May 3, 1941: Art Society Has Meeting

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 3, 1941.

Art Society Has Meeting

The Porter County Art Association held a May-Day meeting with Miss Edna Agar at 501 North Locust street Thursday evening. Miss Agar was the recipient of congratulations on having received recognition by the Hoosier Salon at Indianapolis for her painting “Our House” which painting has been sold through the Hoosier Salon. The evening was profitably spent in the exchange of different ideas, supported by actual experiences with the various media used by artists to portray abstract concepts or record prosaic realties. The principal points under discussion were the relative values of papers for water colors, canvas, masonite boards, etc., for oils.

Exchange Views

Many interesting experiences were exchanged in the handling of oil colors, cleaning of palettes, brushes, etc. Mr. J.H. Euston of Chesterton has contributed a worth while expedient for cleaning brushes which is a moderate size covered tin can that a short distance above the bottom has a piece of wire screen fastened to the sides below the level of either turpentine or coal oil. The screen served admirably, as the brushes are rubbed over it, to remove the paint. Mr. Amstutz had a rock-group water color. Mrs. Euston presented the members with pretty bon bon baskets in vari-colored paper trimmings.

Mrs. Ponader showed a delicate textile, with linoleum block impressions in blue color. Mrs. Hannell showed a water color study, Miss Agar a letter press study, “Life Begins at Forty”, Mr. Hannell had miniature animal figurines.

Plan Garden Party

A report was received by the committee on the formation of a Business Men’s Amateur Art Club which stated that a meeting of interested persons is to be held on Monday evening, May 5. Arrangements were made for a pot luck garden party meeting at the home of Mr. Amstutz on Chicago Road, June 5 with opportunities for outdoor sketching. The hostess, assisted by Lillian Sayers served delicious strawberry shortcake.

April 11, 1941: Art Association Meets At V. M. Hannell Home; Inspect Members’ Work

Art Association Meets At V. M. Hannell Home; Inspect Members’ Work

The regular April meeting of the Porter County Art Association was held at the interesting studio home of Mr. and Mrs. V. M. S. Hannell at Furnessville. Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was not as large as usual, but the enthusiasm left nothing to be desired.

A general pamphlet put out by the Associated Art clubs, relative to the forming of a Business Men’s Sketch club, was passed around for inspection. A general discussion followed and the matter of forming a similar organization in Valparaiso was left with Mr. Euston and Mrs. Amstutz to work out.

As announced, the members present made charcoal and other sketches of Mrs. Ponader, who posed for the group. The results were varied as the different angles of observation brought into being a number of sketches other than profiles.

The sylvan retreat of the Hannell’s has become quite a mecca for art lovers. They exhibited many specimens of pottery production, carvings and paintings which show a wide versatility.

The pottery itself, at a distance down a sharp incline back of the studio-proper, was open for inspection. Here the Hannells have a large kiln now supplied with an automatic oil burner.

A replica of an historic potter’s wheel has been made by Hannell. It comprises a vertical shaft passing through an operator’s scat. A very heavy stone table is on the upper end of the shaft and near its lower end a similar diameter and heavy stone is on the shaft. This stove is rotated by the feet of the operator. The great weight of the stone maintains steadiness of rotation.

Euston showed three points of drypoint etchings he has made since the last meeting of the club. These are exquisite specimens of his charming style.

Miss Agar displayed a most interesting watercolor sketch of an old lady.

At the close of the evening’s work Mrs. Hannell served delicious tea and cookies, made doubly interesting because they were served from tea pots and cups made by the hostess herself, which gave added charm to the occasion.

The May meeting will be with Miss Edna Agar.

April 9, 1941: LONG-DELAYED WORK ON SALT CREEK BEGINS

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on April 9, 1941.

LONG-DELAYED WORK ON SALT CREEK BEGINS

City Officials, Farmers On Hand for Ceremony Late Tuesday Afternoon.

The epochal event in the annals of Valparaiso and Center township took place Tuesday afternoon about 5 o’clock when the first shovel full of dirt was hoisted out of the bottom of Salt Creek, marking the initial step in the cleanout of the ditch over an eight-mile course.

The colorful ceremony took place on Hagen Road, two and a half miles west of Valparaiso, and about half a mile north of the Lincoln Hills Country Club. Present were Dr. C. L. Bartholomew, mayor of Valparaiso; J. A. Fleishbein, city attorney; George Jungjohan, city councilman William Brown, Keith Brown and Albert Wagner, farmers living in the vicinity; E. Zimmerman, Sr., and Paul B. Pattee representative of The Vidette-Messenger; John R. Fabing, engineer at Valparaiso Camp 20, Soil Conservation Service, and Dale Pearson, of the San Pierre Cement Products company, which has the digging contract.

Start Today

This morning work started in earnest with Pearson in charge of the big link belt dragline, equipped with a 45-foot boom, digging huge chunks out of the creek bottom and along the jagged sides. The digging was begun east of the bridge on the Hagen Road, but plans call for a cleanout of the ditch to a point about 700 feet west of the bridge.

Some idea of the size of the proposed cleanout may be gained from a statement made by Engineer Fabing that the main ditch is 45,000 feet in length or over eight miles, while the laterals are 12,970 feet, or two and one-half miles long.

Land - Owners Bear Cost

A total of 130,451 cubic yards of dirt will be removed from the main channel of the ditch, and 15,490 cubic yards from the laterals. The bottom width of the ditch at the lower end, in the Hagen road vicinity, will be 20 feet. This width narrows down to around three feet at the upper end at State Road 49, near the Stoner farm, south-east of Valparaiso.

The cost of the project is being borne by land owners living along Salt Creek, which also includes the city of Valparaiso. They are paying $5,690.70 for the rental of the dragline. The city’s share of the undertaking is $2,725, which sum was appropriated last fall and approved by the state tax board.

On the other hand the federal go ornament is paying the wages of the dragline operator, furnishing all gasoline and supplies for the digger CCC labor and engineering.

Is Flood Project

Salt Creek ditch was originally built in 1905 and 1906 at a cost of $17,000 following its establishment in Porter circuit court in 1904. Previous to that it was a natural creek.

The ditch at the present time affords drainage for 22.7 square miles of farmland, in addition to the city of Valparaiso. The waters from the ditch empty into Burns Ditch, which in turn find their way into Lake Michigan.

The primary purpose of the cleanout, engineers said, is to prevent farm lands from being overflowed. At present the creek is low, but nevertheless a swift stream of water about 12 feet wide and at various depths flows in the lower part in the Hagen Road section. Springs at the upper end provide a considerable part of the water and Valparaiso drainage and additions from several streams, notably Sager’s Lake overflow, provide accretions.

The design of the ditch cleanout was worked out by engineers at Valparaiso Camp 20, Soil Conservation Service, the Porter county engineer and Valparaiso city engineer. The ditch as planned is expected to take care of floods of a 10-year frequency.

EVERYBODY'S HAPPY AS SALT CREEK JOB BEGINS

While onlookers grinned at the cameraman, His Honor, C. L. Bartholomew, mayor of Valparaiso, fiddled with gadgets operating the giant power shovel which will dredge Salt Creek. The mayor was scheduled to be on hand at 4 o’clock to turn the first shovel full of dirt but in the press of business affairs he forgot the appointment and it wasn’t until after 5 p.m. that the ceremony got underway. Shown above are Engineer John Fabing and the mayor at the controls of the shovel; Councilman George Jungjohan and City Attorney J.A. Fleishbein standing in the door of the cab; Eng Zimmerman, Dr., reporter; William Brown and Keith Brown, farmers whose land adjoins the creek. The lower photo gives some idea of the size of the equipment to be used on the job.

April 8, 1941: T’ Heck With the War! It’s Spring Again!

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on April 8, 1941.

T’ Heck With the War! It’s Spring Again!

April showers may bring May flowers, but it takes Old Sol to bring out Valparaiso’s fairest blossomsーthe youngsters. Monday when the temperature started going up for the first time The Vidette-Messenger cameraman got the itch to record some of the first signs of a new season and this is the result. At Banta he found this group of kidsーhappy as the robins who have been raising such a turmoil these early spring mornings just under your bedroom window. On Monroe street, near Morgan, he spotted a black-eyed Susan riding her tricycle like mad down the sidewalk. Efforts to get the little sub-deb’s name were unavailing but she did favor the man with the camera by flashing a great big grin, even though it was a bit bashful. On Lafayette street the cruising picture-reporter found Mrs. Keith Brownell busy at her garden work. (The street department will shortly issue a plea to citizens asking that they refrain from burning litter on bituminous asphalt pavements. Mrs. Brownell is quite beyond criticism in the lower photo, however, since she is burning leaves on a brink pavement, which fire does not injure.)

March 15, 1941: Police Duty Is Discussed Here Friday

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 15, 1941.

Police Duty Is Discussed Here Friday

Tell the truth; be fair and impartial and give an unbiased account of the facts as they are gathered; be courteous and do not try to enact the role of prosecutor.

These were the recommendations made to Lake and Porter county police officers attending the eight weekly session of the regional training course in traffic enforcement and public safety held Friday afternoon at city hall.

The speaker was Attorney William Davis, of Chicago, assistant manager of the Automobile Protective and Information Bureau. Attorney Davis spoke at a meeting two weeks ago on “The Basic Laws of Evidence.” Yesterday’s lecture pertained to the powers and duties of police; the law and manner of arrests and use of force.

Discusses Arrests

“Police have the power to make arrests for any misdemeanor within view without a warrant,” Davis said. “However, in case of a traffic violation he must be acting within his territorial limits. Police have the power to make arrests outside their jurisdiction for state offenses but not for violation of city ordinances.”

According to Davis Valparaiso police have power to make arrests while in civilian clothes if they inform the offender that they are a police officer. Civilians also have the power to make arrests, but their powers are more limited than that of a police officer.

County police and constables have county-wide authority, and Valparaiso police, by virtue of being deputized by the sheriff, also have authority to make arrests in any part of the county.

Next Friday, Paul Beverforden, sergeant of Indiana police, stationed at Indianapolis, who is in charge of the local school, will speak on state laws and city ordinances. Professor J.L. Lingo of Purdue university, will show police how to compute speeds of automobiles by skid marks.

March 1, 1941: Police Hear Basic Laws Of Evidence

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 1, 1941.

Police Hear Basic Laws Of Evidence

Police officers attending the sixth weekly lecture in the regional training course in traffic enforcement and public safety held at City Hall Friday afternoon heard a splendid discussion on the basic laws of evidence by Attorney William J. Davis, of Chicago, assistant manager of the Automobile Protective and Information Bureau.

About 20 police officials from Lake and Porter counties attended the meeting which was presided over by Sergeant Paul T. Beverforden, of the Indiana state police. Captain H.L. Hubbell, in charge of the U.S. soldiers taking training at the Dodge Radio and Wireless Institute, was a guest. Sergeant Beverforden will lead the discussion next Friday on “Public Relations.”

Must Know Law

“It is essential that police in investigating traffic accidents or other crimes know the law of evidence,” Attorney Davis said. “They must know what is admissible and what is not; how to collect evidence which will be admissible; what are the essential elements of crime charged; what evidence is admissible to prove these elements, and what is law and what is evidence.”
Attorney Davis stressed the fact that written statements are valuable in keeping witnesses in line and enabling the prosecutor in getting a birdseye view of the case.

“Evidence police offer must be limited to those facts which will enable the judge or jury to determine whether the defendant is guilty or innocent,” Attorney Davis said.

Hearsay Sometimes O.K.

A confession or dying declaration does not need to be in writing to be admissible in court, the speaker said. To have a good dying declaration the man making it must know that he is going to die.

Attorney Davis said that hearsay evidence is admissible when such statements are made in the presence of the defendant. In morals cases children can tell their story to police in the presence of the defendant and police can then take the witness stand and relate the conversation which has taken place. The same rule may be applied in traffic law violations, where the complaining witness is a non-resident.

Corpus Delecti Vital

The speaker pointed out that it is always necessary to have a corpus delecti, or body of the crime, to prove that a crime has been committed and some person is responsible for the crime.

Davis mentioned that false imprisonment and malicious prosecution charges are frequently lodged against police. In most instances these are difficult to prove, he said. In a later appearance, Davis informed the officers he will discuss in detail the question of false arrest.

Feb. 20, 1941: Bird Feeders Get Fan Mail For Efforts

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 20, 1941.

Bird Feeders Get Fan Mail For Efforts

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Cullison, of Gary, defendants in a suit filed by eight neighbors to restrain them from feeding birds on their premises, are attaining nation-wide fame as the result of the legal action now pending in Porter superior court here.

Each day the Cullisons received a large batch of fan mail from well-wishing bird lovers in all parts of the country. People had read of the fracas over the Cullisons and the birds and the literary efforts followed. Most of these are of a sympathetic nature, it is said.

Mrs. Cullison gets up every morning at 6:30 o’clock and armed with a small pail of grain and a loaf of bread feeds her chargesーsometimes over a hundred of them. She “serves” their second meal along about 4 o’clock every afternoon.

Feeding the flocks of birds, plus the legal expense connected with the action brought by their neighbors is making the Cullisons “hump a little,” they admit.

In other words, the Cullisons indicate their rise to the status of celebrities, with fan mail and all the trimmings, isn’t a financial bed of roses.

Further hearing in the case in which damages from the Cullisons, will be held Friday before Judge Mark B. Rockwell.

Feb. 17, 1941: COUNTY LOSING HEAVILY FROM TAX EVASIONS Assessors Told Checkup Planned to Uncover Chiseling On Matter of Intangibles Stamps. SAYS THOUSANDS LOST ANNUALLY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 17, 1941.

COUNTY LOSING HEAVILY FROM TAX EVASIONS

Assessors Told Checkup Planned to Uncover Chiseling On Matter of Intangibles Stamps.

SAYS THOUSANDS LOST ANNUALLY

Porter County as well as other counties of the state are losing thousands of dollars annually through failure of persons to pay taxes on intangibles.

This was the assertion made by Ronald H. Ditty, of Gary, representative of the Indiana state tax board, to township assessors of Porter county at a meeting held this morning at the office of County Assessor Edward Landgrebe at the court house.

Mr. Ditty presided at a hearing and explained the various forms to be used during the assessing period which begins on March 1. C.R. Benjamin, member of the state tax board, who was scheduled to attend today’s session, was unable to come.

According to Ditty, one of the reasons assigned for the loss in taxes on intangibles, has been the lack of enforcement of the law. Honest taxpayers buy the stamps but many do not. The fact that the rate is only 25c per $100 precludes anyone from trying to avoid payment, he said.

Plan Checkup

Ditty warned that the state tax board plans to send out checkers within a short time to examine the records and ferret out those who have been evading payment. These men will contact brokers to ascertain who has purchased stock, will probe county records and endeavor in other ways to ascertain if the tax is being paid.

He urged assessors to ask all taxpayers if they own any intangibles in order to prevent them from being assessed a penalty for not paying the tax.

Ditty was unable to say whether a reassessment of real estate will be made. He had a copy of the b;; to be introduced in the legislature providing for a reassessment in 1942. However, if this bill does not pass, he was confident the state tax board will not order an assessment.

Because of pending legislation, Ditty advised the assessors to urge taxpayers not to file petitions with the county auditor for realty reassessments until the latter part of March. If the bill is passed then it will not be necessary to file.