Elton John Served as a Pallbearer at the Funeral of 18-Year-Old Ryan White, Who Tragically Passed Away From an AIDS-Related Illness

On April 11, 1990, Elton John, Howie Long and Phil Donahue acted as Ryan White’s pallbearers after the 18yr old’s death due to AIDS-related illness. Ryan had caught the disease via a blood transfusion while still a baby. He was ostracized by his community in Indiana and barred from attending school.

As a hemophiliac, White became infected with HIV from a contaminated factor VIII blood treatment and, when diagnosed in December 1984, was given six months to live. Doctors said he posed no risk to other students, as AIDS is not an airborne disease and spreads solely through bodily fluids, but AIDS was poorly understood by the general public at the time. When White tried to return to school, irate parents and teachers in Howard County rallied against his attendance due to unwarranted concerns of the disease spreading to other students and staff. A lengthy administrative appeal process ensued, and news of the conflict turned White into a popular celebrity and advocate for AIDS research and public education. Surprising his doctors, White lived five years longer than predicted. He died on April 8, 1990, one month before his high school graduation.

Over 1,500 people attended White’s funeral on April 11, a standing-room only event held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Meridian Street in Indianapolis. White’s pallbearers included Elton John, football star Howie Long and Phil Donahue. Elton John performed “Skyline Pigeon” at the funeral. The funeral was also attended by singer Michael Jackson, and then-First Lady Barbara Bush. On the day of the funeral, Ronald Reagan wrote a tribute to White that appeared in The Washington Post. Reagan’s statement about AIDS and White’s funeral were seen as indicators of how greatly White had helped change perceptions of AIDS.

John has cited White’s death as the major impetus behind his decision to fight his long-standing alcohol and cocaine addiction; he went into rehab shortly afterwards.

“I think the catalyst was Ryan White’s funeral and seeing what Ryan went through,” John shared on Today of his decision to get sober, adding that White, without a doubt, saved his life.

“When he died, being there in Indianapolis and coming back to the hotel and complaining about the wallpaper, the décor in the room,” John continued. “[I’m] thinking, ‘You are the most ungrateful little bastard. You complain about everything. This boy has never complained about contracting HIV and AIDS from a blood transfusion. He’s never complained, he’s only encouraged people to get tested. You are a piece of sh*t.’ And that’s what I felt about myself.”

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18 Amazing Vintage Photographs Captured Children at a Halloween Party in Zionsville, Indiana in 1941

A party isn’t complete without delicious food. Bobbing for apples and eating contests were frequent at early Halloween parties, as well as a table full of sweet goodies like donuts and pies. In 1941, LIFE photographer William C. Shrout joined a group of kids for their Halloween mischief and festivities in Zionsville, Indiana. His photographs show a night of activities not too different from our modern-day celebrations: pumpkin carving, games, bobbing for apples, and, of course, lots of treats!

Halloween parties increased in popularity during the roaring twenties, and even more in the late 1930s. A number of companies in the emerging party industry started creating party idea books, craft templates, and mass-produced costumes. Yet, as seen in these amazing vintage photographs below, homemade costumes were still the most common. Clown and skeleton costumes were especially popular, as you’ll see in the photos.

Children wearing costumes at a Halloween party in Zionsville, Indiana, 1941.

Children arriving at a decorated house for a Halloween party, 1941.

A boy bobbing for apples during a Halloween party, 1941.

Children at a Halloween party standing around a table of Halloween treats, 1941.

Children eating Halloween treats, 1941.

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Oct. 2, 1984: Papa John’s Pizza is Founded by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana, And Here Are Their Early Photos

Did you know that Papa John started his pizza business in a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern? In 1984, Robert Schnatter gave his son, John, free use of that little closet; and 40 years later, Papa John’s is one of the largest pizza chains worldwide.

As a high school student working at a local pizza pub in Jeffersonville, Indiana, John Schnatter realized that there was something missing from national pizza chains: a superior-quality traditional pizza delivered to the customer’s door. His dream was to one day open a pizza restaurant that would fill that void.

In 1984, “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet located in the back of his father’s tavern (Mick’s Lounge), sold his prized 1972 Z28 Camaro, purchased $1,600 worth of used restaurant equipment, and began selling his pizzas to the tavern's customers. The customers loved the pizza so much that John was able to expand by moving into adjoining space, eventually leading to the opening of the first Papa John’s restaurant in 1985. In 2009, Schnatter bought the Camaro back after offering a reward of $250,000 for the car.

Today, Papa John’s boasts nearly 3000 restaurants in 49 states and 20 international markets. Papa John’s also owns or franchises 100+ Perfect Pizza restaurants in the United Kingdom. More importantly, Papa John’s remains committed to its heritage of making a superior-quality, traditional pizza. Below are some of their early photos from 1984-85:

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In March 1934, Infamous Gangster John Dillinger Used a Fake Pistol to Escape From the Lake County Jail

John Dillinger was captured in January of 1934 in Tucson, Arizona, and escorted back to Indiana to stand trial for the murder of East Chicago Patrolman Patrick O’Malley. Dillinger was incarcerated in the Crown Point Jail, a facility the local cops described as escape-proof. On March 3, 1934, John Dillinger disproved the claim definitively.

There have been several conflicting allegations regarding the gun in question. However, the most commonly accepted theory is Dillinger took a piece of wooden washboard, carved it into a rough gun shape using a pair of razor blades and blacked the resulting facsimile with shoe polish. Using this crude fake pistol Dillinger locked 23 jailers and trusties in jail cells, stole a pair of Thompsons from the warden’s office, walked out of the jail with no one being the wiser and then drove away in the Sheriff’s car. To add insult to injury, the jailers had to be freed with cutting torches as Dillinger absconded with the jail’s only set of keys.

John Dillinger had taught the So-called escape proof Crown Point a valuable lesson because they underestimating the brilliance of his criminal mind. After planning the escape carefully, he took his time and waited for the right moment. When he was ready, Dillinger remained calm, he made the escape look like child’s play. Dillinger used psychology to bluff the guards; he put the image of a real gun into their minds and let them know he meant business. Anyone of these guards could have stopped Dillinger at anytime during the break, but he kept his cool and let them know he was escaping at all costs. Armed with only a piece of wood, and his wits, he fooled the guards. This escape would blast Dillinger to stardom, a super criminal of the times.

It began when Dillinger and fourteen other prisoners were placed in the exercise bullpen. Sam Cahoon broke Crown Point rules by entering the exercise area when prisoners were present. He was bringing in soap and other supplies for Saturday night baths. At 9:15 a.m., Dillinger struck what appeared to be an automatic pistol in Cahoon’s side and ordered him into the cell, stating, “Get in quick or I’ll kill you.” Then he captured and forced two jail porters into the cell. Dillinger looked down the corridor and saw Ernest Blunk, the fingerprint expert. He commanded Cahoon to call Blunk from the foot of the stairs. Blunk responded, and was easily captured. Cahoon was then locked in the cell with his fellow companions, and Blunk because the bait to lure in other guards. One by one Crown Point officials were bluffed into captivity, driven by fear of being shot or perhaps killed.

Crown Point, Ind. – A northwest Indiana museum is showing off a wooden gun that belonged to John Dillinger.

Dillinger’s plan worked like a charm. He had successfully immobilized the entire security of Crown Point armed with a piece of wood and his wits. Dillinger had succeeded in locking up ten guards and a few trustees and took the only master set of keys to the jail with him. To add to Sheriff Holley’s embarrassment, Dillinger stole her own personal police car for his escape.

John Dillinger, prisoner Herbert Youngblood, and Earnest Blunk headed for the Main Street Garage. The trio walked behind the Criminal Courthouse building and into the garage. Edwin Saager, a mechanic was busy working on a car when Dillinger came in, and didn’t even notice his presence. Leaning on the car talking to Saager was Robert Volk. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary either. Dillinger walked up with a machine gun in his hands and asked Saager, “Which is the fastest car?” Saager thought Dillinger was a deputy, so he pointed to Sheriff Holley’s black V-8. Dillinger then requested that Saager join the party, but he declined because he was to busy. Dillinger pointed his machine gun and forced Saager into the back seat with Youngblood. Dillinger and Blunk climbed into the front. Blunk was ordered to drive. As the car pulled out of the garage onto Main Street, Blunk claimed he tried to sideswipe another car to attract attention, and then he ran a red signal light. Dillinger warned Blunk that if he tried this again he’d be shot. He advised Blunk to drive the speed limit. He said; “Thirty miles an hour is enough, there’s no hurry!” As they passed by the First national and commercial bank, Dillinger made a remark that he was tempted to rob the bank, but he’d better wait. Blunk noticed how cool and calm Dillinger remained during the entire trip. He told Blunk he wished he could have said goodbye to Sheriff Lillian Holley before he left. Dillinger had Blunk turn at every corner and stick to gravel roads. Blunk remembered that they only passed through one town during the drive, and that was the town of St. John, which was on route 41. As they approached the town, Dillinger told Blunk to stop the car; he jumped out and broke the police spotlight off the side of the vehicle, because every cop in the country would be looking for the car.

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Candid Photographs of James Dean Playing With His Nephew Marcus Winslow at Home in Fairmount, Indiana in 1955

Photographer Dennis Stock met James Dean in 1955, a few months before the latter’s sudden death. These pictures were taken during James’ last trip back to Fairmount, Indiana. The photographer who came with him believed something eerie registered with James at the time because the only character he had played so far was Cal Trask in East of Eden, supposedly James did not know at the time that the grave was that of his great grandfather and felt odd about the situation.

“If you want to get to your roots, you go into a graveyard, especially in a small town,” Dennis Stock said. “One morning Jimmy, Markie, and I wandered through Fairmount’s Park Cemetery, which was filled with many Dean ancestors, and suddenly happened on the gravestone of Cal Dean, who was his great-grandfather. Both Jimmy and I were struck by the odd coincidence of the name, for Jimmy, of course, had just finished portraying Cal Trask in East of Eden.”

“Jimmy slid into a very simple and uncomplicated relationship with Markie-somewhat as an older brother might. While he was in Fairmount he helped Markie build a model Jaguar and repair his bicycle, and on occasion played with him in his improvised Soap Box Derby racer. I think Jimmy was seeing himself as a young boy: Markie’s childhood was so much like his own, so intimately involved with the movement and power of tractors. And from that you move on the bikes and motorcycles and racing cars: the mechanical life. It was very easy for Jimmy to adapt almost immediately to that facet and, in that regard, to identify with his cousin.”

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The Story of Old Ben, the World’s Largest Steer

Old Ben, the world’s largest steer, weighed 125 pounds (56.7 kilograms) at birth in 1902 and between 4,585-4,720 pounds at his death in 1910. He stood 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall and 16.25 feet (5 meters) long from nose to the tip of his tail.

Born on a farm near Kokomo, Indiana, local legend states that Old Ben had to rest on his knees to nurse when he was less than a week old. He continued to gain weight as he grew, at a rate of nearly 100 pounds a month. Ben weighed one ton before he was two years old, and two tons at the age of four. He was the offspring of a registered Hereford bull and a regular Shorthorn cow and was never fed any supplements or special food. No one can explain his large size, but his record remains today.

Many circus owners and sideshow representatives tried to buy him, but his owners turned down all offers, preferring to show him themselves in a private tent at fairs all over Indiana and even at the State Fair for several years. Unfortunately, in February of 1910, Ben slipped on ice, broke his leg, and was then shot as a result.

But Old Ben’s fame did not end with his death. His hide was sent to a taxidermist in New York, where it was stuffed and mounted for posterity. Wheels were added to his platform so his owners could continue to display him until they sold their farm in 1919.

During World War II, Old Ben’s image was seen far and wide when postcards featuring a girl named Phyllis Hartzell standing in front of him were mailed to servicemen around the globe. Old Ben got another spike in popularity when he was featured as part of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in 1968.

For a period of time, Old Ben went into semi-retirement, only emerging for special events and publicity shots. But in 1989 the world record holder again became a full-time public attraction when he was placed inside a glass-enclosed pavilion next to the world’s largest Sycamore Tree Stump in Kokomo’s Highland Park. Unfortunately, vandals struck in 2004 and stole Ben’s tail. Three normal-size steer tails had to be stitched together to create a new one.

(via Atlas Obscura)

Incredible Vintage Photos of Indiana Railroad Disasters in the Early 20th Century

Wooden railroads, called wagonways, were built in the United States starting from the 1720s. Railroads played a large role in the development of the United States from the industrial revolution in the Northeast (1810–1850) to the settlement of the West (1850–1890).

The American railroad mania began with the founding of the first passenger and freight line in the nation of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1827 and the “Laying of the First Stone” ceremonies and beginning of its long construction heading westward over the obstacles of the Appalachian Mountains eastern chain the following year of 1828, and flourished with continuous railway building projects for the next 45 years until the financial Panic of 1873 followed by a major economic depression bankrupted many companies and temporarily stymied and ended growth.

The railroad system was largely built by 1910, but then trucks arrived to eat away the freight traffic, and automobiles (and later airplanes) to devour the passenger traffic. After 1940, the use of diesel electric locomotives made for much more efficient operations that needed fewer workers on the road and in repair shops.

Here below is a set of incredible photos from Steve Shook that shows railroad disasters in Indiana from the early 20th century.

Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway wreck, Porter, Indiana, June 19, 1909. Spot on the picture is headlight of the relief train

Wabash Valley wreck, 41 killed, Kingsland, Indiana, September 21, 1910

A switch left open inadvertently caused the eastbound No. 4 Express train's engine, tender, and two cars to derail on the Grand Trunk Railway track immediately west of the Washington Street crossing in Valparaiso, Indiana, May 30, 1918

N. Y. Central Engine as it lay and place where most of the bodies were extricated. M. C. and N. Y. C. wreck, Porter, Indiana, February 27, 1921

N. Y. Central Engine under side, M. C. and N. Y. Central wreck, Porter, Indiana, February 27, 1921

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27 Vintage Photos of Burkhart Billboards in Indiana From the 1980s

The year was 1964. Studebaker had closed its doors and South Bend was suffering. National newspaper and radio commentator Walter Winchell reportedly said that grass would overtake the streets of South Bend.

Amidst the economic and social depression, one man sought to inspire his neighbors. Charles Burkhart posted signs throughout town that read “I believe in South Bend” – a phrase that became a rallying cry for the community. This was the foundation for the company Burkhart founded the same year, Burkhart Advertising.

Still family-owned and operated by a third generation of Burkhart descendants, today the company partners with local and national clients to reach more than 3 million people with out-of-home advertising. Burkhart’s community has grown to include virtually all of northern Indiana.

Here below is a collection of amazing photos that shows Burkhart billboards in Indiana from the 1980s.

Wendy's New Taco Salad Billboard, somewhere in Indiana, 1982

Col. John Anderson's Furniture Gallery, Lafayette, Indiana, circa 1985

First National Bank, Kokomo, Indiana, December 1985

Howard Johnson Billboard, somewhere in Indiana, circa 1985

New McD.L.T Billboard, Indiana, November 1985

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Indiana Woman Loved Her Red Cadillac Convertible So Much That When She Died in 1989 She Was Buried in It

Aurora Schuck loved her red 1976 Cadillac convertible so much that when she died in 1989 she was buried in the back of it. According to newspaper articles it took 14 burial plots and the hole measure 27 feet long, 12 feet wide and 6 feet deep.

Aurora, Indiana business owner Raymond Schuck operated a family plumbing business on the corner of Second and Main Street. He loved his little town and so did his wife, Aurora. Aurora Schuck was a native of Cuba and had her name changed to Aurora. Ray was a tall thin man and Aurora was very short and she loved to drive her big 1976 red Eldorado Cadillac convertible with the top down.

In 1989, Aurora lost her fight against cancer at the age of 62. Her final request was that she wanted to be buried not only next to her beloved Ray but with her favorite car, the Eldorado. Ray found out pretty fast that you can’t just bury a car with a body in a cemetery. A total of 14 plots had to be purchased and dug. A concrete vault needed to be poured which measured 27 feet by 12 feet and was 6 feet deep before the car prepared for it’s final trip to Riverview Cemetery. The car sparkled from the beautiful wax job. Before the funeral, Ray said he was going to fill the gas tank so Aurora could ride around. Well not really. The gas tank was removed and the car made ready for internment.

A crane was needed to lift the Cadillac with its top down into the vault. Aurora’s casket was then set atop the car.

The couple worked tirelessly promoting the city. To this day the Christmas displays that they bought together over the years still entertain visitors in the windows of their old downtown storefront which still bears their name. Ray died in 2002 and his cremated remains were piped down beside his beloved Aurora at the Aurora Riverview Cemetery.

In 1930 the Indiana Bell Building Was Rotated 90°, No One Inside Felt It Move!

The Central Union Telephone Company built a headquarters building on the corner of Meridian and New York Streets, in 1907. Indiana Bell bought Central Union in 1929, but found the existing headquarters inadequate. Originally, the old building was to be demolished to make way for a new building on the site. However, that would have caused disruptions in telephone service. Kurt Vonnegut Sr., the architect of the new building, suggested moving it to the adjacent lot at 13 West New York Street.

Over a 30- or 34-day period, the 11,000-short-ton (10,000 t) building was shifted 52 feet (16 m) south, rotated 90 degrees, and then shifted again 100 feet (30 m) west. During the move, work continued in all areas above the basement. They had to install safety stops in the elevator shafts to make sure travel to the basement was no longer possible. Functions included administration, business offices and toll equipment. Local exchange equipment was in the building.

All utility cables and pipes serving the building had to be lengthened and made flexible to provide continuous service during the move (electric, phone, gas, water, sewer and steam). A moveable concrete and steel bridge connected the vestibule to a covered walkway. This permitted employees and the public to enter and leave at any time while the move was in progress.

The straight line move used manually operated jack screws. Each was operated by a team of men that turned handles through an arc of 90 degrees six times in about 30 seconds, and then they rested 30 seconds. Each operation moved the load about 3/8 of an inch. The pivoting operation was accomplished with the aid of cables attached to a stationary steam engine.

Completed on November 12 or 14, 1930, this was all done without interrupting customer telephone service or telephone business operations. The new headquarters was completed in 1932, and was seven stories tall. It was later expanded in the 1940s and 1960s to bring it to its current size and height. The original building that had been moved was demolished in 1963.