Living link to Titanic disaster grows in Culver - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A northern Indiana town has a living link to the Titanic.

Dan Weaver can still see neighbor Nils Paulson walking from his garden next door, carrying a small silver maple tree for transplant. The Weavers of Culver, Indiana were a young family. Dan was only about seven, but he remembers the request from the Swedish neighbor and friend.

Nils noticed no trees on the Weavers' property northwest of Culver Academy and offered to plant four maples.

"He planted that tree first," says Weaver, pointing to one closest to his parent's house.

Weaver remembers it was backbreaking for Paulson, he was into his 70s by then, but he kept at it, preparing four holes for the four transplants.

It was over 50 years ago, but he remembers Nils watered the first one with his tears. He told the family he meant each to be a living memorial to the four young children he lost on the Titanic. He lost his wife, Alma, too.

Paulson came to the states alone a couple years before the Titanic's fateful voyage. He worked to pay his family's way and when it was time for them to finally join him in America, he bought tickets on the new, powerful ocean liner that would get them here all the sooner - Titanic.