Alexandria Monroe Township Historical Society

01-08-1953
26 car derail on the Nickel Plate Railroad and NYC crossover. A broken wheel may have caused the Nickel Plate freight train to leave the tracks.

03-02-1953
Alex wins the Anderson Sectional. Tigers to play Attucks.

03-09-1953
Tiger lose to Attucks 62 to 57.

03-19-1953
Carl Erskines Sports Goods Store in Chesterfield damaged as storm.

04-07-1953
Bill Holloway wins feature at Armscamp Speedway.

05-14-1953
Dedication services for the new Orestes Christian Church has been planned for Sunday May 24, at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. O.A. Guy is pastor. Speakers for the event will be the Rev. William Y. Pearcy, executive secretary Board of Christian Extension, Disciples of Christ, Indianapolis.

The building fund for the new structure was started in January 1948 under the ministry of the late Rev. V. Hays Miller. In August 1952 under the present pastors ministry, the ground was broken and the new building begun. The Cornerstone Laying service was held Sept. 7, 1952, with Dr. O.L. Shelton, dean of the School of Religion, Butler University, as guest speaker. In the new building the auditorium seats 150 with two overflow rooms for extra seating when needed. The new church has a full basement and two classrooms downstairs with extra classrooms on the first floor. The pastors study is also on the first floor. Last year the church also purchased a parsonage for the pastor and is a nine-room home adjoining the church lot. Rev. Guy is in his second year pastorate at the church. Following the dedication, visitors may inspect the church.

06-04-1953
Alexandrias newest sporting attraction the Lions Clubs Littlest 500 received its baptism of fire last night at Armscamp Speedway. Harold Granger copped the Junior High class A feature race. Tom Willis won the grade school feature. The Junior High relay race was won by Harold Granger, Danny Custer, and Clark.

06-08-1953
Beezer Humphries won the feature at Armscamp Speedway.

07-02-1953
Racers to run 300 laps during the weekend at Armscamp.

07-13-1953
Bill Holloway wins feature race at Armscamp.

Also Eugene Ludlow named Madison county Game Warden.

07-15-1953
A 100 lap Midseason race for Friday 17 at Armscamp Speedway.

07-27-1953
Work is expected to start Thursday on construction of a proposed $91,755 addition to the Orestes School following a meeting at the school July 24th, Friday evening, in which bids were opened and awarded for the project.

Monroe Township Trustee Jason Grose today announced that the general contract for a 60 by 84 foot multiple-purpose room with rollaway seats for 600 was awarded the E.W. Hauser, Inc. construction firm of Indianapolis on the low bid of $68,168. The electric contract was also awarded the firm on a $5,065 bid. The plumbing bid of $18,504 was awarded to the B and C Equipment Company of Pendleton. The combined bids were $15,000 under the engineers estimate.

07-31-1953
General contractor, plumbing, and electrical contracts were signed yesterday afternoon by E.W. Hauser, Inc., Indianapolis, general contract and electrical work, and B. and C. Equipment Co., Pendleton for the proposed construction of a $91,755 addition to the Orestes School. Township Attorney Donald P. Jones was in Pendleton and Indianapolis arranging the signing. Work on the 60 x 84 foot multiple purpose room will be started sometime next week, Jason Grose, township trustee, said today.

08-11-1953
Dave Cox buys another store in Connersville and Leo Barber would be the manager. Rex Johnson would be the local manager.

09-04-1953
The biggest weekend in Armscamp Speedway History, is the prediction of track owner Paul (Whitey) Karnes as he plans for racing over Labor Day Weekend. There will be a 100 lap amateur race, also the regular weekend hardtop shows, and a 100 lap pleasure car race.

10-08-1953
Ernie Reichart of Elwood, owner of the Orestes Canning factory, the only one to operate in this area this year, said today that he has been forced to shut down the plant due to the infection of this years tomatoes with army worm. In just one day last week, Reichart said, he was forced to turn away 30 tons of infected tomatoes. Several tons, not infected, were run off, he stated. In spite of the early closing a fairly good run of tomatoes was made, he concluded.

10-21-1953
Arthur Trout, chairman of the adult board of the Kid Kanteen, said today that Kanteen members leaving Kanteen rooms after the 8:30 p.m. curfew will be required to sign their leaving time and will be expected to go directly to their homes. Kanteen rooms will be open as usual each Wednesday and Saturday nights but members must abide by the curfew law, he said. Plans are also underway for a Kanteen street dance Saturday night, October 31, on the south half block on South Canal Street at the side of the McNeese Store. Frank Bicknell, store manager, will provide music for the event and arrange lighting. Members of the Lions Club will serve as chaperons.

10-26-1953
Traffic signs will be installed at highway 9 and 28 and also East Washington Street and State Road 9.

01-26-1954
Haynes Stellite to cut operations 25 percent.

03-01-1954
Alexandria captures their 2nd straight Anderson sectional with a 65-51 win over Anderson.

03-18-1954
Work on the new addition to the Orestes School will be completed within 30 days, Jason Grose, township trustee, said today. The general contracting work has almost been completed, Grose said. E.A. Hauser, Indianapolis, who is doing the general contracting, is now putting the finishing touches on the gymnasium. The addition to the school includes a gym, two class rooms, rest rooms, shower rooms, and a heating plant. Grose said he is meeting with the architects on the job this afternoon to check over final plans.

04-26-1954
First polio shots to be given by Dr. Everett Gaunt on Wednesday the 28th to 2nd grade children at Clarke, Tomlinson, St. Marys, Cunningham and Orestes schools at 1:00 p.m.

04-28-1954
135 second graders received the first polio shots. Also Dr. Jonas Salk assured parents that the vaccine is completely safe.

05-11-1954
The Orestes PTA and the Knights of Pythias will put on a basketball game Friday evening in the newly completed Orestes School gym to help finance several PTA projects. A preliminary contest will start at 7p.m. between two teams from the eighth grade of Orestes School. The PTA vs. K of P tilt will begin approximately 8:15 p.m. The PTA team will be captained by Bob Walker, whose Walker Transfer Team took several honors during the past season, Claude Willis will also play for the PTA team. The Orestes K of P team will include Eulen Walker and Clyde Granger, former Alexandria players and Arthur Gooding, a former Frankton player. Also scheduled to see action for the K of P are Wayne Delinger, Charles Welborn, and Ralph Reavis. Bill Foster and Walter Carver will referee the contest. Admittance will be 60 cents for adults and 30 cents for grade school children.

05-13-1954
Orestes Schools new gymnasium will be dedicated Friday evening, (tomorrow the 14th) following a carry-in supper to which the public has been invited. The supper will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the schools newly constructed gym and is sponsored by Orestes Parent-Teachers Association as the final meeting of the year. Following the supper will be the dedication including presentation of keys to Township Trustee Jason Grose and Orestes Principal Willis Tappan by the architects of the new structure. The eighth grade boys will receive basketball letters and the eighth grade class program will be given.

05-14-1954
Jack King, who started his organized baseball career a little over a week ago, paced the Mattoon Phillies to their first win of the season last Friday when he homered with one man on to give his team a 4 to 3 win.

Also Guy Smith captured the 50 lap main event at Armscamp Speedway.

Also registration for the Lions Bike Derby scheduled for June 9th is underway. Also a practice day is set for June 5th.

06-03-1954
Lily Creek Baptist church organizes BYF youth groups.

06-07-1954
Bob Albright of Noblesville wins the 50 lap feature at Armscamp Speedway.

06-10-1954
Jimmy King, Tom Leach, Bruce Boston, and Tom Willis, won the four lap bicycle relay race at Armscamp. Tommy Leach won the 5th grade race. Danny Davis and Bruce Boston finished one two respectively in the sixth grade race. Tom Willis won the seventh grade race and Jimmy Hartwell finished runner up.

06-21-1954
Guy Smith of Gas City takes feature at Armscamp.

06-24-1954
Shorty Burdsall is hired as the Alexandria High School Basketball Coach.

06-28-1954
Bill Barnett, Muncie, was the winner of Sundays feature race at Armscamp Speedway.

08-23-1954
Damages were estimated at $100,000 at canning plant leveled by fire at Frankton yesterday.

08-24-1954
Frankton canning facility to be rebuilt.

09-22-1954
P.N. Hirch and Company to open store in Alexandria.

11-01-1954
Tom Carnegie to speak at the Alexandria Football banquet tonight.

11-04-1954
Coach Dallas Ludlows purple and gold cage quintet at Orestes School will open the new gymnasium and the 1954-55 basketball season tonight at 6:30 p.m., when they play College Corner, coached by Jim Teeters. The cheerleaders this year will be Linda Jackson, Nancy Partington, and Tonya Boyer.

11-08-1954
First Basketball Games in the New Gym
Also The Orestes Cyclones scored 38 points last Thursday night, the 4th, against College Corners 14 to win the opening game of the 1954-55 season and their first game on their new gym court at Orestes. Orestes Tom Willis was the high scorer with 13 field goals and four free throws to give him the astounding total of 30 points for the evening. Waymire of College Corner racked up 11 to make him the second high man of the evening. In the preliminary game, the Orestes B team lost to College Corner 19 to 11. Besides Willis, other cyclones suited for the game were: Harris, Rector, Waymire, Hartwell, Vestal, DeVore, and Weaver.

12-02-1954
A deer is seen northwest of Alexandria and Madison County Conservation officer Gene Ludlow warns that there is a very stiff fine for anyone who molests deer in this county.

01-07-1955
Members of the adult and student boards of the Kid Kanteen were announced at the years first meeting of the organization last night. The Kanteen is now in its 10th year and announced that it has become largely self-sustaining with the exception of gifts from local industries and service groups. The adult board consists of Arthur Trout, president; Mrs. Pat Richardson, treasurer; Mrs. Burl Brattain, chairman of chaperones; Mrs. George McDermott, secretary. Others on the board are Mr. & Mrs. Sol Myers, Mr. & Mrs. Norman Schultz, Ed Spreen, George McDermott, Burl Brattain and Miss Gail Mull. The student board with Beverly Redding as president consists of Diana Brattain, Laveta Horton, Joyce Alexander, Charles Henry, Loren Garner, Bob McCurdy, Doris McCarty, Sue Cartwright, Anetta Pherson, and Betty Sue Pherson. During the month of December 1, 579 children registered at the Kanteen which is held Wednesday evenings from 7 to 10 and Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:00p.m. The board also made plans for two extra parties after basketball games These will be January 21st and January 28th and will include an orchestra.

01-24-1955
A capacity throng of nearly 600 onlookers witnessed the initial Orestes Invitational Basketball Tournament Saturday afternoon and Cyclone cagers emerged victorious from the four competing teams by downing Duck Creek 40 to 37 in the championship game at 8:00 p.m. The tourney hosts earned the right to a berth in the title game by edging out a 38 to 37 win over South Elwood in the first afternoon game, and the tournament runner-ups, Duck Creek fashioned a 41 to 32 triumph over Coach Jim Ballingers Alexandria basketballers in the second afternoon tussle, before falling to Orestes in the deciding encounter. South Elwood took the consolation prize by defeating the Alexandria Junior High in a close 25 to 24 decision. Besides the winning and consolation trophies, a sportsmanship award was presented to Shellenberger of South Elwood.

Tom Willis led the Cyclones in the afternoon game by scoring 23 and Hartwell had 8. Willis again led the Orestes in the championship game by scoring 20. Davis and Harris chipped in 9, and 8, points respectively.

Coach Ludlow announced that a total of $210 was taken in at the gate of the Orestes Invitational Tournament, and after expenses amounting to $63, a sum of close to $35 was received by each of the participating teams. (01-28-55)

03-11-1955
Armscamp Speedway to open with races on Easter according to owner Paul (Whitey) Karnes. Extensive guard-rail building is planned before opening day. Rules and information can be obtained by writing the track owner at: Karnes Sweeper Company, 3745 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana.

03-29-1955
Dallas Ludlow to manage the swimming pool at Beulah Park.

04-12-1955
The Orestes Baptist Church was host Monday (yesterday) evening at a youth rally of the Harmony Association of Baptist Churches. Approximately 119 young people attended from the 15 churches in the association. Churches in the association include Marion, First and Second Salem, Gas City, Fairmount, Summitville, Lily Creek, Elwood, Orestes, Alexandria, Anderson, First, Anderson Meadowbrook, Anderson Mounds, Noblesville, and Windfall.

04-18-1955
Bob Hubble wins 50 lap stock car feature at Armscamp.

05-16-1955
Red Barber won the 50 lap main event at Armscamp Speedway last night.

05-23-1955
Students in grades one thru eight in Alexandria and Monroe township schools can start registering Tuesday for the Lions Club annual Little 500 Bike Derby, to be held June 7th at Armscamp speedway.

06-06-1955
Davey Crockett, of Winchester, wins the feature at Armscamp.

06-13-1955
Two Tipton young men were killed and three Alexandria young persons were injured early Sunday morning (yesterday)in an auto wreck at 12:30 a.m., when a bridge collapsed on West Washington Street Road near Orestes, and plunged both cars and their occupants into the creek. Lawrence Plake, 23, son of Tipton Police Chief was killed and John R. Sullivan, 22, of Tipton was also killed. Both men died of skull fractures. Plake was the driver of the west bound car which struck the east end of the bridge abutment. Sullivan was riding with him.

After striking the bridge abutment, according to authorities, the car continued on into the bridge where it collided with a car driven by James F. Branum, 18, of Alexandria. The bridge collapsed and both cars were thrown into the water.

06-15-1955
The 3rd Annual Little 500 Bicycle Derby was held on a slick wet track at Armscamp Speedway in Alexandria. Teddy Bryan of Orestes came in first in the second grade race and Jim Hartwell, Orestes School, came in second. Danny Davis finished 3rd in the seventh grade race and Tom Willis was a winner in the 8th grade race and Tom Hartwell finished third. John Davis won the 4th grade race and Orestes students, Tom Willis, Tom Hartwell, Bruce Boston, and Danny Davis won the four lap relay race. All boys that competed in the races were invited to attend the Indianapolis Indians baseball game June 22nd.

06-20-1955
Ken Ross captures the main event at Armscamp.

06-27-1955
Gene Christy takes the main event at Armscamp.

07-11-1955
Gene Christy, of Yorktown, won the 50 lap jalopy feature at Armscamp.

Also Bob Warner of Indianapolis won the 50 lap stock car race at Armscamp.

07-22-1955
One of the nations fastest midget cars, a two cycle motorcycle engine-powered Drake, formerly owned by the late Bill Vukovich, will be in the starting field of Midget racing at Armscamp Friday night. Vukovich set a number of track records with the car and Tommy Ward of Lafayette will race the car at Armscamp Friday night.

07-25-1955
Don Huffman of Elwood won the feature race at Armscamp last night.

08-01-1955
Ray Kenens, of Delphi won the 50 lap main event last night at Armscamp Speedway. Armscamp also races on Friday and Saturday night but are not in the Alexandria Tribune.

08-08-1955
Beezer Humphries of Kokomo won the 50 lap feature last night at Armscamp Speedway.

08-15-1955
Beezer Humphries wins again.

08-19-1955
Midget and stock car racing headline Armscamp program.

09-09-1955
Armscamp to shift to day racing with stock cars this weekend. Also will continue its roll em over on the spot contest with a cash award of $100.

09-12-1955
Walt Shaffer of Logansport won the 50 lap stock car main event.

11-07-1955
Highway intersection 9 and 28 to get a traffic light.

11-17-1955
Jim Wehsollek is MVP at Anderson college for the second year in a row.

12-08-1955
Three employees of the Alex National Gypsum were injured in an explosion.

02-21-1956
A Monroe township bus carrying 35 Alexandria High School students home to Orestes narrowly escaped plunging into Lilly Creek on County Road 1050 North. The bridge buckled in the middle as the bus was passing over it. The bus driver, Firman Hosier kept going as the bridge began to fall saving injuries and lives. Township buses have been using the bridge all year since the normal Washington Street bridge is still closed since the collapse June 13th of last year when two persons were killed. Jim Devore stated, We were half way across the bridge when I heard a noise, we thought the bus had hit the bridge. Larry Spooner described the incident as well. We heard a noise and looked back and the bridge was falling.

03-06-1956
A wind-driven fire of unknown origin, started in the Brunson Canning Company north of Orestes today at about 3:00 p.m. Fire departments from Orestes, Alexandria, Summitville, and Elwood all helped fight the blaze for over three hours. Some merchandise and fertilizer for the coming season were saved but loses were estimated at $105,000.Owner, Doyle Brunson was reportedly working on the roof repairing some shingles that were blown off in last weeks thunderstorm, when the fire was first noticed. 15,000 gallons of water was used to put out the fire and the Alexandria tanker filled up four times. Orestes Fire Chief, Vern Horlander, stated that faulty wiring would be a probable cause. The canning company was founded in 1931 and employed 200 persons.

03-07-1956
The Brunson Canning Factory fire officially listed as cause unknown.

03-26-1956
Five bids were taken in for construction of West Washington Street bridge.

03-30-1956
Automatic traffic signals put into operation at St. Rd. 9 and 28.

04-27-1956
Travel between Alexandria and Orestes partially back to normal.

05-07-1956
The Three-Ring Christiani Circus to entertain today and tonight at Alexandria.

05-24-1956
Orestes sweeps bike derby races.

07-03-1956
Four big nights of jalopy racing are on tap for this week at Armscamp Speedway, with the lights to be turned on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The July Fourth show Wednesday night will be topped by a special 200 lap midseason championship race that will bring out one of the biggest fields of the Armscamp season. The regular preliminary program will precede the 200 lapper which is four times the length of the usual Armscamp main events. The usual jalopy shows, each topped by a 50 lapper, are set for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Racing each night will start at 8:30 p.m. Starters for the July 4th long race will include two drivers who won feature events at the Alexandria track last weekend, Joe Slayton of Elwood and Bob Shopp of New Castle. Shopp won his first feature of1956 at Armscamp last Saturday night.

07-18-1956
A four-lane Federal Road is rumored to be constructed between Alexandria and Orestes. The highway would run north to Fort Wayne and on to Toledo, Ohio. The road will be a limited access highway avoiding all towns on the route. It will cost a minimum of half a million dollars a mile to build. Clarence Windsor, an Anderson engineer discussed the road building and its effect on communities the size of Alexandria at the Kiwanis meeting at Beulah Park.

07-20-1956
Official confirmation of plans for a federal highway to pass near Alexandria came today from the Indiana State Highway Commission chairman Virgil Smith, but completion of the highway appeared to be a good ways off. The present plans are for the highway to be constructed between Alexandria and Orestes.

09-20-1956
Adult officers elected for the Kid Kanteen Board. Re-elected to the presidency was Arthur Trout. Other officers named were Mrs. Arthur Trout, treasurer, and Mrs. Hugh Hines secretary.

10-04-1956
A total of 2,192 youngsters visited Alexandrias Kid Kanteen during the month of September.

10-11-1956
New plans were drawn up this week to construct a new high school building and gymnasium to seat 2,650 at Frankton.

10-12-1956
The Kid Kanteen to have a Halloween party October 27th.

11-12-1956
The town of Orestes learned during the weekend that dial telephones will be installed for all phone users in the town and surrounding rural district. The General Telephone Company of Indiana, who recently purchased the Orestes Telephone Company, announced that dial phones will be put in as soon as possible. The new operating firm assumed the service and duties of the Orestes exchange on November 1, 1956. General Telephone Company announced that the monthly statements to each patron of the exchange will be mailed a little later than usual this month because of the change of ownership of the exchange.

11-26-1956
James Wehsollek voted Anderson College MVP for the third straight year in football.

03-18-1957
Car accident near Co. Rd.400 W. on P Street kills Warren M. Blockson of Alexandria.

03-27-1957
Orestes School is a super feeder to the basketball program at Alexandria High School. Coach Dallas Ludlow has 37 wins and 14 loses in three years coaching.

07-01-1957
Flooding in Alexandria from hurricane Aubrey.

12-09-1957
Haynes Stellite to close the plant at Alexandria.

02-27-1958
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Yule donate 35 acres to the Alexandria School System to build a new high school. Dave Cox is president of the school board.

05-08-1958
Jack King to travel to the Orient to play basketball.

07-15-1958
GTE to update telephone system in Orestes, new technology will bring dial service to town.

10-10-1958
State Road 9 to be dual lane.

10-27-1958
Ellis Leroy Cunningham, a senior at Alexandria High School, was killed when he pulled in front of a Nickel Plate freight train at the Bunker Hill Crossing west of Alexandria.

11-10-1958
The Orestes Telephone Exchange will convert to dial service November 12th.

03-11-1959
Orestes and Cunningham schools closed because of flu epidemic.

04-02-1959
Construction begins on new high school at Alexandria.

06-03-1959
The Haynes Stellite Factory at Alexandria has been sold.

08-17-1959
Big fire at Armscamp Motor Speedway, photograph

11-18-1959
Harry Wilson 64, of Orestes, fatally injured in a car-train accident at Alexandria.

03-01-1960
Big blaze hits downtown Elwood.

03-01-1960
Orestes Cyclone photograph and article.

03-03-1960
Big Snowstorm

04-11-1960
The Orestes Fertilizer Factory was destroyed by fire yesterday.

05-27-1960
Former Union Traction motorman remembers the first trip. Also this is an historical edition of the Alexandria times Tribune.

10-03-1960
AMHS dedication to be October 9th.

10-10-1960
The new AMHS dedicated at Alexandria.