The Shelbyville News
Saturday March 6, 1948
Page 8
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YOUR TOWN — WALDRON
By Hortense Montgomery
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When anyone talks about Waldron our ears are wide open for that was the
main trading post for all our families in the early days and it was the
railroad station where all of us got off to go down to Grandpa’s or bring
visitors to the train when they were leaving after a visit. It’s the place
here-a-bouts we’d rather live if we didn’t live in Shelbyville for it is a
very pretty village and its folks we know or know by hearsay.
Before we knew anything it was called Stroupville, as a post office it was
known as Conns but most of its life it has been Waldron which we think is a
very pretty name but we do not know how it got that one. The Stroup family was
one of the early pioneer families, the first one George Stroup
and then Samuel Stroup who was one of the largest lumber dealers in the county.
It got the name Conns because it was situated on Conns Creek which finally
empties into Flat Rock River at the point where the explosion in 1890 which
you heard about at the time and which you read about in the Indianapolis Times
a few days ago took place and which had everyone living about there scared out
of their wits. It was reported at first that the Ogden Cemetery had been blown
up into the sky and since that is our family burial ground it was a matter of
great concern to all of us.
In his story Victor Peterson
speaks poetically of "Waldron of
700 people which drowses contentedly today" "Excuse please" Mr.
Peterson, but Waldron doesn’t drowse contentedly—it’s the liveliest little
town you ever saw: it’s up and coming in a lot of things, if it were not
situated midway between Shelbyville and Greensburg, each a great metropolis,
it surely would have grown into a big town.
Waldron has had from almost its beginning transportation facilities over
the I.C. and L. Railroad, then the interurban was routed through the town much
to Old Middletown’s disappointment. But interurbans went out and being off
the main highway a short distance the buses route only one each way a day and
since only a few trains stop there buses and trains are always going the wrong
way at the right time or the right way at the wrong time. And so Waldron folks
use their own car and thumb their noses at both.
But back to the beginning of things.
Waldron was built on what was
originally the John Haymond farm. John Haymond was born in 1773 and the
town was platted by George Stroup March 27, 1854 with 24 town lots; it finally
included some of the Stroup farm. Conns Creek has no value as a trade route
but near the bridge which spans to the west of the village there is a fine
grove of trees known as the Amsden grove which picnics have been held for
folks far and near.
Waldron has always been important merchandising town.
George Wooden
is named as the first merchant; there are many Haymonds who were always
merchants and Jacob Haymond, son of the first John Haymond was head of
one of the largest stores in Waldron. He afterward established a private bank
where his son Earl is now president. The late Dr. Ray Haymond
who did such splendid work during World War II belonged to the Haymond clan of
Waldron. David Grubb, one of the gentle and courtly gentlemen of the
town’s middle history, did an important business as owner and manager of an
elevator. But we don’t remember him so much for that as we do for a little
bit of legerdemain he practiced for us. When we were quite young we had a row
of tiny warts on the back of one thumb and Mr. Grubb was a wart charmer.
Grandmother took us to him one day and he practiced his wizardry it worked and
our warts soon disappeared.
Other merchants through the years have been
J.J. Curtis, Messrs.
Chapman, Laremore, Robinson, Stroup, Thompson, Trees
and McCain, Grew and Newton operated a sawmill; John Ferren
a grist mill, Richey and
Pierson a carriage shop. And the Methodist, the Baptist was known as Conns.
Mr. T.V. Short was the post master, the first postmaster there.
For a
number of years Mr. Perry Armstrong has conducted an important business
with the harness shop.
One of the pioneers and one of the most colorful characters of the village
was Mr. Green Wilson who dealt in race horses and was known far and
wide especially at the county fairs. One of the attractions which drew these
interested in antiques from many distant places is the antique shop of Dr.
and Mrs. Harry Washburn.
Waldron has two very active church congregations, the Baptist and the
Methodist; the Baptist are now building a handsome new church and the
Methodist have just redecorated their fine church. Some years ago the
Universalists of the state took over the home of the Delos Thompson
with its spacious grounds and fine forest trees, and converted in into an Old
Ladies Home. This project however was given up several years ago.
Waldron has one of the newest and one of the most complete consolidated
school plants in the county. The village is the home of the Shelby county
superintendent of schools. Mr. Thomas Fogarty who is now serving his
19th year in that office; he left the principalship of the Waldron schools to
take over the county office and all these years he and his family have been
residents of Waldron. In justice to London (Shelby County) we wish to say that
London felt left out when we wrote about it for Mr. Fogarty was a native of
that place. During his regime those townships which did not already have a
consolidated school now have their students housed in handsome buildings with
all modern conveniences.
Two physicians, Dr. J. E. Keeling and Dr. S. B. Coulson serve the
health needs of the community.
The village has a very good community building where community meetings are
held and community interests discussed. There are two women’s clubs, a music
club and a garden club and a number of the women are members of the township’s
Home Economics club.
NOTE: We slipped terribly in our story about Waldron; we failed to mention
the Reece Canning Co. in naming the business enterprises of the town.
Why our
memory tripped us so we do not understand since every now and then we open a
can of food marked "The Reece Canning Company," Waldron. Our knee is
bent in contrition.
Contrbuted by Barb Huff
A Shelby County, Indiana, Newspaper
Friday, January 22, 1897
------------oOo------------
WALDRON.
---------------
Mrs. Salla Peterson went to Indianapolis on business last Saturday.
Mrs. Al Jones was taken sick a few days ago with symptoms of typhoid fever.
Miss Dora Halloren and Mrs. Alf Lowe spent Sunday with friends at Adams.
Mrs. Jo Haymond spent Saturday and Sunday with her father, Mr. Cotton, of Union township.
Mrs. David Grubb, who has been sick for the past week, is better at this writing.
Billy Powell has completed his new house, east of town, and will soon move into it.
Our grain merchant, Mr. Grubb, has established an agency at St. Paul for the purpose of buying corn.
Mrs. Marge Vest has been sick at the home of John McCauley for the past month, but is now convalescing.
Charley Schriner will soon move to the farm of Lew Haymond, which he has rented for the coming crop year.
The friends of Will Avery will be pleased to learn that he is getting along nicely and will be at his office again soon.
A young man by the name of Howell, west of town, was initiated into the Order of Odd Fellows on Saturday night.
Mr. Benson and wife have returned from Kentucky where they spent a few weeks pleasantly visiting old neighbors and friends.
Quite a windstorm passed over Waldron Sunday afternoon which broke down and destroyed one of Dr. Washburn's fine shade trees.
Another saloon has been added to the list in our town. It is a quart concern this time. It is run by a Mr. Tanner who hails from Indianapolis.
There is quite a number of our people out with ptitions setting forth their peculiar fitness to handle the mail that happens to come to this burg.
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.
-------------------
Waldron Warblings.
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Mr. and Mrs. Julius Aurin spent Sunday in
Shelbyville.
Charley Paugh went to Indianapolis on Saturday
to buy goods.
Norv Grubb, of St. Paul, attended the play here
on Friday night.
Chip Sparks and wife spent Sunday with friends
in Shelbyville.
Grace Haymond, of Shelbyville, is among her
many friends here.
August Aurin went to Shelbyville on Sunday.
Some attraction up there for Gus.
Theo. Jarvis and wife spent Sunday in Shelbyville,
the guests of Bert Sparks and wife.
The Misses Cotton, of Manilla, have been visiting
their sister Mrs. India Haymond, of this place.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Hadley Drummond on Saturday
morning, a bouncing girl baby. Hadley has been all covered with smiles since the event and was around receiving
the congratulations of his many friends. Morther and child doing well at this writing.
Waldron Lodge I.O.O.F. elected officers for the ensuing
year Saturday night as follows: Irwin Wharton, Noble Grand; Alfred Chapman, Vice Grand; George
Haymond, Recording Secretary; H. M. Cotterman, Permanent Secretary; Sam P. Stroup,
Treasurer; Mike Paugh, Chas. Haymond, Sr., and E. L. Armstrong, Trustees. There
will be work in the initiatory degree next Saturday night. The Lodge is enjoying a boom at present.
The Waldron Dramatic Club's entertainment for the benefit
of the band on Friday night was a success both socially and financially. The boys will clear about $15.
They talk of getting up another play in the near future. Make it go, boys. It makes business for the
merchants and develops talent.
Othello.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Saturday, January 16, 1886
======================
WALDRON
--------
Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
WALDRON, IND., Jan. 15, 1886.
J. C. Haymond
is quite sick.
James St. John,
our section boss, who has been unwell for some time, was out on the street
yesterday.
W. R. Douglas, of
Boston, Mass., will commence a writing school here on Monday next. He has
just closed a successful term at Milford.
Thos. and
Will McNeely, two jolly boys of Oseada, Mich., will remain with us some
time, and Tom Trackwell says he will keep them until after
the township convention.
Cap. Wilks, of
Shelbyville, was here yesterday with the intention of buying some real
estate. Though differing on politics, we welcome the Captain to our midst.
Mr. Jasper Heck,
our trustee, wishes to thank his friends for past favors, and authorizes
"Rio" to state through the Democrat that he is not a candidate for any
township office.
Mr. Marion Heck was
the caller at our office yesterday. He is looming up as a candidate for
assessing, and as that will be an important office, owing to the appraisement of
real estate, like to see such men come out.
The Democrats of South
Liberty want a man nominated for Sheriff who can poll the entire vote of the
party. If Magill can't do it, then we say that he
should not be nominated. This is an "off year," you know, and we
don't want any more '82 business. We want solid men and men who will get
the votes regardless of the past or the present.
RIO.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Democrat
June 9, 1885
Waldron, Ind.
------
Special Correspondense for the Democrat:
Mrs. Deilla McNeely is sick, but not dangerously.
Mr. I. G. Morris is in Cincinnati buying goods.
Green Wilson has the best garden in Shelby County.
Lewis & Stansifer shipped a carload of
hogs to Cincinnati this week.
Mrs. Osborn and daughter, of Kentucky, is visiting Thomas
Stansifer.
Mrs. Mike Cotterman is still very low, with but little hopes of her recovery.
Thomas K. Short left yesterday for Illnois.
J. S. Alley has just brought in a new lot of goods which he is selling at bottom prices.
Dick Benson, a brother of Luther
Benson, is spending a few days with friends here.
The funeral of Mrs. Casto was largely attended yesterday.
Preaching by Rev. William Grubb.
Mrs. William Mable is very sick:
her twin sister, seventy-five year old, is with her and will remain all summer.
Capt. J. B. Curtis, of Indianapolis, spent Sunday here.
He was wearing the bedal worn by his company at the New Orleans Exposition.
Contributed by Linda Ellis
The Shelbyville Democrat
March 12, 1885
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WALDRON WARBLINGS.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
WALDRON, March 10, 1885.
--- A necktie and apron carnival will be the attraction at the rink Friday night.
--- Bennett Powell met with a serious accident this morning by being kicked by a cow.
--- The charming Misses Ida and Mary George, of Hope, are visiting
the Misses Washburn of this place.
--- Mr. D. H. Thompson has secured the services of Mr. Clyde Lewis
as salesman in his dry goods emporium.
---Isaac Tindall, who has been very sick with pneumonia the past few days,
I am glad to note is recovering.
--- William Farrow, of Rush county, is moving to the Vanpelt
farm. He is an acquisition to Sodom, as he is a good worker.
--- Jesse Pence, better known as "Hopper," is moving to-day to
Noble township. We much regret to lose "Hopper" as he is a jovial, good fellow.
--- William Miller, of Osakis, Minn., arrived here Saturday. He
brought your correspondent a nice fish which we devoured with as good grace as could anybody.
--- The entertainment in Middletown last Saturday night, given by the Rev. Link,
of St. Paul, was a success. Rev. Link promises to entertain our people in the near future.
--- Barney Ricking, of Rush county, spent Saturday and Sunday with our
popular butcher, Hadley Drummond. Mr. Ricking is said to be one of the best judges of stock in this part
of the country.
--- There was a very good crowd at the rink Saturday night, among whom I
had the pleasure of noting the Misses Ida and Mary George, of Hope, (the former being a lovely skater),
Miss Stella Pherigo, of Fenns, and Messrs. Wat Russell, George Young and
Art Turnbell, of Milford.
--- A number of citizens met at the Beck school house for the purpose
of locating a site for a new school house. John T. Beck presided, with T. D. Knight secretary.
Jasper Heck, trustee, was present, and on a vote on the location it was decided on Mrs. Ming's
lot. The North End pulled off and agreed to build another house. N. Weintrout and
Will Lantz came near mixing, and if it had not been for the president there would no doubt have been a
lively time.
RIO.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Daily Evening Democrat
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W. S. RAY --- Editor and Proprietor
=========
Tuesday, January 20, 1885
=========
WALDRON WARBLINGS.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
WALDRON, Jan. 19, 1885
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---The rink is the
place to skate.
---Joe Hardebeck
sent for a new lot of roller skates this morning.
---I am glad to hear
that Minnie, daughter of S. P. Stroup, is
better.
---Under the management
of Prof. Nunn Waldron is going to have a first class band.
---Dr. R. R. Washburn
is kept busy attending patients suffering with that dread disease, typhoid
fever.
---J. C. Haymond
sold to Radley Drummond seven hogs which weighed 3,785
pounds. They are certainly the best hogs ever shipped from Waldron.
---John McColly's
oldest boy, while drawing water from the cistern, lost his balance and fell in
head foremost. But fro the timely aid of his father he would have been
drowned.
---James J. White
will move into William Miller's property, formerly occupied
by Joseph Hardebeck, and is talking of starting a theater and
animal show. He has one of his animals here now, called the "Water
Dog." Tink wants a complimentary.
RIO.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Democrat - Volunteer
Shelbyville, Ind., Feb. 26, 1880.
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF SHELBY COUNTY.
=============================
FACTS AND FANCIES
-------------------------------------------
Flashed From the Fabers of Our Special Reporters.
-------------------------------------------
Notes From all Points of the County
-----------------
Waldron.
(Correspondence Democrat-Volunteer)
Waldron, Ind., Feb 25, 1880.
--- George Leofert is missed by his many friends.
--- Miss Edna Curtis arrived home from Indianapolis on last Saturday.
--- J. K. Duty has recently made some valuable additions to his poultry yard.
--- The bridge across Conn's Creek, south of town, is completed. Travelers rejoice.
--- James Beckner had one of his toes severely mashed by letting a piece of heavy timber fall upon it.
--- Ira Chapman gladdened the hearts of his friends by his welcome presence during a part of this week.
--- J. C. Haymond made sale of a large quantity of walnut lumber on Monday, to a Batesville furniture factory.
--- Farmers of this region are compelled to go several miles to mill because there is no flour-mill here. All would hail one with delight.
--- At the Republican convention held here on Saturday, Leonard Powell was chosen as a delegate to the State Convention. He is for Blaine.
--- A Central Committeeman is to elected by our township convention. A man should be chosen who will attend every meeting of the committee and look well to our interests.
--- A new list of signers to the temperance pledge will be opened by our Union at their next meeting. All backsliders will thus be released and may drink with a clear conscience.
--- Joseph Wilson having grown weary of a life of single bliss, displayed his good judgment by uniting himself to Miss Lou Byland on Wednesday evening. Your correspondent was present to help enjoy the festivities of the hour, and he hopes that their life may ever be as pleasant as it now is.
--- On a recent visit to Shelbyville, your correspondent was more impressed with the fact than ever before, that your town possesses an unusual number of beautiful ladies. They go swarming along the streets in clusters of gracefulness that bewilder and charm the heart of an unsophisticated stranger.
--- Mrs. Sparks, the wife of our worthy postmaster, died on Wednesday morning Feb. 18. Mrs. Sparks was highly esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends here. All feel that in her the town has lost one of its best ladies. Her family have suffered an irreparable loss and have the condolence of the community.
--- Dr. M. V. Updegraff, a leading physician of this town, was found dead in his bed this morning. He complained of feeling unwell last evening, and took a large dose of morphine and also a dose of chloral. It is supposed that he took an overdose and thus poisoned himself. The first intimation his wife had of his death was when she awoke this morning. She then laid her hand on his face; which, to her horror, was icy cold. A thought of the dread reality then dawned upon her, and summoning physicians immediately, they confirmed her worst fears. A post mortem may bring forth new developments.
CRINO.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville Republican
Thursday, December 12, 1872
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Waldron
has a "big tub," and is henceforth to be a watering station on the I.&C.R.R.
~~~~~~~
The
citizens of Waldron last week done themselves honor in opposing, and successfully defeating an applicant for license
to retail liquor in their town. We learn that the fight was begun on Thanksgiving day, by the ladies of the village,
in a mass meeting called by Rev. D. A. Robertson. The citizens are generally
aroused on the subject of Temperance, and the leading business men of the town are united, and mean BUSINESS, and
self protection. Much credit is given to the board of Commissioners for their faithful decision in the case, and
it is hoped they will continue faithful to the end in all such cases.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The
Union Banner
July 14, 1864
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ENJOYMENT. --- We
had the pleasure, in company with about sixty other Shelbyvillians, of attending the annual Pic-Nic of the Universalists
of Indianapolis, at Waldron, June 20th, and we must say that we never seen [sic] a set of people enjoy themselves
as they did. --- We enjoyed it immensly. We met some familiar faces from the city, most prominent among whom were
Rev. B. F. Foster, Andy Wallace, and Cunningham,
the "Ice Cream Man," who is always on hand at pic-nics emenating from that place. The grounds were beautiful,
good spring water, enough good things to ration a brigade, music, dancing, and a good time generally. The affair
gave universal satisfaction.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
1868 Waldron
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