HISTORICAL TRIVIA

1971-1975

Fulton County, Indiana

 

From The Rochester Sentinel

 

Selected, copied and indexed by Wendell C. Tombaugh

Special thanks to Jack K. Overmyer for suggesting the Title..

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FULTON CO ELECTR

Rynearson & Hill

The Sentinel, January  2, 1971

          Fulton County Electronics has been established by Larry Rynearson and Jack Hill as a partnership to service television sets, stereos, hi-fi sets, radios and other home entertainment equipment.

          To be quartered in the former Miller and Mitchell insurance office at 616 Main street, the new business will go into operation the week of Jan. 4.

          The new firm will sell, install and service equipment necessary for home entertainment, appliances, such as antennas and towers, but will not sell the appliances themselves.  All brands of appliances will be serviced, however.- - - -

          Fulton County Electronics will operate throughout the county.

          Both Rynearson and Hill are natives of Rochester and life-long residents of this community.  Both previously have worked in service and installation of home entertainment equipment.

 

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

Historical Sentinel Dates

The Sentinel, January 4, 1971

          1858 - First edition of The Rochester Sentinel issued, somewhere between Oct. 15 and 20.  Earliest copies not now available before 1862.    It was a weekly publication.

 

 

 

          1872 - A.T. Bitters of Akron piurchased the newspaper.  The plant was located on the second floor of the Dawson building, 800 Main street, where Lord’s store now operates.

          1886 - Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton county surveyor, bought The Sentinel and became owner and editor.

          1887 - The Sentinel began installing an oil-burning steam engine to drive the press and thus replace a hand-driven crank.  An editorial stated, “12 minutes after lighting an oil jet under the boiler, filled with cold water, pressure of 60 lbs is guaranteed.  Last week’s newspaper worked 3,700 impressions requiring five revolutions of the fly wheel to each impression, making a total of 18,500 circuits made by a crank in the hands of a man.  It will be in operation in January, 1888.

          1892 - The Sentinel installed a gasoline engine to furnish power and run the press and folder through a system of belts.

          1894 - The Sentinel plant moved to the newly-built Woods building, 727 Main street, where Ed Wilson mens wear is today.  Business office and press rooms occupied the street floor while editorial and composing rooms were on the second floor.

          1896 - The Evening Sentinel, a daily, was inaugurated while the weekly was also continued.  The daily cost 10 cents per week by carrier.

          1906 - A Mergenthaler lineotype machine was installed on the second floor.  One operator working on a keyboard turned out as much type, a line at a time, as six women who set type by hand.

          1908 - The Sentinel was leased to Harold and Floyd Van Trump.  The former became editor and the latter plant superintendent.

          1913 - Dean L. Barnhart, son of Henry, assumed the position of editor and publisher.

          1917 - A new Model A Duplex, eight-page printing press, powered by an electric motor with folder attached, was installed in the plant basement.  It printed 2,500 newspapers an hour.

          1919 - Hugh A. Barnhart succeeded his brother as editor

                                               

and publisher.1924 - The Sentinel and The Daily News were merged under the name of The News-Sentinel.  The newly-assembled plant was located at 118 East Eighth street, the present site.

          1952 - Jack K. Overmyer, native of Rochester, returned to join The Sentinel as managing editor, later becoming editor and publisher and president.

          1961 - The name of the newspaper was changed to its original title, The Rochester Sentinel.

          1971 - On Jan. 4, after 113 years of impression on letterpress printing which involved heating metal, setting type by hand and by machine, casting metal plates and placing all in steel forms, all machinery and qquipment is replaced by photocomposition units and web offset press.

 

IND METAL PRODS

Carini & Huppert Retire

The Sentinel, January 4, 1971

          Two more persons joined IMPCO’s retired list as the year 1970 ended.  William Carini, a veteran of almost 22 years at IMPCO, retired on Dec. 31   William Huppert, who has 18 years with IMPCO, retired on the same day.

          Carini, who currently makes his home in Argos, joined IMPCO in 1948 in the tool room.  Most recently he has been in charge of heat treating aerospace component parts for jet enging usage.  Upon retirement Carini and his wife plan to move to Deming, N.M.

          Huppert, a native of Akron, began work at IMPCO in 1952.  He has worked in the IMPCO thread-rolling operation for a number of years.  Huppert and his wife plan to spend the retirement years in the Akron community.

          Both retirees were honored at separate ceremonies in the plant cafeteria at the end of their last work shift.  Val Pemberton, IMPCO general manager, presented Huppert and Carini with a wrist watch and a gold, wallet-size card attesting to

their years of long and satisfactory service at IMPCO.

          With these two retirements IMPCO now has a total of five former employees on the retired list, which includes Mrs. Dwight Rouch of Fulton, Worden Perry of Akron and Cornelius Sterk of Akron.

 

MALONEY’S RESTAURANT

Nyona Lake

The Sentinel, January 5, 1971

          Dennis J. Maloney, owner of Maloney’s restaurant, Nyona Lake, said his restaurant, which has been closed for remodeling and expansion, will reopen Sunday.

          The construction of an all-new dining room, 16 feet by 23 feet, began early in December, and will be completed in February.  The $3,000 addition will provide space for another nine tables near the fireplace.

 

UTRAILCO INC

Coming Here

The Sentinel, January 11, 1971

          Utrailco, Inc., which was burned out of its building in Kewanna last Octoer will resume manufacture of garden trailers and other metal products in Rochester.

          Larry Pendell of Elkhart, owner and president of the firm, has leased the former Crystal Dairies plant on East Fourth street from the Rochester Development association and now is moving in equipment and supplies.

          Pendell said he hopes to be in production by the end of this month and to reach a full production schedule sometime in March.

          He said that eventually he hopes to employ more than the 45 men and women who were working at the plant in Kewanna before the Oct. 26 blaze destroyed the building and much of the equipment of Utrailco.

          Armour Creameries occupied the building from 1922 until

1959, when Crystal purchased it.  The building has been vacant, except for some storage operations, since Crystal moved out in May of 1967.

          Utrailco’s primary product is a metal trailer that is made to be pulled by a garden tractor.  It is the original item manufactured by the company when Pendell established the firm in Elkhart in 1965.

          Since then, Pendell has added portable bar-b-que grills, metal tool boxes, fireplace accessories and household wares. - - -

          Pendell resides in Elkhart with his wife, Barbara, and five children, ranging in age from seven months to 11 years.

          The plant superintendent for Utrailco is Arthur Sinomin of Kewanna.

 

TORIN MFG CO

Floyd E. Swain, Mgr

The Sentinel, January 15, 1971

          Floyd E. Swain, 24-year employee of Torin Mfg. Co., has been named Indiana Division manager of the firm, with direct supervision of the Rochester Torin plant, according to William R. Petricone, vice-president.

          Swain succeeds Robert Kenney, whose duties with Torin ended this week.

          Swain, who took over his new duties here Wednesday, comes to the Rocheter plant from Van Nuys, Cal., where he was production

 

manager of Torin’s Western Division for the last 16 years.

          In 1946, Swain joined the Burden company, which was purchased by Torin in 1949 and was operated as the Burden division in Hollywood until 1952.  That year, new Torin plant was set up in leased quarters in Van Nuys and in 1955 a new building was built for the plant at Van Nuys. - - - -

          He and his wife, Shirley, have two daughters, one at Gonzaga university in Spokane, Wash., and the other at Pierce

college in Woodland Hills, Cal., a suburb of Los Angeles.

          Mrs. Swain is in the real estate business in Van Nuys.  She will move to Rochester as soon as business arrangements can be completed.

 

JUDGE WENDELL C. TOMBAUGH

Author, “My Kind of Judge”

The Sentinel, January  20, 1971

          The following article, entitled “My Kind of Judge,” was written by Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh of the Fulton circuit court and appeared in the January, 1971 issue of “Trial Judges’ Journal, which is published by the National Conference of State Trial Judges.

          “In the long run there is no guarantee of justice,” said Judge Cardozo, “excpt the personality of the judge..”

          It has been said that the trial judge is the key man in our system of adjudication, that the law can be no better than the judge who administers it.

          For most people of his jurisdiction, his word is final.  For them his is the highest court - the court of last resort.  Only a few of the cases he decides are ever appealed, and then the Supreme Court seldom reverses him.

          To the people of his jurisdiction, the state trial judge is the Court.  For many he is their oinly contact with oine of the three equal branches of our government - the judicial branch.  What he says and does - both on and off the bench - reflects upon the government in general and the judicial branch in particular.

          How he handles each case is scrutinized.  Any impropriety is magnified.

          He needs to know people and peoples’ problems, and must convey this image to all who come before him, so he must be adept at public relations.   Lord Herschell said:   “Important as it is that people should get justice, it is even more important that they be made to feel and see that they are getting it.”

          Judges are judged by all, and above all judges should judge

themselves and attempt to live up to their highest ideals.

          After three years on the trial bench I have compiled the following qualities and ideals which I believe a good state trial judge should have:

A Trial Judge’s Creed

          (1) He believes that under our system of ordered liberty there can be no rights without duties, that for the invasion of any right there must be an enforceable remedy; and that a determination of rights and remedies can be accomplished only in an atmosphere of dignity and decorum.

          (2) He considers each case important; that there is no such thing as an unimportant one, for in the eyes of each party his case is of the utmost importance.

          (3) He expedites each case with deliberate speed, recognizing that it is a denial of justice to unnecessarily delay justice, but he does not believe that speedy injustice is better than tardy justice.

          (4) He is prompt, requiring as much of himself as he does of others, and considers that it is a financial and perhaps personal sacrifice for many to serve as jurors or witnesses, besides being expensive for attorneys and their clients.

          (5) He hears each case dispassionately, but not disinterestedly, deciding it through neither fear nor favor.

          (6) In criminal cases he scrupulously avoids denial of defendants’ rights, while equally preserving rights of the law-abiding citizens.

          (7) He uses probation with discretion, but will not condone a violation of probation.

          (8) In all decisions he is fair but firm.  His decisions are consistent, but not necessarily predictable.

          (9) Without depriving the court of its necessary tools, he is frugal with public money.

          (10) His skills are not only legal, but also administrative.  A deficiency of either would make him an inadequate, if not incompetent, judge.

          (11) He believes that the people of his jurisdiction are entitled to no less than his best.  He is even-tempered, always good-natured; serious, with a sense of humor used sparingly and never at the expense of another; open-minded, patient, tolerant, punctual, alert, friendly, human, approachable, and humble.

          (12) He treats all - attorneys, parties, witnesses, jurors, court employees and visitors - with dignity and respect, putting them at ease with his understanding, kindly and friendly demeanor.

          (13) He lives by the canons of judicial ethics, not merely because he should, but especially because he wants to.

          (14) He will improve upon the judicial system and its image, but he does not believe that improvement means destruction of that systen.

          (15) He has pride in his country, unashamedly sheds a tear for Old Glory, and loves America as much for what she was as for what she is and will be.

          The judicial system cannot but improve if every state trial judge measures himself with this yardstick.  If he “measures up,” he is my kind of judge.

 

ROCH’S GUY BARR 97

Unbroken BB Record

The Sentinel, February 3, 1971

          (Editor’ Note:   The writer of the article below, Hugh A. Barnhart, is a former editor and publisher of the Rochester Sentinel who played on the Rochester team when Guy Barr of Rochester scored 97 points in one game.  He tells how it was then.)

BY HUGH A. BARNHART

          A recent basketball game in which White high school (Wabash county) defeated Divine Heart, 133 to 68, was given wide publicity by state newspapers, and rightfully so.  The victor’s star player, Tim Silof, scored 90 points.  He hit 40 field goals and 10 free throws.  An AP release included a sentence

reading. “The 90 point effort was short of the Indiana record of 97 points set by Guy Barr of Rochester in 1908.”

          That brought back fond memories to the writer.  Then a telephone call from Pat Riggs, staff writer for The Louisville Courier-Journal, gave me the opportunity to inform him how one man could run up such a high score in the old days when a winning team seldom made more than 50 points.

          I was a sophomore member of the RHS squad and played in that game when our RHS five defeated Bremen high school 139 to 9.  Both feats held the record in the state for many years and still do as far as I know.

          The team and Barr had several things going for them in those days which do no exist today.  All games were played in the old Armory Hall, located above the present Smith, Sawyer & Smith insurance office.  The big room with its high ceiling had the court so located that its walls were on the north and east sides while opposite was a four-foot board wall with a heavy wire screen fence above.  This protected the fans from the players.

          The north basket was hung on a backboard fastened to the wall while the south one was located directly above the wire fence.  When the action became fast, forwards often “climbed” the wall to make a basket unmolested.

          Since Barr was a dead shot, our plays were set up to feed him the ball as he was never far away from the basket.  It must be said also that Bremen was playing in its first year and had not learned the passing game.  The dribble had not yet been developed.  The local star shot all of the free throws and since there was no out of bounds it was two 20 minute halves of continuous action.  The only time outs occurred when a player was injured.

          After each field or “foul” goal the ball was hustled back to the referee.  He was the only official.  The teams lined up and the ball was tossed up at center.  In this game play started anew 79 times.

          Barr played the center position, being a six footer which

was above the average height of players then.  He always controlled the tip-off.  He gave the signal as to where he would tip the ball and one of his teammates would come in to get it.  Barr would speed for the basket area and all of us knew where he would be found.  Most of his field goals were made as he moved under the basket.

          The signals were simple as we mentally divided the center ring into four quarters and the one in which he entered the ring indicated the way the ball would be tipped.  Sometimes we mixed this up by the center batting the ball in the opposite direction from where he stepped in.

          With the first whistle in this game the scoring commenced and it was practically like parctice with no opponents.  The visiting players could not catch up with fast teamwork as we played it and Barr seldom missed a shot.

          So when it was all over he had his 47 field goals and three out of four free throws.

          I spent most of the evening feeding the ball to our star shooter, knowing where he would be whether I saw him or not.  However, I did manage to make 10 field goals which was the most I had ever made in a game up to that time.  The other forward was Robert Shafer and he scored 4 times from the field, while our guards, Daniel Earl Karn and Nat Dudgeon stayed in the back court and made sure there was little scoring against us.

          After graduating Guy entered Purdue university and continued to be a star player in Big Ten Conference contests.  The 1911-12 five won every game during the season and became famous as the 1,000 percent team.

          In thinking back I recalled also that the following spring our baseball team went to Bremen “to cross bats”.  Those boys certainly knew baseball.  But that is another story.

JUDGE WENDELL C. TOMBAUGH

Sentences Policeman

The Sentinel, February 23, 1971

          Judge Wendell Tombaugh read the following statement before pronouncing sentence on Porter Rhodes Jr., in Fulton circuit court this morning.

          “It now becomes my duty to pronounce sentence, but before I do there are some comments which I wish to make.

          “The most difficult duty and the most awesome responsibility of a judge is the pronouncement of a sentence in a criminal case.

          “It demands of the judge his best as a jurist - and as a human being - acting, not as if by Divine Right, but with Divine Guidance.

          :”He must use the scales of justice to balance the future of the defendmant with the future of society.

          “For the crime committed in this case, the Legislature has given the Court a choice of two, and only two, alternatives.  Either the indeterminant sentence of not less than two years nor more than five years, or suspension of that sentence with probation..

          “The question is: What is best for you, and what is best for society?

          “In answering that question I have considered all phases of your background: The pre-sentence report is well prepared and fully informs the Court of your educational, social, criminal, moral and employment history.

          “You were a policeman.  As such you were the agent of society with the duty to maintain law and order that each may enjoy his rights.

          “No greater trust is placed in any other servant, public or private.  No other servant in the performance of his duties needs so much confidence of those whom he serves.  Liberty cannot survive without confidence in those who protect and defend that liberty.

          “The policeman is law enforcement’s representative on the street.  His very presence there can reduce crime and let those whom he serves sleep well, comfortable in the belief that their interests are being protected.

          “He risks his life daily hat others may enjoy the safety of their persons and their property.  His job is difficult.  It is hazardous.  Sometimes it is impossible.  Generally it is frustrating.  More often than not it is thankless.  Yet, his inegrity is taken for granted, not only because it is the one most necessary requisite of a policeman, but also because a breach of trust by a policemen is so infrequent.

          “You served your community as a law enforcement officer with distinction for many years.  You were considered to be a good policeman; a dedicated policeman, a respected policeman, a trusted policeman.

          “And then you committed crime.

          “Something went wrong:   Perhaps no one will ever know exactly what prompted you to break the great trust which this community had placed in you.  Whatever the reason, you broke that trust.  And I must conclude that you broke it willingly, knowing of and assuming the risks.

          “I find that probation is impossible, for it would only compound the harm already done to society.

          “Is there any legal reason why sentence should not now be pronounced?”

          Editor’s Note:   (When both attorneys answered negatively, Judge Tombaugh read the sentence of 2 to 5 years at the Indiana Sate Prison.)

 

FIRST NATL BANK

New Bldg Const Begins

The Sentinel, March 24, 1971

          The First National Bank announced today that construction of its new downtown building will get underway next week with a completion date set for med-November.

          Al Price, bank president, said that contracts for the project have been granted to James S. Jackson Company Inc., of Bluffton, general contractor, and to Burton Plumbing and Heating Company of Rochester, heating, plumbing, air conditioning and electrical.  - - - - -

 

JACK & JILL WIG SALON

Opening 111 East Ninth

The Sentinel, March 25, 1971

          The Jack and Jill Wig Salon will be opened about April 1 in quarters formerly occupied by the Modernistic beauty salon.  The owners are Mrs. Virginia M. Perkins and Mrs. Leota Perkins, both of Kokomo.  They and their families have summer homes on the Tippecanoe river.

 

PHOTO STUDIO

Opening next month

The Sentinel, March 25, 1971

          In the former location of Davis TV will be a photographic studio    operated by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Harrold of Akron, and will be known as Harrold Studio.  They are remodeling the quarters and expect to open sometime next month.

         

HIDEAWAY

Opens by Richard Moore

The Sentinel, April 5, 1971

          Mr. & Mrs. Richard Moore, formerly of South Bend, have purchased Clark’s Park at Lake Bruce.  It has been renamed Hideaway.  It will be open to the public April 15.

          Their son, Mike, is now a freshman in the Kewanna school.  Lloyd Moore, a former Kewanna resident and graduate of the local school is Richard Moore’s father.

SENTINEL

40 on Jan. 1, 1897

The Sentinel, April 6, 1971    

By HUGH A. BARNHART

          After a period of absenteeism, a review of early days in Rochester and Fulton County is being resumed.

          The first three months of the year 1897 were full of action as The Sentinel announced it was 40 years old on Jan. 1.  An editorial stated, “We only ask judgment of The Sentinel’s future possibilities, on the evidence of its record as a newspaper and champion of justice and economy in public affairs.”   Prof. Scull, superintendent of Rochester schools, was inaugurated as president of the Indiana State Teachers’ association.    The new court house hitching racks were ready for teams.  Each post had a snap and chain to fasten the horses.  A story stated that the attempt to get women in the Methodist Church General Conference as delegates seemed doomed to failure.

          Edwin Mercer brought a hog into market that weighed 660 pounds.  Several Chicago hospitals required surgeons to shave off their whiskers before operating.  The winter term of Rochester Normal university started Jan. 26 with an increased enrollment.  The Lake Manitou wooden and dirt dam washed out over night.  A 20-foot break let a torrent of water 20 feet wide through which flooded the Mill creek bottoms.  William Leiter, one of the owners of the dam, said the breech will be repaired as soon as the water reaches a low level.  It was believed no fish were lost as they sought the deeper portions of the lake.

          Charley Coplen of Talma had a horse so lame he had to use a substitute to assist in carrying the mail.  The Farmers Institute annual meeting was held in the Academy of Music with the largest crowd in the six years of its existence.   The editor wrote, “We note there is a falling off of swift trotting horses this year and brushes down Main street have no ginger.”   E.H.

Murry’s Store advertised corset covers from 19 cents to 39 cents.  A grand jury indicted Abner J. Barrett, John Hoover and

George Ice for buying votes in the 1896 election.  A bill was introduced in the State Legislature to reduce the legal interest rate from eight to seven percent.   Representative Patterson from Fulton county voted against it.

          Frank Baker won the checker championship of Talma.  Judge Chase issued an order to remove all 30 spittoons from the court room and warned anyone caught spitting on the floor would be sent to jail.  Henderson Brothers & Company of Kewanna sold their favorite race horse, Jesse, 2:24-3/4, for $1,000 to a Philadelphia man.  Citizens of Newcastle and Henry townships found that by organizing an association, petty thievery had dropped to zero in that area.   M.O. Enyart of Kewanna, Ira Bastow and Phillip Werner witnessed the inauguration of President William McKinley in Washington.   Dr. H.F. Overmyer and his brother of Leiters Ford built a new store building at Bruce Lake.

          The Indiana Supreme Court reached a decision which prohibited women from voting.  Monterey was in the midst of a boom - a Heinz pickle factory was being constructed and a new creamery was to be erected.  It was stated the creamery would handle the milk of 600 cows.  Charles Kilmer offered a can of peaches for 10 cents at his grocery and a package of coffee for 15 cents.  Telegrams brought the news that Bob Fitzsimmons knocked out Jim Corbett in the 14th round with a solar plexus blow making Bob the world champion.

          Marion C. Reiter was appointed postmaster of Rochester.   Fulton county’s total indebtedness amounted to $171,500 with an additional $19,000 owed the contractor for changes made in the new Courthouse.  The Northern Indiana Methodist Conference went on record opposing dancing, card playing, horse racing, theatres and liquor.  The Rochester Shoe Factory was enjoying a rush of business with a daily output of 425 pairs of ladies and childrens shoes.  There were 140 employees working in the plant.

          Mr. V. Zimmerman bought the Central House hotel at Main and Sixth streets.  It was a city landmark, allowed to run down.

McMAHAN CONST. CO

Indiana’s Largest

The Sentinel, April 19, 1971

          McMahan Construction Company of Rochester has purchased two other firms to make the local corporation the largest Indiana based highway constructor and one of the largest in the Midwest.

          Joint announcement was made today by Edwin C. Boswell, president of McMahan, and Donald H. Perry, chairman of the board of O’Connor Industries, Inc., that McMahan’s has purchased all assets and business of J.C. O’Connor and Sons, Highway Construction Division, and the Kickapoo Sand and Gravel corporation.

          Boswell said the combined organization will be known as McMahan-O’Connor Construction company.  At the present time, the O’Connor offices at Fort Wayne, LaPorte and Peru will be maintained, with the principal corporate office to be in the McMahan headquarters building in Rochester.

          Although legal papers have just been signed, the transaction is effective as of March 1, 1971.

          Boswell said the acquisition will enable McMahan-O-Connor to complete road and bridge building contracts much more quickly and economically than the separate firms could do previously.

          The McMahan president said that the O’Connor firm always has stressed grading and that earth moving and preparation is the most time-consuming portion of building road and bridges.  Actual laying of concrete or blacktop is a relatively short process compared to the time that earth moving and preparation takes, he said.

          The multi-million-dollar corporation will employ about 100 fulltime persons, with the payroll expanding by some 1,000 additional workers during the peak road and bridge building seasons, Boswell said.

          He said it is anticipated that many of O’Connor’s key

personnel will move to the Rochester area in the future.

          The McMahan Construction company, formed in 1924 by the late Otto McMahan, has continued to grow from its inception until now the company is prequalified to perform highway construction in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Florida, as well as Indiana.

          The McMahan company in its early years, stressed concrete paving and incidental grading.  In 1941, McMahan Construction company was one of the first to enter the bituminous construction phase in a large way and later developed a bridge division.

          The 89-year-old J.C. O’Connor and Sons also has a bridge division, as well as a concrete paving operation.  O’Conner is prequalified to construct highways in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.  At the present time, O’Conner has a $16-million backlog of uncompleted work which will be completed by McMahan-O’Connor personnell.

          Boswell stated that “O’Connor has a well qualified organization which I feel will blend harmoniously with McMahan’s own excellent personnel.  The results should be an aggressive, efficient, economical operation, not only in Indiana, but in the surrounding states.

          The Kickapoo Sand and Gravel Corporation was founded in 1908 in Peru.  In addition to excellent gravel and sand deposits, either owned or under long term lease by Kickapoo, a stone quarry, has been developed and has been acquired by McMahan.

          O’Connor Industries, Inc., will continue to own and operate Brammel, Inc., Angola; Corl Corporation, Bremen; and Trade Winds Hotel, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

TOM & DOT DRIVE-IN

Becomes Restaurant

The Sentinel, April 26, 1971  

          A new restaurant is opening Thursday, one mile east of Akron on Ind. 114.  Homemade chicken and noodles will be featured by the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Harger, Akron.

          The Tom & Dot Drive-In, which has been in business during

the summers for the past six years, has been enlarged and an entirely new building has been erected on the south side of the Drive-In kitchen. - - - - -

 

VILLAGE HARDWARE

Pur Pat & Phillip Hiatt

The Sentinel, May 4, 1971

          The Village hardware at Leiters Ford, one of the town’s oldest businesses, will change hands Wednesday when Pat and Philip Hiatt assume ownership from Vernie Bowen.

          The firm will be operated under the name of Hiatt Hardware and Lumber company, adding lumber and building supplies to the present stock of hardware items.

          The new owners both are residents of the area.  Pat Hiatt is a self-employed carpenter who lives in Rochester township.  Philip Hiatt, who teaches at the junior high school in Culver, resides in Richland township.

          Harvey Tyler, a resident of the Burton community, has been employed by the Hiatts to manage the business.  A resident of the county the past two years, Tyler has had previous retail experience with Montgomery Ward and also served with the National Park Service in Arizona.

          The Village Hardware was founded by John Campbell about 90 years ago.  Bowen purchased it in 1950 from the late Charles Wyland.  Bowen will continue to reside in Leiters Ford.

OUT OF THE PAST

Oct., Nov. & Dec., 1897

The Sentinel, May 11, 1971

By HUGH A. BARNHART

          From the files of The Rochester Sentinel, October, November and December, 1897.

          Three young toughs broke up the Sunday evening services at the Prairie Grove church, three miles east of Kewanna, after they entered during the preaching.  Each carried a buggy whip and one used his on a church leader who was felled to the floor.  In a general fight that followed the intruders were beaten up by a young man.  The congregation stampeded.  The toughs jumped into their buggy and started for Kewanna.  They then turned arund and in passing the church ran into and damaged three buggies.  Their horse ran away, throwing the men in a ditch where they were captured.

          Another “faith” healer left town with all the money he collected.  The Fulton County Oil Well company members met to form a company and put down a test well in the area.  About $1,000 was subscribed.  John J. Hill was selling handmade buggies, wagons and harness at low prices.  The county fair had total receipts of $1,832.58 which enabled the board to pay all expenses and leave a nice surplus.  Fulton county had its first rain in several months, the drought being the worst in the last 20 years.  The Sentinel purchased a new and larger engine to run its presses.

          The oil well fever spread over the county and a group of Akron citizens were preparing to sink two wells.  Two young men, George V. Dawson and W.N. Richter, purchased the Dawson drug store from Jonathon Dawson who founded the business in 1854.  The Sentinel announced that a daily would soon be starting as they had 500 signed subscribers.  But when The Sentinel published this story the Republican editor replied by writing, “we will not be surpassed by inferior persons.” A number of youngsters organized a club with rooms established in the Feiser

building.  The name selected, “The Orphans Home.” Val Zimmerman was elected president.  U.S. Marshals and Sheriff Dillon arrested three new citizens of Tiosa who were found to be making counterfeit money.

          A $10,000 stock company was formed in Rochester to drill for oil near Peru and in their original effort they drilled a well that produced 246 barrels of oil the first 24 hours.  Leet Cooper advertised Roger Bros. 1841 knives and forks at $1 per dozen.

          A news item read, “Students of the north and south schools have introduced a new game called basketball.  The first game was played Saturday night in the Red Men’s Hall.  The game is played with a football and the players line up on sides along a given line and then try to land the ball in peach baskets hung at opposite ends of the floor.  After the ball is tossed into the air the players throw it from one to another and success lays with the expert who makes a successful toss at the mark.”   (It is believed this is the first time basketball ever was played in the county.)

          A football team from Plymouth came here to play the Rochester Rushers but quit the game at half time when the visitors saw they had no chance of winning.  Dr. Overmyer of Leiters Ford gave up his practice of medicine to Dr. W.B. Gray.  He then devoted his entire time to his merchantile business and a feed company.  Four Rochester game cock fanciers held a “secret” fight session before 40 business and professional men.  An old dominique rooster from the country was the star performer, licking two of the game birds.  Alex Ruh, the druggist, ordered a new horseless carriage which will be delivered in the spring.  It was to be propelled by a hydrocarbon engine.

          The Rochester Daily Sentinel came out with its first issue Dec. 1, 1897.  An editorial stated, “Property taxes have risen from 40 cents on the hundred dollars in 1894 to 80-1/2 cents this year, an increase of more than one-half in three years.” Over 100 cases of measles were reported in Aubbeenaubbee township.  “Attorney Charles Campbell fell through the ice at the

lake but the fire in his red hair soon warmed him up.”   Seven teams began hauling gravel on a section of the road south of the Pyle farm.  A Sentinel representative took a spin on a new Columbia chainless bicycle and said, “it glides along as smoothly as a small boy sliding down the side of a strawstack.”

          The oil well driven near Fulton gave the contractors trouble as the casing came out of fix.  Later the well filled with water.

          The fight Saturday night between Reporter Williamson and Is Lauer resulted in Lauer, the victor, being arrested and fined for assault and battery.  The same charges were made against the reporter.  The Rochester Oil Company re-let its contract for drilling an oil well on the A.J. Haimbaugh farm, (opposite the poor farm buildings) to B.F. Fulton the oil wizard.  Irv Rannells phoned the Sentinel from Fulton that the drillers had struck oil and much excitement reigned in the town.  The Christmas spirit was in the air with all the store windows being gaily decorated.  The Citizens Band was to give a concert Christmas eve.

          Omar Smith, cashier of the First National bank, received a flattering offer made by a Colorado bank.  He turned it down.  “Rochester needs young men like Omar and we will keep him.” A gigantic Christmas parade brought hundreds of people to town.  It was led by the Citizens Band with the members in comic outfits.  Roy Deniston and Roy Cooper were robbed by a masked bandit in an alley and the thief took 27 cents from Deniston.  Everyone in Fulton was talking “oil” and local men formed a new company to put down a second oil well.  And so ended another year in Fulton county.

 

EIGHTH ST. MACH & WELDING

Destroyed by Fire

The Sentinel, May 21, 1971

          One of the city’s oldest buildings, which was undergoing demolition, was gutted and half-leveled Thursday morning by a spectacular fire which broke out about 11 o’clock.

          The 100-year-old brick structure, at Race and Eighth

streets, formerly housed the Eighth Street Machine and Welding company.  It had been sold to Robert Roe of this city by Calvin Mikesell, the former owner.

          Mikesell was in the process of wrecking both the main two-story building and an adjoining one-story brick garage.  Roe plans to erect a building for his painting business on the sire. - - - - -

          The disappearance of the Rochester landmark recalls its origin, in about 1871 when the two buildings were erected by Mac Ashton as a machine shop and foundry, the latter located in the smaller structure.

          When Ashton’s business failed in 1875, the buildings were purchased by David Ross, grandfather of Donald Ross of this city.  He operated it as a machine shop and foundry until his deah, when his sons renamed it the Ross Brothers Foundry (later Garage) and Machine Works.  It remained in the Ross family until 1945, a total of 70 years.

          The Ross brothers - Albert, William, Loy and Charles - forged machine gears for the overseas market, manufactured bicycles and later became the city’s second automobile dealer from the location.

          Some of the main beams in the building were of hand-hewn black walnut wood, 20 inches square in size.

 

MAIN STREET TAVERN

Pur Maurice Siders

The Sentinel, May 25, 1971

          The sale of the Main Street tavern here to Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Siders, 527 West Ninth street, was announced today by Mrs. Beulah Burkett.  The new owners will take possession Monday.

          Siders, who is employed b Public Service Indiana, said that he plans no changes in the operation of the business.

          The firm was owned and operated for 26 years by Mrs. Burkett’s husband, Otis, prior to his death last October.

MY BROTHER’S PLACE

New Teen Center Opens

The Sentinel, June 2, 1971

          A place to identify with fellow teens, booths and tables for listening to sounds of today from a stereo jukebox, a neat dance floor with band stand - all this is part of the scene at “My Brother’s Place,” a new teen center which opens Friday at 510 Main street.

          For the past two months, Harry Burton, head diatician at Woodlawn hospital, has spent every extra moment creating a haven for young persons in the building on North Main street which formerly was Wag’s TV.

          Ceilings have been lowered, walls paneled, floors carpeted and restrooms installed.  A revolving psychedelic light casts shadows around the dance floor and over the band stand where burton plans to feature local rock groups on weekends.

          A snack bar has been built where short-order cooks Miss Kim Zimmerman and Miss Patty Carr will whip up hamburgers and hot dogs on order.

          “I’m excited about it and so are the kids,” said Burton, 36-year-old native of Austin, Minn.

          “Everyone from 13 to 20 will be welcome here.  Tentative hours will be from 4 p.m. until midnight - seven nights a week.  There will be a 25-cent cover charge and each teen will be stamped - enabling him to leave and return at will.”

          “The curfew will be respected for those under 18 and the 13-year-olds will be asked to go home around 8:30 p.m.  I will be in charge at all times and will maintain the right to enforce the rule that all customers adhere to good conduct.  I will reserve also the right to ask persons to leave who violate the rules.”

          Burton has installed extensive sound equipment in the area in order to give his young clientele the good sounds in music they like.

          Burton, a drummer in his own right, is employed by Szabo

Food Service company of Lyons, Ill.  This company furnishes food managers for such organizations as hospitals and special schools.  Prior to coming to Woodlawn, he was food manager for a Jesuit school in Prairie du Chian, Wis., and as such was in charge of the diet programming for 500 boys.

          He has worked at Woodlawn for the past 1-1/2 years and has noted a need for a place for teenagers to meet and to communicate.  He has received help and encouragement from students.

 

TONY’S POWER EQUIPMENT

Pur John A. Figlio

The Sentinel, June 16, 1971

          Tony’s Power Equipment business has been moved to the former Sunoco service station building, 1529 Main street, under the new ownership of John A. Figlio.

          Figlio is the son of Mr. & Mrs. John R. Figlio, RR 6, Rochester, and the grandson of Mr. & Mrs. Anthony (Tony) Fontaneve.

          Fontaneve has owned and operated Tony’s Power Equipment firm at his residence on U.S. 31 north of Rochester for many years.  Figlio has worked in the business for the last eight years.

          Figlio said the business is open at its new quarters now.  A grand opening is set for Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3. - - - -

          Figlio said that in addition to the repair and sales of lawn and garden equipment, the business will sell and service motorcycles.

          Fontaneve has gone into semi-retirement, but will continue to operate a saw sharpening business at his residence for the time being.

SNACK SHOP

Opens by Dale Felts

The Sentinel, July 2, 1971

          A new business is opening in Akron in the building formerly owned by William Huppert where the Huppert Shoe store was located for many years on North Mishawaka street.

          The Snack Shop, owned and operated by Mr. & Mrs. Dale Felts who live northwest of Akrn on a farm, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  - - - - -

          They will serve short orders of sandwiches, French fries, and homemade pies baked by Mrs. Felts.  A salad bar will offer salads and desserts,- - - - -

          Mrs. Felts will be cook and manager of the business.

          Mr. & Mrs. Felts are the parents of six children, three boys and three girls.  The oldest girl will be a helper.

 

RNU REUN

Pinhook Grange

The Sentinel, July 17, 1971

          The alumni of Rochester college held their 42nd reunion at the Pinhook Grange Sunday.  Members of the Grange served the dinner and the invocation was given by the Rev. Clyde R. Walters.

          Mrs. Furl R. Burns of North Manchester, president, conducted the meeting which was opened with group singing.   Mrs. Ethel Snapp gave the secretary’s report and Mrs. Arthur (Reba Moore) Shore gave the memorial report of members who died during the past year.   Russell H. Smith, Mrs. Maude (Montgomery) Emmons, Hubert Moble, Hurd J. Hurst, Blaine Hurst, Mahlon Bair, Mrs. Ada Sherbondy, Charles Maple, Errett Carvey and Dean Babcock.

          The Rev. Walters, Earl Hicks of Kokomo, and Estil Ginn were appointed to find a special place for keeping memorials and pictures and to have the cornerstone coated.

          A picture was taken of the group and anyone interested in obtaining a copy should contact Mrs. Golda Polen of Kewanna.

          Notes were read from the following members who were unable to attend:   Don Nafe, Mrs. Omer Reichard, Miss Mabel Rees, Mr. & Mrs. W.R. McClary, Mrs. John Felder, Mrs. Bertha Bailey, and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Deardorff.

          The Rev. Walters was elected president of the group and serving with him will be Charles Lucas, vice president; Mrs. Pearl Hiland, secretary; Dr. Dow Haimbaugh, treasurer; and Mrs. Shore, vice president ex officio.

          Dr. Bert Kent of Fulton, was the oldest alumni present and Mr. & Mrs. Otto Babcock of Waterman, Ill., traveled the farthest distance, 190 miles.

          Miss Carolyn Paulus entertained the group with several solos, accompanied by Mrs. Jean Paulus.   Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Zimmerman then told of their trip to the Holy Land.

          Those attending were:   Mr. & Mrs. Earl Adams, Mrs. Fred Alexander, Mrs. Norabelle Bryant, Mrs. Furl R. Burns, Mrs. Charles Babcock, Mr. & Mrs. Otto Babcock, Mrs. Dessa Fultz, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Gasaway, Estil Ginn, Mrs. Pearl Hiland, Dr. & Mrs. Dow Haimbaugh, Mr. & Mrs. M.E. Hicks, Dr. & Mrs. Bert Kent, Mrs. Lulu Biggs Kroft, Miss Belva Miller, Mrs. Edith Glen Murley, Mrs. Pearl Moor, Dean Mow, Charles Lucas, Mrs. Golda Polen, Mr. & Mrs. Raymon McVay, Mrs. Ethel Ream, Mrs. Tessa Cooper Staygon, Mrs. Ethel Snapp, Mrs. Arthur Shore, Mr. & Mrs. Guy Shadel, Miss Edna Sheets, Earl Quick, Rev. & Mrs. Clyde R. Walters, Mrs. Ray Wildermuth, Calvin Alber, Mrs. Jean Paulus, Miss Carolyn Paulus and Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Zimmerman.

          The group will meet Sunday, July 2, 1972.

ROUND BARN FESTIVAL

The First

The Sentinel, July 19, 1971

          Fulton county’s first Round Barn Festival was in the past today, but it seems a safe prediction that more will follow on an annual basis.

          The three-day entertainment event, which was blessed by perfect weather throughout, attracted an estimated 8,000 persons for Saturday’s big parade.  This peak in attendance likely was increased for the entire run of the Festival.- - - - -

 

FULTON CO TIRE CO

Opens By Johnson & Walker

The Sentinel, July 21, 1971

          Fulton County Tire company, offering a complete line of Firestone tires, expects to be ready for opening Aug. 2 in its location on Ind. 14 east of the city, in the building formerly occupied by Nickles bakery.

          The new firm is owned and will be operated by Bill Johnson and Gene Walker of Flora, who together have 28 years’ experience in the tire business.  Both plan to move to the city as soon as housing is obtained.- - - - -

          Johnson has spent 19 years in the tire business, Walker having nine years’ experience.  Both have been employed at Cass County Tire company in Logansport, prior to that at Easerman Tire Service in Flora.

          Johnson and his wife, Nell, have two children, a married daughter, Nelda, and Kathy, 15.  Walter and his wife Peggy are the parents of two pre-school children. - - - -

MILLER REUN

Carl Miller Jr. Home

The Sentinel, July 30, 1971

          The fifth reunion of the Henry Miller family was held recently at the Sycamore, Ill., home of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Miller, Jr., with 62 descendants in attendance.

          During the business session, presided over by Mrs. James L. Miller of Rochester, Jacob A. Miller of Rochester, was elected president.  Serving with him for the coming year will be Mrs. Joe Day of Akron, vice-president; and Mrs. James Harold of Rock Falls, Ill., secretary-treasurer.

          Attending the reunion from this area were Mr. & Mrs. Day, Mrs. Carrie Miller of Talma, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Miller of Warsaw, and Mrs. Dollie Miller, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Miller and son, Mr. & Mrs. Greg Miller and son, Mr. & Mrs. Charles N. Miller and daughter, Mrs. Margaret Shearer and daughter, and Mr. & Mrs. James L. Miller, all of Rochester.

          Others were Mr. & Mrs. Robert Miller of South Bend, Mrs. Vada Miller and Harley Keef family, all of Sycamore; Delmont Miller of Geneva, Ill.; Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Miller of Union, Ill.; and the Carl McCann family, the Carl Hans family, the Charles Moore family and Mr. & Mrs. James Harold, all of Rock Falls, Ill.; Also, the Van Deventer family and Mrs. Emelyn Smith, all of Aurora, Ill.  Traveling from Minnesota was Edgar Miller Jr., and son, and Kenneth Hadfield of Illinois, was a guest.  Others were Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Miller of New Lisbon, Wis.; and Mr. & Mrs. Parnell Miller of Portage, Wis.

 

HOUSE OF DECOR

Owner, Robert Roe

The Sentinel, August 3, 1971

          The House of Decor, a new business in Rochester which opened this past weekend, will feature a complete line of custom made draperies, carpeting, wallpaper and interior and exterior paints.

          Owned and operated by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Roe, House of Decor is located at he corner of Eighth and Race streets, site of the former Eighth Street Welding shop.

          The newly constructed building is the latest in design and is surrounded by crushed stone parking area.

          Roe has been in the commercial and residential painting business for 10 years, working out of his residence at 1222 Madison street.  Mrs. Roe, a former employee of the Kroger store here, has just completed a course in interior design.  - - - -

 

HALDEMAN REUN

Warsaw Park

The Sentinel, August 5, 1971

          The Henry and Sarah Leininger Haldeman descendents gathered at Bixler Park in Warsaw recently for their annual family reunion.

          Those attending were:   Mrs. Mary Sterling, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Gast, Melissa, Jenny, Mark and Matt, and Mr. & Mrs. Al Jennens, all of Aron; Mrs. Edna Hunter, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Hunter, Mark, Gary, Greg and Lisa, Mr. & Mrs. Byron Hunter and Randy, all of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Ernestine Pierce, Lisa and Cathy, Mrs. Carol Stage and Shelly of Bunker Hill; and another daughter, Mrs. Sharon Singer and Tim from Winona, Minn.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Long, Suzanne and Kevin of Avon Lake, O.; Mr. & Mrs. Dale R. Barber, Randy and Leslie, Mr. & Mrs. Terry Zook and Scott, and Mrs. Almond Gerard, all of Warsaw, Mrs. David Barrett of South Bend; and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Tombaugh of Beaver Dam Lake.

          Other guests were Pete Sanders of Rochester, and Loren Strotz and Todd Smith of Fort Wayne.   

MAHLER REUN

Mahler Homestead

The Sentinel, August 7, 1971

          Sunday the old homestead of Joseph and Bessie Mahler now the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Mahler and Greg, was the scene of a family gathering.

          Guests of the present owners were Elmer Mahler and Howard, Terry Mahler, Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Mahler, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Mahler, all of Monterey; Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Mahler, Patty, Kim and Brent, of Ora; Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Kelly and Karen, Mrs. Bill Eslinger and Kim, Mr. & Mrs. John Biesbrook, all of South Bend, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kelly, Jeff and Shaun, of Edwardsburg, Mich.; and their guest, Mrs. Robin Fisher; Mr. & Mrs. Milo Mahler and Michael, Gary Ray, Mr. & Mrs. Roy McCandlish and Marlene, Mrs. Robert Ambler and Kurt and Kari, all of Mishawaka; Miss Sheryl Simback of Elkhart; and Mr. & Mrs. Keith Shirley, Doug and Monica, of Bremen.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Mahler, Eddie and Sue, and Dennis Reinholt, all of Culver; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hanna and Richard 11 of Plymouth; Miss Darlene McCandlish of Chicago; Mr. & Mrs. William Webber, Anne Louise and Billy, of Buchanan, Mich.; Mr. & Mrs. Earl Fraim and Betty, of Charlestown; Mrs. Robert Fopping, Bobby, Debbie, Dawn and Danny, of Garden Grove, Cal.; Mr. & Mrs. John Mahler, Josh, Sam and Joy, of Argos; Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Mahler, Tina and Diana, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Roach and Rhonda, all of Winamac; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hudkins and Jim, of Rochester; Mr. & Mrs. Jerdon Denny of Gary; and Mrs. Golda Walbridge of Dowagiac, Mich.

 

OLD PAPERS FOUND

When House is Torn Down

The Sentinel, August 18, 1971

          Old papers, some of which were nearly 100 years old, were found by Alfred Ginther recently when he tore down a house at Pontiac and Third streets.  Most of them were well preserved.

          A copy of The Chicago Street Gazette, bearing the date of 1875, featured mostly all local news of that city.

          The town marshal of Rochester evidently issued licenses in those days permitting merchants to do business.  One was made out to Ault and Company allowing it to sell confectioneries.  The date was Sept. 25, 1880.  The cost - $3.

          Still easily readable was a bill from Chapin and Brother, a store which sold dry goods, boots and shoes.

          A catalog with a treatise on gold fish and their care gave helpful information to those who kept members of the finny tribe as pets.

          A ballot for an election at that time bore the names of state officials, congressional candidates and Fulton county aspirants.  Names included Alvin L. Robbins for treasurer; William H. Davidson joint senator of Fulton and Marshall counties, and James H. Bibler for prosecuting attorney.

          The papers were presented to the Fulton County Historical Society.

 

MANITOU TRAINING CENTER

Classes Will Resume Monday

The Sentinel, August 24, 1971

          W. Scott Savage, executive director of the Manitou Training Center, announced that classes will resume next Monday.

          The school will have a pre-school program for educable and Trainable retarded children ranging in age from three to eight years, a trainable class for children ages eight to 16 and the adult Workshop for those 16 years and older.

          The staff will include Mrs. Noelle Daulton, program director and speech therapist; Mrs. Kathy Tribby and Mrs. Gretchen Coplen, activity leaders; James Adams, adult program; Mrs. Carolyn Hunter, music, and Mrs. Terry Moore, administrative secretary.Transportation to the school can be arranged for those who need it.

          Anyone who withes to enroll a child or knows of any children who may benefit from the Center, should contact Savage or Mrs. Daulton.

 

WROI 92.1 FM

Goes On Air Sunday

The Sentinel, August 25, 1971

          WROI, Rochester’s new radio station, will go on the air Sunday at 92,1 on the FM dial.  The initial broadcast will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.   Beginning the following day the regular schedule of programming will commence, starting at 6:30 a.m.

          The WROI studios and offices are at 116 West Ninth street and the transmitter building and tower are 2-1/2 miles west of Rochester on Ind. 14.

          Joe Sweeney, who heads the broadcasting firm, recently purchased a home and moved with his wife and three children to Rochester.

          C.W. VanCure, already known to many local persons as “Van,” is operations manager.  After purchasing a home, Van moved with his wife and two sons to Rochester.

 

GOTTSCHALK REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel, Sept. 10, 1971

          The 41st reunion of the John Gottschalk family was held at the Rochester city park Sunday, beginning with a basket dinner at noon.  Lyman Gottschalk, president, conducted the meeting and pictures of John Gottschalk, his wife, Elizabeth Ann Stogdill Gottschalk, and his parents, Jacob Friedrich Gottschalk, Jr., and Christina Catherina Fuchs Gottschalk, were distributed as were copies of the family history.

          Officers elected for 1972 were:   Vachel Walters, president; Lester Gottschalk, vice-president; and Mary Ruth Keim, secretary-treasurer.

          Attending were Mrs. Dora Gottschalk, Mr. & Mrs. Howard

Mutchler of Kewanna; Lester Gottschalk of South Whitley; Dan Gottschalk of Wolcottville; Mrs. Ruby Gottschalk, Mrs. Barbara Graves, Tammy Gottschalk of Logansport; Mr. & Mrs. Lyman Gottschalk of Lagro; Mr. & Mrs. John Edward Gottschalk of Lafayette; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lease, Robyn Mutchler, Mr. & Mrs. Dale Bridge Vicki Bridge of Lucerne; Mr. & Mrs. Omer Wagoner, Mr. & Mrs. William Wagoner, Susan, Sandra, Jeffrey Wagoner, William Gottschalk, Sherri and Lisa Gottschalk of Kokomo.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Don Fouts, Gina, Chistina, Vern Fouts of Peru; Allen Engle of Columbia City; Miss Karen Kurpka, Mrs. Pearl Hiland, Mrs. Geneva Davis, Mrs. Josephine Tuley, Mrs. Alice Fouts, Mrs. Ralph Schindler, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gottschalk, Miss Connie Gottschalk, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Keim, Keith and Jane Keim, and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Gottschalk, all of Rochester.

 

CREDIT BUREAU

Pur Kuneff & Hambidge

The Sentinel, Sept. 13, 1971

          Sale of the Credit Bureau of Fulton County Inc., 120 East Eighth street, was announced today by Charles Spohn, president and founder.

          The new owners are Larry Kuneff and Max Hambidge of South Bend, both of whom plan to move to the city later.  The change of ownership was effective Monday.

          Kuneff is president and treasurer of the corporation, with Hambidge serving as vice-president, secretary and general office manager.  They said there will be no changes in office personnel, consisting of Mrs. Nancy Rynearson, Mrs. Barbara Ogle and Mrs. Elsie Iler.

          Spohn plans to retire and said he will “concentrate on fishing” from his Lake Manitou home.

          Founded here in 1956 by Spohn, the Credit Bureau now lists over 300,000 credit records and has recovered over $250,000 in bad debts in the past 15 years.  It serves Fulton county and the northern half of Miami county, with transferral services to

other bureaus throughout the nation.

          Kuneff has had previous experience in insurance sales, with finance firms, construction, insurance investigation, personnel counseling and accounting.  He is married.

          Hambidge presently is studying toward a business administration degree at the South Bend campus of Indiana university.  He has had

8-1/2 years’ experience with loan offices in Indiana, being branch manager of four such firms, and also has worked in insurance sales and the retail field.  He and his wife are parents of two children.

          Both men will attend a seminar in November at Indiana university in Bloomington, conducted by the Associated Credit Bureaus of America.

 

BORDEN REUN

Conservation Club

The Sentinel, Sept. 13, 1971

          The Oliver J. Borden reunion was held at the Fulton County conservation club last week for a carry-in dinner.

          The 42 people attending were the Casper Stout family, the Robert E. Clemans family and the Jack Roming family, all of Rochester; Mr. & Mrs. Joe Borden of Logansport; the Robert VanLue family of Elkhart; and the Richard Goshart family, the Rex Carey family, Mr. & Mrs. Vitor Hillery and Mr. & Mrs. David Hillery, all of Warsaw.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Clayburn, Mr. & Mrs. David Williams, the Michael Hudkins family and the Donald Hudkins family, all of Greencastle.

          Guests were Cindy Clark, Candy Wise, Phyllis and Rex White and Lawrence Smith.  A letter was received from Oliver Clayburn of New York, who could not attend.

BERGHOFF CAFE

Pur Donald Shultz

The Sentinel, Sept. 22, 1971

          The Berghoff cafe, a familiar name on the Rochester business scene for 38 years, has made way for the Brasserie.

          Sale of the cafe at 1617 Main street to Donald and Gloria Shultz was announced today by Christ Ninios, who with members of his family has been involved in local business enterprises 51 years.- - - -

 

FIRST NATL BANK BLDG

Pur, Jay Heyde

The Sentinel, October 12, 1971

          The First National Bank building at 730 Main sstreet, soon to be vacated for new and larger quarters at Madison and Ninth street, has been purchased by Jay Heyde of Rochester.

          Heyde said today that he plans to remodel the front half of the building and make it availale for rental to a retail merchandising store.  The back half will be revamped, as well, into two suites of general offices.

          The new owner will take possession of the structure by Dec. 31.  Included in the transaction is the second floor, now vacant except for the Masonic lodge clubroom.  The third floor of the building is occupied by lodge rooms of the Masons, who have an extended lease on that portion.

          Heyde is co-owner of the Heyde Oil company, which operates service stations here and in seven other northern Indiana cities.

          The First National will leave its Main street location of 57 years for the new building now under construction at the southwest corner of Main and Ninth streets.  Occupancy is expected to be accomplihed before the end of the year.

A&P GROCERY

Closing Rochester Store

The Sentinel, October 20, 1971

          The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea company will close the Rochester A&P grocery store Saturday night, ending a 47-year stay in this city.

          A&P opeed here in 1924 in what now is the south half of the Schultz variety store in the 700 block of Main street.  The late Arthur Miller was the first manager, serving in that capacity until 1935.  E.H. Adams, who lives northwest of Rochester, was the butcher in the first years of the store’s operation.

          About 19 years ago, the store moved to its present location at 523 Main street.

          The employee with the longest term of service with the Rochester A&P store is Mrs. Sally Collins, who has been with the store 25-1/2 years as check stand operator.

 

SONOCO

Names New Manager

The Sentinel, November 15, 1971

          Glen H. Gary, currently manager of Sonoco’s Munroe Falls, O., plant, is transferromg on Dec. 1 to the Akron plant in the same capacity.  He replaces James L. Henderson who moves to the company’s paper division on Jan. 1.

          At the same time, Herbert M. Byrd, vice-president - general products division, announced the promotion of Charles L. Bartholomew from assistant plant manager to manager of the Munroe Falls plant on Dec. 1, succeeding Gary.

          A graduate of North Texas State University, Gary joined Sonoco in 1964 in the standards department of the Longview, Texas plant.  Two years later he was promoted to standards supervisor and transferred to the division’s Atlanta, Ga., plant.  In Feb. 1969 he was elevated to assistant plant manager, the position he held until Aug. 1, 1970, when he was promoted to Munroe Falls plant manager.

          An Ohio native, Bartholomew joined Sonoco as a production trainee in April 1968.  He was promoted to assistant plant manager at Munroe Falls in Jan. 1970.  Bartholomew majored in industrial engineering at Ohio University and received an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering from Barberton School of Technology.

 

RAUSCHKE INS AGCY

James I. Johnson

The Sentinel, December 1, 1971

          James I. Johnson of Lake Manitou today joined the Rauschke insrance agency as full-time office manager, owner Charles Rauschke announced today.

          A native of Peru, Johnson has resided here for 12 years.  He was with the Indiana state police department 13 years as a trooper and then as a sergeant in charge of driving safety and drug control.

          For the last year he has been a field claims representative for State Farm insurance, working out of the Warsaw office.  The Rauschke firm is the State Farm agency for Fulton county.

          Johnson and his wife Sue have three children - Paul 16, Julie 11 and Dave 5-1/2.

 

FELTS CIGAR STORE

Bldg pur Baxter Drug Store

The Sentinel, December 3, 1971

          Baxter Drug Store today announced that its Main street facilities will be doubled in size within the next six months.

          Ernest and Parke Baxter, owners, said they have purchased the building immediately north of the store which formerly was occupied by Felts Cigar Store.  The latter was closed several months ago because of the illness of proprietor Howard Felts.  The building was owned by Mrs. Ned Hart and Mrs. Glendon Adamson.

          The Baxters will immediately begin planning for the store

expansion and occupy the expanded space as quickly as possible.  All departments of the drug store will be enlarged, with additional room being gained by estending the new space westward.

 

MIKO INC

Ground Broken For Plant

The Sentinel, December 4, 1971

          Ground was broken Friday afternoon for Rochester’s newest manufacturing plant, Miko Inc., which will produce plastic pipe for the building trades on a site east of the city. - - - -

          The plant will be built on an eight-acre site purchased from Garfield Hanson, located on East Fourth street road directly west of the Robert Caywood residence.  Construction is expected to start within two weeks with operations beginning in early spring.- - - -

          Partners in Miko Inc. are Donald Davisson of Lake Manitou and Indianapolis, Bruce Smith, Troy, Mich.; James Crombie, Elkhart, and George Kistler, Syracuse.- - - - -

          Parent company of Miko is Johnson-Davisson Inc. of Elkhart, which is a representative for plumbing, heating and air condiioning supplies to wholesalers and distributors in Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky. - - - - -

 

NEW PLAN JURY SELECTION

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh

The Sentinel, December 4, 1971

          Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh announced today the inauguration of a new system to be used in Fulton circuit court to determine the names of persons who will be selected for drawing as prospective jurors for 1972.

          In addition to announcing the new procedure, Tombaugh reappointed George R. Rouch, Kewanna, Republican, and Burk Miller, Rochester, Democrat, to serve as jury commissioners for the coming year.

          He said the appointees are to appear in court at 8:30 a.m.

Monday to place in a box the names of 400 persons as prospective grand and petit jurors.  He said jury commissioners, at this time, would receive instructions on the new procedure and take their oaths.

          Judge Tombaugh said the introduction of the new plan was promoted primarily by the entrance of the 18-year-old voter on the registration list and by the growing trend in the higher courts to scrutinize all actions of the lower trial courts in regard to criminal matters.

          Names of prospective jurors will be chosen from the voter registration lists in the following manner:

          Selection will be in proportion to the population of each county commissioner’s district, the names from each precinct being drawn at random as follows:

          The numbers one through 25 will be written on 25 pieces of paper of uniform size and placed in a box.  The county clerk, in the presence of the jury commissioners, will draw one paper.  The number on this paper will be the key number.

          Jury commissioners will select first the name on the voter’s registration list that corresponds with the key number.  Succeeding names will be each 25th name on the list, until the correct number of names are selected for that precinct.

          If after going through the entire list in the precinct, insufficient names have been selected, the 10th succeeding number following the key number will be the new key number and the same process will be repeated until sufficient names have been selected.

          This same procedure will be repeated for each precinct.

          The names chosen will be placed in a box and delivered to the clerk.  The Key to the box will be retained by the jury commissioner of the opposite political party of the clerk.  The clerk will maintain a record of the key number.

          The clerk will mail to each prospective petit juror the Jury Questionnaire with a return envelope.  The questionnaire must be sent to the counrt by return mail.

          Tombaugh said the manual procedure being adopted here is what many courts in the larger cities are doing by the use of computers.

          “Computers do this work in minutes,” he said.  The jury commissioners will spend about two days or so in completing the selection.

          “In my opinion,” Tombagh stated, “this innovation into our court will narrow the margin for error and give us less chance for reversals of decisions in the higher courts.”

          “It will give the most equitable and cross-section representation of all the people in Fulton county for jury service.  It will speed up the work and aid commissioners in their duties,” he added.

 

MARSH SUPERMARKETS

Plan Opening in Rochester

The Sentinel, December 9, 1971

          Marsh Supermarkets Inc., today announced that it will open a new supermarket in Rochester next year.

          The Indiana-based food chain, which operates stores in 47 Indiana and western Ohio cities, has completed arrangements for construction of its new facility at 1419 Main street, according to Don Marsh, president.

          This site, formerly occupied by Charles Fear and Sons farm ikmplements, now is being cleared for the erection of a building of 15,087 square feet in size.

          Clay Smith of Rochester, owner of the property, is constructing the supermarket to Marsh specifications under a long-term lease.  B&G Construction company of Mishawaka is general contractor for the work and occupancy is scheduled for early summer.- - - -

ROCHESTER HOMES INC.

Will Open Next June

The Sentinel, January 11, 1972

          Rochester’s newest industry, Rochester Homes Inc., will go into production next June, President Milam Anderson of RR 3, Rochester (Riverside Acres), announced today after the firm received a $200,000 loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

          The newly organized corporation will manufacture deluxe mobile homes of near-permanent residential construction in a 40,000 square-foot building to be constructed south of the Jobsite Trailer corporation plant.

          The 400 by 100-foot metal plant building will go up on land northeast of the junction of the Erie Lackawanna and Norfolk and Western railroad tracks, along the new county road that extends from East Fourth street road to the Wilson Coal and Grain complex.

          Anderson said about 30 male and female employees will be hired at the outset and that the labor force will grow to 55 to 60 persons when full production of two mobile homes a day is achieved.

          The boost to local employment was one of the main reasons the Small Business Administration approved the loan to Rochester Homes Inc., according to William F. Miller, SBA district director in Indiana.

- - - - -

          Anderson has been in the mobile home production industry for 18 years, gaining extensive experience in research and development, engineering and management.  He has lived here four years with his wife, Betty Jane, and children, Debbie, a Rochester high school senior and Kenny, a sophomore at RHS.

HOOK’S DRUGS INC.

Opens New Store Here

The Sentinel, January 20, 1972

          Hook’s Drugs Inc., was welcomed to Rochester by an estimated 650 persons Wednesday night during a buffet in the company’s new drg store n Ind. 25 acrss from the Fulton county airport. - - - - -

 

OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTER

Will Open Next Month

The Sentinel, February 12, 1972

          A sporting goods store, known as Olympic Sports Center, will open next month in the front part of the building at Eighth and Main streets formerly occupied by the First National Bank.

          This was announced jointly today by Jay Heyde of Rochester, owner of the building, and Doug Coursey, Plymouth, and Ed Acker, Rochester.  The latter two have gone into partnership to form the new business.- - - -

          Heyde said the second floor of the building, except for the Masons’ quarters, also has been leased by Olympics.

          The interior of the first floor now is being remodeled and an additional entrance is to be installed on the south side of the building along West Eighth street.

          Coursey, son of Mr. & Mrs. Doug Sweany of Rochester, is a 1958 graduate of Rochester high school and is employed by McMahan-O’Connor Construction company.  His wife, Carol, is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Berns of Rochester.  The Courseys have two daughters, Dannielle 3, and Leslie 2.

          Acker came to Rochester from New York state three years ago and resides at the Four Seasons Mobile Home Estates with his wife, Jocelyn, and two daughters, Julie 9, and Angela 10 months.  Mrs. Acker is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Clair Moore of Rochester.

          A former assistant manager of the Mr. Wiggs department store in Fort Wayne, Acker has had 11 years of experience in

retailing of sporting goods.  For eight of those years he was with an uncle in a sporting goods store in New York. - - - - -

 

SCHEIBER SHOE STORE

Pur Don Stephenson

The Sentinel, March  2, 1972

          Stephenson’s Shoe Shoppe will open for business Monday morning at 725 Main street in the location formerly occupied by Scheiber Shoe Store.

          The business has been purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Don Stephenson of Rochester and will be managed by Mrs. John (Ella) Richards, assisted by Mrs. Stephenson and Bill Nicholson.

          Stephenson, who is associated in the management of Cook Brothers furniture store here, will remain in that position. - - - -

          Mrs. Richards assumes management of the business with a background of 24 years in shoe sales.  She was employed over 20 years with the former Hubert’s Shoe Store here and for the past three years has worked at Truitt Shoes.

          The store will offer shoe brands of Florsheim, Roberts, Naturalizer, Life Stride, Connie and Jacqueline, Robin Hood, Poll Parrot, Keds and Redwing.

          The Stephensons purchased the business from Mark Scheiber, who had operated it 3-1/2 years.   Once known as the Hub Shoe Store, the site has been used for a shoe business for 85 years.  For almost 30 years it was known as Taylor’s Shoe Store under the ownership of the late Orbra Taylor.

 

JUDGE OBJECTS

To Shingle Roofing Court House

The Sentinel, March 18, 1972

          Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh of Fulton circuit court stated today that he would be willing to “dip water for another three years if it would help preserve the beauty of the Courthouse.”

          The judge’s statement was prompted by last Monday’s decision by the Fulton County Council to replace the tile roof on

the Courthouse with asbestos shingles.

          Tombaugh said beauty as well as utility should be considered in the reroofing of the 76-year-old structure.

          The judge’s offices on the third floor of the building seem to be the area that has received the most water damage from the leaking roof.  After each rain the judge and the bailiff gather up buckets and mops and go to work.

          “Nevertheless,” continued Tombaugh, “I will be willing to mop my desk for several more years (providing it is the consent of the fall electorate) if it will induce the County Council to save the dignity of this building by keeping tile roofing over our heads.

          “I have suggested to Council members that cumulative roofing funds might be the answer to the financial problem.

          “I also have asked them to get the opinion of the people on this important issue.

          “I now urge the citizens of Fulton county to give special thought to this important step that is about to be taken in the improvement of this beautiful county building.

          “I would suggest that citizens make their opinions known through letters to the editor in The Sentinel.

          “I stand firm in my convictions that the beauty of this building must be preserved.  The few additional cents in the tax levy is not that important.”

          Council President Leroy Rouch said Monday the decision to replace the leaking tile roof with heavy, commercial asbestos shingles was based on cost and maintenance factors.

          He said it would cost twice as much to install a new tile roof and the maintenance of it would be more costly, too.

          The Council appropriated $40,000 for a new roof during the Monday session.

FIRST NATIONAL BLDG

Deniston Office Moved to Rear

The Sentinel, March 20, 1972

          Attorney William Deniston has moved his local office to 110 West Eighth street, in the old First National Bank building, from 116 East Eighth street in The Sentinel building.  The former quarters were vacated to provide for an expansion of The Sentinel’s commercial printing department later in the year.

 

COURTHOUSE TILE

May Be Retained

The Sentinel, March 21, 1972

          The tile roof of the Fulton county Courthouse may be retained after all.

          The Fulton County Commissioners heard from an expert Monday afternoon who told them the tiles do not need to be replaced to stop the roof from leaking.

          The expert is Adam Adamosky of the Midland Engineering company, South Bend, a roofing contracting firm.

          He spoke to Commissioners Kenneth Luckenbill, Oscar Lahman and Ralph Swank during an informal meeting at the Courthouse.  Also attending were three of the seven Fulton County Councilmen - Leroy Rouch, Raph Bitterling and Earl Barkman - along with several spectators including Fulton Circuit Court Judge Wendell Tombaugh.

          The County Council appropriated $40,000 at a meeting Monday, March 13, to be used to reroof the Courthouse.  The amount was considered enough to put on asphalt shingles, but not enough to put on new tile.

          This brought criticism Saturday from Judge Tombaugh,, who appealed to the Council to “save the dignity of this building by keeping tile roofing over our heads.” “The beauty of this building must be preserved,” the judge declared.

          Actually, the decision about what kind of roof the Courthouse will have rests with the County Commissioners. 

Because of the chronic leakng problem, they decided earlier that the building should be reroofed.  They asked the County Council for the money and the Council responded with the $40,000 appropriation.

          Monday afternoon’s session with Adamosky appeared to give the Commissioners considerable food for thought.  After his presentation, the Commissioners decided they wanted to hear from other roofing experts and subsequent meetings are expected to be conducted before a decision is made.

          Adamosky told the Commssioners that he inspected the roof from outside and inside and saw no reason for replacing the tile.

          To stop the leaking, Adamosky recommended taking up all tile and installing new decking, metal and felt, then putting the tile back on the outside.

          He said there are some damaged tiles on the roof, but that the damage was caused by people walking on them or dropping articles on them, not by wind, hail or other weather elements.

          Adamosky said the present roof tile “is worth $15,000 to $18,000.

          He agreed with Judge Tombaugh that installing asphalt shingles “would destroy the architectural beauty of the building.”

          Adamosky declined to give an estimate on the cost of the work he proposed in order to protect himself when the time comes to bid on the work.  But he said that if $40,000 is not enough to do the entire job, the Commisioners should consider having only part of the roof work done, “but doing it right” and completing the work when more money is available. - - - - -

 

WESTERN AUTO STORE

“Grand Opening”

The Sentinel, June 16, 1972

          Although the store wasn’t really closed, the Western Auto Store in Manitou Heights had its “grand opening” Thursday morning to signal a change in ownership.  Lyle Vandermark and

Ira Spurlock are the new owners.  Mayor Wayne Hittle did the ribbon-cutting, with Jack Sawyer, president of the Chamber of Commerce, representing the business community.  Also present were Mrs. Ira (Nina) Spurlck, Mrs. Lyle (Carol) Vandermark, Jack D. Rose, Western Auto sales representative, and, Roy and Randy Vandermark, sons of Lyle and Carol, who will be part-time employees at the store. (Sentinel Photo)

          (Previous owners not mentioned - WCT)

 

KROGER SUPERMARKET

Steve Johnson, Mgr.

The Sentinel, June 17, 1972

          Steve Johnson, a former Rochester resident who was manager of the Kroger store in North Manchester, is the manager of the Rochester Kroger supermarket now.  He is a Rochester high school graduate and is the son of Mrs. George Johnson, 207 West 13th street, and the late Mr. Johnson.  (Sentinel Photo)

 

WAR OF 1812

Vet’s Grave Marked Here

The Sentinel, June 20, 1972

          William Reid, who guarded the U.S. Frontier in Ohio against Indian raids during the War of 1812, finally was recognized for his service by the placement of a government military service marker on his gravesite at the Citizens cemetery here.

          The long-delayed recognition is the result of the efforts of Reid’s descendants, who certified his military record through the National Archives in Washington.  They include great-great-grandchildren, Mrs. Edna Carey, Dr. Dow Haimbaugh and Ernest Bonine, all of Rochester; Dr. Franklin Wright, Memphis, Tenn., and Mrs. Merrill Waltz, Fulton, and a great-great-great-grandson, Richard Bair, Rochester.

          A native of Virginia born in 1790, Reid’s grandfather settled on that frontier in 1745.   About 1812 Reid and his two

brothers moved to Preble county, Ohio, where newly-opened frontier settlements were welcoming settlers.

          Upon the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812, Reid was among 63 Preble county settlers who served as privates in a militia company organized to guard against Indian raids.  The company was stationed at Fort Nesbitt, a temporary border fortress in Preble county.

          Reid, after his marriage in 1814 to Sarah McClung, moved to the newly-organized Fulton county in 1836.  They bought government land west of the city.  His wife died in 1851 and his death followed in 1856; the couple was buried beside one another at the Citizens cemetery.

 

COURTHOUSE TILE ROOF

Favored by Commissioners

The Sentinel, June 20, 1972

          The entire roof of the Fulton County Courthouse underneath the tile will be redone and most of the tile put back if the County Council will appropriate an additional $22.000 needed for the job.

          The Fulton County Commissioners in special session Monday, decided to ask the County Council for the money to repair the roof and replace damaged tile instead of installing asphalt shingles as was previously considered.

          Members decided on Wednesday morning, July 12, as the date to meet with the Council on the matter.

          Last March 13, the County Council appropriated $40,000 to reroof the Courthouse to eliminate a chronic problem of rainwater leaking into offices.  This amount was considered enough for asphalt shingles, but not enough for new tile.

          This action brought criticism from a number of persons, including Judge Wendell Tombaugh, whose third floor water leaks through the roof.  He called upon county officials to retain the present appearance of the roof by putting tile back on the roof instead of asphalt shingles.

          On March 20, the Fulton County Commissioners heard a roofing expert contend that the roof could be repaired without changing its appearance.

          Adam Adamosky of the Midland Engineering company, South Bend, recommended taking up all the tile and installing new decking, metal and felt, then putting the same tile back on the roof.  He said there were some damaged pieces of tile that need replacing, but that most of the tile can be retained.

          He said damage to the tile that needs replacing has been caused by people walking on it or dropping articles on it, not by weather.

          Stewart Kline of Kline Engineering company, Lafayette - the commissioners’ consulting engineer - said Monday the project might cost up to $62,000, hence the need for an additional $22,000.  Kline said the estimate might be high and promised to give a more definite figure to the Commissioners later this week.

          The Commissioners said Monday the north side of the building does not show any signs of leaking but they felt that it would be wise from a financial standpoint to do the complete roof while the workmen are there.

          In retrospect, they also agreed that the project should have been tackled long ago instead of paying for the many “repair and patch” jobs of the past. - - - - -

          Present at the meeting were board members Kenneth Luckenbill, chairman, Ralph Swank and Oscar Lahman.  Also in attendance were Ernest Walters, county auditor and secretary of the board; Kline, and County Attorney Murray McCarty

 

MARSH SUPERMARKET

Opening Tuesday

The Sentinel, June  23, 1972

          Grand opening day of the new Marsh Supermarket at 1419 Main street will be Tuesday, it was announced today by Don E. Marsh, president of the Yorktown-based food chain.- - - -

          For greater customer convenience and speed, there will be

five checkout lanes plus a speed lane to make six in all.  - - - -

          The Marsh Supermarket has been under construction for the past six months, occupying the former location of the Charles Fear and Sons farm implement business.

          Clay Smith of Rochester, owner of the property, constructed the building to Marsh specifications under a long-time lease.  B&G Construction company of Mishawaka was general contractor for the work.

          The building is located in the northeast corner of the site and has 165 feet of frontage on Main street, 251 feet on Madison.  The asphalt parking lot is capable of holding 112 vehicles. - - - -

 

MARSH SUPERMARKET

Larry Metzger, Mgr.

The Sentinel, June  27, 1972

          Marsh Supermarkets, Inc., has named its management team for the new supermarket at 1419 Main street, which opened today.

          Manager of the 15,000 square foot store is Larry Metzger, 29-year-old former store manager in Anderson.  Larry has been with Marsh for almost 12 years, having served as a produce and assistant manager.

          He graduated from Rossville high school in the top third of his class.  A lover of antiques, hunting, fishing and woodworking, Larry and his wife, Patricia, are parents of one daughter, Annetta Marie, 5.

          Assistant manager is 24-year-old John Wasmuth, former assistant in Logansport.  John and his wife, Jane, have one daughter, Diana, seven months.  A graduate of Andrews high school, John attended Huntington college, is a veteran of the Army and a photography hobbyust,

VALLEY CABLEVISION

John W. Gilbert, Mgr.

The Sentinel, June 30, 1972

          John W. Gilbert, 27, has been named manager and chief technician of the Valley Cablevision office in Rochester with full responsibility for management and maintenance of the firm’s operations here.

          A native of Richmond, Va., Gilbert has been in the communications business for the last eight years.  He comes here from Kokomo, where he was with Telecable, Inc., a cable tv firm, for a year.

          Gilbert has obtained housing on the West side of Lake Manitou.  His wive, Ruth and sons John 2, and Todd 20 months, will move here soon.

          Other Valley Cablevision personnell here are Juanita Birk, secretary; Larry Lloyd, technician, and Pat Richards, part-time help.

 

ROCHESTER VISITED

By Sanford Cox

The Sentinel, July 1, 1972

          The following is taken from “Early Settlers Along the Wabash,” a book by Sanford Cox which has been republished in its original text by The Buckskin Press, Chaska, Minn.   Cox (1811-77) was a pioneer resident of Lafayette and traveled throughut the northern Indiana area in the years when it was yet a wilderness.  In this excerpt, Cox tells of a trip he and anoher man made in January, 1834, into the area that now is Rochester and Fulton county.

          We stopped at a farmhouse some six miles north of Logansport on the Michigan road, having ridden leisurely and examined the lands on Eel river for the most of the afternoon - being “land hunters” on the lookout for land to enter.

          Our frontier landlord advised us to go on to the

Potawatomie mills, erected at the outlet of Lake Manitou, some 20 miles north of where he lived, and from that point to keep up the Tippecanoe river to its head near Turkey Creek Prairie.

          We followed his directions and took up our lonesome journey along the frozen Michigan Road, which led through a dense continuous forest.  In the afternoon we arrived at a Mr. (Lot) Bozarth’s, near the

Potawatomie Mills.   His small, double cabin, which stood near where the town of Rochester now stands, was a welcome sight to us - being the only house we had seen after we started in the morning.

          Here we stopped for the night and were well entertained by Mr. Bozarth and his pleasant and interesting family who, though domiciled in the wilderness, would have graced the better circles of metropolitan life.

          After early breakfast we started on our journey, passing the Potawatomie mills during the first half hour’s ride.

          We stopped for a short time and viewed the celebrated Lake Manitau, or “Devil’s Lake,” where the Indians averred a huge monster had been seen in the shape of a serpent, which defied all human efforts to snare it.  There were traditions existing among the Potawatomie Indians that a monster in the shape of a serpent existed in this lake long before they crossed the “hard waters of the north.”

          Their superstitious dread of this lake was such that they would not hunt upon its borders, nor fish in its waters, for fear of incurring the anger of the evil spirit that made its home in this little woodland lake, which is perhaps some three or four miles in length, with a breadth averaging from one-fourth to a half mile, quite irregular, sometimes quite narrow for several hundred yards resembling a narrow sluggish river, at other places widening into bays, and more extended sheets of water, that reflected sky and forest like a mirror.

          The appearance of the ground indicated that it had originally

been much larger, and that its waters had gradually receded, which fact was confirmed by some of the earliest settlers of the neighborhood, who said they had fished years before in portions of the lake which had become partialky, or entirely dry land.

          When the government officers were about erecting the Potawatomie mills, the Indians strenuously objected to the erection of a dam at the outlet of the lake, lest its accumulated waters might disturb and overflow the subterranean chambers of Manitau, and the exasperated demon rush forth from his watery dominions and take indiscriminate vengeance on all those who resided near the saced lake.

          To convince the government officials of the real existence of this monster, and his terrible paroxisms of rage, which were periodical, they stated that at certain seasons of the year, the fish became so alarmed that they rushed pell mell to the outlet of the lake in large schools, or shoals, to escape the exasperated monster that threatened their destruction.

          I have been informed that Austin Morris, who completed the survey of the lake for the erection of the mills, said that several of his flagmen, while assisting in its survey, had become alarmed and made to shore declaring that they had seen the monster in the water.  For awhile it was difficult for him to get a man to carry the red flag.  Whether they really saw anything terrible in the water, or their fears were merely the result of an excited imagination, after hearing the Indian legend, Mr. Morris never pretended to say.

. . .   In the year 1837, there appeared in the Logansport Telegraph a communication by artist George Winter giving a more particular and circumstantial description of the monster from an account givenj to him by a fishing party who said they had seen the serpent, which they represented as being “about 60 feet long, the frontal bone three feet across, with eyes as large as saucers.”

          . . .   A party of 15 or 20 daring spirits, including several scientific gentlemen, was formed (in Logansport) to go to the

lake  . . . With fishing tackle . . .    to fish out the leviathan.  A sickly season prevented this grand piscatorial enterprise which had been planned on a magnificent scale and publicly advertised throughout the country for weeks, and his wonderful snakeship escaped the leviathan hooks and snares which had been prepared to lift him from his watery home.

 

GAMBLES STORE

Closing Out

The Sentinel, July 21, 1972

          Jim Wheeler, who has operated the Gambles store at 822 Main street for the past 12 years, is closing out the business and hopes to have all merchandise sold by the last of August.

          Wheeler, who has operated the business with the help of his wife, said his wife’s health is the main reason for discontinuing the business.

          His plans for the future include a refrigeration and air-conditionng service business of his own to be located at a different location.  This past year he has completed three courses in this work at Ivy Tech Extension school at Kokomo.  He also completed a corrspondence course at the National Radio Institute school in Washington, D.C.

          He has for the psst few years been doing all service work for the Gamble store.

          Mr. & Mrs. Wheeler reside on Lake Manitou and plan to continue their resdence there.

          The building which houses the Gamble store is owned by Dr. R.L. Sparks and is for rent or sale, according to the doctor today.

          Wheeler said he knew of no plans by the Gamble corporation to put another store in Rochester.

TORIN CORPN.

Robert F. Sesko Mfg Engr

The Sentinel, July 27, 1972

          The appointment of Robert F. Sesko as manufacturing engineer at the Rochester plant of Torin corporation was announced today by Floyd Swain, Indiana division manager.

          Sesko, who comes here from Torin’s main plant in Torringon, Conn., began work with the firm as a tool and die apprentice in 1960.  He was chosen as one of the six most outstanding apprentices in the state while enrolled in the four-year course.

          Sesko also has been a draftsman and machine designer and since 1971 has been manufacturing engineer for the Eastern division.   He has attended Waterbury State Technical college, the University of Connecticut and Northwestern Community college.

          Now rsiding on RR 6, Rochester, Ssko is a backpack and motorcycle enthusiast and also an accomplished guitrist.

 

RNU REUN

Pinhook Grange

The Sentinel, July 29, 1972

          A family-style dinner was served to 32 members of the Rochester college alumni and their guests when they gathered recently at the Pinhook Grange.  This was the 43rd annual reunion of the group.

          Don Nafe offered a prayer of thanks before the meal and the Rev. Clyde Walters conducted the business meeting.  The secretary’s report was made by Mrs. Pearl Hiland.

          The Rev. Walters said the cornerstone from the original college building, now on the courthouse lawn, has been coated with a preservative by Warren Tatter.  Dr. Dow Haimbaugh, treasurer, reported there is $136.31 in the bank, part of which is a permanent fund for the upkeep of the cornerstone.

          Mrs. Flural Burns, chairman of the memorial committee,

conducted a service in memory of the following members who died since the last meeting:   The late Faye Van Trump, Earl Hicks, Dessa Fultz, Charles Decker, Dean Mow, Leatha Wright, Don McLean and Vida Mutchler.

          At the suggestion of Glen Smiley and Mrs. John Cessna the group voted to meet again the second Saturday in July, 1973, at the Grange Hall.

          The remainder of the time was spent with each member telling something of his family and work.  World War 1 experiences were related and Charles Lucas of Knox told of teaching in the Phillippins several years.

          Attending were Mr. & Mrs. Otto Babcock, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Deardorf, Mr. & Mrs. Don Nafe, Mr. & Mrs. Glen Smiley, the Rev. & Mrs. Clyde Walters, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond McVay, Dr. & Mrs. Dow Haimbaugh, Mr. & Mrs. George Haimbaugh of North Carolina, Mrs. Minnie Alexander and Mrs. Edna Burns.

          Also, Mrs. Pearl Hiland, Charles Lucas of Knox, Lulu Kraft, Mrs. Edith Merley, Mrs. Golda Polen, Earl Quick, Omer Reichard, Mrs. Reba Shore, Mrs. Ethel Snapp, Mrs. Tessa Stayton, Mrs. John Cessna, Mrs. Pearl Moore, Mrs. Ethel Reams and Mrs. Norabelle Bryant.

 

VILLAGE MARKET, GROCERY

Pur Jerry Kimble

The Sentinel, July 29, 1972

          The Village Market, grocery and meat market, has been purchased by Jerry Kimble from Mr. & Mrs. Joe Zellers, former owners, who recently opened the store here.  The Zellers family has returned to Las Vegas.

 

MILLER REUN

Akron City Park

The Sentinel, August 2, 1972

          Descendents of Henry and Sarah Miller held their sixth annual reunion at the Akron City Park last week with 51 relatives

and two guests attending.

          Following the picnic dinner Jacob A. Miller, president, conducted a short business meeting during which the following officers were elected:   James L. Miller, president; Robert D. Miller of South Bend, vice-president; and Mrs. Byron Riffle, secretary-treasurer.  The group decided to hold the 1973 gathering at the Fish and Fun campgrounds.

          Attending this year’s event from Rochester were:   Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Miller and Tim, Mr. & Mrs. James Shearer and Kim, Mr. & Mrs. James Miller, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Miller and Kris, Mr. & Mrs Donald Reynolds, Linn and Mark; Mrs. Dollie Miller and Mr. & Mrs. Byron Riffle and Byron Jr., Henry, Kelly Ann and Kerry Kay.

          Coming from out of town were Mr. & Mrs. James Harrold of Rock Falls, Ill.; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Miller of South Bend; the Marvin Insley family of Sweetser; Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Bockover, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Bush and Mrs. John Bush, all of Marion; and the Vernon Zolman family, the Jan Zolman family and Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Miller, all of Warsaw.   Also, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Day of Akron; Mrs. Irene Zolman and Mrs. Versa Smith, both of Beaver Dam Lake and Mrs. Carrie Miller of Talma.

          Rodney Hatfield of Warsaw and Wayne Warner were guests.

 

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON

REUN

The Sentinel, August 24, 1972

          The Van-Duyne-Shelton families held a reunion annually and the Van Duyne Block & Gravel Co. at Mt. Zion was the scene of this year’s gathering.  Sunday’s carry-in dinner was attended by 57 relatives and two guests.

          Present were:   Mr. & Mrs. Ray Shelton, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Shelton, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Byron Zimmerman, the Calvin Braman Family, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Macy, Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Dill, the Dave Ginther family and Mr. & Mrs. Harold Crill, all of Rochester..

          Out-of-towners were:   Mr. & Mrs. Don Van Duyne, the Bill

Fisher family and the Gene DeWitt family, all of Kewanna; Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Van Duyne of Indianapolis; the Elson Holdread family of Plymouth;   the Frederick Van Duyne family of Argos;   the Randy Masterson family of Fort Wayne and the Phil Braman family of Lafayette.

          Guests were Val Hart, Fort Wayne; and Terry Young of Winamac.   The group will meet at the same place on the third Sunday in August, 1973.

 

COURT REPORTER

Elizabeth Felix, Resigns

The Sentinel, September 12, 1972

          Mrs. Elizabeth Felix, the Fulton circuit court reporter since Jan. 1, 1933, will retire Nov. 1 following 40 years of service, it was announced today by Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh.

          Mrs. Felix, who resides with her brother, Edgar Keebler, at 1031 Pontiac street, has no special plans for the future except to “Just relax and enjoy the good things of life.” She has one daughter, Mrs. Katherine Schwenk of Rochester, and three grandchildren.

          During her span of years in court reporting here, Mrs. Felix says she has served with five judges.

          She began her duties with Judge Robert Miller in 1933, working with him for 10 years.  She then served 12 years with Kline B. Reed, 11 with Fred Rakestraw, one with John Delworth and the past six years with Tombaugh.

          Her first big case was the Myers-Van Tobel damage suit which was venued here from another county in 1933.  Mrs. Felix recalls transcribing 600 pages of shorthand notes on the trial proceeding.

          Mrs. Felix said she extends her thanks to the taxpayers of Fulton county for the happy hours spent in such employment and expresses gratitude to the five judges with whom she worked.

COURT REPORTER

Judge Names Donna Carvey

The Sentinel, October  2, 1972

          Mrs. Donna Carvey, Macy, has assumed the duties of Fulton circuit court reporter, it was announced today by Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh.

          Mrs. Carvey replaces Mrs. Elizabeth Felix who retired Friday after 40 years of service.

          Mrs. Carvey, a native of Fulton and a former Caston school teacher, has resided in Macy the past 20 years.  She grduated from Fulton high school and attended North Manchester college.  She taught kindergarten at Caston five years.

          Mrs. Carvey is the wife of Dee Carvey, Social Studies teacher at Rochester middle school.  The Carveys have a son and a daughter, both students at Purdue university.

 

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTNT

Pur, John Fagan

The Sentinel, October 12, 1972

          The Courthouse View restaurant, 719 Main street, was purchased Wednesday by John and Margaret Fagan, RR 3, Rochester, from Steve Thompson, RR 1, Rochester.

          Mr. & Mrs. Fagan have been acquainted with restaurants for many years.  Fagan’s mother has owned three restaurants, including the Coffee Shop in Kewanna 12 years ago.  She also owned a business in Lucerne at one time.

          Fagan presently owns and operates the Fagan Construction company which has been in existence for 22 years.  Mrs. Fagan has worked as a waitress in restaurants for the past 16 years.

          The Fagans plan to open in about four weeks and will change the name of the establishment, although a new name has not been selected. - - - - -

          The Courthouse View restaurant formerly was located north of the Fulton County Courthouse on East Eighth street.  The restaurant was moved to its present location in 1955.

QUICK”S LANES

Opens Alley at Plymouth

The Sentinel, October 14, 1972

          Quick’s Lanes has opened its second bowling alley, this one at Plymouth operating under the same name.

          The 10-lane establishment, formerly known as Kingpin Corner, is located at 1024 West Jefferson street, on oild U.S. 30 west, in Plymouth.  The building has been completely remodeled, including six new lanes and modernized pinsetters.  Two pocket billiard tables also are offered.

          The Plymouth alleys are being managed by Pat and Tim Quick, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Quick.  Another son, Mike, also is involved in ownership of the two alleys.

          The Quick’s local alleys have been in operation for 20 years, north of the city on U.S. 31.

 

MARSH SUPERMARKET

James Campbell, Mgr.

The Sentinel, October 21, 1972

          James Campbell, who has been an assistant manager and relief manager at the Marsh supermarket in the Southway Plaza at Muncie, will become fulltime manager of the Rochester Marsh store Monday.

          He will succeed Larry Metzger, who has been manager here since the store opened last June.  Metzger has been promoted to grocery supervisor for Zone 2, which incldes the Rochester store and more than 20 thers.

          Campbell joined the Marsh firm 10 years ago and was a produce manager and worked in the non-foods department before going into the management training program. A native of Richmond, he is a graduate of Hagerstown high school.  He is a member of the Christian church and the Moose lodge.

          Campbell and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters, Jennifer Lynn, 6, and Lisa Marie, 3.   The family plans to move here during the Christmas holidays.

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTRT

Renamed, Maggie’s Restaurant

The Sentinel, October 23, 1972

          The Courthouse View restaurant has been renamed Maggie’s restaurant and will open for business Tuesday, Nov. 7, say Fagans.

 

REFLEX MFG & SALES

New Kewanna Factory Bldg

The Sentinel, November 3, 1972

          The construction of a new factory building by Winamac Coil Spring Inc. is progressing at the east edge of Kewanna.  The sub surface work is completed and the frame is up now.

          This new division of the company will be known as Reflex Mfg. and Sales and will specialize in single leaf and taper leaf products.  It is believed to be the first plant in the world for the sole production of taper-leaf springs.  It will also furnish engineering and testing services for all types of leaf and coil springs for its taper leaf spring customers.

          Gus L. Poulos of Winamac has been appointed general manager of the new facility, as announced by Dan Pesaresi and his father, Walter Pesaresi.  George F. Brennan of Winamac will be manager of engineering services.  Joseph P. Pesaresi of Winamac Coil Spring, Inc., has transferred to the new company and will be the project engineer.  The present Winamac Coil Spring staff will perform administrative and service functions.  Gene Huber will be accountant and Victor Montz will assist in the purchasing of materials.

 

FOSTER & GOOD

Good Buys Another

The Sentinel, November  6, 1972

          Junior D. Good, owner of the Foster & Good funeral home here, announced today the purchase of the McCloskey-Hamilton-Kahle funeral home in Logansport.

          Good said the Funeral home at 306 16th street in Logansport will be known as the McCloskey-Hamilton-Good funeral home.  Good will be sole owner of the business, which employs three licensed morticians - David Williams, Michael Winn and Thomas Gundrum.

          Good is sole owner of the Foster and Good funeral home here, purchasing it in 1962 after being a partner in the former Foster funeral home since 1957, when the name was changed to Foster and Good.

 

COURTHOUSE ROOF

Contract Signed

The Sentinel, November 7, 1972

          The Fulton County Board of Commissioners in special session Monday, signed a contract with Midland Engineering corporation in South Bend for repairing the Courthouse roof - - - - -         The contract with Midland designated that work on the Courthouse roof would begin within 30 days and be completed in 95 to 105 working days.

          County Commissioners accepted last Thursday a bid of $52,810 from Midland to repair the leaking roof and replace damaged tile.

 

BARGER CONTRACTORS

Pur Norman Benzing

The Sentinel, November 10, 1972

          The sale of Barger Contractors, local plumbing, heating and electrical sales and service business, was announced today by Oden J. Barger.

          The new owner is Norman Benzing of Akron, who has been associated with the firm the past year.  It will be operated under the name of Benzing Contractors and continue at the same location, on the southwest side of Lake Manitou. - - - -

          Barger and his wife Linda, said their plans are indefinite at the present but that they will relocate within the next few

months in the southwest United States.

          Sale of the business ends 53 years of Barger family ownership.  The firm was founded in 1919 by the late Guy E. Barger, father of Oden.  It first was located in a warehouse that now is a parking lot south of the telephone building, and was known as Electric Wiring and Sales company.

          Oden Barger was associated with his father in the businss as a young man and then spent 11 years with Ertel Machine company in Indianapolis and with the engineering division of Armour and company.

          He returned to the city in 1952 to operate the family firm, constructing the present building that houses it in 1957.  Smitty’s Lakeside Service is in the same structure.

          Benzing and his wife, Ann, are the parents of three children, Mike, Dave and Norman Jr.  He will maintain his residence in Akron at the present.

 

SCOTT’S TOGGERY SHOP

Pur James Bitterling

The Sentinel, November 25, 1972

          Mr. & Mrs. James Bitterling, former Kewanna resdents, who have been living in Nappanee, have purchased Scott’s Toggery Shop in Kewanna.  They are now operating the store.  They plan on carrying more family and children’s clothing and adding a line of dry goods and fabrics.  Two-day dry cleaning service will be continued. - - - - -

          Mr. Bitterling is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Bitterling, RR 1, Kewanna, and Mrs. Bitterling is the former Kenan Cook, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth H. Cook of Kewanna.  They are both Kewanna high schol graduates.

          They have purchased the Tom Gundrum residence also, on Toner street and with their sons, Jeff and Mark, will move to Kewanna soon.

COURTHOUSE CHANGES

Requested By Judge

The Sentinel, November 27, 1972

          Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh of Fulton circuit court today requsted 15 physical improvements or changes in the 76-year-old Courthouse building, including central air conditioning and a new heating plant.

          The judge made his recommendations to the three-man Fulton Board of County Cmmissioner nd the seven-man Fulton County Council.  He spoke during a meeting in the circuit courtroom on the third floor of the Courthouse.

          Attending the half-hour-long gathering besides all members of the Couny Commissioners and County Council were most local attorneys, the county prosecutor and probation officer, heads of county offices and about 20 other persons.

          At the conclusion of his prepared remarks the judge left the room.  So did all the specttors without discussion.

          To support his request for cental air conditioning the judge said that while in the past the court has been in vacation during the three hot summer months an increae in cases has forced conducting court business in the summer and “we can no longer enjoy the luxury of no jury settings in hot weather.:

          He said 526 cases were filed in 1967 his first year as judge and that for this year the number will be an estimated 770.  “The Fulton circuit court must be a year-round court in every respect” he said.

          Concerning a new heating system Judge Tombaugh noted that the present heating plant was installed during World War 11 and that the distribution system is the same one as installed when the building was built in 1896.

          “The entire Courthouse is heated with one pump.  If one area needs heat the pump is made to run and everyone gets heat.  It is not uncommon for us to open windows in January to make it bearable in the courtroom” he said.

          The judge said new boilers and a new area distribution

system with separate controls for each room is needed.

          He requested new window frames and thermopane glass to prevent heat loss and to “get the most out of air conditioning and heat.”

          Noting that some parties to suits, unable to climb stairs have to be carried up and down the stairways to and from the courtroom, the judge recommended that an elevator be installed.  He said some persons “who are otherwise qualified to sit as jurors and would make excellent jurors” are unable to climb the stairs.  Some lawyers have been physically unable to get up the stairs also he said.

          “Our duty of furnishing court facilities is unfulfilled if those facilities are inaccessible to anyone,” Judge Tombaugh stated.

          He cited the need for vault storage for the keeping of important records and a library room where law books “the tools of the court” would be in a convenient location so they are readily available to the judge.

          He called for an auxilliary courtroom which could be shared with the county court if one is created, and also for a second conference room to be used by attorneys and clients for settlement efforts and last-minute preparation for trials.

          He requested a security cell for prisoners while they are waiting their turn in court.  He said there is no special place to keep prisoners in the court area now.

          To have the space for a court library, auxillary courtroom, second conference room, judge’s restroom and prisoner area the judge asked that the entire third floor of the Courthouse be turned over to the court.  At present, the court has use of all the third floor except for office space now used by the county health department.

          Tombaugh asked for new public rest rooms and for a private restroom for the judge.

          Judge Tombaugh asked that custodial service be provided the court, noting that the duties of Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Jackson

the Courthouse custodians, do not include the court area.

          “Repairs to damage caused by water and age together with tasteful decorations in conformity with the architecture of the building comprise my 15th request,” the judge said.

          Judge Tombaugh said his 15 requests are of equal importance and are “needed now.” “Economy would dictate that they be providd simultaneously not piecemeal.”

          The judge added that he arrived at this conclusion after six years on the bench, study of courtroom standards recommended by the American Bar Association and the American Judicature Society and after numerous consultations with local attorneys and the Center for Judicial Education in Indianapolis.

          He did not offer any estimates of costs for the requests.

 

KEWANNA IMPLEMENT CO.

Pur Calvin G. Miller

The Sentinel, December 15, 1972

          The sale of Kewanna Implement company to Calvin G. Miller of Washington, Pa., was announced Thursday by Elmer Seidel and John Hott, owners.  The firm is agent for International Harvester farm equipment.

          The new owner is a native of Kewanna, as is his wife, the former Babe Hendrickson.  He has been associated with the firm at Kewanna the past several months.  Miller is a brother of Mrs. Mary Riggs, Rochester.

          Seidel has been with the implement business in Kewanna for 36 years, the past 14 as co-owner and president.  In that time the firm has become one of the largest IH dealers in the Midwest.  Seidel said he will devote parttime to the businsss and also develop other interests.  He remains an officer in the corporation.

          Hott will give full time to farming.

BERKWAY FOODLINER

Holloway Buys Out Partner

The Sentinel, December 28, 1972

          After 46 years in the grocery business, all but five of them in Rochester, Myron Berkheiser is retiring.

          He announced today that he has sold his interest in the Berkway Foodliner, 901 East Ninth street, to his longtime partner, Conde Holloway, effective Tuesday.

          The two men founded Berkway, which was the city’s first supermarket, in December, 1947.  Holloway said that the store will continue under the same name and with the same personnel.

          Berkheiser’s immediate plans are to devote more time to operation of the farm east of Lake Manitou where he and his wife, Helen, reside.

          Myron began his grocery career in March, 1927, when he joined the A&P store here.  Three years later he moved to the local Kroger store and shortly after was assigned as manager of the Kroger outlet in Bremen, where he served five years.

          In April, 1936, the Berkheiser Food Market was opened in Rochester in the room now occupied by Adler’s Dress Shop.  It was then that Holloway joined his future partner as an employee.  The business continued at that location until July, 1949, having been operated by Mrs. Berkheiser in 1943-45 while her husband and Holloway were serving in the armed forces.

          The Berkway supermarket, first building to be erected in the Manitou Heights shopping center, was open 18 months before the downtown grocery was closed.  Holloway joined Berkheiser in ownership with the advent of the enlarged business.

          Berkheiser recalls that in the time before more structures went up in the Heights center, Berkway staged some unusual customer treats.  Among them were free movies, shown against the east wall of the grocery, and a first anniversary celeration with circus acts by the talented Zoppe family of Rochester.

          Berkheiser has been active in community affairs over the

past 4-1/2 decades.  He is past president of the Kiwanis club,

was secretary for 10 years of the 4-H Fair Board, was first treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, is an active member of the Trinity United Methodist church and member of the IOOF and Masonic lodges.

          He and his wife are the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Alan (Nancy) Miller, a teacher at Montpelier high school.  Like Holloway, he is a lifelong resident of the community.

          Holloway also is involved in civic activities, being a past president of the Lions club, an organizer and current vice-president of the Fulton County Round Barn Festival, and active in the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes program.

          He and his wife, Ellamae, reside at 920 Fulton avenue.  They have two children, Joseph, who will be employed at Berkway until he resumes college studies in the fall, and Mrs. Hugh (Jane) Sanders, a student at Indiana university.

 

1972 ROCHESTER

Had More Pluses Than Minuses

The Sentinel, January  2, 1973

          The year 1972 was not unlike other years for Rochester and Fulton County.  It had the good and the bad, the usual and the unusual, the triumphs and disappointments, the gains and the losses.

          It was so short, 365 days of life.  Much was accomplished, and much more remains to be accomplished, which is what life is all about.

          The year just ended gave city and county residents more pluses than minuses, however, and in most respects was a year to be remembered.

          Here, then, is a resume of the year’s local news highlights:

          Signs of progress were easy to discern during the past 12 months.  Chief among these was the long awaited bypass of U.S. 31 and dual-laning of the highway north and south of Rochester.   The bypass work would have been completed by now, and the route opened to traffic, if nature had not intervened.  A year-

end onslaught of rain held up the road’s finishing details; the bypass now is set for early spring opening.

          After 14 years of effort, however, local citizens were willing to wait a few more months to get the stifling 31 traffic out of the business district.

          Meanwhile, Gov. Edgar Whitcomb kept his pre-election promise of 1968 and by the end of the year had placed under contract the dual-laning of 31 North to the Plymouth bypass and south to the Peru bypass.  Some work already is underway on both routes; 1974 should bring the much-delayed project to completion.

          With the advent of a modern transportation route through the county, city and county leaders look forward to the opening of a new era in economic development here.

          Speaking of governor, Fulton county put its first native son in that office during the year when Dr. Otis Bowen, Bremen Republican, scored a record 300,000 vote victory over his Democratic opponent, ex-Gov. Matthew Welsh in November.  Born in Richland township and schooled early at Fulton, Dr. Bowen is the son of a Leiters Ford couple, Mr. & Mrs. Vernie Bowen.  He lives in adjoining Marshall county but we lay partial claim, at least, to him.

          There was progress on the school front, as well.

          The Tippecanoe Valley School District, involving Akron and Mentone schools, finally agreed upon a solution to its high school

improvement dilemma and decided to erect a single building for both communities, halfway between the two towns.

          In Rochester, the school board determined to replace, rather than renovate, the aging middle school building and now is studying architectural plans for a new structure to be located southeast of the present high school.  Its construction will replace the last of the district’s old buildings.

          Local schools also received an unexpected, and pleasant, gift for construction of a new athletic field on the high school grounds.  It came in the form of a $100,000 trust established

for this purpose by Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Barnhart of Rochester.

          Industrial growth in the local community continued apace, with signs of more to come.

          Mico, which broke ground in late 1971, was in full production of plastic pipe.  Rochester Homes erected a new plant on the east edge of the city and is producing mobile and modular homes.  Talma Fastener and Rochester Metal Products both increased production, the latter through erection of a sizable addition to its plant.

          Meanwhile, other local industries were at peak production; unemployment in the area dropped to about one percent.  And the Chamber of Commerce reported that Rochester is among cities being given final consideration by two more manufacturers.

          The business community showed signs of increased vitality in 1972, as well.

          New to the Rochester retail community since the start of 1972 are Hook’s Drug Store, Marsh Supermarket, Olympic Sports Center, and Rochester Auto Parts, the latter replacing the loss of Gambles.

          Baxter Drug Store more than doubled the size of its Main street operation, while the downtown restaurant vacuum was filled neatly by the return of the Coffee Shop and Replacement of Courthouse View Cafe with Maggie’s restaurant.

          Stephenson Shoe Shoppe replaced Scheiber Shoes, Fulton County Electronics moved into a new building on the east side, Northern Indiana Public Service company remodeled its office and The Sentinel remodeled and expanded its commercial printng department.

          United Auto Supply replaced Miller Auto Parts, Western Auto came under new management and Canterbury Manor began a major expansion of its west-side nursing home.

          The persistence of rain in the final months of the year helped only the city’s new golf course, contoured on land east of the

community swimming pool.  Its opening for play likely will come

late in 1973.

          Otherwise, the rain caused much worry and thousands of dollars of loss to local farmers, who were unable to get into their fields to harvest soybeans and corn.  At this writing, much of the crop still is unreaped and its damage by weather irreparable.

          There were other problems, too.

          A referendum at the May voting failed to achieve public approval for building a new county hospital on a new site.  The question, asked by the County Council in responce to a proposal by hospital trustees, failed by 2,927 to 2830.  Later the Council and Commissioners voted against the project, 8-2.

          Thereafter, Woodlawn trustees closed the older wing of the hospital to patient care and sliced the bed capacity from 61 to 41.  One doctor moved from the community after defeat of the new hospital proposal, another was hospitalized for an extended period with a hip fracture - events that upset the county’s already-slim ratio of doctors.

          The new year is expected to see at least one new physician in the city, however, and reevaluation of the hospital’s future is anticipated by an election-revised Board of Commissioners.  It was obvious that the problem would have to be solved in some manner.

          Pollution also reared its obscene visage during the year, in the form of oil pipeline leaks into the Tippecanoe river.  As a result, county citizens formed a unit of the Tippecanoe Valley Pure Water Assocition, got Congressman Elwood Hillis to tour the river and later to begin fish restocking, but most of all, continued its concern to keep the river pure.

          The Fulton County Courthouse, built in 1895 and little changed since, also came into the news during the year.  In the spring, the County Council voted to replace the leaking red tile roof with an asphalt covering.  The decision precipitated protests that this would destroy the bulding’s architectural beauty.  The decision was reversed later and money appropriated to retain the tile over a repaired roof.

          Judge Wendell Tombaugh called Councilmen and Commissioners to a courtroom meeting near the end of the year and suggested 15 improvements in the Courthouse, including central air conditioning, new heating plant, expanded court facilities, elevator and new public restrooms.  The matter awaits a 1973 decision.

          Fulton county’s Round Barn Festival was held for the second time and proved to be a most healthy infant.  Crowds were as large as the first year, the entertainment program showed improvement and it looked like the Festival was in for a long run, joining other county perennials such as the Leiters Ford Strawberry Festival, Kewanna Harvest Festival and Akron Fourth of July celebration.

          With the coming of the U.S. 31 bypass, city officials and merchants began discussing means of rejuvenating the downtown shopping area.  An open mall was considered but seemed to find small support.  The program was turned over to the merchants’ association for a final determination.

          In the category of unusual events, one mght place the police raid of a liquor still being operated in a home on the east side of the city in February, and the arrest in August of seven persons for processing and selling marijuana in the northwest area of the county.  It is a gauge of the county that both events could be considered curious, in light of crime and drug problems in other areas of the state.

          The United Way, successor to United Community Givers, had its most successful charity fund drive in local history, surpassing a $31,500 goal by almost $2,000.

          In a January court case Ron Overmyer, former city police chief, was acquitted of a charge of being accessory after the fact of burglary Special Judge John Beauchamp directed the jury verdict, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against Overmyer.  Later a similar charge against former patrolman Lamar;Johnson was dropped.  It wound up a 1971 case that had seen another city policeman, Porter Rhodes, sentenced

to prison for conviction of burglary.

          More good news came when the First Baptists burned the mortgage on their new church after 13 years.  Miss Carol Calloway of Rochester high school was chosen one of the state’s three outstanding young teachers, and a long-pursued goal of an animal shelter in the city seemed to be near attainment.

          There was the sadder, inevitable loss of family members and good friends.  Among those who were no longer with us when the new year dawned:

          Mrs. Milo King, Merle Craig, LVR Louderback, Dean Nightlinger, the Rev. Claude Young, Oscar Coplen, Dean Mow, Thelma Delp, Bert Leedy, Dewey Dudgeon, Fred Mitchell, Earl Burgett, Emmett Tranbarger, Vernon Noyes, the Rev. Lloyd Overmyer, Alden Lichtenwalter, Hugh Miller, Fern Norris, Frank Filbey, Blanche Wile, Joseph Ault, Herschel Zumbaugh, Harold Carrithers, Howard Felts, Joseph Gutknecht, Gene Evans, Mary

Coplen, William Savage, Leo Kendall, Alvin Nuell, Rebabelle Boswell, Sylvia Ditmire, Alvah Walters, Vern Sanders, Harley McGee, Lawrence Babcock, Francis Carruthers, Edgar Keebler, Hubert Taylor, Devon Eaton, Raymond Wagoner, Archie McKee.

 

WALTZ BLDG SERVICE

pur Ed Waltz

The Sentinel, January 13, 1973

          Robert Waltz announced today his retirement from the building construction business and the sale of the Waltz Building Service here to his son, Ed Waltz, 807 East 10th street.

          The younger Waltz has been a partner in the firm for the past two years.  He said that it will continue under the same name and specialize in residential, commercial and industrial construction as before.

          The senior Waltz said that he will concentrate on management of the Four Seasons Mobile Home Estates and Sales, East Fourth street, an 86-lot mobile home park which he opened in 1970.

          The Waltz Building Service was started here in January, 1948, by Robert Waltz.  His brother, Merrill, joined in ownership in 1954 and continued until his retirement in 1961.

          Ed Waltz began work with the company in 1964, following his discharge from Army service.

 

OLYMPICS SPORT CENTER

Pur Doug Coursey

The Sentinel, January 15, 1973

          Mr. & Mrs. Doug Coursey, former Rochester residents who reside in Plymouth, have become sole owners of the Olympic Sports Center, 730 Main street, following their purchase of the interest of Ed Acker, Rochester.

          Coursey and Acker opened the store last spring as a partnership, with Acker also managing the store.  Coursey’s wife, Carol, now is the manager, a position she will fill until a permanent manager is found.

          Acker said today that his plans for the future have not been decided yet.

          Coursey is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Doug Sweany of Rochester and his wife is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Berns of Rochester.

          Coursey said he has no immediate major changes planned for Olympic, except that the store will feature a wider selection of sporting goods in season than it has in the past.

 

GARVER MOTORS INC.

Garold Garver, President

The Sentinel, January 16, 1973

          Garver Motors Inc., the community’s new franchised American Motors dealer, will open its service area Monday morning in recently-built quarters on the north side of the Old Fort Wayne road, east of the city.

          Garold Garver, president of the corporation, said automobiles are on order and if they arrive in time, the sales

department will open Monday, also.

          Garver Motors will be housed in a building 44 feet wide and 90 feet long.  The showroom, sales area and parts department will occupy a 40 by 50-foot portion of the building.  The rear part of the building, 40 by 40 feet, will be used as a temporary service area.

          Eventually, Garver said, two wings will be built at the rear of the building to give it a T-shape.  The east wing now is under construction and it will house the service department when it is finiished.  The rear portion of the present building then will be used for clean-up of new and used cars and for storage.

          Garver said he plans a grand opening in the spring.

          Joining Garver in the new corporation are his wife, Donna, and his oldest son, Harold Garver.

          Garver said he will continue to own and operate the Garver Tree and Stump Service, which he has done for the last 18 years.

          Enyart Motors at Fourth and Madison streets, owned by Emerson Enyart, previously was the American Motors dealer.  Enyart said that his company will become used cars and truck specialists and that he will announce details later.

          Enyart Motors, a new car dealer for 28 years (Hudson and later American Motors), was the second-oldest new car dealer in the community until releasing the American Motors franchise.  Only Louderback Chevrolet-Buick is older.

 

GOTTSCHALK REALTY

Burk & Ada Miller Join

The Sentinel, January 17, 1973

          Burk and Ada Miller of this city will become associated with Gottschalk Realty, 122 East Eighth street, effective Feb. 1, it was announced today by Robert Gottschalk, owner of the firm.

          Mr. & Mrs. Miller will join Gottschalk and his wife, Elaine, in operation of the realty business that was opened last January.  Miller Real Estate will cease functioning as a realty firm but

 

continue separately as an appraisal service, said the Millers.

          Miller has been a licensed real estate broker since 1953, his wife joining him in that category three years ago.   Gottschalk became a broker in 1969 and spent two years with Deamer & Deamer here before starting his oiwn business.  Mrs. Gottschalk is licensed as a real estate salesman.

          Gottschalk said that the firm totaled $2,526,000 in real estate listings during its first year of operation, occasioning the need for additional personnel to care for continued growth.  “We are pleased to be able to form this association with the Millers,” he added, “to offer more effective realty service to our customers.”

 

FARMERS STATE BANK

Resources Grow

The Sentinel, January 17, 1973

          The annual stockholders’ meeting of the Farmers State Bank of Mentone, was held recently at Teel’s restaurant.  Following the smorgasbord dinner, the annal financial report was given by President Forrest Miner showing total resources of over $14,000,000, an increase of total resources of 19 percent for the year.

          Directors elected at the meeting were Floyd L. Tucker, Charles L. Manwaring, Miner, Dr. O.L. McFadden, Donald E. Poulson and Thomas M. Fugate.

          Following the stockholders’ meeting the directors elected the following officers: Tucker, chairman of the board; Miner, president and trust officer; Fugate, vice-president, Manwaring, vice-president; Larry D Pyle, cashier, and Iris M. Anderson, assistant cashier.

BAILEY’S HARDWARE

Pur Robert & Dave Bailey

The Sentinel, January 19, 1973

          Bailey’s Hardware, 712 Main street, now is owned and operated by Robert and David Bailey following their purchase of the business from their father, Byron (Beanie) Bailey.

          The transaction was effective Jan. 1.

          The new owners, who have been associated with the family business since their school days here, said that the firm will continue as before under the same name.

          Byron Bailey and his brother Elliott (Bill) Bailey, who has been employed in the store, both are planning retirement activities but will remain in residence here.

          The advent of Robert and David Bailey into store ownership marks the third generation of Baileys to operate the hardware business here since 1918, beginning with their grandfather, Stilla P. Bailey.  The firm, one of the oldest continuous in the city, is a 50-year member of the Indiana Hardware Dealers Association.

          Both Robert and David Bailey are Rochester high school graduates.  Robert resides on the Fort Wayne road with his wife, Eleanor, and five children.  David and is wife, Nikki, and two children, live at 217 West Fourth street.

 

STINSON

Opens Law Office

The Sentinel, January 24, 1973

          Steve Stinson announced today that he will open offices for the general practice of law Monday at 103 Knapp building.

          Stinson is returning to his native city to begin his legal career.  He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Dean Stinson and received his law degree last spring from Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn.  He is a 1965 graduate of Culver Military Academy and received his B.A. Degree in psychology from Vanderbilt in 1969.  Stinson also attended King’s college of the University of London last fall.

          He has been admitted to the bar in both Indiana and Florida and is a member of the American Bar Association.

          Stinson and his wife, Sherry, who is a substitute English teacher in Rochester schools, reside at 404 West Ninth street.

 

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Assets Exceed $25 Million

The Sentinel, January 24, 1973

          During the first year of operation in its new and enlarged building, the First National Bank experienced record growth and exceeded $25 million in total resources for the first time.

          This was reported Tuesday by President Al Price at the annual meeting of the bank’s stockholders.

          Price said that loans at the bank for 1972 totaled $15,904,000, an amount which exceeds the First National’s total resources of five years before.  The loan figure increased $2.5 million over 1971, a gain of 27.7 percent.

          Deposits totaled $24,415,000 for the past year, representing an increase of almost $4 million over 1971 for a 19.9 percent gain.

          Total resources for the First National at year’s end stood at $26,184,000, a record high.

          Price added that the bank in 1972 made a record number of 213 real estate mortgage loans, totaling $2,041,000.  Earnings of the bank for the year also were the highest in history.

          Stockholders elected all dirctors for another year.  They are Mrs. Jane Miller, chairman, Price, Ernest Bonine, Bryce Burton, Harold Groninger of Akron, James Zimmerman, Lawrence Brown, James McAllister and Byron Shore.

          Directors, at their meeting immediately following, elected Mrs. Dorothy Lease as assistant trust officer and reelected other bank officers.  They are, Price, president and trust officer, Bonine, vice president, cashier and assistant trust officer, McAllister, vice-president, Donald King, assistant cashier

and Fulton branch manager; Phillip Thompson, assistant vice president, and Mark Kistler, assistant cashier.

 

THE NOW SHOP

Pam Fish, Owner

The Sentinel, February  9, 1973

          Rochester’s newest ladies apparel store, “The Now Shop,” at 418 East Ninth street, features the latest in women’s sportswear.

          The shop, which opened the last week in January, is owned and operated by Miss Pam Fish, former co-owner of Gemini Store at 114 East Eighth street.

          The Now Shop features a complete line of women’s sports attire which includes such name brands as Russ-Toggs, Pandora and Garland.  Miss Fish plans in the near future to add the line of Arnold Palmer sportswear for women. - - - - -

         

PIKE LUMBER CO.

Helen (Pike) Utter

The Sentinel, April  7,  1973

By SHIRLEY OATES, Sentinel Staffwriter

          Armed with a $300 portable sawmill, a Rumley steam engine, a bunch of timber at Hanna, Ind., and $300 working capital, she set out in the lean year of 1933 to establish herself in the business of her forefathers and today, as she celebrates her 40th anniversary in the lumber business, Mrs. Helen Utter reflects on how far-reaching a decision made by a college sophomore can be.

          Mrs. Utter, vice president and treasurer of the Pike Lumber company at Akron, was the fourth generation of the Pike family to enter the hardwood logging and lumber business.  She is confident that she is one of the few and probably the first woman in Indiana to own a timber buyer’s license.

          Her resolve to quit college in her sophomore year, discontinue her preparation for teaching school in favor of

entering the lumber business depicts the strong spirit of a lady who has hewn her path of success in the tradition of her ancestors.

          Mrs. Utter’s great-grandfather, John S. Pike, was the first man in Wabash county to operate a sawmill, a tile factory and a sash mill.  This was back in the territorial days of the 1840s when water power was the main source of energy, the only other being horsepower.

          It was in 1874 that her grandfather, Albert Pike, became owner of the sawmill and tile business begun by his father.

          In 1904, her father, the late D.A. Pike, was in the lumber business in Wabash.  It was he who gave her the incentive, plus a beat up car and the small capital to start in her own business.  This was at a time when money was so tight that after the payroll was made it was not unusual for her father to have to go to the bank to cover her checks on Monday morning, Mrs. Utter remembers.

          In January, 1934, she married Howard Utter, a plant superintendent in her father’s lumber company.  Utter had been a lumberjack in his youth and the couple now began the serious business of establishing their own branch of the Pike Lumber company.

          She remembers well that in those depression years there was no tax or old age deductions from the salary checks and wages were 30 cents per hour.

          She recalls that during the first three years, they operated in the Three Rivers, Mich., area, producing cross and switch ties for the Pere Marquette railroad.  In 1937, while negotiating with the Pere Marquette for a plant site at Paw Paw, Mich., they granted the request of her father to return to Akron and build a plant near his - on swamp land leased from the Erie railroad.

          In the fall of 1937 they started construction and that construction has continued over a 36-year span.

          Today, Mrs. Utter points with pride to the development of

the business, the new departments within it and the fine people who have been associated with each new program and each phase of growth.

          With national and international customers on their order file, the company is exporting to Japan, Canada, England, Ireland and West Germany.  She says the timber department manages approximately 1,000 acres oif timber, part of which belongs to the company and therefore gives it the wonderful opportunity to utilize the wood as a very practical piece of machinery in the natural order of ecology.

          In this timber management they are in a position to harvest the overly mature, the diseased and crowded wood which competes for sun and for nutriments in the soil.  This harvest improves the environment, Mrs. Utter says, for most of the old-growth area oxygen production is practically at a standstill.

          “The young growth which we plant and encourage not only provides much more food and shelter for wildlife but these thrifty growing stands that follow such cuttings once again start to absorb quantities of carbon dioxide and help produce oxygen to clean up the atmofphere and support human and animal life,” says the lumberwoman.

          In addition to her busy schedule today, Mrs. Utter finds time to be a grandmother, time for painting and time for the pleasure of operating a large registered Tennesee Walking Horse Breeding and Showing Center.

          And with 10-credit hours remaining in order to finish a degree that was set aside back in 1933.  Mrs. Utter plans to return very soon to the classroom at an I.U. extension school to complete her education.

LAW DAY

Principals

The Sentinel, May  2,  1973

(With News Sentinel Photo)

          Akron fourth grader Anita Thomason poses proudly with Judge Wendell Tombaugh in Fulton circuit court after Tuesday’s Law Day ceremonies during which she was singled out for special recognition.  During a tour of the court offices by her grade, she asked why there was no state flag.  That question spurred Judge Tombaugh to contact the American Legion and VFW which gave a state flag and a 50-star American flag (replacing the 48-star flag) to the court during the Law Day program.  The ceremony sponsored by the Fulton County Bar association, emphasized the importance of law and order in the nation.

 

B.H. WESTERN SHOP

Belva & Herman Ysberg

The Sentinel, May  14,  1973

          A gramd openimg of their revived B.H. Western Shop is planned for later this year by Belva and Herman Ysberg, who now are operating their store at 325-1/2 Main street.

          The shop is along the north-south alley between Main and Madison street just north of East Fourth street.

          Mr. & Mrs. Ysberg first started their western store on Ind. 25 south of Rochester in 1961 and were in business there until closing in 1967.  They revived the business in its new quarters this year.

          Available at the shop are clothing, saddlery, boots, hats, horse feed, square dance dresses and various supplies for horses.  - - - -

BAKER-EWEN PAINTING

Bill Baker & Lindsey Ewen

The Sentinel, May  15,  1973

          The Baker and Ewen Painting Service will open Thursday

morning in remodeled quarters at 204 West 18th street on the northwest corner of Jefferson and East 18th streets.

          The new firm is successor to the Baker Painting Service and is co-owned by Bill Baker and Lindsey Ewen, both graduates of Rochester high school.

          Baker had owned and operated Baker Painting Service here for the last three years.  Now they have formed a partnership which will engage in interior and exterior painting, dry walls, vinyl coverings and wall and ceiling textures.

          The firm also will feature the retailing and wholesaling of Precision paints, made by the firm that was the leader in developing latex paints for exterior wood surfaces.

 

FIRST FEDERAL BRANCH

Rick Brash, Mgr.

The Sentinel, May  15,  1973

          Rick Brash, former Rochester resident, has been named manager of the new Winamac branch of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Fulton County, President Richard Belcher so announced today.

          Brash will assume direction of the Winamac office about June 1, said Belcher.  The First Federal branch is being established on U.S. 35 at the north edge of Winamac and will be that town’s first savings and loan association.  Rocheter Homes Inc. constructed the double wide modular office for the branch, which will include drive-up facilities.

          Mrs. Judy DeGroot and Mrs. Delores Synak of Winamac will be members of Brash’s office staff.

          A graduate of Rochester high school, Brash has been an Indiana State Police trooper for the past three years and currently works in Wabash county, residing at North Manchester.

His wife is the former Susan Betz of this city.

          Brash is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Maurie Brash of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., former Rochester residents.

 

BYPASS

Opening Friday

The Sentinel, May  18,  1973

          The 10.2 mile U.S. 31 bypass of Rochester will be opened at 10 a.m. Friday, May 25 during a public ceremony at which Gov. Otis R. Bowen will cut the ribbon.  - - - -

 

MOORE BUS FORMS

Building Mfg Plant

The Sentinel, May  19,  1973

          Moore Business Forms Inc., will break ground early nex month for construction of a new 65,000 square foot manufacturing plant east of the City. - - - -

 

BARNCHESTER

Maybe It Really Is

The Sentinel, June  5,  1973

          Rochester received statewide notice in the “Limerick Corner” of The Indianapolis Star’s Sunday Magazine June 3 with the following poem written and submitted by Mrs. Earl (Charlene) Bailey:

          Have you been to the town of Rochester?

          It lies a bit west of Manchester.

          Barns that are round

          Are here to be found -

          In fact,you might think it’s Barnchester.

MANITOU BEAUTY SHOP

Pur Jackson & Green

The Sentinel, June  7,  1973

          Miss Helen Gaumer and Mrs. Belle Bailey, Rochester beauticians, announced today the sale of the Manitou Beauty Shop at 712 Main street.  The business has been purchased by Richard Jackson, Rochester, and Caywood Green of Lafayette.

          In announcing the sale, Miss Gaumer said it marks the end of 36 years of ownership in the business.  Mrs. Bailey joined Miss Gaumer as a partner 12 years ago.

          The shop was purchased by Miss Gaumer from Mrs. Edith Heeter in 1936.  Mrs. Heeter also operated the business as the Manitou Beauty Shop.

          Both Miss Gaumer and Mrs. Bailey plan to continue working as operators on a part-time basis.

          Jackson, who returns to Rochester following residence in Fort Wayne and Lafayette for the past five years, formerly operated the Stay-Curl Beauty Salon in the old Arlington hotel building on Main street and the Jackson Beauty Salon on Jefferson street.  Green will be a business associate but will not work as an operator in the shop.

          Jackson said the shop is being redecorated and is open for business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and evenings by appointment.

          Mrs. Shari Foster Hartzler and Miss Brenda Holcomb will remain in the shop as full-time operators along with Jackson.

 

TORIN CORP

Two Retire

The Sentinel, June  12,  1973

          Floyd Swain, manager of Torin Corporation, announced today the retirement of two persons following 11-1/2 years of service with Torin.

          Mrs. Mary Lawson, who resides with her husband at RR 2, Macy, has been employed in the assembly department for the

entire 11-1/2 years.  She plans to spend her time traveling and gardening at her home.

          Harry Kotterman, also a resident of RR 2, Macy, worked in various departments at Torin and his immediate plans call for camping, fishing and a tour of the Pacific Northwest.

          Both retirees will receive benefits from Torin’s recently instituted pension plan and both were presented a watch from their fellow workers.

 

WILLIAMS REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel, July   11,  1973

          Mrs. Cora Finney was the oldest family member present when the Williams reunion was held Sunday at the City Park.  She is 93 years old.  Little Chad Pugh was the youngest member.

          After the carry-in dinner Sam Pugh was elected president of the group;   Robert Harrison, vice-president, and Rosemary Williams, secretary-treasurer.  Guests were present from Fort Wayne and Montrose, Mich.

 

INDIANA METAL PRODS.

Expansion Program

The Sentinel, July   13,  1973

          A $600,000 expansion program that will more than double the size of the Indiana Metal Products plant on U.S. 31 north of Rochester began Thursday afternoon with groundbreaking ceremonies headed by Val R. Pemberton, general manager of the plant. - - - -

 

RNU REUN

Pinhook Grange

The Sentinel, July   14,  1973

          The 44th annual reunion of the Rochester Alumni was held at the Pinhook Grange hall Sunday, with 25 members attending.  The Rev. Clyde Walters offered the invocation before dinner was

served.

          The Rev. Walters, president, conducted the business session with reports made by Secretary Edna Burns and Treasurer Omer Reichard.

          It was reported that a sum of money has been set aside for the permanent upkeep of the corner stone commemorating the college, which was placed on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn a few years ago.

          Estil Ginn read the names of members who died this past year: Elizabeth Johnson Babcock, Myrtle Kent Doud, Ralph Miller, Jessie Hively Richey, Salene Palmer Scott, Emily Von Ehrenstein, Bess Van Trump and Gladys Wharton.

          On a motion by Otto Babcock, chairman of the nominating committee, the following officers were retained for another year:   The Rev. Walters, president; Charles Lucas of Knox, vice-president; Edna Taylor Burns of North Manchester, secretary; and Mr. Reichard of Leiters Ford, treasurer.

          Mr. Babcock of Waterman, Ill., came the longest distance; Dr. Bert Kent of Fulton was the oldest; and Mrs. Fred Deardorf of Richmond was the youngest. The group will meet on the second Sunday of July, 1974, at the Pinhook Grange.

          Present were Mr. & Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. John Cessna, Mr. & Mrs. Deardorf, Estil Ginn, Dr. & Mrs. Dow Haimbaugh, Dr. & Mrs. Kent, Lulu Biggs Kroft and Calvin Alber, both of Logansport; Mr. & Mrs. Charles McVay, Edith Glen Merley of Akron, Golda Taylor Polen of Kewanna; Mr. Reichard, Harley Rogers, Glen Smiley of Milford, Ill.; Earl Quick, Ethel Snapp, The Rev. & Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Reba Moore Shore.

 

BAKER HARDWARE

Sale Close-out

The Sentinel, July   17,  1973

          Merchandise remaining following the Baker Hardware store’s close-out sale was being removed from the building at 126 East Eighth street today.

          The merchandise has been purchased by Carl Wells, who owns Wells’ Sports Mart in Knox.  Wells plans to sell the hardware items from his sports store.

          Lyman Baker, owner of the hardware store here for many years, has not announced future plans for the store’s quarters, which he still owns.

          Baker also owns the Lyman Baker Plumbing and Heating business at 123 East Seventh street.

 

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

David Poll, Joins Staff

The Sentinel, July   27,  1973

          David Poll, former managing editor of the Covington newspaper, Monday will join the editorial staff of The Rochester Sentinel.

          Poll, 22, will direct The Sentinel’s sports news coverage and also do general news reporting and photography, according to Editor-Publisher Jack K. Overmyer.

          A native of Danville, Ill., Poll for two years was in charge of The Covington Friend, weekly newspaper that serves Covington and Fountain county in western Indiana.

          He is a graduate of Covington high school in 1969 and attended Indiana State university to study journalism.  While in Covington, he was active in the Jaycees and the Methodist church.

          He and his wife, Kathy, are the parents of a daughter, Jessica, 2.  The Polls are residing at Four Seasons mobile home estates on East Fourth street.  Their name is pronounced as “Paul.”

          Managing editor of The Sentinel is William Freyberg.  Poll will join Mrs. Shirley Oates, Mrs. Margery Overmyer and Robert Newcomer as permanent editorial staff members.

CLASS OF 1923 REUN

50 Years

The Sentinel, July   31,  1973

          Class members attending from out of town were:   Mr. & Mrs. Joe Hendrickson of Indianapolis, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Nafe of South Bend, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kissinger of North Manchester, Mrs. Margaret Carlston of Morristown, N.J., Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Terry of LaPorte, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Myers of Ownings Mills, Mc., Mr. & Mrs. Roy Haggerty of Elkhart and Mr. & Mrs. Harold King of Fort Wayne.

          Also, John V. Fraley of Long Beach, Cal., Mrs. Paul Myers of Fullerton, Cal., Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Dearmin of Indianapolis, Mrs. Gardner C. George of Pompano Beach, Fla., Mrs. Ted C. Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Mrs. James Shannon of Greensburg.

          Teachers attending were Mrs. Harriet Cory Hackler of Anderson, Mrs. Felten, Mrs. Nellie Stipp Daly of Winamac, Miss Edith Thmpson and Mrs. Mary Fugate Hardin, the class sponsor.

          Steve Stinson, son of Dr. & Mrs. Dean K. Stinson was a special guest.

          Members of the class living in Rochester planned the event.  They are Dr. Stinson, Mrs. Helen Keller, Byron Bailey, Herbert Zimmerman, Mrs. Cloyce R. Miller, Mrs. Fred Westwood, Mrs. Vern Sanders, Mrs. Fred Mitchell, Mrs. Ralph Waechter and Mrs. Evelyn Eiler, Mrs. Hardin assisted them in this endeavor, also, as she did when class sponsor.

 

TAYLOR REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel,  August  6,  1973

          The Taylor family gathered at the City Park Sunday for its annual reunion.

          Attending the affair were Mr. & Mrs. Dan Gearhardt and son, Taylor, of Mansfield, O.; Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Taylor and Tammy of Mt. Sterling, O.; Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hinshall and Trent of Indianapolis; Mr. & Mrs. Ed Niles, Joni, Kevin and Kurt of Muncie

and Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Conaway and Jennifer of LaPorte.

          Coming from Michigan City were Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hobart and Kevin, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kearcher, David and Debbie, and Mr. & Mrs. Ed Pawlick.

          Others were Joe Harter and Joie, Mary Beth and Elizabeth and Mrs. Fern Harter, all of Akron;   Mr. & Mrs. Howard Gilliland came from Kewanna and Rochester residents included Mrs. Blanche Gilliland, Mrs. Larry Shriver, Mrs. Santa Taylor and son, Terry, and granddaughter, Christine Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Pickens, Billy and Andy, and Mrs. Wayne Largen and Douglas and Esther.

 

BURGER CHEF

To Build Cafe Here

The Sentinel,  August  11,  1973

          Burger Chef, nationally-known chain of restaurants, has purchased the former Arco service station at Ninth and Monroe streets, as well as the apartment house directly north of the station site.  The firm expects to build a new family-type cafe with seating for 100 persons, opening date will be in about 90 days.- - - - -

 

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON REUN

Van Duyne Block & Gravel

The Sentinel,  August  22,  1973

          The Van Duyne-Shelton family reunion, held recently at the Van Duyne Block & Gravel company at Mr. Zion, was attended by 58 family members.

          Following an afternoon of swimming, games and conversation, the group voted to meet at the same location on the third Sunday in August of 1974.

          Attending the annual gathering and carry-in dinner were:   Mr. & Mrs. Ray Shelton, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Shelton, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Braman and family, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Macy, Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Dill

and Mr. & Mrs. Harold Crill, all of Rochester.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Don Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Fisher, and family, Mr. & Mrs. Gene DeWitt and family, all of Kewanna; Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Van Duyne, Indianapolis; Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Macy and family and Mr. & Mrs. Elson Holdread and family, all of Plymouth: Mr. & Mrs. Frank Van Duyne and family, Danville, Ill.; Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Van Duyne and family, Argos; Mr. & Mrs. Phil Braman and family, Rochester; and Lyman Burkett, of Wyoming.

 

MOORE BUS FORMS

Reichenbach Mgr.

The Sentinel,  August  27,  1973

          Leonard E. Reichenbach is manager of the new Rochester plant of Moore Business Forms which now is under construction east of the city.  Reichenbach has been manufacturing superintendent of Moore’s plant in Lewisburg, Pa., since 1970.  He joined the firm 13 years ago.  The local Moore plant will be a highly specialized operation such as the Lewisburg facility, say Moore officials, making Reichenbach uniquely qualified to manage the new operation.  He and his wife, Sandra, and children, Sandra and Bradford, will move to a new home in the Fox Runs residential area early next month.

 

HARTMAN MOTORS

Pur Charles B. Schnarel

The Sentinel, September 4,  1973

          The sale of Bud Hartman Motors, located east of the city at the Ind. 14-25 intersection, was announced today by Clell (Bud) Hartman Jr.

          The new owner is Charles B. Schnarel of Minneapolis, who has been employed by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors for the past 16 years.

          Transfer of the franchise for Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Pontiac autos was effective today.   Hartman retains ownership of the building and land.

The business will be known as Schnarel Motors Inc., and Schnarel said there would be no change in personnel.  Chuck Pocock and Ken Gentry, salesmen, Charles Miller, service manager, and Art Gordon, parts manager, will remain along with other employees.

          Schnarel is a native of Chicago who has been dealer service consultant for Oldsmobile with headquarters at Minneapolis.  He also has worked out of Chicago, Indianapolis and Kokomo divisions for the auto firm.

          A certified auto technician, Schnarel becomes the only dealer in Indiana with this designation.  While at Minneapolis, he taught auto technical classes at Anoka Tech and also was on the board of trustees of another technical school there.

          He and his wife, Robbye, are the parents of three children:   Charles B. Jr., a student at Purdue university; Judy, a high school senior, and William Jeffrey, a freshman.  The family plans to move to the city as soon as housing is obtained.

          Hartman has operated the car agency here since 1958, when it was purchased from Casey Pawl.  The business moved to its present location in 1963, occupying a new 14,400 square feet building.

          Hartman said he would remain the rest of the month to assist the new owner but has no other immediate plans except for a short vacation.  He intends to remain in the city, however.

          Hartman and his wife, Alice, reside on RR 3 with their four children, Mike, a student at Northwood Institute in Midland, Mich.;

Stacey, a senior in high school; Dan, a frehman, and Jenny, 5.

 

ROCH CITY GOLF COURSE

Opening Wednesday

The Sentinel, September 4,  1973

          Additional electric carts have been obtained from the Rochester Elks lodge for Wednesday’s opening day at the Rochester city golf course, Bill Schroer, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board, announced today. - - - - -

BARNHART FIELD

To Be Dedicated Friday

The Sentinel, September 4,  1973

          Barnhart Field, Rochester high school’s new football and track facility, will be dedicated Friday at 7:30 p.m. With brief ceremonies preceding the Zebras’ home grid opener against John Glenn high school.

          Honored guests at the dedication will be Mr. & Mrs. Hugh A. Barnhart of Rochester, whose gift of $100,000 to the school made the new field possible.

          Ground was broken for the project on March 16 by the McMahan-O’Connor Consruction company of this city, general contractor for the work. - - - -

          Seating at the field, on aluminum-seat bleachers, totals 2,500 - almost 1,000 more than were handled at the old Athletic Field in Manitou Heights which Barnhart Field will replace.  There are 1,500 seats on the home side of the field, 1,000 for visitors. - - - -

 

IMPCO

Thomas McKee, Joins Firm

The Sentinel, September 6,  1973

          Thomas McKee has joined Indiana Metal Products plant of Rochester as applications engineer trainee.  Following training with Ed Mullady, manager of applications engineering, he will devote his efforts to the TORX market development program.  The son of IMPCO Chief Accountant Bill McKee, he has been employed the last two years by McMahan-O’Connor Construction company.  He is a 1965 graduate of Rochester high school and attended Ball State university.  He served in the U.S. Air Force four years.

TIMES THEATRE

Pur Robert & Edna Murphy

The Sentinel, September  11,  1973

          Sale of the Times Theatre here, which has been closed since late June, was announced today by Mrs. Ruth Krieghbaum, owner.

          Purchasing the building and equipment are Robert and Edna Murphy of Michigan City, who plan to reopen the cinema within 60 days after extensive remodeling.

          Murphy has been in the mortgage brokerage business in Michigan City but in purchasing the theatre is contemplating a long ambition to enter the movie exhibition field.

          The Times was closed June 26 by the Cinecom Corporation, a New York-based firm that had purchased the theatre on contract.  Later Cinecom filed bankruptcy and ceased operation of its entire chain of movie houses.

 

IMCO

Sam Newman Joins Camcar

The Sentinel, October 24,  1973

          Sam Newman, a 15-year resident of Rochester, has been named a sales representative in Iowa for Camcar Screw and Mfg Co., of which Indiana Metal Products of Rochester is a division.

          Newman is the second man from Indiana Metal to join Camcar’s outside sales force.  Dale Schroeder, former sales service manager at IMPCO, was the first.         

          Newman joined IMPCO in May of 1970 and has served in sales service, aerospace, and most recently as a cost specialist in the cost control department.  His transfer will be effective later this year, according to Val R. Pemberton, IMPCO general manager.

CITY CAB CO.

Opens by Chuck Kelly

The Sentinel, November 10,  1973

          Charles (Chuck) Kelly, 1018 Pontiac street, announced today that he will start a taxi cab service in the Rochester and Lake Manitou areas Tuesday.

          Named City Cab company, the business will be operated out of Kelly’s home from 6 a,m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.  Kelly will start with one taxi, which will have radio contact with his home.  The telephone number to call for a taxi will be 223-4532.

          Kelly’s wife, Germana, one of the Zoppe circus family daughters, will assist the business at the telephone and radio and as a part-time driver.

          Kelly has lived here since 1967 and formerly was employed at the Gilliland Auto Machine company and at the United Auto Supply firm.  He has had previous experience in the taxi business and also was a cab driver for eight years in Memphis, Tenn., before moving to Rochester.

 

EARLY ROCH FILMS

To Be Shown

The Sentinel, November 12,  1973

          The Fulton County World War 1 Veterans Barracks 479 will have a carry-in dinner at noon Thursday at the VFW lodge on Lake Manitou.

          The program, which begins at 1:30 p.m., will feature motion pictures taken in Rochester in 1939 of an open house at the Armour Creameries.   Movies also will be shown of the first 4-H Fair organizational meetings and of the Lions club members when they first began to sell copies of The Sentinel early in December - 30 years ago.

          There will be many other pictures of early Rochester, all narrated by Harry Rosenbury and shown by Franklin Heisler.

          The public is invited.

ROCH CITY PARK

Tremendous Usage

The Sentinel, November  14,  1973

          The complete report of the P&R Board, of which Councilmen Gene Foley, Ed Fansler and Mike Quick also are members, follows:

          CITY PARK - We hosted over 150 family reunions; we also provided picnic facilities for 53 other groups.   A conservative estimate of the number of people who used the park in this manner is 10,000.

          The east restroom facility was opened this year.  Lines on the tennis courts and posts on the baskeball court were all painted.  All of the parking posts were also painted this summer.

          There were 216 softball games played at the City Park this summer - 156 by the men and 69 by the girls.   This included a very successful Round Barn Tourney and also a district softball tourney.  This number of 216 games compares to 120 in 1972. - - - - An outdoor basketball tourney was again held at the City Park courts. - - - -

          The greatest boom at the City Park was at the tennis courts.  These four courts were used day and night. - - - - -

 

SUNFLOWER SHOP

Opens Here Today

The Sentinel, November  23,  1973

          The Sunflower Shop, a new business featuring creative needlecraft supplies, opened today at 616 Main street.  The shop is operated by Mrs. Nancy Eggers of Lake Manitou.

          In her shop, Mrs. Eggers offers supplies, kits, yarns and canvases for crewel and needlepoint work and hooked rugs.

          Mrs. Eggers will be assisted by Miss Carla Waldron of Rochester. - - - -

          Insructions in crewel and needlepoint work will be offered to the general public after the first of the year, said Mrs. Eggers.

WARD STORE

Pur Chuck Pocock

The Sentinel, December 14,  1973

          Ed :Loebig, owner of the Montgomery Ward Catalog Agency at 806 Main street, announced today that the business has been purchased by Chas Pocock, auto salesman at Schnarel Motors Inc.

          Loebig, who has owned and operated the agency here since June, 1968, said the change of ownership is effective Jan. 2.  Loebig and his wife will continue to work in the business while Pocock and his wife attend a training school for operation of the Catalog Agency.

          Pocock has been an employee of the Pontiac-Cadillac auto agency, the former Hartman Motors, for over eight years.  He will leave the Schnarel Agency Dec. 22.

          Loebig, who plans semi-retirement, said his plans for the future are indefinite.

 

COFFEE SHOP

Closed

The Sentinel, January   2,  1974

          The “Sorry, Closed for Inventory” sign at the Coffee Shop restaurant, 710 Main street, really means “closed for good,” according to Gates Thompson, owner of the building.

          Thompson said the restaurant, which has been under the management of Roger E. Blair in association with his wife, the former Vicki Townsend, will not reopen following its closing last week.

          “I still would like to see a restaurant in the spot, but I’m not sure I want to try it again,” said Thompson.  Since Thompson purchased the building in 1972 following the death of former owner Harold Karn, two restaurants have started in the quarters but have closed after a relatively short time.

          Thompson said he will rent the space or sell the entire building “if the right person comes along.”

CRISSINGER PAINT STORE

Pur Crissinger & Pemberton

The Sentinel, January   3,  1974

          Crissinger Decorating Service Inc., came into being here officially Wednesday with the sale of the Crissinger Paint Store, 610 Main sstreet, by Ralph Crissinger to his son Lavon and Paul Pemberton.

          The new business represents a combining of Lavon Crissinger’s activities of exterior and interior decorating, paper hanging, spray painting and commercial decorating with the former Crissinger Paint store.

          Ralph Crissinger started the store bearing his name at its present location 16 years ago.  His son Lavon has been with the store for 15 years and Pemberton has been with the store for six years - three while he was at Rochester high school and three since graduation.

          Lavon’s wife Betty will continue to work at the store as she has for some years.

          Ralph Crissinger will continue to help at the business as needed and also will continue to repair and restore furniture and antiques and to construct picture frames at the location.

          He came to Rochester from Winamac in 1937 and operated a mobile feed service.  He later was with the former Rochester Fertilizer and Feed company, which was on the east side of U.S. 31 across from the Dean Milk company plant, and then with a feed mill at Mexico before starting his paint business.

 

CEDAR POST RESTAURANT

Stutzman Foods Inc.

The Sentinel, January   4,  1974

          Rochester’s newest public eating place is the Cedar Post on Ind. 14 east of the city, acroiss the highway from Fulton county airport property.

          Owned by Stutzman Foods Inc., it is managed by Steve Stutzman, a 1966 graduate of Rochester high school who

received his bachelor’s degree from DePauw university in 1970.

          The Cedar Post is a quick service restaurant featuring a variety of sandwiches plus four dinners - fish, chicken, Delmonico steak and New York strip steak.  There is seating for about 130 persons in a semi-detached dining area.

          Orders are taken and food delivered at a main counter, with the customer taking his food to a table or booth.  There is no waitress service.  Although there are no banquet facilities, groups can be accomodated, if a large number of steak dinners are to be ordered, a call in advance is helpful, Stutzman said.

          The restaurant, which employs 17 persons at present, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  On weekends it will be open later than usual. - - - -

          While he was at DePauw, Stutzman worked two years for the Berger Chef drive-in chain and was night manager at the time of his graduaton.  He went to Indianapolis as a Burger Chef manager and after one year returned to Rochester to manage the Kentuky Fried Chicken outlet here.

          He left Kentucky Fried Chicken after about a year and began planning for the Cedar Post, which opened Christmas week.

 

HARRISON FUNERAL HOMES

Douglas J. Smith Joins Firm

The Sentinel, January   4,  1974

          Max M. Metzger, director of Harrison funeral homes in Kewanna and Royal Center, announces the addition of Douglas J. Smith to the funeral homes’ staff.  Smith is a graduate of South Bend Riley high school and the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis.

          Smith has worked at Shirley Brothers funeral homes and the Lauck funeral home in Indianapolis and was formerly employed by the Macer funeral home in New Castle before joinng Metzger’s staff.  He is both a licensed embalmer and funeral director. 

          He and his wife, Lorry, have one daughter, Jenny, who is

three years old.  The family will reside in Kewanna in the former Delta Kimball residence.   

 

PIZZA PARLOR

Pur John Little

The Sentinel, January   9,  1974

          The outdoor sign hasn’t changed, but the name and ownership of Gus’ Pizza Parlor at 317 East Ninth street has.

          The business has been purchased from Mr. & Mrs. Harold Gustin of Peru by Mr. & Mrs. John Little of Rochester and has been renamed the Little Pizzaria (pun intended).

          Little, who took ownership New Year’s Eve, said a sign with the new name has been odered.

          Mr. & Mrs. Little will operate the business on the same basis as the Gustins have since they opened it in March of 1965.  The Gustins reside in Peru and work in Kokomo; they came to Rochester in the eveningds to operate the pizza business.

          Little will continue his fulltime work as industrial engineer at Sealed Power corporation here, where he has been employed for 10 years. - - - - -

          Gustin continues to be “on call” if needed to help, Little said.

          Both Little, 33, and his wife Terry are lifelong residents of the Rochester area.  Little attended Rochester schools until, during his high school sophomore year, the family moved to Athens and he finished high school at Akron.  The Littles have one child, a daughter named Traci who is 10 years old.

 

BERKEBILE OPTOMETRIC

Pur Dr. Thomas Troutman

The Sentinel, January   10,  1974

          Dr. Dale Berkebile announced today the sale of his Optometric practice at 911 Madison street to Dr. Thomas Troutman of Peru, formerly of Kewanna.

          Dr. Troutman, a 1966 graduate of Kewanna high school and

a 1972 graduate of Indiana university Division of Optometry, has practiced the past year in associateship with Dr. Keith Giver in Peru.

- - - - Dr. Troutman and his wife, the former Joy Urbin, also former Kewanna resident, will move to Rochester in February and will reside at 319 East 14th street.

          Dr. Berkebile will be completing 37 years in the Optometric practice in Rochester, 20 of which have been spent at the present office location.

          Berkebile says he will be in the office during the month of

January to assist Dr. Troutman and then will be gone until late February.  He plans to return in March to give assistance in the office when needed.  He says he has no definite plans for the future - “just a lot of traveling.”

 

ROCH METAL PRODUCTS

John Rhoads, Mgr., Resigns

The Sentinel, January   29,  1974

          John Rhoads, manager of the Rochester Metal Products plant, has accepted a similar position with Ohio Brass company in Mansfield, O., and will leave for his new post in mid-February.

          Rhoads will become manager of one of the company’s two Mansfield plants in its maileable foundry division.  He previously had been employed 20 years by Ohio Brass, coming to Rochester from that firm.

          He joined Rochester Metal Products in October, 1965, as foundry superintendent and later was named to the manager’s post.  His successor as manager here will be Gene Treglia, presently an engineer with the foundry.

          Rhoads and his wife and son, Tim, 16, will continue to reside in the city until housing is obtained in Mansfield.

DENTIST CLOSES OFFICE

Dr. C.E. Gilger, After 51 Years

The Sentinel, February   12,  1974

          Dr. C.E. Gilger announced today that he has retired from the practice of dentistry after 51 years, all of them spent in the same offices here at 729-1/2 Main street.

          Dr. Gilger came to the city in August, 1922, after graduation from the Indiana university school of dentistry.  He replaced Dr. Perry Heath in the local dentist practice.  His office assistant for the past 17 years has been Miss Kitty Boots.

          A native of Winamac, Dr. Gilger attended Manchester college one year before enrolling at I.U.  He is a 50-year Mason member, a charter member of the Elks and Moose lodges and for over 30 years was chairman of the greens committee of the country club here.

          He and his wife, Fannie, reside at Lake Manitou.  They plan to leave later this week for Sarasota, Fla., where they have a winter home.  The Gilgers are the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Orville (Lois) Weiske, Indianapolis.

 

CREAMER COMPANY

Opens Branch Store Here

The Sentinel, February   12,  1974

          The H.&D Creamer company of Warsaw has leased the former Baker hardware quarters at 126 East Eighth street and will open a branch store this weekend for the sale and installation of carpeting and tile.

          The store will be open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mondays from 10 a.m. to     6 p.m.

IMPCO

Harry Wink, Retired

The Sentinel, March   1,  1974

          Harry Wink retired from IMPCO, Torx Division of Camcar, Thursday after 23 years of service.  It was announced today by Val Pemberton, general manager.

          Wink joined the company in 1948 and since that time has served in a variety of assignments, including inspection, tool room, shipping, production, works manager, purchasing agent, production control manager, sales service manager, materials manager and assistant to the general manager.

          Wink for a time served as vice president and general manager for Talma Fastener company, an organization founded in 1964.   He rejoined IMPCO in 1967.

          He and his wife, Betty, reside at 1504 Monroe street.  They are the parents of two daughters and one son. - - - -

          Prior to joining IMPCO in 1948 Wink had been associated for 16 years with two Chicago banks.  He also spent several years with another metalworking company in a foreman capaciy. - - - -

 

COURT’S FUNCTIONS

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh

The Sentinel, March   12,  1974

THE EDITOR’S QUESTION

          The daily workings of the Fulton circuit court involves parties in civil or criminal lawsuits and members of the legal profession, altogether a small portion of the county’s population.  What is the general public’s stake in these proceedings, and what interest should they take in them?

          Ever since Editor Jack Overmyer asked me to contribute to

“Viewpoint” I have had a growing respect for editorial writers, for I have learned that their job is not easy.

          This has had me literally talking to myself so much that when I get home my wife conveniently finds things to do in the

other end of the hours.  Dad turns his hearing aid down - and the cat wants out!

          In the face of this unenthusiastic support I am proceeding, for there are some things which should be brought to your attention, and I am grateful for this opportunity.

          If you never have been a party to a court action, such as a condemnation proceeding, a line fence dispute, a damage suit, or an action on a note or a contract, your first thought may be that courts are for only a very small portion of the total population - that courts exist principally for criminals and lawyers.

          It may surprise you, if you do not already know, that you are in every criminal case, since the State of Indiana (of which you are a part) is the plaintiff.  You are already in this court permanently if your property is in the Mill Crek Conservancy District or the Lake Manitou conservancy District.

          You cannot be committed for treatment to the State Hospital without court action.  When you become incapacitated and need a guardian, the case is heard and supervised by the court.  If you adopt a child it must be through the court.  You need court approval to be a notary public and to get married under certain circumstances.   And if you never get to court as a party during your lifetime, your estate will.

          So the chances of your never needing this court are zero!

          Generallly, courts exist to settle disputes.  Or more accurately stated, they exist to determine rights and to enforce duties when parties are unable to settle their own differences.

          The very presence of the court is an inducement for people to settle their own troubles.  They know that if they do not do their own settling the court will, and by resolving their own differences uncertainty of outcome and costs of litigation are eliminated.

          So parties do not always go to the court for a determination of their rights and duties and enforcement of same.  In fact differences usually are settled amicably, either by the parties themselves or through their attorneys.

          But it makes one wonder if parties today are exerting sufficient efforts toward settlement when we consider that in 1973 there were 178 marriage licenses issued and 137 divorces filed in this court.  However, it is not just marital troubles that have caused an increase in this court’s case load.  All types of cases are on the increase, there being a 50 percent increase in total cases filed in 1973 over 1965.

          Query:   Do you use the court only as a last resort, after all bona fide efforts toward settlement have failed”

          The increasing number of cases involving bad checks would make it appear as if businessmen are so anxious to make sales that they are accepting checks without sufficient identification.

          Query:   Do you take proper precautions to protect yourself and your property”

          The court appoints two members of the Board of Review, four members of the Board of Tax Adjustment, two Jury Commissioners, five members of the Board of the Fulton County Department of Public Welfare, three members of the Fulton County Library Board, three members of the Akron Library Board, three members of the Kewanna-Union Township Library Board, two members of the Rochester Planning Commission, one member of the Rochester Board of Zoning Appeals, and members of the boards of Lake Manitou Conservancy District and Mill Creek Conservancy District.

          It is highly complimentary to the judiciary to be called upon by the legislature to name people to these boards.  But this is a function which has been imposed upon the court by statutes in addition to its regular judicial duties.  At least one week per year of court time is required to find people who are qualified and willing to serve on these boards, and this is time that is desperately needed by the court in the performance of its constitutionally created judicial duties.

          If you want your court to function as a court, contact your legislature to get this burden removed.

          There is no way of knowing, but seven years of observation

from the bench leads me to conclude that the great majority of marital troubles and criminal and juvenile problems (which include delinquency, dependency and neglect cases) are the direct or indirect result of excessive use of alcoholic beverages.  I have come to this conclusion after hearing cases from child neglect to broken homes, from assault and battery to murder, which were precipitated by excessive use of alcohol.

          The addition of drug abuse to this already existing problem is pyramiding problems upon problems!

          And how often do I hear a defendant who is to be sentenced say: “I am an alcoholic.  I need help.   I’ll lose my job if I serve any time.”

          My questions are:   “Who forced you to take the first drink - and the second - and the third?”   “When did you recognize that you have a problem?”   “What have you done to correct your problem?” “Whose responsibility is it to feed and clothe and give love and attention to your family?”   “And whose responsibility is it to correct your problem?”

          The answers to these questions are obvious:   Do not drink to excess, but if you are already drinking to excess, admit to yourself that you are, and don’t wait until you face the judge to start wanting to do something about it.  Go at once to your physician; go to your psychiatrist; go to he Guidance Center at Logansport; go to the Family Service of Fulton County; go to the Logansport Alcoholic Rehabilitation Program; Go to you minister; go to Alcoholics Anonymous; go and seek help!

          But remember this:   No amount of help from them will cure you unless you really try to help yourself.  Unless you put forth all your efforts, you are wasting everyone’s time as well as the patience of society.

 

          Finally, I would invite you to take a renewed interest in your court.

          Judge your judge.  Assure yourself that he is lending dignity to his office by his actions both on and off the bench.

          Visit the court and observe.  Ask questions and see court records.

          Urge the court to have facilities conducive to dispensation of justice.  Do not be satisfied with 19th century methods and equipment.

Encourage - no, insist upon your court utilizing modern technology.  Determine whether trials could be presented to the jury by means of video, edited with all the time-consuming legal arguments deleted.  Find out why computers should not be used in court calendaring, in selection of jury lists, in supervision of probation, in record keeping of support payments and in retrieval of statistical information (to name only a few potential uses).

          In short, find out whether the court is dispensng justice at the least possible cost to you.

          In conclusion, what I have tried to say is this:

          (1) YOU NEED THE COURT.  It is there to serve you.

          (2) Solve your own problems if you possibly can before you

come into court.

          (3) Help the court by limiting its duties to judicial functions.

          (4) Support the court in its needs.  THE COURT NEEDS YOU.

          I leave you with one question.  Are you demanding too much of the judiciary and not enough of yourself?

 

SIRKEN DISTRIBUTORS

Plant Enlarged

The Sentinel, April   18,  1974

          The addition of 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space to the present plant of Dave Sirken Distributors Inc., on Monticello road was announced today by Dave Sirken, president of the firm.

          The expansion will increase the plant’s size by 2-1/2 times, said Sirken.   The steel span addition will be eastward and should be completed within 30 days.  Woolington Construction of Kewanna is in charge of the project.

          The company is chiefly occupied in the manufacture of

picture frames of wide variety for outlets in 15 states.  The expansion, said Stirken, has been prompted by the firm’s growth in the supply of wedding picture albums.

          Sirken opened the company in 1959 with two employees in the building now occupied by First Federal Savings, Ninth and Monroe streets.  He later moved to 419 Main street, where office facilities still are located, and built the Monticello road plant in 1971.

          At present Sirken employs 31 persons, including five sales representatives.  There are 11 plant workers, and Sirken expects this total to increase from 6-10 persons within a year because of the expansion.

 

F&M BANK BUILDING

To Be Enlarged

The Sentinel, April   23,  1974

          A downtown improvement project of major proportions was underway today as work began on the enlargement and transformation of the Farmers and Merchants Bank building on the northeast corner of Main and Eighth streets.

          When completed approximately a year from now, the bank will occupy an impressive two-story structure of Indiana limestone and glass.  It will encompass not only the present banking area but also the corner building on the south and increase the bank’s space 2-1/2 times.  President Howard Wertzberger, in announcing details of the project, said:

          “The bank’s officers and directors have solid faith in the future of Rochester and of its downtown area and we believe that this building project is tangible evidence of that faith.

          “Our bank has more than doubled in total assets in the last five years, to $23.5 million, and this growth has demanded not only additional space but additional personnel to adequately care for our customer’s needs.  The new building has been planned to provide us with roomk to keep pace with the future growth of the community.” - - - - -

ANIMAL TOILET

Patented, Robert S. Traeger

The Sentinel,   May   3,  1974

          Robert S. Traeger of Rochester, was the recipient on Feb. 26, of U.S. Patent 3,793,988, entitled “Animal Toilet”.  This patent has been assigned to KLT Industries, Inc., Rochester.

          It is common practice for the owners of animals, such as cats and dogs, to employ a litter box which the animal is trained to use when necessary.  However, the conventional littter box is messy, unsightly, and the source of offensive odors.  

Furthermore, the litter or material in the box must be replaced by a fresh supply from time to time, which is an unpleasant task.

          In contrast to the above mentioned practice, Traeger has devised a novel animal toilet in the form of a box like structure that is mounted on casters to facilitate its movement from one location to another.  Within the structure is an endless conveyor belt with an upper run that is utilized to support the animal.  After the animal has deposited its excreta on the upper run of the conveyor belt, an electric motor causes the belt to move so that the solid waste is deposited in a receptacle which contains a deoderizing liquid and may be removed at intervals and emptied and refilled with the liquid.  The belt is also subjected to a spray of cleaning fluid.

          The endless conveyor belt of Traeger’s device is made preferable from imitation grass that is non-reactive to animal wastes.  The power for operating the device may be provided through an ordinary electrical outlet or by a battery; and the arrangement is such that when an animal, such as a cat or dog, steps upon the upper run of the endless conveyor belt, the belt remains stationary.  However, after the animal has completed its duties and steps off the upper run of the conveyor belt and after a short delay of a few minutes as determined by a timer, the parts will function to automatically cause the belt to move the point at which the solid waste of the animal falls into the above-mentioned receptacle and the belt is sprayed for a

predetermined peiod as determined by a timer to thus make the device ready for use again.   

          It is claimed that the animal waste disposal device of the invention is of sanitary and convenient operation.  It Is adapted for the satisfactory use in the home and the pet animals may be trained to use it.

          The application for his patent, which consists of seven claims of originality, was filed on Oct. 24, 1972.

 

FULTON CO AIRPORT

Mark Bloomer, Flight Instr.

The Sentinel,   May   15,  1974

          Mark Bloomer, 22, Indianapolis, who graduated this month from Purdue university’s Professional Pilot Technology Program, is the new flight instructor for the Fulton county airport., Manager Harry Wells announced today.   He sstarted Monday.

          In addition to flight instruction, Bloomer will concentrate on promoting inteest in aviation, particularly by women, Wells said.

          Bloomer said that one program he will emphasize here is the AOPA pinch-hitter program, through which women are taught to become co-pilots.  He said he expects wives of pilots to be especially interested in this program.

          He said he also hopes to start an aero club, composed of owners and pilots of aircraft.

          Bloomer will be the only full-time flight instrucor at the local airport, although all pilots employed by Fulton County Aviation, which operates the airport, are licensed instructors.

          Bloomer holds a commercial pilot’s license with single and mult-engine ratings, instrument rating and flight instructor rating.  When necessary, he will be co-pilot for Fulton County Aviation flights, Wells said.

BURGER CHEF

Innovative Service

The Sentinel,   May   15,  1974

          Three innovative service features - a restaurant hostess, a “do-it-yourself bar” and a “make-your-own salad bar” - have been introduced in the new Burger Chef restaurant at Ninth and Monroe streets. The new service concepts are part of a continuing effort by Burger Chef to return “personalization and variety” to the fast-food business, according to David Edwards, regional director for Foodplex Inc. Foodplex, the largest franchised operator of Burger Chef restaurants, operates over 110 restaurants in five midwestern states, including the Rochester unit.  - - - -

          There is parking space for up to 55 cars on the asphalt topped lot which is accessible from Monroe and Ninth streets.

          Avery Collins is manager and Timothy Carlson, assistant manager of the restaurant.   Edward Gobel is the Foodplex district manager for the restaurant.

 

COMMERCIAL REFRIG.

Bob Saner, Owner

The Sentinel,   June   8,  1974

          Bob Saner of Rochester, who has 19 years of experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning business, has opened his own firm, Commercial Refrigeration company, here.  He will service commercial and industrial refrigeration units and will sell and service home central air conditioning. - - - -

 

COIN CASE

Jim Smith, Owner

The Sentinel,   June   15,  1974

           Jim Smith finally has opened a coin shop in Rochester.

          Named the Coin Case, it is located on the corner of Eighth and Main streets below the Olympic Sports Center. - - - -

HOUSE OF DECOR

Remodeled and expanded

The Sentinel,   June   24,  1974

          The House of Decor, 401 East Eighth street, has a new look to it.

          Remodeling and Expansion work completed earlier this month have left the store with twice as much space - allowing for increased storage area and an enlarged showroom.

          The work, initiated April 1, also includes customer parking facilities and a new office.

          The House of Decor, opened for business in Rochester in 1971, and is owned and operated by Robert and Freda Roe.

 

ROCH HOMES INC

Has Open House

The Sentinel,   June   27,  1974

          A public open house will be held Sunday, June 7, by one of the city’s newest industries, Rochester Homes Inc.

          Milam Anderson, president of the company, said that public inspection of the plant and its new homes will be invited on that date from 1-4 p.m.  The facility is located on Lucas street at the northeast edge of the city.

          Furnished models of the firm’s three major products will be on display outside the plant.  They are the Manitou and Rochester lines of mobile homes and the new Rochester Residential, a modular home. - - -

          Management personnel will be on hand to answer questions by visitors.  In addition to Anderson, they include Dave Callahan, sales manager; Bud Barnett and Dick Wiseman, sales representatives; Bob Bozzo, production manager; Mike van den Bossche, purchasing agent and Rod Hamilton, engineering.  Representatives of Leonda Mobile Homes, the company’s dealer for this area, also will be present to supply information concerning the completed homes.

          Rochester Homes opened its local plant in May, 1972, and

now has 47 employees producing a home a day.  The local units are sold through dealers in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Kentuky.

 

VALLEY CABLEVISION CORP

Mrs. Mary E. Groleau, Mgr.

The Sentinel,   July   11,  1974

          Mrs. Mary E. Groleau, lifelong resident, now is the business manager for Valley Cablevision corporation’s cable tv systems in Plymouth and Rochester.  She replaces John Gilbert, who has been transferred to South Bend as supervisor of the cable television plant for all of Valley’s systems,   Mrs. Groleau has been with Valley Cable for 1-1/2 years.

 

SUTTON REUN

Richland Center

The Sentinel,   July   17,  1974

          The Elmer Sutton family reunion was held recently at the Richland Center Community building with a basket dinner served at the noon hour.

          Attending were Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Sutton and sons, the Virgil Sutton family and Mr. & Mrs. Merrell Sutton, all of Rochester; Mr. & Mrs. Walter Van Meter and Larry Van Meter family, all of near Rochester; Mr. & Mrs. Dean Van Meter and daughter, Kewanna; Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Van Meter and son, Argos; Mr. & Mrs. Gary Clevenger and daughter, Mr. & Msrs. Rick Bingle and daughter, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sutton, the James Towne family, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Thompson and mother, all of Rochester; the Truman Neher family of Culver; Mrs. Truman Neher Sr. of Leiters Ford; and Mr. & Mrs. Lon Hatfield and sons of Knox.

          The group voted to make this an annual event in memory of the late Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Sutton of Rochester.

WILLIAMS REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel,   July   17,  1974

          The Rochester City Park was the site of the 42nd annual Williams reunion, attended by 30 persons.

          C.W. Pugh, Robert Harrison and Rosemary Williams were elected president, vice-presidant and secretary-treasurer, respectively, for the 1975 reunion.

          Cretie Emery of Fulton was the oldest person in attendance and Chad Pugh, son of Mr. & Mrs. C.W. Pugh of Hartford City, was the youngest.  Traveling the farthest distance were Mr. & Mrs. William Stroupe and family, coming from Montrose, Mich.

          Next year the reunion will be held on July13.

 

IRWIN MUSIC STORE

Pur Wilhelm & Schwartz

The Sentinel,   July   18,  1974

          Without a blare of trumpets or a resounding chorus of bells, Rochester’s music store hass changed owners and names, and has been remodeled as well.

          Formerly the Irwin Music store, the shop has been renamed the M&M Music Store.

          M&M refers to the new owners - both named Mike:   Wilhelm and Schwartz.- - - -

          The grand opening is set for Aug. 1, 2 and 3. - - - -

 

RNU

Pinhook Grange

The Sentinel,   July   22,  1974

          Rochester College Alumni met together for the last time Sunday at Pinhook Grange.  It was the 45th annual reunion of the group.

          After much discussion, the group voted to discontinue the reunions due to the age of the members.  The college closed after the summer term in 1912   So 62 years later, members

present at the meeting felt that it was necessary to disband.

          Notices will be sent to all alumni telling of the decision that no further meetings will be held.

          The last reunion was attended by 21 members and guests.  The Rev. Clyde Walters offered invocation before dinner was served.

          The Rev. Walters, president, conducted the business meeting with reports given by Secretary Edna Burns and Treasurer Omer Reichard.   Estil Ginn conducted a memorial service for members who died during the past year.   John Cessna, Chloe Barger Hackett, Bess Casaway, Charles Lucas, Dan McLean, Frances Elliot McMahan and Edna Sheets.

          The oldest member present was Dr. Bert Kent of Fulton and the youngest member present was Edna Burns of North Manchester.  Fred Deardorf and his wife of Richmond came the longest distance for the reunion.

          After all outstanding bills are paid, it was voted to give any money remaining in the treasury to the Fulton County Historical

society to be used for any upkeep necessary on the cornerstone commemorating the college building.  The cornerstone is located on the southwest corner of the Courthouse lawn.

          Attending were Edna Burns, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Deardorf, Dr. & Mrs. Bert Kent, Dr. & Mrs. Dow Haimbaugh, Roy Gasaway, Estil Ginn, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond McVay, Mrs. Ethel Merley and daughter, Belva Miller, Omer Reichard, Reba Shore, Mr. & Mrs. Glen Smiley, Ethel Snapp and the Rev. & Mrs. Clyde Walters.

 

VANLUE REUN

Kenneth Fuller Home

The Sentinel,   August   12,  1974

          Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Fuller of Casstown, O., were hosts for the Vanlue reunion in their home recently.  Co-hosts were the Jerry Kerr family of Grove City, O.

          Some 40 family members attended from Rochester, Indianapolis, Warsaw, Lafayette, Syracuse, Kokomo, Fort Wayne,

Akron, O., San Jose, Cal., and Norfolk, Va.

          After a noontime dinner, the afternoon was spent socially.

 

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

Kirby Sprouls, Joins Staff

The Sentinel,   August   20,  1974

          Kirby Sprouls, 22, joined the editorial staff of The Rochester Sentinel Monday as sports editor and reporter-photographer.

          Sprouls replaces Tony Page, who resigned the position after a year to seek employment in the public relations firld.

          The new sports editor will be responsible for The Sentinel’s news coverage of all athletic activities in the area.

          He received his B.S. degree in journalism earlier this month from Ball State university where he served as sports editor of The Ball State Daily News the past two quarters.  Sprouls was a member of The Daily News’ editorial staff 2-1/2 years while pursuing his journalism studies.

          A native of New Haven, he is a graduate of Leo high school near Fort Wayne.

          On the Ball State campus, Sprouls was a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, national journalism scholarship society.

          He will be married Saturday to Sherry Knutson of South Bend and the couple will reside at 309 West 11th street.

 

MILLER REUN

Tippecanoe Campground

The Sentinel,   August   22,  1974

          The eighth annual Henry Miller family reunion was held recently at the Fish and Fun campground on the Tippecanoe river with 37 relatives and seven guests present.

          Following the noon meal, a short business meeting was conducted by president Joan Miller.  Elected to serve for the coming year were Delmont Miller, president; Charles Miller, vice-president; and Margaret Shearer, secretary-treasurer.

          Attending from Rochester were Mrs. Peg Miller, her son Tim and grandson Scott, the Charles Miller family, Mrs. Byron Riffle and family, Mrs. Don Reynolds and family, Mrs. Joan Miller, Mrs. James Miller and daughter and Mr. & Mrs. James Shearer and daughter.

          Attending from out-of-town were Mr. & Mrs. Joe Day of Akron; Mrs. Irma Zolman, Jackie Zolman and Mrs. Versa Smith, Claypool; Mr. & Mrs. Delmont Miller of Genoa, Ill.; Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Kern and the Mike Kern family, all of Peru; and Mrs. Carrie Miller of Goshen.

          Guests were Marty Burns, Kevin Jenkins, Betsy Shelburne, Greg Brown and Robert Nye, all of Rochester; Mrs. Laura Wright of Goshen; and Rodney Hatfield of Warsaw.

 

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON REUN

Van Duyne Block & Gravel

The Sentinel,   August   27,  1974

          The Van Duyne-Shelton family reunion was held recently at the Van Duyne Block and Gravel Company with 70 family members and three guests attending.

          Following an afternoon of swimming, playing games and conversing, the group voted to meet at the same location the third Sunday of August 1975, with Frederick Van Duyne in charge.

          Attending the annual meeting were Mr. & Mrs. Ray Shelton, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Van Duyne, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Van Duyne, Mrs. Byron Zimmerman and family, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Macy, the Calvin Braman family, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Taylor, the Dave Ginther family and Mr. & Mrs. Harold Crill, all of Rochester.

          Also, Mr. & Mrs. Don Van Duyne, the Bill Fisher family and the Gene DeWitt family, all of Kewanna; Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Van Duyne of Indianapolis; the Raymond Macy family of Plymouth; the Elson Holdread family of Donaldson, the Frederick Van Duyne family of Argos; the Randy Masterson family of Fort Wayne; the Carl Rose family of Cedar Lake; Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Dill of Macy; Mr.

& Mrs. Terry Young of Winamac; Brian and Shane Van Duyne of Twelve Mile; and the Harry Macy family of Cedar Rapids, Ia.

          Guests were Mrs. Madonna O’Neil of Urbanna and Kim and Todd Ditto of Kendallville.   Ralph Shelton was an afternoon caller.

 

MARATHON SVC STATION

Ky. Fried Chicken, Location

The Sentinel,   August   28,  1974

          Downtown property at Ninth and Main-streets, formerly occupied by the Marathon service station, has been purchased for an enlarged Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, it was announced Tuesday at the regular meeting of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce.

          The food business has been out of operation here since a fire at the former location, 915 East Ninth street, last March 30.  Robert Listenberger of Plymouth, is owner of the franchise. - - - -

 

ROCH PAINT-WALLPAPER

Renamed Village Colors

The Sentinel,   September   9,  1974

          The Rochester Paint and Wallpaper store at 423 East Ninth street will become Village Colors on Friday, owners Dick and Helen Enyart announced today. - - - - they purchased the business from Dick Enyart’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Gil Enyart, last April.

 

LEITERS FORD STATE BANK

Pur Stanley & DeHart

The Sentinel,   September   24,  1974

          Purchase of controlling interest in the Leiters Ford State Bank by Ed Stanley and David DeHart, both of Gaston, from Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Roe of Leiters Ford was announced today.

          Stanley now is president of the bank and his wife, Judy, is cashier.  They have assumed operational control of the business.

          Roe, who had been president of the bank since September

of 1962, and his wife have not announced their future plans.  They purcased the bank from Chester Bowersox.

          Stanley was vice-president, cashier and a director of the Central Bank and Trust company in Gaston for 10 years pror to purchase of the Leiters Ford State Bank.  He also was a director of two other banks - United Bank of Upland and First Valley bank of Gas City.

          Stanley was born and reared on a farm near Van Buren in Grant county near Marion and still owns a 175-acre farm there.  He graduated from Van Buren high school, attended Purdue university and graduated from the Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.

          He and his wife, Judy, who is from Marion, have three children - Eddie 6; Joey 5, and Elizabeth 3.  They are residing in Leiters Ford.

          DeHart, now chairman of the board of the Leiters Ford State bank, will continue to reside in Gaston, where he is president of the Chevrolet agency.   Gaston is near Muncie.

 

FIRST FEDERAL S&L

Bremen Branch Opens

The Sentinel,   September   26,  1974

          First Federal Savings & Loan of Fulton County opened its new branch at Bremen Tuesday evening with an invitational open house attended by over 200 persons.  The local firm also has a branch opeation in Winamac.

 

PETERSON & MORTON

New Law Firm

The Sentinel,   October   1,  1974

          Rochester attorney Robert E. Peterson and Douglas Morton have entered into a partnership and the new firm will be known as Peterson and Morton, it was announced today.

          Morton, a native of Logansport, has been associated with Peterson’s law firm for the last 2-1/2 years.

          Richard Kehoe will continue to be associated with the new firm, which has offices in the Knapp building at Nnth and Main streets.

 

CREDIT BUREAU OF ROCH

Pur Ron Moore

The Sentinel,   October   11,  1974

          Ron Moore announced today that he has purchased ownership of Credit Bureau of Rochester Inc., 120 East Eighth street, from Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kuneff.

          There will be no changes in policy or personnel, said Moor,. his wife, Nina, and Mrs. Devon (Barbara) Ogle will remain as employees of the agency.  Moore has been collection manager for the firm since August, 1973.

          The Kuneffs, who reside in Mishawaka, have owned the local business since 1970.

          The new owner, a native of Indianapolis, resides with his wife and two children on RR 2, Rochester.  The Moore children attend Akron schools.

          Moore had 10 years’ experience in law enforcement before entering the credit field, having been a deputy with the Marion county sheriff’s department and later a member of the Zionsville police department.

 

FLO-BET SHOP

Now Ceramic Coop

The Sentinel,   October   24,  1974

          “Ceramic Coop” will open officially in Rochester at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at 217 East Seventh street.

          The ceamic center, formerly known as the Flo-Bet Shop and located at 510 Main street, is now operatd by Mrs. Florence Miller and Mrs. Melanie Keesey. - - - -

SIMPSON GARDEN CENTER

Adds New Lines

The Sentinel,   October   26,  1974

          Simpson’s Garden Center at 600 East Fourth street - just northeast of the Erie Lackawanna railroad tracks - has added several new lines of merchandise in a continuing program of enlargement.

          Started by Noel and Eileen Simpson seven years ago, the business doubled its floor space two years ago and added a craft and hobby center, cement lawn ornaments and plaster casts, a Spanish gift line and wrought iron furniture.

          The latest additions are dishes, glassware, miscellaneous giftware, cookware, electrical appliances, toys and games, hanging lamps, artificial flower arrangements and Christmas decoratons. - - - -

 

TORX

Bob Rothkopf, Product Mgr

The Sentinel,   November   5,  1974

          Bob Rothkopf will join the Rochester plant of TORX division as product manager the first of next year, according to General Manager Val R. Pemberton.

          Rothkopf now is sales representative in Indiana for Camcar Screw and Manufacturing company, of which TORX is a division.

          Rothkopt joined Camcar in 1970 as an administrative assistant in the corporate marketing department.   After three years he transferred to field sales in the Indiana territory.  He is a graduate of Northern Illinois university with a degree in business management.  Before joining Camcar he was with the Chrysler corporation in Belvidere, Ill., for four years.

          Rothkopf and his wife Patricia and their two children will move to Rochester within the next few months.  He will continue to be sales representative in Indiana until a replacement has been assigned.

SEALED POWER

Fay Bathrick Retires

The Sentinel,   December   27,  1974

          Fay Bathrick of Rochester has retired from Sealed Power corporation after 47 years of service to the firm.

          Bathrick moved to Rochester from the main plant of Sealed Power in Muskegon, Mich., in 1948 to help establish the Rochester plant.

          He held various management positions with the company and was plant engineer at the time of his retirement.

          Bathrick and the late Mrs. Bathrick are the parents of nine children:   Kenneth, Keith, Ardith Adams, Arlene Hounshell, Marilyn Townsend, Carolyn Wagoner and Gail Hayden, all of Rochester; Gordon, of Muskegon, and Karen Bigson, of Kirkland, Wash.

          Kenneth and Gordon are employed by Sealed Power.

          Bahrick’s father, Roy, and brothers Norman and Vern all are retired employees of Sealed Power.

 

TORX

James Heuer Resigns

The Sentinel,   January   6,  1975

          The resignation of James Heuer from Torx Division of Camcar Screw and Manufacturing was announced today by General Manager Val Pemberton, who also said that Robert Lembke has been promoted to fill the vacancy.

          Heuer has been manager of manufacturing control for Torx.  Lembke was advanced from applications engineer trainee to the newly-created position of materials manager to replace Heuer.

          Both changes were effective Jan. 1.

          Heuer, who has been with Torx here for three years, resigned to resume his formal education at Indiana university in Bloomington, where he will study for a master’s degree in transportation.  Heuer, who is single, has been vice president of

the Fulton Couny United Way organization the past two years.

          Lembke is a graduate of the I.U. Business school and spent 14 years with Sears Roebuck and company, including service as store manager and as a group operating manager in Rockford, Ill.   He joined Torx in May.

          Lembke is married to the former Barbara Cross, daughyer of Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Cross of this city.  They and their three children reside on the east side of Lake Manitou.

 

KEWANNA HARDWARE

Pur, John Milliser

The Sentinel,   January   10,  1975

          John Milliser, a former Rochester resident and now of Kewanna, has purchased the Kewanna Hardware store from Max Fair.  At present Milliser is teaching at North Miami high school but expects to devote full time to the store at the end of this school year.  Mrs. Milliser is teaching in the Winamac school.

 

COMMUNICATIONS SPLISTS

Grand Opening

The Sentinel,   February   1,  1975

          Russ Rettig is manager of the newly opened Communications Specialists store at 919 East Ninth.

 

LEITERS BRANCH BANK

Opening Here

The Sentinel,   March   4  1975

          A branch to the Leiters Ford State Bank will be opened in Rochester in approximately three months, Ed Stanley, bank president, announced today.

          The new facility will be located east of the Colonial service sation at the junction of Ind. 14 and Ind. 25, east of Rochester.

          Stanley said a trailer will be used as a temporary office unit for one to 1-1/2 years before a permanent building will be constructed. - - - - -

MARSH SUPERMARKET

Pur Wilt’s Food Center

The Sentinel,   March   14  1975

          The Marsh supermarket on Main street will be known as Wilt’s Food Center starting Tuesday following purchase of the store by Wilt’s Food Centers Inc., of Elkhart.

          Gary DeMond, Wilt’s president announced the purchase today.  He said the Wilt’s supermarket on East Ninth street, owned by Wilt’s since Dec. 12, 1965, will continue in opeation.

          Richard Wappenstein, manager of the Ninth street Wilt’s store since August of 1969, will become manager of the Main street store.  DeMond said, Jack Townsend, who joined Wilt’s as Ninth street store assistant manager in September of 1973, will be promoted to manager of that outlet.

          Transfer of ownership of the Main street store will become effective Monday.  The store will be closed that day for inventory and will reopen Tuesday under it new name.

          The Marsh store was opened in June of 1972 in a building built for the Marsh company.  Steven Darrough is the present manager; he has not announced his future plans.

          The Main street store will be the 10th in the Wilt’s chain.  Last February, Wilt’s purchased a sore in Holland, Mich.  Other stores are operated in Elkhart, South Bend, Mishawaka and in Buchanan, Mich.- - - -

 

HARDESTY PRINTING CO.

Moves To 824 Main Street

The Sentinel,   March   20  1975

          Frank Hardesty, owner of Hardesty Printing company here, announced today that he has purchased the Walle Jeweler building at 824 Main street and will expand his business at that location.

          The Walle site has been vacant since the retirement of its former owner, Gerald Walle, 1122 Madison street. - - - -

          Hardesty Printing has been opeating at 116 East Eighth street, next to The Sentinel’s Office, since Hardesty purchased

the printing business from The Sentinel Jan. 1, 1974.

          The vacated space will be used for an expansion of The Sentinel’s editorial, business and advertising departments, according to Jack K. Overmyer, publisher.

          Hardesty is assisted in full-time operation of the printing concern by his wife, Alice, and son, Randy.   Another son, Bill, a junior at Tippecanoe Valley high school, will join the family for the summer.- -- -

          The Hardestys presently reside in Mentone.  Hardesty has been in the printing business since 1957 and came to the city from the position of press foreman for the Free Methodist Publishing House at Winona Lake.   He also had been employed by the Sentinel in its former commercial prnting department.

 

FIRST FEDERAL S&L

Plans New Building

The Sentinel,   April   7  1975

          First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Fulton County today announced its plans to construct a new main office building, later this year.

          Richard E. Belcher, president, said that the institution’s headquarters will remain at is present location, Ninth and Monroe streets, with the acquisition of additional area at that site.

          The Association has purchased for its expansion all other properties occupying the half-block fronting East Nnth steet, between Monroe street and Franklin avenue.  Included are the former Bailey Used Furniture building, the structure housing Larry Evans’ barber shop and the Little Pizzaria, and the residences of Evans, Mrs. Chloa Reno, Mrs.  Mildred Snyder and Mrs. Amelia Ewing. - - - -

She PAINTS NATURE

As God Made It

The Sentinel,   April   10,  1975

WOMAN OF THE MONTH

By Margery Overmyer

          “I am a realistic painter”, Mrs. Anita Hoehne concludes as she ponders how to classify her art work.  “I try to paint landscapes and flowers as God made them”.

          Although this Fulton county artist has paintings hanging in homes as far away as the nation’s capital, she still considers herself a beginner who tends to overdo “as most artists do when they start”.

          But it is hard to stamp the “beginner” label on this woman who started teaching an art class herself seven years ago while she was still studying with the late Bertha Dukes in Kokomo.

          Painting was one of her interests while she attended high school in Twelve Mile, but it wasn’t until her three children were young teenagers that she decided to develop her talents.  “I wanted some paintings on the walls of our home”, she confdes,”and that opened a whole career for me.”

          She learned much from her Kokomo teacher, but nature teaches her, too, as she observes color, light and shadows everywhere she goes.

          Our Woman of the Month prefers to work from colored photographs which she or her son, John a junior at Purdue university, take.  But the completed painting always boasts her personal touch; a leafy tree limb added in the foreground for increased dimension or a shading of colors to perfect nature’s glory.

          Mrs. Hoehne says she can see the finished painting in her mind before she starts, much as a good cook can “taste” a concoction as she reads the recipe.  She sketches an outline on the canvas before picking up her paint brush and carrues out a theme throughout the entire picture.  For instance, when painting a cloudy day scene, she does not use bright colors, only muted

tones.

          She points out that perspective is most important for good results, but admits it is a gift to be able to see size properly in relation to distance.

          Mrs. Mary Blossom, a former Rochester resident who now resides in Michigan, was Anita’s first art student.  As word got around, her class of one grew to six when Phyllis Powell, Bette Quick, Doris Hood, Mary Jane Bowell and Vera Mathis joined in.   And “like Topsy, it grew from there”.  She now teaches two classes in Rochester and one in Warsaw, the result of a class she taught at Grace college for two years while her daughter was a student there.

          She instructs her pupils in oils, her preferred medium, she starts them on a simple basic study, such as a blue flower against a white background and teaches them to first paint the object farthest away (the sky, for instance) and to put on dark colors before light.

          Mrs. Hoehne blends her oils with water which softens their effect on the canvas.  But this takes much practice, she admits, since the color can easly turn muddy.  To the observer her paintings almost give the effect of water colors primarily because of her innate ability to soften oils on the palette.  Someday, she confides, she would like to study watercolor, adding, “I am never too old to learn”.

          Another technique she woiuld like to experiment with “when she has the time” is the effect obtained by photographers when they focus on a sharp clear object in the foreground with a diffused background.

          Mrs. Hoehne’s ckasses will stop in May when she will help her husband Lowell farm their land northeast of Fulton.  This is a yearly “must” for this vivacious woman.

          In addition to John the Hoehnes have two married daughters, Ruth Ann Rudicel, who lives in Twelve Mile with her husband Robert and their son Michael, 4; and Beth Fretz, who resides at Winona Lake with her husband Jay, a student at Grace

Seminary.

          A corner of the Hoehne living room serves as her studio with an east window offering a tranquil view of their farmland.  When we visited her last week, the card table was surroiunded by work she was preparing for this week’s “Shower of Arts”, the Fulton County Art Colony’s spring show.  Her bold signature marks “finis” on the paintngs she will enter in the competition.

          Mrs. Hoehne is vice-president of the Art Colony.  The couple is also active in Fulton Baptist Temple.

          Painting is not the only outlet for Mrs. Hoehne’s talents.  She is a seamstress of considerable merit, making most of her own clothes and curtains for their comfortable home.  And she has enjoyed making bread for as long as she can remember from a recipe handed down to her by her grandmother.  She shares it with us.

 

WOODLAWN HOSPITAL

Jones’ Woods, New Location

The Sentinel,   May   13,  1975

          The Woodlawn hospital board of trustees purchased the Jones’ Woods site for a new Fulton county hospital Tuesday afternoon.

          By unanimous resolution, the board exercised its option on the 33.488 acre tract of land north of Ind. 14-25 at the east edge of Rochester for a price of $100,464.

          The check was given to Francis Jones, representing Jones Implemen company, owner of the land.

          Presenting the check was Hal Hammel, hospital board president, during the regular monthly meeting of the board in Room 205 of Woodlawn hospital.

          There was a roomful of spectators:   Hospital board members, Vernie Bowen, Leon Kindig, Mrs. Lera McKinney and Mrs. Mervine Rentschler; Hospital Board Attorney Robert Peterson; Hospital Administrator Robert Kelsey;   Fulton County Hospital Association Members Roy Meredith, Donald Cook, Mrs.

Lea Goss, Ronald Gundrum and Mrs. Dorothy Lease, Association Attorney Jesse Brown, and a Sentinel reporter.

          The Hospital Association is the holding company which will finance construction of the 49-bed facility.

          It was announced during the joint meeting of the two boards that it is hoped that construction can start by December and that the building will be ready for occupancy in March of 1977.

          It was also noted that a name for the new hospital has not been chosen.  In fact, there has been no official discusion by the hospital board about whether the name should be changed from the present Woodlawn hospital.  - - - -

          Kelsey reported the resignation from the hospital medical staff of Dr. Wayne Knochel of Rochester.  Dr. Knochel closed his ofice here some years ago but remained on the staff until his recent resignation.  He no longer will be on call at the hospital for emergencies.

 

DUCK LANDING

Jesse Knight, Owner

The Sentinel,   May   14,  1975

          Jesse Knight has lived on the shores of Lake Manitou all his life. He remembers when the north shore was just a wilderness.  He knows every weed in the lake, he says.  His biggest catch was 25 years ago when he and his father, Ted Knight, hauled in 12 bass, four of which were over seven pounds.  They used “grass frogs” for bait.

          Knight is owner of Duck Landing, just north of the Moose lodge on Lake Manitou.  He’s 75 years old and starting his 40th year at the landing.  He has boats for rent and handles artificial and live bait.

          Knight remembers when he sold redworms for 25 cents a hundred and minnows were 10 cents a dozen.  Redworms now are worth one dollar a hundred and minnows cost a dollar a dozen.

          Jess’s father started the business in the early 30s with

the help of a good friend, George Turner of Indianapolis.  Turner came to Manitou for rest while suffering from a severe case of tuberculosis.  He stayed at Irvin’s Landing next to the dam site.

          Ted Knight took Turner fishing each day and taught him to enjoy the warm sunshine.  When Turner returned to Indianapolis, doctors told him his health was much improved and he should continue his fishing expeditions each day.  In gratitude, Turner offered to set Knight up in business.  Together, the two men chose “Duck Landing” as a name for the new business venture, because of the many flocks that stopped at the lake to rest during journeys north and south.

          Ted Knight is well remembered by oldtimers in Miami county for his heroic work n rescuing persons from rooftops and porches durng the 1913 flood.  He and his brother, Charles, were past-masters at handling boats.  They donated their skill and their equipment to save many souls from a watery grave.

          I asked Knight if fishing in Manitou is as good as it used to be years ago.  He said, “This lake is the best bass lake in Indiana and the best year-round fishing lake in the state.  There is no lake in Indiana that has more fish taken out of it than Manitou and still maintains its good fish supply.  Lake Manitou is a good spawning ground.  We will never run out of fish here.

          :”The reason for this good fish supply is the natural abundance of fish food.  Whenever you have a weedy lake you have a lot of fish.  Weeds protect fish.

          “What most people do not know is that this lake has three types of bluegill bedders-- shallow-water bedders, edge-of-deep-water bedders and deep-water bedders.  If fishermen snagged all the bluegills off the shallow and the edge-of-deep-water beds, we still have the deep-water bedders.  That would be enough to supply everyone with all the fish they want.  We have lots of shad and minnows that are perfect for bass feeding,” Knight said.

          When asked if motorboats bother fishing, Knight replied, “No. Motorboats do not bother the fish, they bother the fishermen.”

          Knight said ice fishing was good for the lake because the holes in the ice gave more oxygen to fish.  Ice fishing saves fish, cuts down on the kill, according to Knight.

          “Many of the large dead fish people see floating in the lake are big bass they have died from old age.  You seldom see a dead young bass.  More large bass die of old age than are caught by fishermen,” Knight said.

          “Fishing is as good as ever around here.  My father raised 10 of his kids on this lake and made a living fishing out of it.  Dad said friends used to say if he kept on taking fish out there wouldn’t be any left.”

          Knight has raised his two children on the lake.  They are fishermen and so are his grandchildren

          Knight’s daughter, Mrs. Katherine Alderfer, has a bait buiness on the east shore of Manitoiu.  She has named it “Cricket Hatchery.” His son, Ernie, lives near Millark.

          Jess has five grandchldren and six great-grandchildren.  His grandson, Randy Alderfer, assists him at the bait shop.  He’s a good-looking youth who graduated from Rochester high school last year. He’s happiest when he’s working and fishing with his grandfather.

          Knight is open the year round.  He doesn’t fish much anymore, just goes out occasionally wih his grandfather or his daughter.  His wife died a number of years ago.  He and his two lovable dogs, Toughie and Velvet, enjoy life on Lake Manitou.

          “I’ve been on this lake all my life.  I’m in good health.  If I left the lake I’d probably get sick and I don’t want to do that,” said Knight.

          Right now Jess and his grandson are looking forward to a busy summer season catering to the needs of the fishermen.

FRICK’S HARDWARE

Pur Bob Scott

The Sentinel,   May   28,  1975

          After 25 years in Fulton, Frick’s hardware has changed hands.  Lyman and Frances Frick sold the store to Bob and Jean Scott who took over last month.

          Although he continued to live in Mexico and drive to work in Fulton each day, Lyman Frick was considered “one of us” by many Fulton residents.

          In his business practices, Frick made it a point to return even two or three cents if an over-charge occurred, being willing to drive over frm Mexico to return a nickel.

          Known throughout the area as a farmer’s hardware, Frick’s was the place to go for bolts (they inventoried 11,000 of them once), nails, tools, and repairs.  They kept a “want book” and ordered what the farmers asked for.  During its 28 years of operation, Frick’s hardware doubled its inventory and changed in many ways.

          The hardware building was built in 1913.  It used to be a restaurant and tavern run by Francis “Hass” Carithers, who went into the Army in 1945.  When Hass returned, he built a tavern south of Fulton.  Clyde Cornell and Don Pownall moved a hardware into Carithers’ former building and from them Frick bought his hardware March 15, 1947.  Frick had heard about the hardware from V.L. Barker, Fulton real estate agent, whose sister lived in Mexico near Frick.

          Frick had built the Sunoco station in Mexico and leased it when he took over the hardware in Fulton.  Pownall stayed with Frick a year and took care of all the books.  Mrs. Frick taught school in Mexico, but retired in 1962 and worked full time in the store.

          The first day Lyman and Frances had the hardware in March 1947, the streets were icy and there was a pile-up of eight cars in the street in front of the store.  “If it’s going to be like this in Fulton, let’s go back to Mexico, Mrs. Frick exclaimed.

          But Fulton proved to be a friendly town, and the Fricks soon felt at home there.  Nearly everyone in the township became their friends.

          Employees at different times through the years were Darlene Hoehne, Wanda Houser, Bill Kietzman, Maxine and Billy Hartzler, Daughty Crippen, Donna Cornelll, Don Burton, Cindy and Donna and Judy Rentschler, Doug and Dave and Jack Waltz., Marhgaret Rentschler and Willadean Moss worked Mondays, marking prices.

          Several of the above were high school students who worked before and after school.  One morning in the early 1950s when Doug Waltz opened the store, he discovered that the guns had been stolen.  They were never recovered.

          When Frick took over the hardware in 1947, Joe Hower had an upholstery and chair-caning factory on the south side of the hardware.  Across the alley to the north were Dr. F.C. Dielman and Dentist J.A. Hafert.

          Fulton has seen many changes in the past 28 years.

          First National Bank branch in 1960, new post office in 1961, new laundomat, new Caston school in 1967, and new library in 1989.

          Trains used to stop for passengers but now do so just for freight, and there is no longer a depot since a train wrecked it in 1972.

          On the site of the original telephone office and Fred “Tippy” Thommen’s blacksmith shop has been erected a small building, which houses modern electric equipment for dial telephones.   No more Leona Rouchs, Anna Claybaughs or Marjorie Bishs to answer one’s call for a doctor or a relative known by name.  Now it is possible to dial long distance directly.

          Dr. Tim Ravencroft has remodeled the interior of the small vine-covered brick building formerly used by Doctors Dielman and Hafert.  His dentistry practice is quite large.  Mrs. Virgil Baker operated a beauty shop north of the dentist’s office but she is retired now.

          Several businesses have changed hands in the 28 years Frick’s hardware has been in Fulton.  Ditmire funeral home is now Ditmire-Zimmerman.  Emerson Felder’s electrical appliance store is now owned by Jack Holloway.   The elevator formely managed by Ed Kingery, is now Farm Bureau co-op.  Baker’s vault company is now operated by Virgil Baker’s son, Richard.

          Years ago the building beside the post office was the place to sell chickens and eggs.  Where the post office now stands was a hotel, operated by Mr. & Mrs. Ed Barker.

          For a few years Larry Gearhart had an antique shop in the building adjacent to Frick’s hardware.  This building is now empty.

          The hardware, too, has changed in the past 28 years.  It used to have double doors on the front, but Frick had Merrill Waltz put in a new single door.  The hot water furnace fired by an old coal boiler was replaced by a gas furnace but the steam heat registers were kept.  An overhead furnace was added to chase the winter chill.  New shelves were added to the south side to accommodate the multitude of bolts and hardware.

          Twice the hardware was robbed.   Once during a basketball game at Fulton high school, someone broke the glass in the back door and stole candy and gum.  The sheriff found blood on the broken glass and went to the opposing team’s school (Medaryville) and found a boy with his hand bandaged.  It turned out to be a grade school student who wanted to treat his friends to stolen goodies.

          Every spring for the last 12 years, Frick’s hardware held a two day open house, during which they gave 20 percent discount and free refreshments.  During the last open house the Fulton Lions club served 201 dozen doughnuts, and over 800 guests registered.    For two or three weeks before the open house, business would taper off, as people waited to take advantage o that 20 percent discount.

          “We didn’t carry much household stuff, as 85 perdent of our business came from farmers.  We had a good paint business, way up in the hundreds of dollars in paint sold each year,” stated

Frick.  “Bulk garden seed business was good too.   You know, you get three or four times as much for your money in bulk seeds as in packages.

          “We always helped everyone.  I never turned a kid down but once, and then I felt sorry and fowed never to do it again,” Frck recalled.

          Bertha Waltz stated in the Fulton County Historical Society Quarterly published in February, 1972:   “Many a boy and several girls have earned their spending money and vacation time money in Frick’s hardware store.  A reliable and honest business, it was a fine place to start.”   Three of Bertha’s sons worked for Frick, so she should know.

          But bookkeeping and tax papers got more difficult and time consuming in recent years.  “It used to be a couple of hours a week and then half a day on Sunday.  We couldn’t even go to Sunday School.  Since selling the hardware we’ve been to church every Sunday.

          Retirement at age 68 may be a challenge for Lyman Frick.  “I don’t have any hobbies, just helping my wife dry the dishes.  I have a lot of papers to file, then I can look for a hobby.  I helped Bob get started in the store until last week.  Now he’s on his own and doing fine.”

          Bob Scott was manager of Dice’s Citgo for 23 years.  He lives in Fulton with his wife and children, Kevin, age 12, Lisa 11, and Chris, 6.  They help out in the store.  Willadean Maus and Margaret Rentschler still work there too.  The hardware will continue much the same, but with a new name.

 

EDMONTON MFG CO

Honored by Sears For Quality

The Sentinel,   June   3,  1975

          Employees and management of Edmonton Mfg. Co. (Topps) of Rochester were honored Monday by Sears, Roebuck and Co, for the quality of work uniforms manufactured here and purchased by Sears.

          Frank Linduska of Chicago, Sears’ national uniforms buyer, presented a Sears “Symbol of Excellence” plaque to Jack Elin, president of Edmunton, at the local plant.

          The award was one of 479 that Sears will present this year to suppliers judged most outstanding among its 12,000 merchandising sources.

          “The award is based primarily on the excellence of merchandise produced by Edmunton Manufacturing company for Sears during the past year,” Linduska said.  “It also recognizes the general excellence of Edmunton’s performance to such matters as shipping goods on schedule and initiative in developing new and improved merchandise.”

 

BARKMAN AGENCY

Pur by Bill Eads

The Sentinel,   June   5,  1975

          C.R. Barkman, who has been a car dealer at the same spot in Rochester for 28 years, has sold the Lincoln-Mercury agency at 119 East Fourth street to Bill Eads of Rochester.

          The sale became effective Monday.

          The agency has been known as C.R. Barkman.  Eads said he will retain the Barkman identification by calling the business Barkman Motors.

          At the time of the change in ownership, Barkman was the auto dealer with the longest number of years of service in Rochester.

          He went into the business at the Fourth street site as a Kaiser-Frazer dealer in February of 1947.  Later he added the Massey-Harris (now Massey-Ferguson) line of farm machinery, selling that franchise in 1958 after 10 years.

          In 1955, Barkman became the Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

          Barkman has farmed in Newcastle township along with being a car dealer and he said he has no special plans for the future except to devote more time to that occupation.

          Eads recently retired from United Parcel Service after 16

years with that company.  At the time of his retirement he was division manager for the state of Tennessee and had lived the last nine years in Nashsville

          He and his wife Dortha recently purchased a home at 1400 Washington street.  They have a daughter, Julie, 16, at home, and a married son, Joe, of Nashville.

          Eads was born in Kokomo and reared in the Richland Center

community of Fulton county.  He is a graduate of the former Richland Center high school.  He is a member of the Rochester Elks lodge.

          No changes in personnel are planned by Eads.  Tom Baldwin remains as sales manager, he said.

 

ROCHESTER FORD AGCY

Pur Gerald (Jerry) Damas

The Sentinel,   June   12,  1975

          The sale of the Rochester Ford auto agency at 602 Main street to Gerald (Jerry) Damas of Rochester by William Mulvaney and James Vogler became effective today.

          The name of the business has been changed from Mulvaney-Vogler Ford sales to Damas Ford Inc.

          A native and lifelong resident of Rochester, Damas has been in the auto sales business for 15 years.   After graduating from Rochester high school and serving three years in the Marine Corps, Damas was employed by Louderback Chevrolet-Buick and by Garver Motors, both of Rochester, and Erik auto sales in Kokomo.

          He is a member of the Rochester Masonic lodge, South Bend Scottish Rite, Fort Wayne Shrine and the Elks lodge, American Legion post and Kiwanis club of Rochester.

          Damas and his wife, Lndia, reside at 526 Pontiac street.  They have three children - Mrs. Wink (Dru) Zartman of Rochester; Ty, a 14-year-old daughter, and Seth, a five-year-old son.

          Mulvaney and Vogler purchased the Ford agency in January

of 1970 from Richard McClure.  McClure had owned the business for seven years.  Prior to McClure’s purchase, Vern Jennings owned and operated the agency for 19 years.

 

BRASSERIE RESTAURANT

Pur Richard Gregory

The Sentinel,   July   5,  1975

          The Brasserie restaurant, 1617 Main street, has been purchased from Donald Shultz by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gregory of Rochester and will be renamed by the new owners as “A Trysting Place.” - - - -

          The transaction becomes effective upon approval of the transfer of the firm’s beer, liquor and wine sales permit to new owners.  A hearing on the transfer before the County Liquor Board is set for July 21.

          Gregory said that a local manager would be hired- - - - -

 

PRUDENTIAL SALES MGR

Donald J. Burkett

The Sentinel,   July   8,  1975

          Donald J. Burkett has been promoted to sales manager in charge of the Rochester branch office (231 East Ninth Street) of Prudential’s Kokomo district agency.  He formerly was an agent in the branch office and is a Rochester resident.

          Burkett began his Prudential career in March of 1972.  He topped the $1 million sales mark before that year ended and achieved similar sales records in 1973 and in 1974.

          Burkett is a 1948 graduate of Richland Center high school.  A four-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he is a member of the Rochester American Legion and the Rochester Elks Lodge.

          Burkett is married to the former Jacqueline Couse of Plymouth.  They are the parents of three sons - William, Patrick and Michael.

BAKERY BLDG

Under Wrecker’s Ball

The Sentinel,   July   10,  1975

          A one time bakery building, long unused, fell under the wrecker’s ball this morning to make room for a parking lot.   The two-story brick structure was located behind the Snyder Jewelry building, east on Main street.

          Erected sometime in the 1890s, the building was used for many years as a bakery, being operated by Pat Murphy, Nobby True and Oren Karn.  Flour was stored in the upper loft.  Abandoned in recent years, it was used only for storage.

          Owned by Mrs. Thelma Robbins, the lot is a part of the Main Street Tavern property.  The site is to be covered with stone and will be available for tavern customer parking.

 

MILLER REUN

Bryant’s Campgrounds

The Sentinel,   August   7,  1975

          The ninth annual reunion of descendents of Henry Miller was held at Bryant’s Fish and Fun Campgrounds recently.

          Following the picnic dinner Delmont Miller conducted a short business meeting.

          Officers elected were Kenneth Miller, presedent; Charles N. Miller, vice-president; and Dollie Miller secretary-treasurer.  They

will conduct the 1976 reunion to be held at the same location.

          Attending were Mr. & Mrs. Doc Miller, Mr. & Mrs. Charles N. Miller, Mrs. Joan Miller, Terri Miller, Christopher Miller, Kristine Miller, Mrs. James F. Miller and daughter, Mrs. Dollie Miller, Jeffrey Miller, the Don Reynolds family, the Byron Riffle family, Mrs. Margaret Shearer, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Burns, all of Rochester.

          Coming from out-of-town were Mr. & Mrs. Delmont Miller, DeKalb, Ill.; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Miller, South Bend; Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Miller and daughter, Tempe, Ariz.; Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Miller, Warsaw;, and Mrs. Carrie Miller, Goshen.

          Guests were Laura Wright of Goshen, Tom and Brett Arnett, Robert Nye and Warren Lease, all of Rochester, Linda and Laura Morical of South Bend.

 

PERDUE REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel,   August   8,  1975

          The Perdue family reunion was held at City Park with 90 present recently.

          It was voted to hold the reunion each year at the park on the last Sunday in July.  This was the first reunion in over 20 years and it is hoped that each year there will be a larger attendance, as there are many Perdue descendants.

          The oldest person attending was Mrs. Anna Gregg of North Little Rock, Ark., aged 80.   The youngest was Jay Michael Marsh, four-week-old son of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Marsh of Lowell.

          Coming the farthest distance were Mrs. Gregg and Mr. & Mrs. John Powell and daughter, Carrie, also of North Little Rock.

 

NEW BOOKMOBILE

Mrs. Clair Zehner, Librarian

The Sentinel,   August   9,  1975

          Mrs. Clair Zehner, Fulton county librarian, admire the new Bookmobile which was purchased this week through reserve library funds.  The purchase represents the attainment of a five-year goal for the county library board.  The new traveling library will carry 4,500 books, compared with 2,500 transported by the former vehicle.  The Bookmobile will be driven by Mrs. Marie Clemens of Fulton. (The Sentinel Photo.)

 

ROUCH REUN

Roch City Park

The Sentinel,   August   14,  1975

          Some 46 descendants of the late Ezra and Ida E. Rouch held their 15th annual reunion at City Park recently.  There were

also three guests present to partake of the basket dinner at the noon hour.

          Loyd Rouch conducted the business meeting.  Then the afternoon was spent visiting and seeing pictures and a scrapbook which Irene Rouch compiled concerning activities of family members during the past year.

          Debbie and Melanie Showley of San Diego, Cal., great-granddaughters of Mr. & Mrs. Loyd Rouch, traveled the greatest distance. The reunion will be held at the same place next year.

 

REGGEDY ANN & ANDY

Owners, Welty & Atchley

The Sentinel,   August   20,  1975

          A new business in Rochester, scheduled for opening the second week in September at 320 East Eighth street, will feature infants’ and toddlers’ clothing.

          The Raggedy Ann ‘N Andy Boutique will be operated by Mrs. Medrith Welty and her daughter, Mrs. Diane Atchley, both of Rochester.

          The Boutique will be stocked with infants’ and toddlers’ apparel, sizes two through four and four through six-x.

          Brand names such as Bryan, Thomas, Alyssa, Nannette, Carterss and Health-Tex will be featured. - - - -Mrs. Welty and Mrs. Atchley plan to have the store open by Sept. 15 - - - - -

 

COLONIAL INN

Closed until further notice

The Sentinel,   September   2,  1975

          The Colonial Inn restaurant and lounge on the north shore of Lake Manitou has closed until further notice.  Labor Day was the last day of business for the Colonial.

          The decision to close was made by the board of directors of Manitou Gardens Inc., “in order to curb corporate losses in the operation of the restaurant and to allow for a restructuring of

corporate interest,” according to Bob Miller, president of the

F&M BANK

Open House

The Sentinel,   September   5,  1975

          The Farmers & Merchants Bank of Rochester, will observe “open house” all next week to show the public the interior of its new two-story building of Indiana limestone and glass on the northeast corner of Eighth and Main streets.- - - -

          Last June, Robet L Gohn of South Bend, formerly of Rochester, was appointed to the newly-created position of auditor.  The following month, Kenneth Jones, longtime manager of the Local Finance office here, became a loan officer at the F&M bank.

          The F&M bank has 17 full time employees and one part time employee in its main building now. - - - -

          On the first floor are the tellers’ windows, an office area for Jones and for George Hoover, assistant cashier, and the offices of Glen A. Skersick, vice-president, and William Gordon, cashier.- - - -

          In addition to its main building, the Farmers and Merchants bank has a drive-in branch on East Ninth street and a full-service branch in Kewanna.

 

MASONIC LODGE

Is About To Move

The Sentinel,   September   8,  1975

          After 105 years in the same location, the Rochester Masonic lodge is about to move.

          Members of Lodge No. 79 and of its Eastern Star affliate Saturday morning broke ground for the new Masonoc temple at the nortwest corner of Main and 10th streets. - - - -

FULTON MEDICAL BLDG

Corporaton

The Sentinel,   September   16,  1975

          Constrction of the Fulton Community Medical Building will begin on or before Oct. 1 and be completed by Jan 1, 1976, it was announced Monday night.

          The announcement was made during a public meeting at which the Fulton Community Medical Building Associationj Inc., was organized formally with election of officers.

          Robert Leavell was elected president.  Other officers are Roger Kent, vice-president, Ronald Gundrum, treasurer, and Harry Richter, secretary.   Gundrum was placed in charge of selling shares at the First National bank’s Fulton branch.

          State approval of plans to organize the corporation was received last Tuesday.  The Fulton Community Medical Building association was incorporated last May 14 to construct a medical building with hopes of attracting a doctor to the Liberty township community.

          The corporation is offering for sale 2,000 shares at $25 each.  It is expected that the building will cost $31,635 and that is the goial for the selling of shares   Already, $10,000 worth of stock has been sold.

          The building will be a frame structure with brick veneer.  National Homes will supply the basic building for $14,125.  The contractor will furnish bricks, build the foundation, install plumbing and wiring for $14,000.  Rex Bowen, Rochester, had the low bid and has been signed as the contractor.

          The new building will be on the corner of Dunn and Main streets, just south of the Ditmire-Zimmerman funeral home.  The entrance will be on Dunn street.  The lot was purchased for $3,500.

          Baker Vault company, Fulton, donated the septic tank.  McGrew Brothers Well drillers, Fulton, donated the well.

          The 58-by-24 feet building will contain 1,248 square feet divided into recepton room, three examining rooms, office,

nurse’s station, business office, storage and rest rooms.

          A commttee to contact prospective doctors will be appointed.  Two inquiries from interested doctors have been received.

 

CRYSTAL DAIRY BLDGS

Modern Materials Inc.

The Sentinel,   October   29,  1975

          The former Crystal Dairy buildings on East Fourth street have been purchased by a group of local men who now are in the process of establishing a new metal processing firm, Modern Materials Inc.

          Don Peter, one of the principals in the company, reported its formation Tuesday to director of the Chamber of Commece at their monthly meeting.   Mike Horn of Rochester and Joe Krom of Argos are the other partners. - - - -

 

MACY HARDWARE

22nd Oldest Indiana Business

The Sentinel,   October   30,  1975

          The hardware store in Macy, owned and operated by Kenny Edwards and formerly known as Case hardware, is the 22nd oldest Indiana business continually operating in the original building, according to the Historic Landmark Foundation of Indiana. - - - -

          Case hardware was founded in Macy in 1876 and has operated in the same building since that time.  Edwards purchased the business 10 years ago and has kept the building and the store in much the same appearance as in the past

 

STEPHENSON’S SHOE SHOPPE

Pur Dean Lahman

The Sentinel,   November   4,  1975

          Lahman’s Shoe Shop is the new name of the business at 725 Main street that formerly was Stephenson’s Shoe Shoppe.

          Dean and Carol Lahman, both lifetime residents of Fulton county, purchased the business from Don and Mary Jo Stephenson.  The change in ownership and name was effective Monday.

          Both the Lahmans originally are from the Leiters Ford area, where their parents still reside.  Dean is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Lahman.  Carol is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hartz.

          Dean Lahman has been a farmer all his life while his wife formerly was employed at Rouch Insurance on East Eighth street.  They reside six miles west of Rochester, where Lahman will continue farming while Mrs. Lahman is managing the shoe store.

          The Lahmans have two sons - Brad 15, and Barry 11.

          No change in store personnel is anticipated, Mrs. Lahman said.

          There has been a shoe store at 725 Main street for 88 years, first as the Hub Shoe Store, then as Taylor’s Shoe Store for nearl 30 years, as Brown and Rowe from 1966 to 1968, as Scheiber Shoe Store from 1968 until March of 1972 when the Stephensons purchased it.

          Stephenson will be manager of the Trysting Place, the former Brasserie at the south end of Main street which is being remodeled and is to open before year’s end.

 

CIRCUIT COURT

Back in Courthouse

The Sentinel,   November   6,  1975

By SHIRLEY OATES

Sentinel Staff Writer

          Although much arranging remains to be done, Fulton county circuit court personnel reoccupied their third floor quarters at the Courthouse today after vacating the trailer on the west side of the building Wednesday.

          Following six months of conducting business in the three-room trailer stationed on the Courthoue lawn, the court received

permission from Burton Mechanical Engineers, Inc., to return to the third floor.  The area received final inspection Tuesday by Stewart Kline Architect Associates of Lafayette.

          The general upheaval and hectic working conditions which have prevailed in the Courthouse since last June are slowly subiding as major renovation and improvement to the 75-year-old structure near completion.

          Members of the court and office personnel appear in complete disarray a they lug records and equipment up the stairs to the court area.  However, they surely must feel a surge of pride and admiration for their newly decorated quarters.

          Freshly painted walls of light green and buff, refinished woodwork, lowered ceilings and improved lighting, green and gold carpeting in office and courtroom areas - all add light and warmth to the judicial surroundings.

          Especially outstanding are the jurors’ rooms.  Gone are the buckets that were placed on chairs and tables to catch the rain as it made it way through the previously leaky roof.  The buckets also are missing from the newly-decorated judge’s chamber.

          The judge’s quarters now include an additional storage space for records and a private restroom.

          The third floor room which at one time was the office of the county health nurse now is the small claims and minor offenses court area.

          Fulton Circuit Court Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh says furnishings are needed to equip this room, but at this point funds are not available.

          A room at the southeast corner of the third floor has been made into a library to house the court’s law books.  Rows of steel shelving line the room, making the reference books easily accesable to attorneys and officials of the court.

          The ladies and men’s restrooms on the floor have been redecorated and new plumbing installed.   New water coolers have been placed on all three floors of the building.

          No provisions have been made for window coverings in the

third floor area.  Court personnel fear they may be forced to use newspapers for blinds.

          Lighted “exit” sign and fire alarm mechanisms have been installed on all floors as a safety precaution.

          One outstanding improvement in the court area (central air conditiong) will not be appreciated until the summer of ‘76 when temperatures soar.

          Bryce Burton, head of Burton Mechanical Contractors of Rochester, said the entire renovation project should be completed by Dec. 1.  Burton began the $452,170 remodeling job last June.

          Floodlights which have been installed at ground level around the building are now lighted each evening.  Residents also may note several night lights burning inside the building - another safety feature ordered by county officials.

 

LEITERS FORD BRANCH BANK

Opens Here

The Sentinel,   December   15,  1975

          The Rochester branch of the Leiters Ford State bank opened Monday in a new 25-by-50-foot building on the south side of Ind. 14 east of Rochester, next to the Colonial gas station.

          Garry Hamilton is manager of the branch.  Mrs. Mary Sheets and Mrs. Jan Dittman are the other office personnel. - - - -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEX

 

1972 ROCHESTER

Had More Pluses Than Minuses  68

A&P GROCERY

Closing Rochester Store  35-36

ANIMAL TOILET

Patented, Robert S. Traeger  109

B.H. WESTERN SHOP

Belva & Herman Ysberg  82

BAILEY’S HARDWARE

Pur Robert & Dave Bailey  77

BAKER HARDWARE

Sale Close-out  87

BAKER-EWEN PAINTING

Bill Baker & Lindsey Ewen  83

BAKERY BLDG

Under Wrecker’s Ball  139

BARGER CONTRACTORS

Pur Norman Benzing  62

BARKMAN AGENCY

Pur by Bill Eads  136

BARNCHESTER

Maybe It Really Is  84

BARNHART FIELD

To Be Dedicated Friday  93

BERGHOFF CAFE

Pur Donald Shultz  34-35

BERKEBILE OPTOMETRIC

Pur Dr. Thomas Troutman  100

BERKWAY FOODLINER

Holloway Buys Out Partner  67

BORDEN REUN

Conservation Club  34

BRASSERIE RESTAURANT

Pur Richard Gregory  138

BURGER CHEF

Innovative Service  111

To Build Cafe Here  90

BYPASS

Opening Friday  84

CEDAR POST RESTAURANT

Stutzman Foods Inc  98

CIRCUIT COURT

Back in Courthouse  145

CITY CAB CO.

Opens by Chuck Kelly  95

CLASS OF 1923 REUN

50 Years  89

COFFEE SHOP

Closed  97

COIN CASE

Jim Smith, Owner  111

COLONIAL INN

Closed until further notice  141

COMMERCIAL REFRIG.

Bob Saner, Owner  111

COMMUNICATIONS SPLISTS

Grand Opening  123

COURT REPORTER

Elizabeth Felix, Resigns  58

Judge Names Donna Carvey  59

COURTHOUSE CHANGES

Requested By Judge  64

COURTHOUSE ROOF

Contract Signed  62

COURTHOUSE TILE

May Be Retained  45

COURTHOUSE TILE ROOF

Favored by Commissioners  48

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTNT

Pur, John Fagan  59

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTRT

Renamed, Maggie’s Restaurant  61

COURT’S FUNCTIONS

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh  103

CREAMER COMPANY

Opens Branch Store Here  102

CREDIT BUREAU

Pur Kuneff & Hambidge  33

CREDIT BUREAU OF ROCH

Pur Ron Moore  120

CRISSINGER PAINT STORE

Pur Crissinger & Pemberton  98

CRYSTAL DAIRY BLDGS

Modern Materials Inc.  144

DENTIST CLOSES OFFICE

Dr. C.E. Gilger, After 51 Years  102

DUCK LANDING

Jesse Knight, Owner  129

EARLY ROCH FILMS

To Be Shown  95

EDMONTON MFG CO

Honored by Sears For Quality  135

EIGHTH ST. MACH & WELDING

Destroyed by Fire  21

F&M BANK

Open House  142

F&M BANK BUILDING

To Be Enlarged  108

FARMERS STATE BANK

Resources Grow  76

FELTS CIGAR STORE

Bldg pur Baxter Drug Store  37

FIRST FEDERAL BRANCH

Rick Brash, Mgr  83

FIRST FEDERAL S&L

Bremen Branch Opens  119

Plans New Building  125

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Assets Exceed $25 Million  78

FIRST NATIONAL BLDG

Deniston Office Moved to Rear  44-45

FIRST NATL BANK

New Bldg Const Begins  12

FIRST NATL BANK BLDG

Pur, Jay Heyde  35

FLO-BET SHOP

Now Ceramic Coop  120

FOSTER & GOOD

Good Buys Another  61

FRICK’S HARDWARE

Pur Bob Scott  132

FULTON CO AIRPORT

Mark Bloomer, Flight Instr.  110

FULTON CO ELECTR

Rynearson & Hill  1

FULTON CO TIRE CO

Opens By Johnson & Walker  27

FULTON MEDICAL BLDG

Corporaton  143

GAMBLES STORE

Closing Out  54

GARVER MOTORS INC.

Garold Garver, President  74

GOTTSCHALK REALTY

Burk & Ada Miller Join  75

GOTTSCHALK REUN

Roch City Park  32

HALDEMAN REUN

Warsaw Park  29

HARDESTY PRINTING CO.

Moves To 824 Main Street  124

HARRISON FUNERAL HOMES

Douglas J. Smith Joins Firm  99

HARTMAN MOTORS

Pur Charles B. Schnarel  91

HIDEAWAY

Opens by Richard Moore  13

HOOK’S DRUGS INC.

Opens New Store Here  41-42

HOUSE OF DECOR

Owner, Robert Roe  28

Remodeled and expanded  112

IMCO

Sam Newman Joins Camcar  94

IMPCO

Harry Wink, Retired  103

Thomas McKee, Joins Firm  93

IND METAL PRODS

Carini & Huppert Retire  3

INDIANA METAL PRODS

Expansion Program  86

IRWIN MUSIC STORE

Pur Wilhelm & Schwartz  114

JACK & JILL WIG SALON

Opening 111 East Ninth  13

JUDGE OBJECTS

To Shingle Roofing Court House  43

JUDGE WENDELL C. TOMBAUGH

Author, “My Kind of Judge”  6

Sentences Policeman  10-11

KEWANNA HARDWARE

Pur, John Milliser  123

KEWANNA IMPLEMENT CO.

Pur Calvin G. Miller  66

KROGER SUPERMARKET

Steve Johnson, Mgr.  47

LAW DAY

Principals  82

LEITERS BRANCH BANK

Opening Here  123

LEITERS FORD BRANCH BANK

Opens Here  147

LEITERS FORD STATE BANK

Pur Stanley & DeHart  118

MACY HARDWARE

22nd Oldest Indiana Business  144

MAHLER REUN

Mahler Homestead  29-30

MAIN STREET TAVERN

Pur Maurice Siders  22

MALONEY’S RESTAURANT

Nyona Lake  4

MANITOU BEAUTY SHOP

Pur Jackson & Green  85

MANITOU TRAINING CENTER

Classes Will Resume Monday  31

MARATHON SVC STATION

Ky. Fried Chicken, Location  118

MARSH SUPERMARKET

James Campbell, Mgr.  60

Larry Metzger, Mgr.  50

Opening Tuesday  49

Pur Wilt’s Food Center  124

MARSH SUPERMARKETS

Plan Opening in Rochester  40

MASONIC LODGE

Is About To Move  142

McMAHAN CONST. CO

Indiana’s Largest  16

MIKO INC

Ground Broken For Plant  38

MILLER REUN

Akron City Park  56

Bryant’s Campgrounds  139

Carl Miller Jr. Home  28

Tippecanoe Campground  116

MOORE BUS FORMS

Building Mfg Plant  84

Reicheobach Mgr.  91

MY BROTHER’S PLACE

New Teen Center Opens  23

NEW BOOKMOBILE

Mrs. Clair Zehner, Librarian  140

NEW PLAN JURY SELECTION

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh  38

OLD PAPERS FOUND

When House is Torn Down  30

OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTER

Will Open Next Month  42

OLYMPICS SPORT CENTER

Pur Doug Coursey  74

OUT OF THE PAST

Oct., Nov. & Dec., 1897  18-19

PERDUE REUN

Roch City Park  140

PETERSON & MORTON

New Law Firm  119

PHOTO STUDIO

Opening next month  13

PIKE LUMBER CO

Helen (Pike) Utter  79

PIZZA PARLOR

Pur John Little  100

PRUDENTIAL SALES MGR

Donald J. Burkett  138

QUICK”S LANES

Opens Alley at Plymouth  60

RAUSCHKE INS AGCY

James I. Johnson  37

REFLEX MFG & SALES

New Kewanna Factory Bldg  61

REGGEDY ANN & ANDY

Owners, Welty & Atchley  141

RNU

Pinhook Grange  114

RNU REUN

Pinhook Grange  25, 55, 86

ROCH CITY GOLF COURSE

Opening Wednesday  92

ROCH CITY PARK

Tremendous Usage  96

ROCH HOMES INC

Has Open House  112

ROCH METAL PRODUCTS

John Rhoads, Mgr., Resigns  101

ROCH PAINT-WALLPAPER

Renamed Village Colors  118

ROCHESTER FORD AGCY

Pur Gerald (Jerry) Damas  137

ROCHESTER HOMES INC.

Will Open Next June  40-41

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

David Poll, Joins Staff  88

Historical Sentinel Dates  1

Kirby Sprouls, Joins Staff  116

ROCHESTER VISITED

By Sanford Cox  51

ROCH’S GUY BARR 97

Unbroken BB Record  8

ROUCH REUN

Roch City Park  140

ROUND BARN FESTIVAL

The First  26-27

SCHEIBER SHOE STORE

Pur Don Stephenson  43

SCOTT’S TOGGERY SHOP

Pur James Bitterling  63

SEALED POWER

Fay Bathrick Retires  122

SENTINEL

40 on Jan. 1, 1897  13-14

She PAINTS NATUR

As God Made It  126

SIMPSON GARDEN CENTER

Adds New Lines  121

SIRKEN DISTRIBUTORS

Plant Enlarged  107

SNACK SHOP

Opens by Dale Felts  24-25

SONOCO

Names New Manager  36

STEPHENSON’S SHOE SHOPPE

Pur Dean Lahman  144

STINSON

Opens Law Office  77

SUNFLOWER SHOP

Opens Here Today  96

SUTTON REUN

Richland Center  113

TAYLOR REUN

Roch City Park  89

THE NOW SHOP

Pam Fish, Owner  79

TIMES THEATRE

Pur Robert & Edna Murphy  94

TOM & DOT DRIVE-IN

Becomes Restaurant  17-18

TONY’S POWER EQUIPMENT

Pur John A. Figlio  24

TORIN CORP

Two Retire  85

TORIN CORPN

Robert F. Sesko Mfg Engr  54

TORIN CORPN.

Robert F. Sesko Mfg Engr  55

TORIN MFG CO

Floyd E. Swain, Mgr  5

TORX

Bob Rothkopf, Product Mgr  121

James Heuer Resigns  122

UTRAILCO INC

Coming Here  4

VALLEY CABLEVISION

John W. Gilbert, Mgr  51

John W. Gilbert, Mgr.  50

VALLEY CABLEVISION CORP

Mrs. Mary E. Groleau, Mgr.  113

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON

REUN  57

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON REUN

Van Duyne Block & Gravel  90, 117

VANLUE REUN

Kenneth Fuller Home  115

VILLAGE HARDWARE

Pur Pat & Phillip Hiatt  18

VILLAGE MARKET, GROCERY

Pur Jerry Kimble  56

WALTZ BLDG SERVICE

pur Ed Waltz  73

WAR OF 1812

Vet’s Grave Marked Here  47

WARD STORE

Pur Chuck Pocock  97

WESTERN AUTO STORE

“Grand Opening”  46

WILLIAMS REUN

Roch City Park  86, 114

WOODLAWN HOSPITAL

Jones’ Woods, New Location  128

WROI 92.1 FM

Goes On Air Sunday  32

 

1972 ROCHESTER

Had More Pluses Than Minuses  68

A&P GROCERY

Closing Rochester Store  35-36

ANIMAL TOILET

Patented, Robert S. Traeger  109

B.H. WESTERN SHOP

Belva & Herman Ysberg  82

BAILEY’S HARDWARE

Pur Robert & Dave Bailey  77

BAKER HARDWARE

Sale Close-out  87

BAKER-EWEN PAINTING

Bill Baker & Lindsey Ewen  83

BAKERY BLDG

Under Wrecker’s Ball  139

BARGER CONTRACTORS

Pur Norman Benzing  62

BARKMAN AGENCY

Pur by Bill Eads  136

BARNCHESTER

Maybe It Really Is  84

BARNHART FIELD

To Be Dedicated Friday  93

BERGHOFF CAFE

Pur Donald Shultz  34-35

BERKEBILE OPTOMETRIC

Pur Dr. Thomas Troutman  100

BERKWAY FOODLINER

Holloway Buys Out Partner  67

BORDEN REUN

Conservation Club  34

BRASSERIE RESTAURANT

Pur Richard Gregory  138

BURGER CHEF

Innovative Service  111

To Build Cafe Here  90

BYPASS

Opening Friday  84

CEDAR POST RESTAURANT

Stutzman Foods Inc  98

CIRCUIT COURT

Back in Courthouse  145

CITY CAB CO.

Opens by Chuck Kelly  95

CLASS OF 1923 REUN

50 Years  89

COFFEE SHOP

Closed  97

COIN CASE

Jim Smith, Owner  111

COLONIAL INN

Closed until further notice  141

COMMERCIAL REFRIG.

Bob Saner, Owner  111

COMMUNICATIONS SPLISTS

Grand Opening  123

COURT REPORTER

Elizabeth Felix, Resigns  58

Judge Names Donna Carvey  59

COURTHOUSE CHANGES

Requested By Judge  64

COURTHOUSE ROOF

Contract Signed  62

COURTHOUSE TILE

May Be Retained  45

COURTHOUSE TILE ROOF

Favored by Commissioners  48

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTNT

Pur, John Fagan  59

COURTHOUSE VIEW RESTRT

Renamed, Maggie’s Restaurant  61

COURT’S FUNCTIONS

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh  103

CREAMER COMPANY

Opens Branch Store Here  102

CREDIT BUREAU

Pur Kuneff & Hambidge  33

CREDIT BUREAU OF ROCH

Pur Ron Moore  120

CRISSINGER PAINT STORE

Pur Crissinger & Pemberton  98

CRYSTAL DAIRY BLDGS

Modern Materials Inc.  144

DENTIST CLOSES OFFICE

Dr. C.E. Gilger, After 51 Years  102

DUCK LANDING

Jesse Knight, Owner  129

EARLY ROCH FILMS

To Be Shown  95

EDMONTON MFG CO

Honored by Sears For Quality  135

EIGHTH ST. MACH & WELDING

Destroyed by Fire  21

F&M BANK

Open House  142

F&M BANK BUILDING

To Be Enlarged  108

FARMERS STATE BANK

Resources Grow  76

FELTS CIGAR STORE

Bldg pur Baxter Drug Store  37

FIRST FEDERAL BRANCH

Rick Brash, Mgr  83

FIRST FEDERAL S&L

Bremen Branch Opens  119

Plans New Building  125

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Assets Exceed $25 Million  78

FIRST NATIONAL BLDG

Deniston Office Moved to Rear  44-45

FIRST NATL BANK

New Bldg Const Begins  12

FIRST NATL BANK BLDG

Pur, Jay Heyde  35

FLO-BET SHOP

Now Ceramic Coop  120

FOSTER & GOOD

Good Buys Another  61

FRICK’S HARDWARE

Pur Bob Scott  132

FULTON CO AIRPORT

Mark Bloomer, Flight Instr.  110

FULTON CO ELECTR

Rynearson & Hill  1

FULTON CO TIRE CO

Opens By Johnson & Walker  27

FULTON MEDICAL BLDG

Corporaton  143

GAMBLES STORE

Closing Out  54

GARVER MOTORS INC.

Garold Garver, President  74

GOTTSCHALK REALTY

Burk & Ada Miller Join  75

GOTTSCHALK REUN

Roch City Park  32

HALDEMAN REUN

Warsaw Park  29

HARDESTY PRINTING CO.

Moves To 824 Main Street  124

HARRISON FUNERAL HOMES

Douglas J. Smith Joins Firm  99

HARTMAN MOTORS

Pur Charles B. Schnarel  91

HIDEAWAY

Opens by Richard Moore  13

HOOK’S DRUGS INC.

Opens New Store Here  41-42

HOUSE OF DECOR

Owner, Robert Roe  28

Remodeled and expanded  112

IMCO

Sam Newman Joins Camcar  94

IMPCO

Harry Wink, Retired  103

Thomas McKee, Joins Firm  93

IND METAL PRODS

Carini & Huppert Retire  3

INDIANA METAL PRODS

Expansion Program  86

IRWIN MUSIC STORE

Pur Wilhelm & Schwartz  114

JACK & JILL WIG SALON

Opening 111 East Ninth  13

JUDGE OBJECTS

To Shingle Roofing Court House  43

JUDGE WENDELL C. TOMBAUGH

Author, “My Kind of Judge”  6

Sentences Policeman  10-11

KEWANNA HARDWARE

Pur, John Milliser  123

KEWANNA IMPLEMENT CO.

Pur Calvin G. Miller  66

KROGER SUPERMARKET

Steve Johnson, Mgr.  47

LAW DAY

Principals  82

LEITERS BRANCH BANK

Opening Here  123

LEITERS FORD BRANCH BANK

Opens Here  147

LEITERS FORD STATE BANK

Pur Stanley & DeHart  118

MACY HARDWARE

22nd Oldest Indiana Business  144

MAHLER REUN

Mahler Homestead  29-30

MAIN STREET TAVERN

Pur Maurice Siders  22

MALONEY’S RESTAURANT

Nyona Lake  4

MANITOU BEAUTY SHOP

Pur Jackson & Green  85

MANITOU TRAINING CENTER

Classes Will Resume Monday  31

MARATHON SVC STATION

Ky. Fried Chicken, Location  118

MARSH SUPERMARKET

James Campbell, Mgr.  60

Larry Metzger, Mgr.  50

Opening Tuesday  49

Pur Wilt’s Food Center  124

MARSH SUPERMARKETS

Plan Opening in Rochester  40

MASONIC LODGE

Is About To Move  142

McMAHAN CONST. CO

Indiana’s Largest  16

MIKO INC

Ground Broken For Plant  38

MILLER REUN

Akron City Park  56

Bryant’s Campgrounds  139

Carl Miller Jr. Home  28

Tippecanoe Campground  116

MOORE BUS FORMS

Building Mfg Plant  84

Reicheobach Mgr.  91

MY BROTHER’S PLACE

New Teen Center Opens  23

NEW BOOKMOBILE

Mrs. Clair Zehner, Librarian  140

NEW PLAN JURY SELECTION

By Judge Wendell C. Tombaugh  38

OLD PAPERS FOUND

When House is Torn Down  30

OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTER

Will Open Next Month  42

OLYMPICS SPORT CENTER

Pur Doug Coursey  74

OUT OF THE PAST

Oct., Nov. & Dec., 1897  18-19

PERDUE REUN

Roch City Park  140

PETERSON & MORTON

New Law Firm  119

PHOTO STUDIO

Opening next month  13

PIKE LUMBER CO

Helen (Pike) Utter  79

PIZZA PARLOR

Pur John Little  100

PRUDENTIAL SALES MGR

Donald J. Burkett  138

QUICK”S LANES

Opens Alley at Plymouth  60

RAUSCHKE INS AGCY

James I. Johnson  37

REFLEX MFG & SALES

New Kewanna Factory Bldg  61

REGGEDY ANN & ANDY

Owners, Welty & Atchley  141

RNU

Pinhook Grange  114

RNU REUN

Pinhook Grange  25, 55, 86

ROCH CITY GOLF COURSE

Opening Wednesday  92

ROCH CITY PARK

Tremendous Usage  96

ROCH HOMES INC

Has Open House  112

ROCH METAL PRODUCTS

John Rhoads, Mgr., Resigns  101

ROCH PAINT-WALLPAPER

Renamed Village Colors  118

ROCHESTER FORD AGCY

Pur Gerald (Jerry) Damas  137

ROCHESTER HOMES INC.

Will Open Next June  40-41

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

David Poll, Joins Staff  88

Historical Sentinel Dates  1

Kirby Sprouls, Joins Staff  116

ROCHESTER VISITED

By Sanford Cox  51

ROCH’S GUY BARR 97

Unbroken BB Record  8

ROUCH REUN

Roch City Park  140

ROUND BARN FESTIVAL

The First  26-27

SCHEIBER SHOE STORE

Pur Don Stephenson  43

SCOTT’S TOGGERY SHOP

Pur James Bitterling  63

SEALED POWER

Fay Bathrick Retires  122

SENTINEL

40 on Jan. 1, 1897  13-14

She PAINTS NATUR

As God Made It  126

SIMPSON GARDEN CENTER

Adds New Lines  121

SIRKEN DISTRIBUTORS

Plant Enlarged  107

SNACK SHOP

Opens by Dale Felts  24-25

SONOCO

Names New Manager  36

STEPHENSON’S SHOE SHOPPE

Pur Dean Lahman  144

STINSON

Opens Law Office  77

SUNFLOWER SHOP

Opens Here Today  96

SUTTON REUN

Richland Center  113

TAYLOR REUN

Roch City Park  89

THE NOW SHOP

Pam Fish, Owner  79

TIMES THEATRE

Pur Robert & Edna Murphy  94

TOM & DOT DRIVE-IN

Becomes Restaurant  17-18

TONY’S POWER EQUIPMENT

Pur John A. Figlio  24

TORIN CORP

Two Retire  85

TORIN CORPN

Robert F. Sesko Mfg Engr  54

TORIN CORPN.

Robert F. Sesko Mfg Engr  55

TORIN MFG CO

Floyd E. Swain, Mgr  5

TORX

Bob Rothkopf, Product Mgr  121

James Heuer Resigns  122

UTRAILCO INC

Coming Here  4

VALLEY CABLEVISION

John W. Gilbert, Mgr  51

John W. Gilbert, Mgr.  50

VALLEY CABLEVISION CORP

Mrs. Mary E. Groleau, Mgr.  113

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON

REUN  57

VAN DUYNE-SHELTON REUN

Van Duyne Block & Gravel  90, 117

VANLUE REUN

Kenneth Fuller Home  115

VILLAGE HARDWARE

Pur Pat & Phillip Hiatt  18

VILLAGE MARKET, GROCERY

Pur Jerry Kimble  56

WALTZ BLDG SERVICE

pur Ed Waltz  73

WAR OF 1812

Vet’s Grave Marked Here  47

WARD STORE

Pur Chuck Pocock  97

WESTERN AUTO STORE

“Grand Opening”  46

WILLIAMS REUN

Roch City Park  86, 114

WOODLAWN HOSPITAL

Jones’ Woods, New Location  128

WROI 92.1 FM

Goes On Air Sunday  32

 

 

 

 

 

 

FULTON COUNTY INDIANA

 

HISTORICAL TRIVIA

1971-1975

 

ROCHESTER SENTINEL

 

 

Special Thanks to Jack K. Overmyer for suggesting the title.

 

Wendell C. Tombaugh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOMBAUGH HOUSE

700 Pontiac Street

Rochester, Indiana 46975

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book, and all other Tombaugh books, are available at no charge on

//www.fulco.lib.in.us/      (Fulton County Public Library website)