April 17
In 1917, Barzillai Trail of Shirley died at the age of 81. His father had been a slave in the south; he had bought his freedom and eventually come to the area. “(Barzillai) increased his holdings until at the time of his death he owned one of the best farms in his district,” according to the April 21, 1917, edition of the Daily Reporter.
In 1917, the Daily Reporter published a letter from Earl and Gertrude Davis, who had newly arrived in South Africa to work as missionaries. Gertrude Davis wrote the letter to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Oldham, noting she had so far learned about 115 words of the local language, was growing tomatoes and roasting ears and other produce in her garden, and had learned that in some seasons the local residents had to stay home from church services to shoo the monkeys from their crop fields.
April 18
In 1976, Riley Park was the site of an Easter sunrise service sponsored by Christian Youth Fellowship and Greenfield Parks and Recreation. Charles Wright directed the Greenfield Community Choir in song. Dr. Paul Kitley, pastor of Greenfield Christian Church, was the speaker for the service. For many years later on, First Presbyterian Church had its sunrise service at the park each year, weather permitting; the church closed in 2020.
April 19
In 1964, Shirley Young’s husband found her semi-conscious on the ground after a bolt of lightning apparently struck close to her or the tip of her umbrella. She revived soon, however. Paul Young and his pregnant wife had returned to their home in Westland and were carrying their children into the house when the bolt struck.
April 20
In 1962, Greenfield Jaycees set up in Northgate Shopping Center for another weekend of selling seat belts. “They believe the people of the community are realizing the need for seat belts,” read a story in the Daily Reporter the day before.
April 21
In 1967, classes at Hancock Central High School in Maxwell were delayed after a phoned-in bomb threat. Hancock County sheriff’s deputies and Indiana State Police searched the building while students remained on buses, but they found nothing. Students were allowed to enter after about an hour.
April 22
In 1948, New Palestine won its first track meet in school history. The Dragons competed against Wilkinson and Charlottesville at the Greenfield High School track. “The meet was closely contested throughout and was not decided until the final relay,” according to the April 27, 1948, edition of the Daily Reporter. It was a half-mile relay.
In 1992, Republican presidential hopeful Pat Buchanan visited Indiana Gun Club just west of Fortville during a three-day campaign swing through Indiana.
April 23
In 1964, Indiana Bell outlined a plan to enlarge Charlottesville’s local calling area, making it possible for residents to call Knightstown without incurring long-distance charges.
In 1992, Greenfield police First-Class Cpl. Linda Cain filed a sexual discrimination complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the city of Greenfield and its Board of Works. Cain pointed out that three male colleagues, all with less tenure, had been promoted and she was not. She also noted that they and another male officer participating in the interviews each spent 15 minutes or less in their interviews, while hers lasted 25 minutes. “We all weren’t interviewed the same or asked the same questions,” she said. “Is that fair?”
