Hidden Treasure in Local History

Local history librarians had a big surprise today when they discovered an autographed copy of Kenyon Nicholson's play, "Sailor Beware!" in the collection. Kenyon Nicholson was born and raised in Crawfordsville, attended Wabash College, and served in France in World War I. His first play was written with Meredith Nicholson in 1921 and was titled, "Honor Bright." Kenyon had a successful career as a playwright and also worked in Hollywood. "Sailor Beware!" was written in collaboration with Charles Robinson in 1933; the film rights were sold to Paramount and the film was released in 1952, starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and an uncredited James Dean in one of his first speaking roles. The library's copy of the play is inscribed: "With many thanks, for battling the Jack Marcos et al! Best wishes, Ken Nicholson. N.Y.C. Sept. 4, 1935." The book is on display now on the second floor of the library.

Letter, 1860

We have recently acquired a letter from November 1860. William Deneen wrote, from Ohio, to a local woman, Miss Ducky Huff. Here is the letter with transcription. Judge for yourself the intent of Mr. Deneen!

Letter written by William L Deneen, of Bunker Hill, Ohio. Addressed to Miss Ducky Huff of Crawfordsville.

November 1860. Bunker Hill Ohio November the ? 1860
Dear Miss, Your letter of November the 12th was received in due time but I have defered writing til the present time; for I had no convenient opportunity of getting my miniature taken as yet and I thought I would not write until I could send my miniature with it. I went five miles to have it taken but when I arrived there there was no artist there. I heard before I went that there was an artist stopping at that place. And I have not since had an opportunity of going anywhere else but intend going as soon as convenient. I received your miniature in a short period of time after you mailed it and I feel confident you would have thought I valued it highly if you knew how often I have gaized upon it. It has been raining and snowing for about a week and has made it so disagreeable as I should have had my picture taken sooner and sent it before this time, I aint been to but two or 3 partys since I came home. I think you can select more parties than wee can here and they would suit me much better. You spoke of your going to have a party a Christmas. I should like to be one of the number that is to attend your party for I assure you there is nothing gives me more pleasure than to be in your company. You spoke of hearing that I got offended at you the night of uncles party for you asking me to remove my arm but you have been wrongly informed, such was not the case. I should like to know who informed you for there is some certain ones that would like to make it appear so for I am sure that I never told anyone that I thought you wished to offend me. I thought myself that I was making up my acquaintance rather to fast but I did not think of it at the time. You requested me to pardon you I will freely comply with your request. In drawing my letter to a close I will make some apology for my poor writing and ink. Yours truly William L. Deneen.

A William L. Deneen appears in the 1860 census for Reilly Township, Butler County, Ohio as a 16 year old. There are two possibilities appearing on the 1860 census for a similarly-aged "Ducky" in Crawfordsville: Levanda J. Huff, daughter of Julia Ann and Abraham Huff, age 16, or Emiline Huff, 15, who lived in the household of the Lewellen family.


See accession folder for further information about the Huff and Byers families of Crawfordsville. Martha Laura Byers was William Deneen's mother, and apparently had family in Crawfordsville. Accessioned by Jodie Steelman Wilson, February, 2012.

St. Bernard's Church

The library has recently obtained a postcard of one of Crawfordsville's historic structures: St. Bernard's Catholic Church. This church, which sat on the corner of Washington and Pike Streets (where Chase Bank is now) was dedicated with much fanfare in 1876. The date written on the postcard -- 1874 -- is not the date of the picture, however, but rather the beginning of the construction. If you take a closer look at the postcard, you can see tracks running down the middle of Washington Street, and wires overhead. These tracks and wires were for the interurban trains that began servicing Crawfordsville in the early years of the 20th century. This view is one of the rare clear images that remain of the now demolished church.

Agriculture in Montgomery County!

Agriculture in Montgomery County!

Opening to the public on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County, this exhibit will cover the history of Agriculture in Montgomery County as well as the state of Agriculture today.


To create this exhibit we need your help. If you have photographs of the Montgomery County Fair or photographs of local people at the Indiana State Fair, the museum would be interested in borrowing them for the exhibit. Also, old farm tools, maps, Almanacs, FFA Jackets and more are needed to complete the visual picture of Montgomery County Agriculture. Any items from the 1979 Farm Progress Show here in the county would be most welcome. Items can be donated to the museum or loaned to the museum for the duration of the exhibit.

The Carnegie Museum is located at:
222 S. Washington Street (US 231)
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
765-362-4618 (Front desk)
765-362-4622 (Curator)

image = "March 31, 1919 - Vora Terry and son Clayton in the field."

Christmas, 1948

In 1948, Harry S. Truman was president, gasoline was 26 cents a gallon, and only one in ten Americans has seen a television set up to this point! Christmas may not have been as commercialized as it is now, but Crawfordsville still tried to decorate for the holidays.  This scene is looking west on East Main Street during December 1948. Several businesses are shown, including: Crawfordsville Paint Store, Western Union, Val-U Dress Shop, Bank Cigar Store, Crawford Cafe (a Cafe sign is hanging near the Crawford Hotel), and the Crawford Hotel (which is now occupied by the Canine Plaza). The Christmas lights are strung all along the street, and cars are parked along the sidewalks.

Your donations benefit all!

We received a recent walk-in donation of this photograph of law enforcement officials and other dignataries.

Seven police officers in uniform (front row) and four men in formal civilian clothes (back row) pose in front of the General Lew Wallace statue on the grounds of the Wallace study, c. 1931-1934. The identification card included by the donor reads: "left-right:  Paul Branagan, Charles Johnson, Otto Biederstot, Merle Remley, 'IND State Police,' Charles Curtin, Fred Grimes." We have also been able to identify Mayor Thomas Cooksey, who  stands in the back row, third from the left.

We really appreciate such donations because we strive to protect your county's heritage and will work hard to preserve it for future generations -- as we make it available for all to enjoy. Contact us if you have anything you think would make a nice donation (or temporary loan for us to scan) to the Reference/Local History Department of CDPL!

"Buddy" Fire Dog

We often receive donations of historical photgraphs, but most tend to be of people or places. A recent donation, however, provided a portrait of a dog proudly posed on a stool. On back of the photograph was written:

"Buddy" Fire dog -- Always got on the truck in Crawfordsville. Taken in the late 1800's.

That is all the information we had...until an alert staff member saw an article while looking through the microfilm of old newspapers from 1904. On August 27, 1904, the Sunday Star included a small article on "Buddy" and on his unfortunate demise:

The little black dog, called "Buddy" and owned by Harry Swan, and which was always on hand when the fire bell rang, is dead. It made no difference where the dog was, he would go when the bell rang. If he was shut up in the house, he would race around, barking and awaking the people, so he could go to the fire. On Thursday evening, when the bell sounded the dog was up near the school house, and started towards the engine house. He met the team at Pike street, and in trying to turn around got under one of the horses and received a kick which caused his death. He would jump upon every dog which happened to be on the street as he was going to a fire, and he was almost the same as an attachment to the fire wagon. The fire boys are very sad over the death, and gave him a burial worthy of his place in life.

Buddy may have been forgotten for more than a century -- but he will now live on in our Local History archives.