As the Starke County Jail Committee discusses an upgrade today, commissioners Don Thompson, Todd Troike, and Joe Weinberg were talking about an upgrade to the jail 39 years ago.

On June 3, 1973, the commissioners met with James Garman, an architect with M&W, Inc. Also in attendance at the meeting were Sheriff Harold Wyland and Auditor Jack Milner.

Some of the discussion items included whether to consider the feasibility to serve both county and city departments, whether to put a basement in the new building, and space requirements for 30 inmates. They also discussed where to place the drunk tank, interrogation rooms, booking offices, squad room, and laundry room. A brief debate was held regarding whether or not a kitchen was a requirement, and whether or not to add the sheriff’s living quarters onto the jail. Finally, they reviewed neighboring Jasper County Jail estimates that were quoted at $175,000 for cells and $500,000 for the building.

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With Pomp and Circumstance heard as the Francesville graduating class of 1935 climbed the stairs to the school’s stage, few in the audience could have imagined that one of the pupils would go on to be the governor of Indiana, and a President Ronald Reagan cabinet member. On this date in 1935, the man who went on to answer to the nickname “Doc” graduated from Francesville High School.
Otis R. “Doc” Bowen served two terms as governor, from 1972 to 1980, making him the first man to serve two consecutive terms since 1851.

He was the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan from 1985-1989.

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This is the date in 1974 that multiple tornadoes traveled through Indiana. The most devastated town was Monticello where most of the downtown buildings were demolished beyond recognition. Structures in shambles included the White County Courthouse, the First Presbyterian Church and the First National Bank. Another community hard-hit was Thornhope in Pulaski County.

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