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April 28, 2021
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Sculptor selected for bronze statue at library In a rural Midwestern town 75 miles north of Indianapolis, women’s history is being made again. A little over 100 years ago, suffragist Marie Stuart Edwards organized thousands of women from Peru, Indiana, to fight for their right to vote and then realize their new role as first-time voters after the 19th Amendment’s ratification. Today, a woman — Tennessean sculptor Cindy Billingsley — has been commissioned to design a life-size bronze statue of Marie Stuart Edwards on the grounds of Peru’s Carnegie library. When unveiled on Aug. 26, 2021, the Marie Stuart Edwards statue will be the third historical marker and public artwork placed this summer to commemorate Hoosiers’ contributions to the right to vote. There are very few statues commemorating women’s suffrage in the United States, and even fewer crafted by women sculptors. Ms. Billingsley has a unique task. The local Main Street organization ReDiscover Downtown Peru and historic preservation groups Miami County Indiana Worth Remembering and Daughters of the American Revolution have asked Ms. Billingsley to bring Marie Stuart Edwards’ role in the suffrage movement to life for the next generation of women voters. In fact, the life-size bronze statue will feature the likeness of Marie Stuart Edwards as a 12year-old girl with her bicycle on the way to the library. The bicycle has long been associated with the suffrage movement because it symbolized women’s freedom of movement and style. It is this spirit of selfreliance and independence that the statue will capture to honor Marie Stuart Edwards and suffragists at the Peru Public Library where they first began meeting in 1914. As local lore goes, child Marie Stuart was the first
girl in her hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, to ride a bicycle. Who Marie grew up to be is nothing less than remarkable. After moving to Peru with her husband and son, Mrs. Marie Stuart Edwards organized suffragists for the 19th Amendment’s final push, all the while keeping the young family’s business going through the pandemic and World War I. In February 1920, she helped found the National League of Women Voters, serving as the association’s first-ever treasurer and then vicepresident. After the massive voter registration drive, she would move the national headquarters to Peru. Training was at the heart of suffragist Marie’s strategy. To cast a ballot in their first election meant women would need a Peru Public Library, Peru, Indiana. trusted source of information in order to make decisions when they did finally go to the polls. Women from all over the make a difference. That’s what this statue of a 12-yearcountry traveled to Peru to learn to be speakers for the old girl with a bicycle represents — hope — if Marie movement, then returned to their hometowns to proaccomplished this, what can we accomplish next.” vide education about voting and issues important to Ms. Billingsley’s portfolio was one of five reviewed in America’s newest citizens. December 2020 by a 14-member artist selection commitThe 18-month statue project is already evoking strong tee representing the arts, historic preservation, small emotion in the community as residents learn more business and entrepreneurs, economic development, about Marie Stuart Edwards (1880-1970) and plans for a and schools from Miami County. public dedication in August. Ms. Billingsley acknowlOne of the committee members, Ms. Heidi Wright, edges this: “What I hope women in particular will see Miami County’s Director of Development at the when they visit this statue is what one woman can Northern Indiana Community Foundation, has devoted accomplish in her hometown, her state, and her counher career to ending women’s oppression and violence try. We women must remember other countries are against women. “The way we make change — real inspired by us and young girls should be inspired to See Sculptor, Page 4
Fire that claimed three siblings lives ruled accidental By Miami County Sheriff ’s Department Miami County Sheriff ’s detectives along with investigators of the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office and the Miami County Coroner’s Office conducted an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire. Fire investigators determined the origin of the fire began in an upstairs bedroom where the children slept on the north side of the residence. Investigators examined several areas of potential ignition sources, including wiring, outlets, television, radio, and power strip. The examination revealed no evidence of faulty equipment or other ignition sources. During the investigation, information concerning
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one of the children previously setting fires inside the residence was disclosed. While the exact cause of the fire was undetermined, evidence is consistent with a set fire. Central Indiana Forensic Associates, who performed the autopsies, determined the cause of death on all three children as "inhalation injuries due to house fire" and the manner of death as "accident". On Feb. 27, 2021, at 10:49 a.m., Miami County Central Dispatch received a call of a residential fire located at 13475 50uth CR 300 East in southern Miami County. The caller, Laura Gingerich, stated her three children were trapped upstairs but was unable to reach them due to heat and heavy smoke. Officers from the
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Miami County Sheriff's Office, Indiana State Police, and Converse Police Department quickly arrived. Several attempts were made to gain entry to the residence by officers but were pushed back by heavy smoke and extreme heat. Fire personnel from Converse, Amboy, Pipe Creek and Galveston responded with the first unit arriving on scene at 11:04 a.m. Firefighters immediately gained entry to the residence and located the children in an upstairs bedroom. Lifesaving measures were initiated by firefighters and EMS but were unsuccessful, Sixyear-old Miracle Gingerich, five-year-old Steven Gingerich, and one-year-old Wilma Gingerich all perished.