White County Indiana Historical Society

09/02/2026

The WCHS extends our condolences to the Norine Hartzler family. Norine passed away on August 31, 2026. She and her husband Larry were lifetime members of the WCHS. Her obituary is attached.

Norine E. Hartzler, 88, of Brookston, passed away at 9:17 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2026, at Franciscan Health of Lafayette. Norine was born on...

09/02/2026

In memory of JEFF SMITHBURN who passed away August 23, 2026. He was a 1959 graduate of Monticello High School and was a member of the 1956-1957 Sweet Sixteen Tioga Indians basketball team. Several years ago, he generously donated his letter jacket to the White County Historical Museum. His celebration of life will be September 5th at Roscka Roth & Clapper. Attached are his obituary and a few newspaper clippings.
https://www.clapperfuneralservices.com/obituary/charles-smithburn

08/28/2026

Its Tea-Time at the White County Historical Museum.
Thank you, Paige Gutwein and Belinda Gutwein for the new display.
Thank you, L.A. Clugh for helping with the photos.
It's looks great.

08/28/2026

You don't want to miss this opportunity!

08/26/2026

THE STORY OF FREDERICK LANDES OF CARROLL COUNTY AND IRA CRESS OF WHITE COUNTY. ANDERSONVILLE PRISON 1865. THE ARM THAT WAS SAVED.
Fred Landes along with George Bailey were taken prisoner by the Confederates at Okolona Mississippi on February 22, 1864. Ira Cress was likely taken prisoner at Selma Alabama one year later. All three were in the Indiana 72nd Company A, and members of Wilder's Brigade.
They were taken to the notorious Andersonville Prison.
Prisoners at Andersonville Prison faced terrible conditions with little food, medicine, or proper medical care.
Fred had been forced to receive a vaccination, but the vaccination site on his left arm was not properly cared for. As the infection worsened, Confederate doctors examined him and decided his arm would be amputated the following day.
Fred's friend Ira Cress volunteered to examine the wound. What he found was horrifying: the wound was filled with maggots.
Ira carefully cleaned the wound, using turpentine, and then rewrapped Fred's arm. The next day the wound looked remarkably better, and it was decided there was no need to amputate the arm. Fred beat the odds and survived Andersonville for 14 months. Fred kept the arm for another 35 years.
Fred died in 1919 and Ira in 1921.
George Bailey died August 8, 1864, at Andersonville.
Do you have more information on any of these remarkable men? If so, please share.
Pictured: Frederick Landes
Source: The Evening Journal, December 27, 1919

08/21/2026

Coming Soon! Mark your Calendar!
Clues from the Camera: Decoding & Dating Family Photographs Workship on September 3rd at the White County Historical Museum.
Scan-a-Thon on September 19th at the Monticello-Union Township Library.

08/21/2026

MIKE ROGERS standing in front of the Wedding Gowns & Traditions Display holding a photograph of his parents, Richard Malcom & Doris Minnie Hintz Rogers of Monon. Dick and Doris met at Monon High School and married August 28, 1955.
It was great to see you again, Mike!

08/21/2026

The story of WILLIAM MCCLINTIC of Monticello.
His parents died when he was very young and he lived with his guardian and Uncle George Keever. He attended school in Monticello which was where the Harrison House is today. During the school week he boarded at the Bradford Hotel which was where the Monticello Methodist Church now stands.
Unbeknownst to his Uncle Keever, William along with 18 other young men joined forces to enlist in the Civil War. They rented the city's bandwagon from Dr. Iden's livery stable for $19 and were driven to Chalmers where they caught the Monon train to Lafayette.
William enlisted in the Indiana 72nd Co K on June 2, 1862, which became a part of Wilder's Brigade.
OF THE 19 YOUNG MEN WHO ENLISTED THAT DAY, ONLY 7 RETURNED HOME.
There were many White County & Carroll County men who served in the heroic and brave, formidable fighting force known as Wilder's Brigade or the Lightning Brigade due to their mobility and Spencer Repeating Rifles.
Source: The Monticello Journal, May 29, 1931.

08/19/2026

Treasured possessions donated to the Museum this morning by WILSENNIA RICE include Mother, Shelba Reynolds' Bible and wristwatch and great-great grandfather Harry Larimer's gold rimmed glasses with black leather case. Harry Larimer lived on North Bluff Street.
The Bible has a white ribbon from the Calvary Bible Church, Monticello, Indiana that says, "Beat the Devil Day."
Thank you, Wilsennia!