[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16961]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 BIRDSEYE QUASQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 125th anniversary of the 
founding of the town of Birdseye, in Dubois County, Indiana. This rural 
community of approximately 500 citizens represents the epitome of 
Hoosier values and, like many small communities across the United 
States, forms the bedrock of our Nation.
  The city's ceremonial observance of this anniversary will be held 
beginning Thursday, August 21, continuing through August 24. A number 
of celebratory events have been planned, including musical 
performances, a farm machinery show, a queen contest, parade and 
children's activities. I look forward to celebrating Birdseye's 
Quasquicentennial with its residents and supporting some of these 
events during the celebration.
  The foundations of Birdseye began much like other frontier 
communities as a trading crossroads in the early 1800s. For many years, 
this crossroads did not have a formal name, but by 1846 migration west 
had produced enough settlers in this rugged wilderness area to 
necessitate a Post Office. Benjamin Goodman, a popular minister and 
postmaster in nearby Worth (later renamed Schnellville), was asked to 
help select the site for the new office. Upon finding a site he liked, 
he commented, ``It suit Bird's eye to a T-Y-tee.'' The phrase so struck 
the other frontiersmen that they named the Post Office and community 
``Birdseye.''
  It wasn't until 1880, however, that the community took on a more 
formal appearance as a town. Seven property owners--Enoch and Martha 
Inman, Elbert and Mary Baxter, John and Sarah Pollard, and Scott 
Austin--gathered together and laid out a plat, each donating a portion 
of their land to divide into streets and lots.
  This platting proved to be well timed. The expansion of the 
Louisville, New Albany, and St. Louis Airline Railroad through the 
community in 1882 created an economic boom, growing the small 
community's population. By 1883, the community incorporated and held 
its first town board meeting on December 26, with William Koerner 
serving as board President.
  The early settlers of Birdseye were a hardy bunch. The main source of 
power was the horse or mule and fields had to be cleared of timber, 
rocks and other natural debris. The soil, although fertile, was often 
``corned to death'' by early farming practices, forcing settlers to use 
early fertilizers or let the field lay fallow. Citizens relied on each 
other to help harvest crops, build homes and storage buildings or care 
for one another in an emergency. Despite changes through the ages, this 
community spirit persists today and is the foundation of daily life in 
Birdseye.
  The town's history, written and edited by L.L. Tussey for the 
Quasquicentennial and sponsored by the Birdseye Volunteer Fire 
Department and the Birdseye Park Board, recalls many of the town's more 
popular family and community stories. The book contains stories of 
small, one-room schools from the area and notes the common occurrence 
of baptisms in the nearby Anderson River. It recalls the annual 
Birdseye Reunion, when young boys would dress in their finest ``church 
clothing'' to present themselves to young ladies. They would often 
purchase tickets for their sweetheart to ride the steam swing--a 
version of our modern merry-go-round--at the event. An essay included 
in the book by Sereina Comstock remembers Birdseye's thriving sorghum 
industry. Known worldwide for its ``smooth texture'' and sweet taste, 
it was the town's fundamental cash crop at the turn of the 20th 
century. Farmers processed the sorghum into syrup, graded it according 
to color, and then sold the product both locally and abroad using the 
railroad as a distribution network.
  Then there are stories like the one about Carl Neukam, written by his 
grandson Josh Neukam. A tribute to his grandfather, Josh wrote about 
Carl's service with the 151st Airborne Unit during the Korean War, his 
strong work ethic with companies such as Jasper Novelty, J.H. Hines, 
Jasper Desk, and Kimball International, and his love and dedication for 
his wife Helen Whaley. It tells his unique life stories, such as the 
time he worked for the State Highway Department and battled for 72 
hours straight against a winter storm or his recollection of returning 
from Korea only to have his plane catch fire. Carl's life may never be 
highlighted in any history books or be made into a movie, but it is 
nonetheless a quintessential example of a true American story and of a 
regular American hero.
  Birdseye has grown over the years and seen many changes and 
improvements to the town. The creation of a Volunteer Fire Department 
in 1968, the establishment of a municipal park in 1983, and the opening 
of a new town hall this year are representative of the town's growth 
and development.
  Many more stories from Birdseye serve as a testament to its strong 
Hoosier values and warm community spirit. But the greatest treasure 
Birdseye possesses is the people of this small Indiana community. 
Regardless of the challenges they face or the difficulties that lay 
ahead of them, they illustrate the best qualities of rural America.
  It is an honor and a privilege to represent this community in 
Congress. I want to congratulate Birdseye on its Quasquicentennial, and 
look forward to seeing how this unique and wonderful town thrives for 
decades to come.

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