From the files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

This is a history column that will appear a few times a month. 

Dec. 26, 1973 – Warsaw firemen rummaged through more than 20,000 square feet of rubble at Laminated Rafters Products on Ind. 15N, Warsaw, today to learn the origin of a fire that leveled the LRC manufacturing building and all machinery early Christmas morning.

Lowell Barkey, who with a brother, Wayne, and a son, Philip, has operated the rafter laminating business on North Detroit Street since 1955, was unable today to place a dollar estimate on the loss since much expensive custom-made equipment also was destroyed. Some observers, however, believed damage could exceed $200,000.

Dec. 20, 1968 – Don Acton and Sue Smythe were crowned king and queen of the Mentone Homecoming at the Mentone gymnasium during the recent Mentone-Pierceton basketball game. Don is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Acton, and Sue is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Smythe.

Dec. 20, 1958 – A safe was taken from the Co-op Elevator at Pacseven 7 miles behind a vehicle and finally abandoned, without being opened, in the middle of a road south of Claypool.

Sheriff Carl Latta and Deputy Howard “Sam” Holbrook said the safe was found unopened on a county gravel road. Laurie Wilson, manager of the elevator, said he did not know how much money was in the safe.

Dec. 20, 1962 – A fitting climax to Courtesy Week at Warsaw Community High School was the crowning late this morning of Bill Cook, 17, and Kerry Anglin, 18, as Mr. and Miss Courtesy. They were chosen the most courteous students at the school by the entire student body. Bill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cook, Ellsworth Street, and Kerry is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Anglin, 415 N. Washington St.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels