National and Local News 100 Years Ago News From The Western Star, February 25, 1926 Mount Vernon

Posey County Historian

Jerry King

Note: News in this issue includes: Utley Variety Store burns, L & N R. R. Fireman disappears from train, Caborn Store bandit arrested, Children’s Christian Endeavor to start, valuable mule suffocates beneath straw stack, two short news briefs, sports and school news, and many news briefs and personals.

Utley Variety Store Gutted By Flames - A blaze, which for a time threatened the downtown business district Tuesday night, completely gutted the three-story brick building occupied by Utley’s Variety Store, 209 Main Street, and caused smoke damage to the Stinson Bros. Dry Goods Company Store on the south, and the grocery of the Quaker Maid Company on the north entailing a loss conservatively estimated at $18,000. The alarm was turned in at 8:05 and when firemen arrived the center of the building was a roaring infernal, every floor being on fire and flames were leaping skyward through the roof, showering sparks on adjoining buildings. The first attack of Chief Wildeman was centered in the rear when he sent a line of hose to the first floor and another to the second floor. A third line was laid in front and after ladders had been placed was carried into the third floor. A fourth line was carried over the roof of the Stinson building and water was poured into the opening in the roof. Firemen worked strenuously for an hour before the spectacular blaze was brought under control. The origin of the fire is unknown as it has gained considerable headway before being discovered. Mr. and Mrs. Utley were occupying their rooms on the second floor front, at the time, but were unaware that the building was on fire until a few moments before the alarm was sounded. The heat and smoke was unbearable at times and on several occasions firemen were forced to retreat. While going through the second floor of the burning building, Fire Chief Wildeman fell through a section of the floor that had been burned out landing on the floor below, a distance of 15 feet. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured. Later, the police and firemen were assisted by members of Battery E, Indiana National Guard whose work was greatly appreciated.

L. & N. R. R. Fireman Disappears From Train - Mystery surrounds the disappearance early this morning of Christian Niedermeier, son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. George Fisher of Bufkin and fireman on the L. & N. freight train No. 83, due in this city at 2:45 who disappeared from his train shortly after it left Carmi, Illinois. The fireman was on the train when it left that station, east bound, and when two miles out of Carmi, he was missed by the engineer. The train was backed into the Illinois city and each side of the track was searched, but he could not be found. It is now supposed that he may have fallen from the train as it crossed the Little Wabash River out of Carmi…(to be continued)

Caborn Store Bandit Arrested - On the advice of Chief Police Frank Smith of this city, Gus McDonald, 21, of Maunie, Illinois, was arrested in Carmi, Illinois Saturday by Deputy Sheriff Jesse Grisson on a charge of being one of the two bandits who held up George Seifert at his store in Caborn on Monday night of last week, escaping in a Ford automobile with $6 in cash. McDonald was brought to this city Sunday by Chief Smith, and was placed in the Posey County Jail. Mr. Seifert states that the prisoner is the man who shoved the revolver into his face, demanding his money.

To Organize Children’s Christian Endeavor - Sunday afternoon at 2 Children’s Christian Endeavor will be organized by Mrs. Fred Wilbern at the First Christian Church. This organization is to be interdenominational and will include children from 6 to 13 years of age. Bible stories, missionary stories and other education features by the children themselves will comprise the program. Mrs. Wilbern will superintend and she will cordially invite all children not engaged at that particular hour to share in this community organization, the aim of which is solely in the upbuilding and development of youth.

Valuable Mule Suffocates Under Straw Stack Saturday - On the Carl Mann farm, just east of Mount Vernon, a valuable mule was munching straw from a large stack when the heavy wind during the storm toppled the stack on the animal and before it could be rescued, life was extinct. The neighbors rushed to Mr. Mann’s assistance, and although they worked hard they were defeated as when the mule was finally exposed, his nose was rammed into the soft ground and when pulled from the stack, they found that two of his legs had been broken by the heavy impact of the straw.

Two Short News Briefs - Tractor Show At Keck Motor - Grover Keck, manager of the Keck Motor Company, will entertain the farmers of Posey County and surrounding area at his big and beautiful garage on Main Street. Mr. Keck has prepared an exceptional program for the day. The first event will be held at 10 on Tuesday morning, February 23. The afternoon show will be held at 2. Lightning Damages Martin Home At Saint Wendel - During a severe electrical storm that passed over Saint Wendel Monday morning, a lightning bolt struck the home of Anthony Martin, tearing a large hole in the roof and knocking away a portion of the home. Mrs. Martin and her children in the home, were uninjured.

Sports And School News - Mount Vernon Girls Win Over Central, 20-18 - Before a crowd of approximately 1500 fans, the Mount Vernon feminine Champs of Indiana humbled the highly touted Central Deers at the Agoga Tabernacle Saturday night. The game was featured by close guarding on the part of both teams, and the forward that managed to slip through the guards on either team was more than a mediocre player. Miss McGregor was the top scorer for Mount Vernon with a total of 17 points. Mount Vernon Boys Lose To Fast Haubstadt By A Score Of 31 To 30 - Playing the best brand of basketball that they have shown this year the locals were nosed out in the last minute of play by Haubstadt Friday night, 31-30. The game was very fast from start to finish and was featured by the playing of C. Yuncker of the Mount Vernon quintet. Yuncker was hitting his stride Friday night and for a while it seemed he could not miss the basket. He accounted for a total of 17 points for his team. School News - The Science Club was organized last Wednesday by Mr. Rust. Work of the debating team has started in earnest. The first debate will be held on March 12, between Henderson and Mount Vernon.

News Briefs And Personals - No Births Reported - Sick And Accident List - Earl Tennison, 17-year old son of J. H. Tennison is very ill with scarlet fever. Miss Bertha Lurker is reported improving at the Deaconess Hospital in Evansville following an operation for a tumor. Accident - Infant Suffers Injured Head In Fall - Ivan, Junior, two-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan McFadden, suffered an injured head Sunday evening when he fell against a radiator at the home of his grandmother. A deep gash was cut on the right side of the boy’s head. Dr. Doerr dressed the injury and the lad is now getting along nicely. Visits To The City - John Walker, prominent farmer, transacted business in this city Tuesday and while here, gave us a call. Arthur Roedel transacted business in the city Saturday. Sunday Visits - Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knight and family were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Slygh. Mrs. Tom Erwin spent Saturday night and Sunday with her daughter, Mrs. Joe Kuhn and family. Signed– Dew Drop and Red. Marriage License - Carl Schnack and Mary Holler.