Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Weekly Star, April 4, 1913, p. 1. Note: The first part of this item was cut off in copying as indicated by ellipsis. .. ness here was required to remain 24 hours. "Train time" in those days was a sort of a holiday hour for the population. Often some of the business places would close and the proprietors go down to see the trains come in. At the appointed hour a stream of people could be seen pouring down toward the depot, and as a train pulled in the platform would be lined with a gaping, curious crowd of sight seekers. It is said that one day a passenger put his head out of a car window and asked Dank Spencer what the town's population was. Dank replied, "You're up higher than I am, count 'em yourself." But in those days the people could be excused as they had but little means of recreation. There were seldom any shows except local talent occasionally, but there was prayer meeting every Wednesday night, and on that night there would be nothing else going on. "Lodge night" was also a welcome occasion. There were no Sunday trains at the time, as public sentiment was generally against them. The switch engines were stopped from working on Sundays in this city in response to a protest from the churches. The College avenue M. E. church, built about that time, claimed that the services were much disturbed. Some of the oldest residents tell of when the trains first ran on the Monon-then the road ran from New Albany to Michigan City. Country people came in from miles away to see the steam cars come in. The hour for the arrival of the one train was anywhere between noon and 3 o'clock. The country people gathered under the sheds in front of stores, where benches were provided and ate their lunches. One old lady sat on "Greeves' corner," smoking her pipe. After waiting patiently for the train she remarked, "They'll bring the thing up around the square, I reckon, won't they?" But it is different in these days. Five passenger trains each way on the Monon, and two each way on the Illinois Central. And the Indiana university is too big a thing to move now. Constance T. Shotts, Ed.D., CG(SM) CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board and the board name is a trademark registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.