Back When for October 26

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Oct. 26

In 1967, a former Greenfield resident pled guilty to starting a fire in the cellblock of Hancock County Jail more than a year before. He had been arrested in August 1966 on a charge of drunk and disorderly conduct.

Oct. 27

In 1976, Hancock County officials and Indianapolis Airport Authority representatives conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for Mt. Comfort Airport, which was later renamed Indianapolis Regional Airport.

Oct. 28

In 1949, a 69-year-old former Greenfield resident and his four sons were indicted by a Dayton, Ohio, grand jury in connection with the sale of $156,945 worth of unregistered oil stock and gas leases.

Oct. 29

In 1924, former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan spoke to about 1,800 people at the Memorial Building in Greenfield.

Oct. 30

In 1987, city officials met with representatives of the U.S. Postal Service and representatives of U.S. Sens. Richard Lugar and Dan Quayle amid efforts to keep the Greenfield Post Office in the downtown area. The pleas came after the postal service announced earlier in the fall it was accepting bids from property owners in an area bordered by Interstate 70 and county roads 100 South, 250 East and 75 West. Today, the post office remains at 207 N. State St.

Oct. 31

In 1951, the Weil Theatre offered a free show to celebrate its fifth anniversary, followed by a free show the next day as well. The feature picture was “Daughter of Rosie O’Grady,” starring June Haver and Gordon MacRae. Today the theater is the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts.

Nov. 1

In 1929, a fur buyer predicted a strong trapping season over the winter. He was expecting to buy mink, weasel, raccoon and opossum hides. “A great deal of trapping in Hancock County now is done by high school boys who consider it a source of revenue during their school days,” according to that day’s Daily Reporter. “Some of these lads make enough money by trapping on Saturdays to buy their clothes for the winter, and then they enjoy the sport.”

In 1930, a Fortville building housing Fortville State Bank and Crouch & Fosters’ Furniture Store was destroyed by fire. Loss of stock and buildings was valued at approximately $35,000. The fire was thought to have started in the furnace room at the back of the bank.