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.

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society.

March 17, 1962 — Shh! There’ll be no private conversations at city hall, at least in most offices and city council chambers. No more secrets from Mayor Paul “Mike” Hodges (during business hours, at least) … for he’s had the place “bugged.”

Most offices are now wired for official eavesdropping. All offices are “bugged” except the fire station, rest rooms and supply rooms.

March 21, 1960 — With the filing deadline only three days away, the office of county coroner seems to be attracting the most attention in the May 3 primary election. Today, Mrs. Mary Wallace, a Warsaw Democrat, became the first woman in history to seek the office.

The candidacy of Wallace, 1077-1/2 E. Center St., created a three-way contest for the Democrat nomination. She will oppose Meville Dickerson, Silver Lake funeral director, and Dr. Joe “Bill” Mishler of Pierceton.

March 1838 — Washington Township was organized in March 1838.

The first settlers were John Makemson and his brother Vincent. They built the first house in the township on section 3 in spring 1835 and that same autumn, Vincent Makemson erected the second house in the township.

The first election was held at the house of Martin Braysted in April 1838, and Lewis Keith was elected justice of the peace.

The first death was that of a daughter of John and Mrs. Bratt in 1838. Abner McQuigg died the next year and was the first interred in the Ryerson Cemetery, which was donated for such purposes by George W. Ryerson in 1839.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels