Jan. 30, 1951: 48,900 Marriage Licenses Issued Here In 115 Years

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 30, 1951.

48,900 Marriage Licenses Issued Here In 115 Years

By ENG. ZIMMERMAN, Sr.

Since Porter county was founded in 1836, or 115 years ago, a lot of people have agreed to “love, honor and cherish one another as long as they shall live,” according to records in the office of County Clerk Freeman Lane.

Dan Cupid, bow and arrow, and ever active since men and women have agreed to throw in their lot and try to make a go of it, has ushered 48,900 couples to the altar during those 115 years. The books in the county clerk’s office revealed that since that first marriage license was issued to Richard Henthorne and Jane Spurlock on May 5, 1836, by the first county clerk, George W. Turner, 97,800 persons have taken oaths in the office of the county clerk in the applications for marriage licenses.

According to the records, there were 14 marriage licenses granted at the clerk’s office in 1836. Between 1837 and 1840 there were 109 licenses issued, and between 1840 and 1850, the total number was 364.

From 1851 to 1955, 415 licenses were issued, and from 1856 to 1860, there were 531. In the civil war period of 1861 to 1865 they increased to 624, and the post-war period, 1865 to 1970, brought about a further increase, 760 being issued during those years.

During the five-year period from 1871 to 1875, inclusive, a total of 700 licenses were issued. The record further reveals issuance of licenses as follows: 1876 to 1880, 733: 1881 to 1885, 936; 1886 to 1890, 810; 1891 to 1895, 878; 1896 to 1900, 778; 1901 to 1905, 941.

New Marriage Law

In 1906 the new marriage law, requiring additional data from marriage applicants and signed statements that they are not afflicted with communicable diseases, nor had ever been an inmate of an insane asylum or feeble-minded institution, went into effect.

Marriages from 1906 to 1910 showed an increase rather than a decrease under the new law. During the period 983 licenses were issued. The next five-year period, 1911 to 1915, a still further increase was shown, a total of 1,217 permits being filed. This mark was surpassed during the next five years, from 1916 to 1920, when a total of 1,682 couples obtained licenses.

During the five-year period from 1921 to 1925, Valparaiso began to capitalize on the fact that it was within proximity to Chicago, Illinois couples began to come here for permits. Marriage business began to increase and the records reveal that 2,276 obtained licenses.

The boom era between 1926 and 1930 brought many couples to Valparaiso, and a checkup shows that 5,720 licenses were issued during that time. The next five years, 1931 to 1935 were almost equally as good, a total of 5,450 couples taking out permits.

Since 1936 the local marriage license bureau has enjoyed a banner business. The year 1936 in which 1,981 licenses were issued, was followed by one of the biggest booms in the marriage business ever experienced in the history of the county. The year 1937 brought Valparaiso into the limelight as a Gretna Green because of a court injunction which halted issuance of licenses at Crown Point to any but persons living in Lake county. As the injunction did not apply to Porter county, Chicago couples, who sought to evade the restrictions imposed in Lake county, came to Porter county to have the knot tied. A total of 4,218 licenses were issued during the year, the major portion coming during the last six months.

Supreme Court Ruling

A ruling of the Indiana supreme court in January 1938, in which it held an old state law constitutional, making it necessary for the bride to be a resident of the county in which the licenses is obtained, curtailed somewhat the flood of marriageable inclined couples to this city. Despite this, 2,800 licenses were issued.

Because the ancient Indiana law failed to elaborate on the residence provision, clerks in many counties continued to issue licenses where the bride claimed she was a resident of the county where the application was made. Many Chicago and out-of-the-state brides-to-be were thus able to obtain permits and sidestep the law.

The passage of the Indiana hygienic marriage law in 1940, which became effective after March 1 of that year, requiring applicants to submit to a medical examination cut down the number of marriage permits issued. However, a total of 1,661 couples were licensed during 1940.

From 1941 to 1950 the business never approached the volume of the years before the physical test law went into effect. However, the 10-year period produced 10,185 permits.

The years 1942 and 1946 were the banner ones with 1,045 and 1,245 licenses, respectively. Last year the total was 960.

Persons participating in marriage rites since the county was formed exceeds by nearly 57,000 the present population of Porter county. The figures show that on an average 413 licenses have been issued per year. The total number of licenses is 9,000 more than the present population of the county.

Jan. 28, 1956: Wheeler Dial Phone Cutover Scheduled For Mid February - 300 Patrons Receive New Type Devices

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 28, 1956.

Wheeler Dial Phone Cutover Scheduled For Mid February

300 Patrons Receive New Type Devices

By ROLLIE BERNHART

WHEELER, Jan. 28ーSubscribers now serviced by the Wheeler exchange of the General Telephone Company of Indiana, Inc., will soon be using new dial telephones.

John H. Lorditch, of Valparaiso, GTC district commercial manager, announced today that official cutover ceremonies, from the old magneto phones to the modern dial system, is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15, and 7 a.m.

Cost of the conversion project will be in excess of $60,000 before final completion, GTC officials reported. Three hundred dial phones have been installed in homes and business places.

The new dial telephones are the modern Leich instruments designed for either wall or desk type installation.

Work is still not completed, but officials hope to have the project ready for cutover next month.

Project Is Delayed

Lorditch stated that the conversion work program was temporarily delayed due to cable deliveries. However, rehabilitation and extension of outside plant facilities are now complete, with the exception of placing some aerial cable near the company’s central office building on Fifth street.

For the Wheeler project, approximately 21,000 feet of new cable, and 600,000 feet of new wire have been used in rehabilitation and extension.

In addition, approximately 9,500 man hours have been expended, Lorditch stated.

Operations at the old office building, located on Indiana 130, south of Fifth street, which presently houses the old manual switchboard, will be discontinued following cutover ceremonies.

To Issue Directories

Prior to the cutover date, temporary directories showing the new dial numbers, will be mailed to each Wheeler subscriber. These directories will also be mailed to East Gary and Hobart users, since “free service” to and from Wheeler to these points will be continued after the conversion.

A meeting is also planned at Wheeler High school gym Monday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m., for all subscribers. Each Wheeler subscriber will receive personal invitations from the company to attend.

Purpose of the special session is to acquaint dial telephone users on the correct methods of operation. Demonstrations will be held and a question and answer period will be conducted by company representatives.

A movie, “Dial Comes To Town”, will also be shown at the meeting.

Lorditch reported one bit of humor which cropped up during the conversion program at Wheeler.

14 Exchanges

One subscriber seemed prone to insist that the old magneto type phone be left on the wall where it had been “cranked” for many years. Somewhat startled, the company representative said, “Why, aren’t you glad to get the new dial phone?” “Yes,” said the woman, “but I just had the room decorated.”

Wheeler is one of 14 exchanges serving 31,000 telephones in the Valparaiso district of GTC. others are Valparaiso, Hobart, Ogden Dunes, Chesterton, Kouts, LaCrosse, Wanatah, Hanna, Westville, Union Mills, LaPorte, Rolling Prairie and East Gary.

Surveys for future development in Hobart and East Gary regions are being carried on by five employees from the firm’s Lafayette headquarters, P.E. Platt, division manager reported.

As of Jan. 1, the General Telephone company included 72 exchanges, servicing 140,038 telephones. Plans to spend $5,800,000 in these exchanges were recently announced.

To Spend $313,000

In the Valparaiso district, $313,000 will be spent for new construction. Bulk of the local budget will be spent in the Valparaiso area with the total cost estimated at $182,300.

Cable relief is planned for east and north side residents which will give better service and add additional phones. This will cost $165,000.

Other projects in Valparaiso include miscellaneous pole work, costing $5,000, and installation of central office equipment to take care of the rural growth at a cost of $11,700.

In the Chesterton area, $20,500 will be spent for cable relief along the Valparaiso-Chesterton toll lead. In addition, $2,500 will be spent to build the lead on the Liberty township road and $5,000 is earmarked for pole construction.

Population growth in the Ogden Dunes area will force the spending of $64,500 for expending service there.

MRS. LAUREL DAVIS, of Wheeler, tests one of new dial phones installed by the General Telephone Company of Indiana, Inc., in the Union township community to replace the old magneto telephones. J.H. Lorditch, GTCI district commercial manager, above instructs Mrs. Davis in the proper use of the phone.

THE GTC BUILDING on Fifth street, north of Indiana 130 in Wheeler, where the new automatic dial equipment has been installed

CUTTING IN NEW lines to the equipment office center are Spike Shroyer, on pole; Walter Bickel, with rope; and Lyle Moore, installation and maintenance supervisor.

Old Vs. New Telephone Switchboards in Wheeler

TESTING NEW dial equipment and boards in GTC equipment office in Wheeler (top) are Ralph Clarke, left, and Roy Ransom. Below Mrs. Florence Campos (lower left) and Mrs. Marie Foreman, operators, work manual switchboard in old building. Old board will be dismantled after Feb. 15, cutover date.

Jan. 27, 1941: V-M Photographs Boone Grove High School Band Practice

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 27, 1941.

V-M Photographs Boone Grove High School Band Practice

By HERB STEINBACH

Photography and Engraving by Paul B. Batter Staff Photographer

Only six years old, but already holding a string of district, state and national awards, Boone Grove’s high school band has been busily engaged since September in preparing for new distinctions to post this coming spring.

In an effort to see what makes this musical infant “tick” The Vidette-Messenger recently dispatched a photographer and reporter into the Boone Grove band workshop to secure a photo-word pictorialization.

The press representatives found there an efficient, cooperative group of student musicians, and learned they are backed by a hardworking Band Mothers’ organization which foots most of the bills. The records achieved ー including two invitations to appear in national band contests ー are sufficient evidence that in their director, Harold Luhman, the Boone Grove band has a capable, hard-working chieftain.

Photographer Paul Pattee presents on this page several cross-section views which put together make up the chief workings of this organization. He depicts a portion of the group as they gather at the practice period’s beginning, shows cornet, trombone and drum sections in action. Then he branches out to such “side” featuresーwhich nevertheless are an integral part of the wholeーas the officers of the Band Mothers organization, the student band officials and the baton twirlers in rehearsal.

Organized in 1934

DIRECTOR HAROLD LUHMAN

A band was first organized at Boone Grove in September, 1934, under the direction of Harold Rogers, Valparaiso high school band director at the present time.

Luhman took charge at Boone Grove in 1936 and has been there ever since. He is also in charge of the Washington township school band.

The Boone Grove director formerly resided in Belvedire, Ill., and after receiving his academic training at the University of Kentucky, Luhman graduated in 1936 from the Vandercook School of Music in Chicago. From 1930-35 he directed the Boone (Ill.) County Farm Bureau band.

In the spring of 1935ーunder the leadership of Rogersーa Boone Grove band first appeared in competition with other bands. Classed as a “D” band (for first year groups only) the Grove musicians won first division honors in the state meet at Evansville.

Since that time there have been but three national band contests, and Boone Grove has competed in two of these. In addition solo and ensemble groups have participated each year since 1937 in district, state and national contests. The band contests are held nationally every other year, but solo and ensemble competition is conducted annually.

Long List of Awards

A list of awards won by the Boone Grove bands in the past six years follow:

1935 (class D)ーDirected by Harold Rogers, won first division honors in state at Evansville.

1936 (class C)ーDirected by Harold Luhman, was awarded first in district, first in state and third division in national meeting at Cleveland.

1937ーWon first in district, first in state.

1938ーAwarded first division honors in district, first in state, second in national contest at Elkhart and also won third place in marching at Elkhart.

1938ーFirst in district, first in state.

1940ーFirst in district, first in state. Didn’t compete in national contest.

In the light of the small enrollment of 70 students in high school the achievements listed above are all the more remarkable. Most of the organizations with which Boone Grove competes have larger student membership, class “C” including high schools with enrollments up to 250 pupils.

Effort Is Costly

ABOVE ARE THE Band Mothers’ officers and School Principal Ray Alishouse working over some of the financial problems. Seated at the table in the school library are Mrs. A.E. Rampke, president, reading a report, and M. Alishouse. Standing from left to right are Mrs. Charles Marshal, treasurer; Mrs. Pearl Alyea, vice-president, and Mrs. Ray Williams, secretary.

Conducting band classes is always a costly proposition for any school to undertake, and competing in the district, state and national contest means an added burden on the purse strings. Like many another school the band is backed by their mothers’ organization, but unlike most other groups these Boone Grove mothers do not press the school patrons directly for their funds.

To secure money to meet expenses for instruments and to send the students for instruments and to sent the students to the various contests this wide-wake mothers’ group sponsors dinners, concerts and parties. The band plays at special functions, including political parades in season and thereby adds to the bulge of the coffers.

To send the band to Cleveland in 1936 the band mothers raised $450 by these means. Expenses to the Elkhart national contest in 1938 were of course considerably smaller.

Direct donations were requested but once in six years. That was to purchase 45 new uniforms for the band. The band mothers during the course of these years have accumulated an imposing list of instruments, which cost approximately $2,500, according to Director Luhman. This includes three base horns, one base drum, three snare drums, a set of cymbals, one timpani, two baritone horns, a base trombone, b flat trombone, bassoon, oboe, base clarinet, alto clarinet and three French horns.

Club Offiers

Current head of the band mothers’ group is Mrs. A.E. Rampke. She is assisted by Mrs. Pearl Alyea, vice president; Mrs. Ray Williams, secretary, and Mrs. Charles Marshal, treasurer. The group was organized in 1935. There are approximately 35 members.

The advisory board, which is headed by its trustee, Charles Quinn, in its budget allots the school music department $75 a year, which is used to purchase music for both the band and vocal groups.

At the present time the regular band numbers 40 students. There is also a junior band which has 20 student members. Band officers, are Jeanne Williams, president; Isabelle Dye, secretary, and Jim Bennett, treasurer.

Rehearsals are held on the stage of the gymnasium-auditorium. Instruments and the long collection of plaques are housed in a special band room, which also is used as an office by the director.

THESE THREE LITTLE maids from the Bone Grove high school band form the trombone section. They were caught in action by the Vidette-Messenger photographer during the course of one of the band’s regular triweekly practice sessions. The shot is strictly a “candid” oneーthe lassies not having been tipped off that they were to be the subject of the camera's lens. Photog Pattee lends a little touch of added diversion by shooting this one from an “angle.” The three little maids? They are from left to right, Martha Cooper, Ella Clauss and Jeanne Williams.

BEATING OUT THE rhythm for the band are these drummers threeーElizabeth Kreiger Isabelle Dye and Donald Breitzke (reading from left to right). When marching the band uses a school-owned base drum which has the school name printed upon it.

PLAYERS ARE INSTRUCTED to begin practice sessions orderly and immediately. As they gather the students assemble their instruments (as seen above) and a student director, Miss Jeanne Williams, checks the roll. Below are the school’s baton twirlersーand they begin to train them young. Drum Major Adaline Moench, senior, here demonstrates the art to the younger members, who from left to right are Bonnie Bennett, second grade; Marjorie Lee Casbon, third; Grace Marshal, fourth; Shirley Albertson, eighth; Miss Moench; Edward Pullins and Ruby Strumble, both seventh; Virginia Foster, sophomore, and right from Peggy Ann Graeber, third grade.

THE HIGH STEPPING miss, who wears the tall bearskin hat and shimmering uniform and struts at the head of the Boone Grove high school band when it parades down the street or on the field is Miss Adaline Moench. She is a senior. During the summer months this marching band participates in various activities and last fall was summoned frequently to go on parade at political rallies. Money secured from such performances helps pay for school instruments and for contest expenses.

ANOTHER VITAL PART of any band is the cornet section. At Boone Grove a sextet of boys manipulate the valves. They are pictured above and from left to right are Ronald Baird, Ralph Graeber, Lawrence Miller, Robert Kenworthy, Max and Carl Graever.

IN THE ABOVE photo at the right are the student officers of the band. President of this group is Jeanne Williams. She is shown here standing between her aides, holding a first division plaque presented the school in 1940 at the Whiting state contest. To the right of Miss Williams is Isabelle Dye, secretary and senior snare drummer. At her left is Jim Bennett, treasurer and junior baritone player. The trio are in the band room which houses the school instruments and the numerous plaques collected in the last six years, some of which appear here.

Jan. 26, 1961: CHESTERTON CIVIC BUILDING HERE?

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 26, 1961.

CHESTERTON CIVIC BUILDING HERE?

Northeast corner of Broadway and Eighth in Chesterton, west of water storage tanks, which has been proposed in initial plans drawn by Stemp-Westergren and Associates as site for an estimated $100,000 town hall and civic center. Proposed 8,000 square feet area building would include new fire station, general meeting room, auxiliary rooms for civic and club organizations, and other facilities. Plans are in discussion stage by town board members.

Jan. 26, 1946: Ancient Jail Criticized By County Jury

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 26, 1946.

Ancient Jail Criticized By County Jury

The Porter County Jail, 75-year-old lockup, has been condemned again, this time by a circuit court grand jury.

Just how many times grand juries have pointed an accusing finger at the old building constructed back in 1871, the time of the great Chicago fire, is not known.

Anyway, every time a grand jury is called the old jail house is always inspected along with the county home or infirmary as it was called before a new name was created by the state board of charities. A state law enacted many years ago requires grand juries to visit these institutions in the course of their duties.

A circuit court grand jury, called Dec. 21 by Judge Walter M. Crisman at the instance of Prosecutor G.L. Burns, made its final report Friday and was discharged.

No indictments were returned against persons charged with crimes in the county and not under indictment. No complaints were brought before the body by citizens for investigations.

Urges Modernization

The main item in the grand jury report submitted to Judge Crisman was that the county jail should be modernized.

The report set out the jail is inadequate and contains absolutely no facilities for the segregation of prisoners and for confinement of female prisoners, juveniles and delinquents.

It was the opinion of the jurors that the jail could be modernized, and the body recommended the county commissioners take into consideration plans and suggestions made by E.T. Farnum, state inspector, who is now making a study of jail facilities.

The grand jury praised Sheriff Harry Borg for improvements made in the jail under his direction and also recommended purchase of additional equipment.

No recommendations were made for the county home as the institution was found in tip top shape. The jurors were high in their praise of the management of W. H. Dittman and wife.

Lester Ludington was foreman of the grand jury. Other members were: John W. Lidke, Pine; Russell G. Rowland, Center; Odin G. Larson, Westchester; William Gast Center, and Harry Atwell, Porter.

Jan. 25, 1971: V-M Viewpoint About Local Industry

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 25, 1971.

V-M Viewpoint

About Local Industry

What products are made and what services are provided by local manufacturers and firms?

We believe that it is unfortunate that most of us wouldn’t score too well if we were asked to take paper and pencil and list these products and services. And yet many of the things manufactured here not only are spread around the country, but around the globe as well.

We would suppose that most people residing in this area are aware that we have firms in our community that manufacture bearings, magnets and food processing machinery. Probably a lot of local residents know that Valparaiso is the home of the world’s largest producer of hybrid popcorn seed.

But how many people could say what goes on at the Robert L. Miller Laboratory, Impact Extrusions, Inc., or Shepco Products, even though these firms have been with us for many years?

We suspect that many local persons realize that wiper blades for automobiles are made by the Anderson Company, which has diversified operations based in Valparaiso and Gary. It also manufactures blades for airplanes.

In a recent edition of the Anderson Company’s house organ, Anco Family News, there was an interesting discussion on the firm’s wiper blade business.

It was pointed out that it supplies blades for the huge 747 jets, but despite the big bulk of this plane, the wipers are not eight feet longーwhich is quite a bit longer than those used on passenger cars.

Incidentally blades are longer than that on two jumbo jetsーLockheed 1011, 26-inch long blade; and Douglas DC 10, 29 inches.

Maxi-sized wiper made by the company dates back to World War II when Anderson produced a 36-inch blade for the tail gunner windshield on the B-29. Probably most people didn’t realize that the tail gunner rated a wiper blade.

Now what about mini-sized blades? That one’s being made now by Anderson for the Volvo, a Swedish car, which sports a four-inch wiper blade for its headlamp.

You never heard of wiper blades for headlamps and tail lamps, but they are already popular in Europe as safety measures, and they are expected to become so soon in the United States.

It’s like we say, you never know what’s going on inside the walls of our local industries, unless you inquire or the company takes time out to brief you on its operations.

Jan. 25, 1951: Hebron Store Modernized Virgil King Plans Formal Opening On This Saturday

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 25, 1951.

Hebron Store Modernized

Virgil King Plans Formal Opening On This Saturday

By MRS. MAURICE DYE

HEBRON, Jan. 25ーKing’s 5-$1 store of Hebron will have its formal opening Saturday, Jan. 27, following a month of extensive remodeling. This store is located in the Masonic building and will boast the latest in modern equipment.

It has been decorated in white, deep cream, chocolate brown and flooring of cinnabar asphalt tile. The latest type fluorescent slim-line lighting fixtures will be in use, as will a master-luxe cold cathode most modern self-service blond oak stainless steel candy case. The wall cases and counters, custom made by a Nebraska firm, have been installed providing one-third more display space. A new lifetime porcelain sign with gold leaf lettering has also been installed.

Flavors will be presented to the first 500 women attending the event Saturday.

Cosy Collins of Chicago has been aiding in general arrangements for the past two weeks, living Hebron at Hiatt’s Cabins.

Local Contractors

All work has been done by local contractors. Clerks Joan King, Catharine Witters, Hildreth Buchanan and Evelyn Aiken have been employed throughout the remodeling program.

Virgil King, proprietor, began his business in Hebron in April, 1934, being in the Bagley building one year. At the time, he and one clerk served the customers. The clerk was Ann Homeirer of Crown Point, who became Mrs. King in June, 1934. Now the Kings have from seven to 10 employees. Mrs. King has been associated with the store continuously and takes charge of all office and secretarial cuties and in rush times aids in clerking.

In 1938 King opened a branch store in DeMotte which was moved to Medaryville the following year and is now managed by Harvey VanDeman, formerly of Knox.

King has been president of the Commercial club and served as chairman of numerous drives. Both he and his wife are active in Eastern Star work serving in innumerable offices. King has served in various capacities with the Masons. In 1942 they built the home in which they now live.

Jan. 24, 1931: FIND BURIALS MADE WITH NO PERMIT GIVEN

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 24, 1931.

FIND BURIALS MADE WITH NO PERMIT GIVEN

Burials in Maplewood cemetery, the city’s burying ground, without first obtaining a permit from the city clerk’s office, irked members of the city council when the incident was brought to their attention at Friday night’s session by Councilman Myers E. Zimmerman, chairman of the cemetery committee.

What is more, the practice of allowing interments without the necessary payments without the necessary payment of from $12 to $15 has not halted despite repeated orders on the part of the cemetery committee to Ross Corson, Maplewood sexton, not to allow grave openings unless permits from the city clerk are first obtained.

City Clerk Flora E. Kenny was unable to shed any light on some recent burials other than to say that she has never been approached for the purpose of issuing permits.

“The only time I know when burials take place is when I read about them in the newspaper,” she told council members.

Councilman Zimmerman informed his colleagues that he had warned the sexton not to permit further burials without permits, but his order has gone unheeded.

“Give him one more chance and then if he fails to obey, remove him,” was the consensus of opinion among the council.

Corson, who is in charge of the cemetery, receives a $125 per month salary. He is said to be an experienced cemetery man and has been doing fine work in bringing up burying ground to the point where it is a distinct credit to the city.

When the Schenck administration took office the first of the year, a number of delinquent burials were on the clerk’s books. Members of the cemetery committee notified the delinquents and the accounts were finally collected. Now the committee does not propose to continue to act in the role of a collection agency.

Early this year, Councilman Zimmerman, of the cemetery committee, proposed a plan whereby the care and upkeep of Maplewood be turned over to Graceland cemetery officials. Both cemeteries adjoin one another. The plan, however, fell through, when other members of the council failed to acquiesce.