Retrospect: Governor visited for laying of cornerstone

A few weeks ago, Jay County celebrated Indiana’s bicentennial.
One hundred years ago this week, the same was true for the state’s 100th birthday.
The centennial celebration, for which The Commercial Review reported a crowd of 10,000, was focused around the laying of the Jay County Courthouse cornerstone at 2:40 p.m. Oct. 23, 1916.
And much like the fanfare of the bicentennial celebration, the pomp and circumstance was prevalent a century earlier.
The streets of Portland were decorated for the celebration, and the Portland band played music beginning at 10 a.m. At 11:46 a.m., Indiana Gov. Samuel M. Ralston arrived on the L.E. & W. train, and he was greeted by the centennial committee. The committee included Portland mayor C.A. Paddock, E.M. Haynes, the Republican and Democratic chairmen as well as both party’s candidate for judge.
After Ralston’s arrival, he was taken on a tour of the city to show him its new roads, hospital and other points of interest. A banquet was held in his honor at noon at the Methodist church, followed by a talk with prominent citizens.
Ralston was then directed to the site of Jay County Courthouse for the cornerstone ceremony.
Paddock delivered a short speech, as did judge J.F. Denney, and Ralston was introduced to the large crowd.
The cornerstone, which is made of Bedford limestone weighing more than a ton, was laid.
Gov. Ralston departed Portland at 3:40 p.m.
According to archives, the planning of the celebration took multiple weeks, and The Commercial Review stated it was “the greatest gala occasion in the city’s history.”