Old Mills Revisited
Article Submitted by Brian Capouch
In early 2005, a few months after I bought the old hotel in Medaryville, I made my first visit to the White County Historical Museum in Monticello, looking for an old plat book that might give me some clues about the history of my home northeast of Monon. As I was explaining where I lived to the docent, I noticed a gentleman seated in the room who seemed to be taking an interest in our conversation. Soon, he came over and introduced himself as Ron Fry, from Winamac. He went on to tell me that my house was just a few yards downstream of the site of Cooper's Mill, one of the earliest mills in White County. A few years before, he had done research there, and accumulated pictures and other information. He offered to send me copies of his work.
Continue the article HERE. |
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The County of Long Ago, by E.R. Brown
This is the eighth in a Series of Reminiscences by E. R. Brown. Pulaski County Democrat, March 30, 1922.
Its Mills
I cannot tell about the earliest saw and grist mills of the county from personal experience. They were in operation before my time. I remember seeing some of them later but was never in one. Of course the first settlers had to supply their needs from mills outside of the county, most of them going to White or Cass counties. The other adjoining counties were slower in developing these activities than our county. My father hauled the lumber required for frames and the one door of his cabin from below Monticello and had his early grinding done at Logansport. I think most early settlers near the river, especially those west of it, did the same. No early cabins had much sawed lumber in them and many had none. Floors were commonly laid with slabs split by hand and smoothed on top called ‘punchions’. I have been in many cabins which had no floors.
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Editor's Note: The article on mills (left, Brian Capouch) was just submitted. The article on mills (right, E..R. Brown) follows the series as it was written. It only so happened to be written about local mills. |
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In Memory: Millie Redweik, Life Member |
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Mildred Ellen [Gudas] Redweik, 85, of Kewanna, IN passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023. She was born on May 26, 1938 in Winamac to the late Joseph L. and Antonia A. [Arndt] Gudas, Sr.
Millie graduated from Star City High School in 1956. On November 10, 1956, she married Robert John Redweik, Sr. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Judson, IN. He passed away on October 24, 2009.
Millie taught at Pioneer Elementary School for nearly 30 years. She will be remembered by her students for the leaf project she had them complete. During her time teaching, she was actively involved in the school science fair and space camp.
Millie was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She formerly taught Sunday School and led youth group. For many years, Millie was active in the district-wide soil and water conservation organization. She was a former Den Mother and Scout Leader.
Millie enjoyed studying her family’s history and origins. She also enjoyed flower gardening and traveling.
Millie was a life member of the Pulaski County Historical Society.
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Pulaski Yellow Jackets
As we gear up for Indiana's most loved sport, basketball, the Pulaski County Historical Society is proud to present our November/December installment of the Community Collection. Brenda Gilsinger has shared a small piece of her extensive Pulaski school collection focusing on some of the players and memorabilia from the Pulaski Yellow Jackets basketball team.
The collection displays artifacts dating as far back as the 1920’s and features a basketball jersey once belonging to Jerry Cloud. Go Yellow Jackets!
If you have a collection on artifacts from Pulaski County or Indiana and would like to contribute to the Community Collection please contact the historical society at info@pulaskihistory.net.
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Stereoscopes & Cards
A longtime display at the museum includes three antique or vintage stereoscopes and around one hundred stereoscopic cards.
A stereoscope (sometimes referred to as a stereopticon or stereo viewer) is a device for viewing a stereoscopic pair of separate images, depicting left-eye and right-eye views of the same scene, as a single three-dimensional image. A typical stereoscope provides each eye with a lens that makes the image seen through it appear larger and more distant and usually also shifts its apparent horizontal position, so that for a person with normal binocular depth perception the edges of the two images seemingly fuse into one "stereo window.” A divider or other view-limiting feature is usually provided to prevent each eye from being distracted by also seeing the image intended for the other eye.
The wooden stereoscope (donated by June Kestle) could be from the H. C. White Company, which was in existence between 1874 and 1915. The company specialized in the production of stereoscopes and views. Using techniques for mass production, White became one of the largest stereoscope manufacturers in his time.
The silver stereoscope (donated by Janet Meyer) could be from the Underwood & Underwood company. Underwood & Underwood was founded in 1881 by two brothers. At one time, this company was the largest publisher of stereoscopic cards in the world, producing 10 million views a year. By 1887, they outgrew their original office in Ottawa, Kansas, and moved to New York City. Offices were also opened in Canada and Europe, establishing an outlet in London. By 1897, the company had a number of full-time staff and freelance photographers. By 1901, the company was publishing 25,000 stereographs a day. The firm still canvassed and sold its own stereographs. Around 1900, Underwood & Underwood introduced boxed sets, with specific themes, such as education and religion, and travel sets depicting popular tourist areas of the world.
An interesting sideline: the exhibit sits on the desk used by nurses for charting at the Carneal Hospital. Raise your hands if you were born there!
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The Historical Museum exists to save and exhibit items of interest to Pulaski County. We have limited space, both for display and storage. As such, we must be judicious in the items we accept.
We like to say that we don't just accept "stuff," we collect stories of interest to Pulaski County.
If a donation has been accepted, it is considered an unrestricted gift. We reserve the right to keep or to dispose of the item as appropriate. All donations should be accompanied with a monetary donation.
A full donation policy is available for review. Please request it via email. |
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Every member is invited to attend monthly board meetings and take part in discussions. Voting privileges are granted only to members of the board.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Museum.
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To be included on reminder emails, please make that request by emailing us. |
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Please Enjoy These Videos
- 2023 Annual Meeting, featuring Fred Zahrt, speaking on kit houses, both the industry and local examples.
- A trailer for the upcoming film, Tractors on the Tippecanoe.
- A workshop series, How to Research the History of Your Old House, presented by the Pulaski County Historical Society and provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities through Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.
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Itch's Room, his cobbler shop, tools, and a variety of historical items.
- A video on the interpretive sign at the Artesian Well, produced by the Pulaski County Tribe.
- A brief history of Vurpillat's Opera House
- 2021 Annual Meeting, featuring Brenda Gilsinger and the history of Pulaski (the town)
- 2022 Annual Meeting, featuring Shirley Willard from the Fulton County Historical Society, the history of the Potawatomi in Fulton & Pulaski Counties and the Trail of Death.
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This poem was written in the summer of 1979 by Mary K. Wiesjahn Williamson. a Star City native. She was born in 1918 and died at the age of 99 in 2018. If you would like to catch up on the series, it started in the January 2023 edition of the e-newsletter. FIND IT HERE.
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Sam & Oscar Simmermaker's large store had
Many items for which you're looking.
Later on, Bill & Jess Stephens moved back to town,
And again, became owner of the store.
T'was lastly used for the Centennial's Museum,
Where crowds of people streamed thru its door.
Star City's Centennial was celebrated in the year 1959.
D. P. Surber devoted longs hours as President,
And the whole town's face put on a shine.
From their profits the Centennial Corporation bought the
Simmermaker building; and also the one next door.
And built a new cement block Fire Station, where
These old wooden buildings stood before.
The little building next to Simmermaker's
Was a Restaurant run by Bill Rhinehart.
Soups and sandwiches were the specialties,
Served to school kids for the most part.
Simon Weaver ran a Card Room,
Where they also shot some pool.
He lived west of town, on the "S" curve,
And had five children in school.
At different periods throughout Star City's time,
The merchants sponsored free shows for the people.
The crowds were huge, filling benches and ground,
With kids stacked high like steeples.
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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. Consider a certificate for birthdays or anniversaries, or for any reason! (It's time to shop for the holidays!)
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Consider giving a frameable 8x10 certificate as a holiday gift.
For a $50 contribution, or more, this certificate will be personalized and emailed to you.
For an additional $7.00, we will have the certificate printed on photo quality paper and mail it to you in time to go into that Christmas stocking!
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Twilight Tuesdays
Nov 28, 2023 - Dec 20, 2023
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
During Festival of Trees, IHS will be open late with special evening hours on select Tuesdays (between Thanksgiving and Christmas) to allow visitors to view the beautiful and specially decorated trees after dark.
Additionally, each night will feature special holiday music by local talent.
You can also take advantage of special holiday treats offered at the Stardust Terrace Café by Jonathan Byrd’s.
Tickets are available through the links below.
Twilight Tuesdays, 5 – 8 p.m.
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This is a perfect way to brighten your family’s holiday season. Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our annual holiday tradition, Festival of Trees!
Presented by The Salvation Army, this year’s winter wonderland features more than 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, organizations and companies from around Indiana. Eli Lilly Hall also features a massive, 30-foot centerpiece tree that is viewable throughout most of the building.
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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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Harvesting History: Indiana's Heritage Barns |
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Indiana Landmarks shared an interesting and enjoyable video from their Affiliate member, Indiana Barn Foundation. Find it HERE
This vido is 5 1/2 minutes long.
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Our sponsorship program is new as of January 2023! |
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The successful operation of the society relies on contributions from members and friends. The Society maintains Membership and Sponsorship programs and collects contributions outside both of those programs. |
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Leadership
President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary: Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Vacant
Terms Ending 2024
- Brian Capouch
- Karen Fritz
- Judge Michael Shurn
Terms Ending 2025
- Lenora Hoover
- Jolie Simmermaker
- Chris Zahrt
Terms Ending 2026
- Steve Morrison
- Anne Scott
- Dave Scott
Ex Officio: County Historian (also County Genealogist) Mary Conner
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Membership
- Individual ($30)
- Family ($40)
- Sustaining / Corporate ($80)
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.
Sponsorship
We value sponsorships, as they support us on an entirely different level! We have the following sponsorship levels:
- Antiquity ($1,000)
- Heirloom ($500)
- Heritage ($250)
- Legacy ($150)
- Tradition (Any Amount)
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Make a Contribution
In lieu of joining either as a member or a sponsor, you can make a contribution here. This link will assist you in using PayPal or sending a check. A quick and easy way to make a contribution is to utilize this QR code. |
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Volunteers Manage Their Own Hours
We use SignUp.com to organize our upcoming museum shifts. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
- Click this link: https://signup.com/go/RuLRDVM
- Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
- Sign up! You will not need to register an account or keep a password.
Note: If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Kathi Thompson and she will sign you up manually.
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Subscribe to this e-Newsletter
If someone shared this email with you, you may not be on our email list. Just follow this link. 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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