Did Someone Burn a Cross at a WCHS Football Game?

Yes, on November 2, 1958.

This game and event would occur at the old football field, which ran north/south in the current location of Torry Gym. Babcook Field was not constructed and used until 1962. Until then, the Heyl family owned the property on the north side of Jefferson Street.

The Friday night game pitted our Washington Panthers against Bloomington Holy Trinity in a pivotal week 8 Corn Belt matchup.  WCHS would big-play the Saints with an 84-yard run by Bill Roper and a 50-yard touchdown pass from Roper to Ken Holford to come away with a 21-14 victory.

After the game, fans and players noticed a huge cross burning north of Jefferson Street on the Heyl property.  Several Washington players immediately ran to the cross and put it out.  Since the Heyl property was not within city limits, the county sheriff was immediately called, and the investigation began.

Authorities noticed the cross was elaborately constructed, with 2x4s bolted together and wrapped in burlap soaked in an accelerant. They also found a shovel and two containers of oil near what is now Wilmor Road.

Early theories as to the motivation for the cross were possible Ku Klux Klan activity or a statement being made against the Catholic church.

Sherriff’s deputy James Fitton interviewed many students in the days following, and these interviews led him to interview two persons of interest who confessed to burning the cross.

The guilty parties explained that they carried the cross parts to the site, constructed it there, dug a hole, and planted it in the ground.  They also said that the motivation for the cross was not the KKK nor religion but merely a Halloween prank.