Shakamak High School - Shakamak Yearbook (Jasonville, IN)

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Eel River bridge fleftb spans Eel River, which is of histori- cal significance to the school area. Prior to 1927, the land along the river belonged to the Piankeshaw Indian tribe. They ceded it to the Deleware tribe, who called the river Shak'a'mak, meaning in their language, The Waters of the Long Fish. Eel River was a part of the canal system completed in 1850 which linked Worthington and Terre Haute. The work on the canal was done by men with spades, shovels, picks, and wheelbarrows. Boats were pulled along the waterway by horses and mules. In later years a ferry transported passengers and vehicles from one bank to the other. Peavey Cemetery was originally an Indian burial ground. There is a wide strip at the top where no white people have ever been buried , respecting the Indian graves. Shakamak Trading Post Cleftj which is now a furniture store and a lodge, was used for a school before the Old Coalmont High School was completed. ' The Powder Mill Cabovej is located in what was the first mining community in Lewis Township, Alum Cave. Alum Cave had a company store and a saloon called the Sample Room. The U.S. Powder Mill dates back to 1904. It manu- factured all the gunpowder for the mines in the area: later it turned to manufacturing black powder and pellet powder. When it was the property of Olin Mathison Company in 1908, there was a terrific explosion which rocked the entire coun- tryside. Dupont leased the property during World War II to manufacture gunpowder for the army. Another big explosion in 1942 ended the manufacturing of gunpowder.

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Y1YYY Old Landmarks The LSLM Railroad is the oldest railroad in Indiana. It was quite an important part of the history of the Civil War: its trains were attacked many times by Union troops. One famous engine, the General, is preserved in a museum. The Monon Depot, south of Midland, is still in operation. According to agent, Bob Mintier, at one time the depot served 23 area mines. lt now serves Peabody and Howesville Farm Service in this area and three businesses at Clay City: Buis Feed and Grain, Custom Farm Service , and Clay County Co-op. The old wooden bridge fright and belowj 'spans the tracks which lead to the depot. Local traffic still travels over the bridge. Trucks and buses were banned several years ago to preserve the bridge . - . .... .,..,. N X-.. x A ns The gob pile Ccenter rightj is the only remaining evidence of the deep coal mines which were the life blood of the early community. At the right is the old Express Office building, which is all that remains of the Jasonville depot area. 26

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Landmarks - The new City Hall Ccenter rightb has offices and firehouse. All courts, and jail facilities are now at Bloomfield. The Bramble Blacksmith Shop of the horse and buggy days Cbelowj is now an apartment. Boys are SHS students wearing early day styles, presently in style . The first grocery stores in the area were company stores owned by mining companies or individuals. Jasonville was named for a grocer, Jason Rogers. Sam Mills owned an early company store. Other grocers of the past were Joe Spurgeon, Wilbur Spurgeon C35 yearsj, Houser Brothers Q43 yearsj, and Ax and Fry. In Midland the first company store belonged to Byrd Doyleg other grocers were Bill Clark, George Clark, Paul Combs, and Max Mitchell. At Vicksburg, the company store was owned by Coal Bluff Mining Cor- poration. Later grocers were Sherman Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Sam Stock- rahm, Bill Stockrahm, lake Hays, and Lee Hays. At Coalmont, Fred Cochran had the company store. Also remembered are Ernie Griffith, Nellie Puckett, CCorner Grocery, 20 years: smorgasbord, 8 yearsl, Walter Tennis, Bernice Mar- low, and a Mr. Cagle. The Harvey Grocery building Crightj dates back to 1899. At one time there were over 30 grocery stores in the areag now there are five: two chain stores, Ridiner's and Harwicksg three neigh- borhood stores, McKee's, Rumple's and Abe's. ld and New The old City Hall Cbelowl was built in 1907 and is the oldest public build- ing in town. It contained offices, courtroom, fire house, and jail frightb. sa. A J I if t ' T T so if . ' if gl: 1 if L 5 , S ,- ft L ' , ? -av- i ig tina..-. -'- ' I--.- -QI -DC I..