March 4, 1936: Chesterton High Senior Is Meningitis Victim; Town To Shift Clocks On Thursday

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 4, 1936.

Chesterton High Senior Is Meningitis Victim; Town To Shift Clocks On Thursday

(BY ROBERT ALLETT)

CHESTERTON, Mar. 4ーLast Friday Bernard Wiseman, senior in the Chesterton high school, developed a tooth infection. Last night he was at the point of death in Mercy hospital, Gary, with the dreaded disease, spinal meningitis. “Bernie” was taken to Gary Saturday on the advice of Dr. W.M. Parkinson, of the Parkinson hospital, when he developed a high fever, which, according to a report yesterday, reached a temperature of 107 degrees. Saturday he was believed to be suffering a streptococcus infection. The complications all arose from a sinus ailment. “Bernie” is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wiseman.

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Whether they like it or not, local residents will make an hour time jump Thursday by order of the town board which Monday held a special meeting to decide the Eastern Standard time issue. The step was held necessary because of the great here. The Gary steel industry is on fast time now.

It may be a slight exaggeration but housewives insist they are getting up at 3:30 these mornings to see their husbands off on the early train to Gary. And according to statistician Frank Gavagan, who has it all figured out, workmen will not see daylight when they get up in the morning until sometime near the middle of June.

It is reported that a straw vote taken among citizens by the Tribune to be released Thursday, will reveal that about a 10 to 1 percentage were against going on fast time.

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August Wiseman, roller in the Gary steel mills, has been taking it on the chin this winter. Just before Thanksgiving he broke his left leg while working in the mills. He was not able to return to work until around Christmas time. A few days later while returning home one night in an auto with four neighbor employees, he was thrown through the car roof when the machine skidded on an icy pavement and his collar bone was broken. None of the other passengers were hurt. After another long period of convalescence, Wisemann once more reported for duty at the mills. One week ago yesterday three fingers on his right hand were severed by the machine on which he works. He is now in the mill hospital receiving treatment.

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Oscar “Scotty” Rosetti, Chesterton high school ‘32, is renewing old friendships this week after having been absent from the old home town for two years. He returned last Monday for a week’s visit from Gulfport, Mississippi, where he is employed as a mortician’s assistant. Scotty was brought home via auto by Clayton Nelson and Delmar Borg who visited in Mississippi. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rosetti. Father John is famous for the very good wine he makes and the very big tomatoes he raises.

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Another visitor is Frank Williams, Chesterton H.S. ‘33, who came up from Bloomington for a short stay, Frank is a junior at Indiana university.

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Word was received today of the death of Charles Siebert, former Chesterton resident, at the time of his death Tuesday afternoon, a New York Central dispatcher at Miller, Siebert died of a paralytic stroke. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, and a daughter, Dolores.

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Also dead is Mrs. Ellen Smith, 82, of Porter, who succumbed Monday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Herman Olson, Chicago Death was attributed to pneumonia. Another daughter, Mrs. Charles Olson, also of Chicago, and Roy and Allen, both of Porter, survive.

Memorial services were held today at Flynn’s chapel, at 1:30 o’clock, with the Rev. L. Vance, Chicago, assisted by Rev. Paul Young, Porter officiating. Burial took place in the Chesterton cemetery.

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At Parkinson hospital Monday two daughters were born to Chesterton mothers. One, named Mary Louis, was born in the morning to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon L. Tierney: the other, named Cecelia Maria, was born at night to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Edman.

Feb. 8, 1941: North Porter County Site Of New Recreation Camp For Steel Workers’ Use

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

North Porter County Site Of New Recreation Camp For Steel Workers’ Use

CHESTERTON, Feb. 6ーA ‘dream’ playground is being shaped among 65 acres of beautifully wooded grounds in north Porter county, and when completed this summer will provide a recreation spot for hundreds of children in Porter and Lake counties, whose fathers are employed at the Carnegie-Illinois steel works in Gary.

The “dream” which is now becoming an actuality was that of E. Earl Moore, who as general superintendent of the Gary Works of the Carnegie-Illinois corporation visualized a country refuge for the children of the mill workers.

About six months ago Moore, who was the owner of eight acres of land a few miles south of Porter, across from the historical Bailly estate (the Baillys were the first white settlers in this county), donated this property to the corporation, with the understanding that it be used for recreation purposes.

The proposition was presented to the Gary Works Good Fellowship club, an organization with the company, and steps were soon taken to make the dream a reality.

Buy More Land

Agreeing to make the project sufficiently large to accommodate hundreds of young people, the Good Fellows, purchased 57 additional acres of land, surrounding the plot donated by Moore.

The ironic chapter of the story is that just recently, after seeing the beginning of this vast piece of work taking shape, the sponsor, Mr. Moore, was transferred to Pittsburg, as vice-president of the industrial department of that corporation.

This 65-acre tract lies on the west side of what is known as the Howe road, a short distance northwest of U.S. road 20, and was formerly owned by P.G. Larson, well known farmer. The Baileytown road lies directly north.

The spot is described as one of rare beauty, where can be found almost every variety of tree grown in Indiana, and through it winds the picturesque Little Calumet River. Here stands the famous “Marriage Tree”, planted ninety-nine-years ago by one of the Bailey daughters as a child, and under which she was married when she grew to womanhood. The tree is in reality two trees, planted together, which so entwine each other as to appear to be one.

Plans Ambitious

The plans for the “recreation center” include a large administration building 120 feet by 60 feet, 2½ stories high, eighteen cabins, a large oval shaped parade ground, 750 ft. by 350 ft; an inland lake for canoeing and boating, a large field for out-door games, including soft ball, baseball and tennis, and an amphitheater where band concerts may be held, and moving pictures shown. Later a swimming pool may be added.

A few short weeks ago, materials began arriving, and workmen started erecting steel girders for the administration building. Today the steel structure is complete, and is being closed in with sheeting. The outside logs will be of northern Michigan pine, while the inside will be finished in knotty cedar. After completion, the whole will be varnished for preservation and added beauty.

Workshop Included

The first floor of this immense building will include the mess hall, kitchen and lounge. On the second floor will be found the administration offices and observatory, and the basement will be turned into a work-shop, where boys may learn craftsmanship of various kinds. There will be two fore placers, a modern heating plant, showers, and every facility for the comfort of the guests.

There are to be two miles of roadway winding through the grounds, constructed of gravel and slag, about half of which is completed.

After completion of the large building, work will immediately start on the cabins, sixteen of which will be for the use of girls and boys, who will arrive at different times for periods of several weeks, one cabin for three groups councilor and the last for showers.

When completed, which those in charge hope will be by the middle of June when vacation-time begins, the Good Fellows will be able to take care of 250 or more young people at one time.

A nurse will be employed regularly, and there will be medical provisions and special care for undernourished children.

At the entrance will be employed regularly, and there will be medical provisions and special care for undernourished children.

At the entrance will be erected a massive stone gateway.

Moore is succeeded by L.F. Burress of Gary, who is the decision superintendent, and S.M. Jenks, general superintendent.

James F. Considene, of Gary is in charge of the erection and construction of the project.