December, 2021
Growing Up In Pulaski, Part 2
by Betty Louise Clark Nicolas
 
Aunt Hattie wrote several entries in her diary mentioning how she picked pie plants. I had no idea what a pie plant was until I mentioned it to Aunt Mary. She said Oh those were rhubarb plants. I loved the lovely slender rhubarb stalks, especially the new ones. I liked seeing how the pink, cream, red and light green colors blended into one another so perfectly. Perhaps it was the artist in me showing up already. Most people associate rhubarb with the sweet and sour flavor of a pie or cobbler made from the stalks. Grandma made her pies with meringue on top. Sometimes she let me beat the egg whites into frothy peaks to pile up on the pie before she let it toast in the oven. Something like life I’d say. Start out with some sweetness and some sourness, hope for a good recipe, add just the right ingredients, use some elbow grease, and you just might end up with a good dessert.
On Monday, December 6, the Commissioners voted to sign the construction management contract with Tonn & Blank, moving the Courthouse project forward. It was not necessarily a "done deal," but they did it.

The next step is the Council meeting on December 13. The Council needs to vote in theory to paying for the project. This is not a "done deal," but it's in better shape now than it has ever been.

That's why the title of this piece is "A ONCE Endangered Courthouse." The Editor is on the Council and is hopeful.
Stay tuned. Stay hopeful. If you are from or live near Pulaski County, come to the meeting on Monday the 13th (Joint Session at 6:00, where it will probably be discussed, and Council at 7:00). Actually, the vote could take place at either meeting.

Thank You To These Individuals and Organizations

First, thank you, Todd Zeiger and Indiana Landmarks, for pushing our cause and for paying for an architect when the Commissioners were ready to tear this solid and historic building down.

Thank you, Nathan Origer, for facilitating us to make the right decisions, for this project, for our tax set-up, and for everything else you do.

And thank you, Commissioners Mellon, Loehmer and McClure, for voting to preserve this county treasure.
Grant funds to assist county’s History Museum’s move into 21st Century
 
Interactive features to explore Pulaski County’s Native American history

A generous donation and two grant funds will enable the Pulaski County Historical Society to develop an interactive feature chronicling the county’s Native American history, beginning in Spring 2022.

A confluence of events over the past two years has led the Historical Society to rethink its historical museum in Winamac. While the Society will continue to display artifacts from the county’s history, some modern capability will be added.

A thoughtful question and a generous contribution from a local donor, Jon Chapman of Winamac, turned board members’ thoughts in an unintended direction - toward Pulaski County’s Native American history. Because few artifacts are available to display, beyond a collection of arrowheads and a few tools, the Society sought another way to use this generosity and turn it into a new way to view history.

The original donation has been used as a match to gain additional funds. Through the generosity of Carroll White REMC and Fulton County REMC, when the county’s History Museum reopens next March, visitors will be introduced to Native American activity in and around Pulaski County, from pre-historic times through the mid-1800s.

Posters and pictures will bear QR codes to lead those with cell phones to informative web pages maintained by the Society. For those who prefer to use a larger screen, that same information will be available from two terminals at the museum.
In the meantime, Society members are in the process of conducting research, writing, and developing presentations for the online experience.

Historical Society vice president Kathi Thompson reports the organization is” indebted to Carroll White REMC and Fulton County REMC, and of course, Jon Chapman,” who asked for a definitive answer to the question: for which Chief was the Town of Winamac named?

Readers might be surprised how many answers to that question could be true. (It’s more than two.) Stay tuned!

Press Release by Karen Fritz
PCHS newsletter filled with local history

If you have not subscribed to receive this newsletter monthly, visit the website to sign up, and view previous installments HERE.

During the pandemic (and before), Historical Society board members and friends have been busy researching books, old newspapers, memoirs and documents – writing and reprinting articles to share in the newsletters on a wide variety of topics.
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)
State Geologist Gorby has examined some of the salt obtained from Mr. Leach's salt well near Francesville and reports that the specimen indicated that the water would produce salt of the finest quality. Further examination will be made and if salt is found in paying quantities a salt manufactory will be established at Francesville. 

Francesville column in the Winamac Journal dated December 1892.
Tuesday morning at sunrise the mercury stood at three degrees below zero; not so cold however by 13 degrees as it was on Friday morning, Dec. 8th. 

Winamac Journal January 1883.  (no day of issue)
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, Part 2
  • Pulaski County Veteran of the Civil War
  • Call-Out for Artists of all Mediums for Auction
  • Call-Out for Photos of Veterans
  • Greatest Generation of Pulaski County: Sisters In Service
  • Donors
  • 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. 45] 680 acre Dutch farm; 440 under cultivation, balance pasture and new land; deep black loam soil; within one-half mile of Monon ditch through farm and partly tiled; 5 room one and one-half story frame house, also good barn, 60x32, cribs, etc; one-quarter mile of school, 6 miles east of Medaryville. Price $25 per acre. Owner has western fever but will take no trade. A great bargain for some one. 
$100 Prize!

Now that we have your attention, we don't have $100 to give away as a prize. BUT, we'll mention your name if you can correctly tell us where the "Dutch farm" is today! Send us an email!
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 65 - 68
 I see Tom Manion with his lantern
Start walking down the street,
After playing pool till closing time
He sure was hard to beat.
 
I see "Old Grandma Hackett"
She saw Lincoln's train pass through;
For she had come to Francesville
In "Eighteen Sixty-Two."
I see Jim Hayworth carry eggs
From a buggy out in front,
I see Roy Myers a loading shells
To go out on a 'hunt".
 
Ed Drake was selling buggies
And buggy harness too;
Lee Hullinger had just got in
A box of something "new."
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.
In addition to the on-site Festival of Trees event, enjoy a digital way of taking in the holiday exhibit. With the virtual experience launching November 12, you can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your home on any mobile device.

Go to www.festivaloftreesindy.org, and follow the animated segment to a free digital winter wonderland!

Thanks to numerous photographs, you will get to see all 75 elaborately decorated trees as they are displayed at the History Center. Zoom in to appreciate the fine details of these festive creations. You can compile your favorite trees in the "favorites" section to help with the online voting process. Be sure to subscribe to the site's mailing list, as the winner will be announced via email in early 2022.
Other features of the virtual experience include:

  • Interactive elements
  • Hidden decorations in scavenger hunts
  • Videos (among other things, enjoy holiday music and story time with Santa, presented by Citizens Energy Group)
  • Tutorials on how to navigate the site
  • Donation options
Start Your Holiday Shopping at the Basile History Market

With a large selection of products inspired by our state’s history, the Basile History Market is a great place to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. The market features Indiana art, jewelry, literature, music and more. And don’t forget – IHS members receive a 10% discount on all purchases! The History Market is open during Festival of Trees hours. Call (317) 234-0020 for more information or use the link below to make your holiday purchases online today!
History Happy Hour Continues!

Ghosts of Holidays Past
Thursday, December 16, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
$20/$15 Members. One drink ticket included. Additional drinks and food available for purchase.

Get into the "spirit" of the holiday season as you meet the ghosts of Indiana's festive past. Explore the magic of Festival of Trees by candlelight, unearth some of Indiana's winter holiday traditions, and enjoy themed food and drink.

Space is limited. Reservations recommended. www.indianahistory.org
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!
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