These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the pages of Valparaiso’s Evening Messenger and Valparaiso Daily Vidette newspaper publications.
October 1, 1923
George Scoofakes and Nick Georgiakes have dissolved their partnership in the College Inn at 454 Greenwich Street in Valparaiso. Mr. Scoofakes is purchasing Mr. Georgiakes’ interest in the restaurant. Attorney A. C. Faulkner represented the parties.
October 2, 1923
The new street signs are being placed throughout Valparaiso today by Street Commissioner William Arnold. The signs were purchased from the Union Iron Company of East Chicago.
October 3, 1923
By a deal concluded today, William Schleman traded his fine residence property on North Lafayette Street in Valparaiso to Glen J. Goddard for a business property at Lafayette, Ind. Mr. Goddard will move to his new acquisition. Mr. Schleman will build a new residence in Forest Park.
John J. McGuire, who has been connected with the law office of Prosecutor F. R. Marine for several months, has been named deputy prosecutor to succeed Oliver Loomis, who resigned to enter the law practice with Daniel E. Kelley.
October 4, 1923
J. Paris Cox, who fleeced Porter County, including many farmers, out of thousands of dollars, is under arrest at Jefferson City, Mo. He is fighting extradition to Vincennes, Ind., where he is wanted on a charge of obtaining $20,000 from farmers in the sale of medicine kits.
Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, transferred to the Methodist church at Crawfordsville, Ind., will leave tomorrow for that place. Mrs. Carpenter and son, Guy Duncan, will accompany him.
October 5, 1923
Dr. D. D. Hays, a representative of the United Doctors, with headquarters at Milwaukee, Wis., was arrested in Valparaiso Wednesday night by Marshal Carrier, of Hobart. A Hobart doctor preferred the charge against Hays of practicing medicine without a license. Hays was returned to Hobart and fined $25 and costs, amounting to $45.
Two hundred Valparaiso University students will journey to Kalamazoo to watch the opening football game between Valparaiso and Kalamazoo College. While some will make the trip in autos, the greater number will either hitchhike or ride freight trains.
October 6, 1923
Harry Herrick, who has been conducting a grocery business on East Lincolnway, sold his Valparaiso business to W. G. Windle and Son. Invoicing of the stock will start next week. Herrick has been owner of the business twice during the last twelve years, and, in each instance, has sold out to the Windles.
Glen J. Hardesty and John Moser, who recently formed a partnership in the dry-cleaning business, have leased the Schleman-Morton building, formerly occupied by the Valparaiso Chamber, on Washington Street in Valparaiso. Messrs. Hardesty and Moser recently took over the Up-to-Date Dry Cleaning plant at the Grand Trunk Railroad and will operate the plant.
October 7, 1923
Valparaiso University football team lost its first game of the season Saturday at Kalamazoo, Mich., when Kalamazoo defeated the locals, 6 to 0. The Michigan team scored on a fumble by White on the 45-yard line. A Kalamazoo player scooped up the ball and raced the distance for a touchdown.
Froebel High School, of Gary, defeated Valparaiso High School gridders Saturday at Gary, 27 to 0. Froebel scored twice in the first quarter and twice in the third. Valpo lost a fine opportunity to score when a forward pass across the goal line by Herbie Douglas to Johnny Lowenstine was fumbled.
October 8, 1923
Today is the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, which started on Oct. 8, 1871, and burned for many days. W. G. Windle, of Valparaiso, was a fireman on a railroad train approaching the city when the fire was at its height. Many Valparaiso people recall viewing the heavens during the fire and seeing the sky a vivid red.
October 9, 1923
Porter County has 411.68 miles of improved highway, according to figures compiled by Auditor B. H. Kinne for the state auditor. This month $500,000 will be distributed to the different counties. Of the amount, $250 ,000 will be divided equally among the 92 counties. The remainder will be divided on the basis of miles of improved highway. The state auditor will also distribute $1,000,000 in gasoline taxes. This money is to be spent for road improvements.
October 10, 1923
The new building being constructed by John F. Sievers on East Lincolnway, next to the Johnson Oil Filling Station, will be occupied by the Mark Palmer Automobile Agency. The latter company is now occupying the Dolson building, which will be taken over by the Harvil Brothers. The Maxwell Implement Company will move from the Henry building presently occupied by Harvil Brothers.
Street Commissioner William Arnold, who is in charge of erecting the new street signs throughout Valparaiso, reports the work is progressing nicely. The posts are being set in concrete to a depth of three feet. The signs will be installed as soon as all posts are in.
October 11, 1923
On Oct. 12, the day set by Judge H. H. Loring in the Porter Circuit Court for the execution of Harry Diamond in the prison at Michigan City, following his convicting in June for the murder of his wife, Nettie Hershcovitz Diamond, near Eash Chicago, last February, the transcript of the case will be filed in the Indiana Supreme Court. The transcript comprises 1,010 pages of type-written matter and was turned out by court reporters S. P. Corboy and Walter Harrold. Governor McCray granted Diamond a reprieve of sixty days so Diamond’s attorneys could perfect their appeal.
A permanent carrier was added to the city force at the Valparaiso Post Office, Postmaster A. N. Worstell announced today. The routes will be redistricted this week. No appointment has yet been made by the post office department. Maurice O’Donnell, substitute carrier, is filling the role at present. The local post office now has nine city carriers, including parcel post delivery.
October 12, 1923
Jimmy Baker, 83, was before Judge H. H. Loring today for a reprimand for his action yesterday on Franklin Avenue when he hugged a young woman who was gazing in a store display window. Baker has been an annoyance to young girls for some time. He was warned that a repetition of the offense would result in a jail term.
Frank A. LePell, Valparaiso undertaker, was elected president of the Fifth District Undertakers’ and Embalmers’ Association at a meeting held in Gary at the Williams Funeral Parlors. The fifth district comprises nine northwestern Indiana counties. Mr. LePell, C. L. Bartholomew, and Charles H. Stinchfield attended the meeting.
October 13, 1923
Ku Klux Klan of Westchester Township took a leading part in the Chesterton election held Wednesday and Thursday in town hall. Both elections were virtually controlled by the klan. Wednesday night, C. L. Lindsey was nominated for trustee and August Hjalmer Vedell for clerk on the Citizens’ Ticket. Thursday night, John Sheley was nominated for trustee and Silver Witte for clerk on the Peoples’ Ticket. All nominees are said to be members of the klan.
Plans for an industrial city at the mouth of the Burns’ Ditch in northwest Porter County are in the making. The Consumers’ Company, of Chicago, which owns 2,000 acres along the Lake Michigan front, is said to be planning to build an industrial city and a large lake harbor.
October 14, 1923
Des Moines University gridders defeated Valparaiso University here Saturday by a count of 6 to 3, when the referee ruled a Des Moines forward pass complete on the Valpo six-inch line, from where a plunger carried it over. Spurgeon scored Valpo’s three points in the fourth quarter when he booted a place kick from the 30-yard line.
Valparaiso High School defeated LaPorte High in football at Brown Field Saturday, 12 to 0. Valparaiso was crippled by injuries, but managed to crash through the LaPorte line with line smashes and cross bucks for two touchdowns.
October 15, 1923
The Valparaiso League of Women Voters was host to the Tenth District convention of the Indiana League of Women Voters this afternoon and evening. Mrs. W. H. Parkinson, of Lafayette, was elected chairman, and Mrs. E. H. Earle, of Valparaiso, was named secretary-treasurer. Mrs. Walter Greenough, past state president, and Prof. Robert Phillips, of Purdue University, gave talks.
October 16, 1923
Roscoe Shedd, of Valparaiso, received a shipment of sunfish and black bass for stocking Long Lake, and Isaac Dillingham received a consignment of perch for Wauhob Lake. The fish were sent here from a government hatchery.
October 17, 1923
Wood Street, which has been a bone of contention in Valparaiso for the last ten years in the way of establishment, is to be established, Mayor E. W. Agar announced today. He said the city would pay judgments recently awarded in the Porter Circuit Court by Special Judge Grant Crumpacker against the city in the sum of $600 in two suits filed by T. R. Lannin and Roscoe R. Shedd. City authorities had decided to rescind a resolution establishing the street, but now it has been decided to go through with it. A number of property owners on the east side of Limit Street will plot land owned by them to build homes.
Congressman Will R. Wood, of the Tenth Indiana District, spoke at Valparaiso University this morning on “Conditions in Europe.” The speaker declared that France should pay its war debt to the United States in full. “There is no justification for France withholding payment when such large sums are being expended by her for military operations,” Congressman Wood said. “Unless that country is curtailed by payment of her just obligations to the United States, another war is inevitable,” he said.
October 18, 1923
The Portage Home Telephone Company has made an application to the Public Service Commission of Indiana for permission to raise rates. The rate increase is being sought to provide for necessary expenses and depreciation and afford a fair return on the value of the physical property. The home office is at Crisman, and E. S. Miller, of Valparaiso, is president, and E. A. Anderson, secretary-treasurer.
The Indiana Supreme Court yesterday granted a stay of execution until April 4, 1924, to Harry Diamond, sentenced to death in Porter Circuit Court for the slaying of his wife near East Chicago, on Feb. 25, 1923. The stay was granted to permit Diamond’s attorneys to perfect their appeal.
October 19, 1923
Mark L. Dickover, one of the prominent Masons of Porter County, was honored yesterday at the annual meeting of the Grand Chapter of Masons at Indianapolis. He was elected Grand Captain of the host, which is in line for the office of Grand High Priest, highest office in the chapter. The next session of the grand chapter will be held at Terre Haute, in October 1924.
About a dozen guests were routed from their beds last night when fire broke out in the Belmont Hotel on Lincolnway in Valparaiso. The fire was discovered by one of the guests, who gave the alarm. Fireman were unable to located the seat of the blaze for some time. The fire originated from a cook range and worked its way up through an air shaft. About an hour was required to extinguish the blaze.
October 20, 1923
Ross McLellan, Westinghouse Electric Company representative in New York City, is now engaged in making a survey of railroads in Europe for the purpose of electrification. According to a letter received here in Valparaiso by his mother, McLellan now in Stockholm, Sweden, and plans to go to Germany, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, and Spain.
A reception was given in the parlors at the Methodist Church in honor of Rev. and Mrs. E. W. Strecker. Rev. Strecker is the new pastor. About 200 attended. Prof. W. F. Ellis, for many years a friend of the Streckers, gave an address of welcome. Short talks were made by Revs. W. W. Ayer, C. W. Wharton, and C. E. Burns. C. M. Lish, Sunday school superintendent, presided.
October 21, 1923
Sons of Veterans held a banquet and entertainment in the Grand Army of the Republic post rooms at the Memorial Opera House on Saturday night for veterans of the Civil War. Fifteen men who saw service were present and their combined ages were 1,181 years, or an average of 79 years. They were E. M. Burns, 77; William Beltzhoover, 79; N. J. Bozarth, 74; Charles Doty, 77; Joseph Glover, 73; Joseph Hollenried, 83; Louis Laduer, 77; T. B. Louderback, 85; Jacob Mooker, 79; B. E. Reading, 84; Heber Stoddard, 75; John H. Bayles, 79; John Buchanan, 74; J. S. Wilcox, 77; James Hodgins, 78.
Valparaiso University gridders defeated Chicago Y. M. C. A. here on Saturday by a score of 44 to 3. The Chicago Y scored on a drop kick by Captain Nelson. Valparaiso High gridders lost to Whiting High in the curtain raiser, 9 to 6.
October 22, 1923
Notices have been mailed to several hundred owners of real estate in Porter County by treasurer J. G. Graessle that special assessments of taxes for the construction of the Burns Ditch are due and payable today. Unless they are paid by December 24, they become a bonded lien upon the real estate which cannot be sold or transferred until the ditch taxes are paid. Taxes to be paid in Porter County amounted to $30, 480, and in Lake County to $304,654.15. The ditch is mainly in Porter County, but Lake County will receive the greater benefit. The total cost of the ditch is $335,134.15.
October 23, 1923
The body of the unknown young man killed by a switch engine on the New York Central Railroad at Dune Park on October 5, now reposes in the Chesterton Cemetery. The identity of the young man will probably go down as an unsolved mystery. Many inquiries were received by Dr. H. O. Seipel, county coroner, relating to the young man and a number of persons viewed the body. Pictures were taken of the victim before he was buried.
October 24, 1923
Dunes Acres, in Porter County, held an election Saturday. Mrs. Mary R. Spring was named trustee of the First Ward; Arthur P. Melton, trustee of the Second Ward; S. M. Hunter, trustee Third Ward, and Mrs. Edith M. Melton, clerk-treasurer. All successful candidates received five votes apiece. Dunes Acres is situated on a large tract of land known as the Lehman estate, leased for a period of 99 years by W. A. Wirt and others. A large hotel and residential section will be built on the tract.
The case of Valparaiso University versus the Cook Laboratories, Inc., and the Valparaiso Realty Company, in which the university trustees are seeking to establish title to Valparaiso University in real estate occupied by the school and ownership of the common stock of the Valparaiso Realty Company, was venued today from the Porter Circuit Court to the Lake Circuit Court at Crown Point. An attempt was made four weeks ago to have the case transferred to the federal court at Indianapolis.
October 25, 1923
Yesterday afternoon at the office of Porter County Surveyor Floyd M. McNiece, the contract for the construction of the Sandy Hook Ditch in the south part of Porter County was awarded by Samuel H. Adams, ditch commissioner. The McWilliams Land Company, of Chicago and Memphis, Tenn., was awarded the contract for Section 1 of the ditch at a bid of $13,400. Will Brown, of Hebron, was awarded the contract for Section 2, at a bid of $29,500, and the Portland Drain Tile Company, of Portland, Ind., the tile work at $18,000. The ditch was established some time ago in Porter Circuit Court by Special Judge George H. Hershman, of Crown Point. The ditch traverses through Porter, Morgan, Boone and Pleasant Townships, and will drain 15,000 acres.
Mrs. Jewel Hembroff Rumney, of Valparaiso, has been appointed county health nurse, and assumed her duties on Oct. 15. She has been employed by the Valparaiso school board, Porter County Red Cross, and Porter County Anti-Tuberculosis Society for one year. Mrs. Rumney, a graduate of Valparaiso High School and West Side Hospital in Chicago, will devote part time to the city schools and part time to the rural schools.
October 26, 1923
Furniture and fixtures of the Valpo Candy Kitchen, formerly located in the Horn building on West Lincolnway, was sold at the sheriff’s sale this morning by Sheriff William Pennington to Albert Pick and Company, of Chicago, to satisfy judgment of $6,000 obtained at foreclosure of mortgage by the Chicago firm. The fixtures have been stored in the warehouse of H. W. Robinson Transfer Company for several months.
Justice T. B. Louderback, before whom numerous automobile speeders on Lincolnway have been tried and fined recently, today issued a statement defending his position. “Every man brought before me has admitted driving between 40 and 50 miles an hour, and in view of this fact I have assessed the smallest fine within my power, $1,” Justice Louderback said.
October 27, 1923
Porter Township was the winner of the silver cup donated by the Porter County Bankers’ Association to the township securing the highest number of points for exhibits at the recent Porter County Fair. Porter had 1,140 points; Center, 582, and Washington, 531. Other townships ranged from 179 to 10. Porter Township won the trophy last year.
At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last night, the South End Sewer Project became involved in a tangle. City Civil Engineer Floyd R. McNiece presented plans and specifications, but the city was unable to obtain an easement from Joseph Siemiontkowske, living south of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The sewer traverses the Siemiontkowske property, and the owner wants $100 damages and exemption from sewer assessments amounting to $730.
October 28, 1923
The Salvation Army Band, of Chicago, under the leadership of Col. Flynn visited Valparaiso yesterday and played concerts in the downtown district and later in the Christian Church. The program consisted of religious and classical numbers. The organization came here from Gary.
Valparaiso University defeated DePaul University Saturday afternoon in Chicago by a count of 34 to 7. The field was muddy, and the locals were forced to play straight football. DePaul outweighed Valpo but the shifty attack of the locals proved too much for the Chicago team. DePaul scored in the closing minutes on a long end run.
October 29, 1923
Attorney Arthur Sapp, of Huntington, Ind., Rotary District Governor for the 20th District, was guest of honor at the Valparaiso Rotary Club banquet meeting at Hotel Lembke. He delivered a fine talk on the principles of Rotarianism. A banquet preceded the address.
October 30, 1923
Congressman Will R. Wood, of the Tenth Indiana District, spoke to members of the Kiwanis Club this noon at the Hotel Lembke. His talk centered mainly around the immigrant question. Mr. Wood gathered facts for his talk during the recent European visit he made with Secretary of Labor Davis. He told the Kiwanians that no immigration will mean economic ruin in America.
October 31, 1923
Michigan Central Flyer No. 14, eastbound, was ditched at Kittle’s Crossing, two miles east of Chesterton at 4:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon when it was in collision with a meat truck owned by the Armour Packing Company. Frank Landis, of Gary, driver of the truck, suffered a fractured skull. F. H. Diffenbaugh, of Michigan City, engineer of the derailed train, was slightly hurt.
Albert Waldschmidt and Clifford Hymes, two youths who ran away from their home in Milwaukee, Wis., and wrecked the interior of the Washington Township High School, east of Valparaiso, after looting the place of valuables, were taken to places of confinement today. Waldschmidt went to the Jeffersonville Reformatory for one to eight years, and Hymes to the Plainfield Boys’ School.