Ray's Crossing
The Shelbyville News
Saturday March 20, 1948
Page 5
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YOUR TOWN — RAYS CROSSING
By Hortense Montgomery
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Rev. Sluter in his brief paragraph says that there is no town in Union
township, which is rather hard on Rays Crossing, and he spells it Wrays
Crossing, which it was called in its early days. But it at one time had a post
office which accounts for its being on the map of Shelby County.
It’s a good thing we didn’t stop with Rev. Sluter’s statement for we
found when we called Mr. Marshall at the elevator that Rays Crossing is a
very busy place and that instead of winking out as some of the early villages
did this one has grown and prospered with the years.
The Cambridge City Branch of the J.M. and I. R.R. passes thru the village and
serves as transportation for a large amount of produce; a freight goes each way
once a day. In the middle years farms adjacent to the town were those of
Thomas, Barnes, Gahimer, Branson, Rapp, Bird and
Kepple; we find the name of
their descendants still in the county’s affairs. The name of J. H. Thomas
was prominent then as a merchant, grain dealer and mill man.
For a number of years the elevator has been one of the chief sources of
industry and it is now owned by Mr. Stanley Marshall and
Darrell Myers; it is conveniently situated along the railroad and the farm known as
The Rays
Crossing Grain Co., Inc.
One important business of the village is not found in many places and that is
making sorghum; here the mills are known as The Blue River Sorghum Mills
and are owned and manufactured by the Holbrook Brothers. These are among
the largest mills and the most modern in Indiana and if you’d like new sorghum
as we do you’ll know they make delicious cane molasses. The refuse from this
cane is used as chicken litter.
The firm of "Roy and Ray" have a grocery store and connected
with it is a filling station. Jacob Neeb carries on two industries, a
slaughter house and a saw mill. Mr. J. W. P. Meltzer manages a business of
installing lightning rods, and one there as well known as any one in the county
lives in the suburbs of the village, Auctioneer Landy Phares. A rather
unique business is that of barbering by a lady and her place is known as the
"Brown Lady’s Barber Shop." Lovel Phares has a
blacksmith shop, for what town could get along without a blacksmith shop?
The Christian Union Church is the one church in the village and the Union
Township Consolidated School is located in the suburbs of the township’s one
town.
Now what if we had dismissed Rays Crossing with Rev. Sluter’s statement?
What a busy little place it is! An interesting chat with Mr. Marshall and
Mrs. Walter
Meltzer saved our historical reputation!
Contributed by Barb Huff
The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, January 12, 1940
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MANILLA GRAIN CO.
A. O. Cherry, Mgr.
Manilla---Rays Crossing
The Manilla Grain Co.,
located at Manilla and Rays Crossing, is recognized as a leading concern in this
territory, as they are headquarters for hundreds of people when in need of
feeds, seeds, grain, coal and all kindred articles.
Realizing that the
service rendered now will be remembered in the future, the management conducts
the business on a policy of satisfaction and cooperation with the
customer. However, the success of a dealer in the this business cannot
rest entirely on quality and service. They must be familiar with every
phase of the business and able to advise as to what products will best serve the
needs of the patrons.
Such a man is Mr. Cherry
as he makes a constant study of this business in order that they may be able to
help the farmers get as near 100 per cent results from the use of their products
as possible. This concern affords a most advantageous market for
grain. They are now installing new and modern machinery and equipment for
the mixing and grinding of feeds, which will give the farmers of this district
the finest service of this kind.
In this review we feel
that the Manilla Grain Co. should be complimented for the high standard of
quality as represented in all their products.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Thursday, June 7, 1917
Page 5
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RAYS CROSSING.
----------
Mr. and Mrs. Clay
Briley attended the all-day meeting at Blue River Chapel, Sunday.
Misses Leola Theobald
returned home Tuesday evening after a week's visit with relatives and friends at
Oxford, Ohio.
Jacob Neeb, who
has been on the sick list for some time is greatly improved at this writing.
Will Neeb, Moses
Shinolt and Edward Rapp motored to North Vernon,
Sunday, in Mr. Rapp's new touring car.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Meltzer entertained, Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. John Keppel and
family and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Meltzer and son, Robert.
Robert Kuhn
is again able to be out, which will be good news to his many friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul
Meltzer and daughter, Bonita, attended the memorial services
Sunday at Shelbyville.
Roy Brandt,
Hazel Kepple and Lena Kepple motored to Edinburg
and Franklin Sunday evening.
The Misses Laura
and Leola Theobald entertained the Loyal Bereans class at their home
Tuesday evening.
The C. U. Ladies' Aid
Society of Rays Crossing will give a strawberry and ice cream social at the aid
building Saturday evening, June 9. The public is invited.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville Democrat
February 10, 1898
===================================
RIPPLES FROM RAY'S CROSSING.
----------
Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
Ray's Crossing, Ind., Feb. 8, '98.
Dr. Isom Inlow is now located in the Parker property.
Miss Lizzie Montgomery went to Rushville Monday morning.
'Bert Kennedy, of Arlington, was here on a brief visit Sunday evening.
A sweet little girl made mer arrival at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. John Neeb, of this place, early Sunday morning.
The candidates are numerous. With so many good men
in the field one finds it hard to make up his mind as to who to vote for, for the several offices. Let's be very
careful and try to vote for those whom we think will make the best officers if elected.
Sunday night closed a grand revival meeting in our place. The Rev. Duckworth of Ohio, and the Rev. G.W. Hagans, of Shelbyville, our regular pastor, have done a great work for God and humanity in our midst, fifty-four names having been added to the church here. There has never been such a remarkable shaking up of the ungodly as at this revival. May the good work go on, is my earnest prayer.
W. T. S.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Democrat
November
4, 1897
Page 2
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RAY'S CROSSING.
-------
Special Correspondence to the Democrat.
RAY'S CROSSING, Ind., Nov. 2, '97.
Literary at No. 5 school
house on Friday nights.
Mrs. Mary Sytama
was on the sick list Saturday.
We are getting a much
needed rain at this writing.
Mr. James Ryan,
of Rushville, came down Friday night on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Lora
Ryan of this place.
Mrs. Ril Wicker
and little sons, Charles and Floyd, were
the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Wicker, of this place.
Work is progressing
on Mr. T. A. Cotton's new barn, notwithstanding a part of the
frame fell in raising and broke two beams.
W. T. R.
BY ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT
Our teachers will hold
their institute at No. 7 next Saturday.
Mrs. Cora Parrish
made flying visit to Indianapolis Saturday.
Miss Flossie Brown,
one of our brightest little girls, is very low with typhoid fever.
Orville Gordon
has returned from a trip to Illinois friends, made on his wheel, and reports a
nice time.
Matthew Phares
is building an addition to his house, and otherwise improving it preparatory to
moving into it.
Thomas Golding, of
Howard county, was here last week to attend the funeral of his daughter, Mrs.
Forrest Watson.
Mr. Landy Branson
was at Indianapolis one day last week, probably as advance agent for some
matrimonial office.
Charles Linville
and wife are rejoicing over the advent of a new girl at their house. It
will respond to the name of Ruth.
Rev. Ann Moore
conducted the [the article continues...].
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Democrat
July 18, 1895
----------------------
RAY'S CROSSING.
-------
Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
RAY'S CROSSING, Ind., July 16, '95.
Our Sabbath school is progressing nicely.
J. C. Dodd, of Johnson county, is sojourning in these parts.
The chintz bugs are interfering with the corn in this vicinity.
We are to have a new barber shop here, mangaged by Rapp & Holbrook.
Mrs. India Haymond, of Waldron, is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cotton.
Mr. George Haehl, who has been on the sick list for quite awhile, is no better.
Mrs. Nancy Parker is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Bert Williard near Fountaintown.
Charley Holbrook, the hunter, is running the engine of his father's threshing machine.
The farmers are well pleased with the turnout of wheat, it being better than they expected.
The Sabbath school of this place will give a festival in a couple of weeks, the proceeds to go for the benefit of the school.
Quite a number of our citizens were at Shelbyville, yesterday, attending court as witnesses in the damage suit of Berry vs. Gahimer.
Dr. Carney, of Shelbyville, was called Sunday night to see Mrs. John Ray, of this place, who was dangerously ill, but is better at this writing.
Mrs. Leeta Vaux, of Pittsburg, Pa., who has been visiting the family of Thomas Cotton, left for Carl Junction, Mo., Monday morning to see her parents, Rev. and Mrs. James Smith, formerly of this place.
The Sabbath schools of Union tp., will hold their township convention next Sunday, at Little Blue River Baptist church, at three o'clock p.m. A good program will be carried out, and several good speakers will be in attendance and a grand time is expected. Everybody is welcome.
I. X. L.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Daily Republican
Monday, April 16, 1888
------------
Sam Hill will move back to Shelbyville next fall.
Mrs. Angie Talbert will move to Shelbyville next fall.
Mrs. Ham Stiers will possibly teach a select school this summer in district No. 5.
Levi Brown and Mrs. Alonzo Rhodes, who have been sick for some time, are now convalescing.
The J.,M.&I. railroad company have been building a good deal of wire fence east of Ray's Crossing.
Moore & Cherry are running their saw-mill to its fullest capacity and are doing some excellent work in the mill.
The heading factory at Manilla is now doing a rushing business and still has on hands thousands of feet of timber to cut yet.
Mrs. Riley B. Wilson returned home on Friday night from Indianapolis where she has been under medical treatment. She returned home, however, with no improvement in her health.
Arthur Bowers writes from Valparaiso, Ind., where he is attending school, that he is well pleased with the institution. The enrollmet of the school numbers more than twenty-two hundred. Much public improvement in the city will be done the coming summer on the streets and sidewalks. The city is lighted with electric light.
JUNO.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Republican
Shelbyville, Ind.
Thursday, January 5, 1888
VOLUME XXII. page 1
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NEWS NUGGETS
------
PICKED UP IN VARIOUS FIELDS
------
Local Gossip and Pleasant Views
From all Over "Old Shelby."
------
Result of One Week's Happenings Gathered for the Republican by Its Busy Correspondents.
------
RAY'S CROSSING.
------
Morton Morris contemplates railroading in the spring.
John Briley contemplates building a new house in the spring.
Some of the farmers have been putting up ice the past week.
Charley Benefiel, of Addison township, spent the holidays in Union township visiting friends and relatives.
Some persons have suggested to Rev. Pavy to hold another series of meetings at the Blue River Baptist church and he will possibly do so.
Miss Laura Wilson entertained a number of young people at her residence one evening last week. All the young people who were present enjoyed themselves very much.
Walter S. Walker has cards out advertising his blacksmith shop and his trade. It is reported that he will soon issue cards for his wedding day. Shake, Walter.
Thomas A. Cotton will soon move in his new house which is probably the largest residence in the county. The house is furnished with hot and cold water pipes, bath room and attachments for the same, and all the modern stair and room improvements.
Mrs. John Oldfield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Gunning, died on Thursday night. Remains were interred on Saturday in the Bennett Cemetery. At the time of her death she was twenty-five years, nince months and twenty days old. Of the family relations she leaves a father, mother, one sister, husband and one child to mourn her loss.
The girls in Union Township propose to cure some of the young men of their bashfulness during leap year and no doubt they will make some of the timid lads say yes or no as they intend to do all the "courtin'" and "huggin'" during the year and no doubt a
good many of our young men will be very badly "mashed" before the next twelve months rolls around.
UN JUNO.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Democrat
Special Correspondence of the
Democrat:
Ray's Crossing
June 8, 1885
------
William C. Phares has secured a pension of $8
per month and $1446.06 back pay.
An enjoyable party was given at the residence of
George Towns, Wednesday night.
J. H. Brown, of this place, and his mother,
of Harrison, Ohio, are visiting relatives in Illinois.
William Coats has disposed of his farm
consisting of fifteen acres to William C. Phares for the sum of
$1400.
Contributed by Linda Ellis
The Daily Evening Democrat
---------------------------------------
W. S. RAY --- Editor and Proprietor
===================
Tuesday, January 20, 1885
===================
RAY'S CROSSING RUMBLES.
----------
Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
RAY'S CROSSING, Jan. 19, 1885
----------
---Protracted
meeting is in progress at the Christian Church.
---John Rice,
or Owen county, was visiting relatives here last week..
---Services will be
conducted at the Baptist Church Sunday by Rev. Cruse.
---Henry E. Rice
leaves to-day for Smithfield, Mos. Success to yon, Henry.
---"Uncle Sam,"
as a quill driver, is a success, as evinced by the way he catches on to the
news.
---Jasper Cherry
leaves to-day for Winfield, Kansas, where he will make his home in the Future.
---A. T Phares has
about completed his new blacksmith shop, which will be a commodious structure
when completed.
---Granville
Westerfield has returned from Daville, where he has been [the article
continues but my copy ends here].
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Daily Evening Democrat
Tuesday, January 6, 1885
Page 1
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RAY'S CROSSING RUMBLES.
----------
Special Correspondence to the Democrat.
RAY'S CROSSING, Jan 5, 1885.
----------
---Elbert Hurst,
of Homer, was visiting friends here yesterday.
---Jesse Rhoads
and wife were visiting relatives here last week.
---Services will be
conducted at the Baptist Church next Sunday.
---Mr. James Ash,
of Hanover township, was visiting here last week.
---Rev. Baker
conducted the services at the Christian Church Sunday.
---John Benifiel
has been on the sick list the past week, but is better now.
---Thomas Cherry
is improving his property by the erection of a new barn.
---John H. Brown
and wife are at present sojourning with relatives in Ohio.
---William Gunning
lost a valuable heifer last week by being run over by the train.
---James Muse,
of Rush county was calling among his numerous friends here last week.
---Larz Branson
was highly elated at the appearance of a fine girl baby at his house last week.
---Amos Phares
is improving his property by the erection of a commodious blacksmith shop.
---The school at district
No. 4 is progressing nicely under the management of James T. Carter.
---There is an immense
cyclone liable to strike that fellow who sent that anonymous letter last week.
---Josie Brown,
youngest daughter of James M. Brown, formerly of this place,
died at his residence in Smithfield, Missouri, last week.
---Amos Carmony,
who was hurt recently by an ax slipping from his grasp and striking him on this
knee is in a critical condition.
---The holidays are over
and he small boy is again consigned to the care of the school teachers, who are
reaping a harvest in the way of top toy-pistols &c.
---The residents along
the road were astounded on the night of January 1st by an unusual noise which
they supposed was a cyclone, but upon closer examination the fact was revealed
that it was a 'bus load from Possum Glory who were attending a protracted
meeting at Good Will.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Republican
Thursday, December 27, 1883.
Volume XVIII. Number 44
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Ray's Racket.
----------
RAY'S CROSSING, Dec. 26, '83.
----------
Corn gathering the order
of the day.
What has become of Rep.
Macy's stingy man and the tom tit?
Praise to our
commissoners[sic] for cutting buills when needed. Their knives are sharp
and trim neatly.
Peter V. Benifiel
is going into the grocery busines[sic]. Success to Peter, he is a good
fellow. This makes six stores in Union township.
John Gaines
says two men in this vicinity has done so much blowing about their crop of corn
that the the[sic] wind has blown the corn all away, for further particulars
inquire of John.
----------
FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.
Lon Wilson
has disposed of his mammoth herd of sheep.
Hiram A. Cotton has
been confined to his sick room, but is convalescing.
The township, teacher's
institute was not well attended last Saturday on account of bad weather.
William Coats
a resident of Addison township moved into the property recently vacated by
James M. Brown last Monday week.
Wes. Phares
a former resident of this county, but of late years a resident of Howard county,
is visiting relatives her[sic] and reports things all right out there.
Rev. A. C. Wilmore
is conducting a series of meetings at the Blue river Chapel Church assisted
by Rev. Alonzo Myer, and a minister from Hartsville.
Surprise dinners has been
the order of the day the past few days, they being given to Amos Phares,
Wes Brown, Andrew Hensley, Mrs. Lewis Zike and
Leora Phares.
Riley Zike is
the possessor of a young lady who came to stay at his house as a permanent
boarder. Riley is proud of the young heir and values her at $39,000 cash
value.
TOM TIT.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Democrat
March 5, 1879
News and Gossip Picked Up on the Fly,
By Our Vigilant Reporters.
-----0-----
ALL ALONG THE WAY
----0----
Ray's Crossing.
(Special Correspondence of The Democrat.)
RAY'S CROSSING, MARCH 5, 1879.
---Grant Brown
is sick with remittent fever.
---School will close in
District No. 1 next Thursday. There will be an exhibition that night.
---Frank Talbert
has about $50,000 worth of walnut logs to saw this summer. Frank is one of
the busy men of the county.
---R. C. Brown
moved on the farm belonging to J. S. Carpenter on Friday
last. Geo. Rice moved into the house vacated by Mr. Brown.
---Mr. John Halbrook
has a fine sugar camp, and the most comfortable arrangements for the manufacture
of maple sugar in the township.
---T. A. Cotton
has engaged sixteen head of fat cattle to Cyrus Mull, of Manilla,
at $4.00 per 100 pounds. They are to be delivered in June. [The
article continues .... - PMF]
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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