Dec. 31, 1930: Going "Down South"

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 31, 1930.

GOING “DOWN SOUTH”

After a career of forty-three years in the banking business in Valparaiso, Andrew J. Louderback, affectionately known as “A.J.” today stamped his last check and tabulated his final account as cashier of the Valparaiso National Bank. tomorrow, with Mrs. Louderback, he will start upon the first real vacation he has ever had… a trip to the south, to visit their son, Arthur E. Louderback, of Palacios, Texas. Announcement of the decision of Mr. Louderback to cast aside professional duties, for a well-earned rest, was made on December 15. T.L. Applegate is his successor as cashier. Below is printed a reproduction of the interior of the “old” National Bank, in the building adjoining the present banking home, on the north. The old building was built in 1873 and served as banking quarters until six years ago, when the bank moved into its present home. With Mr. Louderback in the bank interior picture was DeForest Skinner, founder and then president of the bank, and the late Erasmus Ball, who was cashier. Mr. Skinner died in 1902 and Mr. Ball in 1914.

Dec. 30, 1930: CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE” - SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 30, 1930.

CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE”

SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Rotary and Kiwanis Ready to Join Chamber of Commerce in Opposition to ‘Goodrich Phone Deal’.

DESIRE FARM BUREAU AND COUNCIL SUPPORT

That Valparaiso’s civic, commercial and industrial interests are going to organize to carry-on the three-year fight against the proposed in pending split up of their telephone service system, was clearly apparent today.

During the last 24 hours, the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs have voted to join with the Chamber of Commerce to “see things through.”

J. William Bosse, retiring as secretary-manager of the city's civic organization to become deputy state superintendent of public instruction under the new Democratic regime, which takes control next march, has determined to center his efforts, the last weeks of his service here, to the organization of the city and community through an effective agency, to battle for its rights and future.

Monday Mr. Bossee appeared before the Rotary club, reviewed the split-up of the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company which means the arbitrary division of Porter county’s telephone Communications between two companies, pointed out the handicaps against community units in progress that will result, and received pledge of spirit support.

Today Mr. Bosse placed the facts of the telephone deal, by which Former Governor James P. Goodrich, through his political power, Indiana, has engineered the transaction to the point where the Public Service Commission has reserved two former rulings and given its approval to a transaction it has held to be “against the public interest” before the members of the Kiwanis club.

The Kiwanis club voted to join with Rotary in support of Chamber of Commerce opposition to the phone deal.

Mr. Bosse is known to desire the active backing of the city administration and of the Porter County Farm Bureau. The Spooner-Leetz administration, predecessor of the present Schenck administration, was active in its support and civic leaders are confident that the governing body will quickly respond. As soon as the farmers and residents of the surrounding communities realize that their interests are equally at stake, with those of Valparaiso, their support is certain to be forthcoming.

Mr. Bosse hopes that the city administration and Farm Bureau will follow the lead of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and appoint committees of three members, to participate in the formation of a central organization through which the fight against the telephone deal will be directed.

“Valparaiso and Porter county have worked for years for better and closer community relations. They have common aspirations and interests. They have realized that their future development is linked closely with the development of the Calumet and Chicago districts, and now through the proposed telephone deal, they are to be split apart,” explains Mr. Bosse.

“They must fight a common fight for mutual protection and advantages. If one loses, all lose,” he added.

The first step to make effective resistance to the latest order of the Service Commission, is the creation of an organization that will unify all community interests. The next step is to adopt a plan for financing efforts.

So far over $500 as being expanded in the contest. There may be a need of $1,000 more. It is possible that attorney Bruce B. Loring who has successfully directed all the legal moves, will  desire the co-operation of an attorney especially versed in the telephone in general utility field.

It is recalled locally, that the LaPorte community recently was successful in making remonstrance in a telephone rate increase contest and financed its efforts through an appeal to all telephone users to subscribe one dollar each to the fund which was augmented by larger subscriptions by the business, banking and industrial interests.

Attorney Loring is understood to plan an appeal to the courts from the commission’s latest ruling whereby it reversed itself and followed the order issued by Judge E. Miles Norton of Lake county, whom Goodrich, when governor, named to the bench, and gave approval to the deal by which Goodrich’s company, the Winona company of Plymouth, gains control of the Valparaiso and Kouts exchanges and the Crown Point Telephone company control of the exchanges at Chesterton Wheeler and Hobart.

If this division is finally made, Valparaiso, the county seat, and all the rural community surrounding it, will be set apart from Chesterton, Wheeler, Hobart, the new steel city development at Port Williams, and the Dunes region development generally.

Those who have taken the leadership of community opposition to the Goodrich scheme are certain that once the full meaning of the proposed transaction is understood, that hundreds of citizens will enlist in the contest, the successful termination of which means so much to county unity and progress.

Dec. 27, 1930: FIRST OF ANNUAL TRIBUTES TO “THE GREAT KNOWN SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR,” GIVEN SUNDAY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 27, 1930.

FIRST OF ANNUAL TRIBUTES TO “THE GREAT KNOWN SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR,” GIVEN SUNDAY

Valparaiso and Porter county, Sunday, will pay tribute to the memory of the “great known soldier of the World War”... Woodrow Wilson.

It was Georges Clemenceau, the Tiger of France, and the outstanding rival of the American president in the negotiations that resulted in the negotiations that resulted in the formation of the League of Nations and the drafting of the Versailles peace treaty, who paid Wilson the above tribute. It was the occasion of the last visit of Clemenceau to the United States. Wilson, a hopeless invalid, was living in retirement, in his home on ‘S’ street, in Washington.

Clemenceau had not seen the former president since the stirring days of the peacemaking in Paris when Wilson worked twelve and fifteen hours a day in the interest of what he termed “a just peace.”

To find his former colleague a physical wreck was a great shock for the famous Frenchman. He was in tears as he left the bedroom of the former president.

“I have just left the bedside of the great known soldier of the war,” he stated. It was one of the most beautiful tributes ever paid Woodrow Wilson.

So, tomorrow afternoon, at Varsity Theatre at 2:30 o’clock, the first program of what is proposed as an annual tribute on his birthday anniversary, over the nation, will be held in Valparaiso. Everyone is invited. Attorneys John N. Underwood of Gary, Mark Storen of Michigan City and others, will deliver brief addresses.

Dec. 26, 1930: CHRISTMAS IS SPENT QUIETLY AND HAPPILY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 26, 1930.

CHRISTMAS IS SPENT QUIETLY AND HAPPILY

With Ordinary Activities Hushed and Spirit of Sharing Predominant, City Holiday is Cheerful.

NO ACCIDENTS OR FIRES MAR JOYS

(BY ENGLEBERT ZIMMERMAN)

Under the spell of Christmas, Valparaiso paused yesterday in the lull of ordinary activities to contemplate the occasion’s significance… give aid to the unfortunate and finally to rejoice in the spirit of Him whose memory Christmas yearly renews.

Spreading the yuletide spirit to every part of the city, Christmas trees glistened and shone in the bright sunshine of a mild Christmas day. Holly wreaths gleamed cheery greetings from the windows of homes and brilliant lighted trees in yards and in homes at night cast a gleam of the age-old message of “peace on earth, Good-will toward men.”

In homes, families were reunited. There was the traditional and overpowering family dinner with much merrymaking and thanksgiving. The night before Santa unloaded his bag at the family tree in the corner.

The weather was perfect over the holiday, and what snow was on the ground disappeared under the warm sun, which shown down the greater part of the day.

Joy and happiness were experienced by the city’s unfortunate and jobless through the open hearts of Valparaiso citizens and service organizations which spread cheer to the most humble homes of the city.

The Valparaiso Lodge of Elks distributed a large number of baskets to needy families, an annual custom with the lodge. The cost this year was defrayed through contributions by the members.

The revival of the midnight mass service at St. Paul’s Catholic church Wednesday night after two years was the signal for a large outpouring of church members and the public to attend this popular service. Rev. John Sullivan, the pastor, preached a short sermon, and special music enlivened the colorful ceremonial.

At Immanuel Lutheran church Wednesday evening, the annual children’s Christmas service was held. Christmas day, special services were held at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with Rev. George Schutes, the pastor, officiating. Large crowds attended the services.

Rev. A.E. Pflaum, of East Chicago, former pastor at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, officiated at services held at 9 a.m. Christmas day in the church. A vested choir provided music for the service.

Business generally about the city was suspended yesterday. The post office, county building, and practically all business establishments were closed for the entire day.

At the fire station Wednesday, the city fire laddies played Santa to a large number of the poorer children of the city. A sack of candy was handed out to each child who called at the station. At one time a waiting line half a block long extended down the street. A Christmas tree tinselled and lighted was a feature. Clarence Osborn, standby of the firemen, was remembered with a large number of presents. At the Premier and Memorial theatres large crowds attended the afternoon and evening performances. Manager Justin Shauer arranged special programs, including vaudeville for the occasion.

The day was exceptionally quiet and free from any disturbances of any king, according to city police. There were no Christmas accidents or tragedies and the city fire department had only one fire call, and that occured in the waning hours.

Dec. 22, 1930: THOMAS MAIR SAVES LIFE BY QUICK ACTION Escapes from Burning Home Early Sunday Morning Just before Roof of Structure Falls In

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 22, 1930.

THOMAS MAIR SAVES LIFE BY QUICK ACTION

Escapes from Burning Home Early Sunday Morning Just before Roof of Structure Falls In.

RESIDENCE IS A TOTAL LOSS

Thomas Mair, former milk dealer, escaped cremation by an eyelash Sunday morning about 4:15 o’clock when his home at 1004 North Franklin avenue was practically destroyed by fire.

Mr. Mair was sleeping soundly in the west part of the house when the roof on the east portion was ready to fall in. He just had time to grab his clothes, kick out a door and gain the outdoors in time to save his life.

Two fire calls were sent into the central station. Firemen were compelled to wait for some time after the first call to ascertain where the fire was located. The informer simply hollered fire and then put up the receiver.

Vernon L. Philley, of the Philley News company, who had rushed to the scene in belief that the old Philley home was afire, turned on the second alarm. Mr. Philley, who was enroute to the Pennsylvania depot after Sunday newspapers, was attracted by the brilliantly lighted sky.

Telephone wires at the Mair home were burned out by the fire, and the line at the Joseph Horn home nearby where Mr. Mair took refuge, was also put out of commission.

Firemen worked valiantly in the cold biting winds to stem the blaze and save the major portion of the home. Through their efforts the barn and milk house were saved from destruction.

Despite the fact that copious quantities of water were poured on the flames for more than two hours, the firemen were forced to return a second time to extinguish a fresh outbreak of fire which again threatened to make further trouble.

Mr. Mair was unable to ascribe any cause for the fire other than it might have been due to defective wiring. Today he was buying new clothes, practically all his clothing being in the burned home.

The home is a total loss as far as repair is concerned, and rebuilding will be necessary. Mr. Mair carried insurance on part of the loss.

Dec. 19, 1930: Notes on Christmas from The Civic Secretary

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 19, 1930.

The CIVIC SECRETARY

MRS. EFFIE S. EARLE, Director

BEING a department set aside for the Inspiration and interpretation of Valparaiso’s Community Impulses. The co-operation of all those interested in activities pointing to this end is urged. Mrs. Effie S. Earle, as director of this department, may be reached by telephone: Number 603-W.

Who wants to think of anything but Christmas, and the joy of giving? Did you ever know a Christmas before when every individual and every organization was so intent on giving? The clubs of all kinds, the church societies, the schools and all the organizations giving their Christmas parties this year are not content to enjoy the gay time alone, they needs must bring gifts to send out among the sick, the lonely and the needy. Not since President Hoover asked us to feed the Belgians, some fifteen years ago, have we been willing to sacrifice, in order to give, as we are this winter.

Perhaps hard times and unemployment have been good for us. Perhaps we were losing that spirit of helpfulness and neighborliness, that we need to keep us from growing hard and selfish. There is no better time to appeal to our better impulses for giving than at the Christmas season.

The joy of giving is exemplified also in the bundles that are brought daily to the relief station in the basement of the Woman’s Club house, and to the home of Mrs. Louise Shauer. Why not all share in this joy of giving, the one who takes as well as he who gives. If the one who takes, takes that which he does not need, or that which he could earn, then he is robbing someone else, taking joy away, instead of giving joy.

Both Mrs. VanNess and Mrs. Sauer report that the crying need just now is for more bed clothes, comforts particularly. As soon as this want is known, we know it will be met. Was there ever a winter in Porter County, when the needy were so well supplied as they are this winter, or do we sense it more, because the work is centralized, as never before.

This plan seems to be working out so well, perhaps we will never go back to the old way of promiscuous giving. The accurate account of the work which this committee is keeping, is going to be the biggest kind of help to the workers, of winters to come. We say as said Tiny Tim in Dickens’ Christmas Carol: “God bless us, every one,” and transform all old “scrooges” into benevolent gentlemen.

Dec. 18, 1930: Here’s What Your Neighbors and Friends are Saying and Doing AS TOLD BY The TRAVELING REPORTER

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 18, 1930.

Here’s What Your Neighbors and Friends are Saying and Doing

AS TOLD BY The TRAVELING REPORTER

ODD BITS OF FACTS AND GOSSIP FOR THE VIDETTE-MESSENGER READER FAMILY.

(BY JEROME KENNY)

KOUTS, Dec. 17.ーThe Kouts American legion post has enough members again this year to be chartered by the national organization. Several days ago it was announced by the adjutant, J. Raymond Benkie, that sixteen members had been secured but the total has been brought up to twenty since then. On Friday night the post will hold a smoker at which cards and bunco will be played.

ー

KOUTS, Dec. 17.ー The Civic club met Tuesday night at the school house with the largest attendance since it was organized. The meeting was somewhat noisy on account of a rehearsal of a Christmas play in an adjoining room, but even that had its compensations, for the music tended to enliven the group and ideas flowed thick and fastーfor a better Kouts.

A representative of the Erie railroad consulted with a member of the town board, who reported to the assemblage that the only way to get any action on the flasher signals at Maple and Kimbel streets was to have a joint meeting of the above official, the town board, and a committee on public safety from the Civic club. The railroad is willing to install but one flasher while the town believes that two are desirable.

A letter was received from the principal of the Hebron high school describing the school boy patrol system instituted in Hebron by the Chicago Motor club and the Pennsylvania railroad. A discussion took place in which it was decided that the school could handle the situation without outside aid. Along with the safety program continued from the last meeting about minors driving school buses was brought up. Bert Hofferth brought a law book before the club from which was read a law which prohibited drivers under the age of twenty-one, operating a school bus. The club passed a motion for the safety committee to advise the township trustee of the law which is being violated by several bus operators.

The Women’s club made a suggestion to the Civic club that a municipal Christmas tree be erected and lighted during the holiday season for the benefit of the children of the town. The club went on record to support the Woman’s club in this project.

A committee appointed in the previous meeting to further the state roads project, reported that as yet it had done nothing and it was instructed to continue working on its assignment until the work had been accomplished.

John Schumaker, operator of the Gem theatre, informed the club that he would donate proceeds above net cost, of any of every Wednesday night show to a relief chest for the community. A motion was made to accept his offer for one Wednesday night. Later, when it was seen that there would be a good many conflicts for a Wednesday night, the date of the shoe was changed to Tuesday, December 23. Dr. D.E. Dittmer suggested that a donation be made for tickets and laid a dollar on the table. Not to be outdone, Rev. J. Nichols matched this dollar and Herman Chael threw a dollar into the fund. Mr. Leaders suggested that the money donated for tickets be put into the charity fund and he would make the tickets on a duplicating machine, free of charge. The club accepted his suggestion. Each member of the club will be responsible for the sale of ten tickets at twenty-five cents apiece. In addition, Frank Null will select ten school children to sell tickets. For the benefit of those people who love in the country and cannot be reached by members of the club, the tickets will be on sale at following places of business: Pulaski grocery store, Dux grocery store, Smith-Nuppnau store, Wise garage, Dye barber shop, Kiemm’s cafe, McIntyre’s cafe Luer;s department store, and Hendrickson;s barber shop.

The profit from the show will be given to the following committee members: Pulaski, Dux, Luers, who will ascertain those who need help, and will see that the money is properly spent on their behalf.

Dec. 16, 1930: ORGANIZE NEW DUNE SHORES FIRM TO DEVELOP LAKE FRONT TRACT NORTH PORTER COUNTY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 16, 1930.

ORGANIZE NEW DUNE SHORES FIRM TO DEVELOP LAKE FRONT TRACT NORTH PORTER COUNTY

Plans for the early development for residential purposes of the western portion of the Dune Acres shoreland tract in north Porter county probably will be projected before spring, Col A. P. Melton, secretary of Dune Acres, Inc., announced today.

Colonel Melton is listed among the incorporators of the new Dune Shores company, formed Dec. 4, which took over 350 acres, representing the western section of the 600-acre Dune Acre tract for immediate development purposes. The company is capitalized at $50,000.

Officers of the new concern, besides Col. Melton, are William A. Wirt; State Senator William F. Hodges, Frank Hodson, Gary contractor; and George Hill, of Michigan City, Mr. Hill is auditor of the Dune Acres estate.

Col. Melton said the Dune Shore tract, which has more than a mile of frontage on Lake Michigan, in Porter county, would be subdivided as soon as conditions permitted. Situated only two miles west of the proposed site of the National Steel Corporation plant, the development will be pursued with a view to provide residences for officials of the steel concern.

The completed nine-hole Beverly Shores Golf club which comprised the southwest section of the Dune Acre tract, was absorbed by the new company in the transaction.