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.
September 1, 1923
The Hotel Lembke, Valparaiso’s new hostelry, enjoyed a partial opening today. The cafeteria, lobby, and two floors of building were available to the public. The cafeteria was opened at 11 o’clock and hundreds of Valparaiso people partook of their first meal in the structure. The hotel housed a number of guests Thursday night for the first time and last night every available room was taken. J. E. Dreschoff, manager of the hotel and the man largely responsible for its completion, said today the grand opening would be held on September 13.
Former Judge Alvin D. Bartholomew, oldest member of the Porter County bar, was badly injured yesterday afternoon at 3:20 o’clock when he was struck by an automobile driven by Joseph Raleigh, of Chicago, near the Stinchfield-Fehrman furniture store on West Lincolnway. Mr. Bartholomew was crossing the street to go to the post office at the time. He suffered a broken collar bone, bruises and contusions about the body, arms, and legs.
September 2, 1923
James Scott, residing at the corner of Lafayette and Jefferson Streets in Valparaiso, and employed as a lineman by the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company, suffered a fracture of both ankles yesterday afternoon when he fell from the top of a pole on Elmhurst Avenue in Chautauqua Park. The accident was caused when a safety belt broke.
September 3, 1923
Ralph Dunkelberger, age 5, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Dunkelberger, of Wheeler, Porter County, was instantly killed this afternoon when a wheel from a racing car in the fifty-mile dirt track race, at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds at LaPorte, broke from the machine and was hurled through the fence, striking the boy in the face and chest.
September 4, 1923
Porter County’s educational exhibit at the Indiana State Fair at Indianapolis captured first prize of $200. The exhibit carried out the testing of cattle for tuberculosis. Paul Mather, Valparaiso artist, made the exhibit. Mr. Mather also built the Porter County exhibit which last year took second prize at the state fair. The exhibit will be shown at the Porter County Fair.
September 5, 1923
The Ku Klux Klan of Indiana today announced that plans of the organization for taking over Valparaiso University have been dropped and Valparaiso University officials have been notified. Reasons assigned for the failure to carry out the proposed project were that legal difficulties interposed. The word to the local school officials came from Milton E. Elrod, one of the principal Klan officials in Indiana.
September 6, 1923
Dunes Acres is the name of a newly incorporated town that is to be built in the sand dunes of Portage Township on a tract of land held by W. A. Wirt and others for the development of a town site. The necessary papers were filed today in the office of the Porter County Recorder. A meeting will be held September 15 to elect a board of town trustees and other officials for the new town.
George Pearce, of Valparaiso, superintendent of state roads for this district, has received order from the state highway department to widen the Dunes Highway and Lincoln Highway two feet on each side. Work on this improvement will be commenced in the very near future. Mr. Pearce reports that the Lincoln Highway, east of Valparaiso, is now under construction as far as Prattville, and the foundation has been laid to a four-inch top of penetration asphalt.
September 7, 1923
Miss Hope Drown, a daughter of Clarence Drown, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Valparaiso, who takes the principal role in the big Paramount picture, “Hollywood,” which is being shown at the Premier Theatre tonight and tomorrow, has forsaken the movies for a time and will take up her work on the stage. Miss Drown has joined Frank Keenan, noted actor, in the play, “Peter Weston,” which opens September 17, in the Sam Harris Theatre in New York City.
A petition for the erection of a new building in the First Ward* will be circulated among the taxpayers of Valparaiso for signing during the next two weeks. Every citizen, voter, and taxpayer, patron, and friend of the school will be invited to sign. It is contended that a new school building is needed in the First Ward because of the large number of school children in the ward. The petition will ask the school board to proceed at once with construction of a new grade school on the site of property owned by the school city in the ward.
*Columbia School was Valparaiso’s First Ward School at this time.
September 8, 1923
T. P. Galvin, member of the firm of Kelly & Galvin for the last seven years, will leave Sept. 15 to enter the law practice at Hammond with his brother, Francis Galvin, who recently was graduated from Notre Dame. The Galvins have purchased the law library of the Collins Brothers, of Michigan City. Oliver Loomis, who has been acting as deputy prosecutor, will become associated with Mr. Kelly, beginning Monday.
Sixty-four couples attended a farewell dance given at the Armory Hall last night by the Mandarin Club. Miss Viola Specht and Earl Scott, the latter being vice-president of the club, led the grand march. They were followed by Miss Autumn Bartholomew and Ralph Brenner, the latter being president of the club. Cope Harvey’s Opera Club Orchestra, now filling engagements at the College Inn, Chicago, furnished the music. The dance was given in honor of eight young men who are leaving Valparaiso for other cities. They are: Ralph Brenner, Bernard Finnigan, Dickey Mitchell, Glen Mitzner, Russel Nixon, Otis Sanford, Leonard Spooner, and Kenneth Turner.
September 9, 1923
Judge H. H. Loring, of the Porter Circuit Court, and Mrs. Loring, who have been touring Europe since last June, will arrive home Wednesday night. Judge Loring and wife landed in New York City this morning, according to word received here by Attorney Bruce B. Loring. Judge Loring is scheduled to hear arguments on a motion for a new trial for Harry Diamond, of Gary, convicted by a jury in the Porter Circuit Court of the slaying of his wife, and sentenced to the electric chair.
The American Legion Post of Hebron is $300 richer today as the result of insuring its two-day homecoming celebration August 31 and September 1, against rain. The backers of the project took out a policy of $300 with Harry Albe, local agent of the Aetna Insurance Company. Last Friday, the check for the amount was turned over to Legion officials.
September 10, 1923
DeWitt Hodsden, who was elected trustee of Union Township at the last general election, has tendered his resignation to the county board of commissioners and that body has named John M. Brown to fill out the unexpired term. Hodsden resigned because of ill health. At the time of the election last year, he underwent an operation in Gary, and has never fully recovered from its effects.
September 11, 1923
Charles Reagan, of Valparaiso, was severely injured this morning when he was struck by a Pennsylvania Accommodation Train at the Osborn Crossing one mile west of Wanatah. Reagan, who is a traveling representative of the International Harvester Company, was on his way to Wanatah in a new Buick roadster. He suffered a broken arm, crushed forehead, and a deep gash on the head, besides cuts and bruises on the arms and body.
September 12, 1923
Judge and Mrs. H. H. Loring returned today from a three months’ tour abroad, Judge Loring made an investigation of the judiciary system while in London. He was accorded an invitation to sit on the bench with the three judges in the Old Bailey Court. He also visited the House of Parliament and the House of Lords.
September 13, 1923
George Keogan, formerly coach of the St. Louis and Valparaiso Universities, has joined the Notre Dame coaching staff and will take charge of the freshmen football team. He will also have charge of the baseball squad next spring.
The reported sale of Valparaiso University to the Ku Klux Klan is the basis of a writeup in this month’s Literary Digest. The article contains excerpts of opinions of various newspapers and other periodicals throughout the country, mostly in a satirical vein, concerning the acquisition of the school by the Klan.
September 14, 1923
Manager J. E. Dreschoff has secured Hope Harvey’s Orchestra of nine pieces from Chicago for the grand opening of Hotel Lembke on Sept. 19. The orchestra will furnish music for the diners and dancing. A number of artists will accompany the orchestra.
The Valparaiso-Chesterton Highway is in bad condition because of traffic which is using it as a detour from Lincoln Highway to Dunes Highway. County Supt. Joseph Crowe has had a force of men working on it all summer. The state plans to take over the highway soon.
September 15, 1923
The Valparaiso Penslars lost to the soldiers’ team of Valparaiso University Training Detachment yesterday, 4 to 0. William Peters pitched a fine ball for the Penslars, but errors behind him hurt.
Valparaiso University will have 200 federal board trainees this coming year, Dr. H. M. Evans, president, said today.
More than $520 ($9,241 in 2023) for the Japanese earthquake sufferers has been raised by the Porter County Red Cross.
September 16, 1923
Fifty years ago today, Henry Baker Brown, who came here from Ohio, founded the school now known as Valparaiso University. For 44 years he remained at the helm until his death on Sep. 17, 1917.
Yesterday on his 64th birthday anniversary, Rev. G. Taylor Griffith, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, held a holy communion service with local members and those of St. Stephen’s Church, Hobart, participating.
September 17, 1923
Judge H. H. Loring yesterday refused a new trial to Harry Diamond, Gary man, convicted in Porter Circuit Court and sentenced to die in the electric chair for the murder of his wife, Nettie, near Gary. Attorneys for Diamond said they will pray an appeal to the supreme court. Diamond will die in Michigan City prison Oct. 12 unless the high court intervenes.
C. A. Highgate and son, A. G. Highgate, of Chicago, are visiting at the home of Robert Wark and family. More than forty years ago, Mr. Highgate learned the printer’s trade at the Vidette, and was also employed by the Messenger. He is now engaged in the printing business in Chicago.
September 18, 1923
The fancy cow and horse barn at the Montdale Stock Farm, east of Valparaiso, destroyed by fire this past Aug. 27, when lightning hit the structure, will be rebuilt larger and better than formerly, according to J. W. Dowd, owner of the farm. The contract for the building was awarded yesterday to the Smith & Smiths Company of Valparaiso, and work will be started in a few days. Mr. Dowd is connected with the Newton-Dowd Dairy Company, Chicago.
September 19, 1923
W. E. Dittman, crossing watchman of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Valparaiso, was placed on the pension roll September 1, after serving forty-one years. For more than twenty years, he was employed at Wanatah in charge of the pumping station. He was transferred to Valparaiso several months ago as crossing watchman.
September 20, 1923
Valparaiso’s new hotel, the Hotel Lembke, was opened to the public in a formal manner last evening. The event was celebrated with a banquet and dance. More than 150 persons were in attendance. The Wells Orchestra furnished music for the repast and also for the dancers.
The case of the State of Indiana in relation of Erland Lindahl, trustee of Jackson Township, versus the Porter County Board of Commissioners, is being heard today by Judge Harry L. Crumpacker in Porter Superior Court. Lindall is trying to force the county board to build a new bridge over Coffee Creek at the Tratebas Mill Pond. The bridge was damaged by heavy rains.
September 21, 1923
John Jonorski, one of the men involved in the shooting of Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney in a raid on the Frank Percy farm in Portage Township on Aug. 28, pleaded guilty to the manufacture and sale of whiskey in Porter Superior Court. He was fined $15 ($266 in 2023) and costs and sentenced to sixty days in the Porter County Jail.
Miss Ruth Addoms, former local school teacher, is visiting at the E. W. Chaffee home. She will attend the University of Wisconsin for a postgraduate course.
September 22, 1923
Foundations have been completed and brick work is under way for the new building of the McGill Manufacturing Company on Napoleon Street in Valparaiso. The Carnegie Construction Company of Chicago, general contractor, has promised completion of the building by Nov. 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lister, of England, are visiting at the home of Judge and Mrs. H. H. Loring. The Listers accompanied the Lorings on the return journey from Europe. Mrs. Loring and Mrs. Lister are cousins.
September 23, 1923
Four persons were killed in an auto crash near Valparaiso over the weekend. Rey Hammond, 48, his wife, 38, and son Kenneth, 2, of Roma Park, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Passaday, 50, of Kankakee, Ill., were killed Sunday evening at the Nickel Plate crossing on the Lincoln Highway, one mile west of Valparaiso, when struck by a Nickel Plate train. They were returning to their homes from a visit in LaPorte.
Valparaiso High and East Chicago gridders played a 12 to 12 tie at Brown Field Saturday. The locals assumed a 12 to 0 lead in the first half but fell apart in the second when East Chicago tallied on two long runs, one on an intercepted pass. Valpo scored on two long dashes by Shinabarger, on a fumble, and George Douglas on a 50-yard smash off tackle.
September 24, 1923
Rev. and Mrs. C. G. Roadarmel, formerly of Valparaiso, are now located at Greensburg, Indiana, where he is pastor of the Baptist Church. He was forced to resign from the local pastorate because of ill health and went to California. Household goods stored here are being shipped to Greensburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lowenstine were welcomed last night from a several years residence in California by employees of the Lowenstine store. A dinner was served at Hotel Lembke to 100 persons. Dutton’s orchestra provided music for dancing. Talks were given.
September 25, 1923
About 3,000 Klansmen from Kouts and surrounding towns took possession of Kouts last night. The program which was open to the public began at 7:30 o’clock with an address by Mrs. T. C. Osborne, a state speaker. Following the speaking, the Klan members headed by a band, paraded through the business section of the town. On their return to the grounds other addresses were made.
September 26, 1923
As soon as attorneys for the Burns Ditch complete the preparation of the official record of the proceedings in which the ditch bonds are authorized, Clyde Walb, head of the Walb Construction Company of Lagrange, Ind., who has the contract for excavation of the ditch, will ship his machinery to the scene of operations in Porter County and begin work without waiting for the sale of the bonds.
September 27, 1923
The Froberg Remedy Company, of Valparaiso, recently incorporated by the state, has filed its articles with the Porter County recorder. Capital is $10,000 ($177,727.33 in 2023) and directors are John Froberg, Charles L. Jeffrey, and E. L. Morgan.
A committee of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and citizens went to Chicago today to confer with Henry Kinsey Brown and John J. McGregor, officials of the Cook Laboratories, Inc., relative to bringing the plant to Valparaiso. The company must seek new quarters.
September 28, 1923
Governor Matson, of Knox, was a Valparaiso visitor yesterday and was a prominent figure at the Porter County Fair. With his coat full of badges, he attracted considerable attention. With his fireman-police star he had full sway into the shows, grandstand, and other places. For more than thirty years, he has been a regular visitor to Valparaiso and the latch string is always out when he comes.
September 29, 1923
Glen J. Hardesty, who has recently moved back from South Bend, and John Moser, who has been connected with Abe Klein, clothier, have formed a partnership in a dry-cleaning establishment. The firm has taken over the Up-to-Date Cleaning plant on North Washington Street in Valparaiso.
Of the twenty-two students making an “All-A” record in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University last year, two were from Valparaiso. They are Hazel L. Butler and Laura H. Neet. Two thousand students are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
September 30, 1923
Coach Ralph Schenck’s green and white football team was defeated by Hammond Saturday at Brown Field, 13 to 0. Valparaiso threatened several times but did not have a scoring punch.
Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, for four-and-a half-years pastor of the Valparaiso Methodist Church, has been transferred to Crawfordsville by Bishop Leete. Local members were assured that Rev. Carpenter would remain here, but a factional fight developed at Crawfordsville. Rev. E. W. Strecker, of Rensselaer, will come here.