Sunday, March 24, 2024
SPRINGING INTO ACTION
Jakobe Baker-Smith meets and defeats the Easter Bunny yesterday at Rupert’s Arcade. | photos by JACK BOYCE
NOTEBOOK:
NOTE: Although local newspapers mostly carried state and national news back then, The Shelbyville Republican did briefly mention the total solar eclipse of Aug. 7, 1869. “The Eclipse at this point on last Saturday was a grand success,” the paper weekly said in the following edition. “The day was one of the clearest and most beautiful of the season, and everyone who had a free ticket (a piece of smoked glass) got to see all the show, which consisted of Luna turning Phoebus’ light down until it nearly went out, and then turning it back again - a side show or two of stars, and a chill bath 18 degrees colder than usual. After the performance was over, the chickens came down from their roost, and things moved along as usual.”
NATIONAL NEWS: The main way that scientists studying the effects of antidepressant drugs in rodents assess the efficacy of those drugs is through the forced swim test, where animals are dropped in water and timed to see how long it takes for them to give up. It’s still used in roughly 600 papers per year, but has seen rising opposition among people who think it’s a barbaric way to determine if the drugs are working. At least 13 pharmaceutical companies have announced they no longer use the test, the U.K. government have announced requirements that researchers justify their use of the test, and the Australian government simply won’t fund most research that uses FST. (Science/Numlock)
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Local History: Riot at the Fairgrounds, 1898
from the files of David Craig
The old Shelby County Fairgrounds has seen an untold number of events. Perhaps one of the rowdiest times occurred in 1898.
The fairgrounds was rented by an Indianapolis group, the Young Men’s Guide Club, for a picnic on June 16, 1898. From the narrative of the day’s events in the Shelby Republican, it was routine for the fairgrounds to host such events.
The Guide Club members and their companions arrived in Shelbyville by train. The entourage included a brass band.
Once all the parties had disembarked the train, they formed behind the brass band to parade to the fairgrounds. The Republican reported the band played several songs at the same time, or so it sounded. The fun-loving crowd did not care and made a noisy and rousing march along Shelbyville streets to Walkerville and the fairgrounds.
In 1898, the selling of alcoholic beverages on the fairgrounds was prohibited. As the parade entered the fairground gates, a sign advertising beer, or “hop ale,” could be seen under the grandstand.
Having worked up a thirst marching from the depot to the exhibition grounds, the crowd partook generously of the hop ale. This excessive imbibing added to the party atmosphere.
The old game of “bones” soon became prevalent as a pastime. This, of course, was illegal on the fair property. It could be assumed that the whole affair was getting out of hand.
At this point in the festivities, someone sent for Sheriff Valentine Schoelch. The sheriff sent Deputy William McDougal to investigate the allegations of illegal activity. McDougal was accompanied by three other men. This was to prove fortunate for McDougal.
Upon the arrival of local law enforcement, the “bones” games had disappeared but the beverage stand was doing a land office business. William McDougal felt no need to intervene and returned to the jail.
Later that afternoon, a group of “sightseers” that had just been at the picnic informed McDougal that trouble was brewing.
Accompanied by another officer, McDougal returned to the fairgrounds. Both men shut down the bar and informed the two owners that they were under arrest. As the men were being escorted out of the fairgrounds, a gun was thrown to one of the prisoners.
The officer moved clear of the prisoner and found himself surrounded by a group of angry men armed with revolvers. A short gun battle followed until the guns were emptied.
The law officers then decided to make a run for the fairgrounds gate. The arrested men were placed in a buggy and driven out of the fairgrounds. Jerry Woodruff had helped the law officers, which had drawn the anger of the mob.
When the buggy pulled out, the crowd came for Woodruff, who fled for the fairgrounds gates in fear of his life.
Upon reaching the gates, a beer bottle on the head knocked Jerry unconscious. Several men then began to kick him and stabbed Woodruff in the left lung.
The horrible beating was halted by Ed Dismore. Firing shots into the crowd, Dismore drove the mob back. He then took Jerry Woodruff to Dr. Samuel Kennedy. None of the injuries suffered by Jerry Woodruff were life threatening.
The man that had stabbed Jerry Woodruff was given a buggy ride in an escape attempt. The buggy was followed by nearly 100 angry citizens and stopped at the intersection of Mechanic and Harrison streets. The man that stabbed Jerry Woodruff was James Jameson of Indianapolis. James was given room and board at the Shelby County jail. Woodruff recovered from his shameless beating.
This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Thanks to a grant, the Shelbyville Fire Department and Shelby Senior Services installed 34 Knox Box Rapid Entry systems in area homes. Each Knox Box, which could be accessed by emergency personnel, featured a key and a medication booklet for the resident.
2004: About 45 downtown business owners and business leaders nearly filled the council chambers to hear Mayor Scott Furgeson discuss proposed changes to Public Square. Furgeson said the brick sidewalks around the outer square, which were black with dirt, and the brick-chip flower beds would be removed soon. Furgeson also shared a plan to reconfigure the circle to allow for more parking and easier traffic flow. Plans called for turning the circle into an oval.
1994: Shelbyville Central Schools officials announced a plan cutting 73 positions: five administrators, 17 teachers, 18 coaches, 20 aides, seven custodians, four secretaries and two nurses. An Indiana State Teachers Association representative said she was not shocked by the announcement. “Shelbyville Central Schools has been overstaffed for years,” she said. She added that she would help defend any teacher who wished to fight a layoff, but she hadn’t been asked yet.
Continental Kitchen Corp., 434 E. South St., announced plans to acquire a Spencer-based cabinet maker, adding 25 local jobs.
1984: Five-year-old Michael Haverly, a Triton Elementary kindergartner who had been bearing a torch for the Statue of Liberty’s restoration, made an appearance during a special benefit concert at Market Square Arena. The event was to benefit the foundation to restore the statue for her 1986 bicentennial celebration. Special guests included Channel 4’s Cowboy Bob, former Olympian Wilma Rudolph and the Indiana Pacers’ Jerry Sichting.
Correction: Yesterday’s 1984 news article repeated a name error from the original newspaper text. It was corrected online and reposted below.
Kim Jenkins, bailiff for Shelby Superior Court and wife of Gary Jenkins Sr., gave birth to twins. She was told only one week before the birth she was having twins. The twins were named Amy Danielle and Aaron Dean. They had two older brothers, Alan, 7, and Gary Jr., 12.
1974: A premier showing of the Billy Graham movie, “Time to Run,” was held at the Cinema, sponsored by the Shelby County Ministerial Association. Members of the organizing committee were Dr. James Schumacher, Alma Rigdon, Rev. Hugh Hall, Ray Sears, Larry Carmichael, Mary Farrell, Dr. Rick Farrell, Elmer Pond, Gil Whitten, Donna Gibson, Meredith Mann and Leroy Grove.
1964: Michael Mann, Russell Benfield Jr. and James Knose were injured when the convertible in which they were riding went end-over-end off River Road, hit a tree and partially sank in Big Blue River. The car skidded for 177 feet before going over the river bank. The hurling vehicle also broke a section of a city storm sewer drainage tile at the river’s bank.
1954: The new “wait-walk” lights and three-phase traffic signals at Broadway and Harrison were confusing both pedestrians and drivers. “The main cause of confusion to pedestrians seems to be that they fear to continue to cross the street if the ‘walk’ light changes to ‘wait’ after they leave the curb,” The Shelbyville News reported. Police assured pedestrians they could continue crossing the street. Another issue was drivers turning right despite pedestrians in the crosswalk. Drivers were reminded that pedestrians always had the right-of-way. “An amusing incident was related to this connection,” the paper said. “Last Saturday when both pedestrian and vehicle traffic was heavy, a motorist in a car with Ripley County plates seemed very eager to turn right onto N. Harrison St., apparently on his way to Indianapolis to see the Milan Indians play. Despite the flow of pedestrians, the motorist kept edging forward, according to police. He was waved back twice but still was eager. Finally, the officer on duty stopped the motorist by saying, ‘Just one more edge, and you’re not going to see that ball game.’”
1944: Employees at Stokely Foods in St. Paul received an “A” achievement award from a Navy officer and regional director of the War Food Administration office. R.E. Lewis, manager of the Stokely plant, noted that Stokely Foods was the first food processing company in Indiana to receive the government’s “A” Achievement Award.
1934: A roller skating party was set to be held at the Armory. “Wedding rings will be given to all the men skating, and a prize will be awarded to the lady collecting the most rings,” The Republican said. “In the center of the floor will be a jail with a policeman on duty, and any gentleman refusing to skate with a lady when asked will be put in jail. Laughter follows, when spectators see what the ‘prisoners’ have to do to get out of jail.” Carl Steffy and his orchestra performed at the event.
1924: An epidemic of measles was declared in Shelbyville and an epidemic of mumps in Manilla, where three to four new cases were being diagnosed daily at schools.
1914: The first fly of the season was reported on Public Square. “The pest was crawling about on the sidewalk and, after being watched for awhile, was sent into another world where all good flies are,” The Republican said.
OBITUARIES
Cris Wayne Hutchinson, 55, of Shelbyville, passed away, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at his home. He was born October 10, 1968, in Shelbyville, the son of Lawrence Eugene and Nancy Carol (Mohr) Hutchinson. On March 25, 2017, he married Sarah Diane (Ferson), and she survives. In addition to Sarah, Cris is survived by his mother of Shelbyville; children, Rachel Ann Hutchinson and fiance’, Robert Jones, of Shelbyville, Cameron Scott Hutchinson and wife, Carlie, of Batesville, Michael Scott Campbell and wife, Ginny, of Seattle, Washington, Kenneth John Campbell, and Karen Elizabeth Campbell, both of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Olivia Dixon and Elijah Jones; brother-in-law, Scott David Ferson and friend, Pat, of Florida; sister-in-law, Kindal Ferson and friend, Kathy, of Morgantown; father-in-law, Dennis Creed of Arizona; aunts, Dorothy Fields, Shirley Verbeck and Rosie Monroe and husband, Joe, all of Shelbyville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father; and mother-in-law, Anita Creed.
In 1986, Cris graduated from Shelbyville High School, and attended college in Maryland for one year. Cris was a chef for Jug’s Catering for 25 years, retiring in 2014. He was a state champion in archery. Cris enjoyed bowling, playing chess and telling stories. Cris also leaves behind his dog, Fred; and cats, Cerbius and Sassy.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at noon on Thursday, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post No. 70, 1125 S. Miller Avenue, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Cris’ family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
With heavy hearts, we annouce the passing of Judith Ann "Judy" Spoor, 87, of Fairland, on March 14, 2024, at Ashford Place in Shelbyville, IN. Born on April 26, 1936, in Nashville, Judy was the daughter of Charles D. and Emma Mae (Crabtree) Miller. She was united in marriage to Arthur W. "Art" Spoor, on November 28, 1986, who survives her.
Judy is lovingly remembered by her children: Dana C. (Shadley) Harrell (Greg), Eric A. Redifer (Kathy), Laure A. Redifer (Nick), Christopher R. Redifer, Tricia D. Spoor (Rob), Troy D. Spoor, and Adam B. Spoor (Lisa). She also leaves behind siblings Carol J. Fouts, Mary E. Miller-Stolz, and C. Norman Miller, as well as nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey A. Redifer, former husband Gene Shadley, her brothers Jim, Tom, and Joe Miller, and her sister Margee Hamilton.
As a 1954 graduate of Kubasaki American High School, in Okinawa, Japan, Judy later earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1961. She was an active member of the New Life Methodist church community, and retired from The Shelbyville News in 1999. She found joy in volunteering with the Moral Township Fire Department, Eastern Star member and enjoyed leisure activities like reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, followed by a funeral service officiated by Pastor Andy Lee. Memorial contributions in Judy's honor may be made to the Moral Township Fire Department.
Though Judy's physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace, knowing she made a lasting impact on those around her.
Steven R. Willmy, 69, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday March 20, 2024 at Hospice Inpatient Facility in Columbus, IN. He was born May 7, 1954 in Jackson, NJ. to Edward G. Willmy and Betty J. (Crouder) Willmy.
Steve retired from Spenex, where he was a supervisor. He was well-known there for all his time put in and his hard work at fixing equipment and maintenance.
Steve is survived by his daughter, Genevie (husband, Kent) Ritchie; his son, Steven John Willmy; his grandchildren, Adi and John Ritchie; two nieces, Melanie Willmy-Norris and Victoria Willmy; nephew, Billy Willmy; and special friends, Tianna Perez and Robert “Bobby” Nickles. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Julie Willmy.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens.
Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Steve’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.