Felis  Mendez  

         Frankfort's first Hispanic citizen, was born in Havana, Cuba in 1888.  When U.S. Forces invaded Cuba in 1989 Felis was 10 years old. and orphan living on the streets.  he was adopted by a U.S. military unit as its mascot.  when the occupation was over the soldiers brought Felis back to Indiana.  (things were simpler then).  He graduated  from Lafayette High School and Purdue University with a master's degree in pharmacy.  After teaching chemistry in various New York colleges he returned to Indiana and worked as a linguist for Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis for 10 years.  Mr. Mendez spoke 8 languages.

           Mr. Mendez finally settled in Frankfort with his wife and family about 1923 and opened Midway Pharmacy in Frankfort's famous or infamous, Midway which even then, must have been fast fading.  In 1952 the Midway consisted of Midway Tavern, Midway Liquor Store, Midway Cafe, midway Barbershop and Midway Pharmacy.  All along the Monon tracks.  West of the tracks were two restaurants one of which is still operating.

        Mendez closed his store in 1953 and moved back to Indianapolis where he worked for Hook Drug Company until his retirement.  He died in 1970  and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

                  ( Excerpts from Obituary)

        Felis Mendez, 82 of 1324 E. 52 nd. Street Indianapolis a former Frankfort business man died Thursday night at the Barton House of retirement home, Indianapolis   Mr. Mendez operated the Midway Drug Store in Frankfort for 30 years.  Mr. Mendez is survived by the widow. Mrs. Mendez and son Don Mendez of Lebanon.