In 1836, Bill Burris attended a political celebration in what was to become the small town of Farmland. Unfortunately for Burris, the festivities got out of hand, and a renegade canon blew off his left arm.
This was just one of the many stories that were revealed in the discussion of Farmland's history last night from the recently-published book, "Farmland, Indiana: A Sesquicentennial History, 1852-2002."
The authors of the book, Greg Hinshaw and Judy Wilson, both natives of the town, spoke to a small, crowded room in Bracken Library Wednesday.
Farmland, part of Monroe Township and Randolph county, was established in 1852 by William Macy and Henry Huffman with the founding of a post office, Hinshaw said. Early settlements were dotted around the area starting around 1832, but the town did not begin to grow until the 1850's and did not become official until 1867, he said.
By the early 20th century, Wilson said, an inter-urban railroad line crossed the town and "led to an increase in activity and visitors" which included popular bands and basketball teams.
Mills Lake was one lively hangout early in Farmland's history, Hinshaw said. Late night dances and parties, as well as a little boot-legging during Prohibition, were common at this gathering place.
The process of recounting Farmland's history into book-form took painstaking hours of digging for information that began in July 2001, said Wilson.
"It began when the 50th anniversary was coming up sometime last year," Wilson said. "Greg had the idea (to write the book) and I'd always wanted to do one."
After the idea was born, the real work began, she said.
"We met with a committee many times, worked late at night, and started researching," Wilson said.
Hinshaw and Wilson worked with six other people to weave the pages of the book together.
The two authors combed through everything from bank statements, to courthouse and other legal documentation to sift through the lives of Farmland's community.
In the end, the work was well worth it, Wilson said.
"It was a good thing to be involved in," she said. "People have identified with something in the book. I've realized it's their town, and their childhood and school years. They remember, and take it very personally."
The most important aspect of the book, Wilson said, is the preservation of the past.
"A lot of the history would be lost, and a lot already has been lost," she said.
Wilson remembers interviewing a woman once who died only three weeks later.
"I was so glad I'd gotten that down, and a lot of it would have been lost," she said.
"The most important thing I've learned is if you don't take history when you can get it, it's gone tomorrow."
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