Mueller welcomes new readers
Dear Spencer County readers,
I would like to introduce myself to the current and new readers of The Spencer Magnet. I retired in 2012, and moved to Kentucky to be near my daughter and her husband.
I was on the board of directors for the Prairie du Chien Historical Society in Wisconsin for 20 years. This led to me joining the Spencer County Historical and Genealogical Society, and also the Felix Grundy Stidger Historical Preservation Foundation, Inc.
For those of you not aware of this organization, it was created to save the log home located at 102 Garrard Street in downtown Taylorsville. This is known as a saddlebag log home design with a center fireplace. This is a type of construction that is becoming rare.
The second reason for preservation of this cabin is that it was built in 1830, and on Aug. 5, 1836, it became the birth home of Felix Grundy Stidger, who was to serve the Union Army, and become the “Spy who saved the Union.”
This is a moniker given to Mr. Stidger because of his work to stop the treasonous “Order of Sons of Liberty” who were poised to bring the War to northern Illinois and northern Indiana. His work resulted in the arrest and conviction of 100 of the perpetrators involved in this conspiracy. See “Treason History of Sons of Liberty, Author, Felix Grundy Stidger, 1904”.
This brings us to the reason for this letter. The Stidger Foundation, along with the help of the City of Taylorsville, Mayor Matt Douglas, city commissioners, Spencer County Fiscal Court, Salt River Electric, and more, have helped with the funding of this project. There is still need for more to accomplish our goal. Why are we doing this?
This story was lost to history, as has 40% of Civil War History! The cabin was on the plans to be burned. We now have the opportunity, through the work of local Historian, Tom Watson, for the City of Taylorsville, Spencer County, and all of its citizens, to have Civil War history on display to draw in tourists, and something to brag about.
The need for more funding is ongoing. Civil War History is as popular as ever, and continues to grow.
We have meetings the 4th Tuesday of every month, except December, at the City Annex, at 1 p.m. All are welcome.
Arnold “Arnie” Mueller,
President
Taylorsville
502-321-2191