'A CENTURY OF MEMORIES'
1880 - 1980 |
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| In the early 1960s, a lot of folks spent their Sunday afternoons
enjoying go cart races. Two tracks of dirt were located in town, one
where Tiedje's new station stands and the other, most popular, behind
the house now owned by Ray Holda, north of Main Street. Among the
drivers racing were Roger Downard, Randal Cox, Wendell Jones, David Fry,
Walter Jones, and Worth Jones. Others who made a lot of laps but seldom, if ever, raced were Larry Fry, Garry Fry, Ted Cox, Billy Jones and Bill Tiedje. |
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| FOURTH OF JULY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Old Van Wert Records and Pathfinders tell us that the early 1900s
found our community celebrating the Fourth of July in a big way right in
our own little town. On June 24, 1909, we learn there could be no
fireworks. "Our Celebration Committee has secured a new feature for the crowning glory of 3rd of July night. Instead of the dangerous and monotonous fireworks they have secured an up-to-date moving picture show that lasts for an hour in the park and will be free to all. Don't miss this attraction but come early -- stay late". The festivities a week later were very detailed ones. Another celebration held on the 4th of July, 1911 was as follows: |
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8:00 AM, band concert, Kellerton and Weldon
Martial Band; |
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| In 1915, The History of Decatur County tells us that the people of
Prairie City celebrated the 4th of July 2 1/2 miles west of town in a
grove. John Gemmell was the marshal of the day. The town folks formed a
parade to the grove and the festivities were celebrated (Don Erpelding
lives there now). Martha DeVore recalls that in early days, a 4th of July Celebration was never held within the city limits. A town picnic along a creek bank in a grove of trees was how the occasion was spent because it was cooler there. |
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| HUNTING, FISHING AND TRAPPING | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For many years, hunting, trapping and fishing were done as a way of
life rather than sport, as it is today. Through the 1930s, a lot of men
depended on fish and wildlife to provide meat for their families. Fur
bearing animals furnished warm coats and blankets and sometimes extra
money in hard times. Those early horse and buggy days often found animal
hides as the main shelter against winter's freezing winds. Even the
early cars were without windows and convenient heaters for the passenger
comfort. And don't forget that rumble seat, punishment enough without
winter weather! Even though modern times do not necessitate these three livelihoods, a vast number of our men and boys, as well as some of the ladies, engage in one or all three of them. Some of the women feel "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" and after participation find they too really do enjoy the sports and find them relaxing. Our county is one that has furnished a good habitat for a number of animals and fowls. The addition of the 1100 acre Game Reserve on the old DeKalb farm and surrounding land has increased the hunting grounds for our community and many traveling sportsmen as well. The most common hunts are the quail, pheasant, rabbit, fox, coyote, deer and raccoon; while bass, channel cat, carp, blue gills and crappies are the most common fish. The "Sky's the limit" as far as the amount of money spent or the number of guns, fishing rods, etc., one family might own. Pistols, muzzleloaders, rifles, shotguns and bow and arrows are the weapons used and each category has as many types as people to buy them. In 1934, a good coon hide was worth $8.00 while a coyote was $10.00 to $15.00. Gophers sold for 10 cents a foot back then. In 1978 - 79 hunting season, top price for coon was $55.00 while coyote sold for as high as $50.00 plus $5.00 bounty. Each December for approximately 15 years, hunters have awaited with great anticipation the opening of deer season. Parties from two people to 25 search for these graceful creatures and while several bag a prize trophy, others go home empty handed but ever enthusiastic for the next year. Perhaps the largest deer hunting party in our community gathers on the Cox property west of Van Wert. An average of 15 to 20 men hunt each season. Some of those who have participated in hunting with this group are Randal, Corwin, Ted, Brian and Billy Cox, David, Randy, Garry, Larry and Ronnie Fry, Sam Rhodes and son, Bob Hatfield and Darwin Reed. When snow is on the ground a favorite sport is coyote and/or fox hunting. Again, any number from one on up participate and unlike some of the other types of hunting, a whole family can go if they desire. A few of our coyote hunters are Garry, David, Ronnie, Larry, Randy and T.J. Fry, Duane and Doyle Otto, Darwin Reed, Bob, Jerry and Bunk Hatfield, Shelby Hagen, Zell Boles, Wayne Cowden, Kim Overton, Ted, Bill and Randal Cox and Grant Wiley. Fishing is an all year sport. Most is done in the summer when lakes, ponds, and streams are thawed, but ice fishing is also enjoyed by a few and usually produces pretty good catches. |
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| SADDLE CLUB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Van Wert Saddle Club, Inc. was formed in 1972. The first meeting was held on May 5, 1972 with a total of 67 members and Pete Scadden and family as honorary members because he furnished the ground to build the arena. All time and help was donated by members in building the rodeo arena. For a time rodeos were held nearly every Sunday afternoon much to the community's delight. The members participated in all events such as parades in different towns, fun horse shows in Van Wert, association horse shows, rodeos, trail rides, ice cream socials to raise money for the club, and also a rummage sale and roping shows. The last meeting was in August 1976 when it dissolved. The arena built is no longer used. Members who started out the club were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Honorary Members - Pete Scadden and Family. Pages 135 - 139 |
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