From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. For more history of Kosciusko County in the news visit yesteryear.clunette.com

Sept. 2, 1986  — After 17 hours of fighting erratic temperature changes, Brendt Smith completed one of the most extraordinary feats in Kosciusko County lake history when he finished swimming across 52 lakes at 11:18 p.m. Monday. The accomplishment is believed to be a world record.

Flanked by an escort of three county sheriff’s boats, Smith stepped out of the water and onto the northern shores of Lake Wawasee with clenched fist as more than 50 people gathered for an emotional celebration.

He had conquered the chilly elements of 52 lakes, and a thief by the name of cancer was the sole loser.

His attempt to establish a world’s record for swimming the most lakes in 24 hours was in honor of his 52-year-old father, John, who died of cancer three years ago. An estimated $2,000 was raised, including about $1,700 from contributions taken at the lakes for the American Cancer Society. With news of his success, officials are hoping that figure will rise.

Aug. 29, 1975 —  A Warsaw man and two employees were arrested Thursday by Fort Wayne police in the first test of Fort Wayne’s 1975 anti-obscenity statute.

Charged with exhibiting obscene material were Roger Vore, 33, of 43 Little Eagle Drive, Warsaw, identified by police as owner of the Theatre A, 3441 Broadway, Fort Wayne, and two employees Robert Durkin, 23, and Edward Kelwaski, 22, both of 1419 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Vore is owner of Vore Cinema Corp., based in Warsaw, and operates three theaters in Kosciusko County and several others around the state.

The charges stemmed from the Aug. 18 showing of the film “Fly Me” at Theatre A and were aimed at determining whether the movie is obscene.

Aug. 31, 1954 — Two men reported seeing a “flying saucer” this morning while en route from their Oswego homes to Leesburg.

Herman Buckingham and Jack Rader, who were driving in separate cars toward the Leesburg Lumber Co., where they are employed, said the “flying saucer” cast a reflection on their windshields. They looked skyward and saw what they described as a “shiny ball of fire” traveling westward.

The two men said the saucer disappeared from their view in a split second.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels