From the files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

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

Jan. 2, 1971 – Flames erupting in the early morning New Year’s dawn swept through the Pickwick block in downtown Syracuse, destroying everything in the quarter-block area except the Pickwick Theater and the S&N Plumbing and Heating Shop. Early estimates of damage will exceed $300,000.

Completely burned were the Jaycees Clubrooms, The Pickwick Lounge, The First Charter Finance Office and the large two-floor W.R. Thomas Variety Store. The theater building received severe heat, smoke and water damage as did the plumbing shop and a room formerly occupied by Doc’s Shoe Repair Shop.

Dec. 31, 1959 – Six shots from an old revolver wrote finis to an all-day domestic argument Wednesday afternoon when a vodka-crazed, unemployed 39-year-old Pierceton man killed his wife with five shots from the 32-caliber gun and then ended his own life with one shot as a 15-year-old daughter watched in horror.

Deputy County Coroner Dr. John Arford and investigating officers said the case was murder-suicide, and that William Adams, the father of five children, after a day of drinking and arguing with his wife Betty, age 37, followed her to the bathroom and dressing room of their Pierceton home, shot her four times in the right shoulder and once just behind the right ear, killing her instantly.

Dec. 31, 1957 – Mayor Jack Engle today issued orders to Police Chief Ralph Jay to see that all pinball machines and cookie jars operating in violation of state law be removed from business houses and clubs in Warsaw “within 24 hours.”

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels