THE HERALD REPUBLICAN SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 THE NEWS SUN The Star kpcnews.com $1

WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY ATATIME Booming industry, horrific disasters, monumental achievements: For 100 years KPC Media Group has been giving you the news

INSIDE THIS SPECIAL SECTION

’10s ’20s ’30s ’40s ’50s ’60s ’70s ’80s ’90s ’00s Eckhart Steuben Auburn War hero Kentucky Tornadoes An auto Dekko Hispanics Tri-State gives citizens make automobile gets a residents rip through museum is builds a become renamed Auburn Pokagon company has special arrive in LaGrange born in thriving majority in Trine huge gift happen finest hour tribute droves County Auburn foundation Ligonier University E5-E6 E7-E8 E9-E10 E12-E14 F1-F2 F3-F5 F6-F7 F8-F9 F10-F11 F12-F13 E2 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Writing a century of local history

a time. Allen County community newspapers. Kendallville on Aug. 7, 1911. We Welcome! Founded as Kendallville Publishing In addition, our websites are major hope you enjoy these glimpses of Co. in August 1911, on Main Street, news and advertising vehicles for the what was happening in each of the For the past 100 years, KPC Kendallville, KPC Media Group has region. We also operate commercial last 10 decades and the stories of Media Group Inc., and its grown into a multi-media firm serving printing and direct-mailing operations. some of the companies sponsoring an expanded area of northeast Indiana. While our products and geograph- this section. predecessor newspaper Our products include the daily ical area have grown, we continue to Northeast Indiana is rich in history. TERRY G. newspapers based in Auburn, Angola be family-owned and operated — I encourage young and old to seek companies, have been and Kendallville, along with weeklies committed to meeting the present and more opportunities to learn about our HOUSHOLDER writing the history of our in Garrett, Butler and Ligonier. future needs of the communities in past. We publish the Fort Wayne which we live and work. We can take pride in those who communities in DeKalb, region’s only business weekly In your hands you have a taste of forged our path. Inspired by their President, publisher of LaGrange, Noble and newspaper, a family magazine, local what we have covered as news and fortitude, we continue to strive to KPC Media Group Inc. phone books, total-market saturation feature stories since the consolidation improve the communities we call Steuben counties one day at shopper products and free monthly of the two daily newspapers in home. •

Population growth fluctuates over the years U.S. Census figures for Official U.S. Census records of the population of the four northeastern Indiana counties: Indiana 1910-2010: DeKalb County LaGrange County Noble County Steuben County 1910 2,700,876; up 7.3 percent 1910 25,054 1910 15,148 1910 24,009 1910 14,274 1920 2,930,390; up 8.5 percent 1920 25,600 1920 14,009 1920 22,470 1920 13,360 1930 3,238,503; up 10.5 percent 1930 24,911 1930 13,780 1930 22,404 1930 13,386 1940 3,427,796; up 5.8 percent 1940 24,756 1940 14,352 1940 22,776 1940 13,740 1950 3,934,224; up 14.8 percent 1950 26,023 1950 15,347 1950 25,075 1950 17,087 1960 4,662,498; up 18.5 percent 1960 28,271 1960 17,380 1960 28,162 1960 17,184 1970 5,193,669; up 11.4 percent 1970 30,837 1970 20,890 1970 31,382 1970 20,159 1980 5,490,224; up 5.7 percent 1980 33,606 1980 25,550 1980 35,443 1980 24,694 1990 5,544,159; up 1.0 percent 1990 35,324 1990 29,477 1990 37,877 1990 27,446 2000 6,080,485; up 9.7 percent 2000 40,285 2000 34,909 2000 46,275 2000 33,214 2010 6,483,802; up 6.6 percent 2010 42,223 2010 37,128 2010 47,536 2010 34,185

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George O. Witwer, publisher emeritus: ‘Tell life stories … be part of the community but not consumed by it’

1950s. John and I discussed BY GRACE HOUSHOLDER what we should do. I argued [email protected] that we could not ignore the fact that the person was not Founded in 1911, Kendallville quite a woman. John pointed Publishing Co. is celebrating its 100th out the problems in the deep Depression that would force a anniversary. KPC’s publisher emeritus, man to conceal his sex in George O. Witwer, and and his wife order to get a job. I came up with the word “hermaphro- Dorothy Lee Witwer have experienced 49 dite,” the meaning of which I of those years. Here are some of their hoped most readers might not exactly know. The story was recollections and predictions. picked up by UPI and AP. Soon I was receiving requests Did you envision the type of for photos from smut growth KPC has experienced “We were the first magazines in Canada. when you first moved here in Much later, there was 1962? Did you envision that newspaper in the United scandal when Henderson future generations would Lake began to smell — no, eventually be part of KPC? States to receive our UPI actually, stink. This went on GEORGE O. WITWER: Yes wire news by satellite, for several months until a and no. I thought I could make summer News Sun editorial great improvements at The rather than land line. intern studying to become a News Sun. I had seen the new doctor figured it out. We held offset technology while After we bought The up printing the story in working in the East. I drove to exchange for the company the first successful daily offset Auburn Evening Star involved agreeing to install newspaper in New York state some expensive purifying to witness the miracle. I felt it (now The Star), we equipment. would (and should) replace Stories involving a young, letterpress printing. It would became one of the first pretty News Sun reporter who improve the quality of our spent a few days with photos and reduce our costs. It dailies to print two PHOTO CONTRIBUTED followers of The Way in was a very exciting time with The News Sun staff of 1966 included, from left, George O. Witwer, editor, C. William Rome City produced some great changes in the dailies on one press.” West, city editor, Wendell Jollief, sports editor, Bill Gisel, photographer and reporter, excitement. newspaper business — all for Jeanette Hetrick, society editor, and Marguerite Sand, wire editor. the better. As for my children, What are some of the major they were all little things then George O. Witwer we get to know our readers. changes you have experi- and I did not expect them to Publisher emeritus The most challenging part is enced through the years with ever change much. I liked keeping the business growing KPC? them the way they were. and profitable. GEORGE O. WITWER: We DOROTHY WITWER: No. • have needed to expand our What have been some of the services to different types of What are you earliest office, paint and wallpaper, biggest news stories you publications in different memories regarding Kendall- hardware, drugstores, medical helped report during the past adjacent locations. ville and Kendallville and dental, insurance, 50 years? Publishing Co.? furniture, restaurant and more GEORGE O. WITWER: Well, Looking ahead 50 years, what GEORGE O. WITWER: A nice including a soda store and a I had been in Kendallville do you predict for KPC and for little town and a newspaper movie theater. Kendallville only a few weeks when our journalism as a whole? with integrity — but behind had an excellent school only black resident died. She GEORGE O. WITWER: We the times. The owner and system and a beautiful park was a large black lady with a will use wireless technology publisher of The News Sun and a good-for-swimming hearty laugh. A very popular more to reach our readers. Our was a 97-year-old lady named lake. person every one liked. websites will improve with the Mrs. Alice Merica. Once I I remember The News Sun Before we went to press with use of video cameras. Our restored her dividend, I could was a small newspaper with the obituary, I received a websites will be used more for do no wrong. In most ways, old linotype equipment and no phone call from a stern-voiced basic shopping and other she was a great boss. She way to print local pictures. I woman who said, “Did you information. seldom interfered with my put all four children in the car check the death certificate, DOROTHY WITWER: Skilled management, except she and traveled with our photos Mr. Witwer?” Then she hung reporting with high journalism would not allow me to sell to Churubusco where their up. I phoned John Hutchins at standards will still be ads to business outside of printing department had a the funeral home. “All right, necessary, but more and more Kendallville that might be Fairchild scanner and got our PHOTO CONTRIBUTED John. Do I have to come of the news will be online for George O. and Dorothy Witwer, who will be celebrating competitive with stores inside pictures ready for printing in down and check the death readers. KPC will still be their 60th wedding anniversary Oct. 12, 2011, enjoy Kendallville. This was a big the paper. certificate?” John admitted serving northeastern Indiana. laughter at a 2010 Christmas gathering in Kendallville. problem. Even Mrs. Avis Avis Dickey was the that the woman was not a Parents of four children and grandparents of 14, they Dickey, our wonderful amazing lady who handled woman at all, but a man. He What advice do you have for have one great-granddaughter. The Witwers have been business manager who helped billing, accounting, circula- took care of of two sisters, community journalists? part of 49 of KPC Media Group's 100-year history. me understand so many tion, newsboys, customer one of whom was bed-ridden. GEORGE O. WITWER: Do Retired, George O. Witwer is publisher emeritus of perplexing issues in those service and kept The News The sisters, daughters of a what you love to do. Stay KPC Media Group. early days, had no advice. Sun office running. When she wealthy Kendallville alert. Stay optimistic. Stay Mrs. Merica allowed me to retired it took two full time merchant, moved to Chicago humble. Stay happy. change the policy when an women and one part time the earliest newspapers to improvements and social during the halcyon 1920s, DOROTHY WITWER: Be Albion attorney pointed out to woman to replace her. perfect a reliable skip delivery services. then moved back to Kendall- respectful of your sources, us that policy refusing system so that those readers ville with the black lady in the friendly, honest and ethical. competitive ads from Albion What were some of your who chose not to buy the What parts of being a leader merchants might be restraint innovations? newspaper would get some of in small town journalism are of trade. A law suit could GEORGE O. WITWER: Two the ads in our shopper. most enjoyable? Most follow, he threatened. years after Lee and I and the challenging? Meanwhile, my little kids children arrived, we began What, if anything, has not GEORGE O. WITWER: I were bragging to their friends converting to the offset changed? guess the most enjoyable they met at school that their printing technology. We were GEORGE O. WITWER: Well, aspect of small town dad worked for “Miss the first newspaper in the I guess the things that make a journalism is telling other America.” United States to receive our good page one story … a people’s life stories. You need 1880-2011 DOROTHY WITWER: wire news by satellite, rather story should be both to be part of the community Ministering to the spiritual needs Kendallville was a very than land line. After we interesting and significant. If but not consumed by it. You of our community for 131 years. friendly place with bought The Auburn Evening it passes those tests, it’s page need to be empathetic, but hardworking community- Star (now The Star), we one. objective. minded citizens. Downtown became one of the first dailies DOROTHY WITWER: DOROTHY WITWER: The was a place where you could to print two dailies on one Kendallville is still a city of most enjoyable is satisfaction 1880 find all your family’s basic press. And I guess I might friendly people who work from providing a necessary needs including groceries, mention that we were one of hard to effect community service and the pleasure when 1880 meats, bakery, clothing for children, men and women, shoes, Singer sewing machines, fabrics, post office, In 1940, four very business at the newspaper good engineers started Air Products. Our humble beginnings took place in a 2005 2011 warehouse in Detroit, MI, then later moved EXTRA! to Allentown, PA.

EXTRA! 2011 Not at home? Today, the Butler, IN facility Every print is a proud supplier to Steel subscription Dynamics and many major includes access local companies. to online material. Visit kpcnews.com Celebrating over today! one million safe miles! Ef ?[UZSW^ fZW3dUZS`YW^BSd[eZ 1098 CR 39 (Corner of CR 10 & Old 27) • Waterloo Butler, Indiana • www.airproducts.com E4 kpcnews.com WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

1911 2011 100 Years KPC marks a century of service KPC Media Group Inc., was founded 100 years ago We are proud of our century-long history of serving the as Kendallville Publishing Co. with the consolidation of communities in northeast Indiana. I give credit to the great staff Kendallville’s two daily newspapers on Aug. 7, 1911. The of employees, past and present, for our success. We continue to family-owned company has expanded over the years and now have a team that is dedicated to serving our readers, advertisers has more than 150 full- or part-time employees with over 1,300 and our communities. years of experience. Terry G. Housholder President, Publisher KPC Media Group Inc. Kendallville Offi ce

KPC principal owners George O. and Dorothy Lee Witwer. First Row (L to R): Nancy Sible, Vi Wysong, Grace Housholder, Terry First Row (L to R): Jamie Perkins, Rebecca Gamble, Tabitha Housholder, Donna Scanlon. Second Row (L to R): Erin Doucette, Stevie Steel, Dawn Call. Second Row (L to R): Beth Cureton, Martha Lockridge, Becky Sliger, Nadine Kline, Heather Moses, Felicia Prumm, Arnold, Nathan Clapp, Kerri Bell, Craig Haupert, Tianna Fortier, Crystal Sheets, Matthew Peters. Third Row (L to R): Ralph Prater, Tammy Mike Yoder. Third Row (L to R): Brian Ciolko, Tim Gregg, Dave Huff, Jenny Kobiela-Mondor, Carol Ernsberger, James Fisher. Fourth Butts, Chris Fiedler, Dave Cook. Fourth Row (L to R): John Riser. Row (L to R): Mark Lee, Corey Cooper, Ryan Baird, James Tew, Bob Buttgen, Bob Braley, Brian Glick.

First Row (L to R): Jan Richardson, Barb Braley, Brenda Cureton, Michele Conrad, Tracey Rollins, Dennis Nartker, Bruce Hakala, Dave Ober. Not Pictured: Karen Atkins, JB Barker, John Robideau, Terri Myers, Holly Law-Bireley, Brenda Butters, Cindy Miller, Trina Abrams, Patti Bolitho, Brenda Farmer, Nancy Freeman, Anne Hakala, Sabrina Hunley, Ron Headrick, Chad Kline, Prumm, Karen Bloom, Mary Lou Monesmith, Val Strycker, Melinda Ellert. Second Row (L to R): Bill MacPhee, Mark Newland, Sue Poe, Judy Renkenberger, Cindy Ringler, Ann Saggars, Jessica Brandy Montel, Vicki Coats, Karen Elliott, LeAnn Robinson, Charlene Condon, Sue Dunlap, Jenny Shaw, Kristina Sliger, Joey Swartz, Jeanne Vignau Berley, Harlow Watson, Mindy Brown, David Ernsberger, Kelly Wallen, Jodi Arington, Shelly Junk, Susan Green, Joie Dameron, Brenda Wert, Egly. Chuck Fischer, Michelle Herron, Gary Crager, Chris Lamotte. Third Row (L to R): Matt Getts, Jennie Angola Offi ce Auburn Offi ce Fort Wayne Offi ce

First Row (L to R): Elane Light, Ken Fillmore, Art Condon, Machele First Row (L to R): Suzanne Cunningham, Rebecca Koverman, First Row (L to R): Lynn Sroufe, Janeen Pierr, Valerie Caviglia, Waid. Second Row (L to R): Dawn Oberlin, Daisy Reinhart, Mike Lynda Wolfe, Lisa Myers. Second Row (L to R): Christy Kit Anguiano. Second Row (L to R): Lynette Donley, Beth Welty, Marturello, Amy Oberlin, Janie Minick, Jennifer Decker. Not Day, Sue Carpenter, Maleah Leitner, Kathryn Bassett, Art Ramona McGown. Third Row (L to R): Mary Schmitz, Linda Lipp, Pictured: Misty Easterday, Violet Grime, Andrea Leady. Condon. Third Row (L to R): Nichole Hacha-Thomas, Connie Brenda McLay. Fourth Row (L to R): Doug Leduc, Sasha Boehme. Trowbridge, Michele Trowbridge, Bob Culp, Jeff Jones. Fifth Row (L to R): Don Cooper, Kelly McLendon, Maryann Ulmer. (One employee added to this photo with Adobe Photoshop Sixth Row (L to R): Tom Reynolds, Rick Farrant, Bret Jacomet. computer program.) Not Pictured: Mark Murdock. Seventh Row (L to R): Barry Rochford. Not Pictured: Mike McCormack, Tom Anderson. KPC Media meets the news, information and marketing needs of readers and advertisers with its various print and online products listed below.

THE The Smart HERALD REPUBLICAN Star THE NEWS SUN Shopper Steuben County DeKalb County Noble & LaGrange Counties ADVERTISER THE TheAdvance Leader Butler Bulletin The Garrett Clipper KPC Mail COMMERCIAL Ligonier Butler Garrett CONNECTION PRINTING DIVISION

GREATER NORTHEAST INDIANA FORTKPC WAYNE GREATER FORT WAY N E STEUBEN COUNTY Business Weekly Community Publications REAL ESTATE GUIDES FamilyMagazine kpcnews.com fwdailynews.com 1910s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME E5 Eckhart’s lasting gifts set example

BY JANDRA SUTTON Unlike most benefactors, Bushnell emphasized, Charles Eckhart is a Eckhart’s contributions weren’t a monument to name that rings himself, but to knowledge. The library was completed familiar in Auburn, and dedicated Jan. 20, 1911, with gifts of land, building, as he contributed to and furnishings totaling much of what the approximately $40,000. Eckhart continued his city now holds dear, generous donations to the library. In November 1913 he from the Eckhart purchased an ornamental Public Library to fountain for the library park, and he provided an additional the Auburn $15,000 grant to cover operational expenses. That Automobile Co. same year Eckhart and his An avid philanthropist, son, Frank, donated two other Eckhart dedicated himself to treasures to the city of people, leading him to play a Auburn: Eckhart Park and the crucial role in Auburn’s YMCA building. The latter donation — an investment history. worth nearly $70,000 — at the Born on Feb. 24, 1841, in time made Auburn the Germantown, Pa., Eckhart smallest city in the United was no stranger to the hard States to be home to a YMCA. life. His father was an “I think Charles Eckhart alcoholic, and young Charles established a baseline for was pulled out of school for philanthropy in this town,” work at 8 years old. Bushnell said of Eckhart’s He worked steadily until KPC FILE PHOTO influence over Auburn. “He 1860, when he enlisted in the Charles Eckhart made gifts of land, a handsome 1911. He donated more than three times the amount represents the best we have to Union Army under the 104th building and furnishings totaling approximately that philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had offered offer.” Regiment of the Pennsylvania $40,000 to create Eckhart Public Library in Auburn in Auburn to build its library. Eckhart’s legacy lies not Volunteer Infantry. Although only in the buildings he he was discharged in 1863 for enterprise that continued to was granted The grant was canceled, and “Charles believed that there erected, but in the example he heart problems, Eckhart re- flourish even after he retired $12,500 from Eckhart took it upon himself was a responsibility that came left behind. He didn’t want to enlisted in 1865 and served in 1895. well-known to fund the entire project. with success,” Bushnell said. make Auburn a better place until six months after the Civil A dedicated and hard philanthropist Carnegie wrote the library Other cities had benefactors for himself, he did it because War ended. worker, Eckhart also Andrew board commending the action, championing development, but that’s what he believed the He traveled to Waterloo in committed himself to his Carnegie to stating, “I should like to shake Bushnell said Eckhart stands people of Auburn deserved. DeKalb County in 1866, and principles as a Christian and erect a library him (Eckhart) by the hand as a out. Auburn’s The Evening on Oct. 30, 1866, he married Prohibitionist. He began to building. fellow-worker in the good “He had a formidable Dispatch published an article Barbara Ellen Ashleman. The focus on these ideals, as well Eckhart cause. Happy man, who can record for any citizen in the on Eckhart on May 13, 1910. next year their first child, as a recognition of the Eckhart had donated console himself through life 19th and 20th centuries,” The newspaper praised him, Frank, was born, and the importance of knowledge, land for the with the thought that because Bushnell said. “He’s built a saying, “His virtues will shine family moved to Pennsyl- after his retirement. library site he lived one little spot on earth world-class building serving as a beacon light to guide men vania. As president of a newly and pledged himself to has been made better than it the needs of the community in the paths of goodness and Returning to Auburn with formed library board, Eckhart furnishing the building, but he was before.” … (and) he’s not doing this helpfulness, and the good that his family in 1874, Eckhart wanted to give the people of believed Carnegie’s grant History writer Scott for the top 1 percent, he’s he has done, will be an brought with him the Eckhart Auburn the best there was to would not be enough to build Bushnell adds that Eckhart doing it for the whole everlasting benediction to his Carriage Co., a successful offer. In 1909 the library board the library he had in mind. held other motives as well. community.” memory.”

IN SPORTS Steuben’s icon: Soldier’s Monument

BY MIKE MARTURELLO world war. Even though there barre granite. The statues are [email protected] was a party the night before, made of copper. On each corner From 1910-1918, DeKalb County ANGOLA — If there ever there was little fanfare — at least of the monument are statues was an icon for Angola and in the printed press — for the representing the branches of the native Rollie Zeider played nine Steuben County, if not northeast occasion. military of its time, cavalry, Indiana, it could very well be the The monument has undergone artillery, infantry and navy. seasons at the top levels of Steuben County Soldier’s two restoration projects, in 1953 Columbia, a symbol of peace, professional baseball. Zeider Monument in downtown Angola. and in 1993. The most extensive stands up over the top of the Rising up over the center of restoration came in 1993 at a cost monument. took the field as a versatile town, the monument has stood of nearly $80,000. The work was Lore has it that Columbia was the test of time for 94 years in done by the Venus Bronze Works supposed to face south, to remind infielder for the White Sox and commemoration of the Civil of Detroit. people where the great war took War and the 1,278 men — The monument’s original cost place. The architectural design briefly for the Yankees, played including 280 that didn’t return was about $17,000. Like the shows Columbia facing west, home — Steuben County sent to extensive restoration of 1993, it supposedly to greet tourists who two seasons for Chicago in that divisive conflict among the was funded mainly through arrived on the west end of town states. private donations. via train. According to historical the rival Federal League The Steuben County Soldier’s The monument was designed accounts, rope used in the Monument was erected in 1917 by architect J.M. Ayres, mechanism employed to hoist and ended his Major and dedicated on Decoration Mansfield, Ohio, and constructed Columbia to the top of the Day, the predecessor to by Erastus Hetzler, the owner of monument became entangled, League career with the Memorial Day. School children the Angola Monument Co. and she ended up landing in the attended, and a great dance was On the west side of the east-facing position she holds Cubs. Born in Auburn, held on the square — or the monument, a plaque reads, today. mound as it is still often called “Erected 1917 by the grateful A worker involved in the Zeider later lived in — the night before the dedica- citizens of Steuben County to project reportedly told tion. commemorate the valor and complainers that all monuments Garrett, America was, at the time, patriotism of her soldiers in the fact east, to the nation’s capital. where he died in 1967 sending off her sons to yet Civil War 1861-1865.” another battle, this time the first The monument is built of SEE PHOTO on cover.

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BY CRAIG HAUPERT the county because of it,” said The original members solicited $5,000 roughly the same size as the [email protected] Harold Gingerich of the Sycamore Hall in apiece from Ligonier original and seated about 500 TOPEKA — A janitor lit Topeka Area Historical Topeka was merchant Jacob Strause and people. Country music the furnace in Sycamore Hall Society. hollowed out by a famous philanthropist Andrew legends Loretta Lynn, Red at around noon on April 16, Sycamore Hall hosted fire on April 16, Carnegie. Funding in hand, Foley and Little Jimmy 1915. He was warming the many different events, 1915. It was the Sycamore Literary Society Dickens played there in the building for students who including debates, lectures, rebuilt in less built Sycamore Hall in late 1950s and ‘60s. The were scheduled to use the plays, concerts and gradua- than a year and downtown Topeka. The building remained the center- facility in the afternoon. tions from 1905 to the late stood until 1980. dedication took place Nov. 24, piece of the community until About an hour later, people 1960s. 1905, and was attended by falling into disrepair and reported seeing flames Sycamore Hall’s roots can Hoosier poet James finally being torn down in coming from Sycamore Hall. be traced back to the mid PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Whitcomb Riley and Gov. April 1980. It was not long before one 1800s, when a group of Frank Hanley, among others. “I remember the day when of Topeka’s most important people near Topeka formed unknown reasons. The society renamed itself the Sycamore Sycamore Hall thrived as I could’ve bought it for a buildings of the 1900s burned the Star Literary Society. responded by purchasing a Literary Society and the county’s literary and dollar, but I didn’t know what to the ground. They sponsored debates in a building from a local church continued to use the building cultural hub until it burned in I’d do with it or renovate it,” “It was the finest reading one-room schoolhouse west and moving it to Sycamore until a member — J.N. 1915. Gingerich said. “Today, if I’d hall in LaGrange County, and of Topeka until the school’s Corners, north of Topeka near Babcock — decided to build Gingerich said Topeka had the chance, we would’ve Topeka was very much the superintendent told them to the intersection of C.R. 700W another, more grand structure. residents rebuilt Sycamore bought it and would’ve done center of the literary society in take a hike in 1879 for and C.R. 600W. The society Babcock and other society Hall within a year. It was whatever to save it.” Author, naturalist found paradise on Sylvan Lake BY DENNIS NARTKER moved to Geneva soon after to memorable characters won her nature books were published. [email protected] be close to Charles’ store. In fame and fortune. She died Dec. 6, 1924, in ROME CITY — One of 1894 the Her first nature book, Los Angeles from injuries Indiana’s most widely read family built a “What I Have Done With suffered in a traffic accident. authors and one of the world’s 14-room Birds,” was published in 1907. The Gene Stratton-Porter first nature photographers is house called People were fascinated Memorial Society Inc. was buried along with her only Limberlost with her description of formed in 1945 to assist in daughter on the Sylvan Lake Cabin near Limberlost Swamp, and many acquiring 20 acres of buildings shore site that was once her the Limber- came to Geneva to visit her. of the Stratton-Porter Sylvan home. lost Swamp. The attention she was getting Lake property. The society Gene Stratton-Porter and Stratton- and the draining of the swamp dissolved after the property her daughter, Jeannette Stratton- Porter began for farmland distressed was transferred to the state. In Stratton-Porter Meehan, are Porter her intense Stratton-Porter. She wanted 1974, the 16-room log cabin entombed near the study of privacy to continue her nature was placed on the National “Wildflower Woods” cabin nature and studies and writings. Register of Historic Places, she and her husband Charles recorded her observations In 1912 the Stratton-Porter and the formal garden was built in 1912 that is now the through writing and photog- family moved to Sylvan Lake registered in National Gardens Gene Stratton-Porter State raphy while hiking through in Rome City and built a cabin of America in 1987. Historic Site. Nearly 75 years DENNIS NARTKER Limberlost Swamp and on 125 acres in the woods on In January 1976, the after her death, her remains Gene Stratton-Porter and her daughter are buried at tending to her gardens and the shoreline. The vast forest society was reorganized to and those of her daughter the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site on Sylvan orchards. Several of her allowed Gene Stratton-Porter promote activities and were moved from California Lake near Rome City. Her burial site can be observed writings and photographs were to concentrate on her nature programs at the site. In 1999, to the site. on a walk through the Wildflower Woods from the published in magazines. studies, writings and photog- the society raised money to Stratton-Porter published public parking lot to the Stratton-Porter cabin. She wrote her first novel, raphy. She created wildflower build the Carriage House 12 novels, seven nature “The Song of the Cardinal,” in gardens that exist today to Visitor Center and donated it studies, three books of poetry, 1903 while at the Limberlost preserve endangered Indiana debt-free to the state. children’s books and magazine nature studies. On April 21, 1886, she Cabin. Other novels followed: plants. Her novel “Michael The family cabins in articles. It’s estimated she had Stratton-Porter was born married Charles Porter, a “Freckles” in 1904; “At the O’Halloran” was published in Geneva and Rome City are more than 50 million readers, Aug. 17, 1863, in Lagro in successful druggist and Foot of the Rainbow” in 1907; 1915. preserved and maintained as and her works found in public rural Wabash County to Mark businessman. They moved to “A Girl of the Limberlost” in In 1918 the Stratton-Porter state historic sites. Both libraries around the country Stratton and Mary Shellen- Decatur, with Charles 1909; “The Harvester” in family moved to California, properties are open to the remain popular today. berger Stratton. She was the traveling to his stores in 1911; and “Laddie” in 1913. and Gene formed Gene public April through mid- Visitors can tour the cabin youngest of 12 children. At an Geneva and Fort Wayne. Their Her style of combining her Stratton-Porter Film Co. Eight December. and 25 acres of gardens early age, she enjoyed the only daughter, Jeannette knowledge and love of nature of her novels have been (Information compiled from the Stratton-Porter created and the outdoors, exploring in the Stratton-Porter, was born Aug. with stories of romance and adapted into motion pictures. Gene Stratton-Porter State woods where she did her woods and picking flowers. 27, 1887, and the family hardship, adventure and Six more novels and three Historic Site website.)

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BY MIKE MARTURELLO [email protected] LAKE JAMES — To some, Pokagon State Park is one of the finest gifts ever given to the state of Indiana. The creation of Pokagon State Park was a gift of the people of Steuben County to all of Indiana and beyond. And the spirit of giving continues to grow the park FRED WOOLEY today. In 1925, Steuben County The entrance to Pokagon State Park is framed by the citizens raised money to pink blooms of redbud trees. Later in the spring, the purchase what was the blooms of the redbud are backed by the white original 532 acres of farmland FRED WOOLEY blossoms of dogwoods. that created the park on the Pokagon State Park's Lake Lonidaw is a short hike east from Potawatomi Inn. Lake shores of Lake James and Lonidaw, shown here in October 2010, is a kettle lake, meaning it is nearly perfectly County Lakes Council Land individuals have also made Snow Lake. The following shaped like a bowl, having been dug out that way by a glacier. Trust. The Land Trust, at the contributions to the final year, the state Department of time, was a new organization project and further funding Conservation acquired more formed from members of the will be sought to supplement land to bring the original park fifth state park, its name was acquisitions by the Indiana Local residents, particularly Lakes Council. the purchase and begin to to about 700 acres. And in going to be Lake James State Department of Natural students from local public The major partners in the manage the property. 1927, the original Potawatomi Park. The DNR later changed Resources and through schools, provided support for drive to protect the property The $2.8 million purchase Inn was built. it to Pokagon to reflect the additional gifts from the the expansion, which received were the DNR, The Nature and gift marked one of the “It was a gift from the rich heritage of Leopold and people of Steuben County, funding from the state of Conservancy and ACRES. largest private donations to people of Steuben County, son Simon Pokagon of the Pokagon has grown to more Indiana through the National These groups and others had the DNR. who, in the mid1920s, raised Potawatomi tribe. than 1,200 acres, which Heritage Trust environmental shown interest in prior years It is the spirit of giving that the money to buy the first 532 Today, Pokagon offers doesn’t include its sister license plate program. While when the property was makes Pokagon and perhaps acres and then gave it to the visitors such amenities as two property, Trine State all Department of Natural available for sale. Joining in is reflective of the tradition of state of Indiana as a Christmas beaches, 15 miles of trails Recreation Area, another Resources properties receive the effort was Wood-Land- generosity of the people of gift in 1925,” said Fred providing the opportunity to approximately 200 acres to the an allotment of the environ- Lakes Resource Conservation Steuben County. Wooley, Pokagon’s interpre- view native wetlands, a east of the park, surrounding mental plate money, the and Development, Blue Heron “We know the tangibles — tive naturalist. “It’s been a gift pristine kettle lake and a wide the pristine Seven Sisters Pokagon expansion was put Ministries, the Steuben the beautiful, rolling, wooded for millions of people who variety of features created by Lakes. That, too, was a gift. on a high importance list at County Community Founda- hills, the kettle hole lake, the have come here for vacations, the forces of a glacier, In 2005, ACRES Land the time. tion and the McClue Nature undeveloped shores, the open camping trips, weddings, including a kame, known as Trust acquired 28 acres of In 2006, Ralph and Sheri Reserve Board. meadows with scattered family and company picnics, Hell’s Point. The park also land that originally had been a Trine of Lake James bought The Trines agreed to work wetlands, the 15 miles of Christmas parties, meetings, boasts a refrigerated toboggan motel dating to the 1950s for the former Oakhill camp with these groups to protect trails that connect it all, the conferences, or just a stroll in slide, cross country skiing, inclusion to the park. across I-69 from Pokagon, the land and see that it inn and campgrounds, the the woods or a pause on a horseback riding and boat At the time, park officials then donated it to the DNR for became a part of the public toboggan run and ski rental,” bench to seek peace and rentals, not to mention said some major out-of-state inclusion in the parks system. trust managed by the DNR. Wooley said. “It might be the solitude, away from the camping and lodging at the donors stepped forward to The property was dedicated In addition to verbal and intangibles, however, that demands of everyday life.” Potawatomi Inn Hotel and provide the funds for the June 1, 2007. moral support, some of the strike the sweetest notes.” When the land was first Conference Center. addition, which was the site of The property became an local groups also provided That’s Pokagon State Park, proposed to become Indiana’s Over the years, through the former Pokagon Motel. early project for the Steuben financial support. Local a gift. E8 1920s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Six little pigs start huge auction

BY CRAIG HAUPERT [email protected] SHIPSHEWANA — When the first auction was held in 1922 on George Curtis’ 80- acre farm in Shipshewana, no one could have predicted how large the business would grow. Almost 90 years later, the Shipshewana Auction attracts approximately 1 million people annually, according to Kevin Lambright, co-owner of the auction. Kevin and his brother, Keith, run Shipshewana Auction Inc., just off S.R. 5 in downtown Shipshewana. FILE PHOTO The auction is open for The Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market in earlier business every Tuesday and days. Wednesday from early May to late October. It is home to the Midwest’s largest flea market, as Lambright’s nephew Walter Two years after the fire, also held every Tuesday and Schrock purchased it. Robert Lambright and his Wednesday. Hundreds of In 1968, Schrock expanded sons, Keith and Kevin, vendors sell everything from FILE PHOTO the flea market grounds from purchased the Shipshewana fresh produce to Amish-made The Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market has become one of the area’s largest 100 to 400 vendors and more Auction. furniture at the flea market, tourist draws since opening in 1922. than doubled the amount of The Lambrights expanded while livestock and other auctioneers from four to 10 for the flea market to 1,000 items go to the highest bidders As one of Shipshewana’s Shipshewana on the map. Curtis’ auction to catch on. the miscellaneous auction. spaces in 1984 and built a at the auction. most popular tourist attrac- “Our No. 1 tourist Business grew so rapidly that Fire destroyed the sale barn new, 250-seat restaurant in It is not unusual to see S.R. tions, the Shipshewana question, still, is ‘Is Shipshe- he built the first sale barn at and holding pen on July 7, 1988. 5, also known as Van Buren Auction and Flea Market wana open?’ And that’s the same location in 1926. 1979. With help from the Keith and Kevin assumed Street, crowded with vehicles, contributes heavily to the because the flea market is Fred Lambright purchased community, including a young control of the business after buggies and pedestrians when tourism industry. Kevin seasonal. They associate the the Shipshewana Auction in Kevin Lambright, the barn their father passed away in the auction and flea market are estimates they’ve had as many flea market with Shipshewana 1946 and made several was rebuilt within three 1992. open. as 37,000 people visit there in being open, and we wrestle changes the following year. months. The Farmstead Inn, an 85- Shipshewana fuels one day. with that a little bit. Of course, He built a new sale barn and “The fire brought the room hotel, was built across LaGrange County’s growing “It is a major draw here in the people that live here know put a roof over the flea community together,” Kevin the street from the auction in tourism industry, which Shipshewana, there is no that Shipshewana is a town.” market. A large scale was said. “The outflow of help 1997, and the Antique Gallery pumped more than $112 question,” said Beth It is hard to believe the installed, and fat hogs and from people was incredible. was built next door to the million into the county’s Thornburg, executive director Shipshewana Auction began cattle were sold by the pound. So many people wanted to Farmstead Inn in 1998. economy in 2009, according of the LaGrange County with the sale of six pigs, seven An auction restaurant was help do what they could and Seventy camping sites to a 2010 study by Certec Inc. Convention and Visitors cows and several head of built in 1950, seating between were very supportive. I think it were put in on the south side In 2005, the county generated Bureau. “Essentially, I think young cattle at the home of 50 and 60 people. showed just how important the of the flea market parking $90.3 million from tourism the Shipshewana Auction and Curtis in the early 1920s. The Shipshewana Auction auction was to the area, creating the Shipshewana and travel. Flea Market is what put It did not take long for changed hands again in 1961 community.” RV park. Kendallville’s leading citizen, IN SPORTS Elmer McCray, builds mansion Phillips places sixth FROM STAFF REPORTS in 1928 Olympics A testimony to the success of its owner, the McCray mansion rose on Kendall- BY KEN FILLMORE Phillips was a 1927 ville’s East Mitchell Street in [email protected] Butler graduate. During his 1928. ANGOLA — Lake college years, he was Elmer E. McCray had James resident Hermon captain of the track team in influenced life in Kendall- Edgar Phillips was an 1924, 1926 and 1927 and ville during the 20th century accomplished runner and is was captain of the cross more than anyone up to that Steuben County’s lone country team from 1925- time. At one point, it was Olympian to date. 1927. He won five gold said that his McCray Refrig- Phillips (1903-1986) watches one year at the erator company sustained placed sixth in the 400- Penn Relays. one-third of the families in meter run in the 1928 Phillips competed for the the city. Summer Olympic Games in Illinois Athletic Club in McCray Amsterdam, finishing the Chicago, then went on to had begun race in 49 seconds. coach. He coached at Butler humbly, Phillips was a force in from 1927-1937 and at assisting his the 440-yard run in the mid- Purdue University from father’s 1920s, winning Amateur 1937-1945. He also produce Athletic Union champi- established and directed business as a onship in the event in 1927, several summer camps for young man. DAVE KURTZ and he was the NCAA boys and girls. Realizing The McCray Mansion today on East Mitchell Street in Kendallville. champion for Butler Univer- Phillips was the the need to McCray sity from 1925-1927. developer of Tony Phillips keep food His personal-best times Bay Estates in Fremont. He from spoiling, McCray and Refrigerator Co. became the Memorial Hospital, named in attack at the age of 77 in the were 47.1 seconds in the also tried to develop the his father built a cold storage city’s largest employer and his honor. He helped develop Atlanta home of his only 440-yard run and 47.4 U.S. Track and Field Hall of room and in 1882 received a the world’s largest manufac- the Kendallville park system, daughter, Sarah Candler. She seconds in the 400 meters. Fame in rural Fremont. patent for their invention. In turer of commercial refrigera- owned Kendallville Country had married Dr. Robert 1890, at the age of 30, Elmer tion equipment. Club and donated generously Candler, an heir to the Coca- McCray founded McCray McCray himself became to build the original 4-H Cola fortune. Refrigerator and Cold known for generosity to his buildings at the Noble County On the day of McCray’s Kendallville High School reached the Storage Co., later known as employees and community. Fairgrounds in Kendallville. funeral, Jan. 2, 1938, some McCray Refrigerator Co. In 1923, he established a For himself, he built a 300 employees walked “Sweet 16” of the 1927 Indiana high school McCray’s manufacturing pension plan for retired Colonial Revival home together from the McCray operations grew from their employees — the first in the designed by a Chicago factory to his home. Trustees basketball tournament, where Franklin first quarters on West city. architect on the site of the and employees of Lakeside Mitchell Street to a large He donated half of the McCray family’s former Hospital also visited the Prentice of Kendallville won the Gimbel factory on the north side of money needed to build residence — a one-acre site home in a group to show Kendallville’s east-west Lakeside Hospital, a occupying five city lots. their respect for Kendall- Medal for Mental Attitude and Spirit. railroad tracks. McCray forerunner to McCray McCray died from a heart ville’s leading citizen.

:05*, 

.LULYH[PVUZ:PUJL  Brinkerhoff ~ Trusted Since 1902 James Delano Brinkerhoff, after graduating from Indianapolis College of Law and conducting missionary work in the Middle East, began practic- ing law in Garrett in 1902. His son, James Delano Brinkerhoff, Jr., joined him in practice in 1939, establishing the law fi rm of Brinkerhoff & Brinkerhoff. J. Daniel Brinkerhoff followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and joined the fi rm in 1974. J. Darrick Brinkerhoff most recently joined the fi rm in the fall of 2008 making the fourth generation of Brinkerhoffs proudly serving Garrett, Auburn, Ft. Wayne, Hamilton, Waterloo, and all of Northeastern Indiana which includes DeKalb, No- ble, Steuben, LaGrange, Allen and surrounding counties. udly Celebrating 34 Y J. Daniel Brinkerhoff Pro ears Dan Brinkerhoff is a lifelong resident of Garrett, Indiana. Dan now con- centrates his practice in real estate matters, estate planning and munici- pal law, being general counsel for the City of Garrett, and the towns of Hamilton, Waterloo, and Corunna.

J. Darrrick Brinkerhoff Darrick Brinkerhoff, as the great-great grandson of the founder of Brinkerhoff & Brinkerhoff, became the fourth generation to practice law in DeKalb County. Darrick will concentrate on domestic relations, crimi- nal defense, civil litigation and collection matters.

5VY[O9HUKVSWO:[.HYYL[[05 7OVUL!‹   *9(\I\YU05‹ ‹  LTHPS!PUMV'IYPURHUKIYPURJVT ^^^UP_VUOVTLZPUJJVT 1930s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME E9 Car company shines brightly, burns out

BY DAVE KURTZ [email protected] AUBURN — In 1931, the Auburn Automobile Co. enjoyed its finest hour from a bottom- line perspective. Its greatest triumphs in automotive design still lay ahead, but they would come out of desperation as the innovative company struggled to survive. The company’s collapse by 1937 seemed an unlikely outcome. Auburn Automobile had moved into its gleaming new headquarters in 1930. A resdesign of its Auburn model for 1931 led to record sales. With handsome new lines drawn by Alan Leamy, the ’31 Auburn combined luxurious looks with sound performance for as little as $945, auto historians said later. It became a runaway hit. Expected production of 2,000 Auburn cars per month had to be doubled in 1931. The company’s Auburn and Connersville PHOTO COURTESY AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM factories were working at At the height of the company’s success around 1931, Auburn Automobile Co. workers lower bodies onto cars on an assembly line in the capacity. Some 300 new Auburn factory complex. workers were hired at the Auburn plant, bringing employment to 592. Auburn — the final cars made by moved from 22nd to 13th Auburn Automobile — rolled place in sales among the off the line in August 1937. nation’s car companies. Even earlier, the company In the final accounting, had moved its offices out out Auburn’s 1931 net sales of the handsome building in soared to $37.2 million, with Auburn and relocated to earnings of $4.1 million. Connersville in May 1936. A It would be the last time bankruptcy court officially Auburn Automobile Co. ever shut down Auburn Automo- showed a profit. bile Co. on Dec. 11, 1937. Auburn’s success of 1931 Though its history could not erase the harsh stretched back to the dawn of reality of the Great Depres- the 20th century, Auburn sion that was gripping Automobile had burned most America. brightly for a brief time in Another type of gloom the early 1930s before was affecting Auburn flaming out. Automobile Co.’s bold Historians say the Auburn leader, E.L. Cord. His wife, ACDA MUSEUM PHOTO story would not have been as Helen, had died of cancer in E.L. Cord, shown in 1925 romantic if the company had September 1930. at the start of his leader- survived to build ordinary “After Helen’s death, shipofAuburnAutomo- cars for the mass market. everything slipped,” Lee bile Co., would lead it to Beck and Malks wrote, Beck and Josh Malks wrote fame as a builder of fast, “Without the flair, without in “Auburn & Cord,” their luxurious and stylish cars. the pizzazz, Auburns history of the Auburn wouldn’t have been Auburns, Automobile Co. The slumped to five cars per day they would have been, well, widowed Cord remarried by May 1937. The last Cords just cars.” quickly, moved away from Auburn and began to lose interest in his first business success, shifting his focus to aviation. TO THE STAR, The automobile company PHOTO COURTESY AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM lost $1.1 million in 1932 and Gordon Buehrig created two of the Speedster and the 1936 Cord 810, in the You and your predecessors have recorded the did even worse the next year, world’s most celebrated automobile final days of the Auburn Automobile Co. history of DeKalb County, our towns and cities, and showing red ink of $2.5 designs, the 1935 Auburn Boattail our citizens for the past century. million. The company closed In spite of the bleeding graceful lines, absence of Crowds swarmed around Your reporters have been present at hundreds of factory operations in Auburn bank balance, Buehrig and chrome, disappearing the new Cord at automotive governmental meetings over the years. When I was in 1933, leaving only the colleagues were working headlamps and slew of shows, and publications filled City Attorney for Auburn, I attended all City Council administration and service feverishly on the company’s technical firsts. More than their pages with accolades. meetings. I always considered Dave Kurtz, sitting on departments, while all final masterpiece. The 1936 merely beautiful, the Cord set The company could not build the front row of the spectator section, as representative production took place in Cord would take a giant leap a world speed record by them fast enough for a while, of the eyes and ears of the 10,000+ citizens of Auburn. Connersville. Bickering forward in automobile design averaging 101 mph for 24 but financial losses continued broke out among rival and engineering with its hours. to mount, and production You record our lives, from birth until death. In factions in management. between, you report our school activities, our honor Surrounded by that roll listings, our scholarships, our college choices, unlikely atmosphere, a our military service, our marriages, the birth of our remarkable burst of brilliance children, our club and organization activities, our was occurring in the design H.E. Johnson & Sons wedding anniversaries, along with all of the important and engineering wings of the aspects of our collective lives. Auburn headquarters. The desperate company Funeral Homes You indeed provide “the first draft of our history.” set loose young designer I have used you extensively in my historical research Gordon Buehrig of its and writings. Duesenberg line to shoot for “4 Generations of Trusted Service” a miracle. Working under severe budget constraints and Since 1914 Most of your back issues are available on microfilm amid management chaos, or digital form at DeKalb County libraries. Buehrig and his team created With Confi dence, two of the most beautiful Those who are familiar with our services always choose DeKalb County has been fortunate to have had automobiles in history. us with the utmost confidence. They know from experience an outstanding daily newspaper over the past century. First came the 1935 Thanks goes to the Buchanan family, the Nixon Auburn Boattail Speedster that we can be depended upon to deliver a service that is family, Witwer/Housholder family, and to editors with its daring shape and complete and suitable in every way in their time of need, Verne Buchanan, Don Nixon, James Kroemer and outlandish speed. Engineers Dave Kurtz. introduced a supercharger and yet not pay a high price. that boosted horsepower As we enter the digital/online era, keep up the from 115 to 150. Test driver good work! We need you! Ab Jenkins drove a We offer a wide variety of services for your choosing supercharged Auburn and what one pays here is determined by themselves. John Martin Smith Speedster to 70 new records DeKalb County Historian at the Bonneville Salt Flats in ANGOLA BUTLER Utah, including 104 mph for John Martin Smith & Thompson Smith, P.C. a flying-start mile. 108 S. West Street, 212 N. Broadway, Attorneys at Law The Auburn Speedster Angola, IN 46703 Butler, IN 46721 507 South Jackson Street captured attention, but didn’t 260-665-2211 260-868-2127 Auburn, Indiana 46706 spur sales. The company lost 260-925-4560 another $2.5 million in 1935. www.hejohnsonfh.com [email protected] E10 1930s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Work of the ‘boys of the CCC’ lives on FROM STAFF REPORTS rolling wooded hills, gathering in 2003, it was LAKE JAMES — wetlands and open thought to be the last. We at Numerous public works meadows. Pokagon would not hear of projects throughout Indiana Some of the structures ending what is believed to serve today as reminders of are on the National Register be the longest running the Franklin Roosevelt of Historic Places. reunion of CCC veterans in administration’s make-work Other works of the CCC the country,” said Pokagon programs that helped include a rustic bridge that interpretive naturalist Fred rebuild America and get still carries traffic over one Wooley. people working during the of the park roads. When the boys of the Great Depression. Perhaps the most unique CCC gather — and their Perhaps none of the of all of Pokagon’s numbers keep dwindling — projects is as unique as the structures is the refrigerated the public is invited to learn structures built at Pokagon toboggan slide, originally about the great and hard State Park. built by the CCC boys. work that was done, the One of Indiana’s original Company 556 of the memories that were made five state parks, Pokagon CCC may have ended its and the good times that features the unique work of work in 1942 with the were had by the boys who the Civilian Conservation advent of World War II, but were at the park in the CCC. Corps, whose members the work and the boys are Even with each passing lived and worked at not forgotten. year more is learned, Pokagon from 1934 to Each year, Company 556 Wooley said. The CCC vets 1942. The “boys of the reunites at Pokagon on the continue to bring artifacts, FRED WOOLEY CCC” built the beautiful last Sunday of July. photos and memories to This bridge at Pokagon State Park was structures found in the park, as well as stone and log structures “Following the 50th add to Pokagon’s archives built by members of the Civilian Conser- the tower that supports the toboggan that dot the park landscape reunion, the Golden and knowledge of this great vation Corps who worked in the park slide, were build by “the boys who built and provide accent to the Anniversary of the time in the park’s history. from 1933-1942. Many of the field stone Pokagon.” Kraft comes to Kendallville during Great Depression FROM STAFF REPORTS At the same time, Kraft became the city’s third- KENDALLVILLE — was beginning to experiment largest employer. Jobs were disappearing at a with making caramel base at Production of rapid pace in the depths of a factory in Wisconsin. marshmallow and the Great Depression, but Within a year, Kraft moved marshmallow creme came to that’s exactly when Kraft the caramel base operation the Kendallville plant in Foods came to Kendallville to Kendallville, because it 1961, with peanut brittle, to begin more than 70 years was closer to the production Partymints and chocolate as one of the city’s major site in Chicago and was the added the following year. employers. center of an excellent milk- Marshmallow bits joined the In 1927, local citizens producing area. product line in 1963. built a plant on Kraft’s site Four years later, the Favorite Brands Interna- to attract the Breyer Ice Kendallville plant stopped tional bought the plant in Cream Co., which bought making cheese and devoted 1995, and Nabisco the building as soon as milk itself to making bulk purchased Favorite Brands receipts reached 50,000 caramel, shipping it to in 1999. But in 2000, Kraft pounds per day. The plant Chicago for cutting, bought Nabisco and again condensed the milk to wrapping and packaging. became owner of the supply Breyer’s plants in the By 1950, Kraft enlarged Kendallville operations. East. the Kendallville plant so it Kraft today employs In 1934, Kraft purchased could house the entire nearly 400 people at the plant from Breyer and caramel process — from Kendallville, and they make began making cheddar receiving milk to packaging more than 150 individual cheese in Kendallville. the final product. Kraft products.

IN SPORTS The Genealogy Center needs your help. Through a grant by the Indiana State Library we have been able to create electronic digital copies of some historic newspapers from DeKalb County. However, there are Don Lash of Auburn competed in many years of newspapers missing. We need you to the 1936 Olympics at Berlin in check your attics, garages, basements and throughout the house for any old newspapers. We are especially the 5,000- and 10,000-meter interested in Auburn newspapers from 1918 to 1932. runs. Although an Olympic medal eluded him, Lash won seven national cross country champi- Reward... onships and held the world record Feeling good about preserving the past! for two miles. In 1938, he won the Sullivan Award given to the nation’s best amateur athlete. Sports Illustrated magazine called him “the first great American distance runner.” Indiana State Library digitization grants are funded by the Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA). LSTA grants are a federally funded program of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. We’ve come a long way to care for your loved ones. BEFORE

AFTER • Short-Term Rehab • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy • Outpatient Therapy • Private Rehab Suite • Respite Care • Private Suites • 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care “Healthcare Designed Around You.” 600 Trail Ridge Rd., Albion • 260-636-1000 • northridgevillagehealthcare.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME kpcnews.com E11 1940s E12 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 War hero’s sacrifice remembered

BY BOB BRALEY [email protected] ALBION — He will be featured on this year’s Tombstone Trail, yet he isn’t buried at the stop where he will be remembered. Lt. j.g. Donald H. Spangler was killed in action Nov. 13, 1942, while serving aboard PHOTO CONTRIBUTED the USS Atlanta. His The USS Spangler has full colors flying in this undated accomplishments and photo. sacrifice in World War II would prompt the United States to name a ship, the Among those at his radio destroyer escort, was USS Spangler, after him. station was Donald Spangler, christened in July 1943, with Spangler was born in 1918, by this time a lieutenant Martin and Myrtle Spangler one of six children born to PHOTO CONTRIBUTED junior grade. He died at his on hand. Martin and Myrtle (Blue) Lt. j.g. Donald H. Spangler’s parents, 1943. The ship was named for Donald post, killed in action. Robert The USS Spangler saw Spangler. A Nov. 30, 1942, Martin and Myrtle Spangler, join officers Spangler. Spangler’s investigation action in World War II, article in The News Sun about at the dedication of the USS Spangler in would reveal his brother had according to the website Donald Spangler’s death died a quick death, probably devoted to the ship, ussspan- called Martin Spangler an appointment to the U.S. Naval never knowing what hit him. gler.com. In 1944, it served attorney who was well-known Academy. “It was moments after the torpedo blast The Atlanta eventually in and around Guadalcanal, in Kendallville. Spangler’s class of 1942 at that all hell broke loose.” was scuttled to keep it from where the man for whom it The Spangler boys, the Naval Academy graduated enemy hands or costing more was named had gone down including Donald — early due to the war, McCoy lives. Two survived the with his ship. nicknamed Red, according to said. They attack. That day 3,500 men In 1945, the Spangler a news item about his death were Stewart Moredock lost their lives on nine moved along the islands — delivered the evening commis- Operations officer on the USS Atlanta American and six Japanese toward Japan, serving at newspaper in Albion growing sioned Dec. vessels. Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima up. 19, 1941, just • Donald Spangler’s body on its way to Okinawa, Donald’s brother, Robert 12 days after would never return home, but where it was stationed at Spangler, recalled in Michael the Japanese an old trunk full of his things war’s end. McCoy’s book, “Every Town, raid on Pearl Guadalcanal. from both sides of the battle, made it back. It was finding After the war, the USS USA,” that the boys would Harbor that McCoy said all these McCoy said. that trunk, years later, that Spangler continued in gather at the Weber house on Spangler prompted the battles came without a single He quotes the ship’s was inspired McCoy’s service. While it was still in their south route. United States casualty on the Atlanta, operations officer, Stewart writings about Spangler. operation during the Korean “They were a wonderful to declare war. earning it the nickname Moredock, as saying, “It was “‘Red’ Spangler was a War, it saw no action in that family,” Robert Spangler is Less than a month later, “Lucky A.” moments after the torpedo fine boy,” said a Dec. 2, conflict. It was decommis- quoted as saying. “The fact Ensign Spangler was assigned But the luck didn’t last. blast that all hell broke 1942, newspaper item. “His sioned Oct. 8, 1958, and sold that they had a pony didn’t to the USS Atlanta. It served On Nov. 13, 1942, at Guadal- loose. … There was just exemplary character, his for scrap Nov. 20, 1972. hurt either.” at the battle of Midway, canal, the Japanese battleship Captain Jenkins, the skipper, admirable qualities were well Spangler’s body is not at Donald Spangler graduated screening for the aircraft Atasuki, as it was sinking, and myself left on the known.” Rose Hill Cemetery in with honors from Albion High carrier USS Hornet. struck the Atlanta with a bridge. As far as I am able to In 1943, the largest ship Albion, where he will be School in 1936, McCoy said. In August, the Atlanta torpedo, rendering it largely determine, all others, about ever built on the Great Lakes remembered on the 2011 He completed two years at downed five Japanese dive powerless, McCoy said. 60, in the area including needed a name. Spangler, a Tombstone Trail, and the ship Purdue University before bombers. In October, it Darkened, the ship radio and navigation stations fallen Midwestern hero, fit named for him is gone. But accepting a Congressional bombarded enemy positions at became caught in a crossfire had died.” the bill. The USS Spangler, a his memory lives on. IN SPORTS G.I. Bill fills campus, homes in Angola

BY MIKE MARTURELLO would push enrollment as far from Hendry Park. The more housing to Angola Coach Keith Showalter [email protected] high as 1,650 students Tri-Stan housing was specifically to house ANGOLA — Tri-State before the impact of the G.I. surplus Army barracks students, local residents led Auburn High School College went from ghost Bill started to wane in the provided by the federal started taking in students, town to boom town in the 1950s. government. The housing offering rooms for rent in to the 1949 state finals months and years following The impact was felt accommodated 234 single homes that never before had World War II. throughout the community, students and 74 married been used as boarding in basketball, where Red The college, now Trine not just on campus. students. houses. Due to a lack of a University, faced a boom of The greatest need was for On Dec. 12, 1945, zoning ordinance, people Devils center James students enrolling, about 90 housing. The federal college president Burton started putting mobile percent of whom took government helped out, but Handy put out this plea: homes in their yards in Schooley won the Trester advantage of the G.I. Bill the community had to “Unless we can get hopes of getting in on the offered to those who had furnish such things as sewer assurance of more rooms newfound windfall. Award for mental served in World War II. service, sidewalks, streets being opened up to students, Speaking of windfalls, In the spring of 1946, and water. On the southeast it will be necessary to turn the Tri-State board, at the attitude. Schooley then Tri-State would end up with side of town, the Hendry away fully 200 before the time a for-profit operation, KPC FILE PHOTO played at Indiana enrollment of 935 students. Park Trailer Camp was opening of the January decided to increase tuition Trester Award winner Two years earlier, in the opened and accommodated term.” in June 1946 from $80 for James Schooley later University as a member height of the war, enroll- some 100 students in 1946 In 1949, it was four classes in a 12-week became a distinguished ment was less than 200, said alone. The Tri-Stan Housing announced over an Associ- term to $120. This led to a scientist for the of the 1953 NCAA “From Carriage to Project would end up ated Press radio account that great student protest and the National Institute of Computer,” Beth Orlosky’s housing more than 300 the university no longer eventual reorganizing of the Standards and championship team. 1984 history of Tri-State. students. This housing could accept students other college to a nonprofit Technology. The peak of the project was on land now than commuters who did not corporation and other onslaught of students known as Commons Park on require university housing. reforms that came post- enrolling after World War II the city’s southeast side, not In addition to bringing World War II.

Joseph & Fanny Herbert Davis Berhalter founded a In 2006, Pat and Kathy Young purchased both funeral homes and the name was changed to Young Family founded the funeral furniture store and Funeral Homes. Kathy began her career in funeral home in Wolcottville undertaking parlor in in the late 1930’s. Kendallville in 1860. They began a tradition Young Family Funeral Homes offer a variety of Upon his death, of service that continued services to the community, including traditional Roger and Margaret through their family. In funeral services, veteran services, cremation Williams purchased 1935, the funeral home services, graveside services, memorial services, pre- the funeral home. moved from Main Street planned funeral arrangements, aftercare support, In 1974, John and to its current location at bereavement support groups, holiday support service, availability of 222 South State Street. speakers and programs, funeral home tours, and a lending library of Sherry Hutchins In 1958, John Berhalter books dealing with death and grief. purchased the Hutchins joined his funeral home from parents, Myron and The principles of honesty, integrity, and service set forth by Joseph and the Williams’ and the Beverly Berhalter Hutchins, Fanny Berhalter in Kendallville and Herbert Davis and Roger Williams and the fi rm name was name was changed to in Wolcottville have proved a fi rm foundation on which to build. We are Hutchins-Williams changed to Berhalter- grateful for the confi dence families have placed in us through the years. Hutchins Funeral Home. Funeral Home. Young Family Funeral Home 222 S. State Street, Kendallville State Road 9 North, Wolcottville 260-347-0950 260-854-2251 “Our Family Caring for Your Family” www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 1940s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME E13 Truman gives whistle-stop speech in Garrett

FROM STAFF REPORTS “It has been a good campaign for me. It has been a with this communist- GARRETT — On Oct. inspired Third Party to beat 25, 1948, in the final days hard campaign. I have traveled from one end of the the Democrats. They finance of his successful campaign the situation right here. The for president, Democrat country to the other, telling millions of people about Republicans financed the Harry S. Truman spoke Third Party to get on the from the rear platform of a peace, prices and places to live, and the other ballot right here in Indiana train that stopped in Garrett in a number of counties. We on the way to Chicago. issues which face the nation today. My opponent have got straight-out The Garrett Clipper evidence on that, and I can reported on the historic has talked a great deal, too, but he said almost prove it. occasion, the only visit to “Right here in Indiana the four counties of nothing about where he stands on the major issues the Republican State northeast Indiana by a Committee did its best to sitting president, in a story facing the American people today.” get that Third Party on the headlined: “GOP is aiding ballot. Over in Illinois the Reds, declared president Republicans are still trying here.” Harry S. Truman to get the Third Party on the The story began, Excerpt from speech given in Garrett on Oct. 25, 1948 ballot. They even went all “President Harry S. Truman the way to the Supreme accused the Republican Court to get them on there. Party of adding the • ‘By their friends ye shall communists in attempting to know them.’ bring about his defeat in the “It has been a good been the senator from “Don’t fall for their cheap coming election in an campaign for me. It has been Illinois for quite some time. promises. Vote for the party address in Garrett Monday a hard campaign. I have I think that should give you that has a program for peace morning. An estimated traveled from one end of the a pretty good idea of just and for prosperity and for 3,000 to 4,000 people country to the other, telling how meaningless all these places to live. Vote for the greeted him.” millions of people about fine words are. future of this nation. And the The story added, “The peace, prices and places to “You know, one of the way to do that is to vote for special arrived at 9:48 a.m. live, and the other issues high-sounding lectures we your friends. and departed 10 minutes which face the nation today. have been hearing from the “You know, you are the later. Garrett schools were My opponent has talked a Republican candidate over government, when you closed during the time in great deal, too, but he said and over again concerns analyze it, when you order to allow students to almost nothing about where communism. The Republi- exercise the privilege of the see the president. The he stands on the major cans are trying to pretend vote on Election Day. You Garrett, Auburn and issues facing the American that my administration has control the government Waterloo school bands FILE PHOTO people today. He just keeps been friendly to absolutely, and you get the played.” President Harry S. Truman during his 1948 campaign. on giving the people high- communism. That bit of kind of government you Garrett Mayor Fred L. level platitudes. You know, campaign propaganda want when you vote. Back Feick introduced Edward H. that’s what ‘G.O.P.’ means in reminds me a lot of the in 1946 about two-thirds of Kruse Jr. of Fort Wayne, the walked onto the platform, am certainly glad to be here this day and age — it means stories we heard during the you stayed at home and Democratic candidate for smiling and waving to the in Garrett this morning and ‘Grand Old Platitudes.’ war and are now hearing didn’t vote, and you got the Congress, who then crowd. All three smiled and to talk to you about this “The Republican from the communists in 80th Congress — and look presented the president. waved as the train pulled great campaign. I appreciate candidate has gone from one Russia. what you got! Truman implored the away.” the introduction by the next doubtful state to another “They believe that if you “Now, don’t do that this crowd to vote for Kruse and The story said three local Congressman from this trying to bail out the tell a big enough lie, time. Go to the polls on former Gov. Henry residents boarded the train district, Mr. Edward H. campaigns of hopeless somebody is bound to Election Day and vote the Schricker, a Democrat to shake hands with the Kruse, Jr. I know you are reactionaries who ran the believe it. If anybody in this Democratic ticket straight seeking a return to the president: Mrs. Herbert N. going to send him to Republican 80th Congress. country is friendly to the and you will be voting for governorship. Grimm of Waterloo, DeKalb Congress, because you need He is trying to help those communists, it is the yourselves and your own The president accused County Democratic vice that sort of representation birds that ran that good-for- Republicans who are trying interests.” Republicans of helping a chairman; Robert Riddle of there these days. nothing 80th Congress. He so hard to be elected. It’s not third party, which he Auburn, county chairman; “I was most highly is trying to get them all re- the Truman administration NOTE: During his remarks the claimed had been taken over and Harold Kelly of Angola, entertained and well treated elected. One of these salvage — I can tell you that. president referred to Edward by communists, in order to district chairman. while I was in Indiana operations is being carried “The communists are H. Kruse Jr., Democratic take votes away from him. According to the The before by your great on right next door here in doing everything in their candidate for representative The Clipper reported, American Presidency Democratic candidate for Illinois. power to beat me. They have from Indiana’s 4th District, “Mr. Truman then asked, Project online, based in governor, former Governor “The Republican taken over the Third Party former Gov. Henry F. ‘Would you like to meet my Santa Barbara, Calif., this is Schricker, and I am looking candidate is hoping to save and are using it in a vain Schricker, Democratic family?’ A shout went up the full text of Truman’s to see Indiana in the right that hard-shelled attempt to split the candidate for governor, and C. and Mrs. Truman and then speech in Garrett: column all the way down isolationist reactionary, Democratic Party. The Wayland Brooks, U.S. senator Miss Margaret Truman “Thank you very much. I the line this time. Curly Brooks, who has Republicans have joined up from Illinois.

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6HFXULWLHVRIIHUHGWKURXJK/3/)LQDQFLDO0HPEHU),15$6,3& E14 1940s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Veterans return with stories from war BY BOB CULP The plane started losing sitting there. The soldiers Andrews and the other [email protected] “We saw Patton drive into the gate in his Jeep. altitude. Andrews and his had captured him earlier. Americans to another AUBURN — Soldiers other crew members After about a week, prison. They spent about a who returned home to The first two things I made sure to get parachuted out of a small Andrews was on a train to a week on the road, walking DeKalb County after were a hot shower and white bread.” hole in the underside of the prisoner-of-war camp. He and traveling in boxcars on serving their country during plane. was put into a cell with a train, he said. World War II came back Soldiers are taught not to other American soldiers. The Russians were with stories about victory Bob Andrews release their parachutes until Prison life wasn’t that bad, getting close. Prisoners had and tragedy. DeKalb County resident, on his release from a war prison the last moment. That’s easy Andrews said. to be moved. Many of the “Greatest to learn inside a classroom, “We did our own Andrews entered his final Generation” grew up but when you’re falling cooking, cleaning and prison camp in February. listening to their parents talk • from 15,000 feet, the body laundry in prison,” he said. There were rumors the tide about World War I. They works on its own. “It was better than being of the war was turning. came to age struggling Andrews said he pulled shot at every day.” Allied forces were gaining through the Great Depres- II veterans die each day. missions over Germany for the release cord as soon as Andrews said the prison steam on the Eastern and sion and Franklin Delano During the last three years, the Army Air Forces, the he started falling. His chute had plenty of potatoes and Western fronts. Roosevelt’s New Deal. the National Military predecessor of the U.S. Air opened, and he fell into a cabbage to eat and each Gunfire was heard in the They remember where History Center in Auburn Force. grain field outside a small person had a bread ration. distance during mid-April. they were when the has taken part in a nation- Andrews said the air was German village. The camp had a central Soon, the guards left. Japanese bombed Pearl wide effort to record the calm on June 25, 1943 — “I peeked my head out of kitchen that always fixed On April 27, 1945, Harbor — the moment the oral history of World War II until German fighters started the grain. Soldiers and a big soup for prisoners, he said. Patton’s 3rd Army liberated United States was pulled veterans through video firing on his formation. dog were approaching, so I The guards were kind. Andrews’ camp. into the large scale, two- interviews. Here is one of Machine gun fire threw my hands up and Most spoke English and got “We saw Patton drive front war. their stories: surrounded the plane. One surrendered,” Andrews said. along with the Americans, into the gate in his Jeep,” he The Department of Bob Andrews of DeKalb engine was hit. Then, The soldiers escorted him Andrews said. said. “The first two things I Veterans Affairs estimates County was among the first another engine started to a barbed-wire enclosure. At the end of January made sure to get were a hot more than 1,000 World War to fly long-distance smoking. His navigator already was 1945, the Germans marched shower and white bread.”

Founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, more than 65 years ago, OmniSource Corporation has grown to become one of North America’s largest processors and distributors of scrap and secondary metals. We collect, process, and resell a wide variety of scrap metal. The com- pany, in 2010, shipped 5.2 million gross tons of recycled steel and 961 million pounds of nonferrous scrap. OmniSource was born during the pursuit of a dream—the American Dream, which has at- tracted so many to these shores with promises of freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. Escaping the chaos of revolution and civil war, Irving Rifkin, still just a teenager, emigrated from Russia to America in 1920. He came alone, virtually penniless. He didn’t speak English, but he quickly learned enough to work and provide for himself and later, a growing family. OmniSource played an important role in the birth of Steel Dynamics in the early 1990s. SDI became OmniSource's parent company in 2007. As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Omni- Source continues to provide a large portion of the ferrous resources SDI uses to make new high-quality steel.

1915 S. Wayne St. • Auburn • 260-925-4168

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260-636-2113 • 800-933-7362 • nobleremc.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME kpcnews.com E15 Selling Quality Meats Since 1954 ALBRIGHT’S SUPERMARKET Albright’s Store Since 1969

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Jack & Lois Albright purchased the original store in 1954. The current store was built in 1968 and opened in 1969. Albright’s was originally a one-stop because you could purchase groceries, clothes, shoes and other household goods there. Today, Albright’s is a grocery store with a full service meat counter. It still remains in the Al- bright family. It is owned by David Albright and his sister, Suzanne Stafford. Their sister, Kay Brennen, also works at the store. The store has a real sense of family as Dave’s wife and daugh- ter and Suzanne’s two children are all employees at Albright’s. The store still has the feel of an old “mom and pop” grocery. They have a helpful, caring staff and carry some items hard to fi nd elsewhere. They even carry your groceries outside and load them into your car. This year Albright’s will celebrate its 57th anniversary. Its big-city variety and small-town ser- vice has been key to the success of this family-owned grocery store. Jack Albright knew from the beginning the store would thrive. “Success in a private enterprise is there for those willing to work. And I guess that is what we have done.” ~ Jack Albright.

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Expanded Services. Familiar Faces.

Since 1964 DeKalb Memorial Hospital has served people in our communities through every stage of life. Over the years, as the healthcare industry has changed, we have grown to be so much more than just a great independent, not-for-profi t hospital. Now it is time to recognize that evolution, as we reaffi rm our commitment to DeKalb County and surrounding areas. While this represents more than a mere name change, it does not signify a change in the most important thing of all, our people. Under the leadership of CEO, Kirk Ray, our physicians, medical staff and employees continue to be your friends and neighbors who are committed to caring for you and your family. On their behalf, we wish to say to you: Welcome to DeKalb Health.

www.DeKalbHealth.com 1950s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F1

IN Kentuckians lured by jobs SPORTS

BY TERRY HOUSHOLDER [email protected] Noble County native KENDALLVILLE — Ford C. Frick became From the late 1940s to the mid-1960s, commissioner of Major hundreds of men from League Baseball in the coal-mining region 1951 and would of southeastern continue in that role Kentucky were lured to until 1965. He Noble County to fill previously had been jobs in foundries and growing manufacturing president of the firms here. National League, Today, more than 10 percent following a career as a of Noble County — over 5,000 people — can trace their roots to sportswriter and the Appalachian Mountain region. broadcaster. Coal had been southeastern Kentucky’s economic mainstay for several generations. But the years following World War II through the 1960s were generally bad times for coal; BY KPC MEDIA GROUP INC. oil was replacing it as a heating and industrial fuel and machines were placing men in the miners. They readily agreed to to work in the recreational vehicle County today. mines. pull up stakes and head north to factories in LaGrange and Elkhart The Southerners who moved to With jobs plentiful in Kendall- begin earning paychecks again. counties and manufacturing Noble County had an influence on ville’s three major foundries — The Kentuckians, many used operations in Ligonier. the local society. Many Newnam Foundry, Kendallville to a life of isolation in the hills Many of the people who first fundamental Christian churches Foundry and Lane Foundry — and hollows, chose to live in came to Noble County from today in the Kendallville area got families from Kentucky began small settlements through Kentucky were in poverty and their start from those with coming to Noble County in large northern and eastern parts of poorly educated. For some of Kentucky roots. numbers in the 1950s and 1960s. Noble County. them, in those early years, their They also had an influence on Claude Lane, manager of Many came to Rome City, homes exhibited their economic local politics, in Noble County, Newnam and Lane foundries, was while others chose to be within status. first voting overwhelmingly for instrumental in bringing many of walking distance of the foundries But over the years, the second, Democrats in the 1960s and 1970s, the men from Kentucky. He sent in Lisbon and on the south edge third and fourth generations of and then bolting away from the emissaries to the poverty-stricken of Kendallville. those families improved their liberal national Democratic Party Ford Frick, left, chats withFILE PHOTO rural counties of Knott, Perry and Later, as even more jobs in the standards of living and entered the beginning in the 1980s when social Babe Ruth. Floyd counties, in Kentucky, to area emerged, hundreds more middle class that is prevalent in the issues dominated the national offer jobs to the former coal came from southeastern Kentucky blue-collar communities of Noble scene.

RP Wakefield first began in a building that was once a church.

It was Wakefield Plywood until 1962, when RP Wakefield bought it.

Auburn Hardwood Mouldings was formed in 1988.

www.rpwakefield.com F2 1950s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Buck Lake: aka Nashville of the North

BY JENNIFER DECKER on Buck Lake’s rustic World War II in 1947. The [email protected] stage, along with rock family entertainment BUCK LAKE — Buck pioneers, comedians, TV complex is a few miles Lake Ranch is known as and movie stars. A few west of Angola. the Nashville of the North. former heavyweight In a YouTube video, The legendary Steuben boxing champions came to Capt. Carl Unger, Buck County campground has referee wrestling matches Lake Ranch’s current hosted oodles of famous at the park. owner, said he appreciated rock and country music Buck Lake has long all of the stars appearing singers over the years been known as a over the years there. including: Elvis Presley, legendary place of action “They had to be Buddy Holly, Jan and in Steuben County. It has entertainers,” Unger said. Buddy Holly Dean, Count Basie, Dolly attracted Christian, gospel Bill Anderson, a and the Parton, Johnny Cash, and bluegrass artists. In member of the Country Crickets Tammy Wynette, Loretta addition, it’s a Music Hall of Fame, said perform at Lynn, Porter Wagner, campground, fishing spot Buck Lake was his Buck Lake Jimmy Dean, Roger on scenic 23-acre Buck favorite place to perform Ranch on Miller, George Jones, Lake, a place for hikers his music. He said playing July 4, 1958. Alabama, The Judds and with trails sprawled over at parks like Buck Lake Also Hank Williams. Those are 70 acres, special events, a was a huge part of performing only a few of the hundreds flea market and auctions. performing. with the of stars who have graced The ranch has been In the video, it was also legendary the Buck Lake Ranch restored to look the same said Buck Lake Ranch rocker on stage over the years. as it did in the 1950s and was kept going by the that date was Almost everyone who 1960s. family man as a destina- Frankie was anyone in country Harry Smythe and his tion that had a little bit of Avalon. music during the 1940s wife, Eleanor, started everything to appeal to all through 1970s performed Buck Lake Ranch after tastes. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

From our Automotive Heritage to Worldwide Festivals, Antique & Specialty Shops, and Tasty Restaurants, DeKalb County offers the Visitor an Experience of

Ask for Passport When Indiana’s Small Towns. Attending Museums

DeKalb County Visitors Bureau • 500 S. Grandstaff Drive • Suite C • Auburn, Indiana 46706

Kendallville Main Street Facing North

Financing History for 148 Years. We like local history because we have been a part of it for 148 years. So whether you’re looking at old pictures with horses and buggies, model T Fords or big finned cars of the 60’s, Campbell & Fetter Bank was there. We take pride in our 148 year history of providing our customers with a secure place for their funds and sensible approach to financial services.Visit any of our locations in Kendallville, Angola, Albion, Ligonier, Auburn, Warsaw, Fort Wayne and Goshen.

Main Office 260.347.1500

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NMLS # 416300 ©2011 Campbell & Fetter Bank www.campbellfetterbank.com 1960s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F3 Snakes, peat challenge I-69 builders

BY JENNIFER DECKER Angola Mayor Dick [email protected] Hickman said he can’t ANGOLA — David Field imagine life without I-69, of Angola recalls spending which makes it easier to five years working as a travel and for industry to project engineer on I-69 thrive and get products to construction, facing peat market. Hickman recalled excavation issues and snakes. driving through Angola Field retired after serving before I-69, when travel 36 years as an engineer for meant backups along U.S. 27. the Indiana Department of “The biggest difference Transportation. Between 1962 now is the safety of the road,” and 1967, he worked on I-69. Hickman said. “There were “I was in on staking rights quite a few backups, and of way, supervising and Buck Lake was busy. A story testing compaction,” Field I have heard is at one point, said. “When you’re building, they talked about putting I-69 PHOTO COURTESY OF EZRA MILLER you have low areas. There east of town. That may have was an awful lot of peat changed the complexity.” People survey the damage after a tornado leveled a Shipshewana on April 11, 1965. excavation.” Auburn Mayor Norm home a quarter-mile west of U.S. 20 and S.R. 5 in Field spent the first four Yoder recalls the construction years as a project helper. of I-69, which happened in “Most of the project was phases. five-mile sections. I started “I can vaguely remember down at Auburn. By 1967, I- the construction where the 69 was all done,” he said, routes went,” he said. “In Nature’s fury strikes explaining many rights of Angola, there’s not as much way had to be secured by latitude. Auburn grew out to condemnation. I-69.” Field said some of the Yoder said the major staking was tricky. Indiana roadway helped northeast Indiana “Going along Buck Lake, Auburn grow, as restaurants, I couldn’t get through the gas stations and businesses BY CRAIG HAUPERT right of way to stake” because stretched one-half mile [email protected] of water, he said. “I was outside city lines to be close swimming with a rope around to I-69 to attract motorists. TOPEKA — me with snakes coming at “It went through northeast me. A lot of it, you never hit Indiana and created jobs and LaGrange County bottom. Some of it was so (provided) easy access. It’s deep.” good for all industry,” Yoder historian Ezra Miller Another challenge on the said. “It changed the traffic I-69 project, Field recalled, patterns in Auburn — now will never forget the was working with contractors, they’re predominantly east-to- afternoon of April “keeping them in line to do west — and it changed what they’re supposed to.” driving habits, with east-west 11, 1965. Sometimes, that meant stop signs. Trucks don’t go That day, multiple holding their pay until work through the city.” tornadoes blew through was done properly. In addition to helping several states, including In the end, Field said the Auburn grow, Yoder said I-69 northern Indiana, and claimed finished product allows has helped all of northeast more than 250 lives. The so- people to now hop in their Indiana. called Palm Sunday cars and jump on I-69 to head “It’s been a positive. tornadoes are believed to be down to Fort Wayne more Without it, we wouldn’t have part of the most destructive quickly — and safely. industry,” he said. storm system to ever hit the I-69 serves as a major According to published Michiana area. PHOTO COURTESY OF EZRA MILLER transportation vein for reports, a route from Miller and his family were A car tossed by the Palm Sunday tornado of 1965 landed on a flipped tree near Hoosiers running from Indianapolis northeast via riding in an automobile in Shore Mennonite Church in Shipshewana. northeast Indiana southward. Fort Wayne to I-80/I-90 near Shipshewana when the storm While it impacts the whole Angola was added to the hit. They witnessed its Records from the National Miller was tasked with storm he has ever seen. state, it especially affects proposed Inter-regional destruction firsthand. Weather Service say Indiana helping clean up after the Homes, barns, churches and Steuben and DeKalb counties. Highway System by the early “I saw when the twin was one of six Midwest states storm. He said his unit found businesses were reduced to According to published 1940s. Unlike most routes, it tornado hit (S.R.) 5 and (U.S.) to be hit by 47 tornadoes that 19 bodies between Rainbow rubble. reports, the construction of was not drawn along an 20 junction. There were high- day. In Indiana, 137 people Lake and the intersection of He recalls seeing one I-69 caused controversy and existing U.S. highway voltage poles that followed were killed and more than S.R. 5 and U.S. 20. home that wasn’t flattened, angered environmentalists. corridor, except north of Fort U.S. 20 that were literally 1,200 injured by 10 “I personally found three but whose draperies were Part of the route ran through Wayne, where it used U.S. tossed around like tornadoes. bodies, and they were so hanging on the outside of the wetlands, existing farmland 27. matchsticks,” he said. “When Records obtained from the badly defaced and matted that house, caught between the and forested areas, cutting The extension beyond it hit, when the power lines LaGrange County Historical you could not recognize roof and the ceiling. through geologically Angola to I-94 near Marshall, struck each other, it just Society indicate that 76 them,” he said. “We just put “It must have lifted part of sensitive topography, which Mich., actually started as part looked like lightning — I people were killed in the white sheets over them until the roof off, sucked the environmentalists argued of what evolved into I-94. mean huge sparks counties of Elkhart, LaGrange someone came with a station draperies out and dropped the threatened underground The Interstate 69 designa- everywhere. After it passed and St. Joseph, Mich. wagon to take them to the roof back on top,” he said. water systems and harmed tion was assigned to the through, everything went As a member of his hospital for identification.” “There were things like that the rare species that live Indianapolis-Angola route in quiet.” district’s Civil Defense unit, Miller said it is the worst all over.” there. 1957. ACRES preserves woodlands for future generations BY LUCY FOLTYNIAK Indiana’s oldest and largest Woodland Bog in Steuben BY GRACE HOUSHOLDER “Never doubt that a land trust. All of its properties County (at a tax sale with [email protected] small group of thoughtful, are protected; most of the donated funds in 1965) and Women’s study clubs committed citizens can nature preserves are open to the Bender Preserve in have been an important part change the world. Indeed, it the public, from dawn to Noble County in 1966. of the history of the small is the only thing that ever dusk; other properties will Not until 1974 did communities of northeast has.” — Margaret Mead open to the public eventually. ACRES obtain land in Allen Indiana. The ACRES Land Trust In late 1959, Jane Dustin County, a property called Kendallville’s oldest started with 12 people called a meeting of people Fox Fire. study club, Tuesday Club, getting together in a living concerned about the ACRES’ close relation- was founded 115 years ago, room in Allen County, increasing loss of natural ship with The Nature in 1896. Originally its 18 Indiana, and 60 bucks,” areas in Allen and nearby Conservancy remains very members wore hats and ACRES Land Trust executive counties. Creating a formal important. gloves to meetings and met director Jason Kissel said. organization was considered. The Art Hammer weekly. The story began 51 years ago. The group contained Wetland Nature Preserve in Today Tuesday Club The mission the founders biologists, naturalists, the Rome City area was meets monthly, October of ACRES Land Trust teachers, a soil scientist, a acquired in 1986. With 373 through April, and members committed to a half-century surveyor, engineers, dedicated acres, it is ACRES’ largest dress more casually. ago was to ensure the preser- conservationists and persons TERRY HOUSHOLDER nature preserve. In the early 1900s, one of vation of woodland areas. with administrative skills. In Noble County, home of the original “seed land” As our cities and towns Tuesday Club’s members ACRES now owns and Early in 1960, that group, which started ACRES Land Trust on its path, ACRES expand, with more and more was Mrs. Alice Merica, manages more than 77 nature with a lawyer added, Land Trust owns 12 nature preserves. Lonidaw Nature rural properties being owner of Kendallville preserves with more than continued to meet. Preserve, pictured, with 30.2 acres, was acquired in claimed for development, Publishing Co. 4,700 acres scattered over On March 12, 1960, a 1979. Lonidaw is a Native American name meaning there is an increasing need The 2010-2011 Tuesday northeast Indiana, southern corporation with 12 directors Spirit of the Woods. to preserve what is left of Club program theme was Michigan and northwest was approved as ”Allen our forest, prairies and “Planting Seeds for Noble Ohio. County Reserves Inc.” success. Fortunately, Edna proved to be ACRES’ “seed wetlands. It is these natural County’s future.” ACRES was the first, but (“ACRES”). These initial Spurgeon donated her Noble land.” lands that produce the air This article is based on now there are 26 land trusts directors, as well as all County land in 1961. Like Land acquisition soon we breathe, distill toxins information gathered by in Indiana, protecting about subsequent directors, have other early (and many later) followed with Beechwood from the water we drink, Lucy Foltyniak of Kendall- 50,000 acres of Hoosier land. served without compensation. donors, she was motivated Preserve in Steuben County, and provide a natural beauty ville, who gave a 2010-2011 ACRES Land Trust is a The directors first sought by her love of the land, not the Edna Spurgeon addition and order that stir our souls Tuesday Club program on nonprofit organization; it is land in Allen County without its economic value. Her gift in Noble County in 1964, and settle our minds. ACRES. F4 1960s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Voters approve school consolidations BY DENNIS NARTKER of the system concluded its comment about the history of Center schools. Included [email protected] primary weakness was the the state’s public school within its geographic KENDALLVILLE — low quality of rural schools, system because the Indiana boundaries are the communi- Before the 1960s, Indiana’s and the township trustees General Assembly was ties of Ligonier, Cromwell, public education system were the primary cause of this investigating a proposal to Wawaka and Kimmell and consisted of more than 4,500 weakness, according to Noble consolidate small school Elkhart, Perry, Sparta and rural schools, many one-room County historian Bob Gagen corporations to save money. Washington townships. schoolhouses, controlled by in his News Sun column In 1925, a committee The late 1960s found township boards. “School control was slow to considering the township deteriorating conditions in The model dated back to change,” published Dec. 18, trustees’ power over public some school buildings, the 19th century. 2008. schools concluded the only continued population growth By the early 1920s, critics Gagen was moved to way to correct the problems in Ligonier and updated with the trustee system was to education requirements, abolish it. The committee’s which prompted the need for =Founded 1993 > report said township trustees a new school. West Noble possessed too much power High School was completed over schools, because they in 1971, and West Noble HOOSIER AIR MUSEUM chose each county’s superin- Middle School was built in tendent of schools. DENNIS NARTKER 1976. Banquet & Meeting Facility So began the march to East Noble High School, a consolidation of Avilla, Voters in the Noble Central school consolidation in Rome City and Kendallville high schools, opened in District rejected consolidation Indiana. Gagen pointed out August 1966 in Kendallville. by 1,794 to 1,572, but with that between 1920 and 1945, another vote, the Central one-teacher schools in Indiana Noble Community School were reduced from 4,500 to “A committee of students, teachers and Corp. was created in July 616. State officials assumed 1966. It incorporated high more control over the public administrators from Kendallville, Rome City, Avilla schools in Albion and Wolf education system, including and LaOtto recommended turning high schools in Lake, and schools in Albion, teacher licensing and renewal Jefferson, York and Noble Museum Banquet & and teacher tenure. Rome City, Kendallville and Avilla into junior high townships. The new Central Schools in the 1920s Noble High School in Albion Aircraft on Display: Meeting Facility struggled with inadequate schools, and constructing a new high school in was completed in 1972. • 1946 Stinson Gullwing funding and facilities. Voters in LaGrange • 1935 Speedbird (One of a kind) State legislators noted the Kendallville at the site of South Side Elementary County approved creation of • 1946 Cessna UC-78 (T-50 Bamboo Bomber) problems with Indiana’s the Lakeland School Corp. on • 1979 Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter Gunship public education system School and the South Side Gymnasium.” July 18, 1961. The school • 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champion through the 1920s, 1930s and district — made up of schools • WWI Neuport 17, 7/10th scale replica biplane 1940s, but it wasn’t until the in Bloomfield, Greenfield, • WWI Neuport 11, 75% scale replica biplane 1950s that the debate over Johnson and Lima townships • RHC-1 Mini-Copter single seat helicopter control of the schools heated • and the towns of Brighton, • 3-Place Military Training Helicopter The museum banquet hall up again. The General Howe, LaGrange and • 1962 Wayne-Loving Roadable Homebuilt has a maximum seating Assembly passed the School Wolcottville — was officially • Pitts Special Skeleton capacity of 250 people, Reorganization Act of 1959 cracy would increase with Avilla, Rome City and rural incoporated Jan. 3, 1962. • Jet Engines, Radial Engines, Allison V-12 Engine and a resource center for that mandated school district consolidation, they warned. areas. The East Noble School In 1955, Shipshewana and smaller meetings of up to Off Site: reorganization. Each county A Noble County school Corp. was created Jan. 1, Scott schools in LaGrange 35 people. Our complete • 1965 7/10 Scale F-51 Mustang Replica was required to set up a reorganization committee 1961. County consolidated, and then approved caterers list and committee within the recommended the county be A committee of students, Westview School Corp. was • 1936 Stinson SR-9 rental prices are available • 1945 Piper J-3 Cub (85 HP) by contacting Rich Mawe following three months to divided into three consoli- teachers and administrators formed in 1963. Westview • 1942 Boeing Stearman at 260-925-2916 or plan for consolidation of dated school districts from Kendallville, Rome City, Junior-Senior High School • Fokker DIV WWI Biplane Full Size Replica [email protected] or leave township schools. comprised of East Noble Avilla and LaOtto opened in 1966. Supporters argued school (Kendallville and Allen, recommended turning high Voters approved the • 1944 Pratt Read 2 Man Training Glider a message at the museum at 260-927-0443. consolidation would raise the Wayne, Orange and Swan schools in Rome City, creation of Prairie Heights educational standards and townships), West Noble Kendallville and Avilla into School Corp. on Jan. 1, 1963. school corporations could (Ligonier, Cromwell and junior high schools, and Prairie Heights High School operate more efficiently, save Wawaka and Perry, Elkhart constructing a new high opened in 1966. HOOSIER AIR money for taxpayers and and Sparta townships) and school in Kendallville at the By 1968, the number of provide higher levels of Central Noble (Albion and site of South Side Elementary school corporations had MUSEUM service to students. Wolf Lake with Jefferson, School and the South Side declined from 939 to 382 and /VTLVM[OL/VVZPLY>HYIPYKZ Small-school advocates York and Noble townships). Gymnasium. more than 90 percent of opposed the sweeping change The issue was put to voters The vote for forming West Indiana students attended  *V\U[`9VHK in public education, arguing in each district on Nov. 8, Noble was 1,847 in favor with consolidated schools. (\I\YU05 high schools were the focal 1960. The vote for forming 1,033 against, and the West In 2007, there were 293 point of pride for many small East Noble was 3,440 in favor Noble School Corp. also was school corporations governing 7OVUL-H_!  towns. Class sizes and the with 3,130 against, and the created on Jan. 1, 1961. 1,918 public schools. An school administrative bureau- heavy vote in Kendallville’s Incorporated were Wawaka, elected board of trustees seven precincts overcame Perry, Cromwell, Ligonier, retains control over each widespread opposition in Kimmell and Washington school corporation.

In the year 1880, 26 YEARS&COUNTING! the Norris Chapel Building was constructed, consisting of a one-room structure without belfry and altar. In 1899 the belfry and altar were added.

1940 1968

Worship in the Park Sun., Sept. 11 at 10:00 AM Norris Chapel is a community of faith that in pavilion at exists as the family of God. Our mission is Auburn Eckhart Park. Potluck to reach out through worship, fellowship, dinner following service. Please bring a cover love, service and acceptance to all persons. ed dish to share.

 .\HYKPHU(\[VTV[P]LOHZILLUPU(\I\YU05WYVK\JPUN OPNOX\HSP[`NSHZZWYVK\J[ZMVY[OLH\[VTV[P]LHUKHS[LYUH[P]L LULYN`THYRL[ZPUJL .\HYKPHU0UK\Z[YPLZILNHUHZ[OL Norris Chapel United Methodist Church .\HYKPHU.SHZZ*VTWHU`PU ^OLU^LTHU\MHJ[\YLK 4793 CR 40A, Auburn, IN • 260-925-1096 • www.norrischapel.org ^PUKZOPLSKZMVY[OLH\[VTV[P]LPUK\Z[Y`0U ^LVWLULK Sunday School starts at 9:15 AM • Worship time starts at 10:45 AM V\YÄYZ[NSHZZTHU\MHJ[\YPUNWSHU[:PUJL[OLU.\HYKPHUOHZ HKKLKÅVH[SPULZHUKZL]LYHSMHIYPJH[PVUWSHU[ZHYV\UK[OL^VYSK KP]LYZPÄLKP[ZH\[VTV[P]LHUKI\PSKPUNWYVK\J[ZI\ZPULZZLZHUK MVYT\SH[LK[OYLLKPZ[PUJ[I\ZPULZZ\UP[Z¶.SHZZ(\[VTV[P]L TRADITION. INNOVATION. PROGRESS. HUK)\PSKPUN7YVK\J[Z;VKH` .\HYKPHULTWSV`ZV]LY WLVWSLHUKVWLYH[LZMHJPSP[PLZ [OYV\NOV\[5VY[O(TLYPJH ,\YVWL:V\[O(TLYPJH(ZPH (MYPJHHUK[OL4PKKSL,HZ[  .\HYKPHUOHZH\UPX\L J\S[\YL[OH[MVJ\ZLZVU YLZ\S[ZWSH`PUN[V^PUHUK YL^HYKPUNLTWSV`LLZMVY[OLPY JVTTP[TLU[[VL_JLSSLUJL>LHYLJ\YYLU[S`L_WHUKPUNV\Y ^VYRMVYJLPUWYVK\J[PVUHYLHZ5L^OPYLZ^PSSTHRL  HM[LY[OLÄYZ[`LHY.\HYKPHULTWSV`LLZHYLWYV]PKLKL_JLSSLU[ ILULÄ[ZPUJS\KPUNHTH[JOPUNRWSHU

*" ÊÊUÊÊ / , /ÊÊUÊÊ/  6-" I

Auburn Essential Services congratulates KPC Media Group .\HYKPHU(\[VTV[P]L on recording a century’s worth of history—one day at a time.  :*LU[LY:[YLL[

(\I\YU05 Auburn Essential Services (AES), a division of the Auburn Electric Department, is a municipal project that provides phone, internet and television* services over a ,6,4-/= community-owned fiber optic network to a select service area. *Television services coming soon. Visit www.auburnessentialservices.net to learn more. SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 1960s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F5

IN SPORTS

After finishing second to Gary Roosevelt in 1962, Ashley High won the 1963 state championship in cross country over West Lafayette. Dwight Graber coached the Aces to the stunning upset, reminiscent of the “Milan Miracle”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEKALB HEALTH in basketball a decade earlier. DeKalb County residents break ground for the building east side of Auburn. of DeKalb Memorial Hospital on April 29, 1962, on the ‘Miracle’ campaign raises hospital funds in 17 days BY KATHRYN BASSETT [email protected] AUBURN — It was described as the “biggest single project in which the people of DeKalb County have ever participated.” Campaign leaders and observers acclaimed it as a “miracle victory.” DeKalb County’s long- awaited dream was realized in PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEKALB HEALTH 1963 with the dedication of The new DeKalb Memorial Hospital as it looked when it opened Jan. 2, 1964. DeKalb Memorial Hospital. “Wonderful! Wonderful!” one visitor was quoted as In January 1960, the fundraising campaign began equipped hospital was $2.5 saying in a Dec. 2, 1962, million, with $1.8 million of newpaper report of the when the 1,400 volunteers gathered in the Auburn that spent on the building .com hospital’s dedication day. itself. kpcnews Another visitor from out of High School gymnasium to receive their instructions. Enough funds were town said, “We have two available to cover operating hospitals in our town, but costs for the first year of the can’t appreciate them because, hospital, after which time the unlike you in DeKalb County, hospital would be self- 3VJHSHNLU[OHZILLU we put nothing of ourselves • sustaining. into these hospitals.” When it opened, the The seed for the project would direct a group of 1,400 from W.H. Willennar of hospital had 75 beds that were was planted in 1956 when the volunteers. In January 1960, Auburn, who donated 1,000 staffed, along with 15 “Great Neighbor” Auburn Lions Club secured the fundraising campaign shares of Lincoln National additional beds that would be ZPUJL professional hospital began when the 1,400 Life Insurance stock, valued at available as needed. consultant Dr. Herman Smith volunteers gathered in the $230,000. A total of $610,000 An estimated 12,000 to determine the feasibility of Auburn High School in federal Hill-Burton funds people attended the hospital’s a county hospital. gymnasium to receive their also was available for the open house and dedication on At that time, there were instructions. Just 17 days later, project. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, with tours three privately owned the campaign goal had been Groundbreaking took place extended three additional days State Farm®, well known for being a “good neighbor” hospitals in the county with a exceeded with $1.5 million April 29, 1962, and construc- because of the interest. by “being there” for our customers, was founded in total capacity of 79 beds, raised. tion began immediately. The hospital formally 1922 by retired farmer and insurance salesman George Smith’s report led to the The largest donation came The cost of the fully opened in Jan. 2, 1964. Jacob “G.J.” Mercherle. A mutual company owned by its formation of an eight-member policyholders, State Farm is currently ranked number 34 board, the DeKalb County on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. Non-Profit Hospital Associa- tion. Mecherle’s original vision for State Farm was simple: In December 1957, a A of local, operate fairly and do the right thing for our customers. citizens’ committee was While his vision still guides us today, our continued formed. The committee ɜɑǸȇȨɜȨɄȽ family service mission is to be the fi rst and best choice in the products circulated a petition requesting and services we provide formation of a board that would meet with the DeKalb Originally a single line auto insurance company, State County Commissioners to Our roots go back to 1947 with Farm now offers nearly 100 products and services, in fi ve examine the need for a different lines of business, to help customers manage hospital and how it could be Dwight Sebert. today and prepare for tomorrow. financed. A report, completed in State Farm not only does the right thing for our 1960, recommended that the customers, we do the right thing for communities. We are heavily involved in and support communities through hospital should be citizen- sponsorships, safety programs, education leadership, owned. and service-learning. Formed in the fall of 1960, the hospital board included We’re still here today Glenn Rieke as president, C.J. Maxton as vice president, providing that same Richard O. Fink as treasurer and Otis Fisher as secretary, service you’ve come along with 19 township to expect. directors. The board retained Dan Carmichael of Columbus, 501 S. Broadway Ohio, as the architect and Butler Don Gura, Agent selected a tract of land on S.R. 633 N. Main Street, Kendallville 8 on the east side of Auburn as SEBERT 260-868-2191 the site for the hospital. 800-292-6568 260-347-FARM (3276) The board also secured the Hours: www.dongura.net services of professional OIL COMPANY, INC. Mon.-Fri. 8:00 AM-5:00 PM fundraiser Paul Young, who Remembering the Past, Kruse & Looking Forward to the Future!

Kruse P.C. 1924 Attorneys at Law

David A. Kruse Current Andrew D. Kruse Pinnington-McComb Funeral & Cremation Services of today has roots that go back almost to the turn of the century. Although names have Wm. Joseph Carlin, Jr. changed over the years, the business has provided compassionate care and quality services since 1904. www.kruselaw.com 260-925-0200 Fax 260-925-1228 502 N. Main St., Auburn • 260-925-3918 • www.pinnington-mccomb.com 1970s F6 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Automobile museum is born in Auburn

BY DAVE KURTZ Auburn-built cars arranged in [email protected] the main showroom. “… although the years AUBURN — After had not been kind to the majestic Auburn-Cord- nearly four decades Duesenberg building, the living generations are of neglect, the restoring it, making it beautiful again, giving the Auburn Automobile city a focal point for its Co. headquarters impressive heritage,” Jane Kempf, city editor for The reopened July 6, Evening Star, reported. More improvements 1974, ready to begin followed before the grand a new life as an opening on Labor Day weekend 1974, during the automobile museum. Auburn Cord Duesenberg Inspired by the growing Festival. An estimated 10,000 interest in Auburn’s automo- people toured the museum. tive history, volunteers “It’s just like it was back formed a nonprofit organiza- then, except the floor was in tion, bought the building, better condition. Of course, restored it and created the the building has been used Auburn Cord Duesenberg hard since then,” said L.M. Museum. Teeters of Garrett, an Auburn The building had opened Automobile Co. employee in 1930 as a showroom and from 1931-33. headquarters for Auburn The community had saved Automobile, which stood on what one expert called one of the brink of its finest years. the finest examples of art Built at a cost of $450,000, it deco architectural style in the featured a grand stairway, nation, saying it remained ornate chandeliers, a “remarkably unscathed in patterned terrazzo floor and a more than 40 years.” brick-and-limestone exterior. “Other antique car Fourteen plate-glass museums jam their jewels windows, standing 18 feet KPC FILE PHOTO bumper to bumper in barn- tall, illuminated the The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum’s main showroom gleams in its early days in the 1970s. like structures which detract showroom. from the vehicles’ elegance. Seven years later, all Not at Auburn. Here the activity had ceased in the classic cars running, but In 1971, the Auburn corporations — Auburn Cord Volunteers set to work building provides the perfect building, and Auburn nearly destroyed the building Chamber of Commerce Duesenberg Festival Inc. to cleaning and polishing their setting,” wrote George O. Automobile Co. met its fate by turning the showroom into sponsored an auction of operate the festival and raise investment — making roof Witwer, editor of The in bankruptcy court. a machine shop. collector cars on the city’s money and Auburn Automo- repairs and removing the Evening Star and The News In 1938, Dallas Winslow As the 1970s arrived, the west edge. It racked up tive Heritage Inc. to buy and grime of more than 35 years. Sun. of Detroit bought the building housed a clothing $750,000 in sales, including a restore the building and News reports said they spent Still thriving 37 years remaining Auburn and Cord factory, a motorcycle shop $61,000 price for a Duesen- eventually operate a museum. more than $50,000 on the later, the museum was placed automobile parts for $85,000 and a tent-camper company. berg that made national news. Continuing the annual car renovation. on National Register of and paid $25,000 for the At the same time, Suddenly, history buffs auctions conducted by the By May, they had it ready Historic Places in 1978 and administration building. admirers and owners of the who wanted to save the auto Kruse auction company of for an open house to show became a National Historic Historians later would say cars built in Auburn were company headquarters and Auburn, the community the community what they had Landmark in 2005. Today it that Winslow’s new company growing an annual festival create a museum had found a raised enough money to buy done. The new museum is known as the Auburn Cord kept many of Auburn about the autos into a major way to pay for the project. the building in late January opened to visitors on July 6, Duesenberg Automobile Automobile Co.’s future- event. They formed two nonprofit 1974 for $105,000. 1974, with a sampling of Museum. Noble County’s Earl Butz Gen. Hershey serves U.S. presidents a decorated

BY TERRY HOUSHOLDER in 1981 when he pleaded [email protected] guilty to federal tax evasion military man ALBION — Earl L. Butz, charges, for having under a farm boy from York reporting income he had BY MIKE MARTURELLO Township, became one of earned. He was sentenced to [email protected] “I hate to think of the Noble County’s most famous five years in prison, however, ANGOLA — Perhaps the native sons of the 20th all but 30 days of the term was most decorated military man day my grandchildren century. He served two U.S. Earl Butz, a suspended. He was fined to come from Steuben County will be defended presidents in the Cabinet role Wawaka High $10,000 and ordered to pay was Gen. Lewis B. Hershey. of secretary of agriculture in School $61,183 in civil penalties. He also was one of the by volunteers.” the 1970s. graduate, went Over the years, Butz more controversial figures in Graduating from Wawaka on to serve returned to his native Noble the military High School in 1927 as class under three County on several occasions. during the president and valedictorian, presidents, His last appearance at an event 1970s during Gen. Lewis B. Hershey Butz was among the five acting as in Noble County was at the the height of original 4-H leaders in assistant first Noble County 4-H the Vietnam • Indiana. He earned a secretary of Alumni Banquet in April War, when bachelor’s degree in agricul- agriculture 2000, held at the new log he served as He also was viewed as the ture from Purdue University under Dwight community building at the the director man responsible for the in 1932 and in 1937, he Eisenhower Noble County Fairgrounds in of the growth of college protests earned the first doctoral and secretary Kendallville. Butz was Selective Hershey against the Selective Service degree in agricultural of agriculture impressed when he learned Service. and the war. economics given at Purdue. under Richard that 850 youths in Noble To this day, Hershey’s In October 1967, Hershey In a 1989 News Sun Nixon and County were part of the 4-H memory lives on in Hershey issued an order known as interview, Butz said he had Gerald Ford. program. “That’s tremendous Hall on the campus of Trine “The Hershey Directive.” the good fortune of being FILE PHOTO in a county like this,” he said. University. It held that anyone who born into a nice family with “They will become a part of Hershey was a graduate of demonstrated against military loving, caring parents who that leadership class that is so Tri-State College and his recruiters on college campuses emphasized the work ethic. 1954 to 1957 under President racial joke that caused a scarce. I encourage you to legacy lives on at Trine not could be subject to reclassifi- His farm parents instilled the Dwight Eisenhower. He was national political uproar. keep it up.” only in the athletic facility. cation of their draft status, concept “that work itself is secretary of agriculture from After his fall from power, In 1999, Butz donated $1 Hershey’s personal meaning demonstrators could good for the soul.” 1971 to 1976 under Presidents Butz returned to West million to Purdue’s Depart- momentos from his lengthy be drafted immediately. Butz joined the staff of the Richard Nixon and Gerald Lafayette, and was named ment of Agricultural career — he joined the A U.S. Supreme Court Purdue Department of Ford. dean emeritus of Purdue Economics. National Guard in 1911 — are ruling in 1970 voided the Agriculture Economics in Butz was a free-market University’s School of On Feb. 7, 2008, Butz died in a collection at Trine. It order, and he was removed 1937. He served as depart- advocate and credited with Agriculture. He traveled at the home of his son in includes everything from from his post by President ment head from 1946 to 1954. revolutionizing federal extensively as a lecturer and Washington, D.C. He was 98. uniforms and medals to his Richard Nixon after becoming He was dean of agriculture at agricultural policy by consultant. He hosted his own At the time of his death, he papers. the focus of anti-war protests. Purdue from 1957 to 1967. reforming many New Deal era radio program and worked for was the oldest living Cabinet Hershey grew up in Later, Nixon would name Butz served under three farm support programs. several farm-related member from any administra- Steuben County and attended Hershey one of his advisers presidents. He was assistant He left the Cabinet post businesses as a board member. tion. His funeral and burial public school. He received his and promoted him to full secretary of agriculture from after repeating a religious and Butz drew headlines again were in West Lafayette. degree from Tri-State and later general. At the time, he was an honorary doctor of law the only four-star general to from the school. reach the rank without having In 1970, Hershey Hall was served in combat. dedicated. It was during the He was a huge proponent IN SPORTS height of the Vietnam War, of conscription. and some came to Tri-State “I hate to think of the day University to protest the my grandchildren will be general. defended by volunteers,” Garrett High School’s Railroaders won the Class A state championship in As the former head of the Hershey was quoted as having Selective Service, he was said. football in 1974, finishing an 11-0 season under coach Dave Wiant. viewed by some as the man Hershey, born in 1893, responsible for sending many died in Angola on May 20, The Railroaders defeated North Knox 20-6. Garrett’s Paul Rassell won the mental attitude award. young men to their deaths in 1977. He is buried in the war. Arlington National Cemetery. 1980s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F7 Dekko builds thriving foundation BY DENNIS NARTKER He co-founded one of the interest and became the placed in the hands of people people from birth to age 18 [email protected] largest privately held group’s owner, changing the dedicated to their communi- in three targeted areas: industrial name to Group Dekko ties. He was determined the quality early childhood KENDALLVILLE — firms in International Inc. foundation would help those education; child-centered northeast Dekko retired in 1990 people develop grassroots education; and the sustain- What began as a Indiana. In and died in 1992. His legacy initiatives. It was important ability of youth-serving asset 1981, he and vision continued under to him that the foundation building organizations. hand-operated started the family-influenced leadership would help communities help Charitable projects over Dekko until the company was sold themselves, not do things for the years have included toggle clamp for Foundation, in 2006. Group Dekko them. capital campaigns for rubber molding, now one of International remains His business and financial libraries, YMCAs, Dekko the largest benefit from ready-made privately held and is led by assets came to the foundation community parks, recreation developed on Chet foundations wiring assemblies, Jon A. Jensen, president and after his death in 1992. This areas, operating support for in Indiana. eliminating the labor CEO. sparked a period of financial, organizations that promote Dekko’s dining room The 1980s were boom intensive practice of hand- Chester Dekko grew up staff and program growth. positive youth development, table, grew into a years for Group Dekko wiring cabinets. Their belief during the Great Depression Dekko’s children, C.E. “Tad” materials, equipment and International, but the took off, and Lyall Electric and believed that education Dekko, Erica Dekko and training for public and sophisticated organi- company began in 1952 as experienced extraordinary was the element that lifted Lorene Dekko Salsbery, private schools and support Lyall Electric with five growth. him beyond those difficult replaced by her husband Phil to build community founda- zation of integrated employees producing ready- The company acquired years to a life of economic Salsbery after her death, tion endowments. made wiring assemblies or Pent Inc. in 1962, and freedom. He attended the serve as the foundation’s According to the founda- resources with more harnesses for manufacturers expanded its core competen- University of Minnesota board of directors. tion’s 2010 annual report for than 50 facilities in of commercial refrigerators. cies to include engineering under the Naval V-12 The foundation’s the fiscal year ending Aug. After three years with design, testing and certifica- program and graduated with geographical focus is in the 31, 2010, the foundation had five states. Aluminum Co. of America tion, electrical advance- a bachelor’s degree in naval communities where Dekko $194.6 millions in total Today, Group Dekko and a stint as a salesman for ments, wire-winding technology. He was did business during his assets, and dispersed just International Inc., based in a small Fort Wayne technologies, metal fabrica- commissioned an ensign in lifetime: DeKalb, LaGrange, under $9 million in grants Garrett, employs approxi- company, Dekko staked all tions, powder coating, 1946, and in 1947 earned a Noble, Steuben, Whitley and with total dispersements of mately 1,500 people in 11 he owned on a partnership injection molding, profile degree in mechanical Kosciusko counties in $11.3 million. facilities in three states and with Lyall Morrill, owner of extrusion, fluid controls and engineering. In 1948, he Indiana; Limestone County, Dekko started Freedom Mexico and a manufac- Lyall Electric Inc. in LED lighting solutions. received a master’s degree Ala.; Collier County, Fla.; Academy in 1991 with adult turing partnership in China. Kendallville. At one time, Group in economics. Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, continuing-education The late Chester E. By 1956, Dekko set a Dekko included 16 He established the Dekko Ringgold and Union programs at convenient Dekko, co-founder of Lyall goal of a 20 percent growth companies with more than Foundation in 1981 with a counties in Iowa; and the locations in six different Electric, now Group Dekko rate for the company, 50 small plants nationwide. mission to foster economic community of Ada in northeast Indiana counties. International, was the son of compounded annually. Forty-two of those were in freedom through education. Minnesota. His goal: “To enhance the Norwegian immigrants and Dekko and Morrill believed northeast Indiana. He was especially impressed The board has focused quality of life for those who grew up in a small farming manufacturers of commer- In 1988 Dekko purchased by the good that could be the foundation’s are willing to enrich their community in Minnesota. cial refrigerators could the remaining Morrill family done through small grants grantmaking on young education.”

Bledsoe’s Beach hub of Lake James for nearly eight decades

BY MIKE MARTURELLO floor at Lake Gage was [email protected] concrete that had embedded LAKE JAMES — For crushed, colored glass. When nearly eight decades Bledsoe’s the bare light bulbs overhead Beach served as a place of were turned on at night, the entertainment, a social floor sparkled. gathering spot, a postal station After the Big Band era and more. waned, the record and sock It was like the seat of hop era followed, and the government for Lake James dance hall continued to be a and neighboring lakes on the hot spot. Fort Wayne radio Lake James chain. You could station WOWO used to get everything you needed at broadcast sock hops from the Bledsoe’s, from a postage facility. stamp to a fresh cut of beef, During the 1960s, rock from a few rays of sun to a bands were brought in, and smooch from your sweetie the excitement on the lake while dancing the night away. continued. Bledsoe’s was a lake hot In the 1970s, the dance spot for decades. During the hall was used less frequently Big Band era, numerous — it did become home of the national acts came to play at Lake James Jazz Festival — the facility, which held though the other facilities on dances seven nights a week the massive property, and even on Sunday including the beach and afternoons, which was basketball camp, continued to criminal for a time. The cost bring visitors to the area. Å was a five-cent dance ticket, banquet hall was developed in pretty pricy during the 1920s, the 1980s, yet its use declined and men and women came after the Hoosier Basketball dressed to the nines. Camp moved away from Lake In their heyday, the James. Bledsoe brothers, Roy Sr. and The beginning of the end Charles, not only operated of an era came in the early the flagship property on the morning hours of Sept. 24, second basin of Lake James, 1980, when fire broke out at but also had a dance hall at the Bledsoe’s Beach complex, the property that is now home destroying much of the to Lake James Christian facility. Assembly, on the first basin, This week, on Thursday, FILE PHOTO and an open-air dance facility the Bledsoe properties will be Women and children are shown catching some James, in this photo from the 1950s. on Lake Gage. The dance up for auction. sunshine on one of the docks at Bledsoe’s Beach, Lake Since1955 HIXSON SAND & GRAVEL, INC.

Drain & Sewer Tile ;PYL :40;/ Culvert Pipe 2 Locations ;V^U ,5;,9790:,: Crushed Limestone  6178 CR 7, Garrett 101 N. McKinley, Angola Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5; Sat. 8-12 Top Soil & Trucking 0M`V\JHUHUZ^LY[OLMVSSV^PUNX\LZ[PVUZJVYYLJ[S`IYPUN[OLMVYT (260) 357-4477 [V:TP[O,U[LYWYPZLZI`(\NMVY`V\YJOHUJL[V^PUH .0-;*,9;0-0*(;, :40;/ 6ULLU[Y`WLYWLYZVUWSLHZL>PUULYJOVZLUI`KYH^PUN Fax: (260) 357-0447 ,5;,9790:,: >OH[TVU[O `LHYKPK (5:>,9:!  :TP[O,U[LYWYPZLVWLU& FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF >OH[^HZ[OLSVJH[PVUVM[OL FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Kimmell, IN  VYPNPUHS:TP[O,U[LYWYPZL& FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF >OPJOLTWSV`LLOHZ (260) 635-2280  ^VYRLKMVY:TP[O,U[LYWYPZL 5HTL!FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF *65;,:;  [OLSVUNLZ[& 7OVUL!FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F8 1980s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Slaying of town marshal stuns community

BY TERRY HOUSHOLDER Allen Lewis Snyder of Fort of the town marshal’s received a phone tip that led overturned the death stress on the day of murder, [email protected] Wayne, Miner was shot in emotional to the arrests of Snyder and sentence which resulted in a accomplice received a dispro- AVILLA — No one living the back with the officer’s funeral at Spranger. resentencing to 60 years in portionate easy plea, cooper- in this small southeastern own handgun by 18-year-old Calvary Two separate trials were prison. ation with law enforcement. Noble County community in William J. Spranger of Fort United held in Richmond, both The state Supreme Court Miner was buried at 1983 will forget the shocking Wayne. Miner was Methodist resulting in convictions. said the following mitigating Butler Cemetery in DeKalb slaying of 29-year-old Avilla pronounced dead at the Church, Snyder was convicted of circumstances caused it to County with a full police Town Marshal William D. scene when the Noble Avilla, involuntary manslaughter reduce the sentence for memorial salute by more Miner Jr. County EMS arrived at 4:30 attended by and sentenced to eight years Spranger: No advance plan than 200 officers. He was Miner was killed in the a.m. more than in prison. Spranger was or scheme to murder, 18 survived by his wife and two early morning of May 28, A massive 24-hour-a-day 400 family, convicted of murder and years old at the time of the young children. 1983, while he was investi- investigation began immedi- Miner friends and given the death sentence by murder, capable of rehabilita- Miner is among the fallen gating a report of a vehicle ately with nearly every colleagues, Wayne Circuit Court Judge tion, poor social controls, federal, state and local lawn vandalism south of the police department in two murder suspects were James C. Puckett. impulsive and extremely enforcers honored at the town’s railroad viaduct on northeastern Indiana partici- arrested. The case broke In 1995, the Indiana susceptible to influence of National Law Enforcement S.R. 3. pating. when Indiana State Police Supreme Court reaffirmed others, no prior criminal Officers Memorial in During a struggle with On May 31, 1983, the day Detective John Barrett Spranger’s conviction, but record, intoxication and Washington, D.C. Industry bounces back Kendallville business booms BY BOB BRALEY don’t come.” and pretty much turned me [email protected] It was the granting of the loose,” he said. from high unemployment KENDALLVILLE — city’s first tax abatements “It all came together, and Former Kendallville Mayor that opened the doors for it worked primarily because John Riemke said the city’s companies such as Sterling, we had one contact person BY DAVE KURTZ on Auburn’s west side to several plants expanding over industrial boom of the James River and The Budd and we had everybody [email protected] discuss the land’s potential for the next few years. Guardian 1980s can be summed up in Co. to open facilities in pulling on the same harness. The early 1980s brought industrial sites. Automotive of Auburn opened two words — tax Kendallville, and for No- We had one common goal, double-digit unemployment By the mid-1980s, west in 1985 and employed 350 abatements. Sag to expand its business and everybody worked rates to northeast Indiana. Auburn had become home to people two years later. At a time when the city in the city, Rienke said. toward it. But by the middle of the Magnavox, Contech and Although AIDCO hoped to had 16-percent unemploy- The city had set a goal of Factory Sites Inc. helped, decade, industry was bouncing Auburn Packaging, with still reduce the county’s depend- ment, Kendallville was bringing in 200 jobs a year too, providing money for back in DeKalb County, more development to come. ence on the automotive consistently finishing for three straight years, water lines and helping get thanks to the efforts of a In one of its first steps industry, about half of the new behind Angola, Auburn and Riemke said. grants for sewers, Riemke private nonprofit group. toward success, AIDCO companies were involved in Ashley in drawing jobs, “We ended up creating said. Auburn Industrial Develop- obtained a $1 million state making automotive parts. Riemke said. 1,200 jobs in 18 months.” The result was that most ment Corp. recruited grant to build an industrial With 20 percent unemploy- At the time, the city had The other major asset the of what now exists in the industries for the entire sewer for west Auburn. ment in the early 1980s, never offered tax city had in the 1970s and city’s East Industrial Park county. In its busiest period, AIDCO could not be too abatements to any ’80s was Indiana NorthEast was established, Riemke Auburn’s mayor at the AIDCO showed sites in choosy about potential businesses. Development, headed by said. time, Burt Dickman, described DeKalb County to a prospec- employers. But it did turn He recalled a conversa- Lincoln Shrock, Riemke Riemke served as AIDCO as a matchmaker. He tive industry about once a away some companies tion in which businessman said. Kendallville mayor from said AIDCO, as a private week. The efforts paid off because of their low wages. Jim McFarland asked, “Will Another key element was 1972-1991. organization, could work with a flurry of ground- “There aren’t any $4-an- you give us a tax that everyone was in The auto industry’s quietly with companies breaking ceremonies in 1984 hour jobs that we’ve abatement?” agreement on what to do, problems caused many of considering the area for and 1985. recruited,” Jeff Turner, vice Riemke replied that the Riemke said. that era’s jobs to leave the factory sites. The year 1984 saw 11 president of AIDCO, said at city never had, but he would “Back then, the (city) city in the early part of the In a 1989 interview, companies begin operating or the end of the decade. “There see if it could. council was very coopera- last decade, and the national Dickman recalled how he and start building new factories in isn’t one minimum-wage job Riemke said McFarland tive. I had a lot of latitude recession made things Allen Graber made a trip one DeKalb County. They created that we’ve brought to the replied, “Let me put it this from the council. They gave worse, but the memory of day to woods and cornfields 1,682 jobs immediately, with county.” way. If you don’t give it, we me some broad guidelines the boom still lingers.

DeKalb High School won a pair of state championships in the 1980s. The baseball team IN SPORTS claimed the trophy in 1980 with a 1-0 win over Muncie North in eight innings. In 1986, DeKalb won the Class 4A state championship in football, 28-7 over Franklin Central. Coach Dale Hummer’s Barons compiled a 13-1 record behind a punishing ground attack.

AT HOME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 1876 “Home is where the heart is.” Maybe it’s a cliché. Maybe not. Provena Sacred Heart Home, in the small rural community of Avilla, Indiana, Fast forward with us to has been where the heart is for more than this new century. a century. Provena Sacred Heart Home today is a The story that led up to establishing the Sacred Heart Home began when Father Continuum of Care Community. That Dominic Duehmig, pastor of St. Mary means we ensure our residents a smooth of the Assumption Parish and Bishop of transition through the different levels of the Fort Wayne Diocese, placed an ad in care we all need as we age. a German newspaper that Sisters of the Sacred Heart could relocate to Avilla. Specialized care, skilled nursing care, independent living in patio homes, There was most certainly a connection, 1896 assisted living, and long-term care for not a coincidence. Fr. Duemig was originally from Baden in Germany’s Black Forest. The the aged are all offered right here on sisters were from Baden as well. They were under the our Avilla campus. An Alzheimer’s wing was established throes of religious persecution. The Grand Duke of in 1990 and skilled nursing care was incorporated in Karlsruhe felt the Sisters were merely a nuisance. 1995. Most recently, April 2011, Private Medicare Suites were built on for short term rehab stays. Half of the congregation responded to the invitation and set sail for America, arriving in New York in May Sacred Heart Home is an integral part of Provena 1876 and made their way to Indiana. The Sisters Health, a Catholic health system that specializes purchased the Thomas Storey farm in Avilla for $12,000 and took possession of their new home on the Feast of in building communities of healing and hope “by Corpus Christi. It wasn’t long before Fr. Duehmig offered compassionately responding to human needs in the the Holy Sacrifi ce in a new little chapel. spirit of Jesus Christ.” 1896

A section of the old farmhouse was used to care for the Provena is well respected for its responsiveness to elderly and was the beginning of Sacred Heart Home. The community needs, quality, value and innovation. The fi rst “Old People’s Home” opened in January 1896 and ministries are sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sisters were embarking upon a new fi eld of endeavor, the Sacred Heart, the Servants of the Holy Heart of “the care of the aged.” Ironically, the very fi rst residents were Mr. and Mrs. Storey. Mary and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

The Sacred Heart Home as we know it, opened on Despite this ever-changing world ~ some things 75 beautiful, peaceful acres on North Main Street in never change. The caring, compassionate feeling that 1978, more than 100 years after the Sisters arrived in has always permeated Sacred Heart Home is still America. present today. Everywhere you turn.

Today Welcome to the Provena Sacred Heart “neighborhood.”

• INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEDICARE SUITES • MEMORY CARE UNITS 515 N. Main Street, Avilla • 260-897-2841 www.provena.org/sacredheart 1990s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F9 Steel giant rises from DeKalb County fields

BY DAVE KURTZ county? I think the answer is [email protected] a resounding yes,” said Daryle Doden, a county BUTLER — Keith councilman at the time. When SDI began Busse liked the work accepting applications for jobs that would pay $50,000 ethic he saw in per year, nearly 2,800 people lined up at Kruse Auction northeast Indiana Park south of Auburn on Oct. during 15 years as a 10, 1994. The newly hired workers manager for Nucor built the mill themselves, and the company began making Corp. at St. Joe. steel in the fall of 1995. Busse left St. Joe in the “Fourteen months from late 1980s to manage the start of construction to rolling building of the nation’s most is the shortest cycle time for modern steel mill for Nucor the completion of an entire at Crawfordsville. steel works that we are aware When the job was of,” said Dick Teets, one of finished, Busse and two of his SDI’s three founders. colleagues broke away from SDI produced some of the Nucor to start their own lightest-gauge steel ever company, naming it Steel made by a hot-rolled mill, Dynamics Inc. giving the company a In 1993, Busse said he significant price advantage. wanted to build an even better In March 1996, SDI chose steel mill for his new the Butler site for expansion company — and he set his with a cold-rolling mill that sights on returning to DeKalb would put a higher-quality County. surface on it steel and boost In December 1993, employment from 250 to 425. DeKalb County’s commis- PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Steel-processing sioners and council pledged An employee watches giant rolling stands during the early days of the Steel Dynamics steel mill near Butler. companies sprouted around to do “everything we can the mill, bringing hundreds within the bounds of fiscal of additional jobs. responsibility” to make the Ohio, Busse announced in reality would not be an easy the mill signed a full-page the mill site southwest of From its start in DeKalb mill possible. Butler February 1994 that SDI had road. advertisement in The Butler and a massive County, SDI grew into the business leaders Bert chosen rural Butler as the site Neighbors of the proposed Evening Star. The county incentive package. It included fifth-largest steel company in Hollman and Jack Bercaw for its mill. mill raised concerns about Board of Health issued a a $17.6 million bond that the United States. assembled a team of 20 Gov. Evan Bayh joined traffic, noise, possible letter citing its health would be repaid partly by a Now based in Fort Wayne, volunteers to work on Busse for the announcement pollution and the impact of a concerns about the mill. new county economic SDI employs more than recruiting SDI. at the DeKalb County massive new power line on A majority of county development income tax. 6,000 people and operates After considering sites in Airport. health and property values. In officials stood by their initial “Does this thing make five electric-furnace mini Garrett, Whitley County and But making the mill a May 1994, 550 opponents of pledge and voted to approve economic sense for the mills. Park honors generous pioneer David Rogers

BY CRAIG HAUPERT caring that we want to remember Dr. Rogers [email protected] remember and that we want coming here as a pioneer WOLCOTTVILLE — to use as an example,” said and the others who also did David Rogers Memorial Scott Beam, LaGrange so,” Beam said. “It takes a Park was established in County naturalist. lot of courage to relocate 1970 as LaGrange County’s According to records your family. They came here first official county park. from the LaGrange County and established farms and The county has Historical Society, Rogers businesses hoping to start established five more parks came to LaGrange County the beginnings of a good since then, but none have from New York in the life for their families. That the rich backstory of the 1830s. He bought about same courage is something first. 1,500 acres of LaGrange we have to tap into today.” The park is named after County land for $1.25 an The establishment of the man whose grave is acre and made a fortune David Rogers Memorial found upon it — Dr. David reselling it. He took an Park occurred in the same Rogers, who died in 1871. interest in herbal medicine year the county’s park board When Rogers died, his will and did not charge for was formed, 1970. bequeathed his fortune and medical services provided to The development of Delt all of his LaGrange County those who could not afford Church Park began in 1975. land to the commissioners it. Dallas Lake Park and of LaGrange County to set A monument to Rogers, Maplewood were added in up a trust benefiting the who was born in 1786, can the mid-1980s, although county’s poor and orphaned. be found in the park. An Maplewood Nature Center An orphanage was built inscription on the was not constructed until north of the park. monument reads: “He was 1988. In Rogers’ honor, the the friend of the invalid, The first David Rogers LaGrange County Parks gave medicine without Days Festival was held in Department holds an annual money and without price.” 1991. festival — David Rogers Beam said a lot can be The county’s newest CRAIG HAUPERT Days. learned from Rogers’ life. park, Pine Knob Park, A monument to Dr. David Rogers stands Wolcottville. It was the first park “He exhibited a sense of “We are trying to opened in 2007. at David Rogers Memorial Park near established by LaGrange County.

For More Than 95 Years the quality of life for Around 1915 the Golden Garage was started at the former Wendy’s site in Angola. In 1931 the Golden Garage became incorporated and the name was later changed seniors & others for to Golden Auto Parts Inc. Around this time the company began doing business with ȽɑȨȃȣȨȽȝ a new organization called the National Automotive Parts Association, known as NAPA. Beginning in the 1950’s the company ҭүdȐǸɑɕ expanded into other towns where their present locations are.

ҫҵҳҳ to Above: Original store at the former Wendy’s location early 1940’s. ҫҵҵҭ҇ ɤɑɑȐȽɜ Right: Golden Auto Parts Wrecker in early 1940’s. “DART” Transportation AFFORDABLE public transportation throughout DeKalb County for everyone. • FARM PARTS - HYDRAULIC HOSES - FILTERS - BELTS • AUTO - TRUCKS - TRACTORS Hours of operation: 6 AM-6 PM • SMALL ENGINE PARTS • MACHINE SHOP SERVICE • RETAIL & WHOLESALE We’re The Guys The Pros Go To! DeKalb Co. Council on Aging, Inc. GOLDEN AUTO PARTS INC. Heimach Senior Activity Center 701 N. Wayne, Angola • 260-665-3128 1800 E. Seventh St., Auburn ALSO KENDALLVILLE 260-347-2211, LAGRANGE 260-463-2107, MONTPELIER, OH 419-485-4550 260-925-3311 or 888-220-2242 F10 1990s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 Hispanics become majority in Ligonier BY BOB BUTTGEN School Corp. have had to and Jorge Chapa, the book School reports back [email protected] Ligonier’s Changing deal with language barriers. devoted much of its research LIGONIER —Like many Population Mix Many of the documents sent to the city of Ligonier. Ken up census findings small towns in the Midwest, home with students from Crane, credited as a The fact that Hispanics are Ligonier has gone through 1990 Census West Noble schools are researcher by the authors, now a majority of Ligonier’s significant changes over the printed in both Spanish and spent months in Ligonier TOTAL POPULATION:3,443 population, while surprising past 30 years. English. documenting the city’s to some, has always been Ligonier saw a rise in HISPANIC RESIDENTS: 321 About half of the small changing population. hinted at in the Minority manufacturing facilities over (9.3 percent) businesses in Ligonier’s The cover of the book Language Report (MLR) the past three decades, with downtown area are owned by featured a photograph of a done each year by the West several factories offering a people of Latino heritage. welcome sign to Ligonier. Noble School Corp., which high number of good-paying 2000 Census Not all of these new Sometime in the 1980s or serves Ligonier and the jobs. On the downside, the residents come directly from early 1990s, someone vandal- TOTAL POPULATION: 4,357 surrounding area. number of small, locally Mexico. Many migrated to ized the sign. Instead of owned retail businesses in the HISPANIC RESIDENTS: 1,451 Ligonier from Texas. “Welcome To Ligonier,” Of West Noble’s 2,544 downtown area has dwindled (33.3 percent) Census reports from years someone spray-painted the students, 1,110 are at a steady pace, especially in past also document the word “Mexico” over Hispanic, according to the the last 20 years or so. FILE PHOTO dramatic rise in Hispanics in “Ligonier.” The sign was MLR that is required each One other dramatic differ- 2010 Census the last 10 and also 20 years. quickly fixed, but the year by the state of Indiana. The cover of this book, ence in Ligonier is the 4,405 In the 2000 count, Ligonier photograph lives on as a Another 42 students are “Apple Pie and TOTAL POPULATION: makeup of its population. was reported to have one- reminder that not everyone considered multiracial, seven Enchiladas,” which According to the 2010 HISPANIC RESIDENTS: 2,270 third of its population being endorsed the influx of are African-Americans and profiled the Latino U.S. Census, 52 percent of (51.5 percent) from Latino background. In Spanish-speaking residents. 11 more are either Asian or immigration into Ligonier’s residents are of 1990 that number was just In March of this year, an Native Americans. Hispanic heritage, making it America’s small towns, 9.3 percent. academic study was done by one of only two cities in featured a sign in Ligonier Latino.” That category was Studies of the 1980 Goshen College’s Center for At Ligonier Elementary Indiana with a Hispanic that had been vandalized. set at 2,135 residents in Census failed to show any Intercultural Teaching and School, the number of majority. East Chicago is the The word “Mexico” was 2010, down from 2,906 in recording of the percentage Learning (CITL), in collabo- students who come from a other. spraypainted over the 2000. That’s a decrease of of Hispanics living in ration with Notre Dame’s home where Spanish is Ligonier’s population was word “Ligonier.” 771 non-Latino residents. Ligonier. Institute of Latino Studies. spoken is 56.6 percent, set at 4,405 by the 2010 Those changes have, for This changing makeup of The report was published according to school officials. census, an increase of only 48 rose to 2,270 — up from the most part, been absorbed the city’s population has been in a three-volume report, and In general, to be counted as residents compared to the 1,451 in 2000, an increase of by the city without much documented in other ways. provided a look into the language minority, the 2000 count. But from 2000 819. strife. In 2004, a book, “Apple Latino population of northern student must speak at least to 2010, many more Ligonier Many fewer Ligonier Like other cities in the Pie and Enchiladas: Latino Indiana including Ligonier. It two languages, with the residents identified residents identified Midwest that have experi- Newcomers in the Rural is available through the primary home language themselves as Hispanic or themselves on their census enced an influx of Latinos, Midwest,” was published. Goshen College website, being something besides Latino. In 2010, that number reports as “not Hispanic or Ligonier and the West Noble Written by Ann V. Millard goshen.edu. English. Angola’s Dana ‘Responsible’ senator Weatherhead plant controls state budget comes to an end BY MATT GETTS In 1988, he won a seat in the [email protected] Indiana Senate, eventually taking “My mantra was: LAGRANGE — From his over the reins of the Appropria- BY MIKE MARTURELLO Others talked about staying on with home in LaGrange County, he tions Committee. ‘There is no money.’” [email protected] the company in other plants in held the purse strings for the state The hours were ANGOLA — A legend on the northeast Indiana, or several states of Indiana. difficult — at Steuben County industrial scene away. Some talked about starting “It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it?” times he would Robert Meeks came to an end on Nov. 21, 1993. new careers. It was estimated by said Robert “Bob” Meeks. work between Retired tate senator That was the day that Dana union president Terry Swager that Meeks retired from the Indiana 16 and 18 hours Corp. came to an agreement with about 100 of the workers would be Senate in 2008. When he left aday.Whenhe members of its unionized able to retire with full benefits and office, he was chairman of the was home on • workforce to close the Dana a cash severance. powerful Senate Appropriations weekends, he Weatherhead plant in Angola that Part of the settlement included Committee that was responsible would sit down had employed, at times, some 600 the company excusing an $832,000 for state spending. Meeks with the Meeks said it happened people. settlement it had been granted in “I liked working with numbers and shortly after being elected to the At the time, it was the largest Steuben Circuit Court against the numbers,” Meeks said. “I liked work some more. state Senate. He said he factory in the county and at its union through a contempt case. having responsibility.” “I wanted to do what was remembers standing above the apex, the company employed Union officials estimated it Responsibility has been a big right,” Meeks said. “I wanted to do Senate chambers, looking down. hundreds of people in its brass mill would cost the company approxi- part of Meeks’ life. the best I could.” “I got that warm feeling of that started in the mid-1940s. mately $10 million to settle with its He worked four years for the Meeks played a critical role in responsibility,” Meeks said. “I When the plant finally closed its workers, though company officials Allen County Sheriff’s Depart- the state cutting a $600 million had that same feeling when I doors following a 19-month strike at the time would not comment ment. He then spent 21 years with deficit and making good on $750 joined the Indiana State Police.” that spawned violence, lawsuits and about it. the Indiana State Police, retiring as million in late payments. In 2010, the state honored bankruptcy protection being sought Dana hung on to the property on commander of what was then the “My mantra was ‘There is no Meeks by naming the new for UAW Local 1406, there were Weatherhead Drive until 1996, Ligonier Post. money,’” Meeks said. Indiana State Police Toll Road about 350 people in the workforce. when it was sold to Univertical In 1984, he sought public office When his years as a police Post at Bristol after him. When it all ended that day on a Corp., at the time based in Detroit. for the first time, winning a seat on officer and government public Still active on various vote of union members meeting in Univertical has been in operation at the Lakeland School Corp. board servant are added together, corporate and civic boards, Meeks the newly opened Steuben the facility since 1997. It currently of trustees. Meeks said he has served his said his wife and children have Community Center, many of the employs about 65 people in its “I had kids in school, and I still community and state for more always been behind him. aging members of the Dana work highly automated operation that felt I had something to give back,” than 51 years. “They were my rock-solid force took retirement options. employs extensive robotics. Meeks said. His most memorable moment? people,” Meeks said.

Your hometown IN SPORTS furniture store for over 80 years. Coach Troy Neeley’s Westview Warriors won back-to-back state championships in Class 2A boys basketball. The Warriros defeated Paoli 71-52 in 1999 and downed 7KH :HLFKW )XQHUDO KRPH KDV EHHQ RZQHG DQG RSHUDWHG Winchester 59-53 in 2000. E\  JHQHUDWLRQV RI WKH :HLFKW )DPLO\ /HRSROG ( :HLFKW LPPLJUDWHG WR WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV IURP %DGHQ *HUPDQ\ LQ  DQG HVWDEOLVKHG WKH /( :HLFKW 6RQ )XQHUDO +RPH ZKLFK ZDV DOVR NQRZQ DV :HLFKW¶V 8QGHUWDNLQJ Aaron Willard coached Eastside to a Class (VWDEOLVKPHQW %\ WKH HQG RI WKH WK &HQWXU\ /HRSROG¶V VRQ +HQU\ :HLFKW KDG MRLQHG KLV IDWKHU DQG UDQ WKH EXVLQHVV A state championship in girls softball in DORQJ ZLWK WKH $QJROD &DVNHW &RPSDQ\ $V WKH \HDUV ZHQW E\ WKH QDPH RI¿FLDOO\ FKDQJHG WR :HLFKW )XQHUDO +RPH 1998, winning the final game 3-1 over +HQU\ ZDV IROORZHG LQ WKH IDPLO\ EXVLQHVV E\ KLV VRQ 3DXO Riverton Parke. - :HLFKW %\ WKH ¶V 3DXO ZDV MRLQHG E\ KLV VRQ -RVHSK +HQU\ :HLFKW DQG WKH\ UDQ WKH EXVLQHVV WRJHWKHU Thank you for ,Q  DW WKH DJH RI  3DXO ( ³*HQH´ :HLFKW DORQJ ZLWK LV DeKalb’s Luke Recker became PRWKHU 2OLYH ( :HLFKW JRW LQYROYHG ZKHQ KLV IDWKHU -RVHSK your patronage! +HQU\ SDVVHG DZD\ - Joe & Theresa Atz the area’s only Mr. Basketball 7KH :HLFKW )DPLO\ DQG LWV JHQHUDWLRQV DOVR UDQ DQ in 1997. $PEXODQFH 6HUYLFH IRU 6WHXEHQ &RXQW\ IURP DSSUR[LPDWHO\  WR  DeKalb’s Brad Weber won the 7KH EXVLQHVV LV FXUUHQWO\ RZQHG DQG RSHUDWHG E\ 3DXO mental attitude award for ( ³*HQH´ :HLFKW DQG KLV ZLIH 6XVDQ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ -RKQ - :HLFKW DQG %HWK :HLFKW /HH &KULVWRSKHU - %XUWRQ football in 1994. Recker )XQHUDO 'LUHFWRU DQG -LP +XOEHUW 3UH1HHG DQG $IWHU &DUH &RXQVHORU FRPSOHWH WKH IXQHUDO KRPH IDPLO\ Our Family Serving Your Family For 157 Years. Mental attitude award winners in cross country were Andrew Begley of Weicht Funeral ...We Know Furniture from A to Z Westview in 1994 and Matt Stout of Home LOCATIONS: 207 N. West Street • Angola, IN Lakeland in 1997. Phone: 260-665-3111 US 6 West, Kendallville US 6 & 33, Ligonier Fax: 260-665-3112 www.weichtfh.com 347-2254 894-4194 [email protected] atzfurniturecompany.com 2000s SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F11 New chapter begins for local university

MIKE MARTURELLO [email protected] ANGOLA — There was much fanfare as Tri-State University became Trine University in a ceremony on Aug. 1, 2008. Bells pealed, a small plane pulled a “We are Trine University” banner overhead, a new flag was raised, several hundred people applauded and Tri- State University officially Sheri Trine enjoys a laugh just after became Trine University just unveiling the new Trine University before noon on a bright, sign (formerly Tri-State University) sunny Friday before the start along with her husband, Ralph, of the 2008-2009 school during a celebration Aug. 1, 2008, on year. the Angola campus. The family is a A great picnic celebrated primary donor with the university the dawn of a new chapter in and has dedicated many hours to the local university’s history. developing the campus. But it wasn’t all rosy leading up to that historic PHOTOS BY BY KARLY TEARNEY day. Alumni voiced opposi- tion, writers of letters to the Tri-State College alumnus Ralph Trine unveils the official name change and was complete with a flag editor objected. Many in the new Trine University sign during a celebration raising, lunch and acknowledgements to alumni, community did not want to Aug. 1, 2008, on the campus. The event marked the donors and community members. see part of the name dating to 1884 changed. But change it did, and the new Trine University Ralph Trine is a 1961 died in a tragic car accident Sheri Trine’s unveiling of the insight, advice and three years later it seems as sign and the flag-raising. “I graduate of Tri-State while in college in Miami. new name at the university’s “unselfish leadership that though the new name has know it’s tough (for some College. Vestil, the first manufac- entrance, university President helps build team spirit.” He become as much a part of people) … but in the long The Trines moved the turing facility to open a plant Earl Brooks II commented said every corner of the the community as had the run it will be very beneficial. family company, TS in Angola Industrial Growth the Trine name represents campus has evidence of their old Tri-State, which had its It is forward-thinking. It’s an Equipment, to Angola in Park, is a materials handling “transformational change.” support. roots in the founding of the easier name for people to 1982 from Jackson, Mich. equipment manufacturer, But he emphasized that the Sheri Trine noted the school as Tri-State Normal remember, and it identifies The company was started by making a wide variety of school’s core values will university is growing not College. The school later the school as a unique Ralph’s father, Donald. materials-handling remain the same. only architecturally — it has became Tri-State College, university.” Ralph and Sheri Trine equipment — everything Brooks said the university numerous significant new then Tri-State University. Kruse added that he likes have three children, Cari, from loading dock is helping to “propel buildings — but also “I’m excited about the the fact that the university is Barry and Donald. Barry equipment to carts and northeast Indiana to a new academically. name change,” state Sen. named after people who are works at Vestil Manufac- dollies. level of prosperity and “We are humbled and Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, living and still involved with turing and Cari also works In his remarks immedi- economic vitality.” He overwhelmed,” Ralph Trine said after the unveiling of the school. for the company. Donald ately prior to Ralph and thanked the Trines for their said. Avilla population booms BUTLER PLANT BY BOB BRALEY as Cranberry Acres sprang fastest growing community [email protected] up during that time, and statewide. AVILLA — For most of even the Avilla Mobile There were a couple of the first decade of the 21st Home Park expanded, reasons for the rapid growth. century, Avilla was one of adding new lots. “A lot of it was marketing OPENS Indiana’s fastest-growing During some of the peak from developers,” Ley said. cities or towns on a per- years of the boom, Avilla Another factor was the capita basis. ranked in the top 20 cities availability of good jobs, That growth was and towns in the state for both in Avilla and in nearby reflected in the 2010 U.S. population growth as a communities, he added. Census, which listed Avilla percentage of the town’s “At one time, there as seeing the biggest popula- previous population. weren’t enough people for tion growth in Noble County The 2000 Census put the jobs we had. Now it’s — and that was after what Avilla’s population at 2,049. just the opposite,” Ley said. August 1985 Avilla town manager Bill From 2000 to 2003, the The economic downturn Ley said was a drop-off in town’s population grew by that hit northeast Indiana the last few years of the 9.3 percent — or 191 and the nation in 2008 decade. people — to 2,240, said ended Avilla’s population “Most of the growth was INContext, a publication of boom, Ley said, adding, in the first half of the the Indiana University “We may actually have decade,” Ley said. Kelley School of Business. declined in the last two or Avilla’s population boom That ranked Avilla as the three years.” really began in the early 17th fastest growing Still, Avilla’s population 1990s, Ley explained. It community in the state. of 2,401 in the 2010 Census continued until 2007. With an 11.4 percent was good enough to make it “During that period, we change from 2000 to 2004, the fastest growing were seeing about 30 to 35 the town had grown to community in Noble County new homes built every year,” 2,284, the Indiana Business over the prior decade, the Ley said. Research Center said. That Indiana Economic Digest New developments such was good enough for 19th said.

Serving the IN SPORTS

East Noble graduate Amy Yoder Begley Kendallville native Brad Miller, Butler Community ran the 10,000-meter race a 7-foot-center, was chosen for the United States team in the for the NBA All-Star team 2008 Olympics at Beijing, China. in 2003 and 2004. for over 25 years! She later won the 10,000-meter event at the 2009 USA Track & East Noble won the Class 4A Field Championship. state championship in football for 2000. Coach Tim Able’s DeKalb had two state mental attitude Knights defeated Plainfield 28-7 winners in the decade — cross country in the title game. runner Kaleb Van Ort in 2001 and The Knights returned to the basketball player Alex Kock in 2003. state finals in 2003, finishing as 601 R.E. Jones Rd. Kock went on to win honors as a runner-up, with Jeff Wedding national small-college player of the winning the mental attitude Butler, IN • 868-5811 year for Huntington College. award. F12 LOOKING BACK WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 KPC’s history dates back to Aug. 7, 1911

This publication is delivered to more than 42,000 ‘Keeping People Connected’ households every week. in print and online KPC Phone Books Our Mission the Daily Sun. Eight years KPC has had a Phone later, in 1906, the Weekly Book Division since KPC Media Group Inc. News followed suit and began purchasing The Herald publishes top quality news and publication of the Daily News. Republican in 2001. The advertising information Daily competition existed previous owners had products, created with in Kendallville for only five published the Steuben County teamwork in a positive years. On Aug. 7, 1911, the phone book annually since environment. By taking Daily News and Daily Sun 1986. In 2003, in addition to advantage of technological were consolidated into the publishing the Steuben book, advances, KPC is a leader in Kendallville News Sun. In KPC published the first print quality as well as in the 1965, the publishing company Noble/DeKalb Couny book. use of the Internet. KPC will converted its letterpress In 2004, KPC expanded to continue to meet the needs of printing operation to the offset three books with a separate readers, advertisers, commer- process with the purchase of a book for DeKalb County and cial print customers and the four-unit press and folder. It a combined Noble/LaGrange communities of northeast was the third daily newspaper County book. KPCYellow- Indiana with innovation and in Indiana to convert to the Pages.com was added in integrity, dedicated to contin- cold-type process. On July 2, 2006. uing a strong, locally-owned 1984, with a redesign of the LeAnn Robinson is company making a positive newspaper, the city name was manager of the KPC Phone contribution to the lives of its dropped from the page one Book Division. employees and their flag of The News Sun, communities. reflecting the newspaper’s Commercial Printing growing circulation area. On History March 12, 2000, the In addition to the daily and newspaper added its Sunday weekly production of its own Kendallville Publishing Co. edition. On April 6, 2009, it publications, KPC Media Inc., the predecessor of KPC converted to a morning Group Inc. prints a wide Media Group Inc., was newspaper seven days a week. variety of other publications founded by O. E. Michaelis David R. Kurtz, with KPC on its high-speed Goss SSC and George W. Baxter after since 1974, is the executive Republican. Then, in from publisher Joe Shelton, who has worked at KPC since 16 unit press with four-color merging their Kendallville editor of KPC newspapers. December 1982, the Willis who founded it in 1976. The 1975, serves as editor. capabilities. Printing on daily newspapers into the family sold the Herald- editor is Jeff Jones, who has broadsheet, tabloid and mini- Kendallville News Sun on The Star Republican to Home News worked for the weekly since Times Community tab formats is offered as well Aug. 7, 1911. The company Enterprises of Columbus, Ind., 1985. Publications as bindery, inserting and was sold to C. O. Merica in The Star is the daily Home News expanded the composition services. In 1913. He died in 1918 and his newspaper serving DeKalb newspaper to twice-weekly in Greater Fort Wayne The Times Community addition, a direct-mailing wife, Alice Merica, became County, Ind. The Auburn April 1989, publishing first on Business Weekly Publications, with free-distri- operation was recently added. the principal owner of the Courier began publication as a Wednesdays and Fridays, and bution newspapers serving company for the next half weekly in 1871. Three years then Wednesdays and The Greater Fort Wayne communities in Allen County, Websites century. At the time of her later, it had a competitor in the Saturdays, starting in Business Weekly, a newspaper was purchased by KPC Media death on Jan. 25, 1969, at the weekly Auburn Republican, September 1997. dedicated to covering local and Group Inc. in December KPC Media has offered a age of 103, she was the oldest renamed the Auburn Dispatch KPC Media Group Inc. regional business news, 2006, from founder Bill local news Internet presence newspaper publisher in the in 1885. They later merged. purchased the newspaper in debuted on March 14, 2005. It Fahlsing. The monthly since 1996. A KPC report in United States. George O. In 1913, the Courier and August 2001, and expanded serves Fort Wayne and the 15- publications are: the St. Joe October 1996 showed that the Witwer, who came to Kendall- Dispatch, a twice-a-week the paper on Sept. 12, 2001, to county region surrounding the Times, the East Allen County number of users per day of ville as editor and general publication, became a daily a daily newspaper. The editor Summit City. The editor is Times, the Dupont Valley our website was nine. The manager of The News Sun in named The Evening Star. The is Michael Marturello. Barry Rochford. Times and Aboite & About. same report indicated that at 1962, became the principal paper was owned and least four of the users were owner and publisher in 1969. published by Verne Buchanan The Advance Leader Greater Fort Wayne The Smart Shopper our own employees and one Witwer family members from 1916 until 1968, when it Family magazine was our publisher, so the continue as the owners and was purchased by Nixon The Advance Leader, KPC has produced total- actual number was probably operators of the company. Newspapers of Wabash, Ind. serving western Noble County, The Greater Fort Wayne market-coverage print four users per day. Today, Terry G. Housholder, who first In December 1971, The Ind., became part of KPC Family magazine was products since the mid-1970s. KPC interacts with thousands went to work for the company Evening Star was purchased Media Group Inc. in May launched is February 2005. The Smart Shopper is a free of daily users of our sites. while in high school in 1969, by KPC. On March 12, 2000, 1975. The weekly Cromwell The monthly magazine is newspaper and advertising KPC also offers full-customer has been president and the newspaper added its Advance, founded in 1912 by distributed in the multi-county publication that serves the web services, including publisher since 2001. The Sunday edition. On April 6, Forrest Robbins, was region surrounding Fort residents in LaGrange, Noble, website development. KPC’s company’s name changed to 2009, it converted to a purchased from Jim and Wayne. Grace Housholder, DeKalb and Steuben counties. main website is kpcnews.com. KPC Media Group Inc. in morning newspaper seven days Greta Wallace. The weekly 2005, to reflect its expanded a week and its name became Ligonier Leader, founded in geographic market and The Star. 1880 by E.G. Thompson, was additional products and purchased from Norm Davis. Serving the needs of services. KPC stands for The Herald Republican The two mastheads were “Keeping People Connected.” merged to form The Advance The company’s main office is The Herald Republican, Leader, with the first issue Northeast Indiana at 102 N. Main St., Kendall- serving Steuben County, Ind., published on May 14, 1975. ville, in the same building traces its roots to the pre-Civil The first editors was Grace where the publishing firm was War publication, the Steuben Witwer Housholder. The founded a century ago. The Republican, first published in editor and general manager since 1893 company’s other offices are in May 1857. The Angola Herald today is Robert Buttgen, who Auburn, Angola and Fort began publication as a joined KPC in 1996. Wayne. Democratic newspaper in KPC Media Group Inc. January 1876, as a counter to The Garrett Clipper produces a variety of publica- the Republican viewpoint. tions and hosts websites. Both newspapers published The Garrett Clipper, continuously as separate serving the Garrett and area The News Sun newspapers, although printing community in southern of the two newspapers was DeKalb County, Ind., was The News Sun is the daily consolidated in 1925 with the purchased by KPC Media newspaper serving Noble and formation of the Steuben Group Inc. on Oct. 1, 1999, LaGrange counties in Printing Co. The two newspa- from Wayne and Pat Bartles. northeast Indiana. It traces its pers maintained separate The Clipper of Garrett was history back to the spring of ownership until the 1960s with formed in 1885 by A.J. Little 1859 or 1860 in Kendallville the death of Angola Herald and H. E. Little and is the when Judson Palmiter began publisher and owner Harvey oldest operating business in publication of the Noble Morley. The Herald was then the city. The editor and 1920 County Journal, renamed the purchased by the Willis family, publisher is Sue Carpenter, Kendallville Standard in 1870. which had owned the Steuben who joined KPC in 1974. In 1877, Dr. A.S. Parker Republican since 1907. Service From The Past... launched a competitor to the The Willis family continued The Butler Bulletin Standard called the Weekly to publish the Herald and the News. The two weeklies Republican weeklies The Butler Bulletin, serving coexisted until 1898 when the separately until 1979 when the eastern DeKalb County, Ind., publishers of the Standard hit two newspapers merged, was purchased by KPC Media the streets of Kendallville with becoming the Herald- Group Inc. in December 2005,

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120 W. King St., Garrett • 357-3133 1341 S. Randolph St., Garrett • 357-6680 /PZ[VYPJ+V^U[V^U(\I\YU 811 Mill Lake Rd., (Pine Valley) Ft. Wayne • 637-5045 Find us on :PUJL   ,[O:[‹(\I\YU ®  Member FDIC www.garrettstatebank.com Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. ^^^JHYIH\NOQL^LSLYZJVT SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 2000s WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME F13 Women take charge of cities, schools BY DAVE KURTZ and in 2011, “I’m extremely excited Linson brought 30 years superintendent. [email protected] she is set to about this new opportunity of educational experience to “I am honored that the The rise of women into win a third and challenge,” Grate said the position of superin- school board has selected me leadership became clear in term without after the school board tendent. Before joining East to be the next superin- local communities during opposition. elevated her to superin- Noble in 2003 as high school tendent,” Linson said upon the past decade, as women “I hope tendent. “It has been a principal, she served as the her promotion. took charge of the area’s I’ve served privilege to work in the assistant director of the Four In addition to Handshoe, two largest school corpora- the citizens district for the past nine County Area Vocational Grate and Linson, Patty Fisel tions and second-largest well, and I Grate Linson Handshoe years, to be here this long, Cooperative based in serves as mayor of Ligonier, city. want to and for the school board to Kendallville. In 2007, she and Risa Herber serves as Suzanne Handshoe continue have this confidence in me moved from East Noble High superintendent of the became mayor of Kendall- serving them,” she said ribbon by commanding 27 to take the district to the School principal to assistant Lakeland school district. ville in 2003. Sherry Grate when announcing she would Marines during Operation next level.” was named superintendent of seek a third term. Desert Storm in 1991. Grate said she aimed to DeKalb Central schools in Handshoe, a Republican, Grate ascended to the top provide a model of her 2009, and Ann Linson rose to lost her first bid for mayor at DeKalb Central after expectations for others. St. John superintendent of East Noble in 1999 by 138 votes, but arriving as principal of “I would never expect schools in 2010. came back to win four years McKenney-Harrison someone to do something Handshoe won election as later by a 115-vote margin. Elementary School in that I wouldn’t be willing to mayor of Kendallville eight Handshoe served 24 years Auburn in 2000. She became jump in and do myself,” Lutheran School years ago in her early 40s. with the U.S. Marine Corps assistant superintendent the Grate said. “I just believe that Voters re-elected her in 2007, and earned a combat action following year. modeling is so important.” Supporting Family Values Stutzman sprouts up from farm to Congress - Christ-Centered Academic Excellence - Preschool through eighth grade BY MATT GETTS through the U.S. Capitol Chauncey Gilhams, a native In his time in [email protected] when he goes to work. of Brighton, served in the Indianapolis, Stutzman Our school HOWE — Only in “It’s a really neat U.S. House from 1906 to voted to balance the state participates in the - Caring, experienced staff America could a boy who feeling,” Stutzman said after 1909. books and left the state in Indiana Choice spent part of his formative nearly eight months in As a 26-year-old political much better financial shape Scholarship Program. - Small class sizes years living in a rented office. “I’ve learned so newcomer, Stutzman upset than surrounding states. CONTACT US FOR farmhouse one day walk the much. I’ve met so many neat five-term state Rep. Dale Buoyed by what the legisla- DETAILS! halls of power in his nation’s people.” Sturtz, D-LaGrange, by 249 ture was able to accomplish - State accredited capital. For votes (51 percent to 49 in Indiana, Stutzman In fact, U.S. Rep. Marlin inspiration, percent) in 2002 to become decided to make a run for Stutzman’s rise from farmer Stutzman the youngest member of the U.S. Senate in 2010. and small businessman to said he Indiana General Assembly. “You could get good Congress could be described looks to the He won re-election to the results,” Stutzman said. “I as the American Dream first state House in 2004 and just felt we needed the same come to fruition — except president of 2006. In 2008, he was type of determination and Stutzman says he never the United elected to the Indiana Senate political will” in dreamed he one day would States, after the retirement of state Washington, D.C. be elected to the U.S. House Stutzman George Sen. Robert Meeks, R- Stutzman lost to eventual of Representatives. Washington. LaGrange. winner Dan Coats in the Stutzman became a “He was a farmer,” Stutzman said he was May 2010 primary for the congressmen when he Stutzman said of inspired to run for a seat in Senate nomination, but defeated former Fort Wayne Washington. “He was a the Indiana General when U.S. Rep. Mark City Councilman Tom surveyor. He was self- Assembly after the terrorist Souder announced his Hayhurst by a 63 percent to taught. He just did things attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. resignation just weeks later, 33 percent margin on Nov. like a farmer.” “I just thought I could Stutzman had the political 2, 2010. At 34, Stutzman became make a difference in a small apparatus in place to run for Stutzman said he learned the youngest person to way,” Stutzman said. Congress. a lot watching his parents as represent northeast Indiana He recalled that shortly It’s not exactly a rags-to- he was growing up. The in Congress since 29-year- after being elected as a state riches story, but Stutzman family did not have a lot of old Dan Quayle took office representative, he was sees a lesson to be learned money, but he said his mom in 1977. He is younger than approached by someone in a from his successes. 301 S. Oak Street, Kendallville and dad “worked their tails his eight Hoosier colleagues grain elevator in the Howe “You don’t have to be off.” He recalled that his dad in the U.S. House of area. The person told him he born in a certain bloodline,” 260-347-2444 and grandfather were quick Representatives. should be thinking about Stutzman said. “Opportuni- www.stjohneagles.org to come to someone’s aid. He also became the first setting his sights on ties like this can only “They just helped person from LaGrange Congress. happen in America.” people,” Stutzman said. County to serve in Congress Stutzman said he Now, Stutzman walks in 101 years. Clarence dismissed the idea.

Congratulations KPC Media Group on 100 Years of providing our communities with news that matters.

The Steuben County Community Foundation is celebrating 20 years of connecting people who Color Master, Inc. was started in 1991 in Avilla, IN. care with needs that matter to our community. Celebrating our 20th Anniversary in 2011 We now have 70 employees in two facilities.

Butler, IN - Headquarters Kendallville, IN - Compounding Facility added in 2009

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In 1991, twelve local citizens had the passion and vision to establish a non-profit organization that would serve the citizens of Steuben County for generations. The Steuben County Community Foundation was started, and Founding Directors Carl Akers, Jr., David Ballinger, George Gilbert, Richard Kenyon, E.F. McNaughton, Neal Patterson, F. Mayo Sanders, Charles Sheets, James Stock, Sheri Trine, Bob Wyne, and Michael Zdyb new hope charted its course. The primary objective of these dedicated people was to ensure that resources would be available to support the great work of the many charitable groups and christian center organizations in our area and enhance the quality of life for those who live here. Twenty years later, and through the ongoing generous donations of businesses, individuals, friends and supporters, the Community Foundation now holds 204 funds through which grants and scholarships are awarded each year. During the 2010 fiscal year, over $400,000 was awarded to benefit areas such as health, education, the arts, humanities, technology, women’s issues, the environment, recreation and human services.

After two decades, the Steuben County Community Foundation continues to “Connect people who care with needs that matter most to our community”. jesus. relationships. ÒWeconnectpeoplewho relevant teaching. carewithneedsthat mattertoourcommunity.

making disciples who make disciples ServingSteubenCounty since1992.Ó www.NewHope.in 5>H`UL:[(UNVSH05 6:D\QH6W‡:DWHUORR 7‹-  ‡RIÀFH#1HZ+RSHLQ ,THPS!ZJJM'Z[L\ILUMV\UKH[PVUVYN -XVWPLOHQRUWKRI'H.DOE+LJK6FKRRODFURVVIURP)HOOHU)XQHUDO+RPH 999T56'7$'0(170+10T14) F14 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

Writing History One Day at a Time was coordinated by KPC Media Group executive editor Dave Kurtz, designed by presentation editor Erin Doucette and created by efforts from our entire staff. Additional copies (sections E & F of today’s newspaper) may be purchased for $1, while supplies last.

In 1984, John Schnatter opened his first Papa John’s restaurant, and Papa John’s has been going strong ever since. Today, Papa John’s is the recognized leader of the pizza category and now owns KPC PHOTO or franchises more than 3,500 restaurants in all 50 states and 29 countries. More than 25 years later, one thing remains the same KPC Media Group’s corporate office today, 102. N. Main St., Kendallville. Other offices are in Auburn, Angola and - Papa John’s is still fully committed to delivering on its brand Fort Wayne. promise of “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” 3$3$·66800(563(&,$/ Keeping People Connected:

/$5*(  OLPLWHGWLPHRQO\LP  The next 100 years What does the next century hold for KPC Media Group?

TWOLAYERS of pepperoni with a layer of 100% mozzarella in-between We cannot predict the changes communities. Joining me as senior and Italian herb seasonings on top. that will occur in the next four to managers of KPC are, Donna five generations. We know KPC’s Scanlon, our chief financial officer, RU growth and diversification — and and Don Cooper, our vice president $Q\/DUJH3L]]D how life in northeast Indiana has of sales and general manager. We DQ\WRSSLQJVHYHQVSHFLDOWLHV unfolded — could never have been have many other longtime depart- NobodyN does what Papa John’s does! predicted by anyone at KPC. The ment managers and co-workers who only thing of which we can be are committed to excellence. We certain is that there will always be also have a board of directors, news; there will always stories to be composed mainly of family 2UGHU2QOLQH told. Skilled, committed people members, that views KPC as an #SDSDMRKQVFRP always will be needed to tell those integral part of northeast Indiana. Offer good for a limited time at participating Papa John’s restaurants. Additional toppings extra on double-layered pepperoni offer. No double toppings or extra cheese stories as well as to help share The board knows that if KPC meets on any large pizza offer. Not valid with any other coupons or discounts. Limited delivery area. Delivery fee may apply. Customer responsible for all applicable taxes. © 2011 Papa John’s International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. N8112 VS advertising information. Freedom of the needs of the people it serves DOUBLE DELIGHT MEDIUM MANIA the press and free enterprise are the KPC — and northeast Indiana — Two Large One Topping Pizzas One Medium Pizza $ foundation of our democracy, our will have opportunities for growth ONLY $9 EACH With Up To 7 Toppings 10 economy and our future. and a bright future for many years to Order online promo code: 9EACH Order online promo code: 10MEDANY We are proud of KPC’s century- come. EXPIRES 8/31/11 EXPIRES 8/31/11 long history of serving the Above all, thank you to you, the ADD A SIDE FAMILY SPECIAL communities in northeast Indiana. I reader, for sticking with us. We look Add An Order Of Papa’s One Large Specialty give credit to the great employees, forward to connecting with you on a $ Pizza & One Large $ KPC PHOTO Wings or Chickenstrips 6 21 past and present, whose skill and regular basis, in print and online. Two Topping Pizza KPC Media Group stays close to its Order online promo code: 6CHISIDE Order online promo code: 21FAMILY dedication have been the cornerstone EXPIRES 8/31/11 EXPIRES 8/31/11 of our success. We continue to have TERRY G. HOUSHOLDER, president community with its downtown corporate a team that is dedicated to serving and publisher of KPC Media headquarters. Parts of the building have 260-927-7272 1100 W. 7th St., Auburn our readers, advertisers and our Group Inc. been with the newspaper for all 100 years.

At Harold, you still get the same honest Proudly REMEMBERWHEN? straight-forward buying experience Celebrating 65 Years in the same relaxed, friendly helpful

1946 ROUND environment 1950 A 1968! as always. *47^HZLZ[HISPZOLKPUH *47TV]LK[V>H[LYSVV NHYHNLPU-VY[>H`UL05 We don’t want to sell you a car… 1960 WE WANT TO SELL YOU / 5+P]PZPVUSVJH[LKPU ALL OF YOUR CARS! :LSTH05^HZW\YJOHZLK

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Sales Team3[V9!1LMM1VYKHU)YHK-\SSLY Offi ce Team3[V9!4LSPZZH7HSTLY 4HYR*OHTILYSHPU)SHPU:U`KLY (ZOSL`7YPJL+LIP3HKK >HS[:JOYVLKLY+LUU`-\S[VU;VT2VWM *OYPZ)HYYV^1VL/`ZVUN4PRL-Y` Not pictured:1HZVU:TP[O-PUHUJL" 2003 *`Y\Z+PSSPUNLY6MÄJL4HUHNLY *47>LZ[+P]PZPVU*VY\UUH ^HZLZ[HISPZOLK Service Team3[V9!9V`(SSLU +H]L*HTLYVU+H]L*VSL2LU[7HSTLY )\PSKPUNYLUV]H[PVUH[[OLM\[\YLZP[L (SSLU4HZVU+HU)YVVRZ1HYLK)LLY 2011 )YPHU)V`LY)PSS>H[LYZ2L]PU:THSS^VVK VM*47>LZ[+P]PZPVU*VY\UUH +H]L-YLKYPJRZVU

Steuben County’s undisputed #1 volume new car dealer. We are extremely proud to make a lifelong commitment to our growing community. Watch for exciting changes on the way in 2012! “Since 1989”

Thank you to all our current and former employees and customers for allowing us to continue to grow. Charleston Metal =PZP[\ZVUSPUL VY1VPU\ZVU Products, Inc. -HJLIVVR Scan with your smart phone for immediate redirect. .YHU[:[‹>H[LYSVV05‹   *47>LZ[+P]PZPVU‹*VY\UUH05 / 5+P]PZPVU‹:LSTH05 SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME kpcnews.com F15

1912 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST LONDON TO EDINBURGH TORPEDO TOURER BY MANN EGERTON OF NORWICH 1931 CORD L29 CABRIOLET One of the Most Sought After Ghosts in Existence Single Ownership for 50 Years

1958 PORSCHE 356 SPEEDSTER 1927 ROLLS-ROYCE PICADILLY ROADSTER Freshly Restored and Sorted, Factory Black Beautifully Restored and Tour Ready 1955 HUDSON ITALIA GT COUPE The Finest Example Extant VJ#PPWCN 7KH1HZ7UDGLWLRQLQ$XEXUQ $FUH:RUOGZLGH$XFWLRQ3DUN7KH3ODFHWR%H &RUQHURI7RQNHO5RDG 65  1RUWK&RXQW\/LQH5RDG(DVW )ULGD\6DWXUGD\ 6XQGD\‡6HSWHPEHU  Like The Star, we’re celebrating a special anniversary this year. For the past decade, Worldwide has provided the serious motorcar collector with a vast range of services - and sold some of the greatest cars ever conceived along the way! We are proud to have become one of the most respected businesses in the world of vintage motorcars, but we always stay true to our roots. Auburn has long been our home town. We celebrate its heritage, but most of all, we are dedicated to building its future as the undisputed Classic Car Capital of the World. Join us this Labor Day Weekend for a celebration of all things classic, and experience the new tradition in town. Worldwide Auctioneers. Celebrating Ten Years of Setting the Standard from right here in Auburn

1955 DODGE ROYAL LANCER RED RAM CONVERTIBLE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 1930 CADILLAC V16 CONVERTIBLE COUPE Coachwork by Fleetwood

1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429 SPORT COUPE Diamond Award Winner, 13,000 Actual Miles 1925 BENTLEY 3-LITRE TOURER 1932 AUBURN BOATTAIL SPEEDSTER Numbers Matching with Original Coachwork and Full Documentation Accurately Restored by the ACD Factory

1931 CADILLAC V12 DUAL COWL SPORT PHAETON Fully Optioned and Show Ready 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA FORMULA S 1937 CORD 812 CUSTOM BEVERLY SEDAN SOX & MARTIN RACE CAR ACD Certifi ed,OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

1948 DELAHAYE 135M CHAPRON DHC COMPETITION 1970 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE CONVERTIBLE 1911 STANLEY STEAMER MODEL 72 RUNABOUT 1964 DODGE CHARGER S/FX Completely Original Barn Find Four-Speed, Numbers Matching The Only Known 20HP Example “THE FIRST FUNNY CAR” OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE &ROOHFWLRQV$OUHDG\&RQVLJQHG$OO%HLQJ2IIHUHG:LWKRXW5HVHUYH 8dWV=aZ^7efSfW5a^^WUf[a` 6WE[_a`W5a^^WUf[a` :WTWdWd5a^^WUf[a`

1934 CHEVROLET “INSTIGATOR” 1954 JAGUAR XK 120 ROADSTER 1957 LINCOLN MK II 1949 CADILLAC COUPE DEVILLE Ridler Award “Great 8” Finalist, $500,000+ Build Cost OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE All Original, 35,000 Actual Miles OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

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“We’re proud to make Auburn our home.” Rod Egan & John Kruse, Principals

800.990.6789 | TM | VJG WWGauctions.com Auburn,5GVVKPI Indiana 5VCPFCTF - The Classic Car Capital of the World® Roderick C. Egan, Auctioneer • IN Lic. #AU10000207 F16 kpcnews.com WRITING HISTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

Thank you.

We’ve had a lot of help along the way as we’ve risen to become one of America’s top steel producers in a short 15 years. We’re indebted to our talented employees, the Indiana communities that have supported us, and our valued customers.

Steel Dynamics got its start in DeKalb County in 1996 with the first shipments from the Butler flat-roll mill. SDI now operates five steel mills with a combined capability to produce more than 6 million tons of steel each year. In addition, our OmniSource operations make SDI one of the nation’s largest metals recyclers.

In 2010, SDI posted sales of $6.3 billion, and the company now has a nationwide workforce of more than 6,000 employees. Steel Dynamics ranks No. 363 on the 2011 FORTUNE 500, and is one of America’s most profitable steel companies. We were recently honored when American Metal Market named SDI Steel Producer of the Year.

Our success is driven by the hard work, dedication, creativity, and ingenuity of our employees. Their can-do work ethic, high level of motivation, and strong sense of teamwork have made SDI’s Butler facility the most productive flat-roll mini mill in the United States. Our employees are key to our achieving the high product quality and top-notch customer service for which we’ve gained recognition from our customers.

All successful businesses exist in a community context, and we can’t stress enough that the encouragement and help we’ve received from citizens, community leaders, and other businesses in northeast Indiana have meant the world to us. Steel Dynamics is proud to have become a major employer and supporter of economic development in our area, and we continue to contribute to the community in a variety of other ways as well.

Again, thanks. We appreciate your support, and we’ll continue to do what it takes to maintain your trust.

Keith Busse Chairman and CEO

Mark Millett Dick Teets President and COO Executive Vice President for Steelmaking

www.steeldynamics.com