1863     The Civil War came to Indiana when over 2,000 Confederate soldiers crossed the Ohio River into Corydon.  Under the command of John Hunt Morgan, the troops known as “Morgan’s Raiders” overwhelmed about 400 members of the Indiana militia.  They plundered their way through several towns, including Salem, Vernon, Dupont, and Versailles.  Fearing an attack on Indianapolis, Governor Oliver P. Morton ordered five regiments of Union soldiers to guard the Statehouse.  The Confederates escaped into Ohio where they were captured about three weeks later.  Pictured:  The Indiana Historical Marker in Corydon.

1889     Noble Sissell was born in Indianapolis.  A composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer, and playwright, he joined James “Eubie” Blake to produce Broadway musicals.  Their most successful show was ShuffleAlong, which introduced the hit song “I’m Just Wild About Harry.”  Sissell, one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild, was known as the “unofficial mayor of Harlem.”

100 YEARS AGO

1921     The Fourth of July Parade in Indianapolis included over 5,000 former soldiers and sailors from World War I.  Led by Governor Warren McCray and Mayor Charles Jewett, the procession traveled throughout the mile square.  Community singing, band concerts, and bicycle races were held in city parks, with a large fireworks display that evening at the fairgrounds.

1925     Indiana Governor Ed Jackson and his wife Lydia called upon President Calvin Coolidge at White Court in Swampscott, Massachusetts (pictured.)  The President and his wife Grace were living at the spacious ocean-front home which served that year as the “Summer White House.”  Newspapers reported that the Governor’s visit was purely a social call and that politics were not discussed.  The Jacksons were on their way home from a Governor’s conference in Maine.

1946     14-year-old Richard Lugar received the Boy Scout “God and Country” award at Central Avenue Methodist Church in Indianapolis.  The youngest boy in the city to become an Eagle Scout, Lugar was president of the church youth fellowship group and a member of the Sunday School orchestra.  He went on to become mayor of Indianapolis and the state’s longest-serving United States Senator.

50 YEARS AGO

1971     The community-owned “Miss Madison” hydroplane won both the Gold Cup and the Indiana Governor’s Cup in the annual Regatta in Madison.  Driver Jim McCormick was cheered by the 100,000 spectators who lined both banks of the Ohio River.  It was an unforgettable day for the Jefferson County city.  Fire bells rang, sirens sounded, and crowds spilled into the streets as crew members carried McCormick on their shoulders to the judging stand.

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Indiana Statehouse  Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

Guided tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday.  For more information, please contact the tour office.

Note:  The Statehouse will be closed on Monday, July 5

(317) 233-5293
touroffice@idoa.in.gov  

Indiana Quick Quiz

The answers to this week’s quiz can be found in this edition of “Hoosier History Highlights.”

1.  What was the name of Noble Sissell’s biggest Broadway show?

2.  Who was Governor of Indiana 100 years ago?

3.  In what year did Morgan’s Raiders attack Indiana towns?

Answers Below

Hoosier Quote of the Week

“If I could offer but one helpful hint to young Hoosiers hoping to better their odds for success in life, I would simply note the importance of thoughtful reading.”

– – – Richard G. Lugar (1932 – 2019)

Did You Know?

     Twenty years ago, moviegoers were treated to the Hollywood version of the “Miss Madison” victory in the 1971 Regatta.  The movie, entitled Madison, stars Jim Caviezel in the role of driver Jim McCormick.  The cast includes Jake Lloyd, Mary McCormack, Bruce Dern, and Paul Dooley.  The film captures all the excitement of hydroplane racing against the backdrop of human emotions.  Film critic Roger Ebert wrote, “What is it about Indiana that inspires movies about small-town dreamers who come from behind to win?  Madison, the story of a town that races its own hydroplane on the Ohio River, joins Breaking Away (a bicycle race), Hoosiers (high school basketball) and Rudy (local boy is too small to play football for Notre Dame, but that doesn’t stop him.)  All four stories are inspired by fact.”

ABE MARTIN SEZ: One good thing about roastin’ ears — there hain’t so much talkin’ at th’ table. (Kin Hubbard, The Indianapolis News, July 24, 1915)

ANSWERS:  1. Shuffle Along           2.  Warren McCray    3.  1863