These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.
November 1, 1920
Owen Price, of Freeport, Ill., has purchased the Algie Kauffman farm east of the fairgrounds, and will take possession on March 1.
Vandals, believed to be Hallowe’en serenaders, completely wrecked the interior of Cook’s Corners schoolhouse, north of the city. The outrage is believed to have been committed Saturday night. Desks were overturned, school books torn and scattered about, window shades torn down and walls defaced. Trustee Charles H. Crisman has offered a reward for the arrest of the culprits.
November 2, 1920
The Maxwell Implement company has received authorization from the secretary of state at Indianapolis, giving it permission to increase its capital stock from $70,000 to $150,000 ($910,980 to $1,952,100 in 2020). The additional capital is to provide working capital for the increased business.
Warren G. Harding carried Porter County by nearly 4,000 in Tuesday’s big Republican landslide. He polled 5,570, votes to James O. Cox’s 1,671. Will R. Wood, Republican for Congress, defeated James H. McGill, of Valparaiso, Farmer-Labor candidate, 4,641 to 1,839. Barnett, Democrat, polled 1,029, and B.A. Gott, of Wheeler, Socialist 90. Senator James E. Watson beat Tom Taggart 5,382 to 1,619, and Warren McCray led McCullouch for governor by a vote of 5,380 to 1,646.
November 3, 1920
The Maxwell Implement company has received authorization from the secretary of state at Indianapolis, giving it permission to increase its capital stock from $70,000 to $150,000 ($910,980 to $1,952,100 in 2020). The additional capital is to provide working capital for the increased business.
November 4, 1920
Mayor P. L. Sisson in a letter from his Chicago office to Lyman Dean, chief of the Valparaiso Fire Department, is in favor of an increase in the pay of city volunteer firemen. The present pay of the eleven volunteers is $70 ($910.98 in 2020) per year. The new pay demand is $150 ($1,952.10 in 2020). The increase would not become effective until January 1 next.
Roscoe Rodgers has commenced the erection of the cement block garage and auto repair shop in the rear of his lot on Jefferson Street, just north of the post office. The structure will be 40x66 feet.
November 5, 1920
The Vidette and The Messenger fronts presented a rather dilapidated appearance, due to unknown persons hurling rocks through the plate glass windows. At each place the windows were caved in with cobblestones wrapped in bed sheeting. Various reasons were assigned for the act. A recent scoring of the Valparaiso University football team for walking off the field at DePauw following a referee’s decision and forfeiting the game was given as one reason for the desecration.
An enormous orphanage costing $350,000 ($4,554,900 in 2020) will be erected near McCool, Porter County, on an estate of 1,500 acres. A Russian branch of the Society of Slavic People is behind the project.
November 6, 1920
At chapel exercises yesterday morning Valparaiso University observed Founders’ Day with appropriate exercises. Five professors associated with Henry Baker Brown, president and founder of the university, were given degrees as follows: E. W. Agar, doctor of jurisprudence; J. E. Roessler, and Miss Catherine Carver, doctor of literature; A. A. Williams, doctor of mathematics; E. W. Chaffee, doctor of music. Miss Catherine Corboy was presented with a gold-lined silver cup in appreciation of her thirty years service. Talks were made by Mrs. H. B. Brown, Henry Kinsey Brown, President D. R. Hodgdon and the six professors honored. Dr. Hodgdon conferred the degrees.
Before one of the largest crowds ever attending a football game at Brown Field, Valparaiso University defeated St. Louis university, 41 to 0. The locals played without the services of Dandalet, Gilbert, Kersheval and Moore. Cearing featured the game with a forty-eight yard run through the entire St. Louis team. Ecklund was a fine kicking form.
November 7, 1920
Philip Poe, of Baltimore, Md., one of the large landholders of the LaPorte division of the Chicago-New York Electric Air Line railway which plied between Goodrum and LaPorte, is selling the right-of-way to farmers whose lands adjoin that of the old railway. The railroad purchased the right-of-way in many instances and the sale of this is now being made by Mr. Poe. Two parcels have been deeded to John O. Johnson and John Ludolph, both residing in Jackson township.
About 500 people witnessed the Valparaiso-East Chicago high school football game Saturday at Brown Field. East Chicago won 13 to 0. East Chicago scored twice in the first half, but was unable to do anything in the last half. Valparaiso steadied and smothered any further attempts at scoring. East Chicago also proved vulnerable in this respect.
November 8, 1920
A number of Valpoites went to Kentland, Ind., this morning to attend the jollification meeting in honor of the election of Warren T. McCray as governor of Indiana. The Purdue band of 105 pieces, and five other bands, together with six glee clubs, United States Senator James E. Watson and a barbecue roast beef are some of the attractions. Those from here in attendance are G. E. Bornholt, A. W. Coplin, W. B. Forney, E. J. Gardner, A. N. Worstell, W. E. Brown, P. W. Clifford, J. D. Kenan, Walter Clifford, Ted McAuliffe, E. E. Cunningham and H. H. Loring.
According to persons who are interested in the matter, the Shauer theatre building on the old Hotel Spindler site will be erected this winter. Plans have been submitted to the Shauers and bids are now being awaited.
November 9, 1920
The county council yesterday viewed the Charles F. LaCount road in Morgan Township, and Fremont D. Sawyer road in Porter Township. The two roads along the Lindell and Hanrahan roads will be passed upon by the county council for report to the county commissioners. The council will meet again to view the Hanrahan and Lindall roads. When all inspections have been made a report will be submitted to the commissioners and appropriations will probably be made for the roads on which favorable action is taken. The total estimated cost of the four roads is $321,000 ($4,177,494 in 2020).
November 10, 1920
Among the Valparaiso Masons who are taking the Scottish Rite degree at the fall meeting of the Fort Wayne Consistory this week are: Dr. G. R. Douglas, Glen J. Goddard, Fred Landsdown, George Cadwell, Robert Sandy, F. E. Morton and H. K. Brown.
November 11, 1920
H. G. Venamann, engineer of the Baker Ice Making Machine company, of Omaha, Neb., was here yesterday looking over the new building of the Valparaiso Home Ice Company. He arranged for the placing of the machinery to be installed. C. F. Mason, secretary of the company, stated today that the factory would be in operation by February first.
At a meeting of Red Cross workers last night, Hobart M. Lackey, secretary of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, was elected chairman of Porter county for the fourth roll call. John M. Oldham will serve as chairman for Valparaiso and A. A. Hughart, treasurer. Active work on the roll will start next Monday.
November 12, 1920
The St. Michaels’ American-Russian Orphans Home and Institution which recently acquired 500 acres of land in Portage Township, yesterday placed its subdivision, comprising the east half of section 29, township 36, range 6 west, on file in the recorders’ office. The subdivision is made up of twenty-five blocks. The filling of the plat and conveyance to the International Trust and Savings banks, of Gary, which will act as sales agent for the society, cost $150 ($1,952.10 in 2020).
The second anniversary of Armistice day was observed in Valparaiso yesterday. All business houses closed at noon and the university and schools declared a half holiday. A parade was held at 2:30 p.m. with O. F. Helvie as marshal of the day. T. P. Galvin, commander of the local post, presided. Robert Moore, Michigan City attorney, made the address. Mrs. Louise C. Shauer, president of the legion auxiliary, also spoke. At night the legion met and elected O. F. Helvie commander.
November 13, 1920
The campaign for better schools in Porter County in conjunction with the state drive in progress, is proving a winner. Meetings are successful and people seem interested. Superintendent Fred H. Cole, of the county schools, is working every night attending meetings throughout the county. Superintendent Cole has been unable to attend any of the district schools because of pre-arranged meetings in the larger schools. The campaign scheduled to end Nov. 16 has been extended one week to take care of meetings which cannot be reached in the allotted time.
J. A. Warren, of Pleasant Township, the corn champion of the county eclipsed all his previous efforts when he averaged 127 bushels to the acre on a field of 15 acres. Mr. Warren was entered in the Purdue 5-acre corn contest and his total is the highest reported to date. Three samples of corn grown by Mr. Warren are shown at the county agent’s office here. One was from a plot that yielded 10 bushels per acre; a second from a plot that yielded 80 bushels, and the third from the record-breaking plot of 127 bushels per acre.
November 14, 1920
Valparaiso University defeated Morningside College 14 to 0 at Brown field Saturday afternoon. Bandelet and “Beanie” Harris scored touchdowns for Valparaiso. Morningside had the same lineup when it defeated Valparaiso 27 to 0 last year. The locals were without the services of Scanland, Sawyer and Kersheval. Harris intercepted two forward passes by Morningside. Gilbert, Cearing and Ecklund also starred for Valparaiso. In the curtain raiser, Valparaiso High School was defeated by the strong Kentland, Ind., team, 19 to 0.
A. J. Ponton, who has been serving as deputy under County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones for the last three months, has resigned. He will take employment in Gary. Mrs. Mae R. London, who has been employed in the office as stenographer for the last year, will succeed Mr. Ponton. Miss Katheryn Kirkpatrick will take Mrs. London’s place.
November 15, 1920
By a deal completed yesterday the Motor Service company shop located on the second floor of the Lincoln Highway garage, was sold by its owners, S. H. Adams, Myron Bell and Henry Robbins, to L. T. Ross and J. J. Overmeyer. Mr. Bell will remain with the new management.
Henry F. Blocker arrived home last night from Yorktown, Va., to look after his property here. He has completed a contract on mason work on twelve government buildings costing nearly a million dollars ($13 million in 2020). W. D. Marquart, Mandel Tofte and W. C. Marquart, of this city, were employed by Mr. Blocker.
November 16, 1920
Rev. Robert H. Dunaway, successor to the Rev. J. M. Gelston, as pastor of the Presbyterian church, was installed last evening. Rev. Fred E. Walton, of Gary, presided at the meeting. The sermon was given by Rev. Robert H. Beattie, president of the Presbyterian Training School, Chicago. The charge to the pastor was delivered by Rev. Walton, in the absence of Rev. Gelston. The charge to the people was given by Rev. A.S. Stewart of LaPorte. A quartet furnished music. A reception for Rev. Dunaway and family followed. There was a large attendance.
November 17, 1920
The United States China company of Chesterton today filed its articles of incorporation with Recorder John W. McNay. The capitalization of the company is $200,000 ($2,602,800 in 2020), and its object is to manufacture pottery and earthenware.
November 18, 1920
Homer Londonberg and J. J. Herring, of Valparaiso, have taken over the Johnson Oil company in Valpo. They will have charge of the filling station on East Lincolnway, besides the tank trucks operated by the company. Mr. Londonberg has been manager for the Johnson Oil company here for the last two years.
The county council yesterday afternoon approved four gravel road petitions under the county unit road law. The roads approved were: Fremont Sawyer road in Porter Township; Arthur Hanrahan road, Center and Liberty Townships; Lindall road in Washington and Jackson Townships.
November 19, 1920
M. E. Zimmerman, instructor in the commerce department at the Valparaiso University, has written words and music for three songs, which are making a big hit here and elsewhere, Mr. Zimmerman who is an accomplished musician, was the life of the army camps where he was stationed during the war.
North Dakota University will take the place of the University of Buffalo in the Thanksgiving day football game to be played at Gleason park, Gary. word was received today from North Dakota officials accepting the local offer. The North Dakota team will outweigh the locals.
November 20, 1920
Dr. G. R. Jones has traded his residence at 703 East Erie street to Leander Frankes for the Morgan Skinner farm, east of the city. Mr. Frankes has purchased the old Uncle Al Brown farm of 158½ acres, four miles east of the city on Lincoln Highway, of William Brown, commissioner.
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce at a meeting last night decided to take a correct enumeration of the city in view of the inaccuracy of the government figures. Captains will be assigned to each precinct. Plans were made for the establishment of a bus line between LaPorte and Valparaiso. At present a bus line is operated between Valparaiso and Wheatfield.
November 21, 1920
Nello Biagnio, Chicago Italian, arrested for the theft of the Sam Buchanan auto in this city, several months ago, failed to show up in Porter Circuit Court today for trial and Judge H. H. Loring forfeited his $1,000 bond ($13,000 in 2020). Biagnio was caught by Gary police after being wounded three times. He was said to have been one of the main members of the biggest gang of auto thieves in Chicago.
The Parent Teachers Association of Blachly Corners’ vicinity at a meeting at Union Center Friday evening went on record as favoring the building of a new high school to be located accessible to the school children of Union Township.
November 22, 1920
The new automobile fire truck purchased by the City of Valparaiso from Ball and Stanton, local agents for the Service Auto company, Wabash, Ind., is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow night from Kenosha, Wis., where the chassis has been undergoing the equipping with fire apparatus.
Valparaiso at the present time is free of epidemics. Other cities hereabouts have many cases of infectious diseases. Gary and Hobart report a large number of cases.
November 23, 1920
The new motor truck of the Valparaiso Fire Department, arrived here this morning and was given a test about the city. Frank Light and John Deardoff drove it back from Kenosha, Wis., where it was being equipped with fire fighting apparatus. The chassis was made by the Service Auto company at Wabash, Ind. it was bought through Stanton and Ball, local agents for the Service company.
November 24, 1920
The Knights of Columbus were hosts to the Valparaiso University football team last evening at Community Hall on Indiana avenue at a banquet. More than 125 persons were present. The Catholic ladies served the meal. Rev. E. J. Mungovan was toastmaster. Talks were made by President D. R. Hodgdon of the University, Coach George Keogan, A. Langivan, T. P. Galvin and P. W. Clifford. Many of the gathering pledged support to the university and will attend the game at Gary on Thanksgiving day when the university meets the University of South Dakota.
November 25, 1920
At a meeting of officers and congregation of the Baptist church held Wednesday evening, Rev. Clarence A. Mitchell, of Chicago, was extended to call to the local pastorate. Rev. Mitchell was present and accepted the call. He will begin his new labors next Sunday.
County Agent A. Z. Arehart is in receipt of letters daily from breeders of the state requesting information concerning whether Holstein heifers and young cows can be purchased in the county. Porter County’s reputation as a Holstein center has become widespread.
November 26, 1920
Valparaiso University football team defeated North Dakota State yesterday at Gleanson Park, Gary, by a score of 20 to 10. The game was fast throughout. Dandalet carried the ball over for all three touchdowns. Gilbert, Harris and Ecklund were stars for Valparaiso.
Valparaiso citizens, through a committee of one hundred, went on record at a meeting Tuesday night as endorsers of a greater Valparaiso endowment fund campaign and pledged their undivided support to save the university. They also adopted a plan of organization presented by Frank A. Converse, campaign manager. It is planned to raise $1,000,000 for the school. Under the plan the university property is to be transferred by the Browns to a board of trustees.
November 27, 1920
The police board of the city council has appointed three special policemen to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation of J. H. Marshall and W. H. Balleau. They are Jerry Lafrentz, Jerome Frankes and Chris Woodholm. If they give satisfaction their election by the council will probably follow.
November 28, 1920
Martin H. Carmondy, of Grand Rapids, Mich., a graduate of the Valparaiso University Law class of 1894, has been made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory by Pope Benedict XV. he is a practicing attorney at Grand Rapids.
November 29, 1920
G. G. Shauer and Sons today announced the erection of the Premier Theatre, postponed last year by unfavorable building conditions. Preliminaries for receiving bids are under way. The structure will be fireproof with a seating capacity of 1,200. It will be operated in connection with the Famous Players Lasky Corporation.
Frederick N. Arvin, Jr., of Valparaiso, was elected among thirty members to the Harvard University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at a recent meeting of the 1921 junior eight. Mr. Arvin is a member of the senior class at Harvard and has an excellent scholastic record. He is a graduate of Valparaiso High School.
November 30, 1920
F. M. Boykin, of Chicago, representing the American City Bureau, arrived here this morning to make a survey of the city for the purpose of reorganizing the chamber of commerce along lines similar to other cities throughout the country. His office force will arrive here within a few days.
Today in the Lake County Circuit Court at Crown Point Judge E. Miles Norton rendered judgement in favor of Fred Moltz, Mrs. Marie Krieger and heirs of Theodore Jessee in the case brought by Mrs. Cora Sager, of Rochester, N. Y. for setting aside the will of the late William H. Vail, Valparaiso jeweler.