Saloon Incident

1905--A man from Wabash came to Peru Saturday evening and proceeded to the saloon near the steel mill where the bar-keeper seriously disfigured the visitor's face with the use of a beer bottle. The saloon-keeper claimed that the Wabash man had been too familiar with his wife. The injured man went to the office of Dr. Malsbury where he had his wounds dressed.
So much for a Saturday night beer!

Count Your Blessings

To all Peru Then and Now readers best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

1885--Rev. L.P Marshall--If we turn unto the Lord, and consider his ways, and walk therein, we shall find peace and safety.The true reason for our thanksgiving will be found therefore along the path that indicates the presence of God's Spirit among us.

Count your blessings one by one and have a wonderful day!

Fox Hunt

1905-- There will be a fox drive given by the farmers in the vicinity of Paw Paw next Saturday. The ladies'aid society of the Paw Paw church will serve a dinner and there will be amusements of all kinds to interest those who attend. These gatherings are good things in so much as they bring the farmers together to enjoy a day at a season of the year when not busy. A number of Peruvians will doubtless join in the chase. --Tally Ho!!

South Peru School

1900- The town fathers conducted a meeting in 1900 to build a four room brick school with a furnace in the hole in the basement. There were two rooms up, two rooms down, oil lamps, a pump in the basement where each child could pump his or her own water. All eight grades were to be taught here. Outside facilities were the order of the day. Parents brought their children to school in horse and carriage or by horseback. The South Peru community grew with the times. The school built inside facilities, a basement underneath the whole building was dug out and an auditorium was built. A kitchen, a storage and furnace room was also built. Gas lights and water fountains were installed by the end of World War I in 1919. By the end of the Second World War, the school had electric lights, two globes for each room, radios for each room, a large phonograph for the building and the school lawn landscaped with grass in front, rather than a mud hole.

During the Korean War indirect lighting was added, shades and electric clocks were installed. A small inside bell was used through the 1950's. The South Peru School became so crowded that plans were made to build a new school overlooking the park. November 17, 1957, the cornerstone was laid for the new school. In 2006, a grocery store has replaced the old South Peru School.