100 YEARS AGO  1920      The 19th Amendment was ratified by the United States Congress.  The measure gave women across the country the right to vote.  On the previous January 10, Indiana had been the 26th state to approve the amendment.  It was passed by Congress on August 16 and became effective August 26, which has become known as “Women’s Equality Day.”

1935     In College Corner, Indiana, FBI agents closed in on George W. Barrett.  He was wanted on charges of operating a large interstate car theft ring.  Barrett opened fire on the officers, mortally wounding Special Agent Nelson B. Klein.  Barrett, convicted of murder, was the first person to receive the death penalty under a new law which made it a capital offense to kill an FBI agent.  He was executed the next year.  Pictured:  The Indiana Historical Marker erected in College Corner in 2017.

1940     On the biggest day in the history of Elwood, Indiana, hometown hero Wendell Willkie accepted the Republican nomination for President.  Over 250,000 people came to see him make his acceptance speech.  The Pennsylvania Railroad ran 29 extra trains into town for the occasion.  Willkie’s speech was carried on all radio networks and filmed by newsreel cameras.

1957     14-year-old Terry Townsend of Anderson, Indiana, won the Soap Box Derby National Championship in Derby Downs, Ohio.  Driving his bullet-shaped car #6, he raced to the finish in front of a crowd of over 70,000.  His prize included a $5,000 college scholarship and an air trip to Europe.  Over a dozen Hoosiers have won the Soap Box Crown over the years, with several of them coming from Anderson.  That includes Terry Townsend’s brother, Barney, who won the national title in 1959.

1971     Federal Judge S. Hugh Dillin ruled that the Indianapolis Public School system was guilty of the practice of racial segregation.  A series of subsequent decisions led to the one-way busing of African-American students from IPS to schools in the suburban townships of Marion County.

2006     The “Indianapolis Prize” was awarded for the first time.  The biennial award from the Indianapolis Zoo is bestowed upon individuals for extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts affecting one or more animal species.  The first recipient was George W. Archibald, honored for his work with the International Crane Foundation.

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Indiana Quick Quiz

     Name the type of food product associated with each of these well-known brands based in Indiana.

1.  The Sechler Company in Saint Joe

2.  Pop Weaver’s in Van Buren

3.  Red Gold in Elwood

Answers Below

HOOSIER  QUOTE  OF  THE  WEEK

“I would rather lose in a cause that I know some day will triumph than to triumph in a cause that I know some day will fail.”

– – -  Wendell L. Willkie (1892 – 1944)

Did You Know?

     The 19th Amendment was a victory long sought by women over many years.  Indiana played a large role in the movement.  As far back as 1851, Amanda Way had organized a convention in Dublin, Indiana, for the purpose of achieving social, economic, and political rights for women.  Susan B. Anthony visited the state several times to promote the cause of women’s suffrage.  Among the many in the state who worked hard for the vote were Helen Jackson Cougar from Lafayette, Ida Huster Harper from Terre Haute, and May Wright Sewall and Zerelda Wallace from Indianapolis.

ANSWERS:  1.  Pickles  2.  Popcorn  3.  Tomato products