Jan 24, 1955, a capacity throng of nearly 600 onlookers witnessed the initial Orestes Invitational Basketball Tournament Saturday afternoon and Cyclone cagers emerged victorious from the four competing teams by downing Duck Creek 40 to 37 in the championship game at 8:00 p.m. Tom Willis led the Cyclones in the afternoon game by scoring 23 and Hartwell had 8. Willis again led the Orestes in the championship game by scoring 20. Davis and Harris chipped in 9, and 8, points respectively. Coach Ludlow announced that a total of $210 was taken in at the gate of the Orestes Invitational Tournament, and after expenses amounting to $63, a sum of close to $35 was received by each of the participating teams. (01-28-55)

June 13, 1955, two Tipton young men were killed and three Alexandria young persons were injured early Sunday morning (yesterday) in an auto wreck at 12:30 a.m., when a bridge collapsed on West Washington Street Road near Orestes, and plunged both cars and their occupants into the creek. Lawrence Plake, 23, son of Tipton Police Chief was killed and John R. Sullivan, 22, of Tipton was also killed. After striking the bridge abutment, according to authorities, the car continued on into the bridge where it collided with a car driven by James F. Branum, 18, of Alexandria. The bridge collapsed and both cars were thrown into the water.

June 15, 1955, the 3rd Annual Little 500 Bicycle Derby was held on a slick wet track at Armscamp Speedway in Alexandria. Teddy Bryan of Orestes came in first in the second grade race and Jim Hartwell, Orestes School, came in second. Danny Davis finished 3rd in the seventh grade race and Tom Willis was a winner in the 8th grade race and Tom Hartwell finished third. John Davis won the 4th grade race and Orestes students, Tom Willis, Tom Hartwell, Bruce Boston, and Danny Davis won the four lap relay race. All boys that competed in the races were invited to attend the Indianapolis Indians baseball game June 22nd.

July 17, 1955, Charles F. Welborn, 82, died in the Saunders Nursing Home in Anderson at 6am yesterday after a five year illness. Mr. Welborn worked as a barber in Orestes and nearby Osceola for over 30 years. He was custodian at Orestes School for 12 years. During World War II, he was employed at Delco Remy at Anderson retiring after the war. He had been an insurance agent, and was active in Democrat politics, serving many times on Orestes election boards.

Feb 21, 1956, a Monroe township bus carrying 35 Alexandria High School students home to Orestes narrowly escaped plunging into Lilly Creek on County Road 1050 North. The bridge buckled in the middle as the bus was passing over it. The bus driver, Firman Hosier kept going as the bridge began to fall saving injuries and lives. Township buses have been using the bridge all year since the normal Washington Street bridge is still closed since the collapse June 13th of last year when two persons were killed. Jim Devore stated, We were half way across the bridge when I heard a noise, we thought the bus had hit the bridge. Larry Spooner described the incident as well. We heard a noise and looked back and the bridge was falling.

Mar 6, 1956, a wind-driven fire of unknown origin, started in the Brunson Canning Company north of Orestes. Fire departments from Orestes, Alexandria, Summitville, and Elwood all helped fight the blaze for over three hours. Some merchandise and fertilizer for the coming season were saved but loses were estimated at $105,000.Owner, he canning company was founded in 1931 and employed 200 persons. The Brunson Canning Factory fire officially was listed as cause unknown.

Mar 26, 1956, Muff Davis to speak at the Orestes Cyclones basketball banquet.

July 18, 1956, a four-lane Federal Road is rumored to be constructed between Alexandria and Orestes. The highway would run north to Fort Wayne and on to Toledo, Ohio. The road will be a limited access highway avoiding all towns on the route. It will cost a minimum of half a million dollars a mile to build.

July 20, 1956, official confirmation of plans for a federal highway to pass near Alexandria came today from the Indiana State Highway Commission chairman Virgil Smith, but completion of the highway appeared to be a good ways off. The present plans are for the highway to be constructed between Alexandria and Orestes. (I-69)

Aug 21, 1956, an auto accident south of Alexandria yesterday killed Mrs. Dora Heidrick, 86, of Danville, Illinois, and hospitalized her daughter, Mrs. Martha Boyer 58, of Orestes.

Oct 10, 1956, Ralph Richardson, 72, of Alexandria and founder of Richardson Gravel Company Frankton and Orestes, died today at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and came here with his family at the age of 14 and at the same age went to work at Lippincott Glass Works in Alexandria.

Nov 12, 1956, the town of Orestes learned during the weekend that dial telephones will be installed for all phone users in the town and surrounding rural district. The General Telephone Company of Indiana, who recently purchased the Orestes Telephone Company, announced that dial phones will be put in as soon as possible. The new operating firm assumed the service and duties of the Orestes exchange on November 1, 1956.

Nov 21, 1957, Orestes PTO to sponsor cub scouts and new leaders are Dick Grimme, Earl Prophet, and Floyd Thomas.

Feb 5, 1958, a special vote at Orestes results 51-25 was in favor of a new township high school at Alexandria.

Feb 27, 1958, Mr. & Mrs. Ed Yule donate 35 acres to the Alexandria School System to build a new high school. Dave Cox is president of the school board.

July 15, 1958, GTE to update telephone system in Orestes, new technology will bring dial service to town. The Orestes Telephone Exchange will convert to dial service November 12th.

Oct 10, 1958, George Buddy Goodman was struck by lightning across the street from the Orestes School. Buddy had ridden his bicycle to Walkers Grocery to buy milk for the family breakfast when struck. He was found a short time later by Fred King and Willis Tappan.

Nov 17, 1958, Death of William R. Shaw 84, of Orestes. William was born September 1, 1875, and was the owner of the Orestes coal yard and the elevator.

Mar 11, 1959, death of Jason Grose.

April 2, 1959, construction begins on new high school at Alexandria.

Aug 17, 1959, Another big fire hits Armscamp Motor Speedway, photograph

Feb 24, 1960, Death of John V. Webster 77, Orestes. Garland Dwiggins and Leigh Tempest found John froze to death after a fall in his home in Orestes. John was a resident of Orestes for more than 30 years and was born June 22, 1882 in Greensburg, son of George and Jane Cunningham Webster. He attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and loved music. He is survived by a sister Mrs. Myrtle Brown of Lebanon. John attended services at the Orestes Christian Church in his early life and attended the Orestes Baptist Church the latter years of his life.

April 11, 1960, the Orestes Fertilizer Factory was destroyed by fire yesterday.

Aug 23, 1960, the Orestes Little League formed this year and pitch-in banquet is held. Wayne Gosnell president, Jim Douglas vice president, and William Reid secretary-treasurer.

Oct 9, 1960, Alexandria Monroe High School dedication .

Jan 16, 1961, the 2nd Annual Orestes School Adult Talent Show is to be presented on Tuesday Evening, Jan 17, in the Community Room at 7 oclock. The committee composed of Mrs. Dallas Ludlow, Mrs. Chester Ellis, and Robert McMahan, has arranged a fine program. Some of the numbers on the evening are: a guitar and harmonica duet by Larry Clark; a ladies quartet, Velma Hayes, Mary Davis, Linda Davis, and Uva Overman; a skit, School Day in Dog Patch presented by the Christian church Hillbillies; a vocal duet given by Mary Gooding and JoAnn Swisher; and Ye Plenty Loude Kitchen Band. There are 14 numbers on the program. There is no charge for the program and everyone is invited.

Mar 6, 1961, the Indianapolis Attucks turned back a cold shooting Alexandria tiger team 53 to 43 in Indianapolis Regional action.

May 5, 1961, Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American in space today.

June 12, 1961, in one of the best little league games ever played in Alexandria, Steve Telfer and Tony Hocker hooked up in a real pitchers duel. After 8 innings of play, little league director, Shorty Burdsall called the game with the score tied at 1-1. Each team was given credit for the win. In the final count Hocker had fanned a total of 24 batters and Telfer had struck out 23. Hocker gave up two hits, one to Bobby Pierce and the other to Telfer, while Telfer did not allow a hit. Hocker played for Coxes market and Telfer played for Loveless Lumber.

June 19, 1961, Mrs. Maude Brumback, 70, of Orestes, died instantly and Mrs. Elsie Cook, 61, of Orestes is suffering from fractured legs, arms, hip and possible skull fracture. Mrs. Cook is in Marion General Hospital in critical condition. Her husband John C. Cook was released after being treated for shock. The accident occurred at 8:15 a.m. on Indiana 15 four miles north of Marion. Cook had stopped on Indiana 15 to make a left -hand turn into a driveway when it was hit from behind.

July 21, 1961, Gus Grissom, Indianas astronaut made a successful space venture today but has close call as the hatch broke open and the capsule sunk in the ocean. Grissom was able to swim to safety and rescued moments later.

Oct 2, 1961, Shirl R. Brunson, 77, retired farmer and former owner of the Brunson Canning Company, died Saturday September 30th at his home. He was born Mar 16, 1884, in Tipton County, the son of Hiram and Rachel Brunson. He was a member of the Orestes Christian Church. Rev. Richard Miller of the Orestes Baptist Church will conduct the service.

Oct 11, 1961, the worlds largest dome will be raised October 17th at Anderson College at 268 feet in diameter. It will take workers about four and a half hours to raise the dome which was constructed on a mound of dirt. It is estimated that the dome weighs approximately 3 million pounds.

Nov 7, 1961, the Orestes Cyclones under new coach Whitey Ellis, opened their 1961-61 basketball season with a 43 to 40 win over Ingalls last night. The Monroe township five rushed into an early 11 point lead until Ingalls decided to press and the lead was quickly cut to three. Orestes was in command at halftime with a 25 to 14 lead. The Cyclones hit on 20 of 48 attempts for 42% compared to 14 of 42 for the losers. Steve Eden led the Orestes team with 16 points and got help from Tony Hocker with 13 and Larry Allen with 8. This years Cyclones are: Larry Allen, Bill Reid, Dave Stinefield, Steve Eden, Tony Hocker, Ernie Ryan, Steve Deines, Steve Frix, John Goodman, Greg Clock, Neil Spooner, David Wilson, and Joe Remington.

Dec 27, 1961, a fire destroyed a home today on the Brunson Estate just north of highway 28 on the Orestes Road.

Feb 14, 1962, the Orestes Cyclones completed a task last evening many schools and coaches dream of, an undefeated season. In the final game of the year the Orestes team under Coach Whitey Ellis hung a 64-40 defeat on the Summitville team. The team put forth a tremendous team effort to pull out the last one of the season and ran up a 42-13 halftime lead with the reserves playing a major portion of the last half. The Cyclones hit a superior 28 of 54 field goal attempts for a sparkling .518 average. Steve Eden with 22 led the way for the winners and had may assists. Tony Hocker helped out with 16 and Dave Stinefield with 13. Reid, Stinefield, and Eden were outstanding on the boards.

At the buzzer the floor was filled with family, students, teachers, reserve players and other fans, congratulating each player and the coach for a wonderful season. A and B team players entered the locker room on the north side and joined in a very jubilant private celebration. Within moments, Coach Ellis was escorted to the shower with his clothes on. Coach Ellis proudly put up very little effort in discouraging the special moment. The win accomplished the best won - lost record for the history of the school in a season, including the Orestes Tourney crown and the Alexandria-Monroe Township Junior High Tourney crown. The little Cyclones finished their winning season at 10 wins and 3 losses.

Feb 2, 1962, Goose Ligon, 17, star of the Kokomo Wildcats, defending champions of the Indiana High School Basketball Tournament, was injured in an automobile accident at 3:00 a.m. today, one mile north of Alexandria. Ligon suffered a sprain of the left leg and an eye laceration when his car plunged through a guard rail along Indiana 9 and into a creek, after skidding on the icy surface of the road. The two men riding with Ligon were also injured.

Nov 1, 1962, the second fire in a little more than two years destroyed the Robinson Lumber Company this afternoon as fire departments from three cities fought desperately to save it. The blaze that was discovered shortly after noon was still out of control at press time. Jack Robinson, owner of the firm stated that school teacher, Bob Dickson, rushed in a said it looks like you have a fire and the next then he knew the fire was out of control.

Dec 1962 - Actual date unavailable - Riley Arthur Duke, 89, a resident of Orestes, died at 11:oo a.m. today. He was born Nov 15, 1873, in Eaton, Ohio, the son of John and Mary Duke. He was married to Mrs. Alice Miller, who died in 1959. He owned and operated many different businesses in Orestes including the R.A. Duke Hardware Store.

Feb 25, 1963, fire destroyed the Long Trucking Company at Alexandria.

Mar 2, 1963, the Alexandria Tigers won the Anderson Sectional over highly favored Anderson Indians today 36-33. The Tigers led by Coach Shorty Burdsall accomplished what most Madison County fans gave them little chance to do. Anderson rated as high as 2nd during the year was rated 8th when the Tigers took them on.

Mar 9, 1963, Southport led by Louie Dampier put an end to the Tigers dream season by defeating them 57-51 at Butler Fieldhouse.

Mar 10, 1963, James L. Ashley, 19, Orestes, was hurt seriously shortly after noon today on Madison Ave Road north of Hartman Road when his car struck a utility pole. Ashley suffered deep lacerations of the face and head and internal injuries resulting from the crash. He told police that he had blacked out.

Mar 21, 1963, Monroe Township Trustee, Ernest Allen announced that school bus contracts were awarded to Keith Sizelove, Dick Thompson, James Bennie Seybert, Firman Hosier, Kenneth Cranfield, Buford Rathel, Clem Millspaugh, Virgil Sparks, Casslus Bangle, Angus Boone, Robert Miller, Burl Brattain, and James Judd.

April 7, 1963, Alexandria merchants, the Elks Lodge, and the Davis and Walker stores of Orestes cooperated with the Orestes Community Aids and Orestes Volunteer Fire Department in sponsoring a triple event day for the youngsters of the community. Some 150 children took part in an egg hunt, kite flying contest, and Easter bonnet contest, and 17 adult winners of free prizes.

June 28, 1963, fire of unknown origin destroyed two farm trailers loaded with hay and burned the tractor operator yesterday south of Orestes. Otto Gaines was pulling the hay-laden trailers when they caught fire at 4:40 p.m.

Feb 5, 1964, Mulford (Muff) Davis, athletic director at Frankton High School, has been name assistant principal and athletic director at Highland High School.

Feb 22, 1964, James L. Waymire, died of burns tonight at Mercy Hospital in Elwood. Mr. Waymire who resided north of Orestes, was fatally burned when his clothes caught fire while burning trash. The burns covered approximately 70 percent of his body. A retired employee of the Elwood Tin Plate Works, Mr. Waymire had lived in Orestes all of his life. He was born there on January 31, 1885. He was a member of the Orestes Baptist Church. He was married to the former Stella Custer who died in September, 1942. Survivors include a niece, Mrs. Phillip Davis, Orestes; and two nephews, Sherman Waymire with whom he lived, and Roy Waymire of Brooksville, Florida.

May 8, 1964, Dennis Ice of near Orestes and member of the Lilly Creek Baptist Church will ride with 12 other high school students from four states, from Minnesota to Mississippi, tracing the route of the Mississippi River and Cross the Country for Christ.

July, 21, 1964, Mulford Muff Davis, former basketball coach and athletic director at Frankton High School, has been named principal of Highland High School. Davis succeeds David Rankin, who resigned last night at a meeting of the school board.

Aug 5, 1964, Harry Hobbs, 75, an elderly Orestes man died shortly before noon today of a gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted.

Oct 24, 1964, an Orestes man took his life and seriously injured his wife with a .22 caliber derringer pistol today about 2:00 p.m., after what State Police termed a marital quarrel. The victim, John D. Atwood, 41 Orestes, fatally shot himself after first shooting his wife Jillene Harrison Atwood, 31 in the abdomen. After the shooting, Mrs. Atwood managed to reach a neighbors house where she relayed the story of the incident. A call was made to town marshal Robert Smock, and he immediately rushed to the scene. When Smock arrived at the neighbors house, an ambulance was called for Mrs. Atwood and she was rushed to Mercy hospital in Elwood, where she underwent surgery. She is listed in fair condition. Smock also alerted state police and the Anderson Sheriff's department. State Police report that the Atwoods frequently quarreled and had planned on getting a divorce. The victim, who was not living with his wife at the time, had apparently gone to the Orestes residence to pick up some of his clothes, authorities said. A quarrel developed during his visit, and the Atwoods struggled over possession of a derringer .22 caliber pistol, according to State Police. During the struggle, Atwood shot his wife in the abdomen, and then took his own life, police said. Atwood was born August 22, 1923, in Scottsville, Kentucky, and had lived in Alexandria for the past 20 years. Survivors include his mother, Bertha; four children, Jimmy, Kim Allen, Bobby Neal, and Connie Sue Atwood, all living at home.