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.
December 1, 1923
Dr. W. F. King, of Indianapolis, secretary of state board of health, was the principal speaker before members of the Porter County Medical Society last evening at Hotel Lembke. Dr. A. O. Dobbins was host to the society. Dr. King’s subject was: “Co-operation in Public Health.” Dr. King said the Indiana Health Department could not be efficient unless it had the cooperation of all citizens.
Porter County Auditor B. H. Kinne today announced the December distribution of fall installment of taxes collected by Treasurer J. G. Graessle. The total amount of taxes collected in the county for the fall installment was $587,117.09.
December 2, 1923
Oil in substantial quantities was found on the farm of R. W. Kellar near LaCrosse on Friday. The deposit was reached at a depth of 1,004 feet and after the drill was one foot into Trenton rock. The pit was found to be covered with oil after the bailer was run several times. A drilling company from Newark, Ohio, which is in charge of the work, has summoned an expert shooter to shoot the well with nitroglycerin to determine what it will make.
The Indiana Medicine Company, of which Porter County Commissioner H. A. Pollentzke is one of the incorporators, has opened up for business in a structure recently built on Pollentzke’s farm on the Dunes Highway, one-half miles east of Tremont. Dr. O. L. Stephenson, of Gary, and an Indian doctor will be in charge of the place. The company maintains six rooms for patients and later will erect additions to the buildings.
December 3, 1923
The Chicago Mica Company has just completed the installation of a water sprinkler system in its plant for fire protection. It will also ensure a much lower insurance rate on its property. H. G. Vogel Company, of Cincinnati, O., installed the system.
December 4, 1923
George Haste was elected commander of Chaplain Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), at the annual election held recently. Other officers named were B. E. Reading, senior vice-commander; Joseph Holenried, junior vice-commander; Louis Laduer, officer of the day; Jacob Mooker, officer of the guard; T. B. Louderback, chaplain; Joseph Glover, patriotic instructor; T. B. Louderback, J. N. Finney and E. M. Burns, trustees.
December 5, 1923
At a meeting last night of Valparaiso’s planning commission, plans for a new grade school building in the First Ward, on lots owned by the school city, bounded by Elm, College, Beech and Greenwich, were presented by the board, together with a watercolor drawing of the new structure. The plans call for a 148’x51’ building. The first floor will contain a community room, kindergarten, two classrooms, toilets, and cloak room. The second floor will contain four classrooms, boiler rooms, toilets, and cloak room. Herbert Erickson, architect of Gary, drew the plans and specifications.
“Mary’s Millions,” presented by the Sphinx Club last night at the Memorial Opera House, was a big success, both from an acting standpoint and from the box office. Players taking part were: Ann Murphy, Lola Albery, Louella Tofte, Frances Tilton, Agnes Murphy, Gladys Ritz, Jessie Reynolds, Geneva White, Loretta Gannon, Ann Borcyzko, Ann Tofte, Magdalene Gast, Ruth Wittenberg, Bessie Price, Ann Christy, and Ruth Montgomery.
December 6, 1923
M. V. O’Shea, head of the Department of Education of the University of Wisconsin, will be the speaker at a joint dinner of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs at Hotel Lembke on Friday evening at 6:30 o’clock. He will speak on the subject: “New Times Brings New Problems.” The wives of the club members will be guests. Plates are being set for 160.
The Warren family of Pleasant Township, Porter County, was prominent in the corn awards Tuesday at the International Hay & Grain Show in Chicago. In the ten ears of white dent corn exhibit, Allan J. Warren, Harris G. Warren, and J. A. Warren were among the winners. In the junior white corn exhibit, Allan J. Warren was a winner.
December 7, 1923
The school building at Hurlburt, north of Hebron, was burned to the ground at 8 o'clock this morning. The origin of the blaze was to have been due to an overheated stove. The Hebron Fire Department responded but the building was in flames when firemen arrived. The structure was built a number of years ago, and recently remodeled.
A motion for a new trial in the case of Ida Crumpacker versus A. F. Knotts and others, tried last July in the Porter Superior Court before Special Judge Will Isham, of Fowler, was filed today in the superior court by Attorney W. J. Whinery. Mrs. Crumpacker was awarded $14,300 in contribution of judgment paid by her late husband’s estate in a suit by the Manhattan Lumber Company, of Gary, in Jasper Circuit Court.
December 8, 1923
The Valparaiso High School defeated Elkhart High School 21 to 19 at the university gymnasium last evening. G. Douglas with four baskets and Brown with two baskets and six free throws led the locals’ attack. Peterson, Evans, and Stephenson played well for Elkhart. Coach Brown’s second team defeated Boone Grove, 8 to 7.
Peter J. Horn and E. V. Owens and Sons, of Valparaiso, won between $500 and $600 in premiums on hogs which they showed at the International Livestock Show in Chicago. The local men had fifty-three Duroc Jersey hogs, which averaged 295 pounds, which were purchased by Armour and Company at $11.25, or $410 above the prevailing price.
December 9, 1923
In one of the most thrilling basketball games ever seen on the LaPorte floor, Coach R. E. Schenck’s Valparaiso High School team defeated Coach Rovenstine’s LaPorte team Saturday night by a score of 25 to 22. Douglas, Shurr, White, and Brown each garnered two baskets apiece, and the same quartet bagged nine free throws. Wells, of LaPorte, scored four baskets and three free throws.
The Kilmer-Fraser Sub-Dividing Company, of Chicago, recently closed a deal whereby it became the owner of Burlington Beach, Flint Lake. Work on surveying and plotting the lots will be started at once. The company has also taken an option on a number of tracts adjoining Burlington Beach and expect to develop it into modern subdivision home-sites.
December 10, 1923
George M. Dodge will soon celebrate his 35th anniversary as manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company in Valparaiso. He was appointed to the position on Dec. 12, 1888, when he was 16 years of age. He is the oldest employee of the company in Indiana. In addition to his duties at the Western Union office, Mr. Dodge conducts the Dodge Institute of Telegraphy and Wireless, one of the largest schools of its kind in the country.
December 11, 1923
T. L. Applegate was elected president of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club at the annual meeting held at the Hotel Lembke. Other officers are Harlow A. Smith, vice-president; Mark L. Dickover, secretary-treasurer; E. W. Agar, trustee; W. E. Brownell, Roy Wheeler, J. Earle Mavity, Wallace Wilson, Frank Mannheim, P. K. Burns, and George Rynick, Jr., directors.
December 12, 1923
Frank A. Turner was elected president of the Valparaiso Country Club at the annual meeting held last evening at the Hotel Lembke. Other officers named were John Oldham, vice-president, and T. L. Applegate, secretary. A 6:30 o’clock dinner preceded the meeting. C. W. Boucher, treasurer, reported that the club had no current debts and that all dues were paid up to the present time.
The American China Products Company, of Chesterton, has been sold to the Fraunfelter China Company, of Zanesville, Ohio, according to an announcement made today. The new corporation acquired the assets of the Chesterton concern and will distribute stock in the new company to the stockholders of the American China Products Company.
December 13, 1923
George M. Dodge’s “open house” celebration yesterday afternoon and evening in honor of his thirty-five years of service as manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company office in Valparaiso was a success despite rainy weather which prevailed throughout the day. More than 100 friends and patrons of Mr. Dodge and the company called to extend the usual congratulations. Carnations and cigars were handed out by Mr. Dodge to all who called.
By a deal consummated yesterday, the Elm Street Dairy, owned by Diefenbach & Horn, was purchased by the Church Dairy on Lincoln Avenue* in Valparaiso.
*Lincoln Avenue, previously named Water Street, is named Brown Street as of 2023.
December 14, 1923
Porter County Treasurer J. G. Graessle, Recorder John W. McNay and Commissioner H. A. Pollentzke will vacate their offices on December 31. Mr. Graessle will be succeeded by William O. McGinley, a democrat. Mr. McNay will retire in favor of C. E. Barrett, republican, and Mr. Pollentzke will abdicate in favor of C. Eugene Fifield, republican.
At a meeting of the Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28, Knights Templars, last evening, Jonathan Osborn was elected prelate of the organization for the twenty-fifth time. Mr. Osborn is 92 years of age and is active in the work of the commandery, and seldom misses a meeting. Andrew J. Fehrman was elected Eminent Commander of the order.
December 15, 1923
N. M. Amstutz, patent attorney of Valparaiso, has just received word that his client, a New York rubber company, has been declared the victor in a patent litigation instituted by a Wisconsin rubber company for cancellation of a trademark held by the New York concern. The trademark was secured for the New York company by Mr. Amstutz after three years of intensive prosecution.
The Valparaiso High School basketball team defeated the Hammond High School team at university gym last night by a score of 27 to 26. The locals staged a fine comeback in the second half, overcoming Hammond’s 19-to-10 lead at half time.
December 16, 1923
The Valparaiso High School basketball team made it four-straight wins at Plymouth Saturday evening when it defeated Plymouth High in an overtime play, 37 to 36. Coach R. E. Schenck’s squad was on the short end of a 20-to-17 count at half time. G. Douglas and White with five baskets each, and Brown with four, proved the spark plugs for the Schenck men. Kizer, of Plymouth, caged seven baskets.
Valparaiso University was declared conference football champion at a meeting of representatives of the Interstate Collegiate Conference held at the Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, Saturday. Schools represented were St. Viator, Valparaiso, Lacrosse, Normal, DePaul, Luther, Columbia, and Western State Normal. W. P. Shadoan, of Valparaiso, was elected vice-president of the association.
December 17, 1923
Henry Marquart, prominent farmer of Union Township, who was badly injured in an automobile accident near Wheeler on Saturday evening, which also claimed the life of Leonard Orwig, died yesterday afternoon in the Christian Hospital. His skull was crushed. Marquart is survived by a widow, seven children, five brothers and three sisters.
December 18, 1923
Miss Kathryn Anderson, present deputy county treasurer, will fill the role of deputy treasurer under the incoming treasurer, William O. McGinley, who will succeed John G. Graessle, beginning January 1. Miss Anderson has been deputy for the last four years under Mr. Graessle and is thoroughly capable in her capacity.
December 19, 1923
Just a year ago today, December 19, 1922, Valpoites were freezing under a temperature of eleven degrees below zero. Three inches of snow also mantled the earth. Record keepers in the persons of O. D. Mudge, E. M. Burns, and Joseph Decker are authority for the statement. The temperature at Noon today at the Farmers State Bank hovered around forty degrees above the zero mark.
The Up-to-Date Laundry, located on North Washington Street in Valparaiso, owned and operated by Gus Demos, sold yesterday by Attorney J. S. Bartholomew to Mike Savas and Peter Demanos. Demos, former owner of the business, abandoned it last summer, leaving it encumbered with claims amounting to $10,000.
December 20, 1923
The records of George T. Pearce, highway superintendent for the Valparaiso district under the state highway department, shows it cost the state $410 a mile to maintain gravel roads in this district this year. A rule next year will limit the expenditures to $320 a mile. The cost of maintaining the concrete roads was $60 a mile. This included the mowing of weeds, filling cracks with asphalt, and repairing the berm or shoulder.
Rev. Edward J. Mungovan, popular pastor at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, was honored last evening at a party given at Community Hall in honor of his birthday. Attorney T. P. Galvin acted as toastmaster. Father Mungovan was presented with a beautiful birthday cake by Master Zawadski. Mrs. D. E. Kelly spoke for the Catholic Ladies’ Club. J. J. Cronin made a fine talk on the early history of St. Paul’s. Rev. John Suelzer, of Kouts, also spoke. Rev. Mungovan made a fitting response.
December 21, 1923
Valparaiso High School defeated Froebel High School Friday evening at Gary by a score of 30 to 20. Valparaiso was erratic, and had Froebel been accurate in its shooting, the result might have been different. Shurr, with twelve points, starred for Valparaiso. Smith, Moleski, and Hatrack were Froebel’s best players.
December 22, 1923
In comparison to the amount of taxes paid, Porter County has received its share of state road funds. Porter County pays only about two percent of the road tax and has nearly forty miles of hard-surfaced road under control of the state highway commission. Lake County, which pays fourteen percent of taxes, has less than twenty miles of roadway. Porter County, on account of its location, is thus favored in the state road building program.
December 23, 1923
Deputy Sheriff Jerry Lefrentz, Frank Lunbeck, and Harry Hodsden and son, Sergeant, returned last night from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., where Mr. Lefrentz purchased a 320-acre stock farm. Mr. Hodsden acted as one of the agents in the transaction. Mr. Lefrentz will move to Wisconsin in a short time. The trip of 680 miles was made by automobile.
The Valparaiso National Bank building on Washington Street in Valparaiso, soon to be vacated by the bank for its new and more commodious home, now in process of construction next door, was sold Saturday to Andrew Beyer, of this city. Possession will not be given until the new bank is completed in the spring.
December 24, 1923
Bruno Zitko, the man who is alleged to have shot Sheriff W. B. Forney in the head during a raid on Aug. 28 on Zitko’s Portage Township bootleg joint, was captured Monday evening by police at Indiana Harbor. For the last three weeks, Sheriff Forney has been working in cooperation with Indiana Harbor and Gary police in the roundup of Zitko. The latter was picked out by Forney in a showup with other prisoners in the Indiana Harbor jail.
December 25, 1923
There was no newspaper printed on account of Christmas.
December 26, 1923
Farmers of Lake and Porter Counties, headed by Charles Chester, of Ainsworth, and Louis Gast, of Valparaiso, are getting ready for a big fight against the tuberculin testing of dairy cattle, which is to be compulsory after Jan. 1, 1924. It is the contention of the leaders against the test that the order does not include feeders and butcher cattle, and therefore the inoculation will not protect the dairy cattle who may come in contact with the cattle not inoculated.
December 27, 1923
Neil McIntyre, age 33, a former Valparaiso man, and adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. James McIntyre, of this city, died Monday at South Bend, of injuries received in a motorcycle accident. McIntyre was a member of the South Bend police force and was responding to a call when he collided with a fellow policeman on a motorcycle. Mr. McIntyre was born east of Valparaiso and left here fourteen years ago.
Herbert H. Tallcott, of Indianapolis, today sold his Valparaiso home at 251 Greenwich Street to Joseph Mead. The deal was made through the Charles Link Agency.
December 28, 1923
Tobias Minor, age 73, residing at 307 East Lincolnway, died last evening of injuries suffered late yesterday afternoon when he was struck at the corner of Lincolnway and Franklin by an automobile truck owned by the Philley Brothers. Minor suffered a fractured skull.
Operations have begun on the construction of a sidetrack north of Crisman, in Porter County, at the mouth of Burns Ditch, for the purpose of conveying the dredge machine of the Walb Construction Company to this point. Clyde Walb, head of the company which has the contract, has notified A. P. Melton, ditch commissioner, to this effect.
December 29, 1923
The Valparaiso City Council at its regular meeting Friday night voted four to one in favor of the city board of education erecting a new school building in the First Ward. R. C. Higley cast the negative vote against the project. The council action, together with that of the school board, smothered the plans of local citizens to erect a new high school building in the Third Ward.
Word has been received here from Harry Herrick, who recently left for St. Petersburg, Fla., to effect that he has purchased a grocery business in that city. Mrs. Herrick will leave soon for St. Petersburg to assist her husband in the conduct of the business.
December 30, 1923
Accidental death was the verdict rendered this morning by Dr. H. O. Seipel, coroner of Porter County, in the death of Tobias Minor, fatally injured Thursday night when struck by a truck owned by the Philley Brothers at Lincolnway and Franklin Street in Valparaiso. Evidence showed the truck was being operated in low gear and Mr. Minor was not thrown by the car but fell in front of the truck.
December 31, 1923
Announcement has been received here of the marriage of Miss Jeanne Willy, recently of DeWitt, Iowa, to a Mr. Orcutt, businessman of Davenport, Iowa. Miss Willy assisted in coaching members of the cast of “Cheerup,” musical revue staged early last month by the Kiwanis Club.