Pictures from Washington

Photos from Washington

Have been in Washington&Maryland the past five days to welcome a new great grand-daughter into the world. She is a little bundle of rosy cheeks and very blue eyes. We spent time in Washington sightseeing, being surrounded by veterans of the many wars. When you arrive at Arlington it is overwhelming to see all the polished white stones--row after row--and then you realize that they were someone's father, brother, or son. While at the Vietnam Wall there were thousands of people looking for the names of their loved ones. Michael Miller and Thomas Grimes from Peru are names we found. I was watching some of the people while there--I observed a young man--confined to a wheelchair with no legs--a casualty of Iraq. A WWII veteran walked up to the young man shook his hand, thanked him for his sacrifice, and then gave him a hug. I brushed away a tear. I wish nations could put their differences aside and live in peace. I don't want to see my great granddaughter grow up in a world of turmoil.

Central School

Before the early 1860's opportunity for education was limited. Funds became available through the state so the city took advantage of the opportunity for free schools. In 1860 Central School building was erected on the corner of West Sixth and Miami streets at a cost of $15,000.The most memorable fact with the opening of the school was that it was on the same day that Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President of the United States.
Central School was abandoned when the city leased a building at the corner of Broadway and West Sixth Street. The abandoned building was demolished in 1910 to make way for the new Peru High School.

SQ Mascot

Mrs. Jesse Steiner worked at Sq D Peru for 21 years. Jesse had a dog by the name of Brownie who would follow her to work everyday. She let Brownie watch her punch in and out and the dog would hang around all day waiting for her to leave work. Jesse left the Peru Plant due to ill health in 1949. Brownie continued coming to the plant everyday. Just before 7 a.m. he would be at the time clock, at the noon buzzer, and at quitting time. Workers at the plant believed you could set your watch by him.
The Peru Oldtimers decided that Brownie should be rewarded for his faithfulness. So, adding his mistress' service of twenty-one years--to Brownies four--they bestowed a twenty-five year pin to Brownie. What kind of dog was Brownie?? I believe they call it a heinz 57.

SQ D- Schneider Electric

Sq D Peru, was the recipient of IndustryWeek Best Plant 2006. The criteria for winning an award of this caliber is based on inventory management, high regard for safety, productivity, and serving the customer. Over two hundred industries were nominated for this award. Of the top ten, three were from Indiana. In 2005 the Peru Plant acheived a 97% on-time delivery.
Sq D started in Peru in 1920 making porcelain bases for safety switches. Through the years many changes have been made to better serve their customers.
Of a personal note: I retired in 2005 after working twenty-six years. The job provided a good living, many challenges, an appreciation for safety, and fellow workers who became friends. Congratulations to all who made this award possible!!

Boston Store

1905--This celebration devoid of fuss or flourish, will focus the attention of all the people of Peru and Miami County. We invite you to participate in this important event. Come in to our store with the welcome and freedom of old friends.
Our mission is broad, our aims will constantly be bent toward the best service to the public, and satisfaction to all.
We have leased the Sullivan Building at No. 59 N. Broadway for several years, and with your help we will try to make this store the people's most popular trading place in Peru. We will carry a full line of Dry Goods, Millinery, Ladies' Furnishings, Queensware, and a full line of Household goods.
The Boston store was later moved to South Broadway where the Post Office stands now-2006.

Coal Famine

1905--There came near being a coal famine in Peru during the past week, The supply of all the dealers was exhausted Friday and but for the arrival of three car loads on Saturday there would have been some cold stoves in Peru homes. The dealers have since received a shipment and the majority of them are supplied.
Aren't we glad we don't have to shovel coal to warm our homes? I can remember a few times that I had to do that. I prefer to walk to my thermostat and turn it up a little as opposed to shoveling coal and having to get rid of the klinkers. How about you?
.

Chicken Thief

1905-Two officers of the Cass county detective assoc. accompanied by a member of the Logansport police were in Peru and took into charge C.H. Miller. Miller hired a horse and wagon and drove to the homes of Edward Kirkpatrick, Lewis Hertzell and John Zimmerman. He loaded up four dozen chickens and four turkeys belonging to these men and drove to Peru where he sold his product at the Peru packing house. He received $23.09 for the lot and straightway began to spend the money in some of the numerous saloons on South Broadway. He was in a candy store at 117 South Broadway when found by Sheriff Skinner and Officer O'Brien. He had $21 of the spoils in his pocket and his rig was located at the Davidson barn. At first he denied his guilt but before being taken back on the noon car, he confessed and now he will await a sentence of the Cass county court, which will doubtless place him in the Southern reformatory for a few years.

Peru Retail Grocery

The Peru Retail Grocery was owned by Robert Geberin. Bob started in the grocery business when he was sixteen at Lett's Grocery in Bunker Hill. He worked 50 to 60 hours a week receiving a paycheck of $12.00. Bob married Juanita Long and eventually moved to Peru from Bunker Hill.
Bob changed jobs working for Palmer & Ditzler Locker Plant. During the war he worked at Riggles' machine shop but his love for the grocery business prompted him to return. He maintained the Peru Retail Grocery in a building on North Broadway in 1948. A few years later Bob then built his business at 167 North Broadway next to the old Y.M.C.A.
Our dad, Bob Geberin, built an apartment on the back of the lot, then proceeded building his own new store. He then built an apartment above the grocery which gave us a high-view of Broadway. The" Cozy Nook," a restaurant with good home cooking, was also added (my mom's cooking). I still picture my dad grinding meat to make hamburger. Like other mom & pop groceries people ran "tabs" and would pay at the end of the week. Eventually he bought Squirrel Food Co. which dealt in restaurant supplies. Bob serviced Peru and surrounding communities.

Richard & Joan Wylie

Dick and Joan Wylie were in Peru this week traveling with a church group from California. They were enjoying Hoosier Hospitality to its fullest.
Dick was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Peru from 1968 to 1981. Their children went to Peru Schools during that time--Steve, Carol and Janet.
I have many fond memories of their family. We used to have church campouts on the Eel River once a year. Those that loved to camp joined in the Christian Fellowship fun. One such year the men decided to have a style show. Dick replaced his white shirt, tie, trousers, and robe for a very elegant creation that would have envied Lauren or Dior. The laughter echoed throughout the campground all the way down the river. Also, I question his ability to navigate the river as the canoe he was in charge of tipped in the water with my youngest daughter aboard. Dripping wet they finally made their way back to camp. Memories I have of Dick--full of compassion, warm & caring, very knowledgable of Peru History, reaching out in the community, and was an excellent minister.
I don't know how Joan does it--she looks the same as she did back in 1968. Unbelievable!
We miss you, Richard Wylie, former minister of First Presbyterian.

Fire Destroys Grocery

1957--Fire destroyed Clem Toepfer Grocery and Purvis Drugstore. Also damaged were Roy's Tavern, A.G.P. Corporation and apartments. The fire was first discovered in an attached shed behind the tavern. Flames shot as high as 30 feet.Fire chief Burrous thought it was one of the worst fires since the burning of the Thrush factory five years ago. Fortunately, no one living in the apartments was injured.
Mr. Toepfer decided to rebuild his store and continue serving his customers. The store was rebuilt in 1958. He continued his business until 1967. Dedicated men like Clem Toepfer are a rare breed. The children loved him and he became friends with many of his customers. Today's supermarkets lack that warm atmosphere of the old "mom & pop" groceries that were present back in the 40's to the 70's.
When i was a kid I can remember going into Fisher's Grocery close to my house. I still can remember the old pot belly stove that gave warmth to the building. My father also was in the grocery business on North Broadway. Some of these buildings are still standing but deserted. Others have been torn down. The children of today have missed the experience of these "mom & pop" groceries where you could spend lots of time picking out your favorite penny candy.

Toepfer's Grocery 1933-1967

In 1929, Clem Toepfer operated a grocery store in South Peru. In 1933, he moved his business to 316 West Main Street.
As with a lot of "mom & pop" grocery stores you could call on the phone and your groceries would be delivered. His two daughters named his delivery truck "Rattle Trap" because you could hear it coming down the street. Most customers would run a "tab" and pay their bills weekly or monthly. Clem was well-known for his homemade mincement much to the delight of holiday bakers. Very few people had freezers so customers would order meat and produce several times a week.

Clem had a wonderful sense of humor, was quick-witted, and the life of a party. Children loved him and gave him the name "Clem Kadiddlehopper". Clem's father, born in Germany, was a blacksmith and became partners with John Volpert. The business was known as Toepfer & Volpert.

A fire destroyed the business in 1957 but was rebuilt and continued serving customers until 1967. From 1968 to 1990 Clem was associated with Peru Federal Savings and Loan. Note: a car wash now stands in the location of Toepfer's Grocery in 2006.

Peru Courthouses

Peru's first courthouse was built in 1843. It was a two story brick building 40 feet square, in the Greek Revival style of architecture. It had tall white pillars reaching to the roof and a cupola with a weather vane on top. There was a fireplace in each room. On the night of March 16, 1843, it was destroyed by fire. Most of the county records were destroyed.
In 1856 a new courthouse was begun. It was a two-story building, which was of brick in the Norman Style of architecture, was completed in 1858.
By 1905 the second courthouse had grown too small to accomodate the county's business. The building was blown up. The front of this courthouse faced South.
Work then began on the third courthouse which is standing today-2006. The building was completed December 31, 1910 but was not dedicated until 1911.
A special note: In between the burning of the first courthouse and the building of the second court business was conducted in the Presbyterian Church that was located in the first block of West Third Street.

Okie Pinokie-Haunted ?????

Ghosts are often depicted as human size and shape but it supposedly is like looking through a sheer curtain --nothing solid. They seem to float in mid air. Some people believe ghosts wander aimlessly because they were not able to rest or see the light.
All those people that are fascinated by ghostly things will probably be going out to Okie Pinokie within the next two weeks since it is getting close to Halloween.It is quite interesting to read of people's experiences of going to this place at night.According to the urban legend eight bodies
have been found there. At one time Indians roamed those woods and probably lived in that vicinity. Where do you think they were buried? It is a long narrow lane to get there and yes, it would be very scary at night because it would be very dark with the trees overhanging on the road. If you are brave enough to go there take plenty of flashlights and good luck.

Elbert Shirk

Elbert Hamilton Shirk was born in Franklin Co., Indiana in 1818. Mr. Shirk arrived in Peru the summer of 1844 and formed a business with John Harlan in the mercantile business. He married Mary Wright, of Franklin County, in 1845. She was a lady of English descent, who returned with her young husband to the new and strange home in Peru. They brought all their goods in a two-horse wagon. A year later the firm of Harlan & Shirk was dissoved and Mr. Shirk continued the business alone. He was very successful as a merchant and accumulated wealth very rapidly. From 1850 to 1855 he invested largely in Mexican war land warrants, which he laid judiciously in Iowa and other western States, which in turn were exchanged for improved farms in Miami County. This was the beginning of operations in real estate which laid the foundation for a colossal fortune. Under the national banking act Mr. Shirk procured a charter and proceeded to organize the First National Bank of Peru. Mr. Shirk was of medium height, erect and quite slender. His life was clean and free from vicious habits. He was therefore clear headed; able to utilize all his tremendous energy, and accomplished the purpose of his will. He was a true example of a successful self-made man. He was the wealthiest man in northern Indiana, and one of the wealthiest in Indiana.

Joseph Holman

Joseph Holman was a name familiar to all the early residents of Peru. He was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Holman purchased a tract of 640 acres of land on the Wabash, upon the eastern half of which the original plat of Peru was subsequently laid out by William Hood. Mr. Holman traded extensively in lands and all kinds of real estate and was prominently associated with the early growth of Peru and Miami County. In about the year 1839 he disposed of his interests in Miami County and returned to Wayne County, where his death occurred in 1872. He was instrumental in founding Miamisport. Eventually, Miamisport became Peru.

Fall--Winter??

Gabriel Godfroy

August 15, 1910--Gabriel Godfroy chief of the Miami Indians, died at his home four miles southeast of Peru last Sunday. Chief Godfroy was seventy-six years of age, being born on January 1, 1834. His father was Chief Francis Godfroy of French descent, who moved his family to the county shortly after the birth of Gabriel. After the death of Frances, Gabriel became chief and devoted his time, energies and money to the interests of his people. Because he was liberal Chief Godfroy became poor. He was called upon scores of times to pay fines, assessed against the Indians for intoxication. For seven years he paid the expense and the stood the worry of a battle with the county commissioners brought to compel him and others of his tribe to pay taxes on their lands. They claimed the lands to be exempt, because of the treaties by which they were deeded to them by the government. Shrewd lawyers took advantage of him and helped to reduce his wealth. Chief Godfroy was married three times and by his three wives he became the father of nineteen children. His short stout figure and his long snow, white hair, made him a picturesque figure.

OOPS

Earthquake in Peru

Oct. 31,1895--A very marked siesmic disturbance was noticed in this city this morning a few minutes after 5 o'clock. There were two shocks ten seconds apart. The earth seemed to vibrate north and south and to one lying in bed the sensation felt like some one had hold of the bed post pulling and pushing with violence. Some people jumped out of bed and ran out of the house. Some ran down into the cellar to see if the gas had exploded and others looked under the bed for burglars. No damage was done other than frightening those who were awake.