May 2
In 1923, Greenfield Mayor Frank S. Larrabee offered his resignation to Greenfield City Council, to take effect the next morning. He had been in poor health and relinquished the office “only upon the demand of his physician,” according to the May 3, 1923, edition of the Daily Reporter. Larrabee, who had also served as county superintendent of schools and principal of Greenfield High School, died Oct. 24, 1924, at the age of 58.
In 1945, a car driven by a Greenfield man collided with a motor section “hand” car operated by a Mt. Comfort man collided on the New York Central railroad tracks in Maxwell. Two passengers on the latter suffered minor injuries.
In 2008, former President Bill Clinton spoke to about 900 people at Greenfield Middle School. He was campaigning for his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, days before the Indiana presidential primary.
May 3
In 1982, Mt. Vernon’s school board approved a lease that paved a way for a park on the site of a former Fortville Elementary building. The agreement would let the town lease the property for no more than $1 a year. Today, Landmark Park sits at 216 E. Staat St.
May 4
In 1976, Indiana Treasurer Jack New of Greenfield lost the Democratic primary for governor to Larry Conrad of Muncie.
May 5
In 1980, Greenfield Park Board received 11 bids on a proposed new municipal pool.
May 6
In 1954, Dr. Ralph Wilson, who practiced medicine for 57 years in Shirley, died. His office was later moved to the other side of Main Street, next to the Depot Museum, to become another museum.
In 1987, New Palestine Elementary School participated in a one-day teacher swap with Spencer Elementary in Owen County.
May 7
In 1951, representatives from several community organizations gathered at Riley Park Shelter House to discuss a possible camp for youth of Greenfield. At a previous meeting, William L. “Tubby” Toms and his wife had offered land for this purpose near Westland on Nameless Creek.
May 8
In 1876, the City of Greenfield was incorporated.
In 1942, Indiana received federal go-ahead on building six miles of dual-lane pavement between Greenfield and Cleveland over the route of old U.S. 40.
In 1986, Captain Malcolm Grass was shot and killed in the line of duty. Marvin D. Castor was convicted and imprisoned in the slaying; in 2015, he was found dead in his cell.
