Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

April 18, 1993
By Helen F. Mitchell
Vigo County Historical Society

Adult games similar to childish ones

The games adults play often are mirrored in the toys and games designed for their children.

This is especially true of war games and all of the necessary equipment. Toy guns, tanks, ships, soldiers and sailors are only a few of the articles produced in miniature and almost identical in design to the real thing.

This story is about two items that were on the toy market at the same time--during and immediately following World War I. The gun most certainly was made for the active and imaginative child. The book would have appealed to a more quiet participant.

The interesting little gun is about 28 inches long. It is made of solid wood and has the look and feel of a real gun. The stock and barrel are smooth and polished.

Many different kinds of play guns were made, but this one is different from most. There were popguns, capguns and those that shot darts. This gun, however, used small round rings or hoops as its ammunition. A strong rubber band was stretched tight across a wire frame on the underside of the gun barrel. When pressure was placed on the trigger, the band released the ring toward its target. The gun had three rings at one time, but now is has just the one.

The toy belonged to Kermit Flesher and was given to the museum by his wife, Mary Alice. It is in the display cabinet in the back hallway on the first floor of the museum.

The other toy is a color-picture book containing many pictures of all kinds of military items from several countries. The cover of the book shows a United States Marine, an Infantryman, military emblems, medals of honor and battleships.

Inside the book we find pictures of soldiers from several countries along with the medals and mottos. Each page has two pictures of the soldiers. One is in color and the other is to be painted by the child using the other as a model. Instructions are given in verse form.

The book was given to Joe Ross by Mabel L. (?)--the last name is smudged and can’t be read. On the back cover in a childish scrawl is written “Joe Blake Ross.” It seems that could have been put there to firmly establish ownership.

The book ends with this little philosophical verse:

Just as battles must be won,
Stick then till your task is done.
Soldier brave to colors true,
This is honor’s badge to you.

This book was published in 1917 by the Steeher Lithograph Co. of Rochester N.Y.

Much to the dismay of many mothers, children do enjoy the war games and all of the items associated with war. The toys described here and others in the museum will attest to that. As long as adults wage war, factories will continue to produce toys of military emphasis.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Return Home