The Evansville Courier, July 6, 1935

"Do men’s dreams come true? Sometimes they do." These were the words of Mrs. Bess V. Ehrmann, president of the Spencer County Historical society, in introducing George Honig for the speech of dedication of the Lincoln Pioneer Village here yesterday afternoon.

Honig’s dream of a village in southern Indiana typical of those at the time Lincoln lived here has come true after 13 years with the erection of the Lincoln Pioneer Village. He was artist, sculptor, designer and builder of the village

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There can be no question about the parade this morning being one of a Lincoln celebration. It contained six persons impersonating the Emancipator—three showing him during the Civil war days, two as a young man and one as a boy.

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One float, that of the Spencer County Motor company of Rockport, pictured Lincoln in the Tri-State with three impersonators—a boy from Kentucky, a young man from Indiana and a grown man from Illinois.

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Activities in front of the amphitheater were announced to all parts of the grounds by a public address system. The hog calling and husband calling contests were held at a most inopportune time for the McGuffey club which was having its program at the same time near one end of the loud speakers. The voices of the contestants came ringing loud and clear over the amplifier.

"They may make more noise than we can, but I’ll bet they can’t outspell us." J. Roy said.

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The parade brought back memories of the pioneer days with its ox carts, covered wagons and Indians.

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The postoffice in Brown’s Inn in the village was one of the busiest spots on the grounds. Hundreds of post cards, special envelopes and stamps were sold for mailing from the village.

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The celebration reminded one of a three-ring circus. Something going on at all parts of the grounds all the time. Never a dull moment.

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The crowd lined up along the fence around the race track and the concession stands around the amphitheater gave the celebration the appearance of a county fair. However, the horse races and the double prices on concessions were missing.

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The program was given over entirely to the Lincoln celebration. Independence day was mentioned in only one of the many speeches, and then only incidentally. The older folks returned to Lincoln but the young folks stuck to their fireworks.

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Cameras had a busy day. A number of people were taking "shots" of various scenes.

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Instead of the familiar question—"Is there a doctor in the crowd?"—a query came over the loud speakers—"Is there anyone in the crowd that works for the waterworks?" It was found that the wading pool near the amphitheater was overflowing and the water could not be turned off.

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Caroline Bugby of Owensboro, Ky., winner of the beauty contest for girls under 14 years of age is only eight years old and in the fourth grade.

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The tribe of about 15 Indians started its long-heralded raid on the village with ceremonial dancing in front of the amphitheater following the speaking program.

A party of settlers in a covered wagon was "attacked" and followed to the fort, being let through the gates just ahead of the pursuers. The gates were slammed shut and the "siege" began.

Guns banged from the block house and from behind the wall as the Indians tried to gain entrance to the fort. Following a battle of about 10 minutes the Indian chief begged a truce and a settler emerged from the fort to effect a peace treaty. This ended the program.