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.
April 1, 1920
Kouts people have raised $349.50 for L. Decrow, Kouts man, whose wife was injured and property destroyed in a cyclone last Sunday. Elba Firebaugh and Henry Glissman were in charge of raising the money.
April 2, 1920
The annual Easter dance of the Phoenix Club which closes the formal social season of the club will be held Tuesday night at Stoner’s Palace. Extensive preparations are being made by Edwin Eiercks and his committee. Cope Harvey’s orchestra of Chicago will furnish the music.
April 3, 1920
Democrats made no effort to file for office in the coming May primary when the time limit expired Saturday. No filings were made by the party for precinct committeemen.
April 4, 1920
W. F. Lederer, a pioneer music dealer of Valparaiso, is arranging to close out his business. He has accepted a position with the sales department of the Chevrolet automobile company at Flint, Michigan.
April 5, 1920
A forty-mile gale blew into Valparaiso early yesterday, accompanied by a heavy fall of snow which obstructed traffic. Thirteen inches of snow was recorded. Taxicabs and automobiles were stalled in the streets and street car service put out of commission. Despite the storm large crowds attended the Easter services at various churches.
April 6, 1920
Raw furs valued at $5,000 (≈$63,914 in 2020 dollars) were stolen from the Pennsylvania Depot in Hebron. Thieves broke in and escaped, leaving no clue. The furs were a shipment from some distant point to William Alyea, a fur buyer in the Kankakee district.
April 7, 1920
Since March 15, John Gunther, of Valparaiso, has been standing daily from 2 to 6 p. m. at the corner of Sixth and Spring Streets in Los Angeles, Calif., looking for two men who took $15,000 (≈$191,743 in 2020 dollars) of his money in a bunko deal through fake stock speculation. According to Gunther, he met the two men last February. They worked the old game of winning on the stock market and finally told him it would take $15,000 to take down the winnings. Gunther returned to Valparaiso, mortgaged his farm and borrowed $5,000 of his daughter. The money was turned over to the men who reported that the entire investment had been lost. They gave Gunther $100 (≈$1,278) and a ticket to New Orleans. Gunther said he surmised he was a victim of a “skin” game and returned to hunt the fleecers.
April 8, 1920
A special county election to decide the question of building a show and sales barn at the fair grounds will be held on May 4 in conjunction with the primary election. The county commissioners at a meeting yesterday resolved on this plan.
April 9, 1920
Chicago truck drivers were arrested here today upon orders of County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe, charged with carrying overloads on county highways. They were fined in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court.
April 10, 1920
The banquet in honor of the Valparaiso High School basketball team was held last night in the M. E. church. Sixty persons attended, including the high school faculty, school board, first and second teams, and friends. Ralph E. Schenck, coach, acted as toastmaster. Talks were made by Dr. J. M. Gelston, Miss Juva Higbee, Captain Walter Hiltpold, Professor H. M. Jessee, Professor G. W. Neet, Miss Olie Welty, John Fabing, Professor C. O. Pauley, Miss Madeline Ashton, Captain-elect Earl Scott, Otis Sanford, captain of the second team, Harry R. Ball, Dr. George Keogan, coach at Valparaiso University, and Superintendent C. W. Boucher.
April 11, 1920
The City of Valparaiso is now in control of Kirchoff Park, left in the will of Fred Kirchoff. In addition to two acres of ground, east of the city, a $10,000 (≈$127,829 in 2020 dollars) cash fund is available.
April 12, 1920
Rev. J. H. O. Smith, formerly pastor of the Christian Church here, reported killed in a rail and automobile accident at Wills Point, Texas, is alive and well. Mrs. H. B. Brown received a telegram last night which reported Rev. Mr. Smith as well and happy. The fatal accident was to another man named Smith.
April 13, 1920
Cases of the Tolleston bank bandits charged with slaying of Herman Uecker, cashier, have been venued here from Lake County criminal court. Four of the gang pled guilty and received death sentences from Judge Martin Smith but their sentences were reversed by the supreme court and new trials ordered. They will be tried before Judge Harry L. Crumpacker in the Porter Superior Court.
April 14, 1920
Porter County farm areas are soon to be inspected by Frank N. Wallace, state entomologist, for signs of the Australian “take-all” disease. Drastic measures were taken last year to curb the disease which attacks wheat, rye, oats, and grasses.
April 15, 1920
Owing to the inability to secure print paper, New York City newspapers are appearing in four page issues. The South Bend Tribune has published a four page paper and reports everywhere are that newspapers are radically reduced in size. Valparaiso newspapers are still printing four pages.
April 16, 1920
C. W. Bartholomew has purchased the Mrs. J. W. McLellan building on Washington Street now occupied by S. C. Billings, the baker. He will remodel it into a funeral home. Mr. Bartholomew will move into the new location as soon as the changes have been completed.
April 17, 1920
The Women’s Relief Corps (W. R. C.) observed Arbor Day today by planting two elm trees on the public library lawn. The event was in honor of the Grand Army of the Republic and the W. R. C. Miss Josephine Frazier, president of the W. R. C., acted as chairman. Mrs. Mary F. Stiles, past department patriotic instructor, made the address. W. E. Pinney, chairman of the library board, accepted the trees and said it was fitting they were planted on the lot once the homestead of Chaplain Brown, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the Civil War. Mrs. Anna Rose suggested the planting of the trees.
April 18, 1920
The Grand Trunk Railroad embargo on freight has been lifted from this city to Chicago and also to South Bend. Freight is accepted for these places in less than carload lots.
April 19, 1920
Flint Lake is rising due to recent rains. The lake today was within one and one-half feet of the highest point last season, and is steadily rising. Yesterday up until 6 p.m. a total of .81 of an inch of water fell. Friday the total was 1.26 inches, and on Friday and Saturday the total was .36 of an inch.
April 20, 1920
O. A. Jomers, department commander of the Indiana Grand Army of the Republic, announced the appointment of Nelson J. Bozarth, of Valparaiso, as additional aid to his staff.
April 21, 1920
Notices were received here today from Chicago that application would be filed this week in the U. S. District Court at Chicago by Rand-McNally & Company and other creditors for appointment of a receiver for the Home Herald Company of Chicago, formerly of Valparaiso. The company has a number of creditors in Valparaiso.
April 22, 1920
Valparaiso University baseball team swamped Armour Institute of Chicago at Brown Field yesterday. The score was 12 to 2. Several persons were injured when a temporary bleacher holding 150 collapsed. The spectators were thrown into a mud puddle.
Sheriff W. B. Forney submitted to an operation for appendicitis last evening at Christian hospital. Following the operation he rallied nicely and is well started on the road to recovery. Ex-Sheriff W. S. Lindall is assisting at the sheriff’s office during Forney’s illness.
April 23, 1920
The Holstein Breeders’ Association held a meeting yesterday afternoon and decided to obtain the cooperation of local bankers in expending $1,500 for calves for the boys’ calf club. A resolution was passed that all persons selling animals for breeding purposes have them t. b. tested. It was announced that the fall sale would be held October 15 and in case the state sale is brought here that Porter and Lake Counties will unite and hold a joint sale in Lake County.
April 24, 1920
R. Scott, age 66, for eight years in the British Army, several of which were spent in India, died early today at the county infirmary, of cancer. He came here from Chesterton. Scott had many medals to show for his service in the army.
April 25, 1920
The Schleman-Morton Company filed incorporation papers in the county recorder’s office here today with a capital stock of $50,000. William Schleman is president; F. W. Morton, secretary, and A. R. Hardesty, treasurer. The company will have offices in the Farmers’ State Bank building (SW corner of Lincolnway and Washington) until lease of the LaForce Shoe Store (East Lincolnway) expires.
April 26, 1920
Porter Circuit and Superior Court terms were begun today. The Tolleston bank murder cases against four bandits was set down for trial in Superior Court on May 13.
April 27, 1920
Porter County Council of Boy Scouts was organized here last night at a meeting attended by representatives from every part of the county. J. F. Horton, of Chicago, field representative, spoke. C. M. Lish, was named chairman; Jay T. Buchanan, of Hebron, vice-chairman; M. A. Gregory, secretary, and A. A. Hughart, treasurer.
April 28, 1920
Valparaiso is facing a gas shortage due to the railroad switchman’s strike. Local coal dealers are without coal. Water gas is now being made from coke. Manager R. J. Cory said the present supply of coke would last 10 days. Local citizens have been asked to conserve as much as possible the use of gas to tide over the situation.
April 29, 1920
General Leonard Wood, republican candidate for President of the United States, visited Valparaiso today and spoke before a crowd of several thousand at University Auditorium. In his talk, General Wood favored a big navy, a standing army of 250,000 or more men, deportation of all reds, naturalization of foreigners, and opposition against the League of Nations.
April 30, 1920
The field and track meet of the Porter County schools will be held at the fair grounds on May 7. The chamber has promised $60 toward financing the project. Local business men have agreed to donate awards. The various schools are training hard for the big event. Schools taking part are Chesterton, Kouts, Wheeler, Boone Grove, Liberty Center, Union Center, and Washington.