The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 February 1969 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 &. 457-3666

VOLUME 6

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REMOVE BODY — The body of Mrs. James Patrick is being removed from the Robert Hersha home on South Maple street in Pierceton at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday following the fatal shooting by her estranged husband at 8:30 a.m. Removing the body is mortician Kenneth Wyman, Pierceton chief of police Pete Yorg, neighbor Paul Druley and state police officer Bill Hazley. The inset photo is of Mrs. Patrick. -

Kills Self At Syracuse Fatal Shooting In PiercetonTuesday

A 50-year-old Syracuse man shot and killed his estranged 43-year-old wife at Pierceton at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday ahd later fatally shot himself in the north section of Syracuse when he was. being stopped by Syracuse police.

Dead as a result of the Tuesday double-tragedy are Mr. and Mrs- James Patrick. Mrs. Patrick’s given name was MyrtlePatrick shot his wife in a north bedroom of the Robert Hersha residence on south Maple street in Pierceton foltowing an argument, officers assumed. Patrick had been trying to persuade his wife to return to his Syracuse home when he drew a .38 caliber pistol and fatally shot her. According to Mr. Hersha, who is a part time employee at the Morrison service station in Pierceton, he .got Patrick on February 2 and had him move into the Hersha home. in Pierceton in an attempt to Teconcile the couple. He said he warned Patrick, however, that he “would tolerate no rumpus”. He was at work Tuesday morning and his wife, Vicki, was at work at the Chamberlin Products Co. in South Whitley when the shooting occurred. Inform Neighbors Investigating officers said Mrs. Patrick was acting as a babysitter in the Hersha home while the Hershas worked. She was baby sitting for a son of the Hershas, Johnnie Ray, five, and Benny Hershel, 18 mouths old, and Gar Hurshel, three years old. The Hershas have two other children: Debra Ann, 9, and Bobbie, 7. 4 Following the shooting, Johnnie Ray Hersha ran to the home of a neighbor to the north, Mrs. Kelsey Jefferson, and told her what had happened. Mrs. Jefferson went across Maple street to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Druley and told them of the shooting. Mr. Druley turned in an alarm to the police and firemen. Investigating officers at the Hersha home besides JPierceton chief of police Peter Yorg were county. sheriff Dave Andrews, state police detective Norman Pierce of Columbia City and state trooper Bill Hazley of Columbia City. Kosciusko county coroner Arthur Moser arrived at the Hersha home at 9:15 and began his investigation with police offic-

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Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE - WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

ers. There were two bullet holes in the bedroom wall, and it was presumed Patrick shot his wife two times. The body was taken to the local funeral home and final rites are not complete. Stopped at Syracuse Following the shooting of his estranged wife, Patrick left Pierceton in his 1965 Chevrolet Biscayne station wagon heading north on road 13. It was presumed he was headed for his Syracuse home. Pierceton police chief Yorg radioed the Syracuse police department to intercept the Patrick car. The call was taken in Syracuse by officer Tom Kitch and Ron Robinson. Robinson was just going off duty and Kitch was coming on duty, but they both entered the Syracuse police car and began looking for the Patrick car. Officer Kitch told this paper they first saw the Patrick car in the 600 block on south Huntington street headed north. They followed the car to the north part of Syracuse, and when they attempted to stop it, Patrick pulled into Woods street and stopped. It was there that he shot himself in the head two times while still back of the steering wheel. The bullets crashed thru the window on the driver’s side, breaking it out. Time of Patrick’s fatal self-in-flicted bullet wound was set at 9 a.m., about a half hour after shooting his wife. Patrick was taken to the Goshen hospital in a Syracuse ambulance and was pronounced dead five minutes after arriving there. The Patricks have a 19-year-old son Albert who made his home with his father at 519 Mullins street in the north section of Syracuse. Investigating the tragedy at Syracuse were officers Kitch and Robinson and state police detectives Herschel Harper, James McKown and Sidney Fish.

No details for funeral arrangements for either Mr. or Mrs. Patrick have been made at this time. Both bodies are at the Harris funeral home in Syracuse. WRC Installs New Officers At an open meeting of the John C. Adams Women’s Relief Corps 278 of Syracuse Monday night, the following officers were installed: President — Mrs. Zerola Zook Senior vice — Mrs. Mae Rinker Junior vice — Mrs. Lee Poyser Treasurer — Mrs. Frank Bates Chaplain — Mrs. Emory Guy Conductor — Mrs. John Craw Assistant conductor — Mrs. Elva Connell Secretary — Mrs. Ethel Grubb Color bearers — Mrs. Mary Brown and Mrs. Georgia Buster Musician — Mrs. Herbert Blue Press correspondent — Mrs. Estella Swartz Mrs. Robert Wise was the installing officer. Mrs. Bevon Crafton, the guest conductor, both from Berlin Corps 186 at Nappanee. Following the installation Mrs. Zook made the following appointments: Flower and relief committee, Mrs. Swartz and Mrs. Bates; auditing committee, Mrs. Craw, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Poyser; executive board, Mrs. Grubb. Mrs. Poyser, Mrs. Buster, Mrs. Craw, Mrs. Rinker, Mrs. Agnes Stiffler, Mrs. Blue and Mrs. Brown. The members approved a motion to renew the insurance for three years. Refreshments were served to 13 members and five guests, Mrs Wise, Mrs. Crafton, Mrs. Doris Stouder of Nappanee corps, Mrs. Marjorie Fisher and Mrs. Connie Gans of Syracuse. Hostesses for the evening were Mrs. Swartz Mrs. Craw and Mrs. Zook. The next meeting will be March 3 with Mrs. Blue and Mrs. Bates as the hostesses. Milford Residents Escape Injury As Cars Collide Robert P. Tapper, 56, Milford, and Mrs. Esther, E. Charlton, 68, r 2 Milford, escaped injury Thursday morning when their cars collided on Indiana 15 at Elkhart county road 40. Patrolman Tom Snider of the

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1969

\ M3pr ''•R ABRAHAM LINCOLN The Forsight Os Abraham Lincoln Today we celebrate the birthday of Abnaham Lincoln who was born on February 12, 1809. That was 160 years ago, but many of the things he said could well be pondered today. For example — In 1854, he said “In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere”. At that time the government was helping people to help themselves by throwing open new territories for settlement, promoting the China trade and initiating good relations with Japan. Federal expenditures that year were about 60 million dollars, a little less than the federal income. Probably Lincoln’s best remembered 'words are the concluding words of his Gettysburg address: “And that government of the People, by the People and for the People, should not perish from this earth”. LinctAn's thoughts and words and acts were always for the safety and preservation of the Republic he loved so well. American Legion Auxiliary Holds February Meeting Americanism chairman, Mrs. Hattie Becker, gave a very interesting and colorful review of a trip to the eastern coast. Mrs. Esther Poynter accompanied her on the tour. They visited many places of great historical value to our nation. Mrs. Becker gave humorous incidents as well as being factual. Many illnesses were reprted and Mrs. Herbert Felkner would appreciate being called in case any member is ill or in case of a death in the family of a member. Mrs. Marvin Rapp led the group in the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “America the Beautiful”. Mrs. Wade Mishler presided over the business meeting in the absence of the president. Cherry pie, coffee, candies and nuts were served from a table decorated in honor of Lincoln and Washington. Mrs. Worth Jackson won the door prize. In regards to the New Year’s drawing it was announced that Joel Mellinger won the SIOO and Mrs. D. G. Seely won SSO. Mrs. Russell Ruch conducted games which were won by Mrs. Robert Davis and Mrs. Herbert Felkner. Icy Road Cause Os Accident An icy road was the cause of an accident at Sandy Point, just north of the Angler’s Cove, at 6:45 p.m. last Thursday when Russell Merrill lost control of his El Camino Chevrolet truck and struck a utility pole. The truck, with only 600 miles on its speedometer, sustained S7OO damage. Merrill estimated he hit the pole at 25 miles per hour. There w’ere no personal injuries. Elkhart county sheriff’s department stated Mrs. Charlton had stopped to allow a vehicle in front of her to make a turn onto county road 40. Topper’s auto skidded on the ice and struck the rear of the Charlton auto. Damages were listed at $350 to the two vehicles.

Wednesday P. M. Club Visits Youth Center The Wednesday Afternoon club of Syracuse assembled at the Lakeland Youth Center for the February 5 meeting. Mrs. Marley Evans, vice president, opened the meeting with the club collect. Regular business was omitted. Mrs. W. T. Jones, Jr., introduced Bill Peters, past president of the youth center governing board, who gave an interesting and informative talk about the center, explaining present projects and future plans. The center is controlled by a senior and junior governing board and is supported by membership dues, money making activities such as a yearly auction, chicken barbecue, style show, weekly dances and donations from individuals, clubs and organizations. Much credit is due Mrs. Marjorie Niccum, who was the originator of the idea of the youth center and who donated its present site, and to Bud Smith who was the first supervisor. Mrs. Ralph Clingerman of the governing board showed the members the facilities of the attractive center. The committee for the meeting Mrs. Jones, Mrs. R. J. Mauzy, Mi's. Robert Searfoss and Mrs. F. L. Turner, served refreshments. Mrs. Dean Pittman will be the February 19 hostess. New Slate Os Officers For Eastern Star Kosciusko chapter number 160, Order of the Eastern Star held its stated meeting February 5 in the Masonic temple at Milford with Mrs. Stanley Scott, worthy matron, and Joe O. Estep, worthy patron, presiding in the east. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Worthy matron — Mrs. Richard Sumner Worthy patron — Rev. Richard Sumner Associate matron — Mrs. Ted Brooks Associate patron — Joe O. Estep Secretary — Mrs. Joe O. Estep Treasurer — Mrs. Robert Reed « Conductress — Mrs. Silas Howard, Jr. Associate conductress — Mrs. Robert Brooks There will be a called meeting this evening (Wednesday) for the initiation of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kline. A Valentine theme was carried out in the decorations of the dining room and also the refreshments by the social committee, Mrs. Harry Schultz, Mrs. W. W. Free, Mrs. Joe O. Estep, Mrs. James Longfellow and Mrs. Harold Jorgensen. Special Projects Friday To Aid Hunsberger Fund A Wakarusa mother of six has volunteered to be in Leesburg on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. in the town hall and give a plastic housewares demonstration for the benefit of Mrs. Norman (Nancy) Hunsberger of Milford. Mrs. Hunsberger, it will be remembered, is at the clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, receiving treatment for a serious kidney ailment and is in need of a kidney machine before she can return to her home and children. The Wakarusa mother, who wishes to remain unknown, will turn over all profits from the evening to the Hunsberger fund. Women of the United Brethren church will serve as hostesses for the evening. Mrs. Jack (Millie) Engle reports the fund has now reached $4,500.

Mrs. Robert

sxr -a Interior of Barth, Inc., Plant after last nite’s fire

Milford Plant Suffers Fire Loss

A raging fire and billowing smoke completely engulfed the manufacturing plant of Barth, Inc., at Milford early last evening.

No damage estimate would be put on the loss by company officials this morning, but it certainly will run into many thousands of dollars. The fire quickly drew a response from the Milford fire department, and soon after the Leesburg fire department was on the scene, and later the Syra?use fire department responded. 7:30 Alarm The fire apparently started from an electrical spark setting fire to some dust, according to Mike Umbaugh, president of the company since April of this year. He said no one could be absolutely certain what was the cause, however. The company manufactures one of the highest quality travel trailers in the country, limiting its production to three trailers a day. The firm has doubled its production in the last six months employing 60 people. At the time of the fire there were two men in the plant and two women in the office, Mr. Umbaugh stated. In the plant were superintendent Roy Archer and Billy Barth. In an pearly attempt to halt the spreading fire, Archer suffered severe burns on the index and middle finger of his left hand and had to be treated. In the office were Lindal Caldwell, a resident of Lake Wawasee. and Pat Booth of Warsaw. Engulfed in Flames When the Milford fire department arrived the main building, built of steel, was engulfed in flames, and the billowing smoke made it impossible to determine the source of the fire at first. Actually the fire started in the south side of the main building. Robert Barth, originator of the plant in Milford and now production manager, said if it had not been a steel building, the entire plant would have been lost. As it turned out, the building still stands, although there was massive loss of materials and equipment in the plant. All the offices and office records were

saved. The intense heat generated inside the building caused several heavy I-beams in the plant to buckle, and the roof burned out at several places. Mr. Umbaugh said they hoped to get back into production as quickly as possible, and this morning workmen at the plant turned into a clean-up force to dig out of the morass the fire left. The firm is looking for additional space in the area where they could take part of their production immediately that the resumption of production be affected as quickly as possible. Rev. Gosser of the United Methodist church of Leesburg provided coffee for the firemen. COURT NEWS Divorce Granted Joyce V. Price, Syracuse, was granted a divorce in Kosciusko circuit court from Larry E. Price. The plaintiff was awarded custody of one minor child and sls a week for its support. The couple was married in July 28, 1965, and separated November 21, 1968.

Plans Under Way For Annual Civic Night In Syracuse

Plans for Civic Night in Syracuse are under way. The program is sponsored annually by the Business and Professional Women’s club and will be held on March 28 in the Syracuse junior high gym. The following organizations are cooperating with the BPW in presenting their skit: Ladies of the Round Table, Senior Mothers, Lions, Lakeland Youth Center and the center’s adult board, Syracuse - Wawasee Garden club, Intermediate Mothers, Rotary and American Legion Color Guard. The Civil Defense will be directing traffic and parking cars. The date of audition for the

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NUMBER 2

Incorporate Lake Association Articles of incorporation have been filed at the office of E. Mazie Alexander, county recorder, for the Waubee Lake Association, Inc. The purpose given for incorporation is to encourage the improvement, development, maintenance and beautification of Waubee Lake and the surrounding area to aid in its fishery and prevent its polution. Mrs. Richard (Linda) Neff, a resident of the lake, is listed as resident agent. Members of the first board of directors are Dennis Sharp, Lawrence Sawyer, Paul Brembeck, Jerry Bushong. Raymond Hoover, Robert Hall and John B. Augsburger, all of r 1 Milford. Meeting February 26 Work is still proceeding to determine exactly what elements are in the water and more samples will be taken in the spring. In addition plans are being made to errect a dam and dredge the outlet in the spring. All interested parties are asked to attend the next board meeting which will be Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the office of Brock Manufacturing.

program will be announced in the very near future. Committee for the planning of Civic Night in Syracuse is as follows: Project chairman, Mrs. R. C. Tytler; stage show chairman, Mrs. Earl Money with co-chair-men being Mrs. Ray Buhrt and Mrs. Mary Grimes; props and background, Mrs. Fred Byland and Mrs. Bill Eyer; ticket chairman, Mrs. Robert Wilkerson assisted by Mrs. Barton Cox, Mrs. Vernon Beckman and Mrs. Harry Nicolai; organist and music, Mrs. Harold Gallahan; show director and arranger, Mrs. Merl Smith; posters, Mrs. Maurice Koher; programs - advertising and publicity, Mrs. Tytler; place snd time, Mrs. Lavada Dean.