The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 44, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 16 March 1995 — Page 8

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS — MARCH 16, 1995

More News From The Files Os The Historical Society Historical Events And Memories Os The Town Os Walkerton As Recalled By Everett Henry 1986 It is our purpose of the Walkerton Historical Society to instill some interest in the history of the Town of Walkerton. 1 was drafted to give this little talk to try to interest more of you to come forward with your own recollections of the history of Walkerton, many that I know of or about. You will please pardon any personal references because that’s all 1 can relate to, and tell what I’ve been told. I will try to cover events of a 45-year period prior to 1953 as that was the year I moved from Walkerton. Events that I recall during this time, I witnessed, others that I refer to, were recounted to by people that have since passed on. These events are not in chronological order but just as I recalled them while thinking about what to say at this meeting. On January 23, 1977, Wayne Falda, of the South Bend Tribune, edited a supplement to the Tribune on Walkerton. After I had set down all I could remember, I hunted up this issue and found nearly all that were listed there. So let’s begin: Do you remember the Sunday P.M. explosion about 1909 or ’10? A carload of dynamite caps blew up on a B & O railroad siding. Eight fires were set at one time and help as asked of the South Bend Fire Department. A motorized pumper truck came down in 55 minutes thinking that was a record speed at that time. Do you remember when the three protestant churches united and held a revival in a tabernacle on a lot and a half about where Nick LaFeber’s house now stands? It was wood not a tent. Rev. Honeywell was the Evangelist. I still have a key to it. It had sawdust floors. Do you remember when the elevator was struck by lightening and burned down? It was about 1912 after we had our main street paved with brick. Do you remember the bottling works fire? Not as serious as the elevator. It was situated just north of the Texaco station on Route 6. Do you remember when we only had electricty from approximately 4 or 5 p.m., till 11 p.m., generated by our own power plant? Again, about 1912. A line was run from Walkerton to Plymouth via Shilo (brick schoolhouse) on the Teegarden Road and we had power 24 hours of the day (sometimes). Do you remember when the second open well was dug by Charles Sheatsley just north of the old power house site? Do you remember when Elmer St. John’s tinshop stood at the comer of State Road 23 and U. S. 6? About where the filling station now stands. Later it was moved across the street to the present Town Hall site and McCabe’s blacksmith set by the alley across from the livery barn. That was Myron Leßoy’s livery barn then — later Worth Leßoy. Do you remember an evening train on the old L. E. & W. railroad that went through Walker-

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ton, north, about 4:30 p.m.? One time after a heavy snow, with much wind, it hit a snow bank in Ludlow's Cut (between Stillwell and LaPorte) and was stuck so hard it could neither go forward or back out. A rescue train went after it a couple of days later and the stuck train was pulled backwards into Walkerton covered with snow. A picture was taken of it with some Walkerton people standing on the engine. How many of you remember or attended the old Walkerton High School? It stood about where the Walkerton Clinic now stands. It was replaced during the summer vacation in 1914. 1 went to it for two years. Do you remember when we had three medical doctors in town? Dr. Tracy, Dr. Miranda and Dr. Denaut? Also, one who specialized in intestional parasites, Dr. Neville. Dr. Tracy was the founder of the Walkerton Public Library. Does anyone remember Noble’s Mill? It was on the north side of Route 6 at the curve and was replaced by three houses, Frank Dunn’s, Harold Chaney’s and Charley Folsom’s. Do you remember the old wooden building called the Machinery Hall? It stood about where Dr. Linton’s office sets and ran back to the alley. Do you remember when the B & O railroad double tracked their line through Walkerton? We had quite an influx of foreign labor in the community at that time. Previous to 1893, about 1890, my grandfather, George Henry, a carpenter and farmer moved to town and in partnership with Simon Rensberger opened a lumber yard, located where the Wilcox store now stands. It did not last very long. I know not the details of the closing. Shortly thereafter my father, John Henry, with Henry Hudelmyer opened a grocery store under the name of Hudelmyer & Henry at the location of the old Hyman & Dupler Store. Dad did not like grocery work so sold to Henry Hudelmyer who later sold to Hyman & Dupler. The store set on a what is now a parking lot across from Jacob’s. Stephens grocery was before that and was at the corner of Route 6 and Indiana across from the elevator, where Will’s house now stands. I can just remember a saloon on Harrison Street, just east of State Road 23 in the second block. It was remodeled into a square house. Do you remember when Archie Williams was town marshal? Everyone surely remembers when Jesse Wolfenbarger was the town nightwatch. (to be continued) Wil o “It’s getting so I can’t stand the smell of peanut butter anymore.”

Entertainment Extra by Evelyn Ludvigson

Q. I read somewhere that Susan Lucci, who plays Erica Kane on “All My Children,” is as much of a witch as her character and that she had someone fired from one of her Ford commercials because she felt the person insulted her. Someone also told me that she and the young woman who plays her daughter, Kendall (Sarah Michelle Gellar), fight like cats on the set. What do you know about this? Janice V. ■g JjjLrk A. Anyone who knows Susan in any capacity (whether having interviewed her or worked with her) knows that she is an absolute doll and the complete opposite of her Erica Kane character. She is not self-ab-sorbed or the least bit egotistical. She is always quick to compliment her co-workers and is really quite modest. As for those rumors, I, too, have heard them. Regarding the Ford commercial, I chalk it up to someone's jealousy and I don’t believe it. Regarding Ms. Gellar, there have, indeed, been rumblings about the two ladies not getting along, but I’ve been told that it’s Ms. R.E.A.L. SERVICES NEWS WALKERTON On Monday Harold and Hazel Schweder were back to REAL Services after a couple of weeks of illness and other things. You are missed a lot when you aren’t here with us. Hazel took charge of the program while Harold took care of the books. Tuesday we just sat around and chit-chatted. We repeated the Lord’s Prayer before the meal. Wednesday Sam Madonna and Florence Seekings were here and played the guitar and sang. We enjoy them everytime they come. Sam Madonna gave prayer. Thursday we always have a huge crowd that loves to come and hear Florence Seekings and Verl Haag. It was an exciting day. Mildred McKesson gave the prayer. Friday we had our regular sing-a-long with Verice Walz at the piano and Virginia Anhold leading the singing. This has been a great week! Dates to remember: March 22 — Vi Wolff and Maxine Worthington and gang to be at REAL Services. March 23 — REAL Services screening (St. Citizens only). The muscle with the longest name is the levator tabil superioris alaeque nasi, which runs inwards and downwards on the face, with one branch running to the upper lip and the other to the nostril. It’s the muscle that curls the upper lip. JOHNSON INS. AGENCY DON R. JOHNSON Certified Insurance Counselor DONNA L. RAUSCH DIANE JOHNSON We Sell Service Along With Our Product Call (219)586-2560 Koontz Lake

Gellar who is the perpetrator. Knowing Susan as I do, I’m sure this will all pass in time and the two will become fast friends. Q. I must be the last person in the world to know that Clark Gable had a child with Loretta Young. I still don’t believe it, but my sister said the person even wrote a book about it. I read your column in our local paper all the time, Evelyn, and I will trust what you say is the truth. Could you please answer this for me? Also, if it is true, how did Loretta Young manage to keep it a secret for so long? Elise A. A. Judy Lewis, who acted in films and soap operas (“General Hospital” for one) and was also a soap-opera producer (“Texas”) is the daughter of Clark Gable and Loretta Young, and she discusses that fact in her book. Ironically, when Judy discovered the truth, she felt as if she were the last person in the world to know about it since her mother never volunteered her true paternity. Judy believed she had been adopted while Loretta was in Europe and then raised by Loretta and her husband at that time. Later, she learned Loretta had become pregnant during a brief affair with Gable and went to Europe where she gave birth to her child whom she then publicly “adopted.” The press in those days was either kinder or more hypocritical, depending on your point of view. The same press who could write reams about one actor’s peccadillos, would put up its own wall around one of their favorites. Judy regrets that she learned, too late, the true identity of the nice man who used to see her occasionally when she was a child. Q. They’re making a big deal out of River Phoenix’s death by drugs, as if he’s some sort of martyr. I wish Hollywood would wake up and show these kids for what they

Veterans Post by Freddy Groves

SUPPORT is growing for a move to keep Congress from balancing the budget on the back of American’s veterans. Donald A. Sioss, national commander of the more than onemillion member Disabled American Veterans (DAV) notes that proposals that would cut disability payments for veterans and survivors benefits for families with incomes above a

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ASK EVELYN are: They play with fire, they’re bound to be burned. I think it would be a better example for everyone. Abe in lowa. A. It’s always a tragedy when any young person has to die so needlessly. But I agree that sometimes Hol lywood makes heroes out of people who bring much of the tragic consequences of their lives on themselves. Recently, a new TV campaign was launched using pictures of River, John Belushi, and others, who died because of drugs. Let’s hope this makes a positive impression on young people. Q. Is it true Madonna is selling her property in Hollywood because she’s not getting the work she used to? Has she spoken out about her reasons for leaving Hollywood? Felicia B. A. The Material Girl feels she has too many material things that she doesn’t use very much, and that includes the sprawling mansion she bought in Hollywood She insists she loves the place, but since she prefers living in her Florida spread and her New York apartment, it didn’t make sense to keep it. Have a question? Send it to Evelyn Ludvigson, King Features Weekly Service, 235 East 45th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017. certain amount, as well as suggestions to tax disability compensation, are “...an insult to those brave men and women who have shed their blood and have suffered debilitating injury and illness in service to their country...” The Commander’s sentiments, apparently, are echoed by some 93 percent of Americans who feel veterans benefits should be off the table in the rush to reduce our federal deficit. If you agree, let your Congressperson and Senators know. ©1995 by King Features Synd.