Horse Racing in Peru

1902--Jerry Hardwick and Frank Bearss, both farmers of means and experience of Ridgeview, own horses which have the quality of speed and endurance. Jerry has of late been boasting of the superiority of his animal over the white steed owned by Frank who in equally vigorous argument said he was willing to bet anthing that his horse could beat Jerry's trotter at any time. Not until last week did an opportune time for the race present itself. The two men happened to meet on East Third Street and Bearss took up Hardwick's challenge for the race. Three times the contestants tore down the street but Jerry's gallant old steed which has done valiant service at the plow as well as hauling the butter and eggs to market these last twenty years, went down to defeat before the muddy white animal of Frank's. which has been in training hauling the Bearss children up the hill since the "crime of '73".

The Telephone in Peru

March 10, 1926--Bell Telephone celebrates its 50th anniversary. Peru's first telephone exchange came to the city in 1881-only five short years after the first public knowledge of Dr. Bell's invention. Several days before the opening of the exchange, a number of demonstrations were given, in the hope, probably, of convincing the doubtful and gaining a few subscribers. On one occasion a line was strung from a room about the Blue Drug Store to the Baptist church.
A few of the numbers: #1 Indiana Manufacturing Co.,#4 McCaffrey&Co.. #16 Bearss Hotel,
#28 First National Bank office, #47 J.O. Cole Brewery. Today if we are calling out of our area code we have to dial 10 numbers. If we are calling on a calling card we have to dial thirty-three numbers. Aahh! Modern Technology. No more turning cranks, no more party lines, no rotary dialing. Today we can carry a phone wherever we go--ain't life grand!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLASS of '59

Downtown Peru

Teddy Roosevelt visits Peru

October 12,1900- The democrats of Miami county, surely got little comfort out of Wednesday's meeting in Peru. The crowd at the railroad to greet Theodore Roosevelt, governor of New York, was simply measured by the acre. The lowest estimate was 8,000 people. The train was met at Logansport by a committee including Senator George Miller, Ex-Senator Robert Loveland. Ethan Reesoner and Dr. L. O. Malsbury, as the train pulled in Governor Roosevelt stepped to the door and was met by Captain Ira B. Myers and Hon. James F. Stutesman, who escorted him through the open ranks of the marching clubs to the speakers stand at the court house. Governor Roosevelt was introduced by Hon. Robert J. Loveland.
Robert Kennedy made a whistlestop in Peru in April of 1968. Children were let out of school so they could greet the candidate for President. Unfortunately, he was assassinated on June 5, 1968, so his dream of becoming president died with him.

New Church is Planned by U.B.

April 13, 1900--The United Brethren are arranging to build a new church in Peru. They have been worshipping since last fall in the Odd Fellows temple (the old M.E. church). They have organized a society of 58 members, bought a lot, corner Main and Clay, and have already raised subscriptions amounting to $4,000. It is expected that the new church will cost $10,000. Peru is not over-stocked with churches, especially in the east end of town. Every church is a centre of moral influence, and a nucleus around which good people are gathered.

Baptist Church in Peru

1894--The cornerstone for the new Baptist church, Main and Wabash Streets was laid Tuesday July 17. This is what the box contained: History of the foundation and growth of the church, Roll of Sunday school teachers and scholars. Roll of the Ladies Social Union. The officers and members of the Women's Missionary Society and program for current year. List of members of the choir and amateur orchestra. Roll of senior and junior Christian Endeavor societies and of the Boys Brigade. Photograph of Geo. Geves, one of the founders of the church and the first to be buried from the old church. Picture of the exterior and interior of the old church. Picture of the present pastor, Rev. B.F. Cavins. Copies of city and county papers published in Peru. Copy of Peru city directory. Bible furnished by Pliny Crume. Letter from the First Baptist Church of the 19th century to the First Baptist Church of the 20th century. The sealed box contained these articles placed in the corner-stone.

Dillinger in Peru

My great grandfather, Ambrose Clark, was a merchant policeman when the Dillinger gang rushed into the police department to rob them. Patrolmen Eldon Chittum and Eddie Roberts were also in the building. The gang told the three men to walk to the chief's office .....the whole time a machine gun was pointing at them. A restaurant night cook walked into the station and was told to line up with the other three. The gang walked away from the Peru Police Department with a loaded machine gun, nine-bullet proof vests, 10 magazines of machine gun bullets, seven revolvers and two holsters, one 12-gauge pump shotgun, three high powered rifles, one gas gun and three gas shells, a pair of handcuffs, and three badges. Eddie Roberts refused to give up his badge so the bandit tore it off his coat. An attempt was made to rob the safe--the outer door was unlocked, but the inner door was secure. Their car was running outside so they must have decided they had better get out of there. Three days after the police station holdup, four men robbed a South Bend bank of $5,ooo with Dillinger reportedly with them. They had plenty of gun power---that's for sure!!

Circus Parade in Peru

Bands, Floats, Animals, Circus City Queen, Miss Indiana U.S.A., all make up the 2nd largest parade in Indiana. Grab your lawn chair and head downtown Peru on July 22, 2006 at 10:00.

Railroad Man's Watch

It is an old, old story, but nevertheless a true one, that next to a Good Wife A Railroad Man's Watch is his most constant and faithful and companion. A Good Wife brings happiness, success and prosperity. A Good Watch brings safety, confidence, pleasure, and earns money; on the reliability of a railroad man's watch his life frequently depends, and many other precious lives entrusted to his care, besides much valuable property. The Best Wife, and the Best Watch, are none too good for a good railroad man. Don't abuse your wife--don't abuse your watch--and you will live longer, be more prosperous, always satisfied, and alway on time.

Family Night at the Circus

At the first of this week I observed the kids at the circus building washing their mats and propping them against the building to dry. They are making sure all of their equipment is in good working order. They have had run-throughs -- they are ready for their audience--and are anxiously waiting to present the Greatest Amateur Circus in the World.
Starting with family night tomorrow evening there will be performances until Saturday the 22nd of July.

Two Circuses in Peru

October 5, 1888--The crowd drawn to Peru by two circuses on Oct. 2, made a profitable time for the merchants and they were not called upon to subscribe to any fund to draw people here for the benefit of a political party either
Note: "Wallace & Co.'s World's menageria, international circus, alliance of novelties and Mardi Gras Carnival," exhibited on west Third street below Baum's saloon. The "John Robison, 10 big shows combined" exhibited on the Foote lot, between Clay and Tippecanoe streets and Fifth and Sixth. Robinson advertised a $300,000 grand free street parade, and Wallace & Co. "The most superlative scene of splendor ever beheld by mortal man. More Golden Chariots, Mythical Tableau Cars, Harnessed elephants, camels, elks, zebras, and a world of mellifluous music." A great crowd of people came and attended both circuses, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening.

The Big 40

Happy Birthday sweet Malissa.

Birthday in Peru

HAPPY BIRTHDAY on your 86th Birthday!!

Cole's Boiler Lets Go

July 24, 1885--Saturday at 12:35, while most people of Peru were at dinner, many were startled by an explosion, which jarred the houses and caused a rattling of the sash and glass in the windows, and the silver, glass and queensware on the shelves of dealers. Some thought it was an earthquake, others a cannon, and a few believed that a steam boiler had exploded in the vicinity. It did not take long to discover that it was at the brewery just south of the river. The cloud of dust raised by the explosion was not dissipated for some brick-bats, boards, mortor and debris generally filled the air for some moments. The engine and boiler room, situated at the east side and near the north-east corner of the main building, was completely demolished. The bricks from walls were scattered over an acre of ground. They had rained against every foot of the massive stone wall of the ice house. The heavy boiler with its fifty-two flues was broken in two parts near the middle.

Rockin' Birthday Party in Peru

The Class of 1959 will have a "back in the 50's" birthday party on July 22, 2006. It is a monumental year for us--we have reached the age ?? There have been so many changes in our lives. We graduated from Peru High School on Sixth street. Most of our teachers are no longer living-they shaped our lives. The days of Peter's drug store, Kar Hop, Penguin Point, Roxy Theatre, Wallace Theatre, Modern Dairy Bar, Sengers, lots of shoe stores, the old majestic Post Office--they are all gone.
Most of us have had children, grandchildren, and some great-grandchildren. Aren't grandchildren fun--you can spoil them-then send them home. How sweet is that? Our generation was brought up on rock 'n roll--Rock around the Clock, All I have to do is Dream, Yakety Yak,The Stroll, See You Later Alligator, Tom Dooley, and one of my favorites Blueberry Hill-- Alaska and Hawaii became states, Korean War, Rosa Parks, vaccine for polio, I Love Lucy, Mickey Mouse Club, Bandstand, Gunsmoke, Marilyn Monroe, and Black & White T.V.'s. We are going to celebrate all these memories and be with all our friends that we grew up with. We will be" Lost in the 50's Tonight".

Death of "Diamond"

March 11, 1898--Last Thursday evening "Diamond", the mammoth elephant at the head of the herd of the Great Wallace shows died at winterquarters here. "Diamond" was the largest elephant in America, being but a few inches smaller than the famous "Jumbo". His weight was about 7,500 pounds and he was in every way a remarkable elephant. He was valued at $10,000 by Mr. Wallace. The hide and bones were sold to a New York manufacturer Tuesday. The hide weighed 1,200 pounds.
July 22, 2006--In just a few weeks you will be able to see elephants walk down the streets of Peru at the Peru Circus Parade. They may not be as big as "Diamond", but to a small child they will seem mammoth.

The First Barbecue in Peru

If you didn't get to the Riverwalk last night it is a must for the 4th of July next year. Entertainment, food, demonstrations by the Fire Department, car show, and more food. Let me tell you about the first barbecue in Peru, October 31, 1884.
The crowd drew a crowd of perhaps 25,000. The parade was the largest ever seen in the county. The roast beef at the barbeque didn't go 'round. It was field-day for saloons, and restaurants. In the evening there was a nice display of fire works, a parade with 1,025 torches in line and a very large drunk.
John Muhfield's display in the industrial part of the parade was very creditable, but the Peru Brewery was the most imposing of any. It consisted of two wagons, the first containing an immense vat in which workmen were mixing the real stuff. The second a throne on which was seated Gambrinus King of Beer, guarded by a stalwart supported on each corner of the frame. Half a dozen small barrels of the beverage carried in the wagon were on tap and the liquid was distributed freely during the parade.I wonder who Gambrinus King of Beer was?

Betsy Bobel Opyt-Miss Indiana 2000

Betsy Bobel was seven when she started in Peru's amateur circus. Betsy was in three acts--side by side, tumbling and adagio. Betsy worked hard and became a flyer. She loved the exhilerating feeling of free flying. Betsy's greatest thrill was consistently catching the full twisting double in the flying trapeze act with her partner Andy Weaver.
Betsy graduated from Maconaquah in 1995 and is a graduate of Ball State in Dietetics. Betsy was crowned Miss Indiana in 2000. Qualities judges look for are friendliness, intelligence, personable, be well-spoken, and expressive. Betsy took her platform for healthy lifestyle to the schools and communities.
We are fortuanate to have two Miss Indiana beauties in Peru--and sisters at that. Mom and Dad, (Mina and Dave) Must be very proud parents.

Miss Indiana U.S.A. to be in Circus Parade in Peru

Bridget Bobel performed in the Peru Circus at the age of six. Bridget started as a Kiddie Clown her first year then graduated to side by side, tumbling, and roman ladders. She also was in the Web act and spun until her eyes were blood shot.
Being in the circus was a very positive influence which resulted in strong values, work ethics, and determination. Bridget has a sister Betsy who was also in the Peru Circus. The experience of two girls in the circus became a way of life for the whole family.
Bridget's fondest memories were all the good times she had in the back lot with the other performers-meaning the "old back lot" with the tree and dirt floor.
Bridget is a 1998 graduate of Maconaquah High School and a 2002 graduate of Ball State. Bridget is also a literacy advocate, volunteering for Indy Reads, a Marion Co. Library program, as an adult literacy tutor.
Give a warm welcome to Miss Indiana U.S.A., Bridget Bobel, when she rides down Main and Broadway in the Peru Circus Parade on July 22 at 10:00.