Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Shelby County’s ‘Infamous’ Recalled
Last week’s Community Treasure Series at The Strand Theatre highlighted several of the most “infamous” people with connections to Shelby County. The event was a continuation of the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department’s once-regular program, “The Famous, Infamous, and the Unknown.”
“The ‘infamous’ were always the favorite,” Donna Dennison, department director, said, so she hit a few of the past highlights, as well as added to the list. “I try to choose people who no one here is related to.”
A new addition to the list was Myra Freese, a 59-year-old Franklin resident who along with her husband, Martin, pulled up to Red Mills in 1901 and asked for William Gray. They found him, and The Indianapolis News reported, “without saying a word, Mrs. Freese drew a revolver and fired” point-blank. “The bullet pierced his heart. He walked about 10 feet and fell dead,” the paper said. “Without a moment's hesitation, Mrs. Freese walked to where Mr. Gray was lying and, placing the revolver against his neck, shot him again.”
The Freeses then drove away, “the murder being committed so quickly and coolly that the few people who were about did not realize what had happened until the fast-disappearing rig was almost out of sight,” the paper said.
When they arrived in Franklin, Mr. Freese placed his wife in jail, and she was charged with murder. But Mr. Freese was also arrested for being an accessory to the crime. Martin Freese had previously been employed by Gray, the paper said. Myra was described as showing no sign of emotion. The couple had been married two years.
Myra claimed William Gray, who was reportedly a drunkard, had come to her house twice and attacked her. She had decided to kill him, but her husband was not aware of the incidents nor the plot, she said. “Two weeks ago, I asked my husband to get me a revolver, telling him I wanted to kill some stray cats that had been about the house,” she told reporters. Martin said he knew nothing of his wife’s intentions.
Papers noted that Myra looked older than her age and dressed accordingly in her court appearances. “Among a hundred women found in a public place, she would be taken for a woman who labors at the washtub rather than for a person charged with the crime of murder,” The Indianapolis News said. The paper, though, noted inconsistencies in her accounts, and she was later sentenced in Shelby Circuit Court to life in prison. Martin was granted a change of venue, and he was also sentenced to jail time.
Martin died in 1903, and Myra’s story changed. Her children said Martin had masterminded the murder, and he had told her he would kill her if she did not commit the crime. In 1906, Myra Freese was pardoned by the governor. She moved in with her daughter in Indianapolis, and died in 1909 at the age of 64.
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Commissioners gave positive reviews regarding last weekend’s fireworks display in Waldron. “You’d have to go a long way to see a better show than that. I mean, it was amazing,” Commissioner Don Parker said.
Registration at Shelbyville Central Schools is two weeks away, starting Monday, July 22. Registration is online, but in-person help sessions are available for the district, hosted at Shelbyville Middle School, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Monday, July 22, and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 23. The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 7.
A vehicle rear-ended another vehicle on John St. at the Harrison St. stop sign. The driver of the responsible vehicle said she had dropped a cigarette in her lap and had looked down to pick it up when the accident occurred.
NATIONAL NEWS: The latest salvo in intergenerational warfare is related to socks. If you wear low-cut socks, the youngs think you’re old. No-show socks are out; mid-calf high socks are in. Hanes reports that sales of socks that rise above the ankle are up 5.9 percent since 2021, while sales of the low-cut socks that were recently popular are down 3.8 percent over the same period. Bombas, another sockmonger, said that sales of no-show socks are down 9 percent in April compared to the same month of last year. (Wall Street Journal/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!
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: The Shelby County Public Library’s genealogy department moved to the renovated East Carnegie Wing from a house behind the main branch.
Planned Parenthood’s departure from Shelby County in 2009 had left no place for young people to be tested and treated for sexually transmitted diseases without their parents being notified. The Shelby Community Health Center restarted the service with a weekly STD testing and treatment clinic. Some young people had been going to the emergency room to be tested.
2004: The Shelby County Jail was continuously overcrowded. The jail was built to house 195 inmates, but the population had been as high at 220 in recent weeks. Shelby Superior Court Judge Russell Sanders was reviewing options for channeling non-violent offenders into other programs.
1994: The longtime Senior Fair Queen contest was renamed so the winner would be named Shelby County Fair Homemaker of the Year. “Nobody objects to being a homemaker. But, some people object to being a beauty queen,” Doris Hinkle, who oversaw the competition, said. The 1994 contestants were Virginia Blaich, Martha Dooley, Nola Harrell, Lucile Stevens and Ellen Young.
1984: Cable television was on the agenda of Shelby County Commissioners, who would soon consider granting TeleView the opportunity to provide service to Waldron, Fountaintown and Gwynneville. Jeff Linder, attorney for the town of St. Paul, had previously notified commissioners of the company’s plans to service St. Paul. TeleView, based in Greenfield, offered 12 channels and Home Box Office movies for $30 a month. In other action, Commissioners would consider placing a flashing yellow light at the intersection of County Road 800 East and U.S. 421 due to several recent accidents there.
1974: Traditional Sunday night bingo was out at the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge moving forward. Lodge members had voted to cut off bingo. F.O.P. officers had asked Prosecutor Jerry Lux for his advice, and he said his “basic position was that I didn’t think a police organization should be conducting an act which still remains illegal under Indiana law,” he told The Shelbyville News.
1964: Democrat nominee for Lt. Governor Robert Rock spoke at the Shelby County Democrat picnic, held at Morrison Park. In other political news, Mrs. Hartke, wife of Indiana Sen. Vance Hartke, was a guest at a Diligent Diggers Garden Club pitch-in at the summer home of Mrs. Money on the Flat Rock River. Mrs. Ralph Adams presented an article entitled “The Weed Eaters.”
1954: John “Jack” Schweppe, who had come to Shelbyville as an official with Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. two years prior, had become heavily involved in local church, club and PTA work, The Shelbyville News said. Schweppe was rarely at his desk, the article said, choosing instead to monitor the entire factory.
1944: Congressman Raymond Springer held constituent meetings at the Shelby County courthouse. His primary focus was on those who had not heard from servicemen relatives and those who desired to discuss benefit allotments.
1934: The local American Legion members defeated the Kiwanis Club, 6-2, in a donkey baseball game held at the high school athletic field. Each batter, after hitting the ball (strikes weren’t counted), had to mount one of 10 “Mexican burros” to get to base. “Donkeys, it appears have ideas of their own as to how the game of baseball should be played, particularly as to how the base-running should be done,” The Republican said. Earl Kelley took the worst fall of the night, face-first into the dirt from his “steed.” Norman Thurston was particularly good at riding the donkeys, which the paper said was expected, since he was from “a Democratic family.” Bill Skinner, catcher for the Legion team, had to eat breakfast “standing up” the next day, the paper said, due to falling off the donkeys multiple times. A crowd of 500 attended the game. Players named several of the donkeys during the game, but they “would not look well in print,” the paper said.
1924: The county agricultural agent urged local apple orchard owners to take immediate steps to protect their apple crop against damage by the coddling moth.
1914: The Shelbyville Republican reported that a Brown County pastor had been attacked by a “mob of disbelievers in (his) doctrine” after allegedly saying that “hell is full of infants.” The minister was struck on the head with a rock, and “knocked insensible.” A “free-for-all fight” then broke out among several people.
OBITUARIES
Glen Kemper Lundin, 73, of North Vernon, passed away Friday July 5, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent Jennings. He was born September 16, 1950, in Shelbyville, IN. to Beryl W. Lundin and Hillis (Kemper) Lundin.
Glen was a journeyman electrician. He had a love for the outdoors. Spending time in nature and watching all the animals was a passion of his. He enjoyed listening to all kinds of music and reading. He especially enjoyed anything science fiction.
He married the love of his life, Bonnie (Megerle) Lundin, on August 26, 1978, and she preceded him in death on March 14, 2010. Glen is survived by his granddaughter, Paris Scott (Kris Conover), and his brothers, Leigh Lundin and Ray Lundin. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
A Gathering of Friends will be July 13, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. A Memorial Service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Glen’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Steven Wayne “Steve” Smith, 78, near Brookfield, died as the results of a tragic accident on Friday, July 5, 2024. He was born on October 26, 1945, in Shelbyville, the son of Ebert Wayne and Dona Jean (Plummer) Smith. Steve married his wife of 57 years, Jenness Bush, on February 26, 1967, and she survives. In addition to Jenness, Steve is survived by his daughter, Shelly Retter and husband, John; grandchildren, Sarah Cross and husband, Damon, Avery Walker and wife, Amber, and Grace Bailey and husband, Jarrett; his seven great-grandchildren, Aiden, Lila, Rosaleigh, Bennett, Eli, Ramsey and Eloise; his brothers, Mike Smith, Greg Smith and wife, Millie, and Jeff Smith; and several nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Bryan Matthew Smith.
He attended Moral Township and graduated from Triton Central High School; his post-Masters studies were at Ball State University. Steve was a lifelong farmer. He first farmed with his father and then with his wife. He taught science at Arsenal Tech High School, retiring with 37 years of service. Steve was a member of Brookfield Baptist Church and 500 Earth Science Club. He loved visiting National Parks, going hiking, and hunting for fossils and rocks. Steve also loved IU basketball, his cows, eating ice cream, God and his family. Steve was a loving husband, devoted father, adoring grandpa and great-grandpa, wonderful brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. He will be missed by many.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home, with John Retter officiating. Interment will be at Fairland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 11550 N. Meridian St., Carmel, Indiana 46032 or Brookfield Baptist Church, 8635 W 800 N, Fairland, Indiana 46126. Online condolences may be shared with Steve’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Mary Jane “Janie” Simpson, 75, of Franklin, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Franciscan Alliance Hospital. Born May 4, 1949 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Eugene S. Weaver and Mary K. (Yazel). She married Wayne Simpson on July 7, 1995, and he survives. Other survivors include a son, Steve Buchanan of Shelbyville and a daughter Wendy Wallace (Stan) of Franklin; step-son Brian Simpson (Jennifer) of Indianapolis; sister Sue Martin of Shelbyville, two brothers, Danny Weaver (special friend Linda) of Shelbyville and David Weaver (Becky) of Milroy; six grandchildren, Jessica St. Arbor (Nick), Brandon Wallace, Josh Wallace, Cody Wallace, Ashley Mack (Matt), Aaron Buchanan; step-grandson Brandon Simpson (Grace); and 10 great-grandchildren; she is also survived by several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, several cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Carol Jean Weaver and Priscilla Richards; niece Robin R. Allen; nephew Tony Richards; and her beloved dogs Buffy and Penny.
Mrs. Simpson had lived in Franklin for 25 years, after moving from Shelbyville and Greenwood. She attended Waldron High School and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. He had been a factory worker with Williams Industries for 30 years.
Janie enjoyed cooking, traveling, shopping, and attending family outings. She was a true homemaker, and loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. David Humphrey officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Shelby County Cancer Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandeson.com.