Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - November 25, 1984

Banner spoke in German to Deutchland settlers here

Terre Haute had a rather large German population growing from a modest settlement in the 1850s to one large enough to establish St. Benedict Church in 1864. Eventually there even was a German language newspaper -- The Terre Haute Banner.

The edition pictured here bears the date March 2, 1976, and is in moderately good condition at the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley. Most of the four pages are legible, for those who read German in the old German print. It is clear that the front page carried considerable advertising, a common practice in all newspapers of that era. (Some English newspapers still carry front-page advertising).

Among the advertisers were Max Joseph, tailor; Wilson Bros., grocer, 134 Main St., with flannels, jeans, calicoes, and blankets featured for sale; L. A. Burnett, 146 Main St., selling and buying leather and furs.

Also, Enos Strous & Bro., 226 Main St., beer (Star Lager from Cincinnati); Mozart Hall, on Main between Sixth and Seventh, wine and beer saloon; Christ. Dressler, Fifth and Cherry, wine, beer, billiards.

Others: The Filbeck House, Fifth and Cherry, operated by Herman Scherer, the Pencer House on Walnut between Third and Fourth; Teutonia House, between Sixth and Seventh on Main St., operated by Frau L. Schager.

The paper also carried sheriff's and marshal's notices; candidates' notices from W. M. Black and Webb M. Castro for county clerk; the railroad schedule to Vandalia, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Evansville, Logansport, Crawfordsville, Chicago and Cincinnati.

In the personals, a notice was published that the March 14 concert of the Mannerchor had been postponed.

In marriages the following were listed: Woodford Helms and Mannie G. Smith; Joseph H. Hardesty and Mary Jester; and George F. Smith and Sarah Osborn.

There was a short column of state news, and about two columns of national news, most of it pertaining to finances and government. Nothing ever changes -- or does it?

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday. For more information, telephone 235-9717.