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.

March 3, 1956: Relief Seen Necessary For Muddy South Sagers Road; Carrying Heavy Load Since State Highway 49 Is Closed

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 3, 1956.

Relief Seen Necessary For Muddy South Sagers Road; Carrying Heavy Load Since State Highway 49 Is Closed

By ROLLIE BERNHART

A slithering, splashing muddy ride over a two-mile span of South Sagers Road in Center and Morgan townships, Friday afternoon, convinced south Porter County Commissioner C. A. Carpenter that immediate corrective action should be taken before the roadbed is completely undermined.

Carpenter made the test ride with a complainant, Wilbur Finn, a resident along the road, and a V-M reporter-photographer.

Carpenter’s conclusions were summed up in his statement following the test run, “It is almost as bad as it was in the old horse and buggy days.”

Finn, a resident in the section for the past two years, complained to Carpenter that inadequate grading and lack of gravel had resulted in a gradual undermining of the roadbed.

In not less than six spots along the approximately two-mile span tested, the road was veritably a quagmire with little or no gravel to be seen.

Carpenter also observed that the original ditches had long been filled with loose gravel, dirt and weeds, providing little or no drainage during rain, snow and thaw. In one spot near the Gatewood farm, a slight downgrade was almost a washout.

Traffic Increases

Both Finn and Carpenter were of the opinion that additional heavy traffic, shunted on south county roads through the recent closing of Indiana 49, has contributed greatly to the condition of the road.

Carpenter said he also felt that with the eventual closing of Indiana 8 for widening purposes, south county roads will suffer still more as the spring thaws come.

In this respect, Carpenter said he would confer with the county commissioners and Mox Ruge, county attorney, Monday, concerning the possibility of procuring some aid from the State Highway commission in lieu of damage caused to county roads because of the current widening programs on the two highways.

Carpenter stated that he will present the issues involved on the road’s condition to the other members of the board at its regular monthly session Monday. A trip along the muddy strip for the board and road supervisor Anton Jensen is also to be proposed.

Just Like Horse and Buggy Days

“IT’S ALMOST AS BAD as in the horse and buggy days” is what C.A. Carpenter, right, south county commissioner, told Wilbure Finn, left, a resident along the old Valpo-Kouts (now Sagers) road, who points to one of the badly undermined spots near his home.

Oct. 22, 1955: Die Making Is Thorgren’s Specialty - Nylon Molds Also Used By 20 Employes

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 22, 1955.

Die Making Is Thorgren’s Specialty

Nylon Molds Also Used By 20 Employees

By ROLLIE BERNHART

One of Valparaiso’s “smaller industries,” the Thorgren Tool and Molding company, contributes a remarkable amount of its products toward the comfort and convenience of humanity.

The firm located on Evans avenue near Roosevelt road, is operated by the father, Charles, company president, and his two sons, Robert and Ernest, all of Valparaiso.

The art of tool and die making was not new to the Thorgrens when they opened their first shop in a double garage behind the home of Robert, at 900 Oak street, in 1945.

The father, Charles began his career as a tool and die maker for the McGill Manufacturing company here, in 1919, accruing 27 years service at the local bearing and electrical firm. Today the confidence of a good craftsman is placed in the elder Thorgren and his ability by McGills, who order the ball bearing retainers from their employees.

Robert, 38, had 20 years service with McGill’s before the venture had its infancy in the garage behind his home. Ernest, 36, also received his tool and die training at McGill’s before World War II interrupted.

As the father stated it, “That’s why we went into business for ourselves in one tool room.”

Originally starting in the field of metal tool and die making, the firm gradually expanded to another double garage at the Oak street site, with the three men doing work in turning out the increasing orders.

In 1953, Thorgren and his sons built the modern 110 by 40 foot building they now occupy on Evans avenue, west of Roosevelt road, containing 4,400 square feet of space.

20 on Payroll

Today, from a beginning in 1945 with only spare time help, the firm provides a living for 20 employees, all experts in the art of nylon injection molding.

Specializing in die making and injection molding of nylon material, the Thorgren firm produces a variety of nylon parts which eventually find their way into the ingenious devices used daily by the people of the world.

Turn on your radio and television sets and nylon part manufactured by the Thorgren company aids its operation; a housewife snaps on the switch setting a certain make washing machine in motion, and a Thorgren made coilform aids the hot and cold water controls; pull out the gliding shelves in your refrigerator, and the units roll on noiseless roller manufactured by thus Valparaiso industry.

For the pleasure of the movie camera enthusiasts, the Thorgren firm manufactures nylon parts for the Revere Camera company, one of their biggest customers. Parts are made for the cameras, movie projectors, slide projectors and tape recorders.

Other Roles Noted

On a wet and rainy day, the motor vehicle driver can thank the Thorgren company for the nylon valves which comprise the motor parts of some of the windshield wipers.

For our nation’s U.S. Air Force planes, parts are manufactured for installation in pilots headphone sets; electrical coilforms for solenoids on radio speakers; and a vital part used on the jet plane de-icer.

In addition, the coilform in a fuel pump manufactured by the Bendix Aviation company, is produced from the Thorgren injection nylon process; valve seats for the valves in many plumbing installations, and many other parts, probably hidden away from the naked eye, but providing invaluable assistance toward making our daily life run smoothly and efficiently.

Currently, the firm is beginning the manufacture of nylon cams for a sewing machine, a part which simplifies the process of zig-zag stitching, button-holes and other intricate patterns by controlling the stitch.

In the experimental stage, is a nylon double-sided plate, to be used by Proctor and Gamble for the stamping of trade names on its soap products.

Five Ton Die

The largest die ever made by the Thorgren firm was a “five ton three-section” die made to produce the parts for a plastic fishing tackle box. It was built in the Oak street factory and cost $22,000 to produce.

The smallest part molded from the economical nylon molded material today, is a cam follower used in the parts of a movie projector. “A total of 5,000 of these tiny cams weigh one ounce.”

The elder Thorgren reminisced that in an inventive mood one day, he conceived the idea of a plastic windshield frost scraper, but he did not succeed in patenting the idea when it was revealed that it somewhat infringed on a previous patent for a floor scraper.

The firm employs no salesmen for its products. Since all of the nylon material used in the injection molding process is purchased from the DuPont company, Thorgren stated that the chemical firm was his best salesman, with their representatives recommending them for many of their eventual orders.

For as Thorgren so proudly put it, “If you get a reputation for doing good work, it gets around.”

THIS MODERN, 110x40 foot cement block building was built by the Thorgren Tool and Molding company in 1952 moving from a double garage structure located in the rear of Robert Thorgren’s home at 900 Oak street.

THE THREE THORGRENS, father and two sons, Robert, left; Charles, the father, center, and Ernest, right, are shown in the moisture and dustproof die vault in the Thorgren Tool and Molding company, at Evans avenue near Roosevelt road.

THE INJECTION molding process, a specialty of the Thorgren firm with DuPont nylon material, is shown being used by two employes of the local “small industry,” George Singleton, and Gil Hammersbach.

Oct. 21, 1970: Cougar Mauls Boy, 8

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 21, 1970.

Cougar Mauls Boy,8

Eight-year-old John Eichelberg of 417 Weston was in fair condition today at Porter Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery Tuesday after being mauled by a cougar owned by Dr. Robert Stoltz, 415 Madison, police said.

The younger suffered puncture wounds on the face and a severed ear.

John was injured on the Stoltz property when he and two brothers, Richard 11, and Matt, and a sister, Lisa, children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eichelberg, went to see the “big cat” at the Stoltz home, police said.

Mrs. Eichelberg told police her children came home from school Tuesday and requested permission to go look at the animal.

Not knowing what kind of cat it was, she gave permission, the mother told police. A short while later, her children came running home and told her the cat had John down and was biting him, she said.

When she reached the Stoltz residence her son, Richard, had pulled John from the animal.

Richard told police that when he and the others went to the Stoltz residence, they knocked on the door and no one answered.

The four children when to the rear unfenced yard of the residence. When they approached the cougar, it grabbed John with both paws, knocking him to the ground, police said.

Matt and Lisa kicked and pulled at the cat attempting to get it off the boy, Richard said.

Richard said he was able to grab John’s leg and pull him from the cat’s reach.

The cougar, a gift from a Valparaiso University student to Dr. Stoltz, was secured by a 10-foot chain attached to the rear of a converted school bus, Chief Lee E. Miller said.

The bus which is used as a camper is used as shelter for the animal, which the doctor has had for about two weeks, Chief Miller said. The young cougar had been declawed.

Dr. Stoltz was in the process of building a cage for the animal and was going to keep it at his farm in Porter County, Chief Miller said.

Oct. 19, 1945: City Hard Hit By Housing Scarcity

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 19, 1945.

City Hard Hit By Housing Scarcity

Scores Seek Houses, Apartments and Building Lots In City.

By HELEN KELSO

The critical shortage of houses in Valparaiso, typical of a desperate situation throughout the nation, is tied in a knot so tight that it will be spring before things loosen up, in the opinion of Valparaiso contractors and realtors, it was learned today in a city-wide survey.

Real estate dealers and apartment managers are turning down on the average of 20 to 30 calls for rentals daily, and a construction bottle-neck exists that promises no building program for Valparaiso before spring at the earliest. Listings of saleable properties are low, according to realtors, and in many cases exorbitant prices are being demanded by property owners. In the opinion of one realtor at least several hundred new homes are needed here.

One of the worst plights is that of the returned married veteran, who is literally finding himself a man without a home. Franklin Burrus, director of the Porter County Veterans’ Affairs office, said that he received daily calls from veterans asking help in locating homes; and that in only one case had his office been able to solve this problem.

“At least a dozen responsible out-of-town businesses are trying to find locations in Valparaiso,” N.N. Claudon of J.H. Claudon and Son Realtors, said. “We have a long waiting list of renters seeking five and six room homes. Inquiries for lots are also increasing and big farms around the city might prove desirable for future homesites, if subdivided. It is distressing to us we are not able to supply homes, especially to the boys returning from service.”

L.L. Brown, realtor, declared that he had had nothing to rent for two years, with the exception of several apartment houses, and did not see any likelihood for immediate improvement.

The demand for rentals at present greatly exceeds the supply, Brown said. “The public is beginning to get panicky. I personally know of one family that has been sold out three times this year, the last time within 30 days. I don’t believe building can catch up with the demand for five years. The same condition exists all over the United States.”

An example of the checkerboard of moves necessitated by the intricate housing situation, is the chain involving a returned serviceman, Charles Trump.

Trump and his family are at present living in the Byron Smith summer home at Flint Lake. Trump has purchased a home from R.C. Humphrey, 802 Lafayette. Humphrey is waiting to move into a home which he purchased from M.J. Stinchfield at 307 Weston, now occupied by R.H. Lanham. Lanham intends to move into an apartment owned by Stinchfield on Washington, which has just been vacated by Harry Albe, who moved to 825 Lincolnway. The moving process will be drawn out considerably by necessary decorating, etc., in the various cases.

I have more buyers than places to submit, Stan Serbenz, realtor, commented. What the people want nowadays and what they can get are two different things. I have numerous calls from out-of-town people desiring to locate in Valparaiso. Persons who can’t buy or rent are asking for lots, with the intention of building. There is some demand for acreage, also because of the sense of stability it affords.

Byron Smith of Smith and Nuppnau Co., reported that the present large demand for new homes could not possibly be met by construction companies for some time because of difficulty in procuring materials in all lines, particularly lumber. J.M. Krauss, Krauss Lumber and Coal Co., and George Bond, Indiana Construction Co., affirmed the long-term viewpoint for construction relief in the housing field.

Governmental release of surplus stock, possibly enough to supply the nation for more than a year, might give the lumber mills time enough to meet the situation, was the more optimistic hope held by Frank Clifford of Foster Lumber and Construction Co. The lack of materials and strikes are causing a desperate situation. If manpower were available right now to cut lumber, it would take six or eight months for proper drying, he said.

Valparaiso Technical institute, formerly the Dodge Radio school, is finding it tough in house married veterans, and almost impossible to accommodate married students with a child. The problem is particularly acute in this instance because approximately a third of the institute is enrolled in the school’s 18-month course.

School authorities have met the situation in several cases by renting or buying trailers, which are located in a trailer camp near the institute. Three couples are now on the school’s home or apartment waiting list and, with enrollment increasing daily, it may be necessary for the school to turn down some applications in January unless conditions improve, according to Mrs. Edna W. Davis. Plans are being drawn for a dormitory to accommodate single students, but when this project can be completed, with present shortages is enigma.

Valparaiso university has only a few married veterans enrolled and we have succeeded in housing the entire student body this fall without turning any away, Dr. Marshall J. Jox, of the university said. The university greatly expanded its housing facilities by purchasing seven private homes, which accommodate between 15 to 20 students each; and remodelling the building formerly occupied by the Dodge radio school into a girls’ dormitory, which houses 79 students, Jox said, explaining that men students were housed in scattered university residences in the school vicinity.

Moving of families into Valparaiso and out of the city is about even, according to Frank Ferguson of the Ferguson Transfer and Storage Co. there is a general upheaval of the population, Ferguson said, with many more families desiring to move than can find suitable homes. The particular need in Valparaiso seems to be for five or six room dwellings, he said Storage space is at a premium with numerous families placing their belongings in storage until they can find homes.

Hotel Lembke is turning away more than 25 transients nightly, a call to the hotel desk revealed. The Stiles apartments have been full for months with a long waiting list of prospective tenants and four or five daily inquiries, the resident manager said. Tourist homes and cabins in and around Valparaiso, are also booked to the hilt. Valparaiso university board and guild meetings scheduled for this week-end; and a homecoming celebration on the calendar for next week-end, are adding to the problem.

Oct. 11, 1935: Herbert Bell, Former Local Resident, Writes About Old Time Shows Given At Memorial

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 11, 1935.

HERBERT BELL, FORMER LOCAL RESIDENT, WRITES ABOUT OLD TIME SHOWS GIVEN AT MEMORIAL

(Editor’s Note: Herbert Bell, author of the following, resident, and a son of the late M.A. Bell, formerly a jeweler in Valparaiso. Mr. Bell is now located in Toledo, O.)

After layin offa the Old Hoam Towne Bugle all summit were back on skedule agin readin the Star Vidette and Evein Messenger all fer one price.

We aint goin to deny the fact that after skrimpin an savin we got together enough scrop to satisfay the circulation Mgr. just sos we could find out what has bin did about the court house.

Seams like the court house is goin the way them public works plans has went hear: out the back door.

Now that they is a war in mebee you could tell me how that fite between them too fellers on the drop curtain cum out over to the Memorial Opery House.

When I left town back in 1909 they was about to run one hue trus with a stabber on a gun.

Mebbe you remember the fast one Al. Heineman pulled on the town when he booked a one nite stand of a Burly Cue company and called it a musical komedy.

The komedy part cum when the little cutie over on the right end caught her foot in that little gold chain that ran around the stage. You know the one, strung on them short poles between the orchestra and the foot lights. Well this hear dame had black hair and when she lit out with her right foot she hooked the chain, lost her balance and fell fer the drummer.

Him bein a blond an the girl giving of her life’s blood fer him: havin tore her stockin foar she lit, or was she lit fore she fell; Mebee it as the “Turkish Texan Company or “Mr. Jolly of Jolliette”, I fergit which. Anyhow nobody asked for rain checks so Al kept the 30-70 or 40-60 what was komin to him.

An now dear readers it is time for me to “go to work and take and make my exit” as one of Al’s men would have said. Thanking you again fer your kind attention after the company has presented the third and last act of this time worn play the management requests that I bid you an all a kind good nite

—Herb Bell

P.S.—The drummer was Clarence Bell.

P.S. No. 2—August Wolf was leadin the orchestra

P.S. No. 3—The pianna player was sort of upset about the same tyme the girl upset herself on the drummir. Jellis?? Your tellin me.

—H.B.

Oct. 3, 1960: Urschel’s Lab 50 Years Old

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 3, 1960.

Urschel’s Lab 50 Years Old

Public Gets Open House Invitation

By ROLLIE BERNHART

“If you would like to see how Urschel machinery is made, come to our 50th anniversary observance and open house Thursday, Oct. 6, from noon to 9 p.m.”

Speaking was Joseph Urschel, president of the world-famed food processing machinery manufacturing firm founded by William E. Urschel in a two-story wooden factory on south Napoleon street in 1910.

The firm now occupies one of the most modern plants of its kind on north Calumet avenue (Ind. 49), a completely integrated operation from drawing board to finishing machine. To maintain a strict quality control, no part or processing is purchased outside that can be accomplished in the company shops, it was noted.

Plan Tours

Thursday the plant will be open to conducted tours through the various manufacturing operations.

At the open house the general public will see metal melted and cast into shapes which will then be machine finished. Stainless steel will be fabricated into many kinds of parts. Raw stainless steel from the mills will be made into knives for use in the cutting units.

Another feature on the day’s itinerary will be cutting of potatoes on a slicer capable of slicing 15,000 pounds of potatoes per hour into corrugated or dip chips. Demonstrations will also be made of food products going through other completed units.

Public attending will be given illustrated booklets explaining various manufacturing processes, Urschel announced.

Expands Steadily

Since the day in 1910 that the elder Urschel (1880-1948) built a two-story wooden factory on south Napoleon street and began to manufacture his newly invented snipper which removed stem and blossom ends from gooseberries, Urschel Laboratories has steadily expanded into one of Valparaiso’s major industries.

From the outset 50 years ago the business was a success, and the building and machinery paid for themselves the initial year. Internationally, one canning firm in New Zealand purchased 34 of the ingenious “Little Gem” goose-berry snippers.

Prior to William Urschel’s advent into the food processing machinery field, he graduated from Valparaiso university’s School of Fine Arts, with additional studies at Chicago Art Institute.

Before beginning the invention of canning machinery, he earned his living at originating designs painted on chinaware by production line painters.

Obtains U.S. Patents

William Urschel obtained his engineering education through International Correspondence school, and through study of machine parts which he hammered apart in junk yards.

During his lifetime he obtained United States patents on various canning machinery, harvesting and cement laying machinery. Plants in different parts of the country manufactured machines under his patents through licensing agreements. He was one of the few inventors to have obtained a basic patent on a mechanical movement.

His wife, Mrs. Ruth Urschel, who now lives at 58 Napoleon, assisted in the firm as a bookkeeper and drill press operator.

Over the years several one, two and three story buildings were added to the original site until all available land was used and additional expansion could not be made.

In 1957 the operation was moved into a new single floor plant on north Calumet avenue, that was tailored to the firm’s specific requirements. In 1959 it was necessary to increase floor space by 50 percent. Plans are now being completed for extensive expansion in 1961.

Today in new and expanded modern facilities the firm is operated by William Urschel’s sons, Joseph, Gerald and Kenneth. The present operation concerns itself with a single objective, the design and manufacturing of food cutting machinery.

The food cutting machines operate at aircraft standards. Knives move through food products at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, and one unit will cut 48 tons per hour, it was noted.

Shipped Abroad

One machine makes one slice of pickle at a time at a rate of more than 500 slices per second. Another machine cuts little cubes of pickle for pickle relish at a million cubes per minute.

Pickles, potato chips, frozen french fries, meat pies, canned and frozen soups, fruit cocktail and innumerable other foods are prepared with Urschel food cutting machines. Every day almost everyone eats at least one food product prepared with this equipment.

In recent years this machinery has been shipped into 32 foreign countries. The critical high speed parts that make up these cutters are made in a well lighted air-conditioned machine shop with the latest type of machine tools. Expansion of manufacturing is presently limited only by the firm’s ability to find people capable of being trained to make the highly critical parts.