By HOLLY GASKILL
A new mural featuring Wells County’s namesake is joining the south side of Bluffton.
The public art in progress is being painted on the side of a Wells County Lock-Up storage building. Manager Brandon Harnish wanted to bring aesthetic value to the building from State Road 1. A neighboring mural depicts the American flag and bison.
Wishing to harken back to the rich history of Wells County and the man who the county was named after, Harnish landed on a portrait of Captain William Wells.
Wells served as a scout for General Anthony Wayne and is considered to have played an instrumental role in “civilizing” Indiana. He was eventually killed by Pottowattomi Indians in battle, but it’s recorded that Wells was so revered as a warrior that his heart was consumed in hopes of absorbing his courage.
“William Wells was a pretty obvious choice (for the mural),” Harnish said. “He’s our county’s namesake. At least that I ever recall, I don’t think I was ever taught that he was a war hero. This is something we can share — this is who we are.”
The mural is being completed by Indiana native artist Jeff Pilkinton, who also painted the flag mural at the facility. The final image is still “taking shape,” Harnish explained, but will be finished by early July.
“This is ours — this is something that belongs to us as a people,” Harnish said. “As long as you’re a resident of Wells County, this art belongs to you, and the meaning behind it belongs to you.”
Wells is also depicted in a mural at the intersection of Main and Market streets in downtown Bluffton.
holly@news-banner.com
