These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the pages of Valparaiso’s Evening Messenger and Valparaiso Daily Vidette newspaper publications.
January 1, 1923
Ralph E. Schenck, manual training instructor and coach of athletics at Valparaiso High School, and Freida Aldinger, of Evansville, Ill., a former teacher in the Valparaiso High School, were married in Chicago on New Year's Day. The bride is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and for the last two years has been teaching at Danville, Ill. She will come to Valparaiso the latter part of January.
January 2, 1923
Dr. H. M. Evans was installed as president of Valparaiso University in fitting exercises held in the auditorium at the chapel hour. The seating capacity of the auditorium was taxed to capacity. The new president was introduced by Elmer D. Brothers of Chicago, President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Evans was connected with the university as a teacher from 1886 to 1896. He succeeds Milo J. Bowman, Dean of the Law School, who has served more than a year.
January 3, 1923
A question involving the pay of several Valparaiso city employees was raised yesterday when Porter County Treasurer J. G. Graessle, who also acts as city treasurer, held pay of warrants issued for the pay of Mayor E. W. Agar, City Attorney E. G. Osborne and City Clerk Grace Blachly. It is the duty of the treasurer to countersign checks covering all payments by the city. The action of the treasurer was due to advice given by state accountants, Mr. Frazier and Mr. Hammond, now working here. The mayor and clerk are now drawing $1,200 ($20,892 in 2023), and the city attorney $1,000 ($17,410 in 2023). It is contended that the salaries should be $900 ($15,669 in 2023) for clerk, $700 ($12,187 in 2023) for mayor, and $500 ($8,705 in 2023) for city attorney. A mandamus action will probably be instituted against the treasurer.
January 4, 1923
E. G. Osborne, city attorney, today announced his intention of donating $550 ($9,575.50 in 2023) to the city, representing the difference in his salary allowed by law and the amount taken by him for services rendered during the past year. Recently, Treasurer J. G. Graessle held up the pay of Mr. Osborne, Mayor Agar, and Clerk Blachly, on advice of the state accountants. Last August, Mr. Osborne informed the council he would not claim all his salary if the work was not greater than the preceding six months. His action in no way affects the status of the salaries of Mayor Agar or Clerk Blachly.
Postmaster A. N. Worstell and Deputy Postmaster Ben Smith have been swamped the last few days by holders of 1918 issue of war saving stamps. Thousands of dollars of the stamps have been redeemed. Only the registered stamps are handled by the post office officials. The banks are taking care of the non-registered stamps. These are being cashed daily.
January 5, 1923
Claims aggregating $18,000 ($313,380 on 2023) were filed today in Porter Circuit Court with Judge H. H. Loring by Howard Dailey, receiver for the Spring Water Ice Company of Valparaiso. Assets in the hands of the receiver are only sufficient to pay 20 cents on the dollar. Henry Smith, of Hobart, recently purchased the equipment of the company and the lease at Sager’s Lake for $4,000 ($69,640 in 2023) and will operate the business next summer.
January 6, 1923
Valparaiso High School won a thrilling basketball game against East Chicago last evening in the university gym by a score of 15 to 14. The game was marked with many controversies, arguments between the referee, time keeper, and coaches of the two teams. Coach Wilfrid Smith of East Chicago contended the whistle had blown at the time LePell’s basket was in the air and then argued the timekeeper had permitted the game to run over time. Valparaiso was given a foul, cast when Coach Smith went out on the floor and scored the referee, but muffed the chance to tie the score at 14 and 14. Then came LePell’s winning basket. While everyone waited as the ball was in the air as the whistle blew, the ball split the ring without touching it and the game was won by a single point. A mad scramble and free-for-all resulted. Valparaiso was handicapped by the illness of the Douglas twins.
Announcement was made today that the Pennsylvania milk train would be discontinued on Jan. 14. E. D. Hodges, local agent, stated that the train had not been paying expenses as many of the farmers were shipping milk by automobile truck. Another train will carry the milk now being shipped from here.
January 7, 1923
Automobiles of twelve persons were burglarized last night around Valparaiso and a vast amount of loot taken. Arthur Hanrahan, residing north of Valparaiso, reported that articles valued at about $40 ($696.40 in 2023) were taken from his automobile. Sheriff William Pennington is conducting a search for the thieves.
Fire of unknown origin gutted the E. L. Hibbell blacksmith shop at 55 Lafayette Street last night, causing property damage estimated at $2,000 ($34,820 in 2022). A welding machine valued at $700 ($12,187 in 2023) was a total loss.
January 8, 1923
Prosecutor F. R. Marine and Sheriff William Pennington are at loggerheads regarding the question of arresting all motorists without 1923 license plates. The prosecutor contends that it is unlawful to run cars with 1922 plates while the sheriff points out that the secretary of state has extended the time to get licenses until February 15. Meanwhile, an opinion is awaited from the attorney general.
January 9, 1923
W. A. Wirt and A. P. Melton, who have leased the Lehman tract in the north part of Porter County for the purpose of making it into a deluxe residential addition, were in Valparaiso today conferring with real estate men and announced they would begin developing the tract which consists of 600 acres on Lake Michigan. Lots in the addition will be leased for a period of 99 years, and restrictions made as to the construction of all buildings.
January 10, 1923
The question of a three-mile lakefront state park in the Porter County sand dunes was discussed at a meeting of the Dunes Park Association held in Gary yesterday. Delegations from Valparaiso, Porter County, and Michigan City attended. Daniel E. Kelly, who spoke for the Valparaiso interests, advocated a smaller sized park. Committees from the three counties will be named soon to visit the legislature and get a bill framed for a park.
Last evening at Altruria Hall, the Pharmaceutical Association of the School of Pharmacy of Valparaiso University was host at a banquet given in honor of the state board examination. Over 140 persons attended. Dr. H. M. Evans, the new president of Valparaiso University, gave a talk.
January 11, 1923
The L. D. Wolf property at the corner of Washington and Chicago Streets, now owned by the city of Valparaiso, will be reappraised following the failure by the school board to receive bids for its sale at an appraisement of $10,000 ($174,100 in 2023). The Wolf property was purchased some time ago by the school city for a proposed high school site. The war period, however, knocked out the prospects of building, and when time came for building, it was found the lot was too small to meet the requirements of the state board of education.
The case of Albert Bancroft and wife against the Town of Chesterton, a suit to enjoin the town from carrying out the construction of a sewer in the town, was concluded yesterday afternoon in the LaPorte Circuit Court before Judge John Richter. Four days were spent by attorneys in presenting the evidence and two days in arguments. Grant Crumpacker for the town of Chesterton and W. H. McVey, attorney for Gerald McGillicuddy, the contractor, spent a day in arguments. Judge Richter took his decision under advisement. W. J. Whinery of Hammond, and G. R. Williams, of Chesterton, represented the plaintiffs; C. W. Jensen of Chesterton, and Grant Crumpacker of Valparaiso, the Town of Chesterton, and Daly and Freund of Valparaiso, and W.H. McVey of LaPorte, the contractor.
January 12, 1923
Valparaiso University defeated Kalamazoo College at the local university gymnasium last evening by a score of 26 to 25. Long shots won for Valparaiso. Harris with five baskets and Anderson with four baskets and five free throws led the local scorers.
Ice cutting was started at Flint Lake today by Richard Lytle and Charles Griffin. The ice is good and clear and from eight to nine inches thick. Mr. Lytle and Mr. Griffin will sell to local people this year and not ship any.
January 13, 1923
Valparaiso defeated Froebel High of Gary at Gary last night, 32 to 14. Coach Ralph E. Schenck’s team led at halftime 15 to 10. In the second half, Valparaiso rained baskets from every part of the floor. Larson with five baskets and four free throws and G. Douglas with five baskets were the main scorers for the locals.
Miss Alice Parker, for the girls, and Sam Simon, for the boys, were the winners in the public speaking contest held at Valparaiso High School last evening. Five boys and five girls, all members of this year’s graduating class, participated in the contest. Others taking part were Margaret Timmons, Alma Horner, Eva Kruse, Ruth Crossland, Ernest Lembke, Dickey Mitchell, Frank Duncan, and Paul Stevenson.
January 14, 1923
The radio department of the Dodge’s Telegraphy School under the supervision of M. E. Packman, head of the department, has installed a receiving set in the office of Porter County Agent A. Z. Arehart in the courthouse basement. The aerial extends from the top of the flagpole in the courthouse to the top of the Benton and Krudup store. The highest point of the aerial is 190 feet from the ground, and the lowest point, 86 feet. The station will be used in getting crop and grain reports direct from Washington.
The Hoosier State Automobile Association, inside the Valpo Chamber of Commerce, has issued 1,550 licenses to auto owners since December 15. Miss Irene Lindell is in charge of the office. Many motorists are joining the Hoosier State Automobile Association, according to Miss Lindell.
January 15, 1923
Valparaiso University defeated Coach Ralph Young’s Kalamazoo College basketball team Saturday night at university gymnasium by a score of 22 to 17. Kalamazoo led at half time 16 to 10, but in the second half the Michigan intercollegiate champion for nine years and runner up last year in the National Intercollegiate Championship held at Indianapolis, was only able to make one point against the strong Valparaiso defense. Anderson, of Valparaiso, counted 10 free throws. Captain Walter Hiltpold’s strong guarding held the Kalamazoo team from scoring on a number of occasions. In the curtain raiser Valparaiso High defeated Rensselaer High by a score of 24 to 8.
January 16, 1923
J. A. Wise, a member of the firm of Wade and Wise, College Hill Printers, sold his interest in the business to Lewis E. Myers, who will assume control of the concern. George Wade, who is president of the company and a large stockholder, will retain his interest. The Wade and Wise Company was established in 1895, taking over the business originally established in 1877 by B. F. Perrine.
January 17, 1923
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce today took steps to notify Senator Will Brown that Porter County interests were opposed to the establishment of a state park in the Dunes region of north Porter County over two and three miles in length fronting on Lake Michigan and also is opposed to locating a park nearer than two miles east of Waverly Beach.
A telegram was received here today announcing the death of John Brodie, former well-known businessman and postmaster here. Mr. Brodie was employed by Freeman and Company, hay brokers, and was in the west investigating crop conditions for his firm when stricken. He was 75 years of age and came to Valparaiso in 1880 from Canada. He operated grain elevators at the Pennsylvania and Grand Trunk. He served as postmaster of Valparaiso under President Grover Cleveland from 1892 until 1896.
January 18, 1923
A bill introduced in the state legislature at Indianapolis Tuesday by Senator Will Brown of Porter County, legalizing the incorporation of the Town of Kouts, was passed unanimously. The town was incorporated two years ago but it was deemed best by the town authorities to have the incorporation passed upon by the legislature.
Valparaiso University's basketball team defeated Loyola University in Chicago yesterday 23-12. Valparaiso took the lead at the start and was never headed. The score at half time was 16 to 8, Valparaiso.
January 19, 1923
At a meeting of the Valparaiso Lodge of Elks last evening, a resolution was passed arraying the strength of the lodge with other Elk lodges of the nation against the sale and use of narcotics. The crusade was launched by Chicago lodges and is sweeping to every city in the county where an Elk lodge is located.
Valparaiso will be a member of the Northern Indiana Tennis Club, soon to be formed. At a meeting of the Western Lawn Tennis association to be held in Chicago on January 20, a charter will be applied for by local men who are behind the project. Two circuits are proposed, the western and eastern. Each team is to be composed of four men. Gary, Whiting, East Chicago, Hammond, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Michigan City, and LaPorte will form the west circuit Fort Wayne, Mishawaka, South Bend, Elkhart and other cities will form the eastern circuit.
January 20, 1923
South Bend High defeated Valparaiso High at basketball Friday night at South Bend by a score of 42 to 12. Both H. and G. Douglas of the locals were weakened by illness but played. South Bend with Johnny Nykos, Hollowell, and Rockstroh presented a trio of sharpshooters who scored seventeen baskets between them. The locals scored only three field goals and six charity tosses.
Valparaiso is to have a new high school. This was the announcement by the local board yesterday. Architects are being interviewed on various designs along the lines of a modern high school building. The building will be built on the Ball property on North Campbell Street. The plot consists of five and two thirds acres of land. The property was recently acquired by the school city at condemnation proceedings at a price of $6,000 ($104,460 in 2023).
January 21, 1923
Members of the Valparaiso Fire Department had a narrow escape from injury yesterday afternoon when a truck dashing at high speed blew a tire as the machine turned the corner at College and Union Streets. The front wheel of the truck was ground off. Luckily the truck remained upright. After the firemen had untangled themselves they rushed to the fire scene and extinguished the fire which had attacked the L. D. Erwin home, 457 Greenwich Street.
O. F. Helvie, whose name was mentioned in the list of persons aspiring for the Valparaiso postmastership, stated today he was not a candidate for the job. He said he had not made an application for the position by way of competing in the examination. He was opportuned by a number of persons to make the race on account of the fact that he was an ex-service man but turned down the proposal because of business reasons. He is a backer of A. N. Worstell for the job.
January 22, 1923
B. B. Morgan of Chesterton has been honored with the election to the presidency of the Indiana State Dairy Association which met at Lafayette. Mr. Morgan was also elected secretary of the Indiana Holstein-Friesian Breeders’ Association which met at the same place. The latter association will hold a state sale at South Bend in June.
January 23, 1923
A total of 21 head of cattle have been tested by Dr. A. M. Jacoby, state and federal examiner for tuberculosis, in Porter Township since the work commenced there about two weeks ago. The number does not include many cattle tested heretofore. Either Washington or Center Townships will be taken up by Dr. Jacoby.
January 24, 1923
The Maxwell Implement Company has leased the Sievers’ building on East Lincolnway, now occupied by Harvil Brothers’ automobile agency. The Maxwell firm will move to its new location next month. The company has been occupying the Empire building owned by W. J. Henry.
A. J. Worstell has sold his farm on the Valparaiso-Chesterton Highway, known as the John Rhoda Farm, to E. R. Getzinger, of Chicago. Mr. Getzinger is a Chicago businessman.
January 25, 1923
High praise was given to members of the Valparaiso City Board of Education yesterday by Dwight H. Perkins of Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton, Chicago architects, following an inspection of the proposed site for a new high school building on the Ball property on North Campbell Street. In company with Superintendent C. W. Boucher and the board members, Mr. Perkins visited the site and declared the good Lord made the location for school purposes. The back part has a natural dip which can be fashioned into a bowl in a manner similar to those now in use by big universities.
H. B. Farmer, a resident of Jackson Township, died yesterday at Southern Pines, N.C. where he was spending the winter. He was 80 years of age. Mr. Farmer came to Porter County 23 years ago and purchased a large farm near Suman, now owned by J. E. Cavanaugh. At one time he was a professor of Greek and Latin in various universities.
January 26, 1923
Attorney Roscoe Powell, age 26, a member of the firm of Burns and Powell, with offices in the Bornholt building, died last night in the Christian Hospital of spinal meningitis. He was born at Coffeyville, Kansas, and was a graduate of the Coffeyville High School at the time Arthur A. Hughart, of Valparaiso, was superintendent there. Later he attended Valparaiso University and graduated in law in 1922. He took up the practice here with G. L. Burns. He was a World War veteran.
The complete right-of-way for the Dunes Highway between Gary and Dune Park Station was made available for immediate construction work yesterday when the Chesterton and Gary Chambers of Commerce pledged the purchase of two small tracts, the owners of which threatened injunction proceedings against the continuation of the state road. The tracts will be purchased from the owners in the names of the Chesterton Chamber of Commerce and deeds turned over to the state highway commission.
January 27, 1923
LaPorte High defeated Valparaiso last night at university gym, 25 to 9. The game was slow but livened up toward the end of the first half, 17 to 5. Hedstrom and Bass stood out for LaPorte. Shurr, Larson, Seymour, White, LePell, Brown, and McCord comprised Valparaiso’s lineup.
Beginning Monday, Miss Hazel Bielby, of Bloomington, Ind., will become history teacher in the Valparaiso High School. Miss Bielby was recommended by Indiana University. She has a bachelor's degree from Indiana and is working on her master’s degree.
January 28, 1923
Valparaiso University defeated Detroit College Saturday night at the university gymnasium, 28 to 16. It was sweet revenge for Coach Goheen’s outfit as Detroit defeated the locals earlier in the year. The score was 14 to 12 at halftime. Anderson with 14 points and captain Walter Hiltpold with 10 led the local attack. Valparaiso high lost to Lowell, 36 to 14 at Lowell Saturday evening.
A new pier, 135 feet long and extending out into the lake 100 feet, has been constructed at Summitt, Long Lake, by the Hillcrest Improvement Association. Last year the association built a pier 110 feet long on the east side of its property on Flint Lake.
January 29, 1923
Selling of cigarettes to minors in Porter County will be tabooed from now on, according to Prosecutor F. R. Marine. Many complaints have been lodged with the prosecutor from all parts of the county regarding the wholesale violation of the law. In the northern part of the county the law has been openly violated, and many of the cigarettes have found their way into the possession of young girls.
January 30, 1923
Porter County Commissioner F. W. Alpen, wife and daughter, and Mrs. Christena Alpen, who are visiting in Los Angeles, Calif., attended the funeral of Wallace Reid, the great moving picture star, whose burial took place at Los Angeles recently. In a letter to friends, Mrs. Alpen describes the huge crowd which attended the services and the many notables of the moving picture world who were in attendance.
January 31, 1923
Voters in Liberty Township voted six to one in favor of the Theodore Gloyeski gravel road in that township at an election held yesterday. The vote was 137 for and 34 against. The Gloyeski Road starts at Sam Wheeler’s farm at the Center Township line and connects with the Woodville Road at Woodville. The road is seven and a half miles long. It is an important link in the Liberty Township road system.
Materials to repair the students’ bridge over the Pennsylvania railroad at the Valparaiso University arrived today. The bridge was recently damaged beyond repair when an overhanging steel beam on a freight car caught one end of the bridge structure and toppled it over onto the tracks. The bridge materials were made in the company’s shops at Fort Wayne.