Looking Back • December 1922

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, 1922

Addison N. Worstell was today duly installed as postmaster of Valparaiso. Following a checkout of John T. Scott, yesterday, Mr. Worstell assumed charge. The new official announced there would be no changes for the present. The salary of the postmaster is $3,500 ($62,085 in 2022) per annum. Mr. Worstell was accorded the plum on account of his services as head of the Republican County Central Committee for more than eight years.

The First Congregational Church of Porter has voted to change its denomination. It will henceforth be known as an evangelical church. Rev. J. D. Abel, who was called to the pastorate in April, is a member of the evangelical church, and his coming hinged upon the understanding that the church denomination be changed. Under the evangelical church, the congregation will have the advantage of well-organized support, the church having 100 pastorates in Indiana.

December 2, 1922

Freight conditions on local railroads at present are reported as deplorable, with not much improvement in sight. Poor time and a large quantity of freight are giving the railroad men plenty of opportunity to growl. Placing embargoes on shipments without reason has not alleviated the situation. Poor condition of the railroad rolling stock is held largely responsible for the failure of the railroads to give the proper service to the public.

A remonstrance signed by 785 taxpayers of Porter County was filed with the county commissioners and the county council, protesting against the using of any county funds or selling any bonds for the resurfacing of the Valparaiso-Chesterton Road or any other road in the county with cement, asphalt or any other material until some protection is provided for governing traffic over roads in the county.

December 3, 1922

Auditor B. H. Kinne has records to show that holding of the primary, the two sessions of the registration board and the holding of the general election this year cost county taxpayers $1.35 ($24 in 2022) per vote. The total cost will approximate the $9,000 ($159,649 in 2022) mark. The total vote cast for secretary of state was 6,600. More than 8,200 voters registered at the two registrations.

Valparaiso High lost to Elkhart on Friday night at Elkhart by a score of 25 to 17, and Saturday night at University Gym to Froebel of Gary by a count of 12 to 6. The Valparaiso High School reserves defeated Kouts by a score of 31 to 6 in the curtain raiser.

December 4, 1922

Two rooms of the new Wheeler High School were occupied for the first time yesterday. The remainder of the building will probably be ready within ten days. The new building has five classrooms for students; two recitation rooms, manual training and domestic science rooms and community auditorium. It cost $40,000 ($709,552 in 2022). Dr. A. O. Dobbins, township trustee, supervised the construction.

December 5, 1922

The first issue of The Valparaiso Daily Vidette from its new home at 23 Washington Street, across from the old location, was printed yesterday. All the moving has not yet been completed. The paper will print an issue later describing the new plant.

December 6, 1922

Trustee A. O. Dobbins, of Union Township, has two abandoned schools on his hands, one at Cherry Glen and the other, the Foster School. The law stipulates the buildings cannot be sold within ten years unless the majority of the people living in the school district sign a petition to that effect. As no one is interested except the man to whom the land would revert, it is not expected a petition will be circulated. At the end of ten years the buildings would be of little value.

Yesterday afternoon at 4:53 o’clock the new ornamental lights on Lincolnway and the business district were turned on for the first time in Valparaiso. A scheduled demonstration was called off because of bad weather. The number of lighting units turned over total 101, and the cost of installation was about $16,000 ($283,820 in 2022). The monthly expense to the city will be $2.50 ($44.35 in 2022), making the city’s monthly bill $650 ($11,530 in 2022). The ornamental lighting system movement was inaugurated ten years ago but did not materialize until early last summer through the efforts of Mayor E.W. Agar, Valparaiso City Attorney E. G. Osborne, and the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. The General Electrical Company, of Chicago, was secured to make a survey of city illumination.

December 7, 1922

Henry W. Lenman, Chicago owner of property on Lake Michigan, has sold 582 acres of land west of Waverly Beach, under a leasing agreement, to William A. Wirt, of Gary. The annual rental will be $17,460 ($309,719 in 2022) a year, with the option to purchase the property in whole or part at $600 ($10,643 in 2022) per acre. The deal marks the second involving realty in the north Porter County section. Negotiations are underway by the Morgan interests for the sale of 320 acres at Waverly Beach to A. Murray Turner, Peter W. Meyn and others, of Hammond. A summer resort is planned by the purchasers.

Porter County taxpayers will pay increased taxes next year. The only exception will be in Liberty Township. Valparaiso’s tax rate will be $3.74 ($66 in 2022), an increase of fifty-two cents. Increases in Union, Morgan, Portage, and Westchester Townships and the towns of Porter and Chesterton were due to new school buildings, and increases in Pleasant and Boone Townships, and the towns of Kouts and Hebron were due to decreased assessments.

December 8, 1922

W. G. Windle and Son today sold their grocery store at 121 East Lincolnway to Harry Herrick. The same business was sold by Mr. Herrick three years ago to the Windles. The business then was located on West Lincolnway. The Senior Mr. Windle will retire because of ill health.

Mrs. Helen Herrick, Roger Wilson, Al and William Seff, Robert McGillicuddy, Edward Siercks and John Sievers, Jr., attended the opening of the $1,500,000 ($26,608,214 in 2022) Trianon Ballroom in Chicago last evening. Paul Whiteman’s orchestra was the headliner. The latter organization receives $25,000 ($443,470 in 2022) for one week’s play.

December 9, 1922

Peter J. Horn, veteran farmer and businessman of Valparaiso, with a carload of Duroc Jersey Red hogs in the International Livestock Show won great honors. The hogs took first prize for reds, and second prize on other classes, and sold for the highest price, 11 cents a pound. The hogs were raised on the Owens farm owned by Mr. Horn.

John B. Clifford, Jr., is now associated with P. T. Clifford and Son, local railroad contractors. Mr. Clifford has been general superintendent for Western Contractors Supply Company, of Chicago, and was also a member of the firm of Clapp, Norstrom and Riley, of Chicago. The local firm has a large number of contracts on hand for next summer.

December 10, 1922

Members of the fire committee of the Valparaiso City Council and Chief J. A. Wise will soon go to Chicago to witness a demonstration of firefighting equipment by the Seagraves Company. The Chicago company expects a new shipment of apparatus soon. It is planned to purchase two fire trucks for the city. The present truck will be traded in. The new trucks will not be available until early next year.

Valparaiso High lost to Emerson High of Gary at Gary last night, 21-13, in a fast game. Gary led at half time, 12 to 2, when Valparaiso was unable to cage its shots. In the second half the locals came back and outscored the crack Gary quintet, 11 to 9. Sackett, Cavanaugh, Kelso, Sturtridge, Ruman, Kerr, Momardt and Dunleavy comprised the Emerson team, and G. Douglas, Seymour, McCord, White, Horan, Shurr, Riddle, Lowenstine, Gordon and Parker was the Valparaiso lineup.

December 11, 1922

Oil drilling operations will soon begin in Jackson Township in the vicinity of Suman, George L. Oliver, of Chicago, who last year obtained leases of many acres in that township, stated yesterday that materials for building derricks already had been placed on the ground and active work would be commenced shortly. The location of the well will be near the one drilled some time ago when a workman was killed in a fall from a scaffold. Leases secured by Oliver comprise the lands of Mary Wilson, Gustaf Lindwall, Arthur Johnson, F. L. Beach, Almerton Crowe, Frank Johnson, Charlotte Lindwall and Andrew Holmgreen.

December 12, 1922

Three federal board students of Valparaiso University got in bad at Gary on Sunday when they were arrested on charges of assault and battery on a woman inmate of a disreputable resort. They were released by the authorities when witnesses failed to appear against them.

December 13, 1922

Valparaiso University defeated the Chicago Tecks basketball team last evening at the university gym, 42-12, and the Valparaiso University reserves won over the Gary Independents, 22-14. Anderson was the high point getter with seven baskets. Hiltpold and Harris collected five baskets apiece.

Federal board men of Valparaiso University were exonerated of any connection with an alleged disturbance in Gary on Sunday night in which a woman inmate of a resort was assaulted, when Alfred Lynch, 505 Freeman Street, Valparaiso, who says he is not a federal board student, assumed the blame for the affair. Lynch said the federal board trainees had no part in the fracas and assumed full blame for the affair.

December 14, 1922

Tom Novak, an alleged wild man, created some excitement at Hebron yesterday when nearly the entire populace of the town engaged in a roundup of the man. The trouble started when Novak attacked a citizen without warning. A posse captured him and placed him in jail. Sheriff William Pennington and Deputy Jerry Lafrentz went to Hebron after Novak. Another fight ensued before Novak was overpowered and brought to the county jail.

A boy scout troop was organized at Crisman. The troop will be affiliated with the Gary organization. The new troop comprises eight members. Allen J. Black, principal of the Crisman High School, is scoutmaster. He will be assisted by Robert Scofield. As soon as the troop is approved by the national headquarters, investiture and initiation will be held.

December 15, 1922

Complaints are being made by owners of large tracts of land in the north part of Porter County that thousands of young pine trees have been cut and are being hauled to Gary and Chicago for Christmas trees. It is estimated that 50,000 young trees have been cut in the dunes this week. Many of the tracts are being guarded to protect the young trees.

Chesterton Masons have taken the first step in their building program by acquiring a lot opposite the New York Central Depot on Broadway, of Mrs. Kleinman, at a consideration of $5,000 ($88,694 in 2022). The purchase was made by an agent who is holding it in trust until an organization is completed to take possession. The Chesterton Masonic Building Association is being organized and shares are selling at $10 ($177 in 2022) each.

December 16, 1922

Coach Ralph Schenck’s Valparaiso High School basketball team won its first game of the season at the university gym last evening, defeating the rangy lads from Culver by a score of 20 to 14. The game was fast and close throughout. Wade and Whitted, two Black players for Culver, were stars. Larson and White stood out for Valpo.

Members of the Ku Klux Klan, attired in white, staged a parade in the downtown district last night. About 125 were in the line of march. At the corner of Indiana Avenue and Franklin Street on a vacant lot, a huge cross was ignited. Reports were that a number of the marchers came from Michigan City, Knox, Gary and other cities.

December 17, 1922

The thermometer this morning registered 11 degrees below at the Valparaiso Home Water Pumping Station at Flint Lake. The lakes north of the city, and Sager’s Lake, south of the city, are covered with a thick coating of ice and preparations are being made to harvest the ice crop.

Dr. H. M. Evans, of Valparaiso, connected with the U. S. Public Health Service, will return to Valparaiso to spend his Christmas vacation with his family after a six months’ trip around the world as a member of Assistant Secretary of Commerce C. H. Huston’s party. The world-wide tour was undertaken on behalf of American trade and the development and protection of the fur, seal, and salmon industries of Alaska.

December 18, 1922

Word was received here today of the death of Thomas B. Wood, president of the Valparaiso Male and Female College in 1868. Mr. Wood was the son of Aaron Wood, Methodist circuit rider in the early days of the Northwest Indiana Conference. Mr. Wood was a resident of the local school following the presidency of Rev. C. M. Sims, B. Wilson Smith, Mr. Staley, Mr. Utter and Aaron Gurney.

December 19, 1922

Tony C. Dilley, of Bourbon, Ind., former Hebron man, and son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Dilley, of Valparaiso, has sold his undertaking business at Bourbon to W. J. Williams & Son, of Gary. Mr. Dilley has been in Bourbon since 1905, and during that time has had 1,200 funerals. He disposed of his furniture business some time ago. He will look after his farming interests near Bourbon.

December 20, 1922

Joseph Wilgen, residing east of Valparaiso, visited Chicago one day and returned with the germ of an unconventional idea. Wilgen selected a low spot on his farm and caught enough water to form a small pond. The recent cold weather has frozen the pond to a depth of several inches and the kids in the Wilgen neighborhood are enjoying skating.

Rufus Snell, of Gary, a Black man held in the Porter County Jail for murder of Henderson Weaver, also Black, following the disagreement of a jury in Porter Superior Court, yesterday received a box of sugar cane from a sister in Alabama. The cane was eaten by Snell and a fellow prisoner, William Veasley, also awaiting trial for murder.

December 21, 1922

Valparaiso University defeated Crane College last night at university gym by a score of 41 to 23. Captain Hiltpold’s local crew were too big for the small, but fast Crane cagers. Coach Goheen used his second team after the first stringers had run up a 26-to-6 lead.

Valparaiso University students are in favor of the plan of Joel W. Eastman, of the university, to incorporate the industrial idea at the school in line with the policies of the school’s founders, Henry Baker Brown and O. P. Kinsey.

December 22, 1922

Herman Hagen, of Valparaiso, today received from Indianapolis a retired commission as colonel in the Patriarchs Militants, uniformed rank of Odd Fellows. The honor is in recognition of Mr. Hagen’s service to Odd Fellowship during 34 years as a member.

The town of LaCrosse was hit by a fire early this morning that caused a property loss of between $15,000 and $20,000 ($266,082 - $354,776 in 2022). The buildings burned were occupied by Goetz and Ness Meat Market and Grocery; Reed Brothers General Store, and the Goetz residence. The Jones Drug Store building was slightly damaged.

December 23, 1922

The new high school building at Wheeler was fittingly dedicated last evening with appropriate ceremonies. A fair-sized crowd attended. Talks were made by Lewis E. Myers, Trustee A. O. Dobbins, Edward Anderson, and Superintendent Fred H. Cole. Music was furnished by the Walker sisters.

Dr. A. O. Dobbins, who recently purchased the Dr. J. R. Pagin residence in Valparaiso, will move here on Jan. 1. He has leased rooms in the Premier Theatre building. Dr. Dobbins has practiced medicine in Wheeler for a number of years. At the present time he is closing his term as trustee of Union Township and had the honor of erecting the new high school building at Wheeler, dedicated last night.

December 24, 1922

The substation at East Gary owned by the Calumet Electric Company, of Hammond, which supplies power for the Gary and Valparaiso Interurban, burned to the ground today at 9 o’clock. The fire was discovered by a passing motorman. Only the bare walls of the brick building were left to mark the site. The loss will be in the neighborhood of $17,000 ($301,559 in 2022). The building, which was built about 12 years ago, will be rebuilt, but in a new location. The local interurban is now getting power from substations at Gary and Goodrum.

December 25, 1922

Valparaiso University’s basketball team won three of its four games on its recent road trip. Kalamazoo was defeated, 20 to 17; Michigan Aggies, 21 to 17, and Crane College, 41 to 23. The only loss, to Detroit, saw the home team outscored from the field, ten goals to six, but made the most of its chances at the free throw line, scoring 12 times.

December 26, 1922

The Dunes Highway, the beautiful new concrete trail through the duneland of northern Porter County will be completed about May 1, if present plans go accordingly. The road will cost $650,000 ($11,530,226 in 2022). Its total length is 23 miles. It is twenty feet wide of reinforced concrete, with a ten-foot berm on each side.

December 27, 1922

Sheriff William Pennington received a large, bulky package through the mail this afternoon. To his surprise when opened, the package contained a large edition of the Bible. The book was bound in leather. It was sent by Al Mace, of Lacota, Mich., a former Valparaiso resident, who had been a guest at the Porter County Jail on numerous occasions.

The Indiana Society of Sanitary Engineers has guaranteed work for all students of the plumbing course offered by the Valparaiso College of Economic and Cultural Arts of Valparaiso University. Contracts have been signed by officers of the society and school officials. A two-year course leading to a degree of sanitary engineering has been approved and perfected by both contracting parties.

December 28, 1922

A carload of tools to be used in oil drilling operations at Suman is being unloaded today. Mr. Condon, who will drill a well on the Jerry Cavanaugh place for George W. Oliver, of Chicago, will erect a derrick. Mr. Oliver has secured leases on hundreds of acres of land around Suman.

December 29, 1922

Valparaiso will lose one of its industries next week when P. Kenneth Brock moves away. Mr. Brock has been identified with the manufacture of shirts in Valparaiso for the last 3 ½ years. He came here from Chicago with the Kingley Shirt Company and was in charge of the company’s plant until the concern abandoned it and moved back to Chicago. Mr. Brock soon afterward started up operations on his own hook. He has taken a position with the Goshen Shirt Company at Cadillac, Mich.

Word has been received in Chesterton that Dr. C. L. Minges, formerly engaged in the practice of dentistry in Chesterton, died by suicide in Paris, France. Dr. Minges left Chesterton at the outbreak of the World War and enlisted in the dental corps. Since the war he has been living in Paris.

December 30, 1922

Dr. H. M. Evans was elected president of Valparaiso University at a meeting of the board of trustees held yesterday. He succeeds Milo J. Bowman, Dean of the Law School, who served as the school’s head since May 26, 1922. Prof. A. A. Williams resigned as vice-president and will continue as business manager and head of the mathematics department. Dr. Evans will be installed as the new president on January 1 at special chapel exercises.

Chesterton’s sewer case will be heard in Porter Circuit Court next week before Special Judge John C. Richter, of LaPorte. A remonstrance asking for a permanent injunction against the building of the proposed sewer which provides for drainage across the “boom” and northward to the Little Calumet River. G. R. Williams, of Chesterton; William Schneider, of Hammond, and Ralph N. Smith of LaPorte, are attorneys for the remonstrators. Charles W. Jensen is attorney for the Chesterton Town Board, and will be assisted by Grant Crumpacker, of Valparaiso. Daly and Freund are counsel for the contractor, Gerald McGillicuddy, of Valparaiso, and William McVey of LaPorte, represents all the defendants.

December 31, 1922

Dr. H.O. Seipel, coroner of Porter County, held forty inquests during 1922. Trains and auto collisions resulted in nineteen people losing their lives. Seven of the lot were members of the Hargot family, of Chicago, who were killed by a Pennsylvania train, west of Valparaiso.

The Valparaiso High School basketball team defeated the Valparaiso High School alumni last night, 23-16. The varsity consisted of George and Herbert Douglas, Kenneth Larson, Forrest Seymour, and Fred White. Walter and Werner Hiltpold, Jack Fabing, Earl Scott, Art Steward, and Edward Siercks made up the alumni squad.

Looking Back • November 1922

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.

November 1, 1922

The Dunes Highway is now open to motor traffic for a distance of nine miles west of Michigan City, leaving about two miles to be completed to Baillytown. Motorists may now drive over the new national highway as far west as Portchester, and within a week will be able to drive as far west as Mineral Springs. The entire road between Michigan City and Baillytown, a distance of 11 ½ miles, will be completed within a week.

Mrs. C. W. Boucher, of Valparaiso, who is making speeches for the Republican cause in Missouri, writes home she is having a successful trip as far as audiences and appreciation goes. The campaign in Missouri is fierce, she says, and the outcome is uncertain. Mrs. Boucher states she finds the people of Missouri courteous. She was detailed to the best county seats and large towns in two of the hotly contested districts and has been urged to remain this week.

November 2, 1922

Republicans and Democrats both held political meetings this afternoon, the former at Premier Theatre where Senator James E. Watson, Congressman William R. Wood, and Secretary of State Edward L. Jackson spoke to a capacity crowd larger than that which greeted A. J. Beveridge a week ago. The Democratic meeting was at the Memorial Opera House and ex-governor Samuel M. Ralston was speaker. About 250 people heard him.

Mrs. Mary Underwood and son, Eugene, arrived last evening from a trip to Europe. Mr. Underwood and his mother have been in Norway all summer, where he has been connected with the Norwegian arbitration. They will visit with relatives before going to New York City, where Mr. Underwood will be associated with a large legal firm. Mrs. Underwood was formerly Mary Pagin, sister of Dr. James R. and Harry Pagin.

November 3, 1922

The pouring of concrete for the foundations of the building being built on Lincolnway by the Sievers Drug Company commenced this morning. The excavation for the basement of the building is proceeding at a fast pace. The work will be continued as long as weather permits.

Special chapel exercises were held this morning at Valparaiso University auditorium in honor of Brown Day, the annual homecoming for the local institution. Prof. Myers E. Zimmerman was in charge. Talks were made President M. J. Bowman, Ben Yalman, of the alumni, Coach Earl Goheen, Captain John Cook, of the football team, and David Jayne, president of the university chamber of commerce. This afternoon a student parade was staged in the downtown district.

November 4, 1922

Valparaiso’s new ornamental lighting system will glow about December 1, announced today by R. J. Cory, manager of the Valparaiso Lighting Company. The posts arrived here today from St. Joseph. The Kelly Construction Company, which has the contract for installation, will begin work Monday.

Valparaiso University defeated DePaul University yesterday in the annual homecoming game, 7 to 0. The lone score was made in the third quarter on a pass from Anderson to Harris.

November 5, 1922

Valparaiso High School lost to Logansport at Logansport on Saturday, 44 to 0. The locals fought hard until Logansport scored its first touchdown. After that, the boys lost heart. Fred LePell was forced to leave the game because of injuries. It was the last game for Captain Riddle, full back Seymour, and Looney Parker.

November 6, 1922

Possibilities of marl beds in Porter County are being investigated. Today county agent A. Z. Arehart and Clarence Wilson, of Washington Township, made soil tests east of Prattville to determine the acid condition of muck lands and found in a number of places an excellent quality of marl at an immediate depth below the surface.

William C. Sergeant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milan C. Sergeant, of Valparaiso, is now located at Newark, Ohio, where he is manager and part owner of a ladies’ ready-to-wear store. The company, which controls the store, manufactures suits and coats and has five other stores throughout Ohio. Newark is a city of 20,000 people.

November 7, 1922

Hotel Lembke, Valparaiso’s five-story hostelry, will be under roof within ten days, according to Charles F. Lembke, builder. With the roof completed, inside work can go merrily on during the winter months. Mr. Lembke said work has progressed at a faster pace than he anticipated, and the building will be in readiness for opening on May 1, 1923.

November 8, 1922

The Republicans were successful in yesterday’s off-year election in Porter County. The entire county ticket, with exception of A. W. Coplin, for treasurer, was elected. Coplin lost to William McGinley by 128 votes. Both A. J. Beveridge for United States Senator, and Will R. Wood, for congressman, had large majorities.

Charles W. Harris, registered graduate nurse, has been appointed superintendent at the new Valparaiso hospital. He has been connected with a state hospital at Indianapolis. He will be assisted by his wife, also a trained nurse. Dr. H. S. Cook is the owner of the hospital.

November 9, 1922

Officers and employees of the First State Bank of Valparaiso at a 6 o’clock dinner last evening at the home of the president, H. H. Loring on Lafayette Street, celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the bank and 75th anniversary of William E. Pinney, its former president. Mr. Pinney was presented with a gold headed cane from the banking officers and employees.

The county commissioners at a meeting today ordered the petition for a concrete road from Valparaiso to Waverly Beach, Lake Michigan, advertised. The action was taken to bring the matter before the commissioners for consideration. After the road is advertised the commissioners will determine which plan is to be adopted.

November 10, 1922

Arguments on a demurrer filed by the plaintiff to the answer of the defendants were heard yesterday in Porter Circuit Court by Judge H. H. Loring in the case of the School City of Valparaiso versus Lily T. Ball and others. This proceeding was brought by the school city through its attorney, A. B. Bartholomew, to condemn five and two-fifths acres on North Campbell Street, owned by the defendants, for school purposes. In the demurrer filed by Attorney Bartholomew, it is contended that the school board has the right to decide which lands shall be condemned for school purposes. Attorney Grant Crumpacker, for the defendants, in objection, averred that the property sought to be condemned is not being appropriated for any public purposes; that it is being taken for purposes other than school purposes - an athletic field.

Judge Willis C. McMahan, Republican candidate for judge of the state appellate court, second division, has been re-elected, according to word received from Indianapolis by his brother, Berte D. McMahan. First reports were that Judge McMahan had been defeated but later returns showed a substantial lead.

November 11, 1922

The School City of Valparaiso was victorious yesterday in the Porter Circuit Court when Judge H. H. Loring sustained a demurrer filed by A. B. Bartholomew, counsel for the school city in condemnation proceedings against Lily T. Ball and others for appointment of viewers to appraise property owned by Miss Ball on North Campbell Street, for school purposes. Judge Loring overruled exceptions and objections by Grant Crumpacker, attorney for the defendants, who prayed an appeal to the supreme court. According to the law, an appeal does not stay the proceedings on the part of the school city, only in event the case is decided in favor of the defendants. J. H. McGill, Charles S. Peirce and A. R. Hardesty were named viewers.

At a meeting of the city council last night, Mrs. Mittie M. Stoner was elected a member of the Valparaiso City School Board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of E. L. Loomis. She received five votes. She is the first woman to ever hold the position of school board member.

November 12, 1922

There will be no recount of the vote in the Union Township Trustee election in which DeWitt Hodsden was returned winner on the face of the returns over William Alexander. This was decided at a meeting of the P. T. A. of Wheeler. It was the consensus of opinion among the members in view of the recent trouble among the factions of the township that the best thing to do would be to drop the matter and not stir up a fresh outbreak.

Kalamazoo College defeated Valparaiso University Saturday at Kalamazoo, 21 to 15. Anderson kicked a goal from field for Valparaiso. Valparaiso fans who attended the game rushed the gate and tore down part of the fence in their mad rush. President M. J. Bowman, of the local school, received a bill from Kalamazoo for $75 ($1,325 in 2022), representing the admissions which local fans overlooked to pay when they dashed in unceremoniously.

November 13, 1922

The Schleman-Morton Company today announced that it will begin soon to develop for subdivision purposes a tract of land comprising 112 acres lying north of the Grand Trunk Railroad and west of Campbell Street. Seventeen blocks will be given over to residences. A road will be constructed through the tract to connect with the Yellowstone Trail on the west.

November 14, 1922

Comrades of the Civil War met here this afternoon when Joseph W. Zea, of Valparaiso, and James W. Wharton, of Flora, Ind., clasped hands in renewal of the old days when both were members of the Ninth Indiana regiment under command of Col. I. C. B. Suman. Mr. Wharton was a lieutenant in Company A, and with Mr. Zea, camped on East Street (now Garfield Avenue), near the James Sheldon home, before marching away to the front. Mr. and Mrs. Wharton are visiting their son, Rev. Chester W. Wharton, of the Presbyterian Church.

November 15, 1922

Two Valparaiso men have just been granted patents on inventions. Amos B. Lantz has received a patent on a hay fork, which he is manufacturing at the present time, and Oden D. Miller received a patent on a jogger attachment for a Miller feeder.

The case of the Pioneer Lumber Company of Michigan City against Floyd Fitzsimmons, Benton Harbor, Mich., fight promoter, and others, for collection of a bill for lumber used in the erection of a boxing arena at Michigan City, was venued yesterday from the LaPorte Superior Court at Michigan City to the Porter Superior Court.

November 16, 1922

Word was received here today that Miss Inez Lucille Peck, of the John Rogers Production Company, will arrive here tomorrow to take charge of the production, “Miss Bob White,” three-act musical comedy to be staged at Memorial Opera House, December 5 and 6, under the auspices of the American Legion. The play is considered one of the best of the season.

Albert Listenberger, former resident, died at his home in South Bend yesterday, according to word received here. He was 80 years of age and is survived by a widow who was formerly Rebecca Bartholomew, at one time principal of the Valparaiso High School.

November 17, 1922

Wallace E. Higby, age 70, of Eskridge, Kansas, stricken on Monday night at Odd Fellow Hall following a lodge meeting, died this morning in the Valparaiso hospital and sanitarium. He was here on a visit with friends. He has been an Odd Fellow for forty-eight years. The body will be shipped to Eskridge for burial.

Harry S. Ritter, of Valparaiso, senior in the School of Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, has been elected to membership in Tau Beta Pi, an engineering fraternity. Members are chosen for their scholastic ability. Mr. Ritter has maintained a high standing in all his studies during the three years there.

November 18, 1922

Valparaiso and St. Viators played to a scoreless 0 to 0 tie on Saturday at Brown Field. St. Viator played a hard game and lost a touchdown when one of their players was offside. Anderson’s punting kept St. Viator at bay throughout the game.

Active construction work on the Smith Ditch in the vicinity of Wolff’s Corners, to drain property in that section, was commenced this morning by the Portland Drain Tile Company, of Portland, Ind. William Butterfield, of Valparaiso, has charge of the work. The contract price of the ditch was $10,800 ($190,805 in 2022).

November 19, 1922

Mrs. Lavica Field, widow of George E. Field, suffered fatal injuries last evening at her home on East Oak Street when she plunged down a cellar stairway. She was preparing the evening meal at the time. She never regained consciousness after the accident.

S.C. Billings was elected president of the Porter County Council at its reorganization meeting held at the county commissioners room in the courthouse this morning. Clarence Wilson was named president pro tem. The membership of the board comprises S.C. Billings. Clarence Wilson, Thomas M. Brown, John F. Pillman, Ray Crisman, Harry O. Williams and W. P. Rosenbaum.

November 20, 1922

The Spring Water Ice Company at Sager’s Lake was sold today by Howard Dailey, receiver, to Henry Smith, of Hobart, at the appraised value, $3,500 ($61,835 in 2022). Mr. Smith was recently awarded a judgment against the company in the Porter Circuit Court in the sum of $5,500 ($97,169 in 2022), representing promissory notes held by him.

November 21, 1922

The Gary-Valparaiso Interurban has placed in service a bus on the Chesterton end of the road. The one-man car has been taken off, and the new service will be continued during the winter months. It is believed better service can be rendered with the bus. The bus is owned by the Gary Street Railway Company.

November 22, 1922

The Hotel Lembke, Valparaiso’s most imposing structure, will be under roof within four or five days, according to Charles F. Lembke, builder of the hotel. Work on the structure has been progressing in fine fashion of late to insure its opening in May 1923. A large electric sign, 15 feet high, will be erected on top, Mr. Lembke said. Work on the heating plant commenced yesterday and a fire will be started as soon as the windows are in place.

November 23, 1922

Premier Theatre was one year old today, and in observance of the event, G. G. Shauer and Sons, proprietors, were preparing to rededicate it with the presentation of the picture, “The Storm.” When the theatre was dedicated a year ago, Mayor E. W. Agar made the address and T. P. Galvin presided. The theatre was crowded, with Gloria Swanson in “The Great Moment” being the offering.

Jacob “Jake” Jacewicz, convicted yesterday in the Porter Circuit Court on a charge of stealing chickens, attempted suicide last evening in the Porter County Jail by beating his head against the stone walls of the jail. Sheriff William Pennington and his deputies, Jerry LaFrentz and W.B. Forney, restrained him.

November 24, 1922

Failure of the Pennsylvania railroad to repair the overhead bridge near Valparaiso University, which was damaged two months ago when some overhanging steel beams on a passing freight train caught one of the supports of the bridge and caused it to sag over onto the railroad tracks, has caused a storm of complaints to reach the office of Mayor E. W. Agar. Railroad officials have announced that bridge parts are now being made at Fort Wayne and will be shipped here. Property owners living on the south side of the railroad fear they will lose their tenants. No complaints have been received yet from visitors to Sager’s Lake.

November 25, 1922

An oil painting of Rev. James C. Brown will be presented to the Presbyterian congregation as a gift of his daughters at South Bend, who will attend tomorrow morning’s homecoming observance service at the church. Rev. Brown founded the church in July, 1840. Greetings from former pastors and absent members will be read.

November 26, 1922

Miss Horn, of Indianapolis, assistant director of public health nursing, spent three days in Porter County last week reviewing the plan of work here. She highly complimented the work of Miss Sybil Kitchen, county health nurse. Miss Kitchen maintains an office in the courthouse at the county agent’s office where she may be found on Saturdays. During the week she may be reached through the committee on public health nursing, comprised of Fred H. Cole, Mrs. A. R. Putnam and Mrs. C. W. Boucher.

Emerson High, of Gary, won the state football championship Saturday afternoon at Warsaw by defeating Warsaw High, 33 to 0. More than 3,000 attended. Warsaw, though beaten, outplayed Gary in the first quarter and came within an ace of scoring several times. In the last quarter Warsaw had the ball on Emerson’s five-yard line.

November 27, 1922

After serving six years as postmaster of Valparaiso, John T. Scott will step down and out on November 30. Mr. Scott forwarded his resignation to Washington, D.C., and yesterday received notification it had been accepted. Mr. Scott was appointed through the influence of United States Senator John W. Kern as a compromise candidate in a fight between William F. Spooner and Joseph L. Doyle. He still has two more years to serve on his term. He will be succeeded by A. N. Worstell, chairman of the Porter County Republican Committee. Mr. Worstell received his temporary appointment a week ago.

November 28, 1922

Valparaiso ministers are taking a determined stand against tying knots for divorced persons. Revs. Guy O. Carpenter and C. E. Burns refused to marry persons the other day who had been divorced on grounds that the divine did not think they were justifiable.

November 29, 1922

The trouble ensuing from the action of a number of students of Valparaiso University who rushed the gate at the Valparaiso-Kalamazoo football game, has been settled amicably with both schools. The Kalamazoo gateman reported forty-two Valparaiso rooters rushed the gate. A check for $31.50 ($556 in 2022) has been forwarded to the Kalamazoo College by the students. The little incident did not cause a split in athletic relations, and the Kalamazoo basketball team, runners-up in the inter-collegiate meet at Indianapolis last year, will be seen on Valparaiso’s court this year.

The French Cafe on College Hill was sold yesterday by owners Wilford Foster and Georgiana Ray, to James Daniels, of Gary. The latter, who is owner of the Broadway Hotel in Gary, exchanged a seven-apartment building in Gary for the local property and a sum of money. The value of the Valparaiso property is said to be the neighborhood of $20,000 ($353,342 in 2022) and the Gary property, $31,000 ($547,681 in 2022). The change becomes effective December 1, 1922.

November 30, 1922

The School City of Valparaiso, through its attorney, A. D. Bartholomew, has filed a petition in the Porter Circuit Court asking that a commissioner be appointed to make a deed to the corporation of the Ball property on Campbell Street, which was awarded to the School City through recent condemnation proceedings. The sum of $6,000 ($106,002 in 2022), at which the property was appraised by J. H. McGill, A. R. Hardesty, and Charles S. Peirce, had been paid into the county clerk’s office. Grant Crumpacker, counsel for Lily T. Ball and others, owners of the property, filed exceptions to the appraisement. Judge H. H. Loring will take up the matter later.

Excavation for the Sievers’ Drug company building on East Lincolnway was finished yesterday by Cassius M. Jones and Son. The removal of 2,000 yards of dirt occupied 32 ½ days. Mr. Jones and Son will also excavate the alley which was recently vacated by the city council and benefits assessed to the Sievers Company in the sum of $2,500 ($44,167 in 2022).

Looking Back • September 1922

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

September 1, 1922

The Barneko Tin Shop is the center of a new industry. Emil G. Barneko is manufacturing a self-locking coal chute of his own invention. Machinery will be installed capable of turning out twenty-five chutes a day.

September 2, 1922

Superintendent Fred H. Cole, of the county schools, has received two invitations to address two different groups at the Indiana State Teachers’ Association meeting this fall. Both departments have urged that he accept the appointments even after he had notified them he could not fill the dates.

September 3, 1922

Miss Olive Whitlock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Whitlock, of Jackson Township, is a member of Charles Pratt Post, 94, American Legion. She took out her membership yesterday. She was overseas 1 ½ years, being attached to Unit R Base, 32, Pershing headquarters. She saw action at Chateau Thierry and other battles. She is the only woman member of the post.

Valparaiso has the largest city school enrollment on record and additional students are expected. The enrollment is the largest on record for Valparaiso schools with over 1,300.

September 4, 1922

Porter County was awarded second prize of $100 ($1,763.55 in 2022) in the special class of agricultural exhibits at the Indiana State Fair at Indianapolis. The local exhibit featured milk production. Paul Mather, local artist, painted two large figures of a Holstein bull and cow for the exhibit. A. Z. Arehart and Mr. Mather arranged the exhibit. It will be shown at the Porter County Fair.

September 5, 1922

The USCGC Mojave, carrying Assistant Secretary of Commerce Huston’s party, of which Dr. H. M. Evans, former Valparaiso man, and U. S. Public Health Service official, is a member, has left Yokohama for the Philippines. The boat will then go to India, through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean. The return trip will be by way of Great Britain shortly before Christmas.

September 6, 1922

A portable substation on the Gary and Valparaiso interurban line at McCool was destroyed by fire Saturday night. The blaze is believed to have been due to spontaneous combustion. The loss is estimated at $15,000 ($264,532.14 in 2022). Employees at the station escaped without injury. A severe electrical storm prevailed at the time of the fire, but it is not believed the place was struck by lightning.

September 7, 1922

A new hospital and sanitarium will be established in Valparaiso in the Bloch residence at Pearl (now Park Avenue) and Academy Streets. L. W. Bloch, owner of the building, will remodel the structure and Dr. Harvey S. Cook will lease it. Dr. James Craig, of Gary, and several Chicago doctors are interested in the project.

September 8, 1922

Prof. Frank B. Theroux, who has been for some years head of the engineering department of Valparaiso University, has accepted a position in Cornell University at Ithaca, N.Y., and will leave for that city in a few weeks. Prof. Theroux will also take a course at Cornell.

An enrollment of Valparaiso City Schools taken yesterday by Superintendent C. W. Boucher shows a big increase over last year. At the present time there are 1,415 enrolled. This is an increase of 75 over last year, not counting the kindergarten. There are 358 in the high school and 91 in kindergarten.

September 9, 1922

Berte D. McMahan, who has been a member of the Valparaiso City Council for the past five years, resigned his position last night and will enter the hardware business with William Krudup. At the last election a big fight was waged against him, but he polled more votes than any of the three candidates arrayed against him.

The rating department of the Valparaiso Merchants’ Bureau is in working order. All persons within the trading area have been rated. Ira C. Tilton is attorney for the bureau. Credit ratings of all persons will be circulated among the bureau members.

September 10, 1922

Nicholas Crossland, residing at 957 West Street in Valparaiso, entertained 15 auto-loads of people comprising employees of the Mystic Workers, and fraternal and beneficiary society of Chicago. Mr. Crossland is district manager of the society. All of the autos of the party were decorated.

Clarence Ludlow Brownell, formerly of Valparaiso, is now associate editor of the Public Health Journal of Toronto, Canada. The recent issue of the magazine has an article on the Gary schools written by Mr. Brownell. The latter was connected with the Gary schools following his removal from Valparaiso.

September 11, 1922

W. E. Wansbrough, of Valparaiso, who has been connected with the Texas Oil Company, one of the big oil concerns of the country, has been transferred from Kansas City to Chicago. He will take up his new duties October 1.

September 12, 1922

A tabulation of figures for registration of voters for the November election held throughout Porter County shows only 2,502 voters registered at the first two registrations. The figures were compiled by Auditor B. H. Kinne. Of the number, 891 were registered in Valparaiso.

September 13, 1922

O. K. Napier, of Scottsburg, Ind., has arrived here to take charge of the milk testing for the Porter County Cow Testing Association during the year. Albert W. Snyder, who has been acting as tester, will go to Madison, Ind., to finish his high school course, before entering Purdue University.

R. W. Lytle, whose ice houses at Flint Lake contain five to six thousand tons, is shipping two to three carloads daily to Gary. The ice is taken by the Michigan Central Railroad for use in its fruit and meat business.

September 14, 1922

Miss Sybil Kitchen, county health nurse, has taken up her work among the schools of the county. Miss Kitchen is in Chesterton this week and tomorrow will conduct a free clinic with the assistance of Chesterton physicians. From Chesterton she will go to Kouts and then to the various schools of the county.

By the deal completed today, Boris Kozlenko, proprietor of a shoe and general merchandise store on South Washington Street, sold the business to Louis Kauffman and company, of South Bend.

September 15, 1922

The Calumet Electric Company of Hammond, which is supplying the farmers from Long Lake to McCool, is extending its lines from Long Lake to Wanatah and Lacrosse. The line from Long Lake runs east from Specht’s Corners to the Jared Blake place, then southeast to the Bryarly School, thence south to Al Brown’s Corners, then east to Wanatah and then to Lacrosse. The company also supplies farmers living near Wheeler.

The case of Elmer Alyea versus the National Construction Company and the Hebron Water Company has been filed in the St. Joseph Superior Court at South Bend. The case is the outgrowth of injuries received by Alyea in the explosion of gas while a well was being drilled for the Hebron Water Company. Alyea was not employed on the work but was merely a spectator.

September 16, 1922

Roland C. Higley, connected with the Lewis E. Myers Manufacturing Company, was elected member-at-large of the Valparaiso City Council at a special meeting held last evening. He takes the place of Berte D. McMahan, who resigned last week. Aldermen E. S. Miller, S. E. Collins, John R. Palmer, and John R. Burch cast their votes for Mr. Higley, and Councilman Louis Gast voted for Mrs. A. R. Putnam.

Yesterday was the closing day for the filing of remonstrances against the Sandy Hook Ditch in the south part of Porter County. Many of the original petitioners for the ditch eighteen years ago have filed remonstrances. The general complaint is that the assessments are too high.

September 17, 1922

Morgan R. Evans and Clare H. Peas, of Chicago, today filed suit in Porter Circuit Court against the Pioneer Truck Company in which judgment in the sum of $1,863.15 ($32,857 in 2022) is asked. The plaintiffs claim they furnished the company materials in the form of audit books, books, stationery, and traveling expenses.

Boone Grove and Griffith played a fine game of baseball at Boone Grove yesterday, Boone Grove winning, 2 to 1. Maloney, for Boone Grove, and Zoeller, for Griffith, pitched sterling baseball. A Chicago scout was reported on the grounds and took particular notice of the work of Maloney, Zoeller, and H. Clinedinst.

September 18, 1922

Two Valparaiso men who entered in the auto races at Springbrook Park, South Bend, had a narrow escape from death when their car overturned on a turn while going at a high speed. Welby Rasor was the driver and Jimmy Watts, the mechanic. Both men were badly bruised. The Valparaiso men had qualified in the elimination trials and clipped off the fastest mile in 33.3 seconds.

September 19, 1922

Ennis Bullock has purchased the Glen J. Hardesty place of business on East Monroe Street. Mr. Hardesty will take a rest and then enter some other line of business.

September 20, 1922

A Veterans of Foreign Wars camp was organized here last night at a meeting at N. A. U. Hall. Ora L. McNiece was elected commander; H. S. Schneider, senior vice; A. H. Pollentzke, junior vice; Harvey Varner, adjutant; Arthur B. White, chaplain; Milton Take, quartermaster; William Stoddard, officer of the day; Fred Wiencken, historian; Bernard Wills, outer guard; Dr. V. L. Springer, Dr. M. B. Fyfe and Howard S. Dailey, trustees. The post will be called the Hayes Post in memory of the three Hayes brothers, one of whom was killed in service (Pvt. Lester Hayes), and the other two met death in an auto-train crash (Harry & John Hayes).

Stephen P. Corboy, reporter of the Porter Circuit Court, has been a reporter for the courts for nearly forty years. Mr. Corboy came to Valparaiso 42 years ago as a student at Valparaiso University. He was graduated from the stenography department and for a time did stenographic work in local courts. He also taught at the university. When the present courthouse building was completed in 1883, he was appointed reporter for the Lake-Porter Circuit Court. Elisha E. Field, afterward general, was judge. William Johnston served later and was followed by Judge John H. Gillett and W. C. McMahan, now appellate court judge. For eight years Mr. Corboy was county auditor.

September 21, 1922

Harry Herrick, who has been in the grocery business in Valparaiso for a number of years will re-enter business. He has leased the John Foster building on Washington Street, now occupied by the Valparaiso Daily Vidette office. As soon as the Vidette moves to its new building across the street, the building will be remodeled to suit the needs of Mr. Herrick’s business. 

Construction of the Dunes Highway through Porter County may not be completed this year because of action of the New York Central Railroad refusing to grant a right-of-way through its property, west of Baillytown, for a highway unless the state highway commission releases the railroad from liability to bear expense of a proper highway viaduct over the railroad.

September 22, 1922

The registration effort in Porter County cost the taxpayers $1,100 ($19,399 in 2022) or $29 ($511 in 2022) for each of the thirty-eight precincts in the county. The next registration will be held in October. About 7,500 voters failed to register in the first registration.

Peter C, owned by W. N. Muster, of Valparaiso, won the 2:20 pace at the Crown Point Fair yesterday in three straight heats. The best time was 2:20½. Previous to yesterday’s race, Peter C took second money in a number of races in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

September 23, 1922

Football teams representing the Valparaiso High School and alumni participated in a contest last evening at the fairgrounds, resulting in a 6-to-6 tie. The alumni presented a heavier line and speedier backfield, but the Green and White held opportune times. The game was played to uncover the weak spots in the high school squad before the Emerson game a week from today.

Remonstrances were filed with the Valparaiso City Council last night against the proposed construction of a sewer near the Nickel Plate Railroad. Seventeen property owners objected to the improvement. About forty property owners are affected. The estimated cost of the improvement is expected to run about $7,500 ($132,266 in 2022), or $100 ($1,763 in 2022) per sixty-six feet of frontage.

September 24, 1922

Lowell, with Tim Murchinson pitching both games, won the baseball tourney staged at Kouts yesterday. Lowell defeated Kouts, 8 to 3, and Fowler, 17 to 1. Kouts defeated LaPorte, 3 to 1. Murchinson, Bud Clancy, Krumps, and other imported players made Lowell outstanding team in the tourney.

Julius E. Dreschoff, assistant manager of the Oliver Hotel at South Bend, was in Valparaiso yesterday. He was formerly connected with the Hotel LaSalle in Chicago. He will manage the Hotel Lembke in Valparaiso when it is completed.

September 25, 1922

Drilling for oil in Jasper, Porter, and Lake Counties is soon to commence under the direction of different companies. The machinery for drilling at Giffodt and Tefft passed through Valparaiso yesterday. Drilling will also start this year in the vicinity of Suman and near Hobart. Next year it is said a company will sink a well west of Valparaiso in lands owned by P. W. Clifford and D. F. Donahue. Surface indications west of Valparaiso are said to be in favor of striking oil in better quantities than any place within a radius of 100 miles.

September 26, 1922

Valparaiso’s Christian Hospital last year had 477 cases, of which 162 were surgical and 315 medical. There were 17 charity patients. Hospital expenses this year were increased due to a ruling of the state that the local hospital could not act as a training school for nurses. As a result, additional trained nurses were necessary.

September 27, 1922

Harry Albe’s famous Black and White Orchestra will furnish music for dancing at the Porter County Fair. A large open dance pavilion has been erected on the midway. Mr. Albe has just returned from a summer in Michigan, where his orchestra met with decided success.

The Porter County Fair opened this morning with a good attendance and prospects of the best fair in the association’s history. The Bodnar Brothers Rides and Gordon Stock Company are furnishing the entertainment for the exposition.

September 28, 1922

Installation of new ornamental streetlights in Valparaiso may be halted by an injunction. Surveyors in attempting to line up Franklin from Jefferson and Monroe have run against a snag. Sidewalks along the street are irregular, and in order to line up the lights, it is necessary to place the light posts more than a foot inside the curb at the Lowenstine store. Objections were raised against the proceedings. Mayor E. W. Agar and Councilman E. S. Miller investigated and found it would be necessary to extend the sidewalk into the street at the block north and south of Lowenstine’s.

Organization of a boy scout troop at Wheeler has been completed under the direction of the Gary council. The troop is comprised of nine boys. L. F. Newsome is scout master; George L. Arnold, Dr. A. O. Dobbins, E. E. Walsh and R. L. Field comprise the troop committee.

September 29, 1922

Julius E. Dreschoff, of South Bend, has leased the Hotel Lembke now being completed in Valparaiso. Mr. Dreschoff has been connected with the Oliver Hotel in South Bend as auditor for nine years, purchasing agent, steward, and assistant manager. For a number of years, he was connected with Abe Frank, now president and general manager of the Ambassador chain of hotels Los Angeles.

Announcement was made today by Dr. Harvey S. Cook, one of the head promoters of the new Valparaiso hospital to be located in the Bloch property, corner of Academy and Pearl Streets, that the hospital would soon be ready for receiving patients. Remodeling of the building will be completed in two weeks. The building will accommodate 40 patients.

September 30, 1922

The Pennsylvania Railroad, realizing the absolute necessity of moving coal over its lines, in order to prevent suffering this winter, has placed an embargo on both carload and less-than-carload freight, except perishable freight, livestock, coal and coke, for a ten-day period ending October 11. It is thought by the railroad management that in that time enough coal can be hauled into different localities to prevent actual suffering.

Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, present pastor of the M. E. church in Valparaiso, has been returned for another year, according to announcements made at the annual session of the Northwest Indiana M. E. Conference at Brazil. Mr. Carpenter’s appointment was strongly recommended by the local congregation. A. H. Lawrence was returned to Chesterton and J. A. Lord to Hebron.

Looking Back • August 1922

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

August 1, 1922

Doyle and Breed, barbers, yesterday moved their shop from Franklin and Indiana to the building formerly occupied by McDowell Pomeroy, on Washington Street in Valparaiso. The building vacated by Doyle and Breed has been leased to Gus Pappas and brother for a pool hall.

August 2, 1922

J. H. Warner, of Boston, Mass., a steeplejack, started work painting the cross on the high tower of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Valparaiso. He will also repair the broken and loose tile in the tower.

August 3, 1922

Half of the taxes paid every year in Porter County are from corporations―railroads, telegraph and telephone lines, banks and so forth. They are assessed by the state tax board. Total local assessments returned by the assessors of the county total $31,000,000 ($539,355,714 in 2022). Corporations are assessed an equal amount.

Supt. C. W. Boucher, of the Valparaiso City Schools, has received a letter from Indiana University on the fine showing of five of his former students. They are: Laura Neet, Hazel Mutler, Ruth Blachly, Jeanette Finney and Fred Kennedy.

August 4, 1922

The Pioneer Company of Valparaiso was today incorporated by the secretary of state at Indianapolis with a capital stock of $100,000 ($1,739,857 in 2022). The purpose of the company will be to buy and sell real estate. P. L. Sisson, Effie M. Sisson, Joseph Blalock and T. L. Applegate are the incorporators.

E. L. Loomis was elected president of the Valparaiso City Board of Education at a meeting held last night. Myron J. Drapier is secretary and A. A. Hughart, treasurer.

August 5, 1922

Five original paintings by Walt S. Louderback, former Valparaiso boy, and son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Louderback, of Valparaiso, are on exhibition in this city in the Philley Confectionery. Reproductions of paintings also appear in Hearst’s and Good Housekeeping Magazines, in illustrating stories.

Two memorial trees at the courthouse yard at the north entrance to the county building planted last Armistice Day by the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary are failing to survive. One has already died and was recently removed. The other is following suit. Dry weather is held responsible.

August 6, 1922

The state tax board Saturday approved the appraisement of farmlands plus improvements made this year by Porter County assessors. This year’s appraisement was $76.97 ($1,339 in 2022) per acre against $77.60 ($1,350 in 2022) last year.

Kirchoff Park, on the eastern edge of Valparaiso, bequeathed by Fred Kirchoff, together with $10,000 ($173,985 in 2022) in money, will be placed in good condition. The public improvements committee of the council, together with members of the civic association, will visit the park and outline the improvements to be made. A new fence, flower beds, and benches are among some of the projects planned.

August 7, 1922

Major J. J. McKenszie, of the Valparaiso Shelter, was found guilty yesterday by Justice T. B. Louderback on a charge of slander preferred by E. T. Funk, superintendent of Porter County Infirmary. McKenzie is said to have told persons Funk operated a still at the county farm. An appeal will be taken to the Porter Circuit Court.

Valparaiso Chief of Police Robert Felton yesterday ordered all draymen away from the corner of Lincolnway and Washington Street. The move resulted from complaints received from various persons of near accidents. The drays have taken locations at the southwest corner of the square.

August 8, 1922

Peter Jansen, of Gary, has purchased the old Burge farm, south of Wheeler, for a consideration of $30,000 ($521,957 in 2022). The property has been owned by the Dwyer family for the past three years.

August 9, 1922

Word was received here this morning from Monticello, Ind., that Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, former pastor of Valparaiso’s Methodist church, is in critical condition from a stroke of paralysis.

August 10, 1922

About 1,000 poor children of Gary enjoyed an outing yesterday at Wauhob Lake. The children and their mothers were guests of the Salvation Army. The Valparaiso-Gary Interurban furnished free transportation.

Farmers of Porter County and Valparaiso merchants will hold a big harvest picnic at Brown Field on Aug. 24. A program, including games, races, band concert, baseball game and other attractions is being planned.

August 11, 1922

Miss Mary Brad, of Porter, born without hands, has been a teacher in the Porter County schools for 25 years. She can sew, write, and do other things any person with two hands can do.

A skating rink will be made at the tennis courts at Brown Field next winter. Mr. Matthews, an engineer at Valparaiso University, is promoting the venture.

August 12, 1922

Three persons were killed and four injured, one seriously, at 8 o’clock this morning at the Kettle Crossing, of the Michigan Central Railroad, west of Porter, when a train struck an automobile. Mrs. Louis Cohen, daughter Florence, and Meyer Pinsof, of Chicago, were killed. Jerome Cohen was seriously injured. Sol Silverstein, Louis Cohen and Oscar Pinsof were injured.

L. D. Wolf, former Valparaiso man, died last night at San Diego, Calif. He was eighty and a veteran of the Civil War. Three daughters survive.

August 13, 1922

Two big real estate deals were consummated here today. Glen J. Goddard traded the old Lewis farm of 200 acres, west of Valparaiso, to Edward Mitzner, for his grocery business at Lincolnway and Michigan, and business building at 70 Washington Street. The total consideration was $60,000 ($1,043,914 in 2022). Goddard also traded 253 acres in Pulaski County to Harold J. Schenck, of Valparaiso, for a farm near Ligonier, Ind.

The Pennsylvania Railroad today settled for the deaths of Harry and Carroll Hayes, who were killed when their automobile was struck by a Pennsylvania train at the South Franklin Street crossing. Mrs. Minnie Hayes, the mother, received a check for $8,000 ($139,188 in 2022).

August 14, 1922

The August Schumacher hitch barn, former home of the Pioneer Truck Company, on West Indiana Avenue in Valparaiso, is being remodeled for a garage. Schumacher has sold the property to Andrew Beyer. Edward Ference will be in charge of the garage business.

Mayor E. W. Agar announced today that Valparaiso has leased the William Arnold farm, near the Porter County Infirmary, for a dumping ground for garbage. It is now ready for use.

August 15, 1922

Kouts citizens are considering the purchase of a twenty-acre tract of land near the town, known as Hodgins’ Driving Park, for a baseball park and recreational center. A meeting will be held to discuss the proposition.

August 16, 1922

A Gary-bound interurban car and a work car collided head-on at the Woodville Junction yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. None of the passengers were hurt.

August 17, 1922

Valparaiso citizens will pay more taxes in 1923. The rate for 1922 was $3.22 ($56.02 in 2022), but is expected to approximate the $3.50 ($60.89 in 2022) mark next year. Townships where new schools have been built will feel the increase.

Prompt discovery by Charles L. Jeffrey, of Chesterton, saved the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Bridge at Woodville from being destroyed Tuesday night at 11 o’clock. Jeffrey was returning from Chesterton. Sparks from a passing engine are believed to have set the fire. Nearby farmers helped to extinguish the blaze.

August 18, 1922

Sixty-six seniors received degrees and diplomas yesterday morning in the annual commencement exercises at Valparaiso University. The graduates comprised the second edition of the 1922 class. Robert Judson Aley, president of Butler University, and former graduate of the university, made the address.

Workmen for the Kelly Construction Company, of Chippeau Falls, Wisc., have arrived here to install the new ornamental lighting system for Lincolnway and the business district in Valparaiso. A large force of men will be employed to make up for lost time in failure of materials to arrive on time.

August 19, 1922

Mrs. C. L. Terry, of Valparaiso, has been engaged by Lowenstine and Sons to take charge of the store’s book department.

Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, former pastor of the Methodist church in Valparaiso, died yesterday at his home in Monticello, Ind. He was local pastor from 1911 to 1916. He was seventy-three years of age.

August 20, 1922

The Kouts baseball team won a tournament staged at the Porter County Fairgrounds yesterday. They defeated Lowell 8 to 5, and Boone Grove 6 to 3. Valparaiso lost to Boone Grove 4 to 3. Fiene, an old Chicago White Sox pitcher, pitched for Boone Grove.

Benjamin Barts, age 42, was fatally injured Saturday at 8:20 o’clock, when he was struck by a Grand Trunk Work Train in the local yards. Barts recently came here from Rensselaer. He has a wife and daughter.

August 21, 1922

H. C. Taylor, formerly connected with the Lowenstine and Sons’ bookstore, has opened a stationery, school, and office supply store in the room with the Electrical Sales Company, next to the Schelling Music Hall on North Franklin Street in Valparaiso.

Claus F. Specht today rounded out 50 years in the commercial life of Valparaiso. On Aug. 22, 1872, Specht entered the employ of G. Bloch, pioneer businessman of Valparaiso. Specht came to Valparaiso in 1871 and his first work was on a farm. Later he was employed at the Sager and Chartier brickyards and helped make water bricks for the Porter County Jail. Soon afterward he took employment with Bloch. In 1883, Specht, S. L. Finney and Peter Hesser founded the present Specht-Finney Company.

August 22, 1922

The Chicago Motor Club mechanical service station in Valparaiso handled more than 1,700 Chicago Motor Club members who stopped to buy gas and accessories on July 4, according to a bulletin issued by the club.

Nick Kuraski, of Gary, was instantly killed at Turkey Creek yesterday when he was hit by a Grand Trunk train. John Kowal, of Gary, escaped injury. The men had been to Crown Point after grain.

August 23, 1922

George Sheeks, of the American Laundry on South Lafayette Street in Valparaiso, has awarded a contract to Smith and Smiths Company for a new addition to his building.

August 24, 1922

On the occasion of their joint picnic at Burlington Beach, Flint Lake, Aug. 25, Hammond and Valparaiso locals on the American Federation of Musicians will give a band concert in the evening at 7:30 o’clock.

August 25, 1922

The farmers and mechanics picnic held yesterday at Brown Field was attended by more than 2,000. A free lunch was served at noon followed by a band directed by W. H. Diercks. Talks were made by F. R. Marine, of the Valparaiso Chamber, and H. I. Barnett, of the Farmers’ Association. The Farmers’ baseball team defeated the Valparaiso Firemen, 9 to 6. Field and athletic events were held.

C. W. Benton, trustee of the Frank B. Chester estate, today sold the business building at 58 Lincolnway occupied by William Smith, barber, to James L. Meagher, of the Corner Drug Store. The deal involved $18,000 ($313,174 in 2022).

August 26, 1922

Today Field R. Marine, Republican candidate for prosecutor, is mayor of Valparaiso. Mayor Edgerton W. Agar, who is leaving for a vacation in Canada, appointed him as mayor pro tem until he returns.

Kouts vicinity, on both sides of the Kankakee River, will soon see oil drilling operations. Oklahoma oil men have leased farmlands in that section and will drill wells. W. J. Henry, of Valparaiso, owns land in the territory to be drilled.

August 27, 1922

Identification of the man found incinerated on the Lake Michigan Beach at Waverly Beach, several months ago, appears unlikely, according to Porter County authorities. A Philadelphia, Pa., concern has notified Coroner H. O. Seipel that it has been unable to trace a Winchester gun found near the body.

August 28, 1922

A petition for a concrete road from the Grand Trunk in Valparaiso to the concrete road at Waverly Beach was filed yesterday with the Porter County Commissioners. It is proposed to build the road under the county unit road law.

Frank Wilson, who has been a member of the White-Myers Chautauqua Company as soloist in Missouri and Iowa, will arrive home tomorrow for a visit before joining the Ralph Dunbar Opera Company.

August 29, 1922

The greenhouse on West Indiana Avenue owned by Sheriff William Pennington, has been told to Alex Lippman and Paul Nuppnau. The Valparaiso property is presently occupied by James Sheldon, florist.

The assessed valuation of the several corporations of Porter County as fixed by the state tax board for 1922 is $29,436,090 ($512,145,914 in 2022). The total assessed valuation of the county, including the net local, is $59,600,000 ($1,036,954,857 in 2022). In 1921, the total assessed valuation was $62,376,310 ($1,085,258,684 in 2022). In 1920, it was $63,759,950 ($1,109,332,044 in 2022).

August 30, 1922

 T. C. Mullen, formerly associated with his uncle, D. E. Kelly, in the practice of law in Valparaiso, has been named acting city manager of Michigan City. He has been serving as city attorney.

August 31, 1922

R. C. Breth, who has been manager of the Valparaiso Chamber, resigned yesterday and will take a position with a Chicago firm. No successor will be named. The present officers headed by E. D. Hodges, president, will be in charge.

Looking Back • June 1922

June 1, 1922

A roaring in trees in many parts of the county today sounded like the hum of factory wheels. It marked the visit of the 17-year locusts. On the William Schleman farm, near Hebron, a five-acre tract of timber was literally covered with locusts. The locusts lay eggs and the insects hatched there-from, eat the leaves, and kill the trees. No reports have come of growing crops having been damaged. Porter County Agent A. Z. Arehart has a number of the locusts on exhibition at his office in the courthouse.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Maudlin and son arrived here yesterday from Laffayette, Ind., where Mr. Maudlin is attending Purdue University. Mr. Maudlin is commander of the Disabled American Veterans post of the World War at Purdue University. He has been selected as a delegate to the national convention of the D. A. V. to be held at San Francisco, Calif., in later June.

June 2, 1922

The annual alumni banquet of Valparaiso High School was held last night at the M. E. Church and Lincolnway school. J. Earle Mavity, ’17, acted as toastmaster. Attorney J. S. Bartholomew, ’97, welcomed the class to the alumni association. Marian Albright responded for the Class of 1922. Helen Dean, ’17, sang two songs. Alma Curtis, ’16, gave a reading. John Fabing, ’20, spoke on the value of the alumni association. Edith Small, ’21, gave a toast to the sweet girl graduate. Charles Coyer, ’22, gave a violin solo. Superintendent C. W. Boucher made a plea for support of the alumni. Lowell Dowdell, president of the alumni association for 1921 and 1922, presided at the business session. Richard Fabing was elected president; Bessie Long, vice-president; and Forrest Jones, secretary-treasurer. The crowd then went to the Lincolnway school and danced.

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, awarded the contract for the construction of the new high school and grade building at Wheeler, has commenced work on the foundations. The excavation has been completed. The building will be ready for occupancy next fall.

June 3, 1922

Representatives of the Lansing Morgan heirs, owners of land on Lake Michigan abutting Waverly Beach, are causing the arrest of persons driving along the beach on their property. A test suit may be brought to ascertain whether property rights are being violated.

Albertus Gray, of Valparaiso, has returned from Detroit, Mich., where he attended the meeting of the Polar Bears of the North Russia Expedition. The convention passed resolutions insisting the government erect one of its proposed hospitals for the disabled in Detroit, asserting Detroit gave more per capita of its youth to war than any other American city.

June 4, 1922

The Valparaiso Mid-West League team defeated the South Bend Singers Sunday at South Bend, 5 to 4. Smith pitched a fine game for Valparaiso and was accorded marvelous support. Valpo batted Henning hard. Three thousand attended the game. Manager Deak Austin has booked Racine, Wisc., for a game there on Sunday.

June 5, 1922

With practically the entire force of the old Pitkin & Brooks Glass Factory at work, the F.W. Lesch Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of cut glass, began operations yesterday at the southeast corner of Franklin and Lincoln Avenue (now Brown Street) in Valparaiso, in the old church building. The Lesch Company is working under a contract from Pitkin & Brooks Company, and will also do other work.

June 6, 1922

Mayor E. W. Agar, who is a member of the Valparaiso University faculty, is not teaching at the summer term which began last week. This is the first time he has missed a term in 27 years. Next September he will resume his teaching. Mr. Agar began teaching in the Michigan schools 40 years ago (circa 1882). Prior to coming to Valparaiso, he was Indian agent and superintendent of the Indian schools in the State of Washington.

June 7, 1922

William Nallis, Delmore Carr, Nick G. Bulls, David R. Hoffman and Edward F. Boule, members of Valparaiso Chapter, No. 2, Disabled American Veterans of World War, will represent the local chapter at the national convention to be held at San Francisco, Calif., June 26-30. Other members of the local post will also attend.

The new hotel being erected by Charles F. Lembke, local contractor, is being built according to lines set forth in the Chicago building ordinance for reinforcement of concrete buildings. The entire construction is concrete, including footings, basement walls, interior and exterior columns, girders, beams, joists, floors and stairs.

June 8, 1922

Aaron Sapiro, Chicago attorney and marketing expert, addressed a large gathering of farmers at the Memorial Opera House last night on the new plan that will place the milk industry on a business basis and return the producer his just share of the consumers’ dollar.

Fred Weincken and Ora McNiece have returned from Chicago where they attended the reunion of the Second Division, commanded by General Bell during the World War. Both Valparaiso men were decorated with the Fourragère, a French war decoration, for distinguished service with the American Army in France.

June 9, 1922

The body of a man, apparently thirty years of age, and burned to a crisp, was found yesterday afternoon on the Lake Michigan beach, three and one-half miles east of Waverly Beach in Porter County. Malcolm Simmons, a Chicago student camping in the dunes, discovered the body. The body lay on a pile of burning ashes. A Winchester rifle lay nearby. It is believed the man was murdered.

Dr. H. M. Evans, who is connected with the U.S. Public Health Service at Washington, D.C., will leave June 17 for a tour of the world on behalf of American trade and development of the fur, seal, and salmon industries of Alaska. The party will be headed by C. H. Huston, assistant secretary of commerce. The trip will be made on the United States Cutter, Mojave.

June 10, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last night, City Attorney E. G. Osborne was instructed to draw up a contract with the Valparaiso Lighting Company for the installation of an ornamental lighting system on Lincolnway.

Judge and Mrs. H. H. Loring, and son, Bruce, attended a reunion last night at Hebron of the Hebron High School Class of 1890. Judge Loring taught the class for three years.

June 11, 1922

Mrs. R. C. Wheelock, formerly Beulah Beshears, of Valparaiso, and her husband were killed yesterday in Chicago when an airplane in which they were riding crashed. Mrs. Wheelock, who for the past two years had been head of the Fine Arts Department at Valparaiso University, was married last week at the H. C. Swartout home here.

Local authorities investigating the mystery of the finding of the burned body of a man in the Lake Michigan sand dunes near Waverly Beach, are still without clues regarding his identity. A report that Chicago newspaper men planned to dig up the body caused Sheriff William Pennington and Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney to hurry to the scene. As they arrived the newspaper men stepped from a boat. The party consisted of Austin O’Malley, D. E. Williams, E. W. Raple, Nicholas McDonald, Dr. Joseph Springer, deputy coroner of Cook County, Ill., and Darrell R. McConnaughly, a funeral director. The men told the officers they went to the place to look at the grave but disclaimed any attempt at molestation of the body. The officers did not go to the grave to investigate.

June 12, 1922

Wheatfield and LaCrosse, of the Kankakee Valley League, staged a great game Sunday. LaCrosse won 27 to 1. Myers, Wheatfield pitcher, quit in the third inning when his teammates failed to accept easy chances. It was LaCrosse’s first win following four straight losses.

A Winchester rifle found near the body of an unknown man incinerated on a pyre in the sand dunes near Waverly Beach may lead to his identity, Coroner H. O. Seipel said today. An effort is being made to trace ownership through the number on the gun. Yesterday Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney and Coroner’s Physician Joseph Springer, of Cook County, Ill., nearly came to blows when the two men became involved in an argument over the digging up of the body of the victim by Chicago newspapermen. Dr. Springer attempted to bluff local officers but soon found out his mistake.

June 13, 1922

An argument over the slaying of an unknown man in the Dunes region of north Porter County caused a fight last night near Miller’s Station between Paul Wilson, husband of Diana of the Dunes and Eugene Frank, Miller fisherman. Wilson attempted to strike Frank and was shot in the leg. Mrs. Wilson went to her husband’s aid and was struck on the head with a gun by Frank. The three were taken to Gary at gunpoint by Frank’s father. The fight started when Wilson upbraided Frank for bringing curiosity seekers to the Wilson home while the latter was not there.

June 14, 1922

The Consumers’ Wholesale Grocers with main offices at Chicago Heights, Ill., today leased the Henry Sievers’ building on East Lincolnway for a term of five years. The company operates 35 stores in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. The Sievers building was formerly occupied by the Kingley Shirt Company.

June 15, 1922

P. Kenneth Brock, formerly manager of the Kingley Shirt Company factory in Valparaiso, will soon commence the manufacture of men’s shirts, women’s and children’s dresses and shirt waists in the upper part of the Sievers building on East Lincolnway. The Kingley Shirt Company recently closed its factory here because of heavy overhead.

Tuesday in superior court at Michigan City, Judge Harry L. Crumpacker granted the petition filed by Attorney Mark B. Rockwell on behalf of William Smith, of Valparaiso, whereby the latter assigns and transfers his lease to the building on West Lincolnway, now occupied by him as a barber shop and pool room, to the National Tea Company. The latter company will move its store from Indiana Avenue to the new location.

June 16, 1922

The Porter County Fish and Game Club will be reorganized. Elmer Vrooman, inspector of the Department of Conservation, was here yesterday and conferred with Dr. J. D. Keehan, local club secretary. Mr. Vrooman stated this section of the state had always been active and he desired a live organization to protect fish and game in Porter County. A. J. Bodine will arrive here in a few days to begin a reorganization. Mr. Vrooman stated two game wardens would be sent here this summer.

A china factory, three times as large as the Chesterton plant, will be erected in Valparaiso within the next two years by the American China Products Company, it was announced today. The factory, when operating in full blast, will employ 1,500 people. The local unit will have 18 kilns.

June 17, 1922

Dr. Joseph Lester Gordon, of Wheeler, was graduated from the medical department of the University of Kentucky on June 8. He is also a graduate of the Wheeler High School. He will leave in a few days for Wayland, Ky., to practice his profession.

St. Paul’s Parochial School closed yesterday afternoon for the summer. There were no graduates from the school this year, but next year there will be a big class. Jean Overmeyer was high honor pupil among the first-year high pupils with an average of 96; Leonard Gannon, high among second-year pupils with 96; and Rose O’Sullivan, high among third-year pupils with 95.

June 18, 1922

Negotiations are now under way by Chicago colored people who have been figuring on purchasing Sager’s Lake for the leasing of the property for a term of 99 years with an option to buy the same. It is understood the promoters intend to lease 400 lots on the basis of 7% interest on a valuation of $400 ($6,845.33 in 2022). By this method $12,000 ($205,360.00 in 2022) would be created for the down payment. Mr. Sager said today he was still willing to sell to Valparaiso interests.

Wesley Hoffman, who obtained a degree of Bachelor of Science in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Purdue University, has accepted a position in Chicago at the Underwriters’ Laboratories.

June 19, 1922

Contract for construction of the new Valparaiso Daily Vidette building on the Salyer site, southwest corner Washington and Jefferson Streets in Valparaiso, was awarded to Smith and Smiths Company. Work will be started at once and completion is expected by Oct. 1. The building will be a two-story brick. The upper floor will contain office rooms.

Glen J. Goddard, of Valparaiso, has traded 640 acres of land near Francesville, Ind., for a store building and stock of merchandise at Lafayette. The deal involved more than $100,000 ($1,711,333.33 in 2022).

June 20, 1922

Mayor E. W. Agar and City Attorney E. G. Osborne returned today from Chicago after a conference with President Brewer, of the Valparaiso Lighting Company. They obtained the signature to a contract drawn up by Attorney Osborne and approved by the Valparaiso City Council for the installation of an ornamental lighting system on Lincolnway in the business district.

June 21, 1922

Mrs. H. M. Evans, son, Max, and daughter, Lucille, arrived here last night from Washington, D.C., and will occupy the Dr. E. H. Powell home on North Washington Street during the summer. Dr. Evans sailed last Saturday from Seattle, Wash., with Assistant Secretary of Commerce Claude Huston and party of government officials for a trip around the world to be gone until December.

June 22, 1922

Tony Massey, who conducts a barber shop in the basement of the Szold Department Store on Lincolnway, has been in his present location 56 years. In 1866, he purchased the interest of his brother, Lafayette Massey, and Anson Goodwin, in the business. On the wall of the Massey shop is a clock which survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. It was rescued from a pawn shop by Mr. Goodwin some time ago.

Valparaiso trap shooters who participated in the Indian shoot at Petoskey, Mich., made the following scores: Powell, 141; Hunsley, 140; Blount, 136; Gray, 136.

June 23, 1922

A road roller, belonging to Porter County, which crashed through a bridge over Salt Creek, near Crocker, about a week ago, was hauled from its position in the creek yesterday. Ernest Luedtke, of Furnessville, was driving the roller when it went through the bridge. He was uninjured.

Mrs. Laura Roe Kouns, of East Jefferson Street, received word from Washington, D.C., that she had been appointed to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

June 24, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City council last night, A. A. Hughart, cashier of the Farmers’ State Bank, was elected a member of the city board of education by the city council. He succeeds Harry R. Ball, whose term expires soon. Mr. Hughart has been an educator for many years. He served as Superintendent of Porter County Schools and later as city superintendent of the Coffeyville, Kansas, schools. Since the return here six years ago he has been connected with the Farmers’ State Bank.

The golf course of the Valparaiso Country Club, northeast of the city, will soon be ready for play. Piping of water from the main of the Valparaiso Home Water Company from the Valparaiso-Chesterton Road, three-quarters of a mile away, is nearly completed. The water is essential for the growing of grass on the greens.

June 25, 1922

Arthur S. Simon, manager of the wholesale and retail grocery department at the J. Lowenstine & Sons’ store, resigned his position Saturday to become buyer and manager for Tibbetts & Garland store on Michigan Avenue, Chicago. The latter concern is one of the largest in Chicago. Mr. Simon came here six years ago from Springfield, Ill., and has built up a large business at the Lowenstine store.

Earl J. Goheen, coach of athletics at Valparaiso University last year, has been appointed coach for the coming year. Mr. Goheen was graduated from the law department this spring. At present time he is taking a coaching course at the University of Illinois under Robert Zuppke, coach at Illinois.

June 26, 1922

Rev. Father Theodore Hammes, pastor of the Wanatah Catholic Church, has been appointed priest-in-charge of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at South Bend by Bishop H. J. Alerding, of Fort Wayne. He will go to South Bend on June 28.

Charles White returned today to Wenatchee, Wash., after a several days’ visit here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. White. Mr. White is superintendent of the water works at Wenatchee. He has been in Hot Springs, Ark., attending the international meeting of the Lions’ Club.

June 27, 1922

Ralph J. Cory, manager of the Valparaiso Lighting Company, announced today that work on the city’s new ornamental lighting system will start in two weeks and be completed by Oct. 1 of this year.

June 28, 1922

Seral I. Warren, son of J. A. Warren, of Kouts, is attending reserve officers’ training at Camp Knox, Ky. The camp comprises 500 students gathered from nineteen colleges and universities.

June 29, 1922

According to announcement made by several members of the Valparaiso City Council, another fire truck will be purchased for Valparaiso sometime this fall. The new machine will be larger and better than the present one. The need of another truck has been apparent for some time, according to the council members.

Nelson J. Bozarth, nester of the Porter County Bar Association, and Civil War veteran, now entering his 79th year, believes he still retains his old-time prowess as a swimmer. After reading an account in an Indianapolis newspaper of the ability of Dr. A. P. Letherman, he issued a challenge to the doctor to meet him in a swimming contest. Mr. Bozarth has swum Flint Lake many times and knows its ins and outs.

June 30, 1922

Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court today established the Smith Ditch, a drain at Wolff’s Corners. The estimated cost is $17,200 ($294,349.33 in 2022). More than 50 property owners are affected by its construction. Amos Lantz was named construction commissioner. Petition for the ditch was filed a number of years ago by Attorney Frank B. Parks for the petitioners.

Chesterton now has sufficient land for building and housing a population of between 15,000 and 20,000. Ninety acres of land, consisting of the Haslett, Cushman, Lewis, Colling, and Brown tracts has been annexed to the town. The land lies in the middle of the corporate town on its southern edge. The proposed new sewer is to run through the south part of the newly-annexed area.

Looking Back • May 1922

May 1, 1922

Robert Felton, elected Valparaiso Chief of Police by the Valparaiso City Council to succeed James A. Jones, who resigned, assumed his new duties today. Matthew Brown will take Chief Felton’s beat on night duty.

Announcement was made today that the theatrical interests of J. A. Schelling and A. F. Heineman, operators of the Schelling Hall of Music and Memorial Opera House, and the Premier Theatre, owned by Shauer and Sons, has been merged.

May 2, 1922

Nearly 5,300 votes were cast by republicans in yesterday’s primary. Those nominated were: Field Ray Marine, prosecutor; Ross C. Jones, clerk; William Pennington, sheriff; C. E. Barrett, recorder; Dr. H. O. Seipel, coroner; Fred Marquart, assessor. A. A. Coplin, treasurer; B. H. Kinne, auditor; Floyd R. McNiece, surveyor; Marion Curtis and C. E. Fifield, commissioners.

May 3, 1922

Lauren F. Maudlin, of Valparaiso, was elected commander of the Lafayette Chapter, Number 4, Disabled Veterans of the World War of Purdue University. Before going to Purdue, Mr. Maudlin attended Valparaiso University and took a prominent part in the activities of the Rehabilitation Club and Daughters of the American Revolution chapter here.

May 4, 1922

W. A. Hill, of Hammond, won the republican nomination over J. J. Overmyer and A. O. Krieger, of Porter County for joint representative of Lake and Porter Counties. Will R. Wood, for congress, will have 10,000 majority over William Anderson, of Gary, and Senator Will Brown, of Hebron, defeated Nathan H. Sheppard, of Valparaiso, by 6,000 for senator of Porter, Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties.

Kalamazoo College defeated Valparaiso University baseballers 1 to 0 yesterday. Adams, of Valpo, allowed three hits, while Valpo garnered five off Ray, Kazoo twirler, who struck out 10.

May 5, 1922

The general contract for the new Westchester Township school has been awarded to Joseph Ameling, of Chesterton. Only the rough work will be done this year because of lack of funds, according to Trustee J. G. Johnson and Attorney C. W. Jensen. Later money will be forthcoming to do the plumbing, heating, and ventilation.

Earl J. Salisbury, who has been manager of the Schelling Music Hall and Memorial Opera House, will go to Detroit, Mich., Sunday to join an orchestra. Roger Wilson will accompany him.

May 6, 1922

Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, enjoyed an impromptu concert by its new band last night. The band comprises twenty members, but an attempt will be made to increase it to forty.

Shea and Company, of Hammond, which has the contract for Lincoln Highway from Deep River to Valparaiso, have commenced grading near the Tom Brown farm, west of Valparaiso.

May 7, 1922

Twenty-one acres of land north of the Grand Trunk Railroad owned by the Pioneer Truck Company was sold today at sheriff’s sale to satisfy a $4,500 ($75,995.36 in 2022) judgment of the Valparaiso National Bank. James H. McGill was the purchaser.

Saturday Supt. E. T. Funk opened the fresh air tuberculosis camp at the Porter County infirmary. The infirmary has six beds, and these were filled up with arrival of a patient from Portage Township.

May 8, 1922

A Valparaiso branch of the National Welfare Council was organized last night by members of the National Association of Post Office Clerks and City and Rural Mail Carriers associations. Harry Albery was named chairman; Ellsworth Mitzner, vice chairman, and Frank Deckro, secretary.

A total of 1,665 school children is shown in the Valparaiso enumeration just completed. The total is a gain of 71 over last year.

May 9, 1922

Valparaiso University baseball team defeated Wheaton College yesterday at Brown Field, 8 to 0. Martenson hurled for the locals and was unhittable. Thomas, for Wheaton, pitched well after the fifth inning, allowing only one hit.

May 10, 1922

Nelson J. Bozarth, of Valparaiso, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for judge of the Indiana Appellate Court. Mr. Bozarth is a graduate of Valparaiso University and the University of Indiana.

May 11, 1922

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, was low bidder at $31,574 ($75,995.36 in 2022) on the construction of the new joint high and elementary school at Wheeler, and Smith & Smiths Company, Valparaiso, was low bidder at $2,035 ($34,366.79 in 2022) on the remodeling of the Union Center School when Trustee A. O. Dobbins opened bids at the office of the county superintendent of schools in the courthouse here today.

Charles Claudy and family have moved here from Battle Creek, Mich., and are building a new home in the Alpen Subdivision. Claudy is general car inspector for the Grand Trunk Railroad.

May 12, 1922

Trustee A. O. Dobbins of Union Township has withheld award of contracts for building a new high and elementary school at Wheeler and remodeling of the Union Center school. The Wheeler bid was lower than the estimate, and the Union Center bid higher.

Robert Winslow, of Valparaiso, a student at the University of Michigan, has been made a member of the mines, music, and dramatic fraternity of the university, only a few students being accorded the honor each year.

May 13, 1922

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, was awarded the contract for school building at Wheeler at a bid of $47,500 ($802,173.21 in 2022), and the Foster Lumber and Coal Company, Valparaiso, the contract for remodeling at Union Center school at $4,500 ($75,995.36 in 2022), by Trustee A. O. Dobbins last night.

The lighting committee of the Valparaiso City Council made a report last night on plans and specifications for a new ornamental lighting system for the business district. The system will consist of 96 units.

May 14, 1922

Charles F. Lembke, builder of the Hotel Lembke, announced today he will start pouring the footings for the foundation of the building next week. Steel for the building has arrived. About 3,500 loads of dirt have been hauled from the basement.

Boone Grove made a garrison finish yesterday at Lowell by blasting five hits and four runs and winning by a 5 to 4 score. Walters, Kaleel and E. Forney was the battery for Boone Grove.

May 15, 1922

Knute Rockne, coach at Notre Dame, and Councilman George Hull, of South Bend, attended a meeting here today of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club. Coach Rockne spoke on athletics in college, deeming it just as necessary to develop the body as the mind.

A group of members of Chapter 2, Disabled American Veterans of the World War, will attend the national convention to be held at San Francisco, Calif., in June.

May 16, 1922

Valparaiso defeated Kalamazoo College yesterday at Kalamazoo, 1 to 0. Smith, for Valpo, struck out 12 men and homered to win the game.

May 17, 1922

Charles F. Cobb, chairman of the Porter County Fair Board, has made the following appointments for the fair in September: Henry Barnett, general superintendent; Herman Homfeld, cattle superintendent; Walter Williams, horse superintendent, C. W. Boucher, school displays superintendent.

May 18, 1922

Contract has been let out by the Smith and Smiths Company for a one-story, 50’ x 50’ garage building at the Joliet Bridge by Walter M. Davis and Louis Pahl, of the Three Trails Auto Service Company.

J. F. Lininger yesterday sold the American Restaurant on Washington Street in Valparaiso to G. E. Crane, of Pennsylvania.

May 19, 1922

A lower jawbone of a prehistoric monster was found yesterday along a dredge ditch on the A. E. Upp farm in Pleasant Township. The bone was 18 inches long and contained three teeth three inches across.

Harry Herrick yesterday traded the O. P. Kinsey property on Greenwich Street for 120 acres of land near Hebron to Jerry LaFrentz, of Valparaiso.

May 20, 1922

Milo J. Bowman, Jr., has been named president of Valparaiso University by its board of trustees to succeed Dr. John E. Roessler, who resigned several months ago. Bowman is dean of the law school.

Albertus Gray will leave Wednesday for Detroit, Mich., to attend a reunion of the Polar Bears, composed of members of the United States Expeditionary Forces to North Russia during the World War.

May 21, 1922

Kouts defeated Boone Grove Sunday at Boone Grove, 1 to 0. An error and Herring’s single produced the final run. Walters pitched for Boone Grove and Chief Rainer for Kouts. Approximately 1,800 persons attended.

Mrs. Frances Anderson, employed at Lowenstines’, has purchased a half-interest in the Terry Tea Room.

May 22, 1922

E. A. Schall, for two years general secretary of the Valparaiso University Y.M.C.A., has resigned and will go to Lake Geneva, Wis., to assume charge of the summer camp.

Ray Adams, star pitcher of Valparaiso University baseball team, and Maxine Witham, a student in the music department, were married in Chicago several weeks ago, it was announced today.

May 23, 1922

Work on the construction of a new bridge over Salt Creek on the Lincoln Highway, west of Valparaiso, was commenced this morning by Cleary and Hailey Construction Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, awarded the contract by the state highway commission. The structure will cost $27,000 ($455,972.14 in 2022).

May 24, 1922

The Valparaiso Electric Service Company, located at 119 East Lincolnway, distributors of Vesta Battery, yesterday was taken over by the Cook Electric Company located in the Main Garage. Vernon Barnhizer, former owner of the Valparaiso Electric Company, will be associated with the new firm.

May 25, 1922

Rev. E. J. Mungovan, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, was given a reception last evening at the Catholic Community Hall on occasion of his 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The affair was a surprise and was planned by the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Ladies, and Oasis Clubs.

John J. Blaine, Governor of Wisconsin, and a graduate of Valparaiso University Law Class of 1886, made the address to the graduating class at the university this morning at 10:30 o’clock.

May 26, 1922

Forty-two seniors received diplomas at the annual commencement exercises of Valparaiso High School held at the Memorial Opera House last night. Dr. Josiah C. Sibley, Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, delivered the address.

W. A. Stimson yesterday became agent for Oldsmobile in Valparaiso. He now has three car concerns, Studebaker and Maxwell being others.

May 27, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last night the Valparaiso Lighting Company submitted a proposal for installation of an ornamental lighting system. The council also passed a curfew ordinance regulating the right of children under 16 years to be on the streets between 10 o’clock in the evening and 5 o’clock in the morning.

Class freight rates between Chicago and Valparaiso will be attacked by Valparaiso shippers. H. E. Fairweather, of Fort Wayne, has been retained to represent local shippers. It is expected a reduction will be obtained.

May 28, 1922

G. L. Burns of Lockney, Tex., graduate of Valparaiso University Law Class of 1922, has associated himself with P. J. Bailey. They will have quarters in the Academy of Music Block at the southwest corner of Main & Washington Streets in Valparaiso.

Frank Hull, of the Maxwell Implement Company, is moving to LaCrosse, Ind., to engage in the implement business.

May 29, 1922

Frank Rumney, husband of Mrs. Jewell Rumney, employed at the local telephone office, was killed Sunday morning in an automobile accident in Chicago. He suffered a fractured skull. Surviving are the widow, a daughter, his parents, two sisters and five brothers.

The Chesterton Bank has purchased the $150,000 ($2,533,178.57 in 2022) bond issue of the Westchester Township School in Chesterton. The bonds bear five and a half percent interest.

May 30, 1922

Lives of three persons were snuffed out at a grade crossing on the Pennsylvania Railroad on at the Porter-LaPorte County line, two miles west of Wanatah, this afternoon, when a car driven by Clarence Bailey, federal board student at Valparaiso University, was struck by the Pennsylvania Railroad milk train. Bailey was killed along with Mrs. Magdalene O’Connor Stevens and her daughter, Adeline, age 4.

May 31, 1922

Mrs. Anna E. Rose, of Valparaiso, has been appointed district deputy president of the Rebekahs of this district by the state association president and grand lodge, International Order of the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Rose has served three terms as association president of Illinois.