12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4101 ) |
Jay |
posted by duane
from the "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 03/15/2009 : 16:17:38
...........
Also, I never remember the bridge over the Grand Calumet at Indianapolis Blvd (just north of the Toll Road and the South Shore station)ever being a lift bridge, just a regular old permanent bridge. BUT...there was a local hobo (we would have called him a homeless person in today's vernacular) who lived under the bridge. His name was Martin Piniak, and he had very matted hair (early dreadlocks?)and filthy clothes. He was a very nice man and kept to himself, but would always say hello if you greeted him. The EC police would arrest him every few months and throw him in jail, just so that they could clean him up, give him a bath and new clothes, and cut his hair. After several years, I think they gave up because he had fleas and they didn't really want to get their squad cars or themselves infested. As years went on and he got older, he started losing his faculties and eventually he died, but he was a good man. We heard the story that he lost the love of his life somehow and that's what drove him to be a hermit and live under the bridge. ...don't know if that was true.
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12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4103 ) |
Jay |
posted by Cindy M
from "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 21:03:59
I kept wondering if Martin Piniak would eventually be discussed.
My oldest sister lived in East Chicago, before later on moving to what was then called East Gary (now Lake Station). I believe her street was Northcote Ave., close to the large park.
They lived in the top floor "apartment" of a two story house. I was about 7 years old at the time. About 1963-64 or so. Donna would give me a bit of pocket change, and I would get to go to a tiny little store not very far away that sold candy, literally for pennies. I would come back with a whole little brown paper sack full.
Anyway, I would often, to my childish terror, come upon Martin Piniak walking up the street towards me.
Does anyone, by chance have access to any pictures or newspaper articles for the old fellow? I would love to see them, if so.
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12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4104 ) |
Jay |
posted by duane
from "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 22:47:30
HI Cindy. I don't have a picture, but here is a link to a story about him in the book Hoosier legends. http://books.google.com/books?id=-xqSIsUF76QC&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=Martin+Piniak+East+Chicago&source=bl&ots=icLNhYYF46&sig=JijjYt6GHOSrxcGS1nYYicPC5hM&hl=en&ei=4Q_DSf6mEo_vnQf95ZzzDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA140,M1
I lived just a block and 1/2 down from your sister on 151st Street, right next to the store that sold the candy. It was called Park View Store(it was just across from the park) or more commonly known as Lebryks (the owners and proprietors). Mrs. Lebryk still lives there to this day, although the store has been closed for years. The big park across the street was Kosciousko Park, named after the Polish War hero that fought for America.
Although Martin physical appearance may have scared you, he was really a nice and gentle man. Later in years, he developed his "spin around" where he would just turn one way and then the other a few times before walking on. He also talked to himself a lot.
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12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4105 ) |
Jay |
posted by duane
from "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 03/21/2009 : 09:04:14
...........
Tom, you might be able to find that story since you have the subscription to the Hammond Times archives. Also, you might be able to find a photo of Martin Piniak for Cindy M. The Times occasionally did a story on him, and probably an obituary when he died, which I believe was in the early 1970's.
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12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4106 ) |
Jay |
posted by Tom J
from "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 18:47:11
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by duane
I recall one episode that I read about in the newspaper....it may have been the Hammond Times. The article was headlined "Giant robs grocery store" There was a neighborhood store across the street from where Edju lived (he was probably in his mid-20's at the time). Someone had broken the glass on the front door during the night and stolen cash and merchandise. The trail of blood led the police across the street and right up to an apartment, where they found both Edju and the stolen goods.
Tom, you might be able to find that story since you have the subscription to the Hammond Times archives. Also, you might be able to find a photo of Martin Piniak for Cindy M. The Times occasionally did a story on him, and probably an obituary when he died, which I believe was in the early 1970's.
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No luck in my search of the Times archives, Duane. Bummer.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days! |
12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4107 ) |
Jay |
posted by Andrew Merchek
from "Grand Calumet And Its Bridges" thread
Posted - 11/30/2009 : 12:07:44
Hi all! New here. Originally from East Chicago but I live in Hammond for awhile also.I use to play in a band and right across the street in downtown Hammond, was a music store. I forgot the name of the street but we called the owner, Old man Henry. Does anyone remember him and what ever happened to him? I remember both Edu and Old man Martin also. I left in 1983 and went back once in 95. Since then, I have lost a many a contacts but still have memories.
Thanks!
Andrew
Greetings from Germany
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12-08-2009
( Reply#: 4156 ) |
duane |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
My mother once dated Martin Piniak. She has shown me photographs back from the 1930's when he was a very sharp dresser and very concerned about his appearance. If I ever run across those photographs, I'll post a link here.
Jay is your mother the "Love of Martin's Life" that legend would have us believe Martin pined for all his years as a hermit? I think I can speak for us all when I say that we would LOVE to see Martin as a young, snazzily dressed man. Most of us only knew him in his "Hermit" days with long beard and matted hair. However, at least for me, he never stopped being a gentleman. |
12-10-2009
( Reply#: 4163 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
My mother once dated Martin Piniak. She has shown me photographs back from the 1930's when he was a very sharp dresser and very concerned about his appearance. If I ever run across those photographs, I'll post a link here.
Jay is your mother the "Love of Martin's Life" that legend would have us believe Martin pined for all his years as a hermit? I think I can speak for us all when I say that we would LOVE to see Martin as a young, snazzily dressed man. Most of us only knew him in his "Hermit" days with long beard and matted hair. However, at least for me, he never stopped being a gentleman.
No duane, I don't remember her mentioning that to me. From what I remember, they only dated once or twice.
Didn't Martin's lost love precede him in death and that was the cause of some of his grief? My mother passed away after Martin did. |
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