The Decade Was 1920's

Various newspaper items concerning Boone County and its residents in the 1920's. You'll find a bit of everything ... deaths, births, accidents, crime ... and even humor. All items are transcribed exactly as they appeared in the publication, so please bear in mind that it was a different time and sometimes those editors wrote with a bit of flair, and describing gory details seemed to be their specialty! Even if you don't find an ancestor or two among these pages, you'll still find it interesting to read the news of their day. And if you *do* find a relative in some of these news clips, you might turn up a real surprise or two!

Use the "find" feature on your browser to locate particular surnames
 

The Chronicle Telegram
Elyria, Ohio
May 6, 1924

HOUSE BANDIT THOUGHT DYING

Steubenville, O. May 6 -- An attempted house robbery late last night resulted in the probably fatal shooting of Henry Myers of Lebanon, Indiana. Myers was shot near the heart by __[?] F. Roach, prominent local resident when he was caught ransacking Roach's home.

Myers is in the Ohio Valley Hospital at the point of death. Wayne Tra__eek, an accomplice is under arrest. The men entered the Roach home believing the Roach family out. They had retired early and when the two robbers entered Roach's bedroom and began ransacking the place, they were greeted by a fusilade [sic] of shots from an automatic.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 8/10/2007

The Bee
Danville, Virginia
July 11, 1929

INDIANA PRISONER SAWS HIS OWN WAY INTO JAIL

Lebanon, Ind., July 10 -- (INS) -- Many prisoners have sawed their way out of jail, but Emmett Scott, 46, of Lebanon probably was the first one to saw his way onto the bastille.

When sheriff L. M. Sandlin arrested Scott on a statutory charge he found he had lost the keys to the jail. The officer, undaunted, bought a set of hack saws from a hardware store and forced his prisoner to saw his way into his place of confinement.

An extra large supper was Scott's reward.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - July 17, 2007

The Bee
Danville, Virginia
May 7, 1923

BAGS HUGE EAGLE

Lebanon, Ind., May 5 -- A golden eagle, 7 feet 4 inches across the outstretched wings and 33 inches from beak to tail, was shot by Donald Crawford on the Frank McBroom farm, near here.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - July 17, 2007

The Times
Hammond, Indiana
October 3, 1922

LEBANON, Sept. -- Lebanon high school, which in former years has put Lebanon on the basketball map, has shown the usual pep and spirit this year when the largest number of basketball candidates turned out in the history of the school, in answer to Coach Al Smith's call issued Thursday.

There is some excellent material for the formation of this year's team and work towards perfecting a squad that will put the old time ginger in the game again, has been started.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 1/20/2007
 

The Times
Hammond, Indiana
April 24, 1923

S. E.[?] SWAIM is doing yeoman work in the city treasurer's office during spring rush, but his heart is down in Zionsville with a brand new Jersey cow and 150 brooders.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 1/20/2007
 

The Indianapolis Star
September 5, 1921

Fred A. Riner Lebanon, Indiana


THE CHALMERS
[This was a contest he won]

I prefer the Chalmers because

C - Comfortable

H - Handy

A - Always ready

L - Low upkeep

M - Many miles per gallon

E - Easy to drive

R - Runs consistently

S - Speed-a-Plenty

Conduitt Auto Co.

Submitted by: Louise and Gary Thompson - 10/17/2006
 

The Lebanon Reporter
Circa 1923

FRED A. RINER TO SUPERINTEND ST. LOUIS PLANT

After 4 yrs. of successful and efficient work as Chief Chemist for the Indiana Condensed Milk Company operating plants at Lebanon and Sheridan, Fred A. Riner has been promoted to the Superintendency of a plant near East St. Louis, Ill. Mr. Riner left Monday to take up his new duties. Mrs. Riner and daughter will visit for a few days with friends before leaving for their new home.

Submitted by: Louise and Gary Thompson - 10/17/2006
 

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
September 6, 1921

SHERIFF SLAYS BOOZE RUNNER
WOUNDS SECOND AFTER BEATING IN ROAD FIGHT

Liquor Carriers, Following Arrest, Disarm Patrolman and Attack Boone County Officer in Auto

3 Escape During Battle
Authorities Believe Men Were Carrying Whisky to Chicago
Victim Unidentified

[Special to The Indianapolis Star]
Lebanon, Ind., Sept 5 -- In a battle with booze runners late today on the Noblesville road, eight miles from Lebanon, Sheriff Joseph Cain shot and instantly killed one man, probably fatally wounded another and was himself badly beaten about the head. Three of the booze runners escaped. One of the heavily laden booze cars was abandoned. The slain man. the wounded booze runner and Sheriff Cain were brought to Lebanon in an ambulance.

At the Williams hospital, the wounded man gave his name as Hez Gentry and his address as Twentieth street and Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago. He was shot through the jaw and in the side. Physicians say he can not recover. He declined to give the name of the slain man and nothing was found in his clothing to identify him.

The dead man was about 26 years of age, of medium height, dark complexion and dark hair. He was shot in the center of the forehead.

Sheriff Beaten on Head

Sheriff Cain was beaten severally about the head and face, his assailants using "black jacks." His wounds are not serious.

One of the cars operated by the booze runners broke down near Rosston. Sheriff Cain was notified, and with Policeman L. M. Pemberton drove to the scene and placed the five men under arrest. The sheriff took two of the men in his car and Policeman Pemberton used one of the booze cars to drive the other three to Lebanon.

Three Attack Sheriff

En route to Lebanon the booze runners attacked the officers. Sheriff Cain's car was ditched, Policeman Pemberton was disarmed and covered with his own revolver while Sheriff Cain battled with three of the men. The sheriff, though repeatedly struck about the head, fought on. One of the booze runners fell with a bullet between the eyes and another dropped with two wounds in his body. The others fled in their machines.

Sheriff Cain stayed by his prisoners and accompanied them to Lebanon. From information received by the sheriff, the booze runners were en route to Chicago. All were young men, well dressed and heavily armed.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 12/7/2006

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
May 12, 1921
Page 4, Col 3

ONE KILLED IN COLLISION
Oliver Turner Dies Following Crash Between Touring Car and Truck

Oliver Turner of Whitestown was injured fatally yesterday morning when a touring car he is said to have been driving at a high rate of speed crashed into a truck belonging to the Norman Furniture Company on the Lafayette pike about eight miles northwest of the city. Turner was insensible after the accident and died about 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon without regaining consciousness.

The automobile truck, which was loaded with furniture, was being driven east in a cross road by Hollis Bollie, 945 Indiana avenue. John Gamble, 523 North Noble street, also was riding in the truck.

Truck Overturned

The truck was overturned and Bollie was injured about the right hand. Bollie and Gamble told Lieut. Woollen and the police emergency squad that Turner was driving at high speed, and apparently did not see the truck until he was within a few feet of it because of the rain which was falling at the time.

Turner was not identified positively until yesterday afternoon a short time before he died when his wife came to the hospital. The police learned his identity by comparing his license number with records in the office of the secretary of state. Both automobiles were badly damaged by the collision.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 12/7/2006

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
December 15, 1924
Page 1, Col 5

DOCTOR DIES AT CROSSING
Boone County Coroner-Elect, Dr. H. W. Millikan, Killed at Whitestown

[Special to The Indianapolis Star]
WHITESTOWN, Ind., Dec 14 -- Dr. H. W. Millikan, 65 years old coroner elect of Boone county on the Republican ticket and practicing physician of Whitestown for seventeen years was killed this afternoon when his auto was struck by a Big Four south bound passenger train at the Main street crossing here.

Dr. Millikan was driving north in an enclosed car. A box car on a siding near the crossing obstructed his view and the noise of his motor is believed to have prevented him hearing an automatic warning bell which was ringing.

Thrown From Car

The doctor was thrown from his car twenty feet onto a cement walk. His skull was fractured and he died instantly.

Dr. Millikan was well known through north central Indiana having served as Boone county coroner in 1921 22 and practiced medicine at Sheridan before coming here seventeen years ago. He would have taken office in January.

The widow, one brother Thomas of near Noblesville, four sisters, Mrs. Amanda Townsend, Mrs. Martha Jones and Mrs. Eliza Hammer of near Westfield and Mrs. Linda Harold of near Carmel survive.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - 12/7/2006