An encounter with the supernatural

The Indiana State University Folklore Archives has collected quite a few stories about supernatural encounters and UFOs. This particular story was collected in 1998 by Janel Maesch. In this interview Donald Bonomo of Clinton, Indiana, shares his story about seeing a silver, saucer-shaped UFO at Sportland Park in Clinton. Three others who were with him at the time also witnessed the UFO.

To read other stories about encounters with the supernatural or UFOs, click here.

Happy Easter!

This 1921 Easter postcard from Eugene V. Debs to Clytie Peterson of Milwaukee, Wisc., is an absolutely beautiful print. The young children gathering daffodils, holding hands as they walk up a path and holding a bouquet of flowers is very inviting.

The back side of the card is interesting, too. It seems that Debs liked poetry that rhymed. On the reverse side of the card, in what appears to be a child’s handwriting, is the following note: “I send this friendly little rhyme to wish you well at Easter-time.”

This postcard is part of the Special Collections Department at Indiana State University.

Who doesn’t love a marching band?

The Indiana State University Archives houses some fun photographs of the university’s marching bands throughout the years. In this circa 1942 photo, members of the marching band line up in preparation for a homecoming parade.

Like the U.S. Postal Service, a little rain doesn’t keep a marching band from participating in a parade! In this 1962 image parade watchers hold umbrellas and support the women and men musicians as they march down Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, Indiana.

And doesn’t this percussion group look smart in their uniforms? This photo was taken in 1964.

All three images are from the Martin’s Photo Shop collection that is housed in the university’s archives. For more marching band images, click here.

Remembering a teacher and a coach

Around 1920, Oscar Edwards, a graduate of Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, won first place in the long jump at the IHSAA State Finals with a leap of 20 feet, 20-1/2 inches. Edwards not only made his mark around the track, but also in education.

A graduate of Indiana State Normal, Edwards earned a degree in physical education in 1929. He then started his master’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College, but left in 1931 when a job opened up at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. A physical education teacher, Edwards also coached football and basketball. Eventually, he earned graduate degrees from Indiana State Teachers College and Indiana University.

According to Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick, “Throughout his teaching career, Edwards was outspoken in his efforts to improve the academic environment for black children. His reputation for activism may have affected his advancement but, in 1963, he was named assistant principal at Miami’s George Washington Carver High School.”

McCormick shares Edwards’ story in “Wabash Valley Profiles, a series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.” This series was presented by First Financial Bank. Edwards’ tribute appeared in 2006.

Are you ready for your staff Christmas party?

It’s nearly Christmas and that means there are parties to attend, good food to eat, and people to renew acquaintances with. In this 1942 photograph students at the Indiana State Teachers College, now known as Indiana State University, kick up their heels during their Christmas Sophomore Dance. And, yes, those are suckers in their mouths!

Twenty years later, this group of Indiana State College, now University, students decorates a hall on campus for the annual Christmas ball.

Both of these Martin’s Photo Shop images are part of Indiana State University Archives.

It’s all Greek to me

Back in 2007, Indiana State University sorority women wore this T-shirt as part of their fall recruitment activities. This image, and many more, are part of the Indiana State University Union Board collection.

Did you know that 71 percent of all Greeks graduate, while only 50 percent of non-Greeks graduate? Did you know that since 1910, 85 percent of the Supreme Court Justices have been Greek? Yup, that’s what the ISU Greek Life website reports.

Hut, hut, hike!

Ah, there’s a crispness in the air. That must mean it’s football season! This 1953 photo from the Indiana State University Archives shows the Sycamores getting ready for another season. Speaking of another season, check out this year’s ISU gridiron schedule.

This old photograph is from the Martin’s Photo Shop collection. This photo shop was once located in Terre Haute, Ind.

Hungering for some more old football photos? Don’t despair, there are definitely lots more!

Leading child psychologist a Terre Haute native

One of the country’s leading child psychologists in the early to mid-twentieth century was born and raised in Terre Haute, Ind. Paul A. Witty entered this world July 23, 1898, at 1423 Poplar St. During his years in Terre Haute he matriculated at Wiley High School and then Indiana State Normal, the forerunner of Indiana State University.

Paul continued his education, earning a master’s degree in education from Columbia University. In 1931, he received his PhD from Columbia. Dr. Witty spent his career as a professor of education at Northwestern University. Additionally, Paul helped to establish “The Quiz Kids” radio program. After returning home from World War II, he worked with the television show by the same name.

Dr. Witty’s papers have been preserved in the Northwestern University Archives.

The article about Dr. Witty by Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick appeared in the June 9, 2005, issue of the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. The ad, Wabash Valley Profiles: A series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history, was sponsored by Terre Haute First Financial Bank.

It’s back to school time!

Soon, students of all ages will be returning to school — hitting the books and getting back into a routine. The sweet days of summer are quickly coming to an end.

This fantastic photograph at right shows three young women with their luggage returning to school at what is now known as Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. This photograph is from the Martin’s Photo Shop collection. Martin’s Photo Shop was once located in downtown Terre Haute on Wabash Avenue from 1906 to 1976.

The photograph shows Eiko Nishimura, Carolyn Huntington and Beverly Lebo. Learn more about this image.

The photo is part of the collection of the Indiana State University Archives.

Lest We Forget: A presentation in Marshall, Illinois

Less than a month after the April 12, 1861, attack on Fort Sumter, Indiana Gov. Oliver Perry Morton requested that the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., provide assistance in the administration of City Hospital in Indianapolis, which had been turned over to the federal government for the care of soldiers. This hospital soon became known as Military Hospital and the Sisters of Providence became “Angels of Mercy” to Union and Confederate soldiers alike.

On Thursday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. (CDT) at the Marshall Public Library, 612 Archer Avenue, Marshall, Ill., Connie McCammon, a communications staff member in the Office of Congregational Advancement of the Sisters of Providence, will present “Lest We Forget: The Civil War Service of the Sisters of Providence.” The event is free and open to the public. Connie will share the story of Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly and the courageous sisters who answered a call to service during a turbulent time in the nation’s history.

With the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War this year, the Sisters of Providence are proud to be a part of the Vigo County Indiana Civil War Sesquicentennial Project, a special collection of Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3), a digital memory project. Other partners include Indiana State University’s Cunningham Memorial Library, the Vigo County Public Library and the Vigo County Historical Society. All digitized items are fully searchable online. A Library Services and Technology Act Mini-Digitization Grant from the Indiana State Library provided funding for this project.

To learn more about the service of the Sisters of Providence during the Civil War, visit the Congregation’s children’s website.

Remembering his dream

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, Wabash Valley Visions & Voices shares this program from the 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration Dinner at Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana. Those attending the dinner were welcomed by then-ISU President Dr. Lloyd Benjamin III. Miss Nicollette Whittington, Miss Ebony 2005-’06, served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The speaker for the evening was Mrs. Joyce Rogers, CEO/president of Indiana Black Expo. The oratory address, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” was delivered by the Rev. Elester Wilkerson of Danville, Illinois.

This program, in the Indiana State University Library collection, is available here.

A New Year’s wish for Eugene V. Debs

“This is one of the times of the year when we remember our friends and of course you belong in that large family circle. We all wish you a merry Xmas and as happy a new year as you are able to enjoy under the circumstances and we all hope that the new year will greet you with liberty,” wrote Mr. and Mrs. William Hilsdorf in a letter to Eugene V. Debs on Dec. 14, 1920.

This letter noted that Mr. and Mrs. Hilsdorf would send Debs fruitcake, candy, nuts, apples and a box of cigars. To view this letter more closely, click here.

This letter is a part of the of Special Collections Department at Indiana State University, Terre Haute. For more information on Debs, visit the Eugene V. Debs Collection on Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3) as well as the Eugene V. Debs Museum collection. This museum is located on the campus of ISU, 451 North 8th Street.

College life 1939 style

Ah, the joys of college dormitory life! This 1939 photograph shows a women’s dormitory room on the campus of Indiana State Teachers College, now known as Indiana State University. Taken by a photographer at Martin’s Photo Shop, this image was probably used in recruiting tools. And just like students today, there always has to be one student who is constantly preening herself! To view this photograph more closely, click here.

This photograph is just one of the many holdings of the Indiana State University Archives, 650 Eagle Street in Terre Haute. To view more images from the ISU Archives, click here.