December 13 – December 19The Week in Indiana History |
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A Sampling of Sayings by Abe Martin: Boys will be boys, and so will a lot of middle-aged men It’s what we learn after we think we know it all that counts It hain’t a bad plan to keep still occasionally, even when you know what you’re talkin’ about To err is human, but to admit it ain’t – – – Kin Hubbard (1868 – 1930)
Did You Know?   Hoosier Bobby Helms (1933- 1997) was a recording artist.  Born in Helmsburg, he developed a singing talent which took him to Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a star. In 1957, he appeared on the Ed Sullivan television show to perform his hit “My Special Angel.” Also in 1957, he recorded “Jingle Bell Rock,” which is listed in Billboard Magazine’s top ten Christmas songs of all time.  Other top-selling records included “Fraulein,” “Jacqueline,” and “Borrowed Dreams.”  In later years, Bobby lived near Martinsville, where he is buried in Hilldale Cemetery.  “Mr. Jingle Bell Rock” is engraved on his tombstone. Take an “Armchair Tour” of the Indiana Statehouse
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1904   Abe Martin first appeared in The Indianapolis News. Created by newspaper artist Kin Hubbard, Abe was a rural character famous for his “sayings.” His daily comments were syndicated and published in newspapers across the country for many years. Indiana’s Brown County State Park pays tribute to Kin Hubbard and the many rustic characters he created.
1913   In University Park in Indianapolis, a Christmas tree was decorated with colorful electric lights, a new innovation for the time. Mayor Henry Wallace organized the event in conjunction with the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The 50-foot cedar tree, provided by the Bridgeport Nursery, was the centerpiece for music each evening by local choir groups.
1928   The L. S. Ayres Department Store offered its customers a “telephone shopping service.” Newspaper advertisements invited the public to call the “intelligent, well-trained personal shoppers” and the gifts “would come trotting out to your home just as if your best friends had been shopping for you.” Other stores offered similar programs, made possible by the fact that nearly 40% of American homes now had telephones.
1950   The Marion County Civil Defense Committee announced that fire sirens and factory whistles would be used to warn the community of any impending air raids by enemy planes. The move was in response to the heightened “cold war” tension across the nation. Air raid drills had already been conducted in all city schools.
