Just before midnight Saturday, the Wahington County Historical Society tabulated votes for its four top new officers – President Krista Martin, Vice-President Todd Baker, Treasurer – John Hughes and Secretary Tom Day. 

About an hour before that, eight total members were announced out of a possible slate of 25 which were voted on by over 150 members of the historical society who gathered to help make a change in the direction of the organization. 

The Saturday night election was the result of a special election ordered by a special judge Larry Blanton during a ruling at the conclusion of a lawsuit filed in 2018 by John Mead, Jack Mahuron, Myron Short, Larry Shrum and Raymond Lee (and initially included Tom Scifres). 

The eight new board members are Baker, Martin, Hughes, Day, Dean Ratts, Bonita Purlee, Katrina Humphrey and Dr. Gene Hedrick. 

The annual meeting began at 6p with over 150 or so historical society members filing in and being signed in after identification was verified. 

After a meal provided by a local youth group, Martin, the current president, addressed the group and explained why everyone was gathered at the Stevens Museum this evening. 

Martin said the plaintiffs sued the historical society “for disregarding bylaws, articles of incorporation and Indiana non-profit laws and election procedures. That is the basis for the current lawsuit,” she said at the meeting. 

WATCH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MEETING HERE 

Martin said she had a background in regulatory compliance and began researching the non-profit procedures and discovered the plaintiffs were correct. 

“They were right,” she told the membership Saturday night. “The historical society was not following the rules. There was no denying that proper procedure was not followed in every single instance over the years. Some worse than others. Judge Larry Blanton stated that proper procedures were not followed as far back as 2003. Probably before 2003 but that was as far as the judge researched.”

Martin then stated that none of the current board members were on the board in 2003. But some of the plaintiff’s party were, including Mead and Mahuron. 

“Instead of saying, “Hey, the historical society isn’t following laws, guys, let’s adhere to Indiana law and get our own bylaws — the plaintiff’s opted to sue the society,” Martin noted. 

THE VOTE

The vote finally got underway Saturday around 7:30p and the counting took another 90 or so minutes. 

Here is a breakdown of the voting for the 25 on the ballot

• Todd Baker – 258
• Adam Bell – 65
• Amanda Bills – 48
• Boyd Boling – 47
• Susan Boling – 15
• Martha Bowers – 17
• Matthew Clark – 10
• Tom Day – 226
• Richard Dixon – 27
• Jordan Dos Santos – 65
• Vince Gay – 90 
• Dr. Gene Hedrick – 306
• John Hughes – 272
• Katrina Humphrey – 193
• John Kaiser – 107
• Raymond Lee – 80
• Jack Mahuron – 78
• Krista Martin – 277
• John Mead – 73
• Stacy Lee Miller – 31
• Brent Minton 56
• Bonita Purlee – 314
• Dean Ratts – 268
• Jeremy Risen – 71
• Myron Short – 70

Once those eight new board members were selected, then the membership voted on who they wanted for leadership positions. 

Purlee and Hedrick had the most votes and will have each have a four-year term.

Martin and Hughes will each have a three-year term.

Ratts and Baker will each have two-year terms.

Day and Humphrey will each have a one year term. 

Going around in order of votes, they were each asked if they would like to be an officer or if they would like to be a general director.

Purlee passed, Hedrick passed, Martin said she’s like to continue as president. Hughes said he’d like to continue as treasurer. Ratts said he would like to remain as head of the building committee. Baker said he’d like to be vice president. Day was not present but his proxy, Elliott, said he would serve in any way needed. Humphrey said she would like to be treasurer. 

On the second pass around, Purlee decided she would like to be vice-president and everyone else kept their positions and Day was added as secretary. 

In another vote, Martin was selected as president; Baker was selected as vice-president; Hughes was selected as treasurer; and Day was selected as secretary. 

BACKGROUND

Martin explained to the society that in 1985, the historical society formed a second board, the John Hay Center Foundation Board.

“Supposedly it was meant to be a fundraising and financial advisory board,” she said. “In retrospect, we’re not sure why such a configuration would be necessary. How many thousands of non-profit organizations markedly larger than our historical society, function efficiently and successfully with one board and no accessory arm for finances. Of course, I wasn’t there at that time, so I cannot understand the reasoning behind the founding of the John Hay Center Foundation Board. Nevertheless, this is the configuration of our society.”

Martin said Mahuron remained President of the JHCFB from its inception in 1985 to the mid-2000s. She said he also remained in various positions of the historical board simultaneously. 

“In 2006, options were explored to manage the then sizeable historical society funds,” said Martin. Those funds were in surplus of $3 million.

“After multiple presentations, and under the suggestion of Mr. Mahuron and Mr. Scifres, the Washington County Community Foundation was selected as the preferred choice of the for the society’s monetary placement,” said Martin. “Interestingly enough, both gentlemen were associated with the WCCF at the time, but this actually is not an unlawful arrangement.”

The contract between the historical society and WCCF is actually a contract between the JHCFB and WCCF, Martin explained to the membership.

“The historical society is unable to directly request funds from WCCF without oversight and agreement from the John Hay Center Foundation Board,” she indicated. “The historical society board at the time the money was placed was under the misguided belief that the funds would be accessible at will.”

Currently, the WCCF distributes approximately $90,000 each year to the historical society in three separate draws. 

According to Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott, the museum needs approximately $9000-$10,000 a month to operate, which would be less than the WCCF dividends provided each year. 

“Upon reading the minutes of that time frame, it was apparent the historical society board did not realize the finality of placing operating funds into an endowment,” said Martin. 

“It’s obvious there was a lot of confusion back then which caused a lot of anguish,” said Martin. “The historical society’s financial concerns were documented over the years with multiple factual accounts of board members denying the complex needed maintenance funds with the flippant “we don’t have the money” or “you have to choose between a roof on the Hageman cabin or AC in the upstairs of the museum.”

All the while the needed funds could have been accessed by the John Jay Center Foundation Board, Martin added. 

John Hughes, secretary of the historical society explained that he became the secretary after Short resigned.

“The meetings went on for over a year and we never had a treasurer’s report,” said Hughes. “I’ve been on school boards, church boards, I’ve been on various boards over the last 50 years. I’ve never been on a board where there wasn’t a monthly account of the money.”

“Long after a year passed, I asked Mr. Short when we were ever going to get a treasurer’s report. I was told it was none of my business. I was a director but it was none of my business. In the next meeting, Mr. Newby informed Mr. Short he should bring a treasurer’s report. The next meeting came and Danny asked for the treasurer report. Mr short slammed his book together and walked out the door.”

Hughes said the next day Short brought the paperwork to the museum and turned it over.

“Nobody was very eager to take on the job,” said Hughes. “I said I would try. In going through the records, we found out that — and we were under the impression that [Short] was doing the book work as Clair Marie had — we found out we had been paying Steve Brewer (a local accountant) all the time and he had never told the board. That was just one of the few things we found out.”

Hughes said he has provided regular monthly treasurer’s reports. 

In January 2019, the historical society had $10,646.99 in the checking account. 

In a Pay Pal account, there was $526.43.  A money market account at Regions bank held $72,790.36.

Hughes explained that much of the funds have been spent this year on legal fees, purchasing back the museum annex from Jeannet Hart as well as general operating funds.

He said there was $20,245.14 in the museum accounts currently with 5 weeks, three more payrolls and a quarterly insurance payment to Loy and Fordyce.

“It’s going to be close,” said Hughes. “But this is what we have to work with. This has been going on for three years. Had three different law firms. We’re doing this to protect you. You – you’re being sued by these five people. We’re trying to protect the assets and the historical value of this society. In that regard, it has cost us nearly $30,000 to fight this.” 

Martin said it would be up to the new board to pursue further legal matters. 

According to the Salem Police Department, an open 911 call led to police gathering at a residence on South Jackson Street. 

Along with the city police, the Indiana State Police were on the scene. 

Salem Police Officer Tanner Fultz said police initially responded to a 911 call at 11:11a. 

“It was an open call,” he said. “Which means the caller called dispatch and either spoke to an operator or left the line open while police were responding.”

Fultz said the initial call was for a domestic disturbance.

Asked if guns were involved, Fultz said no. 

While at the residence, police discovered a warrant was issued for one of the residents and was served by Washington County deputies. 

Yesterday, November 20^th, troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested two men after a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine was located during a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County, Indiana.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 am when Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Impala on I-65 Northbound near the 39-mile marker, just north of Crothersville, Indiana. 

During the traffic stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place.  Trp. Miller’s Indiana State Police K-9 Jinx conducted a sweep of the exterior of the vehicle. 

Jinx alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle. 

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located a plastic bag containing over 500 grams (over 1 pound) of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

The driver of the vehicle, Zachary D. Williams, age 37, Lafayette, Indiana provided Trooper Miller with a false name.

The passenger in the vehicle, Mark A. Sneed, age 39, Louisville, Kentucky was also found to be in possession of suspected marijuana. 

Both men were arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail where they were incarcerated on numerous charges pending their initial appearances in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

Williams was arrested on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, False Informing, and Identity Theft.  Sneed was charged with Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Marijuana.

Trooper Miller was assisted by Troopers Jason Hankins, Tia Hunt, Arturo Azcona, and Sgt. Stephen Wheeles.

This past Friday night, Scott County Deputies with the assistance of a K-9 from the Austin City Police Department, executed a search warrant at 253 Berna Drive in Southern Scott County.

The search warrant was the result of an investigation that began earlier this month.

A complaint was received by Scott County Deputy John Hartman of illegal narcotics being allegedly used and sold at the residence. 

During a search of the residence alleged Heroin and other controlled substances along with near $1,000.00 were seized. After the search of the residence,  Keith Smith, 38, of Scottsburg was arrested for three counts of Dealing in a Schedule I, II or III Controlled Substance, Possession of a Schedule I, II or III Controlled Substance and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

Jeffrey Powell, 21, of Scottsburg was arrested for Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Both of these subjects are incarcerated at the Scott County Jail.

A female present at the scene during the search warrant was transported to the Scott County Hospital for medical reasons and is now being sought by deputies after charges were filed by the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office and an arrest warrant issued by the Scott County Circuit Court on today’s date.

Lora M. Johnson, 45, 5′-9″, 145 pounds, blond hair and brown eyes is wanted for Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia, (Picture Attached).

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Lora M. Johnson is encouraged to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 812752-5550.

The Washington County Historical Society will have a special election of board members this Saturday, Nov. 23 at the museum at 6p.

The election was forced after a lawsuit was filed in June 2018 against the Washington County Historical Society by former board members, John Mead, D. Jack Mahuron, Myron Short, Raymond Lee, and Larry Shrum.

The original lawsuit argued, among other things, that the historical society hadn’t followed its own bylaws and the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act in holding elections.

The court proceedings ended with special judge Larry Blanton issuing an order over a year later for a special election of new board members coming up this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6p. 

Blanton ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and issued an order on Oct. 16, noting that all members had to be notified that an election would be held on Nov. 23.

“The Society has wholly ignored and failed to recognize their own standards and obligations as set out in Society’s Constitution and By-Laws,” Blanton wrote in an order issued in August. He said the historical society had been non-compliant since 2003. 

The plaintiffs were members of the board on and off since 2003.

To follow the public record of the court actions – click this link 

https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/#/vw/CaseSummary/eyJ2Ijp7IkNhc2VUb2tlbiI6IlpUa3dOVGd4T1RFd01qRXhPalF4TlRrMk5ESXpZV0U9In19

This meeting on Saturday is closed to the public and only open to members of the historical society. 

Blanton outlined that nine members should make up the board – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four (4) directors.

All but one of the plaintiffs has filed to run in the upcoming election. 

According to Blanton’s order, the membership had until Nov. 1 to submit names to seek election on the board.

Those on the slate for voting are, in alphabetical order:

• Todd Baker
• Adam Bell
• Amanda Bills
• Boyd Boling
• Susan Boling
• Martha Bowers
• Matthew Clark
• Tom Day
• Richard Dixon
• Jordon Dos Santos
• Vince Gay
• Dr. Gene Hedrick
• John W. Hughes
• Katrina Humphrey
• John Kaiser
• Raymond Irvin Lee*
• Jack Mahuron*
• Krista Martin (current President)
• John W. Mead*
• Stacy Lee Miller
• Brent Minton
• Bonita Purlee
• Dean Ratts
• Jeremy Risen
• Myron Short*

*designates a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the historical society.

According to a recent historical society newsletter, information about the meeting and forms relating to the meeting are available at www.charitibleallies.org/WashCoSociety

Board candidates will have one minute to make presentations at the meeting prior to the official vote if they choose. 

The complete election process will be thoroughly explained at the meeting. 

Leading up to this weekend’s vote, one of the issues has been the rundown status of the John Hay House, which has been indefinitely closed to the public since earlier this year. 

The family of John Hay, President Abraham Lincoln’s secretary who was born in Salem, has issued a plea in the form of a letter to members of the historical society regarding the special election.

To the Voting Members of the Washington County Historical Society

From Descendants of John Milton Hay

November 13, 2019

                  We, the family of descendants of Salem Indiana’s native son John Hay, have received notification of an alarming series of apparently long-standing and, inevitably, complex issues regarding the John Hay Center (JHC). Thus we are collectively addressing you in utmost urgency, knowing that the Washington County Historical Society, of which the JHC is a subsidiary, will be holding an extraordinary election for all eight positions of Director to your Board on the 23^rd of this month.  From the very nature of such elections that are not occurring on a staggered basis, it is clear to us that they are extremely significant and that they could likely impact the tenor and perhaps the ultimate survival of parts or all of the Hay Center complex.

                  First, we were disappointed and disheartened to learn of the regrettable condition and the indefinite closing of the John Hay birthplace house since April of this year.  A home listed on the National Historic Register.  A home whose stewardship we assumed was the implied responsibility of the Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) when the Society purchased the landmark.  This type of degradation does not occur overnight and, when left uncorrected year after year, accelerates ever more rapidly.  Our dismay is heightened by learning of an abiding inclination, within this organization, to defer maintenance issues of the Center, or require a choice among them, due to insufficient funds being made available.      

In addition, we are informed of a sizeable Endowment Fund, one that was largely accumulated over the years through donations specifically intended for the perpetuation of the John Hay Center (JHC).  The JHC Foundation was created to be the fund-raising arm of the WCHS.  It appears that, in 2006, the entirety of this fund was deposited (under unclear circumstances) into the account of a different and newer entity titled the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF).  It is being reported that the financial agreement between the JHC Foundation and the WCCF has been compromised in such a manner that access to its fund becomes unavailable to the Historical Society for its basic maintenance needs.  Through our varied long-standing familiarity and association with non-profit organizations across the country, we find the explanation of the current circumstances unfathomable and unacceptable, so that we call into question the legalities of restrictions imposed on the Historical Society.

       The John Hay Center complex, in its lovely setting with gorgeous old trees, is the brick-and-mortar visible essence of the WCHS.  The fine main structure that houses the Stevens Memorial Museum with its intriguingly rich collection admirably displayed, as well as the County genealogical and other document archives, and the Gift Shop; the carefully recreated Pioneer Village where historically appropriate activities and festivals are staged for young and old; and the small brick house where John M. Hay was born and lived during his first eight years.  All in all, it is an impressive gem in the handsome small town of Salem.  The parts enhance and need each other.  But we also venture to say that the John Hay birthplace house is the heart here because, as the very house in which he was born, it is obviously unique, and the boy who began his life here grew up to be a world-renowned American statesman who was not only involved in, but helped shape momentous historical events in the United States and in the world, the consequences of which, both positive and negative, are still relevant in global society today.  To be able physically to enter a historic place, like the small brick Hay family home, provides the direct contact that affects and can inspire children as well as adults like no other kind of experience.

        We sincerely hope that you the loyal Members of the Washington County Historical Society, connected through love and often heritage as well, will endeavor to be reliably informed on the impacting elements of the current strife and legal issues urgently facing your organization.  We trust that you will thus feel compelled to reclaim, reorganize, and restore your Society and the Center to their intended fine purpose, and perhaps even to new luster, through the impending election.

        We, the descendant families of John Hay, believe you have a sufficient number of Member candidates on the upcoming elections ballot who would fulfill the aspirations of all who truly have in their intent the welfare of the Society along with its structures and facilities.  Through extensive communications, we would confidently endorse the type of plans currently being proposed by the pro-tempore WCHS President Krista Martin, and the established John Hay Center Facilities Manager Jeremy Elliott, the state-appointed Washington County Historian.  We would further advocate an open line of communication between the genuinely concerned Members of this organization and these two central figures who are clearly invested in and devoted to the future design, promotion, and perpetuation of both your Society and the Center complex.  Both sound as though they are truly involved, on a daily basis, in efforts to maintain normalcy and sustain the relevance and survival of your organization.  Do reach out to them for additional insight, and to lend your support and perhaps your eventual participation in the type of beneficent efforts they are proposing.

         We earnestly wish your venerable historical organization the very best outcome in the critical November 23 election and hope every vote cast will be a clearly informed one.  Our families will be keenly interested in the outcome and, especially, in the course of direction for the beautiful John Hay Center.    

Signed by:

    Descendants of John Milton Hay

• Stuart Symington, Jr. 
• Julia Hay Symington
• James Wadsworth Symington 
• Jeremy Wadsworth Symington 
• John Symington
• Moyra Byrne
• Charles M. Hay
• Frances Coles Burroughs 
• Elizabeth Putnam Burroughs 
• Hannah Burroughs
• John Taliaferro, Author of “All the Great Prizes: The Life of John Hay, from Lincoln to Roosevelt”
• Susan Warren, Executive Director, The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens, Newbury NH

Those who cannot attend the meeting can still vote by proxy. To obtain a proxy form, contact the museum at 812.883.6495.

Proxy forms can be filled out and returned to the museum, or presented by the proxy and recorded at the election. 

Home for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, I want to personally take this time to acknowledge our staff and thank them for their important contribution to this office and our community. I want to thank each and every one of our deputies and civilian staff for their hard work and encourage you to do the same when you see them.

Their hard work and dedication to our office and our community is something we are all very thankful for – not just during the holiday season, but all year-round.

I would also like to acknowledge our community for their tremendous support and efforts in helping make our County a safer place to live and raise a family. We appreciate your input and assistance and are happy to know our website is an important information resource to so many of you.

Many of you will be driving to go home for the holidays. Please keep the following safety tips in mind while you travel:

– Buckle your seatbelt always.

– Don’t drink and drive – even one alcoholic drink can reduce your abilities and impair your judgment.

– Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel – eating, changing music stations, and digging for items in the floorboard or back seat can lead to trouble. Instead, pull over and take a break.

– Be courteous – because of the volume of vehicles on the road, you’re bound to run into a few traffic jams, be cut off, or be forced to stop short – remain calm and courteous – don’t let other drivers ruin your holidays

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Sheriff Rick Meyer