03-19-2009
( Reply#: 2877 ) |
tom w |
As I was told, the river was used by the boats bringing potatoes into Hammond as well as by the meat industry that was just north of the railroad bridge west of Hohman Ave. I remember the auto shop just south of the Calumet ave bridge, on the east side. They pushed their junk cars into the muck and they would slowly sink and then they would push more on top. There was a junkyard right across the street. Half a block south at Michigan ave was the Star drivein.
Just north of the bridge on the west side was a big field where the circus would set up when they came to town. The day they pulled out we all went down and scoured the ground for money. The tavern on the corner of Calumet and 150th did a landside business for that week. Take care, Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 |
03-19-2009
( Reply#: 2878 ) |
Cindy M |
I kept wondering if Martin Piniak would eventually be discussed.
My oldest sister lived in East Chicago, before later on moving to what was then called East Gary (now Lake Station). I believe her street was Northcote Ave., close to the large park.
They lived in the top floor "apartment" of a two story house. I was about 7 years old at the time. About 1963-64 or so. Donna would give me a bit of pocket change, and I would get to go to a tiny little store not very far away that sold candy, literally for pennies. I would come back with a whole little brown paper sack full.
Anyway, I would often, to my childish terror, come upon Martin Piniak walking up the street towards me.
Does anyone, by chance have access to any pictures or newspaper articles for the old fellow? I would love to see them, if so. |
03-19-2009
( Reply#: 2879 ) |
duane |
HI Cindy. I don't have a picture, but here is a link to a story about him in the book Hoosier legends. http://books.google.com/books?id=-xqSIsUF76QC&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=Martin+Piniak+East+Chicago&source=bl&ots=icLNhYYF46&sig=JijjYt6GHOSrxcGS1nYYicPC5hM&hl=en&ei=4Q_DSf6mEo_vnQf95ZzzDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA140,M1
I lived just a block and 1/2 down from your sister on 151st Street, right next to the store that sold the candy. It was called Park View Store(it was just across from the park) or more commonly known as Lebryks (the owners and proprietors). Mrs. Lebryk still lives there to this day, although the store has been closed for years. The big park across the street was Kosciousko Park, named after the Polish War hero that fought for America.
Although Martin physical appearance may have scared you, he was really a nice and gentle man. Later in years, he developed his "spin around" where he would just turn one way and then the other a few times before walking on. He also talked to himself a lot.
Do you remember the other famous East Chicago character...Edju Tucker? His real name was Eddie Pietroski and he was about 6 foot 5 inches tall and about 350 pounds or more. |
03-20-2009
( Reply#: 2880 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
HI Cindy. I don't have a picture, but here is a link to a story about him in the book Hoosier legends. http://books.google.com/books?id=-xqSIsUF76QC&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=Martin+Piniak+East+Chicago&source=bl&ots=icLNhYYF46&sig=JijjYt6GHOSrxcGS1nYYicPC5hM&hl=en&ei=4Q_DSf6mEo_vnQf95ZzzDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA140,M1
I lived just a block and 1/2 down from your sister on 151st Street, right next to the store that sold the candy. It was called Park View Store(it was just across from the park) or more commonly known as Lebryks (the owners and proprietors). Mrs. Lebryk still lives there to this day, although the store has been closed for years. The big park across the street was Kosciousko Park, named after the Polish War hero that fought for America.
Although Martin physical appearance may have scared you, he was really a nice and gentle man. Later in years, he developed his "spin around" where he would just turn one way and then the other a few times before walking on. He also talked to himself a lot.
Do you remember the other famous East Chicago character...Edju Tucker? His real name was Eddie Pietroski and he was about 6 foot 5 inches tall and about 350 pounds or more.
Duane! More details about Edju, please. That name sure sounds familiar. It is one that I am sure I have not heard mentioned or have thought of myself since my HHS days.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-20-2009
( Reply#: 2882 ) |
tom w |
Tom
I remember running into Edju at Koskiosko Park one summer. He was surrounded by a bunch of teasing kids about my age. I was going to join them but couldnt so I walked away. I actually felt sorry for him. When I was a little kid at Irving School, there was a candy store across the street from the playground called Turley's. A guy stayed there named Art Sample that was a neighborhood clown. We also had a little kid named Hockers that was quite a character. Anyone else remember these characters? Take care Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 |
03-21-2009
( Reply#: 2883 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by tom w
Tom
I remember running into Edju at Koskiosko Park one summer. He was surrounded by a bunch of teasing kids about my age. I was going to join them but couldnt so I walked away. I actually felt sorry for him. When I was a little kid at Irving School, there was a candy store across the street from the playground called Turley's. A guy stayed there named Art Sample that was a neighborhood clown. We also had a little kid named Hockers that was quite a character. Anyone else remember these characters? Take care Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58
Kids can be so cruel to one another. In most cases, they really don't mean to hurt anyone, they are just having fun. That doesn't make the pain any less for the victim, though.
I don't think I ever actually saw Edju, because I was from a different part of town, but I know that I would hear his name mentioned from time to time back in my Jr. High and/or HS days.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-21-2009
( Reply#: 2884 ) |
duane |
I recall one episode that I read about in the newspaper....it may have been the Hammond Times. The article was headlined "Giant robs grocery store" There was a neighborhood store across the street from where Edju lived (he was probably in his mid-20's at the time). Someone had broken the glass on the front door during the night and stolen cash and merchandise. The trail of blood led the police across the street and right up to an apartment, where they found both Edju and the stolen goods.
Tom, you might be able to find that story since you have the subscription to the Hammond Times archives. Also, you might be able to find a photo of Martin Piniak for Cindy M. The Times occasionally did a story on him, and probably an obituary when he died, which I believe was in the early 1970's. |
03-21-2009
( Reply#: 2885 ) |
FloridaKelly |
Hey, I remember seeing Edju once. He use to walk back and forth in front of his house yelling obscenities at passing cars. I'm sure the cars were yelling at him too. Didn't he live like on Goslin or Chicago Ave?
I think he attended Bishop Noll and then transferred to Hammond High. I could be wrong too. Long time ago.
Kelly |
03-21-2009
( Reply#: 2886 ) |
duane |
Not sure where he lived later in his life, but when he lived with his family, it was near Northcote and 150th. His family ran a liquor store and his father was my cubmaster in the boy scouts.
He attended EC Roosevelt High School. I remember this because when he first went to high school, of course he was a very big guy, and caught the attention of the football coach (ECR was well known for having good football teams). The coach asked him "Are you going out for football?" to which Edju responded "Is your mother going out for football?" Needless to say, Edju was not the football type.
While his last name was Pietroski, he would tell everyone it was Edju Tucker, because he would then rhyme it with "And I'm a bad ***.
What I remember most is that kids with a convertable would pick him up and he would sit on the back of the trunk with his legs in the back seat, and they would drive him around and he would shout out and yell at people, and they at him.
|
03-23-2009
( Reply#: 2895 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
I recall one episode that I read about in the newspaper....it may have been the Hammond Times. The article was headlined "Giant robs grocery store" There was a neighborhood store across the street from where Edju lived (he was probably in his mid-20's at the time). Someone had broken the glass on the front door during the night and stolen cash and merchandise. The trail of blood led the police across the street and right up to an apartment, where they found both Edju and the stolen goods.
Tom, you might be able to find that story since you have the subscription to the Hammond Times archives. Also, you might be able to find a photo of Martin Piniak for Cindy M. The Times occasionally did a story on him, and probably an obituary when he died, which I believe was in the early 1970's.
No luck in my search of the Times archives, Duane. Bummer.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-23-2009
( Reply#: 2896 ) |
Paddy |
Tom:
I subscribe to a geneaology site that includes all archived newspapers. The archives for the Hammond Times are spotty. They include stuff from the 1930's-50's, and some years in the early 60's. |
03-23-2009
( Reply#: 2897 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Paddy
Tom:
I subscribe to a geneaology site that includes all archived newspapers. The archives for the Hammond Times are spotty. They include stuff from the 1930's-50's, and some years in the early 60's.
Paddy:
I subscribed to newspaperarchive.com, and their coverage is spotty on the Hammond Times. There are major gaps in the years that I would be most interested in, the years from the mid 50s through the early 70s. I was too little to remember much before 1955, and I was grown and gone by 1971.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-24-2009
( Reply#: 2898 ) |
tom w |
As I mentioned above, we had a kid they called Hockers that lived on Hickory St. They called him Hockers because when he talked, you wanted to stay back a little. I wont say his real name here but this is a story that I have told many times. I was there and witnessed it.
On the corner of Oak and Hoffman there was a grocery store called Brussels. Next to it in the same building was Yerga's Meat Mart. Old Mr&Mrs Yerga had a son that was ill and handicapped.
One day, they had to call the fire dept ambulance. The ambulance was a white 56 Ford wagon. When the ambulance arrived, the siren drew about 20 people that gathered around the ambulance including Hockers. The 2 firemen rushed in and left the doors open on the ambulance. The radio was turned up real loud and started calling INHILATOR 5, INHILATOR 5. One of the guys in the crowd said "Hey Hockers, tell him that they are inside." Hock said "You think I wont?" That was his standard reply. He walked over, leaned in and grabbed the mike and hollered "The amulance guys are all inside Yerga's." The radio immediately answered "Hockers PUT DOWN THAT MIKE AND GET AWAY FROM THE AMBULANCE!!" Take care. Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 |
03-24-2009
( Reply#: 2899 ) |
Tom J |
COOL! I'll bet that shook old "Hockers" up. As the dear, departed Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story?" How did the dispatcher know Hockers? Did you ever find out?
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-24-2009
( Reply#: 2900 ) |
tom w |
Tom J.
Exactly! We didn't know how he was known to the dispachers but he had evidentally made his name known to many more people than our little group. Therin lies the mystique that these legendary characters carry so that here we are, SO many years later, scattered all over the map, can meet and aknowlege that we knew them or of them! Make sense? Take care Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 |
03-25-2009
( Reply#: 2901 ) |
seejay2 |
Getting back to Edu, I remember one evening we paid Edu a visit. It was the first time I saw that character and just his sheer size made an unholy impression on me. Another one of his limericks went something like "Your mother sailed the seven seas, selling ***** to the Japanese".
The night we went there, he came out with a shoebox full of earrings (probably all stolen)to show us. Most of them were still on the cardboard backings with pricetags. Anyway, he passed the box into the car for us to look at, and when he wasn't looking, the driver, Ray, snatched a pair. When he gave the box back to Edu, the big freak glanced once into the box and immediately knew he had been ripped off. I will never forget the look in his eyes when he demanded them back. I thought he would peel back the top of the car to get them. Ray threw them out the window and sped off. The second trip we made some time later, brought Edu's father outside shouting that we we there to "get him riled up". That was my last visit to that circus.......Cj |
03-25-2009
( Reply#: 2902 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by seejay2
Getting back to Edu, I remember one evening we paid Edu a visit. It was the first time I saw that character and just his sheer size made an unholy impression on me. Another one of his limericks went something like "Your mother sailed the seven seas, selling ***** to the Japanese".
The night we went there, he came out with a shoebox full of earrings (probably all stolen)to show us. Most of them were still on the cardboard backings with pricetags. Anyway, he passed the box into the car for us to look at, and when he wasn't looking, the driver, Ray, snatched a pair. When he gave the box back to Edu, the big freak glanced once into the box and immediately knew he had been ripped off. I will never forget the look in his eyes when he demanded them back. I thought he would peel back the top of the car to get them. Ray threw them out the window and sped off. The second trip we made some time later, brought Edu's father outside shouting that we we there to "get him riled up". That was my last visit to that circus.......Cj
Thanks for sharing those memories, CJ.
It would sure be cool to know what ever happened to the big dude.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-26-2009
( Reply#: 2907 ) |
seejay2 |
Kinda looks like I have another quest when I get back home, doesn't it? Last I had heard, he had gotten partially thru a sex change operation and was calling himself "Stacy".............Cj |
03-27-2009
( Reply#: 2920 ) |
Pro2am |
Duane,
I remember Edu from my years at Bishop Noll. He was quite a local "legend" back then. [:D]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
----------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Do you remember the other famous East Chicago character...Edju Tucker? His real name was Eddie Pietroski and he was about 6 foot 5 inches tall and about 350 pounds or more.
|
03-28-2009
( Reply#: 2922 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
MY story involves Edju "in name only"---but it gives you a good idea of the LEGENDARY status of this guy in E.C. during the 60's.
One fine afternoon in May of 1966, Bishop Noll's senior class presented a little after-school comedy skit in their auditorium entitled "Peter Panski", a spoof of "Peter Pan" that supposedly took place in "da Region"--cute idea. I was a freshman at the time, and I recall that the auditorium was jammed packed for the one-and-only performance of this (entirely student-produced) show. The only cast members I recall were a senior named Tom Dillon, who played one of the kids; he was in pink pj's (with the feet), sitting in a huge crib. Peter Panski was played by the late Mark Chiki, a tall, gangly guy with a high, unbroken voice--- he was a neighbor and friend of mine in Hessville--and a really nutty person.
The audience, of course, was waiting for the big moment when the title character first appeared onstage; when Panksi finally made his entrance (on the right side of the stage), the audience chuckled as Tom Dillon asked " Who are YOU?!"; for a split-second, the house was absolutely silent, but before Chiki could respond, some deep-voiced dude from the audience shouted "EDJU"!!------and the place went up for grabs!!
I kid you not, EVERYONE in that audience immediately doubled over in their seats HOWLING...SCREAMING..CONVULSED! I remember the pianist for the show, Anne Marie Gardena, seated up on the little platform side-stage on the right, her back to us, CRASHING down onto the keyboard and staying in that position as she wept with laughter. It took literally 3 or 4 minutes before the crowd settled down--as Mark Chiki stood there in his green tights and Robin Hood cap with hands on his hips, peeing his drawers with laughter along with the rest of the cast.
When the show finally resumed, things were never the same and,as I recall 43 years later, the level of comedy as scripted never came CLOSE to matching the hilarity of the totally unexpected, brilliantly improvised contribtuion--a single word, the Iconic name of E.C.'s legendary denizen--as shouted by that anonymous audience member.
Those were the days!
Larry Rapchak |
03-28-2009
( Reply#: 2923 ) |
duane |
INCREDIBLY GREAT STORY, Larry!
I wish I would've been there. You had me doubled over in laughter, 'cause I could see what was coming in your story, but it still made me howl.
Funny, how with all these great stories, Edju (or Edu) doesn't seem to be listed anywhere on the internet.
Now if only Shep had written an Edju story into his writings, like if the Bumphus' lived on one side of Ralphie, and Edju lived on the other. Just imagine if Edju had mixed it up with My Summer Story's "Big Dickie" Bumphus (and Edju would have absolutely loved that name!!!!) |
03-29-2009
( Reply#: 2924 ) |
Tom J |
Larry:
THANK YOU! Even though my recollections of Edu are much more vague than those of several of you in here, I still could see the tremendous humor in your story.
You have a REAL talent for story telling, my friend!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
03-29-2009
( Reply#: 2925 ) |
duane |
Perhaps we've found our "modern day" Shep. Thanks again.
Larry, we would sure appreciate hearing (reading) some of your other "recollections" of stories of da region. Feel free to post them if you are so moved! |
03-29-2009
( Reply#: 2926 ) |
duane |
OK. Next Edu story...although no way can this compare to the Peter Panski Story in content, humor or delivery. This story isn't funny, but it is a fairly typical Edu encounter.
There was a fellow in EC who sold hot dogs as a business. He had a small scooter, with two wheels on the front and one on the back. Across the front was an insulated (and maybe even heated) bin where he would keep the hot dogs and the buns. He would motor to all kinds of public gatherings, both large and small to sell his wares. You'd often find him at little league games in Kosciosko park, outside the ECR football field when the "Roughriders" were playing football, or at parades in downtown EC.
His name, or nickname was Boomba and his scooter and business was called Boomba's hotdogs. One time, when he was parked at Kosciosko park,he had a large crowd of customers waiting to purchase a Boomba's hotdog. Edu stolls up and addresses Boomba and of course the entire crowd, both those waiting for hot dogs as well as those in the bleachers watching the little league game.
When Edu entered the scene, all eyes and ears were immediately drawn to him, because you just knew that something interesting was gonna happen. There were mothers with babies, little league players, coaches, proud pappa's and little sisters watching their sons/brothers play ball, and of course young baseball fans like myself in the audience.
Edu's comment spoken loudly for all to hear: "Hey Boomba, take those F'in hotdogs and shove 'em up your A**!"
Interestingly, no one responded in any way. At 6'5" and who knows how many hundreds of pounds, few would confront the big guy. And clearly, most people actually EXPECTED Edu to come up with something shocking. |
03-30-2009
( Reply#: 2930 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Why waste time discussing such a disgusting jerk?
I, for one, have better things to think about, and will avoid reading any further posts on this thread.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
03-31-2009
( Reply#: 2931 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
Why waste time discussing such a disgusting jerk?
I, for one, have better things to think about, and will avoid reading any further posts on this thread.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
Disgusting jerk he might have been, Bill, but he was still a legend from our youth.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
11-28-2009
( Reply#: 3994 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
How tragic.....
To think that ONE negative post could DERAIL the entire "Edju" thread....No postings since March--and things were just starting to really get hilarious!
Let's not be faint-hearted; Edju is one of da region's icons and we should continue to sing his praises. Then again, maybe we've all exhausted our supply of stories; I've already related my only Edju-centric tale. In that case, it's fitting that he's being immortalized here in the Shepard Forum, which seems appropriate--too bad it's hidden in the "Calumet Bridges" topic; how would anyone searching for Edju-related lore ever find it?
Larry r |
11-28-2009
( Reply#: 3995 ) |
Tom J |
Larry, I think it is more of a case of folks running out of stories than of one post derailing the thread.
If you have any more, please post them!
Tom |
11-28-2009
( Reply#: 4003 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Tom--
Is there a way to copy/paste--or somehow transfer all of the Edju-related stories from the Grand Calumet/Bridges page into a NEW thread with its OWN topic-title?....something like "The life and times of "Edju Tucker"? It would make it much easier for people to locate this off-beat info and hopefully add to it. I'm sure Jean Shepherd would have loved the idea of an all-Edju chronicle.
Larry r |
11-28-2009
( Reply#: 4005 ) |
Tom J |
Larry:
I guess we could try. I don't have admin privileges, since I am just a member like anyone else. It would be pretty easy to do with access to admin stuff.
Tom |
11-28-2009
( Reply#: 4023 ) |
Tom J |
OK, copying and pasting seems to work just fine, but I am through for tonight. If someone wants to take over where I left off, go for it. Otherwise, I can finish tomorrow.
Tom |
11-29-2009
( Reply#: 4035 ) |
Tom J |
Whew! Glad that job is over with.
Now, go over to the new Edju thread and whup some more Edju stories on us, everyone!
Tom |
11-30-2009
( Reply#: 4038 ) |
Andrew Murchek |
Hi all! New here. Originally from East Chicago but I live in Hammond for awhile also.I use to play in a band and right across the street in downtown Hammond, was a music store. I forgot the name of the street but we called the owner, Old man Henry. Does anyone remember him and what ever happened to him? I remember both Edu and Old man Martin also. I left in 1983 and went back once in 95. Since then, I have lost a many a contacts but still have memories.
Thanks!
Andrew
Greetings from Germany |
11-30-2009
( Reply#: 4040 ) |
Tom J |
Hi, Andrew. Glad you have joined us.
Milikan's was one place in Downtown Hammond that sold records. It was on State Street across from Minas's. Does that sound like the place you are thinking of?
There was also Comay's Jewelry near the intersection of Hohman and State that sold records
Tom |
12-01-2009
( Reply#: 4051 ) |
MrRazz |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
Why waste time discussing such a disgusting jerk?
I, for one, have better things to think about, and will avoid reading any further posts on this thread.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
|
12-02-2009
( Reply#: 4053 ) |
tom w |
T.J.
There was also Hal Morris Music Mart across from Minas. He later moved to Ridge Road in Highland. Hal was a good friend and a great guitarist. In grade school I had a little cheap green guitar that my dad helped me buy. So when I sang for some deal at school, I borrowed one of Hal's. Tom W |
12-02-2009
( Reply#: 4056 ) |
Andrew Murchek |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
Hi, Andrew. Glad you have joined us.
Milikan's was one place in Downtown Hammond that sold records. It was on State Street across from Minas's. Does that sound like the place you are thinking of?
There was also Comay's Jewelry near the intersection of Hohman and State that sold records
Tom
Thanks Tom but I usually bought my records at (Heguish?) music store. The store I was talking about sold musical instruments. Guitars, drums and things. By the way, my first guitar was from Goldblatts. my brother bought it for me when I was a kid. |
12-02-2009
( Reply#: 4060 ) |
duane |
Hewisch Records....what a great store. Got the Beatles White Album there in 1968 for around 6 bucks, which even back then was a deal. |
12-02-2009
( Reply#: 4061 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
[quote]Originally posted by Andrew Murchek
Hi all! New here. Originally from East Chicago but I live in Hammond for awhile also.I use to play in a band and right across the street in downtown Hammond, was a music store. I forgot the name of the street but we called the owner, Old man Henry. Does anyone remember him and what ever happened to him? I remember both Edu and Old man Martin also. I left in 1983 and went back once in 95. Since then, I have lost a many a contacts but still have memories.
Thanks!
Andrew
Andrew,
I think the guy you're referring to went by the name "HENRY J."; he was sort of a retro-hippie dude....late 50's, beard, looked like he just woke up after some serious partying....but still wore a shirt and tie on the premises. A friend introduced me to him in early 1979 when I was looking for some percussion equipment---orchestra mallets, etc. Henry would shuffle around his darkened storefront (across from Minas')....you'd swear the junk had been piled up there for YEARS---and after rummaging through the boxes, he said "Nope; I'd have to order those for you"...which he did (successfully). Never saw him after that.
Also, if you have any Edju stories, there's a new, separate topic category especially in his honor, which you'll see on the main Hammond page.
Keep writing!
Larry r |
12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4133 ) |
Jay |
I vaguely recall an incident that I believe happened around 1979. It involved the Kennedy Avenue bridge over the Grand Calumet River. Based on a tip, police divers discovered an automobile completely submerged a few feet east of that bridge. Inside that vehicle was the body of a well known local union official who had been missing for about one week. Does anyone remember this or the name of this union official? |
12-19-2009
( Reply#: 4228 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
I vaguely recall an incident that I believe happened around 1979. It involved the Kennedy Avenue bridge over the Grand Calumet River. Based on a tip, police divers discovered an automobile completely submerged a few feet east of that bridge. Inside that vehicle was the body of a well known local union official who had been missing for about one week. Does anyone remember this or the name of this union official?
By accident, I was able to answer my own question. The missing/murdered man was Hank "Babe" Lopez.
The following source link is an article published in The Times with a whole lot more details about this notorious unsolved crime [url]http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_3e42b286-61f5-593b-9f9c-f334a8a600be.html[/url]
It's funny that I would think about this incident around the same time The Times published that article. And I had no prior knowledge of this story. |
12-20-2009
( Reply#: 4230 ) |
tom w |
Jay;
Ahhh Yesss. The good old days. Your articke sure brought back memories. Mikey Solan's dad was a friend and Mike was a rookie back then. Jose Arredondo was sheriff. Crown Point had the Northwest Indiana Crime Comission (I forget his nams) Cosmo Currier was the ace reporter for WJOB and yours truly was a candidate for a township position. Looking back it seemed like just normal status quo but reading the article makes it sound like a dime store novel. Thanks for the memories. Tom W |
12-20-2009
( Reply#: 4231 ) |
Andrew Murchek |
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
[quote]Originally posted by Andrew Murchek
Hi all! New here. Originally from East Chicago but I live in Hammond for awhile also.I use to play in a band and right across the street in downtown Hammond, was a music store. I forgot the name of the street but we called the owner, Old man Henry. Does anyone remember him and what ever happened to him? I remember both Edu and Old man Martin also. I left in 1983 and went back once in 95. Since then, I have lost a many a contacts but still have memories.
Thanks!
Andrew
Andrew,
I think the guy you're referring to went by the name "HENRY J."; he was sort of a retro-hippie dude....late 50's, beard, looked like he just woke up after some serious partying....but still wore a shirt and tie on the premises. A friend introduced me to him in early 1979 when I was looking for some percussion equipment---orchestra mallets, etc. Henry would shuffle around his darkened storefront (across from Minas')....you'd swear the junk had been piled up there for YEARS---and after rummaging through the boxes, he said "Nope; I'd have to order those for you"...which he did (successfully). Never saw him after that.
Also, if you have any Edju stories, there's a new, separate topic category especially in his honor, which you'll see on the main Hammond page.
Keep writing!
Larry r
ya, thats him alright. A total caos in his store but he new were everything was at. he was pretty cool and I wont forget him as long as I live. Our practice room was just across the street. |
