Way back about 20 years ago there was a leather manufacturing plant in Batesville. The plant employed a fair number of people, but by no means was it the largest employer in the city.

One evening there was a large fire at the plant and because of the all of the flammable chemicals used in the leather manufacturing process the plant went up like a matchstick. The entire place was destroyed and the insurance would not cover all of the damage. Well, actually the insurance covered all of the damage but would not compensate the plant for the missed orders because of the fire. So the people of Batesville got together and pitched in enough money collateral to take out a loan that would allow the plant to go on working.

As a result of this gesture of good faith the plant continued to thrive and because all of the newer equipment provided by the insurance money the plant was more profitable. The irony I suppose was that the plant became so successful it eventually had to move and the folks who worked there were were given new jobs in a different town. Some accepted some declined. But at the heart of everything, the people of Batesville did the right thing.