Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-03-29
Written for the American.
SCRAPS OF HISTORY.
Sayings and Doings in the White Water
Valley Thirsy-Five Years Ago.

Brookyille loves to boast Of her great
men. And she has had many of which
to be proud. Nor do we know that she is
willing to rest on her laurels already won.
When the writer of these SCRAPS" first
became acquainted with Brookyillc, Gin
1920, it was probably the most aristoeratic
town or city west of the Alleghanies. In
this article, we propose to introduce. two
of your citizens, by presenting some of
their literary or political productions. In
your town is located a college, and its
students, as they ramble about its hills,
or>retire in the shade of some of its an
cicnt trees, may wish to know If they arc
treading upon classic grounds.
GOV. JAS. b. RAY.
Then let US commence near the college
door. The frame building standing just
south of the College was built by James
Brown Ray, about the year 1914 or 1915,
and was occupied by him and his family
until about 1926, when he accidentally
became Governor of the State. Mr.. Ray
was always wild, visionary, improcticable
man. His oratory was distinctly of the
"spread eagle" character With an ex-
allied opinion of his own abilities, he could
never reconcile himself to be overruled in
Court by either Judge or Jury. On fourth
of July occasions his bombast, delivered
in the rural districts, passed for the I'm
perial coin and by many he was looked
upon as a direct importation from the
upper world, as the Trojans did the fab
ulous Palladium. But in real practical
sense, which could be adapted to the bust
ness of life, he was mere pigmy Yet
the citizens of Franklin Co. thought he
was the very man to make laws and rule
the State. We do not know, however,
that they erred more in this case than
they have frequently since, and do up to
this day. They generally select some one
as law. maker who has an overlooking stock
of gas, but not practical sense enough to
put it to use, or discretion to keep him
from being the butt of ridicule. Frank
lin has in some cases made noble excep-
tons to this rule, and have selected men
worthy of them or any other commu
nifty.
We have ever had poor opinion Of
Gov Ray since the day appointed for
the execution of Fields in May, 1927.
He was then accidental Governor. Fields
was sentenced to be hung for killing a
man sent to arrest him. lie was old, aud
had served his country faithfully SO that
there was great sympathy for him. The
old man was taken to the place of execu-
culon and had assembled the scaifold.
The Governor arrived, aud from the scat
fold In the most pompous and disgusting
manner commenced his speech by quot
ing;
"To err is human-to forgive divine"
And after few ill-timed remarks, not
applicable to the occasion, and probably
stolen from some fourth Of July Grafton,
be read the pardon to Mr.. Fields. 1t was
the first time we ever saw live Governor,
and it so demoralized all our preconceived
notions of the dignity of the maasArho
held that exalted position, that we have
ever since had a subdued idea of the unap-
preashahla- digaity of Governors.
We do not propose to prolong these re-
marks, as we introduce him merely to show
you specimen of his style Of writing
At the August election in 1928, Jas. Ii.
Ray was regularly elected Governor, and
was inauguratcd shortly after the meeting
of the Legislature of that year. Below
VIC give the first paragraph of the Cover
nor's Inaugural Address. We would give
you a shorter specimen, but we could not
cut it off till we came to period. 1t will
be seen that it is but one sentence. And
as this is specimen of the first literary
of the beautiful mount on
which your College is erected. the So.
cieties attached thereto should treasure it
up in their archives. 1t is as follows:
"Whilst my heart is OVERLOOKING with
gratitude, to my fellow citizens, for the re-
newed testimony of their confidence, which
l have recently felt in most cffectual man
ner, allow my tongue, to congratulate you,
and our young and hourishing community
generally. that wo have not provoked the
Majesty of Heaven to retaliation upon us.
or given offence by our conduct to any Of
our neighboring states that our land is
full of blessings and prosperity, compared
with the deplorable condition of most of
The nations Of the Globe that oar minds
md persons are Free and all rights secu--
red by written Constitution that ours
$ the christian religion, whose salutary