Feb 4, 1965, a new Boy Scout troop was organized in Orestes Tuesday evening when the Baptist Church became the sponsor organization of the youth organization. Rev. Phillip Robinson, pastor is leading the troop committee along with other members of the committee; James Ryan, institutional representative; Robert Smock, treasurer; and Frank Ward, Sr., finances. Hilton Bronner was appointed scoutmaster with Harold Granger as assistant. Signing the troop roster as charter members of the new organization were: David L. Dwiggins, Garry A. Dwiggins, Norman R. Lewis, Jimmie G. Bronner, Robert W. Smock, Danny E. Carey, and Frank M. Ward Jr.

Mar 31, 1965, a Monroe Township farmer was killed and his wife critically injured today in a two-car collision at Indiana 28 and the Orestes Road, which also injured four other persons riding in the second automobile. George Meyer, 80, of RR 3 Alexandria died at 3:55 p.m. at Community Hospital where his wife Pearl, 76, was still unconscious and in critical condition. The driver of the second vehicle was Robert Patrick Kennedy, 27 of Portland, Indiana. His wife Sandra, also 27, was treated for severe lacerations of the forehead and chest and knee injuries. Their two children, Patricia May, 6 Bradley Allen, 2 and a half suffered minor injuries.

April 11, 1965, Tornadoes swept the Hoosier state killing many and piling up damages in the millions of dollars. Dover, Sheridan, Alto, Russiaville, Greentown, Swayzee, and Marion were all hit by the Palm Sunday tornado. The state death toll reached 132.

May 24, 1965, Joseph O. Lila a 34 year old Elwood man killed himself at 8:00 p.m. on a bridge on the Orestes Road one mile south of the P Street Road. Ted Hosier and Joe Summer found him dead of a gunshot wound through the mouth when found him lying on the bridge. Lila had telephoned his wife prior to the suicide, telling her that she would find out what was going on in about an hour.

Oct 14, 1965, the MTCA met this evening at the home of Beulah Prophet with Betty Campbell assisting. Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: Beulah Prophet, president; Wilma Davis, vice president; Carolyn Shettle, treasurer; and Wilma Brandenburg, secretary. The group vowed to make Thanksgiving Day tray favors for a nursing home. Also plans were made to hold a Christmas party for the children of the Orestes community with Santa Claus to be present to listen to requests and distribute favors. Besides the officers others attending were Beth Judd, Margaret Ryan, Blanche Fisher, Jean Martin, Mary Quinn, Margaret Pratt with guests Kathy and Pam Campbell.

Feb 18, 1966, members of the Orestes Lodge 471, Knights of Pythias, and Orestes Pythian Sisters 241, joined in serving a ham dinner Friday evening the 18th, honoring Charlie Walker, Eugene Stewart, and Everett Judd, who have been members of the lodge for 50 years. Present were Mrs. Eugene Stewart, Lloyd Stewart, Mrs. Everett Judd, Mrs. Paul McClead, and Mrs. Bruce Kildow, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Dickson of Frankton, Mrs. Virgil Norris, Mrs. Dereva Fenters, Mrs. Grace Thomas, Lanny Fenters, Miss Freda Norris, Miss Mary Norris, Troy Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Beilhartz, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Bebee, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Edgell, Mr. and Mrs. George Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Leak, Mr. and Mrs. Firman Hosier, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Reavis. Otto Shuman, Grand Secretary of Indianapolis acted as Master of Ceremonies and introduced Ernest Mallott, Grand Chancellor of Peru, Indiana, who presented the certificates and pins. After brief talks by the 50 year veterans and introduction of other Grand Lodge officers, Mr. Shuman gave a talk on Pythianism. This month commemorates the founding of the order 102 years ago.

Mar 26, 1966, Mary D. Gooding, 45, northeast of Orestes, died today.


June 13, 1966, Lena Harrison, 82, died at the Dickey Nursing Home in Elwood after a lingering illness.

June 25, 1966, the Orestes Junior Baseball League held its annual field day at Tappan Field in Orestes today. Activities throughout the day included drawings for prizes, a white elephant sale, a bake sale, and games for small children. The highlight of the event will be a baseball game between mothers and fathers of the boys in the league. Last years game was won by the mothers, and the fathers have promised revenge Saturday.

July 22, 1966, Miss Linda Ashley, 16 year old Alexandria Monroe High School junior, last night was crowned queen of the Sidewalk Days promotion sponsored by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Princesses crowned were Kathy Hartwell, 16; and Diane Curts, 13.

Sept 28, 1966, Miss Charlotte Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Ellis, Orestes, recently commenced her professional modeling and fundamental business courses at Patricia Stevens Career College in Chicago.

09-29-1966
Sept 29, 1966, Cecil W. Smock, 56, Orestes, died suddenly of a heart attack at 6:15 p.m. today at his home.


Jan 5, 1967, announcement was made today by Charles Bull Bradley, owner of the ground west of town where Armscamp and Hilltop Speedways were operated before it burned in 1956, that he is planning to rebuild and expects to have 1,000 bleachers up for opening day, Easter Sunday, March 26th. Bradley, owner of the ABC Sign Company, and the ABC Racing Association in Marion, stated that semi late and model stock cars, 1952 to 1963 models, will run on the oval track on Sundays until warmer weather permits Friday and Saturday night performances. The track will continue to be known as Armscamp Speedway.

Feb 22, 1967, Kid Kanteen adult and student board members voted to close the doors on the present location when the lease runs out in May. Present were Arthur Trout president; Dr. Dan Rohn and Wallace VanErman from Kiwanis, Steve Freeman representing Jaycees, and Mrs. Kenwood Collard and Mrs. Fred Marston, members at large. Students present were Ardy Absher, Tim Kelly, David Hahn, Dennis Gipe and Sam Lower.

Mar 20, 1967, Mabel M. Johnson, 65, lifelong resident of Orestes died today at the Americana Nursing Home. She was born in Orestes May 31, 1901, the daughter of Ben and Betty King.

April 9, 1967, Bobby G. Prestwood, 20, of Alexandria, was killed at 2:25 a.m. today when the car he was driving went out of control and hit a tree on a Blackford County road southeast of Hartford City. Also killed in the accident was Carl E. Stanley, both died instantly.

04-24-1967
April 24, 1967, Mrs. Ollie V. Shaw, 92, died at the Bradford Nursing Home in Alexandria after a five-year illness. A native of this area, she was born Dec 16, 1875, the daughter of A.J. and Mary Fox. Her husband, William Shaw, died in 1943. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Arma Arquis of St. Petersburg, Florida, and several nieces and nephews, among them is Troy Fox of Orestes.

06-21-1967
June 21, 1967, Madison County Police Deputy Larry Dotson with the assistance of Everett Linton of the State Excise Police performed a raid on the Hideway Café in Orestes. Charles Himes, 62, was arrested on charges of selling alcoholic beverages and possession of alcoholic beverages for sale.

Aug 22, 1967, Mrs. Tossie Davis, 91, Orestes, widow of Frank Davis, died today. Surviving is one son, Raymond Davis, Orestes; sister, Fannie Davis, Orestes; and brother Ed White, Orestes. Burial will be in the Elwood City Cemetery.

Sept 8, 1967, Rudolph F. Ludlow, 88, formerly of Orestes, died at Community Hospital following an illness of two months. He retired 13 years ago as custodian of the Orestes School and had lived in Anderson.

Oct 6, 1967, Johnny Crawford, 21, Alexandria, died as the results of stepping on a land mine in South Vietnam. Crawford was a four year veteran of the United States Army. He was born June 20, 1946 and was the first from Alexandria to lose their life in the Vietnam War.

Nov 20, 1967, water was struck at 335 feet on Orestes School grounds with a flow sufficient for the town of Frankton as described by officials. The Orestes School has been plagued by a shortage of water and low pressure from the Orestes town supply. The Busby Drilling Company successfully drilled the well and will install an underground tank for independent supply.

Nov 27, 1967, Ralph L. Hess, Orestes resident for 25 years died in Elwood today. Ralph had served as a barber in Orestes for several years.

Feb 11, 1968, Spc 5 Edward O. Gaines, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Gaines of R.R. 3 Alexandria was wounded in a mortar attack 30 miles north of Hue while serving with the United States Army in South Vietnam. He was taken to Tripler Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii where he is reported as recuperating satisfactorily. He is expected to return to the United States in two weeks. Gaines served one year in Vietnam and returned January 10, 1968 for another six month tour of duty. His wife is Evelyn Stone Gaines.

Feb 18, 1968, Benedetto (Benny) DiRuzza, 81, Orestes, died today at Community Hospital after a three month illness. Survivors include widow, Lucy; two daughters, Mrs. Gloria Ann Vaughn of Alexandria and Mrs. Linda Roadruck of Tipton. Four sons, Benny Jr. and George of Orestes, Anthony of Frankton, and John Arthur of Dayton, Ohio. Also two brothers, Guy DiRuzza of Alexandria and a brother residing in Italy.

Mar 2, 1968, Norfolk and Western Railway Company crews are still working today to clear wreckage of ten cars and caboose of a westbound freight train which were derailed at 12:30 p.m. one mile west of Orestes. The derailment is believed to be caused by an overheated journal which burned out an axle on one of the cars spilling cars onto the Tebco Fertilizer Company property. A tank containing ammonia overturned but was no danger to area residents. The track was reopened within a few hours.

May 25, 1968, PFC Leonard Allan Roy, 19, Alexandria, is a ground casualty as a result of small arms fire in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. He was born June 14, 1948 and graduated Alexandria-Monroe High School in 1966. He entered the United States Marines April 15, 1968. His name appears on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. (Panel 67W.Row 3)

06-02-1968
June 2, 1968, CPL Edward Leroy Sizelove, 20, Alexandria, is a ground casualty as a result of hostile artillery, rocket and mortar fire, in the Thau Thien Province, South Vietnam. He was born December 16, 1947 and attended Orestes Consolidated School and graduated Alexandria-Monroe High School. He entered the United States Army March 23, 1968 and was in the 101st Airborne. His name appears on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. (Panel 61W..Row 16).

June 5, 1970, SGT Patrick Alan Hartwell, 22, Alexandria, is a ground casualty as a result of small arms fire in Cambodia while in the Vietnam War. He was born April 8, 1948 and attended Orestes Consolidated School and graduated from Alexandria-Monroe High School in 1967. He entered the U.S. Army January 7, 1970 and was a member of the 1st Cavalry. His name appears on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. (Panel 9W..Row 13). His parents Joseph and Evelyn Hartwell are Charter Members of the Orestes Historical Society.

June 10, 1970, Ray Davis, the general storekeeper and historian of Orestes, has been trying for quite a spell to gain recognition and a special place of honor for a magnificent white oak tree which stands on the property of the Orestes Christian Church in Orestes. The tree is affectionately regarded by the town folks and particularly the members of the church congregation.