TERRE HAUTE —
2002
• U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh announced that he was beginning negotiations for the transfer of the Federal Building, Seventh and Cherry streets, from the U.S. Postal Service to Indiana State University. Plans called for the building to house the School of Business.
• The South 13th Street improvement project from Poplar to Hulman Streets, closed since October 2001, officially opened. Widening 13th Street from Hulman south to I-70 was part of future plans.
• Arnold Hughes and Dave Phelps each received the Indiana Governor’s Meritorious Service Award. Both had been part of the Prairieton Volunteer Fire Department--Hughes for 50 years and Phelps for 38 years.
• The Exchange Club of Terre Haute distributed more than 500 bikes to children in Terre Haute and other Wabash Valley communities. This was the fourth year for this Bikes for Tykes program. Rick Crawley was the club president-elect.
• West Vigo and Woodrow Wilson won the sixth- and seventh- grade county championships in the Vigo County middle school basketball competition. West Vigo was undefeated at 12-0 for the season.
1987
• Wind and rain storms made shambles of the displays in the first ever “Christmas in the Park” at Deming Park. The only surviving display was the Catholic Charities “Christmas Symbols” located on the back side of a shelter.
• The League for Animal Welfare honored Erna and Russell Peterson for their service to animals with a recognition dinner at the Royal Fork restaurant.
• Fayette Trustee Richard Livingston and residents were exploring the restoration of the 99-year-old former New Goshen School into a community center. The building had been vacant since the 1950s.
• The Woodrow Wilson boys team and the Chauncey Rose girls team won the Vigo County eighth grade basketball championships.
• The Vigo County Sheriff’s Merit Board voted 3-2 to hire Deborah Hughes, the department’s first female deputy.
• Dr. Thomas Conway, AP&S Clinic pediatrician, succeeded Dr. W. W. Drummy as the Vigo County health officer.
• Fredia Haviland was promoted to branch manager of the Terre Haute office of Kelly Services Inc., a temporary employment company.
1962
• Miller Floral Co., one of the largest growers of potted plants in the Wabash Valley, held an open house to present its newly completed retail headquarters at 1630 Plum Street. William C. Miller Sr. and his sons, Bill Jr. and Mike, were the owners.
• Petitions concerning the proposed merger of the New York Central and Pennsylvania railroads were filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission by Mayor Ralph Tucker, the Vigo County AFL-CIO Labor Council and the Committee to Preserve Railroad Services. It was predicted that 500 jobs and more than $400,000 a year in taxes would be lost. On the other hand, a New York Central vice president spoke to local service clubs claiming the merger would improve service.
• The Women’s Service League gave $4,000 to Union Hospital. This gift brought the total amount given the hospital to $44,482 since the founding of the Service League 10 years before.
• The Terre Haute Newspaper Guild, Local No. 46, honored R. L. “Monty” Grant. He had joined the Star as a reporter in 1914 and retired as city editor.
History
LOOKING BACK: 1987: Weather damages Christmas in the Park
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
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