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.

Nov. 9, 1977 — Arson is being blamed in the devastating fire that leveled seven homes and damaged several others in Oakwood Park along the shores of Lake Wawasee early Saturday.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Fortner reached that conclusion Tuesday after an inspection of the scene. He said no physical evidence was found to substantiate the theory. But, he added, he came to the conclusion after learning that the blaze started in a cottage where gas and electric service had been discontinued two weeks prior to the fire. He speculated that an arsonist’s match was virtually the only way the blaze could have started.

Nov. 15, 1974 — No official action was taken following a head-on confrontation Thursday night between approximately 170 parents and teachers at a Whitko School Board meeting over the use of the controversial textbook series “Man” in the Whitko schools. Use of the book series also is being contested in Charleston, W. Va., where violence has erupted.

In a statement read by Claude Stahl, spokesman for the parents, it was asserted that “the series is not what we would like to have used in this system.”

Nov. 10, 1969 — Police are sifting clues today in the gruesome murder by strangulation of a young Dewart Lake divorcee, whose scantily-clad and partially decomposed body was found by neighbors Sunday.

The body of Lillie Mae Ritchie, 29, was found in a small quonset-type cottage on CR 1000N at the north edge of Dewart Lake at 11:15 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators said the young woman was lying on her bed with a rolled bedspread tied tightly around her neck with a double knot.

Nov. 14, 1958 — The newly formed Optimist Club in Warsaw received its charter last night during a meeting in the Lake City Bank recreation rooms. The Optimist Club is a service organization similar to Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions. Its motto is the promotion of youth work, nationally and locally. It differs from other local service clubs in that it is a “breakfast” club, meeting at 7 a.m. each Wednesday at Horn’s Restaurant. 

There currently are 27 members in the club. The officers are Robert Boley, vice president; John Logue, president; Fred Yohey, vice president; Richard Hamm, secretary treasurer; Howard Mock, Max Greenland and Paul Gadson, all directors. The Rev. Lee Rose, also is a director.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels