Nostalgia and the sense of lost eras come with memories of World War I and the boys who went “Over There.” How we cheered them on, and gave them our support buying “Liberty Bonds” in 1917 when John Phillip Sousa’s colorful band paraded through town. Yes, time has taken many familiar faces from the scene: Mr. Dugal of Troy High who first taught boys basketball in the lot behind the school, “Uncle Johnny” Meehan, the friendly storekeeper with his thick Irish brogue; and Solomon Salm whose sons followed him into merchandising, establishing the W. H. Salm Tobacco Factory and the Ed Salm Dry Goods Store which held an annual “Cheap Sale.” Maybe you bought your “So-Eezy Vacuum Sweeper” from the Salms or at Henry Lindemann’s Store. Dannhauer’s store, now operated by Mr. Fortwendel, kept a large supply of U.S. Mail Soap which was a dependable dirt getter when chipped into washtubs filled with boiling water. You could buy your Pearline Starch, “Best by Test” at Leingang’s Family Store now occupied by Simms’ Restaurant.
The closing of the Troy State Bank, returning 80¢ on each dollar invested, came as a shock to a depression ridden community. Many Trojans wondered why the Bank Re-organization Law should claim Troy’s class A bank as its victim; but business potential did seem to be dropping. Farmers no longer made Troy their shopping center and river trade had dwindled to almost nothing. In those difficult times Troy lost the Troy Lumber Company and planing mill and many service industries.
St. Pius Roman Catholic Church was recently redecorated with all the statues re-painted in lovely colors. A new Methodist Church was built after a fire started by lightning destroyed the antique structure in the 1920’s. The Lutheran Church and the Baptist Churches amalgamated with congregations elsewhere. The spirit of Troy is symbolized by the large, floodlit statue, “The Christ of the Ohio” placed on Fulton Hill by Dr. Nicholas James as an inspiration to passing river men.
As Troy invests in itself to build wisely, to use what it has built more profitably, the future — under God — will show a blessed increase. Trojans should look up to Camp Koch for Crippled Children. It is on a hill; but the pleasure of sharing success at the top is worth the climb to get there.
