This week in Indiana’s history …
1902 – Dedication ceremonies were held for the Carnegie Library in Crawfordsville. It was the first of 164 libraries in Indiana to be funded by businessman Andrew Carnegie. He built more libraries in Indiana than in any other state. Like many, the Crawfordsville library was started by a local women’s organization, the Current Events Club. The Carnegie building in Crawfordsville now serves as the Montgomery County Museum.
1917 – Anna Marie Ridge organized the first group of girl scouts in Marion County. Named Indianapolis Troop 1, the scouts became active in the community. They were awarded a flag for selling bonds during the Liberty Loan drive in World War I. For many years, the troop met at the Presbyterian Church in Irvington.
1931 – The Indiana Railroad System advertised new high-speed electric coaches in service for Central and Northern Indiana. The company offered “swift and luxurious travel” with 15 trains daily between Indianapolis, Anderson, Muncie, Hartford City, Montpelier, Bluffton, and Fort Wayne. Riders could leave Indianapolis at 7 a.m. and arrive in Fort Wayne at 10:45 a.m.
1945 – The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Of the 1,196 men aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship. Those remaining were plunged into shark-infested waters. By the time they were rescued four days later, only 316 were alive.
1959 – A large tent collapsed at the Rush County Fair, trapping about 100 people. In the midst of a searing heat wave, a violent thunderstorm hit the area with 80 mph winds. Most of those caught in the tent suffered only minor injuries, but several were taken to the Rush County Hospital with more serious injuries.
1984 – An Old-Timers Dream Baseball Game heralded the opening of the new Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis. Over 15,000 fans cheered as Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, Don Larson, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Carl Erskine, Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson and other legendary players took to the field. On the PA microphone was veteran Chicago Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse.