1867 -- an exciting year

Indiana American, November 1867

Wood Wanted on Subscription

Those of our subscribers who wish to pay their subscriptions in wood, are reminded that the Winter season is rapidly approaching, and they are therefore urgently requested to bring it forward. Do not delay any longer.

Attempt to Break Jail

The two men confined to our county jail on a charge of stealing clothing at Stephen Warne's residence on Monday of last week, and who were arrested at Batesville, were discovered attempting to escape through the roof of the jail building on Sunday evening last.

They were seen just in time to prevent their getting away, and were again secured. That jail is not of much account, if one may judge by the several recent successful attempts of prisoners getting through the roof.

Exhumed

A number of skeletons were recently exhumed by men digging in a gravel pit near Milton, Wayne County. The bodies had been deposited in an upright position and head downward.

Hog Pens

A number of hog pens for the benefit of shippers have been built near Conwell's pork house on the Valley Railroad at Connersville.

Railroad Meeting

There will be a meeting of the friends of the East Fork Railroad held at Fairfield on Saturday evening, the 30th. Col. J. H. Farquhar and others will be present to adjudicate the meeting Let there be a large attendance.

From the pulpit to the altar

Connersville News, 1908

LARGEST FUNERAL PERHAPS EVER HELD

In village of Alquina was that of Frank Bruner -- Church was filled.

The funeral of Frank Bruner, which was held at the M.E. Church at Alquina at ten o'clock yesterday morning, was perhaps the most largely attended funeral ever held at that village.

The church was filled to its utmost capacity and many were unable to get inside the doors. Rev. Floyd preached the sermon, which was one of consolation and comfort to those who were sorely afflicted by Mr. Bruner's death.

The church was adorned with a profusion of beautiful flowers. Interment was made in the Union cemetery at Lyons Station. Services were under the auspices of the G.A.R of which a large delegation attended.

"SINNER BILL" IS IN LAW'S CLUTCHES

William Rariden of Laurel Held for Chicken Theft

"Sinner Bill" Rariden of Laurel has come to grief. He is now in jail at Brookville where he was taken Saturday on a bench warrant after an indictment against him for stealing chickens in Blooming Grove.

Bill is still a young man but if there is anyone that has shown repentance for his sins when revivals were in progress oftener than he, let him speak out and show his record.

In it because he so often in public proclaimed his own unworthiness that he has earned the title of "Sinner Bill." He has an eloquence that is quite remarkable when under the influences of an awakened conscience and it is said that in these talks he has led others to turn into the straight and narrow path that they have continued to follow the trail while poor Bill was liable to sidestep the very day after giving voice to his exhortation at the sight of a tin beer sign or card announcing free lunch.

Many complaints have come of chickens disappearing in the Blooming Grove neighborhood and it is said the evidence is quite conclusive that some of them went away with Sinner Bill.

 

Not always good news, not always bad

Brookville American, 1865

Thieving

On last Sunday night, a fine hog belonging to Mr. Wm. McClure, weighing some 300 lbs. was stolen from the pen in which it was confined with others. The thief or thieves had driven it a short distance, cut off the head, removed the intestines, and conveyed away the remainder. This is the second hog that has been stolen from Mr. McClure the present season. We learn that three or four have been stolen from Mr. John Wright. Somebody will come to grief one of these days.

Brookville American, 1869

Base Ball

The White Stockings of Metamora played the Brookville Club a friendly game of Base Ball on the Fair Grounds last Saturday, the former winning the game by a score of 32 to 27. It is the understanding that the Brookville Club will play the White Stockings a friendly game on the Metamora grounds on Saturday next.

The fabled Red Stockings were formed in 1869. One of them was a professional team.

Democrat, January 1908

California Fruits

Miss Mollie Hockenberry of this city received a choice variety of fruits by express from California from her brother, Jacob Hockenberry of Fresno, who is a collector and money broker.

These semi-tropical luxuries came through safely just before Christmas and were enjoyed by Miss Hockenberry and her friends. Mr. Hockenberry is a native of Franklin County who went west several years ago to grow up with the country, and we are pleased to state that he has prospered in the Golden State.

A fitting story, 1871

Brookville American, April 14, 1871

Fairfield

We admit the truth that we are localized in our feelings and sympathies, and for this very reason are led to inquire why we have so little news of Fairfield and vicinity chronicled in our enterprising paper, "The American." Surely not from a want of able correspondents. We think a score of them could be found in our village.

But to begin. We are a peaceful, law-abiding community, undisturbed by clamors of any kind, and more particularly "doggerism." By the way, there is a peculiarity about those doggeries. As moral pest-houses I wonder why an enraged community does not come forth as legions against this terrible nuisance and say, once and for all, we will not license men to send their fellow men to prison, poorhouse, shame and distress, robbing wives of their living and children of bread.

Our streets are not the theaters of reeling, reeking drunken men -- of mobs and free fights. Those are associated with saloons. We have no robberies to record, no assault and battery, blood or murder, but what is far more pleasing than fiction or romance, each citizen pursuing peace and happiness in the even tenor of his way.

The opening Spring produces activity and a general stirring up to drive trade and make the bargains at the opening of the season. We are credibly informed that last year, 75,000 dollars' worth of dry goods and groceries were sold in our town.

Prominent among the merchants we notice R.L. Irwin, Esq., who has returned from Cincinnati with a fine assortment of dry goods and notions. By the way, "Bob" has fine taste in selecting prints and dress goods. Long may he wave his yardstick over the piles of goods.

Miller & Tyner are running in a fine assortment. "Theo" is wide awake and can catch a rolling sixpence as soon as any other man.

Hayward & Proctor, grocers and hucksters, postmaster, doctor and preacher -- this makes quite a show on paper.

Crookshank & Masters have been trying to wind up for a year, but like some men trying to quit chewing tobacco, the tapering end is the biggest. "Cruck," for short, is a good-natured jolly fellow, respected by all.

Rose & Loper are doing a fine business in buggies and other fancy rigs. George Loper expects to build about 30 buggies during the season.

Time would fail to tell of our shoemakers, blacksmiths, fancy stores -- all busy. 

Dora Rose has just closed his school. Everyone has been pleased with him as a teacher. Should his health be spared, you will hear-hear of him someday doing "upstairs work" in some of the professions.

The prospects for wheat were never better. The farmers are all busy preparing for sowing and planting. Some gardening has been done. There is a fine prospect for fruit, especially peaches.

About all of this kind of fruit that will be in the state this year will be found in Old Franklin.

Call and see us, Bro. Bingham; your paper has a large circulation in these "diggin's."

PENNA

Note: C.H. Bingham was editor of the Brookville American. "Doggerism" was a reference to too much alcohol consumption. No idea who PENNA was.

1937, corn or pork chops?

Brookville Democrat, Jan 1937

FRED CONN RAISES CHAMPION EAR OF YELLOW DENT CORN

Awarded First in State Corn Show at Purdue

Fred S. Conn of Springfield Twp. entered a single ear of Reid's yellow dent corn in the state Corn Show held at Purdue this week, which placed first in Region 4, and was grand champion over all blue ribbon single ears in all regions.

This award is the first of its kind ever won by a Franklin County farmer. It carries with it the possession of a beautiful cup provided several years ago by L.M. Vogler of Hope, Indiana. This cup remains in the possession of each champion in the single ear class for one year or until it is won by someone else.

This ear of corn was champion in the single ear classes in the Franklin County show last Saturday. It will no doubt be on display somewhere in Brookville in the near future.

THREE MEN BEING HELD FOR STEALING HOG AND 8-BU. CORN

Trio Alleged to Have Killed Animal on Farm near Andersonville

Three residents of near Andersonville are being held in the county jail in connection with the theft of a hog and a small quantity of corn. Those under arrest are Jesse Chaney, 46, Charles Barnes, 30, and Ralph Ryckman, 41.

State police claim a confession from Chaney that he and the other two men stole a hog from the farm of Orange Cox, near Andersonville on Nov. 24 and that they also stole 8 bushels of corn from another farmer the same night.

Chaney, who was arrested first, implicated the other men, and signed a statement that the three killed the hog on the Cox farm and carried it away.

Note: Chaney and Ryckman were sentenced by hangin' judge Roscoe O'Byrne (also a Klansman) 1-to-10 in state prison, and Barnes was exonerated. I don't think Ryckman ever went to prison. No report on any of that. Chaney was also probably only 35. 

No coal for Christmas

Brookville Democrat, Dec 1919

Brookville Cut Off From Outside World

Owing to the discontinuance of the 9:38 a.m. and the 3:38 p.m. trains, in order to conserve coal, Brookville people will not know what is going on in the outside world until evening, as the Cincinnati and Indianapolis morning papers will reach here on the 6:44 p.m. train, which also brings the Cincinnati evening papers.

It also completely demoralizes the mail service, which will be from 12 to 24 hours late, and hundreds of Franklin County farmers who take an Indianapolis morning paper will receive it one day late.

We hope that the settlement of the coal strike, announced in Tuesday night's papers, will make the restoration of the former train and mail service possible in a very short time.

General Repair Shop

I have started a repair shop in Fairfield in rear of Jinks' store and invite customers to call who want feed ground, axes sharpened or automobiles repaired; in fact repairing of every kind. All work guaranteed.

Lewis H. Harrell

Oyster Supper

The Farmers Association of Fairfield Township will give an oyster and ice cream supper at Fairfield on Tuesday evening Dec. 9.