Author: Paul

Author Paul R. Wonning considers himself an "Indiana Hound," because he likes to "sniff" out the interesting places and history of Indiana and then use his books to reveal them to his readers. He also enjoys gardening, American history and dabbles in writing fantasy and humorous fiction.
Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

Visiting the Joseph Moore Museum at Richmond Indiana

Joseph Moore (February 29, 1832 – July 09, 1905)
The son of John Parker and Martha Cadwalader Moore, Joseph was native to Washington County, Indiana. After completing his elementary school education he attended the Friends Boarding School in Richmond, Indiana 1853. He would serve as an assistant teacher while attending the school. After graduating he worked as a teacher in various schools until 1859, when he enrolled at Harvard. He graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Science degree. Continue reading Visiting the Joseph Moore Museum at Richmond Indiana

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History, United States History Series

1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

On January 18, officials from the Georgia Provincial Congress arrested Georgia’s Royal Governor James Wright. Wright had been the governor of Georgia since 1760, having previously served as South Carolina’s representative to the Crown and as South Carolina’s attorney. His problems began with the Stamp Act, passed by Parliament in 1765. He managed to be the only royal official to successfully import and sell the stamps despite the efforts of the local Sons of Liberty to stop him. On January 12 a small British fleet had arrived in Savannah’s harbor. The fleet had intentions of purchasing a load of rice to take to Boston’s besieged troops. Delegates for the Georgia Provincial Congress had arrived and decided they did not want Wright to purchase the rice and had him arrested. Continue reading 1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony condemned Margaret Jones to hang for the crime of witchcraft on June 13, 1648. Mrs. Jones was the first victim executed for this crime in Massachusetts. She was probably not the first ever accused. But Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins’ methods provided a framework of gathering evidence. Accusers used his methods to gather the evidence used to convict her. The accounts of her trial and execution come from Governor John Winthrop, who presided over the trial, and John Hale. Authorities also charged her husband with witchcraft. He was not convicted. Continue reading First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Road Trip Indiana Series

Pivotal Event in American History – Thomas Paine Publishes Common Sense

January 10, 1776 “Common Sense” By Thomas Paine Published
Few men were as influential to the cause of American independence as Thomas Paine. His forty-seven page pamphlet “Common Sense,” published in 1776, became the most read pamphlet in the colonies. Many historians feel that most of the 2.5 million Americans either read it, or had it read to them. Many estimate that printers published over 400,000 copies. Many newspapers at the time printed the entire text of the document. Continue reading Pivotal Event in American History – Thomas Paine Publishes Common Sense

Exploring Indiana Series

Visiting Indiana’s Public and Botanical Gardens

Indiana possesses a wealth of botanical gardens, allowing plant researchers to study the plants growing there as well as provide casual visitors a place to learn about, and enjoy, them. Readers of Indiana Botanical Gardens will discover the history of botanical gardens in addition to listings of the world’s, United States and Indiana’s botanical gardens. Continue reading Visiting Indiana’s Public and Botanical Gardens

Blog

Writing My Life Away

Anyway, I was looking at my Substack dashboards and noticed that even though I have not posted in months, I have gained a few followers. Seeing this, I have determined that I should fire this forum back up and start posting. I will be uploading mostly the same content as I was, only from time to time I plan to post pieces like this. Some will be funny, some will be serious and others may be completely off the wall. It will depend on how the earth is spinning that day. Continue reading Writing My Life Away

Podcast Indiana’s Timeless Tales Book 1, Road Trip Indiana Series

Whitewater Valley Railroad

Constructed as part of the Indiana Mammoth Internal Improvement Act of 1836 signed by Governor Noah Noble on January 27, 1836, the Whitewater Canal was to form an integral part of southeastern and eastern Indiana’s transportation system. The ambitious act, in concert with the Panic of 1837, bankrupted the state and brought a major political party to its knees. Continue reading Whitewater Valley Railroad

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Timeline of United States History

The New England Earthquake of 1638 – Like Elvis, the Pilgrims Were All Shook Up

The Earthquake
It was a sunny, warm and pleasant day in New England. The colonists were involved in their normal, everyday activities. In Plymouth, some of the settlers had adjourned a meeting to discuss a proposed migration to another area. In Newberry, Massachusetts, the town residents were attending a town meeting. Farmers worked in their fields and wives tended their chores. Sometime between one and two o’clock a curious, low rumble began in the north. The rumble increased, like low thunder as it approached. People paused in their tracks, wondering at the sound. Continue reading The New England Earthquake of 1638 – Like Elvis, the Pilgrims Were All Shook Up

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

Birthplace of Wilbur Wright and Museum

The third of seven children born to Milton Wright and Susan Catherine Koerner Wright, Wilbur was born near Millville, Indiana. The family would remain in Indiana until 1869, when Milton Wright, a Bishop in the United Brethren Church, moved to Dayton, Ohio. The Wrights would return to Indiana in 1881, where Wilbur and his younger brother Orville took up kite flying. Continue reading Birthplace of Wilbur Wright and Museum

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

The Mary Alice Gray Bird Sanctuary

Owned and operated by the Indiana Audubon Society, the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary was established in 1943. Connersville resident Alice Green Gray donated a 264 acre tract of land to the Society in 1943 as a memorial to her daughter, Mary, who had passed away in 1940. Alice passed away that year and her husband, Congressman Finley H. Gray, willed additional acreage to that upon his death in 1947. The sanctuary now totaled over 600 acres. Over the years gifts from members have allowed the Society to acquire more land, bringing the total current acreage to over 700 acres. Continue reading The Mary Alice Gray Bird Sanctuary

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

The charter granted by the Crown on March 3, 1629 stated that the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court had to meet on an annual basis. This General Court admitted new freemen, chose officers, and made laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the company. These laws could not conflict with Britain’s laws. The first meeting of this General Court at Boston occurred on October 19, 1630. The main order of business was to admit freemen to the colony. Continue reading Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – King Charles I Grants 2nd Lord Baltimore Rights To Chesapeake Bay Area

The Province of Maryland began life as a propriety colony of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. In theory, all land in the British Empire belonged to the King. He could divide it amongst his subjects any way he saw fit. The king used this type of colony to reward loyal supporters. The proprietor became, in effect, the supreme ruler of the colony. Of course, the proprietor was ultimately subject to the King. Lord Baltimore established the colony in 1632 as a refuge for Catholics. Religious wars in Europe caused many Catholics to face persecution. This was especially true in England during this time. Continue reading Podcast – King Charles I Grants 2nd Lord Baltimore Rights To Chesapeake Bay Area

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

Podcast – Visiting the Minnetrista At Muncie, Indiana

The Minnetrista complex consists of the land once owned by the Ball Brothers, Muncie’s leading family of industrialists and philanthropists. All five Ball Brothers had homes along the 6 acre strip of land between the White River and Minnetrista Avenue. The brothers coined the name “Minnetrista,” from the Sioux word for water, “mna,” and the English word “tryst.” “Mna,” is pronounced as “mini.” The word means “a gathering place by the water.” Four of the five Ball brother’s homes still stand on the site Continue reading Podcast – Visiting the Minnetrista At Muncie, Indiana