Indiana Room: P.H. Bolinger Diary Excerpts

If you're looking for a good afternoon activity that gets you out of the heat, look further than NMPL's Indiana Room! This room is full of local and state history, including some absolutely FASCINATING family histories and diaries from the olden days.

​A record of extracts from the Diary of P.H. Bolinger caught our eye on the shelf, and soon we were gasping in shock and surprise at some of the stories the diary revealed! Harold Bolinger was born on August 8, 1853 in Perrysburg, Ohio. His family moved around the Midwest area for a few years, before settling in North Manchester in 1866. The News-Journal published a number of pieces from his diary some time ago, and these pieces were archived in the Indiana Room. 

The diary spans the years between 1882 and 1899. It seems that 1886 was particularly eventful!

​"March 5th - Last night a mob took Reuben Swank, who had been accused of beating and abusing his wife, from his home and drove him through Main Street to the railroad. He was made to take off his coat and two of the mob flogged him with wagon whips. They say there were 150 to 200 in the crowd.

March 6th - Some of the boys arrested for their fun night before last. Excitement still running high owing to the fact that Swank came back this morning and walked down Main street with revolver in hand. Sheriff Walters came this afternoon."

Is that not something straight out of a movie? It seems the excitement continued through the month of March and April.

"March 7th - Coral Halderman and Alvah Tillman married at Lutheran church.

March 10th - Row in high school.

March 18th - Albert and I went to Indianapolis to "see the sights".

April 2nd - Another row in high school. Henry Eichholtz died. Tobias Peugh sold restaurant. Lawrence Nation bank success Eel [R]iver Valley Bank. Jon Hoke, bookkeeper for Lawrence & company disappears.

April 9th - George McElroy killed by falling between cars near Plymouth. Mrs. H. Reynolds died.

April 13th - Fred Redeye's team ran away."

Are you on the edge of your seat yet? We are! Who would have thought North Manchester was once the scene of so much drama! Come in to the library to page through these records yourself to find more stories. P.H. Bolinger's diary can be found in the genealogy section. (GEN FAM Bol) For more gems from the Indiana Room, click HERE.