Purdue News

October 14, 1998 Stolen golf course bell returned; bust still missing WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Binnie Bell, part of a memorial marker on Purdue University's Ackerman Hills Golf Course stolen a week ago, has been returned intact. The 18-inch tall, stainless steel bell was taken from its pedestal on Oct. 6 or 7. Jim Scott, golf course maintenance superintendent, said the bell was sitting on his office doorstep at the Golf Maintenance Building when he arrived at work early this morning (Tuesday, 10/14). It was returned anonymously; there was no note. The bell, valued at $1,000, was stolen from the fairway of the fifth hole. Its pedestal is located at the bottom of a hill so that golfers can ring the bell as they leave the area to signal the golfers behind them that the area is clear. It was installed in 1995 in memory of Carl A. Binnie, professor of audiology and speech sciences, who died in 1994. Scott said the Binnie Bell will be securely reinstalled, but not until spring, since it typically is taken in for the winter. Purdue police, meantime, still are seeking leads in the disappearance from Potter Engineering Center of a bust of A.A. Potter, the legendary engineering dean for whom the building is named. It's been missing since Sept. 29. Persons with any information on that theft should call the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221. Sources: Jim Scott, (765) 494-3136 Capt. Ronald J. Fosnaugh, (765) 494-8221 Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page