White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana, Published by F.A. Battey & Co., Chicago: 1883
Every month, we will feature a portion of this book, published in 1883, with a historical perspective of Pulaski County.
It comes to you, warts and all! Mostly not warts, but some.
This month, we will share Pulaski County’s provisions for the care of the poor.
The old way of taking care of the indigent and helpless was to appoint Overseers of the Poor in each township, who were required to provide for the paupers at the expense of such townships. The care of the poor was sold to the lowest bidder.
Photo of Pleasant View, the former Pulaski County Home. This is a view of the western side and front. The original section was built in 1881 and was expanded with two wings in 1897.
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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)
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A Curiosity
The dredge at work in the W. D. Pattison farm west of Denham in a branch of the Monon, struck a boneyard Monday and threw out some big ones. One, evidently a leg bone from the knee up, is fifty inches long and the diameter of an ordinary stove pipe; the skull is, roughly, two feet wide and four feet long, and there are others of corresponding size, all showing that in life the animal was very large. The spot is in a swamp, where the muck is six to eight feet deep.
Pulaski County Democrat Dec. 4, 1914
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Regarding the Curiosity:
Denham, Pulaski County.—In 1915 the U. S. National Museum secured a large part of the skeleton of a mastodon found about 2 miles west of Denham. The locality is described to the writer by Mr. W. D. Pattison, of Winamac, as being on the half-section line between the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 31 north, range 3 west. This would be not far west from the center of the section. The skeleton was thrown out by the shovel of the ditching machine, but most of the bones, including the skull, were obtained in quite good condition. They were found at a depth of about 9 feet, in a marly deposit, itself overlain by sandy materials.
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On consulting Leverett’s glacial map of Indiana it is seen that this skeleton was found in a marshy tract, in which Monon River rises. It is represented by Leverett as a ground moraine plain, surrounded by plains 97covered by sand and displaying sand dunes. It forms a part of what has been called Kankakee Lake, but which, as Leverett says, may have been in late Pleistocene times not greatly unlike what it has been within Recent times. It must have been well along in the afternoon of the Wisconsin stage when this mastodon tempted the insecure footing of these swamps.
This skeleton has been mounted and is now on exhibition at the U. S. National Museum.
Pleistocene Epoch: Facts About the Last Ice Age
The Pleistocene Epoch is typically defined as the time period that began about 2.6 million years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago. The most recent Ice Age occurred then, as glaciers covered huge parts of the planet Earth.
There have been at least five documented major ice ages during the 4.6 billion years since the Earth was formed — and most likely many more before humans came on the scene about 2.3 million years ago.
The Pleistocene Epoch is the first in which Homo sapiens evolved, and by the end of the epoch humans could be found in nearly every part of the planet.
Mass extinction
About 13,000 years ago, more than three-fourths of the large Ice Age animals, including woolly mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed tigers and giant bears, died out. Scientists have debated for years over the cause of the extinction, with both of the major hypotheses — human overhunting and climate change — insufficient to account for the mega die-off.
Recent research suggests that an extraterrestrial object, possibly a comet, about 3 miles wide, may have exploded over southern Canada, nearly wiping out an ancient Stone Age culture as well as megafauna like mastodons and mammoths.
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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! |
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This month in the newsletter (releasing on the 15th of the month):
- Part 3: R.E. Nutt: The Man Who Built The Bridge
- Overview of Indiana's Participation in WWI
- Before The Bridge
- Pulaski County Contributes to WWI Efforts
- Greatest Generation of Pulaski County: 1943, All In
- Donors
- Photo Gallery
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Free Admission Thursdays in July!
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Indiana History Center
The Indiana Historical Society will offer free admission on Thursdays in July from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center for immersive time-travel experiences, innovative programs, extensive archives, statewide services and compelling stories.
From award-winning exhibits to millions of items from Indiana’s past, the Indiana Historical Society brings history to life for all ages.
We do your history.
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Concerts on the Canal (Also on Thursdays)
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
History Center
- July 15: Hopkins and Miller, Sunset Stomp Jazz 1920s/1930s
- July 22: Tad Robinson, Soul and Rock
- July 29: Brenda Williams, Classic R&B
You may reserve a table on the Terrace or bring your own chair or blanket and sit on the grassy areas along the Central Canal. Please note that all concert tables are nearly sold out, so call (317) 232-1882 to check availability.
- Tables of 8 are $80, $60 for IHS members.
- Tables of 4 are $60, $40 for IHS members.
- Tables #1-25 can seat up to (and no more than) 8 guests.
- Tables #26-43 can seat up to (and no more than) 4 guests.
- Free parking at the History Center is on a first-come basis. Nearby street or garage parking is available for a fee.
Food and beverage service will be available from the Stardust Terrace Café operated by Jonathan Byrd’s.
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NOTES: due to current CDC guidelines, the History Center will adhere to the following (These procedures may be changed as a result of updated guidance local government and health officials):
- Seating capacity on the Terrace has been reduced
- Tables will be sold as full tables and separate groups will not share tables.
- Single seats will not be available.
- No seating will be permitted on the Terrace stairways or along the History Center entryways.
- Free seating will be limited to the grassy areas along the Canal Walk.
- Masks/face coverings:
- Must be worn upon exit/entry to the Indiana History Center, Kruse Family Stardust Terrace and Stardust Terrace Café
- Must be worn when using public facilities such as restrooms or when interacting with museum and/or food service team members.
- Masks may be removed for dining and drinking.
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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 45 - 48
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I see Herb Ames and Howard
Mowing their grandma's yard,
And me eating up their apples
While they are working hard.
I see Garf Burget pumping gas
I hear him still complain,
About the ones he trusted
That never came back again.
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I see my father get the films
When he used to run the show,
Upstairs in "Myers Opera House"
A thousand years ago.
I remember selling tickets there
When I was only nine,
For the kids it was a nickel
And the adults paid a dime
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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. |
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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. |
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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!
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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.
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Support Indiana Landmarks
Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
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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. |
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Drive The Historic National Road
Indiana Landmarks Affiliate, Indiana National Road Association, offers a new driving guide.
Come experience the beautiful history Indiana has to offer! See the iconic trail that has helped to connect our great nation, visit iconic sites…and grab some good food along the way. Help us support the rich heritage these landmarks represent.
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History Repeats
Following an unfortunate series of events, after working through the process to let bids for the Justice Center part of the Courthouse / JC Project, the ordinance had to be re-written. It almost failed to pass the first and the second readings, even though bids had been opened between those two meetings.
By the skin of our teeth, the ordinance passed - again - and at least the Justice Center project is underway. For now, the Courthouse is still safe.
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President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary (& Genealogist): Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Cozette Mengerick
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
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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.
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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! |
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Contributors to this edition: Janet Onken, Kathi Thompson |
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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. |
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