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

Dec. 20, 1973 — “Unless it’s an emergency, stay home,” said Ron Himes, Kosciusko County highway department employee. Highway workers today are digging the main county roads out from under 13 inches of snow that began sifting down early Wednesday morning.

The snow has accumulated to 18 inches in open areas with some drifting that has forced school closings in all area corporations, bogged traffic, halted some industrial and business schedules and fouled social events.

Peru Flood of 1913 — In 1913, the call came from Peru, Ind., for help. All Warsaw churches and lodges sent clothing and food. Mayor B. F. Richardson gave each Warsaw volunteer rescue worker a pair of hip boots. The Winona interurban took loads of rescuers with motor and row boats from Winona Lake down to Peru. The boys rowed boats right across the tops of small trees in the flooded district. The only part of the town that had not been inundated was the courthouse, which stood on higher ground. There food was being served to a line of hungry families. It was snowing and blowing and the waves and current were high and swift, washing around street corners and jumping about three feet high.

Late 1890s or Early 1900s — Robbers blew the safe in the Warsaw post office which was then in the room occupied by the Quality Shoe store, but did not disturb the night policeman asleep across the street in the Campfield store. Blankets were used to silence the detonation. A special act of congress was necessary before the postmaster could be reimbursed for the $1,500 loss in stamps. Charles B. Bentley was the postmaster at that time.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels