On this day in 1869, Newton Booth Tarkington was born.  The Grand Old Partisan noted Tarkington’s birthday today, specifically because of Tarkington’s political commitments:

In 1902, running as a Republican, Tarkington was elected to a term in the Indiana state legislature.  He was named after his uncle Newton Booth (R-CA), Governor of California and U.S. Senator.  There were many other Republican politicians in Tarkington’s family, including his father, brother-in-law and several cousins.

Well… happy bi(R)thday to you, Booth!

And just to help Booth celebrate (may he [R]IP), the city of Indianapolis made the following announcement just last week:

Indianapolis Public Schools board members voted Tuesday night to tear down two schools and to use several others for storage instead of instruction.

School 64 — Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School located at 2710 Bethel Avenue — and School 92 — Booth Tarkington School located at 6550 E. 42nd Street — will be demolished, officials said. A timeline has not been set.

Eight other schools will be converted to storage or used for other purposes.