Greensburg Daily News, Greensburg, IN

Features

Related Photos

  • Elizabeth Bailey

    images_sizedimage_168154912
June 17, 2009

Local Men Loaded With History For 150th

Elizabeth Bailey



The American flag that flew over Corydon when Morgan’s Raiders came through offered inspiration for St. Paul’s John Settles to participate in the Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Settles has collected guns and military items for more than 50 years, he noted. The flag at the center of his desire to play a role in the Sesquicentennial, he noted, was acquired from a man who purchased it from the William Henry Harrison estate.

“He wanted it to be taken care of,” he said.

At first, Settles explained, the flag that now shows 36 stars had only 34.

“Since things were handmade back then, it was easier to just add stars as states were added,” he noted.

He pointed out that there are four signatures of flag-makers on the flag, along with bullet holes and blood stains.

Now, the flag will be preserved for history under tempered, acid-free glass in a frame constructed by Scheidler Glass.

Settles also brought original Colt revolvers, a Remington and a Henry rifle, a 1780 flintlock firearm and a rifle constructed in Lafayette in 1850. He also displayed a wooden canteen, one of few that survived from the civil war period. In addition, his display included a metal canteen that likely saved a soldier’s life.

“The bullet is still in there,” he said of the dented canteen.

Settles also brought Civil War era swords as well as a hat made of the pelt of a Canadian Lynx.

He noted he has held five auctions of firearms and military items at his home between Greensburg and St. Paul, working to hone his collection to its finest pieces. His Sesquicentennial presentation offered visitors a view into history that has taken Settles a great deal of time and effort to collect and preserve.

Sharing the tent with Settles was Phil Jackson, Jr., presenting guns by Decatur County gunsmith Turner Barns as well as firearms by John Wilder and a Spencer repeating rifle. Between the two men, a history was visible in firearms and other military items.

Text Only
Features
  • More on Garwood and the late '60s

    Last week's column ended with Lyndon Johnson, President; Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense; and Robert Kennedy, U.S. Senator from New York.

    April 18, 2012

  • Southern Exposure: News from "the south side"

    She's baaack! Nobody was as happy as I was when Abby from the Daily News left me a message and asked me if I might be interested in writing my column again.

    April 18, 2012

  • International Night, Australia and more

    I hope you were able to attend our International Night last week. In case you didn't, I hope someone can tell you about it.

    April 18, 2012

  • Clinton Extension Homemakers

    The Clinton Extension Homemakers met briefly April 12 following International Night at First Baptist Church.

    April 18, 2012

  • reunion news: Columbus North High School

    The Columbus North High School class of 1972 will hold their 40 year class
    reunion June 2, 2012.

    April 18, 2012

  • Ryan Martin Eagle Scout photo Eagle Scout news

    Ryan Martin, son of Dr. Hank and Sue Martin, recently had an Eagle Scout ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • Smyrna Guys & Gals 4-H Club

    The Smyrna Guys & Gals 4-H Club started their April 16 meeting with host Kyle Norton giving his demonstration on his show pigs.

    April 18, 2012

  • Springhill Womens Association

    The Springhill Womens Association met March 28 at the home of Nita McCoy.
    Devotions and the program for the evening were taken from the secretary reports from the 1920s and 1930s.

    April 18, 2012

  • St. Maurice Homemakers

    The St. Maurice Extension Homemakers held their April meeting at the home of Rita Hellmich.

    April 18, 2012

  • 01c-euchre winners.jpg Rotary Euchre Tournament brings fun, funds

    GREENSBURG - The Greensburg Rotary Club held its 11th annual Euchre Tournament to benefit the Special Olympics on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Knights of St. John Hall.

    March 1, 2012 1 Photo