Looking Back • December 1921

December 1, 1921

The Valparaiso School Board has leased the upper floor of the Elks’ Lodge building on West Lincolnway for school purposes. Congestion at the Central School was given as the reason for the step. The fourth and fifth grades of Central will be placed in the lodge building, giving two rooms for the high and junior high schools.

The Reveille, official paper of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter Number 2, of Valparaiso, is being circulated today for the first time. The publication consists of a 26-page booklet and contains news of many local organizations. Edward Boyle is editor; F. A. Piasecki, managing editor; John W. Ray, business manager; Frank Baines, treasurer; Miss Lucas, city reporter; Peggy Brady, campus.

December 2, 1921

Professor Meyers E. Zimmerman, of Valparaiso University, has again scored with another musical composition. His latest is a waltz ballad, “You’re Still My Most Wonderful Pal.” Mr. Zimmerman’s latest fox trot, “LaVon,” has been a favorite with local dance orchestras for the last two months.

The old Uncle Al Brown farm, four and one-half miles east of Valparaiso, on the Lincoln Highway, consisting of 158.5 acres, was sold yesterday by Charles Link, commissioner, to Niles L. Fisher.

December 3, 1921

The foundation for the community building being erected at Boone Grove by citizens living there was completed yesterday. The Smith and Smiths Company of Valparaiso will begin erection of the building proper next week. A gymnasium, meeting place, opera house, dining hall, etc., will be included in the building.

The American Restaurant at 18 Washington Street was sold today by Mrs. Anna Williams Christian to J. F. Lininger. For the last four years Mr. Lininger has been in charge of the lunch and confectionery business at Sheridan Beach, Flint Lake.

December 4, 1921

Judge H. L. Crumpacker in the Porter Superior Court today granted a continuance in the case of William S. Long, of Jackson, Mich., Michigan Central trainman, charged with manslaughter in connection with the deaths of thirty-seven persons in the Porter wreck on February 27 last. Grant Crumpacker, special counsel to Prosecutor J. S. Bartholomew, filed a motion for continuance on account of the illness of Mr. Bartholomew. The court continued the case until February 8, 1922. Ralph N. Smith, attorney for Long, objected to delay.

Forty-six reactors were found last week in the seventeen herds tested for tuberculosis by Dr. C. T. Howard, state and federal examiner. Three hundred and eighty-two cattle were examined for the initial test. This makes thirty-seven herds tested so far.

December 5, 1921

Thirty-nine head of reacting tubercular cattle examined last week by Dr. C. T. Howard of the state veterinarian’s office, were shipped today to Chicago where the animals will be slaughtered. The owners will be compensated by the state and government.

Farmers of Porter County have been asked to contribute two-and-a-half carloads of corn to meet the appeal for grain for the destitute peoples of Russia, Armenia, and other bible lands. The corn will be gathered during the week of December 19 to 24.

December 6, 1921

Fully two hundred people, chiefly parents of school children in the Valparaiso City Schools, attended the mass meeting held last evening at the high school auditorium in honor of educational week. Speakers included C. W. Boucher, Judge H. H. Loring, Porter County Superintendent Fred Cole, and Mrs. A. R. Putnam. Musical numbers were provided by Robert Wilson, Charles Coyer, and Carroll Schneider.

December 7, 1921

The Joliet Bridge over the Pennsylvania Railroad on Lincoln Highway will be rebuilt by the railroad. The contract has been let to Smith and Smiths Company. The timber construction is to be reinforced to twice its present carrying capacity.

December 8, 1921

Herman Ealing, of Valparaiso, has been appointed district grandmaster of Odd Fellows, by George Hershman, of Crown Point, grandmaster of Indiana Odd Fellows. At a meeting of the Valparaiso Lodge Monday night, Mr. Ealing presented buttons to members of thirty-five years or more standing. Brayton L. Keene received a thirty-five year button, and Herman Fromuth, Charles Ludolph and G. G. Sherwood twenty-five year buttons.

The H. B. Brown residence at the corner of Jefferson, Morgan and Chicago Streets, has been leased to the Sigma Delta Kappa Chapter of Valparaiso University. The organization is a legal fraternity and has about thirty-five members. Mrs. Nellie Meagher, of Valparaiso, will act as chef of the society.

December 9, 1921

Word has been received here by local railway agents that beginning Jan. 1, 1922, all war taxes on freight and passenger traffic will be discontinued. All taxes on telegraph, telephone, and steamship lines will not be lifted.

Arthur W. Marks was host to the Valparaiso Fire Department at a raccoon supper served in the men’s quarters in the rear of the Valparaiso City Council chambers last night. A sixteen-pound coon was served.

December 10, 1921

Valparaiso University basketball team opened the season at university gym last evening by defeating Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, 29 to 3. The score at half time was 10 to 3, Valpo. The visitors failed to score a point in the second half.

Valparaiso High School lost to Froebel High of Gary last night 19 to 8 at Gary. Valparaiso lost many opportunities to score baskets by missing easy shots. Froebel, on the other hand, was able to cage some long ones. The score at half time was 5 to 3, Valpo.

December 11, 1921

The Lincoln Theatre on Franklin Avenue was sold Saturday by George Ferguson, owner, to Walter S. Bush. Mr. Bush recently came here from Kouts, where he conducted a hardware store for many years. Mr. Ferguson has been owner of the Lincoln Theatre for two years, coming here from Wheatfield.

J. A. Warren, of Pleasant Township, won the Porter County five-acre corn contest, with a yield of 114.5 bushels per acre. Seral Warren was second with 111.4, and A. C. Tuesburg third with 107.3 bushels.

December 12, 1921

Robert Winslow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Winslow, of Valparaiso, is a member of the University of Michigan Opera Company that is scheduled to give performances in Chicago at the Grotto Theatre next Saturday and Monday. Mr. Winslow has a leading part in the production. He was a member of the troupe last year.

About thirty-five men, mostly engineers, and interested in gas and electric plants in various parts of the country, visited Valparaiso today to inspect the experimental process in manufacturing gas now being conducted at the Valparaiso Lighting Company plant on South Napoleon Street. The men backing the experiment have spent $50,000 (≈$772,594.97 in 2021) in erecting a plant to demonstrate their theory of making gas out of garbage and wood.

December 13, 1921

Chesterton will build a fine new high school building next year. J. G. Johnson and architect Herbert Erickson, of Gary, have agreed upon plans for a new structure 140 by 180 feet. The building will be two stories and basement, and cost $150,000 (≈$2,317,784.92 in 2021). It will be equipped with a large auditorium and gym. A five and one-half acre site has been secured.

December 14, 1921

Letters and sweaters were presented at chapel exercises at Valparaiso University this morning to sixteen members of the football team. Dean M. J. Bowman, chairman of the athletic board of control, made the presentation. Mayor P. L. Sisson donated the sweaters. Those receiving letters and sweaters were: Hiltpold, Payne, Hunt, Stepp, Bauerly, Lane, Lindgren, Evans, Smith, Rosenthal, Anderson, Cook and Sawyer.

December 15, 1921

S. C. Bouzeans, of Chicago, is here today to let the contract for the remodeling of the Horn Brothers building on West Lincolnway. Mr. Bouzeans has leased the building for a confectionery store. As soon as Horn Brothers move to their new building, work will begin. A new front, tile floor, new ceiling and other improvements will be made, together with fixtures. The cost will be $25,000 (≈$386,297.49 in 2021). Mr. Bouzeans formerly owned the Palace Confectionery at LaPorte.

Valparaiso University basketball team defeated the American College of Physical Education 23 to 19 at university gym last night. Evans, Cadwallader, Anderson and Sawyer played well for Valparaiso, while Johnson, forward for the visitors, scored thirteen of his team’s nineteen points.

December 16, 1921

The Valparaiso Standards have signed Dave Black, formerly Chicago Federal League pitcher, and catcher Ernest Dennis, of the Chicago Logan Squares, as battery for the coming season. Two other men whose names are being kept under cover have also been signed. In event the locals do not join the Northern Indiana League, games will be played with Fort Wayne and other fast teams.

The Smith and Smiths Company was today awarded the contract for remodeling the Horn Brothers’ building on West Lincolnway to be occupied by S. C. Bouzeans, of Chicago, as a confectionery and ice cream parlor.

December 17, 1921

Valparaiso High was defeated by LaPorte High School last night at LaPorte, 22 to 16. The game was fast throughout and was featured by the fine work of Earl Scott, floor guard of the locals. Scott accounted for ten of the sixteen points scored by his team.

At a meeting of the Charles Pratt Post, American Legion, last evening, a resolution was passed by the post condemning the distribution of pamphlets reflecting against the Greek citizens of Valparaiso regarding their patriotism and in a business way.

December 18, 1921

Valparaiso University defeated DePaul University here last night, 27 to 14. DePaul was held to one field goal. Captain Anderson and Cadwallader were Valpo stars. In the curtain raiser, Valparaiso high defeated Lowell, 30 to 18. The visitors held the locals to a tie count, 11 to 11, at half time. In the second half, Valpo pulled away from the highly touted Lowellites and scored at will.

Ben Hirschland, manager of the ladies’ ready-to-wear department at Lowenstein’s, has resigned his position and will go to Bloomington, Ill., to take a similar position with a large department store there.

December 19, 1921

The LaPorte Argus praised the work of Earl Scott in the LaPorte-Valparaiso game last Friday as follows: “The star of the evening was Captain Scott, of the Valparaiso quintet. He played on every part of the floor and was the mainstay of the university city’s machine. Scott caged only three field goals for his side but broke up the LaPorte offensive time and time again. In fact, Scott was too fast for his teammates, who could not keep pace with his speedy dribbling.

The Horn Brothers’ Quality Meat Market today shipped a carload of wool to Philadelphia. The carload weighed 20,000 pounds and contained wool of this and last year’s crops.

December 20, 1921

Professor W. A. Hoffman, for more than twenty years in charge of the penmanship department at Valparaiso University, has tendered his resignation to become effective within thirty days. The trustees of the school have elected Myers E. Zimmerman, head of stenography and typewriting department, to take Professor Hoffman’s place. The later has accepted a similar position at Bowling Green, Ky.

December 21, 1921

Coach Earl Goheen’s Valparaiso University five defeated Lewis Institute last night, 27 to 6. Cadwallader and Anderson led the locals’ attack with four and five baskets respectively.

December 22, 1921

The remodeling of the Joliet bridge on Lincoln Highway over the Pennsylvania Railroad in the west part of Valparaiso is completed. The structure was reinforced to twice its former capacity. The work was performed by the Smith and Smiths Company and required eight days. During the work the bridge was closed to traffic.

Thomas Clifford, former Valparaiso man, has just received another promotion from the Standard Oil Company. For several years, Mr. Clifford has been assistant manager for the company of the South Bend division, and now has been given the managership of the Decatur, Ill., division, embracing one-third of Illinois.

December 23, 1921

The Pitkin and Brooks Glass Factory closed down today until January 7, for the purpose of taking the annual inventory. The company has enjoyed a good business the past year and is looking forward to an increased activity next year.

Leo W. Friday, a Porter County boy who gave up his life in France during the World War, was buried with military honors from St. John’s Evangelical Church in Chesterton this afternoon. He died at Bordeau, France, October 5, 1919. Services were in the charge of Chesterton Post, American Legion.

December 24, 1921

The City of Valparaiso and Porter County Commissioners have come to an agreement regarding the settlement of a bill for asphaltic oil furnished by the county for a number of streets about the city. The bill rendered by the county was $7,500 (≈$115,889.25 in 2021), but the settlement figure was $4,500 (≈$69,533.55 in 2021). Last spring, the city and county entered into an agreement whereby the county was to oil and put stone on certain approaches to the city. Later the city ordered oil on Chicago Street and Indiana Avenue. Two coats of oil were applied instead of one originally planned. The city council was divided on the payment of the entire bill.

The Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury was empaneled yesterday afternoon by Judge H. H. Loring to investigate the case of John Mollick, 16-year-old orphan boy, who shot and killed Mrs. Robert Stoltz of Morgan Township. Members of the jury include Ross M. Crisman, John W. Rigg, William D. Schmell, Andrew W. Shurr, John T. Kuehl and Norman Eggleston.

December 25, 1921

Valparaiso Street Commissioner William Arnold has closed the East Indiana Avenue hill against traffic so that the thoroughfare can be used by the kids for coasting. Thursday evening the police were forced to stop the children from using the old Main Street (Lincolnway) hill because of the danger of collision with automobiles.

December 26, 1921

A. W. Reynolds and Son have received a report from the thirty-one reacting tuberculosis cattle shipped by them to the Chicago Livestock Exchange for slaughter. Only five were tanked as unfit for food. The cattle were condemned recently during tuberculosis testing in the county.

December 27, 1921

Wheeler and Union Center School patrons held a meeting at the office of Superintendent Fred H. Cole on Monday evening and settled their differences in regard to a new building program at Wheeler. It was decided to go ahead with remodeling plans on the building instead of building a new structure. Dr. A. O. Dobbins, township trustee, called the meeting of the two factions.

December 28, 1921

County Agent A. Z. Arehart and a representative of the Near East Organization from Indianapolis went to Kouts and Hebron this morning to make arrangements with farmers and elevators for gathering of corn for the Near East Relief Fund. Other parts of the county will be visited this week.

December 29, 1921

Twenty couples attended a dancing party given last night by the Valparaiso Dancing Club at N. A. U. Hall. Music was furnished by Miss Bess Dickover, Harry Albe and Wallace Philley. A lunch was served.

Members of the Valparaiso High School basketball team have been invited by the management of the Premier Theatre to be guests of the Premier Theatre on January 4. The members are also privileged to bring their lady friends.

December 30, 1921

A gang of five men held up Walter Davis at the Three Trails Auto Service Station at the Joliet Bridge last night and escaped with $3,000 (≈$46,355.70 in 2021) in loot. Mr. Davis was just closing the place when the robbers entered. He was gagged and bound to a chair. Most of the loot consisted of automobile tires.

Yesterday afternoon in Porter Circuit Court, Ora L. Wildermuth, special judge, found for the defendants in a petition to dissolve a lien for attorney fees in the sum of $15,000 (≈$231,778.49 in 2021) in the case of W. J. Whinnery and John D. Kennedy against twelve bankers and stockholders of Hammond banks. The defendant bankers’ holdings were tied up by the plaintiffs for fees claimed in the case of the Manhattan Lumber Company versus Peter Crumpacker and others growing out of the old Mineral Springs Race Course at Porter.

December 31, 1921

Miss Jessie Philley, employed in the office of M. J. Drapier, abstracter, has announced her withdrawal as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Porter County Recorder. Miss Philley has accepted a position as stenographer with Porter County Clerk R. C. Jones, succeeding Miss Kathryn Kirkpatrick.

Valparaiso University defeated the Indiana University Law School at the home gym last night, 28 to 11. Valpo led at half time, 20 to 4.