New Palestine High School’s gymnasium was filled May 7, 2017, for Brody Stephens’ funeral. Many wore orange to honor the Sugar Creek Elementary student who had died April 29.
April 24
In 1991, Army Sgt. Gerald Carrier surprised his cousin Alisa Carrier by visiting her and her second-grade classmates at Mt. Comfort Elementary School. The class had sent him valentines during the Gulf War. He answered questions from the class about the food in Saudi Arabia and his duties in the 82nd Airborne.
April 25
In 1967, Eli Lilly and Co. shareholders from across the country met at the company’s 700-acre research center in Greenfield, marking the first time the annual shareholder meeting had taken place outside Indianapolis.
April 26
In 1908, the Daily Reporter began publishing.
April 27
In 1994, Shirley Town Council approved the Main Street Project, a renovation of the downtown area from South Street to Half Street. The project, which was to include road resurfacing, new sidewalks and drainage work, was expected to cost $660,000; 80 percent of it was expected to come from state funding.
April 28
In 1847, the first post office was established in the community of Kinder, which in 1869 would be renamed Carrollton.
In 1863, Greenfield bought the land that would become Park Cemetery.
April 29
In 2017, Sugar Creek Elementary School second-grader Brody Stephens died. His funeral drew about 2,500 to New Palestine High School in early May to remember the boy who inspired neighbors and professional athletes alike during his battle with leukemia. Indiana Pacers forward Glenn Robinson III and Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle were among those who served as pallbearers. Later, the “Brody Strong” fund was established in his memory through the Hancock County Community Foundation to assist New Palestine-area elementary families in need with the cost of uniforms, equipment and fees, so all can participate in sports.
April 30
In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train entered Hancock County at Charlottesville, continuing east and reaching Greenfield just before 6 a.m. It did not stop here, but many gathered along the way to pay respects as the assassinated president’s body was transported from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois.
In 1985, a fire claimed a former school building at the northeast corner of North and Pennsylvania streets in Greenfield. The building had once been Greenfield High School and was Riley Elementary School from 1926 to 1981. The building is now the administration center for Greenfield-Central Schools.
