This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 17 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bedford Weekly Mail
Location
Bedford, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1902
Page
1
An Indianapolis Journal note laments drop in spelling from older schools to modern high schools. It cites Northwestern University data showing 118 of 250 freshmen must join a spelling class after misplacing twenty or more words in a 200-word list, despite preparatory schooling.
Newton E Ennis aged about 36 died after paralysis with burial planned at Union church near his former home. A Loogootee contortionist John Fitzgibbon age 75, once Don Santos De Giobonois, is confined for mental unsoundness awaiting Evansville hospital. Indiana Horticultural Society urges revival of apple culture and recalls 1862 variety preferences in New England and Western states.
Hicks prognosticates a cold December with a sequence of storm periods from the 7th to the 22nd and again late December into January 1903. He forecasts active winter storms with rain snow and gales, blizzards inland, and a prolonged period of sleet and cold waves across northern latitudes as Boreas rages and the solstice squalls intensify.
The article denounces the Cincinnati newspaper lotteries or “profit sharing contests,” accusing major papers of profiting from gambling schemes while criticizing federal and state actions. It also reports on the Brooks Co. opening a new office in southern Indiana, coal land purchases near Terre Haute, and remarks on Purdue entomologist James Troop's gloomy wheat outlook due to the Hessian fly and San Jose scale.
The third annual reunion of Stona River battle survivors will be held in Greencastle on December 31. The local G A R will help with entertainment and the event marks the fortieth anniversary of the battle. Secretary is W H Dryden of Martinsville. A camp fire in the evening and headquarters at the G A R hall.
The Bedford Sunday School class led by Pastor BE. Richard Edwards aims to establish a gymnasium and literary club for young men. They will organize this week and run winter debates to build both mind and body with hopes of forming a local Young Men's Christian Association.
Arthur Stipp aged 21 residing with his father Bud Stipp eight miles east of the city was corn hunting Wednesday night when he fell from a tree. He was taken home in an unconscious condition and Dr. Butler reports very serious injuries to the back of his head and neck but expects recovery.
Martinsville sent a council committee to Bloomington Bedford Linton and Sullivan to study lighting and heating plants. Findings show exhaust steam heats water in Bloomington and Sullivan. Bedford uses steam for near full heat. Freight rates differ, coal prices vary, and plants expect higher radiation needs. thermostats control heat delivery. rates and meters vary by city. new bank safe arrives at First National Bank with advanced security.
The grand jury in Shoals investigates alleged vote buying in Martin county elections. Judge Houghton ousted Deputy Prosecutor Fabe Gwin and named Hiram McCormick to assist Prosecutor Padgett amid private hostilities between Gwin and McCormick. The article notes rewards for informants and warns county bankruptcy if many rewards are paid. four to five hundred vote selling cases are suspected as parties fear exposure.
The story notes Mayor J. H. Smith was an innocent victim of a plot by members of the United Order of the Golden Cross, with his wife Mrs. Smith involved. It also reports on proposed Indiana quail laws to protect landowners and curb hunting, aiming to boost rural revenue and provide affordable game for cities.
The Comus Club met at Mrs. Emil Salsbury’s North I street home for a weekly session featuring progressive cinch. Winners were Mrs. Catherine Murphy first prize, Mrs. H. H. Greife second prize, and Mrs. Noble Owen consolation. Tea cake banana sherbet served. Iva Jordan will host dues afternoon from two to four Thursday.
An elegant supper was hosted at the home of Mr and Mrs August Benzel in honor of Augusts brother John Benzel and the bride Amelia Benzel who wed on Thanksgiving at Ripon Wisconsin. Clergy Rev Lewis Miller spoke. Music by Mrs Dierking and Flora Miller. Gifts included knives forks linen towels and china.
Milton Kentucky resident Paul C. Snyder won the upper division of the Voris oratorical contest representing Hanover and advancing to the State oratorical. His speech titled The Regenerated South earned $50 in gold, donated by A. C. and J. R. Voris of Bedford Indiana.
The B. and O. S. W. Branch entering Bedford reports unusually heavy freight and passenger activity. Cement cars from Mitchell to Chicago and Northwest, ground stone to Terre Haute, coal from Montgomery to Chicago, lumber and logs, and two daily train moves with 12 to 15 cars each. Bridge gangs have rebuilt trestles over six months and track and road bed are up to standard.
On November 21 1902 plasterers organized The Operative Plasterers International Association No 244 of Bedford Indiana and vicinity. Officers named Walter Q Fipps press N W Bowman sec and Wm H Hilton treas. The group seeks honest dealings and reliable contracts through affiliation with the national body.
Orin Mitchell and Katherine Lucas return to classes after a week away as Christmas nears. Bloomington and Mitchell reports note teachers, performances, and a football win by Bedford All Stars 21 to 0 with Dan Iseminger injured. A banquet for the football team honors is planned, while physics class enthusiasm rises. month report shows attendance and absences across grades with named students and staff.
John E. Malott receives a letter from Lou C. Woollery dated Tombstone Arizona November 29 1902 recounting arrival of goods on the 15th with minor breakage, workers paid four dollars for nine hours, and the writer noting his father’s asthma relief after relocating.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.