Looking Back • June 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

June 1, 1926

Among others to purchase lots in Valparaiso’s Graceland Cemetery are Moe Lowenstine, of Bremen, Richard Baum, of Gary, and several Calumet district residents. More lots are being disposed of during the last few weeks than were sold in six months prior to the new development.

Edith Weems recently took up her duties as county girls’ club leader. Arrangements are being made to hold meetings in various parts of the county whenever her presence is needed. Pine Township already has fourteen girls as well as several boys enrolled. Last year, Pine township had only three enrolled. A total of 150 boys and girls in the county are registered.

June 2, 1926

Work was started this morning on the improvement of Valparaiso City Hall. The old stairway leading to the council rooms is being tore away to make way for an improved and wider approach. A new roof will be put on the building. The interior will be repapered and repainted. Smith and Smiths have the contract for the carpenter work and C. L. Terry for the papering and painting. The improvement program was launched by Mayor W. F. Spooner soon after he took office.

Walter Harper, of Gary, will go on trial charged with first degree murder before a Porter County Circuit Court jury tomorrow. Two other Lake County killer suspects await trial in Porter County Jail.

June 3, 1926

J. M. Fabing yesterday started his forty-fourth year of continuous service with the Nickel Plate Railroad. The Valparaiso agent is now the oldest telegrapher in point of service on the local division. It was May 28, 1883, that Fabing, then a young operator at Middletown, O., received a wire from O. F. Brandt, then agent of the Nickel Plate here, whom he had known in Ohio, asking him to come to Valparaiso to accept a position as operator. He came here and took the job. During the first four years he jumped about considerably, but in 1887 returned to Valparaiso, married, and established his home. Louis Sprencil, foreman of the bridge repair department in this division, exceeds Fabing’s record by nearly a year.

Merger of the Northern Indiana Gas and Electric Company with the Calumet Electric Company into the Northern Indiana Public Service Company became effective today with the filing of the merger agreement with the secretary of state at Indianapolis and with the county recorders in twenty-five counties in which the company operates. Valparaiso is served by the company.

June 4, 1926

Warning all stock raisers that unless immediate steps are taken to secure the services of a state veterinarian for this section, Porter County milk producers will be brought face to face with a drastic embargo on non-tuberculin-tested milk now in effect in the Chicago area, Chairman Edward Ogden, of the Center Township Farm Bureau, addressed the regular June meeting of the organization Thursday evening. He advocated united backing of the movement now on foot to have the Porter County Board of Commissioners appropriate $3,500 to $5,000 to meet the cost of this service.

Taking the stand today in his own defense, Walter Harper, mill worker of Gary, charged with second degree murder in connection with the death last October of George Helwig, his coworker, asserted he acted in self-defense when he struck Helwig with his tongs after a struggle in which he claims Helwig attempted to take them away from him. Harper also injected the claim, that because of prior trouble, he stood in fear of the man he knocked down. The case is on trial in Porter Circuit Court.

June 5, 1926

After four hours deliberation, a Porter Circuit Court jury that heard the evidence in the case of the State of Indiana against Walter Harper, Gary youth, accused of having been the cause of the death of George Helwig, a coworker in a Gary steel mill, when he struck him with a pair of tongs, returned a verdict finding Harper guilty of manslaughter. Judge H. H. Loring, receiving the verdict at 9 o’clock last evening, at once sentenced Harper to serve two to twenty-one years at the state reformatory.

Grace Urbahns, Treasurer of Indiana, and nominee of the Republican party as its candidate for this office at the coming November election, is home for a few days rest, stopping at the home of Allen and Ruby Urbahns. Assuming the office held by her husband following his untimely death a few months ago, Urbahns was nominated as her party’s candidate without opposition. She is the first woman to hold a major political office in Indiana history.

June 6, 1926

Barney Jungels, Leonard School farmer, lies in Christian Hospital today fighting an uphill battle for life, with his upper abdomen punctured by a .38 caliber bullet. Charles Haskins, 60, and Wilbert Haskins, 18, his son, of Gary, are being held in Porter County Jail following their arrest by Sheriff W. B. Forney in Gary with assistance of Gary Police. Jungels was shot in an exchange of shots with a man supposed to be Haskins after he and two other farmers had set a trap to nab a prospective chicken thief. The shooting occurred Sunday evening about 11:30 o’clock.

Homeless for seven months because of a fire that last October destroyed the Ross Block, opposite the Valparaiso Post Office on West Lincolnway, forced the Take-Chevrolet Motor Sales Company to conduct its business affairs from three or four temporary locations. Sunday and today, Manager Milton J. Take directed the moving operations, which shortly will see the Take-Chevrolet Company installed in its new and imposing business home in the new structure reared on the ruins of the old.

June 7, 1926

Barney Jungels, well known farmer, residing west of Valparaiso on the Lincoln Highway, still lies in a critical condition at Christian Hospital from a bullet wound supposed to have been inflicted by Charles Haskins, of Gary, last Sunday night in an alleged chicken robbery attempt. Meanwhile, Sheriff W. B. Forney is holding Haskins and his son Wilbert, in the county jail on an open charge. Should the gun wound prove fatal, they will be faced with murder indictments. 

June 8, 1926

The Porter County Commissioners have turned thumbs down on the plan to slice part of the courthouse lawn to accommodate auto parkers. The suggestion came from the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce that the sidewalk be taken out, and the curb set over to the property line. Another suggestion made was that the county board rent a space to a popcorn wagon that has space on the street and thereby remove an obstruction. This suggestion, as well as the chamber idea, were met with firm “noes.”

June 9, 1926

Citizens living in the Chautauqua Park neighborhood are up in arms over the city’s granting of a permit to a carnival company to stage a show at the corner of Elmhurst and Chicago, on property owned by Frank A. Turner. Upwards of forty persons have lodged complaints with Mayor Spooner regarding the issuance of the permit. City Attorney William Daly has ruled that a carnival in and of itself is not unlawful and that the city has no authority to stop an amusement merely because it is a carnival unless it constitutes a public nuisance. Mayor Spooner claimed the company, when it secured the $23 permit, represented itself as a merry-go-round concession.

Nathan H. Sheppard, of Valparaiso, was re-elected attendance officer by the Porter County Board of Education at a special session held Monday afternoon at the office of Superintendent Fred H. Cole. His job is to keep tabs on boys and girls of school age and see that they are attending school as required by state law, and in many ways, to serve as the connecting link between the school and the home.

June 10, 1926

Valparaiso University was today presented with a portrait of Oliver Perry Kinsey, who with Henry Baker Brown, built up the university into one of the leading educational institutions of the country. The gift was made by the Class of 1894. Martin H. Carmody, of Grand Rapids, Mich., made the presentation speech. Kinsey was present and was given a great ovation when he arose to speak. Acting President John C. Baur, who accepted the gift, pledged his organization to the high ideals and the great standard Professor Kinsey and Professor Brown had established.

Edward Billings, a graduate of the Valparaiso High School, has made a splendid record in his work at the Indiana University Medical School, Bloomington. He obtained an A in Pathology, Medicine, Obstetric, and Surgery. He is the youngest member of the medical class and is not yet twenty-one years.

June 11, 1926

Delivering the fifty-third annual commencement address before 1926 graduates of Valparaiso University this afternoon, Dr. E. J. Lankenau, of Napoleon, O., spoke upon “Life and Its Ups and Downs.” Finding in the history of the university itself a fitting example of this theme which was, briefly, the theme that success comes only to those who can make the most of the ‘downs,’ the speaker forecasted a great and bright future for the university under its present management.

A campaign to straighten Lincolnway at Valparaiso’s west approach is being undertaken by Manager Wallace C. Sutter and the chamber of commerce road committee headed by F. W. Alpen, chairman, which has been in conference the past week with H. A. Moberly, right-of-way agent for the state highway commission. They have been successful in securing favorable grants from every farmer landowner, except one, along the eight-mile stretch that is to form the Valparaiso link of State Road 2, uniting the Chicago and Fort Wayne traffic over a new and broad cement highway. The local committee expects to straighten out the road at the Joliet Bridge and solve the problem of jamming, which have prevailed for years.

June 12, 1926

Beginning July 1, visitors to Dune State Park will be required to pay an admission fee of ten cents, which is the same charged at all Indiana parks. According to the rule in force at all parks, children under eight years of age will be admitted free. Cottage owners in the park, of which there are one hundred, will pay one admission fee and then will be given free passes for the season. The same rule will apply to taxi drivers and persons holding concessions within the park.

The Valparaiso City Council was evenly divided upon the question of removing popcorn and peanut vendors from the city streets when Chief of Police William Pennington presented the matter to the solons at the regular meeting on Friday. Chief Pennington asked authority to remove the obstructions because of traffic risks. He said there had been many complaints registered. The three council members who backed up the chief in his demands were John Palmer, E. S. Miller, and Louis F. Leetz. Councilmen Charles Hicks, Louis Gast, and C. A. Stanton opposed the ousting of the vendors. City Attorney William Daly, when appealed to, said the council had the right to remove the vendors. Mayor W. F. Spooner deferred action until the next meeting to give the council time to think it over.

June 13, 1926

Democrats of Porter County will hold a big meeting at Flint Lake Tuesday afternoon, according to Ira C. Tilton, county Democratic leader. Among the speaking headliners will be Evans Woolen, Indianapolis Banker, elected to oppose Arthur Robinson for the short-term seat in the United States Senate, and Albert Stump, Indianapolis attorney, candidate for the long term seat, Chairman Earl Peters and Mrs. John I. Gwin, chairman of the Tenth District organization, will also be present. A basket dinner will be held.

Delos Wesley Schleman, age 18, son of William and Blanche Schleman, died Sunday morning at the home of his parents in Chautauqua Park of a ten weeks’ illness of heart trouble. He was born in Francesville but obtained his educational training in the Valparaiso City Schools. Besides his parents, he is survived by brother, Herbert Schleman, of Dunnellon, Fla., and sister, Helen Schleman.

June 14, 1926

J. F. Bowlby, 407 North Napoleon Street, Valparaiso, owes his life to the fortunate circumstances. When caught in the terrific explosion which wrecked the coke products plant of the Illinois Steel Company at Gary on Monday, he was hurled backwards instead of forward. The same crash caught Leslie Richardson, of Gary, his foreman, and others in the group and knocked them forward. They were among the victims. Bowlby was only slightly stunned. He was able to assist in carrying out the body of Richardson. L. L. Liggett, of Valparaiso, was among the injured in the explosion. The death total stood at eleven, with forty-seven others reported in serious condition.

June 15, 1926

The first radio broadcast from the new studio in the Sievers building in Valparaiso through the courtesy of the Tom Brown Music Company on Monday evening was a pronounced success over WRBC. A. Harlan, manager of the music company, stated that he had leased a wire from the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company lines to the Immanuel Lutheran Church and the new remote-controlled studio will be used every Monday evening for programs by musicals of the local music company. D. R. Clemmons installed the station.

June 16, 1926

Anna Mohler King, victim of Saturday morning’s cook stove explosion, resulting from the use of gasoline instead of kerosene, at her home on Lincoln Avenue (Brown Street) in Valparaiso, died at 12:20 o’clock this morning at the home of C. E. Norton, corner Lafayette and Indiana, where she was removed after the accident. Death followed a four days’ heroic struggle for life, but the burns sustained proved to be too severe.

Loren Liggett, North Washington Street, Valparaiso, fireman on the E. J. & E. Switch engine, who, with Clarence Gale, of Gary, his engineer, were caught in the Gary steel mill blast of Monday when a vat of acid exploded in the coke plant. The engine was standing on the tracks on the west side of the building when the blast occurred. Liggett was dragged to safety from the flames and debris by Gale. An operation was performed Tuesday on Liggett and it is expected he will recover. 

June 17, 1926

Alvie Herbst, tried twice on a charge of mistreating 14-year-old Marie Palen, by juries in Porter Circuit Court, which were unable to reach an agreement, was today discharged from a liquor count against him. Judge H. H. Loring nolle prossed the affidavit against Herbst when neither city nor county authorities were able to show that they had a search warrant when they searched Herbst’s premises just east of the Valparaiso.

The Civic Male Chorus of Valparaiso is to give a program of sacred music at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, June 20. The chorus recently appeared at the chamber of commerce forum meeting and both surprised and greatly delighted all who heard them by the high and splendid character of the work presented.

June 18, 1926

Members of the Porter County Council met in special session at the courthouse today and voted $7,300 for the purposes of changing the courthouse, jail, and Memorial Opera House heating system. In the past, the courthouse boilers have heated the other buildings. Under the new engineering, each building will have its own boiler. Those now in use will be transferred to the jail and opera house and a new boiler will be installed in the courthouse.

Members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Sunday morning will be greeted by Rev. Father M. M. Day, one of the former pastors of the local church. Rev. Father Day will preside at the 7 o’clock high mass service in the absence of Rev. Father A. Worger Slade, who is away on vacation. Father Day is professor of Old Testament history at Nashotah House, Wisconsin.

June 19, 1926

Frank Schmidt, age 80, for more than fifty years a resident of Kouts, and up until a few years ago, engaged in the business of harness making, committed suicide at Noon today. Despondent over ill health, he went to the barn in the rear of his home on the outskirts of Kouts and shot himself in the head with a revolver. His wife discovered his almost-lifeless body and rushed to the home of Rev. Rugo Hicken, and given the shocking intelligence, collapsed. Schmidt was dead when a physician arrived.

E. E. Shedd, age 83 years, pioneer Valparaiso businessman, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Leona Smith, in Morgan Park, Chicago. Shedd left Valparaiso last fall for Bartow, Fla., where he spent the past five winters. Two months ago, he suffered a general breakdown. For forty-seven years, he was engaged in the grocery and nursery business in Valparaiso. Two daughters and two sons survive.

June 20, 1926

Flames early Sunday morning inflicted damage between $8,000 and $10,000 to the plant and stock of the Kingley Shirt Company at Chesterton. Faulty wiring is believed to have been the cause of the blaze. The plant, a one-story brick, is located in the south part of the town. It would have been completely destroyed but for the alertness of Henry Atchison, living nearby. Atchison arose about 5 o’clock to turn his horse out into pasture and noted a flash of fire in the factory and notified the fire department. Some forty or fifty women and girls and ten men are temporarily out of work. The plant will be reconditioned and its operation resumed as quickly as possible.

Ralph A. Miller, well-known monument dealer, died at his home, 18 Franklin Street, Valparaiso, Saturday evening after a several months’ illness. He was born in Valparaiso on March 23, 1878, son of August and Florence Miller. He had been engaged in the monument business here for the last thirty years. Besides his parents, he is survived by his widow, one daughter, two sisters, and one brother.

June 21, 1926

The Pennsylvania elevator on South Washington Street in Valparaiso, owned by Judge Willis C. McMahan, of Indianapolis, and managed by Harold W. Cleveland, of Valparaiso, was sold today to Henry and William Jensen, of Valparaiso. The latter will operate a grain, feed, and coal business.

June 22, 1926

Valparaiso Mayor W. F. Spooner received a letter this morning from Dr. H. H. Schreck, now a soldier patient in the U.S. Veterans’ Hospital at Chillicothe, Ohio, stating that fourteen years ago while a student at Valparaiso University, he received a broken nose in a ball game. An eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist treated him, but he left the city without paying the bill. Now he wants to make restitution, but he did not remember the doctor’s name. Mayor Spooner got in touch with Dr. H. B. Hayward, who recalled the incident. Dr. Hayward intends mailing Dr. Schreck a receipted bill insisting that the honest intentions displayed were reward enough for him.

June 23, 1926

Edward Maxwell, well-known farmer, residing five-and-a-half miles south of Valparaiso, was badly injured shortly after Noon today. He was driving his team to a cultivator and was returning to his home from the field when the horses became frightened at a passing county gravel road truck. He was thrown from the cultivator and dragged under it for a distance of thirty rods. It is not known whether he suffered internal injuries.

Valparaiso boasts the fourth largest apple orchard in the state. It is owned by G.G. Shauer and Sons and is located on the southwest end of Flint Lake on a high knoll of ground. Fifty-eight acres in the tract contain 3,485 trees, all planted in the three-year period from 1915 through 1917.

June 24, 1926

Asserting that to grant the petition filed by Clarence J. Osborne asking a license to operate a score or more of milk truck bus routes would be to grant a monopoly, some hundred and fifty Porter, Lake, and LaPorte County truck operators have served notice that they will fight the thing to the limit. Appearing in Whiting yesterday, Attorney Daniel E. Kelly, of Valparaiso, and other counsel gained a continuance of the hearing before the public utilities commission until July 12. Some forty Porter County operators are said to be interested in the proceedings.

Attorney Harold E. Stiles, of Gary, former Valparaiso University law school student, must stand on a jury trial on charges brought to disbar him because of alleged unprofessional conduct in selling answers to the Lake County Bar Association questions given young lawyers seeking admission. After hearing arguments on both sides of the issue, Attorney Frank Gaveit, for the defendant, urging that the complaint against Stiles was insufficient in that it did not violate constitutional provisions and Attorney George E. Hershman, for the bar examination, was a direct flouting of the court, which Stiles as a lawyer had sworn to uphold. Judge H. H. Loring inclined to the same opinion, and by his ruling, Stiles will have to face a jury.

June 25, 1926

Two fires on unknown origins struck north of Valparaiso late Thursday afternoon, inflicted loses estimated at $8,500. The fires occurred within half an hour of each other. The first, coming at 4:30 o’clock, destroyed two barns on the old Artillus Bartholomew farm, a mile north of the city, causing damage of $4,500. The second, coming at 5 o’clock, completely ruined two cottages on the Kilmer-Fraser Blackhawk Beach resort reservation, and threatened two others. The Valparaiso Fire Department prevented further losses. The Bartholomew property is owned by William Urschel, of Valparaiso, and tenanted by William Knoth. No origin could be advanced for the Bartholomew fire. It is believed a bonfire started by some children was the cause of the fire at Blackhawk.

Caught in the intense traffic jam that made motoring anywhere within a fifty-mile radius of Chicago perilous on Thursday because of the assembling and dispersal of the hundreds of thousands that attended the Eucharistic Congress program at Mundelein, Kathleen Kelly, her brother Daniel, and Mrs. L. R. Jackson, of Waterloo, Ia., a niece of Attorney Daniel E. Kelly, here on a visit, were involved in a crash on their way home. The mishap occurred near Rogers Park. The Kelly machine, a Hudson Coach, was damaged, and Kathleen Kelly sustained injuries that caused her to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Other members of the party were not injured.

June 26, 1926

Attorney John P. Crumpacker, representing the Mid-West Dairymen’s Company in its suit to force Steve Wozniak and Owen J. Roper, well-known west county stockmen, to live up to a contract requiring them to sell their milk supplies to the Mid-West Company, today charged the defendants with shielding themselves by subterfuge when upon evidence submitted by Attorney B. B. Loring, for the defendants, Judge Loring withdrew his temporary restraining order issued Thursday. The evidence showed the defendants, prior to March, had sold their cattle. A bill of sale was presented, but the deal was not a matter of record. “This is a mere subterfuge,” Attorney Crumpacker declared. He held that the cows were still in possession of the defendant, Roper, who was selling the milk to other parties in violation of his contract.

Two-hundred employees of the McGill Manufacturing Company Friday evening walked from their work benches or desks not to return until July 12 or thereabouts. Not a tie-up due to using non-union materials, not at all. Just the customary two-week’s vacation session given the employees at which time the annual inventory is taken. Many left before daybreak via automobile for points at a distance, while others leave Sunday. Many, however, are taking a rest at home. Checks covering one week’s pay was presented to each employee.

June 27, 1926

The Valparaiso City Council in special session Saturday night contracted to purchase a complete automatic traffic control system for the city. The purchase was made through the Tokheim Company of Fort Wayne and is said to involve about $900. Installations will be made within the next two months. It is said Councilman Louis Leetz stood against the purchase until it could be ascertained the city’s financial position. The three signals will be placed along the downtown intersections of Lincolnway and the one traffic signal now in operation will be given some other assignment.

About 1,200 persons attended the auto races at the Porter County Fairgrounds on Sunday promoted by Al Morine, of South Bend. The first race, a five-mile dash, was won by Charles Balinsky, of South Bend, as was the main event, the fifty-miles clearaway. The latter victory was made possible when Harry Keister, also of South Bend, who had won two recent races, crashed into the fence on the forty-ninth lap after holding a good lead and being an almost-certain winner. In the five-mile go, Herschel Harding, driving a Fronty, dashed through the fence, completely wrecking the car and sustaining a broken shoulder. Ten machines participated in the fifty-mile event, which was completed in one hour and thirty seconds.

June 28, 1926

Walter Bartz was elected president of the Porter County Cow Testing Association at the reorganization meeting held this evening in the county agent’s office. Twenty-five dairymen attended. Other officers named were R. L. McGinley, vice president; Clarence Fisher, secretary and treasurer. E. H. Westbay, Algae Kauffman, Herman C. Homfeld, and Daniel Haxton were named directors. G. A. Williams, in charge of dairy work at Purdue University, gave an interesting talk.

June 29, 1926

Kathleen Kelly, daughter of Attorney D. E. and Angela Kelly, is improving at Rogers Park Hospital in Chicago following the automobile accident of last Thursday. It is thought that she will be able to come to her home in Valparaiso tomorrow.

July 30, 1926

Valparaiso’s city planning commission met last night with Lawrence V. Sheridan, of Indianapolis, and accepted his maps and designs for the future development of the city and civic region. Under the Sheridan design, the Valparaiso of tomorrow contemplates a regional development in an area extending a mile and a half north to four miles south and a mile and a half east to two miles west. The regional map ties up with the present Valparaiso plan designed by Engineer Sheridan and shows chiefly the coordination of the city plan with the enlarged regional design. In all, Sheridan submitted five maps, all of which were mounted and given public display. In his statement accompanying the layout, the engineer explains the “how and why” of the contemplated expansion. A general scheme of platting is also followed.

Harvey C. Varner, former commander of the Charles Pratt Post, American Legion, and now at the head of the Tenth District organization, Tuesday was notified by state headquarters that his district had been the only one in the state, so far, to go over the top in the present membership drive. There are now 2,100 Legionnaires in the district.

Looking Back • May 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

May 1, 1926

A city school gain of but thirty over last year is shown by the tabulation just completed by Bessie Sisson and Bessie Beach, the enumerators. The total county shows 1,877 children between the ages of six and twenty-one years, as against 1,847 last year. The count, by city wards, is as follows: first, 583; second, 233; third, 602; fourth, 459.

Councilman C. A. Stanton has announced his termination of a long period of service with the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company and today assumed the position as agency manager for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte division of the Equitable Insurance Company, of Iowa, with offices in Gary. Councilman Stanton will retain his residence in Valparaiso.

May 2, 1926

That Valparaiso is going to cash in on the wide-spread publicity given it last week by the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Tribune featuring the city as a rising Gretna Green, was demonstrated the last three days when a large number of couples came here to obtain marriage licenses. Several of the couples stated they came here after reading the news articles of the services afforded to couples desiring to wed.

Rev. Father A. Worger-Slade, of St. Andrew’s Episcopal church, surprised members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club this Noon at the weekly luncheon meeting. Billed as the speaker, Father Slade instead sang a group of songs. Members declared it was one of the most enjoyable programs yet given.

May 3, 1926

Dr. Raymond Schutz, of North Manchester College, was the speaker at commencement exercises held at Wanatah. A crowd that completely filled the high school auditorium greeted the eleven graduates. “Civilization’s Race With Death” was the speaker’s subject and he made a most effective address warning against “jazz-age” tendencies.

May 4, 1926

As is the custom each year, the faculty of the Valparaiso High School will go to Chicago on Friday of this week to attend the conference of schools associated with the University of Chicago. They will be accompanied by four seniors of the high school who will take a series of examinations. They are Kenneth Oldham, chemistry; Margaret Krull, Latin; Martha Parker, Latin, and Alberta Krudup, English.

May 5, 1926

At Tuesday’s primary election, W. B. Forney was nominated by the Republicans for Sheriff; Mae R. London, clerk; C. A. Blachly, auditor; Clarence D. Wood, prosecutor; C. E. Barrett, recorder; W. E. Morthland, surveyor; Grant Crumpacker, superior court judge; Fred W. Marquart, assessor; Dr. A. O. Dobbins, coroner; A. J. Fehrman, treasurer. Vernon L. Beach was nominated for trustee of Center Township over a field of four rivals, and G. E. Bornholt was an easy winner over three other candidates. James E. Watson and Arthur R. Robinson running for U.S. Senator were given large majorities. John R. Burch was given a 900-vote lead over John W. Scott, of Gary, for joint representative of Lake and Porter Counties, and Congressman Will R. Wood was given a 4,000-vote majority over H. H. Peabody, of Wheeler. Elias D. Cain had a large lead over M. S. Campbell and Glen Goddard for county commissioner, Center district, and Ross M. Crisman easily bested Everett Carver for the nomination in the North district.

Valparaiso will play host Friday to Ford Rush and Glenn Rowell, “Lullaby Boys” of the Sears-Roebuck Agricultural Foundation broadcasting station, WLS Chicago. The boys are scheduled to appear at the Premier Theatre in a program such as brought them their great popularity with the radio audience.

May 6, 1926

On petition of J. W. Whitaker, the Porter County Board of Commissioners was asked to make the extension of East Main Street from the present ending to connect with Lincoln Highway. This step is in line with the program outlined by the chamber of commerce to make ready for the routing of State Road 2 down Lincolnway instead of down Chicago Street as first planned.

Complete returns from Lake County show that John R. Burch, of Valparaiso, who led his rivals in Porter County in the race for the Republican nomination for joint representative of Lake and Porter Counties, lost out in Lake County. The Lake County vote was John W. Scott, 12,734; Burch, 4,935; W. A. Hill, 6,103. Burch had a 900-vote majority in Porter County.

May 7, 1926

Valparaiso High School seniors presented their annual high school play, “A Full House” before a packed audience last night at Memorial Opera House. Inez Mavity directed the production in a high-class manner. Lily Darby’s high school orchestra provided the music. Players taking part were Oscar Dolch, Edith Shedd, Margaret Stinchfield, Ruth Vevia, Charlotte Burk, Jack Zimmerman, Willie Ebersold, Charles Van Buskirk, Vernon Ritter, William Collins, Edward Johnson, Miriam Lamprecht, Lucille Kuns, and Beatrice Bornholt.

Joseph Von Osinski won the Republican nomination for committeeman in Westchester Township over Rudolph Slont when Von Osinski was the lucky one in the drawing of lots. The two men tied with ninety-one votes each.

May 8, 1926

Porter County school are now on a par with any in the state. Superintendent Fred H. Cole today announced receipt from the State Board of Education the confirmation of the report of Inspector J. W. Rittenger, who recently examined the local schools. Nine of the local high schools are accredited and Union Center, a two-year unit, enjoys accreditation for its course. Other schools with full accreditation are Boone Grove, Chesterton, Crisman, Hebron, Kouts, Liberty Center, Morgan, Washington and Wheeler.

The State of Indiana needs 1,000 acres of land in north Porter County for Dunes State Park, Richard Leiber, director of the State Department of Conservation said. Plans for the park call for the acquisition of 2,000 acres of land in Westchester Township, but to-date the department has been able to acquire less than 1,000 acres. A large amount of the land is divided into small lots owned by many individuals, and acquisition of these has been slow and tedious.

May 9, 1926

The greatest tribute, the finest honor that can be paid mothers of the nation, is to so love youth or maiden, ready to make the plunge to the future, can approach the altar morally clean and physically unspotted, Dr. Preston Bradley, pastor of Peoples’ Church, Chicago, told a capacity crowd at Memorial Opera House Sunday at the annual Mother’s Day observance. The services were sponsored by the Valparaiso Mothers’ Club and supported by the pastors of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Christian churches.

Howard Klein, age 18, of Chicago, was drowned Sunday afternoon at Lake Eliza. Clement Grassl, also of Chicago, is in Christian Hospital recovering from shock of a close escape from a similar fate. A leaky boat was the cause of the tragedy. The boys took a boat after a warning from John Fitzgerald that none had been repaired after the winter tie-up.

May 10, 1926

Reports from Springfield, Ill., are to the effect that Governor Len Small has honored the requisition for the return of Frank McErlane, Chicago gangster, to Lake County, in connection with murder indictments charging him with the murder more than a year ago of Attorney Thaddeus S. Fancher, of Crown Point, stirred Valparaiso interest today. In all probability the return of McErlane will result in his being lodged in Porter County Jail and his subsequent trial here. Johnny O’Reilly and Alex McCabe, members of the McErlane gang, were tried here for the slaying of Fancher during the Halfway House holdup near Cedar Lake in May 1924. O’Reilly was given a life sentence, and McCabe was freed after three trials.

May 11, 1926

Flames of unknown origin, starting in the residence of John Conrick, in southeast Wheeler, opposite the Pennsylvania Depot, for a time this morning threatened the entire town of Wheeler with destruction. Only the assistance of the Hobart Fire Department, which despite a delay on the road, arrived in time to check flames which several times periled the adjoining residence, owned by Miss Rebecca Taylor, averted a general conflagration. The Conrick home was totally destroyed, although volunteers, augmented by high school youths, dismissed from school to assist, were able to save most of the furnishings. Fanned by a brisk wind, the flames many times seemed certain to get the best of the volunteer fire fighters who formed a bucket brigade. It was their service that saved the residence of Miss Taylor and others nearby.

May 12, 1926

Three hundred ninety-five boy scouts of the scout area comprising LaPorte and Porter Counties will again join the South Bend scouts in summer camp, according to a decision reached at the area meeting at the Rumely Hotel at LaPorte Tuesday afternoon. The committee is composed of W. B. Brown, Michigan City, chairman; Earl V. Smith, Valparaiso, and J. V. Dilworth, of LaPorte. South Bend’s Camp Bryan is located near Wakaklee, Mich.

Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, through its board of directors today, took action to assist the city administration in bringing about a solution of the pressing and disconcerting downtown parking problem. A committee was appointed to look into the feasibility of purchasing or renting a centrally located lot for parking purposes, and two or three were submitted for consideration. The chamber is committed to some program that will afford accommodations to motorists. Through the new parallel parking ordinance affecting the north side of Lincolnway through the business section, the congestion problem has become even more annoying.

May 13, 1926

Discharge of several sticks of dynamite having failed to release the body of Howard Klein, of Chicago, victim of Sunday’s drowning in Lake Eliza. Sheriff W. B. Forney today directed another dragging program. A special drag fashioned at the McGill Manufacturing Company has been placed in operation. Yesterday, the drag picked up one of the sticks of dynamite which failed to explode. The dragging crew was given a scare until the dynamite was rendered harmless.

Porter County Superintendent of Schools Fred H. Cole, today, announced that ninety-four boys and girls would be graduating from the high schools of Porter County beginning with the graduation exercises at Crisman on May 19. Of the ninety-four, Chesterton will furnish thirty-one graduates.

May 14, 1926

The body of Howard Klein, Chicago youth drowned in Lake Eliza five days ago, was recovered at Noon today when the drag line in the charge of Jay Blachly caught the body and brought it to the surface. Klein’s father, who has been assisting in the search, was present when the body was found. Klein was drowned when he and a companion named Grassl took a boat out onto the lake after being warned that it was leaky, and the craft sank in the middle of the lake. Grassl managed to stay on top until rescuers arrived.

Summer band concerts will be the rule in Valparaiso this summer if present plans are carried out. A petition has been presented to the Valparaiso City Council by local businessmen guaranteeing to raise $500 if the city will contribute a similar amount.

May 15, 1926

Valparaiso City Council on Friday night decided to have the city statutes codified and brought up to date. Not since 1890 have the city’s laws been reviewed. Recently, City Attorney William Daly told the council it was like looking for a needle in a haystack to find out what city ordinances were in effect, so messed up were the statutes and records. It is expected the work will require an outlay of $2,000.

Attorney Grant Crumpacker’s campaign for the nomination on the Republican ticket for circuit court judge cost him a two-cent stamp, the cost of mailing his declaration to the secretary of state. As Crumpacker is unopposed for election, the two-cent stamp expenditure will be the extent of his campaign fund.

May 16, 1926

Contractors today began work on the $15,000 modernization improvement program approved by trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church. Excavating operations are now being pushed. A new heating plant will be installed, and the entire structure modernized.

Valparaiso authorities are planning to install stop-and-go lights in the downtown business section. At present, the city has a flasher operating at Lincolnway and Franklin. Under the new arrangement, signals will also be installed at Washington and Lafayette.

May 17, 1926

M. D. Silvey, in South Bend, completed arrangements with Scout Executive C. H. Barnes for the boy scouts of Valparaiso to go to summer camp at Camp Bryan, Wakelee, Mich., between June 20 and August 17. Scout Executive Barnes is camp director at Camp Bryan.

May 18, 1926

In one of the most surprising business announcements of Valparaiso record, directors of the Farmers’ National Bank and Herman E. Sievers, president of the Specht-Finney Company, announced termination of negotiations, whereby the imposing and spacious mercantile business property is to be divided, so as to afford the bank a permanent home on the Lincolnway and Franklin corner, and, at the same time, provide quarters for the housing of the Specht-Finney institution.

May 19, 1926

The campaign by the local chamber to acquaint Valparaiso citizens with Valparaiso industries was started yesterday in the series of visits to the Lewis E. Myers and Company. During the six hourly periods beginning at 9 o’clock in the morning, Superintendent John A. Hauff was kept busy guiding parties of visitors through the plant and explaining the various operations. In the afternoon, the directors of the chamber, schoolteachers, and the commercial class at Valparaiso University attended in a body.

Chesterton’s doctor scrap, involving Dr. W. H. Parkison and Dr. C. O. Wilfong, will come up for hearing Friday before Judge H. L. Crumpacker in Porter Superior Court. Dr. Parkison is seeking to have the home of Charles Bradley released from scarlet fever quarantine, and Dr. Wiltfong, deputy health officer, refuses to lift the quarantine. An interesting hearing is expected if the case comes to trial.

May 20, 1926

The ball bearing plant of the McGill Manufacturing Company has just scored in making its first shipment of ball bearings to the Rolls Royce Company on May 15. Ground was broken for the ball-bearing plant on February 8, but three weeks of bad weather made it impossible for the building to progress rapidly as planned. However, trade journals declared it was exceptionally fast work, as six months to a year is the usual time for such a program. Orders for the product have been received from other companies besides Rolls Royce.

Complete justification supported unqualifiedly by state health department enactments, and Porter County Medical Association policy, is to be the be the one and only answer of Dr. C. H. DeWitt, county health officer, and Valparaiso physician, and Dr. C. O. Wiltfong, Chesterton health officer, to the mandamus action filed against them by Dr. W. M. Parkison, of Chesterton. The latter demands that the two health officials lift the scarlet fever quarantine at the Bradley home in Chesterton, which Dr. Wiltfong refuses to do so until it has been determined that there is no danger of spreading the infection.

May 21, 1926

Announcement of the deal by which the Specht-Finney Company this week sold the west half of their business building to Farmers’ State Bank was accompanied by the statement that Herman E. Sievers, president of the Specht-Finney Company, has purchased the stock owned by Grover Hinkle. Hinkle will retire from the firm in thirty days. He has been a director and secretary of the company for the last eight years. Mark L. Stoner has been elected to fill Hinkle’s position as director, and Ernest J. Cotterman will fill the position of secretary.

This afternoon in Porter Superior Court made possible by the cooperation of Judge H. L. Crumpacker, issues were properly joined in the Chesterton quarantine fight by setting aside all former pleadings and decision to test the case by the presentation of a writ of habeas corpus for the body of the Johnson youth. This will decide the question as to whether he is illegally held as claimed by Dr. W. S. Parkison. The town board of Chesterton, John Sheeley, Charles Kline, and Arthur J. Rader, as members of the health board, will be summoned, as will Dr. C. O. Wiltfong, secretary of the board.

May 22, 1926

Dr. George Henry Mundt, son of Kate Mundt, and brother of J. W. Hisgen, of Valparaiso, has been elected president of the Illinois Medical Society at the three-day session of the society held at Champaign, Ill. Dr. Mundt is an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist of Chicago.

A writ of habeas corpus was filed yesterday by Attorneys Clarence D. Wood, of Chesterton, and Daniel E. Kelly, of Valparaiso, to compel Dr. C. O. Wiltfong, Chesterton health officer, to show cause why he is holding the Bradley home, where the Johnson boy is quarantined, under the ban. Hearing on the issue will be held Monday before Judge Harry L. Crumpacker. The habeas corpus writ takes the place of the mandamus action filed by Attorney Wood and Kelly.

May 23, 1926

Johnny O’Reilly, who came from Michigan City under heavy guard to testify in the McCabe case and asserted that McCabe was not in the Halfway House in May 1924, when Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, was killed by a holdup gang, thereby aiding McCabe to gain his freedom, is expected to tell all he knows about the case when Frank McErlane, Chicago gangster, is forced to defend himself for the same murder. In the McCabe trials, O’Reilly intimated that if he told too much, it might be bad for his family. It is expected O’Reilly will name McErlane as the killer in a deposition to be filed in Judge McGroarty’s court in Chicago, where a hearing is to be held on McErlane’s extradition from Illinois to Indiana.

Valparaiso High School baseball team closed its season Saturday at Michigan City and were defeated by a score of 7 to 4. Buck Fyfe pitched for Valparaiso and Flotow for Michigan City. Coach Brown was well pleased with the showing of the local squad. It was the first time in many years that Valparaiso has had a baseball schedule, and some of the strongest teams of the section were played.

May 24, 1926

The largest class in the history of Valparaiso High School, sixty-five in number, received diplomas at the annual graduating exercises held at Premier Theatre. Dr. W. P. Dearing, president of Oakland City College, delivered the address. His subject was “The Fine Art of Appreciation."

May 25, 1926

Dr. C. O. Wiltfong, Chesterton physician, and secretary of Chesterton’s board of health, was the main witness for the defense in Porter Superior Court today when he took the stand to refute claims of Dr. W. N. Parkison, Chesterton physician, that Dr. Wiltfong made a wrong diagnosis of the Bradley boy’s case, pronouncing him ill with scarlet fever when there was no manifestation of the disease. Dr. Wiltfong declared that the Johnson boy was not a safe person to be allowed his liberty. Dr. Parkison is attempting to force Dr. Wiltfong to lift the quarantine ban by a habeas corpus action against the health official.

May 26, 1926

An echo of Porter County’s most famous murder trial was heard in the circuit court of appeals in Chicago today when it held that Joseph and Esther Diamond, of Gary, were entitled to the $10,000 life insurance estate left by Harry Diamond who was tried and convicted of first degree murder in Valparaiso two years ago and executed in Michigan City. The action was brought by James Allen, administrator of the estate of Nettie Diamond. Shortly before Diamond killed his wife in one of the most brutal murders in northern Indiana history, he had taken two life insurance policies in her name. Later, it developed that he changed the policies substituting his father and mother as beneficiaries. Then followed the slaying of his wife on a lonely road between Gary and Hammond.

Even with Coach Andy Anderson as umpire, Valparaiso University baseball team met a crushing defeat at the hands of St. Viator College, 24 to 7, at Brown Field yesterday. The umpire from Chicago failed to put in an appearance, having missed his train.

May 27, 1926

City Engineer A. R. Putnam, Street Commissioner Jacob Edelman, and the division crew of the Pennsylvania Railroad have battled for two days to discover the cause of a sewer break at the foot of Indiana Avenue and Campbell Street, which threatens to wash out the Pennsylvania right-of-way. Already eight or ten carloads of fill have been torn away from the south track embankment, and a steady torrent of water, charging unchecked through its course under the railroad bridge, threatens still further damage. So severe was the washout that a great timber had to be placed under the Pennsylvania tracks to ensure safety for rail traffic.

That the dawn of a new day for Valparaiso University is something more tangible than promise – something more real than speculation and financial hope was definitely established today when Acting President John C. Baur authorized the exhibition, for public view, at the university library, of an impressive schedule of plans and specifications for the proposed building program. They were submitted by George & Zimmerman, of Indianapolis, and comprise a series of designs and drawings anticipating nine new structures for the new university campus which will front on LaPorte Avenue.

May 28, 1926

A feature of the opening exercises at Gardner school this morning was the presentation of silk flags to honor pupils who have maintained perfect attendance for the school year. The ceremony was followed by a parade through the various rooms. This parade was headed by George Baker, bearing a larger and more impressive flag than the others. The distinction was conferred on George because he carries the remarkable record of perfect punctuality and attendance throughout his six years at Gardner school. Others honored besides George were Mildred Pearce, Lenore Wells, Gerald Urschel, Ralph Baker, Hyland Fulton, Jeanette Struve, Doris Perry, Harold Keehn, Billy Warner, Harriet Struve, Robert Wise, Darwin Whitesell, and Rosemary Blaese.

Announcement has been made that Chauncey S. Boucher, son of Prof. C. W. and Lizzie Boucher, of Valparaiso, has taken the place of Ernest Hatch Wilkins as the new Dean of the University of Chicago.

May 29, 1926

Lewis E. Myers and Company received a check this morning from the United States Government for $3,661.30 as a refund on taxes illegally collected from the company in the years 1921 and 1922. The Treasury paid the local company $509.69 interest on the transaction.

Winifred Sutter, Porter County’s contestant in the Northern Indiana Bible Memory Contest, held at the Christian church last night, was awarded first place in telling the story, “Feeding the Five Thousand.” Lucille Ringenberg, of Marshall County, was second, Frances Reed, of Pulaski County, third, and Charles Thomas, of Marshall County, fourth.

May 30, 1926

Roscoe Woods, Hammond banker and real estate dealer, has purchased another lot in Graceland Cemetery. Woods said the local cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the entire Chicago district. S. B. Sink, manager of the local cemetery, said many lots are being sold.

May 31, 1926

Edith Weems today took up her duties as Porter County Girls' Club leader. She will hold meetings in all townships. A total of 150 boys and girls are enrolled in the county.

Looking Back • April 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

April 1, 1926

Because many Porter County roads are rendered almost impassable by the current storm-break, several circuit court jurors summoned to hear a suit failed to appear and Sheriff W. B. Forney was forced to do a little “quick picking up” this morning to make up a panel. Finally, he accomplished the task and the case went on.

Five years ago today on April 1, 1921, Keene’s Tire Service opened for business in its present location at 61 Lincolnway in Valparaiso. Today, under the able management of its two proprietors, Arthur D. Keene and Leigh F. Keene, the shop is enjoying a flourishing business.

April 2, 1926

Valparaiso High School won four out of five places in the district Latin contest held at Rensselaer last Saturday. John Wise won in Division I B; George Christy in Division I A; Ruth Baker in Division II, and Margaret Hughes in Division III. Martha Parker won second in Division IV. The four first-place winners will compete at Bloomington next Friday in the state contest.

A case with a Valparaiso setting today occupied the attention of Federal Judge James H. Wilkerson in Chicago and took placing as the first of its kind to be recorded anywhere. Fred Walmquist, recently acquitted in connection with the sensational Chicago bombing case, stands indicted under the Mann Act, charged with having abducted and criminally assaulted Marie McCloed, 16-year-old Chicago girl, who committed suicide. Charges are being pressed by the girl’s mother, Marie Moneo, who testified that Walmquist induced her daughter to accompany him to Valparaiso on December 8, 1924, took her to a hotel, and criminally assaulted her. This is the first case brought before the court in which the woman in the case has died.

April 3, 1926

Clogged roads and derailed interurban cars failed to stop many brave-hearted and adventurous spirits who battled the snowdrifts to come to Valparaiso today. W. M. Schmell, residing north of the city, walked into town when the Noon interurban was derailed about two miles away as the car took a curve. He carried twelve dozen eggs and marketed them. Shortly before 3 o’clock, Ray Crisman arrived from Wheeler. “It was a tough battle, but I had to come,” he stated.

Members of the Mathesis Club heard a strong plea for child protection delivered by Dr. Gerald H. Stoner, Valparaiso physician, at a meeting of the club held at the Stoner home Friday evening. “Let a cattle plague be located and money will be found to fight it. Send out a report of the development of hog cholera and cash will be at hand to finance a campaign of extermination. So it is with the other properties of man, yet, in Valparaiso there isn’t a cent available for the safe-guarding and protection of the health and physical will-being of hundreds of boys and girls who make up its school.” was the essence of Dr. Stoner’s thought-provoking challenge.

April 4, 1926

Tonn and Blank, of Michigan City, awarded the general contract for the construction of the new Valparaiso High School, costing $150,000, today qualified by signing the contract and giving the required bond. The sub-contracts have been mailed to successful bidders for signatures.

With more than one hundred Republican and Democratic candidates filed for various political offices in Porter County, the curtain for entering the May primary election in Porter County was rung down Saturday. The large number of filings assures one of the most spirited contests on record. The sensation of the last day filings Saturday was that of George Hitesman, Republican, who filed for county clerk in the morning, and due to strong pressure brought to bear upon him by other candidates, withdrew his filing, and refiled for justice of the peace of Center Township, for which positions a number of persons are contesting.

April 5, 1926

The Porter County Fair Building Committee, recently appointed with endorsement of the Porter County Farm Bureau and Valparaiso Chamber, has submitted its plan to the county commissioners for the issuance of a $60,000 bond issue for the construction of five new fair buildings and an office and administrative structure at the county fairgrounds. The buildings will include an art building, poultry buildings, and horse and cattle barns. In 1916, a proposition to build a $100,000 cattle sales barn at the fairgrounds was defeated in a referendum vote in the county by a margin of 79.

April 6, 1926

Alfred R. Putnam, former city and county engineer, and for a time a general road contractor in Valparaiso, is Valparaiso’s new city engineer, enjoying appointment at the hands of Mayor W. F. Spooner under the new ordinance passed at the last session of the city council. It was made known today that Putnam took office on the first day of the month and has since that time been rendering service to the city. He relieved Floyd R. McNiece, who served through the Agar administration and held over until the Spooner council got ready to outline its program. By the new employment plan, Putnam will give his time to city work. It is understood the building inspection ordinance will be revoked, and with it the $500-per-year salary, and these duties placed on Putnam. In addition, he will serve as engineer for the water department.

April 7, 1926

Attorney D. E. Kelly today announced he had taken Edward J. Ryan, of Savannah, Ill., into partnership. A graduate of Notre Dame University law school, Ryan had been engaged in the banking business in Chicago. Attorney Kelly’s attention was called to him through a mutual friend at Knox where the young attorney had spent a few months. Since Attorney Oliver M. Loomis withdrew from partnership with Attorney Kelly in accepting appointment as secretary to United States Senator Arthur R. Robinson, Kelly has been conducting his affairs single handed.

Destroyed by the tornado of 1917, St. Mary's Catholic Church at Kouts is to be rebuilt. Announcement was made today that the Smith and Smiths Company of Valparaiso has been awarded the contract for the construction program, which will be directed by Rev. Joseph A. Suelzer. For the past nine years, the congregation has worshipped in a basement structure built upon the site of the old church. Last year, a beautiful parsonage was constructed and the present program will give St. Mary’s parish a fine new church plant. The Kouts Christian Church was destroyed in the 1917 blow, but has since been rebuilt under the Rev. John C. Whitt.

April 8, 1926

The Porter County Commissioners today refused to accede to the request of Mayor W. F. Spooner that Dr. C. H. DeWitt be relieved of his county appointment and another physician be named in his stead to act as joint county and city health officer. The board, instead of complying with Mayor Spooner’s request, named Dr. DeWitt for another four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 1926. The appointment leaves Mayor Spooner free to go ahead and name his own city health officer. The break resulted between Dr. DeWitt and Mayor Spooner over the appointment of a deputy health officer, Dr. DeWitt insisting that John Wulf be the appointee, and Mayor Spooner holding out for Bertha Ewing.

Yesterday afternoon as Dr. C. L. Bartholomew was returning from DeKalb, Ill., where he had taken the remains of Sarah Archer, he was forced off the road by another car, and his funeral car leaned over against a bank. It would have overturned but for the bank. After hard work, the car was straightened and was driven to Valparaiso. No one was injured.

April 9, 1926

Valparaiso Boy Scouts scored a big hit at Memorial Opera House last night when they presented the play, “A Country Boy Scout.” Among those taking part in the play were Donald Will, Victor Johnson, Denver Mitchell, George Pittwood, George Black, Mahlon Cain, David LaRue, Robert Pulver, Jean Boyer, William Chambers, Vincent Gray, Victor Despard, and Ralph Hallowell. Features of the program were provided by Billy Fryar and Murray Beach, ukulele and song artists; an exhibition of Culver military drills, the scout gang, directed by Bud Lowenstine, and a Charleston dancing sketch by Katherine Christy and George London. Lily Darby’s high school orchestra played several selections.

Unless a change in ruling is received from the attorney-general’s office, only one candidate will be selected for justice of the peace in Center Township at the May primary election. Porter County Chairman B. H. Kinne stated today that he was going to stand by the special ruling handed down by the state election board holding that, under the 1925 act, Valparaiso would be entitled to only one justice of the peace in view of the fact that the mayor sits as city judge.

April 10, 1926

The Spooner city administration at a meeting Friday evening passed an ordinance repealing the water plant ordinance passed by the preceding Agar administration. By the new ordinance, the board of trustees set up by the Agar administration is abolished and is replaced by an ordinance that puts the council in direct control through establishment of the offices of superintendent, assistant superintendent, and clerk with salaries of $1,200, $1,800, and $300 respectively.

Returning home from the morning session of the Valparaiso Teachers’ Institute today at Noon, Kate Billings failed to find her sister, Edna Osborne, up and around the house as customary. Sensing that something was wrong, she went upstairs to find Osborne still abed, and upon investigation, found she had passed away. Death was due to a heart attack from which affliction she suffered. Osborne was only 39.

April 11, 1926

The Farmers State Bank has acquired the Sidney Kern property on West Lincolnway in Valparaiso from James L. Meagher as a probable site for a new home. The banking institution, which is now located in the Neva Brown building at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Lincolnway, was routed out of its Academy of Music location when the building was razed by fire this past February.

Work was started this morning by the Foster Lumber and Coal Company on a new front on the building occupied by the Szold Department Store on Lincolnway in Valparaiso. The structure is owned by Peter Combis.

April 12, 1926

Pierce L. Thatcher, secretary of the Valparaiso Izaak Walton League, has been appointed state organizer for the league and placed on the speaker list of both the state and national organizations. Taking up league work last year, and becoming actively interested in the reorganization of the local chapter, Thatcher’s success was noted by state officers and his fame spread. His first assignment takes him to the Lafayette district.

April 13, 1926

As a result of Monday’s visit to Indianapolis by W. C. Sutter, secretary of the Valparaiso Chamber, F. W. Alpen, chairman of the road committee, and Senator Will Brown, members of the Indiana State Highway Commission announced that Lincolnway would be designated as State Road 2. The action of the local committee prevented Chicago Street from being selected as the route line through the city. The chamber officials plan to start the ball rolling for a re-location of the Joliet Bridge over the Pennsylvania Railroad to afford a straight link over the railroad right-of-way.

April 14, 1926

Pennsylvania Railroad officials today announced that beginning Wednesday, the Greenwich Street crossing in Valparaiso will be protected by the flasher type of crossing warning and the old gates removed. A watchman will be left on duty, however, in conforming with the new ordinance. This completes the installation of six new flashers and does away entirely with the gate guards.

Joe Locrasto, operator of a resort on the Dunes highway, was among those arrested in a wholesale raid staged last night by Sheriff W. B. Forney. Locrasto has been arrested twice before and is under a charge of contempt of court conviction by Judge H. H. Loring. He has been at liberty because of an appeal taken to the Indiana Supreme Court.

April 15, 1926

The Fibroc Insulation Company held its annual stockholders’ meeting today and an audit of the books of the company showed that it increased sales for the year 1925 by 28.5% over the preceding year. The total volume of sales for 1925 was $455,721. On this volume, the company showed a net profit of $45,674. After deduction of federal tax and miscellaneous net charges, the company showed earnings of $34.19 on each share of common stock. These earnings were turned over to a surplus account to take care of expanding business during 1926. A. W. Pickford, John F. Griffin, and L. T. Frederick were named directors for the year.

Alfred R. Putnam, named city civil engineer by Mayor W. F. Spooner, is finding that the job is a bigger one than he believed. Putnam has been checking up on building operations the last week, and has found that property owners pushing building operations have not taken out a permit, and in other instances where permits were taken out, they do not cover the operations involved. He plans to give his entire time to the building situation until the muddle is straightened out.

April 16, 1926

A Center Township Calf Club was organized last evening at a meeting of the Center Township Farm Bureau, held at the Cook’s Corners school. The club is for boys who are interested in farm work and desire to have exhibits at the Porter County Fair. Five boys joined the club last evening.

Rev. W. W. Ayer, Howard Clark, and former Mayor E. W. Agar will go to Wanatah this evening to act as judges in the oratorical contest to be held there in which LaPorte, Michigan City, and Wanatah High Schools will be represented. The contest will be the first sponsored by the American Bar Association for the promotion of Americanism. The winner of the national contest will be given a trip to Europe.

April 17, 1926

Dr. Preston Bradley, pastor of Peoples’ Church, Chicago, is to be the speaker at the big union meeting of Valparaiso churches on Mothers’ Day, May 9. The affair is being sponsored by the Mother’s Club with co-operation of local ministers. A large, robed choir of children under direction of Inez Hughes will have part in the musical program.

The battle between the former Agar city administration and the present Spooner administration for control of Valparaiso Water Department affairs was settled Friday evening when a compromise was reached between the two factions. Former Mayor E. W. Agar, was named president of the newly created board of trustees at a salary of $1,200 a year by the old Agar council, and now becomes Superintendent Agar at a salary of $1,200 a year, and Trustee-Secretary G. W. Eifler, with a salary of $1,800, becomes assistant superintendent at a salary of $1,800 per year. Trustee-Secretary M. L. Dickover, with a salary of $300 per year, becomes clerk with a salary of $300 per year, and Etta Mullins becomes bookkeeper at a salary of $120 per month. Both factions are well satisfied with the result.

April 18, 1926

Joseph Mroz, poultry dealer in Kouts, died Sunday in Chicago, following a week's Illness of pneumonia, which he contracted while there on a business trip delivering a truck of eggs and poultry to the Chicago market. Surviving are a widow and three sons. The body will be brought back to Kouts for burial.

Rev. W. W. Ayer, pastor of the First Baptist church of Valparaiso, today announced he would refuse to support the proposed Mother’s Day services planned for May 9 by the local Mothers’ Club and a number of local pastors, with Rev. Preston Bradley, Chicago, as speaker. Rev. Ayer charged that Dr. Bradley, whose fame as a radio announcer is nation-wide, is a modernist whose theology is against established and accepted tenets of the orthodox churches. He attended a meeting of the Valparaiso Ministerial Association and declared he would oppose the appearance of Bradley here.

April 19, 1926

Valparaiso dentists met at Hotel Lembke tonight in the interest of a Dental Health Week campaign beginning April 26 and continuing until May 1. The movement is being sponsored by the Indiana State Dental Society and is statewide. Those present were Drs. G. R. Jones, Mox Ruge, J. D. Keehn, Paul LaCount, G. D. Conover, Raymond Shurr, and C. A. Nixon. A banquet preceded the business meeting.

April 20, 1926

Dr. Preston Bradley, pastor of the Peoples’ Church, Chicago, and one of the famed and most notable pulpit figures in the United States, will be speaker at Mother’s Day services to be staged by the Valparaiso Mothers’ Club at Memorial Opera House despite the fact that opposition to his coming has been raised by Rev. W.W. Ayer, pastor of the Baptist church. Officials of the Mothers’ Club and members of the Ministerial Association stated they regretted that any question had been raised concerning the engagement of Dr. Bradley but declare they cannot now gracefully or courteously withdraw the invitation after he accepted.

April 21, 1926

That the $150,000 bond issue of the School City of Valparaiso is considered a first class and desirable investment was established last night when seven financial institutions submitted offers for financing the new high school project. Offering a premium of $1,537, some $250 higher than the next high bid, the bonds were sold to the City Securities Company of Indianapolis.

Announcement was made today of the purchase by the Lutheran Educational Society of the John W. Cole property, 158 Greenwich Street in Valparaiso. The property will become the home of Dr. W. H. T. Dau, newly elected president of Valparaiso University. The Daus are expected to arrive from St. Louis early this summer to take over the property.

April 22, 1926

Valparaiso University authorities today announced the selection of Conrad S. Moll, of Burlington, Ia., as new coach of Valparaiso University athletics and chief of physical training. The new athletic head is a graduate of Concordia College, Fort Wayne, and attended Indiana University. Last year, Moll attended the Y.M.C.A. College of Physical Education in Chicago. He has been acting as assistant athletic director at the Y.M.C.A. in Burlington, Ia.

Valparaiso now has a city board of health. Acting under an ordinance adopted by the Valparaiso City Council at his suggestion, Mayor W. F. Spooner late Tuesday selected two physicians and one layman to constitute the board. His selections were Dr. Malcolm B. Fyfe, Dr. Andrew P. Letherman, and Alice Dalrymple. Meeting this morning in an official session, the newly elected officials organized by electing Dr. Fyfe president and Dr. Letherman, secretary.

April 23, 1926

Echoes of the almost forgotten murder of Attorney Thaddeus Fancher, of Crown Point, two years ago when a drunken gang of Chicago hoodlums, with two women in their company, pulled up at the South Halfway House, near Cedar Lake, and robbed and shot up the place, were heard today with the arrest of Frank McErlane, leader of a desperate gang of booze runners and gunmen. McErlane was arrested by Chicago police in connection with a series of gangland killings. For two years, Lake County authorities have attempted to snare him for the Halfway House shooting of Fancher. Those captured after the holdup were Alex McCabe and Johnny O’Reilly. O’Reilly was convicted in Porter Circuit Court and given a life sentence. McCabe was tried three times, the first trial resulting in a disagreement, the second in conviction and life imprisonment, and the third in acquittal after a new trial had been granted.

Porter County’s W.C.T.U. legions, meeting in institute session at Chesterton Thursday afternoon, went on the warpath against all foes of prohibition and gave a climax to their proceedings by forwarding a wire to President Coolidge demanding the official head of General Lincoln C. Andrews, chief federal prohibition officer. Four candidates for office spoke. They were John J. McQuire, Valparaiso, and Clarence D. Wood, Chesterton, candidates for prosecutor; John R. Burch, Valparaiso, candidate for joint representative of Lake and Porter Counties, and Ross M. Crisman, candidate for county commissioner.

April 24, 1926

The Spooner city council Friday night awarded the contract for collecting garbage to Thomas Hines, present operator, at a bid of $3,600 per annum, for four years. The bid of Ernest Holmgren, for $2,700, was turned down by the council because it was not certain he could handle the disposal problem to the city's advantage. The council took no action on a petition signed by seventy commuters to Chicago and Calumet district asking that the city adopt daylight savings. It was referred to the ordinance committee.

Hitting the highways to carry his appeal directly to the people, Ward B. Hiner, of Indianapolis, former motor bus baron, visited Valparaiso Friday, and from his machine parked off East Lincolnway, presented his senatorial campaign arguments. He attacked government regulation of business, especially transportation, boldly asserted, from banners that covered his bus, that he was against the Volstead Act, and for the rights of the people. He declared for a government loan to farmers and the application of business sense to governmental management.

April 25, 1926

Tom Callahan, of Kouts, was badly injured Saturday afternoon when he was the victim of a dynamite explosion near Kouts. Callahan was blasting a stump at the time of the mishap. Two other workmen who were working nearby ran to his assistance but were unable to account for the blast. So terrific was the blast that Calahan’s right arm was so badly injured that amputation at the elbow was necessary. His face and upper body were badly seared and bruised, and there is a possibility his eyesight may have been destroyed. He was brought to the Christian hospital in Valparaiso.

Gary authorities have become alarmed because of the spread of scarlet fever in Chesterton and Porter. Fifteen new cases of the disease have been reported within the last few days. Dr. C. H. DeWitt, Porter County health officer, stated the epidemic was confined principally to the north end of the county. A large amount of milk from farms in that vicinity is shipped to Gary, and officials of that city are considering placing a ban against shipments.

April 26, 1926

Anna Small, of Valparaiso, was today named district vice-president of the Rebekah organization at the spring meeting of District No. 2, held at Union Mills. More than two-hundred members of Rebekah lodges of Porter and LaPorte Counties were in attendance at the all-day meeting.

April 27, 1926

Valparaiso is seen as a rival of Crown Point as a Gretna Green, according to the Chicago Daily News, which features Valparaiso in a big writeup. Photographs of Justice G. E. Bornholt, Porter County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones, and Valparaiso’s Lincolnway, with Justice Bornholt’s office indicated by an arrow, and even the “setting” for a Valparaiso-made marriage, is included with the writeup. Twenty trains a day to Chicago and return, three railroads, a benign justice of the peace and an amiable county clerk willing to pop out of bed at any time of the night to furnish the legal routine for wedlock, and good roads all the way for motoring are some of the advantages offered by Valparaiso, says the Chicago paper.

April 28, 1926

Dr. John C. Baur, acting president of Valparaiso University, spoke before a large gathering at chapel services in the auditorium this morning on the progress being made at the school. He stated that all the university buildings are undergoing repairs at the present time, and the surroundings improved with shrubbery. The inauguration of the new president, Dr. W. H. T. Dau, of St. Louis, will be held at the beginning of the fall term. Dr. Baur reported that the Lutheran Association now has a membership of 16,000 and at least 20,000 will be added.

Marie Palen, 14-year-old girl, complaining witness against Alva Herbst, Kirchhoff Park farmer, charged with rape, took the witness stand in Porter Circuit Court this afternoon to tell of her relations with Herbst. Under questioning of Special Prosecutor Mark B. Rockwell, the girl told her story. One of the facts that stood fixed in her mind was that while she was with the Herbst family, his business was the making and transporting of beer. She also told she was the victim of Herbst on five occasions. When asked why she did not tell officers of these happenings, the girl said Herbst threatened her with beatings if she told.

April 29, 1926

Announcement was made today that the new addition to the McGill Metal Company’s plant on North Lafayette Street in Valparaiso, given over to the manufacture of Schubert Bearings, from McGill Metal, will be completed and in operation by Saturday. A force of from 20 to 30 trained mechanics will be employed at the outset. Heavy orders are on hand for the new product, and a most progressive expansion is anticipated.

Lillie Sayers and her mother, Ella Sayers, narrowly escaped serious injury or death about 10 o’clock last night on College Hill. Leaving Music Hall, Lillie Sayers attempted to drive her car around the College Place corner at Locust Street. The machine struck the curb and was starting down the grade embankment leading to the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks when its progress was stopped by a tree. Neither occupant was hurt.

April 30, 1926

The jury in the case of Alva Herbst, Kirchhoff Park farmer, charged with rape of Marie Palen, 14-year-old LaPorte girl, who lived at the Herbst home, returned a disagreement at 1:30 o’clock this afternoon after deliberating for twenty hours. It is understood the jury stood 9-to-3 for conviction. After the jury was discharged by Special Judge George E. Hershman, Special Prosecutor Mark B. Rockwell moved for a special trial, and the case was set down for May 28. Herbst was remanded to Porter County Jail under $2,500 bond.

Attorney Ira C. Tilton, Democratic county chairman, was Thursday declared the winner of a debate with Porter County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones on the issues of whether the election commissioners or the party chairmen were to notify the various precinct board officers of their appointment. In the past, the party chairmen have performed this service. The law is somewhat uncertain, but Attorney Tilton held it was the duty of the clerk, and the election board supported his position.

Looking Back • March 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

March 1, 1926

Valparaiso High School basketball team defeated LaPorte High School in a thriller on Saturday night at university gym by a score of 59 to 34. Fred White and Van Buskirk each contributed nine baskets of the twenty-six made by the locals. Ward, Pease, Martin, and Treadway played best for LaPorte but Valpo led at half time, 25 to 16. The Valpo second team was defeated by the LaPorte second team, 31 to 21. Otis Bowman made six baskets for Valpo.

Valparaiso is getting the reputation of a Gretna Green. A large number of couples who hie themselves to Crown Point on Sundays and after hours and fail to get licenses continue on to Valparaiso, where they are accommodated by Porter County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones. Nearly every weekend, from six to ten couples come here for licenses when they find out that the Crown Point office is not open on Sundays.

March 2, 1926

Porter County today received $20,187.17 from the state as its share of the $1,800,000 gasoline taxes distributed to the 92 counties of the state. There is something like $600,000 yet to be distributed among the 500 Hoosier cities and towns on the basis of road mileage. Valparaiso is slated to receive $2,250.99. Porter County’s share this year is $4,000 greater than last year. The state auditor’s office shows that $7,300,000 was collected on gasoline sales during the last eleven months. The state highway commission received two-thirds of the amount, and counties, cities and towns, one-third.

Valparaiso public schools raised a total of $404.09 for the fire disaster fund, for the benefit of families of firemen killed in the Academy of Music fire, and those who suffered injury. The amount was turned over by Superintendent Boucher as the gift of the city’s school pupils, instructors, and members of the family. The fund is now at the $7,500 mark.

March 3, 1926

Earl Inman, former Valparaiso restaurant operator, who, for the past two years has operated the Kouts Cafe, has returned to Valparaiso with his family. Inman sold the Kouts establishment to John Herring, former gasoline truck driver, who is now in possession. Inman has not announced his plans for the future.

The old Val Blatz building at the corner of Napoleon Street and Lincoln Avenue (Brown Street) in Valparaiso, owned by F. W. Blaese, was badly gutted by fire Tuesday night. The building is used at present as a storage for near beer and soft drinks. The fire was discovered by a Pennsylvania crossing watchman. Firemen worked nearly three hours extinguishing the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown.

March 4, 1926

Following closely on the heels of the $300,000 conflagration which wiped out the Academy of Music and Kauffman Bargain Leader store, flames early today attacked the James H. McGill home on North Washington Street in Valparaiso, causing a $10,000 loss. Robert McGill, his wife*, and Marjorie McGill were the only occupants of the home. Robert’s wife* was awakened by smoke which filled her bedroom. She roused the other occupants. Firemen worked for two hours before quelling the fire. The fire is believed to have started in the basement from spontaneous combustion.

*There is no record of Robert being married in 1926. Records available through Ancestry show he married Catherine “Kate Mae” Streetman in 1932 and Florence Fairclough in 1947. Census records from 1920 and 1930 designate Robert as single.

Valparaiso’s Fire Disaster Benefit Fund for firemen killed injured in the Academy of Music fire, went over the top today when the amount raised went above the $9,000 mark. To Valparaiso public schools goes the honor of having raised the largest amount outside local banks. Only $1,000 is yet to be raised to make the amount $10,000. This will be done through benefit shows to be given.

March 5, 1926

Ira A. Mummert, new agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, arrived here today, and in company with James Jones, Pennsylvania detective, visited businessmen about Valparaiso. Mummert was agent for the Pennsylvania at North Manchester for sixteen years, and was transferred here to succeed E. D. Hodges, who goes to Kokomo, Ind. While at North Manchester, Mummert was a member of the North Manchester board of education.

March 6, 1926

Valparaiso and Wheeler survived the grilling basketball struggle in the Porter County sectional, and only Hebron remains as an obstacle to the Wheeler five’s chance to enter the finals. Valparaiso won its way to the finals tonight by defeating Chesterton, 45 to 13; Fair Oaks, 58 to 8; and Morgan Township, 38 to 13. Wheeler won over Kniman, 47 to 5, and Tefft, 52 to 14.

Fred LePell, who has been employed in the men’s furnishings department of the Lowenstine Department Store for the past year, will sever his connection with that firm this evening and Monday will enter upon his new duties with the Valparaiso Daily Vidette. He will assist in the repertorial and advertising departments.

March 7, 1926

Ira C. Tilton was elected chairman of the Porter County Democratic Central Committee at a meeting held Saturday afternoon at Valparaiso City Hall chambers. Other officers named were Fay H. Black, vice-chairman, and John D. Stoner, secretary-treasurer. The following were nominated for county offices: E. M. Passow, clerk; Clayton Phillips, sheriff; John D. Stoner, auditor; and Grace Sherburne, recorder.

Valparaiso defeated Wheeler on Saturday in the Porter County sectional by a score of 29 to 9. Fred White, with twelve points, was high scorer for Valparaiso, while Ehretsman scored eight of Wheeler’s nine points. As a result of the win, Coach Joe Brown’s team will play in the South Bend regional next Saturday.

March 8, 1926

T. Sugimoto, electrical engineer of the Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, Ltd., Shiga, Japan, visited here at the factories of the Chicago Mica Company and Fibroc Insulation Company. This concern is one of the largest electrical manufacturers in Japan and Sugimoto was here in the interest of products which the local companies furnish them.

March 9, 1926

Dr. E. H. Powell, Dr. G. H. Stoner, and George M. Dodge went to Chicago this morning to attend the funeral of Dr. William E. Schroeder, well known Chicago physician, who died last Friday at St. Petersburg, Fla. Dr. Schroeder made frequent trips to Valparaiso to perform surgical operations and was well known here. 

March 10, 1926

A faulty wheel on a Pennsylvania freight train caused a bad wreck two miles west of Valparaiso Tuesday evening about 7 o’clock. Twenty-five wooden and steel box cars were hurled from the tracks and the roadbed for a distance of 1,000 feet torn up. Traffic was held up for a period of seventeen hours. By a fortunate occurrence, a fast passenger train passed by the wreck scene a short time before the wreck. Valparaiso commuters to Chicago were able to get to their work in Chicago by routing over the Grand Trunk and Nickel Plate Railroads. The cars were loaded with general merchandise of all kinds.

Between forty and fifty contracting firms have submitted bids to the city board of education for the construction of a new Valparaiso High School building. The three lowest bids were submitted by Tonn and Blank, Michigan City, $137,848; Larson Danielson Construction Company, LaPorte, $146,519; and Foster Lumber and Coal Company, Valparaiso, $146,980.

March 11, 1926

In an opinion given by Valparaiso City Attorney William Daly, the Spooner administration was advised that the now-famous last-hour action of the preceding Agar administration, creating a board of trustees to take over the management and direction of the city’s newly acquired water plant, was illegal and void. By the decision, the council’s finance committee composed of Alderman E. S. Miller, John R. Palmer and C. A. Stanton, was advised to disallow the bills presented by former Mayor E. W. Agar, acting as president of the board of trustees, for salary during January and February. The total of bills is $188.

Articles of incorporation for the voluntary association organized to undertake the financing of the Valparaiso High School gymnasium structure, which the board of education is unable to finance because of bonding limitations, are expected to be forwarded to Indianapolis today. Incorporators include V. R. Despard, John F. Griffin, W. C. Sutter, J. E. Mavity, H. M. Evans, W. C. Brownell, H. E. Sievers, T. L. Applegate and C. W. Wharton.

March 12, 1926

Ninety-five ballots had been cast up to Noon today in the Evening Messenger’s poll on the prohibition question. Forty-four were in support of the eighteenth amendment as drawn and called for strict enforcement. Only twenty-four were cast for repeal of the act, and twenty-seven for modification. One of the repeal ballots was conditioned that neither the national nor state governments derive funds from the issuance of liquor permits.

Valparaiso’s city board of education, at a meeting this morning, rejected all bids on the proposed new Valparaiso High School building because the bids were in excess of the funds on hand. It is not known whether the project can be carried through at all, or to whom the contract will be awarded if the financial tangle is satisfactorily arranged. The Tonn and Blank Company, Michigan City, and Foster Lumber and Coal Company of Valparaiso, were low bidders.

March 13, 1926

The Valparaiso High School basketball team was defeated in the South Bend regional tourney at South Bend today by the LaPorte team, 30 to 27, in an overtime game. Both teams were tied at 25-all at the end of the regulation game. Errors on the part of Valparaiso lost the game to a LaPorte outfit which had been decisively defeated by Valparaiso in two games played during the season.

The lifeless body of Norman Green, 55, former lawyer, rural mail carrier, and clothing salesman, was found shortly after Noon today by Sheriff W. B. Forney in an outhouse on the Green property on LaPorte Avenue in Valparaiso. It is believed from the condition of the body that Green had been dead for about a month.

March 14, 1926

Reporting complete success in the impressive demonstration of Valparaiso generosity in an impressive response to the call sounded just twenty-one days ago in which he asked for public subscription in the sum of $10,000, Arthur J. Bowser appeared before Friday evening’s session of the Valparaiso City Council and formally terminated his services as general chairman of the benefit fund drive. Chairman C. A. Stanton of the council’s fire committee was given a complete statement of the relief account and the receipt of Charles L. Jeffrey, treasurer of the benefit fund, raised for families of firemen killed and injured in the Academy of Music Fire.

Casting a total of 706 ballots in the Evening Messenger’s straw vote test on the prohibition issue, Valparaiso and Porter County friends of the eighteenth amendment, in a remarkable show of interest, sent in 294 ballots while the total opposition to this sent in a total of 412. The complete ballot for absolute repeal was 193. Added to those who favored prohibition, those who also favored modification totaled 513.

March 15, 1926

The Valparaiso school board in a special session this afternoon rejected all general contract bids on the new Valparaiso High School building received last week and gave notice that the new bids would be received for this project on March 30. Decision to take this action was made after full consideration had been given to suggestion offered by Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton, the architects, that the project could be financed by revision of the specification to bring the total cost nearer the $150,000 authorized expenditure.

March 16, 1926

Meeting with the Chesterton Chamber of Commerce at Chesterton last evening, the Valparaiso Chamber, through its road committee headed by Dr. H. M. Evans, joined hands with the north civic body to put over the campaign to make the Calumet Avenue-Chesterton Road a state highway. To accomplish this, committees were appointed which will supervise the securing of additional right-of-way along the route. The state highway department demands a sixty-foot right-of-way whereas the present highway measures but forty feet for the greater part.

March 17, 1926

Leaving for Washington, D.C. this morning, Attorney Oliver M. Loomis, secretary to Senator Arthur Robinson, announced that Mark L. Dickover, secretary of the Valparaiso Building and Loan Association, had been appointed the senator’s private campaign manager for Porter County. Dickover and the senator are friends of long standing. Participation in the defense here of Alex McCabe, of Chicago, acquitted of the charge of slaying Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, just prior to his appointment as senator by Gov. Ed Jackson, gave Robinson an extensive acquaintance in Porter County and resulted in appointment of Attorney Loomis, Valparaiso young man, as his secretary.

Kenneth S. Conn, sports editor of the South Bend Tribune, has picked the following all-regional from the teams recently playing in the South Bend tourney: First team - Treadway, LaPorte, and Arnold, Rochester, forwards; Rockwell, Rochester, center; Logan, Plymouth, and Pinkerman, Nappanee, guards. Second team - H. Bixel, Plymouth, and Pease, LaPorte, forwards; Martin, LaPorte, center; Blaese, Valparaiso and Owen, South Bend, guards.

March 18, 1926

Porter County Circuit Court Judge H. H. Loring approved the sale of 430 shares of Specht-Finney Company stock held by the S. L. Finney estate to Herman E. Sievers. Appearing for Minnie Finney and Martha Finney Parks, administratrixes, was Attorney Grant Crumpacker, and for the First Trust Company, trustee, Attorney D. E. Kelly.

Reports from Indianapolis this afternoon gave assurance that the state highway commission had Governor Jackson’s approval for the taking over by the state of Calumet Avenue to Chesterton. The project, 10.5 miles in length, was part of the 911.5 miles of the 1926 state road building program adopted by the commission. Success in the undertaking completes the campaign made by the Valparaiso Chamber over a period of three years. Three years ago, when the chamber got the state to take over the Hebron-Valparaiso Road, now State Road 55, it urged the continuation, northward, into Chesterton, but failed to get the commission’s sanction. Approval of the plan was promised in 1925 but for some reason or another failed. The chamber joining the Chesterton Chamber, is now engaged in securing a full sixty-foot right-of-way to make state co-operation possible. The improvements will be undertaken this spring.

March 19, 1926

Attorney Grant Crumpacker on Wednesday filed his petition as a Republican candidate for Porter Circuit Court judge with the secretary of state as required by law. Failure two years ago to comply with the statute disqualified Attorney Clarence D. Wood, of Chesterton, seeking the office of prosecutor. Filings for state offices must be made at Indianapolis.

Attorney D. E. Kelly received notice that his efforts to gain a reprieve of the date of execution set for Vito Sanchez, convicted of first-degree murder by a Porter County jury, had been honored by the state’s supreme court. The date of execution, set by Judge Loring as March 26 has been advanced to October 8, during which time the high court will review the complete case. Sixty days were granted for the filing of briefs. Associated with Attorney Kelly was Russell B. Harrison, of Indianapolis, representative of the Mexican government, which interested itself in the Sanchez case. While the supreme court’s ruling delays the execution of the youth, Henry Smith, of Gary, also convicted by a Porter County jury, is scheduled to be electrocuted on March 26.

March 20, 1926

Because of bad conditions, Valparaiso and Porter County bus service schedules have been paralyzed. The Kouts bus has not operated for over a week, and Friday the Chesterton-Hebron service was discontinued. With the main highways in almost impassable condition, the side roads afford a challenge to all motorists. The Sager Road is being used by most of the Kouts-bound traffic. In one or two places, the Hebron Road is treacherous.

E. M. Carver, of Pine Township, has been chosen by the members of the Indiana Wheat Growers’ Association as one of the five men whose name will go on the ballot in the coming election for director from District Number One. Carver has been notified to this effect by Herman Steen, secretary-treasurer of the Indiana Wheat Growers’ Association and states that he will leave his name on the ballot.

March 21, 1926

Bandits Sunday morning perpetrated one of the most daring safe-blowing jobs ever committed in Valparaiso when they blew the safe at the J. Lowenstine and Sons’ store and escaped with upwards of $4,000. The robbery is believed to have occurred between 8 and 9 o’clock. Reports of the explosion were heard by several persons, and a short time later, a big automobile, bearing an Ohio license number, dashed out of an alley onto Indiana Avenue and made a spirited getaway. Between 9 and 10 o’clock, members of the firm came to the store, but not having any business on the second floor, where the offices are located, and where the robbery took place, failed to note anything wrong.

Marvin Campbell, of South Bend, a former resident, and a brother of Otto Campbell, of Valparaiso, was speaker this Noon at the regular weekly meeting of the Valparaiso Rotary Club. Campbell is president of a South Bend bank and president of several manufacturing concerns. The speaker talked of Valparaiso when he was a resident of this city and recalled former friends and business associates.

March 22, 1926

J. H. Henry, who will have charge of Valparaiso’s new dry goods, clothing, and shoe store at 53-55 Franklin Avenue, the old Brenner Drug Store location, which will be number 685 in the great chain of the J. C. Penney Company, has arrived in town. Arrangements for the opening date have not been announced, however, Henry, who for five years was employed at the LaPorte store of the Penney Company, purchased the William Powell property, 104 Harrison Boulevard, and moved his family here.

March 23, 1926

Flashing light warning signals at the Pennsylvania Railroad crossings on Napoleon, Lafayette, Washington, and Franklin Streets were placed in service today under the new ordinance passed by the Agar administration just prior to giving up office. They are the latest type and automatically flash a red-light warning when a train is approaching from either direction.

March 24, 1926

Eighteen members of the girls’ basketball team of Valparaiso High School were entertained at a banquet last evening at 5:30 o’clock at the Central School building by their supervisor, Dorothy Hoffman. Other guests present were Prof. H. M. and Mabel Jessee, and Hazel Brown. Hoffman acted as toastmistress and short talks were given by Prof. Jessee, Coach Joseph Brown, and each member of the team. Prof. Jessee talked of the new high school and new gym soon to be erected. Coach Brown and Hoffman were presented with boxes of candy by the team members.

Declaring he was not satisfied that the general answer in denial of contempt of court proceedings filed against Joe Locrasto, Dunes Highway resort operator, sufficiently covered the points at issue, Judge H. H. Loring held him guilty and assessed a fine of $100 and a thirty-day jail sentence. Attorney Ira C. Tilton, counsel for Locrasto, announced today he would ask for a rehearing, and if denied, would carry the case to the state’s supreme court. Locrasto gave bond for his release. His troubles arose over the operation of Roamer Inn, many times raided by county officers. In a raid following an injunction issued against the place, several inmates were arrested. Locrasto claimed he did not have anything to do with the operation of the resort at the time of the raid, being in Detroit.

March 25, 1926

Mary Margaret Kenny was guest of honor at a party given last evening at the home of Carrie Mae Sergeant. Dinner was served at 6:30 o’clock. The hostess was assisted by Ruth Loring. Bridge was played and prizes were awarded to Laura Neet and Winifred Welton. Dorothy Tousley, of Chicago, was an outside guest. Kenny leaves Saturday for Los Angeles, Cal., where she has accepted a position in the Lewis E. Myers and Company offices.

Chesterton is still in the grip of a scarlet fever epidemic. Reports from the north-end metropolis are to the effect that several new cases, none of them serious, developed during the past week. In order to prevent spread of the disease, health authorities have advised against all unnecessary public gatherings. The Chesterton High School play “Pickles,” the Men’s Aid shows, and a religious pageant have been called off indefinitely.

March 26, 1926

Henry Smith, of Gary, known as the “Tennessee killer,” convicted by a Porter Circuit Court jury of the slaying of Martin Smith, of Gary, died in the electric chair at Michigan City prison at 12:14 o’clock, twelve minutes after he had been strapped in the chair. Smith, who created a sensation when he attempted to escape from the custody of Sheriff W. B. Forney, of Porter County, by hurling a blazing mop at the officer, died gamely. Smith is said to have killed several persons in Tennessee.

Checks from the Gary Railways and Northern Indiana Public Service Company have swelled the Harry McNamara fire disaster fund raised in Gary to near the $5,000 mark, according to reports from the Steel City. Plans are being perfected for the distribution of Valparaiso’s $10,000 benefit fund and an announcement is soon to be made.

March 27, 1926

C. A. Stanton, Louis Gast, and Charles Hicks, in charge of the distribution of the $10,000 fire disaster fund raised by Valparaiso citizens and others have made a partial distribution as follows: Sadie McNamara, Gary, $4,000; Claus Helmick, $2,000; Agnes Bartholomew, $1,000; Lloyd Miller, $500; Ray Berrier, $150; Fred D. Hughes, $75; James O. Billings, $100; Richard Brown, $100. The remainder of the fund is in the hands of Charles L. Jeffrey, treasurer, is to be held until recovery is assured of those who live in Valparaiso. Sadie McNamara, wife of Harry McNamara, Gary fireman killed in the fire, received $4,000, in addition to the $5,000 raised in Gary. Agnes Bartholomew, mother of Robert Bartholomew, who also lost his life, received $1,000. Claus Helmick, local painter, who suffered a fractured skull, received $2,000. In the case of Helmick, additional money may be allotted to him.

A petition, signed by 100 residents of Campbell Street and presented to the Valparaiso City Council last night, asked that the thoroughfare be improved. In the petition, property owners set out that the street is so bumpy that automobiles cannot travel over it without danger.

March 28, 1926

Blinded by a dense fog that made safe-driving vision impossible, Constable Charles Adams early this morning drove directly into the path of the Pennsylvania Flyer at the Franklin Avenue crossing in Valparaiso. The flyer’s lower speed of thirty miles an hour at the time saved Adams from being killed. His Overland car was completely demolished.

Included in a list of special offices just created by the state legislature finance committee, will be a patrolman for the new state park in the Porter County Dunes region. The post will carry a salary of $1,500. In addition, the Dunes Park will also be served with a special game warden as will the Kankakee River marsh land strip. These offices will command a salary of $1,200 each. In all, the total addition to the state payroll because of the new offices will be $8,000.

March 29, 1926

E. F. Clifford received a wire from St. Petersburg, Fla., announcing the death there Monday of W. E. Franklin, former Valparaiso resident, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at Watseka, Ill., Thursday afternoon. The Franklins moved to Bloomington, Ill., four years ago after selling their residence property to Lewis E. Myers. Franklin was connected for many years with circus companies, including Hagenbeck and Wallace.

March 30, 1926

County Auditor B. H. Kinne drew the second check of its kind of Porter County record. It was made out to Warden Walter H. Daly, warden of Michigan City Prison, and was for $50. It represents payment by Porter County for the electrocution of Henry Smith, Gary murderer. In November 1924, Auditor Kinne drew a similar check to the order of Warden E. J. Fogarty for the execution of Harry Diamond, the first man to be given the death penalty in Porter County.

March 31, 1926

Pearl Winneguth has received a cable from Hong Kong, China, informing her that her sister, Mabel Brummitt, is aboard the S.S. Empress Russia, homeward bound after a two years’ stay in the Philippine Islands. She is due to arrive in Vancouver on April 19 and will come here to visit her parents, John and Emma Brummitt. Mabel Brummitt is in the employ of the United States Government.

Despite the storm of last evening, more than two hundred Valparaiso and Porter County lovers of the outdoors gathered at the Memorial Opera House to greet “Wisconsin Cal” Johnson, noted sportsman and lecturer. Introduced by Dr. H. O. Seipel, president of the Izaak Walton League, sponsor of the program. “Wisconsin Cal” gave a splendid talk on the national scope of the Izaak Walton League. In his talk, Johnson gave the following points as the League’s main working program: Elimination of pollution of both coastal and inland waters; stopping of indiscriminate drainage; reforestation; a better understanding of the game laws.

Looking Back • February 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

February 1, 1926

Claude E. and Huldah McCormick will open the “Home Furnisher” store the latter part of this month in the east third of the former Lish Hardware at 117 East Lincolnway in Valparaiso, now the Krueger & Wojahn store. They will carry a complete line of home furnishings, including rugs, linoleums, draperies, laces, fancy pillows and so forth.

February 2, 1926

Charles Bailey, who was manager of the Lincoln Theatre, now the Tivoli, in Valparaiso for a number of years, died last Wednesday at the home of his daughter in Gary, according to word received here. Bailey had been employed in the American Tin Plate Company. He had been a sufferer from heart trouble.

February 3, 1926

Dr. W. T. Dau, prominent St. Louis educator, given the unanimous call to the presidency of Valparaiso University by the Lutheran Educational Association, “is personally willing and even anxious to accept the call.” This was the word brought from St. Louis today by Rev. John Baur, who spent the weekend in the Missouri city, where the board of directors of Concordia Seminary are considering both the appeal of Valparaiso University management and the personal request of Dr. Dau that he be released from duty there and transferred to Valparaiso University. A decision is expected in the near future.

Accomplishments of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce were reviewed this noon at the weekly meeting of the board of directors by Edmund J. Freund, who will retire as president of the chamber at the end of this week. When President Freund took office twelve months ago, interest in the organization was at a low ebb. During the year, the budget enlarged. The biggest achievement of the year was the saving of Valparaiso University to the city by interesting the Lutheran University Association in taking over the tottering institution.

February 4, 1926

Portage Township’s new high school gym was dedicated last night with fitting ceremonies under the direction of the Parent-Teachers’ Association of the Crisman district. The structure was constructed under the leadership of Trustee Herman W. Swanson. County Superintendent Fred H. Cole gave the main address of the evening. Following the dedicatory rites, refreshments were served in the high school building which adjoins the gym structure.

Valparaiso University fell before the prowess of Notre Dame University cagers 41 to 27 last night at University Gym. Crowe, diminutive forward of the Notre Dame team, made eight baskets, while Colerick, at center, slipped in five from the field. C. Peterson, with five goals, and Jimmy Doran, with three, led the Valparaiso attack. The game was unusually fast and clean.

February 5, 1926

Viola Richmond, 18-year-old daughter of Amos Richmond, farmer, residing near Wheeler, died Thursday noon, the victim of a furnace-kindling explosion. The young woman died in Methodist Hospital, Gary. Richmond was enveloped in flames when she poured kerosene on live coals in the furnace. Her mother died last August.

Froebel High School, of Gary, defeated the Valparaiso High quint at University Gym last night, 43 to 35. Jackson and Sammy Polizzotto played best for Froebel and White and Van Buskirk carried the heavy work for Valpo. The Valpo seconds defeated the Froebel seconds, 34 to 22.

February 6, 1926

Valparaiso Rotarians will back the candidacy of Rev. C. E. Burns, of Valparaiso, for the high post of Rotary’s Governor of Indiana and plan a whirlwind campaign. When Hoosier Rotarians gather in Muncie on February 22 and 23, they will be faced by a 100% delegation from the Valparaiso club who will be boosting every minute for their candidate. In addition to the Valparaiso club, Rev. Burns will have support of Calumet district clubs.

Valparaiso University was given a rude jolt at University Gymnasium Friday night when Columbia College basketeers triumphed over the local aggregation, 32 to 19. The first half ended 15 to 13 in favor of the visitors. In the second half, the locals went to pieces and Columbia rolled on to an easy victory.

February 7, 1926

Leigh G. Furness, age 69 years, a native of Porter County, died Saturday of a heart attack at Miami, Fla., where he had gone with his wife on a sojourn. Furness was connected with the auditing department of the Yellow Cab Company in Chicago. Furness served as representative in the Indiana’s state legislature at one time. The town of Furnessville in Porter County was named after his father, Edwin Leigh Furness.

Upholding the contention of Prosecutor August Bremer and his deputy, Franklin T. Fetterer, of Lake County, that the rights of Vito Sanchez, convicted at the last term of the Porter Circuit Court, and given a death sentence, had not been impaired by incompetence of his counsel. Judge H. H. Loring, late this afternoon overruled the motion of Attorneys D. E. Kelly, of Valparaiso, and Russell Harrison, of Indianapolis, representative of the Mexican government, and denied a new trial. Unless Sanchez is granted a new trial in an appeal to the supreme court, he will be electrocuted on March 16.

February 8, 1926

Members of the city board of education stated today they expected word from Indianapolis within a few days approving plans and specifications for the proposed new high school unit. Superintendent C.W. Boucher spent the weekend at Indianapolis interviewing members of the state board of health who pass upon the ventilation plans involved. As soon as state authorities give approval, the board will advertise for bids preparatory to getting ready to build in the spring.

February 9, 1926

Gene Boyer, member of Troop 3 of Valparaiso’s Baptist church, was Monday evening presented with the Eagle Scout merit badge, emblematic of the highest ranking in scouting. J. E. Corboy, of Chicago, a veteran scout, made the presentation. Gene won the Eagle’s badge after less than one year’s experience in scout work, mastering twenty-one different scout tests and formulas.

February 10, 1926

Merger of the Northern Indiana Gas and Electric Company and the Northern Indiana Public Service Company, until recently called the Calumet Gas and Electric Company, is proposed in a petition filed with the Indiana Public Service Commission at Indianapolis. Upon completion of the merger, the combined properties will be operated under the name of the Northern Indiana Public Service Company.

Rev. Chester W. Wharton, whose leadership during the past year made possible the saving of Valparaiso University and the launching of the recent expansion program of the chamber of commerce, was elected president of the organization at a meeting of the board of directors today. Attorney E. J. Freund, relinquishing the chairmanship, voiced appreciation of the support given him during the closing year. Other officers are Dr. H. M. Evans, first vice-president; Victor Despard, second vice president; F. W. Alpen, treasurer; and Earl V. Smith, secretary.

February 11, 1926

Banta school patrons meeting Wednesday night at the school adopted a resolution asking that the curfew ordinance be enforced and apprising the mayor and council in Valparaiso of the attitude of the organization in this respect.

Valparaiso Knights of Columbus will join with other councils of northern Indiana at the Gary beach pavilion next Sunday honoring Bishop John R. Noll, of Fort Wayne diocese, Catholic church, at a testimonial banquet. Speakers besides Bishop Noll will be J. L. Flaherty, leading Catholics of America, and T. P. Galvin, state deputy of the Knights of Columbus, who will act as toastmaster. The Notre Dame University Glee Club will provide music. Knights from ten district cities will attend.

February 12, 1926

Officers and directors of Graceland Cemetery met last night in the annual session and renamed J. W. Sieb as president, W. J. Morris as vice-president, and S. B. Sink as secretary. Sieb announced his retirement as manager after twenty-three years of service. An expansion program will be launched to increase the Perpetual Care Fund from the present total of $20,000 to $200,000, and the laying out and development of the new section to the north with new trees, shrubbery, roads, and lanes. John Thatcher will remain as sexton.

More than twenty-two hundred persons were in attendance at Sunday school in Porter County last Sunday. These were the figures collected by the Porter County Council of Religious Education. The report shows that the Valparaiso M. E. Sunday school had the highest total with 377; Valparaiso Christian, 218; Valparaiso Presbyterian, 207; and Valparaiso Baptist, 182. The totals by districts were Valparaiso, 1,171; Chesterton-Porter, 514; Hebron, 400; and Kouts, 181.

February 13, 1926

Dr. W. H. T. Dau, professor in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., and one of the prominent Lutheran churchmen in America, has accepted the presidency of Valparaiso University and will take up his new duties on June 1, it was announced today. Dr. Dau is Professor of Dogmatics at Concordia. The Valparaiso job was offered to him in January. He succeeds Dr. H. M. Evans, whose resignation was effective January 1.

Finding of a technical error in the plans and specifications submitted by the Valparaiso City Board of Education for the construction of a new high school building caused the state board of accounts at Indianapolis to withhold approval until the error has been erased.

February 14, 1926

At the regular meeting of the Valparaiso Moose Lodge recently, it was voted to obtain the lease of Armory Hall for a period of years. The lease has been under consideration for some time, and moving of all belongings of the Moose Order from the Bondy building will be started immediately. The move was fostered by Harvey W. Robinson, dictator of the lodge.

Saturday at the home of Effie Sisson, Sisson and Helen Mudge entertained thirty school friends of many years ago. A long table in the living room accommodated all the guests. It was set according to the best traditions of Valparaiso forty years ago. At the close of the meal, Grace Rathburn Crumpacker read an original poem which voiced pleasure of all those present being eligible to the feast.

February 15, 1926

The Valparaiso branch of the Hoosier Automobile Association of Northern Indiana was busy today signing up late comers. To date, the local office has given out 3,100 passenger licenses, 500 truck licenses and 75 chauffeur licenses. Last year at this time, 2,600 passenger and 400 truck licenses were issued.

Dr. George R. Jones has sold his farm and residence located on LaPorte Road to O. P. Barrows, of Chicago. Barrows and family will move to Valparaiso from Chicago about April 1 and take possession of the Jones property.

February 16, 1926

The thirty-first anniversary of the Valparaiso Woman’s Club was celebrated at Hotel Lembke on Monday evening. One-hundred-and-seventy ladies sat at the banquet table. Following the repast, the president, Mrs. M. S. Campbell, presented Mrs. A. C. Smith who gave a history of the club from the time it was called the “Neighborhood Circle,” and "Harriet Beecher Stowe Club” down to the present. She paid tribute to the officers of the first circle, Mrs. N. L. Agnew, president; Mrs. E. D. Crumpacker, vice-president, and Mrs. J. A. McConahy, treasurer. The various department heads of the club had charge of a program given.

February 17, 1926

The dog situation in Valparaiso at the present time is deplorable. City police are being deluged by complaints from citizens. A number of dogs have been killed, but their number keeps on increasing. Police have ordered owners of dogs to keep them tied up under penalty of being shot.

February 18, 1926

Luther W. Bloch, Sr., owner of the Bloch Hotel and Restaurant on Lincolnway in Valparaiso, died this morning at his apartment over the restaurant following an attack of influenza. He was born in a building on the site of the local restaurant on July 6, 1867. He started in the restaurant and hotel business seventeen years ago. His widow, Hulda, of Valparaiso, and a daughter, Lillian Yellenti, of New York City, survive.

Richard F. Mangel, of Valparaiso, today praised Charles Pratt Post, American Legion, and former commander Harvey C. Varner, for the aid given him in securing compensation from the government. “Others worked on my case for three years and got no results,” Mangel said. “Mr. Varner took up the case less than a month ago and now I have been taken care of,” he added. Mangel operates a taxicab.

February 19, 1926

Fire early today caused a $300,000 loss when the Academy of Music Block was gutted by fire starting in the boiler room under the Heineman and Sievers’ Drug Store. A dozen firms were rendered homeless. Two men, a Gary fireman, Harry McNamara, and Robert Bartholomew, Valparaiso telephone lineman, lost their lives when a wall fell. A dozen volunteer fire fighters received injuries.

J. Seymour Wilcox, for many years identified with Valparaiso’s business life, and a former member of the Valparaiso City Council, died at his home here this afternoon. He was a Civil War veteran and member of the Valpo Lodge of Elks. He was 79 years of age.

February 20, 1926

The Farmers’ State Bank, rendered homeless by the fire which destroyed the Academy of Music Block, opened for business this morning in temporary quarters in the Brown building at the Northeast corner of Washington Street and Lincolnway in Valparaiso. Before the flames had time to cool, President Charles L. Jeffrey and directors of the bank had leased the quarters and made arrangements with a local builder to place the building in shape. Attorney Daniel E. Kelly, another fire victim, took quarters in the Valparaiso National Bank Building on Washington Street, where he had started thirty years or more before. Mayor E. W. Agar took quarters with Attorney Bruce B. Loring in the Valparaiso State Bank building on Indiana Avenue. Prosecutor W. W. Bozarth and Attorney P. J. Bailey took quarters in the Brenner Drug Store building. The Sievers Drug Company will confine its activities to its new store on Lincolnway. The Bargain Store, Grieval and Vevia, and Tobin pool room have not made plans. The Yellow Taxicab Company is located in the old Specht Flower Shop quarters on Washington Street.

Valparaiso High School defeated Emerson High School of Gary, 51 to 40, last night at the university gym. Emerson came with the expectation of winning easily. At one time in the first half, Valpo led 22 to 4. Then Emerson spurted and the half ended 30 to 20, Valpo. White with nine baskets, Van Buskirk with six, and Wood with seven, led the locals’ attack. Shay, with eight, led the Emerson cagers. Link, Altehoff, Elser, Wood, Sotock, and DeLong played well for Emerson.

February 21, 1926

Charles Magnuson, of Valparaiso, was elected president of the Porter County Rural Letter Carriers’ Association at the annual meeting held at Chesterton on Saturday. Other officers named were J. C. McAlpin, Hebron, vice-president; Ellsworth A. Mitzner, Valparaiso, secretary-treasurer. Charles Magnuson and Elmer Gay were named delegates to the state convention. The next meeting will be held in Valparaiso.

The home of Prof. C. S. Hoover, 208 Lincoln Avenue (Brown Street), was badly damaged by fire Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Fire started in the basement from an unknown cause but would not have spread through the house had not the water hydrants been frozen. Prof. Hoover, partly overcome by smoke, managed to make his way from the home. His daughter, Louise Groves, was taken out an upstairs window as was also a young boy, who resides at the home. The entire home furnishings were a total loss.

February 22, 1926

Gary and Valparaiso today paid tribute at the biers of Herry McNamara, Gary fireman, and Robert Bartholomew, Valparaiso youth, who gave their lives “in line of public duty” in Friday’s Academy of Music Block fire. Headed by Valparaiso Mayor William F. Spooner, members of the common council, augmented by Fire Chief Fred Wittenberg and other city employees, a delegation of Valparaiso citizens motored to Gary this morning and attended services for McNamara. With all business and commercial institutions responding to Mayor Spooner’s appeal that the city gave marked evidence of mourning, Valparaiso this afternoon paid final tribute to Robert Bartholomew. Stores were closed, flags at half mast during the funeral period. Dressed in uniform, 120 representatives of the Gary Fire Department and city officials returned here with the Valparaiso delegation that attended the McNamara funeral and attended the Bartholomew rites, which were held at 2 o’clock from the Christian church. Every seat in the church was filled. Rev. E. Richard Edwards preached the eulogy.

February 23, 1926

At a special meeting of the Valparaiso City Council on Saturday evening, Arthur J. Bowser sponsored a program whereby a benefit fund of $10,000 is to be subscribed by Valparaiso citizens on behalf of those called upon to mourn and suffer by reason of the Academy of Music fire. Bowser said an especial debt of gratitude was due to the family of Harry McNamara, Gary fireman, who lost his life in the blaze. Members of the family of Robert Bartholomew, of Valparaiso, also killed in the fire, and others who suffered injuries will be recompensed.

February 24, 1926

Announcement was made today that E. D. Hodges, for fourteen years agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Valparaiso, will be transferred on March 1 to Kokomo, Ind., one of the chief cities of the Pan Handle branch of the Pennsylvania system. During his residence here, Hodges was president of the chamber of commerce, secretary of the Porter County Tuberculosis Association, and active in Rotary Club circles. He came here from Hanna, Ind. Ira A. Mummert, of North Manchester, Ind., will succeed Hodges here.

Headquarters were established today in the chamber of commerce rooms by Arthur J. Bowser, veteran newspaper publisher, selected as the leader of the Fire Victim’s Benefit movement. The drive to raise $10,000 for victims of the Academy of Music blaze was gotten under way at once. Mary E. Long volunteered her services as assistant to Bowser. The fund, when raised, will be turned over to the fire committee of the Valparaiso City Council for distribution.

February 25, 1926

One quarter of the $10,000 firemen’s fund for relief of families of those killed and injured in the Academy of Music fire was raised today when four Valparaiso financial institutions agreed to underwrite the raising of $1,000. The local banks, in coming to the aid of the fund, broke a long-standing rule, A. J. Bowser, chairman of the fund, said. Meeting in chamber of commerce rooms, the executive this morning said the committee made final plans for the drive. Towns and rural communities of the county will be asked to assist in raising the $10,000 fund.

Following a policy to rid north Porter County highways of vice dens, and questionable resorts, Sheriff William B. Forney and his aides Wednesday night made another raid and arrested a dozen inmates of alleged houses of ill repute. Two of the places raided were the Roamer Inn, supposed to be under lock and key by a temporary injunction order by Porter Circuit Court Judge H. H. Loring. The establishment is owned and operated by Joe Locrasto. It is known that Attorney Arthur L. Gilliom is “keeping his eye” on Dunes Highway law enforcement. At the time of the stir-up of the scandal involving the office of Prosecutor W. W. Bozarth in connection with alleged breach of promise trust in the notorious Herbst cases, the attorney-general let it be known that he was not satisfied with Porter County conditions as then existing and indicated he would take a hand unless vigorous law enforcement resulted.

February 26, 1926

A total of $3,500 has been pledged to the $10,000 fund to be raised for Valparaiso’s fire victims, according to a checkup made today. To speed up subscriptions, the executive committee sent out solicitors today, but many persons interviewed had already sent in their subscriptions. From Covington, La., today came a letter from G. G. Shauer, local theatre man wintering there, expressing deep sorrow for the catastrophe which befell the city, and pledging a $100 contribution for G. G. Shauer & Sons.

The O. C. Fredericks Real Estate Agency yesterday completed deals whereby Allen J. White becomes the owner of the Mary Thimings property located at 205 East Chicago Street, Valparaiso, and George DeFoor, of Gary, purchased two lots near Wolff’s Corners of the Pratt brothers. Dr. DeFoor will build in the spring and make his home here.

February 27, 1926

A fire causing a loss estimated at $10,000 visited the J. B. Foley farm one mile from Morgan Township High School last night, completely destroying three large stock barns. Iden Hittle, tenant, who was just preparing to move to the J. Wolf farm, north of Wheeler, was the chief loser with Foley. Heroic work by neighbors saved the farm home. Foley was able to save fifteen head of cattle, but six head of horses, four-hundred bushels of oats, four-hundred bushels of corn, twelve tons of hay, a silo completely filled with silage, and a calf burned. Scott Ginder, who was to take over the Foley farm, lost two-hundred bushels of corn and a wagon which he had moved to the Foley place.

A. J. and Ida Worstell, of 607 North Franklin Avenue in Valparaiso, will on Sunday celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. They were married in Ohio and moved to Porter County nine years after their marriage. They have lived in Valparaiso for the last eleven years.

February 28, 1926

Valparaiso’s mercy fund for the benefit of families of two firemen killed and for others injured in the Academy of Music fire, today reached the $7,000 mark. Sunday was Fund Appeal Day in Valparaiso churches, and while a substantial sum was raised, the amount has not been collected together as yet. Yet to hear from are the city’s industrial units, and the rural appeal program outlined by County Agent A. Z. Arehart and the one day’s pay program in charge of Ralph McGillicuddy. It is expected by Chairman Bowser that the $10,000 fund will be raised within the time limit. Disbursers of the fund will be Charles Hicks, Louis Gast, and C. A. Stanton, members of the fire committee of the Valparaiso City Council.

With an armed posse of eight special guards under the command of Sheriff W. B. Forney, the vault of the Farmers’ State Bank, which went through the Academy of Music fire, was opened Saturday evening and its contents safely removed. Everything in the vault passed through the fire in perfect shape. The safe containing the bank’s cash was removed to the bank’s new quarters in the Brown building, and the safety deposit boxes to the Valparaiso National Bank building, where they will be available to customers.

February 29, 1926

Valparaiso High School basketball team defeated LaPorte High School in a thriller on Saturday night at university gym by a score of 59 to 34. Fred White and Van Buskirk each contributed nine baskets of the twenty-six made by the locals. Ward, Pease, Martin, and Treadway played best for LaPorte but Valpo led at half time, 25 to 16. The Valpo second team was defeated by the LaPorte second team, 31 to 21. Otis Bowman made six baskets for Valpo.

Valparaiso is getting the reputation of a Gretna Green. A large number of couples who hie themselves to Crown Point on Sundays and after hours and fail to get licenses continue on to Valparaiso, where they are accommodated by Porter County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones. Nearly every weekend, from six to ten couples come here for licenses when they find out that the Crown Point office is not open on Sundays.

Looking Back • January 1926

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

January 1, 1926

The Valparaiso City Council at a special meeting Thursday night named the first board of trustees of the Valparaiso Home Water Company, recently taken over by the city. The board is Edgerton W. Agar, outgoing mayor; Mark L. Dickover, secretary of the Valparaiso Building & Loan Association, and George W. Eifler, present treasurer of the water company. Councilman Louis Gast opposed the passage of the ordinance creating the new board of trustees.

January 2, 1926

Valparaiso Mayor-elect William F. Spooner and the newly-elected members of city council will take their oath of office and seats of office on Monday noon. Spooner will succeed Edgerton W. Agar. C. A. Stanton, Charles Hicks, and Louis Leetz will succeed S. E. Collins, R. C. Higley, and John R. Burch on the council. E. S. Miller, Louis Gast, and John R. Palmer will retain office. Flora E. Kenny will succeed Grace Blachly as city clerk.

January 3, 1926

Elizabeth Noel Bowser, age 86 years, mother of Arthur J. Bowser, veteran Porter County newspaperman, died at her home in Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon.

F. W. Alpen today consummated the deal for the purchase of the property at 70-72 East Lincolnway in Valparaiso, occupied by the Cash Market, the Consumers Grocers, and Albe Hotel. The property fronts forty-four feet on Lincolnway and one hundred thirty two on Lafayette Street. Ben H. Urbahns, treasurer of Indiana, and former Valparaiso man, was owner of the property.

January 4, 1926

With a “How Do You Do” led by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, and “Spooner’s All Right” cheer sponsored by Rev. E. Richard Edwards, blazing the way, about fifty persons were guests of Mayor W. F. Spooner at a 1 o’clock luncheon dinner today at the Hotel Lembke. Seated around the table were representatives of both outgoing and incoming Valparaiso city administrations, and members of the clergy. Every minister of the city was present. Mayor Spooner made a short talk following the dinner. Other talks were made.

Coach J. B. Brown’s Valparaiso High School basketball team defeated Hobart High School quint Saturday night at the Valparaiso University gym, 54 to 24. Fred White, star running guard of the Valparaiso team, caged twelve baskets and two free throws for twenty-six points.

January 5, 1926

After twelve years of service as judge of the Porter Circuit Court, Judge H. H. Loring announced that he will not be a candidate for renomination at the May primary election. He plans to retire from the bench when his term ends on January 1, 1927. With Judge Loring’s announcement, names of three prominent attorneys have been mentioned as possible candidates. They are Grant Crumpacker, for years one of the leading members of the bar of northern Indiana, former Prosecutor Charles W. Jensen, of Chesterton, and Mark B. Rockwell, well-known Valparaiso attorney.

January 6, 1926

Speaking before an audience that filled the Valparaiso University auditorium this morning, Dr. Horace M. Evans announced his retirement from the presidency of the university. Six months ago, before the Lutheran Educational Association took over the school, Dr. Evans said he would remain with the institution until the Lutheran Association had completed all details leading up to the acquisition of the school. This has been accomplished. A successor is expected to be named soon.

January 7, 1926

Representatives of Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton, of Chicago, architects of the proposed new high school building, today outlined before members of the Valparaiso School Board plans devised for the construction of a gymnasium in connection with the high school proper at a meeting held at the office of Superintendent C. W. Boucher. Members of the group forming a holding corporation by which an additional $150,000 in bonds is to be floated for the building of the gymnasium were also present. It is the hope of school officials to launch the building program early this spring.

The Porter County Commissioners at the January meeting entered an order reducing the dog tax by cutting the tax on male dogs from $3 to $1. The tax on females was left at $3. Last year, between $7,000 and $8,000 was realized from the higher tax. The reduction will mean a saving to taxpayers of about $2,000.

January 8, 1926

Rev. George F. Schutes and Herman E. Sievers, members of the newly formed board of trustees now controlling the administration and affairs of Valparaiso University, left today for Fort Wayne where they will attend a meeting of the directing heads, which may result in selecting a new president for the university to succeed Dr. H. M. Evans, who resigned. Members of the former board of trustees, through their secretary, Dr. G. H. Stoner, today through a resolution, expressed their appreciation of the services rendered by President Evans.

Appearing before one-hundred-fifty persons at a meeting of the Center Township Farm Bureau held at Cook’s Corners school last night, Byron Kinne, Porter County Auditor, declared that the matter of taxation was very largely a local problem. He said last year $1,800,000 in taxes and fees were raised in Porter County on a valuation of $60,000,000. He asserted that as the larger part of the tax dollar was spent in the township, the matter of control of how it is spent is up to the taxpayers of the township.

January 9, 1926

Dr. W. H. T. Dau, professor at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., was selected as president of Valparaiso University at a meeting of the board of trustees of the university meeting at Fort Wayne on Friday. He succeeds Dr. H. M. Evans, who resigned two days ago. Dr. Dau was formerly head of the Concordia College at Conover, North Carolina, and also served as pastor of the Lutheran church in Hammond, Ind.

Valparaiso’s new Spooner city administration at its first meeting of the year on Friday night knocked the Agar administration city court program into a cocked hat; balked on the issue of providing a $30,000 outlay for operation of the new water department, and voted three to three to reject bids on the proposed Bond Avenue paving project.

January 10, 1926

Helen Glover, of Valparaiso, was drowned in Flint Lake on Saturday night when an automobile in which she was riding with Richard Bundy and Mildred Ford, both of this city, dived into a freshly-cut ice channel on the lake. Young Bundy and the Ford girl barely escaped with their lives. The body of the Glover girl was not recovered until the next morning at 7:45 o’clock. 

Valparaiso High School defeated Lowell High School basketball team Saturday night in Lowell’s cigar box gym by a score of 35 to 19. After Valparaiso had accumulated a 19-to-3 lead, Coach Joe Brown withdrew his first stringers and substituted his second stringers.

January 11, 1926

Accepting the unanimous call of the Porter County Bar Association to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for circuit judge to fill the vacancy caused by announcement of the retirement of Judge H. H. Loring, present incumbent who stated last week he would not be a candidate for a third term, Grant Crumpacker, one of the foremost attorneys of northern Indiana, formally accepted the invitation in the spirit of accepting a call to service.

Montdale Farm, consisting of two-hundred-thirteen acres, one of the finest dairy farms in Indiana, and noted for its fine breed of registered Ayrshire cattle and Duroc hogs, has changed hands. Three years ago, the farm was purchased from Harry Curran, son-in-law of J. Lowenstine, by J. W. Dowd. Fred B. Mateer, of Chicago, is the new owner. The consideration was $125,000.

January 12, 1926

During the Christmas holidays, Rev. C. W. Baer, former pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, of Valparaiso, and now pastor of the English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at Fort Wayne, Ind., received a call to the English Lutheran Church of Our Savior at Brooklyn, N.Y. Rev. Baer has decided to remain in Fort Wayne. He has been voted a substantial increase in salary. During his pastorate at Fort Wayne, three-hundred new members have been added and a church plant costing $150,000 was built.

January 13, 1926

Jack Chester, son of George and Marie Chester, was badly injured Tuesday evening when he was struck by an automobile driven by a man named Bowman, residing east of Valparaiso. The mishap occurred at the intersection of Lincolnway and Locust as the Chester boy was on his way to the home of his grandparents, John and Flora McNay, from the Columbia School. At the Christian Hospital, it was found he had suffered a fractured skull and an operation was performed.

January 14, 1926

Issuance of five-hundred-forty-seven marriage licenses, against the granting by Porter County courts of nine divorces, was the record established last year according to the annual reports of Porter County Clerk Roscoe M. Jones.

Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce leaders are confident that the goal of $12,000 set for the operating budget for 1927 will be achieved. A three-day campaign showed a total of $5,665 pledged in memberships. This is $1,600 over the 1925-mark, and according to workers, only sixty percent of the available chamber membership has been approached. President Edmund J. Freund was highly elated over the fine showing.

January 15, 1926

Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court today sentenced Daniel Majowski, Gary millhand, to prison for 1-to-3 years for deserting his wife, daughter of a McCool farmer. Majowski was given a chance some time ago by the court, but failed to live up to his promise.

Laura A. Kouns returned today from Maywood Ill., where on Monday her son, Ralph Kouns, a World War veteran, submitted to a serious operation. Although attending physicians are hopeful, the young man’s condition is considered grave.

January 16, 1926

Directors of the Lincolndale Country Club, recently organized, met last evening and took steps to insure a vigorous program of improvement and completion of a new golf course at the grounds west of Valparaiso next spring. Harry J. Collins, Chicago, designer of the famous Flossmoor course, will supervise the work. Nearly one-half of the two-hundred members have been signed up.

Charles Ohlfest, of Valparaiso, was elected treasurer of the Holstein-Friesian Association at a meeting held at Purdue University, Lafayette. C. W. Newman, Culver, was elected president.

January 17, 1926

Persons living along the Dunes Highway in north Porter County have prepared petitions addressed to Sheriff W. B. Forney asking that several roadhouses, long set down as questionable resorts, be placed under padlock. It is the contention of the objectors that these places are nuisances and that operators of the places have been arrested on numerous occasions but still continue in business.

Lewis E. Myers and Company today announced the sale of their Practical Agriculture business to James O. Cox, one of the executives of the company. Practical Agriculture consists of a school chart purchased three years ago by the Myers company from R. O. Evans and Company, Chicago. Cox will conduct the business under the name of The National School Service Company.

January 18, 1926

L. A. Hammersley, for the past seven years employed by the Specht Finney Company as manager of the men’s furnishings section, today resigned his position. He has not announced his plans for the future.

Word has been received here that Ben H. Urbahns, of Valparaiso, state treasurer of Indiana, submitted to an operation for removal of a kidney in an Indianapolis hospital today. His condition is reported as favorable, according to Harry C. Fenton, secretary of the Indiana Republican Central Committee. 

January 19, 1926

Chesterton was thrown into excitement today when it was learned that a young grade school boy seeking a thrill permitted a dog to enter the basement of the Chesterton school building, where it attacked three girls and bit them. Those injured were Margaret Samuelson, Elzene Carlson, and Jeanette Stevens. The dog is believed to have been attracted by scraps of food thrown out from the domestic science room. The girls were eating their lunch at the time of the attack.

January 20, 1926

Following closely upon the announcement that Judge H. H. Loring would not be a candidate for reelection, came the thriller today that Mae R. London, deputy county clerk for the last six years under Clerk Roscoe C. Jones, would be a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of clerk to succeed Jones.

January 21, 1926

At a meeting of the new Spooner Valparaiso City Council Wednesday evening, some thirty candidates for jobs on the police department were referred to the police committee, headed by Councilman Louis Gast. Those out for police chiefs are William Pennington, former sheriff; Gregg Stansell, former chief of police, and John S. Miller. For placing among the four patrolmen are Matthew Brown, Gordon Reynolds, William Lederer, Walter Bush, John Wulf, Robert Bryarly, Jerome Frakes, Robert Felton, Louis Detlefs, Charles F. LaCount, W. B. Williams, Herbert Mann, S. W. Mitchell, and Abe Hermance. John Wulf, health officer, has been replaced by Bertha Drawans Ewing. Policeman Matthew Brown in all probability will be retained. Fred Wittenberg seems to have the call for the post of fire chief. Those seeking jobs as regulars are John Deardoff, Gordon Wheeler, Freeman Lane, and Carl Dalke, with Wilbur Cowdrey, Gust Long, and L. J. Rosenberger as rivals.

Valparaiso Councilman E. S. Miller has been renamed president of the city planning commission by Mayor W. F. Spooner. Edmund J. Freund and J. Earl Mavity were named attorney and secretary respectively of the commission. Last month, the city planning and zoning ordinance was formally adopted and is now in effect.

January 22, 1926

Indiana was shocked today, and Valparaiso, his home city, stunned in sorrow as word was received of the passing Thursday evening at Indianapolis of Ben H. Urbahns, treasurer of Indiana. Although deeply shocked, Governor Ed Jackson, a personal friend of Urbahns, stated that he had promised in event of the latter’s death to name his widow, Grace Banta Urbahns, to fill out the unexpired term. Funeral services will be held Sunday at Indianapolis and burial will be made there. Urbahns made a visit to Valparaiso last week and disposed of his business block at the corner of Lafayette and Lincolnway to F. W. Alpen.

Given notice that Porter County is in for a period of more drastic liquor and general enforcement. Prosecutor W. W. Bozarth today appeared before Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court and asked for temporary injunctions against three Dunes Highway resort operators, with a view of making their owners show cause why their establishments should not be closed under the padlock law. Among the resorts sought to be closed is the notorious Roamer Inn owned by Joe Locrasto.

January 23, 1926

Members of the police and fire departments were named at the regular meeting of the Valparaiso City Council Friday night. William Pennington was named police chief, and Matthew Brown, Gordon Reynolds, Jerome Frakes, and Robert Felton, patrolmen. Bertha Ewing was named health officer, Fred Wittenberg, Sr., was named fire chief. Freeman Lane, Wilbur Cowdrey, Carl Dalke, and Gust Long, were named as drivers.

Tragic fate, which early last year took the life of Russell Maudlin, Valparaiso milk dealer, when he was trapped and killed at a local grade crossing, early this morning claimed the life of Lauren “Bud” Maudlin, his son. The latter was killed when an automobile in which he was riding was struck by a streetcar in Chicago. Maudlin died in Mercy Hospital before local relatives could reach his side.

January 24, 1926

Owners of roadhouses along the Dunes Highway in north Porter County will contest the move by Prosecutor W. W. Bozarth to have them declared public nuisances and permanently closed, was indicated Saturday when the operator of Roamer Inn, the largest of the three establishments against which Judge H. H. Loring issued temporary restraining orders, appeared in court and gave notice through attorneys that they would contest the action. Prosecutor Bozarth’s move was actuated by petitions presented to him signed by fifty property owners living along the Dunes Highway objecting to the operation of roadhouses.

Former Valparaiso Chief of Police James Jones on Sunday completed a period of twenty years of police service. Sixteen years of time have been spent as division detective for the Pennsylvania Railroad and some four years on the Valparaiso city police force. Acting Chief Matthew Brown, who in February steps back into the ranks of patrolman, was the man, who as city marshal in 1906, first engaged Jones. Through this period, Officer Brown and Detective Jones have remained close friends.

January 25, 1926

Action of the Indiana Board of Tax Commissioners in ordering a flat increase of thirty-three-and-a-half percent increase in the valuation of town and city property will cost Valparaiso and the five other incorporated units of the county a tax increase in 1926. Porter County taxpayers, according to Auditor Kinne, will pay a total of $1,396,268.82 in 1926, as against $1,355,578.05 last year. The county valuation for 1926 is $59,897,630, which is an increase of $800,000 over last year.

Dorothy Cunningham, Republican National Committeewoman from Indiana, today advocated the nomination of Grace Urbahns, of Valparaiso, by the Republican State Convention to be held in May for the office of state treasurer, held by her late husband, Ben H. Urbahns, who died recently. Urbahns, had he lived, would have been renominated, and it is proper that his widow receive the same honor. Grace Urbahns has not indicated she would be a candidate for the office.

January 26, 1926

A new move to build a Porter County hospital was launched at a meeting of Porter County Farmers-Business Men’s Short Course and Corn Show by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and chairman of the committee that represented the chamber of commerce in negotiations resulting in the taking over of Valparaiso University by the Lutheran Educational Association. Rev. Wharton declared that those who voted against it two years ago now want it.

January 27, 1926

Everett Gardner, of the state conservation department, has left Indianapolis for Gary, Valparaiso, and Chesterton to close deals for more acreage in the Dunes State Park. Gardner says he hopes to purchase acreage enough to round out the holdings now held by the state relative to various highways and streams.

January 28, 1926

An unheralded cold blast that hit Valparaiso on Wednesday afternoon developed into the most severe blizzard of the year, blocking roads, disarranging train schedules, and generally stranding the traveling public. County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe had a force of twenty men directing six snowplows and wielding snow shovels at various points throughout the county. Despite the activity of the road forces assisted by hundreds of farmers, many roads, except in the Hebron vicinity, are blockaded. Local hotels were crowded with traveling salesmen last night due to the storm. At Wanatah, a Pennsylvania passenger engine was derailed and delayed traffic.

Word has been received here of the death at Charlotte, Mich., of Rev. Arthur Hayes, a former Porter County resident. He was born near the Hayes school, southwest of Valparaiso, and was 61 years of age. He attended Valparaiso University. Rev. Hayes was a minister of the Baptist denomination.

January 29, 1926

When the case of Vito Sanchez, recently found guilty and given the electric chair, comes up Monday in Porter Circuit Court, Attorney D. E. Kelly, of Valparaiso, and Attorney Russell B. Harrison, of Indianapolis, Mexican counsel, and son of former President Benjamin Harrison, will attempt to obtain a new trial for the youth. According to the attorneys who recently entered the case, the defendant was given the legal representation to which he was entitled. Sanchez claimed he shot in self-defense after he had been robbed of $20.

Mary Deets Freeman, a former well-known Valparaiso resident, died at her home in Centralia, Wash., on January 16, according to word received here. The Freemans resided here for a number of years while William Freeman conducted a dry goods store.

January 30, 1926

Sunday marks the last day of service for five city employees, three police officers, and two firemen, and Monday will mark the beginning of new periods of service for five others. On that day, William Pennington will become chief of police under the Spooner administration, succeeding Matthew Brown, who takes rank as a policeman. Former Chief of Police Robert Felton and ex-officer Jerome Frakes will take the positions held by Walter Bush and William Lederer, Health Officer John Wulf is also dropped with Bertha Ewing taking his position. Officer Gordon Reynolds remains on the force with Robert Bryarly dropped from police duty for the time being. Bryarly will continue as a special merchant policeman. In the fire department, Wilbur Cowdrey and Gust Long will take the positions of John Deardoff and Gordon Wheeler.

Valparaiso High School defeated Michigan City last night, 31 to 23. White got nine points and Van Buskirk and Wood eight each for Valpo. Benson, with nine, and Flotow, with eight, were best for Michigan City.

January 31, 1926

Wheeler boys and Crisman girls are basketball champions of Porter County. Wheeler won the title by defeating Boone Grove 38 to 10 in the final, and Crisman triumphed over Chesterton to the tune of 21 to 8. Chesterton boys, last year’s winners, were defeated by Crisman 28 to 27. Crisman, in turn, fell before a fighting Boone Grove outfit, 17 to 13. Wheeler gained the right to play in the finals by winning from Chesterton and Morgan, the latter by a close 20-to-18 margin.

William N. Muster, veteran rural mail carrier out of the Valparaiso Post Office, died Saturday afternoon at his home after a two-month illness. His death was attributed to an injury received two years ago when he was thrown from his racing car while driving in a horse race at the LaPorte County Fair. He was fifty-eight years of age. He had been a mail carrier for twenty-four years. As a tribute to him, the Valparaiso Post Office will close during his funeral on Tuesday.

Looking Back • December 1925

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

December 1, 1925

The Valparaiso City Planning Commission, meeting in city hall Tuesday evening, entered into a contract with Lawrence V. Sheridan, city planning engineer of Indianapolis, to draft a city plan and zoning ordinance. Engineer Sheridan will prepare a map planning the Valparaiso of “tomorrow” that not only includes the present city area but surrounding territory within a mile-and-a-half limit. He will also prepare a street and highway program that will link up the main thoroughfares of the city with the existing inter-city state highways, radiating toward Gary, Michigan City, LaPorte and south for a distance of twenty-five miles, and prepare outlines and specifications for the development of park sites and street improvement, also a charting of existing and probable transportation developments.

December 2, 1925

Word was received here today of the death at Blue Island, Ill., of Sidney J. Rigg, former Center Township Assessor in Porter County. Rigg was born in Pennsylvania seventy-five years ago and for many years lived at the corner of Garfield Avenue and Wood Street in Valparaiso. The Riggs left Valparaiso several years ago for Blue Island, Ill.

December 3, 1925

Fred Homfeld, farmer, living near Hebron, was accorded the honorary degree of Master Farmer at a meeting sponsored by Prairie Farmer in Chicago’s Sherman Hotel last night. Frank O. Lowden, former governor of Illinois, was the principal speaker. The entire program was broadcast over Station WLS. Twenty-two farmers received similar awards, among them being E. L. Constable, of Indiana, the only other from Indiana besides Homfeld to be honored.

Through a contract entered into with the Porter County Commissioners, Valparaiso University officials have given the materials in the old college building, destroyed by fire on February 16, 1923, to the county for dismantling the structure. The building was the first unit of the university when Henry Baker Brown came here from Ohio in 1871. Previously, the Methodists had used it for school purposes. The site where the building stands will be made over into the campus by the Lutheran management. 

December 4, 1925

Rev. C. E. Burns, Valparaiso Rotarian, and in line for the governorship of the 20th District, spoke at the meeting of the Michigan City Rotary Club Thursday afternoon. He appealed for support for a Rotary convalescent ward at the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Hospital at Indianapolis.

More than 250 Elks attended the annual game feed held in the spacious dining hall of the new temple on Thursday evening. Following the game supper, a splendid program of entertainment was enjoyed.

December 5, 1925

Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court Friday afternoon held the Ogden Dunes incorporation proceedings to have been regular and denied the petition of attorneys for the New York Central Railroad, which sought to have the action of the Porter County Board of Commissioners in approving the project and ordering it submitted to Ogden Dunes residents as an election issue, which almost unanimously carried, set aside on the ground that several streets and alleys had not been opened to the public. Judge Loring held with Porter County Attorney Grant Crumpacker that the only question at issue was whether the residents had approved the plan as ordered. In view of the election, he held that they had done so. Ogden Dunes, developed by Samuel H. Reck, will be developed into a high-class residential section.

Announcement was made today by Lewis E. Myers and Company, that the connection made a year ago with the S. S. McClure Company has been severed. At a meeting of stockholders of the S. S. McClure Company in New York City two weeks ago, sale of the McClure’s Magazine was formally ratified. The identity of the purchasers was not revealed by the local firm. William Daly, of Valparaiso’s Daly and Freund firm, assisted in conducting the negotiations that resulted in the sale of the magazine.

December 6, 1925

Valparaiso’s City Board of Education has a puzzle on its hands. After all plans had been formulated to hire a school nurse and an applicant from Elyria, O., had been found who met all requirements, the board received legal citations from the state board of accounts at Indianapolis that the statutes do not empower school boards to create the office of health nurse nor pay out any moneys of the school city for such purpose. The school board may employ a person to teach health and hygiene in the schools, and such a teacher may serve as a health nurse.

The first Porter County Poultry School will be held Thursday in Valparaiso’s Baptist church gymnasium. A community basket dinner will be served at Noon. A fine program has been arranged for the occasion.

December 7, 1925

The cornerstone of the old Valparaiso Male and Female college, laid on April 25, 1860, was opened this morning by Joseph Crowe, county highway superintendent, who is cleaning up the old ruins of the building which later served for many years as an administration building for Valparaiso University, and which was burned two-and-a-half years ago. Newspapers comprised the main find in the cornerstone.  These were in a fair state of preservation. Other articles, such as pictures of men who were prominent in the school and local civic life, suffered badly through time and the elements.

December 8, 1925

Porter County Fair officials were relieved of further worry over the $41,800 deficit incurred in this year’s fair promotion. The board of commissioners, following the action of the county council in making the necessary appropriation, voted for funds necessary to clear up the indebtedness.

December 9, 1925

For the second time in Porter County court history, a jury in Porter Circuit Court returned a death penalty. The verdict came in the case of Vito Sanchez, of Gary, age 18, charged with slaying Daniel Grigayen early this year. Sanchez took the verdict calmly without batting an eyelid. Judge H. H. Loring set March 26 as the date of execution.

The Insull interests, which recently acquired the South Shore Electric Line, are making extensive improvements at Tremont. A building has been purchased and will be remodeled into a station. A long siding will also be constructed to care for special parties and other extra trains carrying visitors to the Dunes region. Forty new shelters, to be used as local stops, are being built.

December 10, 1925

Martha Heinold and Hannah Dunkel, wives of well-known Pleasant Township farmers Joseph Heinold and John Dunkel, narrowly escaped death this morning when their automobile was struck by a Chesapeake and Ohio passenger train at the Malden crossing, six miles south of Valparaiso. The ladies were enroute to Valparaiso to attend an all-day session of the Porter County Poultry Association at the Baptist church. Both women suffered severe bruises and cuts, and Heinold received a broken leg. The automobile was completely demolished.

The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, in its weekly newsletter sent to members, today urged a drive be made for a Porter County hospital and the establishment of a municipal market.

December 11, 1925

Fifteen hours after a Porter County jury had made criminal court history by returning a death verdict in a Gary slaying case, the same jury returned a second death verdict in the case of Henry Smith, charged with slaying Martin Smith, who the killer charged had been intimate with his wife. This morning, Attorney Daniel E. Kelly, of Valparaiso, appeared before Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court and entered his appearance on behalf of Vito Sanchez, who was found guilty yesterday. Sanchez and Smith were both represented by Attorney George Hitesman.

Compromise by promoters of the Town of Porter annexation program this morning removed this project from dispute, so far as the two leading remonstrators were concerned, after the Porter County Commissioners overruled the objections filed by the New York Central Railroad. The territory agreed upon will be merged with the Town of Porter.

December 12, 1925

Valparaiso High School defeated Hammond High School last night at Valparaiso University gym by a score of 56 to 27. Coach Brown’s charges were out in front at halftime, 27-14, and continued the dizzy pace in the second canto. Ebersold, with seven baskets, and White and Wood with six apiece, led the local scoring, which rolled up twenty-seven shots from the field. In a preliminary game, Valparaiso’s third team defeated Chesterton’s regulars, 20 to 18.

Harvey Bowen, age 30, attending Valparaiso University, was arrested last night by Sheriff W. B. Forney on complaint of W. P. Chisman, of Driggs, Id. Chisman told Sheriff Forney he had trailed Bowen all over the country after the latter had induced his daughter Goldie to withdraw her savings from the bank where she had served as cashier, taken her Chevrolet automobile, and departed for Valparaiso University, where he planned to secure an education. Bowen, according to Chisman, has a wife and a six-year-old daughter whom he deserted.

December 13, 1925

The boulevard lighting system for the Valparaiso business district will be revived again. Two years ago, the proposition was brought up but fell flat on account of the failure of Valparaiso’s city council, chamber of commerce, and lighting company to come to an agreement. Dr. J. R. Pagin, chairman of the lighting committee of the council, said today that a move was being made to again consider the plan.

The Valparaiso Lighting Company will make extensive improvements to its local plant in 1926. Extensions and betterments costing $25,000 to $30,000 will be made, according to Manager R. J. Cory.

December 14, 1925

Porter County Engineer W. E. Morthland and Joseph Crowe, superintendent of county highways, will attend the twelfth-annual Purdue Road School, to be held at Purdue University in Lafayette from January 18 to 22. Their attendance is compulsory as Indiana is probably the only state in the union in which county road officials are compelled by law to attend. Their expenses will average about $35 apiece for the four-day session and are covered by the county.

Rev. Ora E. Oxley, for three years a pastor of the Boone Grove Community Church, has accepted a call extended by the Christian church at Monticello, Ind., and will go there on January 1. Rev. Oxley became pastor at Boone Grove in 1922, coming from Rolling Prairie, where he made a fine record. Rev. Oxley has a wide Porter County acquaintance. For some time, he has been associated with the publicity department of the Porter County Farm Bureau.

December 15, 1925

Meeting in N. A. U. Hall this evening, Valparaiso Waltonians formed a permanent organization by naming Dr. H. O. Seipel, president; Dr. C. A. Nixon, vice president; Pierce L. Thatcher, executive secretary; R. K. White, recording secretary; Otto Roth, treasurer; Dr. C. O. Wiltfong, of Chesterton, Wallace Philley, and Dr. C. H. DeWitt, directors. N. A. U. Hall was selected as permanent headquarters.

December 16, 1925

Porter County Farm Bureau is in receipt of a letter from the International Agrarian Institute of Moscow, Russia, asking for co-operation of the local organization in an international farmers’ betterment movement. The letter was mailed eighteen days ago.

December 17, 1925

Rev. Father G. Taylor Griffith, former rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal church in Valparaiso, and who recently went to the west coast on a rest after forty years in the ministry, is being kept busy filling pulpits. Recently, Rev. Griffith has occupied pulpits at Tacoma and Spokane, and a short time ago conducted services in the $50,000 cathedral at Portland, Oregon.

Elliott F. Van Ness, age sixty years, died at his home in Valparaiso yesterday of pneumonia. Van Ness was founder of the Van Ness Electric Company, and was associated with his father-in-law, J. D. Wilson, in the building of the Porter County Courthouse. He was also one of the builders of the first lighting plant in the city, being associated with Edward and J. H. Wilson, who were his brothers-in-law.

December 18, 1925

Charles M. Lush, for years engaged in the hardware business in Valparaiso, and for the last few months owner and manager of the firm bearing his name, has disposed of his holding to G. A. Krueger and Louis Wojahn, of Hobart, formerly of LaCrosse. He will retire from business the first of the year.

A total of $2,500 in fair premiums were distributed today by the Porter County Fair board to upwards of two-hundred persons who had exhibits at the recent Porter County Fair. The fair board, headed by H. I. Barnett, worked until 2 o'clock this morning at the office of Porter County Agent A. Z. Arehart, getting the checks ready for mailing. The settlement was delayed three months due to a financial shortage.

December 19, 1925

William Daly, prominent local attorney, has accepted a call to become Valparaiso City Attorney under the new city administration to be headed by Mayor William F. Spooner. Attorney Daly is a life-long friend of the new mayor and occupied the same position in a former Spooner regime when Judge William Johnston resigned and he was named to fill the vacancy. Rumors are that William Pennington, former sheriff, will be named chief of police.

Sheriff William B. Forney foiled an attempted jail break last evening by Henry Smith, of Gary, recently sentenced to die in the electric chair by a Porter Circuit Court jury for the slaying of Martin Smith, of Gary. When the sheriff went to Smith’s cell to lock him up for the night, the latter tried to throw a pail containing a mop saturated with cleaning liquid – which he had ignited – over the head of the sheriff as he came into the cell row. Sheriff Forney, however, evaded Smith’s attempt and beat off the attack, finally cowing him with a gun. Smith was burned in the attempted assault and was taken to Michigan City prison today for safe keeping.

December 20, 1925

Rev. Edward J. Mungovan, pastor for the last eleven years of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, was honored Sunday evening at Community Hall by the Catholic Ladies’ Club on the occasion of his forty-ninth birthday anniversary. Guests included Mayor-elect W. F. Spooner; William Daly, his city attorney designate; representatives of Valparaiso press, and close friends of Rev. Mungovan in and out of his church circles. Mary Long, president of the Ladies’ Club, presided. Talks were made by a number present, and Rev. Mungovan responded. A beautiful birthday cake was baked for the occasion by Helen Zawadzki.

Harvey Bowen, alleged bigamist, Sunday started the return trip to Idaho, where, prosecuted by W.P. Chisman, father of the girl he is thought to have made his second wife, he will face legal accounting. The county prosecutor of Driggs, Id., and a deputy sheriff accompanied Bowen. Chisman and daughter also returned.

December 21, 1925

Edward Hamilton, 56, clothing salesman, and Louis Berman, 42, clothing manufacturer, both of Chicago, were instantly killed this afternoon when their automobile was struck by a Pan Handle Railroad passenger train at a grade crossing west of Hebron. The machine occupied by the two men stalled on the tracks. An uncle of Hamilton, driver of the death car, miraculously escaped with painful injuries.

December 22, 1925

The Valparaiso City Council at its meeting Monday night refused to pass an ordinance designed to supplant the present water company management by a board of three trustees under control of the council but did officially receive the ordinance to come up for call at the next meeting, scheduled for Christmas night.

December 23, 1925

A quick temper, inflamed by moonshine Tuesday morning, caused the death of Stanley Mroz, age 21, of Indiana Harbor. The scene of the action was near Baileytown, west of Chesterton. Mroz was shot by Joe Jaworski, 17, a companion, who endeavored to persuade him from attacking a gang of railroad workers who had ordered the two men and another companion, Eddie Glemkowski, 22, from shooting near the railroad. When Mroz threw his gun down and started for the railroad gang, Jaworski grabbed him. In the scuffle, Jaworski’s gun was discharged. The charge struck Mroz in the chest. Mroz was taken to Mercy Hospital but died soon afterward. Sheriff W. B. Forney turned Jaworski over to Lake County authorities.

The purchase of Waverly Beach, a key point in the state’s plans for the new Dunes State Park in Porter County, was announced today by Charles Sauers, assistant director of the state conservation commission. The purchase price was given at $181,612.50. The purchase means that work will be started on the park next spring. The land was purchased from Murray Turner, Peter Meyn, and Carl Kaufman of Hammond, and Ralph Van Vechten of Chicago, for the same price paid by them in 1923.

December 24, 1925

Abe Irwin, age 66 years, a Lake County inmate of the Porter County Jail awaiting trial on a charge of slaying Earl Ellis, of Gary, died at the county jail this afternoon. His death was due to an incurable bone disease brought on by a severe rheumatic condition. Irwin was tried last May by a jury in the Porter Circuit Court and a disagreement resulted. Ellis the murdered victim, was found stabbed to death in an alley. Irwin’s wife was held to be the real author of the slaying and will be sent to an insane asylum. Ellis’ wife was never prosecuted. Irwin admitted carrying the dead body of Ellis to the alley and leaving it at the command of his wife. He denied any part of the actual killing.

Pierce L. Thatcher, executive secretary of Valparaiso’s chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, today received official notification of his appointment to the National Speakers’ Bureau of the organization. Identified as one of the moving factors in the re-launching of the Walton League program in Porter County, Thatcher has attracted state and national attention.

December 25, 1925

The Valparaiso City Council met in regular session Christmas night but did little in the way of transacting business. All the council did was listen to a talk by Mayor E. W. Agar regarding the new water operating plan and then adjourned to their homes to continue the Christmas festivities. However, the stage was set for the transaction of some of the hangover issues before the old year is rung out and the New Year is welcomed. They are the water plant operating ordinance, Bond and Grove Avenue project award, and proposed railroad crossing flasher ordinance.

December 26, 1925

A capacity crowd filled St. Paul’s Catholic Church for yesterday’s midnight mass services presided over by Rev. Edward J. Mungovan. St. Paul’s choir, assisted by Ruth Brown, William Von Doehren, and Jack Doyle, as soloists, provided beautiful choral numbers. Rev. Mungovan delivered a very forceful sermon.

December 27, 1925

Porter County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe and a force of men are engaged in tearing down the walls of the building on West Lincolnway formerly occupied by the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company. The building was destroyed by fire several weeks ago. The bricks will be used in county road repair as will the bricks obtained from the old university building also destroyed by fire in 1923. L. T. Ross is owner of the West Lincolnway building in Valparaiso.

Fire, which originated in the attic, caused a $2,000 loss this afternoon at the Valparaiso home of W. W. Dee, 2005 Elmhurst Avenue. A passerby discovered the blaze. A large amount of household goods were saved. The firemen worked for over an hour in temperatures which registered twelve degrees below zero.

December 28, 1925

L. T. Ross, owner of the property on West Lincolnway formerly housing the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company, and which burned recently, today announced that he would soon start the construction of a new business building on the site. Milton Take, head of the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company, will occupy the new structure when completed. He plans one of the most modern auto sales rooms in northern Indiana.

December 29, 1925

Valparaiso city officials are in a quandary regarding the collection of garbage. During the zero weather, the garbage collector is unable to get the garbage out of the can into the tank. The cans are owned by the householder, and he is prevented from taking them away. The only solution to the problem is for the housewives to keep the cans in a warm place where the garbage will not freeze.

December 30, 1925

The E. W. Agar city administration last night in a hectic Valparaiso City Council meeting took title in the name of the City of Valparaiso in the Valparaiso Home Water Company; passed the operating ordinance drafted by Mayor Agar by vesting the plant in the hands of a board of three trustees but withheld naming the trustees until tonight.

Sheriff William B. Forney last night tendered his resignation as chief of the Valparaiso Fire Department. Sheriff Forney stated his duties were such that he could not attend to the fire chief’s job. He has held the job since the death of Bert Wise over a year ago. Before that, he was a volunteer member of the department for many years.

December 31, 1925

John Shoup, well-known farmer residing near Porter Cross Roads, was killed yesterday afternoon when a shotgun accidentally discharged. Taking the gun from his home to kill a hog, Shoup stumbled in the snow and the gun was discharged. Shoup’s wife, who had been visiting a neighbor, arrived home in time to hear the shot. Rushing to the back of the house, she found her husband lying on the ground.

At midnight, William O. McGinley, the only Democratic incumbent of a Porter County office, hands over the keys of the county treasurer’s office to Andrew J. Fehrman, Republican successor. McGinley has served for the last two years, during which time he handed over three million dollars of funds. In the November election, McGinley was defeated for reelection by Fehrman.

Looking Back • November 1925

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.

November 1, 1925

The Indiana Public Service Commission in Indianapolis today denied the petition of the Jahns Bus Company to establish a bus line between Valparaiso and Hammond. This ends the attempt of the company to extend its service through Deep River and Merrillville from Valparaiso to Hammond. At a hearing held here some weeks ago before Judge Samuel Artman, of the public service commission, the bus company indicated it was willing to operate four buses a day each way over the route. A number of persons living along the route testified the line was needed. At present, there is no line between the two cities.

Valparaiso University lost to Columbia College at Dubuque, Ia., 7 to 6, Saturday, when Evans failed to convert a goal after touchdown. Evans was responsible for the Valparaiso score by shooting a nice forward pass which was received by Jimmy Doran. Coach Anderson was much encouraged over the team’s showing and predicted a hard fight against DePaul next Saturday.

November 2, 1925

Attorney Oliver M. Loomis, of Valparaiso, will become secretary to Arthur R. Robinson, new United States Senator from Indiana. First indication that he was considered for the post came to Loomis Saturday while he was employed in a local lawsuit. Senator Robinson became acquainted with Attorney Loomis during the trial of Alex McCabe, of Chicago, charged with the slaying of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in a holdup near Cedar Lake. A large number of applicants were out for the post.

The fame of Valparaiso’s new quarter-million-dollar Elks Temple is now nationwide. A photograph of the local building occupies page one of the Elks magazine. An extensive writeup of the building, dedication ceremonies, and recent state convention accompany the photograph.

November 3, 1925

William F. Spooner, Democrat, was elected mayor of Valparaiso over incumbent Edgerton W. Agar by forty-nine votes. Spooner polled 1,165 to Agar’s 1,116. This was Spooner’s sixth race for mayorship, and his fourth victory. Flora Kenny, Republican, defeated Bertha Drawans Ewing, Democrat, for the city clerkship by a vote of 1,170 to 1,066. E. S. Miller, Republican, in the first ward; C. A. Stanton, Republican, in the second ward, and Louis F. Leetz and Charles Hicks, running for councilman at large, were unopposed. In the third ward, Louis Gast, Republican, defeated Frank Reibly, Democrat, 426 to 214, and John R. Palmer, Republican, defeated Ray Adams, Democrat, in the fourth ward, 328 to 116.

November 4, 1925

Gretchen Smith, of the law office of Kelly and Loomis, has been selected by United States Senator Arthur R. Robinson, of Indianapolis, as his social secretary. Smith will leave Saturday for Washington. Oliver M. Loomis, of the law firm, will serve Senator Robinson as his secretary. Loretta Metker will succeed Smith in the Kelly office.

November 5, 1925

The Schmidt interests, known as the Columbia China Corporation, has acquired an extension of their option on the properties of the Fraunfelter China Company of Chesterton for the purpose of obtaining an appraisal of the plant. After the appraisement has been completed, the purchasing deal will be consummated at a consideration of $300,000. The Columbia Chicago Corporation is supported by powerful Chicago financial interests.

Officials of the Porter County Farm Bureau are confident that the drive to enroll 1,000 members in the county is going over the top. With three townships yet to work on, and five others not fully covered, a total of 760 members have been signed up. Center Township will hold a big meeting this evening at Lembke Hall, and this is expected to swell the membership. 

November 6, 1925

Sheriff W. B. Forney has returned from Chicago Heights, Ill., where he recovered a Buick car stolen from John F. Griffin. Two youths, ages 13 and 11, took the car here on election night. They started out from Bloomington, Ind., by stealing a Ford. They drove to Spencer, Ind., where they stole a Dodge. They then came to Valparaiso where they stole the Griffin car. Then they drove to Chicago Heights, Ill., and sold it for $10. Then they stole a Chrysler and drove to Phoenix, Ill., and back to Chicago Heights, where they sold it and took a train to Momence, Ill. While attempting to steal a Ford there, they were pursued and captured after a thirty-five-mile chase.

C. W. Bartholomew, veteran undertaker, suffered a stroke this afternoon at his home on Chicago Street in Valparaiso, and his condition is reported critical. He was at the undertaking establishment on North Washington Street this morning visiting with old-time friends, and, while there, became faint and was taken to his home.

November 7, 1925

A resident of Valparaiso since 1871, Ina McIntyre died yesterday afternoon at her home at 901 LaPorte Avenue. Survivors include the husband, three daughters, one sister, and one brother. Ina was the daughter of Rev. John Wallace, Presbyterian minister.

Sheriff W. B. Forney sold the Fred Tresemer farm in Valparaiso at Wolf’s Corners, for $40,000 this morning. A Chicago doctor held a mortgage of $28,000 against the property.

November 8, 1925

It was revealed today that the losers in Chesterton’s town election Tuesday are not yet through. Defeated candidates plan to demand a recount, which may end in an appeal to the Porter Circuit Court. It is said the Peoples’ candidates who were defeated are not satisfied that they were given a just tabulation of the vote, and a recount will show a reversal of the figures. Charles S. Kline, present trustee, was credited with 512 votes against 506 for William Lundberg, and Arthur J. Rader, present incumbent, defeated Hayes Fisher by 17 votes. More than 1,000 ballots were cast.

William Sievers, Grand Trunk businessman, died of a heart attack at his home Sunday night. He was born in Valparaiso in 1872 and had been engaged in business at the Grand Trunk for more than thirty years. A widow, two sons, and one sister survive.

November 9, 1925

Through Attorney George R. Williams, the two defeated candidates in the town election at Chesterton last Tuesday, today filed a petition with Judge H. H. Loring asking for an official canvas. A demand for a recount was also filed with Porter County Auditor B. H. Kinne.

Members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club were given an insight today into the new movement to give Indiana better police protection through the passage of a state police bill by the legislature. The speakers were Bliss W. Boering, of Indianapolis, member of the state police auxiliary committee, and Captain H. C. Dayton, veteran of the Colorado Rangers. Boering told the Kiwanians, who had assembled at the Philley cafeteria for the weekly dinner, that the employment of a state police personnel of 195 men would not cost more than $500,000 annually. Captain Dayton told the requirements of a good police officer and cited some of the results being obtained by other states which have a state police system.

November 10, 1925

Lelah Robeson, of Indianapolis, president of the Rebekah Assembly, was honored at Odd Fellow Hall Tuesday night when she attended a meeting of Charity Rebekah Lodge, No. 64. Members of the local degree staff exemplified the degree and executed some fancy drills. Visitors were present from East Chicago, Gary, and Crown Point. Robeson gave a fine and instructive talk, in which she complimented the lodge on its splendid work. Members of Canton Valparaiso, No. 27, were guests of the lodge. Refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.

November 11, 1925

Rushed to Christian Hospital late last night, L.T. Fredericks, head of the Chicago Mica and Fibroc Insulation companies, submitted to an operation for removal of a ruptured appendix to prevent a spread of poisoning. Fredericks was stricken last Sunday night when aboard a train headed for New York City. Turning back at Fort Wayne, he returned here. At first, it was believed he was suffering from a digestive order, but later his condition was traced to his appendix. Reports from his bed today are encouraging.

November 12, 1925

With Commissioner F. J. Singleton of the State Public Service Commission presiding, petitioners for the new road from Waverly Beach direct through to the Dunes Highway met at Tremont Hotel this morning to press their claims against the opposition of the South Shore Electric Line, which has appealed the case to the commission. The Porter County Commissioners approved the proposed road project, and the railroad took an appeal from this ruling. The new road would give direct contact with Waverly Beach. Attorney E. J. Freund appeared for the commissioners. The railroad claims it would be put to great expense in bringing the crossing up to grade.

Chesterton’s election troubles, in which backers of the Peoples’ ticket are contesting the election of candidates of the Citizens’ ticket, is due to the Ku Klux Klan, according to Editor John G. Graessle, of the Chesterton Tribune. According to Graessle, the Klan forces two years ago took charge of the caucuses of both parties, carried the election, and elected their men. No protest was made by the other faction, and they accepted defeat gracefully. This year the same stunt was tried. However, the antis had perfected their organization and went into Citizens’ caucus and defeated the Klansmen candidates at their own game. At once, a howl went up, and everybody who was not for them was everything but a gentleman or lady.

November 13, 1925

Valparaiso Country Club’s new $20,000 club house was dedicated last evening with a dinner-dance program. Rev. E. J. Mungovan, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church was the speaker of the evening. The Melody Makers, of LaPorte, furnished the music. Following Rev. Mungovan’s address, Walter E. Brownell, chairman of the sports and pastime committee, awarded prizes to winners of the various tournaments held this summer. The new building was built by the Foster Lumber and Coal Company and is an attractive structure, with a spacious assembly hall, sun parlor, and ladies’ room on the first floor and locker rooms and living quarters for the professional attendant in the basement. Harold Ridgely, formerly of the Dixmoor Golf Club, of Homewood, Ill., is the golf pro at the club.

Seven Hebron youths are facing criminal charges in Porter Circuit Court as the result of an attack on the home of Dr. William Butman, Hebron practitioner, on last Hallowe’en night. According to Dr. Butman, the youths peppered his home with rocks and other missiles, breaking windows in his home and office, and wrecking doors. Porter County authorities did not know of the fracas until a few days ago when affidavits were asked by Dr. Butman for the arrest of the youths. It is said the trouble resulted when Dr. Butman fenced off part of a plot of ground used by the boys for a recreation field.

November 14, 1925

The E. W. Agar city administration, which retires from office on January 1, Friday evening put over two history-making moves in Valparaiso municipal annals when it made plans to terminate the old contract with the trustees of the Valparaiso Home Water Department of the plant. It also authorized the board of education of the School City of Valparaiso to issue $150,000 in bonds for a new high school building, referring the plans for the new building to Valparaiso’s planning commission for investigation and report at the next meeting.

Rival faction in Chesterton’s red-hot election feud took the friendly advice of Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court and returned to their homes in Chesterton today after being informed that three official canvassers would be named to inspect the records of the election and the ballots cast for the various candidates. The court refused to impound the records in the election, holding that no notice had been served to the town clerk, Carl G. Nordstrom. According to the returns, Messrs. Kline and Rader, Citizens’ ticket candidates, defeated Messrs. Lundberg and Fisher by six and seventeen votes respectively.

November 15, 1925

The Chesterton election dispute grew a little hotter today when an affidavit was filed against George Groff, charging that he cast an illegal ballot. It is charged Groff is not an American citizen. Rudolph Slont is the complaining witness. Groff is said to have been a worker for the Citizen’s ticket, which was victorious over the Peoples’ ticket. Citizens’ ticket backers charge that members of the Peoples’ ticket are back of the prosecution.

Valparaiso University Gridders lost to Central State Normal at Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Saturday by a score of 41 to 0. Coach Millard Anderson’s squad was unable to stop the plunges of the Michigan team and were unable to penetrate the tight defense of the Normal Huskies.

November 16, 1925

Gaining entrance through the coal bin in the rear and working their way through the basement and upstairs, burglars for the second time within eight months robbed the Sievers Drug Store, on East Lincolnway in Valparaiso, of $500 of merchandise sometime during the night. The loot consisted principally of Ingersoll watches and choice fountain pens.

Chesterton and Hebron provided the excitement today in Porter Circuit Court. Seven Hebron youths charged with riotous conduct by Dr. William Butman, of Hebron, in the alleged wrecking of the doctor’s house and office on Halloween night, were given a preliminary hearing and released under $1,000 bond. Dr. Butman was also served with an affidavit charged with firing on one of the boys with a shotgun. He too was given a $1,000 bond. No date was set for arraignment. Chesterton’s town election dispute, in which Citizens’ and Peoples’ party candidates are engaged in a contest over the result of the recent town election, was continued one day because of the absence of Grant Crumpacker, who has been retained to assist Charles W. Jensen, Chesterton town attorney.

November 17, 1925

Word has been received here that Helen Schleman, daughter of William and Evelyn Schleman, of Valparaiso, and a student at Wellesley has made the famous Boston hockey team and will play in the games against the All-Chicago and Irish hockey teams. Last year, the Boston team won second place in the national tournament. Schleman is taking a course in physical training.

November 18, 1925

After listening to arguments pro and con as to whether a recount should be made in the Chesterton election controversy, Judge H.H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court this afternoon ruled that a recount of the vote should be made. The court named three commissioners to canvass the vote as follows: Charles W. Jensen, town attorney, representing the Citizens’ party, winners of the election; Attorney George R. Williams, representing the People’s party, losers, and Charles L. Hazlett, former postmaster of Chesterton and former township trustee. The court also issued a duces tecum subpoena ordering Carl G. Nordstrom, town clerk, to deliver the records of the election over to the commissioners.

November 19, 1925

Valparaiso has been given a place on the U.S. Highway 30, which will extend from Atlantic City, N.J., to Salt Lake City, Utah, according to dispatches from Washington, D.C. The new route will be marked with standard and warning signs.

Jury costs in the last two trials of Alex McCabe, Chicago gangster for the slaying of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in Porter Superior Court, cost Lake County $3,000. All the money went to Porter County residents, but Lake County had to foot the bill.

November 20, 1925

Marked by atmospheric calm that almost belied all suggestion of difference and contest, the first move in the legal battle to contest Chesterton’s election results was made in Porter Circuit Court chambers this afternoon. Canvass of the vote was begun by the canvassers composed of Attorneys C. W. Jensen and George L. Haslett in the afternoon, after Sheriff W. B. Forney had delivered the ballots over to the board. It is expected the result will be made known tomorrow. Candidates William Lundberg, defeated by Charles S. Kline, and Arthur Rader, victor over Hayes Fisher, were present. They each selected two witnesses, namely J. G. Graessle and Agnes Morgan for the Citizen’s ticket and Attorney C. D. Wood and Charles Pearson, for the People’s ticket. Town Clerk Carl G. Nordstrom, a central figure in the contest proceedings, was also an interested witness. Sheriff W. B. Forney acted as guard.

Horn Brothers Quality Market today sold a carload of wool amounting to 22,000 pounds. The wool is being sacked and tomorrow will be shipped to Columbus, O. The wool was purchased in LaPorte and Porter Counties. A Fort Wayne man was broker in the deal. Such a shipment was made last year.

November 21, 1925

A recount of the vote in the Chesterton town election dispute completed Friday afternoon revealed no change as to the winning candidates, Arthur J. Rader and Charles Kline, but cut down the margins of the winners, William Lundberg, opponent of Kline, gained four votes, making the revised figures 506 for Kline and 504 for Lundberg. Fisher gained five votes on Rader, the count being 511 for Rader and 499 for Fisher. It is likely a court contest will be filed.

Announcement was made today that the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club will sponsor a show Tuesday, Dec. 8. Harry Albe will be in charge. On Tuesday night of next week, the Kiwanis Club joins with Rotary in a ladies’ night program before which Charles Brandon Booth, lecturer, will speak.

November 22, 1925

Judge Harry L. Crumpacker, in the Porter Superior Court this morning refused to reopen the issues and review the decision of Judge Virgil S. Reiter in the case involving the disbarment of Attorney Paul Glazier, of Lake County, trial of which came before him this term. Glazier’s attorneys, Conroy and Welsheimer, of Hammond, filed a demurrer and sought to have certain issues reviewed, asserting that on another occasion Judge Crumpacker had entertained a similar motion. “I grant that point, but I do not think it proper to follow a dangerous precedent. This is not a court of review,” stated the court.

Charles Brandon Booth, son of the founder of the Volunteers of America, and grandson of the founder of the Salvation Army, spoke to a congregation of men, women, and children at the Presbyterian church in Valparaiso Sunday night as an advocate of the Big Brother and Big Sister Federation movement. Tonight, he appears before a joint gathering of Valparaiso Rotary and Kiwanians at a Hotel Lembke banquet to sound his message which is, in brief, a direct challenge to the heart of America. “All there is to the Big Brother and Big Sister movement is the awakening of a social consciousness on the part of the individual man and woman by which they will take an interest in guiding and directing an individual boy or girl,” Booth said.

November 23, 1925

Principal Palmer, of Washington Township High School, Sunday proved the nemesis of one Jesse Grimes, and as result, Grimes was this afternoon sentenced to serve six months at the penal farm for breaking into Washington Township High School. Only the timely arrival of Principal Palmer prevented Grimes' getaway as he had completed his sacking and was just about ready to depart when confronted by Palmer, who had gone to the building to straighten up things following a social entertainment held there Saturday evening. Palmer held Grimes until the arrival of Sheriff W. B. Forney.

A daring thief entered the Texaco filling station at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Franklin Street in Valparaiso between Monday night and this morning and looted the place of $30 in money and a quantity of oil and alcohol. It was the second robbery of the week, as Sievers Drug Store was entered and sacked a few days ago.

November 24, 1925

Two sixteen-year-old youths, using a skeleton key, staged the robbery of the Texaco Oil Company station at Indiana Avenue and Franklin Street in Valparaiso Monday night, according to Sheriff W. B. Forney. The pair are under arrest at Chicago Heights for a similar robbery. Other places burglarized by the youths were in Gary and Merrillville. The youths gave the names of Mike Medred and George Zekuetki.

November 25, 1925

James Hamilton, age 71, who has lived in the sand hill section north of Chesterton, died this morning of a heart attack. His wife found him lying on the floor of the home. Years ago, the family occupied a log cabin that belonged to his father. Just a few years ago, with the big development being made in the dunes region, Hamilton built a fine new home. He had made the duneland country his lifelong residence.

November 26, 1925

William Nuppnau, manager of the J. Lowenstine and Sons grocery department, narrowly escaped injury Thursday evening when, blinded by another car, he lost control of his Dodge machine, and skidded off the road. Although the car was badly damaged, Nuppnau was uninjured. He was returning home from Chicago.

Otho F. Helvie was rushed to the Christian Hospital in Valparaiso yesterday morning suffering from an acute attack of appendicitis. An operation was performed at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Reports from the hospital this morning were to the effect that Helvie passed a good night.

November 27, 1925

The Kleins and the Bernhardts, of Valparaiso, had narrow escapes from death Thursday evening when a Studebaker car driven by Abe Klein crashed into a fence along a highway between Valparaiso and Kouts, and partly overturned. The fact that the machine hit the fence prevented it from going down an embankment. All the occupants of the car crawled out through the windshield. Minnie Bernhardt suffered a fractured collar bone. The party was enroute home from a visit at North Judson with Ben Donchin and family.

Mary Shephard Moe, age 63 years, died last evening at her home after an illness of two weeks. She was born at Oconomowoc, Wis., and was united in marriage to O. M. Moe in South Dakota. She lived here for fifteen years. Surviving are the husband, two sons, one daughter, five brothers, and three sisters.

November 28, 1925

West Lincolnway’s future as the center of Valparaiso’s business design was assured today with announcement of new building projects soon to get under way. The Bloch Hotel building will soon undergo extensive remodeling, including a new front. The former Ward building, occupied by the Modern Toggery, has been sold to Leigh and Arthur Keene, who are now located in the Belmont Hotel building. They will move to the new site and make improvements. Sam Salberg, present occupant, is dickering for a location on West Lincolnway. The Roy Ross building, damaged by fire recently, is expected to be rebuilt and occupied by the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company, owned by Milton J. Take and J. G. Grantham.

November 29, 1925

Valparaiso Kiwanis met at Philley’s today for its regular noon-day luncheon. Plans were discussed for the promotion of the show, “Cheer Up No. 2.” Chairman Harry Albe urged all the members to give their full cooperation in making the show a success. The two directors of the play, Belva Rice and Mildred Erb, were introduced by President Walter Brownell. The directors assured the club of an excellent show and highly commended the talent on their rapid progress.

November 30, 1925

Principal H. M. Jessee, of the Valparaiso High School, will be one of the speakers at LaPorte’s annual basketball clinic to be held at LaPorte Y.M.C.A. Wednesday evening. Jessee will speak on “What the School Expects of the Official.” The talk will be in reply to a talk by Keith Crown, of Gary, who will talk on “What the Official Expects of the School.” Valparaiso basketball fans will attend.

St. Paul’s Parochial School basketball team of Valparaiso yesterday defeated Hebron Independents, 30 to 22. Hebron started off with a rush and soon had the locals gasping for breath with a 6-to-0 lead. St. Paul’s came back and at half time was leading 17 to 15. Nolan, from St. Paul’s, was the high-point man with thirteen points. Morgan, with 11, led the visitors’ attack.