We are reprinting the following history of Olney, which was written a few months ago by Bert Michels, local historian and former printer, newspaper man and school teacher, who was requested to write a brief history for the radio script used by the recent appearance of the Don McNeil Breakfast Club program in Olney. I thank Marvin for thinking of the Olney Memories and sharing the book so we all may enjoy it.
The book was printed by the Taylor Print Shop in Olney. Murvin had not yet reached his 101st birthday at the time of the writing. Murvin passed away on March of this year after reaching his 100th birthday on December 11, 1955." My assumption was that Mr. And later it was brought to my attention it probably was written around 1955. I was not sure when it was written, but I believed it was probably in the early 1950’s. Rather than send it as an attachment which might be a problem on some computers, I will type it out and include it in the next few Olney Memories, a few pages at a time. The book was so interesting and so good that I could hardly wait to turn the next page. Of course I said I would love to read it, so Marvin sent it to me. Recently a reader of Olney Memories, Marvin Doolin, wrote and asked me if I would like to have a small book about the History of Olney written by Bert Michels. I enjoy reading OM and glad to contribute in a small way. GW's son (with his second wife), Clarence Blackburn, is my grandfather, and my father is Richard Blackburn. GW and his son, Lawrence, operated the business. George Washington Blackburn is my great grandfather. The GW Blackburn Poultry Company, based in Fairfield, IL, owned it before selling it to Kralis. In OM#50, you ask about the name of the poultry company before it was Kralis. Dr.Will Moore had a popular song that sold several copies and I had this one to be in working condition but told the Monical's manger that someday someone will want to hear and place this in a Richland County historical museum. One is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and another is a record that was probably Olney's resident doctor's WWII tribute to the naval ship USS Olney.
Whenever you visit Monicals I have placed two pictures there for Renee, the manager, for her collection. Seems some things are hand me downs from ancient origins. On Paul Harvey the rest of the story I heard that the width of all railroads is the same width of the wheels/tracking of the Roman chariots. Now when you see the B & O railroad in another light now when you cross the tracks. I think it was in the Sumner Press/Publisher's Guest column. Men were lined up along the tracks and did this manually It’s an interesting story I had found a couple of years ago. There's still people in Olney who never shop at Walmart or IGA if only to buy canning goods or essentials for basic living.ĭid you know that one of the Worlds largest railroad projects was from Vincennes to St Louis when they in one day moved one rail over from the wide old gauge to current standard gauge. Farming was an independent operation that was self supporting livelihoods, until the export of livestock and grains to worldwide markets. The transportation systems built Olney, especially Oil, Gas, Railroad and US 50. To recapture some of the past, Olney needs four lane highway from Vincennes to St Louis South Fairmount was the gateway to the West from Cincinnati, OH. Madison, IN was the largest city in Indiana at one time. Go figure - Shawneetown, IL was one of the largest cities in Illinois at one time. We left when the oilfields were closing down and the shift to Arab oil was contemporary in the mid 80's. I'm certain if economic times were better many people would have stayed in Olney.