard dash for 10 and 11 year olds -- Don STOVER, 1st., Phil PUTERBAUGH, 2nd. Jack MURPHY, 3rd., and Richard HUFFER, 4th.
75 yard dash for 12 and 13 year olds -- Gerald GERSNER, 1st., Richard BYRUM, 2nd., Robert JACKSON, 3rd., and Dale HARDEMAN, 4th.
75 yard dash for 14 and 15 year olds -- Kenneth WELKER, 1st., Morris THOMPSON, 2nd., Walter LYNCH, 3rd., and Keith GARD, 4th.
Grand Finals for 6, 7, 8, and 9 year olds -- John H. BARTH, 1st., and Paul HINES, 2nd.
Grand Finals for 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 year olds -- Walter LYNCH, 1st., and Robert JACKSON, 2nd.
Sack Race for 14 and 15 year olds -- Kenneth WELKER, 1st., and Byron GREEN, 2nd.
Sack Race for 13 year olds -- Richard BYRUM, 1st., and Warren HINES, 2nd.
Sack Race for 12 year olds -- Robert LEAHY, 1st., and Pete WHISTLER, 2nd.
Sack Race for 11 year olds -- Don STOVER, 1st., and Raymond HINES, 2nd.
Sack Race for 10 year olds -- John TEEGARDEN, 1st., and Bill HOLDEN, 2nd.
Sack Race for 9 year olds -- Calvin PAGE, 1st., and John H. BURK, 2nd.
Sack Race for 8 year olds -- Roger DYE, 1st., and Richard PROSSER, 2nd.
Sack Race for 7 year olds -- Don BLOCHER, 1st., and Don WAMPLER, 2nd.
Sack Race for 6 year olds -- Robert REID, 1st., and Ted WOODBURY, 2nd.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Thursday, September 9, 1937

Reunion of the Sutton family is held. - Was held on the James B. Sutton farm near Union City.

The seventh annual reunion of the Joseph and Martha Sutton families was held Sunday at the James B. Sutton farm near Union City, Indiana.

Despite the cold, cloudy weather, 120 relatives and visitors helped make the event a success.

Due to ill health, James B. Sutton, the only remaining child of Joseph and Martha Sutton, was unable to be present, but the reunion sent him a telegram.

A very interesting program was given in the afternoon.

Those attending were:
Mr. and Mrs. James Hinkle and family
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Davis
Mr. John Crouse
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fenton and Chester
Mr. and Mrs. Henry DeBolt
Mrs. Meda Brooks
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hindsley
Mr. and Mrs. Hubert O. Mangas and family
Mr. O. M. Jefferis and son
Mr. Roll Sutton
Mrs. Osa Warner
Mr. and Mrs. V. E. Hinkle and family - All of Union City

Mr. and Mrs. James Roesser
Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Roesser
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Loy - Of Greenville, Ohio

Mrs. Nova Maloan and family
Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kemp
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phillips and family
Mrs. Harvey Phillips and Charlotte
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Sutton and family
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Monks
Mrs. Ella Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Gonzaley - Of Dayton, Ohio

Mr. and Mrs. John Sutton
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sutton
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sutton and son
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Sutton and family
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Sutton and family
Mr. and Mrs. Grover Hipp and family
Mr. and Mrs. Colonel Sutton and family
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Kohn and family - Of Paulding, Ohio

Mr. Ross C. Sutton - Of Columbus, Ohio

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Thornhill and granddaughter
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Thornhill
Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Hoover - Of Muncie, Ind.

Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Noffsinger - Of Dearborn, Mich.

Mr. and Mrs. Grover J. Hinkle and family
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hinkle - Of Valparaiso, Ind.

Mr. and Mrs. George Hipp - Of Indianapolis, Ind.

Mr. Ora Warren
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Sutton and family
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Sutton and family - Of Toledo, Ohio

Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Eaton and family - Of Lafayette, Ohio

Mrs. Jane Sarff
Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Tuller - Of Little Falls, Minn.

Mr. and Mrs. Anda Sharp - Of Modoc, Ind.

Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Shierling - Of Winchester, Ind.

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mack - Of Kimmel, Ind.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Old Memories by Don C. Ward, published March 1938

  One of the first of the Sousa marches to come into general use in the Union City community was the "Manhattan Beach" which was played by the Muncie Band at the funeral services for Gov. I. P. Gray, most famous Union City resident, in Feb. 1895.
Gov. Gray had died in Mexico City while serving as Minister to Mexico, and his body was brought back to his old home for burial.
The funeral services were held in the Union Grand Theater where admission was by ticket only.
Hundreds were unable to enter the theater, but all joined in the solemn march to the City Cemetery.
The Muncie Band, which filled muddy Oak street almost from curb to curb, played Sousa's new "Manhattan Beach" March on the way to the cemetery.
As I recall, the band repeated the march.
The effect of the beautifully solemn strains, with the high funeral car drawn by several horses, with the State Militia, the state officials headed by the Governor and his staff, county and local officials, and citizens from a wide territory, was one never to be forgotten.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Tuesday, May 24, 1938

Frank Funk Making a Grim Battle in Winchester Hospital For His Life. -
Is a Pioneer In The Auto Dirt Track Racing. -
Has Built Many Tracks Over The Country.
      Just 24 years ago May 30 next the man who is fighting a grim battle with death at the Randolph county hospital at Winchester, Ind., gave America the first specially constructed speedway. That man is Frank Funk, a name well familiar all over the nation in speedway racing circles and well known to the thousands of Miami valley auto race patrons.
      Funk lies in a critical condition the result of a highway accident near his home at Winchester.
      Auto racing has made Funk and he in turn has made auto racing, which is an important part of the sport menu throughout the mid-west.
      The site of the world famous Winchester speedway, which holds every recognized record from 22 seconds for the half mile up to 100 miles, and which at every race meet has attracted crowds ranging fro 10,000 to as high as 15,00, was one a corn field.
      Recently Funk told how the speedway idea struck him. "Back in 1914 the site of the present speed bowl was a corn field. I was always tinkering around some mechanical car motor when one day on the rad I saw the then unusual feat of two cars tearing down the open dirt road. The thought struck me that if we cleared enough cornstalks and weeds to lay out a round path and could round up enough owners, a small race could be staged on Memorial Day. That the idea was a popular one was shown by the crowd which came by buggy, bicycle and traction car, and we were so pleased by our success that we have been racing ever since."
      The banks were increased on the turns from year to year and the speeds increased as well. He next experimented with track treatment. During the early seasons he had used mineral oil. This was impractical, as it penetrated, and from race to race it was necessary to oil the entire track to control the dust and afford a surface for the drivers. By mixing various compositions during the past two years he has been able to compound a surface that retained its form race to race.
      Road builders and highway engineers became vitally interested in the Winchester course as the material that stood up under the terrific speeds of the racing cars would solve their problems of road building.
      Funk aided them materially, and his findings were always available to the state and county officials from all over the nation and became a laboratory and proving ground in road building.
      With the spread of fame across the nation of Winchester under his guidance he was in demand all over the nation for building racing tracks. He constructed the $50,000 Ft. Wayne, Ind. oval, patterned after Winchester, and succeeded in returning the record for five-eighth-mile speedway to the mid west. This was done also by Everett Saylor of Dayton last summer.
      Other speedways built under his supervision were Huntington, Ind., Woodbridge, N. J., and Jungle Park, Ind.
      All through the years racing participants found a friend in Frank Funk. And of the thousands of drivers and car owners, who had raced for him in the past, never was there a complaint against his treatment of them.
      Funk, Dr. J. K. Bailey of this city and Foster Shultz of Greenville, O., were responsible for the establishment of the Central States Racing association in 1935. They set purses large enough to attract the drivers and car owners of repute to races in the scope of C. S. R. A. operations, and also created additional purses to care for those who suffered the misfortune of breakups.
      That the Funk plan operated successfully can be seen in all C. S. R. A. meets attracting the leading star drivers from all over America. The Central States group has grown so vast in prominence that it is recognized as the "fastest auto racing circuit in the world."
      His season's inaugural at Winchester will be staged next Sunday despite his serious illness. It has always been his wish that no matter what happens to him, "the show must go on." And it will.

[Frank Funk did survive his accident injuries and lived on.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Evening Times, Tuesday, November 8, 1938

History of Union City Architecture Was Credited To Hampton Gettinger Of
This City. - Built Many Buildings And Churches In And Around This Part
Of Two States.

 "Wm. Hampton Gettinger attended the schools of his neighborhood until
1865 and learned the carpenter's trade in his immediate neighborhood
where he worked until 1880, constructing for all kinds of building from
1874 onward.
  "He was born an architect and crafting was an instinct.  In 1875 he
took the contract for the Union City Christian Church which he completed
in 1876 and also finished a number of equally good contracts.
  "In 1880 he settled down to a systematic course of studying the
science of architecture, and read all the standard works acquiring a
thorough knowledge of architecture without the aid of tutor or
preceptor.  He visited the principal cities of Indiana and Ohio, studied
all the models and better class of structures, and in 1885 began drawing
plans and then taking contracts.
  Among his earlier achievements were the Kelly Block at Winchester, the
school building at Harrisville, the Union City Public School at a cost
of $35,000 in modern renascence, with 12 rooms and offices and all in
brick with stone trimmings, and considered by school men as one of the
best in the state, taking cost into consideration.  He really began the
work of an architect in 1880 since when he has furnished plans for the
Catholic Church, Union City in Gothic of the 12th century cost of
$20,000; a schoolhouse at Dunkirk and Briscoe Block at Harford, 100x120;
The Catholic Church at Muncie, Gothic, 12th century, $35,000; Anderson
Catholic Church, modern Romanesque, $37,000; the Marion Catholic Church,
early English, about $20,000; the New Light Christian Church at Ansonia,
Ohio, $4,500.  He has also made numerous plans for many other buildings
in Indiana and Ohio."
  He was the architect for 13 Catholic Churches.  He built the one at
Elwood and he was always proud of its architecture.  Churches in Union
City, Catholic, Methodist, Christian, Presbyterian, United Brethren,
also many of the finer residences, also many business places.

[Wm. Hampton Gettinger/Gittinger was born in Jackson Twp., Randolph Co.,
IN the son of Jacob & Margaret Gittinger, an early settler of Randolph
county who moved to this section from Maryland in 1844. His father was
born in Maryland and his mother was born in Ohio.  Wm. Hampton Gittinger
died at his residence on North Howard St, Union City, IN on Tuesday,
July 11, 1911. aged 66 yrs., 1 mo and 15 da.  He was survived by his
widow, Senith and two adopted daughters.  Interment was made at Lisbon
Cemetery.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker & Austin Cox

Union City Evening Times, Wednesday, January 18, 1939

  Gary Gettinger, aged 8, and his sister, Lee Ann, aged 5, who have been
making their home with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Gettinger
since the death of their mother last August, left today on their return
to their home in Los Angeles, Calif.  They are the children of Newman
Gettinger and they were accompanied on the train as far as Chicago by
Mrs. Ross Gettinger and Mrs. Emma Downing.  The long trip from Chicago
to Los Angeles they will make alone which will be quite an adventure for
a couple of tots as young as they are.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Tuesday, May 9, 1939

Family recollections of Randolph County published in this newspaper by
Charles F. Hinshaw.

  I have been requested to write a brief account-- brief because little
accurate data can be found -- of the first, so far as I can learn, house
in the north half of the county.
  The house, that of my great-grandparents, Zachary Hiatt and Annie
Coffin Hiatt, daughter of William and Elizabeth Duncan Hiatt Coffin, was
located one mile east and a half-mile south of what is now our
courthouse square.
  Zachary Hiatt with his wife and their children, Moses, Joseph, Sarah,
Millicent, Keziah, Mary and Hepsa, who was my mother's mother, left
southern Virginia in 1813, coming to Richmond, Indiana Territory.  Two
years later the family moved on northward and selected the site and
built their home on what is now known as the Vernie Cox farm, occupied
by his son, Hubert Cox.
  [The article shows a picture of the author taken in front of the cabin
in 1903 or 1904.  It later tumbled down in about 1907.]  There was no
stairway on the inside but in all probability access was gained to the
loft from the outside by means of a ladder reaching to a little window
in the west gable.
  Think of parents and seven living in a little house measuring not more
than 20 by 24 feet.  We have passed far from that way of living whether
for better or worse.  All cooking, of course, had to be done on the
hearth or over the fire in the big fireplace which also heated the cabin.
  Not many incidents can now be related and verified of this first
settler's family.  It is known, however, that one son-in-law, Sylvanus
Knight, husband of Keziah Hiatt, was a gunsmith along with other trades
such as loom making and the construction of spinning wheels.
  My mother, daughter of Hepsa Hiatt by her husband, John Cox, son of
one of the second settlers in this section, used to tell me of learning
to shoot a rifle which Uncle Sylvanus had changed from a flintlock to a
caplock.  The cap and hammer were on the under side of the barrel. 
Because the hammer was inconvenient and the caps sometimes dropped off
this type of gun was soon discontinued, I am told, and I think rightly,
that one of these rifles is now in the museum of the McKinley school,
bearing the name of Moses Hiatt, and I know it must have been made or
altered by his brother-in-law, Knight, in his shop which stood a few
rods south of the present school site.  My mother used for many years a
loom and a spinning wheel made by her uncle in that shop.  The machines
were extremely heavy but were exceptionally well made.  I still have the
spinning wheel but the loom was sold many years ago.
  Another fact about this family that I have hesitated to put into print
until I could find further verification is this:  Joseph Hiatt, one of
the sons of the first settler, obtained a supply of silk worm eggs,
hatched and cared for them in a building made for the purpose and with
the help of his sister Mary, reeled, spun, colored and wove the silk
thus produced into a bed-sized coverlet and perhaps other things.  I
know that most persons who read this story about the silk will be
skeptical, but wait a minute.  I have in my possession a piece of this
coverlet, five inches square, given to me nearly 50 years ago by Mary
Hiatt herself, my great-aunt, with the story from her own lips as to how
it was produced.  As I was only a boy at the time I have forgotten the
details.
  I have a letter from the Indiana state librarian giving an account of
a shipment of mulberry trees into Indiana about 1830 from New York
state, also that a Mrs. Timmons of Union county, Indiana, had produced
silk to the value of $300.  Doubtless Aunt Mary told me where they
obtained the eggs but I have forgotten.  However, I have this theory: 
The wife of Joseph Hiatt was a native of Union county and it is not
improbable that Joseph got his first eggs from Mrs. Timmons or someone
associated with her.
  There was wild speculation in silk culture in the United States for a
time, our histories tell us, but the bubble soon burst.  Mulberry trees
which between 1830 and 1840 sold for from two to five dollars apiece
dropped to a cent each and millions of dollars were lost by investors.
  The time is lamentably near when we will have no first-hand facts on
the manner of life and customs of our early settlers.  Just what freak
choice led Zachary Hiatt to drive on north through the unbroken forest
15 miles past the few houses then in the southeast part of Randolph and
the north end of Wayne counties can never be known to us.  And I presume
that until now no one but myself knew anything about the bubble of
silkworm culture having reached into this part of the state.
  My other maternal great-grandfather, Benjamin Cox, settled with his
parents, three brothers and one sister two miles northeast of the Hiatt
home in 1817 at which time a cabin was standing near the present site of
Winchester.
  A simple desire to place these facts of early history in print for the
perusal and information of others interested is my only motive for
writing these lines.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, May 10, 1939

Mother And Daughter United After Search Of 28 Years.

      A twenty-eight year search ended Sunday when Mrs. Charles Hale, who lives three miles east of Winchester, found her mother. The two had been separated since Mrs. Hale, then Gladys Allen, was four years old and was taken to an institution in Indianapolis to stay during the time her mother was in the hospital.
      After her dismissal from the hospital, it is reported, the mother went to the home to take her daughter again, only to be told that without knowing it she had signed away all right to the child.
      Shortly afterward, in 1911, the daughter was taken by Abbie Harvey of Winchester, now custodian at Fountain Park cemetery, and Mrs. Harvey, who had written to the home concerning adopting a child. In 1912 she was legally adopted by them.
      During the years since that time, the daughter, with only vague recollections of her mother, has waited for some clue as to how to find her. Last week she stumbled upon what seemed to be possibly the beginning of an answer. In a borrowed Indianapolis paper she found the death notice of the wife of a man with her brother's name, and she noticed that the age of the wife corresponded with the age which she knew to be her brother's.
      Feeling that at last she might have hit upon definite evidence, Mrs. Hale went to Indianapolis and found the address which had been mentioned in the newspaper account. A man and woman were sitting on the porch, and she asked for Mrs. Reed, which she knew to be her mother's name. The man smiled at her strangely and took her into the house, where he called, "Pauline." Pauline, Mrs. Hale knew, was her mother's first name.
      Mrs. Reed came out of the kitchen, spoke her daughter's name, and immediately fainted. When she recovered, she and her daughter talked, and the mother was surprised to discover that she has five granddaughters, including a pair of twins.
      The man on the porch, Mrs. Hale learned, was her step-father, who had recognized her, when she came, from a picture of her taken on her fourth birthday.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Monday, July 24, 1939

Rev. Ira Johnson Of Lynn Honored On 90th Birthday.

      Rev. Ira C. Johnson, for 70 years a minister in the Society of Friends, celebrated his ninetieth birthday anniversary Saturday at his home, a mile south of Lynn, where he has lived for 80 years. More that 250 relatives and friends attended the informal reception held during the afternoon.
      Active in the work of his church Rev. Johnson meets his appointments twice a month at Bethel church near Marion and at Jericho near Winchester. Through the long years of his ministry he has officiated at hundreds of funerals and weddings and is widely known for his kindly manner and willingness to serve his fellow men.
      Assisting with the day's celebration were his daughters, Mrs. Edith Winslow, and Mrs. Mamie Horn of Lynn, and his sons, Harry H. Johnson of Winchester, and Cyrus Johnson at home. Mrs. Johnson died about 15 years ago. There are 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
      The honored guest received a large number of greeting cards and telegrams from friends in various parts of the country and spent the afternoon greeting friends and reminiscing concerning his experiences through the years.
      A program celebrating the event was given and was in charge of Rev. Charles E. Hiatt of Winchester. A favorite song of the honored guest was sung by Mrs. James Isenbarger and her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Brown, after which Walter C. Woodward of Richmond, editor of the American Friend, gave a talk commending Rev. Johnson on his long years of service which have endeared him to thousands of persons. Short talks were made by Rev. Truman C. Kenworthy of Richmond, Rev. Aaron Napier of Winchester, Homer Biddlecone of Charlottesville and Lester Furnace of San Diego, Calif.
      At the request of Rev. Mr. Johnson, Mrs. V. H. Overman sang, "It Is Well With My Soul." Other short talks were made by Andrew Davidson of Pollington and Rev. Margaret Collins of Winchester, who spoke of the inspiration the Rev. Johnson has given to young ministers, the speaker closing with an accordion solo and song. Group singing was lead by Henry O. Cox of Winchester. The honored guest responded with appropriate remarks and the closing prayer was offered by Mrs. Ollie Johnson.
      The anniversary program was held on the lawn where a large three-tier cake bearing 90 blue and white candles was served. The honored guest received a profusion of flowers and many practical gifts.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Thursday, August 24, 1939

Jericho School Reunion  (Contributed)

  When the Jericho school reunions were young, along about the years
1912 - 1918, under the inspiration of Cal Shultz and Henry Peacock, and
many others, large crowds attended.  Today, though the attendance has
dwindled, yet the spirit of the reunions is just as sweet.
  Those who were present were of the mind of Annie Peacock Shultz, who
said a few days before the reunion, "Well, if there are only two or
three there, I'll be there."  And she was there with two white cakes and
enough ice cream to feed a multitude.  And when the time came to decide
concerning a future reunion, there was a strong vote carried for a
reunion next year at the same time and place.
  All were repaid for every effort put forth.  It was a day happily
spent in visiting together, eating together, listening to music and old
fashioned recitations, in telling incidents of school days, in reading
letters from former pupils.
  Those on the home base do not get such a thrill out of it all, as do
those who came from a distance.  Ed Chenoweth, formerly of Chicago, now
of Winchester, and Ray Brumfield of Cooper's Institute, New York City,
were thrilled in getting home again and in stirring talks evaluated the
childhood memories of Old Jericho.  Now everyone knows that Jericho was
never on any map of geography; yet hundreds of people have spoken of her
as though she were the cream of the earth.  Ed Chenoweth thought that
Jericho was a gold mine of historical significance.
  Interest centered around Harry Peacock's history of Jericho, as he
painstakingly traveled from the early days when Indians were here until
the present.  The outline grew under his hands that we might see again a
neighborhood of people, settling first on Old Owl creek, building homes
all about with a meeting house in the midst, and school houses
"scattered over the place."
  A Quaker people, believing that the invisible ideals of the spirit,
can take flesh and blood form and pattern, and substance, visible in
individual human life, and neighborhood living, no matter what the race
or station of its community people be.  A Quaker community trying to
express its ideals in the schools, with its teachers and curriculums,
upon the minds and the hearts and lives of its growing boys and girls! 
These Jericho boys and girls have been scattered into the various states
of the Union, like autumn leaves before the winter wind with a gold mine
of memories.
  The reunion is reaching out by these minutes of the meeting to all
those pupils and teachers and parents, hoping to hear by letter or
person next year.
  As the Jericho school was the first school in Wayne township, Harry
Peacock will have a part in the reunion program August 27 [1940], at the
old fairgrounds in Union City.

[The location of the reunion was not given.  No listing of those in attendance was provided.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Tuesday, October 10, 1939

55-Year-Old Flag, Rich In History, Is Presented To Bartonia Church.

      Rally day Sunday at the Bartonia was marked with special significance when the church was presented with a 55-year-old American flag, holding interesting community history within its folds. The large blue field of the flag contains but 38 stars.
      The flag was presented following the Sunday school services by Mrs. C. F. Oliver at the request of Mrs. John Harter, John W. Morton, George W. Harter and Rev. S. F. Harter.
      In the presidential campaign of Blaine and Cleveland, 1884, a republican rally was held in Winchester with the $35 flag being offered to the community sending in the largest delegation on horseback. The delegation from Bartonia, with John W. Morton as captain, was the largest, so therefore, it received the flag. Since that time the flag has been in the care of the Harter family. Mary Jane Harter-Stidham, deceased, had charge of it until about 1903; then it was given into the care of Mrs. John (Ida) Harter who has carefully guarded it since that time. It was at her suggestion that the flag be given into the care of the church for the Bartonia community.
      According to the most reliable information, the above three named men, Messrs Morton, Harter and Harter, are the only ones living who took part in the delegation from Bartonia.
      Rev. S. F. Harter in reminiscence recalled that he rode a mule in the delegation and following their arrival in Winchester they continued south of Winchester to lead in the delegation from the Huntsville community.
      The morning worship was led by Rev. Ora Bogue, the present pastor of the church. At the noon hour a basket dinner was spread on tables in the church yard. The afternoon speaker was Rev. W. O. Powers of Ridgeville, a former minister of the church 16 years ago. Short talks also were given by Rev. S. F. Harter and J. B. Hart, former residents of the community and members of the church.
      A short history of the church is as follows: In 1848 the first class meeting was held at the home of James Bailey, who at that time lived about one-fourth mile west of the present local site of the church. Bailey had a store and inn in connection with his home. In October of 1849, Edward Barton, who lived where Robert DeBolt now lives, had the land surveyed and laid out the village of Bartonia donating the ground for the first church which was built about 1850. This first church was replaced by the present building in the late 1880's, the first building being moved across the road where it was made into a dwelling house. Robert Bracken, Bartonia's local garage man, now resides there. Edward Barton adding "ia" to his name named the village Bartonia. While the Bartonia church has never had a large membership, it has been fortunate in being located where there is much neighborly kindness and love.
      Through the efforts of the neighbors, friends and the Ladies Aid society, the present building has just received a new coat of paint which adds greatly to its appearance, and for which appreciation is extended to all who helped in anyway by giving money, time and labor.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Muncie Morning Star, Friday January 5, 1940

(Top of article has been cropped - It may have been Winchester)

The Madonna Club met last night at the home of Miss Nora Ford. Mrs. John Bauer reviewed the chapter "Zillah" in the study book, after which games formed the entertainment. Miss Grace Yunker assisted the hostess in serving refreshments.

The Magazine Club met yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. George Eastman.

DeLoss Blanchard has returned to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., after spending the holidays here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Blanchard.

Dr. Rosemary Waters Davis, of Kirkville, Mo., arrived here last night for a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Watters. (sic)

Mrs. George Newton, of Lynn, has been admitted to Randolph County Hospital.

Mrs. James Hollingsworth, Mrs. James Dodd of Winchester and Charles Warren of Saratoga, were dismissed from the hospital today.

The condition of Miss Margaret Stanley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stanley, residing on Richmond street, who is seriously ill, remains unchanged.

FARMLAND

Farmland, Ind., Jan. 4- The annual meeting of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association will be held in the city building at 1:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Saturday evening at the Masonic hall here a joint Eastern Star inspection of Farmland Chapter No. 95, Parker Chapter No. 339 and Acacia Chapter (Ridgeville) No. 239, will be held. Mrs. Alene Vey, worthy grand matron of the Indiana Grand Chapter, will be the guest of honor.

Dr. W. W. Conner, who is ill at his home is reported unimproved.

Mrs. Andy Picard, Mrs. Norman Wood and Miss Collier Cline were Muncie visitors Tuesday.

The Stoney Creek Home Economics Club will have a food market at Taylor's grocery Saturday.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Union City Times-Gazette, Saturday, May 25, 1940

Wooten Children Adopted Friday in Circuit Court

Two children of Melvin and Pauline Wooten of Winchester were adopted yesterday, following hearings on petitions in Randolph circuit court. The father is serving a 1-to-10 year sentence in the state reformatory at Pendleton on a grand larceny conviction in March of 1939, recent attempts at parole failing due to lack of a sponsor and emplyment after dismissal from the institution.

The two children were made wards of the county welfare department shortly after their father's imprisonment and filing of charges of child neglect against the mother.

John LeRoy Wooten, almost six years of age, was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Roy W. Bales, while Lottie Jane Wooten, between one and two years old, was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Paul V. Maynard. Mr. Maynard is chairman of the Randolph County Farm Bureau. The latter child's name was changed to Charlotte Ann Maynard.

The petitions were filed by Attorney Merril W. Nichols for the Bales' and by the law firm of Bales, Cockerill and Bales, for the Maynards.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Tuesday, May 28, 1940

Another Wooten Child is Adopted.

Norman Wesley, 7 year-old son of Pauline and Melvin Wooten of Winchester, was adopted yesterday in Randolph circuit court by George W. and Edma Addington, 1201 East Eighth street, Muncie. Two other Wooten children were adopted by Randolph county couples last week.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Tuesday, September 17, 1940

Pinhook Reunion is Well Attended; Officers re-elected.

  The anual reunion of the Pinhook school drew a large crowd to the
Mount Pleasant church, south of Union City Sunday.  The reunion was in
charge of the officers , all of whom were re-elected in the bussiness
session.  These are:  Harrison Hiatt, President; Perry Slick,
Vice-president, and Mrs. Opal Hollingsworth, secretary-treasurer.
  A basket dinner was spread at noon, and in the afternoon a
miscellaneous program was given following the opening prayer by Mrs.
Joseph Alexander.  Miss Marah Webster of Union City, teacher in the
Spartanburg school, led the group singing and contributed two vocal
solos:  "Open the Gates of the Temple" and "Were I."  Jessie Woods, of
Lynn, played the piano accompaniment and contributed piano solos during
the afternoon.  Rev. and Mrs. Earl Lantz, of this city, sang the duet,
"Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go."
  Mrs. Laura Thomas read a poem composed by a former student of the old
Pinhook school.  A very interesting history of the old school written by
Mrs. Louisa Smelker of New Madison, O., was read.  Don C. Ward, of Union
City gave the principal address of the afternoon.  He compared the old
and new schools and showed that one of the chief missions of the new
school now is to help preserve democracy as our chosen form of
government and to help make it practical and successful.  Short talks
were given by Rev. Ernest Davis, of Richmond, pastor of the Mount
Pleasant church; Carl Thompson, Richmond attorney and former teacher;
Mrs. Thomas Walters, former teacher; Mrs. Maude Dortner-Woods, teacher
in the Spartanburg school, and Perry Slick who attended the old Pinhook
school 74 years ago.  The program closed with the singing of "God Be
With You" and a closing prayer by the president.  The remainder of the
afternoon was spent in visiting.
  The historical sketch presented showed that in 1859 a new frame school
building was erected at Pinhook replacing a log structure destroyed by
fire.  This school district No. 1 was canvassed twice for funds. 
William Rankin heading the subscription with $20. and other residents
contributing in various amounts as low as two dollars.  William Wiley
was first teacher in the new building in 1860.  H. A. Harrison, father
of W. E. Harrison and Mrs. Irvin Stump of Union City, was the teacher in
1868.  In 1872 the frame building was replaced by one of brick, with D.
H. Thomas as first teacher.  The school had as many as 80 pupils at one
time.  The late A. L. Nichols, Winchester attorney and Indiana Appellate
court judge, taught there several years.  The building caught fire
several times from the chimney.  The last building was a frame which was
later moved to a nearby farm when the district was consolidated and a
centralized school established at Spartanburg.  Several Union City
teacher taught their first terms at Pinhook.  The school reunions have
been held regularly since 1928, and it is planned to hold another next
September.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Thursday, March 13, 1941

Mrs. Nancy Wolfe, Pioneer, Observes 92nd Anniversary.

  Mrs. Nancy Wolfe, who was born March 10, 1849, during the first week
of the administration of President Zachary Taylor, celebrated her
ninety-second birthday anniversary quietly at her home one mile west of
Union City.  She received many gifts and greetings from relatives and
friends.  She is in fairly good health, able to dress herself each
morning, and still enjoys reading and listening to the radio.
  Mrs. Wolfe was born on the road south of the Conklin cemetery and has
lived almost her entire life in this community.  She has lived in her
present home since 1882 and is the oldest resident of that community. 
Her father was Philip Ingle, farmer, hunter and wood chopper.  The "Bee
Line" railroad, now the Big Four, was built past her home in the early
1850's and she can still remember the trains stopping to load the tender
with wood piled up along the right-of-way.  Mrs. Wolfe makes her home
with her son, Alva, and wife.  She has two grandsons.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Muncie Morning Star, July 22, 1941

REDKEY

Mrs. Ella Bales spent the past week with relatives in Farmland.

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kelly, of Winchester, and Mr. and Mrs. Burmond Fiddler, of Anderson, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Hinsley

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Union City Times-Gazette, January 2, 1942

District School No. 21 by Miss Anna L. Butts, Forest Home, Winchester
Route 3.

  The article by Philp Kabel of November 27 regarding District School
No. 21 recalled to me there was a former school building located
one-half mile south of the one pictured, and where at this time there is
still a turn in the road occasioned by the school No. 21 -- year 1869 --
being located at that place.
  My father, Nathan T. Butts, being one of the teachers, I have in my
possession a leaf from his register giving the names and ages of the
pupils in attendance during the term in 1869, which I have copied and
submit to the Daily News and Journal-Herald, feeling it will be of
interest to the readers of these enterprising newspapers.
  I am not informed as to the number of years he taught here, but recall
that he began teaching near Spartanburg; also taught in Lynn and after
this date was an instructor in mathematics in the high school in Winchester.
  Following is the list of pupils as given on leaflet of register, with
identifying entry:

  "Daily register, District School No. 21, 1869.  I, today, begin my
thirteenth term of school --- Nathan Butts, teacher."

[The listing has been alphabetized for your convenience by the translator.]

STUDENT NAME    AGE
  
Anderson, Minnie     Not Given
Barber, John W.       8
Bishop, Ellen            10
Bishop, Joseph         18
Bishop, Julisetta        Not Given
Bishop, Mary A.       12
Brown, Cora            Not Given
Butts, Ida F.             10
Corbit, Alferetta       10
Davis, Amanda         12
Davis, Anna              6
Davis, Edward          9
Davis, Jacob            10
Davis, Louisa           14
Engle, Elsie              Not Given
Gaines, Alice C.       11
Gaines, Deltha M.    7
Gaines, Horatio        9
Gaines, Jesse           Not Given
Gaines, Sallie E.       18
Gard, Joe                 Not Given
Gard, Laura              Not Given
Gard, Nettie             Not Given
Grow, Laura.            Not Given
Harter, Mary            Not Given
Hobbick, Analiza       6
Hobbick, Barbara      9
Hobbick, Franklin     11
Irvin, Charles            14
Irvin, George            17
Irvin, Jefferson           6
Irvin, Lambertin         12
Irvin, Willard P.         7
Jacobs, Jonathan      Not Given
Jacobs, Mahalah      10
Kemp, Joseph          15
Lacy, Emma             Not Given
Lacy, James             Not Given
Lacy, Linnie             Not Given
Lucas, David S.       13
Lucas, Julia A.         20
Lucas, Mary M.      15
Mack, Anna            11
Mack, Dora            Not Given
Mack, Frank           Not Given
Miller, Charles         12
Miller, Daniel            9
Miller, George         11
Miller, Robert A.      6
Moore, Caroline      11
Moore, Daniel          9
Moore, Francis        18
Moore, Mary           13
Mullen, Caroline      Not Given
North, Anna            11
North, Emma           6
North, Thomas        13
North, William         8
Schockney, Sallie     Not Given
Shockney, Elnora     16
Shockney, Henry      Not Given
Smith William M.      Not Given
Smith, Elizabeth        11
Smith, John               10
Spencer, Albert        Not Given
Spencer, Ella            Not Given
Spencer, James        Not Given
Spencer, William      Not Given
St. Myers, Etta         Not Given
St. Myers, John        11
Surface, Elvira          18
Surface, Emily C.      16
Surface, Hannah        20
Surface, Ivory            7
Surface, John             9
Surface, William        12
Tharp, Albina            11
Tharp, Ella                 9
Tharp, Henry            12
Tharp, Rachel A.      Not Given
Tharp, Tanner           14
Tisor, Allen               9
Tisor, Enos               11
Tisor, Henry             17
Tisor, Mary M.         15
Tisor, William R.       18

  Due to the fact that many of these pupils came from the townships of
Washington and Greenefork, as now known, the District School No.  21
must have taken in more territory at that date than was given in the
later period known as White River Township No. 21.

[The mentioned Nov. 26, 1941 article by Philip Kabel was a poem and a
picture of the students attending District School No. 21 in 1899.  Those
named were: Fred Moore, Pearl Moore, Hazel Moore, Harry Kemp, Troy Kemp,
George Kemp, Vernie Robinson, Raymond Robinson, Irene Robinson, Ruth
Mendenhall, Roy Mendenhall, Russel Skinner, Herbie Skinner, Mary
Skinner, Minnie Skinner, Bonnie Browne, Donna Browne, Sarah Browne,
Delsie Sackett, Will Sackett, May Thornburg, Mary Thornburg, Hazel
Thornburg, Fred Keister, Mayme Keister, Madge Keister, Luella Pike, May
Pike, George Lickleiter, Wilbur Lickleiter, Rosa Coats, Will Coats,
Ottie Summers, May Summers, John Fry, Guy Fry, Louie Green, Leona Pugh,
Ruby Moore.]
 

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, January 26, 1942

It's our modern diction that worries Deerfield old timer - he's 92 today.

  Never living any farther away from Deerfield than an eighth of a mile
since migrating there with his parents in 1862, Lawrence "Bubby" McGriff
will celebrate his ninety-second birthday anniversary today.  He is the
third child of a family of eight of which three are living; Sam
"Sherman" McGriff of Indianapolis, Mrs.  Abigail "Pet" Mock of Eugene,
Ore., and "Bubby," oldest of the three.
  Asked about his given name he explained that members of the family
carried their nicknames given them by their parents throughout the years
and stated few persons living in the Deerfield vicinity knew his true
given name.  Emerson McGriff, former Jay county judge and attorney, now
deceased, was a brother.
  Mr.  McGriff, born in Darke county, Ohio, with his parents moved to
Salamonia in 1859 and then to near Bluff Point in Jay county before
coming to Deerfield.  He has lived in the same house just north of the
I.  O.  O.  F.  building for more than 50 years and has lived alone
since the death of his wife 19 years ago.  A daughter, Mrs.  Edith
Toddle lives in Greenville, Ohio.
Bubby has an excellent memory, his hearing unusually keen, his eye sight
not so good, and his outlook on life shows a marvelous sense of humor. 
He worked at the stone quarry in Ridgeville for 17 years, quitting at
the age of 85.
  Reminiscing he remarked about the residents of the little village he
has called home so many years.
  "I have seen them come and I have seen them all go.  I can remember
only three people living here who were here 40 years ago."
  Describing the old church, the school house he attended when first
coming to Deerfield he said they were built in the "commons" back of the
Methodist church now standing and were built of boards instead of logs.
  Asked by this reporter how that could be possible so many years ago
with no quick or easy transportation of lumber or other facilities, he
explained that the immediate district boasted a number of saw mills,
grist, machines and even a cording machine where wool was spun and cloth
woven, standing west of the I.  O.  O.  F.  building on the Leota Towell
farm.  He recalled how the 40 by 60 foot church was placed on four large
boulders, one at each corner and remembered how in the heat of the day
all the sheep in and near Deerfield would sleep under the building,
filling the space completely.
  Mr.  McGriff also remembers Levi Mock as being one of his teachers. 
The only complaint about our modern ways was about people's diction
today.  He said people mumbled their words and recalled how if that had
happened when he was young he would have been told to "speak that again."

[Bubby was blessed with three more years of life.  He died in 1945.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, June 16, 1942

Olive Branch Church History Given

The following history of the Olive Branch church was written by Mrs. Alva Stephens, a great-granddaughter of two of the charter members, William and Mary Doty. She was assisted by Mrs. Garnet Wood, a granddaughter of Rev. John Wetzel and Della Wetzel, also charter members.

The story of the origin of our church has been handed down to us by the records made by those who were battling for God and right about 82 years ago. The paper it is written on is yellow with age but the good work begun is still going on.

In the year 1859 a group of our forefathers living in the community where the Olive Branch Christian church is now located, felt a longing in their hearts for a place where they could meet together with their children, their neighbors and their neighbors’ children, and worship God. There was at this time no church closer than Shilo (two miles north of Farmland), the people having no way to travel but by foot, wagons, horseback or bobsled, they felt a very urgent need for a place to worship God.

With the spirit of worship in their hearts, they found enough people of the same mind to organize a church.

Together with Rev. A. W. Holliway, in a little old log schoolhouse on the corner where the church now stands, they organized a church and called it Olive Branch.

The charter members, as best the records give us, are Thomas Addington, Martha Addington, John Wetzel, Delilia Wetzel, Rebecca Stanley, Selatheal Dodd, Jane Dodd, Elizabeth Engle, Andrew Martin, Mary Martin, David Lewis, Millie Lewis, John Knox, Mary Knox, Eliza McKee Williams, William Doty and Mary Doty.

Soon after the organization it began to grow and bring forth fruits. God blessed it and many were soon added to the roll. Ministers heard the Massidonian call and came to fill the pulpit and preach Christ to the people.

There were the Rev. Larkin Mullen, Rev. Samuel McNees, Rev. N. Summerbell, Joseph Coons, Able Hollaway, Wesley Ross, Thomas Puckett and possibly others of whom we have no record.

The first ordained elder we have any record of was Rev. John Wetzel. In 1893 Walter Stephens joined the church and was later ordained elder. The first ordained deacons were David Lewis and Andrew Martin; later Henry Miller was ordained to take the place of the former. In 1864, during the pastorate of Rev. Larkin Mullen, two of its faithful members, David and Millie Louis, moved to Iowa, Mrs. Millie Louis living to be the oldest charter member.

At the age of 88 she wrote a letter of admonition to the children of her brothers and sisters in Christ. As time went on a vision of a new church was seen and in 1872 a new frame building was erected across the road on the north. This was dedicated by the Rev. John Burket, better known to those who were living as blind Burket for he was blind.

Following are the names of the ministers of God who ministered unto the church during the next 25 years:

Rev. George Johnson, Rev. David Buckle, Rev. John Wetzel, Rev. Alfred Addington, Rev. John Cortner, Rev. William Terrel, Rev. Levi Capron. It was sometime during this space of time that Thomas Addington, a charter member was called to the ministry and served as pastor for 17 years. In the year 1903, Rev. John Robbins was called as pastor. He was just a plain railroader as he called himself, for he was just a man who worked on the railroad. He was converted and God called him to preach. Our church, being at a very low ebb during that point of history, let brother Robbins come and fill out pulpit. He had no education, but he had salvation and God wonderfully blessed his efforts. He was pastor four years during which time many found Christ.

The Rev. N. H. Thornburg then came as our pastor and the church continued flourishing and as the inner man was renewed it became necessary to renew the church building and in 1908, under the pastorate of brother Thornburg, the church was rededicated by the Rev. J. F. Burnett of Dayton, Ohio, delivering the dedication sermon.

The Rev. Lonnie Mullen follows as pastor then the Rev. Zelma Johnson Mills, Rev. Decalb Judy, Rev. H. L. Lott and it was during his pastorate that we who then were in the field of battle for the church, and who had been of the past, felt in our hearts inspired by the good shepherds that we should “give of our best for the Master,” and we set to work with both heart and hand to erect a building that would be more efficient and in 1912 the same building our forefathers built in 1872 was moved across the road where it now stands so we could have a parking space and the building was re-built and re-dedicated again by the Rev. J. F. Burnett. Thus we have this present building.

In honor of our dear brother Lott, I want to repeat the words of sister Wetzel in praise to him for his untiring efforts and sweet, Christ-like spirit. She said it went together without the sound of a hammer. Such unity of spirit seldom found was ours. At the close of the conference year, just before the dedication, Rev. N. H. Thornburg was again called for service as pastor after having served the church four previous years. He served this time two years.

In January 1916, Rev. John Wetzel passed away, having been permitted to live in the community of the church since its organization. His wife survived him a short time.

His death left the church with only one elder and Alva Stephens was ordained to fill the vacancy. The deacons having passed away at this time, Bessie Stephens and Zella Bosworth were ordained deaconesses. The church clerks serving on and before this time were Washington Cortner serving in 1890, later W. C. Bosworth and Walter Stephens. The following pastors were Rev. Gerusle Stephens Harter, Rev. Max Shaffer and Rev. Ruby Orren.

The Rev. N. H. Thornburg was again called as pastor during which time the church enjoyed the greatest revival in its history with people seeking Christ all over the house and a score were really saved and the church built up.

The following pastors were Rev. A. E. Gilmore, Rev. Opal Gilmore, Rev. A. E. Helm, Rev. R. L. Kensler and Rev. R. W. Jones. Rev. Ruby Orren next called served the church six years in succession, having served two previous years.

Beginning this pastorate the church was down in the valley but God does not turn a deaf ear to the cries of the righteous and by His power and the help of the Reverends Lamoin and Gay Wright, church and pastor, many were brought to the Master and added to the church. These have given her new life to carry the good work on.

In 1928 Walter Stephens passed away and Dorance West was ordained elder to fill the vacancy. Lula Williams after serving several years as clerk resigned and Edna Taylor is now clerk. Our present pastor is Denver Medsker beginning September, 1941.

Still living today are these sons of the charter members: Ollie Painter of near Winchester, son of Martha Addington; Daniel Williams, near farmland, son of Eliza McKee Williams; and Eli Stanley, son of Rebecca Stanley living in the community.

From the small vine planted here in 1859, workers have been scattered to the north, south, east and west to carry the gospel and while they rest from their labors, their works do follow them; and today we who are on the field of action today to truly say “Faith of our fathers living still, we will be true to thee till death.”

Contributed By: Billy Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Wednesday, December 23, 1942

Three Sisters Married Fifty Years.

  One golden wedding anniversary celebration in a family is worthy of
recognition, but when three children in that same family complete fifty
years of married life -- that really is worth of outstanding recognition.
  Shown above [in the accompaning picture] are three sisters, each
seated in front of her husband to whom she has been married more than
fifty years.  They, daughters of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Cox, are
from left to right:  Mrs. William Chenoweth, East Washington street,
Winchester, Mrs Levi Reed of Parker and Mrs. James L. Chenoweth of Union
City route 4.
  The unusual photograph was taken at the home of Henry O. Cox,
Winchester route 3, where Mr. and Mrs. William Chenoweth and Mr. and
Mrs. James Chenoweth were married.
  The wedding dates were:
 
  Mr. and Mrs. William Chenoweth -- February 23, 1891
  Mr. and Mrs. Levi Reed -- December 10, 1891
  Mr. and Mrs. James L. Chenoweth -- October 26, 1892

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, April 7, 1943

Good neighbor policy exists, farmer finds.

Friends and neighbors put the good neighbor policy into effect at Spartanburg last week when they worked together at the home of Leo Chenoweth, husking the balance of his 1942 corn crop. Chenoweth had been handicapped with illness in the family since last fall. In addition his son, Reginald, was called to the service, leaving the Randolph county farmer alone on his farm.

Those assisting with the work included Rev. K. Edward Maynard, Hugh Thomas, Troy Puckett, Kenneth Welch, Chester Helms, Charles Alexander, Lloyd Wise, Noral Anderson, Herschel Tillson, Murtle Brown, John Wise, George Culbertson, Harry C. Wise, Hubert Jackson and Earl Johnson.

Chenoweth says that he still believes that friends in need are friends indeed.

Contributed By: Billy Baker

From - Union City Times-Gazette, Wednesday, September 8, 1943 with
additional input from Tucker's History of Randolph County, Indiana (1882).

The Quaker Trace

  The old "Quaker Trace," was a trail or road that led northward from
Wayne county to Fort Wayne in the early pioneer period.  When the
pioneers cut this road through the forest, all of present Randolph
county and a fractional part of Jay county were still incorprated in
original Wayne county, which had been set off by the territorial
legislature in 1810.
  Randolph county was organized in 1818.  Thomas W. Parker, his wife and
three children, a Quaker family from North Carolina, came to present
Randolph county in 1814 and entered land east of the boundary
established by the Greenville Treaty line.
  In 1815 Fort Wayne became a place of meeting for the payment of
annuities of the Indians, and a great deal of trade was carried on there
with the Indians.  Fort Wayne was evacuated as a military post in 1819
but it became a depot for trade in furs, provisions, whiskey, and other
supplies.
  The earliest regular track through the Randolph forest of any
considerable length was the "Quaker Trace."  Although most of the trade
from the upper reaches of the Whitewater in the early days went south to
Cincinnati, a number of settlers sought an outlet to Fort Wayne for
trade with the Indians.
  The "Trace" was surveyed by Enos Grave.  The road was opened by Paul
Swain, William Simmons, Thomas Roberts, Daniel Fisher, Nathan and Henry
Hunt of Frankin township; Abraham Ashley, Enos Grave of Wayne township,
and many others.
  The "Quaker Trace" extended through Arba, Spartanburg, Bartonia, South
Salem, west of Union City, through Mount Holly, Allenville, crossing the
Mississinewa river north of that place, through North Salem, and
crossing the Wabash river at Jay City, Jay county, near New Corydon. 
Some of these early hamlets have disappeared.  The road was cut wide
enough for one wagon to pass.  It wound around ponds and big logs and
trees and quagmires, forded the Mississinewa and the Wabash, and so on
to Fort Wayne.  Squire James C. Bowen, who came to Randolph County in
1814, said the "Quaker Trace" was made in 1817.
   Much of this route remains and is used today in Randolph County.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette,  Thursday, August 5, 1943

Wed 63 Years - Family dinner honors Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong.

  A family dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Linn, Union City
rural route 2, Sunday officially observed the sixty-third anniversary of
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Armstrong, Ridgeville rural route 2,
parents of Mrs. Linn.  The anniversary of the marriage actually was Friday.
  Attending the dinner were Homer Armstrong and son, Neal, of
Cincinnati, O.; Mrs. Omer Sibeneck, Beverly Hills, Cal.; Mr. and Mrs.
Walter B. Armstrong and family , of Ridgeville; Mr. and Mrs. Almer
Armstrong and family, of Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Linn and
family, of Union City rural route 2; Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Lee) Linn,
Union City; the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Linn, and the
honored couple, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Armstrong.  A son and
daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Armstrong, Indianapolis, were
unable to attend.
  Although retired from active farming for the past ten years, Mr. and
Mrs. Armstrong still reside at their rural residence, four miles east of
Ridgeille, where they have lived for the past 44 years.
  Mr. Armstrong, who is 86 years of age and in fairly good health, came
to this community from Wilmington, O., in the late seventies.  He set up
in business as a blacksmith in Old Deerfield one block south of the
present intersection of state highways 27 and 28, next door to the
church now in the community.  He became widely known as an expert plow
fitter and wagonmaker.  Mrs. Armstong, 81, who also is in fairly good
health, is the last of the family of 11 children born to Rev. and Mrs.
Fletcher Barrett, of near Ridgeville.  Theodore Barrett, a brother, died
only a few weeks ago.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, September 21, 1943

Lincoln - The Nation's First Consolidated School  ---by Philip Kabel

Letter on the school construction and early days --- from Lee L. Driver

      In 1908 the trustee of White River township found himself facing
the problem of several small schools and
poor buildings in the western part of the township.  It was decided
advisable to the building of a four-room brick
building at a cost of about $14, 000.
      At the time many people looked upon it as a foolish undertaking,
as it is situated entirely remote from any
town or village.
      In fact, at the dedication of this building, known as the
"Lincoln," prophets were heard to say that the time
would never come when the building would be half filled.  The school
began with an enrollment of forty-three.
These were pupils from the smaller schools which were abandoned because
of small enrollments, but, its
advantages were soon seen by the people of the surrounding districts and
the following year three heavily
populated districts petitioned to be abandoned and transported to the
"Lincoln."
     Others from surrounding districts also seeing the advantages
transported their children at their own expense.
This reduced the attendance of other schools and they were abandoned for
lack of attendance.  Up to 1910 just
the common branches were taught, at this time the high school being
established and was commissioned in 1913.
      An addition was built in the summer of 1912 and the capacity of
the building was doubled, now being well
equipped to care for both common and high school students.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Philip Kabel,
Winchester, Indiana.

Dear Philip,

     I was very much interested in the picture of the Lincoln school
building, and am not surprised at the interest
that Mr. Williams has in it.  You will recall that he was the township
trustee of White River township during the
time the building was under construction.  It was he who had to take the
official responsibility of establishing the
school, he and the advisory board composed of Wesley Green, Charles
Magee and Elwood Robinson.
     It is difficult for the present generation to fully appreciate the
backbone that it took in those days to
undertake the building of such a plant.  The opposition was terrific on
the part of many.  This can not be
wondered at for it was one of the first open country consolidated
schools to be established in the country.  People
didn't see the benefit of country graded schools, it was all right for
cities and towns to have such schools, but not
the thing for the country.
     I had sympathy with them, for at the time of my election as county
superintendent of schools, I was opposed
to them too.  I often say that "I was converted to the system of country
graded schools as surely as I was
converted to the cause of Christ, for both have the betterment of
childhood at heart."  I was in a Jackson
township teachers' institute one day when one of the teachers asked me
why was it that so many more country
children dropped out of high school at the end of the first year than
those from the cities.
      That set me to making an investigation of the records of the
Winchester high school of which I was principle
at that time.  To my utter surprise I found that the percent of those
from the country was more than twice as
great as from the city.  I also found that, with a few outstanding
exceptions, the grades of the city children were
higher than those of the country.  That led to a further study of those
country children who had gone to
one-teacher schools and those who had gone to the graded schools.
     This revealed that those who had gone to the graded schools not
only outranked the other children from the
country but the city pupils also -- with a very few exceptions.  This
led to the conclusion that if country children
were given the advantages of graded schools, superior results would
obtain.  Future results support that
conclusion.
     The immediate situation was that we had some small schools that had
to be taken care of.  Mr. Williams was
convinced that the schools should be consolidated and the advisory board
appropriated the money to erect the
building.  But that didn't end the difficulties at all.  We had to
threaten condemnation to get the site and to get a
reasonable valuation on it.
     The board selected Mr. Mangas of Union City as architect, and plans
were discussed.  It soon developed that
some thought four rooms too many.  That was ironed out, and everything
went smoothly until the subject of
toilets was studied.  Mr. Green sided with us by insisting with the
other members of the board that a water system
and inside toilets be installed.  Mr. Green was one of the very few
farmers who had such conveniences in his
home at that time and he insisted that we "keep up to date" at the school.
     It is amusing to think of the "arguments" used at that time. 
"There will be odor in the building."  "It will be
unsanitary."  "Children won't know how to use them."  "You can't drain
the system into the river."  "A
cesspool isn't possible."  "The system will freeze up and burst," and
many other excuses.
     This sounds fanciful at this time, but it was very real then.  It
didn't mean anything to tell them that such a
system was in operation at Losantville.  One fellow said to me "Maybe
they can make it work in "Hell's Half
Acre" but it won't work here."
      There was another type of opposition that came from those who saw
nothing but the cost of the building, and
such statements as "It'll breakup the township," "We'll never be able to
pay for it," "Our taxes will be doubled,"
"You can't transport the children," "The hacks will ruin our roads,"
"Children will freeze waiting for the school
hack," "Hacks will never be on time."
     An amusing incident occurred a short time after the transportation
was begun.  A resident near Maxville
circulated the report that his children had to start to the consolidated
school before daylight and didn't get home
until after dark.  I interviewed one of his children, and asked what
time he started to school.  His reply was "Oh,
about eight o'clock."  What time do you get home in the evening?  "Oh,
about four o'clock, I guess," he replied.
     I then told him that my reason for asking was that I had heard that
his father said it was six o'clock when he
started and six o'clock when he got home.  Then came the amusing
statement -- "Pa just fixes the clock so he
can tell it that way."
     Another source of opposition was sentiment.  That was illustrated
by a statement of my mother, who had been
born near the Lincoln and had gone to school at Number Seven.  Mother
attended the dedication and as we
were standing at the interurban station after the meeting she put her
arms on my shoulder and said "Well, Lee
when I went to school down at that little school house, little did I
think that it would be my own son who would do
away with it."
     Right or wrong, I had to tell her that her sentiment was fine, but
the children of the next generation would be
just as proud of the new school as she was of hers.
     Another incident occurred later that disclosed the attitude of many
people.  A woman from Indianapolis was
visiting friends in Winchester.  She happened to be acquainted with the
state superintendent and he told her to be
sure and go see the Lincoln consolidated school.  She, her hostess and I
went out on the trolley.  It was on
Saturday and of course there was no school.
      She saw the sanitary toilets, the water system, the heating plant,
the manual training shop (industrial arts
now) and some of the projects the boys were working on; such as
double-trees, single-trees, farm gates, etc.  She
saw the sewing room and dresses, apron, etc. which the girls were
making; she saw the victrolas, a library in each
room, the music racks of the little orchestra, the assembly room, in
fact she saw the whole show.
     As we were waiting in the station for the car, she looked at the
building and said in somewhat of an affected
way -- "Mr. Driver, that is wonderful, marvelous, why that is good
enough for city children."  I may not have
been very courteous in my reply, but I couldn't refrain from saying
"Yes, and thank God it is good enough for
country children too."  Unfortunately too many country people in those
days had the same attitude, that she had
of the relative advantages for city and country children.
     Mr. Williams stood the brunt of criticism for erecting the
building, and Walter Hiatt stood firmly back of
giving those children out there the advantage of a high school.  We
tried our best to get a joint high school with
Winchester, but that was impossible.  I am still convinced that that
would have been the best solution for the
problem, but conditions over which we had no control prevented it.
     I have never lost any interest in the schools of Randolph county,
and always rejoice in their success.
     Hope to be out that way in the near future.  Give "Billy" my best
regards.

           Sincerely yours,

                     Lee L. Driver

[The first teachers at the Lincoln school were Bessie Hiatt, teacher of
the primary grades, and Mrs. William
Pendleton Lesley, teacher of the upper grades.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Saturday, October 16, 1943

Couple Married Fifty Years.

  Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Thornburg will celebrate their golden wedding
anniversary by holding open house at their country home one and one-half
mile south of Winchester on state road 27, where Marvin Thornburg now
resides, Sunday afternoon from 2 until 4:30 o'clock and Sunday evening
from 7 until 9 o'clock.  Neighbors and friends of the couple are
cordially invited to call.
  Ernest Thornburg was the son of Jacob Alexander and Harriett Parrott
Thornburg.  He was reared on a farm near Jericho.  Mrs. Thornburg was
the daughter of John M. Turner of near Union City.  Both attended the
public school in Wayne township.
  They were united in marriage in October of 1893.  In March of 1896, a
son, Marvin came to bless their home.  Marvin now resides on a farm near
Winchester.  In August of 1900 a daughter, Margaret, was born.  Margaret
was married to Dr. H. D. Pyle and now resides in South Bend.
[Article snipped here at end of genealogical information.  It continues
further with information about Mr. Thornburg's career of farm
management.  The article was accompanied by a very nice and clear
photograph of the couple.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Union City Times-Gazette, Tuesday, November 9, 1943

Fallen heroes live in memory.
"Tis those who died for Liberty,
   And did not die in vain!
They counted light their loss that gave
    The world eternal gain."

 Thursday is Armistice Day, and the Union City community again recalls
with deep respect and sorrow the following young men, who made the
supreme sacrifice in the first world war and did not return to their
home community:

LEROY BEACHLER -- 5th T. M. B., Bat. C.  Died at Brest, France, from
pneumonia, Oct. 3, 1918.  Buried at Brest, France.  Brought home after
the war and buried in Union City cemetery.

CLAUD BYRNE -- 36th Co. 9th Tr. Bn., 158th Depot Brig. Camp Sherman,
Ohio.  Died from pneumonia Sept. 30, 1918.  Buried in Union City cemtery.

CLAUD LEROY FIFER -- Co. E. 11th Infantry.  Killed action in Battle of
St. Mihiel, France, Sept. 12, 1918.  Buried in France.  Brought home
after the war and buried in Union City cemetery.

FRANCES L. FRAZIER -- Co. 15, 17th Regt. Camp Luce, Great Lakes, Ill. 
Died from pneumonia Sept. 29, 1918.  Buried in Jericho Cemetery
southwest of Union City.

THOMAS GREEN -- Co. A. 3rd Ohio Infantry.  Served on Mexican Border. 
Died from appendicitis Nov. 18, 1917.  Buried in Union City cemtery.

JOSEPH HICKS -- 145th U. S. Hospital Corps, Camp Sheridan, Ala.  Died
from pneumonia Feb. 3, 1918.  Buried in Union City cemetery.

EARL C. IMEL -- Co. L. 28th U. S. Infantry.  Died from pneumonia Jan.
22, 1918.  Buried in Union City cemetery.

REUBEN LIVINGSTON -- Corporal, Veternary Corps, 322nd Field Artillery,
CampSherman, Ohio.  Died from pneumonia Jan. 22, 1918.  Buried in
Teegarden Cemetery east of Union City.

FRANCIS A. NORRIS --Sergeant Co. C, 7th U. S. Engineers.  Died in France
from pneumonia Dec. 25, 1918.  Buried somewhere in France.

CARL J. ROSENBUSH -- 30th Co., 8th Bn., 159th Depot Brig., Camp Taylor,
Ky.  Died from pneumonia May 27, 1918.  Buried in Union City cemetery.

EARL C. SPENCER -- First Class Gunner, Coast Artillery.  Died from
influenza Oct. 16, 1918 in Base Hospital at Minneola, Long Island, N.
Y.  Burial in Eaton, Ind., cemetery.

THOMAS STARBUCK -- Troop B. 17th U. S. Cavalry, Camp Jones, Douglas,
Ariz.  Died from pneumonia March 2, 1919.  Buried in Union City cemetery.

ORVILLE N. STOVER -- Co. G, 60th U. S. Infantry.  Fatally wounded in
action along Meuse River in France, Nov. 4, 1918, only seven days before
the Armistice.  Died in hospital from wounds Nov. 6, 1918.  Buried in
France.  Brought home after the war and buried in Union City cemetery. 
Orville N. Stover Post No. 158 of the American Legion, Union City, bears
his name.

HARRY H. THOMAS -- Co. M, 104th U. S. Infantry.  Died in France from
pneumonia Dec. 12, 1918.  Buried in cemetery at Montigny, France. 
Brought home after the war and buried in cemetery at Hollansburg, Ohio.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana-Ohio, Monday, April 17, 1944

Masonic Building Fire Recalls Memories of First Buildings on North Side

Since no records are available I have had to rely on the memory of some of our old citizens, one of whom is Oscar Puckett, and I will relate to you his story as told to me.

By Philip Kabel

"My earliest remembrance of the north west corner of Main and Washington Streets date back to about 1873, when as a boy of six years of age, I came to town with my father. At that time there was a high board fence along the west side of Main Street, the boards being vertical and fitted so closely together that one could not see what was on the other side of the fence. It must have been at least six feet high and extended northward along the west side of the street for nearly half a block. I remember asking father what was on the other side. He told me that a large log building had once stood there but had burned down.

When we moved to town in March, 1878, the fence had been replaced by a brick building on the corner of the streets named above and extended back north to about the same distance as the present K. of P. building. Just north of this building the fence had been replaced with a frame structure in which George Longnecker had a tailor shop, and many is the time I have seen him sitting cross-legged on the top of a wide table plying his needle and thread, and I wondered how it was possible for anyone to sit in that position and sew.

Just north of the tailor shop the fence had been replaced by another small frame structure which housed Isaiah (Pony) Ryan's barber shop. This shop had quite an attraction for me; prominently displayed was Pony's snare drum which he played in a martial band, and many is the time I stood at his side and watched him make what seemed to me marvelous rolls on it. He finally noted my interest and offered to teach me to play it, thus I received my first music lesson.

Just north of the barber shop was Deacon Harter's livery stable which extended to the alley. Deacon Harter was famous for his long silken beard which extended to his waist-line.

Speaking of long beards, I remember some other men with long beards reaching down to their waist-line, viz: John Heaston, afterwards postmaster, Dr. C. C. Hiatt, Dennis Kelley, and Taylor Semans. There probably were others but these stand out in memory.

Just across the alley north from the Deacon's livery barn, Was Billy William's implement shop. Just north of this was a vacant lot on which our baseball pitchers used to practice. This vacant lot was afterward occupied by an old photographer's car, belonging to Mr. Snedaker. He used to travel from place to place in this car which served for a home and a gallery at the same time. This man afterwards built the Snedaker block on the site now occupied by the Randolph County Sales company. The second floor was fitted up with a stage and seats and was frequently used for ten-cent comedy companies and medicine shows.

The south west corner of Main and North Streets was occupied by Sol Junker's residence. It occupied the whole of the ground where the I. O. O. F. building and the rooms just south of this building now stand, and extended to the old photograph car I have just mentioned. The old Junker home was moved to the west side of North Main street in the Five Hundred block. It was torn down a few years ago to make room for more modern residences.

The brick building which replaced the board fence on the north west corner of Main and Washington Streets was occupied for many years by Kent Brown's barber shop. In this shop were at least six barber chairs, with Burrel Thompson working on the first chair and Kent operating the last one. I well remember the giant cup-case on the east wall. It was quite the thing those days for the patrons of barbers to have their own shaving mugs and brushes; this was the reason for the great pigeon-holed case. These shaving mugs were generally very elaborately decorated affairs with the owner's name enameled on each one. This was much the largest barber shop Winchester ever had I suspect. Old residents of Winchester will remember Kent Brown's tragic death in the early nineties.

On the next lot west from Brown's barber shop was James Moorman's bank, a three-story brick building. Its two-sashed small paned windows, made it, to my childish mind, quite a gloomy place. James Moorman was a member of the Society of Friends, and regular attender of the old Friends' Meeting Housed which stood on the site of the present Friends' Church. He always sat on the dais at the south end of the church with the other ministers and elders and wore his stove-pipe hat through the entire service except during prayer. He accumulated great wealth; before the Civil War, his wealth, according to Prof. Ebenezer Tucker's History of Randolph County was reckoned by the tax authorities at about $265,000.00. His quaint expression, ?I'd a leetle rather, not," became very near to being a classic about Winchester at that time. Some sacrilegious sinner is said to have interpreted it as "I"ll be damned if I will." However, James Moorman loved children, and the James Moorman Orphans' Home stands as a monument to this love.

Just west from the bank stood a small frame building erected by young Robert J. Litschert to house his jewelry and watch repair shop. Young Bob, as he was called, was a skilled, quiet spoken artisan who soon climbed up in the financial world and became one of the leading business men of Winchester.

On west of the Litschert establishment was another section of board fence, built tight and hight, but which about 1880 was torn down and a little shack was built to accommodate a little confectionery store. This little store was operated by two young fellows, one of whom was "Grassy" Lennon; I do not remember the name of his partner, nor do I know what became of "Grassy,"

The next room to the westward was a two-storied frame building, the lower floor of which was occupied by Mrs. McClusky's hair shop. Her show windows were filled with switches and curls for women. I don't suppose any of the younger women of our day know what a switch is. My mother used to save the combings of her hair and when she had accumulated a large quantity of it she took it to Mrs. McClusky who, by some kind of art combined with patience, would straighten out the hair and weave it onto a cord. This strand of hair my mother would fasten with her other hair and then do it up on the back of her head, thus, by means of the switch, increase the size of the roll on the back of her head. This roll was usually set off with a large comb about three inches wide and projecting upward high enough to be seen over the top of the head. The false curls were made from combings also and were worn hanging down each side of the face. So, you see, our grandmothers were romantically inclined, with their switches, curls, hoop-skirts, bustles, and shoes that either laced up the side or buttoned. Some wag has carried this idea of romanticism still farther when he said, "just think what our grandmothers had to put up with; when they were kissed, there was the walrus moustache and a chewing tobacco scented breath to endure." Anyway, Mrs. McClusky must have been a progressive woman, even if she didn't use lipstick or paint her fingernails.

The second floor of this building housed Johnny Chapman's harness shop. Johnny was a little man, barely five feet tall. At that time the County Fair was in the heyday of its existence and Johnny became interested in racing stock and moved to Labette county, Kansas. As I remember, Mart Miller worked for him as a harnessmaker. Another man also was employed by him, but I do not remember his name. He had a withered leg and walked with a single crutch.

As I remember it now, the next room west of the Hair Shop was Riley Hiatt's Hardware store. This man, Riley Hiatt, was noted for his honesty and square dealing. A common mode of comparison was, "as honest as Riley Hiatt." He and Thomas Ward, Sr., were fast friends and Mr. Ward spent a lot of his spare time in Mr. Hiatt's store. In fact, Mr. Ward had many business interests and his headquarters were in the Hiatt store. Just to the west of the Hiatt store was the broad stairway that led up into the City Hall, as it was called. Most of the shows that came to town exhibited their wares there; here were held also the high school commencements.

The Magee Stove store came next. This was primarily a stove store but C. E. Magee also had a tin shop in connection with it. Here for several years were employed Lambertine Irvin and Al (Gooner) Fletcher, a brother of James M. (Buck) Fletcher. Gooner was an ardent baseall enthusiast and caught behind the home-plate in the days before masks and gloves were in use.

In later years, Mr. Magee enlarged his business to include a general line of hardware, and the establishment is still know as the Magee Hardware company.

At this time the courthouse was new and was said to be the most beautiful structure of its kind in the state. I remember that the Harvey Geography which was used in the Winchester schools at that time, had an Indiana supplement in the back of it consisting of several pages, made special mention of our courthouse and its beautiful tower."

For some time the ground just east of the Masonic building was vacant, and on this Billie Reinheimer, father of George Reinheimer, built a small frame building in which he had his shoe repair shop, a large window forming a big part of the south end or front.

One evening some mischievious boys placed a brick on the walk in front of the building and covered it with an old hat, hoping that some one would come along and kick the hat and stub his toe on the brick. They had not long to wait until a prominent citizen accompanied by his good wife came along.

She could not resist the temptation to see how far she could kick the old hat, and with a powerful swing of her right foot she let go as if trying to kick the extra point after a touchdown, nearly breaking her toes on impact with the brick.

So infuriated was the husband that he picked the brick up and hurled it through the large window thinking that the culprits were on the inside watching, and hoping to raise a bump on some fellow's head.

So prolific was he in his use of choice words that for a short time a blue cloud settled over the place.

The next morning, soon after Billie had come to the shop to begin his day's work, the prominent citizen came in and explained to him the occasion for the broken window and then ordered a new one put in at his own expense.

Under the outside stairway on the east side of the barbershop one of our ex-county officials, when a boy, had what he says was one of the most successful fights he ever had. When it was over both participants had black eyes, swollen lips, and one of the fellows had two or three teeth jarred loose. He says it was a humdinger and was called a draw.

After it was over they shook hands and made up, and were close friends and companions until the other fellow moved away from Winchester.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana-Ohio, Wednesday, May 31, 1944

86th Birthday Celebrated by John B. Koontz

Union City today is congratulating John B. Koontz of 408 North Plum street, oldest native-born resident, upon his 86th birthday anniversary. He is not the oldest resident of the city, but, as far as can be learned he is the oldest citizen who was born in Union City and has lived his entire life here.

Mr. Koontz was born May 31, 1858, in a frame house that stood where the large concrete block building now stands on the Weber property on Fletcher Ave., south of the Chrysler garage between Pearl and Oak streets and Howard and Columbia streets. This was a main thoroughfare of the primitive town before Columbia street came into prominence. He lived here eight years, then moved to Plum street where he has lived 78 years. For 13 years years he lived in the Koontz home at Oak and Plum streets where George Schricker and family now live, but in the large frame house which was later moved to the wet end of the lot when Edward Koontz, a brother, built his new brick house. Mr. Koontz built his present home 65 years ago.

The father, John Koontz, who was born near Binen, Germany in 1829 and who died in Union City in 1894, came to America in 1842. after working as a carpenter at Dayton, Cincinnati and New Orleans he came to Union City in June 1852, when what is now the city was in woods, with deer and wild turkeys very plentiful. He worked as a carpenter till 1856, then started a cabinet shop which developed into the Koontz furniture factory, one of the pioneer industries in the city. He was married to Miss Mary Caron of Greenville in 1854, and they became the parents of seven children: Mrs. Fronia Voisinet, Edward Koontz, Mrs. Ida Koontz-Fouts and William Koontz, now deceased; John B. Koontz, Martin J. Koontz and Mrs. John Weber, now living in Union City. John Koontz, Sr. with his factory “run by steam power” was very sucessful in business. He dealt extensively in lumber, wholesale and retail, and became the owner of several town properties and farms. He was also an undertaker. His brother, Peter, who came to Union City in 1867, became known as the millionaire lumber dealer.

As a boy John B. Koontz helped to make furniture by hand in a frame building in the rear of the bank building now occupied by the Hub City Finance Corporation. The place had no machinery. Later the brick factory was built on South State Line street which continued to be operated after the father's death in 1915 when the lumber and machinery were sold. But the furniture store on Columbia street was purchased from the other heirs by John B. Koontz who operated it until about 10 years ago when he rented the room to the A. and P. store and moved across the street where he conducted a store for a short time, retiring from business shortly before the death of his wife in 1936. Until late years he continued the undertaking work.

In connection with the operation of the furniture factory and store Mr. Koontz traveled over Indiana, Ohio and Illinois selling the products of the Koontz factory. He claims the distinction of having sold the first kitchen cabinet made in the United States. When he first showed a model to William H. Gable at Hartford City the latter inquired, “What kind of thing is it?” Mr Koontz, who was an excellent salesman, replied, “It is the latest and best thing in kitchen furniture.” “But what is the purpose of it?” Gable asked. “It takes the place of a cupboard,” Koontz replied. “Well send me two and I'll see if the people will buy them,” Gable responded. The two were shipped by Pennsylvania freight, were soon sold, and others ordered. That was the beginning, according to Mr. Koontz, of the kitchen cabinet business.

Mr. Koontz's wife was the former Miss Mary Cracknell, of LaPorte, Ind. Into the home came four children: Leo and Hugh, who helped in the furniture store for several years and who both died in 1939; Charles of the Union City Body Co. and Mrs. James Parker, formerly Miss Mary Adine Koontz, of Dayton. There are six grandchildren and one great-grandchild who is a recent arrival in the home of Mr. And Mrs. John Koontz, Jr., in Richmond, Ind.

Despite his 86 years, Mr. Koontz is apparently in good health. He lives alone at 408 North Plum street except for frequent visits of his children and grandchildren and the daily visits of Miss Hannah Lally who cooks his meals and keeps the house in condition. Mr. Koontz is his own furnace boy. He eats and sleeps regularly and takes daily exercise including one or more trips down town. He retires at 8:30 p. m. and rises at 6 a. m. with regularity. He attributes his good health largely to his regular habits. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church within whose shadow he has lived for three-quarters of a century.

He attends church regularly and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus. When asked about celebrating his 86th birthday anniversary Mr. Koontz said “We're all too busy to have a big blow-out.” But Saturday Mrs. Hugh Koontz and sister, Miss Catherine Finan, of Muncie, had a visit at the Koontz home. Yesterday Mr. And Mrs. James Parker of Dayton came and all had dinner together. Last night and today Charles Koontz and family have helped in the celebration. Besides these other relatives and many friends have extended greetings. It has been a happy day for the highly-respected pioneer citizen and business man who says his desire is to outlive his Grandfather Rappe of east of Greenville who lived to the ripe age of 107 years. Union City and community extend their congratulations to Mr. Koontz and wish for him more happy birthdays.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana-Ohio, Saturday, October 21, 1944

Farmland High School To Name Queen At Frolic

Who is the most popular girl in the Farmland high school? This will be answered Monday evening, Oct. 30 at the great Halloween frolic which is to be held in the Farmland gymnasium.

Each class has chosen several girls to be in the contest. The votes are selling for one cent each and any one in the school or community may vote. The night of the frolic there will be a voting booth in the gymnasium. Before that time votes are to be given to Mrs. Betty Briggs.

The first seven girls elected will preside at the crowning of the queen, Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Green basketball game. Besides the great honor of being the most popular girls, there will be worthy prizes given to the queen and her attendants.

The contestants are Betty SITES, Eileen MILLS, Norma CONN, Joyce FRIAR, Jackie Sue GILMORE, Betty BONEWIT, Mildred HODSON, Dorothy HOWELL, Bessie Ellen WRIGHT, Zelda KING, Joan CARTER, Amy MILLS, Beverly FOSTER, Marilou OSWALD, Betty DULL, Betty HIATT, Carolyn LAMB, Alice PURSLEY, Judy McINTYRE, and Arveda HUTCHENS.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Wednesday, January 10, 1945

92nd Anniversary Observed Monday By George R. Hill

George R. Hill of Union City celebrated his ninety-second birthday anniversary Monday at the home of his son, Dr. Harry Hill of Cincinnati. Mr. Hill is enjoying fairly good health and expects to return to this city in a few weeks.

As a boy of 12 years of age he came to Union City in February 1865 while the Civil War was still in progress. He describes in a most interesting manner the primitive conditions prevailing here when he first came.

Recollections of the inventions that took place at the turn of the century and the first reproductions in Union City are vividly recalled by Mr. Hill. He states that he witnessed the building of all the schools, churches, factories and business blocks in his eighty years spent in this city.

Mr. Hill has three sons and one daughter: Roll and Clarence Hill of Union City, Dr. Harry Hill at Cincinnati; and Mrs. Grace Teague of DeLand, Florida. There are eight grandchildren: Sgt. George Hill, Jr. , serving in the South Pacific area; Mrs. James Cotter of this city; Herbert Hill, associated with the Indianapolis News; Paul Hill of Attica, Ind.; Mrs. Mildred White of Monticello; Miss Dorothy Hill of Cincinnati; and Atty. Carl Teague and Miss Jean Teague of DeLand, Florida. There are also seven great-grandchildren. The mother and grandmother passed away in 1930.

[George Robinson Hill was born January 8, 1853 in Ohio. Both of his parents were born in New Jersey. Elizabeth A. Echelberger-Hill, his wife, was born June 21, 1854 in Ohio and both of her parents were born in Pennsylvania. The 1880 Census lists George's occupation as carpenter and living in Union City. A 1908 Randolph Co. Directory listed the family living at 930 W. Pearl St. and he was working at the Backstay Factory. He died on May 25, 1945 and is buried in the Union City Cemetery beside his wife, Elizabeth A. Hill, who died March 30, 1930.]

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana, Saturday, May 26, 1945

George R. Hill, Pioneer Resident Claimed By Death.

George R. Hill, 92 years old, a pioneer of Union City, was claimed by death at the home of a son, Clarence, 225 North High street, this city, Friday afternoon folowing a six weeks illness. A prominent community citizen, he was one of two persons who held the honor of being the oldest inhabitants of Union City in point of residence.

He was born on January 8, 1853 at Cincinnati, the son of Mr. And Mrs. C. G. Hill, and moved here when he was 12 years of age, during the Civil War and when Abraham Lincoln was president.

On October 5, 1873 he was married to Elizabeth Echelberger at Versailles, and was a railroad supervisor in this city for several years. He was a member of the First Christian church of this city.

Mr. Hill was able to describe the primitive conditions prevailing here in a very interesting manner. He could remember the inventions that took place at the turn of the century and first reproductions in Union City were vividly recalled by him. He had witnessed the building of all the schools, churches, factories and business blocks in his 80 years spent in this locality.

Surviving, besides his son, Clarence, are two other sons, Roll, of Union City, and Dr. Harry Hill, Cincinnati; one daughter Mrs. Grace Teague, of DeLand, Florida; eight grandchildren, Sgt. George Hill, Jr., serving in the South Pacific; Mrs. James Cotter, Union City; Herbert Hill, associated with the Indianapolis News; Paul Hill, of Attica, Ind.; Mrs. Mildred White, of Monticello; Miss Dorothy Hill, Cincinnati, and Atty. Carl Teague and Miss Jean Teague, of DeLand, Frorida and seven great-grandchildren. His wife passed away in 1930.

Final rites will be held Monday at 2 p. m. at the Brooks funeral home with Rev. W. W. Wilson officiating, and burial will be in the city cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home any time after Sunday noon.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana, Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Arthur Family Has Six Sons In Service

Six brothers, the children of Mr. And Mrs. Lester Arthur, who reside 10 miles southwest of Union City and 10 miles southeast of Winchester, near Spartanburg, are now members of Uncle Sam's army, navy and marines.

The six brothers, members of a family with 11 sons and three daughters, all volunteered and five of them saw action overseas at one time. At present four of them are overseas, one is receiving training at Lakeland, Fla., and the other one is awaiting the call to active duty. Of the five remaining brothers, four are subject to call at any time.

Pvt. Donald Arthur, 23, entered the service on Feb. 1, 1941 and was one of Randolph County's first volunteers. He serves in the field artillery and received his basic training at Ft. Custer, Mich. Later he was stationed in Iceland for 19 months and then he participated in H-hour, D-day on the Normandy coast. His last letter was received in the early part of December. Prior to his enlistment he worked at the Union City Body company and attended school at Wayne and Spartanburg.

Pvt. Vearl Arthur, 26, has been in the service since Sept. 23, 1941. He received his basic training at Camp Wolters, Tex., and then was stationed in the Southwest Pacific three years ago this month. He participated in the Solomon's campaign, had a recuperation period on the Hawaiian Islands, and then saw action in the Saipan invasion. Sept. 1944 was the last time he has written home. Prior to his enlistment he attended Wilson and Wayne schools.

Staff Sgt. Lloyd Arthur, 24, was the third brother to volunteer. He entered the air corps August 10, 1942, at which time he received training at gunnery school in Florida. For 10 months he was stationed in the Eighth Air Force in England and participated in 31 missions over Europe and Berlin. Last April he was sent to Lakeland, Fla., where he is now receiving fighter pilot training. He also attended Wilson and Wayne schools and worked at the Union City Body company.

Corporal Noel Arthur, 21, entered the service Jan. 21, 1941 and received his training at Van Couver, Wash. He has served in Africa, with General Clark's Fifth Army in Italy and, having participated in the invasion of Southern France, is now someplace with the Eleventh Army on the German front. His last letter was written a few days before Christmas and he said he was near the Belfort Gap. Cpl. Arthur attended Wayne and Spartanburg schools and was an outstanding basketball player in the county from 1938 to 1942. He also worked at the U. C. Body Co., before entering the service.

Pfc. Basil Arthur, 19, entered the Marine corps at Richmond June 25, 1943 and was trained at San Diego, Calif. Pfc. Arthur is now with the Third Marines somewhere in the Southwest Pacific and was in the Guam invasion. He attended Wayne and Spartanburg schools and also played first team basketball for three years. Before his enlistment he worked at Richmond.

Guy Arthur, 28, passed his navy examination and was sworn in April 3, 1944. At present he lives in San Francisco, Calif., and is awaiting the call to active duty. He attended Wilson and Wayne schools and is now with the Westinghouse Electric Co., in San Francisco.

Of the five remaining brothers, Ralph, Ross, Paul, Glen and Stanley, four are subject to call at anytime. Ralph drives a motor transport at Winchester; Ross works at Warner Gear, Muncie; Paul is an employ at the U. C. Body Co.; Glen labors on a farm near Spartanburg, and Stanley is at home helping his father, who has no other help, run a 120-acre farm.

The Arthur family is also composed of three sisters; Mrs. Kenneth Cox who lives on a farm north of Winchester; Mrs. Vernie Moore, on a farm near Wayne school, and Doris, age 16, at home.

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana, Saturday, July 14, 1945

93rd Anniversary Was Observed By Mrs. Mary Thornburg.

Mrs. Mary Thornburg, well-known pioneer of the Union City community, observed her ninety-third birthday anniversary on July 9 and was honored with a family dinner party on Sunday at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Ralph Thornburg near Greenville.

Dinner was served at the noon hour picnic style and the afternoon was spent socially. The complimented guests was the recipient of many lovely gifts and greeting cards.

Those enjoying the day were Mr. and Mrs. George Schricker, Miss Lucille Schricker, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Thornburg, Mr. And Mrs. Carl Thornburg, Mrs. Roger Minnich and daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Mikesell and two children; Mr. and Mrs. Max Thornburg and son; and Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Kemp, all of in or near Union City; Harry Thornburg of Muncie, the honored guest and the host and hostess.

Mrs. Thornburg is the mother of Mrs. George Schricker, Mrs. T. W. Kemp, Joe and Carl of this vicinity; Victor of Northern Michigan; Harry of Muncie; Ralph of near Greenville; and Mrs. Grace Altenbach of Baltimore, Md. There are also several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is enjoying fairly good health for one of her advanced years and resides at the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Kemp.

[Mary Elizabeth Johnson-Thornburg was born July 9, 1852 in Winchester, IN and died January 28, 1947 in Union City, IN. She is buried in the Union City Cemetery beside her husband Eli H. Thornburg (June 3, 1846 - May 2 1913).]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

The Times-Gazette, Union City, Indiana, Saturday, September 1, 1945

Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary Is Being Observed

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bintz of Union City, are celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary today. They were married on September 1, 1885 at Cortland, Nebraska.

They have four children, Jacob of Indianapolis; Wesley of Lansing, Michigan; Carl of Saganaw, Michigan, and Mrs. Grace Rappe of Union City. One child, Walter, died eighteen months ago. They also have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Bintz, formerly Catharina Fotsch, was born on April 16, 1864 in Unterhallau, Switzerland, and came to this country at the age of 4.

Mr. Bintz was born on April 16, 1857 in Neider-Saulheim, Germany, and came to this country at the age of 18.

After their marriage at Cortland, they later moved to Stanberry, Missouri, and later to the following cities: Zion City, Illinois; Manitoba, Canada, and Charlotte, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Bintz then moved to Union City in 1913, and have resided here since then.

[Frederick Bintz died October 15, 1947 and Katherine Bintz died June 2, 1954. Both are buried together in the Union City Cemetery. Grace Rappe and her husband Cecil are also buried in the Union City Cemetery.]

Contributed By: Billy J. Baker

Miss Opal Welch Becomes Bride of Thomas McGuire – June 17, 1946

The marriage of Miss Opal Welch, daughter of Charles E. Welch of Winchester, and Murray McGuire, son of Mr. And Mrs. Thomas McGuire, also of Winchester, took place Saturday, June 15, at 4 p.m. at the home of the bride.

The double ring ceremony was read by Rev. Zelma Mills in the beautifully decorated living room.

Preceding the ceremony Miss Roberta Wise of near Spartanburg played “I Love You Truly,” and “Largo” and following the ceremony played “Always” by Irving Berlin.

The bride chose a gown of light blue with black accessories and a shoulder corsage of pink rosebuds and sweetpeas. She wore a necklace of white sapphires and rubies, brought to her from India by the bridegroom.

Mr. And Mrs. Richard Bolinger of near Winchester were the attendants. Mrs. Bolinger chose a dress of peach coloring with white accessories.

After the ceremony a reception was held. The serving table was centered with a three-tiered wedding cake topped with a bride and bridegroom and lighted with tall tapers.

Guests were Mr. And Mrs. Thomas McGuire, Mr. And Mrs. W.P. Pegg, Charles Welch, Mr. And Mrs. Donald Welch and daughter, Carolyn, Mr. And Mrs. Paul Welch of Muncie, Miss Ruth Welch of Richmond, Mrs. Kenneth Welch and son Stephen.

Mrs. McGuire is a graduate of the Spartanburg high school with the class of 1938 and is now employed in the Randolph county treasurer’s office.

Mr. McGuire was graduated from the McKinley high school with the class of 1939. He was recently discharged from the army after having served three years and six months, 12 months of which were spent overseas.

After a short wedding trip the couple will be at home northeast of Winchester.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Victoria Lewis, Donald J. Coffin Married Saturday – June 17, 1946

Miss Victoria Lewis and Donald J. Coffin were united in marriage Saturday afternoon, June 15, at 4:30 o’clock in the South Marion Friends parsonage with Rev. Luther E. Addington officiated at the double ring ceremony.

The bride was dressed in blue crepe and wore a corsage of pink roses.

Attendants were Mrs. Mae Engle, sister of the bride, and Herbert Engle, Jr., best man. Mrs. Engle wore blue and a corsage of talisman roses and baby breath.

Mrs. Luther Addington was also present at the ceremony.

After the ceremony the couple left for a short wedding trip to Michigan after which they will make their home in Maxville, Ind.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

Kovanda – Shank vows Read In Kansas June 12 – June 19, 1946

The marriage of Miss Maxine Kovanda, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Charles Kovanda, Sr., of Exeter, Nebraska, and James Shank, son of Mr. And Mrs. Wallace Shank of Farmland, was solemnized on Wednesday, June 12. the double ring ceremony was performed by Judge Van Natta in Belleville, Kansas.

The bride was attired in a street-length dress of white nylon. She carried an arm bouquet of mixed flowers tied with a white satin bow. Her only piece of jewelry was a gold locket with a diamond, a gift of the bridegroom.

Her only attendant was Miss Clarabelle Kovanda, who was attired in a pink net frock and she carried a bouquet of mixed flowers tied with a yellow satin bow. Ernest Motis was best man.

Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents for the immediate families and a few friends.

The center-piece of the bridal table was a beautiful three-tiered wedding cake decorated in pink and white topped with a miniature bride and bridegroom. Flowers and candles were centerpieces for the small individual tables.

After a short visit with the bride’s parents and relatives, the couple left for Denver, Colo., for a short wedding trip. They will make their home at Farmland.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

The Muncie Star, Friday, October 13, 1950

Farmland

Farmland, Ind., Oct 12-
Mrs. Ina Amburn was removed from the Randolph County Hospital to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wilbur Grove, In the Thornburg ambulance today.

Mr. and Mrs. Edison French and daughter of near Portland and Mrs. Carl Meranda accompanied their mother, Mrs. George French, to Washington Courthouse, O., for a visit with her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Moon.

The 49'ers Home Economics Club met recently at the home of Barbara Main with Doris Mills as assisting hostess. The lesson on "Time Management" was given by Miss Miller. Those attending were Catherine Clevenger, Kathryn Pegg, Margaret Caley, Nadine Lone, Louise Bostworth, Betty Slack, Betty Cox, Doris Mills, Evanalee Holoday, Phyliss Collins, Shirley Mills, Beulah Evans, Ruth York, Thelma McAllister, Frances James and Barbara Main.

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Braun of Fort Wayne spent Saturday night with Mrs. Carl Meranda.

Rally Day will be observed at the Congregational-Christian Church Sunday.

Mrs. Gertrude Rust returned to her home in Richmond Wednesday after spending a few days with relatives in Farmland.

The yell leaders were elected recently by the high school, as follows: Patty Steiner, sophomore, and Jane Leitshuh, freshman.

Mrs. Hasty of Indianapolis is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. John Burnsworth and family for a few days.

Contributed By: Gina Richardson

From the Randolph County Sesquicentennial Edition of The News-Gazette,

Friday, August 16, 1968

Huntsville Methodist Church Featured

The Methodist Bicentennial is being celebrated this year.  One of the churches featured is Huntsville United Methodist Church (1830-1984).

Rev. William Hunt was born in Virginia in 1790.  His father moved to Kentucky when Rev. Hunt was a boy.  There were many Methodists ministers in the early Hunt family.  A Rev. John W.D. Hunt was baptized and married by a Methodist minister, Robert James, father of Jesse and Frank James, near Knoxville, MO.  William Hunt became a minister in 1812 and came to Wayne County in Indiana in 1814.

In the early time of the settlement of eastern Indiana, Randolph County extended from Wayne County to Fort Wayne, between an Indiana boundary and the state line.  William Hunt became a circuit rider in 1812.  His first circuit extended from the Ohio River to Wayne County, but as Randolph County was settled after 1814, and more rapidly after 1816, Rev. Hunt rode to the early settlers (sic) cabins and held meetings there.  His circuit then covered most of early Randolph County.

The Rev. William Hunt who later became known as "Old Billy Hunt" came and settled near the present town of Huntsville during the 1820s.  He was kind to Indians and so much respected by them.  The Indians helped him to build his first log cabin.  "Old Billy's" grandson wrote this account, "The Indians helped erect Old Billy's log cabin, but would not cut or hew the logs.  One Indian buck told him (chopping was squaw work)."

From 1816 to the late 20s, Old Billy held meetings in the homes of the early settlers.  In the 1882 Randolph County Tucker History, my grandfather quotes, "Methodist meetings were held in father's cabin, and quarterly meetings were held at the residence of Jesse Cox.  Father's cabin burned down and then meetings were held elsewhere.  William Hunt and Nathan Gibson were preachers."

During the late 1820s, William Hunt donated land for the present cemetery site.  He built a log church in the cemetery - services were held there from 1830 to 1842.  The present church site was donated by Rev. Hunt in 1839, then the first church was built on the present site in 1842.  This church cost $300 in cash donated by John Harris.  All other expenses were covered by donated labor.  The head carpenter was Stephen Haynes, a prominent farmer and carpenter by trade.

Shortly after 1830, two roads were cleared out of the forest, and where they cross, at the present site of Huntsville, was called Hunt's X (Cross Roads).  This was the address of mail brought into the village by horseback until 1852.  Rev. William Hunt and a younger brother, Miles Hunt, established the town of Huntsville in 1834, with a town plot of 28 lots.

The 1842 church was used until 1875 when a new and larger building was provided.  This building was used until 1906, when extensive modeling (sic) was done.  The remodeled 1906 church was used until it burned on Feb. 7, 1943.  A new church, the present one, was built and dedicated on April 22, 1945.  Church and Sunday School meetings were held in the Huntsville School building during the two years it took to build the new church.  The dedication service of the present church was an impressive one, presided over by Bishop Titus Lowe.  Music was furnished by a combined choir of the Huntsville and Modoc churches.  It was not uncommon for the church attendance to be into the 190s during the late 1940s.

The men of Huntsville community rented and farmed the Walter Harper farm to raise money for remodeling and preparing the community building.  This building was dedicated on March 15, 1953.

Contributed By: Shirley Pearson

Seen and Heard in Our Neighborhood

By Dick Green

THE COST of constructing a covered timber bridge in this year of grace surely could be computed by a construction man.

Whatever the figure, one thing is certain: It would be many times higher than the amount received by A. M. Kennedy and Sons, Rushville, back in 1883

For each of two bridges the Kennedys built in Randolph County that year, they received $2,160 and for a longer span in the same county their charge was $2, 520. Total was $6,840 for the three spans.

ALL THIS is indicated in the contract entered into by A.M. Kennedy and Sons with the commissioners of Randolph County on May 22, 1883.

A copy of the contract is supplied by Max L. Ingle, probation officer of Randolph Circuit Court. Max has a yen for history and is interested in covered bridges, of which Randolph now has only one. (Delaware County has none.)

ONE BRIDGE provided for in the contract was to be across White River in Stoney Creek Township, near William Wrights, and was to be 120 feet long.

Another of equal length was to be built over the Mississinewa in Greene Township, "near Luther Morrman's."

The third, a 140 feet long, was across the Mississinewa near "Steubenville at Christ Life's in Green Township."

THE FISRTmentioned was the Wright bridge that was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1966.

The second still stands in the Emmetsville area a few miles from Ridgeville.

Third was on Ind. 1, north of Farmland, and was replaced by a concrete structure.

FOR BUILDING the three spans, plus the stone abutments, Kennedy and Sons were to receive $18 a lineal foot. Figure it: 18 times 120, and 18 times 140. I believe my figures are correct.

The contract was specific in the kinds of woods and the dimensions of the chords, trusses, beams and posts. For example, the roadways were to be 16 feet wide and the interior height 14 feet.

THE BRIDGES were to be "covered, enclosed, painted with three coats of good paint, white lead," and were to be of the style known as "improved Burr truss."

As for the wood, white pine was specified excepting those parts of the bridges that were to come in contact with stone. In that they were to be of oak. Ther (sic) were to have double floors, split poplar siding and pine shingles.

Work was to be completed by Sept. 30, 1883, and presumably was.

SUCH AREsome of the highlights of the contract between the Kennedys and the commissioners. The Kennedy family was well known as builders of covered bridges and, despite the toll that has been taken of the spans, there still are numerous specimens of their work in Indiana.

Besided the signatures of A. M. Kennedy and Sons, the document bears the signatures of W. A. Coggeshall, Benjamin F. Gettinger and Phillip K. Dick. The document was received and signed in open court the same day and this legal procedure was attested by the same three men.

IT ISwell that one of the Kennedy bridges still stands in neighboring Randolph County. The commissioners in recent years repaired the bridge and it is in good condition. The unhappy fate of the Wright bridge, the victim of arsonists, is a matter of continuing regret.

Contributed By: Lucy Lussenden