This week in Hoosier History Highlights for the week of Nov. 12:
1752 – George Rogers Clark was born in Virginia. He moved to the western frontier and became the “Conqueror of the Old Northwest,” taking Vincennes from the British. He is being honored this year by the United States Mint, which has included him in the “America the Beautiful Quarters” series.
1863 – Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton boarded a train to go to ceremonies dedicating the cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa. Morton sat behind President Abraham Lincoln on the speaker’s platform and accompanied the President on the return train to Washington.
1888 – Charles Edward Henry began production at the Opalescent Glass Works in Kokomo. Still in business, the company is known world-wide for its high quality hand-mixed sheet glass art and colored glass.
1905 – The House of a Thousand Candles by Indianapolis author Meredith Nicholson was published by the local firm of Bobbs-Merrill. The book became a best-seller and inspired a play and two motion pictures. The story was likely the result of the author’s visit to a home on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver.
1925 – D. C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Indiana Ku Klux Klan, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Madge Oberholtzer, who lived in Irvington. Stephenson was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled after 31 years on the condition that he leave Indiana and never return.
1935 – Admiral Richard E. Byrd was guest of honor at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis. The famed pioneer aviator and polar explorer was introduced by Mayor John W. Kern and entertained by the Cathedral High School Band. Byrd spoke of his many experiences and showed movies of his explorations.