November 2005 The Megaphone Page 4
The Journey
by Craig Toensing
As I was leaving for Elwood for my 50th class reunion, I told my wife I wasn’t driving to Indiana but rather through an Einstein wormhole to 1955. Actually I did both. I had not made this drive in years. It is mostly interstate highways and I spent a lot of time doing the bunny hop wedged between caravans of speeding, gear-grinding, smoke-spewing tractor-trailers. The less traveled roads of New England have spoiled me.
My satellite radio was tuned to a 50’s channel that provided the musical backdrop for the trip. As the miles came rolling toward me, so did the memories. Passing Washington, PA, I recalled the time in 1957 when my IU track team spent a couple of days there on our way to the Penn Relays. We all stood and left a large downtown restaurant when our black teammates were refused service. The flatlands of Indiana possessed their own type of beauty and were good to see again. As I drove up Route 37, each curve in the road seemed to bring back a fond memory.
Heraclitus was correct when he said, "You can’t step into the same river twice." Towns change more slowly than constantly changing rivers, but it would have been naïve to expect to step into the same town as existed in 1955. I didn’t. Most of the downtown merchants are gone. They cannot compete with the large national retailers because we, as consumers, seek lower prices. Many of those national retailers have big box stores less that thirty minutes away in Noblesville. Many if not most of the manufacturing jobs have disappeared from Elwood, Anderson and Muncie. The industrial landscape has changed. Half of the 62,000 auto industry jobs that existed in Indiana in the 1980’s are gone. Undoubtedly more will disappear as a result of the Delphi bankruptcy.
What I did find was a town that looks terrific. There is a solid infrastructure. Most of the houses are attractive and well kept. There seems to be a vibrancy to the town, and it appears to still be a good place to live and to raise a family.
From time to time, I read or hear a complaint about Elwood. That was true in 1955 also. I suspect some of the complainers would complain no matter where they lived.
The reunion activities started Thursday evening. The committee of Barbara (Green) Courtney, Diane (Horton) Brown and Marie (Brown) McMinn, colorful names those, did an outstanding job of designing four days of activities. 147 graduated in our class, 31 have passed away and 59 were at the reunion.
It was wonderful to see everyone and share the hugs and the laughs. There was talk of children and grandchildren and of careers and lives, all given as answers to questions rather than proclamations .
There seemed to be a sense of ease and accomplishment among us. The accomplishment of making it to most likely the last quarter in the game of life. We have raised our families, many have concluded their work lives. The road behind each of us is a lot longer than the road ahead. All have had ups and downs, joys and sorrows. We have an understanding and acceptance of those things. We all tried to live our lives to the best of our abilities. Some of those abilities came from living in Elwood. No one can ask for more from us.
I am grateful to each classmate for being a valuable part of my life. Best wishes to each of them, and best wishes to Elwood. Thanks for the memories.
Craig
Toensing '55
Lakeville, CT
Elwood Buses
by Dewey W. Smith
After WW II, Suburban Transit of LaPorte found itself with several buses that were no longer needed to haul passengers to the defense industries. After a check of several cities in Indiana, it was found that Elwood was the only city of over 10,00 that did not have a public passenger transportation service. After a favorable response from both the business and public officials. it was decided to furnish Public Bus transportation to the city. Four buses were overhauled and repainted red and white with the Elwood Transit logo re-lettered on them.
In February 1946, Gilbert Carmer, newly released from the Army Transportation service, was appointed superintendent. A call for drivers was made and Dewey W. Smith, Arthur L Humphry, Edward P. VanBuskirk, Joseph A. Davis and Hayden H. Hawkins were hired as the original drivers. Shortly after this Omer Heater was added to the drivers list.
On February 28, free rides were given to acquaint the public with the buses. One bus ran north and south and the other ran east and west. Bus fares were 10 cents or a token at three for a quarter. This also gave the new drivers some experience hauling passengers. The bus stop was in front of Frenchie's Donut shop on Anderson Street. This made it handy for the drivers to run in and get a donut while waiting to load passengers. The buses were serviced and gassed up at Lee's Marathon on South 16th Street behind Williams Hamburger shop.
In 1947, Maple City Transit, a sister company, found itself with two newer and more modern buses. These were repainted and lettered with the Elwood Transit and shipped to Elwood. The years 1946 to 1950 were the best years for the Elwood Transit with 1947 being the best. After that business began to taper off and 1951 was a break even year. The automobile dealers were able to catch up on their back orders. In 1952 there was a tragedy when a fire destroyed two of the buses and insurance would not pay enough to replace them.
So in February 1953, after a small holiday business, it was decided to terminate the business. After seven years of trying to serve Elwood, the buses followed the street cars into oblivion.
I have in my possession 12 or 15 tokens from other cities that I picked up while driving the bus.
Dewey W. Smith -- Monon '39
Elwood, IN