USA > Indiana > Lake County > Reports And Papers Of Lake County Indiana (1958-1966) > Part 13
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1959-1964
He took a long belt, about a foot wide, and stretched it from a small power wheel at the side of the traction engine to a smaller driving wheel at the side of the threshing machine. Then, after testing the tautness of the belt and making a few adjustments, he banked the fire for the night and walked home.
He was the advance guard of that agricultural battalion known as the "threshing ring." A group of farmers owned the traction engine and the thresher in common. One of the group was chosen the machine operator and fireman. Others directed the set-up and operation of the thresher itself. Most worked with pitchforks.
Early the next morning, strange hayracks from neighbor- hood farms began to arrive. Soon a regular procession of those horse-drawn wagons was moving between the fields of grain and the threshing rig. Farmers in the fields pitchforked bundles of wheat or oats to pile the wagon two stories high- at least it seemed that high to one who rode atop the swaying pile as flat steel wagon wheels bumped over uneven ground.
The wagons were driven to the threshing rig which was running like a seething monster. The steam traction engine was shooting a steady column of black smoke toward the sky; the connecting belt was skipping back and forth like a giant anaconda; the thresher was emitting noises like a thousand gears grinding; the wheat was pouring like a stream of water from a long spout into a box wagon parked nearby; and the straw was shooting like snow in a blizzard and building up in- to a stack that would soon be barn-high. Chaff, the hulls of the grain, was billowing around in clouds and settling like a blanket of snowflakes on the ground.
It was hard work, it was hot work, and it took plenty of jugs of water and lemonade to keep the manpower at full efficiency.
It was appetite-creating work, too; when the threshing knocked off there was plenty of food to satisfy these threshers' appetites.
While the threshers were busy in the fields, the women of the farm family had not been idle. Assisted by a number of neighboring farm wives whose husbands were in the thresh-
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
ing ring, the women had ready at noon a feast that included all sorts of covered dishes (brought by the visitors) : roasts, hams, sausages, sweet corn, deviled eggs, at least 57 varieties of pickles brought up from the cellar stores, and all sorts of breads, jams, jellies, preserves, cakes, pies, puddings, and com- binations thereof. And lots of coffee, tea, lemonade, and milk.
The threshers relished all this. They ate like threshers.
After a short break following this gargantuan meal, the men returned to the threshing rig and the fields. The women spent the afternoon clearing the culinary battlefield. The threshing usually lasted a couple of days. Then the wagons, the steam traction engine, and threshing machine drove out the pasture gate and headed for the next farm on the circuit, the host farmer moving on in his turn to help his neighbors as they had helped him. Left behind were a new strawstack, many wagon tracks, the lug-rutted path of the traction en- gine and a small pile of ashes on the pasture grass.
The strawstack provided the farmer with straw to bed and sometimes feed his cows and horses during the coming fall, winter and spring months. The oats and wheat were stored in bins and sacks, some to be sold later.
By the late 1920s, threshing had begun to lose some of its glamor, at least in the eyes of small boys living on farms. How could a gasoline-powered tractor, much smaller and quieter but as powerful, compare in interest to a steaming, wheezing, clanking, grease-smelling behemoth of a steam trac- tion engine? Yet the gasoline tractor began to replace the steam engine; and soon combines began to come on the scene.
These combine-harvesters, to give them their correct name, were drawn along behind a tractor with a box-wagon attached on the side. After being reaped, the stalks of grain were shuttled backwards directly into a threshing mechanism. The threshed grain was poured into the wagon; the straw was thrown onto the fields. At first the farmers had to rake it up with hayrakes and haul it out of the fields into a strawstack.
Just before World War II, a farmer near Orland Park, Illinois (and probably several other persons as well), invented a straw-baler that would bundle the straw up into bales, like cotton, and dump those packages of straw into the fields as the combines cut the crop.
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That's the way farmers harvest today. It may be more efficient than the old time threshing run, but it's a lot less fun-especially for small boys who didn't have to do the work. Still, there must be a lot of farmers who have small-boy me- mories of threshing days, or there wouldn't be those revivals of threshing bees we have seen chronicled in farm-area news- papers of late.
151
CHAPTER VII 1964-65; 1965-66
The eighty-eighth annual meeting was held August 8, 1964, at the Farm Bureau Building, 1126 North Main Street, Crown Point. Dinner committee, Mrs. Henry Tribbey and Miss Margaret Kolling, set long tables beautified with vases of lovely garden flowers from the Michael Kolling home in Schererville. The dinner was smorgasbord service.
In the opening meditation, Walter Gard, acting chaplain, made the appeal, "Who will carry on when the older ones are gone?" Mrs. Haney, president, commented in her opening speech that if each one present would act as a committee of one to bring one person, interest would be aroused.
Roland Pleake, of Hobart, and Joseph E. Brown, of Crown Point, each showed films and slides of the scenes during their respective trips "Behind the Iron Curtain" in Russia. Their impressions, of conditions and the Russian and other peoples with whom they visited, were similar. Patriotism is earned; we must be vigilant. Apathy is dangerous.
Chester Clark announced that the marker for the "Indian Trails Convergence" will be placed in front of the entrance to the Merrillville High School Building, beside the flagpole.
During the business session the association voted an ap- propriation of $150.00 to bear the expenses incurred.
Joe Brown told about a petition that has been prepared and will be circulated by organizations and individuals. Does the Historical Association of Lake County, Indiana, wish to go on record to save the courthouse building? It was moved, seconded and given unanimous approval, and immediately cir- culated for signatures.
Mrs. Vanderlaan asked for verification of the location of McGwinn Village, the original Saxton property, and the old roadside marker.
November 14, 1964, the first quarterly meeting of the eighty-eighth year was held in the cafeteria room of the Mer- rillville High School. Mrs. Haney, presiding, greeted the fifty members and guests. Invocation by Rev. Boase, Lowell.
Mrs. Amos (Beulah) Brannon presented the story of In- dian Trails through Lake County, the result of her long, care- ful research of books, manuscripts and legends, authentically illustrated by maps. She displayed an enlarged outline map of the county on which she traced the course of each trail in a
152
MC GWINN'S VILLAGE
IN JOBO THE POTTAWATONIE INDIANS CAME FROM WISCONSIN
AND LIVED IN THIS AREA" IN 1830 AN INDIAN VILLAGE
WAS FOUND JOST SOUTH OF VAYAONORE JO ISYZ GMY OC MCGWINN'S VILLAGE CONTAINED LARGE DANCING FLOOR
WITH 16 TRAILS CONVERGING. ALSO A DORIAL GROUND. IN 1832
THE INDIANS CEDEU THE AREA TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TIOT SMIDDIA CZUSITEYISE SHIDDIA MYINTAZE SEOF NI 771837K SY MMONY MON
McGWINN'S VILLAGE MARKER, PLACED IN MERRILLVILLE. 1964
TWO YEAR PERIOD-1964-1966
different color. This enabled the audience to follow by sight as she related the facts. Examples are: The Sauk Trail passes through Merrillville, west to east, and is part of a trans- continental highway, known also as U. S. No. 330 or the Old Lincolnway. The Lake of the Red Cedars Trail comes up from the Vincennes Trace from the south and west, along the Kankakee Marsh, Cedar Lake, on up through Merrillville. Other Trails mentioned were Lake Prairie, Tolleston, Calu- met Beach, the Dunes and possibly ten or more.
Mrs. Tribbey read a descriptive poem, "The Indian."
Mrs. Thomas W. Haney, president, unveiled the marker- a bronze plate mounted on a native boulder. Data inscribed thereon. It is placed at the foot of the flagpole in front of the entrance to the Merrillville High School Building. Dedication speech by Chester Clark.
During the business session Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Vander- laan presented to the association a map which shows the loca- tion of "The Floats"-land granted to individual Indians by the government.
Since there are several copies of T. H. Ball's "Lake of the Red Cedars," the association voted to sell them. An appraisal will be made to determine the price. The money is to be added to our fund for occasional projects such as the one concluded today.
The second quarterly meeting was attended by eighty en- thusiastic members and guests who gathered February 13, 1965, at the old Winfield School Building. Built in 1917, the little red-brick schoolhouse will be abandoned February 15, 1965 (next week), when the teachers and pupils, of the three schools in Winfield Township, will move to the new consoli- dated school, an ultra-modern brick building located on County Road K or the old Palmer Road, called Montgomery Street since the commissioners have revamped the map and have given new names to replace the long-time familiar ones. All is in readiness for the pupils to bring their books and to find their assigned seats. Eventually district schools all over the state will be uniformly housed and organized.
Mrs. Haney presented Trustee Harry Batterman who ex- plained that the Winfield Township School is all inclusive of the former LeRoy, Palmer and Winfield district schools. State requirements can be more adequately met for the elementary courses, the teachers will have better facilities from the physi-
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cal point of view and more uniform allotment of pupils to teacher which will enable them to teach the subjects more ef- fectively. The master plan of the architect provides for fu- ture expansion, affording adequate space for an indefinite fu- ture. The ground space provides for these needs. The trans- portation of the pupils has been carefully worked out for the bus routes and the time schedules for all concerned.
Reminiscent period was the history of Winfield Town- ship, life and places. The formal written accounts were inter- spersed by volunteer spicy anecdotes. The elderly members made rich contributions. Some of the written stories are in- cluded in this chapter. Mrs. Albert Weiler read her well pre- pared story of facts of people and places in her history of Palmer; Mrs. Ruth Bacon read the story of LeRoy, prepared by Mrs. Minnie Keene; Mrs. Raymond Sherburne read May Homeier's research on Hickory Point, and general information about people and incidents she recalled. Mrs. Sherburne sup- plemented with her recollections.
Howard Wise, Rockford, Illinois, who as a small boy, at- tended the Winfield School; his teacher was Claude Pettibone, later a prominent doctor in Crown Point. When the family moved to town he became a Boy Scout; the leader was Joe Brown. This dates back fifty years and more.
During the business session Mrs. Haney presented the matter of the ordering of special plates for the front of the automobile which bears the words, "INDIANA SESQUICENTEN- NIAL." This is one means of participation in the celebration of the 150th birthday of our state. The ninety-two counties are requested to promote programs, parades, drama, music, etc., through separate commissions. The big party will begin with a banquet and speeches April 19, 1966, and conclude with statehood day December 11, 1966. These car plates are to sell at $1.00 each. A percentage may be retained to help finance our participation. Moved by Joe Brown, seconded by Merritt Metz, carried, that such plates be ordered and the money be advanced from the treasury.
A report on the Ball collection, left to the society several years ago by the executor of that estate, Frank L. Knight, has been given; items are listed and filed on the shelves of the old Youche bookcase in the sub-basement room of the Crown Point Carnegie Library where they have been stored by the histori- cal secretary, Mrs. Joseph E. Brown, and the custodian, Mrs. William Vanderlaan. Hubert Hawkins, secretary of the In-
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diana State Historical Society, has consented to make an ap- praisal. A museum with library space is sorely needed in the county.
The third quarterly meeting, scheduled for May 9, 1965, in the fellowship room in the basement of the Lowell Metho- dist Church, was convened by the president, Mrs. Thomas W. Haney. After extending cordial greetings to more than fifty members and guests, she presented Reverend Boase, the host pastor. In his meditation he stressed the appreciation all should feel for the heritage from our ancestors who held high Christian standards and social morals. "God Bless America" and "The Church in the Wildwood" were sung by the group under the direction of Marilyn Foster. The church choir sang "Heavenly Sunshine" and "Faith, Hope and Charity." Mrs. Bernard Stephens was the pianist.
Newspapers play a vital part in the development, the pro- gress and the well-being of any community. Brief histories of the following publications were given : "The Lowell Tribune," Mrs. Charles L. Surprise; "The Hammond Times," "The Lake County Times," "The Hammond Daily News," "The Hammond Independent," "The Hammond Daily Standard," "The Gary Post Tribune," and "The Gary Evening Post." Several others were mentioned.
Mrs. Haney reported attending the Gary and Hammond Historical Society meetings. Hubert Hawkins' evaluation of our "T. H. Ball Collection" was read. The commemorative car plates were distributed to members to sell. Many were sold, the others disposed of on consignment.
The Bevan's Home Council, recently organized, represent- ing the city of Crown Point, the Historical Association of Lake County, the Julia Watkins Brass Chapter, NSDAR, the patri- otic groups, American Legion and the VFW, and a member at large, was announced by Mrs. Haney. Chester Clark moved, seconded by Merrit Metz, and so voted that Avis Brown be named the representative of our society. This is an initial step in the realization that "The Old Homestead" will become an historical house.
Another announcement of interest was that U. S. High- way No. 41 has been dedicated to the memory of the "Dreiser Brothers," Theodore, the eminent Hoosier novelist, and Paul, who is the author of our state song, "On the Banks of the Wabash." Informally adjourned.
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The fourth quarterly, or the 89th, meeting was August 14, 1965, at the pleasant "summer house" on the farm of Irene and Fred Homfeld. Despite the unusually crowded schedule of people, forty-one members and guests registered to enjoy the sumptuous dinner of home-cooked old-fashioned foods served in real picnic fashion.
"America the Beautiful" group singing, led by Bessie Gunder, was particularly impressive as we looked out over the broad expanse of grains, knowing that the Kankakee River was beyond the far tree line to the south. We could mentally compare what our ancestors, who were the pioneer settlers, had seen and how important it is that the natural grandeur be retained.
Mrs. Haney introduced Mrs. Robert Doriot, of Crown Point, whose fascinating and informing talk about stamps was illustrated by her many books of mounted stamps which were passed for all to see. Stamps contribute to one of the world's greatest picture galleries, as well as comprehensive history.
Mrs. L. O. Russell gave an interesting story about Schneider.
Name stickers, attractive replicas of our big project last year, "The Indian Trails Marker at Merrillville," were sketch- ed on our programs by Miss Lynn Stender, 424 South Second Street, Peotone, Illinois, a victim of multiple sclerosis.
Mrs. Wm. Vanderlaan and Mrs. Joseph E. Brown have been invited to serve on the Lake County committee to plan the Indiana Sesquicentennial program for the big celebration. This included the special assignment of the display in the Fine Arts Building during the week of the county fair.
The report of the nominating committee, to re-elect the present slate of officers, was unanimously accepted.
NINETIETH YEAR
The first quarterly meeting of our program marked the beginning of the ninetieth year of the Historical Association of Lake County, Indiana. This important occasion was No- vember 13, 1965. The place was the assembly room in the basement of the Farm Bureau Building, 1126 North Main Street, Crown Point, Indiana. The time was 1:30 P. M. Pres- ident Haney extended greetings. Reverend Johnson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of this city, gave the invocation and commended the organization for its noble purposes.
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Following the discussion about a splendid display of an- tiques mostly unknown to people today as to use, and Indian relics by Carl Johnson a member of Gary's "Senior Citizens Group," Mrs. Pleak, of Hobart, announced their newly organ- ized Historical Society. A collection of historical manuscripts is a primary aim. They have been given "a wall, in a very old house" on which is a rare original oil painting. Fourteen layers of paper hide the treasure; five layers have been pain- stakingly removed.
Delbert Purkey presented to our association two lovely yearbooks of the Hammond Police Department featuring highlights from 1884 through 1965. Also, a snapshot and the negative of the group at the meeting last August at Homfeld's farm.
Books, used at Bethany College, West Virginia, by Ed- mond R. Bryant, Sr., when he attended in 1840-1845, were displayed by his granddaughter, Avis Bryant Brown.
A note of thanks, from Mrs. Henry Tribbey, was read. Mr. Tribbey passed away recently. Sympathy expressions had been sent. An assignment, from Warren Reeder, Ham- mond Historical Society and on the state commission, to make a list of historical markers in Lake County and also places worthy to be marked, has been received by our historical sec- retary. This has been done and has been sent to Mr. Reeder who has forwarded it to the state committee as a preparation for the coming sesquicentennial-December 11, 1965, through December 11, 1966. Mrs. Vanderlaan, custodian, assisted in the survey.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Homfeld have volunteered to be re- freshment hosts for the fourth quarterly meetings. Hearty appreciation was expressed for the tasty snacks and the kind and generous offer.
February 12, 1966, the members again met at the Farm Bureau Assembly to enjoy the three film strips loaned by the State Historical Society; the titles are "The Pioneers," "Growth of Schools and Universities," "Progress in Agricul- ture." Mrs. Vanderlaan and her children, Gail, Roger, and Nancy, were in charge. The films were of such interest and beauty that it was decided, by acclamation, that Mrs. Vander- laan register for others of the series.
Before the program was concluded by Walter Whitehead conducting a brief memorial service with President Haney at
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the piano, the necrology for 1965 and 1966 was given. He read William Knox's poem, "Why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud," a favorite poem of Abraham Lincoln, then gave the eighteen names of the deceased and concluded with James Whitcomb Riley's poem, "He Is Just Away," and prayer.
Business was routine. Miss Betty Dennehl read the treas- urer's report. A notice of the increase in membership dues in the State Historical Society, from $5.00 to $10.00 per year, was read. Joe Brown moved that the subscription be con- tinued and that the treasurer be so authorized to pay the same. Chester Crisler seconded. Unanimously carried.
Due to conflicting appointments Richard Harrigan, chair- man of the Lake County Sesquicentennial Commission, was un- able to come. He mailed a typed copy of his speech to Mrs. Brown, who read the forthcoming plans for "The Big Birth- day Party" which is to begin with a "kick-off banquet" the night of April 19 at Vogel's Restaurant and will close with similar affairs December 11, Indiana Statehood Day. Mrs. Brown announced that Crown Point has designated their period of special celebration to be April 19 through May 30. Special features will be the VFW parade on May Day when the Crown Point Post will be hosts to the First District; the American Legion and the Auxiliary will elaborate on their an- nual Decoration Day parade and program. Other organiza- tions will celebrate in some way and the citizens are requested to beautify yards and streets. The Garden Club will put in the petunia plantings on the courthouse square yard.
May 7, 1966, the third quarterly meeting was called to order at 1:30 P.M. by the president, Mrs. Haney, at the Lake Prairie Schoolhouse. The rural setting of this historical com- munity, with the native flora still in evidence, was accentu- ated by the perfect weather. Forty-six members and friends registered.
Prayer, offered by Walter Whitehead, was followed by the group singing of "God Bless America," pledge of allegi- ance, and salute to the flag.
Bessie Kenney read a splendid account, "The Early West Creek Settlement." Earl Bailey recited several of his original poems that "smack" of the early-day sentiment. A clever skit, entitled "Hot News, 1901" from "the Lowell Souvenir," was put on by Mrs. Earl Little and Mrs. Cordie (Bessie) Kenney. Mrs. Little gave a brief resume of a workshop of historical interest that she had attended at Vincennes: The dedication
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of the Glen Black Memorial and that the George Rogers Clark Memorial Monument grounds are to become part of a state park.
Walter Gard made an earnest appeal for recognition of all nationally declared holidays. The flying of our flag is so important yet is often neglected.
A delightful program, by the girls' barber shop quartet from the Lowell High School, was unique. Cynthia Ogle, Mary Gunnerson, Mary Fitzgerald and Jean Abraham rendered our state song and "Forever and Forever" in a most impressive manner.
Mrs. Vanderlaan, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Haney volun- teered to attend the meetings of the Lake County Commission to plan for the celebration of the "Indiana Sesquicentennial." The big birthday party is April 19 to December 11, 1966. Richard Harrigan, of Hobart, was elected to be the chairman. Many communities had a representative. Our record of at- tendance was one hundred per cent. Also, many assignments were given to our association as a result of our interest.
First, there was a request to name, locate, and describe the markers that have been placed in the county south of State Road No. 6. This was done and submitted to Warren Reeder who sent it to the state committee. Nine of the thirty-six places we listed were published in the May bulletin of the State Historical Society.
Second, a sample, of a souvenir bulletin that had been used in an eastern state celebration, was assigned to us by the chairman. Our eight-face folder, entitled "Historical Facts and Legends of Lake County, Indiana, 1834-1966," was the fruit of this effort. With the cooperation of Paul Georges, art instructor in the Crown Point High School, and several pu- pils to do pen-sketches, and Laney and Son's Print Shop, with the research and suggestions that we offered, our task was completed.
Third, since we would be responsible for the financing, the association took formal action. Laney's quotation of one hundred and three dollars and fifty cents ($103.50) to print one thousand and forty-five ($45.00) dollars for an additional thousand was accepted. Considering the thought, talent, ef- fort and time involved, a price of twenty-five cents per copy was agreed on.
Mrs. Vanderlaan has made posters to announce the open-
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ing of the "Old Homestead" for the interested public. Mrs. Lillian Holley and Mrs. Avis Brown, members of the "Board" under the supervision of the City of Crown Point, have cata- logued the items whether they are treasured articles of the Wellington A. Clark family or loaned by others. One to four- thirty P.M. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday of each week from May until September is the calendar set up.
National Library Week, April 19, 1966, was celebrated with an "open-house tea" sponsored, in Crown Point-Center Township Library, by the Hub Chapter of the American As- sociation of University Women. The program theme, "Amer- icana of Lake County," was presented by two members of the Historical Association of Lake County. Mrs. Wm. Vander- laan, custodian, told the highlights from the time LaSalle and his men were temporary sojourners until the coming of the pioneer settlers in 1834. Mrs. Joseph E. Brown, historical secretary, related chronological development from the politi- cal, social, educational and religious points of view.
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