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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n07)
Random Historic Ripplings - by Paul Walker - 6560 Ferguson in 1936, shows 13-year-old Bill Earle
posted: Mar. 30, 2018

Random Historic Photo header

This photo, taken at 6560 Ferguson in 1936, shows 13-year-old Bill Earle, holding a 13 inch snapping turtle by the tail. He stated that it came out of the Broad Ripple pond [once located around 66th and Ferguson] and estimated that it weighed 25 pounds. It was so heavy that he told the photographer to hurry!
A friend told him to be careful of the thing, or else! To demonstrate, he held the handle of a steel wrench close to the creature's head. In a flash the turtle's head came out of the shell and "SNAP!" onto the steel handle.
One wonders if turtles have teeth, and if so, how many did it have left!! What happened to the turtle? Bill said he just let it go.
Editor's note: The structure behind Bill, to the right of his head, was recently torn down on Cornell. We think it was a chicken coop. Park 66 Apartments is now on that site.
Also, Bill Earle was featured in the Broad Ripple Gazette three-part series Rippleite of Distinction in October 2004.

Bill Earle pulled this snapping turtle out of the Broad Ripple swamp.
Bill Earle pulled this snapping turtle out of the Broad Ripple swamp.
image courtesy of Bill Earle





alan@broadripplegazette.com
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