Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 17, 1961.
Burned Building Verdict Awaited
By CHUCK ZULICH
As a safety measure, workmen Thursday afternoon removed the upper front wall of the masonic Temple, 113 Lincolnway, which was destroyed by fire Wednesday night.
Fire Chief Stanley Conner said today that he had been informed that a decision will be made in the next few days as to whether all of the lower section of the building will have to be removed.
This involved stores, Meyer’s Ready to Wear, Ehrhardt’s Auto Shop, and Anderson’s GIft and Tot shop, which were put out of business from water and smoke during the fire.
Johnston’s Closed
Also closed today is Johnston’s Sports store, 119 Lincolnway. Merchandise in this store was badly damaged by water. Owners of the store are reportedly awaiting an agreement with insurance estimators.
Dr. Thomas Sheffield, who operates a dental office above Johnston’s Sports, is “doing business as usual” today.
Chief Conner said a decision was made to remove the front wall after a meeting was held between himself, Mayor Don Will, William Morthland, city engineer, Charles Kauffman, chairman of the board of trustees of the Masonic lodge, and insurance adjustors.
Gape With Awe
A large crane owned by Tri-State Steel and Welding Company, Inc., Valparaiso, was called to the scene and the removal of the wall was begun under the direction of Charles Trump, of the Smith-Nuppnau company.
While many spectators “gaped with awe”, the operator of the large crane lifted the wall down to the street “bite by bite”.
The bricks and other debris were hauled away in trucks.
Final cleanup work was completed by members of the Valparaiso street department.
Area was blocked off during the operations, but barriers were removed at 10:30 a.m. today.
City Cleans Up
Steet Commissioner Harry Gustafson said today that men from his department also cleaned up the block in front of the Masonic temple early Thursday morning.
It had been previously reported that workers from the State Highway department had helped in this cleanup.
Members of the Valparaiso police department and special police were on duty to help handle the traffic problem resulting from the closing of the one block on Lincolnway.
BEGIN CLEAN-UPーCrane and claw shovel, top, was used by Tri-State Steel company, Valparaiso, to remove unsteady beams and debris damage estimated at $800,000 to Masonic lodge building and adjoining downtown business establishments Wednesday evening. Bottom, Fire Chief Stanley Conner inspects area in lodge kitchen where he believes blaze started
