Jan. 19, 1971: Annual PCC Banquet

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 19, 1971.

Annual PCC Banquet

“The day of the ‘tramp’ athlete is over,” Bob King, Purdue University, stated Monday night when he addressed the 4th annual Porter County Conference tournament banquet at the V.U. Student Union.

King, a native of Lebanon and a graduate of Butler University, is now employed as a recruiter of athletes for Purdue University.

Introduced by Myron C. Knauff, master-of-ceremonies King pointed out to the players, cheerleaders, coaches, principals, trustees and guests in attendance that the athlete of today must also be a student.

“Competition on the playing court or field is very difficult now,” King stated. “It is also difficult in the classroom,” he added.

He admonished the athletes and cheerleaders to prepare themselves for college or future adult life by putting out in their high school studies. “Take those extra classes in English and math; don’t miss the speech class; take typing; learn all you can about the spoken word,” he stated.

King said that his duties as a recruiter takes him to high schools throughout the nation. “In some of the schools I visit there are bars on the windows and you have a police escort when you walk down the halls,” King remarked. “The persons in this room should all be proud to live in an area such as Porter County.”

“As a recruiter, I must learn a lot from year to year,” King said. “And I must learn from the young men I interview,” I must be able to speak the language of the players,” he added.

He asked the athletes to respect their coaches and teachers. “A coach wears a lot of hats,” King stated. “He actually becomes involved in all phases of the lives of every player on his squad.”
Participating schools at the banquet were Boone Grove, Hebron, Kouts, Morgan, Washington, and Wheeler.

Knauff, former Hebron principal, assistant to the superintendent of the Valparaiso Community Schools, recognized the patrons, donors and news media.

Knauff remarked that the Porter County Conference had lost two outstanding coaches and friends in the past year in the death of Melvin Taylor and Evar Edquist.

Head coaches were introduced by Wheeler Principal Charles Kennedy and the trustees by Calvin B. Wilis, county superintendent of schools.

John Starks, Morgan Principal, was the tourney chairman. Morgan will be the sponsoring school for the 48th annual tourney that opens Thursday night at Boucher gym.

Co-chairman of the banquet committee were Clarence Hattabaugh, Union Township, and John Blastick, Morgan Township. Other members of the committee were Marshall Mohler, Washington; Lawrence Ludington, Porter; Willis Werner Boone; and Merle Schoon, Pleasant.

Fourth annual Porter County Conference banquet was held Monday night at V.U. Student Union. Pictured are, from left, Calvin B. Willis, county superintendent of schools; Myron C. Knauff, master-of-ceremonies: Bob King, Purdue, featured speaker; and John Starks, Morgan principal and chairman of 1971 Porter County tournament.

Jan. 19, 1931: CHESTERTON W.C.T.U. AND VALPARAISO VISITORS JOIN IN CELEBRATING THE DRY LAW

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 19, 1931.

CHESTERTON W.C.T.U. AND VALPARAISO VISITORS JOIN IN CELEBRATING THE DRY LAW

(By Mrs. Effie Earle)

It was family night for the Chesterton W.C.T.U. (Woman’s Christian Temperance Union) on last Friday night and it was victory night as well, the 11th anniversary of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. So five women from Valparaiso went over to Chesterton to join in the celebration. Fathers, mothers, children grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sat down to long tables at 6:30 p.m. dinner in the dining room of the Swedish Methodist church, with Mrs. Glowe presiding.

After the dinner four talks were given, that one would be willing to go a long way to hear. Rev. Bagby, of the Methodist church spoke on Temperance Education. He thinks that it was the nation-wide temperance education in homes, in schools, in churches, that prompted this generation to write the 18th Amendment into the constitution. This education afterward, that has brought about the hue and cry for annulment, and that now we must push this temperance education anew, do the work over again, because we failed in the follow-up work.

Rev. Seaberg of the Swedish Methodist church had for his subject, “How Citizens May Cooperate in Law Enforcement.” He enlarged upon two phases: first, that of beginning at home, and being a good citizen, a law abiding citizen; and, second, the use of the ballot box. Do not fail to vote at primary and general elections, and then stand back of your officers.

Rev. Palmer of the Evangelical church of Porter, spoke on “Observance and Enforcement”, which was a continuation of the last topic. The story he told was a splendid illustration, and carried a rebuke to the American citizen. Told briefly, it was of a noted talented German who came to New York professionally for a short time. He was dined each evening by kindred Americans who attempted to wine him as well as dine him. Each time his glass was left untasted, though each time a different wine was served hoping to tempt him. At last the hostess obtained some wine imported from Germany, but this met with the same result. So they made bold to inquire the reason of the guest’s refusal. Said the German, “The United States has a prohibition law. While I am in the United States I shall obey her laws.”

The last speaker of the evening was Dr. Carlson and his subject “Then and Now.” Dr. Carlson said as there was no time limit on “Then” he would go back to Abraham. He said there were three glaring sins which had been outlawed by the white race: first, human sacrifice; second, slavery; and third, intoxicating liquor. That it had taken years of evolution to do each, and that even at the present there were places on the earth where human sacrifice and slavery was still practiced, and that as long as the world stood these three, inhuman sins would still persist; that the first two were so near disappearing that they have ceased to be glaring, but that the third must still be pushed farther and farther into the discard by the white race which holds the torch of civilization.

He denied the statement that there is more drinking since the 18th Amendment, using facts, figures and illustrations. Altogether this was a most enjoyable and profitable meeting.

Jan. 18, 1971: Chesterton Skating Rink Dedicated Cut Ribbon For Rink

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 18, 1971.

Chesterton Skating Rink Dedicated

Cut Ribbon For Rink

CHESTERTON ー Ninety persons, mostly skaters, were present Saturday afternoon for the formal dedication by town officials of a new ice skating rink in Coffee Creek Park.

Ribbon at the official opening of the rink was cut by Robert Wilson, Town Board president, during the brief ceremonies at 2 p.m. The opening of the new winter sport facility was accentuated by falling snow.

Wilson, in his dedication speech, said, “In behalf of the Town Board and citizens of Chesterton, I wish to thank the Park Board and park supervisor for the fine job they have done.

“It’s very gratifying to have people doing for others out of the goodness of their hearts,” Wilson added. He also thanked the Chesterton Volunteer Fire Department and donors who made the rink possible.

At the rink opening, besides Wilson, were Don Lowery, Park Board president; Glen Markley, Robert Hammond and Don Ayres, Park Board members; Robert Waskom, park superintendent; and Charles Young, liaison member from the Town Board to the Park Board.

Robert Moore, Purdue North Central student, will be rink supervisor.

Supervisors at the rink opening day were Mrs. Tom Roberts and Mrs. Ronald Gustafson, Delta Theta Tau Sorority members.

Donating materials or services for the rink were Robert Dunn of South Shore Electric, Chesterton Lions Club, Northern Indiana Public Service Co., Everett Tidaback of Standard Oil Co., Robert Greer, Dunes Lumber Co., John Zehner, Charles Wallin, Sievert Bodin and the Fire Department.

The rink is lighted and a shelter has been provided for skaters. Ample parking space is available.

Cutting of ribbon Saturday afternoon by Robert Wilson, president of Chesterton Town Board, second from left, marked formal dedication of new ice skating rink in Coffee Creek Park. Participating in rink dedication ceremony were, from Robert Waskom, park superintendent; Wilson; Don Lowery, president of Park Board; and Charles Young, liaison member from Town Board to Park Board. (Chesterton Tribune Photo)

Jan. 18, 1936: ‘BRONCHO JOHN’ INDIAN WARS VET TO GET AID Veteran of Frontier Days, Now 77, To Be Rewarded by U.S. If Halleck’s Plans Succeed. THRILLING DAYS IN WEST ARE RECALLED

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 18, 1936.

‘BRONCHO JOHN’ INDIAN WARS VET TO GET AID

Veteran of Frontier Days, Now 77, To Be Rewarded by U.S. If Halleck’s Plans Succeed.

THRILLING DAYS IN WEST ARE RECALLED

Through efforts of Congressman Charles Halleck, of Second Indiana district, and Edmund Freund, of Valparaiso, republican chairman of second district, John H. Sullivan, known to hundreds of Valparaiso citizens as “Broncho John,” is going to get some measure of reward for valiant service rendered as an Indian fighter in the western frontier days, the Spanish-American war and Philippine troubles.

Back in 1929, Mr. Sullivan received a pension of $20 per month through the passage of a special bill in congress. Now Congressman Halleck is endeavored to obtain an increase in pension and ranking as an enlisted man for the veteran fighter now nearing the age of seventy-seven years.

Sometime ago, Attorney Freund obtained a life membership in Valparaiso Lodge of Elks for Mr. Sullivan in recognition of his services on the field of battle.

John H. Sullivan was born in 1859 in Wyoming. He made his debut as an Indian scout when twelve years of age. In 1871 he made his first trip with two Oregon horses to Fort Laramie, Texas, then south to San Antonio. The next year he went up the trail with a herd of 5,000 cattle, fighting many battles with white outlaw bands. Two hundred and fifty miles of the journey was spent in warding off attacks of Commache Indians.

Shortly after the Custer massacre at Little Big Horn river, Montana, he acted as scout courier for General Carr, of the fifth cavalry. The friendship resulting from this meeting ripened with the passing years, and was a pleasant memory in the lives of both men.

In the Apache war Broncho John had many thrilling experiences. He took part in many of the battles and skirmishes in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, and was present when Lieutenant Smith, with many soldiers and citizens, was killed in 1881. In one of the uprisings of this war Mr. Sullivan saved a family of twelve after forty Indians had them surrounded. For this heroic act the citizens of Deming, N.M., presented him with a medal. He also made a historical ride from Fort Bayard, N.M., to Prescott, Ariz., with dispatches to Territorial Governor Trandall for reinforcements against the Indians. This journey was 1,000 miles over mountain ranges and deserts, and was made entirely at night on his pony.

Mr. Sullivan also participated in the Sioux wars, being present at the battle of Wounded Knee, December 29, 1890.

In the Spanish-American War, Mr. Sullivan served … for the Fourth Army Corps with General Coppinger, and directed the transportation of this army to the relief of General Shafter. He also served with the Seventh Army Corps with General Fitzhugh Lee. He directed the move of this army from Jacksonville, Fla., to Cuba. He was master of transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of these two big successful armies. His excellent work in moving the men, animals and supplies for the army during the war, won him commendation of men high in military circles and also praise from President McKinley.

During the troubles in the Philippines in 1899, 1900, and 1901, he made three round trips to the islands from Washington, D.C. on expert duty. On March 4, 1909, Mr. Sullivan was appointed and served as aide-de-camp on the staff of Major-General J.F. Bell, commander of the United States army and was grand marshal at the inauguration of President Taft.

When Buffalo Bill organized his wild west show in 1883, Mr. Sullivan was the premier broncho buster and buffalo rider of the show. He was the only man who could fight and conquer a wild buffalo bull. He was also a crack pistol shot and traveled with Dr. Carver and Captain Bogardus, regarded as the best pistol shots in the world.

Jan. 17, 1951: First Receipts From Meter Boxes Are Being Tabulated

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 17, 1951.

First Receipts From Meter Boxes Are Being Tabulated

First coin collection for the more than 300 parking meters now in operation in the business district was made today and was to be counted this afternoon.

City Clerk-Treasurer E.J. Cotterman will be in charge of counting the pennies and nickels which will be done in the First State Bank. Beginning of this duty will mark a return to work for Cotterman who was taken ill six months ago, since which time Mrs. Howard Moltz, deputy clerk-treasurer, has been in charge of the office in city hall.

A counting-sorting-packaging machine and a two-wheel collector unit were given to the city by the Karpark corporation.

Police Chief Vernon Reibly reported that a number of motorists have inserted dimes in the meters and complained that the meters were not working properly. Reibly explained that the meters take only pennies and nickels, and that the time indicator will not register when dimes are inserted. Surveys taken in other cities have revealed that meters of the penny-nickel variety yield about four times as many pennies as five-cent pieces.

Mayor Elden Kuehl commented today that from his observations he believes the meters “have helped the parking situation a lot.”

City officials have not indicated as yet when regular enforcement will go into effect. City police issued 175 warning tickets Monday and Tuesday, the first two days of the trial period for the meters.

In addition to the 67 meters which are still to be placed in dirt bases, several others have not been put into operation as yet in locations where the standards must be made fast to the ceilings of basements which run under the walks, Chief Reibly explained.

Jan. 16, 1941: Campus Will Take Poll In Uhlan Issue

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 16, 1941.

Campus Will Take Poll In Uhlan Issue

A poll of the student body at Valparaiso University will be taken Friday to determine whether or not the school’s yearbook and athletic teams should drop the name of “Uhlan.”

This morning, following chapel exercises, a forum was held during which spokesmen for both the affirmative and negative sides of the question presented arguments. The cases were presented by law students.

In favor of changing the name, Earl Dawald, senior, argued that “Uhlan” is not in keeping with the ideals of a Christian institution, that the name was in bad repute because of the acts of vandalism committed by the Uhlans in the first world war, and that a name more in keeping with the purposes and ideals of Valparaiso University could be found.

The negative side of the question was propounded by Lee Rose, another senior law student. His approach to the problem was that if the name were changed, the university would be admitting guilt when there was no guilt, and that the change would denote fear on the part of the university students. “You are afraid that someone might say we were connected with subversive activities,” he declared.

The two lawyers kept the students entertained with their arguments for 15 minutes. As time was limited, no rebuttal speeches were made. The “Torch,” student newspaper, will carry pro and con arguments in tonight’s issue, and the matter will be left to the students.

Jul. 15, 1941: TRUE THEN AND TRUE NOW

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 15, 1941.

Entered at Post Office, Valparaiso, Indiana, as second class matter Published every afternoon except Sunday by THE VIDETTE-MESSENGER COMPANY 163 Lincolnway

“It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide by their conduct and example, the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions, on accident and force.”ーAlexander Hamilton

VALPARAISO, INDIANA, JANUARY 15, 1941

This Department is Set Aside to Reflect Editorial Interpretation of Men and Events Playing Paris in the Moving Drama of Daily Affairs and for Comment, Critical and Otherwise, Relative Thereto.

TRUE THEN AND TRUE NOW

In times like these, when emotionalism tends to dominate the thought processes of man, it is difficult to judge conditions or events in their true perspectives. Wars inevitably foster hate, fear, sympathy, distrust, sorrow and hysteria. As the black clouds of battle expand, issues are less easily discerned in clear outline; men’s minds change from day to day, facts give way to fancy and molehills assume the proportions of mountains. Under such circumstances any attempt to seek firmer ground inevitably leads to the pastーwhen passions were less violent and men’s logic was more lucid than loose.

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It was with this thought in mind that the following editorial was retrieved from the files. It was saved because it seemed to make sense when it was printed originally. It seems to make sense now, too. It was published in a metropolitan newspaper shortly after the peace of Munich had been signed by Messrs. Chamberlain of England, Mussolini of Italy, Hitler of Germany and Daladier of France. It is more than an editorial; it is the history of man’s baser nature in a column of type. Of the entire editorial we would call your attention, above all, to a most significant phrase: “the immemorial rivalries among the European nations…” Here is the editorial:

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HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE

Today it is fashionable to trace the peace of Munich no farther back than the treaty of Versailles; to exclaim that a more just settlement of the World war would have guaranteed perpetual peace, and then to stop there ー as if the immemorial rivalries among the European nations arose in 1914 by spontaneous combustion! Actually, the treaty of Versailles was hatched in 1871 by the treaty of Frankfurtーwhereafter a beaten France rearmed for the return of Alsace and Lorraine, and a victorious Germany surged into inevitable conflict with an overreaching Britain for world markets.

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All that had to happen by reason of the union of Italy in 1866, the thwarted democratic revolutions of 1848, and the repressive holy alliance of 1820ーall foreordained by the peace of Paris in 1815ーat which time Britain grasped a universal sellers’ market; the German states first imagined a fatherland: Russia swarmed upon Europe, and Napoleon lost his cast for world empire. But napoleon himself was created by the revolution of 1789, which declared war upon ancient privilege; and this brawling youth was the child of the American revolution, wherein France aided the colonies not for democracy, culminated that series of European combats called the Seven Years’ war and the War of the Austrian Succession, with Britain, France, Austria, Russia and Prussia as disputants for gain, and Spain and Poland as the victims.

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Previously, under Louis XIV, France had stolen Strasbourg, wasted the Palatinate, and pillaged Hollandーso that Britain befriended the Holland she had used as a cat’s paw against the sixteenth-century Spain, and smashed in two trade wars under the Commonwealth and the Restoration. At last Sweden, the ally of France, had gone down in 1709 against Russia; and, until then, Sweden had been the terror of Europe; first as the defender of German religious liberty in the Thirty Years’ War, ending in 1648; and later as the war drunk ruler of the Baltic states. Not one of these embroilments was born from a void. Right up to the Armada of 1588 Spain had overawed France and England; and Spain was a fief of the Holy Roman Empire, risen under Charles V, to European domination. But that empire of the Germans evolved from its having taken over the Roman Empire, which had invaded the north for the sole purposeーnever forgiven by the Germansーof selling them as slaves.

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No less created by war, Rome had burned Carthage and seized as thralls those ancient Near Eastern monarchies split asunder by Alexander of Macedonーthe first European ambitious to possess the Orient. But, even before Babylon or Egypt, no golden age of peace blessed mankind. Every primitive village, African or Asiatic, raided its neighbor for land cattles and slavesーonce man had conquered the animals and was ready for his brother man.

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Certainly the editorial sounds cynical, but only because the history of man is one great procession of cynicism, greed and lust for power. And throughout history the jealousies of Europe have epitomized the inability of man to live with his brother in peace. It is unto such a turmoil that some alleged patriots would have the United States of America embroiled. It is into this cauldron of hot and bitter intrigue we would dip our cups……..But we almost neglected to mention the name of the newspaper in which this striking editorial appeared. It is not courteous to print another’s work without giving due credit. In this case we are more than happy to acknowledge this contribution to solemn analysis of world conditions to the Chicago Daily News.

Jan. 14, 1931: WAR VET BATTLES GUNMAN-BANDIT - RISKS BULLET TO GET CHANCE ‘RETURN’ FIRE

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 14, 1931.

WAR VET BATTLES GUNMAN-BANDIT

RISKS BULLET TO GET CHANCE ‘RETURN’ FIRE

Albert A’Neals, Attendant at West Lincolnway Gas Station is Hero of Early Evening Attack.

REFUSED TO GET IN BANDIT’S CAR

Three filling station bandits who attempted a holdup of the Square Deal filling station on West Lincolnway, next to the Mark Palmer auto sales agency, Tuesday night at 8:40 o’clock, failed to reckon with Albert A’Neals, Spanish-American, Mexican border, and World War veteran.

When called upon to get in a car “for a ride,” A’Neals told the bandit “to go to”... and made a dash for a 48-caliber Colt pistol under a table inside the station.

A bullet from the bandit’s gun whizzed by A’Neals as he scrambled into the doorway. It bored a hole in the side of the station. Because of a disability in one of his legs due to World War wounds, A’Neals felt as he endeavored to get into the building. It is believed the robber thought he had winged him and had better escape.

After securing his gun, A’Neals dashed out of the doorway, his line of fire was directly in the path of the Louis Gast home. Reaching the sidewalk he pumped three shots at the fleeing automobile. As he did so he noticed the men in the car bend over to avoid being hit.

According to A’Neals, the men drove up to the station and he became suspicious when the driver edged close to the building and then pointed his car out for a quick getaway.

All three remained in the car until he had finished putting six gallons of gasoline in the car, and then one of them stepped out. A’Neals held the hose nozzle as long as he could to see if the trio attempted anything.

He had no sooner dropped it then the man who had gotten out placed a gun to his side and told him to get into the car. It was then that A’Neals delivered his ultimatum, and the shooting followed. The police theory is that the bandit trio wanted to take A’Neals, relieve him of his money, and then let him go.

Tracy Eglin, merchant policeman, was among the first to reach the scene. Night Policemen Gregg Stansell and William Clark also responded.

A’Neals did not obtain the number of the machine which was a maroon colored Pontiac coupe. Mrs. W.K. Stoler, living in the Eldorado apartments, across from the filling station, came out and endeavored to obtain the license number of the robber car, but was unable to do so.

Police followed the car westward to Campbell street and then to Chicago street. Gary police were notified and were here within a short time after the robbery.

It is believed from gasoline leaking from the car that the robbers doubled back on Jefferson and went east. The leaky tank was either ascribed to the fact that A’Neals did not replace the cap on the tank after filling it, or else one of his bullets pierced the container allowing some of the gasoline to escape.

Two little daughters of Carl Erea are said to have been witnesses to the holdup. They were on their way to the Pennsylvania depot to meet their father.