History of Indiana

Jessie Call, born on December 13, 1889, describes her life in rural Indiana, attending and teaching in a one-room school, and her education at Indiana University in the first decade of the twentieth century. She comments on the university's campus at that time, her efforts in the cause of women's suffrage, and her memories of World War I and the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. In addition, she speaks of her divorce in the context of the social disapprobation it received in 1939.

Harold H. Church, born on July 5, 1895, discusses his long and dynamic career in education, encompassing such positions as high school teacher, school principal, superintendent, and Indiana University education professor. He recalls his childhood, his parents' encouragement of the pursuit of education, his college experiences, and various jobs he had as a youth. After completing his graduate degree, Mr. Church continued to pursue his career in school administration; from these experiences, he describes the history of education in Indiana, the processes of school reorganization and consolidation, and the changes he observed in the field of education from 1918 to 1977. In addition, he speaks of his personal philosophy of education and his views on the probable future of American education.

Nellie Stipp Daly, born on April 9, 1899, recalls growing up as the daughter of the warden of Michigan City State Prison, and her later marriage to prison warden Walter Hays Daly. She speaks of political patronage in the Indiana corrections system, the Michigan City State Prison in the nineteen twenties, and her memories of the prisoner and Ku Klux Klan leader, David C. Stephenson. In addition, Mrs. Daly comments on her tenure as the superintendent of the State Girls' School in the nineteen fifties.

Rose Marie Melling, born on October 8, 1922, recalls the massive flooding of the Ohio River in Clark County, Indiana in January of 1937. She discusses the property damage caused by the flood, her memories of the ensuing martial law and enforced evacuation, and the experiences of her family and neighbors in the flood.

Merle H. Miller, born in January of 1904, discusses his commitment to the protection of every citizen's civil liberties and his association with the Indiana Civil Liberties Union. He comments on the controversy surrounding the building of the Indianapolis War Memorial, the ICLU's views on communists, and the general public's perception of civil liberties unions.

Kermitt N. Money, born on June 11, 1919 and died on December 31, 1977, discusses the history of Shelby County, Indiana. He describes its cemeteries, little red school houses, early post offices and settlements, Native Americans, and famous people.

Charles D. Murphy discusses the history of Unionville and New Unionville, Indiana, and the background of the Cox, Lawrence, and Young families in Unionville. He speaks of land grant farming and living conditions in the nineteenth century, as well as the early settlers and residents of Unionville.

Harry E. Nichols, a former judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Indiana, discusses the social and political history of Madison, Indiana during the latter half of the nineteenth century. He comments on Madison's leading industries, local political leaders of the past, and community activities. In addition, he describes some of the houses of Madison's wealthier former residents.

Robert E. Tucker, born on November 26, 1912, in Bloomington, Indiana, discusses his childhood memories of activities, education, and classmates in Bloomington. He speaks of segregation in public schools, the inferiority of the African American Benjamin Banneker elementary school, and of the teachers and curriculum at school. In addition, he comments on the racism that characterized his experiences in the United States Air Force during World War II and as a student at Indiana University after the war.

Leon Wallace, born on January 24, 1904, discusses the history of the Indiana-Kentucky border dispute, and his work on this subject as a distinguished professor at the Indiana University School of Law.

Reverend Walter M. Wick, born on December 7, 1911, discusses his parents' emigration from Germany to the United States, his Lutheran upbringing, and his seminary and graduate education. He speaks of the history of the Lutheran Church in Indiana and in America, and of his own role as the president of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Lutheran Church of America. In addition, he comments on the organization and functions of the Lutheran synods, and on his own predictions for the future of the church.