This week in Indiana’s history…
1863 – The “Battle of Pogue’s Run” took place in Indianapolis. Not an actual battle, the name refers to an incident during the Civil War when Southern Loyalists (sometimes called “Copperheads”) were forced to leave town by rail. Fearing that Union soldiers were going to search the train, they threw their weapons out the train windows as it traveled along Pogue’s Run, a creek which ran southwest through the city. Newspapers reported that as many as 2,000 pistols, rifles and knives were discarded that day.
1912 – World Peace Day was observed in all Indiana schools. It was a project created by Charity Dye, an English teacher at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. She was the sponsor of the school newspaper, The Dawn, and was active in promoting world peace and women’s suffrage. She was also the author of historical non-fiction books, including Once Upon a Time in Indiana, which relates the early history of the Hoosier State.
1923 – The Columbus Symphony Orchestra gave its premiere performance at the Crump Theater. The program included “Coronation March” from Meybeer’s “The Prophet,” Hayden’s “Military Symphony,” and “Ruins of Athens” by Beethoven. Chester Kitzinger was conductor of the 60-member group. The reviewer for the Columbus Republic was much impressed, describing the musicians as a “first-class symphony” which “ranks far above organizations which have been heard in similar and larger cities.”
1941 – Governor Henry F. Schricker spoke at the cornerstone ceremony for the Lincoln Boyhood Memorial in Lincoln City, Ind. Also on the program were former Governor Ed Jackson and Richard Lieber, founder of the Indiana State Park System. Over 1,200 tons of Indiana limestone were used for the outside of the structure, while 500 tons of St. Meinrad sandstone formed the interior.
1944 – Funeral services were held for George Ade, a well-known playwright, newspaper writer, and humorist. He is best remembered for Fables in Slang, a best-seller, and his light opera The Sultan of Sulu, which had a long run on the New York stage. A graduate of Purdue University, he took great pride in helping fund the stadium which bears his name. The funeral was held at his estate in Brook in Newton County.
1988 – Fred Rogers gave the commencement address to the 473 members of the Class of 1988 at the University of Indianapolis. The star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood told the graduates, “It might take months or years for a wish to come true, but it’s far more likely to happen when you care so much about it that you’ll do all you can to make it happen.” He included a quote from Jiminy Cricket: “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you.”