Old
Settlers Days
Lexington's
128th annual event
to include massacre re-enactment
Staff
Report
(June 2006) The Lexington, Ind., Volunteer
Fire Department will celebrate the town's founding with the staging
June 16-17 of the 128th Old Settlers Days.
|
Photo
by Graphic Enterprises
Re-enactors
stage the battle
of the Pigeon Roost Massacre.
|
The event is highlighted by music, games, food, flea market,
crafts. The event also features the fourth annual fiddle contest and
the re-enactment of the Pigeon Roost Massacre, staged by the Painted
Stone Settlers re-enactment group from Shelbyville, Ky.
The fiddle contest at 4 p.m. Saturday offers cash prizes for three places
in three age divisions: 0-15 years; 16-59 years; and 60-over. First
place receives $100 in each division. Winners will be judged on various
criteria.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, the park will come alive with the colorful re-enactment
of an 1812 Indian massacre that occurred in Scott County, Ind. This
event tells the sad tale of early settlers who were killed in the area.
Authentic costumed settlers and Indians will perform the re-enactment.
This is an educational experience for spectators.
Lexington was one of the state's earliest pioneer towns. It started
with a log tavern and Indian trading post in 1804. At one point it was
considered as Indiana's territorial capital.
When Scott County was formed in 1820, Lexington was chosen to serve
as its county seat. By 1860, the town had a population of more than
500 people. It had livery stables, doctors, a newspaper, several blacksmiths,
a train station, school, grist mill, woolen mill, saw mills, barrel
heading and stave factory, a tannery, bank, three hotels, five churches
and a small college.
Old
Settlers Days
Rosalind Memorial Park
in Lexington, Ind.
Friday, June
16
6 p.m.: Little league auction
8 p.m.: Mark Robinson BandSaturday,
June 17
11:30 a.m.: Old Settlers Parade
1 p.m.: Mark Eoffy
2 p.m.: Re-enactment of the Pigeon Roost Masacre
3 p.m.: Keith Swinny Band
4 p.m.: Bomar & Ritter
5 p.m. Bowling Kings
6 p.m.: Fiddle Contest
8 p.m.: Bill Swisher & Pony ExpressPee
wee baseball games both days.
Directions: Take Hwy. 62 south from Hanover to Hwy. 203. Turn right
and follow into Lexington. Park is on the right.
Information: (812) 889-3721 or 889-2642. |
Later, the county seat was moved to a more central location
at Scottsburg. Many businesses and residents followed, leaving Lexington
a small, quiet community.
Today, Lexington claims to have had the state's second newspaper, the
Western Eagle, printed in 1815-1816. It had the first "Wildcat
Bank," which involved a swindling operation in 1815.
In 1863, Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan stopped over for a night
during his famous raid across southern Indiana.
In 1868, the trial of the outlaw Reno Gang occurred in Lexington. The
gang was responsible for the first train robbery in the United States.
Asa M. Fitch deserves credit for one of Lexington's claim to fame. In
1876, he established a plant to make chewing gum. It is said to have
been the first such industry in America. In 1885, Fitch also patented
the first farming plow on wheels.
Lexington claims several other famous people over the years. One of
Lexington's founders, Gen. William McFarland, was an adjutant general
to Gen. William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812. He later served
as Indiana Territorial Representative in 1811-1813.
William Hendricks practiced law in Lexington. He was Indiana's second
governor, the first U.S. Congressman from Indiana, Territorial Representative
from 1813-1814, and Secretary of the Indiana Constitutional Convention.
William H. English was born and raised in Lexington. He ran for U.S.
vice president in 1880, was a U.S. Congressman from 1853-1861, and help
bring about the building of Indiana's most recognized monument, the
Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle in Indianapolis.
Joseph H. Shea of Lexington was appointed state senator from 1908-1920.
He served with Col. Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders" during
the Spanish American War.
Willian Storen served as Indiana State Treasurer from 1932-1940.
Back to June 2006 Articles.