August 1, 2017

 

The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.

 

The meeting was called to order by the president at 6:40 PM with 11 members present.

 

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

 

The treasurer’s report was given. 

 

 The secretary read several communications which had been received.

 

The president mentioned the Rockport Library was having a guest speaker Friday, August 4, 2017.  He is John T, Wayne, grandson of the movie actor, John Wayne.  He will be having a book signing from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.  At 6:30 PM he will be doing a reading of John Wayne’s “America”.

 

The Historian of the Year banquet to be held Saturday, September 9, 2017, was the next item of discussion.  A sample of the banquet program was passed around.  The president is going to check Wednesday, August 2, to see if the Society can get into the church to decorate on Friday, September 8. 

 

A member mentioned he had sent an e-mail to Mike Blake about the Society honoring two giant sports icons at the annual banquet.  He asked about having Jim Haaff and Henry Ayres as guest on his Mike’s Midday show.  Mike responded quickly and the group will be meeting with Mike Blake on August 23, 2017.

 

The Spencer County Bicentennial Committee has been meeting for the upcoming celebration in 2018.  They are planning to produce a pictorial history book of Spencer County.  They have created a flyer which tells about the project that includes dates, times, and places where they will be scanning in photos from people.  The next meeting of the committee will be Wednesday, August 15, 2017, at 6:30 PM at the Chrisney Youth and Community Center.

 

A motion was made and seconded to keep the same officers for 2017-2018.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

The president reported that a member had attended a meeting of a panel formed to investigate Thomas Lincoln, Abraham’s father.  He has been given a “bad rap” through the years as a man who was not particularly smart.  There was a book written by Brian Dirck which furthered the myth of Thomas.  A member had made a list of items that refuted his statements.  Mr. Dirck had been the guest speaker at the 2017 Lincoln Day program at Lincoln City.

 

A member announced the Lincoln mallet will be going on auction at Christie’s in New York on December 5, 2017.  He also announced the Lincoln powder horn could possibly be put in the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis.  There was one slight problem with the powder horn - items placed in the State Museum have to originate in the state of Indiana.  There is a possible loophole that would allow it to be exhibited at the museum - it is an Indian artifact that was given to Lincoln during the Black Hawk War.

 

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.

                   

The next meeting will be September 5, 2017, at 6:30 PM in the Genealogy Room.