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STORIES OF PRINCETON FIFTYYEARS AGO RELATED BY “JIM”ODD BITS OF GOSSIP ABOUT THE iSi'-Mi Jind to Ik* let out eonsitlernblet-OLD TOWN—A STEER DRIVEN jiU,lt;l wit1' Uob ,lu’ siul(llr ilmI Watt j THROUGH STREETS TO A RLG-jblhinfl l,i1- tlu'-v tlujtr friP- 1il- |GY—SISTER’S PLANO LOCKED! toka vtjis reaeheU and tltere the na- jStives wi'n* treated to some eque.st.rian feats by the two steer riders, afterWITH LOG CHAIN.1By JI M McCORMlCK)April 4th. 187o. occurred one of the worst tires that, up to that time?, had | ever menaced West Princeton, it lie- ! ing the burning of the bis Andrew j Lewis warehouse, situated a little west | of the bungalow built by Dick Ticli-enor and now owned and occupied by i George Kenton. It was a large structure. frame, and was filled with machinery, grain and various articles of that nature. Residences standing near were jeopardized and it took valiant work to save these, but it was accomplished. although the warehouse was completely destroyed. The smoke drew a big crowd from the surrounding country, a big fire in those days attracting far more attention/than does one now.Some Equestrian Feats.One of the biggest “cut-ups'* and all-around jolly fellows that ever livedN about this old town was “Bob*’ Kirk-rnan. brother of Mrs. Irene Coolidge and Mrs. Lou Powell, both now living in this city. His father. Sheriff Joe Kirkuiau. owned and operated a large farm in what was them known as White river bottoms, and Bob had charge of this farm. He worked a good many hands and among them was Watt Adams of this city. One Sunday Bob proposed to Watt that they saddle up a red steer that had been broke to ride and both make a call on the Princeton folks. With Bob, to think was to act, and the steer was afijonce put under saddle—(though thewhich they came on to town. Sheriff Kirkman had purchased a new buggy and it was standing in the home barn and it at once caught Bob's eye and the spirit of deviltry was at once aroused. He told Watt to hunt up the harness that went with the buggy aud they at once proceeded to let it out to Jit the steer and this being accomplished they both piled into the buggy |and began their joy ride up what was then Main Cross street-—now Broadway—to town. Remember, it was Sabbath morning, and as it happened, church was just out and the streets were full of people returning from church, and to say they were astonished is putting it mildly, though when they saw it was Bob Kirkman doing the driving they knew it was just one of his larks and the matter was accounted for. The boys had a jolly ride and everybody—riders and spectators—seemed to enjoy it.Taming'a Sister.Still another of Bob Kirkman’s freak acts: He was very proud of his sisters musical ability aud had assisted in purchasing for her a fine piano which he was proud to hear her play in her inimitable style. He liked to bring his farm hands to town on Saturday night or Sunday morning and have “Rene” play the piano for them. On one occasion he had marshaled his farm force into the big par-(Continued on Page Six),
Newspaper Details
Princeton Daily Democrat
Princeton, Indiana, US
Mon, Jun 05, 1922
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Sullivan C.
IN, USA 07 Jun 2025
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