1917 Parke County Indiana Newspaper Items

These extracted items from various newspapers from Parke and surrounding counties.  Most of these have been contributed by volunteers.  If you have access to an old newspaper and would like to share something, please contact James D. VanDerMark

January 30, 1917

RACCOON TOWNSHIP 

“…It is said that the first log cabin in Raccoon Township was built by a man named Richardson. The Barnes and Bells were other settlers, who shared the many hardships… The little town of Bridgeton was, in the earlier years, called Sodom because there were distilleries, and the people were so wicked. There were three general settlements (a) Sodom, which is now called Bridgeton (b) Pleasant Valley, which is in the northeastern part (c) in the southern part was the ‘Bell’ and ‘Garrigus’ settlements. In 1821, Jeptha Garrigus brought his family of 13 children, in a boat, to Raccoon Township, and with him in his baggage, he also brought the first rats to this township. He was a colonel in the War of 1812.

 … The Vandalia railroad touches Raccoon Township in the northwestern part. The Central Indiana railroad runs through this township, which was completed in 1891. The first train made its appearance the same year, Feb. 11.” 

Rockville Tribune, June 15, 1917

NOTES  

• “Miss Clara Boyd has resigned her position as teacher in the Rockville schools.  

• Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Featherstone of Bloomingdale, a daughter.  

• John Blue of Montezuma was kicked in the breast by a horse Tuesday evening and died a few hours later. He was 30 years of age.  

• A supposed murder – John Walden was found dead near the end of the switch at Yeddo. His head was torn off.”

Parke County Times, June 21, 1917

BETHEL 

• “Miss Madge Pence spent of the week with her sister, Merle, of Rockville. 

• Mr. and Mrs. John Phipps called on the latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter of Portland Mills, Tuesday afternoon, and were accompanied home by Mrs. Phipps’s sister, Mrs. Laura Firestone. 

• Mr. and Mrs. Sam Miles gave a reception for their son and his bride, Monday night.  

• Mr. and Mrs. John Ferguson, who have been visiting their daughter, Mrs. Edward Carpenter of North Terre Haut, returned home Friday.”

Louis MILES who is in the Marine Corps at Mare Island Navy Yard San Francisco, will come east to Brooklyn to train before leaving for France.  - Waveland Independent, August 3 1917

“Miss Mabel A.  BOYD of London, England, is visiting Mrs. Mattie L. BOYD and family, arriving Sunday from Toronto, Can. She knows the war conditions in England thoroughly, and keeps well posted of the war. Most of her masculine relatives went to war – some were killed and others have been taken prisoners, by either the Germans or Turks.” -   Rockville Tribune, August 7, 1917

Orville HAZLETT of Greene Twp has enlisted with the signal section of the aviation corps and is at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hazlett.  - Waveland Independent August 10, 1917

Rev. JE STONE went to Lafayette Saturday to take the examination for entering Reserve Officers training camp.  He passed successfully and goes to Ft. Harrison August 27.  This leaves the Baptist Church without a pastor. - Waveland Independent, August 10, 1917

George W. MIKELS of Judson has been commissioned 1st Lt. and Frank McCABE of Portland Mills as 2nd Lt. Both attended the training camp.  - Waveland Independent, August 17, 1917

C.H .DEER, Major SIMMS, Harry DURHAM and George DILLMAN drove to Ft. Harrison Monday.  Strange to say they got in and out again without any trouble.  The Major made a number of suggestions, that will improve the fort. - Waveland Independent August 17, 1917

Fred PORTER of Portland Mills is home from Gettysburg PA for 10 days furlough before going over to France. - Waveland Independent August 24, 1917

Parke County Times, November 8, 1917 

LOCAL MENTION 

• “Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Hopper of Minshall, have received word from their son, Fred, who has been in Los Angeles for the three past years. Of his marriage to Miss Josephine Smith. Since Fred has been in California, he has been employed in the Ford works and is now manager of the stock room in one the largest Ford factories in Los Angeles. Soon after the wedding a friend gave a shower for them and they received many useful and beautiful presents, among which were several pieces of silver and cut glass. They were married September 9th at a Baptist Church, one of the largest in the city, and their many friends extend to them their best wishes for a long and prosperous journey through life.

• Mrs. Olive Torbett returned from Chicago, Tuesday. 

• Mrs. Ike Collings of Bellmore, visited her sister, Mrs. Will Stark, Saturday and Sunday. 

• Mrs. Mary Hunt left last week Wednesday for an extended visit with relatives in Florida.”

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