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 Apr 12 1923, Microfilm: Let Contract For Park Footbridge
Directors Accept Bid of R.E. Nutt For The Work – To Be Finished By July 1 – Cinder Driveway, Band Stand and Refreshment Stand in Plans for Further Immediate Improvement – The contract for the construction of the proposed footbridge across the river, from the park below the artesian well to the Association park, was let last Friday night to R.E. Nutt. His was the only bid, at $3,197.
The matter had been held in abeyance pending the sale of sufficient stock in the park association to provide money for the improvement. Recent sales of stock to the amount of $2,300 were reported, which, together with the $1,000 previously agreed to be paid by the town council, placed the directors of the organization in position to close the contract.
The bridge is to be completed by July 1, according to the contract. The Winamac Cement Products Co. is to do the concrete work, and expects to begin operations as soon as the river falls enough to permit.
The bridge is to be of the suspension type, 200 feet long and five in width. A steel tower about thirty feet high, embedded in concrete base, will be erected on each side of the river. Two steel cables, each an inch and a half diameter, will be stretched from tower to tower, the ends attached to concrete anchors embedded in the earth about fifty feet back of each tower. The floor will be suspended from the cables, at a height well above danger from high water. Long inclines at each side, held in place by concrete walls reaching back as far as the cable anchors, will afford an easy climb to the bridge level.
The directors of the association are making other plans for improvement of the park during the coming summer. Solomon Stout has been re-engaged as custodian and will oversee the work to be done. Some trimming has been done in the upper end of the park, and some filling is to be done at a gully in the lower part. A notice elsewhere in this paper invites the dumping of rubbish at that point, under the custodian’s directions.
Cinders have been secured as top dressing for a driveway to extend from the entrance just east of the ball park to a point near the park house. This I to be made wide enough for two cars.
He material heretofore used for the temporary bridge is to be utilized in the construction of a permanent band stand and a refreshment stand. The swimming hold is also to come in for further attention, with the addition of more spring boards and steps. It is hoped that further playground equipment can also be added.
Winamac Republican Apr 12 1923, Microfilm: Bridge will Form Soldier Memorial
Span To Park Will Be Dedicated On Fourth Of July With Celebration For Occasion – The Winamac Park Association at a special meeting last Friday awarded the contract for the new suspension foot-bridge over the river, to R.E. Nutt, at $3,197. Mr. Nutt went to Chicago this week to secure earliest possible shipment of the material, in order to have the bridge complete for a public dedication of the structure as a memorial to the Pulaski county soldiers of all wars at a celebration planned to be held on the Fourth of July.
The first big event of the park will be held on that day, for the coming season. Added equipment for the park is to be ready by that time. A graded cinder drive from the road entrance to the park will be built about twenty feet wide, enabling two rows of cars to pass. The drive will be extended through the park as far as the bathing bench this year, and the low swail [sic] southeast of the ball park will be filled in. People who have trash to dispose of are urged to have it taken to this swail [sic] where Supt. Stout of the park will direct the dumping.
A band stand will be erected, with lumber remaining from last year’s foot-bridge, and a permanent refreshment stand will also be built before the opening of this season at the park.
Much increase in bathing facilities will also be made, with two more diving boards added at various depths, and the officials of the park have arranged to have the gravel and stones dredged from the beach and the depths marked for bathers. This will leave sand bottom at the beach.
Steps to the water edge will also be built and a number of seats will be placed on the bank for visitors to see the water sports.
Winamac Republican Apr 12 1923, Microfilm: “Memorial Bridge” A Good Name
The directors of the local park association have decided to dedicate the new footbridge soon to span the beauty river of Indiana as a memorial to the boys of Pulaski county who have fought for their country in the Civil, Spanish and World Wars. A tablet will be placed on the structure to bring to mind the sacrifice of the soldier boys from Pulaski county. Let the children who cross the bridge for healthful play, pause and remember the sacrifices of the soldier, which keep this country a place of opportunity for those of humble birth as well as those of far famed lineage.
Pulaski County Democrat May 3 1923, Microfilm: Footbridge Work Starts
Work has started on the footbridge to be erected from the park below the artesian well to the Association park across the river. Contractor R.E. Nutt is not engaged in erecting his false work, and hopes to have material on the ground for permanent work within a short time. The bridge is to be about where the temporary structure was located last year.
Winamac Republican May 10 1923, Microfilm: Overall Parade Coming Tuesday
Kiwanis Members Will Don Working Garb And Turn River Park Into Ideal Camping And Picnic Site – Winamac Kiwanis club members have orders to show up at next Tuesday noon luncheon, attired in overalls and armed with rake and shovel to spend the afternoon in cleaning up the park near the artesian well and in constructing table and ovens for tourists at the beauty camping spot nearby.
The town board has been designated as the boss gang to tell what is needed to be done, and before the sun sets next Tuesday evening the park is scheduled to look like an English lord’s estate.
The holes will be filled and the place will be leveled off for the season. The tennis courts will also be put in condition on that day and Jim Dilts, president of the tennis club states that racket enthusiasts will be welcomed on that afternoon to assist in that work.
It is understood that the town will erect a comfort station in the park on this side of the river, for the accommodation of auto campers and park visitors. Winamac is already listed on the state park board map as possessing a tourists camping ground.
The board of directors of the Kiwanis club has worked out a plan to finance all public enterprises of the town for the coming season, by arranging a budget to be contributed to by the business and professional people, and other citizens of the place.
A letter was sent to practically every business place in town on Tuesday telling of the plan and a committee composed of all the directors plan to call on the various citizens soon in carrying out the plan.
The budget will include an appropriation for the bad concerts, Fourth of July celebration, Old Settlers’ Picnic Day, Farmers’ Annual Picnic and other attractions that may be taken hold of by the town. The plan is arranged to avoid numerous solicitations for each enterprise as the time approaches for its financing.
Pulaski County Democrat May 24 1923, Microfilm: Fit Park For Use By Auto Tourists
Kiwanis Club Members Spend Afternoon at Cleaning and Building – New Footbridge Progresses – Work on Permanent Structure Across River Well Under Way – Attention to Tennis Courts Near Artesian Well – The city park just below the artesian well was given a general clean-up and put in shape for use by auto tourists Tuesday afternoon by members of the Kiwanis club, who armed themselves with rakes, shovels and other implements following the regular weekly luncheon at noon and went to the park as a group of volunteer workmen.
The results accomplished, besides a collection of blistered hands and sore backs, included clearing away the winter’s collection of dead leaves, the filling of small holes, the erection of combination dining tables and seats for the use of picnic parties, construction of two camp stoves, work on a cinder walk leading from the well to the permanent footbridge now under construction, and rehabilitation of the tennis courts.
Contractor Nutt and a crew of men are actively engaged on the new foot-bridge. The two steel towers have arrived and have been put in position, one on either side of the river. Workmen are now building the concrete abutments surrounding the towers, the steel cable from which the bridge will be suspended is here, the false work is in place for the erection of the floor, and there appears little doubt that the bridge will be ready for use well before the Fourth of July.
The cleaning of the park fitted well into a program of general town cleaning that was approved by the Kiwanis club at its meeting the week previous. At that time Dr. W.H. Thompson, as town health officer, reminded the club that last year a representative of the state board of health, after an inspection of Winamac streets and alleys, declared that the town was second in cleanliness to only one other in the state. The doctor voiced an appeal to citizens that sincere efforts be made to push Winamac into the front rank during the present year.
The work of Marshal Johnson in keeping clean the brick streets of Winamac was also commended, and a unanimous vote of approval for his efforts was extended by the club.
Pulaski County Democrat Jun 7 1923, Microfilm: Celebration of 4th In Winamac
Three Organizations To Join In Monster Program – Dedicate Memorial Bridge – Structure to be Inscribed to the Memory of al Pulaski County Men Who Have Served in the Wars – Formal opening of the new suspension foot bridge across the river below the artesian well, which is to be dedicated on that day to Pulaski county men who have served the country as soldiers or sailors, is to be part of a monster Fourth of July celebration now being planned.
The celebration is to be under the joint management of the Winamac Park Association, the American Legion and the Kiwanis Club. The park association is financing the bridge and other park improvements, and is to be in general control of the day’s events and of the concessions. The Legion is to have charge of the parade and the dedicatory exercises, while the Kiwanians will look after the contests, the fireworks and the music.
Pulaski County has no permanent memorial of any kind to its sons who served the country in time of peril. It has been therefore resoled, by the citizens who are sponsoring the bridge, that its heavy steel towers and cables, backed by immense concrete abutments and spanning the Tippecanoe from shore to shore, form an appropriate emblem of the united strength upon with the welfare of the nation rests, and that the bridge may fittingly be dedicated to those who have borne arms in support of the union.
Orders have been given for special memorial tablets, one to be placed on either rend of the bridge, with the following inscription:
Memorial Bridge Dedicated to All Soldiers and Sailors of Pulaski County Who Have Served Our Country
Negotiations are now under way for the engagement of a speaker of renown to deliver a dedicatory address. Other features of the day’s exercises will be similarly appropriate to the occasion. Further plans are being worked out on a scale calculated to make the forthcoming celebration of the Fourth one of the most elaborate and impressive ever held in Pulaski County.
In addition to the completion of the new bridge, other extensive improvements in the Association park will be ready by that time. Work has been started on a bath house, divided into about twenty rooms, where bathing suits will be kept for rent and where privacy may be secured by both men and women. It is to stand between the pavilion and the present free bath houses. Permanent refreshment and band stands are under way, the interior of the pavilion is to be redecorated and the floor prepared for dancing, and further playground equipment installed. The association has contracted with Harry Kistler to take charge of all concessions. He is to operate the refreshment stand, oversee the renting of bathing suits and rooms, and so on. Solomon Stout continues as custodian.
Winamac Republic Jun 7 1923, Microfilm: Fourth of July to be Observed with Dedication
Tippecanoe Footbridge to Memory of Pulaski County Soldiers – Center of Grand Celebration – Winamac is to have a real red-hot celebration on the Fourth of July. The park association co-operating with the American Legion and Kiwanis club is planning for a big picnic with the day crowded full of good times. Memorial Bridge, now under construction will be formally dedicated and a speaker of note is being booked for the address.
The day’s program is being arranged by the executive committee of the association composed of J.G. Reidelbach, E.W. Smith and M.S. Dilts and committees from the Legion and Kiwanis club.
The bridge will probably be completed within a fortnight. The abutments and entire structure is to be painted and the bridge and park will be one of the most attractive places to be found in any community. The bridge is to be dedicated to the soldier and sailor of the county who have served their country.
The committee intends to have many new features and amusements established at the park by the Fourth. A band and speakers stand will be one of the additions, while a permanent refreshment stand is now under construction. Smaller stands will be placed at convenient places as well. The association has retained all refreshment privileges for the season. Harry Kistler has been selected as manager and will have charge of all the stands and the pavilion. A permanent stand is being erected on the west side of the park, which will contain kitchen conveniences and refrigerator. The stands will be open all day and in the evenings and dances will be given regularly at the pavilion.
A bath house containing eighteen private compartments is to be built at once, at an estimated cost of $1000 to $1200. Part of the material is already on the ground and the work is to be rushed. The structure is to be 12×44 feet, containing an office, and separate sections for the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Bathing suits for men, women and children may be rented at a nominal cost.
The two bath houses already there are for public use and no charge is made for them. The bathing beach has been dredged to different depths for convenience of all.
Now then. Everybody – reserve Wednesday, July 4, for the Winamac bridge dedication and celebration.
The celebration is planned as a county-wide affair as the bridge is to be dedicated to the memory of all soldiers of Pulaski county.
A committee from the Legion Post will have charge of the parade and Memorial Bridge dedication exercises. A committee from the Kiwanis club will arrange for the band contests and fire-works.
Pulaski County Democrat Jun 14 1923, Microfilm: Culver Staff to Dedicate Bridge
General Gignilliat to Conduct Memorial Ceremonies – Part of 4th Celebration – Congressman Cook to Deliver Patriotic Address – Busy Day’s Program to Close with Display of Fireworks – The dedication of the Memorial Suspension Bridge across the Tippecanoe river in Winamac, on July 4th, is to be conducted by Brigadier General Gignilliat of the Culver Military Academy, assisted by his staff and squads of students from the naval school, the summer school and the woodcraft camp.
Learning that the bridge is to be dedicated to Pulaski county soldiers of all wars, as a part of exercises under the auspices of the American Legion, General Gignilliat announced his complete readiness to take part in the ceremonies, when visited Friday by Winamac representatives having the affair in charge. He expressed regret that the date falls only two days after the opening of the Culver summer term, and before organization of the school will have been sufficiently effected to permit the bringing of a large troop of cadets.
One-pound field pieces will be brought from the academy for the purpose of firing proper salutes. These will probably be in charge of regular army officers, it is stated.
Congressman Samuel E. Cook of Huntington, the Eleventh district’s member of the national house of representatives, is to deliver an address appropriate to the occasion. Judge Cook, in accepting the invitation over the telephone, likewise expressed pleasure over the prospect of spending the day with Pulaski County constituents.
Further details of the day’s program are being given attention. For the first time in several years there will be a display of fireworks, fired in accordance with regulations from the office of the state fire marshal. There is to be a ball game, of course, while the park playground equipment and bathing facilities will be in full swing.
Winamac Republican Jun 14 1923, Microfilm: Dedication Will Form Center for Fourth Occasion
Culver Military Academy Officers Charge of Ceremonies at Formal Opening of Memorial Bridge – On the Fourth of July, Grig. [sic] Gen. Gignilliat and his staff of Culver Military Academy will conduct the ceremonies at the dedication of the new suspension foot-bridge across the river near the artesian well, when the structure is formally opened in memorial of the soldiers of all wars who went from Pulaski county.
The dedication will be the central event of the Fourth of July celebration which will be held at the Winamac parks on the national holiday. Brig. Gen. Gignilliat was the first state commander of the Indiana American Legion organization. He has promised to bring naval cannon from the academy for use in the ceremony of the dedication and will be accompanied by all the army officials at the academy.
The celebration will be opened with a patriotic parade at ten in the morning, and the committee in charge is considering the offer of a substantial cash prize for the best decorated auto in the parade. At 11 o’clock, Congressman Samuel E. Cook, of Huntington, who represents this district in the house of representatives, will deliver an address at the park, preceded by a band concert.
After dinner contests will be held for the young folks at the park and a base ball game will be held at the ball park. Manager Henry Grabner is now negotiating with several teams to secure a good game for the holiday. The game will be held about 1:30 o’clock.
The dedicatory exercises will be held at three o’clock with band concert numbers in addition to the formal ceremonies.
In the evening fire works will close the day’s program. Dancing in the afternoon and evening will be held in the park pavilion. The new refreshment stand is nearing completion and there will be plenty of opportunity for visitors to enjoy a full day.
The bathing beach will be free to the public. There are two free bath houses where visitors may dress for bating, and there will also be private bath houses where bathing suits can be rented.
All soldiers of the county and in fact all soldiers who can be in town on the Fourth are invited to participate with the local legion members in the parade and dedication ceremonies. The parade will be in charge of the Legion Post.
The park association, the Legion Post and the Kiwanis club are all cooperating on the committees to make the day a success.
The following committee will be in charge of the band, fire works and other entertainment: W.D. Pattison, Harry Decker, R.L. Bagee, Dr. J.C. Shill, G.H. VanHorn, A.P. Vurpillat and J.J. Lowry.
Following is the publicity committee: J.D. Haas chairman, E.C. Gorrell, F.W. Riddick, C.C. Blinn, T.E. Bothast and Loren Warner.
The legion committee in charge of the parade and legion participation is as follows: Dan Kelly, Ralph Wilson and Henry Grabner.
Pulaski County Democrat Jun 14 1923, Microfilm: Soldiers And Gold Star Mothers
In order to complete the record of soldiers of Pulaski county in the recent war, every ex-soldier or a relative of every such soldier is requested to fill out the coupon below and mail or bring to Dwight Fites, Winamac.
A complete list of mothers of Pulaski county soldiers who lost their lives during the late war is also desired. If only that part of the blank is used, mail to Mrs. Gladys Lindesmith, Winamac, Ind. (A form was attached.)