Monday, August 5, 2024
CHILI CHAMPS
Trent and Chrissy Atwood are all smiles after taking home prizes in the Indiana State Chili Championship, hosted at the Shelbyville Knights of Columbus this weekend. Trent Atwood captured a second-place award. His wife, Chrissy Atwood, earned two third-place showings. (Although you have to win first place to qualify for the World event, both Atwoods will participate in this year’s World cook-off due to previous victories.) Nearly 50 hungry local residents worked through the numerous containers at the two-day event. Trent's cooking goes by the name “Trent's Wicked Chili” and for Chrissy’s is “The Spice is Right.” | photo by JACK BOYCE
NOTEBOOK:
A town hall meeting, hosted by Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at the Moral Township Volunteer Fire Department. Topics covered include the status of the northwestern county sewer district, broadband, Pleasant View development, a proposed POET project, ambulance service and more.
The Golden Bear Gridiron Club is selling premium parking spaces, adjacent to the gate, for $100 each. The space can be used for all varsity home games, including the scrimmage on Aug. 16, and funds raised “help feed and support the team as needed this season.”
NATIONAL NEWS: The Army Corps of Engineers has been rebuilding beaches since 1923, when they first pumped sand to shore up Coney Island. The trend spread quickly as moneyed interests with beachfront properties sought to maintain the integrity of their land, but it’s gotten a bit out of hand and some projects have become permanent. For instance, the longest-running beach rebuilding projects in the U.S. have lasted for decades. The longest, restoring Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina, began 59 years ago when it was first rebuilt in 1965, and most recently was worked on this year. The five longest-running projects have been replenished 57 times since the 1960s, with just those five requiring 30 million cubic yards of sand. (E&E News/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The Addison Times publishes essential news and historical content to build our Shelby County community, and is free thanks to the generosity of supporters.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!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Third Rising from the Dust and Ashes?
by GEORGE YOUNG
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works will hold a public hearing tomorrow, Aug. 6, regarding three dilapidated buildings on the south side of the first block of West Broadway. It’s time for Shelbyville to reimagine the southwest corner of Broadway and Harrison! For over 150 years, this block has been a bustling hub where countless businesses thrived, thanks to Mr. Dorsey’s vision when he designed an entire block. As we face another chapter of transformation, the possibilities are endless. Imagine a new building that not only unifies the surrounding businesses and architecture but also breathes new life into our town. Could this space become a vibrant center for arts and events that ignite our local economy and culture? The community now has a unique opportunity right in the city's heart. The potential is exhilarating, and the future is ours to shape.
These three buildings, which have housed various businesses over the past 120 years, stretch from the corner of Harrison Street to the alley before First Baptist church. Unfortunately, they appear beyond saving, even if a last-minute benefactor steps in. The addresses in question are 5, 9, 11, 13, and 15 W. Broadway. (See building history up to 1990 at end of letter.)
Before 1897, this area was called the “Dorsey Block.” It began at the southwest corner of Harrison and Broadway and extended south to Hendricks Street. Two of the largest fires in Shelbyville's history occurred at the same location. The first was on November 14, 1883. After the first fire, S.L. Dorsey erected new wood-frame buildings since the fire code did not apply to this block.
Ten years almost to the day, on November 18, 1893, another fire destroyed the Dorsey Block again. The Shelbyville Democrat reported, “The blaze originated in the Livery Barn of John F. Young on West Broadway – Stock Parishes in the Flames – Origin of the Fire Unknown – Loss Will Probably Reach $10,000 (today would be over $300,000).
“At 4:23 this morning, an alarm was sent in from Box 52, and the Fire Company soon located the same in the livery stable of John F Young on West Broadway (photo of building above). The flames were spreading rapidly, and soon, the adjoining buildings were in flames, all of the frame burned like shavings. John Young’s loss is the largest and most pitiable, having lost ten head of fine horses besides about eight good boarding horses. He came up to the fire but went back home sick.
The fire is just what has been expected by many of our citizens for some time. The building consumed should have never been placed there, and our readers will remember that the Democrat stated as much at the time the matter went up before the Council. Mr. Dorsey, of course, has the sympathy of all our residents in his loss but should not be permitted to erect such fire traps again. This should be a warning to the City Council, and the fire limits should be extended without delay. Said a well-known resident who resides near the courthouse: “It was a good thing that the morning was as calm as it was, or the damage would have been much heavier than it was. I found charred shingles in my yard this morning as it was.”
At the turn of the 19th century, the city council revised the fire code to require masonry buildings, and these three structures have withstood fires over the years. However, neglect has caused their collapse for a third time.
#5
1936-1939 Rickett’s Battery
1939 – 1957 Unknown
1957- 1975 Rapid Shoe Repair
1980 Top Drawer T-Shirts
1982 – 1988 Mark’s Barbershop
1989 Top Drawer T-Shirts
1990 Chas Swinford office
#9
1897 – 1924 Dorsey Feed
1924 - 1936 Carl Eberhart Feed
1936 – 1938 Shepard Electric & Mohr Refrigeration
1938 – 1940 Trading Post Furniture
1940 – 1949 American Security
1949 – 1957 Broadway Machine, Weldon Brokaw, American Machine Cousins Lab
1957 Shelby Co. Farm Bureau
1958 – 1972 Edington Music
1972 – 1978 Music Center
1981- 1983 Plaster Craft Art
1984 – 1987 Adams Plaster Craft
1988 – 1990 Adams Paint & Decorating
#11
1897 – 1924 Dorsey Feed
1924 - 1936 Carl Eberhart Feed
1936 – 1938 Shepard Electric & Mohr Refrigeration
1938 – 1940 Trading Post Furniture
1940 – 1949 American Security
1949 – 1957 Broadway Machine, Weldon Brokaw, American Machine Cousins Lab
1957 Shelby Co Farm Bureau
1957 – 1962 W. Brokaw Realtor
1962 – 1969 A.B.C Beauty Clinic
1969 – 1976 Vacant
1977-1978 Music Center
1979 – 1980 Vacant
1981 – 1990 Adams Wallpaper
#13
1897 – 1906 Young & Walker Palace Livery
1907 – 1913 Walker Livery
1913 – 1915 John Kuhn Livery
1915 - 1917 Dorsey Feed
1917 – 1920 A.W. Bowen Ford Agency
1920 – 1924 Roy Gable Electric
1924 – 1936 Marshall Bros Garage
1936 – 1946 Meloy Bros Advertising
1946 – 1952 Meloy Gift Shop
1952 – 1975 Robert Major Optometrist
1975 – 1977 Vacant
1977 – 1978 Music Center
1979 – 1990 Adams Paint
#15
1892 – 1897 H.L. Sparks Blacksmith
1897 – 1906 Young & Walker Palace Livery
1907 – 1913 Walker Livery
1913 – 1915 John Kuhn Livery
1915 - 1917 Dorsey Feed
1917 – 1920 A.W. Bowen Ford Agency
1920 – 1924 Deglow & Huber
1924 – 1936 Marshall Bros. Garage
1936 – 1940 Schlosser Ice cream
1940 – 1946 Vacant
1946 – 1949 Meloy Gift Shop
1949 – 1954 Vacant
1954- 1957 Food Plan – Farmers Mutual Insurance
1957 – 1958 Modern Appliances - Farmers Mutual Insurance
1958 – 1971 Pittsburg Plate Glass - Farmers Mutual Insurance
1971 – 1972 Adams Paint - Farmers Mutual Insurance
1973 -1990 Adams Paint
580 West Taylor St.
Editor’s Note: The following is the next installment in a serialized version of “580 West Taylor Street,” by Joseph E. “Joed” Landwerlen. This chapter is entitled, “The House.”
by JOSEPH E. LANDWERLEN
The following is how I remember the house during the first few years that we lived there.
The Back Bedroom
From the dining room you entered the back bedroom, where four boys ultimately played, dreamed, lived, and slept.
Later, two girls would join the fun, as well. The ceiling of the room had a single electric socket for a lightbulb. It had two double beds, one dresser, one small closet, and a huge square of open space. There was also a large clothes hamper in the southwest corner, always filled to the brim, that doubled as a basketball goal, hiding place, a fort, or any other thing we could imagine. The bedroom had an illegal gas space heater, for it did not have a safety pilot light, that kept the entire room fairly warm, and it felt especially nice during the winter, when you had wet clothes on after playing or working in the snow. I remember that the single-pane window near the clothes hamper was often the receiver of an inaccurate throw of a ball and had to frequently be replaced by my dad, who became quite the proficient glazier. I also remember that it would get so cold in the winter that ice would form on the inside of the windows in that room.
Before our bathroom was built in 1947-48, if the weather was bad or if it was cold, and if we could not go to the outhouse, we would see a four or five foot square piece of linoleum placed in the middle of the room between the two double beds. On it would be placed an enamel-coated metal vessel, about ten inches wide and 16 inches tall, with a wide mouth on top, handles on either side, and a lid. Us boys used that to relieve ourselves; I can only imagine with four boys how messy and smelly that had to be. Mom or Dad had to empty that every morning, but as we boys got older, it quickly became our job to do. We were only too glad to pass that on to the next youngest guy when it was their turn.
Mom and Dad's Bedroom
Their bedroom was entered from the dining room, and it was a small room with one small closet, a regular size bed, a small vanity, and for many years a baby bed in the corner. It had one window that faced west and allowed some cool air to enter on a hot summer night. The vanity was where Mom kept all of her woman stuff and was equipped with a small stool with a soft and decorated seat that sat in the center of the vanity. The vanity had a large central mirror and three small drawers on either side.
The Kitchen
The kitchen was long and narrow, with not much extra room, especially when Mom was preparing meals. The ceiling of the room had a single electric socket for a lightbulb. When we first moved in, there was a hand operated water pump in the northwest corner on a shelf. When you operated the pump, it fed into a large enamel sink. Next to that was a small pantry with a flour bin and a sifter, along with storage for the few staples and canned goods that were kept around. On a waist-high shelf was a little bit of room for canisters of sugar, coffee, and tea. On the east side of the kitchen was a corner pantry and a gas cooking range. By the range sat a table holding the coffee pot, toaster, bread box, and spices. The door on the north end led to the garage.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
January 1975 (Part III)
Teams signed up for intramural basketball in the junior-senior circuit were Be My Friend, Doobie Downs, The F-Z5, Grand Dunk, The Bogarts, The Wonders, Ace Overdrive, Baker-Campbell Overdrive and Major Maulers. Be My Friend sought to defend their 1974 championship, but would be hampered by the temporary loss of center Terry Junken, who had been injured playing for the Boys’ Club All-Stars. F-Z5 was 3-0 on the year, led by Sam Ardery and David Ruschhaupt. The Doobie Brothers were led by Brent Ross nad Roger Hunt. The best team made up solely of juniors, John Hartnett reported, was Baker-Campbell Overdrive. Player-coach Mark Campbell was the club’s defensive specialist. His defense was complemented by the scoring of guard Glen Baker. “Buch” Buchanan and Bob Toon handled the boards.
Liz Woollen, Lisa Pense, Diane Oefinger and Pam Muncy were swimming butterfly events on a strong “Pollarettes” team, Teresa Sexton reported. Cindy Jones, Diane Wickizer, Nancy Breeding, Muncy and Stacy Lockridge were swimming back stroke events. Divers were Robin Gibson and Julie English. Those swimming the breast stroke were Laurie Baxter, Barbara Inlow, Susan Polakoff, Pense and Marilyn Wilson. Freesylers were Tessie Conrad, Gibson, Carrie Mercer, Julie Sexton, Teresa Sexton and Jenny Woolen.
Despite smaller numbers, the SHS Boys’ Gymnastics team was seeing success, Mark Campbell reported. Kehrt Etherton, Bob Gessling, Jeff Brown, Kirk Wickizer, Brian Martin and Greg Martin were all having strong seasons.
The boys’ wrestling team was facing “insurmountable odds,” Mark Campbell reported, due to the loss of the previous year’s seniors and an injury to Mike Carpenter. But Steve Walburn was undefeated and his brother, Mike, had only one setback. Seniors Larry Lux and Jeff Ali were wrestling well, and sophomore Dave Ballard had earned a recent first place in a tourney.
“The girls’ basketball team has had a few bad breaks so far this year, but hopes are high as last year’s coach Mrs. Hearne replaces Lin Chesser,” Denise Miller reported. Those on the roster were Debbie Lux, Charletta Reynolds, Laurie Cadieux, Patty Shaw, Denise Miller, Teresa Marshall, Barb Paxton, Julie Branson, Sue Harding, Jan Griffey, Sue Selack, Beth Lewis, Leann Larrabee, Janise Byrd, Belinda Wildemone, Liz English and Donna DeHart.
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: Those competing in the upcoming 34th Bears of Blue River Queen Pageant would be Kourtney Fogle, Destiny Pike, Courtney Floyd, Samantha Tobler, Crystal Jeffries, Michaela Wines, Katie Nuthak, Allie Bruner, Jamee Nielson and Emma Brauer.
2004: Preparations were underway for Shelbyville to host the Babe Ruth regional tournament. The Shelby County Babe Ruth All-Star team of 14-year-olds, coached by Tony Alvis, would play.
1994: The new Shelby County Jail was on track to make $521,000 for the year by housing inmates from other counties, Sheriff Mike Herndon reported.
Jim and Peggy Kent donated a home, 852 W. Franklin St., to the Boys Club and Girls Inc. capital campaign fund. A newspaper photo showed Girls Inc. director Barbara Anderson accepting the key from the couple.
1984: Fire alarms went off at the Big Blue Store and TRW Cinch on S. Noble St. When firefighters arrived, there was no fire. But Shelbyville Fire Department Captain Paul Lay had a description of the man who apparently activated the outside alarm. Patrolman Dan Goforth later spotted a man fitting that description arguing with a woman near the courthouse. The man was taken to the fire department for a special test to see if he had set off the alarm. The alarm had been coated with a special dust that was sensitive to black light. When the test was done, the man’s hand “glowed like a blacklight poster in a hippie’s hangout,” The Shelbyville News reported.
1974: Boys and girls winners in the City-County Tennis Tourney were Terie Anderson, Dawn Higgins, Kim Ayers, Jennie Hession, Lisa Priddy, Steve Simpson and Cary Newton.
Sen. Birch Bayh campaigned at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar, Bayh’s opponent, was scheduled to attend the fair over the weekend.
1964: The new branch of the Farmers National Bank, located on State Road 44 at the east edge of the city near the junction with U.S. 421, opened. The glass and brick building had two drive-up windows for banking services.
A double Ferris wheel was set up at the Shelby County Fairgrounds for the first time.
1954: The August list for draftees into the armed services from Shelby County included Walter Hugh Lenning, Hugh Edward John and Van Anderson. A total of 376 county men had been called under the 1950 Selective Service Act.
A new furniture store, Shelby Home Outfitters, 146 E. Washington St., opened. David Davis was manager. The building, which formerly housed the Democratic headquarters, was leased from Nate Kaufman.
1944: The annual Indiana Open golf tournament would be held at Blue River Country Club course, state golf officials announced. Local residents with spare rooms were asked to call the Elks Club to help with accommodations.
1934: Frank Morino, of Chicago, proclaimed the “world’s greatest fancy and trick pocket billiards artist,” gave two performances at H.F. Gray’s Billiard Parlor on S. Harrison St.
1924: Six men were arrested in Lewis Creek for having a “seining party” (using a fishing net). The men were charged with attempting to take and catch fish. The seine was 100 feet long.
1914: Walter Rogers, who had escaped from jail, was re-captured by Sheriff Henry Terry in a “colored club room” on East Jackson St. Officers had staked out the train station to ensure Rogers remained in town. Rogers had escaped through an unlocked door.
OBITUARIES
Kent Anthony Easley, 62, of Indianapolis passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Indianapolis. He was born May 22, 1962 in Connersville, Ind., to Luther Hunter and Betty Easley.
Kent was a dedicated and talented painter. He enjoyed singing, dancing, and always having a great time. He also enjoyed watching movies. Kent had a love for visiting with family and talking about all the memories they shared. His family was the most important part of his life.
Kent is survived by his son, Kevin Easley; his sisters, Paula Cox, Rhonda Easley, Sharae Dillingham, and Ruth Easley; his brothers, Rob Easley, and Doug Easley; his grandchildren, Kaulin Easley, Shanel Easley, and Kristopher Easley; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew, Brooke Easley, and his sister, Aletha Easley.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Tony Lambert officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Kent’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.