Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Newspaper articles

Shelby County Indiana
Newspaper Articles

Bassett

The Shelbyville Republican
December 23, 1917
Page 1
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FUEL HEAD PLACES
    STRESS ON ORDER
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Farmer Who Secured Five Ton
of Coal Here Friday, Ordered
to Bring Part Back By
Bassett.
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County fuel administrator Elmer Bassett today emphasized his recent order to coal dealers that not more than one ton of coal should be sold to a customer. Mr. Bassett took this action following the discovery that one farmer living north of the city, had secured ?0 loads here Friday, totalling five tons. The coal had been bought of Cutsinger and Thompson, who were not aware that the man was getting all of the coal for his own use, Mr. Bassett stated.
          The farmer was ordered to bring one load of the coal back to Shelbyville early this morning by Mr. Bassett who talked with him over the telephone. The coal was soon back in the yards here.
          Mr. Bassett also requested today that any person in the city who pays a coal dealer extra for delivering coal over and above the price fixed by him, as fuel administrator, notify him immediately of the charge. The dealer, Mr. Bassett added, will be made to refund the overcharge.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday, July 27, 1916
Page 6 column 5
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Dr. and Mrs. M. M. Wells and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bassett, of Fairland, drove to French Lick Saturday to be gone until Tuesday. They made the trip in the Basset car.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Democrat
Thursday, July 27, 1916
Twenty-Ninth Year No. 70
Page 1
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          Elmer Bassett as administrator of the estate of the late Phoebe Shadley, has sold the Shadley homestead on the Knightstown pike to Ferdinand Hatfield, the consideration being $1699.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
October 24, 1915
Page 51 Column 7
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SHELBYVILLE.
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Mr. and Mrs. Wright and daughter, Miss Margaret, and Miss Maude Patterson, of Muncie were here last week, visiting George Bassett and family.
Contributed by Virginia Latta Curulla

The Shelby Democrat
June 17, 1915
Page 6 column 4
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BIRTHDAY DINNER FOR
WOMAN NINETY-THREE
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Mrs. Catherine Bassett to Be
Honored By Relatives
Sunday.
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(From Monday's Daily.)
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A big dinner has been planned for tomorrow at the home of Mrs. Alice Bowman, of VanBuren township, in honor of her mother, Mrs. Catherine Bassett, one of the sturdiest pioneers of Shelby county. She will be ninety-three years old tomorrow and the dinner has been planned to celebrate her birthday. Her only living children of a family is six are Mrs. Bowman, W. H. Bassett and John S. Bassett all of whom will be at the dinner tomorrow. In addition to these many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be present.
Mrs. Bassett has known all the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life in Shelby county. She was born June 12, 1822, in Dearborn county, Indiana, a daughter of James Maroney. She and two of her sisters married three brothers of the Bassett family, her husband being the late Jonah Bassett, their marriage having been solemnized August 20. 1837. She is the only survivor of these three couples.
Her home has been in Shelby county since 1826, except during the greater part of the year 1837. The family tried life in Missouri that year, but soon returned to Shelby county with the intention of never leaving it again. On the way to Missouri they made the trip in ox-wagons and traveled a great part of the way with Mormon companies, who were emigrating to the west.
Her parents came to Shelby county in a two-wheel ox-cart from Dearborn county, and they settled near Lewis Creek. For nearly a year they lived almost exclusively upon the wild game of the region, including deer, wild turkey and wild hogs.
Mrs. Bassett remembers Shelbyville as a field of stumps and about twelve log cabins.
Wild hogs and wolves were abundant and once she and one of her sisters and a cousin came near losing their lives when attacked by the hogs. They were at the spring getting water, and the cousin's clothes had been torn from her before they were able to drive the hogs away.
Mrs. Bassett is the last of the charter members of the First Baptist church of this city.
She has many friends in this city and all over the country who will join in the sincere wish that tomorrow may be one of supreme happiness for her and her loved ones.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Saturday, June 12, 1915
Page 1, column 1
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KATHERINE BASSETT
    WILL BE 93 SUNDAY
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Children Will Spend the Day
With Aged Mother Who Is
Now Living On Farm
In VanBuren Township
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CHARTER MEMBER
    OF BAPTIST CHURCH
--------
And Only Mother Living In County
Who Sent Son to War of '61
Came When Four Years Old
-------
Sunday, June 13, will mark the ninety-third birthday of Mrs. Katherine Bassett. The home of this saint in Israel is in VanBuren township. Her mind as clear as in childhood, strong for one of her advanced age, she practically carries the history of Shelby county as a recollection, as a memory of facts and incidents. She has but three children living - William H. Bassett, of this city, John S. Bassett and Mrs. Leonidas Bowman, at whose home Mrs. Bassett lives. The children will spend Sunday with their mother.
The parents of Mrs. Bassett were James and Elizabeth Maroney. In the early history of Indiana they moved from Kentucky to Dearborn county. When Mrs. Bassett was only four years old her parents came to Shelby county. This was only four years after the organization of the county. They settled on Lewis Creek in the vicinity of where the poor house now stands. The Bassetts, as they came to Shelby County, settled in the neighborhood of where their grandchildren now reside. The Bassett boys and the Maroney girls grew to maturity in the settlement and they looked good to each other as three brothers married three sisters.
In addition to all the experiences common to pioneer life, Mrs. Bassett has one incident of moment that reads like fiction in those days of progress. In 1833 she went overland to Missouri in an ox cart. This was the year when public sentiment forced the Mormans out of Nauvoo, Illinois. On the way to Missouri the people with whom Miss Maroney was traveling fell in with the Morman caravan traveling on its way to Utah. Together they made the journey to where the persons bound for Missouri left them. Mrs. Bassett made this trip to visit relatives. It was here a romance was concluded. Visiting the same neighborhood was Miss Maroney's sweetheart of Shelby county. The most natural thing on earth for them to do was to be in each other's company. The next step was to get married, which they did. Returning to Shelby county they lived a married life of happiness and contentment until 1892 when Mr. Bassett died.
When the First Baptist church of this city was organized Mrs. Bassett became a member. She is the only charter member of that church living.
Recently The Republican contained a story in effect that there was not a father or mother living in Shelby county who sent a son to the war of 1861. Mrs. Bassett has that distinction as she willingly gave up a son to enter that conflict.
          All Shelby county extends to Mrs. Bassett on this occasion its heartiest congratulations.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Democrat
Shelbyville, Ind.
Friday, February 14, 1913.
Page 1
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Mr. and Mrs. George S. Bassett, north of the city, were visitors in Indianapolis today.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
February 13 or February 15, 1913
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REPUBLICANS TO BANQUET
Will Gather In Indianapolis Friday From All Parts of Indiana
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The Republicans of Indiana will hold their annual banquet and love-feast at the Claypool hotel, Indianapolis, tomorrow night, Friday, February 14^th, at which all Republicans of Shelby County have a special invitation. Governor Hadley, of Missouri, will deliver the principal address. Among the local Republicans who will attend are Postmaster Elisha Sexton and Attorney Elmer Bassett.
Contributed by Melinda Moore Weaver

The Shelbyville Republican
July 19, 1912
Page 1 column 3
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SHELBYVILLE REUNION OF 1912
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BASSETT REUNION
AT FAIR GROUND
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Two Hundred Descendants of Nymphas Bassett
Have Family Gathering And Delightful Time.
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        The two hundred members of the Bassett family which gathered at the fair grounds Thursday certainly did have one big time. All was jollity and merriment. The day was superb and there was nothing to mar the delightful occasion. At the noon hour all gathered in the big floral hall where three long tables had been spread, and there was room and abundance for all. Elmer Bassett, the well known attorney of this city, acted as master of ceremonies and later as toastmaster. He introduced Rev. H.N. Spear, pastor of the Baptist church of this city, who asked the blessing of God upon the assembled family and all the absent ones and returned thanks for the good things of life that had come to the family and also upon the bounteous repast now spread before the guests. The dinner was such a one as the good ladies of Shelby county so well know how to prepare. Eatables of the best in quality and abundance in quantity were right there and the guests died ample justice to all.
        At the close of the dinner, Mr. Elmer Bassett asked that all remain seated as there was to be another kind of feast. He then told of the idea of the reunion and of the arrangements for the same. He read the interesting history of the family from its earliest days. The roll of members which had been prepared of the descendants of Nymphas Bassett numbered about 450 and 200 were present. He called the roll and the following, as nearly as the Republican could check the roll, responded to their name:
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

Mrs. Jonah Bassett was the first to respond. Her maiden name was Catherine Monroney and she was 90 years old June 15th, 1912. The youngest member of the Bassett family was the little daughter that arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bassett, of Marion Township, the day of the reunion. She sent her regrets. Said she would like to have been there but her papa and mama were too busy to bring her, but she would be there next year anyhow. Miss Cuba Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Larue Davis and two children, Shelbyville; Mrs. Alice Bowman, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bassett, Shelbyville; Mrs. John C. Bland and four children, Indianapolis; Mrs. Elizabeth Cochran and daughter Helen Cochran, Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bassett, Indianapolis; Mrs. Willard Pence and son, Indianapolis; Mrs. Thankful Ann Kennedy, Shelbyville, Misses Helen and Lucile Kennedy, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. John Rhodes and son William of Greensburg; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kennedy and two children, Shelbyville; Mrs. Fred Jones, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. William Noble Bassett and two children, of Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. George Bassett and three children, north of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bassett, north of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bassett, north of Shelbyville; Dr. Clancy Bassett and wife, of Thorntown; Mrs. George W. Hinds, of Morristown; Miss Ruby Hinds, New Castle; Catherine Eliza Hinds, Morristown; Mrs. Frank White and daughter, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. S. V. Hinds and Miss Mary Hinds, Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Nave, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. David Elliot and two children, north of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. George Nave and daughter, near Shelbyville; Maybelle Crouch, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. William Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Chandis Bassett and daughter Frances, near Shelbyville; Mrs. A.W. Tindall, south of Shelbyville; Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Tindall and son, Shelbyville; Miss Marie Tindall, south of Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. Frank Bassett, Alexandria; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bassett and two children, near Shelbyville; Mrs. Albert Drake, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bass and four children, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Bassett, near Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Darnell, Plainfield, he married Nancy Jane Bassett Bowman; Mr. and Mrs. James K. Bassett, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Bassett and four children, Shelbyville; Marshall Bassett, near St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bassett and son, near St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Lee B. Carrithers and son, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. David Wilkinson and five children, Fairland; Mr. and Mrs. William Skillman, son and daughter, Charlie Skillman and Minnie Skillman, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Omer Skillman and son William, Jr., who is in the fifth generation; Jeremiah Wilkinson and children, Jeremiah, Gertrude and David, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Moore and daughter, of Action; Mrs. Mary Riser, Shelbyville; Mrs. Everett Tucker and two children, Fairland; Mrs. Rolla Cherry and son, Shelbyville; Mrs. Wallace McCain and son, Franklin; Carl Riser, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bassett and three sons, Charles V., Elmer E. and Elbert F., Shelbyville; Mrs. Missouri Towns, Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ball and son Frederick, Indianapolis; Mary Olive Towns and Lottie Towns, Indianapolis; and Mrs. John R. Cross, McLeansburg, Ill.
        Another child of the fifth generation is Bassett Wilkins Neeley, of Franklin, Kentucky, son of Mrs. Mary E. Bassett-Neeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Bassett, of Morristown.
        In addition to the members of the Bassett family, Mrs. Wiley, of Indianapolis, a sister of Mrs. George Bassett, and her little grandson; Rev H. N. Spear and wife, of the Baptist Church, and representatives of the three papers of the city were present. There were also a few others whose names were not on the printed list and thereby we failed to obtain.
        The toastmaster, Elmer Bassett, after calling the roll, asked that Mrs. Catherine Monroney Bassett, the widow of Jonah Bassett, being the oldest representative present, make a speech. She did so, expressing her thanks and gratification at being spared to be present. She was 90 years old on the 15th of June last.
        Recitation were given by little Edith Bassett, daughter of   Melvin Bassett; Frances Bassett, daughter of Chandis Bassett, who gave very effectively "The Love of the Titan," and Miss Clydia Bassett, who gave in fine style "The Pilot's Story."
        James M. Bassett, aged 73, was called on and told a number of interesting reminisences of his grandfather, Nymphas Bassett, as he knew him well. At 75 he was a wood chopper and always working. At one time he owned 880 acres of land, cleared a large part of it up. When he came to enter his land there were 500 Indians camped on it. In 1856 he returned to his original home, New York, on a visit, and during his absence his wife died and had been buried two weeks before he returned or had any knowledge of it, as news travelled slowly or not at all in those days.
        Mrs. Clarissa Sleeth made an effecting speech after which the family sang "In the Sweet Bye and Bye." Rev. Spear then spoke and told of the great blessing of a fine ancestry and told of the commendable life of Nymphas Bassett, who was a member of the Baptist church and made the brick for the first Baptist church built here and donated half of them and of his buying Franklin College when it was sold on a mortgage and saving it for the Baptist church. Other speeches were made by George Hinds, 87 years old, Nathan Nave, John Rhodes, Harry C. Darnelle, Wm. H. Bassett, John R. Bassett and W.S. Montgomery of the Republican.
        On voting of Henry C. Darnell, the committee, which did such splendid work this year, was elected to take charge of the next reunion and its was vote to have them annually hereafter. The committee in charge this year James M. Bassett, William H. Bassett and John R. Bassett, but the committee concede that the greater part of the work was done by Elmer Bassett. The Orebaugh Bros. took a photograph of the family while at dinner and they all looked happy. Later they took several while the family were seated in the amphitheatre. It is proposed to have a bigger and better reunion next year, so everybody get ready.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Daily Democrat
Saturday, July 1, 1911
----------------------
Mrs. Susan Bassett, of this city, has gone to Linton to remain for a few weeks as the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Scott.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Tuesday, September 15, 1908
Page 1
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BASSETT MAKES STATEMENT
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Charges Evening Newspaper with Falsehood
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           Mr. Elmer Bassett, secretary of the Republican county committee, when seen by a representative of THE REPUBLICAN today said:
"The article in an evening paper September 14 headed "Machine Tries to Fool Workers" is a lie made out of whole cloth. The laboring men of Shelbyville know that they were treated fairly, honestly and justly by the Republican convention that nominated Wayla Leming and Fred House. These two men are laboring men , working at the bench earning their living and supporting their families by the sweat of their brows. They are known to be honest by their co-workers; they are men of integrity in whom their co-workers have confidence. The laboring men will reject the article in the paper and show by their votes that they are loyal to their co-laborers and fellow workmen.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Tuesday, September 26, 1899
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          The marriage of Alonzo Cochran and Miss Lizzie Bassett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bassett, of East Jackson-st., is announced.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Friday, June 26, 1896
Page 1 col 4
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The residence of Sylvester Bassett Sr., of Marion township, was entered Wednesday night by a burglar, who entered the room of the hired girl, removed a lighted lamp from a chair by her bedside, walked to the bureau in the same room, took out two large pocket books and, just as he was placing them in his pocket, the girl screamed, causing the fellow to jump out of the window and escape. The family was aroused by the screams of the girl, and Syl Bassett, Jr., gave the fellow a lively chase down the pike toward Shelbyville. Four shots were fired at the fleeing man, one of which it is thought took effect. The pocketbooks contained only notes, payment on which has been stopped.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
October 8, 1891
Page 3
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Stephen Shoemaker and Kirk Bassett cut 156 shocks of corn in one day last week on the farm of James M. Bassett. Come on, boys, and see who can beat this record.
Copied by Susan Kelley

The Shelby Democrat
January 24, 1889
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            Ex-Trustee Bassett, of Marion township, has in the past 27 years hauled to this city and sold 4,000 cords of wood, realizing enough therefrom to buy a good farm.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday June 10, 1880
Page 2, column 3
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COURT CULLINGS
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Robert Bassett VS Elizabeth H. Bassett�for divorce�Decree of divorce granted plaintiff.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Linda Nugent Fuller

The Shelby Democrat-Volunteer
Thursday January 8, 1880
Page 2 column 9
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FOUND GUILTY OF LARCENY
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The Circuit Court was engaged on Tuesday last, in the trial of the case against Mrs. Elizabeth Bassett on a charge of larceny. She was accused of taking the household goods and clothes from the residence of William Harrell, in Moral township, just previous to its being burned by an incendiary last August. After hearing the evidence the jury retired about dark and readily agreed upon a verdict, which was reported to court on Wednesday morning. Mrs. Bassett was found guilty and was sentenced to the Female Reformatory Institution at Indianapolis for two years.

[Continued]

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday December 25, 1879
Page 3 column 1
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Some time ago, we mentioned the fact that Mrs. Robert Bassett, of Moral township, was accused of robbing and burning the house of her neighbor and relative, William Harrell. The recent grand jury indicted her for the offenses mentioned, and on Saturday last she was arrested by Deputy Sheriff James Magill, on a bench warrant. Being unable to furnish the required bail, the woman was brought here and confined in jail to await trial. [Continued]
Contributed by Barb Huff for Linda Nugent Fuller

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday August 20, 1879
Page 3 column 1
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Last August, the residence of William Harrell, several miles north east of Fairland, was totally consumed by fire while the family were absent at camp meeting. His loss was estimated at $800 with $400 insurance in the Continental, which was promptly paid. There was no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary but it was not known at the time who did the deed. It seems, however, that Mr. Harrell finally suspected one of his neighbors, step-daughter of his sister. She was then a widow named Williams, but since has married Mr. Robert Bassett of the same neighborhood. On Tuesday last, Harrell took out a search warrant which was placed in the hands of a constable, and that official proceeded to search the Bassett residence. A large quantity of household goods belonging to Harrell was found on the premises and restored to the owner. On account of relationship, he refused to prosecute the woman and she was released. The next grand jury, however, will doubtless inquire into the matter. [Continued]
Contributed by Barb Huff for Linda Nugent Fuller

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