This week in Indiana’s history …
1860 – Henry Lane and Thomas Hendricks, both running for Governor, had a debate in Kokomo. Lane went on to win the election. He served as Governor for only two days before being elected to the United States Senate. The Lieutenant Governor, Oliver P. Morton, became Governor. Hendricks, who had earlier been in Congress, won a United States Senate seat in 1862. He served a term as Indiana Governor from 1873 to 1877. In 1884, he was elected Vice President of the United States.
1902 – Howard Hawks was born in Goshen. He moved with his family to California just as the motion picture industry was coming into its own. Beginning in silent films, he became known as a versatile director who was comfortable with all types of movies, from comedies to dramas to gangster films and westerns. Some of his most memorable work includes Red River, Sergeant York, Big Sky, and Gentlemen Prefer Blonds.
1902 – The English Opera House in Indianapolis was packed as the audience was treated to readings by Hoosier authors. The purpose of the event, introduced by United States Senator Charles Fairbanks, was to raise funds to build a statue of President Benjamin Harrison, who had died the year before. The program included Lew Wallace (Ben Hur), Charles Major (Bears of Blue River), George Barr McCutcheon (Brewster’s Millions) and James Whitcomb Riley (Out to Old Aunt Mary’s).
1922 – Lillian Gay Berry and Juliette Maxwell became the first women to be named full professors at Indiana University. Berry taught Latin for 40 years at the school and was a noted classical scholar. Maxwell, on the faculty for 35 years, served as Director of the Department of Physical Training for Women.
1942 – The first official order was issued from the new Camp Atterbury Training Center near Edinburgh. The facility was named for General William Wallace Atterbury from New Albany, Ind. He had served as a staff member to General John G. Pershing in World War I.
1961 – As Speedway drivers prepared to start the Indianapolis 500 Mile race, Ray Harroun, the first Indy 500 winner, drove around the track on the 50th anniversary of his victory. He was behind the wheel of the original yellow-and-black Marmon “Wasp” which had taken the checkered flag in 1911 at an average speed of 74.6 mph.