Hide Article Text (OCR)
“MY LITTLE OLD HOME TOWN”Interesting Composition by Fern Wetherald and Bernice Truitt, Seniors*#A few days ago Miss Hutchison of the English department required all those taking English in the senior high school to write on the topic “My Old Home Town.” The compositions proving so interesting we have decided to publish one of them written jointly by two of the senior girls, Pern Wetherald and Bernice Truitt.“One would never think Colfax had a history worth inquiring about but upon investigation I find that it’s history is very unique and interesting; one which 1 will no doubt take great interest in relating to my grandchildren.“At the very beginning as far back as a century ago. before a town of Colfax was ever dreamed of, there stood a little trading post along the trail from Frankfort and Crawfordsville and because of it’s midway position between Cincinnati and Chicago, it was named Midway. Except the small spot occupied by this little village, all the country was swampy and thickly wooded.A group of progressive formeers wishing to see- this little trading post grow, donated timber for the ties and fuel of a railroad, as a result tlie Big Four railroad was constructed through Midway about the year of 1848 which helped greatly in it’s growth. An old log cabin including a depot, postoflice and a store was erected in 184 9 on the northeast side of the railroad about a quarter of a mile southeast ofmill and also a flour mill which did good business and was a success until more modern improvements push ed it out. A shredder factory was built about the year of 1896 and really was a success in its way but the town was not big enough to back it.A little factory was btf.il t by John Dawson about 1872 and was a success but Mr. Dawson wishing to get into a place not filled tip with the tile, moved to Iowa. The present tile factory was built by M. J. Lee in March 1902 and when first in operation was the second largest factory of its kind in the' state. This proved one of Colfax's biggest and most important industries and has been a great help to the town until the last few years when it was closed down.Our fust paper was published by II. B. Clark about the year of 1872, it was then popularily known as the “Colfax Gimlet.”A new brick school house was er-rectcd in 1876 which cost nearly seven thousand one hundred dollars.Two hundred twenty-five students came here to school. Mr. A. O. Shotts was first principle of the school and organised the first high ; school which was the second high ; school in the county.Colfax's first bank was owned by William Fowers as early as 1880.During this time the business section grew’ rapidly, many brick build- : ings being errected. the resident district also grew until the year 1918. Many of the old brick buildings first errected have been torn a way and new ones with modern improvements erected in their place.In 1912 the large brick Christian church was built.The old brick school building was torn away 'In 1908 and a large brick crado and high school was built in the extreme northwest end of town.Tn 1920 an addition was added which included a large gymnasium and high school assembly, because it was not large enough to accomodate the number of students.where the depot, is now located. These buildings were laid out by Montgomery St*$u4. oAWK at this point fourTndtaubUc Library
Newspaper Details
Colfax Clinton County Review
Colfax, Indiana, US
Thu, Oct 26, 1922
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Dennis H.
USA 08 Oct 2018
Other Publications Near Colfax, Indiana
Colfax Clinton County Review
