Friday, May 10, 2024
Class of ‘74 Set for Golden Anniversary
Members of the Shelbyville High School Class of 1974 met recently to continue planning their upcoming 50th reunion, to be held at Blessing’s Opera House on June 1. Approximately 150 are registered to attend, and registration continues at www.shelbyville74.net. Planning committee members are (front row, left to right) Cathy Smith Durbin, Gayle Wiley, Renae Skinner Wells and Ginny Hall Bogemann, and (back row, left to right) Brad Jones, Mark Risley, Brad Dickmann, and Steve Scofield. Members not pictured are Gina Alvis Bishop, Jill Wilson Garrett and Scott Brunner. | photo by JACK BOYCE
NOTEBOOK:
Two Shelbyville Central Schools teachers have been selected by the Ford Theatre’s Reynolds Foundation to participate in its Summer Teachers’ Institute. Jonathan Baldwin, Coulston Elementary, and Teresa Meredith, Loper Elementary, have been selected for two different programa and will be in Washington D.C. at different times to study with a cohort of 15 to 20 other teachers. “We are incredibly excited and can’t wait to compare notes after our experiences,” Meredith said.
A local committee is looking for a family to host the city’s incoming Japanese teacher from late July 2024 to early March 2025. The male teacher will have a car on loan from the city, and the host family will be given some financial incentive. Contact beckybishopp@comcast.net for details.
The Shelby County Diligent Diggers will hold their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to noon, at Clearwick Park. All plants are locally grown and include: iris, hostas, daisies herbs, columbine, tomatoes, house plants, sedum, yard art and much more. Prices start at $2. For more than 25 years, the Diligent Diggers have been planting and maintaining the gardens at the Shelby County Public Library. Plant sale proceeds will be used to continue the gardens at the library.
The Mayor’s and City of Shelbyville’s annual Government Day Lunch is set for Friday, June 7, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (or until supplies run out), on East Washington St. The free lunch includes a hotdog, chips and a drink.
The Shelbyville Central Teachers Association and Shelbyville Central Schools Administration is honoring retirees and those with 25 years of service on Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m. in the SMS cafetorium. Retirees are Paul Ashbrook, Scott Harper, Michelle Karmire, Pat Parks, Diane Seals, Debby McLeod, Becky Sipes and Trudi Wolfe. Those with 25 years of service are Scott Fitzgerald, Micka Kincaid and Rita Kemple. Tickets, which are $11 for the grilled chicken parmesan meal, can be obtained by contacting lmkiefer@shelbycs.org.
NATIONAL NEWS: After eight years of effort, New York City is just one year away from the successful installation of a new water pipe along East 61st and 63rd streets. After a decade of construction, NYC will have successfully installed 500 feet of sewer and water lines on two whole city blocks, and at a cost of just $22.3 million on an original budget of $8.5 million. (Gothamist/Numlock)
The Addison Times publishes essential news and historical content to build our Shelby County community, and is free thanks to the generosity of supporters. Those who donate a minimum of $5 a month (or $45 one-time) receive the three remaining quarterly Addison Times magazines for 2024 as an appreciation gift.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
Shelby County Mothers: Stories of Mothers in Forest Hill
Editor’s note: With Mother’s Day coming up, The Addison Times will feature a few articles on local notable mothers in the city’s history.
by DONNA DENNISON, Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Director
Looking at all the stones in Forest Hill Cemetery one has to think of all the stories buried there. Today I wonder about all the mothers who came to Forest Hill as their final resting place. What are their stories?
Elizabeth Gordon Billman was born in Shelby County on March 20, 1852. She was the daughter of prominent farmer and philanthropist Leonidas Gordon, founder of the Gordon’s Children Home. In 1870, she married Charles Billman, owner of the Shelby Mill. Together they would become the proud parents of three sons and two daughters. Elizabeth saw to the education of all her children, seeing that each attended local common school and continued on to graduate high school. This was in a time when a seventh grade education was considered enough. It was said that “Mrs. Billman, who takes a mother’s natural pride in her children, has good reason to be proud of them.” Each would grow to be successful. Two of the boys, Elmer and Otto, would continue to run the mill after their father’s death. Elizabeth passed away at the age of 60 on Dec 1, 1912. She and Charles rest together in Section 7 row 6 at Forest Hill.
Mrs. Mary Montgomery was born in Ohio in 1820. Mary was a DAR Real Daughter because her father, Philip Young, served in the Revolutionary War. She came to Shelby County with her parents and married Benjamin Young in 1843. They would have two sons and one daughter. After the death of Ben, she married William Montgomery, and to him she gave five sons and three daughters. Mary was known for her kindness to everyone and her art of quilt making. Mary lived to see several grandchildren and great-grandchildren before she died at the age of 93. She rests in Sec 1 row 2. Her father is buried at Blue River Chapel Cemetery.
Thankful Ann Bassett Kennedy was born 1838 in Shelby County to one of the early settler families of Shelby County. She would also marry into another pioneer family when she married John Morgan Kennedy. They would have six children together and six grandchildren as well. They would remain married for 55 years before John's death. On the day of her death she had worked in her much-admired flower beds and her family came to visit. She noted to them “how well she felt.” They sat on the veranda of her home at 133 West Hendricks Street enjoying the spring day. When Thankful stepped into the house for a moment she suffered a heart attack and quickly passed. She was 77 years old. She is in Sec 7 row 1 of Forest Hill.
Happy upcoming Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere. We honor you!
This Day in Shelby County History
2014: SCUFFY exceeded its goal, raising $810,510. Beau Browning was the drive chair.
2004: The Shelbyville Police Department’s newest public relations tool was a restored 1962 Mercury Monterey, which DARE Officer Floyd Hastings would drive. Equipped with original department lights and radio, the white-and-black car stood out. The car had belonged to Hastings’ stepfather, Charlie Kocher, who decided it was time to do something with the Monterey he had owned since 1994. Kocher had bought the vehicle from his uncle’s estate sale. He paid nearly the same cost - $3,392 - that his uncle had paid 42 years prior when Melvin Jones bought it from Shelby Motors, then located at 55 E. Washington St. Kocher and his wife, Rita, later donated the car to the police department.
Triton Central won its second golf championship of the season, winning both the Shelby County title and Mid-Hoosier Conference match. Bud Mendenhall was head coach. Tyler McGinsie was the meet medalist.
1994: Residents of Heritage Manor let balloons fly into the sky in celebration of National Nursing Home Week. Each balloon contained the address of a resident of the facility and a request for its return.
A local man filed a lawsuit against the city claiming a basketball goal fell on his head at Sunset Park. City Attorney Mark W. McNeely said he was conducting an investigation into the incident. “We think he was hanging from the rim,” McNeely said.
1984: Convicted murderer and arsonist Grace (DeBolt) Wiley escaped from the Indiana Women’s Prison, launching a police search for the former Morristown-area woman. Wiley, 41, had been sentenced to 30 to 40 years in prison in Shelby Superior Court. She had been charged in 1982 with setting fire at her home that resulted in the death of her husband, Ralph DeBolt.
A newspaper photo showed David Dayhoff and Tim Kuhn, students on Mrs. Joan Gardner’s sixth grade classroom at Loper Elementary, working at the class computer, a reward for completing all of their work and earning free time. The school had five computers.
1974: Shelbyville High School Student Council President Mark Risley announced plans for the senior class to visit Kings Island as an end-of-year activity. Sam Thurston and Norm Browning were the incoming president and vice president. Newly elected officers were Christy Laird, Dara Lay and Eric Steffey. The executive committee was comprised of Jon Orem, Karen Thornburg and Steffey. Plans were in the works for the purchase of an electric scoreboard for the baseball diamond.
In the first annual Shelbyville Police Department pistol match, held during rain at the Emmert Range off Knightstown Road, Lt. Russell Mason won the top gun award. Dave Hardin was second and Police Chief Robert Williams, third. Mason’s score tied Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Allender, who had won the Sheriff’s competition earlier.
Editor’s note: (This following item from yesterday listed an incorrect last name. The original has been updated, and is republished here.) Harold Boring, 61, widely known local horse trainer and harness race driver for 45 years, died. He had been in failing health for 10 years. A resident of Shelby County all his life, Boring drove his first race at 15, at the county fairgrounds, and was regarded as one of the best colt trainers in the state. He had graduated from Morristown in 1932.
1964: More than 20 local police, sheriff’s officers and firemen searched the Junior High School after a bomb threat was received. Nearly 900 students were evacuated, and a thorough search revealed nothing. The call had been received by student office helper Melissa Scott. Students went home and returned at 1 p.m., when classes resumed.
1954: The Eagles Wings won the Eagles League bowling championship. Members were Afred Nauert, Howard Stanley, Jim Staton, William Tucker and Robert Clapp.
Nisa Waltz was Chafee Studio Baby of the Week.
1944: Eleven more men entered active military service. They left the courthouse for induction in Indianapolis. They were Paul Wainscott, Ray Hogue, James Kerr, Charles Hern, Richard Conger, John Huffman, Edgar Hauk Jr., John Basey, Hubert Engle, Robert Lee, George Corely and Carl Kaster.
1934: Mary Jane Sanders was crowned Queen of May in front of a crowd of 1,500 in Paul Cross Gymnasium. Attendants were Martha Fleming, Kathryn Cuzzort, Martha Sorden, Martha Tuerff, Esther Harsh, Harriett Schoelch, Carl Scott, Bernard Sleeth, LeRoy Kraft, Leslie Whadcock, Raymond Headlee and Warren Moberly. Libbey Cheshire was crown bearer and Billie Breck carried the train. Robert Liggett was Lord Mayor. Mrs. Cora Tindall and Miss Ola Billman were in charge of costumes and decorations, assisted by Misses Maverne Rhodes, Crystal Linville, Caryl Loper, Betty Hardin, Dorothy Conger and Claire Strickler.
1924: Maurice Lux, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lux, won the state junior title as corn champion in an event held at Purdue University.
Snow fell for a brief time in the early morning, I & C Traction Line employees reported.
1914: A 36-year-old horse that belonged to Louis Bogeman, and previously to the late W. Scott Ray, was put down. Old Charley had broken a leg on the farm and was chloroformed by the veterinarian.
OBITUARIES
Gail G. Gaddis, 70, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at his residence. Born July 26, 1953 in Shelbyville, he was the son of Norman Gaddis and Anna (Adkins) Gaddis. Survivors include his mother of Shelbyville; a daughter, Stephanie Morris Gaddis of Shelbyville; five grandchildren, Brianna Fippen, Quentin Morris, Jayden Morris, Isaac Morris, and Cherish Morris, and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, a brother Gary Gaddis, and a granddaughter Lila Terry.
Mr. Gaddis was a lifelong resident of this area and had been an owner/operator truck driver for many years. He was a US Army veteran. Gail enjoyed camping and horseback riding, tinkering in his garage, working on his truck and motorcycle, antiquing and attending flea markets, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor George Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Gail Gaddis Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.