By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The weather could not have been more perfect for the Settlers Day Festival this past weekend. It was held on October 5 and 6 at the John Hay Pioneer Village, and all was open and free including the Stevens Museum, John Hay home, and train depot. The pioneer village was open for folks to go at their own pace to visit each cabin and attraction. Among the cabins was the school house, general store, wood shop and blacksmith shop. Various vendors and local businesses lined around the museum, offering items such as cotton candy and other delightful food treats. In addition, the Stevens Museum had donated items for sale for visitors to pay what they thought was fair. This venue was manned by Kaylee Seabolt, the Office Manager and Librarian for the museum.

Touring the John Hay House immediately takes you back to its early 19th century roots. Museum guides reminded visitors of major events such as the 1833 and 1851 Cholera scourges. Many lives were lost and several people left the area. Another such story told was of Morgan’s Raiders, and how a wooden dresser still holds the bullet from General John Hunt Morgan’s raid of June 1863. A turn of the century quote from the Salem Democrat dated May of 1900 is also on display. It described Salem as, “a wide open town.” 

“Salem is what may be termed ‘a wide open town.’ There isn’t the least trouble in securing liquor at illegal hours and illegal ways. If anybody says there is, they lie. The laws are not enforced in Salem, and illegal drinking, carousing, gambling and general wickedness are on the increase.” - Salem Democrat.

The back porch of the John Hay house was the happening spot to hear music. One such group was the Corydon Dulcimer Society playing many vintage songs. The dulcimer is a string, hourglass shaped instrument originating in the early 1800s from the Appalachian Mountains, and they are still sold and made in the United States today. Following the Dulcimer Society, a group of local musicians consisting of Clark Johnson, Jude Kritzer, Finn Kritzer with singer Sarah Scott gathered on the back porch and played with more conventional instruments. To finish up the weekend, the Salem Guitar Club took the back porch on Sunday and provided great listening entertainment as the festival began to come to a close.

Luckily, these fantastic events and demonstrations were accompanied by equally fantastic food options. The Canton Christian Ladies provided nice sit-down meals at a reasonable price in the train depot for $9.00. This included a choice of ham and beans, cornbread, pulled pork BBQ, chili, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and an assortment of desserts.  À la carte items were also available. 

Old Settlers Days ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with the only exception being the church service that was held on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Needless to say, Old Settlers Days was a wonderful success. So, be sure to come out next year to see what it has to offer!

Photos by Jerry Curry.