Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

This is a follow-up of yesterday's blog with two plaques... one is a little mystery, that we can use some help! - JGW

In yesterday's blog, we had photos of the U of E beautiful grounds & gardens. On the Lincoln Avenue side of the campus, you can see the Administration Building and a nice stone sign "University of Evansville." The sign is actually the back side of a large bench like platform for visiting or small events like a musical performance or a political rally that occured there in the late 1960's with Eugene McCarthy.


The plaque below was installed on the bench during the University's 150 years of preparing leaders for tomorrow. The "Sesquicentennial Oval" was made possible through an estate gift from Dallas Bower-Suhrheinrich, long-time UE Trustee.

Below that plaque is a somewhat older plaque (in photo below). The qulaity of this photo is not very good and I apologize for it, but I did want to include it today. It is a little mystery as to who this man is and why this structure was dedicated to his memory, in addition to when was it dedicated. The small plaque simply states: "Dedicated to the Memory of Michael E. Thorp."

I checked the newspaper clippings and obituaries in the Browning Databases and I checked the online databases for both city cemeteries. I also went to the U of E's website hoping to find something there. I found nothing. Maybe one of you bloggers out there can find out who Mr. Thorp is and why this centerpiece in the gardens at UE was dedicated to his memory and when it was dedicated.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

University of Evansville...

gardens & grounds

Yesterday, while driving along Lincoln Avenue east toward Weinbach Avenue, I glanced over at U of E where I attended part of my college years over forty years ago. The grounds were so pretty in front of the Administration Building that I was compelled to come back later with my camera to take a few photos. It was a beautiful day and the garden & grounds made it even better. I guess that the gardens have been enhanced over the last few years or I just simply did not notice before. I came to the, then, Evansville College in 1965 after graduating from Boonville High School. What an exciting time in my life! I was the first in my immediate family to go to college; however, my mother's first cousin, Betty Wood, attended Evansville College graduating with honors in 1950. I think it was 1967 when they changed the status of the college to a university, while I was a student there - that was very exciting, too. We were required to take Air Force ROTC for two years and assembled on a regular basis in the more spacious plaza in front of the Admin. Bldg. - it was not the garden it is today. Right behind or actually the other side of the stone sign is a small platform or stage that was used for various events. I remember attending an event there when Eugene McCarthy spoke from this platform to the U of E students in is bid for the U.S. Presidency.

Another view of Admin. Bldg. with the flag poles and circular garden. The grandeur of the building coupled with the trees, flags, flowers & grassy plaza makes for a very pleasant scene.

I do not know when the University added the cobble stoned walkways, but it really enhances the whole garden & grounds. There are a lot of changes at U of E over just the last few years... several new buildings and expansions of existing buildings. I ended up graduating after four years in the U.S. Air Force from Indiana State University - Evansville (ISUE) [they changed their name, too - University of Southern Indiana]. USI has a great campus with beautiful grounds, as well; however, there is something extra special about U of E that will remain in my heart forever!

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

"The Census Taker"

Neat photo that was posted on
The Hodges - With Kin and Friends!

The Census Taker

- Posted by Ruth Hodges on MyFamily.com

NAVIGATING ALONG the RIVER - Research Tips

Free 1930 US Census

Through the Month of August

The 1930 US Census is one of the most powerful resources available to anyone who wants to learn more about their ancestors.

During the month of August, we're giving everyone free access to Footnote.com's one-of-a-kind, interactive 1930 US Census.

With Footnote's interactive census, viewing, downloading and printing images from the census are just the beginning. You can also add images and comments, spotlight interesting finds, create pages for your ancestors and tell their stories.

Simply click the link below to get started today.
www.footnote.com/1930census/

What you can learn about your ancestors in the 1930 Census:

Where they lived
Who they lived with
When and where they were born
What they did for a living
And much more…

The Footnote Team

Tombstone Thursday - Chaffin

Veteran of the War of 1812

Maple Hill Cemetery

New Harmony, Indiana

John H. Chaffin was a soldier in Hubbard's Vermont Militia in the War of 1812.


- Photo taken and submitted by JGWest


[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

Payton Lewis Found

He was missing for 2 months!

Today's blog is a combination of photos, newspaper clippings, a mystery and part of my personal family history.

(Click on clippings to get a readable view of the news stories)Body found about one mile south of Vincennes, Indiana on the Illinois side of the Wabash River on the bank. "The cause of death is unknown." He had been dead for several months with identification made by means of a knife & coin purse found in his pockets.

My 3rd. Great Grandfather was Joseph O. Lewis (Margaret Mattingly - my 3rd. Great Grandmother). Payton Lewis was a half brother to my 2nd. Great Grandmother Susan Apalone Lewis who married Arthur Sylvester Mays. He was basically lost to my line of this family. We had no idea what happened to him or where he lived. An email from someone lead me to these news clippings in the Princeton, Indiana public library. Hazelton is not but a short drive from Evansville, yet no one seemed to know anything about him. I suspect his mysterious death with unanswered details may have lessened the talk of him within the family with some thinking that he may have committed suicide.

"Payton Lewis, son of Joe and Katherine Lewis, was born June 3, 1870 --- he departed this life Nov. 25, 1934..." "On October 17, 1894, he was united in marriage..." Her name and that they had 12 children was included. "Mr. Lewis was born and raised in Knox County, Indiana, where he had many friends and a wide acquaintance, having been a veterinarian in his early life."

- Submitted by JGWest

RACING DOWN the RIVER -Brief Genealogical Notes

KYGenWeb State Coordinator

Elected National Coordinator

USGenWeb Project

Sherri Bradley, KYGenWeb State Coordinator, was just announced as the newly elected USGenWeb National Coordinator. Congrats to an Internet friend and associate. I have worked with Sherri over the last five years or so through the KYGenWeb Project.

John G. West, TSGS President