Wise friends of one LaPortean who planned to raise skunks sought to purchase available land near their houses so he wouldn't locate his venture near them.

   Certainly not a big enterprise in LaPorte County, but an unusual one, was the skunk business. Skunk oil was used by pioneers much as they used snake oil or bear grease. It was supposed to cure rheumatism and numerous other aches and pains. So perhaps there was a demand for this business and LaPorte County residents recognized an opportunity when they saw it!

   In February 1906, the county claimed the distinction of having this novel industry. It was added to the long list of industries already established in Michigan City. The “handsome but aromatic animals” were being raised for both their valuable fur and oil.

   Herman and William Wilke were promoters of the enterprise. The firm was named Herman Wilke and Company. They purchased 20 acres of land on the south side of the Michigan Central Railroad tracks and had already acquired 40 or 50 skunks. Their hope was to raise more during the summer. A lot, 400 feet square, was fenced off with woven wire. It was necessary to extend this wire into the ground about four feet to prevent the little varmints from digging through and getting away.

   The firm was to handle all kinds of pelts and fur. Pelts at one time brought about 50 cents, and unfortunately for the Wilkes the price did not escalate as time went on. Whether their business flourished or not is unknown.

  However, in 1913, Joe Norris of LaPorte planned a skunk farm … maybe he “got wind” of the Wilkes’ pursuits and decided to try it. Mr. Norris was a former county surveyor. According to a newspaper writeup of the day, he had done some investigating and found there was good money in the skunk business. He expected to get a location near one of the lakes and start with a small number his first year, with an anticipation of reaching 100,000 skunks in five years!

Skunk oil was thought to be a cure for rheumatism and other aches and pains.

   Besides the hides, Mr. Norris felt the skunks would give enough oil to make a good living for one man. He claimed not to be a beginner at the game and had tried it once before, but because he was insufficiently informed on skunkology, he was not successful. He had been studying for some months and had his start of skunks in sight; the only thing holding him back was finding a suitable location.

   He apparently had no doubts about the success of his new venture. He unfolded his plan to a group of friends, and the newspaper stated that “each of them started out at once to get options on all vacant properties in their sections of the city so that there would be no chance of his locating the farm near their residences.”

   Mr. Norris indicated that most of the farm’s output would be shipped. But he would also take orders from his friends if they wanted a few animals for pets (after they were unscented). Skunks were believed to make playful and gentle family pets.

   It’s unknown how many of Mr. Norris’s friends took him up on his offer!