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.
January 1, 1921
Harry, Earl, and Byron Smith today retired from the Foster Lumber & Coal Company, and their interests were taken over by C.E. Foster and Frank Clifford. The Smiths plan to enter the lumber business.
January 2, 1921
Porter County has contributed a total of $2,532.62 (≈$36,819.06 in 2021) to the European relief, according to a report made today by James O. Cox, county chairman. Of this sum $1,647.50 ($23,951.24 in 2021) has been paid in cash.
Note: American Relief Administration (ARA) was an American relief mission to Europe and later post-revolutionary Russia after World War I. Herbert Hoover, future president of the United States, was the program director.
January 3, 1921
Coroner Heman O. Seipel conducted twenty-seven inquests during 1920. Railroads and automobiles caused the major portion of deaths. Eleven were attributed to these causes.
Dr. H.E. Gowland was elected president of the Porter County Medical Society at a meeting held at the office of Dr. H.O. Seipel. Dr. G.R. Douglas was named vice-president; Dr. R.D. Blount, secretary and treasurer; Drs. E.H. Powell, L.E. Dittmar and A.O. Dobbins, censors.
January 4, 1921
A big fruit truck from Gary, owned by Mike Selas, was demolished by a Pennsylvania train near Louck’s Crossing, west of Valparaiso, this afternoon. About $700 ($10,176.55 in 2021) in fruit and vegetables were scattered down the tracks. The driver escaped by jumping.
January 5, 1921
William Brown of Hebron, state senator, and J.J. Overmyer, of Valparaiso, state representative, left for Indianapolis to prepare for the coming session of the legislature. Both men are vitally interested in a bill to establish a state police system.
January 6, 1921
Fred Wittenberg was elected captain and William Johnston, secretary and treasurer of the Valparaiso Fire Department at a meeting held last night. Ray Dean was elected as a volunteer member.
The state closed its case yesterday afternoon in the McFarland murder case on trial in Porter Circuit Court. Edward Schlene, of Michigan City, the defendant, was the first witness placed in the stand by the defense. He testified he thought McFarland was engaged in robbing Michigan Central cars and averred he shot only after being shot at by McFarland.
January 7, 1921
Joseph S. Bartholomew, who qualified for the office of prosecuting attorney of Porter County this week, succeeding Charles W. Jensen of Chesterton, will not appoint a deputy. Mr. Bartholomew has entered upon his official duties, but is not taking part in the McFarland murder trial in Porter Circuit Court. Mr. Jensen will continue to represent the state in this case and then his connection with the prosecutor’s office will come to an end.
The Polk School of Piano Tuning has been sold to C.M. Towne of Springfield, Ill., and William Powell of Oklahoma. The school was established by Mr. Polk twenty years ago. Messrs. Towne and Powell have been instructors in the school for several years. Mr. Polk will retire because of ill health.
January 8, 1921
Valparaiso University basketball team defeated DePaul University last night, 34 to 31. DePaul showed wonderful ability in caging shots from the center of the floor. In the curtain raiser Valparaiso High lost to Lowell High school, 18 to 17, in an overtime affair. The score at the end of the regulation time was 17-all.
The McFarland murder case is nearing an end int he Porter Circuit Court after three weeks of trial. The defendant rested its case yesterday with the adjournment of court until Monday. Only a few witnesses remain to testify following which attorneys will begin arguments and the case will be submitted to the jury.
January 9, 1921
In spite of frosty weather Saturday night, the first of the Valparaiso University Million Dollar Endowment Campaign community sings on the courthouse square was a success, fully 1,000 persons taking part. The sing was led by Manager Converse, of the campaign headquarters. The second community sing will be held at the courthouse Saturday night. The Gary High School band of fifty pieces will furnish music.
The Swinebreeders of Porter County met Saturday at the county agent’s office and reorganized for the coming year. The name of the Porter County Swinebreeders’ Association was changed to the Poland China Breeders’ Association. W.G. Hildreth was elected president; Merritt Ritter, vice-president, and H.F. Heimburg, secretary-treasurer.
January 10, 1921
Edward Schlene, of Michigan City, Michigan Central detective, was acquitted on the first ballot in the Porter Circuit Court by a jury today of a charge of second degree murder in connection with the shooting of John McFarland, of Chicago, in a gun battle near Porter on Sept. 22, 1920. Schlene shot McFarland in the belief he was robbing Michigan Central merchandise cars. Evidence showed that McFarland’s car broke down and he was repairing it when Schlene and another detective, Charles Simmons, saw him along the railroad right-of-way.
The A.F. of M. band, which recently disbanded on account of financial difficulties, will not leave Valparaiso without a band. A number of local musicians have formed a band on a smaller scale.
January 11, 1921
The Town of Kouts will vote on incorporation on January 27. Notice of the election has been posted in the place. The county commissioners on application of Daly and Freund, of Valparaiso, and T.E. Crowe of Kouts, ordered the election. Several years ago such a step was defeated by a small vote.
January 12, 1921
Up until noon today canvassers in the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce drive for memberships reported a total of 232 enrolled and a sustaining fund of $3,005 ($43,686.49 in 2021) subscribed.
January 13, 1921
Earl Lockridge, Monticello, Ind., district engineer of the state highway commission, visited Valparaiso today. In company with George T. Pearce, superintendent of Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Jasper Counties, he went over the Lincoln Highway, Yellowstone Train and Jackson Highway.
Ice cutting began today at Sager’s Lake. The Spring Water Ice company which owns the concession, intends to store a large quantity of ice. The ice is clear and is from six to eight inches in thickness.
January 14, 1921
Valparaiso University lost to Notre Dame at basketball last night in the university gym 21 to 17. Valparaiso led until the latter part of the game when Notre Dame tied it up and went ahead on two baskets by Grant and Anderson. Valparaiso’s lineup: Harris, Bradley Anderson, Ecklund, Dandalet. Notre Dame’s lineup was McDermont, Grant, Mehre, Riley and Anderson.
Meredith Fitzgerald, truck driver for the Standard Oil Company, met death today when his truck skidded on Horse Prairie Avenue, near Sugar Loaf, and plunged into the waters of Hamel Creek, leading into Salt Creek.
January 15, 1921
Montdale Farm, east of the city, owned by Harry Curran, today received three prize winning spotted Poland China hogs from Kankakee, Ill. Montdale now has 125 pure bred spotted Poland China hogs. A sale is planned for January 27 and many out-of-town buyers are expected.
Miss Edith Small and Tom Morony won the public speaking contest held by the seniors of Valparaiso High School last night. Others taking part were: Dorothy Bartholomew, Bessie Long, Dorothy Williams, Bernard Finnegan and Harry Deu.
January 16, 1921
Representative J.J. Overmeyer of Valparaiso, and State Senator Will Brown, of Hebron, are in favor of a three-mile frontage for park purposes in the sand dunes of Westchester Township, Porter County. Both men are in favor of locating the park at this time, but are for allowing the appropriation to go over for another session.
Sunday morning during the Sunday school hour at Immanuel Lutheran Church, forty pupils were rewarded with attendance pins. Harold Sievers, the school secretary, has the proud distinction of having not missed a session in ten years. John Erler, librarian, and Eldon Kuehl, have not missed in eight years, and Ernest Barneko has a five-year record.
January 17, 1921
George S. Haste has sold his property on North Franklin street near the Grand Trunk railroad tracks to Harry E. Smith, Byron H. Smith and Earl V. Smith, who have formed the Smiths Company, for the operation of a lumber and coal yard. The company plans to erect a yard. The company plans to erect a yard and buildings and have them ready for opening in the spring. The three men were formerly connected with Foster Lumber and Coal Company.
Valparaiso University defeated Armour Institute of Chicago last evening at the local gym, 35 to 13. Coach George Keogan, of the local school, used his second squad in the closing minutes of play and they held Armour without a basket, while scoring three times.
January 18, 1921
At the noon luncheon of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce today it was announced that the membership of the organization had reached a total of 470, and the sustaining fund aggregates $4,425 ($64,330.35 in 2021). This was the last day of the drive for members, but the work will be continued for some time, to enroll persons not solicited.
January 19, 1921
The Pioneer Truck Company of this city today placed on record on the county recorder’s office a deed to the property north of the Grand Trunk, recently purchased by J. H. McGill. The tract consists of 19 acres, and was acquired by the truck company for a consideration of $9,562 ($139,011.71 in 2021).
January 20, 1921
Howard Dodge, of this city, a student at the University of Wisconsin, has just been honored by election to Phi Kappa Phi, scholastic fraternity. The honor is one of the highest to be awarded in university circles. Mr. Dodge will receive his degree from the university within a few days.
Valparaiso University basketball team defeated Dayton college 38 to 6 at the local gym last night. Dayton was held to one goal from the field by the strong guarding of the locals who had no trouble in locating the hoop for many baskets. The Ohio team previously had bowled over all its opponents in easy fashion.
January 21, 1921
Henry Kinsey Brown today tendered his resignation to Charles L. Jeffrey, president of Valparaiso University Board of Trustees, as bursar of the institution. The board accepted the resignation with regret. Personal business was given by Mr. Brown for the move.
Dr. A.M. Jacoby, federal and state tuberculosis cattle tester, arrived here today from Indianapolis to finish up a few tests on cattle herds in Porter County. Dr. Jacoby has tested about forty herds in the country. He reports that Dearborn county has 600 applications on file for tests of cattle.
January 22, 1921
For the first time in four years, Valparaiso High lost to Froebel High basketeers of Gary, 15 to 6. Coach R.E. Schenck started his second string team to save the regulars for the Culver game tonight. With the score standing 12 to 4 in favor of Froebel, two of the first team were put in but the half ended 14-4, Froebel. In the second half neither team was able to ring up any points. Froebel added three and Valpo only two in the second frame. Captain Earl Scott, Coyer and Leetz were kept out of the game by Coach Schenck in order that they would be fresh for the Culver fray.
Hobart M. Lackey, secretary of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, today by the organization showed Valparaiso to have a population of 6,879. Mr. Lackey is quoted as saying that in the 1910 census the enumeration was padded by the inclusion of from 1,000 to 1,500 students of Valparaiso University. The official census as given out by the government census bureau gave the city a population of 6,518. The chamber of commerce figure showed a net gain of 361.
January 23, 1921
With Coyer in line, but Captain Scott on the sick list, Valparaiso High went down to defeat before Culver high 19 to 11. Light was high point getter for the locals with three baskets and three free throws. Shaw and Snyder starred for Culver.
Valparaiso University basketeers divided a double bill with Dubuque University at Dubuque on Friday and Saturday. Friday night Dubuque won 31 to 14, and Saturday night Valparaiso turned the tables by annexing a 24 to 11 victory.
January 24, 1921
By a deal consummated yesterday, the McFetrich Lumber and Coal Company was sold to the newly organized Smiths Company, composed of Harry E., Byron, and Earl Smith. The purchasers will take possession on February 15. The McFetrich Company is one of the oldest firms in the city and has been owned by the Lowenstine interests. The company has yards on West Indiana avenue, near the Pennsylvania Railroad.
E.J. Freund, William Schleman and T.P. Galvin, representing the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce; D.E. Kelly, the City of Valparaiso, and J.A. Warren and Edward Morgan, the Porter County Farmers’ Association, returned last night from Indianapolis where they went to confer with Governor McCray and the legislative committee of the Indiana Farm Federation in regard to establishing a state park in north Porter County. Governor McCray said he had not committed himself as to the size and location of the park. He will appoint a commission to investigate the matter.
January 25, 1921
The country home of W.H. Dittman, former trustee of Porter township, located seven miles southwest of Valparaiso, was destroyed by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Dittman and two children and Fred Lloyd, farm hand, were in Valparaiso at the time. The house was built four years ago at a cost of $7,000 ($101,765.53 in 2020). Insurance of $4,200 (≈$61,059.32 in 2020) was carried on the house and household goods. Lloyd lost $150 ($2,180.69 in 2020) in cash which was in his room.
January 26, 1921
Ross McLellan, former Valparaiso man, who has been connected with the Westinghouse Electric Company, has just received a fine promotion and on April 1 will go to New York City to take a position.
January 27, 1921
The Pioneer Truck Company is turning out trucks at the rate of eight to ten a week. As soon as the assembling quarters can be changed the output will be increased to three times the present capacity. President Otto Freier was here today from Chicago and announced that a larger number of orders had been received by the company from New York as the result of the company’s display at the auto show held there.
The committee of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce on the new bus line to be established between LaPorte and Valparaiso is making arrangements for the operation of the line. The bus will make trips from LaPorte to Valparaiso via Westville. Mr. Jahns is well pleased with the Valparaiso-Kouts-Wheatfield line and will soon replace the present bus with a new one.
January 28, 1921
The first sale held by the Montdale Stock Farm of Spotted Poland China hogs was attended by 350 persons yesterday. Thirty head of hogs were sold at an average price of $156 ($2,267.92 in 2021) per head. The top price was $400 ($5,815.17 in 2021) for a sow, and the next highest was $390 ($5,669.79 in 2021). Harry Curran, owner of the farm, and L. W. Hart, manager of the livestock department, were well pleased with the sale. They plan to hold another sale on March 29.
Wheat prospects in Porter County this year look bad at present time. There is practically no hope even for a fair crop. The dry weather and continued freezes and thaws have played havoc with the plants. In many fields the wheat has assumed a reddish brown color. The fly has also gotten into many fields.
January 29, 1921
A tabulation of school children in Valparaiso City Schools at the beginning of the second semester shows a total of 1,378, of which 303 are in high school. In 1917 the total was 1,141, of which 230 were in the high school. There are forty-six regular school teachers.
Citizens of Kouts by a majority of thirty-eight voted to incorporate as a town on Thursday. The result has been reported to the county commissioners and will come up for the approval of the board on February 7. At a former election the incorporation move was defeated.
January 30, 1921
Valpo University lost its first game of the season at Detroit on Saturday evening when the University of Detroit took a well-played game by a county of 22 to 16. The locals were not able to hit the hoop, despite the fact that their floor work was superior to the visitors. Tillie Voss, Detroit center, caged seven baskets, several of them being well out on the floor.
Plymouth High defeated Valparaiso High 19 to 14 at Plymouth Saturday evening. Valparaiso led at the half, 8 to 6, but could not stand the rushes of the winners in the second half. Captain Scott was forced to retire from the game because of weakness caused by a recent illness.
January 31, 1921
Articles of incorporation have been filed at Indianapolis by the Smith and Smiths Company, coal and building materials, of Valparaiso. The capital stock is $50,000 (≈$726,897 in 2021). The incorporators are: H.E. Smith, Earl V. Smith, Byron Smith, P. C. Nuppnau and Grant Crumpacker.
Joseph Coash, who has been manager of the Commercial Oil and Supply Company in Valparaiso, has severed his connection with the company. Mr. Coash will take a position elsewhere.