The Demise Headlines from the Springfield Union newspaper track Indian's attempts to diversify. By WW1, founders George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom had both retired. As the company struggled to rebuild its dealer network after the war, the new owners compounded financial problems by investing in non-motorcycle ventures- all of which failed- crippling the company further. The Springfield Union Newspaper In 1930, E. Paul du Pont took control after questionable stock deals by top officers depleted the treasury of thousands. Under Du Pont’s guidance, the company arrived at WW2 on the brink of financial health. But WW2 proved hard on Indian. Contracts from both the US and Allied governments were fruitful at first but the jeep quickly usurped the positions motorcycles once held. Indian limped through the end of the war producing non-motorcycle items. Ralph Rogers Congratulates Jack Armstrong In 1945, DuPont sold a controlling interest of the company to a group of investors led by Ralph Rogers. Rogers had a bold plan to rescue the company by introducing new lightweight machines that would appeal to a broader market. He had the right idea, but the wrong product. The Springfield Union announces Indian's imminent demise, Jan. 19, 1950 The motorcycle was mechanically unreliable and not cost competitive. It proved too costly a mistake for the company. In 1953, the last of Indian’s popular Chief motorcycle rolled out of the assembly plant. Too crippled financially to compete in the manufacturing business, the once great Indian Motocycle Company became nothing more than an importer of English motorcycles.   Ads for Rogers' innovative new motorocycle Rogers signing union agreement with workers

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