100 years ago
Automobile and train collide
Another near tragedy occurred at Rockford on the Pennsylvania Railroad crossing when a Ford touring car being driven by W.W. Lamp of Louisville clashed into northbound passenger train No. 317, the Chicago Mail and Express, about 10:20 o’clock this morning. The front end of the machine was smashed, but neither Mr. Lamp nor his wife, who were the only occupants of the machine, was injured.
75 years ago
Christmas observance for two days planned
Further plans for the annual Christmas observance sponsored by the Seymour Chamber of Commerce, which will usher in the 1948 Christmas season, were made Friday at a meeting of the general committee at the Elks Club.
The observance will be on two days, opening on Saturday, Nov. 20 with the unveiling of Christmas windows downtown, the crowning of Miss Merry Christmas and a concert by the Indianapolis News Boys’ band.
On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 21, Santa Claus will arrive by airplane at Freeman Field, and Santa and his helpers will distribute treats to the kiddies.
50 years ago
Oktoberfest near end
Festivities at Seymour’s first Oktoberfest got into full swing this morning and will continue this afternoon and tonight in the downtown business district.
The weatherman has predicted sunny skies with temperatures climbing into upper 70s this afternoon, ideal weather for the concluding day of the German harvest festival.
25 years ago
‘Professor’ promotes recycling
There’s a new teacher in town just for Oktoberfest, and he’s anything but ordinary.
He, or she, or it, is a little more than 4 feet tall, has no arms and is brown and round in shape.
Seymour’s newest educator goes by the name of Professor Worm, and its sole purpose is to educate kids about recycling.
The body of the worm is made of stuffing with a speaker placed near its mouth.
When a child speaks to the worm, workers hear him from across the street through a headset and can speak back to the child through Professor Worm’s “voice box.”
“The purpose of Professor Worm is to help promote recycling in Jackson County,” LeRoy Crees, director of the Jackson County Solid Waste District in Brownstown, said. “We wanted an interactive program with children where we could hear and talk to them.”