Our Early Years
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Fun with Tanks and on the Railroad
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Here’s a narrative by Ed Fort (class of ‘55) about playing around the railroad.
(just click on the arrow)
Great Story….!!!! Thanks much Ed….!!!!
M-24 “Chaffee” Light Tank
This is the type of Tank they were playing in.
Air Raid Drills
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Does anyone else remember when we had air raid drills in Knightstown.?? Well, I do… We had blackout blinds at the windows which were thick black things that we were supposed to pull down at night, presumably, so enemy bombers wouldn’t be able to see us and drop their bombs on us. I remember one air raid drill. It was a fine summer night and everyone turned out the lights in their houses and went outside. It was fun for us kids because we got to stay up later than usual and play with our friends who were also outside. I think I got a spanking for not staying in the yard…
Looking back on it I wonder what the “powers that be” were thinking. Did they actually believe there was the remotest possibility that planes would fly all the way from Germany or Japan to bomb Knightstown, Indiana…???
Steam Engines
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We lived at the corner of Franklin and Carey streets until I was about 5. I could look down Carey street and see the Big Four railroad track from my front porch. I remember what a thrill I got when a train came through town and the whistle on the steam engine blew. Sometimes the train would stop and pick up cars from Keen’s poultry business and I would beg my Mother to let me go over by the track and watch the engine. 
One time that I can recall she let my sister take me down closer to the tracks. What a treat that was. I’ve always had a thing about steam engines and I guess that’s where my fascination with them comes from.
Here’s a link to an interesting story with a Knightstown connection about an incident on the Big 4 RR back in the steam era
Link to Big 4 Railroad Story
Here’s a comment sent in by Ron Short:
I remember Dad taking me down to the Pennsy track, I think it was between Jefferson and Franklin, to watch the train pick up mail from the arm on a post. I think there were two posts, one for drop-off and one for pick-up. Those steam engines were awesome and still fascinating.
Thanks Ron…!!!
Here are a few snapshots from our grade school years.
The Cave by Wayne Kelly
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The Cave
The air was heavy and smelled of damp earth and fires long extinguished. The entry room was not very large, perhaps six to eight feet wide and just enough room for a 12-year-old to stand. The walls were stained with ash dust from fires built by other Knightstown explorers. The dirt floor was a mix of deep dust, ashes and bits of burnt sticks and tree limbs.
I was in the secret Knightstown cave.
Not many knew of this mysterious gash in the earth on the northeast edge of Knightstown. I don’t recall how my brother and I learned of its existence, perhaps from the late Bill Hiner, a neighbor lad who often shared our explorations.
We visited two or three times when we were in the fifth and sixth grades. Once we decided to explore its depths, but the tunnel soon narrowed to crawl space, and my claustrophobia prevented further investigation. Besides, we were certain some hideous monster was lurking in the darkness just beyond our flashlight beams. If we kept completely quiet and held our breath we could imagine hearing muffled sounds in the pitch black distance.
We had heard the cave extended far back under Knightstown and that there were other large rooms. It was said it extended under the old cemetery on east Morgan Street; others said it went far under Knightstown itself. I am not sure anyone ever had the nerve to completely explore its length. Despite the intrigue and the promise of high adventure we never ventured far beyond the main room. Unless someone has sealed the entrance I am sure it is still there today. It was/is located on the hillside overlooking Blue River, just south of the old Knightstown dump site that existed for many years on northeast Morgan Street.
It is possible the cave is even larger today. It was most likely created by underground drainage over the past 100 or more years. Now, 60 years after our explorations, it is probable erosion has created even larger tunnels—and even bigger caverns, if they really exist!.
For certain it still lies hidden in undergrowth, its opening agape like the mouth of a hungry beast. It is a timeless adventure waiting for rediscovery by new generations of Knightstown youngsters.
Thanks Wayne, That’s a great story..!!!
Knighstown Notables in the 50s by Wayne Kelly
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Remember the old Johnny Cash song, “Memories Are Made of This”? Well, so goes it for growing up in Knightstown. The people we knew as youngsters—friends and acquaintances—are indelibly etched in our minds. Listed are some of the folks who were “Knightstown Notables” when I was a youngster. How many of them do you remember? Sadly, death has claimed most of these old timers but they will live forever in the hearts of those of us shared their lives.
It has been 56 or more years since I had contact with the folks listed below. My memory too may be a bit hazy on a couple. If you believe I have misspelled a name or erred in the listing please drop Ed Knight a note so he can correct the mistake.
Blaine Addison & Bob Parker-Worked at Goodman’s in the men’s department
Doc Ammerman-dentist
Courtney Armstrong-Plumber
Willard Avery-attorney
Cecil Binford-owned and operated the Knightstown Bowling Alley
Ernie Bradway-owned a grocery at southeast corner Brown and Franklin
Al Brown-KHS coach for a time; taught mathematics
Bonnie Buckles-photographer
Doc (Ralph?) Bush-dentist
Paul Butcher-mortician
Louis Carroll-president of the First National Bank
Lee Carroll-president of Citizen’s National Bank
Jim Chance-owned Chance’s grocery on West Main Street
Joe Cooney-bought the photography business from Henley
Lon Craig-sharpened Knightstown lawnmowers and ran projectors at Alhambra Theater
Allen Cravens-owned a dairy
Belvin Durham-custodian at Knightstown High School
Frieda Dougherty-owned the local bakery
Guy Fausset-town marshall
Dolly Flory-daughter of Louie Flory who ran Flory’s Sweet Shop next to the Alhambra Theater
Fred Forst-Indiana State Police, tragically killed on duty
D.W. Grossman-realtor
Oren Henley-founder and long-time owner of Henley Photo Studio
Flo Hickman-owned Flo Hickman Dress Shop on Main Street
Harvey Hopkins-owned Hopkin’s Furniture Store adjacent to Lord’s
Joe Irvine-owned the Hudson Dealership
Walter Jolly-owned and operated Jolly’s Drug Store with his son Harry
Orville Jones-shoe repair, bought the business from Lawrence
Alvin Kopp-manager of Goodwin Bros Dodge/Plymouth Dealership
Crack Lawrence-shoe repair man
Shorty Lindsay-barber, owner of Lindsay Manor Hotel
Herman List-owned a print shop on the public square
Chet Livingston-manager of Goodman’s Department Store
Ralph Lord-owned and operated Lord’s Grocery Store at Jefferson and Main
Bob Lukens-managed the Knightstown Grain Elevator
Harry Manning-radio repairman
Tom Mauck-owned Mauck Lumber Company
Tom Mayhill-bought the Banner from Bob Sitler and built a large publishing firm
Bob McShirley-postman
Mark Mercer-KHS coach for a time; taught civics
Jack Messick-barber
Zelda Moffett-managed women’s and children’s and home furnish area at Goodman’s Dept. Store
Harriett Moore - Long time clerk at Rody’s Department Store
Ernie Moreland - Part owner and operator of Rody’s at 125 E. Main
Phil Parker-owned Parker’s Grocery Store on Main street at Public Square
Vern Perry-owned the Knightstown Coach Company (National Body Co.)
Clarence Post-owner of the Post Gamble Store, later Post & Post Hardware at 133 E. Main
Claude Puckett-chief grave digger and manager of the Glen Cove Cemetery
Harold Ratliff - Owned the Jewelry store at 19 N. Wash., later Main and Jefferson
Wes Ratliff - Henry County Circuit Judge
Ross Reddick-sold used cars, later owned the Texaco Station at Main and Jefferson
Carl Rihm-local grocer and packing house owner
Mick Richey - manager of the Alhambra Theater for Mr. Watts, the owner
Gene Sharp-oil distributor. Owned Phillips 66 gas station for several years
Mike Schatzlein-florist
John Shafer-postmaster
Paul Shaffer-jeweler
Burt Sheidler-the local blacksmith. His forge was located at the east end of Warrick Street
Eddie Shores-worked with Herman List in print shop; later owned facility
Gene Short –Indiana State Policeman
Bob Sitler-owned the Knightstown Banner
Dick Steele-affable, long-time manager at First National Bank
Lawrence Stroup-Was the station master at the Big Four stop at the tracks just south of Carey
Carlos Tribbey-manager of the Main Street Kroger Store
Jimmy Thomas-owned the Standard Oil Gas Station at Franklin and Main; ran the DMV office for a time
Bob and Shirley Thompson-owned and operated the Western Auto Store on E. Main
Fudd Wagoner-owned the hardware store at 113 E. Main Street
Rags Walters- the Knightstown upholsterer; his shop was located on the west side of the public square
Ralph Ward-postmaster
Doc Watts-dentist
Jim Williams-Les’s brother. Owned a dry cleaning store on south Washington Street
Les Williams-public square restaurateur, town marshal, owner Phillips 66 station after Sharp
Tubby Woods-owned the Ford Dealership
Harold Van Buskirk-principal at Knightstown High School
Kiefer Vestal-owned the Elite Café adjacent to the First National Bank
Thanks Wayne…!!
How about everyone pick a couple of names and write something about them in the comments section…!!
In regard to the air raid drill that were held in Knightstown during World War 2. I also remember being in the town of Shirley during an air raid drill. It wasn’t the idea that Germany or Japan would bombs our little towns but the fact that Indianapolis, being so close by it would have been a target because of the Allison Company that made engines for our planes.
Comment by Frances (Cranfill) Vander Weide "55" — June 17, 2008 @ 5:22 am
Number 36 was the Ratliff jewelry store, but Wes Ratliff was the lawyer and later Circuit court judge in Henry county for many years. The jeweler’s first name escapes me right now, but his son Jim and wife Delores took it over after his death. They are dead now too. Wes died two years ago in Bloomington where he retired. His wife Mildred is still living there. Remember Ernie Mooreland who owned Rody’s? My grandmother, Harriett Moore worked there for many years.
Comment by Carol Wyatt Davis — July 5, 2008 @ 7:25 pm
Thanks Carol, You are right..!! We missed that one. There was another mistake too… We also had two number 36s in there. I moved Wes Ratliff down to number 69 with the correct occupation. I think the Jeweler’s first name was Harold. I’ll add him to the list.
Erine actually had two other partners in Rody’s. They were Rody J. Woodums and Daj G. Jenkins. They formed the partnership on April 25th, 1946.
I remember your grandmother well and liked her a lot. She used to alter the pants I bought at Rody’s to make them narrow at the bottoms. We called them “pegged” pants and they were the “coolest” in 55 and 56.
Thanks, Ed
Comment by Ed — July 6, 2008 @ 7:19 am
She would come home from work worn out from all the “pegging”! Ronnie Lawrence worked there too. I remember when the store had the upstairs and that is where she had her sewing room. She also fit shoes, just did what was needed, but sewing was her best job. The Tot n Teen was on the corner where Ratliff’s eventually went in. I don’t remember who ran that. My dad, Caley, used to tell me not to go near the “bomber” hangouts! I finally figured out he meant the bars. One used to be where the Corner Baker is now. Mattix’s resturant was on one corner too. Remember when Flory’s was over by the Alhambra? George and Edna Sherry ran the movie for many years. Joe Chew also had a photography studio in that block.
Comment by Carol Wyatt Davis — July 7, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
HERE’S A FEW MORE THAT I REMEMBERED. LOIS
SUE SMITH, MARILYN’S MOTHER AND HER BEAUTIFULY DECORATED CAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS
HAROLD HAMILTON, TRASH-REFUSE HAULING
LARGE AND HICKS, ALSO REFUSE-TRASH HAULERS
HAGNER’S CLEANERS ON THE SQUARE - HERSCHALL AND MARRIANNE HAGNER
CHET AND LEOLA JORDAN CLEANERS ON MAIN
CUSTODIANS RALPH MATTIX AND VICTOR WING
BELVIN DURHAM KEEPING SCORE AT ALL THE GAMES FOR MANY YEARS
BOB McSURLEY, MAIL CARRIER
ROWLAND MORGAN, POSTMASTER
OLD ERNIE, WORKED FOR HOPKINS FURNITURE FOR MANY YEARS AND LIVED NEAR RAYSVILLE LAKE
SAMMY FRANCIS TAXI SERVICE
MRS WALLS, LIBRARIAN AT PUBLIC LIBRARY
VERA DURHAM, ELSIE BRAMMER, MARTHA WING, AND IDELLA CONNER, THE LUNCH CREW LADIES
PHONE OPERATOR CORA DEEM AND HER BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK,
SKATING RINK AT THE PARK AND ALL THE MILES PUT ON OUR SKATES, THINK I SKATED TO LAS VEGAS AND BACK OVER THE YEARS
TOWN CHARACTER RUSSEL STITES
PAINTING SCHOOL AND TOWN WINDOWS AT CHRISTMAS AND TOURNEY TIME
FIREWORKS AT MORTON, LINDA CROSS’S STEP-DAD SET THEM OFF
Comment by Lois Thompson Roland '58 — July 8, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
I also thought of the Robin Lee Dress shop. Can’t remember who owned it, but Sadie Morgan worked there for a long time. That would be Bill Morgan’s mother. And don’t forget Lois’s parents with the Western Auto! Just remembered Danner’s, loved the broken peppermint. Trumps’s had the Texaco. My great grandfather, Raymond Morrison was a furniture maker on Brown St., wallpapered, and also took care of the fish fountain at Glen Cove. My other great grandfather, Ira Moore, drove the truck full of chickens for the poultry house. And there was Elm Grove Dairy, run by my grandfather, L.S. Wyatt and all the boys.
Comment by Carol Wyatt Davis — July 10, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
Wayne,
My dear friend, Carol (Wyatt) Davis commented on The Robin Lee Dress Shop on Main Street. Sadie Morgan was a clerk there for many years. Sadie Is not only Bill Morgan’s mother, but mine as well. I as well worked in
the dress shop for years. My mother began working there when I was about three ( 1954 or 55) I went to work with her each day and grew up in Robin Lee. Naturally, I worked there a bit prematurely while watchfull eyes oversaw my selling talent or lack of, and of course my cash register skills.
The owner of The Robin Lee Dress Shop was Mary Leisure. She was an elderly single lady who was good friends with Flo Hickman. Flo had the dress shop around the corner on the west side of the square.
Mary Leisure was a savvy business woman, but she was so kind to mother and I and watched over me and put up with me as a toddler, teen, and in to womanhood. She was like my grandmother. And oh the deals she gave
me……. :) My senior year of high school I was voted best dressed in my class. I remember making $.57 per hour.
Now that was great budgeting! Between my $.57 per hour, my mother and fathers help, and of course Mary contributing, I was walking advertisement for Robin Lee!
People came from miles away, for the beautiful and name brand clothing.
Back during this time frame, Robin Lee was located between The Elite Cafe and Pattons’ grocery on the north side of U.S. 40.
I look back with such fond memories of my mother, the additional clerks: Sue Trump, Doris Howard, Helen Holland,
Zelda Moffitt, Beverly McDonald among others I cannot recall. Of course Mary Leisure and Robin Lee.
Thank you for all the pictures, comments and a tour of my happy childhood in Knightstown!
Wayne,
I am sorry to ramble on, but have a question I hope someone can answer. Before my mother, Sadie Morgan
began working at Robin Lee she and my father Cloy owned and operated a bakery which was located on the
east side of the square. It was located in the one of the buildings in the first half block. It was not on the corner
which housed a restaurant, the next building was Shafer Jewelry, and I think later Harold Ratliff Jewelry store. I think my parents’ bakery was perhaps the third building south in the first half of the block. Naturally these buildings no longer exist. Here is my question. Does anyone remember the name of mom and dads bakery?
I was only two or three and cannot remember the name of it. I am thinking my mother had worked for Freda Doughtery who owned a bakery where Hopkins Furniture Store once was. I am relatively sure mother and dad purchased the Doughtery Bakery, moved it to east side of square, but not positive. I do not think they kept the
Doughtery name if indeed that was how this tale happened. But if someone could think of the name of bakery I would love to know.
Again, thank you, and I shall remain an avid fan of your delightful tours of yesterday!
Sincerely,
Deborah (Morgan) Whitesitt
After rereading people in the past, another couple who owned The Elite Cafe was Scott and Hettie Johnson. I think this is the name of the couple who may have had Elite in the approximate years…55, or 56 and beyond until its demise. The Elite Cafe looke like a cute little house with a swing on the front porch. In the entry, was an ice cream case and the cash register. I used to go visit them and swing for hours. Of course this is while I was doing my growing up at Robin Lee. The food was excellent and I believe the wonderful cooks last name was Caudill????
I certainly wish Robin Lee, The Elite, The Corner Cafe, Western Auto, Rody’s, and of course FLORYS among all of the others were still among us. I miss them much!
Comment by Deborah (Morgan) Whitesitt — August 4, 2008 @ 10:03 pm