TERRE HAUTE —
The following is a summary of important events occurring in Vigo County during 1883, 130 years ago:
Jan. 2 – The dwelling occupied by the Jacob Doll family at 619 Swan St. was destroyed by fire; Fannie Janauschek appears in “Mary Stuart” at the opera house.
Jan. 4 – The residence-office of Dr. Stephen J. Young at 124 S. Fifth St. was partially destroyed by fire.
Jan. 5 – George H. Burgett, 514 N. First St., foreman at Willard Kidder’s flour mill, was caught between two railroad cars and crushed to death.
Jan. 8 – Grocer Wilson Naylor, 507 Poplar St., acquired the splendid Terre Haute Opera House at the northeast corner of Fourth and Wabash for $75,000.
Jan. 14 – Elijah M. Gilman’s Cooper Shop at the northeast corner of Fourth and Tippecanoe was destroyed by fire. Fireman Frank D. Gosnell sustained serious injuries.
Jan. 19 – Sparring match between saloonkeeper Mike Gainey and Frank Phillips held at the Atlantic Garden Theater. Gainey was declared the winner of a silver cup.
Jan. 28 – The German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 331 S. Fourth St., celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Feb. 1 – Heavy rains caused minor flooding over a large area.
Feb. 5 – Isaac Joiner and William Streeter were arrested for keeping a Keno Room; Jennie Eaglesfield died of suffocation.
Feb. 12 – George L. Harrison’s grocery at Seventh and Poplar streets was destroyed by fire.
Feb. 13 – “The Little Joker,” a pleasure boat, was carried down the river by a sudden rise.
Feb. 16 – The Women’s Reading Club celebrated its third anniversary.
Feb. 17 – Threat of flood as river passes 24 feet above the low water mark.
Feb. 18 – Professor Anton Shide resigned as Congregational Church organist.
Feb. 22 – Lily Langtry appeared in “An Unequal Match” at the opera house.
Feb. 23 – Decorative Arts Society met at the Minshall mansion, 658 Cherry St.
Feb. 26 – Helena Modjeska appeared at Terre Haute Opera House
March 3 – Terre Haute attorney Harvey David Scott was appointed judge of the Circuit Court by Gov. Albert Gallatin Porter.
March 7 – Rose Polytechnic Institute opened for the first time at 13th and Locust streets with 48 male students. Dr. Charles O. Thompson was the first president.
March 12 – The Terre Haute Baseball Association was organized with Edwin Ellis, manager of Wabash Woolen Mills, president, and jeweler Eli W. Leeds, vice president. Other directors included Alonzo C. Duddleston, George J. Hammerstein, Charles A. Robinson, John Stump, Charles B. Lee, Merrill N. Smith, August F. Eiser, Jeremiah O’Reilly and Michael W. Stack. The team’s nickname was “The Hottentots.”
March 20 – Contractor Thomas B. Snapp submits a $40,000 low bid to build the Rose Orphan Home.
March 21 – John D. Keffus, John Halbot, Harry Brown and Stanley Hartwell apply for permit to build roller skating rink for $900.
March 23 – Gen. Charles Cruft died.
April 1 – John Russell died of small pox in the Vigo County pest house.
April 4 – Attorney Horace Pugh and Mary McKeen were married.
April 5 – Skating rink was formally opened.
April 6 – Clay County attorney W.W. Carter succeeded Deloss W. Minshall as Collector of Internal Revenue.
April 17 – Antonia Hulman, wife of Herman Hulman, died at age 50.
April 22 – First baseball game of the season between Awkwards and the Blues.
April 23 – Thatcher, Primrose & West appeared at the opera house.
May 3 – Contents of the African Methodist Episcopalian Church were stolen.
May 7 – Gen. Cruft’s law library was sold at auction.
May 8 – Mayor James B. Lyne gave farewell address; Capt. William H. Armstrong, his successor, presented his salutatory. William Mack chosen city engineer.
May 13 – Old Humaston Pork House was destroyed by fire.
May 19 – Cornerstone of Rose Orphan Home laid.
June 15 – Twelfth annual commencement of Indiana State Normal School.
June 21 – Annual commencement of Terre Haute High School.
Aug. 19 – Merged Terre Haute Baseball Club defeated Indianapolis, 15-8.
Aug. 26 – Fireman Martin I. Laffey killed in Stewart’s Cooper Shop fire.
Sept. 12 – Opening day of the Vigo County Fair.
Sept. 14 – Herman Hulman returned to Terre Haute from a European visit.
June 4 – John S. Vancleve elected Vigo County Superintendent of Schools.
Sept. 17 – The Terre Haute Board of Park Commissioners approved landscape plans for Collett Park prepared by Benjamin Grove of Louisville.
Oct. 5 – Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford’s plans for a new Vigo County courthouse were approved.
Oct. 8 – Last game of the season for the Terre Haute professional baseball club.
Oct. 31 – Boxer John L. Sullivan appeared at the opera house.
Nov. 20 — Contracts for a new Vigo County Courthouse were let.
Dec. 2 – Local railroad baron William B. Tuell died.
Dec. 8 – Jasper Nelson, suspect in the Susan Nelson murder case, was released.
Dec. 10 – Helena Modjeska appeared again at the opera house.
Dec. 13 – Perry Manis indicted by grand jury for murder of Mrs. Susan Nelson.
Dec. 24 – Milliner Emil Bauer made an assignment for the benefit of creditors.
Dec. 31 – James Paxton Voorhees appeared at the opera house. Terre Haute Nail Works closed for six weeks.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Here’s a summary of local highlights from 130 years ago Mike McCormick
- History
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
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 Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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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:
- More History Headlines
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Today in History May 25
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Study: Cockroaches Survive by Losing Sweet Tooth
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway
Hope For The Boy Who Can't Smile
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
