Fiction

Abigail

1640

1.500 lbs

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Abigail
Portia Howe-Sperry
Reprinted by Indiana Historical Society

When the Great Depression hit in 1929, life changed for millions of families across the United States. The Sperry family of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was one such family whose comfortable life was shattered by the depression. Penniless, the Sperrys pulled up roots and moved to Brown County, Indiana, a vacation place that held happy memories for them. Portia Sperry found work at the Nashville House hotel and became the gift shop manager. In response to requests for locally handcrafted items she designed a rag doll that she named Abigail. The doll was educational, having buttons, snaps, shoelaces and string hair that could be braided. The doll was so popular it eventually was sold at Marshall Field's department store in Chicago. As a result of the doll's popularity, Mrs. Sperry, along with Lois Donaldson, wrote the fictional tale called Abigail. Their efforts resulted in an educational and entertaining book describing how families in the early 1800s journeyed from Kentucky to Indiana.

This Hoosier classic was written in 1938 and sold at the Brown County Folks shop in Nashville, Indiana, where the Abigail doll was created and sold. Set in the 1830s, the story centers around young Susan Calvin, her doll Abigail, and the adventures they share while traveling by covered wagon from Kentucky to their new home in Brown County, Indiana. Recommended for fourth graders.

172 pp. Paperbound. Revised edition 2000. Illustrations.

Casper and Catherine Move to America

3488

1.000 lbs

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Casper and Catherine Move to America

An Immigrant Family’s Adventure, 1849-1850

Brian Hasler

Illustrated By Angela M. Gouge

Published By

IHS Press

Join Casper and Catherine on their great journey to America and read about their many adventures! Told by Brian Hasler, an Indiana state representative from Evansville, as his father told it to him when he was a young boy.

This book introduces young readers to oral traditions and helps them learn to investigate their own family stories.

Reviews.

****Complimentary curriculum guide accompanies book upon request. Lessons highlight lineage, the use of census material, oral history and family stories, photographs and mapping activities. Use Casper and Catherine Move to America to help your students see that history begins with their own families! Teacher’s, please place request in membership number and notes.

Captured!

1.000 lbs

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Captured!

A Boy Trapped in the Civil War

Mary Blair Immel

Published By

Indiana Historical Society Press

One morning in early 1862, fourteen-year-old Johnny Ables left his farm in southern Kentucky to gather a wagonload of wood. His peaceful day changed abruptly when a desperate group of Confederate soldiers spied Johnny and his invaluable horses and wagon. Johnny was forced to ride along with them men as they marched nearly nonstop to Fort Donelson

As Johnny considered several avenues of escape, he became somewhat fond of the men, who included him in their sparse meals, told him intriguing stories, and started calling him “Sprout” because of his youth and small size.

This comradery, however, did nothing to lessen the wretchedness of war. Johnny was thrown into battle without training, weapons, or an idea of what he should expect. The battle of Fort Donelson shook him badly and left him stranded with the wounded and dying men, lost from the group who had kidnapped him, and separated forever from his team of horses.

Dazed and alone, Johnny was rounded up with the Confederate soldiers and taken as a prisoner of war. Fortunately , his original captors found him before he was taken to prison. Johnny and the Fourth Mississippi Regiment, part of which had captured him, were brought to Camp Morton Prison in Indianapolis, Indiana.