May 1, 1921
The Valparaiso Athletics blanked the Boone Grove baseball team Sunday at the fairgrounds by a score of 4 to 0. Sides pitched for the Athletics and Maloney for Boone Grove.
The riot cases against Thomas Dandalet, Arthur Engstrom and Baldwin McLennon, star athletes at Valparaiso University, growing out of a row between opposing factions at the university over President Daniel Russell Hodgdon, were dismissed in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court today. The three defendants and Frank W. Thomas, the complaining witness, were in court. Following a conference between Prosecutor J. S. Bartholomew and Thomas the cases were nolle prossed (dismissed).
May 2, 1921
At a meeting of the official board of the M. E. church last evening the proposition of building an addition to the church was discussed. A committee was appointed to formulate plans. The addition if built would be constructed on the north side of the present structure and would include space for a gym. The improvement would cost $20,000.
Charles L. Jeffrey, Mandel R. Lowenstine, and George F. Beach returned this morning from Washington, D. C., where they went last Friday to confer with the government federal vocational board in regard to closing a contract to bring 500 students here to the university for training under the vocation board act. The contract is expected to be closed within a few days.
May 3, 1921
E. W. Agar, city attorney of Valparaiso, won the republican mayoralty nomination yesterday. He defeated R. D. Raymond and Eugene Hodges. John R. Burch and B. D. McMahan were nominated for councilman-at-large; E. S. Miller, first ward; S. E. Collins, second ward; Louis Gast, third ward; Blaine Williams, fourth ward.
May 4, 1921
Charles L. Jeffrey, chairman of the board of trustees of Valparaiso University, announced that the contract between the university and the government for the training of 500 students under the federal vocational board act had been accepted, according to a telegram received from Washington. A government representative will be here in a few days to make arrangements to remodel the buildings and install the necessary machinery. It is said the government will spend $100,000 in providing equipment for training the men. The contract runs for one year.
May 5, 1921
The Kiwanis Club reported today that a wonderful battery had been uncovered for the coming clash with the Rotary Club at Brown Field. The Kiwanians refuse to divulge the identity of the two star players discovered, it is said, during a recent dinner. O. F. Helvie, of the Rotary Club, on receipt of the news wore a worried look. E. D. Hodges, Dr. Stoner, W. J. Morris and other heavies of the Rotary Club are losing weight over the Kiwanis find.
S. J. Brown, of the Chatfield Grain Company, of Chatfield, O., is in the city making arrangements for the remodeling of the old Valparaiso Grain Elevator building on South Washington Street at the Pennsylvania tracks. The Chatfield Grain Company recently purchased the building and will remodel it. The company will sell coal, cement, and fertilizers.
May 6, 1921
Charles Specht, owner of Burlington Beach, Flint Lake, has sold his property to John Kostjal, of Gary. The resort consists of 32 acres and a number of buildings. The place has been in the Specht family for 25 years. Mr. Kostjal for a number of years conducted a resort at Miller Beach.
Several representatives of the government were here from Washington yesterday inspecting buildings at the university for the purpose of drawing plans and specifications for the alteration of the structures for training of 500 men to be sent here under the federal vocational training act. An army physician and nurse will be sent here by the government for active duty.
May 7, 1921
A photograph was taken this morning at university ball park of students attending the university. The picture was panoramic view and also included members of the faculty. The large number in the picture occasioned surprise for many people who witnessed the photographing. The students stated that everyone in the picture was one hundred percent American.
County Superintendent Fred H. Cole has been distinctly honored in the book: “Who’s Who and Why in After War Education,” published by the Institute for Public Service, New York City. The Valparaiso man’s sketch is included in the book and a good-sized space is devoted to his accomplishments. Only 1,800 names are listed in the book, persons who have been responsible for forward steps in education.
May 8, 1921
E. W. Agar, republican nominee for Valparaiso mayor at the recent primary election, has received a letter of congratulation from United States Senator Harry New. Senator New expressed the hope that Mr. Agar will be successful in the November election.
Melvin J. Stinchfield, a former Valparaiso boy, who has been connected with a Pittsburgh construction concern in Chicago, has been appointed by Governor McCray as assistant date engineer with offices in the state building at Indianapolis. Mr. Stinchfield left Saturday for Indianapolis to assume his new duties.
May 9, 1921
Waverly Beach, Lake Michigan, where many drownings have taken place, will soon be equipped with a pulmotor. The boy scouts of Porter are behind the movement to obtain one for emergency purposes. Sunday the boys took up subscriptions from persons visiting the beach, and probably a hundred persons contributed from fifty cents to one dollar.
Deputy Sheriff Gust Long, who has been deputy under Sheriff William Pennington since the latter took office, will resign his position tomorrow and take a position with the Foster Lumber and Coal Company.
May 10, 1921
The pickle factory building at the Grand Trunk station owned by Reid, Murdoch and Company, has been sold to Mark Palmer, local Ford auto dealer. He will use the building for unloading, storing and assembling Ford autos, tractors and farm machinery.
May 11, 1921
The Foster Lumber and Coal Company was yesterday awarded the contract by the government for alteration of buildings at Valparaiso University to be used by 500 students to be sent here for vocational training. The appropriation calls for an expenditure of approximately $35,000. The repairs cover Heritage Hall, Lembke, Domestic Science, Elocution, Commercial Hall and the medical building. The government will spend $100,000 in alteration of buildings and installing new machinery and other changes. The work must be completed by June 1.
May 12, 1921
Three hundred and ninety-five boy scouts of the scout area, comprising LaPorte and Porter counties, will again join the South Bend scouts in summer camp, according to a decision reached at the area meeting at the Rumely hotel at LaPorte Tuesday afternoon. The committee is comprised of W. B. Brown, Michigan City, chairman; Earl V. Smith, Valparaiso, and J. V. Dilworth, of LaPorte. The South Bend camp, Camp Bryan, is located near Wakeklee, Mich.
Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce through its board of directors today took action to assist the city administration in bringing about a solution of the pressing and disconcerting downtown parking problem. A committee was appointed to look into the feasibility of purchasing or renting a centrally located lot for parking purposes, and two or three were submitted for consideration. The chamber is committed to some program that will afford accommodations to motorists. Through the new parallel parking ordinance affecting the north side of Lincolnway through the business section the congestion problem has become even more annoying.
May 13, 1921
Gus Demos, proprietor of the Up-to-Date Dry Cleaners, announced today that the new building on North Washington Street would be ready inside of three weeks. The building is of cement block and is being built by Paul E. Marks. Mr. Demos came here from Cincinnati O., following his discharge from the army.
Chesterton is to have a new library to open in September. Trustee G. J. Johnson and Superintendent, F. M. Goldsborough have been working on the project for several years and enough money has been procured through taxation in the township to provide for its establishment. The location of the new library has not been determined.
May 14, 1921
The St. Michael’s American Russian National Orphans’ Home and Institution are selling lots to Russian members of the organization in the tract of 1,355 acres purchased by the society of the Robbins estate in Portage Township. The land cost the society $200,000. Yesterday twenty deeds were placed on file in the recorder’s office. The east half of section 29 in Portage township was subdivided by the society into lots for building purposes.
May 15, 1921
A big steam shovel, weighing thirty tons, and equipped with tractor wheels, is being used by P.T. Clifford and Son in the construction of the Hanrahan road in Center and Liberty townships. The Hanrahan road is six miles long and more than 38,000 cubic yards of dirt must be moved. A number of hills are being cut down along the route.
Valparaiso High School did not score a point in the Northern Indiana Track and Field meet at Notre Dame, South Bend, Saturday. Coach R. E. Schenck took three men to the meet—Thomas Clifford, Charles Riddle and Herman Mohnssen. The competition was too stiff in the events the men were entered and none of them was able to annex a point.
May 16, 1921
A white frost last night did incalculable damage to garden truck and small fruits throughout the county. Garden truck was sipped, strawberries and other small fruits were damaged. Hardy garden crops escaped.
Valparaiso University defeated Kalamazozo college Saturday afternoon at Brown Field, 3 to 2. “Iefty” Higgins, on the mound for Valpo, beat Fenner, Kazoo pitcher, given a tryout last spring by the Chicago White Sox. Higgins allowed but four hits. Gilbert’s work at third base featured.
May 17, 1921
The Inland Steel Company of Indiana Harbor, yesterday placed on record in the county recorder’s office deeds to 335 acres of land in Portage Township, purchased of the Crumpacker estate of Hammond. The consideration was $103.50. The land acquired is south of 219 acres purchased by the company quite some time ago.
May 18, 1921
A “History of Valparaiso University,” has just been completed by George W. Stimpson and will be ready for distribution next week. The history commences with the founding of the school and traces its development down to the present administration. The most interesting feature of the book is the chapters on the recent revolution. Mr. Stimpson was on the inside of the revolution and knows many things not known by the average student.
May 19, 1921
Dr. George Keogan, acting director of athletics and coach at Valparaiso University, for the last two years, today tendered his resignation to the board of trustees of the school and the same was accepted. Before coming here Dr. Keogan was coach at St. Thomas college, Great lakes Naval Training station, and Allegheny College. He has received several offers to coach, including one at Notre Dame.
An architect from the M. E. church Sunday school board of Chicago, was in the city today conferring with a committee on improvements of the local M. E. church. Some time ago the church organizers decided on enlarging the present structure to make more room for the Sunday school quarters and installation of a gym. The possibility of obtaining these enlarged quarters either through use of present basement or through an addition on the north part of the lot will be considered by the architect and building committee.
May 20, 1921
L. R. Gignillant, state commander Indiana American Legion, and Frank McHale, chairman of the Americanization committee, may make an investigation of reports of radical tendencies on part of persons attending Valparaiso University, it was learned today. Dr. Daniel Russell Hodgdon, president of the school, after resigning his post, asserted the school was a hotbed of radicalism.
G. G. Shauer and Sons yesterday awarded the contract for construction of the Premier Theatre on the site of the old Hotel Spindler site to C. F. Lembke and Company of Valparaiso. Work will be commenced tomorrow. The structure will be 72 by 132 feet, and will contain an auditorium seating 1,032 persons, two store rooms, and six suites of offices.
May 21, 1921
Grand Trunk trainmen frustrated an attempt to rob a merchandise train at the Clifford Crossing, west of here. The robbers out an air hose. When trainmen went to repair it, the robbers fired on them. A detective on the train replied with a volley of shots.
H. Leigh Lawrence, rector of an Episcopal church at Menominee, Mich, is here visiting his parents, Mr. an Mrs. J. A. Lawrence.
May 22, 1921
Fred Marquart was appointed Saturday by the county commissioners as county assessor to succeed Ezra Brody, deceased. Mr. Marquart has been acting as assessor during Brody’s illness. He formerly served as Center Township assessor.
After laying dormant for 18 years an oil well dug by W. J. Henry, east of Woodville Junction, has been uncapped and Mr. Henry and Mark R. Palmer will give it a thorough pumping to ascertain whether it will produce in paying quantities.
May 23, 1921
J. M. Wilcoxen, of Hammond, won the registered shoot held at Flint Lake yesterday by the Valpo Gun Club. He broke 142 of 150. Dr. E.H. Powell, Valparaiso, and Bert Lewis, West Alron, Ill., pro, broke 140. W.H. Hunsley broke 139, and Ora Gray and Sol Freidheim 138 apiece.
Three of five men who attempted robbery of a Grand Trunk merchandise train west of the city, were captured in Chicago Saturday when Clarence Burmeister, one of the men wounded in a gun battle with a railroad detective, applied at the Jefferson Park hospital for treatment. Two men who took Burmeister to the hospital for treatment. Two men who took Burmeister to the hospital were also arrested. The trio were brought here to Porter County Jail.
May 24, 1921
George Downing, operator of a garage and auto repair shop at Garfield and LaPorte Road, will open up a restaurant and grocery in a new addition next to the garage Mrs. Downing will be in charge of the new business.
May 25, 1921
The Valparaiso Auto Sales Company has leased the R.D. Ross and Son building on West Lincolnway, formerly occupied by W. A. Stimson agency. Possession will be taken over on June 1. The company will move there from its present location on Washington Street across from the chamber of commerce.
May 26, 1921
The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club received its charter last night at a dinner meeting held at Altruria Hall. More than 100 attended, 58 being members of the club. Col. J. L. McCullock, of Marion, presented the charter to President George R. Douglas of the local club. Mayor P. L. Sisson gave the welcome address.
Joseph L. Doyle, former secretary and clerk of the Porter County Draft Board, said there were only three evaders of the select draft in the county. Twenty men were listed as non-wilful deserters, but a number of these enlisted elsewhere.
May 27, 1921
Memorial Opera House was filled to capacity last evening by friends and patrons of Valparaiso High School who gathered to honor the class of 1921. The address of the evening was delivered by State Superintendent L. N. Hines. There were forty-one graduates.
The Valparaiso Lighting Company will try the new McDonald process of manufacturing gas at its plant June 1. The plant was constructed by Mr. McDonald who has been working for a number of years.
May 28, 1921
Joseph Demarggio, of Gary, who has operated the Red Bus Line in Gary, for the last seven years, will start a line between Valparaiso and Sheridan Beach. He will operate a Packard bus seating between thirty-five and forty persons. Trips will be made between the city and lake every half hour.
C. R. Bret, secretary of chamber of commerce at Canton, Ill., may be employed as manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. E.D. Hodges will be retained as manager. The appointment will probably be made at a meeting of the directors next Wednesday.
May 29, 1921
The ride tickets to Chicago on the local steam roads, transferable will soon be a thing of the past. On July 1, only 25, 46, and 54-ride tickets, good to individual purchasers and his family will be sold.
Attorney Ralph N. Smith, of Laporte, will return from Hot Springs, Ark., the coming week to prepare the defense of Engineer William Long and Fireman George Block, charged by Coroner A. O. Seipel with responsibility of the Porter wreck in which forty persons lost their lives. The case is set down for trial June 6. The defense will try to place the responsibility on the towerman at Porter.
May 30, 1921
On May 30, 1901, eight students of Valparaiso University, who sat at the same table in one of the dining halls, agreed to meet on the west steps of the court house on May 30, 1921. W.C. Mulroy, of Ponca City, Okla., was the only member signing the agreement to show up.
May 31, 1921
A big road grader, largest ever brought to Porter County, arrived today and will be used on a big fill on an old road near Deep River, which was shifted 100 feet. It weighs four tons and carries a 12 foot blade or scoop. George T. Pearce, county road superintendent, and Joseph Wilgen, assistant, are in charge.