Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott said he recently received a query from Salem Middle School History Teacher John Heavin about a picture hanging in the school’s hallway (photo #1).

Here was the answer.

The structure in the photo is the 2nd Salem Seminary, built in 1851 after the 1st burnt to the ground.

The 1st was constructed in 1828 on the NE corner of E. Hackberry and N. College Ave. (same as the 2nd), actually that is how College Avenue got it’s name!

About 1839 a Female Institute was added, (as shown in photo #2).

This Seminary was a renowned college preparatory school that replaced the Salem Grammar School that was taught in the John Hay House from 1824-1828.

The original headmaster was John I. Morrison, (his daughter was the 1st female to graduate from IU), who taught there until he was elected Indiana State Treasurer in 1864 and then he was succeeded by Professor James May, (who in 1878 changed the name to the Eikosi Academy), then James May’s son William took over in 1882.

Sometime in the 1890’s the building was purchased by the county education board and a Salem & Washington High School was established in the building, which ran until the SMS picture was taken on the last day, in May of 1908.

By the fall semester, 1908-09, the new high school, on Water Street was established on land donated by the Dawson & Martha Lyon family, which eventually led to our being nicknamed the Salem LIONS:)

The Female Institute burned down around 1890, the Seminary was abandoned after the close of high school in 1908 and later sold to private parties who tore the structure.

Don’t forget to come to Old Settlers’ Days this weekend!!

Clark County Inmate Roster 

alpha roster w pictures 9-13-17 to 9-14-17

Time is ticking until the 5th Annual Rock ‘N Run 5K to benefit the Washington County Family YMCA.

This year’s walk/run event will be on Saturday, Sept. 30 and will feature a superhero theme.

“With the success of superhero movies we felt it would be fun to have everyone come out and dress as their favorite superhero and walk or run the course,” said Becky White, President and CEO of Salem Media. 

The 5^th Annual Rock ‘N Run 5K: Super Hero Edition will begin at 8am with registration and the race starts at 9am. 

Early registration is $20 and guaranteed a t-shirt on or before Sept. 15^th.  

After Sept. 16^th, late registration is $25.

“It’s been a positive way to partner with the YMCA and the community to get people involved and introduced to fitness and running – or even just moving around,” said White. “Parents with children and all ages come and participate in this event which continues to raise money for the YMCA, which helps its members with their fitness goals.” 

Go online to register at www.eventbrite.com and search Salem, IN, or print out the attached registration form and fill out and mail in with your check.

“We are just about 2 weeks away from the 5K!,” said YMCA CEO Kristy Purlee. “Please help by sharing the registration, personally asking your friends, neighbors, social media networks to support the Social Responsibility in our community by supporting the Y’s annual campaign”

The YMCA offers financial assistance to families and individuals to ensure that everyone is able to participate in their mission. All proceeds raised from the 5k event will aid in making the financial assistance program possible.

If you’d like to help with the event, please call WSLM at 812.620.7271 or reach the Washington County Family YMCA at 812.883.9622.

Click here for your RockNRunRegistration entry form. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for State Road 37 in Bedford and Oolitic as crews add lanes to the existing pavement.

Beginning on or around Monday, Sept. 18, contractors will begin pavement work on an acceleration lane at 16th Street/State Road 37 in Bedford and a left turn lane at Ingram Road/State Road 37.

During this operation, one lane will be open on the north bound side at both locations. Restrictions will be in place around the clock.

The additional lanes are expected to take until mid to late November depending upon weather conditions.

INDOT urges motorists to slow down and avoid distractions, especially in work zones.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Washington County will hold a free kickoff for the annual event on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 6:00pm at St. Vincent Salem Hospital, 911 N Shelby St.

Last year, 300 people participated in the Relay For Life of Washington County and raised over $80,000.

“This is our community’s opportunity to help save lives from cancer by taking our message to more people and raising more dollars to fund the fight,” said Stacey Gilbert. “Together, our efforts can make a big difference.”

Everyone is invited to the kickoff to learn about how to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from cancer.

The program will highlight how the community has benefited from funds raised and will honor cancer survivors and caregivers.  Guests will have the opportunity to register a team for the Relay For Life event, which will be held on June 8th at Salem High School.

The Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. Relay For Life events are community gatherings where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Teams participate in fundraising in the months leading up to the event.

The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 6,000 events worldwide in 2017. 

Visit relayforlife.org or relayforlife.org/washingtoncountyin to learn more about the event, or contact Kathy Miller or Stacey Gilbert at 812-893-0708, 812-620-6029 or Kmiller@R1RCM.com sgilbert@salemschools.com.

A Bedford man is being held in the Orange County Jail after fleeing from police, escaping, and fleeing again.

At 6:45 PM this evening, Trooper Mike Allen initiated a traffic stop on a car for speeding and not using a turn signal along State Road 37 near Vincennes Street.

Arrested and Charged was Martin Dale Robbins, 54, Bedford, IN

– Operating while Suspended, Habitual Traffic Violator – Life, Level 6 Felony

– Theft, Level 6 Felony

– Operating While Intoxicated, Level 6 Felony

– Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor

Charges from Orleans Police Department:

– Escape, Level 5 Felony

– Residential Entry, Level 6 Felony

As the car came to a stop, the driver, Robbins of Bedford, jumped out of the car and began running away from Trooper Allen. Allen chased and caught Robbins, placing him into custody.

Robbins was placed into an Orleans Police Department police car, which had a transport cage in the back seat.

As Allen went nearly a block away from the police car to get a statement from a witness near the location of the foot pursuit, Robbins slipped his handcuffs from behind his back to his front, and climbed out of the cage into the driver’s seat of the police car.

Robbins then ran a second time, attempting to hide from police.

Police set up a perimeter in the area until Trooper Stephen Sexton and his K-9 partner, Magill, could arrive and begin tracking Robbins.

After a short time, Sexton and Magill found Robbins hiding in a shed at 325 South Second Street, Orleans. He was placed into custody.

Robbins was transported to the Orange County Jail where he is being held on numerous charges. Robbins was additionally wanted on warrants through California for burglary and through Lawrence County, Indiana for driving as a habitual traffic violator.