"Disguised As A Doughboy:" The Frontline War Work of Sarah M. Wilmer

Welcome to the first episode of the 2023 season of Talking Hoosier History. This is also our first short episode, the perfect length for classroom use. You’ll learn about the frontline efforts of Sarah M. Wilmer in WWI, how we do history with primary sources, and a related historical marker.

Written and produced by Jill Weiss Simins. Performed by Justin Clark.

A transcript of this episode is available at the THH website: https://podcast.history.in.gov/.

Notes and sources: https://bit.ly/3Ozpp3a.

From Drifter to CEO: The Remarkable Life of Henry C. Ulen

The life of Hoosier industrialist Henry Ulen seems like a movie—a person of little education and resources who uses his raw talents and savvy to build a massive business empire, who then comes back to his hometown to share the fruits of his success. Perhaps it was his years drifting from town to town on the railroads as a young man that inspired a sense of community, of needing a place to call one’s own. As such, his business ventures were all about providing places with the tools they needed to build communities and wealth of their own. And today, over 120 people still call the town of Ulen home, with the golf course still serving as a hub that brings the community together. The life, work, and charity of Henry C. Ulen exemplified the true meaning of “Hoosier Hospitality.”

Learn more Indiana History from the IHB: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Search Hoosier history at Indiana Memory: www.indianamemory.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "Forest" by Vlad Gluschenko, "Wanderlust" by Scott Buckley, "Chess Pieces" by Silent Partner, "Saturday Groove" by John Deley, "Lake Eerie" by Silent Partner, and "Purpose" by Jonny Easton

Leedy Manufacturing Company and Purdue’s “World's Largest Drum”

Purdue's "World's Largest Drum", made by Indianapolis' Leedy Manufacturing Company in 1921, has been involved in many rivalries over its size. Learn more about its unique history from our latest video.

Learn more Indiana History from the IHB: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "Regimented Instinct" by Teknoaxe, "Jumpin' Boogie Woogie" by Audionautix, "Anchors Aweigh" by US Marine Corps Band, "National Emblem" by US Naval Academy Band, "Low Tide" by Silent Partner, "Jazz Bar" by Doug Maxwell, Media Right Productions, "Hail, Purdue" by Purdue All-American Marching Band

When Jimmy Hoffa Met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Detroit, Michigan, March 30, 1965. Two men meet at a small press conference before the funeral of a slain civil rights activist. Their meeting seems like an unlikely pairing for us today—one a slick haired, brash, and controversial labor leader and the other a measured, eloquent, and inspirational pastor who had galvanized the civil rights movement. The former was there to present a check for $25,000 for the latter’s work on racial equality. Their stories varied tremendously but, at this moment, they intersected, manifesting all the complicated and contradictory impulses of American life during the middle of the twentieth century. Those two men were Jimmy Hoffa and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Learn more Indiana History from the IHB: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "The Things That Keep Us Here" by Monomyth, "Almost A Year Ago" by John Deley and the 41 Players, "Crate Digger" by Gunnar Olsen, "Crimson Fly" by Huma-Huma, "Dreamer" by Hazy, "Eternity" by Lahar, and "I Am OK" by Vishmak

Statehood Day 2020

December 11th marks Indiana's 204th birthday! Learn more about the founding of the 19th state in this video from the Indiana Historical Bureau and the Indiana Archives and Records Administration.

Learn more Indiana History from the IHB: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "Jeremiah's Song" by Dan Lebowitz

Art and Controversy: Thomas Hart Benton, Herman B Wells, and the Indiana Murals

Content Note: This video reproduces a panel of art depicting the Ku Klux Klan. It appears at 10:55 in the video and continues to 11:55. Viewer discretion is advised.

Thomas Hart Benton, one of America’s premier artists during the twentieth century, painted series of murals about Indiana for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. A controversial collection of artworks, the Indiana Murals engaged viewers in a dialogue about Indiana’s complex history—a dialogue that continues to this day. The murals stayed in storage of the Indiana State Fairgrounds until someone believed they deserved a new home. That someone was Herman B Wells, the newly elected president of Indiana University.

Learn more Indiana History from the IHB: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "Fresno Alley" by Josh Lippi & The Overtimers, "Lazy Boy Blues" by Unicorn Heads, "Progressive Moments" by Ugonna Onyekwe, "Creeping Spiders" by Nat Keefe & BeatMower, and "Plenty Step" by Freedom Trail Studio

A Communist in Terre Haute | Earl Browder and Free Speech

Five men are sitting in a jail cell in Terre Haute, Indiana. The leader of the group—a middle-aged, mustached, and unassuming figure—had been arrested on charges of “vagrancy and ‘for investigation’,” according to the local police chief. But it wasn’t a drunk or an unlucky drifter sitting in the cell. It was the leader of an American political party and its nominee for President of the United States. He had tried to give a speech in Terre Haute when arrested by the local authorities. His case became a statewide and even national discussion on the importance and limits of free speech. Now, who could’ve caused all of this ruckus? It was Earl Browder, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the United States.

Learn more Indiana History from the Indiana Historical Bureau: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Music: "And Then She Left" by Kinoton, "Echo Sclavi" by the Mini Vandals, "Namaste" by Audionautix, "Myositis" by the United States Marine Band, "Finding the Balance" by Kevin MacLeod, and "Dana" by Vibe Tracks

Dick Wolfsie Visits the Digital Initiatives Division at the Indiana State Library

Indiana State Library’s Digital Initiatives Director, Justin Clark, shows WISH 8’s Dick Wolfsie how historical objects are digitized for public access and preservation. This was originally broadcast March 8, 2020.

Dick Wolfsie dives into the archives at Indiana State Archives

IARA Communications director Justin Clark guides WISH 8’s Dick Wolfsie through a tour of the Indiana State Archives. This was originally broadcast on July 27, 2019.

From the Vault | Eugene V. Debs and the Railroad Workers’ Bill

In this episode of From the Vault, we’ll delve into Eugene V. Debs’ legislative crusade for those who died working on the railroads during the 1880s.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark

Special Thanks to Keenan Salla

Music: “Circle of Life” by Whitesand, “The Sound of Rain” by Sappheiros, “Art of Silence” by Uniq, and “For Tomorrow” by Savk

From the Vault | Board of Commissioners v Knight

Indiana’s path to suffrage took an interesting turn just a few years before women’s suffrage was the law of the land, which actually granted some limited form of suffrage. In this episode of from the vault, we’ll share the story of how women gained some voting rights in Indiana in 1917, only to see their hopes dashed by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark Special Thanks to Jennifer Kalvaitis, Michael Vetman, Costin Ritter, and Elizabeth Hague Music: “Bongo” by KV, “Resolution” and “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones, “Intro” by Red Roses Realm, and “Before I Forget” by Artificial.Music

From the Vault | Marion County Circuit Court Eulogy For Abraham Lincoln

At the twilight of the Civil War, the news on April 15, 1865 of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination stunned the nation. In our collections, the Archives has one of the more unique and poignant memorials for the fallen leader, one steeped in literary allusion and reflective mourning: a eulogy from the Marion County Circuit Court.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark Special Thanks to Elizabeth Hague and Robert F. Gilyeat Music: “A Life in a Day” by Ian Post, “After the War” and “Dreams of our Possibilities” by Cinematic Sounds

From the Vault | Vigo County Registry

A free state upon entering the union in 1816, Indiana nevertheless had a Constitutional provision that attempted to exclude free African-Americans from moving and living there. In this episode of From the Vault, we shine a light on an item in our collections that highlights this contradiction: the Vigo County registry.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark Special Thanks to Claire Horton, Chandler Lighty, and Michael Vetman Music: “Memories” by Sappheiros, “Allemande” by Wahneta Meixsell, and “The Coldest Shoulder” by the 126ers

From the Vault | Holiday Special: Children’s Guardian Home Postcards

In this episode of From the Vault, we share our unique collection of holiday postcards that were sent to a woman who improved the lives of young children: Leota Trook of the Children’s Guardian Home in Indianapolis.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Special Thanks to Quinn Frey, Sandy Ricketts, Rose Butler, and the Indiana Historical Society Music: “12 Days of Christmas,” “First Noel,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Jingle Punks

Statehood Day 2018

Every year on the anniversary of Indiana’s statehood (December 11), the Indiana State Archives participates in a big celebration at the State Capitol, which culminates in the installation of Indiana’s 1816 and 1851 Constitutions in the rotunda for the duration of the legislative session. This video chronicles the journey of both Constitutions from the Archives to the State Capitol.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Visit our Blog: https://www.in.gov/iara/3098.htm

Written and produced by Justin Clark. Special Thanks to Elizabeth Hague, Michael Vetman, Capitol Police, and Friends of the Indiana State Archives Music: “Old Friend” by Silent Partner

From the Vault | Marshall Constitution

In this episode of From the Vault, we’ll uncover the largely-forgotten story of how the Indiana Constitution almost changed overnight by the stroke of a Governor’s pen—and the forces that shut it all down.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Special Thanks to Quinn Frey, Indiana Legal Archive, Indiana Historical Bureau, and Hoosier State Chronicles Clips of Erza Klein from Vox Media, Inc. Music: “Switch It Up” by Silent Partner, “Cielo” by Huma-Huma, and “The Big Score” by MK2

From the Vault | Evansville KKK Charter

In this episode of From the Vault, we look at one of the most controversial items in the Archives’ collection, one that powerfully symbolizes a dark period and its politics: the Evansville Ku Klux Klan Charter.

Learn more about the Archives: https://www.in.gov/iara/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Special Thanks to Claire Horton, Indiana Memory, and Hoosier State Chronicles Music: “Philae” by Olivaw, “Echoes of Time v2” by Kevin MacLeod, “It’s Coming” by Josh Kirsch, Media Right Productions, and “Court and Page” by Silent Partner

The Superman | Dr. Edward A. Rumely and American Identity

At the height of World War I, American culture, particularly the press, exhibited an anti-German animus. Propaganda routinely emerged that referred to Germans as “Huns” and displayed German soldiers as “brutes.” In Indiana, this resulted in the widespread closure of German newspapers like the Täglicher Telegraph und Tribüne, the renaming of the Indianapolis-mainstay Das Deutsche Haus into the Athenaeum, and banning the teaching of German in public schools. This hostility eventually targeted one particular Hoosier of German-American ancestry: the LaPorte-native Edward A. Rumely. His own connections to Germany and its culture ignited a profound controversy that stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Learn more Indiana History from the Indiana Historical Bureau: http://www.in.gov/history/ S

earch historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark.  Music: "Ambient, Adventure, Score Song" by Patrik Almkvisth, "The Descent " by Kevin MacLeod, "Lurking" by Silent Partner, "Mean Streetz" by MK2, "Voyeur" by Jingle Punks, and "Far The Days Come" by Letter Box

Burger Chef | Hoosier Fast-Food Pioneer

Summer is upon us, and one of the staples of American summers is fast food. It’s always a blast to roll down the windows, crank up the tunes, and head on over to your favorite drive-thru. Now, we all know about the classics: McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC. But there’s one fast-food giant, wildly popular from 1950s through the 70s, which almost beat them all. That was Indianapolis-based Burger Chef.

To learn more, read Stephen Taylor's post on our blog: https://blog.newspapers.library.in.go...

Learn more Indiana History from the Indiana Historical Bureau: http://www.in.gov/history/

Search historic newspaper pages at Hoosier State Chronicles: www.hoosierstatechronicles.org

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Visit Chronicling America to read more first drafts of history: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark.  Music: "Letting Go" by Nicolai Heidlas and "Get Back," "Gotta Find Out," and "Walking the Dog" by Silent Partner

Injustice’s Lariat | Lynching in Indiana

Indiana, a state claimed as “free” from its statehood in 1816, was nevertheless the 7th highest non-southern state with racial terror lynchings, with 18 separate incidents. When searching through Indiana newspapers, many stories emerge of outlaw vigilantes who terrorized and brutalized African-Americans, sometimes for nothing more than alleged crimes. Since many were lynched before they received equal justice under the law, many of their lives ended tragically through injustice under the lariat. To learn more about Flossie Bailey, check out Nicole Poletika's article from the Indiana History Blog.

Learn about other stories of lynching at Chronicling America (https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/) and Hoosier State Chronicles (www.hoosierstatechronicles.org).

Learn more Indiana History from the Indiana Historical Bureau: http://www.in.gov/history/

Visit our Blog: https://blog.history.in.gov/

Learn more about the history relevance campaign at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

Credits: Written and produced by Justin Clark. Footage from CNN, PBS Newshour, the Guardian, Dryerbuzz, and the Equal Justice Initiative Photo by Citizensheep on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA Photo by Fraser Mummery on Foter.com / CC BY Photo by Claire Anderson on Unsplash Music: "Ether" by Silent Partner, "Dramatic, Sad Ambient Song" by MovieMusic, and "Slow, Dramatic, Acoustic Song" by MovieMusic.