Mayberry, the original version

MUNCIE STAR, 1906

Officers of the Law Have a Real "Snap"

The unusual condition of affairs in Brookville is not due to any extra force of police, for this peace of the community is kept by one marshal in the daytime and a deputy at night. Despite the 3,000 population they have a very cozy time, for they made but 17 arrests in Brookville last year, an average of less than one and a half each month for the two officers.

The general mood condition of Brookville and Franklin County is evidenced by the fact that during 1906 there were but 20 prisoners in the county jail, 19 whites and 1 negro, all male. In 1905, the number of jail commitments was 27, and in 1904, only 23. The jail record for 1906 is the 7th best in the state. But six other counties of the 92 had fewer prisoners than Franklin. They were Brown, Newton, Spencer, Pulaski, Ripley and Crawford.

When it is considered that there are 17 saloons in Brookville, and more than double the number in the entire county, this jail record is perhaps the best in the state. 

Brookville officers say many of the jail prisoners were men who could not or would not pay fines levied in the justices' courts. There is a strong German element in the county which favors the saloons, and for this reason they are seldom molested.

On the other hand, the saloons obey the law and but infrequently give cause for complaint.

The Franklin County courthouse has been built for 55 years and is simply large enough for all the business of the courts. The jail is a modern structure for which there is little use. It is as often empty as it is occupied. 

The people tacitly recognize the condition of affairs, for at the last election, they re-elected H.E. Stinger, a one-armed man, as sheriff, and he is proving a very able officer.

Note: Nothing like telling the world that you can come to Brookville and get away with almost anything. They have 2 cops, and one of them has only one arm. 

Fowl deeds, indeed

Democrat, 1929

Chicken Thieves Again Visit Joe Schneider

Chicken thieves paid another visit to the roosts at the home of Joe Schneider and family, east of town last Friday night.

Joe was awakened about 12 o'clock by someone stumbling around his chicken house and upon investigation, found one culprit in the act of loading some chickens into a sack. The man made a dash around the house and Mr. Schneider emptied his shotgun at him and thought to have inflicted some wounds.

Thinking there was an accomplice in the building, Joe did not pursue the thief, and he escaped to a waiting auto, near the Holland school house.

No accomplice was found, and the thief or thieves escaped toward Mt. Carmel.

This is the second time within the past 3 months that the Schneider roost has been raided, the first attempt resulting in a spirited exchange of shots between Mr. Schneider and his son and the two thieves.

Joe hereby gives warning that the next visitors to his chicken house will find his shotgun loaded, ready for action and they will be given a warm reception, all questions and arguments taken up after the reception.

Democrat, 1932

Chicken Thieves Busy

Chicken thieves are again active in this section, according to reports from the eastern part of the county.

Tuesday night, the hen roost at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dorrel, of near Whitcomb, was raided and about 40 chickens stolen.

The same night, the thieves raided the roosts at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Deering, of east of Brookville, but it is thought they were frightened away by the dog before they obtained many fowls.

No trace has been found of the thieves at this time. 

Democrat, 1934

Chicken Thieves are Again Busy

The hen roosts of three farmers in the eastern section of the county have been raided within the past two weeks, according to reports which reached this office today. Victims of the chicken thieves are Charles Robertson, Thurman Conn and Perry Appleton.

Eighty chickens were stolen from the Robertson farm last Wednesday night and approximately 75 from the Conn farm, Friday night.

The Appleton hen house was invaded two weeks ago on Thursday, 65 chickens being taken and marking the second time that thieves have visited the farm this year.

That section of the county seems to be the target of a ring of chicken and hog thieves as similar outrages have been perpetrated there several times within the past few months.

Note: Thieves were all known to be from Ohio.

More traction reaction

 Connersville News-Examiner 1903

TRACTION BELT LINE

OUT OF CONNERSVILLE

D.W. Andre Proposes the Building of a Road

Route to Extend Down the Whitewater Valley

to Brookville Thence to Fairfield and Back to This City

In connection with a column of traction news, the Laurel Review in its issue this week has the following:

David Andre of Connersville is read to give substantial aid to an electric line of his own planning and he says that Richmond capitalists think well of the scheme.

His plan is to build what he calls a circuit line, running from Connersville to Laurel, Metamora and Brookville, thence up the East Fork to Fairfield.

From there his plan is to find an easy route northwest, probably through Alquina and back to Connersville.

It is a fact that a line could be built all the way from Connersville to Fairfield without encountering a single difficult grade and that it would encounter, in the short distance traversed, probably more population and possibly patronage than any other line yet contemplated heretofore.

Note: This doesn't seem like much of a creative plan, and building such a railroad from Fairfield to Alquina would simply have followed the river to Quakertown, then west. Obviously never built, the "capitalists" of the day were making these grand plans virtually every 3 months. The population to be affected was in the hundreds. Lyons Station is (was) about 3 miles west of Brownsville. 

Cholera -- a Cincinnati tradition

Democrat, Brookville May 1833

CHOLERA

The 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 from Lawrenceburg that the disease is now present in the vicinity of that place. Our information 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 we do not question the fact -- therefore, let those exposed to it watch the system, and at first symptom apply the antidote.

The patient should in such case immediately take from 20 to 25 grams of Calomel with 1 grain of opium and keep dry and warm during its operation, and no danger need be apprehended. Exposure to night air 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.

An opinion has been prevalent that the disease was not contagious -- this is not the fact. We hesitate to say that it is contagious; thought this should not deter us from attending upon those who are its subjects.

1918 -- wartime news that wasn't about the war

Democrat, June 1918

Benefit Dance

The Improved Order of Red Men will give a dance at Fairfield Red Men's Hall, Saturday night, July 6. Proceeds will go to the Ambulance Fund. Special music from Connersville.

Everybody invited!

Sauerkraut Approved as Patriotic

On account of its supposedly German name, sauerkraut seems to be losing popularity as an American dish. It is said, however, to be of Dutch rather than of German origin.

But in any event, sauerkraut is a valuable food and adds to the variety of ways in which cabbage may be prepared.

Ach du Lieber!

Lutherans Discontinue Use of German Language

The St. Thomas Lutheran people (Brookville) voted Sunday on the further use of the German language in the hour of divine service, and it was decided by more than two-thirds majority to drop it.

Speak English!

Baptist church -- a grain bin in the '60s

Centennial Meeting

A centennial meeting will be held at the Baptist Church west of Fairfield next Sunday, June 30.

Elder R.W. Thompson of Greenfield, and Elder E. Harlan of Connersville will be in attendance.

You are invited to come and bring your dinner and spend the day in celebrating the centennial of this old historic church.

Hallelujah!

Glaring Headlights

The non-observance of the automobile headlight dimmer law, passed by the 1917 General Assembly, has caused the Hoosier State Automobile Association to get behind a statewide effort to enforce the law, for the safeguarding of the motorist and the public.

Many accidents have been caused by glaring headlights that might have been avoided had the dimmer law been observed. City, town and township officials have been instructed to be on the lookout for motorists who disregard the law.

Dimmit, dammit.

Alvie Kunkel -- my uncle

Newspaper pictures, around 1900

 The artist who was able to line-draw was most valuable in the days before newspapers and magazines had the tools to produce actual photo reproductions. These were wood cuts, quite intricate and reserved only for people who were important -- such as the woman who used liver oil to control her bodily fluids.

WWII propaganda ads -- and PSAs

 

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