This Day in Shelby County History: June 21

1917

The eastbound freight, No. 80, which passed through the city at 5:30 p.m., ran into a “junk wagon” at the crossing on E. Jackson Street. Bob McGinnis had driven the wagon onto the tracks before he learned of the train’s approach. He attempted to hurry the horse across and in doing so, the animal became frightened and stood still. McGinnis was able to leap just in time to escape being hit by the train. The wagon was demolished, but the horse was not touched.

1942

First Christian Church held a reception, during which new members became acquainted with long-standing members. The main activity had members waiting for a whistle to blow every five minutes, signaling them to exchange conversation with a different person.

1967

The SHS class of 1947 celebrated their 20th reunion. Committee members were Roanne (Weaver) Lewis, John Gibson, Dr. and Mrs. Robert St. John, George Glass, Jeanine (Dale) Leming, and Loretta Eckstein.

1977

Karen Bullard was the recipient of the St. Paul Kiwanis Club’s Good Citizenship Award.

Sgt. Robert Nolley was elected secretary-treasurer of the statewide Fraternal Order of Police. He was the first member of the Shelby FOP Lodge No. 84 to be elected to a state FOP office. Shelbyville Police Chief Robert Williams and Robert Phares, special investigator for the Shelby County prosecutor’s office, served on a steering committee for Nolley’s election. Shelbyville delegates sent to Evansville for the meeting were Bill Parsley, Rick Phillips, Norm Collins, and Nolley. Alternates were Jim Pickett, and Dallas Phillips.

Jeff Brinson received the Optimist Club’s Glen McNamara Award. The award was named in honor of a long-time area baseball coach who started the Knothole League.

The grade scale for the next year was released. Anything below a 75 would be an “F” at SHS.

1992

Dr. Forrest Keeling, a 95-year-old retired pediatrician and former Waldron resident, reflected on Jeremy Wright’s and David Hart’s state track championships. Keeling was the first Shelby County track athlete to win an event at the state level, the broad jump in 1915. Triton Central’s Michelle Wampler won the high jump in 1991 and Thomas Sadler, SHS, won the shot put in the early 1940s, comprising all local track champions to win state at that point.