Winamac Kiwanis Club Turns 100
by Karen Fritz
The Winamac Kiwanis Club celebrated its 100th anniversary Monday evening, Dec. 6 – on the exact date it received its charter a century earlier “at a festive banquet at the Winamac community hall on Dec. 6, 1921,” according a newspaper report at the time.
About six weeks earlier, the new club was organized Oct. 25, 1921 with the assistance of visiting Kiwanians from Logansport, Plymouth and LaPorte in the “largest, liveliest and peppiest meeting of businessmen that has perhaps ever been held in Winamac,” according to an article two days later in the Pulaski County Democrat.
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On Monday, December 6, days before this e-newsletter went to press in December, the County Commissioners voted to sign the construction management contract with Tonn & Blank, moving the Courthouse project forward.
On Monday, December 13, days after that same newsletter, the County Council voted to fund the project.
The architects, construction managers and local steering committee can now move forward.
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This has been a long, hard process to save the Courthouse, and several cruicial votes will still have to take place in 2022. We enter the new year with great hope!
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. And 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.
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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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Oysters for Christmas?
From the Winamac Journal Saturday January 6, 1883 issue.
Mr. Jerome Bruce's Sunday school scholars 'chipped in' and bought him a Christmas present, and he in turn reciprocated their favor by inviting the misses to an oyster supper at his residence on Wednesday evening last. The girls report that they enjoyed the occasion immensely, and that Mr. and Mrs. Bruce performed the duties of host and hostess to perfection. The names of Mr. Bruce's scholars are Annie Bennett, Ettie Dilts, Dessa Kilander, Winnie Clark, Kizzie Collins, Ida Thompson, Minnie Conn, Maggie Agnew, Hattie Barnett, Emma Guss, Isora Kline, Belle Rowe, Julia Bruce and Nettie Ingrim. There were also present three little misses not members of Jerome's class, as follows: Cora Messerly, Hattie Bruce and Gertie Clark.
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January School Attendance 1875
From the Winamac Democrat January 21, 1875 issue
The average attendance of our Public School (Winamac) during the first term: Prof Berry's room, 30; Mr. O'Shea's room, 33; Miss Emma Mill's room, 40; Miss Ida Wickersham's room, 15; total 118.
The teachers in Salem township report the average attendance in their schools as follows: Mary E. Glazebrook, 16; Julia Byers, 15; J. H. Higgins, 36; L. H. Recker, 35; C. C. Brown, 10. Total average for the township, 112.
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Freshly Ground Coffee is Nothing New
Mr. E. H. Applegate has invested in a large coffee mill. He will grind all parched coffee purchased of him free of charge, whether in bulk or in packages. He has a large stock on hand and sells cheap. Call and see him.
Francesville Facts February 17, 1883
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This month in the newsletter (releasing on the 15th of the month): |
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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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- Pulaski County In The Civil War, Part 4
- Pulaski County Veteran of the Civil War
- Call-Out for Artists of all Mediums for Auction
- Greatest Generation of Pulaski County: Sisters In Service
- Events:
- Trivia at the VFW 01/15
- Horse Races at the VFW 02/11
- Art Auction 02/27
- Donors
- All About The Lights
- Photo Gallery
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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. |
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We Have A Winner!
Kind Of.
Last month, we described a 680 acre Dutch farm that was for sale in 1894 and asked if anyone could guess where it was.
Mike Babcock submitted this historic plat map and suggested the Carl Sternberg ground fit acreage wise.
From the contributor of the article, and our erstwhile land detective, Janet Onken, we have the following answer. She wouldn’t “know for sure” until she could get to the Courthouse to find land sales.
She found that yes, Mr. Sternberg did own that much acreage, however, he did not sell that land in 1894. He still owned that same acreage in 1915. She was able to confirm that Mr. Sternberg was born in Germany and could have been thought of as “Dutch.”
Many possibilities exist. He could have taken the land off the market. He could have sold the land and purchased it back. This was a period of time when persons were selling their property and moving west, and while the Germans of the area generally stayed on, it’s possible he was drawn west, then drawn back.
We are throwing this in Mr. Babcock’s direction as a “Yes, this is correct, with reservations.”
Thank you for reading!
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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 69 - 72
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I see Henry Grock a counting
Empty beer barrels in the back;
The old ice house was leaning,
"Oozing' sawdust from a crack.
I see John Moore still laying brick
And grouching every minute;
Pete Fitzpatrick was his 'tender'
But his heart just wasn't in it.
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I see Doc Ives and his new Ford
It didn't have a top,
And it took a bit of doing
To get the thing to stop.
I remember once when Doc thought he
Had ran out of gas;
He lit a match to check it
And it darn near was his last.
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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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Jewish Merchants of Downtown Indianapolis Exhibit
Jan 15, 2022 - Apr 24, 2022
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Indiana History Center
Indianapolis had its own grand department stores, many of which were established and operated by Jewish business owners, including Wasson’s, Block’s and L. Strauss.
These business owners contributed to Indianapolis through their successful companies that bolstered the city’s economy and their legacy as generous citizens who gave back to the community through actions like organizing welfare associations and providing trust funds for charitable organizations.
Jewish Merchants of Downtown Indianapolis exhibit (Jan. 15 – April 23, 2022) expands on the history of these Jewish merchants. The stores played a significant role in offering Indianapolis an innovative shopping experience on par with some of the world’s largest department stores.
Presented by Walter and Joan Wolf.
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Martin Luther King Day
Jan 17, 2022
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
Free Admission
In honor of Dr. King’s efforts for his community, we have set aside a day to help our fellow Hoosiers learn more about his efforts and his legacy, and engage in acts of service.
Visitors are invited to participate in service-related activities, learn from community members, explore community storytelling with GANGGANG, and more!
If you would like to contribute to a local community project, visitors are invited to bring new packs of socks and underwear suitable for children to be collected and donated to Charity Cares Early Academy. New packs of socks and underwear can be brought to the Welcome Center on this day.
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Gifts That Keep Giving
A gift to the Historical Society will continue to give back. Find a convenient way to do that here. |
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Gifts For Any Reason
What do you give to the person who loves history? Give a gift that supports local efforts to record it.
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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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This link will take you to the January issue of the Hoosier Barn Chronicle. Scroll to page 5 for information on applying for a preservation grant.
The Indiana Barn Foundation understands that one of the most challenging aspects about owning a historic barn can be the cost of repairs and maintenance, especially for major restoration projects. Since 2018, IBF has been helping owners with these challenges through our Preservation Grant Fund.
The fund and its grant program are intended to give owners financial assistance to start a project, keep up their momentum as they tackle complex restoration problems, or approach the finish line of a project in order to preserve Indiana’s remaining historic barns.
IBF is happy to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2022 Barn Preservation Grant. Indiana barn owners can apply for a matching grant up to $2,500 to complete repairs on their historic barns.
Qualifying barns must be located in Indiana, have been originally constructed for agricultural use, be at least 50 years old, retain their historic character and materials, and be in need of substantial repairs. The grant award amount must be matched by the owner’s own funds, additional grants or loans, or in-kind value.
This is a competitive grant program, and the applications are evaluated by a committee and the final grant awards are voted on by the board of directors. A total of $5,000 is awarded each grant cycle.
The deadline to apply is January 31, 2022.
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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
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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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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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Pulaski County Historical Society: All Rights Reserved |
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