I met Jack Francis while looking for places to photograph in downtown Wabash, Indiana. Jack owns Jack's Antiques on Wabash Street (State Road 13), between Market Street and Canal Street. I talked to him for a long time, and he told me his story while I photographed him.

Jack fought in World War II, then went to Purdue University to study Civil Engineering on the GI Bill. Of his university degree, Jack said, "Never did a damned thing with it!" There weren't any jobs available in the field he studied, so he worked a number of other jobs over the years and used his earnings to start several businesses.

He has had his antique store for many years. It was originally in another building nearby, but he sold the building and moved the store to its current location. He is planning to close the store for good on October 1, 2014. In addition to selling antiques, he also sells old record albums. Jack told me that he has collected so many records that it takes two barns to store them all!

The antique store is a rather ramshackle place, with enormous amounts of stuff piled on the floors and makeshift shelves. His other business, The Francis Shoppe, is the exact opposite. It is a very elegant women's clothing store run by Jack's wife and daughter. Jack boasted that The Francis Shoppe was the most expensive women's clothing store in Indiana.

Jack didn't tell me his age, but he must be close to 90 years old given that WWII ended 69 years ago!

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by Christopher Crawford

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