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There used to be a dog that hung out around the intersection of Main and Markland. He was a good boy. To everyone. The police loved him. Children loved him. When he was ultimately struck by a car, more than 1,000 people attended the dog’s funeral.
Local businesses closed for half an hour to accommodate the mourners. A triangular patch of land at the intersection was set aside as a burial ground, and as the funeral concluded, a freight train blew its whistle to mark Rags’ passing.
Such a scene seems highly unlikely today. Back in 1942, it was notably unusual. And yet Kokomo embraced a lovable mutt named Rags at a time when the world seemed so uncertain. The Great Depression. World War II. The 19 years Rags spent on Earth were tumultuous, but people found it in their hearts to love a little dog when love seemed to be in short supply.
The story of Rags is still touching hearts, and there is an effort being taken to ensure this community companion is not forgotten. Kokomo resident Steve Young reached out to a pair of Kokomo Common Councilmen with an idea to properly commemorate Rags more than 80 years after his passing, and the city has a chance to once again adopt the dog as its ultimate good boy.
Councilman Greg Davis jumped at the chance to honor Rags once he heard the story of the dog’s life. According to a Kokomo Tribune article published at the time of the dog’s passing, Rags was a favorite of the Kokomo Police Department.
“(Rags) patrolled the beat with each policeman, ignoring those who were not in uniform,” the article read. “He ate his meals regularly in the section's best restaurants, dropped in the taverns now and then for a little session with the boys.
"He guarded little children at busy corners and wagged a little mop of a tail hundreds of thousands of times each day when spoken to by his multitude of friends."
As a retired KPD officer, Davis immediately felt a connection.
“What intrigued me was how he interacted with the police,” said Davis. “Part of the original article about Rags talked about a police supervisor who said if he wanted to find any of his guys, he went looking for the dog.”
The description of a “community dog” like Rags also touched on Davis’ own experiences as a child growing up on the city’s middle east side.
“When I was young, I hung out at Cutler Park,” said Davis. “There was an adult down there with a St. Bernard called Queenie. And Queenie was the Rags of Cutler Park. Back then, I would have been nine or 10, but I always swore that when I grew up someday, I was going to have a St. Bernard.
“And I did. It was probably the best dog I ever had. That's the reason this story kind of resonated with me. It's a feel-good thing, and who doesn't want that in this lifetime?”
Councilman Bob Stephenson also felt a connection to the story. He was struck by how many people were impacted by Rags’ simple affection over the 19 years of his life.
“If you think about it, there were kids that lived in that neighborhood who were born, grew up, graduated from high school, and Rags was a constant for them,” said Stephenson. “I think it says a lot that this was a homeless dog that basically Kokomo supported through the Great Depression, you know.
“Rags meant something to the community. I think that memory resounds with many of us even today. We’ve all, hopefully, had a Rags in our lives at some point to help us through thick and thin.”
Stephenson and Davis are working to ensure that the story of Rags is not forgotten. They have started a GoFundMe to cover the cost of a granite bench, engraved with Rags’ story, to be placed in the location where the dog is buried next to the Fraternal Order of Police lodge at Main and Markland.
Davis explained that Ellers Mortuary, which embalmed Rags back in ’42 for his burial, has agreed to donate $500 toward the bench’s construction, which is designed and constructed by Troy Caldwell of Caldwell Monument. Mayor Tyler Moore also has pledged $500. The GoFundMe for the project has raised another $270 as of July 3.
The total cost of the project is $3,000. Those interested in donating to make the bench a reality may do so by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/39rkb-rags-memorial. Stephenson said that any money raised above the amount needed for the bench will be donated to the Kokomo Humane Society.
“I think our job is to be the best ancestors we can be for our descendants,” said Stephenson. “And I think this is a way we can honor our ancestors by paying tribute to something that they thought was important. It will be a point of interest, a landmark on the walking trail that runs next to it. It’s a way to celebrate what makes Kokomo special.”