March 4, 1931: Visiting Reporters to Be Entertained by Journalistic Hopefuls

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 4, 1931.

Visiting Reporters to Be Entertained by Journalistic Hopefuls

Representatives of the metropolitan press, now sojourning in Valparaiso as official scribes of the lurid Kirkland murder trial are to be guests of honor of the journalism students of Valparaiso University this evening.

The affair, in the form of a reception, will be held at the Woman’s Club, at 8 o’clock this evening. The Beta chapter of the Iota Sigma, national journalistic fraternity of the University, will be hosts.

Old-time reporters will meet the up-and-coming generation of writers and get an insight into the newspaper make-up of the future, while student journalists will gaze with awe upon the men and women behind the pen whose places they aspire to fill a few years hence.

March 2, 1931: SHERIFF MAXWELL IS NOW THE OWNER OF FARM THAT HAS BEEN FAMILY ESTATE FOR 80 YEARS

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 2, 1931.

SHERIFF MAXWELL IS NOW THE OWNER OF FARM THAT HAS BEEN FAMILY ESTATE FOR 80 YEARS

A realty transaction that had many unique features surrounding it was consummated Saturday in this city when deed to fifty acres of land in Pleasant township, owned by James A. Hollandsworth, was acquired by Burney Maxwell, sheriff of Porter county.

The land in question had been in the Hollandsworth family for nearly eighty years, Mr. Hollandsworth’s mother buying it and entering the government patent when she obtained title.

During those four score years the land has never been encumbered with a mortgage, no judgements have been entered against it, and there have been no delinquent taxes or liens of any kind.

Sheriff Maxwell’s home is in Pleasant township. He has owned a small tract near the Hollandsworth property for a number of years. Whether the sheriff is looking ahead to the time he will retire from office, planning to take up farming, or merely purchased the old homestead as an investment, is not known. Right now the sheriff is so busy handly the Kirkland trial that he can’t be approached on incidental subjects.

Mother and Father At Kirkland’s Side

Rough as has been the going of his trial, which today entered its second week, with the state still placing witness after witness on the stand to condemn him and perhaps send him to the electric chair for his part in the murder of Arlene Drives, pretty Gary school girl, Virgil Kirkland, the first of the five Gary youngmen of the five Gary young men to face a jury as the result of the wild gin party of last November, has the consolation of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Kirkland, pictured here in the Porter county circuit court chambers here during a recess. To the Kirklands, Virgil is still “their boy,” the victim of prohibition liquor and the “loose times.” pictured below is Mrs. David Thompson, at whose home, in Glen Park, Gary, the fatal party was held. Her husband is one of the four other defendants, awaiting trial for their parts in the death of the Draves girl.

Feb. 27, 1931: FIRE CHIEF MARKS EXPLAINS HE ‘CLEARED COURT’ AT JUDGE’S ORDER

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 27, 1931.

FIRE CHIEF MARKS EXPLAINS HE ‘CLEARED COURT’ AT JUDGE’S ORDER

Explanation as to why he ordered enforcement of the city’s fire ordinance at Virgil Kirkland murder trial yesterday afternoon, was made today by John G. Marks, city fire chief.

“I was called by Judge Grant Crumpacker and court attaches to advise in the situation,” Chief Marks said.

“Knowing of the hazardous condition existing by reason of my knowledge of the fifty-year old structure, I informed Judge Crumpacker that it would be better to transfer activities to another room and disperse the crows,” Mr. Marks said.

“According to contractors the floor of the circuit court room is not supported by beams such as are used in modern construction, and from this fact alone, there was imminent danger of collapse,” he said.

“The law against filling public buildings in excess of capacity, blocking aisles and exits is well known, and I merely apprised the court of the violation existing.”

Chief Marks declared he had not attended a session of the trial and had no knowledge that the law was being violated.

“I was merely called into the case in an advisory capacity and had no interest in any way except to apprise the court as to the ordinance bearing on over-crowding of public buildings,” Chief Marks said.

Today the process of the court is not being interfered with due to a new arrangement made by Judge Crumpacker. Only persons who could find seats were admitted.

In order to be sure of gaining admittance, those of the morbidly curious, appeared at the county building as early as 6:30 o’clock this morning.

By 8 o’clock the line was a block long, four abreast. The crowd congregated on the modern stairway on the old stone steps and for a time it was feared the contrivance would give way.

Special bailiffs relieved the situation somewhat by admitting groups of twenty-five at a time. As soon as the room was comfortably filled the doors were locked.

Every door of vantage leading to the court room was guarded and no one was admitted unless proper credentials were presented.

No murder case of local record has attracted the public attention as does the Kirkland-Draves trial. Not only does Valparaiso furnish many court fans, but other cities provide their quota.