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.

May 6, 1978 — A flag proclaiming, “First Ascent, Steinmeister, May 6, 1978,” was mysteriously hoisted on the flagpole above the Kosciusko County Courthouse early today.

Local authorities received information at 5:41 a.m. that someone was climbing on the courthouse. As Patrolman Steven Foster drove around the courthouse, he did not see anyone climbing the structure.

County and city police later noticed something flapping in the wind on the flagpole above the dome. After searching the area, police went to the dome and retrieved the makeshift flag.

Police and local residents said it is not the first ascent on the courthouse. A stuntman ascended the local courthouse about 60 years ago and balanced a chair on a pole on top of the building.

May 6, 1957 — Warsaw High School today claimed unprecedented state championships in debate and speech, brining home all four trophies awarded at the state finals in Indianapolis Saturday night for the first time in the school’s history.

Largest item in the loot is the George Beauchamp Indiana High School Forensic state trophy. Debaters John Bennett, Connie Stavropulos, Seth Lewis and Carol Stone also won a second championship trophy. They participated in eight full debates on phases of the 90 percent parity question.

May 6, 1955 — The North Webster School gym, located at the north end of the building, was virtually ruined by fire early this morning, with damage estimated at between $50,000 and $60,000 by Verland Bockman, North Webster fire chief, and Everett Smith, Tippecanoe Township trustee.

Smith and the township advisory board immediately decided to hold a meeting at the school house tonight to determine whether to have the gym repaired or to build a new gymnasium.

May 12, 1956 — Tim Derf and Bertis Gebert were the instrumental figures in Pierceton’s winning the sectional track title Friday at Huntington. Derf broke the 880-yard run record with his winning time of 2:05.7, then anchored the mile relay team to second place. Gebert won the century dash, tying the sectional mark of 10.3 seconds, and anchored Pierceton’s half-mile relay team to victory. That accounted for all of Pierceton’s 26 points.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels