Payne’s event committee are entering the final stages of Payne’s Sesquicentennial Celebration planning. The planning committee had been discussing different rumors of the 1972 Centennial time capsule that was supposed to be unveiled at the 150th celebration. Several of the local government leaders have stated it was already dug up. However, nobody could remember when exactly it was dug up, who removed it, or what may have happened to the items inside? The committee researched the local newspaper archives and all that was found was an article that stated that “colored slides from the Centennial would be shown at the August 1972 Chamber meeting and then added to the time capsule”. They also contacted the John Paulding Historical Society to see if maybe the contents were donated to them to display but no records were found. Chad Benschneider went through the Chamber records from 1972-2002 and nothing was found. None of the recent event planners remember digging it up including Jim Hooker, Gary Cadwallader, and Chad Benschneider, who together cover well over 40 years of Payne festival history. Unfortunately, many of the early members are either deceased or were not present when it was deposited.
Jim Hooker was positive that the time capsule was buried directly under the limestone tombstone that is located just to the West of the flagpole at the Payne Park. Jim decided that we had to be sure it was still there before making the committee look foolish digging up nothing in front of an anxious crowd. So, a few weeks ago Jim and Chad Benschneider went on a treasure hunt at the Payne Park. Jim and Chad dug around the large tombstone and rolled it out of the ground. They dug over 4 feet under the stone and used a tile probe around the tombstone, but nothing was found. We are asking for anyone with any photos or memory of exactly what we are searching for in addition to any information on when and who may have removed it to reach out to Chad Benschneider by phone or text at 419-769-4708, you may also choose to comment on the Facebook page “Early Memories of Payne”
The Payne Event Committee is planning on installing a new time capsule with a watertight container with instructions to be opened at the Bicentennial. Any local business or resident that would have small Payne related items or photos that you would like to deposit please contact the committee at the 150th celebration on Saturday September 10th.
