The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 41, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 October 1985 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., October 9,1985

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Editorials

They make a difference “Lots of the kids develop personal ‘life skills’, such as decision making, and leadership skills. We don’t always see the development of the skills. They’re not something you show at the county fair. Still, those ‘life skills’ are a big part of 4-H,” said Ronald Hoyt, extension agent, 4-H and Youth, during an interview on National 4-H week. It’s his way of saying the boys and girls who are part of the (county 4-H program make a difference in this country when they take their place in the adult world. Former 4-H members have an advantage over their friends who decided not to join that active youth organization. They have learned additional skills through the projects they have taken over the years and through the offices they have held in their club and through the iunior leadership program. “National 4-H Week is a time to sit back and look at the program we have and also attract new people to involvement in 4-H,” Hoyt told the M-J reporter. Hoyt’s comments are not unlike those from other sources on the 4-H program. The program features learning-by-doing and gives its members a chance to expand their knowledge in certain areas. It is America’s largest out of school organization. Hoyt’s column in last week’s M-J noted that “4-H promotes individual growth and accomplishment, creativity, social responsibility and family involvement.” We can only add our Amen to his comments. Fastest growing What are the nation’s fastest growing states? According to the Census Bureau, the three fastest growing states, by percentage, between 1980 and 1984, were: Alaska, Florida and Nevada. They grew at a rate of 14.8 percent, 11.2 percent and 9.6 percent respectively. Which states gained the greatest number of new residents? Census Bureau figures show the leaders were Florida — 1,092,000, Texas — 1 009 000, and California - 950,000. In percentage growth, states following the top three were: Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, Utah, New Mexico, Georgia, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wyoming, Hawaii, Washington and Louisiana. Population loss? The biggest loser was Michigan, which lost 451,000 of its population int he four-year period. Ohio, lowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and South Dakota were next in percentage lost among the states. Columbus Day It is now generally accepted that Leif Ericsson discovered North America five hundred years before Columbus. The well-known historian, Samuel Eliot Morrison, probably established that beyond doubt. That in no way detracts from the epic voyage made by Columbus in 1492. Assuming Ericsson was first, his voyage meant little in the development of this country and continent. Columbus’ discovery was tremendously significant. He was searching for the Old World (in this case, India) but found the New World; thus opening up the western hemisphere to European colonization. While it may be fashionable to refer to colonialism in derogatory terms these days, it was a desirable turn of events for North America. Had not the United States been settled by Europeans, there would almost certainly be no great democratic republic here today. Cristofero Columbo, as he was named at birth in Genoa in 1451, sailed from Palos, Spain, on August 3,1492, and reached Watling Island on October 12 in 1492. He made three more crossings before his death in 1506, at which time he was still unrewarded by the Spanish monarchy. Most people are befogged by figures, one kind or another. High flying causes more than airplane accidents.

What others say — Don't legalize murder Blonde, blue-eyed Joy Griffith, three-years-old, was the light of her father’s life. But eight months ago, when she tried to scale her grandma’s recliner chair to watch cartoons on television, her neck became caught in the footrest mechanism. The toddler suffered irreversible brain damage. Doctors said she might’remain in a coma for decades. As he did so often, her distraught father leaned over her crib in Miami Children’s Hospital. “It’s okay,” said Charles Griffith, 25. “Daddy’s here.” Then he fired two bullets into Joy’s heart. Charles Griffith, who says he just wanted to end his baby’s pain, has been charged with first-degree murder. That carries a maximum penalty to death in the electric His case is complicated by a messy divorce action and because he is on probation on drug charges. Griffith is just the latest “mercy killer” to face severe penalties. In May, Roswell Gilbert, 75, was sentenced to life for shooting his 73-year-old wife. He said he wanted to ease the pain of her bone and brain diseases. Even if the Florida jurors had felt compassion for Gilbert, their hands were tied. Once convicted, a mandatory sentencing law required that he spend at least 25 years in prison. State officials have cleared the way for possible clemency for the sickly retiree, whose family fears he will die in jail. The anguished husband. The anguished father. Both accused of murder. Shouldn’t the law be easier on them? Shouldn’t mercy killing be legalized? NO. That would legalize murder. We have a judicial system designed to distinguish between anger and anguish. Our courts decide which deeds are cold-blooded crimes and which are acts of compassion. When judges and juries find that a person, out of love and without malice, hastened the death of a suffering spouse, they can treat them with compassion. And legislatures should unite jury’s hands by revising mandatory sentencing laws to sometimes allow for mercy. But when courts find the killer had based motives, they can punish him. Consider Charles Griffith and Roswell Gilbert. Their hard choices should not be made easier. If it were legal to take the life of a suffering loved one, far more anguish would result. Impatient heirs might be induced to speed along a relative’s demise. Angry spouses might find it a convenient excuse to eliminate their mates. There is growing, justified support for a patient’s right to die with dignity — without the welter of tubes and pumps that painfully postpone the inevitable. But there should be no easy out for those who use violence to snuff out a patient’s life. Justice must be served ... for one man’s mercy is another man’s malice. — USA Today

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October 6-12 is National 4-H Week. Take time to tell a 4-H leader thank you I

Items token from Webster store

Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization involving the police, the media and the public in the fight against crime, offers anonymity and cash rewards to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and the filing of criminal charges against felony offenders and to the capture of fugitives. The following “Crime of the Week” was furnished by the Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers organization: .

Court news

County Court The following fines and costs have been paid in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Littering public highway — Kimberly A. Granger, 18, Syracuse, SB6 fine, 30 days Kosciusko County Jail, suspended upon completion of 4 days community service City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Tracy L. Eppert; 20, Milford, $110.50; Scott T. Johnson, 19, Syracuse, $52.50 Circuit Court The following complaints have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Foreclosure Os Mechanic’s Lien W.J. Carey Construction Corp. versus Michael A. Tethrake, Merle A. Tethrake and Norma L. Tethrake, r 5 box 112-AB, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants for the sum of $6,254 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs of action. Verified Petition For Enforcement Indiana Civil Rights Commission versus Endicott Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 407 Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for a decree for enforcement of an order of the commission charging respondent with unlawful discrimination in hiring on the basis of a handicap. Complaint For Damages Thornburg Drug Co., Inc. versus Jerri Young, Jeffrey Young, r 2 box 509, Leesburg, and Denise M. Berkeypile, James St., Milford. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants for damages in the amount of $5,000 plus and attorney’s fees, for damages done to the plaintiff’s real estate during an automobile accident Dec. 14, 1984. Superior Court The following complaints have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint On Note Lloyd Gump and Lorene Gump versus Bernard Penn and Mary Penn, r 2 North Webster. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendants for the sum of $307.67 plus interest and attorney’s fees, for a promissory note. Foreclosure And Judgment On Promissory Note Counting House Bank of Warsaw versus Ben D. Black, Sally A. Black, r 2 Leesburg, Lake City Bank, U.S. Attorney General, Treasurer, Kosciusko County. The plaintiff is seeking foreclosure of real estate owned by the defendants to satisfy judgment in the amount of $21,287.76 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs of action. Complaint On Account Little & Clark, Inc. versus Larry C. Michael, doing business as Michael’s Pier Shop, P.O. Box 163 Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the

The burglary of a North Webster business is the “Crime of the Week.” On the morning of September 28, a burglary was discovered at Howe’s Army Surplus store in North Webster. Entry had been made through a rear door, and once inside, the intruders removed several green army field jackets, of large and extra large sizes. Also taken were several machettes, black police night sticks, some survival-type knives with camouflage sheaths, some compasses, and a small amount of change. Persons with information concerning this burglary are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, tollfree, at 1-800-342-STOP. Crime Stoppers will pay up to SI,OOO if the information leads to an arrest or indictment. They only want your information, not your name.

defendant for the sum of $1,200.05 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs of action. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Workman-Steele David Todd Workman, 20, 540 Lakeview Dr., Syracuse, and Patricia J. Steele, 18, 25 North Lake St., Syracuse Miller-Miller Glen R. Miller, 23, r 1 box 72, Nappanee, and Barabara Ann Miller, 18, r 2 box 112, Milford Deaman-Lloyd Daniel Evans Deaman, 36, box 40 Leesburg, and Constance June Lloyd, 37, P.O. Box 714 Warsaw Marriage Dissolutions The following couple has filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit courts: Williams — Alicia Ann Williams, no address given, and Paul David Williams, Syracuse. The couple was married Dec. 17, 1983, and separated July 28,1985. There is one minor child. Milford youth receives injuries in shooting Harley D. Schmucker, 13, r 1 Milford, received a gunshot wound to his left hand and upper left thigh in an accidential shooting at the Marvin Weaver residence located at r 1 Milford. Schmucker and his cousin, Dennis L. Weaver, 13, had returned after a morning of shooting when Weaver picked up a .410 gauge shotgun, pulled the hammer back and let go, discharging the shotgun pellets. Schmucker was treated and released from Elkhart Hospital. Kosciusko County police investigated. Bicycle taken from Syracuse yard Syracuse Police are investigating the theft of a bicycle which was taken from a yard on Boston Street last Thursday. Kelly Gay, 106 E. Boston St., reported the theft of a blue, 26-inch Schwinn valued at SSO. There are no suspects at this time.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana 44547. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 44547 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sls per year in Kosciusko County, *2l outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change,of ad dress forms to The Mail Journal, P.O. Box 188. Milford, Indiana 44542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE''

■ i i / i By JAcfc ELAM (EDITOR’S NOTE: Jack Elam, this week’s guest columnist is something of a local geneologist. At present he is serving on the historical research committee for the susquicentennial. His research has turned up a live descendant(s) of Samuel Crosson, one of the town founders. We will hear more on this at a later date. Jack, along with his wife Janet, a Wawasee High School secretary, reside, on r 1, Syracuse. He's employed by Cargo Master, Inc., in Goshen as a purchasing agent.) Samuel Wilson, the legendary “Uncle Sam”, once lived at Boydston’s Mill (North Webster) Indiana. / A news story February 24, 1928, by Walter L. Holcomb and Louise B. Young correspondents for the Fort Wayne NewsSentinel, stated they had located a son of “Uncle Sam” living in Albion, John M. Wilson age 93. The 1928 News-Sentinel article said: “As the years went by, the caricature of Uncle Sam grew in use and popularity. The notoriety, the truth of the identity would have caused seemed somewhat repulsive to some members of Uncle Sam’s younger generation, so the secret was kept. Until now so much reverence is attached to the personification, that the only living survivor of Uncle Sam’s family was persuaded to disclose the secret.” Uncle Samuel Wilson was born at Wilmington, Del., March, 4, 1778. He was of Scottish descent. Uncle Sam was one of triplets, two boys and a girl. Uncle Sam Wilson and his brother were in the Lewis-Clarke expedition. According to descendants living in Noble County, Mr. Wilson was stationed on the Constitution and was wounded in in hand-to-hand combat while fighting in the first major battle of the War of 1812. He was cited for gallantry and returned to his home in Troy, N.Y. The charicature, that we know as America's own “Uncle Sam” started in a supply headquarters during the War of 1812. During the remainder the war Samuel

From the police blotter—

Goodwill box is gone

The following information was obtained from the log of the Syracuse Police Department October 2 9:53 a.m. — Subject reference EMS bill 1:15 p.m. — License branch advised of a lost plate 2:16 p.m. — Subject advised a wallet belonging to a subject is at the police department 3:22 p.m. — Officer advised out of the car at Brooklyn and Main for school traffic 5:04 p.m. — Subject requested an officer on North Huntington Street October 3 9 a.m. — Report of car/deer Occident, two miles north of town 9:49 a.m. — Report of bike theft 9:57 a.m. — Milford Emergency Medical Service requested fill on CO2 tanks 10:08 a.m. — Goshen Hospital requested welfare check on subject reference life line 11:34 a.m. — Report of disabled truck across from case 7:55 p.m. — Subject on station reported that someone pulled a gun on subject 7:56 p.m. — Subject on station reported a hit and run October 4 9:01 a.m. — Subject at police department for gun permit 10:59 a.m. — Report of reckless driving 12:17 p.m. — Subject on station for location of ETA Engineering 4:56 p.m. — Report of breaking and entering 6:31 p.m. — Business advised of trespassing October 5 1:57 a.m. — Party advised an intoxicated driver heading on 13 10:57 a.m. — Subject reference location of practice range 11:15 a.m. — Property damage accident at 1300 N and Warner Road 1:15 p.m. — Report of theft of hubcaps 6:14 p.m. — Subject advised suspended driver driving around town 6:53 p.m. — Officer advised found a band uniform at

Wilson worked for a Elbert Anderson in Troy,. N.Y. Mr. Anderson’s store was converted into an" army supply headquarters, and Samuel Wilson was superintendent. Mr. Wilson’s duty was to examine the provisions and when he finished the inspection he marked them E.A. for Elbert Anderson and U.S. because, he was known throughout the store as Uncle Sam. It wasn’t long before the initials were recognized as the superintendent and the United States. Since that time the personification of Uncle Sam has been symbolic of the United States all over the world. After the war Samuel Wilson was married at the age of 50 to Susan Anderson of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.- The Wilsons had ten „ children, Noah, Andrew, David, Samuel James, John, Mary, Angeline and Lucinda. The Wilson family, as did many others, migrated to Indiana in the years after the war. In 1872, Uncle Sam Wilson was living at the Benjamin Yohn residence, Boydston’s Mill, Indiana. (an early name for North Webster.) The May 9, 1972 issue of Warsaw’s Northern Indianian reported that “Samuel Wilson age 96 received a pension under the late act of congress. Mr. Wilson was a veteran of the War of 1812 serving in land and naval engagements.” John M. Wilson the last surviving child of Uncle Sam had this to say about the death of his father: “Father died in Kosciusko County March 7, 1878, at the age of one hundred years and three days. Later I had his body moved to Chapel Cemetery at Merriam, where he rests now beside mother. We had a small gravestone erected, but afterward I noticed that the stone cutter had made a mistake of 13 years in the date of his death and we have never had it changed, for we hoped sometime to have a stone that better fits the character he represents.

In patriotic posters and cartoons Uncle Sam is represented as a tall lean man with chin whiskers, wearing a stove pipe hat, blue swallow-tailed coat, and red and white pants. There are some who say that the real Samuel Wilson/Uncle Sam is buried in Troy, N.Y. However, many Noble County descendants would say “they are mistaken.” A book recently published which pleads a strong case for the Troy, N.Y., contender will never dampen the enthusiasm for “the man from Indiana.” The grave at Merriam, was recognized as the true resting place of Uncle Sam” by none other than the late Robert Ripley — BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

Wawasee High School 9:20 p.m. — Officer advised contact the owners of a business reference subject inside October 6 2:57 a.m. — Party advised having trouble with her furnace 8:52 a.m. — Subject reference Goodwill box gone from Augsburger’s 9:07 a.m. — Subject reference any accidents last night at US 6 and SR 13? 9:54 a.m. — Report of a hit/skip on Hiawatha Drive 2:07 p.m. — Subject wanting to speak to an officer 2:16 p.m. — Subject reference Goodwill box 7:31 p.m. — Subject advised possible domestic trouble 7:52 p.m. — Subject advised abandoned car sitting at abandoned house 11 p.m. — Subject at Kale Island reported hearing an alarm going off

Applications for SAFE taken at youth center

Sue Barton, Kosciusko County Project SAFE intake director, will be at the Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse, on Monday, Oct. 14, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., taking applications from persons aged 60 and over. Applicants should bring the following information when they come to apply for Project SAFE assistance: ✓ Written proof of all types of income, for all household members, for the last 12 months. Acceptable proofs of income may include a letter from employer stating gross wages for the last 12 months; six months of consecutive check stubs; a statement of benefits letter from the Social Security Administration; direct deposit slip from bank for Social Security and Veterans’ checks; alimony and child support court records. Also, dividends and interest statements; AFCD award letter

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October 7 12 a.m. — Subject called in reference to a family fight 9:27 a.m. — Report of a theft 10:44 a.m. — Subject reference EMS bill and identification number 12:20 p.m. — Report of a bike found in weeds 2:22 p.m. — Subject reference when studded tires are legal? 2:24 p.m. — Report of vandalism to a vehicle 5:38 p.m. — Subject requested information reference fire extinguisher 9:49 p.m. — Subject requested extra patrol in her neighborhood 9:58 p.m. — Subject advised a businesses door is open October 8 . 2:32 a.m. — Subject at school reported a car at back 3:31 p.m. — Property damage accident at Brooklyn and South Main

from Department of Welfare; unemployment award letter or six month statement from Unemployement Office. Year-to-date check stubs may be used, providing they have proof of 1984 income that is needed. k* Social Security numbers for all persons over 15 years of age. Names and ages of all household members. A current utility bill or the name and address of the heating supplier. Utilities must be in service. Landlords who have tenants who qualify are urged to encourage them to come in and sign up for Project SAFE. Landlords are required to fill out a Housing Affadavit showing how their utilities are paid, especially if the utilities are included in the rent, split among tenants, or in the landlord’s name. Account numbers must also be furnished for proper credit.