October, 2021
Writing Her Story: Janet Josephine Gorrell Meyer
 
Journalist and naturalist Janet Gorrell Meyer was born and raised in Winamac, and was endeared to her hometown community with a lifetime dedication to her family's weekly newspaper and an abundant appreciation of local nature.

She is perhaps best remembered for her 30-year association with the Pulaski County Democrat (renamed Journal in 1956) from 1940 to 1970. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1936 and joined the newspaper after graduating from Indiana University. The newspaper was owned for three generations by the Gorrell family. In addition to her editing work, she wrote a weekly column of personal views known as "The Old Man's daughter," a companion piece to her father's "The Old Man at the Desk."
Danny Russel, professional impersonator, brought Abraham Lincoln to life in Francesville on September 17. It was history come-to-life.
His recitation of the 272-word Gettysburg Address, one of the greatest speeches in recorded history, brought the crowd to its feet.
There were some great photos with children in them, but we did not have specific permission to post those. I hope this will give you an idea of how the President spent his time before the speech. He walked the streets!
He spoke to a nearly-full house.
Perhaps the only photo of Lincoln (center, facing camera) at Gettysburg, taken about noon, just after he arrived and some three hours before his speech. (Source: Wikipedia) See more information about this photo below.
These children were attentive throughout "President Lincoln's" address and asked for a photo afterward. (We had permission to post this photo.)
The Gettysburg Address, Unabridged

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
About The Famous Photo

In 1952, the chief of the Still Photo section at the National Archives, Josephine Cobb, discovered a glass plate negative taken by Mathew Brady of the speaker’s stand at Gettysburg on the day of its dedication as a National Cemetery. Edward Everett would speak from that stand later in the afternoon for two straight hours. Moments later, a tall, gaunt Abraham Lincoln would stand up and deliver a ten sentence speech in two minutes. It was the Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln's ... speech is revered as one of the greatest in American history, yet until Josephine Cobb looked closer at that Mathew Brady photo in 1952, it was thought that no photo existed of the Great Emancipator at Gettysburg on the day he delivered that address.
Based off the placement of people, the slight elevation of a few in the center left field of the photograph, and where the crowd was looking, Cobb bet that Lincoln would be in the photo. Photo enlargement later proved her theory true, making this the first–and possibly only–photograph of Lincoln at Gettysburg.

Cobb estimated that the photo was taken around noontime, before Edward Everett arrived, and about three hours before Lincoln delivered his famous address. [Included here] is the original, uncropped photo.
A brief history of Vurpillat's Opera House is available on our YouTube channel. Check it out HERE.

Also on our channel:
  • 2021 Annual Meeting, featuring Brenda Gilsinger and the history of Pulaski (the town)
A Curiosity
 
Lockjaw From Cobwebs

Cobwebs put on a cut lately gave a woman lockjaw. Millions know that the best thing to put on a cut is Bucklen's Arnica Salve, the infallible healer of wounds, ulcers, sores, skin eruptions, burns, scalds and piles. It cures or no pay. Only 25c at City Drug Store.  

Francesville Tribune March 13, 1902
An Old Landmark Gone
 
Benedict Smith recently tore down an old school house which was probably amongst the first built in Pulaski county and was the first built in the Downing district, Tippecanoe township. It was built of logs and with labor donated on the part of the first settlers in 1848 or fifty years ago. In an interview with Uncle Peter Kroft we find that amongst the men who helped build it were David Light, John Kleckner, John and Peter Sickman, Elliot Moore, Jacob Shoup, John Hiland, Eli Johnson, Tal. Downing, Hiram Lunsford, Jacob Slonaker, Beneville Guise, Thomas Fisher and himself with possibly others. Of these only Messrs. Downing and Lunsford are left in the district.  

After the new school house was built in 1860, this one was bought by Peter Kroft and moved it to his place to be used as a granary and store house where it stood until torn away. The logs were poplar, oak and hickory and many of them were still sound and solid. Not a pound of nails was used in its first construction. The clapboards were held on with weight poles; the floors were split puncheon; the ceiling, clapboards; the chimney material, mud and sticks; the windows greased paper, the door was hung in wooden hinges and the writing desk and seats puncheons.

Winamac Republican 04 Mar 1898

Note: The 1873 plat map of Pulaski County, IN, shows a school house located on the west side of section 24, Tippecanoe Township. This 1873 school may be the school that was built in 1860 mentioned in the above article.
This month in the newsletter (releasing on the 15th of the month):
We will continue to include a link to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project as it works its way toward the centenary anniversary.

The bridge was dedicated to veterans from Pulaski County.

Follow the progress by signing up for the monthly newsletter. Go to the website; the form is easily found!
  • Pulaski County In The Civil War
  • Call-Out for Artists of all Mediums for Silent Auction
  • Call-Out for Photos of Veterans
  • Greatest Generation of Pulaski County: 1946: Aftershocks
  • Dogs of War
  • Donors
  • We've Hit $100,000 Mark!
  • All About The Lights
  • Photo Gallery
This banner, from the first edition of "The Advertiser," is dated 01 November 1894, Thursday. The newspaper was five columns across, measured 11 ½ inches wide and 17 ½ inches long. It contained 4 pages. The newspaper contained news and gossip, a History of Medaryville, short biographies of early businessmen, and advertisements. There is even ¾ column devoted to Francesville.
Land For Sale: [No. 310]  240 acres, 8 miles east of town, 4-room, neat house and barn, 30x50, one year old. Good well, 114 feet deep, with new wind-mill attached, granary and other outbuildings. Good orchard. Partly tiled, Boslogue [sic] ditch through farm. Soil a deep, black loam, underlaid with clay and gravel. Price $26 per acre. $1,000 cash. Balance in $500 yearly payments, at 6 percent.
The gentleman entitled to honorable mention as the first subscriber to The Advertiser is the enterprising hardware dealer, Mr. J. R. Frederick. He came forward before the paper was issued and put down a five dollar bill for the corresponding number of papers, to be mailed regularly for one year to five of his friends out of town. He has also ordered a large number of our special edition to send to his customers. Keep your eye open for bargains in the hardware and house furnishing line, for he has contracted for a large space in our advertising columns for the next year. 
Indiana Lore Exhibit

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Churubusco History Center (through November 6)

Larger-than-life tales exist all over the world, even among the small towns and cornfields of the Hoosier state. Make plans to visit our newest exhibit, Indiana Lore, to trace the roots of Hoosier-based tall tales.

For example, you can learn all about the palm reader at the Tuckaway House, the supernatural spirit haunting Willard Library in Evansville, and the giant turtle that supposedly lived in Fulk Lake near Churubusco (photo above).

Visit Indiana Lore, and see if you can tell the truth from the myths! In addition, see the tales come alive in the exhibit through the original artwork of Indianapolis-based artists, the BrainTwins.
Whodunit? Murder Mystery at the History Center

Oct 22, 2021, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
History Center
Get ready for a new murder mystery. Put on your detective hat, gather your crew and hone your sleuthing skills for a life-size Clue-inspired experience at the History Center. In this game, based on a real historic Indiana murder – no, we’re not giving any hints – you’ll try your hand at solving a notorious crime.  

You and your fellow gumshoes will interview the suspects – each cagier than the next – and follow the clues to find the who, where, why, and with what. You’ll be rewarded for cracking the case with fabulous prizes. Come 1900s-style if you want.

$22; $18 member; $25 at the door.

Cash bar and light refreshments available. Costumes encouraged!
History Happy Hour: Murder Mystery

Oct 28, 2021, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Online, via Zoom

Registration closes 2 hours prior to the start of the program.

In 1906, Mishawaka front pages were dominated by the murder of Cecilia Ludwig, who was knocked unconscious with a wooden potato masher and burned in her home. Join author Gary Sosniecki to hear uncover the details of this historic murder.
From The Francesville Tribune July 13, 1972, Written January 1, 1971

This is a continuation of the poem, begun in the Newsletter dated June 2020. You can find past editions of the Newsletter HERE.

Stanzas 57 - 60
I see Ed Mayhugh's moustache
He sure did have a peach,
It reached so far across his face
The 'tips' were out of reach.
 
I can see Turp Severns coughing,
John Alkire pitching ball,
And I can see Roy Myers catching him,
The batters had no chance at all.
I see Steve Losh as Marshal,
Bert Overman as Marshal, too,
But being marshal of the town
Was not all they had to do.
 
They had to dig the blocked tile up
And haul out the city trash;
I can see a 'pious blacksmith'
By the name of Charlie Reish. 
Willard C. Myers is connected to the town of Francesville through birth and remaining family. We will continue to feature this poem until we have offered it to completion. Natives will probably recognize many of the people and places that will be mentioned.
A Gift That Keeps Giving

For the persons on your gift list that have everything they need, or for those who value history, make a contribution to the Historical Society in their name. We'll email a certificate that you can print and place in a stocking, an envelope or a frame. Find a convenient way to do that here.
The quick and easy way to make a contribution to the Historical Society is to utilize this QR code. We're trying to drag history into the 21st Century!

Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Indiana Landmarks

In addition to giving tremendous financial and technical support for the local Courthouse project, Indiana Landmarks provides a wealth of information about and support for vintage homes and factories, churches, barns and bridges.
Support Indiana Landmarks

Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
Affiliate Membership

The Pulaski County Historical Society is an affiliate member of Indiana Landmarks. For information about the affiliate organizations around the state, and all of the exciting work they are doing, please head over to our Affiliate's Webpage.
President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary: Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison

Terms Ending 2022:
  • Sara Kroft
  • Jolie Simmermaker
  • [Vacancy]
Terms Ending 2023
  • Mary Conner (also County Historian)
  • Becky Dilts
  • Steve Morrison
Terms Ending 2024
  • Brian Capouch
  • Karen Fritz
  • Judge Michael Shurn

Gardeners: Kaity & Tina Stacy
Membership

$30 Individual
$40 Family
$80 Sustaining / Corporate


All members are welcome to volunteer with PCHS in any area of their interest and to attend meetings. Board meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month, in person or via Zoom, or a hybrid.
If someone shared this email with you, you may not be on our email list. Just click the button. On the website, fill out the form, and BOOM! You'll be a part of history!
Contributors to this edition: Janet Onken, Kathi Thompson, Karen Fritz
To submit an article for consideration for this newsletter, send it via email. If you have photos, please submit them as well. We welcome all articles of historic interest regarding Pulaski County.
Pulaski County Historical Society: All Rights Reserved