Do you know anyone? Willson School, January 1935

Classroom of students at Willson School. According to chalk board, the photograph was taken on 29 January 1935. On the other chalk board, first names are listed as follows: Bob O, Margaret, John, Julia, Mary, Alice, Beverly, Billy, Bob B, Dick, Bob R, Patty, and Allen. No last names are given.

Exhibition is presented by students ... 136 years ago

This item can be found on the CDPL Image database

This is a pamphlet from a Crawfordsville School event.  McClelland Hall sponsored the 1871 event, but Charles M. Eltzroth allowed the 1872 class to utilize his hall because the weather turned unfavorable. Electa Pettijohn is the teacher mentioned in the 1872 newspaper article. May 30, 1872 (Crawfordsville Weekly Journal) "The Second Intermediate School, Miss Frank Pettijohn teacher, closed with a very creditable exhibition last Thursday afternoon.  The picnic which was arranged for Friday had to be abandoned on account of the unfavorable state of the weather, but the girls, determined not to be entirely disappointed, arranged for a supper and dance in the evening, Mr. Eltzroth kindly furnishing his hall for the purpose of free charge. Here the duties and pleasures of a seven months school were forgotten in the good things of the table and the excitement of the dance."

Remley gun received

The story of this antique gun is VERY entertaining!  Sarah McCain Remley utilized this relic to kill the chicken thief at her Country Club home.  Sarah, old John Remley's wife, heard a commotion in the chicken coop one night.  She grabbed the gun, ran outside and fired toward the coop.  The next morning she found a dead Indian in the chicken coop (1840 time frame).  As for the gun itself, the only identifying mark not rusted away is the word "Scott" on the left side plate.  Thus, it is a W.C. Scott Ltd of Birmingham, England (one of the cheaper models).  Relative, David Remley wrote this information for the library and donated the weapon.  Mr. Remley also mentioned the number of repairs on the stock, indicating the hard use of this piece.  The elaborate repair made with two brass plates set into the walnut, then screwed into place was undoubtedly done by a local gunsmith.

1872 livery news

An article in the 30 May 1872 Crawfordsville Weekly Journal discusses four livery stables.  "Last Sunday was a good day for livery keepers, all the stables being tested to their fullest capacity.  The Sunday livery business of Crawfordsville has got to be quite an item averaging some $200 every Sunday in the year.  Such days as last Sunday it of course far exceeds that amount.  The four livery stables in town can now turn out some 60 vehicles, of which 10 are carriages, 25 pole buggies and 25 single buggies.  A May meeting, a Thorntown picnic or a Baptist association makes a demand for all of these, besides the large number of carriages buggies and spring wagons owned by private persons."

Ad from 1878 city guide

This advertisement is in the 1878 Crawfordsville city guide.  Unfortunately, the library does not possess an 1872 guide, so it is unclear if Smith was one of the owners in 1872, but there are four men in business in 1878 (possibly the same four).  The others at least in business six years after the advertisement were: Warren Davis, J.J. Insley, Jas. P. Walter & Newton L.Thompson (Walter & Thompson) and Howard W. Smith.  Smith married Laura Hall and passed in April of 1915 (Oak Hill - Union).

Boldt Mill ... Waynetown history

Boldt Mill in background - bridge at Vine Street, Waynetown

The grist mill was built in 1873 by the Gray Brothers and William Rider.  This steam mill was then owned by George D. Brown and then the Citizens Bank of Crawfordsville.  T.H. Boldt purchased the mill from the bank.  Later C.A. Snyder became the owner, but T.H. and his son Ernest W. (Boldt & Son) repurchased the mill.  Sadly, T.H. lost his life in 1938 (13 years after his wife).  Ernest W. preceded his father in death and Ernest's son passed in November of 1942 as a Private in the war. Frederick W. Kruger was a miller at this location for over thirty-three years and utilized his knowledge of Germany & Holland's windmills to modernize the machinery and assist the owners with a successful business. 

John Remley ... IRS ... 1864

1864 IRS receipt

John Remley was born in Ohio but came to Indiana in the 1820s and purchased land.  Mr. John Remley and Sarah McCain celebrated 50 years of marriage in March 1875 with family present.  The couple had nine children (eight growing to maturity): Elizabeth, James C., John, Ambrose, Daniel, David, Ruhama W. (died at 25).  Remley lived in a log cabin when he came to ready the home for his bride, then built a hewed log home which burnt just as he finished the building stage.  Next, Remley built a brick home that he lived in until the time of his death (2 January 1879).  Sarah McCain Remley lived until 10 January 1890.  At the time of  John Remley's death (age 78 years 7 months and 11 days) he owned more than 2,000 acres of land and had been a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Keesee family enjoying time together

John and Margaret Ann Redenbaugh Keesee were married in November of 1886.  The couple is pictured here with their three daughters at an unknown bridge.  A son, Sanford, preceded Margaret in death.  The Keesee family were members of the Memorial Presbyterian Church.  The three daughters were: Edith Corbin, Ethel Willoughby, Edna Eubanks.
Left to right: Martin Corbin, Edith Keesee Corbin, Edna Keesee Eubanks, Margaret Ann Redenbaugh Keesee, John R. Keesee, -- Bright, ? and Ethel Keesee Willoughby.  Margaret's sister married Cecil G. Bright - possibly one of the unidentified men.  It is likely the other man (even though unidentified) is Arvel Willoughby - who married Ethel.