Grandpa says, “Meet Me in Earl City”

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September 2, 2010

Melissa Conrad Associated Press Thu Sep 02, 2010, 11:12 AM EDT

RUSHVILLE —

Some people say it is a rare thing to have a Grandpa like mine. They would be right. My Grandpa is Fritz White from Milroy. Some of you may know him. Some of you may have just heard of him. I’m here to tell you, whatever you heard, well most all you heard, it’s all true. He is a one-of-a-kind, would make Norman Rockwell green with envy wanting to paint him, kind, generous, laughter-filled Grandpa to not only me but to the great-grandchildren and even the children of my friends. He is the original “Grandpa.” Now and then, Grandpa gets to telling stories about days gone by. As in most things he says, there are tales to be told and knowledge to be gleaned from his nostalgic stories. So, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to share some of his words now and then with you. Everyone needs a good Grandpa. This is my way of letting you enjoy a little of what I cherish everyday about mine. Grandpa says ... Meet Me in Earl City Few people in Rush County have ever heard of Earl City, but if you check the plat records in the courthouse you will find it on 1100 South on the Rush/Decatur County line. When the railroad came through Rush County, Williamstown, which at that time was located at what is now the intersection of SR 3 and 1100 South, moved to form a settlement on the railroad. The Decatur side kept the name of Williamstown, but the Rush County side was platted Earl City. Old habits die hard and so do names. The name Earl City never caught on; the community and people refer to the whole town as Williamstown. Earl City was a very important part of the community. There was a store, a church and an elevator was built. Farmers could take their grain there and sell it and railcars were loaded and sent to market. Probably the largest asset was the stockyards. People drove the livestock to Earl City and loaded them on the train and sent them to market in Cincinnati. Before the railroad, turkeys were driven to market - on foot. My grandmother (Granpa White’s grandmother) talked of helping drive turkeys to Cincinnati. Neighbors would join together and they would load provisions on a wagon pulled by horses and all the turkeys were put in one large flock and the drive would begin. The turkeys were marked with different colored leg bands so they could be sorted and each family could sell their own turkeys. The drive was always made when the grass hoppers were most plentiful and the turkeys would feed on the grass hoppers on their way to market. They had to camp near trees in the evening so the turkeys could go to roost. Hogs were driven in a similar way. Their ears were notched for identification and they were always driven when the acorns fell and the hogs would feed on the nuts and grain while on their way to market. My grandmother never helped with cattle but they were also driven in the same way. The railroads began to lose business with the invention of trucks. The first one I remember had solid rubber tires and was chain-driven. They would come to the farm and pick up the animals, which was a lot more convenient than having to drive them, even to the local stockyards. Quite often the farmer would go with the truck driver to market and talk to the buyer in person. Change is constant. I wonder what the next 100 years will bring? For now, just meet me in Earl City. Thanks to my Grandpa for sharing this story. There are more and each one reminds us that our home has been home to many before us and many who will come after us. We are blessed to have you in our lives, Grandpa. Happy birthday. (Grandpa will 88 Sept. 9.)

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