Oct. 4, 1935: John Doe Is All Worn Out Over A Trying Experience; Finds Himself On A Real Tough Spot

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 4, 1935.

JOHN DOE IS ALL WORN OUT OVER A TRYING EXPERIENCE; FINDS HIMSELF ON A REAL TOUGH SPOT

BY HAF BAKT

(As Told to Avery B. Weaver)

“Unadulterated persecution, that’s what I call it!”

“And that’s why I’m on my way to get me a new pair o’ pants!”

With this as a starter, John Doe, that elusive myth of the nation’s barristers, accused of every conceivable crime from trespass to mayhem, launched into a terrific tirade today.

“What’s persecution got to do with pants?” his companion, who had stopped him under the protective elms of the courthouse square, queried.

Doe, dejected and woebegone, nonchalantly pulled a set of teeth out of his back pocket and inserted them in his mouth for better enunciation.

“I’ll tell ya about it,” he said, parking his long, lanky frame on a bench to keep out the chilling north wind.

“It all happened in a Valparaiso cafe yestidy. I stumbled into one to imbibe and hear the world series broadcast. Ya see I was ‘specially interested cause I was bettin’ on the Cards.”

His companion gave him a couple of uplifted eyebrows and then shook his head, motioning for him to continue.

“I sidled up to the bar, spread myself on a stool and coughed for a drink and was sippin’ it when the first batter came up.”

“Is he related to you?” his companion queried.

“Is who related to who,” Doe shot back, clicking his store teeth for emphasis.

“Batter, of course. Your name’s Doe isn’t it? and doesn’t Batter make Doe or Doe batter, er somethin’?”

That made John madder than ever and just for a future reminder he poked his finger into his listener’s eye.

“So I sat on the stool, drinkin’ health to them ballplayers,” Doe went on, “when all of a sudden the band played Star Spangled Banner.”

“On the radio you mean,” his pal said.

“Yup. And two ominous-looking shadows appeared over each of my shoulders and flat-feet stuck out all over them. I knew they was G-men, we Boy Scouts maybe. So I slid off the stool and stood up to show my patrioticness.”

“Go on, go on,” his bench mate said.

“And one of the men grabbed my shoulder and said, you’re under arrest, and I says what fur, and he says for violatin’ the state’s liquor law.”

“You’ll have to show me,” Doe dared.

“And with that he tells me it’s against the law to drink in a cafe without sittin’ down. I asks him for another chance and sits down.”

“Then,” Doe continues, “the other flatfoot grabs me and says, ‘you’re under arrest.’

“Twould of floored me if I had not wanted to keep the other fellow from pippin’ up again, so I axed them what all the by-play was.

“The second coat puller announces as how I’m violation’ a federal law or bill or patriotic measure, for not standin’ when the national anthem is being slayed. And there I was. So I started down off the stool and got up again and hopped off and do you know I kept that up ‘till I wore the seat off my pants. That’s why I got to get me a new pair.”

“Sis they arrest you?” Doe’s companion asked.

“No,” Doe concluded, “they says I’d been on the hot seat long enough and would probably know better next time.”

“Goodbye,” says Doe, “it’s gettin’ kinda cold,” and then he left.

Latest reports today are that he had been taken into the Liars Club as an honorary member.

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.

Oct. 2, 1945: Letters Go To Groups To Aid War Fund

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 2, 1945

Letters Go To Groups To Aid War Fund

One of the most important of the 23 collection units of the Porter County War Fund campaign this year is the club organization unit headed by Mrs. Neil Sheldon as chairman. This unit contacts by mail the leaders of all the known clubs and organizations in Porter county. Last year over $1,500 was contributed by 70 organizations and this year Mrs. Sheldon hopes that every club and organization will respond.

One of the first letters to be mailed by Mrs. Sheldon is as follows:

“The long-awaited day of Victory has come, and people over the world are looking forward to a new era of lasting peace and security. We must remember, however, that the cessation of fighting does not mean that the war is over. It is not over for the men who must serve in the armies of occupation; it is not over for the sick and wounded in our hospitals. Our boys here and overseas still need our help, and it is in answer to that need that the Porter County War Fund is being launched Oct. 1. Gen. Eisenhower has said that it is his belief that this drive, which will no doubt be the last, is the most important one so far; never before has it been so vital that morale be kept high.

“As you perhaps know, one-fifth of the funds obtained from your donations stay right here in our own county and is used for our Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Salvation Army. The remaining money goes to the National fund and is divided among the U.S.O., the United Seaman’s Service, the War Prisoner’s Aid, the American Field Service, and the 15 foreign relief societies.

“Your organization’s support is urgently needed. May we count on you to help finish the job. Be generous in Victory.”

Oct. 1, 1955: This Is the Story of The Vidette-Messenger

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 1, 1955.

This Is the Story of The Vidette-Messenger

There Are 8 Departments In Operation

By ROLLIE BERNHART

What do you know about your newspaper today?

As a kick-off to spotlight National Newspaper Week, Oct. 1-8, here are some pertinent facts about The Vidette - Messenger and the departmental organization which daily provides a steady information and advertising source for its more than 7,100 subscribers and their families.

It should be significant during National Newspaper Week to know the various departments of the organization, which unifies itself into a cooperative system to eventually produce your daily Vidette-Messenger.

The Vidette-Messenger is now in its 28th year of operation, more than a quarter century since the merger of The Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger on July 5, 1927. The publisher is Mrs. L.M. Whipple, and Avery B. Weaver, is the general manager and treasurer.

More than 7,100 of the current total net paid circulation of 7,208, are in the Valparaiso retail trade area.

There are eight full scale departments, all of which directly and indirectly aid in the production of the newspaper. They are: executive, editorial, office, composing room, press and stereotyping departments, display advertising, classified advertising, and circulation department.

The Vidette-Messenger employs 28 full time and five part-time employees throughout the various departments.

In addition to the six-man editorial staff, managed by Herbert Steinbach, there are 11 county and area correspondents, who contribute news regularly to appropriately headed sections of the newspaper.

Members of the editorial staff, in addition to Steinbach, are: Karl Henrichs, city reporter; Miss Betsy MacFie, county reporter; Charles Zulich, sports; Mrs. Irene Bosstick, society; and Rollie Bernhart, reporter-photographer.

County Reporters

County correspondence is received in the editorial rooms from: Boone Grove, Union Center, Wanatah, Wauhob Lake, Wheeler, Chesterton, Boone Grove, Kouts, Hebron, Liberty township, Crocker, Lake Eliza and East Porter.

Two special photographers, Arthur E. Anderson, Chesterton; and Chet Dynewski, Boone Grove, contribute photos on special or spot assignments.

Ever-mindful of the importance of the school as a news source, the V-M has Miss Karen Angle, currently a VHS senior, as its school reporter. James McGill, a VHS junior, and a part-time V-M photography and engraving department employee, doubles in brass as school photographer.

The three employees in the advertising department headed by Robert L. Bibler, make all store contacts, layouts, run proofs and check all copy for the myriad of advertisements which appear in the daily run of The Vidette-Messenger. The assistants are Leo Kinman and Miss Lou Rohr.

No observance of National Newspaper Week would be complete without the recognition of one newspaper section which serves hundreds of readers all over the city and county, the classified section. This department is in the capable hands of Mrs. Wilbur Rothmann, aided by various members of the office force.

Business Department

In the business department, Mrs. John Robertson is the head bookkeeper, with the general department functions under the direction of Weaver. Mrs. Phyllis Voiles aids in this department, and serves as general switchboard operator.

Holding down perhaps one of the “roughest” jobs in the newspaper business is Mrs. Cleve Panter, who proof-reads the majority of the daily news copy eventually printed in The Vidette-Messenger. Miss Jo Anne Muster does this chore Saturdays and is part time assistant in the office.

At the five linotypes there are: Mrs. Robert Muster, Ivan Larson, Paul Reibly, Ward Williamson and Robert Randall.

In the composing room (those experts who can read better up-side-down than some persons can read right-side-up) Jack Allett, superintendent, Joseph Reibl and Kenneth Graham hold forth.

James Mull manages the press and stereotype departments, capably aided by John Parks and Art Wooten.

As reported by Vince Anderson, circulation manager, the net paid circulation of The Vidette-Messenger today, is 7,208. The distributed circulation figure is 7,425. Circulation department assistant is Mrs. Hazel. Russi. Part time employees are Paul Brown, Floyd Turner and Delmar Graham.

65 News Carriers

To carry and distribute these papers throughout the city and county, the V-M has 43 carriers on routes in Valparaiso, and 22 of “the nation’s youngest businessmen” on the out-of-town routes.

In addition to Valparaiso, newsboys deliver the daily V-M to Hebron, Kouts, Chesterton, Porter, Wheeler, Wanatah, Boone Grove, Boiling Springs, Lincoln Hills and the lake areas north of the city.

The Vidette-Messenger is also distributed and delivered by motor route to Liberty and Westchester townships. There is also one contracted motor delivery to dealers, and five special paper pick-ups for neighboring town distribution.

These thumb nail sketches merely brush the surface of the departments and personnel, who undergo a sometimes distracting but efficient daily “deadline” as the gamut is run in order to produce The Vidette-Messenger.

For as an editor of a southern publication recently wrote, “the staff that can survive the dull prosaic nature of day-to-day newspapering, then rise to whatever the challenger might be and perform it brilliantly, boldly and without regard to hours or to self, with nothing more than public service in mind, can really make a newspaper great.”