January/February Boonville View by Neal Media

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Boonville View | 3

ebi and Gary aren’t really ones to brag. So, I’ll do it for them. They recently purchased the building at 204 W. Locust. It is a building that has housed many media outlets over the years. In fact, it’s where we all met. To say the building needed some work is an understatement. It was full of forgotten office furniture, more than a century of dirt and dust and remodel projects over remodel projects. They’ve torn down walls, spent time on scaffolding painting the 15-foot ceilings and time on their hands and knees scraping the glue off the original hardwood floors. It’s far from being complete, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. The front office now boasts a large conference table for meetings. There’s an office for the three of us to work out of. And there are lots of exciting ideas being thrown around for the future. The middle and back parts of the building will be the “1901 Emporium.” Spaces will be rented out to local vendors looking to expand or start their business. The ambiance alone is worth the visit, but the vendors that have already signed up make it even more exciting. The top and middle photos are a remodel of the building that took place in the 1970s (courtesy of Steve Barnett). The bottom group of photos is before, during and after the current remodel. It’s absolutely beautiful! They aren’t just doing this for themselves. Both Debi and Gary believe in this community and want to invest to make it better. If there is a project going on in Boonville, one or both of them are involved. They are investing in Boonville because they believe in Boonville. Just think of the history that has been inside that building at one point or another. More than 100 years of stories have been written inside those walls. There have been plenty of laughs, a lot of tears and every emotion in between. When I see the pride on their faces as they show off the work they’ve done, I know that they’ll do the history of the building justice. Read more about building on page 20. If you get a chance, stop by the new Boonville View office and see the progress Debi and Gary have made!

Emily May Editor

4 | January/February

CONTENTS Welcome Feelin’ Sassy TRU Calling Renovating History A Page Out of History Where Lincoln Learned the Law Boonville Bulletin Freezin’ for a Reason Through Generations Year in Review Christmas in Boonville Looking to the Future Black Gold Advertiser Index

Boonville View | 5

is a product of Neal Media. Gary Neal | President & Publisher 812-598-2183 gneal@boonvilleview.com Debi Neal | Business Development 812-598-2182 dneal@boonvilleview.com Emily May | Editor 812-453-7420 emily@boonvilleview.com

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03 06 10 14 20 24 27 28 30 34 38 40 42 46

204 W. Locust, Boonville, IN 47601

Sassy

6 | January/February

Feelin’

By Emily May

isters Tammy Smith and Melinda Scheller are very close. They vacation together. They own rental property together. Now, they’re business partners. SassaFrassy’s, located on the northeast corner of the square, officially opened its doors late last summer. The store is a mix of antiques and repurposed items, along with several vendors. “We already owned rental properties together,” Tammy said. “We had always wanted to open up a little shop... We get along and love spending time together, so why not take on this beast? She’s a creaky old woman, this building.” It was never really a question of what the store would sell. Antiques and repurposed items have long been a part of the family’s life.

SassaFrassy’s is located at 101 N. Third Street, on the northeast corner of the square. It’s open Monday through Thursday, 5-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay up on their current wares by visiting their Facebook page.

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“It’s just a passion for us,” Melinda said. “They’re in our homes already. We love to go crafting and to flea markets, antiquing, auctions, that kind of thing.” The sisters joked that they can use the inventory to rotate their home decor, as well. “We can bring it into the shop and let someone else enjoy it for a minute.” The idea of a store that offers repurposed items, antiques, custom furniture painting and handcrafted items isn’t a new one, but Melinda said she believes that everyone has a place on the square. “I see a lot of different shops coming in,” Melinda said. “We all do things just a little bit differently. There’s room enough for everyone. We do antiques and vintage things. It’s a little different from what other people do, but we mix in other stuff, too. I

think it’s a good mix.” The recently-completed mezzanine will feature various outside vendors on the second floor, in addition to the vendors downstairs. Tammy said that there is plenty of room for a variety of vendors on the square. “We’ve had lots of support,” Tammy said. “It’s so refreshing to see people get as excited as we are about what we’re doing.” Both Tammy and Melinda said they’d like to see more events spread throughout the year, but they’re excited to be a part of the square and all the activities on it. “When we were little girls living in Chandler, we thought it was the coolest thing to come to the square to shop,” Melinda said. “We just always thought it would be cool to live on the square.”

“The end result is going to be awesome,” Tammy said. “It just needed a little love.” SassaFrassy’s is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For now, the sisters work full-time and watch grandchildren during the day. Coincidentally, it’s those grandchildren who inspired the name. “We have, between us, eight grandbabies and we call them our little sassafrassys,” Tammy said. “Some of them more than others. We’re just carrying it over to here. Every time we walk in here, it reminds me of them.”

That dream almost came true. When the sisters bought the building, they also bought the apartment on the third floor. As soon as it was complete, it was rented out — before the store was ready. “God has been all over this, honestly,” Melinda said. “He’s blessed us and always provided. With our rental properties that we owned before, as soon as we got them ready, there’s someone there. He’s always been there watching over us.” The store continues to be a work in progress.

10 | January/February

A T•R•U

Calling By Emily May

arrell LeMond comes from humble beginnings. He worked for Peabody Coal Company for 20 years. When coal made its grand exit from the county, he was left trying to figure out what to do. His inspiration came from the decor at a wedding he was attending. “They had a tent and there was straw hanging off the tent. It was a pretty nasty tent for a wedding reception. For a fair, it might be okay, but not for a wedding reception.” Darrell wasn’t doing anything and had a little money saved back, so he purchased three tents from Anchor Industries in Evansville. T.R.U. Event Rental was born. “I’d never put a tent up before in my life,” he said. “I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. But, I was just persistent and I learned as I went.” Darrell said he learned a lot by trial and error, which admitedly wasn’t the best way to go about things. He sought out mentors in the business and kept at it. He operated out of a small garage for some time, but as demand increased, his inventory

Boonville View | 11

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Boonville View | 13 grew, as well. Soon, he was searching for a new home for his business. He found the perfect location on Fulton Avenue on Evansville’s West Side. He started out renting just a small portion of the 70,000 square foot building, enough for his office and storage for his growing tent inventory. The warehouse space includes thousands upon thousands of chairs, tents, tables, church pews, flowers, linens and everything else you could ever think to rent for a party. There are rooms dedicated to cleaning china and washing linens and backdrops. They even have chair washing machines. He’s also expanded his workforce to include between 25 and 30 people. Things get particularly hectic during fall. “That time of year, it’s not unusual for them to get 60, 65 hours a weekend. It’s a seven day a week operation. We’re either setting up or tearing down.” He describes his business as one that provides inventory for weddings, local events and other gatherings. What he actually does is much more broad.

“Our tents are much more than just weddings, tent sales and things like that,” Darrell said. “Any time someone needs shelter, that’s what we provide. We have tables, chairs, we do a lot of decorating. We have two bridal consultants that work for us to take care of florals, designs, things like that.” The company will travel within approximately 150 miles to deliver their rentals and boasts a growing inventory that is not rivaled in the tri-state. His success has taken him by surprise. “Really, I thought this would be a summertime thing. Then I figured out that I didn’t (actually) have it figured out. Not only do you have tents, but you have tables and chairs and you have linens... There is never an end to this.” He enjoys using his success for good, as well. Darrell said they always advertise in local publications as a way to support the community that supported them for so long. He also does a lot of in-kind work for nonprofits. “I’ve got some good people who come up with these ideas,” he said.

Boonville NOW is a nonprofit organization formed in 2011 to promote and support community development in Boonville. All proceeds from membership fees and donations are put into the Boonville Community. There are no paid positions with Boonville NOW, including Board and Committee members.

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14 | January/February

history RENOVATING By Emily May

Historic Downtown Boonville has been enjoying a renaissance of late. The squareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crown jewel is next on the list.

Boonville View | 15

hen Abraham Lincoln strolled into Boonville nearly 200 years ago, it looked a bit different. The court house he walked 20 miles to visit no longer stands. The square around the rough-hewn log building was virtually non-existent. Only 200 or so residents called Boonville home. The ground, though, is the same one that Lincoln once sought shade on. According to old newspaper accounts, Abraham Lincoln should not have been affluent. He was the son of a poor farmer. He didn’t have easy access to schooling or books. Yet, he would recite sermons and passages to neighbors and family after hearing them only once. He was told more than once that he would grow up to be a lawyer. He took those words to heart. When he heard of the court house in Boonville, Abe decided to make the 20-mile trek to see what he could glean from a real-life trial. The future president befriended John A. Brackenridge, southern Indiana’s most influential lawyer. He invited the young Abraham to stay over-

night at his home and even loaned him books. In his 16 years in southern Indiana, Abe made the journey to Boonville many times, earning the city the distinction of “Where Lincoln learned the law.” Boonville’s first courthouse was a small log cabin. Only a handful of cases were heard there before it was deemed inconvenient and uncomfortable. The commissioners ordered a new brick building built. The foundation and frame were completed and the structure was roughly weather boarded and roofed but never completely finished. It served as the county courthouse until 1836, although it was only in use in warmer months. That building was torn down and replaced with a new two-story courthouse. That one lasted less than 20 years before it was torn down and another built in its place. The current courthouse was built in 1904 for $75,000 by Harris and Shopbell of Evansville. It is modern with Greek Revival influence. It used Huntingburg yellow brick and Bedford limestone trim. The clock tower was later donated by Herbert Hoggatt.

learned oks, Abraham Lincoln bo ry to his old to ing rd king buildestead is where, acco with two very similar loo ed ac pl re The Brackinridge hom s wa It . 08 was torn down in 19 the law. The building ctured below. ings, one of which is pi

Boonville View | 17 It was a departure from anything the county had seen previously. It served as the county courthouse for nearly a century and still houses several county offices. The Warrick County Judicial Center, which opened in 2000, now hosts all three county courts, as well as most the of the county’s offices. So, why the history lesson? County officials are looking to ensure that piece of history is around a lot longer. County Commissioner Marlin Weisheit said he’s working on securing funding for both the old courthouse and the old jail. According to Energy Systems Group (ESG), the design of the courthouse does not lend itself to the installation of central heating and air conditioning units, IT upgrades or modern electrical systems. Add in general maintenance — repairing exterior issues and remodeling the interior — and the renovations to the Old Jail and it becomes an $8.4 million project. Weisheit said he doesn’t expect to get the entire amount for the project, but has asked the Warrick County Council to bond $6 million for the old courthouse, $400,000 for the old jail, $400,000 to

install new heat pumps at the Judicial Center and $1,000 in upgrades to the jail. One of the larger projects will be the repair of the exterior of the old courthouse. Old metal hangers have rusted, which means all the brick will have to be removed and reset. The brick is in danger of pulling off in some spots. “Twenty years ago, they spent $1 million and they did restructure some brick,” Weisheit said. “But this sandstone, they just did a quick patch on and it’s busting in places.” Some of the projects that ESG suggested can be eliminated or changed, but Weisheit said he has to play a little hardball to get the project done correctly. “If you give us less than $6 million, we can’t do that project. They may give us $5 million and we’ll do our best, but when they tell me $4 million, I won’t even start it. You’ve got to do better than $4 million. The commissioners are responsible for it, but the council funds it.” The 17-year judicial center bond was recently paid off, which frees up funds for the county to move forward with this project.

18 | January/February

The Old Jail, above, is the only Boonville building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is the center of the public square, which is a Historic Main Street. Both will get a makeover soon.

Boonville View | 19

Weisheit said there are grants out there to help fund improvements to the Old Jail, but the county has to be willing to fund part of the projects, as well. “They’re not going to give me $800,000, but the big question is are they going to give me $400,000? I’m going to cry like a baby to get it so we can move on and get it fixed.” Why is this project so historically significant? “Your county courthouse is the crown jewel of every county,” he said. “Evansville has that big, beautiful courthouse they quit using for county purposes, but someone still has to maintain that building. It’s always a challenge. We use every square inch of (our) building.” The lower level houses the county health department, the Boon Township Trustee and Purdue Extension. The second floor is home to the area planning commission, engineering and building department, surveyors office and health department records. The third floor has emergency management, the commissioners and other offices. “It’s not on the historical registry, but it’s part of Boonville,” Weisheit said. “Boonville square is a Historical Main Street. The only building on the Historical Registry is the Old Jail. That’s why we have an obligation to fix it. We can’t tear it down. We can’t let it just go to pieces. We can’t give it away in the shape it’s in. We’re responsible to maintain that building... My goal is to move the next economic development director to Boonville.” While the project won’t necessarily pay for itself, several projects will constitute energy savings for the county. “Will it pay the whole $6 million back? No, because brick and mortar is not going to save us anything. Windows and doors, they’ll pay for themselves... You

want it safe, you want it efficient and you want it to look nice.” The County Council approved the first step of the renovations, 7-0, in early December. It will be a process lasting months, but the council approved the first step — drawing up the contracts — of financing $6 million for the old courthouse, $350,000 for the Old Jail and $65,000 for the Sheriff’s Department. “This will be a two month process, but I could not be happier keeping this on the front burner, Weisheit said.

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20 | January/February

A page out of F

or well over 100 years, the stately building at 204 West Locust Street in Boonville has been home to printers and publishers. Built in 1901, it is a contributing building to the Boonville Public Square Historic District. The building has been home to numerous publications over the years, including the Boonville Standard, Warrick Enquirer, Newburgh Register, Chandler Light (renamed the Chandler Post in 1963) and Warrick County Today, as well as others.

history By Gary Neal

None of these publications still exist. With the merger of the Boonville Standard and the Newburgh Register into the Warrick County Standard and subsequent sale to a Kentucky firm in 2016, the building has been without a local publication. The Johnson family owned the building until 1983 when it was purchased by Warrick Publishing Company. Warrick Publishing was dissolved in late 2017 and the building was sold â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for only the third time in 116 years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to Neal Media, the publisher of Boonville View Magazine

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just two sisters who enjoy repurposing furniture, crafting, vintage decor and antiques. We are now open Wednesday & Thursday 5-8, Friday & Saturday 10-4 and by appointment. If you have a piece that is in need of a facelift, we also do custom painting! Stop by and see us at 101 N. Third Street in Boonville! If you would be interested in cosigning with us, send us a message on Facebook or contact us at sassafrassys16@gmail.com

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Boonville View | 23

and other titles. For the past couple of months, 204 West Locust has been undergoing a restoration back to its former glory with 14’ ceilings, original oak flooring and exposed brick walls. The front office is home to Neal Media and also provides a meeting room and headquarters for the nonprofit Boonville Now! organization. Other plans for the ground floor space include The 1901 Emporium which is billed as “a unique shopping experience in the Historic District of Boonville.” Owners Gary and Debi Neal invite you to drop by and check out their progress.

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hen Abraham Lincoln was 7 years old, he moved near here into a small pioneer community with with parents. The 160 acres they settled on to was near-wilderness and the young boy learned early on how to split rains for fences and to plow crops. After his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln died when he was 9, he recalled how she had wanted him to have an education. After his mother’s passing, the young boy took on various jobs away from the farm in Spencer County. He once worked as a clerk in a mercantile store, where he had to stand on an old crate in order to

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“

Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition, is yet to be developed. — Abraham Lincoln

“

make change for customers. He taught himself to read by the dim lantern light until long after his father had fallen asleep. And, then he started walking twice a week to Warrick County in order to sit in on court cases and observe quietly. It is a documented fact that the old saying about Boonville being where Lincoln learned the law is undisputed. After having seen the young lad

sitting in his court room time and again, Judge Brackenridge befriended him and even loaned him his own personal law books to take home to read at night. This close friendship gave the shy, backward lad a new confidence in himself. By the time that Abraham Lincoln went with his father to Illinois in 1830, he was already destined for greatness.

The Lincoln farm, located in Spencer County, is still in existence today. Period demonstrations are offered from time to time. For more information, visit indianasabelincoln.org.

Boonville View | 27

BOONVILLE

bulletin

Boonville Middle Scho ol will host a 21st scholar presenta tion Jan. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. Did you kn ow that nearly half of BMS students could qualify for free college tuition? The 21st Century Scholars program presentation for parents of seventh and eighth grade stud ents will highlight the program and have ap plications available to fill out. The presentatio n will be held in the BMS auditorium. Pare nts are asked to bring a 2017 household inc ome amount and the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Social Secu rity Number.

Woodmont Health Ca mpus will host a CHILI COOK OFF Ja n. 14 from 11 to 1 p.m.

Want to see your event ts featured here? Email even by to emily@boonvilleview.com Feb. 1 to see your events listed in the March/April issue of Boonville View!

28 | January/February

Freezin’for a Reason

By Emily May

For more than a decade, hundreds of locals gather every February to take a dip in Scales Lake. And it’s all for a good cause. Betty Stepek got involved with Special Olympics when she began teaching in Warrick County in 1977. The first Polar Plunge was held more than a decade ago. The first couple were held in portable pools at Boonville High School. Evansville had held one at Lloyd Pool for several years, but the two counties decided to join forces. That plunge was held at a small pond near Cracker Barrel. The very next year, the Plunge was moved to Scales Lake. “Once you get involved in Special Olympics, it just kind of hooks you,” Stepek said. In more recent history, the Plunge was separated back into two. This time, the second was moved to Petersburg. Prior to the split, the Boonville Polar Plunge was bringing in nearly $80,000 a year. The two together still bring in around $80,000 a year, but the Boonville Plunge itself now raises around $30,000. “We have groups that aren’t really associated with Special Olympics, but they know that there’s a plunge going on and they have fun doing it,” Stepek said. “So, there’s a lot of people that we didn’t personally contact, but they just heard about it by word of mouth.” In order to plunge, each person is asked to raise at least $75 (students with an ID can raise a minimum of $50). Stepek said there is also a “Virtual Plunge,” which allows people to help raise money for the Special Olympics while staying warm and dry in the comfort of their home. “I did probably 10 years ago,” Stepek said. “Then, because I help run it, I did a virtual plunge, so I

raise the money, but I don’t plunge. Last year,I raised more money than I usually do, so I kind of put myself out there and told people that if I raised a certain amount of money that I’d go ahead and plunge. And of course, they came through. So, I plunged again last year.” Stepek said the plunge isn’t bad, but the anticipation of the plunge is. “The plunge is not that bad,” she said. “You’re thinking it’s going to be bad and it’s really not. As long as you have a blanket to wrap yourself up in after you get out, have somebody there to give you a blanket or a towel, and get into the warm changing tent, it’s really not that bad.” The plunge takes place regardless of the outside temperature. Stepek said last year was fairly mild, but there have been some pretty extreme years. “Last year, there was no snow on the ground,” she said. “It was just sand. But we have had to have divers come in and cut through the ice. We’ve had probably five to seven inches of ice the divers had to cut through, then the plungers jumped into the water.” Warm changing tents are available at Scales Lake. Plungers are then invited to the “After Splash Bash” at Boonville High School. Awards for the team with the most plungers, the most money raised and the best costumes will be given. The plungers will also be fed and get to bid on auction items. Special Olympics of Warrick County allows children of differing abilities to participate in a variety of athletic adventures. Warrick County has a swimming team, a softball team, a basketball team and a corn hole, among others. To register for the Boonville Polar Plunge, visit soindiana.org/polar-plunge.

Boonville View | 29

The 2018 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics will be held Feb. 3 at Scales Lake. To register, visit soindiana.org/ polar-plunge.

30 | January/February

Through

generations

By Emily May

t could have been a his grandmother, Ida Roth big box store. Wilson. Ida was the daughThe large, stately ter of the original George J. building on the south side Roth, who founded Roth’s of the square still bears the Department Store. name “Geo. J. Roth” on its The dry goods and clothfacade, though the busiing store served Boonville ness itself is long gone. and the surrounding area. For some, though, lots of John said he and his wife memories remain. have talked about the John Marsh has plenty potential that the store of memories of Roth’s held. Department Store. One of “They were on the verge the owners used to take of being big like Walmart,” him shopping there. John said. “They could “That store was a model have. There was only one store in many ways,” store, but Walmart was John said. “I can rememfounded in Arkansas. It ber going into that store, started as a small store. plus going into stores in McDonald’s started as Ann Arbor, Mich., and one little store. But, they some other stores where had the drive and the will my mother bought me to push it and expand it shoes or clothes and the and get financing and all Ida Roth Wilson in the 1940s or 1950s, courtesy store down in Boonville it takes to go regional or of John Marsh. was a favorite of mine. Of nationwide with a busicourse, when I was walkness.” ing in there, I was walking in with the owner. I was John’s grandfather, Robert Wilson, worked as a the grandchild of the owner, so I know I was treated buyer for the store. He frequently visited New York, well for that reason. But I also felt really comfortable often bringing gifts home for Ida. When he passed in there. People were glad to see me, really friendly, away, it seemed to take all the wind out of the famreally helpful. I felt like it was a good place to do ily’s sails. business.” Ida took over ownership of the store with her half Roth’s opened in the 1850s and quickly grew to brother, George Roth. John said she seemed to be accommodate Boonville and the surrounding area. the more ambitious of the two. John didn’t get to spend a lot of time in Boonville. “I don’t think the two of them were on the same His father worked for Republic Airlines in Evansville page as far as messing with the business. I don’t during WWII. He accepted a job in Detroit, Mich., think that they argued — or if they did, I didn’t know when John was still in his early youth. But, he got about it,” he said. “But, whereas Ida was probably to visit the city for a week or two at a time to see could have been ambitious, she had a couple of

Boonville View | 31 problems. One was she was a woman. That takes an awful lot of extra gumption to succeed. Once you succeed, that job is done and you can go forward as much as you want. But getting over that glass ceiling is a real struggle. My great-uncle wasn’t somebody who was ambitious as she was.” Ida’s ambition took her all the way to the state legislature. She was elected the first female representative from Warrick County in 1943. She was even president of the Order of Women Legislators at one point. Not much is known from that part of her life, though. “As a woman, I’m sure she had an awful lot of resistance, too,” John said. “I don’t remember hearing about those kinds of conflicts, but then again, those kinds of conflicts would have seemed normal in those days and you didn’t talk to your kids about it... I suppose you could say in some ways she was an early feminist, but I wouldn’t put it that way exactly.” After growing up and going to school in Michigan, John was drafted into the Navy Reserves and eventually spent three years on active duty in Spain. He returned to the U.S. in 1971, landing in New York.

He decided to stay and make his home there. In the meantime, his grandmother had made the decision to sell the store. “I’m not sure when it was sold,” he said. “I wasn’t paying a lot of attention... There wasn’t really much of a store by the time she sold it. The competition was heavy. Evansville was growing. The kind of dry goods and clothing store that was, it was dinosaur of the past. It didn’t have much of a future. She was glad to get rid of it. There was some other property on the square that she sold, as well. I remember her complaining about the upkeep.” John moved from New York back to Michigan in 1989. They stayed until he retired in 2009. From there, John and his wife, a college professor, went to Maryland, where they lived until she retired this year. They’re now back near where they started in New York. John said he enjoys traveling, something he learned from his grandmother in a roundabout way. “I’ve been in Europe several times, I’ve ridden my motorcycle around much of the country,” he said. “My wife and I like to travel. I’ve seen a lot. My mom and dad sent me to Europe on my grandmother’s

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32 | January/February

The home of Ida Roth Wilson was located on Walnut Street in Boonville. Her grandson, John Marsh, recalls her sitting in front of the big window pouring over the Wall Street Journal each morning.

money. My dad was a musician and didn’t make a lot and my mother spent a lot. They didn’t have a lot of extra money... If it hadn’t been for my grandmother, I believe we would have been scraping a lot more than we did. I don’t have any trouble admitting that.” The store was ahead of its time, John said. One thing that stood out to him was the store’s use of technology. While he was never involved in day-to-day operations, he remembers the store The original George J. Roth & Co. encompassed three buildings on from a customer’s perspective. the south side of the square. It was a large and well-kept store, even “I remember going in that by today’s standards, according to a descendent of the family. store and my grandmother buying me clothes and shoes and I had listened more to her than I did,” he said. “I feel stuff like that,” he said. “It was a as though that is one of the shortcomings of my very comfortable store. It was fairly large, even by attention span. She was full of wisdom... I was a kid. today’s standards. One of the things I remember most is — me being a mechanical sort of person — I have an incredible amount of respect for her now.” He can still see her in her home, a large, well-kept the store was downstairs and many counters had estate on Walnut Street, pouring through her favorite a register. They had these air cans like they have publication in front of her big window. at the banks... All the registers had these air cans. “I can see her today sitting in her chair in front of They would put your money in the air cans and it would go up to the balcony, the mezzanine, and the the big window reading the Wall Street Journal every morning,” he said. “She would pour over that Wall accountants would check you out and your receipt Street Journal with her pencil and she would make came back down. In some ways, it was an early notes and was very careful to read everything she adopter of technology.” wanted to read in the paper. She was an investor In hindsight, John said he regrets not retaining and she did very well investing in the stock market... more of his grandmother’s stories when he was I can just picture her. I can see it almost clear as younger. “I have wished so many times I couldn’t count that day. That’s kind of first of all the type of person she was. She studied things, she analyzed them and she took action.”

“Derr’s… A Family Tradition for Over 100 Years!”

People would travel from many nearby communities to visit Roth’s in its heyday

Call us at (812) 453-9768

review

34 | January/February

A year in

MAY/JUNE

Longtime softball coa

ch bid the program he built farewell at the end of the se ason.

une issue /J y a M e h t in d e r u t Johnson Park, as fea Boonville View.

Check out past issues of Boonville View on our Facebook page!

JULY/AUGUST

headlines e d a m b lu C r a C s h c The Monar founded s a w b lu c e h T . ow h s with its first car ago. more than 50 years

The annual Warrick Cou nty 4-H Fair drew large crowds all week.

The Warrick County Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market runs June- Boonville native Bill Veeck left his mark on the Chicago Cubs. October each year and features a variety of homegrown and homemade items.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

36 | January/February

Boonville has had

er the ov s r a t s ll a b t oo f of e its fair shar

years.

The push to sa ve the Old Jail began years ago with the J ailbreak 5K.

The legend of Black Annie is one of Boonvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest mysteries.

Ralph Hutchinson ha s been a staple on the Boonville Square for m ore than 50 years.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Boonville View | 37

Scott Zoll is a veteran. He’s d edicated his life to giving ba ck to other vet erans.

Eddie’s may be gone, but its memory lives on in the hearts of its past patrons.

Buying or Selling? Dave Talley is a Full-time Boonville Realtor®!

Call or Text DAVE TALLEY 812.457.2788 ~ david.talley@era.com

38 | January/February

Christmas [in Boonville]

The first weekend in December was one full of Christmas cheer! The weekend kicked off Friday night with the lighting of the decorations on the square, pony rides, the lighting of the tree in Johnson Park and Christmas carols by the Boonville High School Chamber Choir. Santa came to town Saturday, along with Bluegrass at the Museum. The annual Christmas parade, the longest continually-running parade of its kind in the state, enjoyed unseasonably warm weather Sunday.

40 | January/February

Looking to the

future By Debi Neal

anuary starts a new year full of ideas from Boonville NOW members. Our focus for 2018 will be working within our Main Street Indiana guidelines. Historic preservation, business development and improvements within our Historic District are but a few. Boonville NOW will be having quarterly public meetings to encourage members and citizens to get involved helping with future progress in Boonville. Please watch our Facebook page (Boonville NOW) and website (boonvillenow.org) for further information. We recently finished the Warrick County War Memorial on the Boonville Courthouse Lawn. Nov. 11 was a beautiful day for the dedication and was a well-attended and emotional ceremony. Speeches by Commissioner Marlin Weisheit and Chairman of the War Memorial Committee and Boonville NOW president Terry Phillippe, Blessing by Father Will of St. Clement Church, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, American Legion dedication of the flag and flagpole and a 21 gun salute by American Legion Honor Guard dedicated the War Memorial to those that had paid the ultimate sacrifice to our country. BHS Chamber Choir, directed by Mrs. Jennifer Pruden sang “Let Freedom Ring” and the National Anthem while the American flag was being raised for the first time, ending with the lighting of the Eternal Flame. Personalized bricks, placed in the walkway, were seen for the first time, bringing tears to veterans and family members. Clarence Addington, a 97-year-old World War II veteran, attended in fatigues while wearing his dog tags! A dedicated committee somehow managed to complete this beautiful project in six months, but it could not have been done without John Jamison of Jamison Monuments and Jim

Clarence Addington, a 97-yearold WWII veteran, attends the Warrick County War Memorial Dedication in his fatigues and dog tags. Pancake of Milano Monuments working on a very tight schedule! Boonville NOW is very proud that this project, as ALL other Boonville NOW projects, was built entirely from donations — the Commissioner Classic Golf Scramble by Marlin Weisheit, a grant from the Christian Science Irrevocable Fund and brick sales. No county nor city tax

money or funds were used on this memorial. No board member is paid and all money collected through memberships or activities is directed back into projects. Endless hours were dedicated by volunteers. The changes are noticeable on the Boonville Square, the beautiful Johnson Park, Harold Gunn Pavilion and the War Memorial all enriching our Historic District of Downtown. Please consider joining and volunteering with Boonville NOW. Be a part of the progress in Boonville. Bring your ideas to our first public meeting and take pride in our city! Boonville NOW has a new location for our monthly meetings, as of January we will meet at 204 W. Locust Street, the new home of Boonville View Magazine! This will give us a permanent location for meetings and planning sessions. If you have questions or suggestions, please stop in!

Bill Tanner, Boonville NOW Board Member, War Memorial Committee member and Vietnam veteran, places a Christmas wreath at the Warrick County War Memorial.

Continuing to serve and make Warrick County a place we are proud to call home.

116 East Main St, Boonville â&#x20AC;˘ Call (812) 217-3481

Black By Barbara Brown Meyer

hey called it “black gold” back in the day. And it was plentiful underground throughout Warrick County. So much, in fact, that it inspired many individuals to establish coal mining operations of their own. Several of these were short-lived for one reason or another. Others lasted a long time and provided steady employment for men with families. Abraham M. Phelps came to the area after the invitation of his close friend, Albert Hagen. He stayed in Newburgh and became one of the most influential and wealthiest of its citizens. Not only did he establish one of

Technology in local coal mines has vastly improved in the 100-plus years that mining has been prevalent in the county.

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the first coal mines, he also had a large church built in his neighborhood. That building is now known as Newburgh Town Hall. The home he had built for his family at 208 State Street reminds an impressive piece of work and decorum. Sunlight Coal Company was one of the oldest mines in the area and it was a very popular place to work because so many different kinds of jobs were offered there. The original company grew out of another company around 1912 and was founded by T. C. Mullins, who was not only president of the company, but also found time to run for the office of Mayor of Boonville and win (1923-1926). The present day Scales Lake Park is one of the finest examples of how land that was once mined heavily can be reclaimed and restored as a place of serenity and beauty for generations to come. In donating this large amount of property. Dr. and Mrs. Travis D. Scales stipulated in their last will and testament that their intent was to â&#x20AC;&#x153;furnish a safe place for children to come with their parents and spend the day.â&#x20AC;? It continues to be a favorite summer spot for families.

About the author B

arbara Brown Meyer is a lifelong Warrick County resident, passionate historian and journalism enthusiast. Barbara currently maintains eight Facebook pages reliving some of the county’s most-loved eras. She has written several books, including “Meet Me at Eddie’s” and “Come to the Big Boonville Fair.” Barbara got her start in journalism under the wing of Dick Johnson, longtime owner of the Boonville Standard. She has written for many publications in Warrick County over her 50-plus years, but said she is very excited to lend her talents to Boonville View. Barbara is currently managing “Once Upon A Time in Warrick County,” “Warrick County & World War II,” “The Righteous Brothers,” “Proud to Be a Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “A TIME for Reflection. Boonville Gum Street High School,” “Eddie’s Soda Shop,” and “And, The Oscar Goes to a Hoosier” Facebook pages, all highlighting different eras of local history. Barbara has garnered more than 4,000 followers. She spends hours researching each item she posts and pours her heart and soul into what she does. She covers the well-known stories of the county’s past, but also digs deeper to find the stories of the lesser-known forefathers and community leaders. Barbara’s work can be found in various libraries around the tri-state, as well as online.

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46 | January/February

Advertiser Index

1901 Emporium......................................................48 Aigner Construction...............................................39 Aigner Engineering.................................................15 Boonville NOW......................................................13 Byers Heating and Air...........................................45 Commander’s Grill.................................................30 Cron’s Body Shop.................................................19 Dave Talley.............................................................37 Derr’s......................................................................33 Double D’s...............................................................2 Dr. Eash.................................................................25

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Indiana Farm Bureau..............................................23 Hutchinson’s Jewelers...........................................11 Marlin Weisheit .....................................................41 Parker’s Ironworks.................................................45 Peoples Bank........................................................37 Pet Parlor...............................................................41 Posey’s Market........................................................7 Robin’s Nest..........................................................31 Sassafrassy’s.........................................................21 Susan G. Komen.....................................................9 TRU Event Rental...................................................11 Warrick Animal Guardians.....................................21 Woodmont Health Campus...................................43 Yesterdaze.............................................................46

The Warrick County War Memorial was dedicated Nov.11 during an emotional ceremony. The memorial is the latest of Boonville NOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many substantial projects. See more on page 40.

Coming Soon. . .

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~ 204 West Locust Street ~ Currently undergoing a top to bottom restoration including a return of the 14â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceilings, original oak flooring and exposed brick walls, the historic building is the home of Boonville View, and also the headquarters of the nonprofit Boonville Now! organization. Stop by and see our progress!