Life a Century Ago
Focusing on Jasper County
Brian Capouch
A look at life roughly a century ago
Game Plan:
- World events
- United States
- Indiana
- Jasper County and vcinity
I. World Events
Valdmir Lenin dies
January 21, 1924
Adolph Hitler convicted of treason for "Beer Hall Putsch"
1924 Olympics
- Summer Olympics also held in Paris
- First-ever Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France
- American won first gold medal
England's First Labor Gov't
- Conservatives had long been in power
- Parallel of sorts to 2024
- Didn't take long and they were out of power again
II. United States
Woodrow Wilson Dies February 4, 1924
J. Edgar Hoover appointed head of FBI
III. Indiana
Avg. Farm Size: 100 a.
Only 12% using tractors
Most farms lacked electricity
ca. 1915
Avg land cost $50/acre
26% of population were farmers
The McCormick-Deering Farmall tractor debuted in 1924!
A big story connects Indiana history to local history: the conviction and imprisonment of Governor Warren McCray
It's a convoluted story!
- Republican McCray elected in 1920
- Born near Brook, lived in Kentland
-
Owned/operated Orchard Lake Stock Farm
- Stock sales netted almost $500K in 1919!!
- Owned/operated bank in Kentland
- He holds a unique distinction
Edward L. Jackson, Secretary of State, was a Klan member
The Klan wanted McCray's help enacting legislation
McCray steadfastly refused to accede to the many Klan demands
Jackson attempted to bribe McCray, with $10,000
Jackson was elected governor in 1924
In 1924, over 50% of Indiana legislators were Klan members
Meanwhile, back at the farm. .
In the early 1920s, the cattle market totally collapsed
This led McCray, now stationed at the capital, into a liquidity crisis
When he refused to go along, the Klan found some dicey transactions
One central issue: was McCray a farmer??
McCray indicted in February
On May 1, McCray convicted of federal mail fraud
He lost his farm, the bank was closed, and McCray went to prison
The stock farm liquidation sale netted $49,000
And back at the Klan. . . .
D.C. Stephenson was the Grand Dragon of the Indiana Klan
. . considered to be the most powerful Klan leader in the Midwest
Stephenson got entangled in an affair that led to his murdering his paramour
He was subsequently convicted of murder
And at that point, he started telling tales--and the Klan's short reign quickly evaporated
IV. Jasper County
The local newspapers are filled with stories about the Klan
Now, a question about the history of the fair. . .
3/17/23
This would place the first fair in 1922!!
But was the 1923 fair held as implied in the piece?
NO mention of it in the 1923 Democrat!!
Some county scenes
