NOTE: This column started in the Warsaw
Daily Times on January 13, 1932 and appeared daily through the
end of April, 1932. You will find lots of names and incidents
mentioned. All has been included along with credits. The date
of the newspaper will be at the at the TOP of the column. Several
columns will be included in each segment. Names have been bolded
for emphasis. There is no indication who compiled the column for
the paper. Marge
Warsaw Daily Times March 1, 1932
Remember when:
Warsaw was first chartered
as a city in May, 1875. The first officers were Mayor, Hiram
S. Biggs; clerk, Chas. H. Ketcham; treasurer, S.
B. Clark; marshal, Joseph A. Wright; civil engineer,
Caleb Hughes; city attorney, Edward J. Greene; assessor,
James Wynant; chief of fire department, Joseph A. Funk;
councilmen, Thos C. Stuart, S. W. Chapman, A. J. Bair,
D. R. Pershing, Nelson Nutt, James McMurray; school trustees,
N. N. Boydston, J. D. Thayer, Chas. Wahl, H.
W. Upson; board of health; Dr. J. H. Carpenter, Dr.
I. B. Webber, Dr. C. W. Burket. As first mayor of the
city of Warsaw, Mr. Biggs served for four years. He was followed
by William Cosgrove for two years. Edward J. Greene
then headed the city government for four years. For the next six
years Lemuel W. Royse was the chief executive. Then came
John H. Brubaker for four years; George Moon, two
years; James H. Cisney, three years; B. F. Richardson,
three years; Andrew G. Wood, three years; Chas. A. Rigdon,
three years, B. F. Richardson again became mayor and served
for eight years; Chas. A. Rigdon, his predecessor was again
chosen for the office and served until his death in 1819, when
L. W. Royse was appointed by the council to act in the capacity
of mayor. The following year Mr. Royse tendered his resignation
and John A. Sloane was selected for the unexpired term
at the conclusion of which Mr. Sloane was the choice of the voters
at the following election and held the position for a period of
four years. John G. Hansman then headed the city administration
for a four-year term, and was succeeded by the present incumbent,
Lewis J. Bibler. While on this topic, it may not be entirely
out of place to state that Warsaw first emerged from a system
of village government and was incorporated as a town in the year
1859, with the following citizens comprising the first official
roster. president; John K. Leedy, Samuel H. Chipman, John W.
Pottenger; treasurer, Chas. W. Chapman, clerk, Oliver
Musselman; assessor, James Wynant; marshal, Presley
G. Frary. After a brief time Mr. Frary resigned as marshal
and William G. Chapman was appointed to the position. Prior
to its many able-bodied unafflicted men with whom work appeared
to be distasteful. Fire-fighting equipment consisted of two fire
engines, one of which was operated by steam and pumped water from
the cisterns, forcing it through the hose and throwing the same
to a height equal to the town's highest buildings. The other engine,
so-called, was operated by hand power supplied by a number of
volunteers who manned the long horizontal handles on either side.
The hose carts consisted of large reels mounted between two wheels
about six feet in height. The company in charge of the steam engine
was known as Protection company N. 1, while the hand engine organization
was called Never Fail company No. 2. Though the fire fighting
methods then employed were rather crude in comparison to those
of the present day, the firemen were always ready and willing
to render service and were tireless, loyal and efficient. On numerous
occasions visitors to the city in those days were amazed that
Warsaw was without a system of water works and yet had a lake
of one hundred acres within two blocks of the court house. -(E.
C. Aborn)
John Randall's minstrels held forth semi-occasionally in the old opera house. These entertainments were always in favor with Warsaw's amusement-loving public and the opera house was invariably crowded from pit to dome at every performance. The entertainment proved beyond contradiction that Warsaw's home talent of this character was in many respects equal if not superior to some of the more pretentious professional organizations. John Randall himself was a professional blackface comedian and a song and dance artist of more than ordinary ability. However, Warsaw was his home town and his idea of civic pride was to develop some of the home talent which he always claimed was her in abundance. Among those who comprised the personnel of Randall's minstrel organization may be mentioned Thomas Hubler, Harry E. Williams, James Marvin, Billy McGovern, Lew Benson, George (Chris' George) Smith, James Carter, Charlie Carter and Will (Wabash) Smith. The music and specialties were O.K. in every detail and withal the entertainments were meritorious. At a later date George Hendee formed a minstrel organization including a portion of the "artists" formerly identified with Randall. -(E. C. Aborn)
The east side of Buffalo street consisted
for the most part of one-story frame buildings. Let's squint a
retrospective eye at that portion of the above named street, between
Market and Center in 1875. On the corner James H. Cisney's
dry goods store, next came Emil Keller's barber shop, then
Lyman Sapp's drug store; the next building, the only two
story frame in the row, housed Z. C. Bratt's shoe store,
with a shoe repair shop upstairs, operated by Dan Bratt;
then a bakery, for so many years operated by J. J. Varil;
next door was located the Van Gilder hardware store. Here
the frame row was broken by the brick structure which housed a
clothing store owned by Henry Zekind, now occupied by the
Globe clothing establishment. Across the alley we observe three
more frame business rooms, the first occupied by Philip Huffman
with a stock of groceries, the second by Hendee & Glessner's
shoe store; the third was a two-story edifice in which was located
Mumaw & Peterson's grocery. Then comes the old landmark, the
three-story building so long known as Shane's corner, now occupied
by the Warsaw Candy Kitchen. This latter structure, together with
the one housing the Globe Clothiers, are the oldest brick rooms
now standing in Warsaw. It is well to remember that the sidewalks
in Warsaw's business district at that time were not to exceed
five or six feet in width and were constructed of boards nailed
to "stringers" Cobblestone gutters and hitching racks
bordered the walks and a paved street was undreamed of. Mrs.
Joseph Thorne, of West Jefferson street, is authority for
the statement that her father, the late Andrew J. Nye,
in the year 1836 erected a long house on the site afterward known
as Shane's corner, in which he conducted a general store. A chimney
of brick was constructed, instead of the customary log chimney,
and was said to have been the first of its kind in this section.
Brick was quite expensive in those days and had to be transported
for a considerable distance by ox teams over trails through forests
and swamps. -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times March 2, 1932
Remember when-
Fifty years or more ago all
Warsaw stores were built with their floor level some several feet
above the ground level so entrance was made by ascending several
steps. This type of construction enabled the basement to have
windows. However enterprising merchants soon discovered that customers
generally preferred to walk into stores which were on the sidewalk
level and now you find very few business rooms built otherwise.
-(A. B. Sloan)
Sixty years or more ago when there
was but one house in the west part of Warsaw. Sol Miller
built it on West Market street, across the street from the Peterson
Lumber Company's present site. Four-foot walls made of stone formed
the foundation, laid in the side of a small bank. Across the street
one could catch catfish in a pond. Many years later Prospect Hill
was the elite real-estate development of the city and on that
small promontory fine homes were erected by Oliver Matthews,
Lem Runyan and Robert E. Encell. -(A. B. Sloan)
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Warsaw Daily Times March 5, 1932
Remember when-
Speaking of circuses, how
many persons can recall the days when exhibitions of this character
traveled over land with horse-drawn vehicles? Long distances between
"dates" were not possible, as is now the case, with
railroad transportation. When a circus cavalcade would enter Warsaw,
particularly from the east, a halt was made on the shores of Eagle
(now Winona) lake until horses, elephants and other animals were
watered, wagons and other paraphernalia being subjected to a thorough
ablution. The canvas and pole wagons were then dispatched into
town while the remainder of the outfit would be gotten in readiness
for the grand street parade.
On one memorable occasion Adam Forepaugh's "World's Greatest
and Only Colossal Circus and Menagerie" arrived from Fort
Wayne during the morning hours. As usual a large delegation of
townspeople met the aggregation at Eagle lake. Conspicuous in
said delegation was, of course, the inevitable army of small boys.
At the conclusion of the work, of washing up, preparations went
forward for the grand parade. The horses, elephants and camels
were covered with gaudily-braided robes and multi-colored plumes
fastened on their heads, while the drivers donned uniforms of
brightest hue. Then began the work of selecting the required number
of small boys to occupy a seat with the drivers of the various
wagons and hold aloft banners during the course of the parade.
Conscription was unnecessary as the number of volunteers was overwhelmingly
in excess of the demand. The writer was among those accepted for
service and had the profound distinction to be placed beside the
driver on the mammoth grotesquely-embellished band wagon. Clad
in a red coat and wearing a tiny hat, meanwhile holding aloft
a big blue banner with the inscription ___ formed thereon in gold
braid, behind a team of eight prancing steeds to the pulse-quickening
music of a real circus band, a thrill was experienced which can
better be imagined than described. The procession entered the
city limits on Center street and proceeded westward over that
thoroughfare until the Kirtley House (by which name the Rigdon
block, recently torn down to make room for the Eagles building
was originally known) was reached. Here the parade was halted,
the band wagon directly in front of the hotel entrance. To the
strains of an inspiring tune three individuals emerged on to the
balcony from a door on the second floor. They were General
Reub Williams, Colonel Joseph B. Dodge and Adam Forepaugh.
After an introduction, Mr. Forepaugh made a short talk in which
he praised Warsaw's beautiful location and complimented the citizens
upon their good judgment in having chosen it as a place of residence.
He also feelingly referred to the time when he first formed the
acquaintance of Messrs. Williams and Dodge, during the tempestuous
days of the Civil war, he having also been an officer in the Union
army. At the conclusion of Mr. Forepaugh's remarks the assembled
multitude rent the air with vociferous cheers and the band rendered
"Marching Through Georgia" with a vim such as only a
circus band can provide. The bell of the big bass horn in that
band was in uncomfortably close proximity to the aforesaid banner
bearer's ear and its sonorous tones made an impression that will
ever be a reminder of the event. The occasion was a bright spot
in the memory of Warsaw's populace, particularly the "Kids"
participating in the parade, all of whom received a "pass"
for the afternoon performance. -(E. C. Aborn)
Basket ball was merely a football game played indoors in the winter months. Players were allowed to put one arm around an opponent or wrestle the ball away from him with both hands, provided both arms were not locked around the opponent. There was continuous bodily contact and the game resembled a wrestling match. The favorite stunt was for the player in possession of the ball to turn his back to his guarding opponent and lean far over, holding the ball away from his opponent's reach. This forced the guard to crawl up over the back of the ball-holding player. When the guard got mounted on the player's back the player with the ball would rear back and upwards throwing the guard head-long over his shoulders, somewhat in leapfrog fashion. The guard would crash headfirst on the hard floor after the player had straightened up suddenly to full height, making it quite a long dive for the guard. Lots of bad injuries resulted. But what fun it was for everyone except the victim. Marsh Wallace, of Leesburg, was most adept at this. Games were played there in a small one-room church under gasoline lights. If Leesburg was being defeated Wallace would throw the ball at the lamps and the game would be ended because of darkness.
Children walked to school instead
of arriving in private automobiles which stood outside the high
school building here all day long. There were no school busses.
Warsaw school children walked to their homes at noon instead of
buying their 30-cent luncheon and ice cream uptown. Stores kept
open in the evening to enable farmers and workmen employed during
the day to do their shopping leisurely in the evenings. Giggly
school girls did not wear expensive silk stockings to their classes.
A dish of ice cream and a picture show were rare treats instead
of a steady daily diet.
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Warsaw Daily Times March 7, 1932
Remember when-
The story of the late Charles
A. Rigdon, as told by himself, concerning the incident which
started him on a successful business career. When a boy he resided
with his widowed mother in a modest little home on North Columbia
street. At that time the territory at the rear of his house was
an expanse of vacant lots. On one occasion a circus was to exhibit
in Warsaw and had arranged to pitch its tents on the vacant area.
Like many other boys of that period, Mr. Rigdon was on the scene
and had been pressed into service by some of the canvas hands
to run errands, "carry water for the elephants," etc.
During the progress of making ready for the big show it was discovered
that the area contracted for was inadequate to the requirements
of the amusement enterprise. The owner of the adjacent lots was
summoned and an effort made to negotiate with him for the use
of his property. The owner asked a rental price which was deemed
by the circus management as exorbitant, whereupon the show's representative
inquired what amount the lot could be purchased for. A price was
given and whatever the amount may have been it was quite reasonable.
Just how the circus people and the property owner settled the
matter is of little concern, but it gave young Rigdon an idea.
He had a few dollars saved up, earned by doing odd jobs about
town, so why not purchase that lot as an investment. He thereupon
consulted Mr. James McMurray, then president of the Lake
City Bank, who encouraged him by agreeing to assist him in financing
the deal. Young Rigdon soon became owner of the lot, and thereafter
directed his energies to acquiring real estate until he became
one of the city's heaviest property owners and most prominent
business men. He was twice elected mayor of Warsaw and was the
only chief executive to died while holding office. Mr. Rigdon
often narrated the story of his experience to his intimate friends
and always insisted that the circus incident formed the nucleus
which placed him on the road to a successful business career and
made him a man of affairs. -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times March 16, 1932
Remember when-
The male quartette which sang
at all republican political demonstrations in Warsaw. The quartette
was composed of John Staley Wynant, John M. Reid and the
blind Richhart brothers, Nelson and John. The glee club, as
it was sometimes called was regarded as an almost indispensable
part of the Republican organization in Kosciusko county. The campaign
songs rendered never failed to make a hit and a Republican speech
without selections from the glee club would have been much like
a play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. The popularity of these
singers was by no means confined to Kosciusko county alone. Not
infrequently were they participants in political meetings in neighboring
counties. -(E. C. Aborn)
Martin M. Martin took the contract for the work of excavating for the canal which at one time connected Center and Pike lakes. That was back in the '80's and steam shovels were not as much in use, consequently the entire length of the canal, a half mile, was excavated by men with shovels. And the work was completed in a remarkable short time. It was the intention of the promoters of the project to run small steamboats from one lake to the other, but owing to the fact that the waters of Pike lake were found to be slightly higher than Center, thus necessitating the construction of a lock, the canal was used but little, and only then by rowboats, finally being abandoned altogether, However, it had the effect of draining quite a large area of low land in the north east part of the city. The C. W. & M. Railroad company very generously constructed a bridge of sufficient height to permit the passage of steamboats under the tracks, while the Pennsylvania Company donated a large steel bridge which spanned the canal at Detroit street. Both structures have long since been removed. But those were busy days in Warsaw town. -(E. C. Aborn)
The raids frequently conducted on watermelon patches located within a radius of several miles. Among the most outstanding and indefatigable chieftains of watermelon banditry may be mentioned Peter Fogle, now the illustrious mayor of Dutchtown. In bygone days the intrepid Peter and his organization could always be depended upon to purloin a greater tonnage of cocurbitaceous fruit than any similar band in the county. They were fearless, and possessed the rare ability to select the choicest melons on the darkest night equally as well as on the brightest day. -(E. C. Aborn)
Excursion trains arrived almost daily from north, south, east and west for Spring Fountain park and Lakeside park. The railroads had a reciprocal traffic agreement whereby C. W. & M. (Big Four) trains were run over the Pennsylvania tracks to Spring Fountain park and the latter road routed trains over the rails of the former into Lakeside. Few were the days during midsummer with an excursion party -sometimes two or three in one day. Sunday was usually the big day, with band concerts and dancing at Spring Fountain park, while vaudeville entertainments were given by the pavilion at Lakeside. Steamboats did a thriving business and the lakes were dotted with rowboats. How times have changed! -(E. C. Aborn)
Ed ("Speck") Ettinger was a local celebrity as an acrobat. Though
an amateur, he was really a marvel, and it was said of him that
only his extreme modesty prevented him from entering the rank
of the professionals Like "Tom Twist," in our old-fashioned
"Fourth Reader," it may be remarked that
"Speck" was a wonderful fellow,
No boy was so nimble and strong:
He could turn ten somersaults backward
And stand on his head all day long. -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times March 17, 1932
Remember when-
The county and state used to pay for tuberculosis tests of cattle,
vaccinating hogs, inoculating chickens, spraying of fruit trees,
weeding of onions, corn plowing, killing of sheep, manicuring
and hair combing for the agrarian, and at the same time successfully
reducing taxes. If you remember this or any portion of it you're
a liar! It never can be remembered.
Dear Editor, Do you remember when us girls wared long dresses-and whin men stood at street crossings or mebby I shud have sade on corners at street crossings to watch us girls cross, think mebby they wood see a calf? Also whin the men cashed thier checks at saloons and saloon keeper keap most of the check for drinks the men had on time. Do you remember the wimen of these men took in washing to help keep the family or to put back in family purse what saloon keeper took out and when us wimen wore hoops. Great days these wure. Oh boy! Just a memory from Nellie Lillian Iseemore
Charley Grabner's ice-boat on Center lake. On a windy day that craft, as Charley piloted it on trips around the lake, much resembled a white streak and would have caused a traffic officer of the present day to become dizzy and tender his resignation. -(E. C. Aborn).
What became of those Easter eggs filled
with maple sugar and colored sugar brown with coffee? Oh, boy!
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Warsaw Daily Times March 28, 1932
Remember when-
The late Bill Yost,
local cigar store proprietor and well-known wag, attended a Sunday
movie show in Chicago. His new shoes hurt his feet after walking
many miles window shopping so once inside the show he removed
one shoe and rested his foot in it. Pretty soon interest in the
show took his attention and he took his foot off the shoe. As
he moved around he shoved the shoe into the aisle and incoming
or outgoing theatre-goers kicked the shoe down the aisle until
it was lost. At the conclusion of the show Yost could not locate
the missing footwear. Ushers helped hunt. Patrons were asked to
stand while the hunt continued. They became angered at being thus
interrupted and voiced their indignation. Yost left shoeless and
attracted quite an admiring throng of funsters as he hobbled down
Michigan avenue in one stocking-covered foot. Shoe stores were
closed on the Sabbath. The hotel manager finally dug up an old
slipper from the lost and found department of the hotel.
Main street ended at Tamarack and the boys played shinny with tin cans in winter and duck-on-rock in the summer where the paved street is now. Games continued at night under the street corner arc lights until neighbors complained and Charley Douglass chased the gang home.
A. T. S. Kist had an apple orchard and a hand cider press where Attorney Allan Widaman's home now stands. Of the thirsty boys one would visit Mr. Kist in the gravel pit or at his home while the rest helped themselves to his apples and made all the cider they could drink.
The automobile first made its advent
in Warsaw in 1903. Frank Hafer, of the firm of Hafer &
Richardson, brought the introductory machine into the city, a
Locomobile, propelled by steam generated in a small boiler heated
by a gasoline burner. Next came R. Gordon Rutter with a
machine called a White Steamer, which derived its power in the
same manner. Then Dr. W. H. Eggleston introduced the first
auto into the city to be operated by electric ignition and gasoline
explosion, the method of operation in use today although vastly
improved. Dr. Eggleston's machine much resembled the old-fashioned
side-bar buggy and was quite appropriately called a "horseless
carriage", if it had a name, but the same has long since
excaped the memory of the oldest automobile authority in the city.
The John Collins fell in love with a one cylinder Cadillac,
known to the populace as a "one lunger". Instead of
the steering wheel of today, this car was guided with a horizontal
rod much resembling an umbrella handle. A short time later Elmer
Vandermark, who resides near Palestine, came into the picture
with an Oldsmobile of the vintage of '93, and it is stated that
Mr. Vandermark still retains the machine, not for use, but as
an antique. Quite a contrast to the multiplicity of improved automobiles
in the community today.
The number of autos owned in the city today is estimated at 1,500,
while the number in the county is said to be 6,000. In this connection
it may be of interest to note that a history of the automobile
from its inception down to date elicits the information that in
the year 1879 Carl Benz, of Germany, invented the "two-stroke
motor" and in 1886 he drove the world's first motor car through
the streets of Munich. It had only three wheels. On April 19,
1892, the first gasoline automobile in the United States was operated
by its inventor, C. A. Duryea. He also won the first American
contest in Chicago in 1895. In July, 1894, Elwood Haynes drove
a gasoline car of his own invention. Both these machines are now
on exhibition in the Smithsonian Institute at Washing. The present
holder of the automobile speed race title is Capt. Malcolm Campbell.
Among others who have achieved renown as speed racers may be mentioned
Kay Don, Segrave, DePalma, Frank Lockhart, ray Keech and Billy
Arnold. A story is told that in the days of ancient Rome the Emperor
Commodius built a "horseless carriage" in order to give
a new thrill to one of his lady loves. It was described as a vehicle
of which "the wheels turned of themselves on their axles,"
owning to an ingenious mechanism. Its hourly mileage is not stated.
It was this same contraption which caused the first accident.
The emperor the tale relates, desired to "show off"
his new invention and decided to drive to the arena and show the
charioteers how fast he could go. On the way to the arena, however,
he met a general on horseback. The horse became frightened and
the general was unseated, and in the commotion the new car struck
a market wagon and the emperor and his lady friend were pitched
out, "injuring their pride". The statistics for 1931
reveal that there are 21,000,000 automobiles in the United States.
Also that the U.S.A. leads the world in automobile productions.
This contribution would be incomplete if it failed to make reference
to the homemade auto constructed a number of years ago by the
late John Bond, who resided on the King's Highway near
Winona. This contraption somewhat resembled a dinky switch engine
in backward motion. Its approach could be heard for a distance
of three blocks and the sound of its exhaust and rattle of the
mechanism might be likened unto a group of cement mixers and a
mechanical carrier in a coal yard operating in unison. Its speed
is unrecorded. Though not "a thing of beauty" John always
maintained that "she got there just the same." Never
having had the advantage of education or training, yet John Bond
was always regarded in the community as a mechanical genius of
rare ability. -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times March 29, 1932
Remember when-
The Pennsylvania railroad
doubletracked its line on the Fort Wayne and Chicago division
in 1891-'92. J. H. France & Sons Company had the contract
for the work and they established their headquarters in Warsaw.
A number of work trains were stationed here and many men employed.
The payrolls were diverted almost entirely into the channels of
Warsaw trade. With the beginning of double-track service safety
gates were erected and maintained at the principal street crossings
of the road in the city. However, at a later date the city council
for some reason granted the company permission to discontinue
watchmen and towers at Lake, Indiana and High streets, necessitating
the watchmen at Washington, Buffalo and Detroit streets to operate
two sets of gates. Charles O. Davis was given command of
the gates at Buffalo street when they were first placed in operation
and he is still on the job in charge of one of the eight-hour
"tricks" -a record of thirty-nine years on one job.
-(E. C. Aborn)
A few days ago there appeared in this department an item in reference to the introduction of the bicycle in Warsaw. A statement was therein made that Charley Funk was owner and rider of the first high-wheeled bicycle to be purchased in the city. It should have read Elmer Funk, his brother. Charley Funk, however, introduced the first high-wheeled bicycle built with the small wheel in front instead of the rear. It was known as the "star." Elmer Funk is one of the few original cyclists of the community who still indulges in that mode of transportation. Almost any day in favor weather Elmer may be seen on the streets assiduously propelling his "safety" bike. -(E. C. Aborn)
Don Crites
furnished the equipment for the athletic field on East Main street,
being the two blocks (then vacant) west of the East Ward school,
and Joe Funk and Perry Easterday, both being lefthanders,
put it over the rest of the fellows with their unexpected left
hooks at boxing. It was a real exhibition when Joe and Perry hooked
up together with their south-paw punches.
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Warsaw Daily Times April 2, 1932
Remember when-
The engineers engaged in making
the preliminary survey for our system of waterworks.In ascertaining
the area of Warsaw's three lakes their report was: Center lake,
140 acres; Pike lake, 220 acres; Eagle (Winona) lake, 554 acres.
These same experts also submitted a report of Warsaw's population
down to date, including an estimate of the number of inhabitants
the city will contain when the decennial census is taken in the
years 1940, 1950 and 1960, vis.:
1835, Founded
1850 --400
1860 --1,500
1870 --2,400
1880 --3,123
1890 --3,573
1900 --3,987
1910 --4,430
1920 --5,478
1930 --5,721
1940 --8,700
1950 --10,300
1960 --12,000
-(E.C. Aborn)
Boys with shoe-shining outfits were
numerous on the streets of Warsaw. That was back in the '70's
The "outfit" consisted of a small wooden box with straps
attached to one end which was slung over one of the boy's shoulders
as he paroled the street in search of customers. Within the box
were brushes and shoe polish, while on one side of the box was
attached a block upon which the customer would place his foot
during the shining process. These youngsters were quite ambitious
and were on the alter. On occasions when a crowd would be attracted
to town the "shines" would ply their trade with a vim
worthy of emulation by business men of more mature years. Frequently
some of the boys would transfer their activities to neighboring
towns on the occasion of a gala day. In the summer of 1875 two
of Warsaw's industrious "shine merchants," namely Lewis
Neer and Al Cuffel, made a trip to Plymouth, where
some sort of celebration was in progress. They made the journey
via Pennsylvania freight train, a practice much in vogue among
young men and boys of that day. They remained in Plymouth until
a late hour at night, when they boarded a fast freight train for
the return trip home. They were riding between the cars. When
about two miles east of Bourbon a big, burly brakeman while walking
over the train espied the lads and commanded them to get off,
at the same time striking at them with a heavy club which he carried.
Al, leaped from the train and alighted safely, but Lewis, in his
haste to disembark with his shining outfit thrown over his shoulder,
made a misstep and fell beneath the wheels. One arm and leg were
terribly crushed and he was hurled down a steep embankment. Al
witnessed the accident and called to a couple of other boys who
were farther back on the train to alight and come to his aid.
They did so, and Al instructed them to run back to Bourbon and
report the accident. Meanwhile Al took the unconscious form of
Lewis in his arms and endeavored as best he could to minister
to his comfort and stop the flow of blood. His messengers to Bourbon
had made haste and soon returned with some men on a hand car,
on which the unfortunate lad was quickly placed and taken to Bourbon.
Dr. C. W. Burket, the company's surgeon at Warsaw, was
at once notified and rushed to the scene on a special engine,
but a few minutes after his arrival Lewis Neer died without having
regained consciousness. In commenting on the unfortunate affair
in The Indianian, General Williams laid great stress
on the bravery of Al Cuffel, then a boy of fourteen, for his tender
car and efforts to alleviate the suffering of an unfortunate companion.
The editor proclaimed Al a juvenile hero. In later years, when
referring to the experience above related, Al Cuffel has always
maintained that he has never been inclined to superstition or
posed as a believer in miracles. Yet he avers that when he saw
those wheels crush the form of Lewis Neer, notwithstanding midnight
darkness prevailed, a circle of light as bright as the noonday
sun appeared for an instant around the form of the unfortunate
lad with his shine box and little round hat as they lay beside
the rails. "And it wasn't imaginary," says Al, "it
was real, and such a light could only have emanated from some
superhuman source." -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times April 4, 1932
Remember when-
The late John W. Royston,
Warsaw's pioneer cigar manufacturer, for many years faithfully
kept a daily record of the temperature as registered by his thermometer.
Mr. Royston was authority for the statement that the winter of
1875-76 was the mildest on record. The thermometer on January
1, 1876, and July 4 of that year registered the same, 70 degrees
above zero. -(E. C. Aborn)
A postoffice was established at Eagle Lake (now Winona Lake). Fred Beyer was the first postmaster and received his appointment in February, 1890. -(E. C. Aborn)
Playing truant from school was a practice
more or less indulged in by lads in the days long gone by. Occasionally
a reminder of those times will come under the observation of some
of the participants in that forbidden pastime. 'Way back in the
year 1875 two boys, Ed ("Speck") Ettinger and
Johnny Millice, were one day indulging in this practice
and spent the time roaming around the shores of Center lake. At
that time O. P. Jaques had erected large ice house at the
foot of Buffalo street. To kill time the boys with a pocket knife
carved their names on one of the boards used in the construction
of the building. The ice houses have long since been torn down.
Not long ago, Mr. Ettinger, while passing a place on North Buffalo
street, observed some men removing a barn. Momentarily stopping
to watch proceedings he noticed an inscription on one of the boards.
Imagine his surprise to find upon examination the identical board
bearing the inscription, "J. Millice and E. Ettinger, 1875,"
which he and his companion truant had carved fifty-seven years
ago. When the ice house was torn down a portion of the lumber
was sold and used in the construction of the barn referred to.
Mr. Ettinger secured the board in question and prizes it as a
souvenir of school days. Mr. Millice, who will be well-remembered
by older residents, has been located in Chicago for a number of
years. -(E. C. Aborn)
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Warsaw Daily Times April 9, 1932
Remember when-
The "old graveyard,"
was situated south of the plant of the Warsaw Gas Company. This
place was allotted for use as a cemetery in the town's pioneer
days and continued to be used as such until the establishment
of Oakwood cemetery. The major portion of the remains of the dead
were exhumed by relatives and transferred to Oakwood and elsewhere,
though the remains of many departed ones doubtless yet lie beneath
the sod of an unmarked grave. Here were interred the bodies of
many of Warsaw's early inhabitants, and numerous are the descendants
of the older families who can recall the existence of the old
burial ground. When first established as a "City of the Dead"
the location was considered quite a distance from the main part
of town. Gradual increase in population, however, rendered expansion
necessary, and in the course of time the cemetery was no longer
in the quiet exclusive zone regard as appropriate for reverence
for the dead. Furthermore, the building of the C. W. & M.
railroad in 1871 necessitated the vacation of about fifty feet
on the west side of the cemetery grounds. The construction of
the gas plant acted much against its future desirability as a
burial place; switching tracks from the railroads were built in
undesirable proximity, all of which rendered enlargement of the
grounds both impracticable and undesirable. Hence the movement
to secure a more desirable location as the final resting place
for the departed. While strolling a short time ago through the
east part of the old cemetery tract, the writer came upon a few
old gravestones, moss-covered, broken and partially embedded in
the earth. Investigation disclosed on one fragment the name of
one of Warsaw's progressive business men of former years, John
Lane. Mr. Lane conducted a jewelry establishment in this city
during the pioneer days and was a man well and favorably known.
-(E. C. Aborn)
Oakwood cemetery was formally dedicated in 1874. This acreage was formerly owned by the late Dr. Jacob Boss and was sold by him to the city for a nominal sum, provided however, that he should be the first person to be buried there. Dr. Boss passed away August 28, 1874, aged 58 years. His funeral was held on the 30th and interment was made in the location designated by him and reserved according to agreement as the "Boss family burial plot. An imposing monument now marks the spot which is know as "the Boss Circle". Two other members of his family, a wife, a daughter and two sons also are laid at rest there. Dr. Boss was one of Warsaw's leading citizens. His funeral was one of the largest in point of attendance, ever held in the city. The procession was headed by the Warsaw Silver Cornet band which played the funeral dirge as the cortege proceeded to the new cemetery, now regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Central States, overlooking from its eminence the crystal waters of Pike lake and blessed by nature with an abundance of shade trees and thrifty shrubbery, all enhanced by attractive walks and winding drives. Dr. Jacob Boss was the father of Mrs. Wilbur F. Maish, of this city. -(E. C. Aborn)
The disastrous Winona fire of April 18, 1914, eighteen years ago this month. The conflagration was caused by the burning of piles of leaves which had been raked up near the park entrance. After the fires had been lighted a heavy wind suddenly came up and the leaves were blown promiscuously among the frame cottages in that locality. A house adjoining the Winona Hotel became ignited and the flames, fanned by a strong west wind which swept across the lake, leaped with astounding rapidity from one cottage to another. The Winona volunteer fire department was powerless to cope with the situation and the Warsaw department responded to a call for aid. As a last resort to check the onrushing flames, dynamite was employed to blow up a couple of buildings further up Chestnut avenue in the path of the fire. This had the desired effect. The flames were thereby brought under control, but not until twenty-three cottages had been burned to the ground, few if any of the contents being saved. Only by almost Herculean effort on the part of the firemen was the Winona Hotel saved from destruction. A company from the Fort Wayne fire department had been requested and was rushed to the scene on a special train, but did not arrive until the fire was virtually under control. This was one of the most stubborn conflagrations that ever occurred in this vicinity and the loss amounted to several thousands dollars. However, work of clearing away the debris was soon begun and it was not many months until new and pretentious homes covered the area laid waste by the flames. Since then Winona has been provided with a modern system of water works and an up-to-date fire department, rendering a repetition of such a disaster almost impossible. -(E. C. Aborn)