This week in Indiana’s history …
July 9, 1863 – About 450 members of the Harrison Home Guard waged battle with over 2,400 Confederate soldiers under General John Hunt Morgan. The “Battle of Corydon” was the only Civil War conflict on Indiana soil.
July 10, 1899 – Noble Sissle, composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer, and playwright, known for the Broadway musical Shuffle Along, and the hit “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” was born in Indianapolis.
1921 – The Indiana Legislature created the Indiana Motor Vehicle Police Department. It was the first law enforcement agency to have statewide authority to enforce traffic laws. The division was also charged with investigating the growing problem of car thefts. The first force was made up of 16 officers. In 1933, the agency was reorganized as the Indiana State Police.
July 13, 1987 – President Ronald Reagan visited Danville, Ind., and spoke in the rotunda of the courthouse. In his remarks, he said, “There is such a thing as common sense in America … and isn’t it good to know that you can still find it in places like the Hendricks County Courthouse?” Later in the day, he went to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis to address members of the National Association of Counties.