Noon Rotary President Barbara Blanton filed a complaint with the police department that the historic bell had been taken from its home at the American Legion building somewhere between Feb. 28 and March 13.

"It is not necessarily the cost, but rather the historical significance of this bell," said Blanton.

The Rotary Club of Shelbyville was founded in 1922, with the bell and gavel having been purchased somewhere around that time.

The last time the bell was used to call noon Rotary's weekly meeting to order was Feb. 28. The following week, Rotary sponsored a career day at Motlow College so the bell was not used that week.

However, when the group reconvened at the American Legion March 13 the bell and gavel, which remain at the building between meetings, were nowhere to be found.

"When we met on March 13, we realized that it was missing but did not call the Shelbyville Police Department because we all thought it must be somewhere in the building," said Blanton.

After a thorough search, the bell and gavel remained missing and hence the police department was contacted.

"If someone has taken the historic Rotary bell, we request that it be returned as soon as possible," said Blanton.

Several different groups met at the American Legion between Feb. 28 and March 13, and Rotary does not know who could have taken the 12-inch solid brass bell.

Shelbyville's involvement in Rotary International runs deep. The first Rotary Club in Shelbyville began 17 years after the first Rotary Club in the United States, established in Chicago in 1905, was founded.

"We have a lot of history in our club, with James L. Bomar serving as Rotary International president in 1979-1980," said Blanton.

Shelbyville also boasts two past directors of Rotary International, including Webb Follin (1956-58) and Bomar (1974-76), and several governors for district 6780.

Persons with any information about the missing Rotary bell may contact the Shelbyville Police Department.