No news is good news

 Brookville Inquirer, 1833

FLOOD ON THE OHIO

The Ohio River for a few days in the first of this week rose unusually rapid, and on Wednesday had attained a height several feet above any freshet at this season of the year for a number of years past.

 Much of the corn on the low bottoms has been destroyed. In this neighborhood, although there is yet every indication of a plentiful corn crop, the damage sustained must prove ruinous to the present prospects of many industrious and needy citizens. We have heard of several who have lost their entire crop. The water has been falling since Thursday.

-- Lawrenceburg Palladium

CHOLERA IN CINCINNATI

This disease is said to have made its appearance again in Cincinnati. Our information is so authentic that we have no room for doubts on the subject.

We have also received accounts, by a gentleman direct from Lawrenceburgh that the disease is not prevalent in the vicinity of that place. Our informant states that it has assumed a serious type -- that 11 out of 18 cases had proved fatal. Death has generally ensued an attack in the brief space of a few hours.

We have not made this statement with a view to terrify our citizens -- nor do we consider it a just cause for alarm. We would remark fear is said to be a great inciting cause of an attack, and e do not question the fact -- therefore, let those exposed to it watch the system and at the first symptom apply the antidote.

In all cases, an attack is preceded by a slight diarrhea, or diarrhea may be said to be cholera asphyxia, in its incipient stage. The patient should, in each case immediately take from 20 to 25 grains of Calomel with 1 grain of opium and keep dry and warm during its operation and no longer need to be apprehended. Exposure to night hair is pernicious. 

We would suggest to families the propriety of procuring for each member a dose of Calomel as above, lest an attack be made when medical aid cannot be procured in season.

 

1867, even more newsy around the area

 Brookville American, April 1867

The Normal School

The State Normal School has been located in Terre Haute. The city taxes herself $50,000. The Legislature at its last session appropriated $50,000 towards the buildings. It is calculated that $50,000 more will be required to furnish the building and fence the grounds. (Indiana State University)

The Fire in Bath Township

Eliphalet Allen save about two hundred dollars worth of his furniture at the recent fire which entirely destroyed his residence in Bath Township. The house took fire from sparks falling on the roof. Mr. Allen was at work some distance from his home at the time and arrived too late to save it. His loss is heavy there being no insurance. He has the sympathy of the community, having accumulated his property by his own hard work. He has fitted up two rooms in an adjoining building where he and his family reside at present.

Valley Railroad Beyond Connersville

The Cambridge Mirror says that a large number of hands are being placed on the line between that city and Connersville, which will enable the Road to be done to that place by June or July, and by September to Hagerstown.

Notice

To those who have donated to the W.W.V.R.R. that an excursion train will leave Laurel on the first day of May, 1867, at 7 o'clock in the morning and return in the evening to Cincinnati and back. All parties who have paid their money are respectfully invited to a ride. 

By order of Messrs. Lord and Peters.

JOHN COLTER, Collecting Agent.

Another Snow

The rain on Sunday night changed to snow, and the ground was again covered with the white mantle. But on Monday the sun came out and it all melted away. Someone informs us that this is the 51st snow this winter.

S. & J. Loper, of Fairfield

At their sales-room in Brookville, immediately in the rear of Rockafeller's store, keep on hand, at all times, Carriages, Buggies etc., for sale. These gentlemen are well known in our county and throughout this portion of the state, and will give satisfaction to all who may purchase. Mr. Alven Tucker is their agent at Brookville. See their advertisement in another column.

(December, 1867)

Messrs. S & G Loper have sold their carriage shop in Fairfield to Messrs. Samuel Rose and Allison Loper, who will carry on the carriage business hereafter. 

The Laurel Dam

Walter S. Baker Esq. informs us that the Laurel Dam will soon be completed, and it will then be a permanent structure. Water will be let into the Canal most probably next week.

Tailor

There is a good opening for a tailor at Fairfield, as Mr. G.W. Adams, the former tailor there, has removed to Greensburg.

 

1867, newsy year in Brookville

 Brookville American, April 1867

Main Burgess Street.

The graveling of this street progresses slowly but steadily. The mud has been wagoned off during its entire length -- so much better fortified are Brookvillians against a visit of the cholera. A small gutter also extends along both sides -- small enough for a commencement. Maybe our Main Street may yet present a respectable appearance for a growing town. It all depends on the "city dads."

Cars Off the Track

The last one of the four empty freight cars that recently ran off the track near Riker's above town, was place in proper position last Sunday. A drove of hogs suddenly appeared on the track at the curve, causing the catastrophe.  Some three or four days before this accident, a cow placed herself in the way of the construction train, throwing off four or five flat cars. Our railroad wouldn't be a railroad, were it not for such accidents, especially wen our people won't keep up their stock.

Hogs Killed

It is a frequent occurrence for hogs to be killed along the line of the railroad both above and below Brookville. Half hogs, and hogs mashed into a jelly, are scattered promiscuously. When will our people learn to keep their hogs within enclosures?

The Valley Railroad

The Connersville Times understands that about the 15th inst. regular trains will commence running to Connersville on the Valley Railroad. The depot is to be erected immediately, the timber already being prepared. The company is doing excellent work in town. The bridges across the canal have been lowered and are being widened to the width of the streets. The company deserved great credit for the energy displayed in pushing ahead the work during a very inclement season.

Pavements

A few of the dwellers along the line of our main Street are putting pavements in front of their houses. This action is to be strongly commended, as the commencement of a series of improvements which it is to be hoped will be continued until every piece of property fronting on that street cn boast of a brick or stone pavement.

Arrests

Our worthy Town Marshal is determined to put a stop to drunkenness and disorderly conduct on the streets. Several violators of the law in this regard have lately been arrested and confined to jail.

Ah, 1879 -- Fairfield, lots going on

 Connersville Examiner, Jan.1, 1879

Fairfield Fragments

--The Universalists give a concert Friday night, Feb. 1.

-- Several parties here are doing a large business buying and shipping walnut logs.

--The Teachers Institiute, called for Jan 11, was postponed. It was a fizzle.

-- Dances were given last week at several places in the immediate vicinity.

-- John VanMeter recently took unto himself wife No. 3. Well done, & John.

-- The schools in this township will close for the winter term about March 20.

-- Miss Lou Ferguson, a stylish young lady of Indianapolis, recently visited here.

-- Frank Seeley is spending the winter with his uncle, near New Castle.

-- T'is rumored that one of Fairfield's toniest young men and an Ireland belle will wed ere the coming of springtime. 

-- That "little charmer" of Glenwood will be sorry to learn that John Conner has been confined to the house for several days with a bad cold.

-- Clinton D. Rose, one of Fairfield's best young men, will leave at an early day for Texas, whither he goes in quest of the fickle goddess, Dame Fortune.

-- Hannibal Hughes of Ripley County, a former Fairfield boy, was recently home on a visit to his parents, who reside near this place.

-- D.F. Ernst, the carriage painter so long connected with the Samuel Rose Carriage manufactory, recently removed to Liberty, where he has opened a paint shop. Fairfield regrets to part with such a good citizen and accomplished workman, but her loss is Liberty's gain.

--While on the way home from Brookville some days since, Charles Filer had a fearful runaway -- his horses becoming frightened at some object along the road, spilled him out of the wagon but luckily, he as well as the team, escaped injury, although the wagon was somewhat badly used up.

-- The Quakertown correspondent for the Liberty Herald says that a drug store saloon is in full blast in Fairfield. How did you get your information, "Zuinglous?"

-- Our merchants are thinking seriously of adopting the cash system. By conducting their business in this way, they will avoid making bad debts and save much care and anxiety. In the long run, it will be much better for the farmer, mechanic and all who have heretofore been customers of the merchant. By the "pay as you go" system, an immense amount of trouble would be prevented. Everybody will be benefitted by the "ready money" plan -- much extravagance would be prevented, more economy practiced, and a safer and better business would be done in Fairfield in the future than for years past.

== Random

-- 

Saloon controls

 Democrat, April 11, 1911

Franklin County Saloons

Under the Proctor Law, regulating the saloon business, counties are allowed to fix the number to which a community is entitled, from 500 population to 1,000.

The Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County held that the action of the Legislature was satisfactory and allowed the limit of one saloon to each 500 of population to stand. The population basis is fixed as five persons for each vote cast at the last preceding general election in the municipality.

Under this construction, when a township contains but one incorporated town, the two are considered as one.

Brookville is entitled to 11, Butler to 2, Highland to 2, Laurel to 2, Ray to 3, Salt Creek to 1, and Whitewater to 2, a total of 22 as against 43 now in business. FORTY-THREE? 

Under the law, the saloons now in business may be re-licensed but whenever any quit for any cause, no new one may be licensed to take its place, until the number has been automatically reduced to the legal limit.

The town boards of Brookville and Laurel fixed the town license fee at $300 per year, the maximum rate, while Cedar Grove and Oldenburg selected the lowest rate for towns, $150.

NOTE:  Fairfield Township was technically always dry.

Proctor law was a state law regulating liquor licenses, replacing a law that let the various counties enforce prohibition with a series of scattered local ordinances. Proctor was enacted in March 1911 and signed into law by Gov. Thomas Marshall. Local options for communities were not impacted by this. Local option referendums closed many saloons in Indiana in 1915, including Laurel, and all of them closed in 1919 when Prohibition was ratified.

None of these laws were better than the people who were paid to enforce them. You could still get a drink if you knew the correct knock.

A saloonkeeper could lose his liquor license for opening his saloon for business on any Sunday, holiday or election day, or for allowing any of the following in or about his saloon:

• slot machines, or any other form of gambling;
• the presence of "lewd women";
• bartending by any woman, even the saloonkeeper's wife;
• the display of "nude or lascivious pictures";
• rooms above or behind the saloon maintained "for immoral purposes"; or
• the operation of any other business directly in the saloon, including real estate or employment offices, pool rooms or barber shops.

Oil, it's for roads

 Brookville Democrat April 13, 1011

ROADS WITH OIL

Methods Which Will Give Fair Results

PREPARATION OF SUBGRADE

Same care should be taken with this as with a Macadam Road -- the greater part of work can be done with a traction machine in preparing the road for treatment.

The oiled earth road is still in its experimental stage, and it will have to be given considerably more study before it can be expected to give uniformly good results under all the varied conditions of soil and the available oils.

Different methods of construction have been followed in different states, but there seems to be only one practical method of construction which is giving fairly uniform results. This method is as follows:

A shoulder furrow is plowed on each side of the center of the roadway, making the width to be treated from sixteen to eighteen feet, and the loose earth graded outside of tis width unless the crown of the road is too steep, in which case it should be plowed and this material thrown out to the sides.

Plowing only the shoulders renders it easy to shape the subgrade with a crown of about one inch to the foot.

The grade of oil to be used is much more important than the kind of soil. Light oils and those having a paraffin base are a little better than so much water. The oil should be one having an asphalt base of at least 85 per cent. 

It should be free from paraffin and all lighter oil. The oil should be applied to the road at a temperature of not less than 250 degrees F. and an oil containing 85 per cent of asphalt will have to be heated before it cn be taken from the car.

After applying the first course of oil sufficient earth should be grade on to absorb the oil. On a 2-1/2 gallon treatment to the square yard, four inches of loose earth should be graded in and then be thoroughly soaked with water and the tamping process begun.

The greater part of the work can be done with a traction engine and a road machine. The earth can be drawn back either by a road machine or road leveler. 

There is very little danger of using too much water. The wetter the materials, the more thoroughly the oil and earth can be mixed.

NOTE: Macadam roads were the Taj Mahal of roads in an era when people had to ask the township if they could get "free" gravel.

Macadam is an angular aggregate of stone used for paving without any binding medium to hold the stones together. The macadamized road consisted of multiple layers of crushed stone: the largest stones at the bottom, then another layer of fist-sized stones, with a top layer of small stones. Asphalt was just tar that held it all together. That came later. 

Fun: A requirement

 Brookville Democrat

Social Calendar for May 1927

WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY

The Women's Foreign Missionary Society of Fairfield met on Friday afternoon with Mrs. Horace Ward, east of town, the president in charge.

After singing "I Love to Tell the Story," prayers were offered by Mrs. Snider and Mrs. Barbour. The hostess read the devotional lesson from "The Rose Jar." After the business, Mrs. Geo. Jinks read a paper on the last chapter of "Moslem Women," with Mrs. Herbert Ward and Mrs. Herbert Jinks each taking a part.

Mrs. Herbert Ward read a leaflet "Lydia" and Mrs. H. Jinks read a letter from a missionary. 

Several are planning to attend the group meeting at Liberty, and Mrs. Alma Himelick will go as delegates. Mrs. Mary Pinkerton read the benediction.

The hostess served fruit salad, little cakes and coffee.

14 members were present. Mrs. Herbert Sherwood and Mrs. Dimmitt Butcher and daughter Marjorie were guests. 

The meeting was much enjoyed by all.

NOTE: As of April 1, 2025, I am still living and I actually KNEW many of these women. Of course, in 1927, they weren't quite as old as they were when I knew them. -- John

You must have been a beautiful baby

Brookville Democrat, April 28, 1927

Baby Show and Health Contest

Through the efforts of the (Franklin) County Nurse, Mrs. Bertha Doubt in conjunction with National Child Health Day, a baby show and health contest will be held at the Franklin Furniture Store, Tuesday May 3. 

Elizabeth Waters, Child Hygiene Statistician of Indianapolis, will have charge of the judging. Miss Waters has been in charge of the Healthy Baby's contest at the State Fair for the past four years. Local physicians have consented to assist in the examination.

Babies under 3 years of age are eligible to enter in the contest. Every baby entered will be given a thorough physical and mental examination. Each baby entered will be given a prize. (Mental examination?)

Through the courtesy of Howard Brown of the Franklin Furniture store, a beautiful gift, a baby bed and mattress will be presented to the baby having the highest score in the examination.

So, who won?

Eighty-five babies were entered and 79 cards turned in to be scored, 40 of which were girls. The youngest baby girl was 11 days old. The oldest girl was 32 months, 25 days. The youngest boy was 1 month, 30 days. The oldest boy was 35 months, 24 days. (The limit was 36 months).

Mary Ruth Sammis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sammis won first prize -- the coveted baby bed. She was 7 months, 20 days.

Phenis Lawrence, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phenis Lawrence, was second. He was 8 months, 22 days. 

*

Found this photo of Mary Ruth Sammis from her engagement to Stu Merrill in 1947, living in Richmond.

She divorced the guy in 1968.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

  

Rushville Jacksonian, May 1860

Hair dye is vile wash, but the article that will naturally restore the color of the hair, the changing of which to gray, being an indication of a lack of proper secretions, is truly a valuable medicine.

Prof. Wood's Hair Tonic -- if the certificates of the leading minds over the Union do not falsify -- is the only safe remedy for baldness, dryness, premature change of color, and the several evidences of a lack of secretions at the roots of the hair, which can be found.

Quick preparations abound and "hair tonics" fill every "corner grocery" in the country. Avoid all "hair tonics" unless known to be the preparation of a man whose celebrity has become world-wide. Do not let any nostrum vendor experiment upon your hair.

Touch nothing you have not good reason to believe is all that it purports to be.

Prof. Wood has earned by years of severe test of the virtues of his preparation, his present fame. Over 150 certificates are before us of the value of this Hair Restorative, from parties who have tried it. 

Use no other.

Caution: Beware of worthless imitations, as several are already on the market. 

NOTE: Jacksonian was a Democratic Party newspaper that published in Rushville during the years leading up to the Civil War. Many of these papers ceased to exist during the war due to excessive criticism that claimed they were pro-slavery. Most of them were in substance more opposed to the Whigs on general political grounds than they were to freedom for slaves. This Prof. Wood article was a paid ad that appeared in many papers for a few years, and disappeared sometime around 1866.

National Road, heading west

Connersville Fayette Observer, Nov. 3, 1827

reprinting an article that appeared in a Terre Haute paper two weeks earlier

I am much pleased to have it in my power to state that Mr. Knight has again arrived at our town with his party, in good health and fine spirits.

The permanent location of the National road is completed through our town -- it centers Wabash Street at its Eastern extremity and leave it at is Western termination, crossing the Wabash at Mr. Farrington's Ferry.

The width of the Wabash at this point at low water mark is something more than 23 rods -- at high water, provably 31 rods.

The distance from Indianapolis to the Court Hose in this village is 70 1/4 miles -- to the Wabash River, at low water, 70 1/2 miles wanting 3 chains.

The route, Mr. Knight informs me from this point to Indianapolis, possesses favorable advantages for a good road.

This, I am of the opinion, is far better than to have descended the Valley of White River to Vincennes and setting local interest aside, I think the citizens of that vicinity will accord me with an opinion. Mr. Knight and his party will probably in the present week complete the location as far as the line dividing this from the state of Illinois, when their labors, I am informed, are to cease for the present season.

BACKGROUND:

In 1825, an amendment to the 1820 National Road Act, was offered by Ind. Rep. Jonathan Jennings (first governor of Indiana), stating that the road should be changed to connect the capitols of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The new survey of the National Road was completed in 1827, which was where Knight was when the Terre Haute article was published.  

The survey showed that the road was to run due west from the Ohio line to Indianapolis, passing through the towns of Richmond and Centerville in Wayne County. 

Who was Jonathan Knight?

Knight had served as a land surveyor and civil engineer, before entering the Pennsylvania state legislature and the United States Congress. Knight was also the Commissioner on the National Pike in the 1820s. Knightstown, Indiana, was named in his honor.

Winter, who needs it?

 Brookville National Defender, May, 1864

The Cold Weather and the Fruit Prospect

But once since the settlement of Indiana have we had a parallel to the sudden cold that visited us on the first day of this year. The winter of 1855-56 was almost exactly the counterpart of the present. 

The summer of 1855 was remarkable for its long continued drought and its uniform coolness. In September the summer drought was broken by copious rains, which extended over the greater part of the Mississippi Valley. From this, till the 24th day of December, the season was warm and wet, ice at no time forming more than half an inch in thickness.

The day was introduced by a heavy rain which continued till about 3 o'clock p.m. when it changed to snow and at 6 p.m. the thermometer marked zero, at which point it remained stationary till 3 p.m. when a new wave of cold appeared to pass over this region, and at 8 p.m. the thermometer marked 20 below zero.

From this to the 1st day of January 1856, each day the temperature reached zero sometime in the 24 hours, and often sank as low as 10 or 15 below that point.

On New Year's Day, the mercury rose to 25 degrees. and snow began to fall, which continued with but little interruption until the evening of January 2nd, when the temperature again fell to zero, and each successive morning sank lower than the preceding until on the morning of the 9th of January, 1856, it reached the unparalleled point of 26 below zero at Indianapolis. 

From this day, the temperature gradually rose but did not reach the thawing point in the shade until the 22nd day of February. 

On comparing these memories with the current cold snap, we shall not fail to observe the similarity of the two winters. The only difference worthy of note is that in the present season, the severe cold commenced a week later -- did not reach as low a temperature by six degrees, nor continue uniformity below the freezing point so long.

NOTE: So, the winters were not similar at all, simply cold. The fruit crop was not addressed in this story.

The summer of 1816 was the coldest ever due to a volcanic winter that affected the entire Northern Hemisphere.

LINK TO THAT HERE.

1896 -- all the important stuff

 

Brookville Democrat, March/April 1896

Another Railroad Coming

Friday night's Indianapolis News contained the following: Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State today, announce that a new railroad will immediately be built from Union City, Randolph County, to Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County. 

The road will be 81 miles long and will cross the counties of Randolph, Wayne, Union, Franklin and Dearborn. The road is to be called the Union City, Richmond and Lawrenceburg railroad (how convenient!) 

The capital stock is fixed at $200,000. In incorporators are Mackey, Page, Evans, Rowland, Shoemaker, Zeigler, Howe, Palmer and Tewksbury.

Asylum News

Richmond -- The Eastern Indiana Hospital  for the Insane, located here, has had a remarkable showing in the small number of deaths that have occurred within the past few months. Up to the first of this month, there had not been a death since the middle of August -- eight months.

The Enumeration Law

This year's enumeration of school children will be conducted according to the provisions of a new state law, which requires that the name and age of each child be recorded. The following are points of the law:

1. The enumeration has to be taken and all transfers have to be made between April 10 and April 30.

2. Not only are the names of the parents of guardians to be taken, but also the name and age of each child, giving the street and number of the residence.

3. The signature of parent or guardian is required, certifying to the correctness of the enumeration.

It will be seen that this will require much more work than under the old law.

NOTES: Keeping track of students was difficult, but somehow considered necessary.

They built a railroad somewhere once a month, and this one was to be built immediately! It never was, but hey ... they thought about it.

Having no deaths at the madhouse -- what a concept.

Watch what you say!

 Brookville Democrat, April 12, 1918 (verbatim content)

A WARNING

It is generally believed that there are in Franklin County men and women whose words and acts verge on disloyalty, if indeed, they do not cross the line

As a government body we hereby warn all such persons that they are under observation and subject to investigation.

You are either for your country or against it; there is no middle ground.

Many things which might be tolerated in times of peace cannot -- will not -- be permitted now when the interests of our country are at stake.

If you refuse to do your reasonable share of war work -- giving or service -- regardless of the sacrifices of your countrymen; if you "eat what you please", regardless of food regulations, you are disloyal and a menace to your country's cause.

We are under obligation to report all such cases to the State Council of Defense for investigation. This will be disagreeable but war imposes many disagreeable duties and we shall not hesitate when we get the facts.

-- Council of Defense

NOTES: Sedition acts in this country in 1918 forbade the teaching of "European" languages in U.S. schools. This was mainly aimed at German-heritage people.

All of this stuff was unconstitutional and fueled by fear that became the post-war emergence of various anti-semitic and racist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan. Main targets were Catholics, or specifically Orthodox sects of the Christian faith.

No idea if anyone was ever prosecuted for "eating what they pleased" but many of these "Germans" were shunned or ridiculed for having an accent.

We never learned from hate, only became better at enforcing it.

It was never clear how many actual "enemy agents" were in this country and what they intended to achieve in a war that had no political agenda -- just one that strove to annihilate the enemy in a trench campaign that lasted 3 years. Espionage acts passed in 1917 essentially were sufficient, but the hate was never satisfied. Punishing people was the next illogical step.

THE SEDITION ACT 

It imposes a prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of $10,000 (a huge sum!) or both on any person who writes, prints or utters anything tending to obstruct a Liberty loan campaign, recruiting for the Army or Navy, or saying or doing anything vilifying the government or officials or tending to incite resistance to them, or who by word or deed favors the cause of Germany or her allies.

It takes away mail privileges from persons convicted of violating it. if a man violates the act no mail addressed to him and none sent out by him will be delivered (men = women as well). 

 

Hens for peace

Brookville Democrat, April 4, 1918

Hens Work For Red Cross

Everybody in town or county who owns hens is earnestly requested to devote one day's egg production to the Red Cross. Bring the eggs to the Stenger Building on Main Street on Saturday, April 6. The room will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and some of the Tri Kappa girls will be there to receive the eggs.

If individual or community finds it more convenient to sell the eggs at home and bring the money, that will be quite as acceptable. Let's see who has the most patriotic hens.

April 11, 1918

Patriotic Hens Bring Good Sum To Red Cross

Red Cross Egg Day was a decided success. Two hundred and fifty dozen eggs were brought in and those were sold for $75. Cash donations amounting to $69.39 were received making the day's total proceeds $144.39. Ninety-seven persons contributed eggs and 57 gave cash. We would like to publish the names of all donors, but that would take up too much space. The largest contribution of eggs from one person was 11 1/2 dozen from Mrs. F. R. Petty. 

The executive committee extends the thanks of the Red Cross to all who answered the call for eggs and also to Misses Armstrong, Bossert, Frye and Popper who were on duty at the room to receive the eggs.

NOTES: Rationing of agricultural products was a national phenomenon during wartime and individual contributions during World War I were decidedly amazing.

Most likely the money raised for this project had little impact on the wartime operation, but the symbolism was enormous. 

Be somebody, be a nurse

 Brookville Democrat, April 5, 1917

For Girl Graduates

To girls about to graduate from high school comes the suggestion of great opportunities for service and for financial independence in the field of public health nursing work.

The Indiana Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis points out that, with the increasing success of the efforts to get the health of all the communities under supervision, the demand for public health nurses far exceeds the supply.

The compensation for this steady work is from $70 to $100 a month which far exceeds the returns from most sorts of effort for which women are so peculiarly adapted.

The demand from other states had taken several of the Indiana public health nurses and to keep up the supply and meet the foreseen demands of the future, the State Tuberculosis Society issues this notice to high school girls who may be interested in the subject of nursing.

NOTE: America had also just gone to war that month, so it's likely the Red Cross absorbed many of these would-be Florence Nightingales. The peculiar adaptation for women's work was otherwise ... pretty standard stuff.

Amen to that

Aurora Farm & Mechanic, Dec 20, 1873

Sacred history teaches us that the earth was made for man to cultivate. The all-wise Creator so constituted man that his most pleasant occupation should be in beautifying his home -- in planting, nurturing and keeping perpetually fresh and blooming the productions of the soil.

By the sweat of his brow, man was to prolong his existence and make the world better for his having lived in it. Here his mind was to develop, as the seed which he deposited in the earth, to mature and perfect itself in useful knowledge.

Many of the eminent men of the Bible followed the avocation of the first man; and even to this day, some of the brightest intellects are engaged in the novel avocation of farming. 

Our own country too has had its Cincinnatus. In the peaceful and healthy pursuit of tilling the earth, Washington spent his happiest moments.

Art, science and mechanism have blended to enhance the labor of the farmer and thus we have indubitable evidence that the interests of the farmer are co-equal with the march of improvement -- that man lives not to himself, but each and all, in their several spheres of labor, swell the immensity of commerce and give life, energy and vitality to the earth.

Amen.

 

How sick were we?

December 1912

Diphtheria

Owing to the appearance of diphtheria, the schools at Fairfield were closed Monday and will remain closed until all danger is past.

Harry, the 13-year-old son of Mrs. and Mrs. Emmett Crawley, died Monday of the dread disease and two more of their children and three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Omer Hudson are ill and it is feared may have contracted the disease. There have been two cases in Brookville, both patients having recovered.

May 1916

Measles

Up to Thursday noon, Dr. Squier, town health officer, informs us that exactly 50 cases of measles have been reported to him. The Connersville papers report that there have been mover 500 cases in that city this spring.

April 1925

Reily School Closed

The centralized school at Reily, Ohio, has been ordered to be closed bythe Board of Education (Butler Co.) of that township in an effort to check the spread of smallpox. There are 250 pupils in the school, and it is intended to have it remain closed for a week.

October 1918

Schools will reopen

The public and parochial schools of Brookville will reopen next Monday, Nov. 4, the influenza epidemic having subsided to such an extent as to make it safe for the schools to resume work, after being closed four weeks.

November 1921

Tuberculosis

It was pointed out here today that Indiana is woefully behind many other states in facilities to care for tuberculosis patients. Thee are but 500 beds for the care of the tuberculosis in the entire state, whereas at least 30,000 active cases of the disease exist in the state, causing more than 3,000 deaths annually.

December 1927

Scarlet fever

During the last month there were scarlet fever cases in four schools in this county -- Peppertown in Salt Creek Twp., Gap School in Laurel Twp., Little Cedar in Brookville Twp. and the Springfield Consolidated School. Wee it not for the control methods used, the disease might have become a serious menace for weeks to come.

February 1941

Measles, mumps reach epidemic proportion here

The Brookville public schools and schools in other communities of Franklin County, are being effected to a large extent by the epidemic of measures and mumps prevalent at this time. As of Wednesday, Porter Nesbit of the Lew Wallace school reported 93 pupils absent out of an enrollment of 145. He said the absences were directly contributed to the measles and mumps either directly or indirectly.

October 1941

Scarlet fever checked

No new cases of scarlet fever were reported in the county this week. There were three new cases of diphtheria reported in Laurel Township, but none in Salt Creek or Posey townships.

Some of those stricken with previously reported cases of both diseases are now being taken out of quarantine.

February 1943

Chicken pox, measles

Dr. E.M. Glaser, county health officer, stated this week that measles and chicken pox are prevalent in the county and warned parents to keep children out of school when the presence of either disease is suspected.

The period of isolation is from 10 to 14 days. Measles isolation is not less than seven days, scarlet fever not less than 21 days. 

October 1955

Second polio shots will be given here

Dr. Herbert N. Smith, Franklin County health officer, announces that the children who received their first polio shots last spring can receive their second shots now. 

March 1956

Health nurse warns

about diphtheria

Mrs. Marie Cooper, Franklin County health nurse, has issued the following warning to parents: 

"There have been cases of diphtheria reported in the northern part of Indiana. The State Board of Health has brought this to the attention of the physicians and urges immunization of all children with diphtheria toxoid. No child is safe until he (she) has been successfully immunized."

February 1901

How to cure the Grip

Remain quietly at home and take Chamberlain's Cough Remedy as diected and a quick recovery is sure to follow. That remedy counteracts any tendency of the grip to result in pneumonia, which is really the only serious danger. Among the tens of thousands who have use it for the grip not one case has ever reported that it did not recover. For sale at King's drug store.

NOTE: It's a wonder we lived long enough to realize that most of this stuff was preventable thanks to actual science.

News about Joe Brookley

 The Brookville Democrat

April 6, 1911

Dastardly deed

Joseph Brookley's splendid start in the poultry business has met a sad reverse.

A week ago Sunday he found his hens lying about the yard, suffering greatly. A veterinarian was called but could do nothing and the fowls died.

Some of the grain in their craws was sent to the state chemist for examination and the report just received states that the grain had been soaked in nitric and carbolic acids.

Brookley's loss is near a hundred dollars.

The utter, horrible heartlessness of the wretch who did the dastardly deed, the cruelty and depravity of a heart that could conceive such an act indicates a creature in human form too vile for language to picture.

March 18, 1909

See the new L.C.  Smith typewriter No. 2, sold by Jos. L. Brookley.

July 10, 1902

Joe Brookley of Connersville visited relatives here from Friday until Monday. Joe seems to have attractions at Cedar Grove also. Joe also visited relatives in Brookville on May 8.

July 19, 1900

Joe Brookley had his hand badly lacerated on a meat hook Tuesday evening at Stoll's slaughterhouse.

April 27, 1899

Ben Gardner, Joe Brookley and Henry Schneider wheeled to Connersville last Sunday.

June 3, 1897

Joe Brookley went to Indianapolis Monday on his bicycle.

Sept. 23, 1897

Joe Brookley left Friday evening for Indianapolis where he has secured employment.

Sept. 10, 1896

Frank Biltz, Will Fries, Geo. Geis and Joe Brookley broke camp near the home of S.B. Templeton last Monday after a delightful week's sojourn angling for the finny tribe. The boys claim to have had their hearts lacerated by the handsome young ladies in Fairfield and will angle on dry land in the near future.

May 12, 1917

Joseph Brookley, who has been a resident of Brookville all his life, died Saturday evening, May 12, at the Poor Asylum at the age of 42 years. Interment in Maple Grove Cemetery.

NOTE: Joe did not live his entire life in Brookville. We have proof of it. He was also the first president of the Brookville Eagles lodge in 1905. 

Base Ball

 September 28, 1870 Aurora Independent

Base Ball

The Actives club of this city, and the Mixed Stockings of Dillsborough played a match game of ball Saturday on the Hoosier grounds. The "Socks" met a Waterloo, scoring only 19 to 52 for the Actives. 

The conduct of the Dillsborough lads on this occasion is deserving of severe censure. They should learn that it takes skill and science, and not bullying, to gain a victory in base ball. 

The Actives are entitled to honor for taking no notice of the ungentlemanly conduct of their opponents, and their forbearance met with the approval of the ladies present especially.

Thomas Moran won the silver mounted prize bat offered to the member making the best score. Tommie is said to be one of the best ball tossers we have.

---

The Mixed Stockings

The game of base ball Saturday was one, on the part of the Mixed Stockings, that detracts powerfully from the genuine amusement of the game. Whisky was freely imbibed by some of the members of the visiting club and upon the whole of their conduct, together with that of their friends, was very rude and unbecoming.

Allow us to say, by authority, that the Actives who have gained a good reputation, decline to deal further with this or any other club who bring whisky upon the grounds to keep up their grit. The Actives deserve well of Cincinnati, a week ago last Saturday was the best game of the season and afforded more enjoyment to the spectators than any other because of the mutuality evinced by both clubs.

Let us encourage our home and our neighbor clubs in the right, but denounce the degradation to which we have alluded, and to which if permitted, we will ere long be indebted for some serious difficulty.

---

NOTES: Dillsboro and Aurora are in the same general vicinity. The game of baseball was popular for many years before this game.  The 1869 Red Stockings of Cincinnati were the first all-professional team in baseball history.

Baseball was originally designed to be a gentleman's sport, played on cricket or polo grounds. It caught on during the Civil War and became a much cruder game in the late 1860s.

Pitchers threw a ball underhand in those days and nobody wore a glove. Scores in the 50s were common.

 

Your bad bridge story

 Lawrenceburg Press, July 14, 1870

THE FALL OF THE WHITE WATER BRIDGE

---

The long iron bridge over White Water River, about a quarter of a mile below Harrison, fell on Monday with a terrific crash, carrying with it Mr. Jerome Johnson, who was crushed to death.

Mrs. Johnson as hauling an enormous saw log of green sycamore about four feet in diameter, and was accompanied by four other men -- named Essex, Dow Pelton, Hatfield and Geo. Bartlet. Of these only Mr. Bartlet was injured and he not seriously.

When the bridge fell, Mr. Johnson who was walking alongside of his wagon, was thrown down and partly under the wagon, being entirely under water when taken out of the wreck. He lived only about 30 minutes. 

The bridge has for a long time been deemed unfit for travel and only a short time ago, some of the Commissioners by request of the citizens, visited and inspected it and pronounced it unsafe. They at the time and since until the accident of Monday that resulted so disastrously, neglected to put up any warning or close the bridge from public travel and -- we hope we have been falsely  informed -- one of the commissioners at the time of viewing the bridge, said that they would not spend any money upon it until after the election, as it would be used  against them as an electioneering hobby!

Certain it is, however, the bridge being unfit for travel, should have been closed against all vehicles and repaired. It has been a bad job from the beginning and the commissioners who received it from the contractors had no more brains nor honesty than the builders, or they would never have received so rickety a structure as the property of the county. 

The other two spans are racked until they are more than three feet out of a straight line and are liable to fall the first time the wind strikes it. 

NOTE: Try not to blame the guy who thought taking a 4-ton sycamore log across a rickety bridge was a good idea. 

Sure, blame the tractor

 Connersville News, 1907

MANY SCHOOLS WILL

BE ABOLISHED, NOW

As Law Requires that Trustees Must

Close When Less Than 12 Pupils Attend

---

Four district schools in Wayne Township (Wayne County) under the new law, which requires trustees to abolish all schools whose attendance is not 12 or more are about to be abandoned.

It is said that the law will require the closing of several schools in this county. Pupils are then conveyed daily by hack to the next nearest school, where the facilities are usually better and the total expense much less.

There are some gloomy souls who look at this depopulation of the country districts as an evidence of race decadence but perhaps the most potent factor in reducing the number of people in the country districts is highly improved farm machinery.

Now one man can do, with the aid of farm machinery, what four or five did before. The result is larger farms and fewer farm dwellers. People are not given to staying in a community where their labor is not in demand, when the town offers opportunities in abundance for the labor of both men and women.

NOTES: No idea if a school with 13 students could stay open for long. So, folks who were sharecroppers were moving to the towns. Interesting analysis, given that not very many people owned any mechanical farm implements. The machines they did have were powered by mules or horses.

Many one-room schools continued to exist until the early 1920s despite a law forcing the smallest ones to close. They were replaced by township schools. If they wanted to stay open, I wonder if they could have lied about their enrollment. Who'd bother asking? 

The drive to abolish the country school was nationwide. A school administrator from New Paltz, NY, said at a conference: "Fifty percent of the children of the nation are in the country districts and 35 percent of that 50 percent are in one-room country schools where they are being taught by immature girls who are not much more than giggling children."

Indianapolis Star story in 1907: "It is the rule for the rural schools to have the poorest buildings, the worst equipment, the shortest terms, the poorest paid teachers and only a few high school students. The higher institutions of learning, cities and towns, are served first."

Reality: The rural students were stuck in perpetual intellectual poverty. They didn't get enough education to leave and, as a result, sent their kids to the same schools that didn't educate them. 

Another Star story in 1907 said several one-room schools around the state were introducing mechanical arts to their curriculum. Assuming the teacher stuck around a year or so, it's likely a few students learned a trick or two about woodworking or cross-stitch.

1897 clothing, shoe ads

 

1897 -- sinnin' and grinnin'

 

Brookville Democrat, April 1, 1897

It is a fineable offense to drive faster than a walk over the bridges of Franklin County, yet a lot of young hoodlums run horses through the Fairfield bridge at night.

A little paint used judiciously on many of the residences of our village would add greatly to the comfort and appearance of many homes.

James R. Johnson is again on his pins after a severe tussle with throat trouble. He can talk McCormick Harvester now equal to Bill Nye, Jr.

It is hinted that a certain egg buyer has not made a "square deal" with some of his lady customers who sell hen fruit. This is only a rumor.

The side ditches on the Brookville and Fairfield new gravel road are not cleared of debris sufficient to carry the water off. A few days work done in season will be a great protection to the highway.

We are authorized to say that farm tools, implements, vehicles, harness or property borrowed of the late Douglas F. Dickerson should be returned at once. Parties, please remember this timely notice and save trouble.

Owing to business calls requiring our time and attention out of town for two weeks past, your unworthy reporter has not been able to capture many news items. The newest live specimen of mankind is the new baby girl at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cary east of town. From rumors afloat there are other parties sleeping with a lantern burning ready for an emergency call.

We must compliment our friend Mrs. Martha May (Butler) Shaw for her quiet plunge into the matrimonial sea which is full of bubbles and breakers, but she done so with her glasses on and eyes open, and never even hinted to us of her intention of passing through the ordeal from single to wedded felicity. If congratulations are still in order we add our kindest wishes by hoping she may have a "stick" full of happiness with an abundance of "clean proof." May she never "slug" the fortunate husband of her choice, but in the future, as in the past, may she "distribute" her smiles on "Jack," who should rejoice at his "fat take."

Bridges were needed, he said

 Brookville American 1856

Bridges, Bridges, Bridges

Franklin County is peculiarly situated. From the line above Laurel, to the line below New Trenton, the river runs a course of about 30 miles. From the line above Fairfield, to the same point below Trenton, over 20 miles. Bridges over these streams at suitable points have become a necessity to accommodate the wants of her citizens. Difficulties, dangers, accidents and deaths are constantly occurring for the want of these erections.

The people are abundantly able to build them, and the only question which presents itself is, as to the manner of building them. The fords across these streams are annually becoming more dangerous, and therefore the erection of bridges more imperative.

The County Commissioners under the Act of 1855 are clothed with ample power to meet these wants and demands, and in my opinion ought to exercise these powers.

We will at once be met by the objector who says that our taxes will be increased and that the people are already burdened enough in that way. I know that taxation sometimes becomes onerous and ought never to be exercised but with propriety, discretion and good judgment.

All the bridges necessary in the county can be erected within the next two years, without increasing the taxes one cent -- without seriously affecting the most humble citizen, with great advantage to our entire population, and cannot be done in any other way.

Efforts have been made at various points within the last few years to accommodate these wants, and the result invariably has been, pecuniary loss to the very persons who are least interested but who have generously come forward and hazarded their time, means and property to advance the public interest, while the very men who are really interested stand back and shirk responsibilities, but enjoy all the advantages. 

Look at Laurel, Metamora, Brookville, etc. -- the truly equitable method of accomplishing these objects of a general nature is by general taxation.

My plan is to build five bridges across White Water river within the next two years, to be paid for, say in one, two and three years, out of the county treasury. It can be done, as I have already stated, without increasing taxation, and no man will seriously feel the expense.

Build one at Laurel, one near Fairfield, two at Brookville, one over the east and the other over the west fork, and one near New Trenton. These will accommodate our entire population and will be a good investment of means. 

The bridges can then be free for all, under the entire control of our county authorities.. And when finished, with our numerous turnpikes and other good roads, public and private buildings, and improvements, will make Franklin County one of the most desirable places of residence in the West.

The County Commissioners have concluded to receive proposals for the construction of these five bridges up to the meeting of the board in June. I hope our good generous and high minded citizens will look at the matter in a proper light -- talk about it with the neighbors and urge forward our Commissioners in the laudable enterprise.

Our people will never complain of such an expenditure of their money.

GEO HOLLAND

March 6, '56

NOTES: Holland was a Brookville lawyer with some interest in Republican Party politics. He was involved in many social and civic organizations, including Brookville College. 

The bridge at Fairfield was most likely the covered bridge, built about 10 years later in 1866. Most useful bridges were washed out during the 1913 flood. This blog covers much of that.

Turnpikes were roads that were kept up by tolls. They were badly managed. 

Weird little story from 1923

 Brookville Democrat March 15, 1923

Former Fairfield girl

a Grandmother at 36

The following from the Los Angeles Evening Herald of March 3, will be of interest to many Fairfield and Brookville friends of Mrs. Gertrude Masters Buckley:

Like mother like son.

At 16, Mrs. Gertrude S. Buckley, 36, now living at 2704 Hyde Park Blvd., Hyde Park, made a Gretna Green marriage.

A little over a year ago, Buckley family history repeated itself when her son Melvin Masters Buckley, also 16, made a runaway marriage with pretty Phyllis Irene Sells, who was born in London, but who has since lived with her parents near the Buckleys in Hyde Park.

On the morning of March 1, Mrs. Buckley, who scarcely looks old enough to be a mother, became a grandmother, probably the youngest one in Southern California.

In addition to having a grandmother who, all but age, is the satisfying old fashioned kind, Baby James Melvin Buckley, temporarily residing in the Inglewood Maternity Hospial, has black hair, dark blue eyes, nearly eight pounds of weight and a whole flock of doting great-grandparents, both here and abroad.

Notes: This story is pretty clunky, but some bits.

Hyde Park is a suburb of Los Angeles. I assume London is in California.

The reference to Gretna Green is based on a legendary town in Scotland, where young people defied the national law and married before they where 21 years old. Essentially the Scots ignored the law and let people elope and Gretna Green was the choice spot for them to be wed.

Gretna Green remains one of the most popular places for weddings and thousands of couples from all around the world flock to this Scottish village to be married each year.

Gertrude Masters Buckley was the daughter of Mary Gertrude Harris Masters, who died in 1924. Melvin Buckley was born in 1906. His bride was 20 at the time.

Names in this story don't necessarily jibe with the obits. No idea how Fairfielders ended up in southern California in 1923.

Gertrude Masters Buckley is also referred to as Gertrude F. Masters Lavigne. 

Dang-near 200 years ago

Or, if the internet survives, just yesterday.

Some snips of ads or news from
the 1830s (Brookville papers).

Fairfield was incorporated until the 1880s, when it was deemed unnecessary as township and county government began to assume authority over roads and schools. Ah, melancholy.

Indentured (white) servants were another form of unpaid employment,  though in the case of apprentices, youths were trained in a craft or business. Most were poor. 

Some of them got tired of that and ran away. They were worth a penny or more. 

Estray animals, usually horses, were those found wandering.  The person who found the animal assumed temporary ownership and was obligated to report having "taken up" the animal. The owner had a specific time to claim said estray, and if failing that, the person who found it, kept it. Horses were considering major currency for virtually everyone. If you lost a horse, you tried to find it. Greensborough was the original name for the town of Blooming Grove. 

LINK HERE 

No idea where Washington Hall was located or what replaced it. 

Bath Springs was notable for being a place to relax and cure the 'maladies.' 

The Poor Farm was located north of the Bentley area between Everton, Blooming Grove  and Fairfield and lasted for several years until each county got its own asylum. 

LINK HERE 

 

The first PTA -- 1839

 Brookville, 1839

AT A MEETING

Of several citizens of Franklin and Union counties, by special agreement in the school house in Fairfield March 10, 1839, to take into consideration the propriety of forming an association for the purpose of Literary improvement and the elevation of common school education, Daniel Ogden, Esq. was called to the chair and Wm. M. Herrick was appointed secretary. After a few remarks explanatory of the intention of the meeting, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That we associate with a view to mutual improvement in science and the elevation of common school education.

Resolved, That the teachers of common schools in Franklin and Union counties and all other persons who feel interested in Literary improvement, and willing to lend a helping hand to the measure, be invited to unite with us.

Resolved, That each person present be a committee to carry into effect the object of the foregoing resolution as far as practicable and that Mark H. Mullin and Joseph Daily be requested to send written invitations to teachers and others likely to second the views of this body.

Resolved, That William M. Herrick and Mark H. Mullin be requested to address this body at its next meeting on tyhe benefits likely to result from such associations.

Resolved, That Daniel Ogden, Joseph Daily, Mark H. Mullin, and Wm. M.  Herrick draft a constitution and present it at our next meeting for consideration.

Resolved, That the Editors of the Indiana American and Franklin Democrat be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.

Resolved, That the next meeting of this association be held in the school house in Fairfield on the 6th day of April next at 11 o'clock A.M. at which time a more regular organization will be attempted.

On motion, adjourned.

DANIEL OGDEN, Chairman

Wm. M. Herrick, Sec'y

NOTE: This appears to be a very early version of a Parent-Teacher Association. It's not clear what they achieved, but the plan was to improve the intelligence of the public by virtue of improving the schools. 

Popper was tops with oysters

 Brookville Democrat Jan 23, 1908

FAIRFIELD

Knight and Pythian Sisters

Enjoy Oyster Feast Prepared

by Brother Popper

Fairfield, Jan. 20 -- Popper came, he saw, he conquered!

Mr. Popper came to Fairfield to serve some of his real oysters to the Knights of Pythias and Pythian Sisters.  He had served oysters before to several different parties, but he had never struck Fairfield.

No doubt he had heard of the eating propensities of our people and so he came prepared. He brought a whole barrel and other articles needed in his line.

The battle didn't open until late in the evening but Popper soon saw that he had no small task on his hands.  Every knight and lady, their grandmothers and grandchildren came, and Popper got busy.

While legions of brave knights cheered on by their ladies, under the leadership of such valiant soldiers of eating as Jim Johnston, Dick Logan and Clint Dare, made broadside attacks on Popper and his fortifications, but after about two hours of very severe fighting, the smoke of battle cleared away and there stood Popper, coatless and hatless, serene and calm, master of the situation, and with plenty more to serve all that should come. He had indeed conquered.

It was a great event and one of the best social occasions in lodge circles this winter. Come again Brother Popper and may your shadow never grow less, and "when the western hills obscure life's sun, may you rest secure in the promise of a never ending dawn."

NOTE: Ignatz Albert Popper was a Brookville businessman who had a propensity for taking part in a variety of social events around the county. He was called "an expert cook and entertainer." His clothing store was in business well into the 1990s. Lifespan 1848-1923. Wife's name was Laura. Popper's obit said he was the town's oldest businessman at the time of his death, a career spanning 43 years.

Pythias was one of several fraternal organizations in Fairfield. Not sure to what degree it was successful. People just joined secret clubs in those days. Most references above were clear to members, and it's obvious the news release was an "inside story."