Langsdale destined for Hall of Fame

One-time Greencastle newspaper owner George J. Langsdale will be posthumously inducted April 14 into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.

Langsdale, an owner of a precursor to the BannerGraphic, is among five new members who will be inducted during the ceremony at the Walden Inn in Greencastle.

Created in 1966 by the Indiana professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and housed at DePauw University, the Hall of Fame recognizes those with significant Indiana ties who have demonstrated they are journalists of the highest distinction.

Langsdale served on behalf of the Union cause during the Civil War with Indiana's Third Cavalry.

After the war, he returned to Indiana and edited the Sullivan Union newspaper before buying and operating the Greencastle Banner. He played a vital role in the building of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis as well.

He served as Greencastle postmaster from 1874-85, where his portrait still hangs on the wall among past postmasters.

The other four people who will be inducted include:

-- The late Frank O'Bannon, governor of Indiana from 1997 until his death in 2003. He created the state public access counselor's office and was a reporter for the family-owned newspaper, the Corydon Democrat.

-- Maurice E. Endwright was publisher of The Journal in Ellettsville from 1939-71 and co-published The Spencer Evening World for 10 years.

-- Donna Mikels Shea worked as a reporter for newspapers in Marion and Indianapolis, including the then Indianapolis Times, where she rose to the position of assistant city editor.

-- Fred Walker Jr. was director of the journalism program at Vincennes University from 1964-96. Before coming to Vincennes, Walker worked as a reporter at the Evansville Press, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel and Vincennes Sun-Commercial.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Walden Inn. Tickets for the luncheon are $30.

For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Linda Butler at 658-4406 or send an e-mail to archives@depauw.edu.