Log Cabin Day in Roann, IN.

This may seem like a strange holiday but Sunday is Log Cabin Day. So in honor of this holiday I will write about a log cabin that is part of my heritage. Alexander Abshire and Susanna Swihart Abshire found a place near the Eel River, north of Roann, to set up housekeeping in 1863. The ground was purchased by his father, Abraham Abshire, in 1837.
The heirs of the family felt the history of the cabin needed to be preserved. The town of Roann, as part of the sesquicentennial celebration in 1966, decided to honor the early pioneers and through much effort rebuilt the log cabin. The original cabin was built of beech, walnut, maple, and native poplar. When construction began, the upper story was badly deteriorated so the structure was reduced to one story. The Abshire cabin now sits in the town park in the middle of Roann, several miles from where it was originally built. During The Roann Festival in September many visitors tour the cabin. When you enter you will see Alexander and Susannah's picture (my great-great grandparents).

Okie Pinokie--Haunted??

The first post that I made when I started this blog site was about Okie Pinokie. Several persons have shown an interest in the supposedly haunted woods. Mind you I have never been there at night but have been there quite a few times in the daytime. It is beautiful there. You drive back a long lane and when you get to a turn-around you are right by the river. They have found remains of bodies there-perhaps Indians. So for all you ghostbusters out there that have forgotten where it is- here are the directions.
In Peru-by the river-turn east on Riverside Drive-keep going- that will turn into 124. You will pass the Circus Hall of Fame-pass Godfroy Cemetery -keep going till you see a sign that says 510E-you will see cement pillars-go into the lane between the two pillars. I set my odometer when I turned onto riverside drive-it is 5.4 miles to your haunted scary woods. It is not a place at night for the weak hearted.

Railway Hospital in Peru

Nov. 27, 1896--Peru now possesses the finest Railroad hospital in America. It is located in Ridgeview about two blocks north of the union station and was opened last Saturday. Dr. E. H. Griswold, the managing surgeon and his charming wife, were kept busy receiving guests.
There are thirty-nine rooms in the mammoth building besides the basement, which is sub-divided into rooms. Forty seven beds are available and at any time additional accommodations can be secured.
The building cost completed was $35,000. Dr. E. H. Griswold is the surgeon in charge of the hospital and he is popular not only with the company but with the men. Dr. P. S. Kaddt is the house surgeon. Dr. Griswold has been in Peru since 1893. Unfortunately, Dr. Griswold became a patient at the Railway hospital, ill of paralysis, with which he became afflicted in the fall of 1934. Dr. Don Farrara is in charge of the medical and surgical department of the hospital, while his brother Dr. Sam Farrara is the interne.

Ridgeview-Bearss Settlement

Dec. 3, 1898--Ridgeview, a village near here, consists of one dozen houses, a railway hospital and a mail box. It is located just across the north corporation line of this city, and is less than a quarter of a mile from the Union railway station. The place is known as the Bearss settlement. Mr. and Mrs. D.R. Bearss settled ther more than half a century ago, and Mrs. Bearss, now a widow, is still living there. From the town, one gets a ridge view of Peru, hence the name. Gen. James Tyner, U.S. Postal Service; Capt. Ira Myers, U.S. consul at St. Johns; A.C. Bearss, postmaster of Peru; Oscar Ridenour, assistant postmaster of Peru; George Lockwood, Congressman Steele's private secretary; Edgar Ridenour, Lt. 16th infantry; Lt. Hiram Bearss, U.S. Marines; E. Gould, division supertintendent of the Wabash railway; W.W. Lockwood, sr., editor of the Peru Republican; and several other influential persons lived in this area.
Frank and Oliver Bearss were employed by the postal service of the government. People who want office should by all means move to Ridgeview. It is to Peru What Hong Kong is to China, the official residence of the English ruling class in the empire

Pioneer Resident John Oldham

December 9, 1904--John Oldham in 1883, assisted General Tipton in moving the Pottowatamie Indian tribe, numbering 2,000 from Miami county to the state of Kansas. In crossing the Mississippi river 100 head of ponies leaped from the ferry boats into the river and swam back to the Illinois side. In an early day he nursed Gabriel Godfroy, of the Miami Indians, when the dignitary of the forest was a wee child, and he was frequently in the company of Frances Slocum, The White Rose of the Miamis, and frequently lived in her wigwam.
Forty years of John Oldham's life was given to the butchering business. At one time he made the remarkable record of cutting up 2,000 head of hogs in twenty days in a Lafayette pork house on a wager, using a forty pound cleaver.
John Oldham, the oldest pioneer resident of the Miami Reserve, having been a resident at Bennetts Switch, Miami county, for seventy-seven years, died at his home of old age complications, aged ninety two.

Pat and Jerry Asphyxiated

Nov.30, 1900-- Pat and Jerry Holland, two well known characters around town were discovered dead about 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon at their home 156 East Eighth Street. These two jolly Irishmen were familiar to everyone.
Dr. J.E. Yarling, the coroner and Will Lenhart and Lawrence Simpson, the undertakers, were notified and called at once. The doors and windows were all opened and the odor of the bodies could be distinguished two or three blocks away. The condition of the bodies indicated that death had occurred several days before. The men were lying in natural positions and their features were not distorted so that evidently their death had been painless. It is supposed that after their return home Tuesday evening the brothers ate something which contained poison and caused their death.