Thursday, February 22, 2024
MOMENT IN THE SUN
The yellow glow from the sunrise in the southeast highlights a school bus yesterday on its morning round. | photo by JACK BOYCE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Central Schools board last night approved the retirement of Hendricks Elementary teacher Michelle Karmire, effective this summer. Karmire was first hired by Pearson Elementary Principal Charles Craft in 1990 as an instructional assistant. A year later, Craft moved her to a fourth grade teaching position, where she remained until the school’s closure in 2000. Karmire then moved over to the new Hendricks Elementary in 2000, where she has remained. She taught fourth grade for 12 years and the rest in second grade. “It was really cool teaching at the grade school I attended for first through third grades, and my first, second and third grade teachers were still teaching there when I started,” Karmire told The Addison Times after last night’s board meeting. “It was bittersweet writing that (retirement) letter, but I’m ready for the next phase in life.”
In other business, the SCS board approved providing childcare for a fee for Golden Bear Preschool families over the summer and, in a separate approval, childcare during next school year for employees’ children ages 1 to 2. “We would come out even on this the way it’s priced. This would not be a financial burden in any way to us,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance said.
Shelbyville native Julia Prickett was selected to be a 2024 500 Festival Princess. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside 32 outstanding young women from across the state, and take part in a program with rich tradition that represents the legacy of the Indianapolis 500,” Prickett posted. The 500 Princesses are selected from hundreds of applicants based on leadership, academic stewardship, community involvement, and their embodiment of the Hoosier spirit, the program said in a statement.
NATIONAL NEWS: A group of citizens from Valdez, Alaska, is fundraising to install a life-sized bronze statue of a local hometown hero, with the nonprofit Riker Maneuver estimating it will cost $125,000 in total to build a statue dedicated to William T. Riker, a Starfleet officer who will be born in Valdez on August 19, 2335. Riker, the first officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, played by Jonathan Frakes on Star Trek: The Next Generation, hails from Valdez according to the intricate canon of the iconic franchise. While most statues commemorate a person who was born somewhere, statues commemorating a Starfleet officer who will be born somewhere are not new, including a Captain James T. Kirk statue in Riverside, Iowa, and a Captain Kathryn Janeway statue in Bloomington, Indiana. (Alaska Public Media/Numlock)
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Early Shelby County Roads
Editor’s note: The following article by Gendron Wintin, written in 1956, is available at the Shelby County Genealogy Department.
Do you groan inwardly when faced with a few miles of travel over gravel roads and complain of a few chuckholes in the blacktop after a hard winter?
Then sympathize with the pioneers who had no roads at all, or some that were passable only a few months of the year. The Rev. Eliphalet Kent, early Presbyterian minister in Shelby County, says reminiscently in the county’s first history, “from where I now live (two miles west of Shelbyville), it was impossible to get to town at certain seasons of the year.”
Many petitions for roads were received and allowed by the County Commissioners from their first meeting in 1822 on, but the roads were improved only by cutting the trees and underbrush to make a passway through the forest. Sometimes the saplings and brush would be laid crosswise over the low marshy places forming the so-called corduroy roads.
How easy it was to lose the way in traveling from one settlement to another is recorded by the Hon. O.H. Smith in his “Early Indiana Trails and Sketches.” Mr. Smith was a pioneer attorney who lived in Connersville.
Circuit Court had just been concluded at Greensburgh (used to be spelled so), and the judge and some attorneys were traveling on horseback through the woods to Shelbyville where court was to be held next day, when they came upon a cabin with the word “whiskey” chalked upon a board out front.
The judge’s call was answered by a woman whom he asked for a tin cup of whiskey with a little sugar. She replied that she would sell a gallon but had no license to sell “by the small.”
Assured by the judge that she had nothing to fear in his court, she produced the whiskey, the judge downing “the lion’s portion.”
Resuming their journey, it was much later in the day when the cavalcade realized they were not on the Shelbyville trace, but were headed for Brookville. Retracting their path to the cabin (no record if they stopped this time), they were able to get the right trail and arrived in Shelbyville at dark.
Plank roads were tried out in some places but they proved to be too costly, deteriorated quickly and soon were discontinued. Four railroads crossed Shelby County before there were good roads.
William Elliott had been proprietor of the Shelbyville Water Mill for 15 years when he sold it in 1859 and purchased a large farm in Marion Township. Faced with the problem that confronted all farmers - that of getting his crops to market - Mr. Elliott lost no time in doing something about it. In the Spring of 1860, Elliott threw the first shovel of dirt on Shelby County’s turnpike road. Articles of incorporation were drawn up by James E. McGuire, J.P., Elliott sold the stock and with Jerry Weakley, contracted for the road building.
Webster’s Dictionary defines turnpike as a gate or bar to stop vehicles and sometimes foot passengers until toll is paid.
There are still a few among us who remember the toll roads. One who does is Bert Howard of Liberty Township. He was born in the house that stood where Pope’s Grocery is in Waldron today, just a stone's throw away from the Flat Rock-Waldron Turnpike.
The pike extended from near Flat Rock River directly north through Waldron, crossing the Michigan Road at the Kolkmeier corner and running about two miles north. The toll houses were located one at the Kolkmeier corner and one just south of Waldron near the Albert Wright home. Howard says the toll was about 25 cents for a loaded two-horse wagon. He also recalled that some of the more reluctant to part with their cash would go a long way around over bad roads rather than to pay the toll.
By 1880, turnpike roads radiated from the county seat like spokes from a hub. It would take too long to describe them all, but some are interesting in that they bring to mind names of places that have gone with the years.
For instance, there was the Blue River and Chapel Road that started at the eastern edge of Shelbyville and ended at Pleasant Hill Chapel, an early Methodist church that stood on the banks of Little Blue River. I used to hear the folks talk of going fishing at Pleasant Hill bridge, but nowadays it is just the iron bridge on the old Rushville Road.
Chapel Road was in the eastern part of Addison Township. At that time Shelby Township was a part of Addison and the Chapel Road passed Union Chapel, another early Methodist church, now a part of the Lux seed house.
Many of the roads were built in Union Township. Jackson Township had more than any except Addison. The fairgrounds in the southwest corner of Jackson must have influenced their building, for they had three east-and-west roads and three north-and-south roads.
Most of the roads were built on a straight line, but the St. Paul-Norristown Road had the dubious honor of having the most turns.
Many of us remember the little, gray, weatherbeaten toll houses built for the toll collectors on strategic corners. Most of them have disappeared with the years, but one is preserved on the farm of Grace Jewett in Marion Township. Perhaps it is one from Shelby County’s first toll road.
In 1895 the roads became the property of Shelby County and are known as Free Gravel Roads. The first business transacted by the Commissioners following acquisition was to pass an ordinance prohibiting hauling heavy loads when the roads were soft and announcing a fine of $10 for any disobeying. A tax levy of a half-cent per $100 was assessed for the upkeep the first year.
RELEASE: Public Forum for Future of Morrison Park
submitted by City of Shelbyville
The Ball State University R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), in collaboration with Assistant Professors of Landscape Architecture, Dorna Eshrati and Jeremy Merrill, cordially invites the Shelbyville community to a unique opportunity for active participation in shaping the future of Morrison Park. This engaging event, a community open forum, is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 26, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Activity Room at Girls Inc of Shelbyville, located at 904 S Miller Street, Shelbyville, Ind.
Morrison Park, nestled in the heart of Shelbyville, holds great potential for transformation, and the CAP students are eager to collaborate with the local community to envision and design a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of Shelbyville residents.
The open forum will be a platform for a dynamic conversation where community members can share their thoughts, ideas, and visions for Morrison Park. Under the guidance of Assistant Professors Dorna Eshrati and Jeremy Merrill, students will facilitate discussions and brainstorming sessions to gather valuable input from the diverse perspectives of the Shelbyville community.
“We believe that involving the community in the planning and design process is crucial to creating spaces that truly serve the needs of the people who live and play in those areas,” said Adam Rude, Director, Planning and Building Department of City of Shelbyville.
The event is open to all residents, businesses, and organizations interested in contributing to the future development of Morrison Park. The Activity Room at Girls Inc. of Shelbyville, 904 S Miller Street, provides a comfortable and inclusive setting for this community-driven initiative.
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Shelbyville community and apply our knowledge and skills to create a shared vision for Morrison Park,” added Professor Jeremy Merrill.
For more information, please contact Maria Henriquez at mhenriquez@cityofshelbyvillein.com.
This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Molly Madden, a Shelbyville High School senior, received a $20,000 national Girls Inc. scholarship. Girls Inc. CEO Amy Dillon called her “a true leader and role model to young girls.” Madden was the first girl from Shelby County’s Girls Inc. to win the national scholarship.
2004: With a win over Knightstown, the Waldron Mohawks moved to 19-0 on the season. They were the Class A No. 1-ranked team. Jordan Barnard finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Barnard scored 12 points and had seven rebounds. Brad Kuhn hit key shots in the victory. Surviving family members of the 1927 state finalist boys’ basketball team were honored prior to the start of the game, and a photograph of the 1927 team was unveiled. It would hang in the hallway of the school. At halftime, Waldron honored 1998 3,200-meter state champion Teresa (Kamleiter) Caplinger.
1994: Indiana Pacers guard Haywood Workman gave a clinic and signed autographs at Shelbyville Middle School. A newspaper photo showed Workman keeping the ball away from SMS student Jacob Shively, who was inexplicably wearing a Charlotte Hornets sweatshirt. (Note: Upon further questioning yesterday, Shively, now a Spanish teacher at Shelbyville High School, said he not only “reluctantly” wore the sweatshirt that day, but also an embroidered turtleneck his grandmother had made for him. “I never wore the outfit again!” he said.)
Nearly 60 inmates were slated to move into the new jail later in the week. County officials were counting on the state to fill 100 beds and pay the county $35 a day per inmate. The old jail had a 48-bed capacity.
1984: Limpus Sales and Service, 1 Clark Road, would close in March after 14 years of business, co-owner Ed Limpus said. His father and fellow co-owner, Ora Limpus, needed to retire due to health reasons. The store first opened in 1970 at the corner of Broadway and Vine Street. The current location was bought by Dick Crouch who would use it for a machine shop. Ed Limpus would continue to sell and service lawn and garden equipment at 1225 E. Michigan Road. Their appliance service man, Dick Cord, would continue repairing appliances independently.
1974: Some 60 officials filed for county and governmental offices and school board and political party posts on the first day of the filing period. Democrat candidates for county offices were George Tolen, judge; Vicki Bernard, county recorder; and Norman Murnan, sheriff. Republicans filing were James Westerfield, county council; Lorna Beck, county assessor; Carol McDaniel, county council; John Whitlock, surveyor; Robert Hayes, county council; Hugh English, county council; and Lossie Marie Linville, county treasurer.
1964: William Karnowsky, 12, was injured at 8 a.m. when a large chandelier fell from the ceiling, striking him in the head. Karnowsky had been preparing to go to school. In a separate incident, Randy Sullivan, 8, was injured at the Boys Club when he ran backwards into a metal door which a custodian had momentarily placed in a corner while he answered the telephone. The door contained a glass panel, and Randy was cut in several places by broken glass.
Two local men were arrested while caught in the act of burglarizing Indiana Cash Drawer. Orville Franklin, night watchman, had caught the men and called officers. Franklin had decided to stop carrying a gun on his rounds one week before and apprehended the suspects while unarmed. “He will resume carrying a gun in the future, however,” The Shelbyville News reported.
1954: Three new police officers started work: John Fields, Elmer Boyer and Walter Dake.
Shelby Township won the county grade school basketball championship. Team members were Terry Morgan, Harold Brooks, Jerry Gaines, Dale Schofner, Charles Brown, Merrill Stillabower, George Roser, Stanley Brewer, Clayton Brewer and Frank Kirschbaum.
1944: Shelby County’s war casualty list grew to 16 when Mr. and Mrs. John DeBaun, 623 West South St., received word that their son, Seaman First Class Clifford DeBaun, 19, had died Feb. 11 of multiple burns while in the Pacific theater of war. His last letter to his parents was written Jan. 19. DeBaun was born in Shelby County in 1922 and attended Shelbyville High School. He was employed at Alberts Furniture Factory at the time of his enlistment. He was survived by his parents; two sisters, Grace and Doris; and three brothers, Ray, Freddie and Ira.
1934: Officials at The Strand Theatre announced a special midnight premiere of the big feature film “Let’s Fall in Love” would be held March 3. In lieu of the stars personally attending the premiere, though, local residents would be selected to impersonate them.
1924: Shelbyville High School won the first game in the Martinsville gym against the home team. “Final Score Was 47 to 41, Rah! Rah!” The Republican headline said. Over 1,200 local residents attended the game. Soon after the special train returned to Shelbyville following the game, the fire alarm box at Pike and Pennsylvania streets was pulled. Pulled (false) alarms after games had become routine, officials said.
1914: Vern Riser, ticket agent with the interurban, and Pearl Gordon had been married since November, The Republican reported. The paper said the marriage had been kept secret, but they would “start to housekeeping” together in May.
OBITUARIES
Ruth Ann Feightner, 56, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday February 17, 2024 at her residence. She was born July 7, 1967 in Madison, IN. to Noble Graves and Evelyn (Burris) Graves.
Ruth loved being outdoors. She would say she enjoyed having her hands in the dirt. Some of her favorite things were doing yard work and working in the flower beds. Ruth took pride in helping others when she was able. She was a very giving and loving person. Decorating was a true talent of hers and she like collecting black bear figurines that she got in Tennessee.
She married David A. Feightner on February 14, 2018, and he survives. Ruth is also survived by her son, Paul Kasper; her daughter, Aliccia Kasper; her son, Steven Kasper; her step-son, Ty Feightner; four grandchildren; her sisters, Pamela Sampson and JaneTrapp; and several nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved dog, Bandit. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Steven Graves.
Services will be at later date at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home Services, 420 S. State St., North Vernon, IN, 47265. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks and Darin Schutt are honored to serve ruth’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com
Morrison Park could be a jewel. Incorporate a music venue please.