This ad for Little Deitzer House ran in 1906. The ad states that the restaurant was owned by Gus Bartel.

It is confusing since Gus Barthel was a politician and Broad Ripple Hotel owner at the time. I cannot determine from my records if there were in fact two men - Bartel and Barthel - in Broad Ripple in 1906. It doesn't seem like an advertisement for a restaurant would have a typo.

Note the text on the ad - "The catfish, a 50-pounder, and the turtle, a 75-pounder, were caught with my own hands in the Ohio River yesterday. You can bank on them being extra fine".

I did find a 1904 Indianapolis Journal piece from March 30, 1904, "Gus Bartel, well known in Broad Ripple, was run down by a carriage at Pennsylvania and Washington streets yesterday afternoon. The vehicle was owned by A H. Gladden, 1534 Park Avenue. Bartel was knocked down, but not seriously injured."

I also found a 1907 article in the Indianapolis Star from July 2, 1907, "The Broad Ripple Band was out in all its glory and serenaded Gus Barthel, proprietor of the Little Deutche Haus, who, through his son, Oscar J. Barthel, has applied for a license to reopen the place." Little Deutche Haus seems similar to Little Deitzer House. The 1898 Sanborn map shows "Das Little Deutche Haus" where River House is today, between the canal and McDonald's.

If any readers know about the Bartel/Barthel histories, please contact us at info@broadripplegazette.com