Boone County Historian Joe Bierce writes about the little-known stories from Boone County’s rich history. It’s a fascinating look back at the people and events that shaped the Boone County of today. Check this page often — you won’t want to miss a single post!
Joe would like to hear from you. Email your comments, questions or suggestions about Boone County history to him at Joe8432@gmail.com
Better Double-Check That – Bierce Rights Rail Record
I once heard that it is not what you don't know that gets you into the most trouble. It is what you know that isn't so. I must confess that earlier in my recounting the [...]
Lines On The Road – The Trek From Purdue To IU
How many times when you are writing about something of the past does something of the now in real life come up that fits your story perfectly? I have been writing about the squiggly lines [...]
“Tracking” Lebanon’s History As Interurban Hub
We know that Lebanon was a hub in the Interurban rail and had a trolley system to aid in moving goods and people more easily. We know that the cars were essentially operated by electric [...]
"Tracking" Lebanon's History As Interurban Hub
We know that Lebanon was a hub in the Interurban rail and had a trolley system to aid in moving goods and people more easily. We know that the cars were essentially operated by electric [...]
Squiggly Lines In The Road – Ghosts Of The Interurban
A friend asked me a question the other day. He wanted to know if I was working on another project and when would I be writing? Welllll, I am working on a project and I [...]
Sergeant Leroy Good Reporting For Duty Sir
“I was just a farm boy and I was called up. I was sworn in on 12 Jan. 1942.” And so the story began for 98 year old WW II veteran, Staff Sergeant Le Roy [...]
Boone County Genealogy Reveals Secrets
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1789. The state of Indiana was founded in 1816. Boone County was established in 1830. The town of Thorntown was established an 1827 and was the interim county [...]
Geneology
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1789. The state of Indiana was founded in 1816. Boone County was established in 1830. The town of Thorntown was established an 1827 and was the interim county [...]
Al Ping Nonagenarian – WWII Vet Still Going Strong
A chance meeting in a Lebanon grocery store parking lot has led to a grand relationship with a WWII veteran who has a story to tell. It was 1943 Al Ping received “that” letter and [...]
93 Year Old WWII Navy Vet Still Bagging It
John Copeland was an 18 year old high school junior, who in 1943, felt the call of the wild and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As all newcomers to the navy he was sent to [...]
Local Woman Probes In Cemetery
By Joe Bierce Suzzie Strainer, secretary of the Boone County Genealogy Society Board, is licensed by DNR (The Indiana Department of Natural Resources) to probe in cemetery sites. Probing is done with a steel rod [...]
WWII Vet James McVey Shares Experiences
By Joe Bierce (Tuesday, July 3, 2018) It was 1943. WWII veteran of the United States Navy, Mr. James F. McVey, received that well- known during-the-1940’s message from the President of the United States that [...]