This week in Indiana’s history …
1844 – May Wright Sewall was born in Wisconsin. After moving to Indianapolis to teach at Shortridge High School, she became active in the feminist movement, established a girls’ classical high school, and helped found the Propylaeum. Elected president of the National Council of Women in 1891, she later served as president of the International Council. In 1915, she accepted an invitation to travel on the Ford Peace Ship to Europe.
1861 – Major General George McClellan came to Indianapolis to review five regiments of soldiers in Military Park. He was joined by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton, Illinois Governor Richard Yates, and Ohio Governor William Denison. Newspapers reported that a huge crowd came to witness the event as General McClellan rode through the ranks on a large white horse. He was said to be “well pleased with the stalwart and soldierly appearance of the men and their proficiency in drilling, considering the short time they have been at it.”
1914 – Automobile pioneer Henry Ford attended the fourth running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. He and other executives of the Ford Motor Company cheered Frenchman René Thomas as he took the checkered flag after running 200 laps at an average speed of 82 mph. That evening Ford was honored at a dinner in the Florentine Room at the Claypool Hotel. The day before, company officials had been treated to a luncheon where they were welcomed by Indianapolis Mayor Joseph Bell. After lunch, the 300 guests were seated in several hundred Ford cars which paraded through downtown streets.
1920 – Mrs. John Sprague was driving her buggy near St. Louis Crossing in Bartholomew County when the horse became frightened and began running away. Nearby with their automobile were two young farmers, Charles Hiatt and David Marr. With Hiatt at the wheel of his car and Marr on the running board, they took off after the runaway. When they were side by side, moving at a high rate of speed, Marr leaped from the running board into the buggy, seized the lines, and stopped the horse. Newspapers reported that the animal was halted just as it was approaching a sharp turn in the road along the edge of a steep embankment.
1933 – James Alexander Thom was born in Gosport, Ind. After graduating from Butler University and serving in the Marine Corps, he began writing novels set in Colonial America and the Western United States. His books include Follow the River, Long Knife, From Sea to Shining Sea, Fire in the Water, and Panther in the Sky, which was named “Best Novel of the Year” by Western Writers of America. His work is known for meticulous research and historical accuracy.
1957 – The first restaurant in the new Burger Chef hamburger chain opened at 62nd and Keystone in Indianapolis. The original menu listed flame-broiled hamburgers for 19 cents, fries 14 cents, shakes 19 cents, and soft drinks 10 cents. The Burger Chef system, based in Indianapolis, became the nation’s second largest hamburger operation, trailing only McDonald’s. Their mascots Burger Chef and Jeff were popular in commercials. Purchased by General Foods in 1968 and later sold to a Canadian company, Burger Chef was taken over by Hardee’s in the 1980s.