TERRE HAUTE —
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
2002
• The Vigo County School Corp. Board named Debra Petty, a Chauncey Rose Middle School reading teacher, the VSCS teacher of the year.
• Sam’s Club opened at 4350 U.S. 41 South and Ritter’s Frozen Custard at 4900 U.S. 41 South.
• Ted Kaperak, a six-time city golf champion, broke the Hulman Links record to win the Men’s Senior City Championship. This was his first entry into this 50-and-over tournament.
• Vermillion County residents turned out to show appreciation to the 70 members of the Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry of the Ohio National Guard, who were leaving the Newport Chemical Depot. They had served 11 months protecting the deadly nerve agent VX stored at the depot as part of the homeland defense program.
• Kelly Flanagan, a quality engineer at AET, was named Volunteer of the Month by the Volunteer Action Center for her service to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
• New sorting and packaging was in use at Columbia House. It reduced the time for a customer to receive an order to 10 days.
1987
• Bob Agnew, construction consultant for the Vigo County School Corp., said these five building projects should be completed by August, 1988: Davis Park, the Fairbanks/Greenwood replacement, Lost Creek, Sugar Grove and West Vigo. Duane H. Moore was the superintendent.
• The Paper Chase, 618 Wabash Ave., was now open. Dorothy Drummond and Harriet Caplow were the owners; Gwen Buchanan the manager.
• The Terre Haute South Vigo Braves and Northview Knights outscored the West Vigo Vikings and Terre Haute North Vigo Patriots at the high school football jamboree at Memorial Stadium.
• Plant manager Robert McLaughlin announced plans for the construction of a $15 million expansion at the Ampacet Corp. facility which had opened in 1972 at 3701 N. Fruitridge Ave.
• The Terre Haute Oberlandler Club was host to an Indiana German Heritage Society tour of Vigo County. The first stop was the Eugene V. Debs Home and Museum.
• The Terre Haute Boys Club sponsored the Larry Bird Classic for the fourth straight year with more than 225 golfers at the Country Club of Terre Haute.
1962
• The Terre Haute Americans left Little League Park by bus for Detroit to compete in the Northern Little League Tourney.
• Loeser & Sons Inc., wholesalers of automotive supplies and garage equipment, opened a modern machine shop at Ohio and 11th streets with Gene Roberts as foreman. Jack Loeser headed the firm founded in 1917 by Julius Loeser.
• A 73-day-old strike at Terre Haute Malleable & Manufacturing Co. ended after a successful drive for settlement led by Mayor Ralph Tucker.
• Plans were announced for the resurfacing of U.S. 41 (Third Street) from Lafayette to Margaret avenues and the widening of the street from Hulman to Poplar streets into a six-lane divided highway.
• “Defrosting drudgery gone forever” was the key phrase in the Cecil B. Marvel Appliance advertisement for a Frigidaire no-defrosting refrigerator and freezer. The store was located at 1210 Wabash Ave.
• John K. Lamb, executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, received the Outstanding Citizen’s Award from the Vigo County American Legion Council. Previous recipients were Joe Lowe and James Conover.
History
LOOKING BACK: 1962: ‘Defrosting drudgery gone forever’
- 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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