This week in Indiana’s history …
1816 – Governor Jonathan Jennings appointed John Johnson to be Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Johnson was one of the signers of the Indiana State Constitution. He and Justices James Scott and Jesse L. Holman held their first session in May 1817. Johnson died during the court’s first recess and before any major decisions were made.
1834 – James Sidney Hinton was born in North Carolina. His family moved to Terre Haute where he attended school. He worked as a wagon driver, barber, teacher and real estate agent. After serving in the Civil War, he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, becoming the first African American to serve in the State Legislature.
1929 – The Indianapolis Police Department completed the first test of a 500-watt transmitter which would be used to communicate to special radio patrols cars. The $17,000 system would eventually reach 35 cars on the force. Police Chief Claude Worley said the new method of communication would “make Indianapolis an unhealthy place for criminals.”
1941 – The USO opened a canteen at Union Station in Indianapolis. Almost two million members of the Armed Forces used the facility during World War II. Volunteers offered refreshments, recreation, letter writing, sewing, news and all types of information soldiers might need when far away from home.
1962 – Over 6,000 colorful lights glowed from the top of the Solders’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis. This was the first year the structure would be illuminated in this way. Mayor Albert Losche led the premier ceremonies for what would become known as the “Circle of Lights.” In the spirit of the monument, each bulb represented a branch of the military: green for the Army, clear for the Air Force, blue for the Navy, yellow for the Coast Guard and red for the Marines.
1966 – Henry F. Schricker died in his hometown of Knox. A lawyer, banker and newspaper publisher, he was also a popular Hoosier politician known for his big white hat. He served as Lieutenant Governor under M. Clifford Townsend before winning the Governor’s office in 1940 and again in 1948. He is the only Indiana Governor to be elected to two full non-consecutive terms.