The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 41, Milford, Kosciusko County, 11 November 1970 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 7

Shades Os The Old West—

Avenger In Hospital, Result Os Gunplay

There's nothing around the Wawasee Golf Club that would remind one of a chapter out of the Old West, but a brief episode that transpired there Monday night would quickly remind one of days of yore It had all the trappings of a scene right out of the popular television show Gunsmoke Or maybe Gunplay At The OK Coral It involved an attempt to "even the score" by a gunshngmg odd jobs man from Albion who worked off and on m the Lake Wawasee area, and his-dislike for a popular golf professional After Don By rd The gun linger it turns out was Leonard Eppert of Albion, who ended up with a bullet from the gun of an alert deputy sheriff in his right chest cavity The intended victim of his wrath was Don Byrd, pro-owner of the popular golf course located on the north shore of Lake Wawasee Eppert was felled by deputy sheriff Roger Fellows tb-flimax what appeared an intense, un certain half hour exchange of threats m the pro shop of Wawasee Golf Club. Following the shooting. Eppert was taken to the Goshen General hospital where he was tn in tensive care as a result of the bullet injuries Thewhole thing stemmed from an attempt by Byrd to bring Eppert to justice several weeks ago when Byrd found broken windows in the nearby Eli Lilly property and found Eppert leaving the scene in a truck Byrd, who has been plagued byburglaries and a series of damage incidents at his golf course, was deputized by the county sheriff's department. He approached Eppert on the earlier occasion with gun m hand and attempted to bring him to justice Eppert resisted arrest, stating he had nothing to do with breaking any windows at the Lilly property. Byrd then turned the incident over to the authorities. Eppert Returns At about 9 p m Monday. Eppert. in a state of intoxication, appeared at the door of the Byrd residence near the club house.

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Newspaper S t ®

The MailSjournal

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

F r ININ BYRD Held At Gunpoint asking Mrs. Byrd, the former Nancy Ellis, where her husband was. Sensing trouble, she told turn he was at the pro shop, thinking all the while he was with his accountant at North Webster. She told police she noticed a gun in Eppert's pocket Eppert then went to the pro shop and indeed found Byrd there working on his books Byrd heard a knock at the barroom door, and when he opened he found Eppert with a gun pointed at him. Meantime. Mrs. Byrd called the county sheriffs department about the incident A report went out to Syracuse deputy sheriff Ron Robinson who was off duty at the time Robinson went to the scene and was held at gunpoint along with Byrd Robinson admitted to play ing a stalling game, knowing that another deputy sheriff. Roger Fellows, was en route to the scene When officer Fellows arrived, he noticed a 17-year-old youth waiting m the car near the club house Upon investigation, he found the youth to be the son of Eppert — Leonard Allen Eppert. Fellows and young Eppert entered the club house together {Continued on page 7)

School Board Makes Post-Election Statement

Jerry-L. Helvey, president of the Lakeland school board, opened Tuesday evenings meeting with the following statement. “We would like to thank all the citizens of our school corporation for their interest and participation in the recent school board election. Although not intended by this board, the outcome was predicted by some to be a referendum of existing board policies versus a repudiation of that which has been accomplished in the past. The public vote of confidence was appreciated. -“We have recognized, and will continue to recognize, that we maintain quality education, we not lose sight of the financial impact these decisions have on those who carry the financial burden of taxes in our corporation. “As always, our decisions are made in public meetings. Please continue to communicate as you have done so well during these past years. “Again, thank you.” Board members Floyd Baker of Tippecanoe township and Dr Robert Craig of Turkey Creek township were re-elected to the board John Kroh of Turkey Creek township was elected to the seat which will be vacated by his father Charles Kroh on June 30. In reviewing the claims Mr. Kroh asked if the corporation was a member of the REMC since Wawasee high school is a REMC user. He further stated the farmers were receiving dividends and thought the school corporation should receive the same Superintendent Don Arnold and attorney Robert Reed stated the corporation is a member of REMC but only those who have been members for a number of years are currently receiving dividends

'Continued on page 7)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1970

Discuss Milford To North Webster Free Toll Service Maynard Hostetler, district manager for the United Telephone Co., Inc., and C. Edward Haymaker, in charge of customer relations with the company, appeared before the regular meeting of the Milford Area Development Council (MAD) at the fire station Monday night to discuss toll-free telephone service between Milford and North Webster. At a previous MAD meeting Rev. Ralph Karstedt suggested the Milford group urge the telephone company to consider free service between the two communities since they are both part of the Lakeland community school corporation. Lack Communications Mr. Haymaker said Milford has 800 telephone stations and has made 456 toll calls to North Webster in the past year, while North Webster has 1.250 stations and has made 473 toll calls to Milford. He said this normally is insufficient to justify the expense that would be required to bringing toll-free service to the two communities. He called it an “expensive project” and would in all probability require a rate increase for the two communities. It was pointed out that a number of Milford residents who have offices in Syracuse will call their Syracuse office and ask them to make a call to North Webster, thus circumventing the toll. MAD members appeared unsatisfied that the expense angle had been sufficiently explained. Both telephone companyofficials said they would go back to their engineering department and try to come up with a more specific cost analysis to present at a later date. Other Business In other business Dr. T. A. Miller, a Milford town board member, said an examination by the town attorney showed the town’s August 1967 junk car ordinance to be a good one. He said the town was in the process of notifying those who still have junk cars to have them removed or show cause why they could not. He cited a stiff penalty of $lO per day per vehicle after a specific period of time had elapsed following final removal notification Dr. Miller also said the town was exploring the possibility of appointing a city judge, stating the town is losing considerable revenue by not having a justice of the peace or judge who is active. Paul Kizer. Milford postmaster. told the group Kermit Sheldon of the postal real estate department has been in Milford looking over the local post office, and that without doubt there would be changes in the local post office. Mr. Kizer said he didn't know for sure if Milford would be getting a new post office, or if the department would arrange to have another building refurbished to suit their needs The town’s Christmas lighting program came up for discussion, and a motion was passed to ask the retail merchants’ comm’ttee to seek voluntary contributions to expand the lighting this year.

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END UNITED FUND DRIVE — This group of Kosciusko county United Fund workers appear at UF headquarters Monday to mark the successful wrap-up of this year’s UF drive. The goal this year was SlS7.e«o. Already pledged is H 85.367. or five per cent over the goal.

Move To Meet Growing Demands —

United Fund Campaign Ends Monday 5% Over Its Goal

This year’s United Fund drive has been a ringing success, with pledges going over the goal by five per cent. This announcement was made Monday afternoon by J. Alan .Morgan, general chairman, and Tom Lemon, president. Goal: $157,000 This year’s United Fund goal was set at $157,000. and pledges are in amounting to $165,356. More money is coming in. according to Mr. Morgan. He added. “I am extremely pleased that men of such high caliber were willing to contribute their time and talents in making the United Fund of Kosciusko county a success. With their dedicated leadership. I am confident our United Fund agencies will continue to offer outstanding sen ices in response to growing demands ’ The drive officially ended on Monday. Mr. Morgan said, adding that this is the earliest date the goal has been reached Over Last Year The amount reached is 20 per cent over last year’s pledges when $145,831 was received with a goal of $140,732. Working with those named were: Don Hackbert, major business and industry; Robert Maish. small business division; Bob Gast, professional; Dave Andrews, county division: and Neal Carlson, special contacts. In addition to the above-named chairmen of soliciting divisions, other campaign leadership includes: Merle Mock, treasurer; G. Edmund David, public relations; and Sam Dungan, industrial coordinator CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE SET FOR SATURDAY The ladies of the W.S.C.S. of Calvary United Methodist church south of Syracuse will be spon soring a Christinas bazaar and bake sale on Saturday. Nov. 14. at the church VISIT PARENTS AT MILFORD Mr. and Mrs. Randall Dewart and daughter. Suzanne of Hickory. N.C., spent Friday and Saturday with Mrs. Dewart’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Amos Om of Milford. On Saturday, an early Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family, was held at the. Orn home. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Dewart of Milford, parents of Randall returned to North Carolina with them on Saturday to visit for awhile.

Tells Personal Story Os Drug Addiction Nightmare

Clara Kapp of Fort Wayne, an admitted drug addict for 13 years and now 26 years of age, was guest speaker for the Sunday night meeting at the Syracuse Church of God. She also told of how she won her fight with drugs and is being reunited with her family. The church youth group sponsored the event. The Rev. Walter C. Burcham, pastor of the church, held a brie* devotional period prior to a word of prayer as the opening message by the speaker. She first told of how she started on drugs at the age of 13 by taking some sleeping pills from a neighbor to help her sleep and although being a very young age, realized before falling asleep that the feeling was good and she liked it. This first event paved the way for the next 13 years of her life. She started making the rounds of doctors with various stories for obtaining of pills and at this point stated that junkies are the best liars and storymakers of the world. A child of an upper middle class family, she was able to keep the pill addiction a secret from family and friends but seemed to be a constant problem to her family. 50 Pills Daily By her early 20’s, she had three children and was taking 50 pills a, day. Her mind was blurry and she was unable to hold a job. A close acquaintance told her at one point that she was silly to take so many pills when there was something else much easier arid better, thus starting her years as a heroin addict. She told of living in the slum area of Fort Wayne as an addict but still keeping it a secret from family and friends until her first arrest. The questioning by police lasted for a long enough time putting her into the time of a need for more drugs which then became evident to authoritatives. Police returned her to her home for a search of the premises and she felt she would be safe from any evidence as her children were at a park with a live-in baby sitter, however, they came home during the search, evidence was found and the children were put in the hands of the welfare. Downhill During the next few weeks, her

From left are Robert Maish. chairman of the small business division; John Hall, chairman of the UF board; Mrs. Leora Fiske, Leesburg chairman; Tom Lemon. UF president; Sam Dungan, inplartt coordinator: J. Alan Morgan, general campaign chairman; Ed Davis, publicity chairman; and Joe Paxton. UF vice president.

life progressed more downhill due to the loss of her loved ones and also of lack of communication with her parents who had moved to New York City and did not communicate. Spending some time in hospitals and institutions, she eventually entered the Lexington, Ky., institution for treatments and was released six months later, thought to be cured, with one condition given to her. She was to live in Fort Wayne with a young Christian couple. She said she enjoyed the young couple, no restrictions were placed on her and still she went back to her old habit, heroin. Due to parole officer checks once a week, she would use the drug for three days then stop for three days, §o no evidence of the drug could be found in her system. Church » In November of 1969 she went to church with the young couple and adds this event made a sudden change of life for her. she felt a peace inside which she had never felt before, thus the fight to end drug addiction. In closing Clara Kapp added she has become a Christian, holds a good position, has a nice home to stay in, now has her daughter back and will have her two sons home on January 30. Her parents were expected in Fort Wayne to visit with her on Tuesday after being separated and had no contact with her for three years. She closed her portion of the Sunday evening service with a scripture reading and question and answer period. HARVEST DINNER AT SAINT ANDREW’S TUESDAY NIGHT The annual harvest dinner, turkey with all the trimmings, is being held at the Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church north of Syracuse on Tuesday evening, Nov. 17. with serving time from 5 to 7:30 o’clock. Unusual plans are being carried out for this year’s theme, a parlor, with this year being their centennial celebration. Dinner music will be furnished on a pump organ.

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NUMBER 41

SYRACUSE LIONS PLAN TREE SALES Syracuse Lions at their regular meeting made plans for their 1970 Christinas Tree sale. In a communication from the tree farm the club was informed their pickup date was November 28 at 9 a m. The trees will be freshly cut and prepared for delivery at that time. The trees the club will be selling this year are approximately ten years old. Each tree has been shorn six times, mowed 10 times and sprayed at least ten times for insects. Greenzit. a special chemical, has been applied to all trees. This year’s trees promise to be the best. The club was pleased to have as guests Richard Taylor of Vega Homes, Tom Tuttle of the South Bend Golf Course, and Charles Haffner, principal of the Syracuse Junior high school. The date for the club’s annual Christmas party has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 16. Loyalty Sunday To Be Observed Loyalty Sunday will be observed by the Milford United Methodist church this Sunday, Nov. 15. During the church’s 10:30 hour of Morning Worship, local United Methodists will come together to celebrate their shared faith in Christ and to pledge themselves to the support of His church for the year 1971. During the hour, the church’s adult choir will sing the anthem, “If You Love Me,” and the congregation’s pastor, Rev. Ralph P. Karstedt, will speak on the subject “A Tip On Tipping.” Loyalty Sunday has been planned by the Milford church’s council on ministries, Arch Baumgartner chairman, and its committee on stewardship. All local United Methodists are asked to make every effort to be on hand for this high hour in the life of their church. ATTEND STATE WATER SKI CLUB MEETING Mr. and Mrs. John L. Miller of Dewart Lake spent Saturday at LaPorte where they attended the fall meeting of the Indiana State Water Ski club. Mrs. Miller was elected secretary and Mr. Miller was elected to serve a year term on the board of directors •