Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 16, 1946.
Coat-of-Arms Plaque Creates Historical Flurry
The mystery of an ornate family Coat-of-Arms plaque uncovered in a local second-hand furniture store recently was no longer a mystery today.
The unusual appearing plaque, a likeness of which is reproduced here, was at first believed to have considerable county historical significance, but the “bubble” apparently burst this week under a thorough investigation of its origin.
To start at the beginning, Henry Sauter, Jr., came upon the plaque at Skinkle’s Second-Hand Furniture store. Believing it to have been a family crest of the Joseph Bailey (or Bailly) pioneer family, who settled in Porter county as early as 1820, Sauter turned it over to Miss Mabel Benney, well-known locally as an authority and writer of Porter county history, Miss Benney brought the plaque and the facts to The Vidette-Messenger for further investigation.
Following extensive probing in the case, it was learned that the plaque was the property of the late P.J. Bailey, former Valparaiso lawyer. The plaque was found hanging in the late attorney’s office by Paul Randle, when the Randle Supply company occupied that building. It finally ended up at the second hand store where Sauter found it.
As far as The Vidette-Messenger could learn the two Bailey families were not related and the late Atty. Bailey had had the plaque made about nine years ago from his family’s historical files.
The crest of the highly ornate plaque is etched on an ivory background, embossed in gold, black, blue and crimson. Above the banner, a hand extends, holding a key surmounted by a six-pointed star. Below are the words “Deo Duce.” on the reverse side is an inscribed explanation of the Bailey Armorial Bearings.
Meanwhile, The Vidette-Messenger was holding the case open with the view that some new light may be thrown on the Bailey Coat of Arms mystery.