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.
December 1, 1920
The grand military ball given by Canton Valparaiso, No. 27, P.M., I.O.O.F., at Odd Fellow hall was a success. More than 100 couples danced to music furnished by the Bell Orchestra. A Dort automobile was given away. S. Sorenson, 606 Union Street in Valparaiso, was the lucky winner.
December 2, 1920
According to statements of campaign expenses filed with the county clerk, James H. McGill, of Valparaiso, candidate for congress on the Farmer-Labor ticket, spent $2,125.37. The Porter County Republican Central Committee spent $903.19, treasurer G.E. Bornholt’s report shows. James R. Malone, treasurer of the Porter County Democratic Central Committee, reported expenditures of $422.30.
December 3, 1920
Ex-Senator Arthur J. Bowser, of Chesterton, well-known newspaper man, is in Holy Family Hospital at LaPorte to undergo treatment for several weeks preparing for an operation. Mr. Bowser has been afflicted with poor health for several years, and an operation was deemed necessary. His poor condition prevented this at once, hence his entrance into hospital for treatment.
Gary authorities are waging a drive on milk shippers in Lake and Porter Counties who are shipping milk containing less than 3.25% butterfat. A number were fined in Gary City Court, and the cases have been appealed to the Lake Circuit Court at Crown Point. Ex-Governor Charles S. Deneen, of Chicago, has been retained by the Milk Producers’ Association to defend the milk producers.
December 4, 1920
With the addition of the new auto fire truck, the Valparaiso Fire Department has added another member to its corps. Wilbur Cowdrey has been elected by the city council to assist at the local station. He has been serving as a volunteer fireman.
Valparaiso defeated Elkhart High School last night before one of the largest crowds to attend a basketball game in this city. The first half ended 6 to 5. With only a single point single point separating the two teams neither was able to score in the last five minutes of play despite numerous shots at the basket. The final was 14 to 13. Meeks, Scott, Lawrence, Marimon, Coyer, Light and Seymour comprised the local lineup.
December 5, 1920
Passenger rates and freight charges of the Gary and Valparaiso Railway have been increased by order of the Indiana Public Service Commission. The passenger fares will be three cents a mile except for traffic between Valparaiso and Gary where the rate is fixed at 2.2 cents to meet the competition of the Pennsylvania lines. The fare between Valparaiso and Gary was fixed at 51 cents, plus war tax. Computation 54 monthly ride tickets will sell at $12 and 60 ride tickets at $14.50.
Dr. C.A. Nixon, of Valparaiso, has received official notice of his appointment for a five-year term on the National Educational Council of America. Dr. T.A. Broadbent, of Chicago, was appointed for two years. There are 15 members on the board.
December 6, 1920
Herman Hagen, 87 years old, and for 40 years identified with the Odd Fellow Lodge, has been honored by the appointment of aide-de-camp on the staff of General G.M. Hermiston, of Toronto, Canada, head of the Patriarchs Militant of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Ecklund, left end of the Valparaiso University football team, has the honor of kicking the longest drop kick for a score this season, according to Spalding’s Official Football Guide Book. In the Valparaiso-Carroll game “Eckie” stood on the Valparaiso 47-yard line and kicked the ball directly between the uprights, a distance of 53 yards.
December 7, 1920
Initial steps toward reorganizing the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce were taken at a meeting of the organization in the new headquarters at 13 N. Washington Street.
December 8, 1920
Kouts citizens claim lawlessness abounds in the town. Recently the town authorities installed stop lights at the dangerous corners but hoodlums prowling about in the night demolished them by hurling objects at them. Deputy Sheriff Wise endeavored to curb them but was severely criticized and re-resigned.
December 9, 1920
The high school building at McCool was nearly destroyed by fire last night. The blaze was discovered about 10 o’clock but after hard work was extinguished. The floor was burned and a number of desks charred. The cause of the blaze is unknown. The building was only recently built.
Feist Brothers, of Valparaiso, have purchased the Casebere Garage at Kouts. Both men were formerly connected with the Lincoln Highway Garage here. They will move their families to Kouts as soon as homes can be secured.
December 10, 1920
The Pioneer Truck Company has acquired title to twenty-seven acres of land in the north part of the city of J.H. McGill for a site for its new auto truck factory. With the coming of spring it is planned to erect a monitor type of building 300x600 feet. The company at present is located at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Lafayette Street in downtown Valparaiso.
Manager E.J. Salisbury, of Memorial Opera House, went to Chicago today to make arrangements for the opening of the vaudeville season at Memorial. Mr. Salisbury will meet with eastern and western managers associations in regard to best offerings of these associations.
December 11, 1920
The Valparaiso City Council at its regular meeting passed an ordinance increasing the wages of the volunteer firemen from $70 to $150 per annum, effective Jan. 1. Eleven men benefit by the increase.
The Valparaiso Ice Company has contracted for the purchase of a carload of cork for insulating the ice and ice cream storage rooms of its new plant on Monroe Street. The consignment fills a freight car and will mean an expenditure of $3,000.
December 12, 1920
W.E. Kenyon, formerly of the Pioneer Truck Company, has been appointed special representative in the motor truck division of the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago.
Coroner H.O. Seipel conducted an inquest and returned a verdict of accidental death. James Hart, age 69, employed by the Panhandle Railroad, was instantly killed at Hebron Saturday afternoon when he was struck by a freight train.
December 13, 1920
The boulevard lighting system for the business district will be revived again. Two years ago the proposition was brought up but fell flat on account of the failure of the Valparaiso City Council, Valpo 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 the coming year make extensive improvements to its local plant. Extensions and betterments costing $25,000 to $30,000 will be made, according to Manager R.J. Cory.
December 14, 1920
The Valparaiso Post Office has been granted an additional clerk by the post office department at Washington. Calvin Bassinger, night clerk, has been shifted to the money order division. Bryan Gregory will succeed Mr. Bassinger in the mail division.
December 15, 1920
Ray Adams, old-time fireman, purchased the first ticket for the fireman’s dance to be given at the Armory Hall, December 29. Mr. Adams was in the station last night when Assistant Chief Bert Wise brought in the tickets fresh from the press. With a dollar bill in his hand, he took the first pasteboard from the pack.
December 16, 1920
Articles of incorporation and notices have been filed with the Indiana Secretary of State at Indianapolis by the Valparaiso Shrine Club. There is no capital stock. The directors are: O.F. Helvie, G.W. Vann and E.H. Powell. The club has taken an option on the Dr. J.R. Pagin residence, corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets and plan to remodel the structure for its home.
Frederick Newton Arvin, 21, of Valparaiso, is one of the 264 students honored in the annual award of scholarships at Harvard. Mr. Arvin who prepared for Harvard at Valparaiso High School, has won the prestigious Bowditch Scholarship.
December 17, 1920
Valparaiso University defeated Hahnemann Medical College here last night, 46 to 16. Beanie Harris, Bradley, Conley, Goheen and Dandalet started the game, scoring fourteen points to the visitors one. After ten minutes of play, Coach Keogan substituted Chuck Harris, Caring, Hiltpold and Eckland. The score at half time was 20-6, Valparaiso. Eckland was high point gatherer for locals with eight baskets
Recently County Superintendent Fred H. Cole, of Valparaiso, was selected for mention in “Who’s Who and Why in After-War Education,” a classified list of men and women who have made notable or valuable contributions to education. As a reaction to that honor. Mr. Cole has been requested to send his four-point study of individual differences to many school experts and leaders in the educational field.
December 18, 1920
The Indiana Supreme Court today reversed the decision of the LaPorte Circuit Court upholding the order of the Indiana Public Service Commission in fixing rates to be charged by the Valparaiso Lighting Company for electricity in Valparaiso. The verdict is the aftermath of a petition filed by James H. McGill and others. The public service commission granted the petition and the lighting company appealed. The case was tried in LaPorte Circuit Court with a victory for the petitioners. An appeal was taken to the Indiana Supreme Court. The lighting company contended the city has no right to appropriate profits of the company as the result of a favorable contract with the Michigan City Lighting Company on the ground that the contract was made in 1911 for a ten-year period and the utilities law did not go into effect until 1913. The reversal by the supreme court will throw the matter open to more litigation. The company, at the time the rates were fixed, continued to charge the old rates and affixed a statement to their receipts that if the rates were finally changed the overpayments would be refunded.
Yesterday in the superior court at Gary, Judge C.F. Greenwald found in favor of the Porter County Board of Commissioners in its suit against T.G. Hamilton Company and the Massachusetts Bonding Company for failure to complete the Goodeyohn road in Center Township. The court awarded the county $2,500 for completion of the road. The Hamilton Company recently went into the hands of a receiver and the bonding company became liable.
December 19, 1920
Valparaiso High basketeers defeated LaPorte High here last evening at the university gym in an overtime basketball game, 20 to 19. The locals led at half time, 9 to 6. With Valparaiso leading by two points and ten seconds to go, Pitzer of LaPorte, shot from the middle of the floor to tie the count. Earl Scott’s free throw on Pease’s foul proved the winning point.
Governors-elects Len Small, of Illinois; Blaine, of Wisconsin, and McCray, of Indiana, and Miss Jane Adams, of Hull House, Chicago, and United States Senator Thomas Watson, of Georgia, will be among the speakers at a banquet to be held January 31 at East Hall in the interest of the Greater University Endowment Campaign. Covers will be laid for two thousand.
December 20, 1920
Valparaiso University quintet defeated Kalamazoo College last night 32 to 26. Both teams were tied at fourteen all at the half. Eckland’s deadly casting in the second half kept the locals in the lead throughout the remainder of the game. He caged seven baskets. All of the locals’ scoring came on goals from the field, not a free throw being registered.
The Valparaiso-Gary Interurban Railway yesterday closed the deal for the leasing of the Gary Connecting Railway, sixteen miles of line, between Woodville Junction and Gary, of Philadelphia, Pa., bondholders, for a term of twenty years. The annual rental will be $7,500, together with taxes and upkeep of the road.
December 21, 1920
For a second time within three days, Valpo University quintet defeated Kalamazoo College at the local university gymnasium last night. The score was 29 to 19. Kazoo showed a flash in the first half when it led Valparaiso by nine points. The half ended 16-13, Valparaiso. Bradley with five baskets and Beanie Harris with four led the local attack. Bradley also tossed in five out of seven free throws.
December 22, 1920
The Gary Connecting Railroad, running from Woodville Junction to Gary, has filed with the secretary of state its certificate of an increase in capital stock from $10,000 to $210,000, and also an issue of $50,000 preferred stock. The Gary Connecting railroad has been leased to the Gary-Valparaiso Railway.
December 23, 1920
Whiting High defeated Valparaiso High last night at Whiting, 29 to 12. Poor officiating and the small floor made the game a rough house affair. Valparaiso was penalized seventeen times on fouls and Whiting six. Earl Scott was slugged twice by a Whiting player who was removed from the game only after Valpo wouldn’t take to the floor unless the sluggish player was ejected.
Only one new face will be seen at the courthouse on January 1 when the new officers take their positions. William Pennington, who will succeed William B. Forney as Porter County Sheriff, is the only new official. All the rest of the county officials will either hold over or begin new terms.
December 24, 1920
Last evening at the high school auditorium, before a large crowd, the Music Club of the Valparaiso High school gave its annual concert. A program well spiced with variety and well rendered sent the crowd away with general appreciation and respect for the performers. The work of the orchestra, boys’ and girls’ glee clubs, and special offerings by Charles Coyer and a trio composed of Roger Wilson, Russell Nixon and Tom Morony and readings by Alma Curtis, were of a high order, Miss Juva Higbee, musical instructor, was director. Mrs. Helen Fehrman-Johnson was accompanist.
December 25, 1920
No jury was obtained in the case of Edward Schlene, charged with second degree murder in the Porter Circuit Court, yesterday afternoon. Attorneys for the defendant are working hard to eliminate the “formed opinion” jurors. The case will be resumed next Monday on account of Christmas, and the task of selecting a jury will begin anew.
December 26, 1920
J.E. Roessler was named president of the Valparaiso Building, Loan-Fund and Savings Association at the annual meeting of stockholders Friday night. C.W. Dickover is vice-president; C.W. Benton, treasurer; J.S. Bartholomew, attorney; M.L. Dickover, auditor, and E.L. Loomis, secretary.
Members of the Rehabilitation Club of Valparaiso university were entertained Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Myers. Following a banquet, Herman Hill, acting as chairman, called on the boys for a description of their most interesting experiences in the war. Mr. Myers was presented with a cigar case made from a French seventy-five shell. The ladies who assisted in serving the banquet were presented with a fine souvenir.
December 27, 1920
The task of selecting a jury to try Edward Schlene, of Michigan City, in connection with the killing of William J. McFarland, of Chicago, near Porter, was resumed in Porter Circuit Court today. Mrs. McFarland, widow of McFarland, was in court today for the first time. Her whereabouts were discovered by Prosecutor C.W. Jensen while in Chicago last week. This morning, Ralph N. Smith, of LaPorte, counsel for the defendant, filed a motion for a special venire of jurors outside the county. He pointed out that a fair and impartial jury could not be obtained in this county. Special Judge Frank B. Parks, after hearing arguments, overruled the motions.
W.L. Copeland, former deputy county clerk, who went to Portland, Oregon, four months ago, likes the western country, he says in cards received here. Mr. Copeland is practicing law and is already making a success.
December 28, 1920
This morning was the coldest of the present winter. The thermometer at the Valparaiso Home Water Company at Flint Lake registered ten below. Ice on the lake is frozen to a depth of four to five inches.
December 29, 1920
The refrigerating machinery for the Valparaiso Home Ice Company arrived here today from Omaha, Neb., and is being placed in the company’s building on South Lafayette Street. It is expected the plant will be ready for operation by February 1.
December 30, 1920
The Porter Circuit Courtroom was packed to the doors yesterday afternoon when Prosecutor C.W. Jensen began his opening statement in the trial of Edward Schlene, of Michigan City, charged with the shooting of William J. McFarland, near Porter on Sept. 23, last. No other murder case has attracted the attention in the county occasioned by this killing on the highway in the dead of night in which three men engaged in a gun battle. A jury in the case was obtained yesterday. Schlene claims he shot McFarland in the belief he was robbing Michigan Central Railroad merchandise cars. Opening statements were made by Prosecutor Jensen and Ralph N. Smith, of LaPorte, for Schlene.
The crown and owl hunt staged by the members of the Elks’ Lodge was a success. The side captained by Fred Black won by a score of 1,100 points. Mr. Black’s side killed 51 crows and the side led by Harry Thune, 29. Mr. Thune’s side killed an owl. A venison supper will be served at the lodge hall this evening.
December 31, 1920
Gust Long, who has been connected with the C.W. Bartholomew undertaking parlors, was last night appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff-elect William Pennington. There were a number of candidates for the position. Mr. Long has been serving for the last three years as deputy under Sheriff W.B. Forney.
Friends of William Hardesty, popular bailiff of the Porter Superior Court, are relating a tale of his capture of a mastodon during the Elks’ annual hunt yesterday. The animal was described as being forty feet from tip to tip with a hip bone that weighed 300 pounds. It measured twenty feet in height, and is said to live on trees of the forest, consuming one at each meal. When shot by Mr. Hardesty, it was securely anchored on one of “Copper” Donahue’s traps. One of the bones is on display in the Jake Marks Barber Shop on West Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso.