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.

Feb. 12, 1990 — Police are speculating that the identity of skeletal remains found Saturday night (Feb. 10) along the Eel River bank may be those of Victor Cooley, a 24-year-old Waynedale man who has been missing since Oct. 15, 1988. 

Cooley was allegedly murdered and his body dumped in the Eel River near Columbia City, but his body was never recovered.

The body’s leg bones found near the river were still tied together, according to Kosciusko County Sheriff Ron Robinson.

*On Feb. 13, 1990, forensic specialists determined the bones found along the banks of the Eel River in Kosciusko County Saturday were the remains of Victor Cooley, who was brutally murdered in Oct. 1988.

Feb. 16, 1973 — In an effort to eliminate potential danger spots on the new U.S. 30 bypass, the Indiana State Highway Commission plans to illuminate several intersections and possibly install traffic control devices.

The action was taken by the commission during a meeting in Indianapolis Thursday and announced simultanously by David Wagoner, secretary of the commission, and State Representative Thames Mauzy of Warsaw.

The response by the highway commission is an apparent attempt to correct several problems on the bypass that have been the targets of criticism by the local populace.

Wagoner and Clinton Venable, chief of the division of traffic for the highway department, reported the commission approved the installation of overhead illumination at the U.S. 30 and Ind. 15 overpass; at the intersection of U.S. 30 and East Center Street near the Holiday Inn; and at the entrance to the Lakes Village Shopping Center on U.S. 30.

February 1887 — Three members of the Dunham family, including the father, mother and 22-month old baby, were attacked at their country home near North Webster. 

The father’s body was found thrown in the hog pen and partly devoured by hogs. The mother was found unconcious in the home. The baby lay dead nearby on the floor. 

Dunham, a farmer, had recently sold some hogs and his money was missing. It was later found hidden in an attic in North Webster where it was shown that Joe Plew had access. 

Plew was sentenced to prison, served 32 years and later returned to this vicinity. He found his old acquaintances loath to make friends with him so he returned to the prison and was re-admitted.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels