Reuben Wells, master mechanic, designed his namesake. It was built in the railroad shops at Jeffersonville, Indiana, under his supervision and placed in service in 1868. It was, at the time, the most powerful engine in the world. It was built to...
We know little about this picture. Were the name "Wirt" not clearly defined over the door, we would not be able to identify it at all. There is a rail cart behind the gentleman and he seems to have what may be the mailbag. He may be ready to...
The Madison Courier on October 25, 1943, reported, "Frank B. Conner, 60, conductor, was killed instantly, and four railway cars were demolished at 1:00 o'clock this afternoon when a "runaway" railroad train raced down the "cuts" plowed up the...
The No. "8606" is seen in this picture. The H-6 series of engines took over all passenger and freight service after the "8434" and the "8452" were scrapped.
The Heritage Center grounds contain the restored Madison Railroad Station, a brick Victorian-era passenger depot noted for its octagonal waiting room which is over two stories tall. Built in 1895 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, it served travellers...
Railroads; Limestone mills; Matthews Brothers Stone Company
Over the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Matthews would add several additional buildings devoted to specific aspects of the industry, including the office pictured here. The drafting and office building can be seen on the left, with...
Railroads; Switching locomotives; Quarries and quarrying; Matthews Brothers Stone Company
Switch engines like the one pictured were widely employed in the stone industry and instrumental in transporting the material over great distances both within and outside of Indiana. While stone mills would make use of the existing rail...
Letters; Milroy family--Correspondence; Whooping cough; Parasitism; Sick children
A letter from Milroy's wife, Mary, writing that the children are ill again. Val and Walter are just getting over whooping cough, while Brucey has a bad case of whooping cough and worms. Another member of the 9th was killed and returned home for...
Letters; Milroy family--Correspondence; Jasper (Horse); Fourth of July celebrations--Indiana--Rensselaer--1862
A letter from Milroy's wife, Mary, who writes that it was a surprise when the wounded Jasper arrived home; friends and family have fawned over him. The children are on the mend. She describes the 4th of July celebrations.
A letter from Ella, telling her father about school and a recent concert. She also thanks him for the gifts he sent to the children. Mary writes that it is cold, and she pities the poor soldiers out in the elements. She hopes the war is over...
Letters; Milroy family--Correspondence; Typhoid fever; Home life; Domestics--Indiana--Rensselaer
A letter from Milroy's wife, Mary, writing about the children and the neighbors. The James family is sick with typhoid fever and Mary sent her servant over to help them out.
Handwritten response from James Whitcomb Riley to unknown correspondent. Unknown correspondent requested Riley send a Thanksgiving poem, but Riley responds by saying he does not have one. He does, however, have another poem he could send...
Typewritten copy of the original manuscript of the poem by James Whitcomb Riley, Leonanie. Debate occurred over who actually authored this poem since the initials provided are E. A. P. Many believed Edgar Allen Poe was the poet responsible for...
An article in the Jasper Herald about Don Pope of Linton, IN accepting the position of superintendent over the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation. Keywords: man, portrait, newspaper.
The Hebron School was built in the 1850s. It was a substantial building made of stone. There was a cupola built atop the building with a rope extending downward inside so the bell could be rung. We do not know how long the bell was in existence or...
Soldiers--Correspondence; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives; United States. Army--Military life; Japanese; Unemployment; Manila (Philippine); Indiana Army Ammunition Plant--Indiana--Charlestown
James is still in the service but has enough points to go home. He thought he might get home by Christmas. Charlestown has become a ghost town because the Powder Plant shut down from the war being over. James is unsure of what job he will do when...
Soldiers--Correspondence; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives; United States. Navy--Military life; World War, 1939-1945--Europe--End; Indiana Army Ammunition Plant--Indiana--Charlestown
Henry says that the war is over and people are celebrating everywhere. He doesn't think he will be going home anytime soon. Henry is concerned for his mother. Henry is working on the "power plant Electra." Henry is thinking he might stop writing to...
