History of a Monkey Ship

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Mesker Park Zoo...

has a neat ship that is known as the Monkey Ship that is well known by zoo visitors!

Click on photos to enlarge images... the sign is easy to read when enlarged.
History of the Mesker Park Zoo's Monkey Ship is written on this sign posted near the ship.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

Perry Heights

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The History of Perry Heights Middle School

Evansville, Indiana

Don Counts attended fourth through eighth grade, graduating in 1956!

Perry Heights Middle School was founded in 1939 as the first public school in the area for grades one through eight. The school replaced three rural schools: Wolf, Schmadel and Bokelman. The school was operated by Perry Township trustees. Ivo Samples was the first principal of Perry Heights in 1939. He remained at the school as principal and teacher until 1946. Perry Heights was first constructed as a four-classroom school. It had a gymnasium- auditorium combination, girls' and boys' dressing rooms, a kitchen, and a dining room. Later the students underwent a great change from one-room to a school with indoor bathroom and a drinking fountain. Classes at Perry Heights were relatively small, about 16 students in a class. Classes had one teacher and contained two grades. Unlike today, the students were not allowed to take their books home at night. Therefore, they had no homework!! The students were taught five subjects: English, reading, spelling, arithmetic, and geography. The lower grades were taught handwriting, as well. Perry Heights had one sport, boys' basketball. It was the only school with a gym, so all schools in the league had practices at Perry Heights. All of these schools were part of the Perry Township School District. This was before the city and county schools consolidated into the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. Perry Heights did not have a mascot, but they did have cheerleaders. The building had a major change in 1954. The original building stretched from the side of the present building that faces Hogue Road to the first entrance from the present day parking lot. The addition stretched down to the present office. The old cafeteria was split into two classrooms. In the fall of 1961, the school opened to Kindergarten. The years of 1969-1984 were times of great change at Perry Heights. One of the first major additions took place in 1969, when Perry Heights expanded and built the T-hall and the basement. The new gym also came along until 1969. In 1971, Perry Heights became a K-8 school. In October of 1978, Perry Heights' sixth grade class completed its first successful weekend at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. This became an annual adventure weekend for 6th graders. In 1984, Perry Heights became a middle school. One of the most well-liked changes was the addition of extra-curricular activities such as the many basketball and track teams, to speech teams and the drama program which became known community-wide. One of the biggest changes that occurred during this time period was in 1976 when the school acquired a new gym. The old gym then became a 350 seat auditorium and the school mascot became the "Panther". Since 1989, Perry Heights has not changed much. One improvement that students seem to take pride in is the cafeteria, renamed the "Paw's Diner". Thanks to Principal, Mr. Charles Goodman and his artistic abilities. Since 1994, every morning during homeroom, a broadcast has been made to inform students and teachers of events going on at school. The "PHMS NewsCenter" was born! During the spring and summer of 1996, air conditioning was added for the first time at Perry Heights Middle School. Perry Heights continues to excel in many areas and many of its graduates have excelled in their lives. There are many reasons to be proud of the Perry Heights heritage. We have come a long way and surely we have new heights to achieve.

-Submitted by Donald R. Counts

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

APRONS...

...The common everyday apron that Mom wore almost everyday around the house!

Remember... making an apron in Home Economics Class in School or for your exhibit at the County Fair for the 4-H Clothing Project? I remember about 50 years ago watching (with 3 of the boys of my 4-H Club) the older Mike Phillips & Anthony Long (the two being cousins to each other) wearing aprons that they had made in the 4-H Dress Revue. They were laughed at in those days since boys were not expected to wear house aprons, but they were showing that boys could do what girls do. In those days girls/women were trying to show that they could do what the boys/men could do. It was the beginnings of the “Battle of the Sexes!” The four of us pledged to do the same for the next year... it is hard to believe how foolish young boys can be!!! My sister Tina can back me up on this story. Dennis Avery, Dana Hart, Freddie Isaac and myself made our aprons (not an easy task using that old foot-pedal Singer sewing machine). Freddie “chickened-out”... but Avery, Hart & I walked on stage and modeled our aprons during the 4-H Dress Revue. We got even more laughter than Phillips & Long! Amazing that Phillips & Long became attorneys and very active politicians along with Avery becoming an Indiana State Representative (Phillips became the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives). In politics, I became the Superintendent of the Evansville/Vanderburgh Levee Authority and later Evansville City Manager of Locust Hill & Oak Hill Cemeteries. Hart had a life-time career with Alcoa. I had heard that Isaac had a career in the coal mining field. I wonder what happened to that blue apron with clouds & sailboats that I had made & never worn except on stage for that 4-H Dress Revue? - Written by John G. West

The Apron Pattern photos and the History of Aprons were found on the Internet & sent to me by Don Counts.

The History of Aprons

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

"Old School Houses"

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Just like old barns, we can find old school buildings that are just abandoned... left to fall down and eventually vanish along with its history.

This small brick school house (School No. 4) is located in Parkers Settlement in Posey County, Indiana.
The building seems in reasonably good shape, considering it was built in 1892 as indicated by the corner stone pictured below. I tried to learn what I could about this school and the names listed in the Posey County history books at Willard Library, but I did not find anything.

Abandoned schools made of wood or bricks can be found throughout the tri-state area. Some have recorded histories, but for many the building has lasted longer than its students and anyone that knows about any part of its history.

- Photos taken & submitted by Linda L. Young-Niemeier

"The Cannon is Back"

The cannon is back in the Civil War section at Oak Hill Cemetery!

(click on images to enlarge)

And she is beautiful!

This cannon seems to stand guard over this part of the cemetery.

Photo taken in the early morning of Memorial Day.


Looking down the barrel.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

"1933 Memorial Day Service"

The following article appeared in the 28 May 1933 issue of the Evansville Press.

Special tribute will be paid the seven living members of the Farragut Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and members who died during the year, at Memorial Day services in Evansville next Tuesday. Five of the “boys in blue” passed away during the year. They were Julius Tzchoppe, G.T. York, John Ziegler, John Reisinger and Richard Suggs, who was a member of Wagner Colored Post. Only three Civil War Veterans will be able to carry on with the services this year. Major Byron Parsons, William Warren and Robert Witzman will attend services at Oak Hill Cemetery and will occupy a car in the parade. John Smith and Fred Frank, Evansville members of Farragut Post, will not be able to take part in the services. The two other members, Joseph Hunnell and Silas Day, will not be here. Mr. Hunnell lives in Bloomington and Mr. Day at the Old Soldiers’ home, Lafayette. Surviving members of the Wagner Post are Albert Cosby, Fred Gibson, Andrew Stubbins, Moses Slaughter, George Winlock, Simon Walker and Charles Williams. Other war veterans who died during the year were Henry E. Elsea, Edmand Bichlein and Michael Matz, Spanish American War; Russell L. Newbit, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Walter M. Carter, Walter W. Gates, Lucian Gordon, Carl Minch and Frank Daugherty, World War.

Services will be held at McCutchanville Church on Sunday and at Camp Ground Cemetery, Salem. Each of the church services will be followed by the decoration of soldiers’ graves in the church cemeteries. Services will also be held at Locust Hill Cemetery and at Lutheran Cemetery. Line of march for the parade will start at the Coliseum and to Eighth Street. Twenty patriotic and civic groups will be represented. Services at Oak Hill Cemetery will conclude the program.


- Submitted by Brenda Jerome

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

Celebrating the Capture of Fort Sackville

Vincennes Rendezvous

23-24 May 2009

Vincennes, Indiana

The re-enactment battles are really cool to watch. They have a Fife & Drum Corps that perform on the battle ground as well as throughout the park. The cannons set off all of the car alarms & the blast of the muskets make this event seem real. Soldiers representing England, France, Germany (to list a few) plus the colonist & Indians with women & children all dressed in period attire, makes this event a great family historical, educational & entertaining outing.

The above photo is of our Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution's tent at the Rendezvous with a lot of Colonial flags. The red & green striped flag behind & to the right of the tent is the George Rogers Clark flag that they carried when his men captured Ft. Sackville. TSGS member, Becky West (dressed in a red top), is standing in front of the brochure table. Click on the photos to get an enlarged view.

- Photos taken (2008) & submitted by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

DAR Marker to Recognize

The Red Banks Trace

For Mother's Day, Becky & I went to Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana and found this marker erected by the Vanderburgh chapter Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution in 1966. It is located near the new zoo entrance on Mesker Park Drive. It is to commemorate to Indian trail known as Red Bank trace.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

"The Kiefer Mystery Case"

Frank Vincent Kiefer

Yesterday for Tombstone Thursday we featured the grave marker for Frank Kiefer. Several odd pieces of information has made him a bit of a mystery. The marker states he is an actor... so one would wonder, what type of actor - and was he local, regional or on a larger stage? That is just mere curiosity, however. The mystery is a little more than that. His marker states he was born on"Friday May 26, 1873" & died on "Friday May 26, 1933" - for any genealogist this looks suspicious and sticks out like a sore thumb! One of those "Friday May 26" engravings is probably incorrect! Now, Brenda Jerome reported that the 1930 Census lists a Frank Kiefer who would be about the right age living with his family on Emmett Street in Evansville, Indiana. Now, in the Browning Obits Database there is a Frank Kiefer age 79 that died in 1955 with the similar survivors as the Keifer family in the 1930 Census living at 1303 Emmett Street. At age 79 in 1955 (if that is the right age) this Frank Kiefer would have been born about 1876 (close enough to suspect he is the same man).

So, what is the scoop on this guy? Genealogists, historians, mystery lovers... I challenge you to unraffle this man's life so we will know his story! Write to me or comment on this blog. Here is my email addy: jgw.mylines@gmail.com

- Submitted by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

Not what most would call a plaque, but it is a testament to rural America.

This license plate was sold by my class in the very early 1960's for the Selvin (Indiana) High School Wildcats basketball team. Our school was basically too small to have a football or baseball team, but we had enough to just barely field a varsity and reserve basketball teams. The grade school had teams, too. I started in the fifth grade and was on the reserve team as a Freshman. I was not a good player and I was not very tall and I was chubby, too. but, I could get off the bench and serve as the fifth man on the floor when we had no one else to play! My class was the last Freshman class at Selvin when the High School was closed in the spring of 1962. We would have been Selvin's Class of 1965. The school was closed due to "consolidation" of the smaller rural schools for efficiency and economics. There were 15 in that freshman class, we have lost 2 classmates. We have a class reunion each year on Memorial Day weekend that began in 2000. We have had 12 of the 13 to attend one year or another, usually with about 10 showing up each year.

My older brother, Glen, graduated in 1959 from Selvin and proudly drives around with his Selvin Wildcats License plate in Charleston, South Carolina.

-Submitted by JGWest

"A Little Kentucky Trivia"

This was sent to the KYGenWeb Coordinator's list today.

* The bloodiest civil war battle was fought in Perryville, Kentucky.
*The first town in the United States to be named for the first president was Washington, Ky. It was named in 1780.
*1792 - Kentucky was the first state on the western frontier to join the Union.
*In the War of 1812 more than half of all Americans killed in action were Kentuckians.
*1816 - (first promoted) Mammoth Cave, with 336+ miles of mapped passages, is the world's longest cave. It is 379 feet deep and contains at least 5 levels of passages. It's second only to Niagara Falls as the most popular tourist attraction in the US. It became a National Park on July 1, 1941.
*The first American performance of a Beethoven symphony was in Lexington in 1817.
*Begun in 1819 the first commercial oil well was on the Cumberland River in McCreary County.
*Kentucky is the state where both Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union, and Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, were born. They were born less than one hundred miles and one year apart.
*1856 - The first enamel bathtub was made in Louisville.
*In 1873, Louisville druggist John Colgan invented something that you can find in any just about every grocery store in the world, chewing gum.
*1883 - The first electric light bulb was shown in Louisville. Thomas Alva Edison introduced his invention to crowds at the Southern Exposition.
*1887 - Mother's Day was first observed in Henderson by teacher Mary S. Wilson. It became a national holiday in 1916.
*The radio was invented by a Kentuckian named Nathan B. Stubblefield of Murray in 1892. It was three years before Marconi made his claim to the invention.
*Pike County the world's largest producer of coal is famous for the Hatfield-McCoy feud, an Appalachian vendetta that lasted from the Civil War to the 1890s.
*1893 - 'Happy Birthday to You', probably the most sung song in the world, was written by two Louisville sisters - Mildred and Patricia Hill.
*Late 19th century - Bibb lettuce was first cultivated by Jack Bibb in Frankfort, Kentucky.
*1896 - The first (known) set of all male quintuplets was born in Paducah.
*Carrie Nation the spokesperson against rum, tobacco, pornography, and corsets was born near Lancaster in Garrard County.
*1926 - A Hot Brown is a hot sandwich originally created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, by Fred K. Schmidt.
*1934 - Cheeseburgers were first tasted at Kaelin's Restaurant in
Louisville.
*1937 - The first Wigwam Village Motel, with units in the shape of a 'teepee', was built by Frank A. Redford in Cave City .
*The "Old Fashion" drink was created in Louisville, KY.
*The world's largest baseball bat, a full one hundred twenty (120) feet tall and weighing 68,000 pounds, can be seen at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville (Jefferson Co.).
*Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured only in Bowling Green.
*Covington (St. Mary's Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption) is home to the world's largest hand blown stained glass window in existence. It measures an astounding 24 feet by 67 feet and contains 117 different figures.
*The world's largest crucifix, standing at sixty feet tall, is in Bardstown (Nelson Co.).
*Fort Knox holds more than $6 billion worth of gold - the largest amount stored anywhere in the world.
*The JIF plant in Lexington is the world's largest peanut butter producing facility.
*Kentucky has more resort parks than any other state in the nation.
*Middlesboro is the only United States city built inside a meteor crater.
*Newport is home to The World Peace Bell, the world's largest free-swinging bell.
*Pikeville annually leads the nation (per capita) in consumption of Pepsi-Cola.
*Post-It Notes are made exclusively in Cynthiana, Ky.
*Shaker Village (Pleasant Hill) is the largest historic community of its kind in the U.S.
*Christian County is 'wet', while Bourbon County is 'dry'. ('wet 'sells liquor; 'dry' does not).
*Barren County has the most fertile land in the state.
*Lake Cumberland has more miles of shoreline than the state of Florida.
*Kentucky is best known for its beautiful blue grass.
*Cumberland is the only waterfall in the world to regularly display a Moonbow. It is located just southwest of Corbin.
*Thunder Over Louisville is the opening ceremony for the Kentucky Derby Festival and is the world's largest fireworks display.
*The only monument south of the Ohio River dedicated to Union Soldiers who died in the Civil War is located in Vanceburg.
*High Bridge located near Nicholasville is the highest railroad bridge over navigable water in the United States.
*The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington has 82 stained-glass windows including the world's largest hand-blown one. The window neasures 24 feet wide by 67 feet high and depicts the Council of Ephesus with 134 life-sized figures.
*The Lost River Cave and Valley Bowling Green includes a cave with the shortest and deepest underground river in the world. It contains the largest cave opening east of the Mississippi.
*The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
*Kentucky is the horse capitol of the world.
*Mohammed Ali, The Greatest and most recognized face in the world was born in Louisville, KY.
*There are only three things that matter in the state of Kentucky - Bourbon, Basketball, and Horseracing.

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

My Great Uncle Ellis

(1900-1984)

"The Arthur Ellis Wood Family"

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

The photo above reminds me of the "Ozzie & Harriett" TV show back in the 1950's, except Uncle Ellis and Aunt Pearl had 2 daughters instead of sons. (L to R): Betty Wood, Francis Wood, Aunt Pearl & seated is my Uncle Ellis. Betty graduated from Evansville College about 1950 and was an Art Teacher at Daniel Wertz Elementary School on the West Side of Evansville. Both daughters never married and both died somewhat young - Francis was 33 and Betty was 40 when they died... both are buried with their Mother in Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery. They were Methodist, while Uncle Ellis was Catholic and is buried in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery adjoining the cemetery where his wife and daughters are buried. Uncle Ellis was my mother's mother's (Grandma) brother. He began work at Mead Johnson at about age 17 and quickly rose to the position of Supervisor over the Pablum Baby Formula Department. He worked at Mead Johnson for over 40 years, his only place of employment, and was a supervisor for over 30 years! Aunt Pearl was the Democrat Precinct Committee person in Howell for many years. Uncle Ellis and his family lived in the Howell Neighborhood of the West Side of Evansville.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Uncle Ellis at the Annual Mead Johnson Family Picnic. Since he did not drink beer, he was assigned in the beer hut. If you read yesterday's "Evansville Brewing History," you will note the Cook & Sterling labels on the beer cases. This photo was probably taken in the mid-1930's.

Photos & captions submitted by JGWest

“Evansville, Indiana Brewing History”

100 Years Ago (1909)

(This article quote from Courier and Press)

"'In less than five years, there will not be a legalized brewery or saloon in Vanderburgh County,' said William B. Holmes, a Tennessee evangelist and saloon fighter at the Y.M.C.A. big meeting in Evans Hall yesterday afternoon. The remark was received by loud and prolonged hand clapping.”

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Here is a great web site with the history of Evansville's Brewing Industry: http://www.brewersofindianaguild.com/History/IndianaHistoryEvansville.html This history features the F.W. Cook, Sterling, Evansville Brewing and Wittekindt Breweries and a listing of other breweries in Evansville.

The Evansville Race Riot of 1903
by Kenneth P. McCutchan
Race Riot starts over a 5 cent glass of beer!
http://www.evansville.net/user/boneyard/mccutc59.htm

This information compiled and submitted by Don Counts

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

Civil War Union & Confederate Soldiers

Memorial Monuments

Oak Hill Cemetery ~ Evansville, Indiana

(Click on photo to enlarge - Photo taken by Don Counts)

The above monument was placed in the cemetery by the United States "In loving remembrance of our Confederate dead 1861-1865"

(Click on photo to enlarge - Photo taken by Don Counts)
"This tablet was placed on this monument by the United States to mark the burial place of twenty-four Confederate soldiers who, while prisoners of war, died at Evansville and were buried in this cemetery, where the individual graves cannot now be identified."
The names and their units are listed on this "tablet."

(Click on photo to enlarge - Photo taken by JGWest)
"Erected by the Woman's Relief Corps A.D. 1909 in memory of the comrades of Farragut Post No. 27 Department of Indiana Grand Army of the Republic 1861-1865."

The base has in large letters:

"LOYALTY"

There are about two dozen graves in this section purchased by this Post No. 27.

NEWS FLASH... Murray, KY Man Develops Major Invention of Recent Times!

I loosely say “recent times” as most of this man's inventions came in the 1890's through the early 1900's; however, his inventions: the radio and the electric battery and his many other developments have made it possible for the further creations of telephones, television, cell phones, the Internet and much, much more. I suspect everyone of us that, at least, attended the fifth grade in school knows that a man named Marconi is given credit for inventing the radio and TV, and more.

Well that is not quite correct... a Calloway County, Kentucky farm boy by the name of Nathan B. Stubblefield grew up to invent the radio and much more. The first known radio broadcast was in 1892 by “Old Nate” about 33 years old (this when Marconi was only 18 years old!). In fact, after failing to get a timely patent on his invention (to work out the “bugs” and attempt to better perfect the “wireless” radio), Stubblefield still has the first patent on the invention of the radio, but the delay allowed others to take the credit and rake in the fortunes for its use.

Nathan is another American “hero” who received little recognition or compensation for his major contribution to the world. He died, alone, of starvation in 1928 in a dirt-floored shack!

Don Counts sent me this link to write this article: “A Man of Sorrow and Defeat” by Joe Aaron of the Evansville Courier. Here is another story found in the Browning Online Database: “Bill Drury Wants to Preserve Kentucky's Broadcast History” by Sandra Knipe 29 Oct 1987 Evansville Courier. Google or Yahoo “Nathan B. Stubblefield” for a lot of very authoritative and interesting articles on this basically unknown great inventor and his other ideas and inventions! - Written by JGWest

"1917 Naturalizations in Evansville"

The Evansville newspapers are chock full of information. The following article on recent newly naturalized citizens appeared in the 17 February 1917 issue of the Evansville Courier.

Citizenship Sought By Six

Five Germans and one Swiss applied for naturalization papers in superior court yesterday. The number is the largest for a single day ever recorded by Naturalization Clerk Herman H. Holtmann and is thought to be the largest number reported in a single day since the civil war.

Joseph Heggin, age 40, who came to this city about 11 years ago from Canada, is the first native of Switzerland to apply for citizenship papers at the local naturalization bureau for several years.

Heggin, a blacksmith living at 12 Florida street, was born at Menzingen, Switzerland, and sailed from Havre, France Apr. 24, 1905 for Canada, but a few months later came to the United States, which he had heard was a better country in which to live. This assertion was the truth in every respect, according to the Swiss when he applied for his citizenship papers.

Several different lines of trades were represented by the five Germans applying for naturalization. John Christian Ambacher, age 52, a minister at Inglefield, applied for his first papers after living in this country for 46 years under the impression that he was an American because of his youth when he arrived in this country form Germany with his parents.

George Adam Trapp, 61 years old, a farmer of Armstrong township, came to America in 1859 from his birthplace, Doernbach, Germany, but only recently discovered that he is still a German subject.

Henry Rosenberger, age 65, park custodian, has lived in America as a German subject since 1860, when he came to this country from Bremen. His present address is 811 St. Joseph avenue.

Bernard Diedrich, 56 years old, a collar maker living at 110 East Franklin street, left Hanover, Germany, the place of his birth in 1863.

The fifth laborer, Michael Darling, age 60, of 201 State street, came to America in 1880 from Schneidermill.

The six applicants and many others, including Henry Reis, president of the Old State National Bank and one of the most prominent business men in the city, will be heard by Judge Hostetler of the superior court on March 7, the next naturalization day. - Submitted by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG

"Evansville's Graham Page Automobile"

Graham Page automobile began manufacturing in Evansville, Indiana between 1916 & 1920. History of the Graham brothers and their glass company and then the trucking industry: http://members.shaw.ca/rjsill/justwhat.htm

There was plenty of skilled labor for body building since wagon making was an important Indiana business and across the country more and more firms were discarding the horse and wagon in favor of the motor truck. Selling their interest in the glass business to Owens, Joseph and Robert joined Ray in establishing a factory in Evansville, Indiana, to build truck bodies for mounting on passenger car chassis. By 1920 an expanded line of Graham Brothers trucks and buses were being manufactured, using Continental, Weideley and Dodge engines. A customer, the Grahams felt, should not have to go elsewhere for his truck's body, so they built complete vehicles, offering a variety of bodies designed to meet the specialized needs of various industries.

These two photos come from the Photo Gallery: http://www.graham-paige.com/pics.htm This site is loaded with photos of junked cars and then how they were restored like these photos.

Former TSGS President, Don Counts, says that...

"My Grandfather Eugene Rough (photo above) was very proud of his Graham Page auto. In the winter he used to put a coal-oil lamp in the car for heat, there was no heater. The car had a crank, but was only used when it didn't want to start. When they would go our for a drive in the winter they would all have blankets on their laps to keep warm. His daughter, my aunt Ruth Rough remembers the car well." (The photo below is of Ruth Rough at her 80th. birthday party.) [Ruth Rough is a very sweet lady... I used to visit her every three months through my job. - JGWest]

Mystery - "The Agoga Bible Class Fountain of 1929"

Yesterday morning (Saturday), I went over to Oak Hill Cemetery to find a few grave sites to take photos of the grave markers for “Find A Grave” requests of individuals living away. I had searched for one on late Friday after work and could not find it... so I was hoping the office would be open on Sat. to look at the plat sheets in the office showing all of the burials. Chris Cooke, the Superintendent of the Evansville City Cemeteries (Locust Hill & Oak Hill), was manning the office. He helped me locate the graves I was looking for and we talked about some interesting things concerning the cemetery and he showed me a photo on his cell phone of a plaque on the back side of a large monument that he was curious about. (See their huge database for both cemeteries http://www.evansvillegov.org/cemeteries/ )




The above plaque (click on images to enlarge) is on the back of James Monroe Crowder's monument (below) at Oak Hill Cemetery. It apparently was used in 1929 as a memorial to Crowder when they were dedicating a fountain at the Agoga Tabernacle. At least, I suspect that the fountain was at the Agoga Tabernacle.

Agoga Tabernacle images of exterior & interior from Willard Library Photo Gallery http://www.willard.lib.in.us/online_resources/photography_gallery_detail.php?ID=14

Donahue Studios http://www.donahuestudiosphotographs.com/documents/Donahue_Studios_Church.pdf
Text taken from negatives for a brochure, probably around 1955.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH [Edited by JGWest]
The formation of First Baptist Church, 04 July 1847. Services were held in a small church on Second & Clark Streets until lots on Third & Cherry were purchased for $800.00, and a brick church built there in 1868. A call was extended to Rev. J. Frederick Rake of St. Louis in 1916. The present church on Fourth & Cherry was built and dedicated in 1922. The next year, the Agoga Bible Class erected the Tabernacle on the corner across the street. In 1944, the church purchased the Welborn-Walker Hospital changing its name to Welborn Memorial Baptist Hospital. December of 1951, Dr. Rake resigned after fifty years in the Ministry. Rev. Dallas J. West [no relation to me – JGWest] was called to succeed him.

Indiana History by Ralph D. Gray, Published by Indiana University Press, 1994
ISBN 025332629X, 9780253326294
442 pages (article by William E. Wilson pp. 292-302) Page 294: “As we approached a large vacant lot [on Fourth Street - JGWest] we saw that a crowd was gathered under floodlights, and a fiddler's contest was in progress on a platform in the blue haze of a pit barbecue. My father [U.S. Congressman William Edward Wilson of Indiana's 1st. District, D-Evansville - JGWest] said, '... The Agoga Bible Class is raising money to build a tabernacle on that lot. They outgrew the Strand Theatre and moved into the Victory Theatre, and now they've outgrown it. They gave the preacher an automobile last month.'”

From my limited research which included the Browning Genealogical Database of obituaries http://browning.evcpl.lib.in.us/ and newspaper articles http://local.evpl.org/ and Google & Yahoo web searches, I think that the fountain was completed about the time of J. Monroe Crowder's death in 1928. It appears that the Agoga Bible Class dedicated the fountain in 1929 about 4 to 6 years after the Agoga Tabernacle was built. The memorial plaque would have been placed on the fountain or nearby. I am not sure when the Agoga was razed, but I believe the fountain went with it and someone salvaged the plaque and had it mounted to Mr. Crowder's Monument. His wife Mary Lou (nee Coomes) next married Carl H. Blum and she was a long-time Chief Clerk of the Vanderburgh County Probate Court, ending a 43-year career at the time of her death in 1962. She is buried next to her first husband J. Monroe Crowder. - Compiled by JGWest
[Anyone with additional information concerning this Agoga Fountain, please contact me: jgw.mylines@gmail.com ]

"Laval Block Building - Evansville, Indiana"

Dr. John Laval was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 24th of May, 1826, and had therefore passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey when he was called to his final rest on the 2nd of September, 1899. His father, who was forest master, died in the year 1841, after which the family removed to the city of Mainz. There he learned the druggist's trade and had gained an expert knowledge of the business when he sought the opportunities of the new world, coming to Evansville in 1849. The following year he opened a drug store on Main street and later removed to the location where the business is still conducted by his sons. For almost forty years he continued successfully in the trade in Evansville, remaining as proprietor of the establishment until 1889, when he retired. He also engaged in the practice of medicine for twenty years and had comprehensive knowledge concerning the use of medicinal properties as well as expert skill in compounding them. In 1870 he was elected treasurer of the People's Savings Bank, which position he filled for seven years. At different times he invested in real estate until he was the owner of considerable property, including two large business blocks which he erected — the well known Laval Block building and another on West Franklin street. He served as county commissioner in the '80s and for four years before his death filled the position of trustee in the Willard library. Mr. Laval was united in marriage to Miss Mary Krou, of Evansville, and they became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, namely : Mrs. George Brose ; Henry, who is engaged in the drug business ; William, a member of the medical profession ; Mrs. Tom Brose ; Mrs. Fred Geiger, Jr.; Mrs. Ed Nesbit; Otto, who is engaged in the real-estate business; and Ed. One son, Charles F. H., who reached mature years, is now deceased, and George and Emma have also passed away. { HISTORY OF THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE AND VANDERBURG COUNTY, INDIANA By FRANK M. GILBERT, Volume II [ILLUSTRATED] CHICAGO:THE PIONEER PUBUSHING COMPANY 1910 BIOGRAPHICAL, Page 116 - JOHN LAVAL [as edited by JGWest].}

Happy Valentine Day!

My Mother Selma Inez Rough (pronounced as in cow) Counts was born 1 November 1920 upstairs in the Laval Building. The building was named after Dr. Laval. My Mother's Father Eugene Clifton Rough had a business on the main floor called Home Art. This was a picture copying service. - Submitted by Don Counts (Photos provided by Don Counts... Laval Block Building photo taken by Don Counts.)

Tombstone Thursday - Various Markers

Posted here today is a variety of markers that are unusual or different that I hope visitors will submit that they find from time to time.

Terry Diana Heuer

Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, IN

Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

"Sarah Jane Wife of Nathnael Walden Born Sept. 11, 1828 departed this life Mar. 24, 1850 in the 22 year of her Age" Hedges Cemetery - located at the end of Covington Court in the southwest part of Springston-Canterbury Subdivision south of Vann Road, between Bell Road and Hwy 262, Newburgh, Warrick County, Indiana. In 1996, the Boy Scouts erected a plaque listing all known burials in this very old cemetery. The cemetery is well maintained.
Photo taken & submitted by Brenda Jerome

Woodmen of the World Cemetery Markers.

Don Counts' Great Grandpa has a Woodmen Marker in Rose Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, IN

Photo taken & submitted by Don Counts

Grave Markers http://www.woodmen.org/inside.cfm?sub2_menu_id=6&sub_menu_id=3&main_menu_id=1&page_id=9
Woodmen History http://www.woodmen.org/inside.cfm?sub_menu_id=3&main_menu_id=1&page_id=126

"Your Spirit will Dance in our Hearts Forever"

Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, IN

Amira Ann [Akrabawi] Giesecke
Born in Beirut, Lebanon 15 Jan 1974
Died in Chicago, Illinois 26 Feb 1999

Photo taken & submitted by JGWest



Travis John Moore [NOTE: the "R" in "Travis" is reversed - JGW]
Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, IN

Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

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