The following are articles from local newspapers that can be found at the Public Library. These articles were gathered together by Jim Phillips, a native of Pulaski County. Jim manages a Facebook page, “Stalking My Hometown.” Find that page here.
Pulaski County Democrat Jul 5 1923, Microfilm: Crowds Attend 4th Celebration
Observance of National Holiday in Winamc Big Success – Memorial Bridge Dedicated – Culver Officials Conduct Formal Exercises – Display of Fireworks Most Elaborate Ever Seen Here – Yesterday’s celebration of the Fourth in Winamac was one of the most successful affairs of the kind ever held here. The crowd was one of the largest ever seen here on such an occasion, the weather was ideal, the program was carried out with but few disappointments, not an accident marred the day’s events, and there was no disturbance of any kind.
The parking space in the Association park was literally covered with automobiles; hundreds of cars were parked in town and in the town park at the artesian well, the occupants going to the big park by way of the new suspension bridge, and during the evening the roads were lined with cars bringing in people for the night fireworks.
The dedication of the new bridge as a memorial to Pulaski county soldiers who served in the wars gave to the occasion a patriotic touch of deep significance. In the presence of a group of gray haired veterans of the Civil War, of a number of Gold Star Mothers and of an assemblage of veterans of the World War, Major General Gignilliat of Culver Military Academy delivered a brief address to a huge crowd that assembled near the east end of the bridge. He spoke feelingly of the part Indiana has taken in the wars, dwelling upon the fact that the first soldiers to lose their lives in both the Civil and World War were Indiana men. He characterized the bridge as particularly appropriate as a memorial to men who have served their country. A bridge, he declared, is a mark of the progress of civilization. The country’s ideals in its various wars have been in support of this same civilization. He referred, too, to the fact that the country’s first battle, that skirmish at Concord, was at the site of a bridge.
Following his address, which the general closed with the formal words of dedication, the veil which covered the memorial tablet on that end of the bridge was pulled aside. Then followed a roll call of Pulaski county men who lost their lives in the World War, some comrade in the American Legion answering to each name with the words: “Died in the service of his country.”
Culver cadets who accompanied the general fired a volley, taps were blown, and there was an impressive salute to the colors ending with the national salute from the one-pound cannon that the Culver officers had brought.
A line of decorated automobiles, headed by the band in a bunting bedecked truck, formed a procession on the downtown streets in the forenoon and moved to the park, where a large part of the assemblage gave close attention to a scholarly address by Congressman S.E. Cook of Huntington. Judge Cook indulged in little spread-eagle oratory such as characterizes many Fourth of July addresses, but confined himself to object lessons as based upon the pages of history. It was a talk full of information and sound logic.
The Winamac band, under the direction of R.E. Wilson, rendered numerous concerts throughout the day. There was dancing in the park pavilion, and hundreds of people enjoyed a plunge in the Tippecanoe in the vicinity of the new bath house. The ball game afforded the pleasure to a crowd that filled the grandstand. The refreshment stands, operated by Winamac business men for the benefit of the park association in its efforts to raise funds for further improvement of the park, were overtaxed to suppfly food and soft drinks. The size of the crowd so far exceeded expectations that the refreshment supply was exhausted late in the evening.
The display of fireworks was by far the most elaborate every attempted here. The committee of business men purchased a complete outfit from a reputable company, with the various pieces numbered as to the order of firing. There were numerous aerial bombs and rockets, some of them carrying tiny parachutes supporting colored lights. Several “set” pieces brought expressive “ah-h-s” from the crowd. The display was made along the south side of the ball park, with the people massed both within and without the enclosure.
Winamac Republican Jul 5 1923, Microfilm: The 4th Fittingly Observed Here In Winamac
Ideal Weather Prevailed And Enthusiastic Crowd Present – New Footbridge Dedicated With Ceremony – Winamac celebrated the Fourth by the dedication of the new suspension boot-bridge leading from the town park to the park across the river. A mammoth crowd was present to hear the dedication address by Brig. Gen. Gignilliat of Culver Military Academy, former state commander of the American Legion, and to witness the firing of the salute to the fallen soldiers by the naval guns brought by cadets from the academy. The foot-bridge was declared by visitors as up to expectations and a fitting monument to the country’s dead and living soldiers and sailors.
Contractor Nutt, in spite of early delays had the bridge entirely completed for the occasion, and it was duly decorated with flags and bunting for the holiday.
The weather was ideal for a celebration and crowds arrived in time for the auto parade at 10:30, lead by the Winamac band in uniform.
Congressman Samuel E. Cook, of Huntington, delivered the address of the morning at the new park bandstand, following a band concert. He congratulated the county on the appropriate memorial to the soldiers, and spoke of the sacrifices that the men of revolutionary days and during the later wars, who fought for their country, and urged his hearers not to forget their deeds of valor and sacrifice.
A second band concert was held at noon before the ball game. Winamac in the ball game with Royal Centre came from behind the visitors after a bad fourth inning and finally won the fray by a score of 7 to 6.
Winamac is showing up a pretty steady aggregation this season, and with Huddleston and Kroft as the stand-by battery is developing strong and aggressive.
In the fourth Huddleston was not at his best, but stuck to the ship with dogged pep, even with the odds against him. R.C. scored in the first frame, and in the fourth four tallies slipped across the plate before the lid could be clamped down, the bases having been filled by the visitors. After the fourth Huddleston held the visitors to one score, which came in the first of the ninth inning. This tally was squeezed in after two were down, when two visitors were walked, the first scoring from second on a bingle. A third out saved the game from further trouble.
Winamac’s main doings came in the fatal seventh, when Huddleston started with a two-bagger, Brown and Gilsinger also slammed out two-base swats and Kroft and Fites added to the hit column. Four scores were garnered during this frame. Winamac had previously made two tallies in other innings. The locals scored again in the eight, giving them the coveted.
The dedication ceremonies at 4:30 o’clock were marked with dignity throughout, the roll of those who had given their lives being called as part of the ceremonies, followed by taps and the salute of 21 guns.
In the evening, the program started with another band concert, from seven till eight o’clock, and at eight o’clock the fire works display was given on the ball field.
The fireworks was the biggest and most elaborate display ever seen in Winamac, and sets a mark for future celebration. The display included many fancy and novel illuminating bombs, double and triple bombs and a novel aeroplane fireworks novelty that brought a hand from the mammoth crowd. The biggest crowd that ever witnessed a fireworks display in Winamac, saw the exhibition.
No accident marred the day’s festivities, several deputies being on hand to direct the movements of the autos in the park, and prevent accidents.
Pulaski County Democrat Jul 12 1923, Microfilm: Tourist Likes Camp Site At Winamac
M.C. Larson, a tourist traveling from Fresno, Calif., to Columbus, Ohio, camped in the Winamac park below the artesian well Friday and Saturday. In conversation with Winamac citizens he declared that the Tippecanoe river, the well and the general conditions combine to make the camping site the finest he has found in all his travels. He added that the new Memorial bridge increases the attractive appearance of the park.
Winamac Republican Jul 26 1923, Microfilm: New Memorial Suspension Foot-Bridge
Here is the first published picture of the new suspension foot-bridge extending across the Tippecanoe river from the foot of Main street near the artesian well to the Winamac park. A winding path leads from the well to the bridge entrance. The bridge was dedicated to Pulaski county soldiers and sailors on July 4. This picture was taken by H.O. Crim, Winamac photographer. The view is from a position of the bridge structure.