HOOSIER HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS: Two Children Discover Marengo Cave

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September 5 – September 11

The Week in Indiana History


cave

1883     Two children, Blanche and Orris Hiestand, discovered Marengo Cave in Crawford County.  Legend has it that the two youngsters were playing in the woods when they noticed an opening at the bottom of a sink hole.  After a short investigation, they reported what they had seen to the owner of the property.  Cavern tours began later that year.  The site is now a National Natural Landmark.


bears

1901     The Bears of Blue River was published by Charles Major of Shelbyville.  The story is about a boy named Balser who lives with his family in a log cabin on the banks of the Big Blue River.  He has many adventures as he encounters the dangers of frontier life.  The book has become a classic in children’s literature.


Ford

1940     Auto pioneer Henry Ford came by special train to Rushville to meet with Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie.  The two conferred at the Willkie home on Harrison Street.  A few days later, Ford announced his support for the Hoosier lawyer, saying, “I am completely satisfied that he means to do exactly what he says and is competent to do it without evasion or excuse.”


atm

50 YEARS AGO

1971     American Fletcher National Bank announced the installation of “cash machines” at five locations in Indianapolis.  The forerunner of the modern “ATM,” the device permitted customers to obtain either $25 or $50 in currency anytime, day or night.  The company reported that patrons were very happy with the new method of banking.


TF2001     Terrorists attacked the Twin Towers in New York City.  Within 24 hours, Task Force One from Indianapolis was assisting at Ground Zero.  The team, made up of firefighters, dog handlers, and paramedics, worked 12-hour shifts around the clock for ten days.

O'Bannon2003     Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon suffered a stroke while attending a conference at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago.  He died five days later.  Following a funeral at the Statehouse, he was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Corydon.  He was the first governor to die in office since Alvin Hovey succumbed to illness in 1891.

ABE MARTIN SEZ:

  Talk is cheap or some folks would be broke all th’ time.

(Kin Hubbard, The Indianapolis News,September 14, 1916)

abe

HHH

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Indiana Quick Quiz

Hoosiers Born in September

     Match the description to a name listed below.

1.  Born in Union County in 1844, his most famous book is Alice of Old Vincennes.

2.  Born in Owen County in 1847, he became a member of the “Hoosier School” of artists.

3.  Born in Henryville in 1890, his fried chicken recipe found fans around the world.

4.  Born in Winchester in 1914, he became one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed movie directors.

Harland Sanders….Theodore Clement Steele….Robert Wise….. Maurice Thompson

Answers Below


Hoosier Quote of the Week

quote

“I’m happy with who and what I am, and I can’t wait to find out who I’ll be tomorrow.”

– – – Joyce DeWitt

Joyce DeWitt grew up in Speedway and earned a degree in theater at Ball State University.  She has appeared in many stage and screen productions.  One of her most prominent roles was that of Janet in the TV series “Three’s Company.”


Balsar

Did You Know?

     For many years, this statue greeted people in the  Shelbyville town square.  It depicts Balser, the main character in The Bears of Blue River, authored by Shelbyville resident Charles Major.  Created by artist Mary Elizabeth Stout in 1929, the sculpture shows the boy holding two bear cubs he adopted as pets at his home in the forest.  The statue has been temporarily removed while the town square undergoes renovation, but it should be back in place before the end of the year.


ANSWERS:  1.  Maurice Thompson  2.  Theodore Clement Steele  3.  Harland Sanders            4.  Robert Wise