From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, September 29, 1915: War orders from Europe have converted the Calumet region of Indiana into a vast arsenal for the manufacture of war munitions. At the Aetna Powder Co, on the eastern limits of Gary, 1,000 men are making guncotton, while in the city a new benzol plant has just been completed. Steel bars for shrapnel purposes, it is said, are being rolled in the area steel mills. A new shrapnel plant is being built in East Chicago, and military acids are also being produced in that city. A factory in Hammond will shortly produce shrapnel parts. Depots for cavalry mounts are at Gary and Hammond, and a military feeding station is being located in the Steel City. It is also reported that local foundries can cast cannon if necessary.