The Washington Times-Herald

Local News

September 9, 2008

1909 murder on Main Street portrayed

The time was 1909. The place, downtown Washington. The event, the shooting on Main Street of then-Elmore Township Trustee Ham Dillon.

The true story told in Pope Brock’s bestselling novel “Indiana Gothic” will come to life again this week as the Daviess County Historical Society recreates the incident in play form.

While the Thursday dinner and play are sold out, there are still some seats left for the Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner presentations.

The author will be returning to his ancestral county on Saturday and will speak about the murder of his great-grandfather by Ham’s brother-in-law, Lincoln Hale. The story, part of which will be re-enacted on Main Street, involves Ham’s lust after his wife’s sister and the revenge exacted by Lincoln after he caught Ham and Allie in an embrace, then learned the parentage of what he thought was his youngest child.

The murder takes place on a day when the town had turned out for the arrival of Thomas Marshall, the Democratic candidate for governor. Lincoln, after meeting his sister-in-law Maggie and telling her of her husband’s and sister’s betrayal, spotted Ham and shot him five times. The victim was carried into a nearby store and died later.

The murder trial is also depicted in the play, about two-thirds of which takes place inside the Daviess County Museum.

“The play starts near the end of the main course,” said Linda Myers, who portrays the wife of Robert Russell, mayor of Washington in 1909. “Then we’ll stroll down Main Street learning about the times and the story of Ham and Lincoln. The shooting will take place near the Jay Myers statue. Then it’s back to the dining room for the telling of the death and funeral. Then there’s the trial of Lincoln Hale.”

Myers said the cast has been rehearsing for six weeks, but the original play was presented in the summer of 1999. Myers said the script was a collaborative effort at that time by the cast members.

Jean Mullan, granddaughter of then-Mayor Robert Russell, has loaned the cast the walking stick presented to her grandfather for his work in the community, and Rosie McGuire will portray Allie Hale. McGuire’s mother, Bonnie Gress, remembers visiting the Hale home because her grandmother was the second wife to Clifford Farris, whose first wife was Maggie Dillon.

Besides Myers and McGuire, other cast members are Mike Owens, who will portray Ham Dillon. The role of Lincoln Hale will be shared by Wayne Scheutz and Gordon Hochmeister, and Rex Myers will portray Mayor Russell. Dean Stuckey will play Judge Hillary Houghton, and Vince Sellers has the part of Sheriff Fielding Colbert. Others participating are Chuck Ward, Elke Guratzsch, Teresa Ward, Pam Schied, Jeff Norris, Roy Wachter and Nyla Wachter.

All proceeds will go to the Daviess County Historical Society.

Text Only
Local News
  • ND commencement is Friday evening

    North Daviess High School will hold it commencement exercises at 7 p.m. Friday.
    Following the processional led by North Daviess faculty and juniors Janice Knepp and Cari Jo Wilson, the voluntary invocation will be led by Chelsea Graber. Stacey Beard, class president, will then make welcoming and introductory remarks.

    May 24, 2012

  • firesouthofwashington.jpg Fire destroys home in minutes

    A Tuesday afternoon fire in rural Daviess County has left a family homeless, although unharmed.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Barr-Reeve holds 47th commencement Saturday

    Barr-Reeve High School will hold its 47th Commencement Exercises on Saturday afternoon in the high school gymnasium beginning at 2 p.m. Again this year, the graduation will be an afternoon affair.

    May 23, 2012

  • Loogootee to hold graduation Friday

    Loogootee Junior/Senior High School Class of 2012 will hold its graduation exercises at 7 p.m. Friday.

    May 22, 2012

  • ND finds ways to use cell phones

    A lengthy discussion between North Daviess school board and administrative members concerning future student cell phone usage dominated the board’s Monday meeting.
    Board members were considering a second reading for the school’s junior and senior high school handbooks when the discussion began.

    May 22, 2012

  • RelaySurvivorlLap.jpg Relay for Life kicks off

    The 2012 Relay for Life kicked off at the Lena Dunn Elementary School track on Friday. The event started (above) with the survivor lap with the other participants lining the track to cheer them on. The relay continues through today at the track.

    May 19, 2012 1 Photo

  • WHS DECA shows off national award

    Washington High School DECA advisor Bill Turner had show-and-tell at the Washington Community Schools Board meeting Thursday night.

    May 18, 2012

  • WHS DECA Brashear, Bush make history at DECA conference

    Connor Brashear and Austin Bush became the first students from Washington DECA to place first at the international career development conference.

    May 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • HonorRide.jpg NSWC Crane to host charity bike event Saturday

    Bike enthusiasts will use pedal power to raise funds for injured military personnel Saturday on the 100-square-mile Naval Support Activity Crane facility.

    May 17, 2012 1 Photo

  • Shoals to hold commencement Saturday

    Shoals Junior/Senior High School will hold its commencement at 2 p.m. Saturday in the high school gymnasium.

    May 17, 2012

Featured Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

Should students who fail IREAD-3 (twice) advance to 4th grade?

Yes
No
There has to be other options?
     View Results
AP Video
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do' Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Clicker Ticker
Facebook