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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v09n23)
Paul Walker Tribute
by Alan Hague
posted: Nov. 09, 2012

The Gazette recently lost a beloved history columnist. Paul Walker passed in September. Paul wrote many articles on the families of old Broad Ripple and was a regular attendee of our Broad Ripple History Saturday meetings. Below is a picture of Paul and Carrie Walker dancing at the 2007 Gazette party held at the American Legion Post #3 at 64th and College Avenue. Below is Paul's first article in the Gazette, published in September 2004.

Paul Walker Tribute
Quan


The Best Known Dog in Broad Ripple

by Paul Walker

The dog was named Yorick, after a character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. He was a Harlequin Dane, so-named because harlequins were court jesters who traditionally wore white garments with spots. Yorick was white with black spots like a Dalmatian. His ears were not trimmed because we didn't want to be cruel to him, so they hung down full and loose.
Yorick ran loose all over Broad Ripple in those days - the late 30's and early 40's. The dog-catcher never got a call on him. He was invariably accompanied by a red cocker Spaniel, Mike, who was our sister's dog. Usually we heard stories about him, because there was no way we could follow him around.
One story was that Yorick entered through an open door into the house of Cecil Ross, the village shoemaker, who lived in the 6400 block of Ferguson Street. Yorick allegedly ate a pound of lard off the Ross' kitchen table.
Another report came back that was unusual, that dog was so regal (it seemed that that was his attitude) that no dog dared to challenge him to a fight. Furthermore he ignored all the lady dogs (being beneath his royal position).
It seems that Jack, of Jack's Radio Shop in the 700 block of East 63rd Street, had a big Chow dog. This beast challenged everyone who dared to walk past on the sidewalk. They had to stand at attention until the Chow was through sniffing.
On this occasion Yorick and Mike went cruising along the sidewalk on 63rd Street. When they reached Jack's Radio Shop, the Chow came out and challenged them. Yorick, the caretaker of Mike, grabbed the 40 pound Chow by the scruff of the neck, shook him, and threw him clear out onto the street car tracks.
A man who had been harassed by the Chow, watched this altercation. He promptly took Yorick and Mike over to Noffke's Meat Market where he bought Yorick a steak.
As noted, Yorick paid no attention to females. However, a man brought a beautiful Great Dane out to see him (in hopes of puppies). Yorick underwent a quick metamorphosis, tried to raise his floppy ears, and remembered about the birds and the bees.
Much later he was shot in the back leg, obviously by some uncaring prankster, which was a tragedy. We took him to the vet, who put a wire and plastic cast on the leg. He soon gnawed the cast off in order to get at the wound. He wasn't the same dog thereafter, until the end.

Yorick stood still just long enough for this 1931 photo. Paul Walker, age 18, holds Yorick. Paul's mother, and his nephew Jan Blake stand behind. Jan grew up to be the operator of the Hoosier Gardner, a garden store located behind the Vogue Theater.
Yorick stood still just long enough for this 1931 photo. Paul Walker, age 18, holds Yorick. Paul's mother, and his nephew Jan Blake stand behind. Jan grew up to be the operator of the Hoosier Gardner, a garden store located behind the Vogue Theater.
image courtesy of Paul Walker





alan@broadripplegazette.com
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