RELAY FOR LIFE-Peru, IN>

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BIG TOOTH in Peru

1891-A molar tooth weighing four pounds, from the jaw of a mastodon, was found on the Blair farm about three miles northwest of the city, near the prairie ditch, by parties sinking a drain, a few days ago. It was discovered about two feet below the surface in the bed of the old run which has been dry since the drainage of the prairie by the new channel. The tooth consists of dentine invested by enamel with a layer of a substance like cement around the fangs and spread over the crown. Search will be made for other portions of the pachyderm.
People have bragged about Big Foot--the people of Peru can brag about Big Tooth!

Amateur Circus for Kids in Peru, Indiana

In 1959, Tom Hodgini, a local business man organized the first amateur circus . Tom was a former bareback rider and circus performer himself. Tom hauled his old high-wire riggings and started training the teens that were to perform under the big top. The operation then moved to an abandoned high school gym, then into the old Peru Lumber yard. Through much effort and a lot of hard work the arena is now air-conditioned and will hold 1,600 circus lovers.
My grandson, Joey, has not experienced the joy of getting to see the circus. I took him to the circus building last week and asked if it would be o.k. for him to watch one of the acts practice. They were very gracious and said "yes". We timed it just right because his first glimpse of the Peru Circus was the high flyers. I had to snicker because when they were up in the air practicing their tricks Joey was sitting in the stands, eyes glued on them, and singing "I Believe I can Fly". It put a smile on a few faces.
The circus teaches the children to have self-confidence, committment, and respect for their trainers and all the other kids involved. The picture in the blog was taken several years ago. These kids are now parents and grandparents. What a legacy!

Circus Menageria Burns in Peru, Indiana

Jan. 25, 1884-- Col. Benj. E. Wallace's circus menageria went up in smoke Monday. For some time he had been collecting wild animals for his circus which is to take the road in the spring. These animals he had stored in temporary cages in the old chair factory, on the south side of west Second street, across the street from the National hotel and west across the alley. An overheated stove caused the blaze which started the fire. The intense heat and smoke soon ended the lives of the animal which included some lions, tigers, deer, kangaroo and monkeys. It was a cold morning and there was a heavy snow on the ground, and the firemen fought hard to save the animals. Col. Wallace says that he will begin again and when spring arrives that he will be ready to open his season. The circus opened April 26, 1884.

Relay for life in Peru, IN

SUPPORT RELAY FOR LIFE
Survivors walk first lap around Bengal Stadium Friday. Come and show your support.Walkers, walk Friday and Saturday.

Then and Now in Peru, Indiana

Circus Band in Peru, IN.

The rain did not dampen the spirits of avid Cole Porter fans this past weekend. The Miami County Museum was filled with Circus Band members and music lovers of all ages. A lot of toe-tapping was going on. If you have never experienced hearing the circus band, it's a must. They have two free concerts to go--June 21 at 7:00 in the PHS auditorium and July 5 at 7:00 at the Fire Station. After that, they will be in the loft at the Peru Circus Center for all ten performances.
Band members come in all ages and professions-- to name a few: Don Smith-postal worker; Dan Roberts-surgeon; Kathi Urban-teacher; Zak Tschiniak-recent recipient of both the Lily Foundation and Cole Porter scholarships; Christy Sullivan-teacher; Wendy Edwards- dental hygienist; Brent Embrey-attorney working for attorney general in Indiana; Gordon Cheever-Delphi; Chris Hickman-Band Director at Southwood High School; and many others to numerous to mention. The band has grown to over 140 musicians. The band loft only holds a capacity of 64, requiring that some musicians take turns. They give their time and talent so that Peru is truly the Greatest Amateur Show on Earth.

Miami Co. Museum Invites You-Flag Day Celebration

On the June 14th, 2006 -2pm to 4pm and 6:30 to 8:00 you are invited to enjoy music, refreshments, and observe the retiring of a Civil War Flag to it's rightful home, The Indiana War Memorial Museum.
The flag belonged to the 99th Volunteer Infantry of which Miami County supplied two companies, Company D and Company I. The 99th regiment was organized at South Bend, In. and mustered in October 21, 1862. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., thence to Memphis, Tenn. The Regiment lost during service 45 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 147 Enlisted men by disease. Total 197. They moved to Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign, ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., assault on Kenesaw Mountain, Battle of Atlanta, March to the Sea, March to Washington D.C. to name a few. The men were mustered out June 6, 1865.
The flag was discovered this spring by a museum staff member. Ms. Schmink of the Indiana War Memorial will be here to accept this Flag on their behalf.
The Company Singers from Huntington will be providing Civil War music and a short ceremony to retire this grand old flag at 7:30. Show your support to this momentous occassion.

Grissom Air Museum Peru, Indiana

Grandson Joey and I went to the Grissom Air Museum . I must confess I have driven by the museum many times and never stopped. The museum is very interesting for a young boy of eight years old. He was able to sit in a cockpit and pretend that he was flying. His little legs carried him to the top of the 5-story tower so he could see the planes from a different view.
The B58 Hustler that is on display is one of only eight left in the world--the museum having the oldest. The B25 on display was featured in the movie "Catch 22".

The Air Museum is in it's 25th year. John Crume from Kokomo was instrumental in starting the museum and rounding up the many volunteers needed to make his dream happen.
The Air Museum is shy of meeting their goal to pay for the acquisition of an f-14 Tomcat. Your generous, tax-deductible support will meet that goal. Contributions may be sent to 1000
West Hoosier Blvd., Peru, IN. 46970

Cole Porter's Cadillac in Peru, Indiana

Cole Porter ordered a 1955 Cadillac for his European Tour. It was used in 1956 and 1957 to tour Europe. The car was shipped to New York from Italy in 1959. Later the car was given to Madeline Smith, his secretary of over 20 years. Then her son Drew registered the auto in his name in 1959. A Mr. Scott purchased the car and had it restored. Through his generosity it was donated to the Miami County Museum in December 1994. When the Cadillac was completed in 1989 the cost was $180,000.

The Cadillac was in the movies "Godfather" and "The Kennedy's". Be sure to stop in the Miami County Museum this weekend to see the famous car.

Grandson Joey in Peru

My grandson Joey is visiting from Coshocton, Ohio. This has been our week in pictures....

Cole Porter

This week will be the anniversary of Cole's birth. What beautiful music he wrote! Cole Porter was forty-six years old when he was in a horseback riding accident that caused him severe pain until his death. After the accident the doctors wanted to amputate his legs, but his wife Linda and mother Kate said no to the amputation. The two women reasoned he would die from despair. Cole's legs would never mend; he had to endure some thirty-five operations and still had to have one amputated. Even after his operations and constant pain he provided scores for Hollywood movies and Broadway musicals. He wrote hits such as: "Leave It to Me," Kiss Me Kate," "Can-Can,"and "Silk Stockings". Five of his song made a list of the thirty most popular songs of all time. Some of my favorites were "Begin the Beguine," "Night and Day," and "I've Got You Under my Skin." It's unbelievable that Cole's music is still being played today--that says a lot for that little boy that was born in Peru, Indiana.

Mabel Ray Bundy Sausaman

1916-Centennial Celebration--The address of welcome by a great granddaughter of Frances Slocum-Mabel Bundy Sausaman was as follows:
Relatives and Friends: We are indeed very much pleased to have you with us here today. This is the second reunion of the Slocums of the United States at this place since the beginning of this century, and since the ceremonies that attended the burial of our ancestor, Frances Slocum, styled the "White Rose" by the Miami Indians, and the "Little Lost Sister" by the Quaker folks back in the Wyoming Valley, her babyhood home. The first meeting of the descendants occurred here on May 17, 1900, and the event was one of unusual interest. With my joy over your being here today is mingled a tinge of sorrow, for as I look around me I seem to miss greatly the handsome faces of Dr. Charles Slocum, James Slocum Bennett, and Elliot Slocum, who were here the last time and are now in the spirit world. These three men played a prominent part in the unveiling ceremonies in the cemetery years. But let us not be troubled at this time with the memories of the past. 'Tis better that we live today in the present. Let us enjoy this occasion to its fullest extent and may there be no regrets at the close; let it be a perfect day. We bid you welcome and may God bless us all

Cole Porter Summerfest

Next week the Cole Porter Summerfest will be in full swing. There will be something for everyone. The festival celebrates the music and life of Peru native--Cole Porter.
Cole was born in Peru, Indiana June 9, 1891 and Died October 15, 1964.
It's amazing to me that Cole's music has survived all these years. That tells me what a brilliant songwriter he was.
Several movies have his songs:" De-Lovely" which was shown on the big screen in 2004 contained Begin the Beguine, I Get a Kick Out of You, In the Still of Night, It's De-Lovely, Just One of Those Things, Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love, Let's Misbehave, Love for Sale, Night and Day, and True Love.
"What Women Want"-2000-I've Got you Under My Skin and Night and Day
"There's Something About Mary"-1998-I've Got You Under My Skin
"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"-1984-Anything Goes
"Blazing Saddles"-1974-I Get a Kick Out of You
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro"-1952-You Do Something to Me, Just One of Those Things

Chief Richardville

Adventure in Peru

More on the roadtrip Betty and I took--We went to the Clayton and Godfroy Cemetery. The Clayton cemetery is in a beautiful setting-quiet and serene- but, here again there are a lot of stones down.Then we went to the Godfroy cemetery. Only the descendents of the Miami Indians can be buried here. It was very well kept and peaceful. Across the road from the cemetery is the remains of the old Godfroy trading post--The house is non-existant today. So many remnants of history are gone forever. Looking at the old trading post, one can imagine the indians going there to buy their goods.

Cemeteries in Miami County

My friend Betty, went wandering with me over the weekend to see all of the history in Miami County. We started by going to the Tillett Cemetery. You have to drive up a steep hill to get there. My van did a little slipping and sliding but we made it to the top. It is so quiet and serene there but we both were very saddened by graffiti on stones, toppled over stones, and some leaning against trees. I have always felt a cemetery was very sacred and I do not understand what pleasure anyone would have by defacing something sacred. A particular stone of Betty's family member is no longer there. How sad.
We went to Stony Point School. The school was abandoned in 1914. Mostly indians attended this school. It is not too far from Godfroy's trading post. In 1929 Mrs. General Jones bought the Stony Point Schoolhouse and lot, and moved there to live. Soon after they moved in the house Mrs. Jones became ill. They had no doctor to care for her and the result was death. She was buried east of the schoolhouse just south of the door where her body still remains. More tomorrow--

In Peru

REMEMBER

Moder-Kreutzer Bottling Co. in Peru

John J. Kreutzer attended St. Mary's Institute in Dayton, Ohio and studied at the the university of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He worked with his father in the mercantile business, then held a position at the First National Bank of Peru, and then assumed a position of clerk and bookkeeper in the offices of the Cole Brewery. In 1889, John he became interested in glass manufacturing. When the natural gas failed and it became unprofitable he then became an active executive of the Peru Grocery Company until 1908.
John J. Kruetzer married Rosa Ebah, of Stuebenville, Ohio in 1885. From that union they parented thirteen children.

John J. Kreutzer of Peru

John Kreutzer was born in Peru on December 16, 1857, He is the son of Jacob and Margaret(Lang) Kreutzer. John's father Jacob, was a child at the time of the family immigration to America from Germany.
In 1889 John became interested in establishing a glass manufactory in Peru. The enterprise was successful for a period of ten years. The failure of the supply of natural gas rendered the venture unprofitable which resulted in the closing of the factory. The factory was situated on the river bank next to the depot.
In 1909 Mr. Kreutzer was elected to the position of mayor. He brought about numerous public improvements and gained unequivocal popular approval.