Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 91, Number 28, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 4 January 1968 — Page 2
PAGE 2
NAPPANEE ADVANCE-NEWS
Dear Don. On December 13, 1967 I was
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asked by a member of the Rotary Club if I would give a brief talk on the early history of the town (now cityl of Nappanee. Although not feeling fully qualified, I accepted the invitation, and enjoyed a fine meeting and dinner at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Noffsinger at Union Center. I accepted solely because I felt it my duty to be of service in my small way to this fine service organization. I do not know who gave an ac-
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count to the Advance News, (as their roving reporter was not present at the meetjng), however, I was challenged last week for a statement I made, so I am going to give the source of my information. I have always been interested in history, especially when it pertains to early happenings in Nappanee, and especially so when it pertains to some of my wife’s relation. I have in my possession a letter written in 1929 by the late Mr. John Metzler of Los Gatos, California, who was born just back of the old Johnson building, Main and Market, on December 11, 1863 the son of Daniel Metzler and Barbara (Stahly) Metzler, who lived at the above location, and Daniel had a shop where he made hand made boots and brooms in the winter, and farmed in the summer. This became the first retail store in what is now Nappanee, before the town was platted. John Metzler was about nine years old when "the incident happened, as told about in his letters recalling the early days of Nappanee, and printed ip a series of letters written and printed in the Nappanee News December 1929, under the heading of “Do you remember?” The following quotation is a part of one of these letters “Just once more do you remember old-timers? Do you remember that horrible fall of 1871 the fall of the Chicago fire when the country there was nearly all /woods and marsh, and the whole country east of Chicago was afire when farmers buried their food supplies to save them in case of a burn out when the whole country was threatened with fire how the fire was raging from the west, and every able bodied man was out fighting fire when the fire Burned to the west sift? of the road crossing the /marsh just north of where Nappanee is (now S. R. 19 north) —and every available man was on that road trying to keep the fire from leaping to the east side of the road all of them tired and weary from weeks of fighting fires, and how they rushed home for a bite to eat and a few hours sleep then'rush back to the fire. Despite their efforts, the fire finally leaped the road to the east side and got beyond control in the early evening. About midnight a rain begah to fall. Do you remember the shout of joy that you heard all over the fire-stricken country from those weary fire-
fighters —and the many /prayers that were offered up to God for the relief from the demon fire? These are some of my remembrances of my boyhood days some before the depot was built and when it was built on the west side of Main Street. (End of Quote) I have heard this story repeated many times by members of the Metzler family, my wife’s mother, Mrs. P. H. Strauss, Mr. Jonas Metzler father of Daniel Metzler of Metzler Shoe Store and his brothers and sisters. In closing, I believe that a boy of eight or nine years of age, would have quite a vivid memory of an event such as this, that happened so near his own homestead. Most history is an accounting of what happened as the writer may remember, and as you well know, there are often a great many versions; so, as far as myself and family are concerned, in spite of other versions, we will still go along with Uncle John Metzler. Sincerely, Roy G. Slagle (Theodore E. Miller) B. P. 77, c/o Lester Fogle Bangassou, Central African Republic December 9, 1967 Dear Editor: The following letter may be of interest to my friends, relatives, schoolmates, and former pupils in and around Nappanee. I was a Nappanee boy attending school there and graduating with the class of 1920. I also taught in various schools not far from my home town for a number of years. In 1944 my family„and I moved from our home on North Locke Street to Chico, California, where I was pastor and teacher for a time. Later we moved to Southern California, to Colorado, etc. It has been my privilege, under God, to travel a good bit, both with my family and since our boys are grown and before and since the “home-going” of my dear wife, to be with the Lord, on April 16, 1967. She and I spent some time with my oldest son, who is doing missionary work in Mexico, during the summers of ’65 and ’66. This summer I was also there for a while. We had many interesting experiences in his village Which, is off the main road, and cannot be reached except by air, or trail. At present I am with a niece and her husband here in Africa. She is Martha (McCuen) Fogle, who with her husband Lester Fogle, has been in missionary
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work in Africa, and back and forth on furloughs, for thirty years. She was also born in Napparifee, the daughter of Harold and Bernice McCuen. On November 15 I was taken to New York by my son, Tim, who is an Admissions Counselor for Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa. Here I boarded a TWA jet for Frankfort, Germany. It was announced from the cockpit that we would be flying at an altitude of 33,000 ft. at 650 MPH, and that it would take 6 hrs. and 35 min. for the flight. I was scheduled to land in Germany at 9:15 a.m. their time, (which would be 3:15 a.m our time). A delicious meal was served soon after we were in the air. (Although liquor was served I took 7 up, much better for me I think.) * It was a short night and daylight was soon breaking over tlje eastern horizon. Landing in Germany, we found the weather foggy, with the sky overcast. After going through customs I took a bus to town, where I had only eight minutes to catch the next train to Wurzburg, Germany. Here I planned to meet Dr. Robert Arnholdt and his family, whom I had learned to know, by correspond!' ence years ago, when Germany was in dire need of help at the close of World War 11. He met me at the train and took me to his home, where I met his wife and two children. I was treated royally. Friday I visited the American Military hospital, where I got to talk to several of the boys from the states. Also visited the American schools for soldiers’ children in the afternoon. There are around 1300 children in the lementary and high schools together. Saturday Dr. Arnholdt took me to visit an old castle on the Main River. This was a place where one could spend hours in seeing and studying things of the past, a real treat for those interested in history. After other experiences in “Deutschland” I was taken to the train by the doctor and his wife and was off to Frankfort and Paris, where I was to board a plane for Africa. (I got along fairly well in Germany with some knowledge of “Penna. Dutch” which I spoke as a boy, and with many of my Amish friends, and with’the further study of German later in the Nappanee High School.) (My hosts also knew some English.) In Paris I was met at the airI port by a mid-Missions missionary. (The Fogles’ mission board had arranged my trip.) I had lunch with his family and then was taken down town. Saw the Eiffel Tower from a distance, and the traf-
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sic galore, as this was a gala day. Some foreign visitor was getting a good deal of attention guess it was a government official. About 9:00 p.m. I took off for Africa in a nice big. jet, and was soon leaving the fairy-like lights of the coast line of Europe and heading out over the Mediterranean Sea. Landing at Ft. Lamy, Chad about 2:15 a.m. I had to wait until about 5:00 a.m. for another Ft. Archambault, where I was again met by a missionary. Lester and Martha arrived next day just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. It has been a real privilege to accompany them on various side-trips, visits to mission stations around the Ft. Archambault area, and on the three day trip overland down here by truck, and then part way in their VW bus. As I left the cemetery in Ft. Archambault, where two of Paul Metzler’s (pioneer missionary to Ft. Archambault) children are buried I remarked, “What a price to pay, and yet what wonderful results” or something to that effect. I had just attended a memorial service for another of his missionary daughters the day before, and visited still another daughter’s school, where she oversees the work of some 300 children usually 500. (Some have given so much for the saving of souls —some of us so little.) Here at Bangassou the Fogles have a nice home with a lovely river view. Just across the river is the land of the Congo, where Dr. Carlson was killed (further south) in 1964. I would suggest you read his wife (Lois) Carlson’s book, “MONGANGA PAUL” (Dr. Paul) telling of their experiences. You will find Bangassou mentioned on Page 152, as she came through here on her way out. The Nappanee Library may have the book. (Copyright 1966, published by Harper & Row). She was brought across with the children by her husband, some distance down the river, when the trouble became too serious, and they stayed at a mission down there for some time. As I learn of how the enemy has been working in Africa, and hear the way he has been working in our own great country I pray that America may awake and turn to God, through Christ, (II Chron. 7:14) before it is too late. The ferry at tlys point is not yet running, but some dug-out boats are getting across. At one point during the trouble the missionaries at this station were very scared, as it sounded as though the rebels were going to come across and get some of the missionaries to force them to return. (A young lady at the house here
remembers the day of which the following quotation is taken. It is taken in part from a scratch copy of a letter fqgnd in an old copy book which was found under an old desk, which was moved here yesterday.) “Dear “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.” Rom. 1:28. This past two months have revealed to us just how reprobate the mind of man can get. We arrived home from our month stay at Bombari to find several missionaries at Bangassou, refugees from Congo. Even the day we arrived word was received that the rebels from the other side of the river were going to cross to get the missionaries and force them to return as one is a doctor. (Another Dr.— not Dr. Carlson here). Everyone gathered at the mission and six soldiers were sent as guards for the night. Nothing occured for which we praised the Lord and these missionaries are still here and safe. However this isn’t the case with hundreds of Congolese as well as Europeans who were unable to escape. The rebels forced people to dance all night. Those who were Christians and thus refused to drink and dance were beaten until they either yielded or succumbed to the beating. Houses of Europeans were completely emptied of goods. People were shot before people’s courts for the simple reason that they had had part in the Central government or worked in an office, etc. A thoroughly trained group of communists who sought to get rid of all opposition and rule through terror taking over. A deacon in the church at Monga was shot before the population at a people’s court. Forty two were shot or had their throats cut at Yokama, one of them was a man with thirteen children because he only gave the rebels two goats and that wasn’t sufficient, etc. (This gives some idea of what happened at that time.) Am taking quite a few pictures along the way. Also hope to visit Israel before I return. (Watch this remarkable country as God’s Time Clock: (See Lu, 21:24, and Ex.3B). May be available for some meetings, lectures, etc. after I return (Lord willing) towarcL Spring. Would be glad for letters, which can be sent on 13c airograms, available at the P. O. May God bless and keep you all. Yours in Love Theodore E. Miller (See address at heading of letter for those who care to write.) READ THE CLASSIFIEDS ]
NAPPANEE ADVANCE-NEWS PHONE 773-3127 Entered at the Pott Office at Nappanee, Indiana at Second Clatt Matter Under the Act of March 3, IST*. PUBLISHED THURSDAYS ] $3.00 PER YEAR in Indiana \ $4.00 PER YEAR Outside Indiana n Publisher Donald E. Nichols, Jr. NOTICE Pictures for publicatlen are welcome, but no picture will be returned by mail unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is sent with it. No charge for publishing pictures, news stories or announcements.
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Mr. and Mrs. Lynwood Cushman, Port Clyde, Maine, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sharon Louise, to Ronald R. Pletcher, son of Rev. and Mrs. Charles Pletcher, Jr., R. 1, Nappanee. Miss Cushman is a 1964 graduate of George's Valley High School, Thomaston, Maine, and a 1967 graduate of Zion Bible Institute, East Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Pletcher is a 1963 graduate of Nappanee High School and is a senior at Zion Bible Institute, East Providence, Rhode Island. No date has been set for the wedding.
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