Williams High School - White River Memories Yearbook (Williams, IN)

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WILLIAMS OLDEST RESIDENT John Williams is the town's oldest resident. Mr. Williams was born June 2, 1866, the son of Canaan and Elizabeth Williams. He has lived in or near Williams his entire life. Mr. Williams can recall the building of every house in the town except one, the Garrett Williams house. He recalls distinctly the building of the covered bridge located southwest of town. He re- ceived hts early schooling at the Chase School. In 1896 he entered Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, and graduated from that school in Business Administration. He, also, took advanced work at New Albany, Indiana. CENTURY-OLD HOUSE Garrett Williams, in 1849, just one hundred years ago this year, built the first house in the community of Williams. The house is built of poplar and walnut timber, cut from the farm. The rooms follow the old tradition of those times of ceiling the rooms with wide plank instead of plastering. Considering the age, the house is in excellent state of repair. , THE COVERED B IDGE Just outside the town of Williams stands an histor- ical landmark, the old covered bridge. It is one of the very few left in the state of Indiana, there being only about three more remaining intact. It is a pic- turesque picture any artist might be proud to paint. y s

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UNIQUE DIELLIIG An interesting landmark at tho edge of Williams ls an old, old house known as the Walter Jones house. Although completed in 1870 it is well- preserved and well-kept. The first thing one notices is the size of the house, a massive brick and sandstone structure of 26 rooms, of which, at the present, only a part are in use. The material in the house came from the farm upon which the house is built. Even the bricks were made on the farm, and from its own clay. The base of the house, about four feet high, is of sandstone. The largest part of the work was done by hand. One notices, especially, the hand work in the fonning of the sandstone blocks. Under the house is a sprlng which fills a concrete trough in the base- ment. This is used for refrigeration purposes. Pipes leading from the trough carry the water under the road to a pool in the barnyard, which de- lights the cattle on hot summer days. The spring was discovered in the digging of the basement. From the living room one hears clearly the trickling of running water, which is unique. The house was built by Bart Williams, and first occupied by his family in 1870. It is now occupied by Mrs. Nelia Jones, present owner of tho fanm. Mrs. Jones is the daughter of Bart Williams, who at one time was known to own the entire southern end of Lawrence County. IILLIAHS POST OFFICE The first post office opened in 1875, was located whore the Maegerlein Mill now stands, with Ben Carl, the first postmaster. The second post- master was Jake Baker. The post office was then located between the mill and the hotel. 'Mr. Lewis D. Kern, succeeded 'Mr. Baker as postmaster. Following Mr. Lewis D. Kern, Mrs. Lydia O. Baker was appointed post- mistress in 1888. The post office was in her home on the Brick Hill. In the year of 1892, the house where Mr. Bert Short now lives was built for a dressmaking establishment and post office. Mrs. Mayme Henry was post- mistress and also dressmaker. In 1896, the post office was moved to the what is now home of Mr. Henry Flynn. William Lewis was appointed postmaster. J. H. Moore became postmaster in 1896. Mr. Moore had his store and post office directly across the railroad tracks from the depot. Mr. Moore's home, post office, and store burned, so he had to move to the present residence of Mr. Henry Flynn. In 1899, the post office was again moved to the home of Lydia O. Baker. Mrs. Baker lived in the back of her house, and the front served as post office. J. H. Moore resigned in 1900, and Mrs. Byrd Ferguson was appointed postmistress. Mrs. Ferguson had the present post office built in 1915. She had the locker boxes established, also. Mrs. Ferguson was post- mistress until June 50, 1940. Russell Wagoner was acting postmaster for three months. Mrs. Rebecca Maegerlein, the present postmistress, was appointed October 1, 1940. The Williams post office receives incoming mall three times daily, and dispatches mail four times a day. There is one rural delivery route going out from the town each day. 7

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OUR SCHOOL H With dignity, but with A friendly welcome At the top of the hill, stands Williams High Kay all ye the enter ne'er fail to do Only the things that'11 make her proud of you! 9