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.
August 1, 1923
The theater section of the Indianapolis News contains a fine write-up of Miss Beulah Bondy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Bondy, of Valparaiso. The paper also contains a large picture of Miss Bondy. The News says that it is doubtful whether any of the new actors which Stuart Walker has introduced to Indianapolis during the last few years have been so warmly received by audiences as has Miss Beulah Bondy.
The Hebron Theater at Hebron, which has been closed since fire damaged it some time ago, will be reopened Friday evening, August 3, with a showing of Harold Lloyd in “Dr. Jack” and Will Rogers in “Fruits of Faith.” Extensive repairs and improvements have been made to the interior of the building.
August 2, 1923
Attempts to learn whether the Ku Klux Klan had taken over Valparaiso University proved futile today. Local representatives of the Klan were in Indianapolis yesterday conferring with state officials. Today local klan officials are attending a meeting in Chicago.
South Porter County residents living near Burrows’ Camp have retained Attorney P. J. Bailey, of Valparaiso, to represent them in action to be taken against Constable Charles Adams and fifteen deputies who raided the Pfiel Dance Hall and created a panic among the dancers. One man attempted to escape by swimming the Kankakee River. Those arrested were taken to Hebron for trial.
August 3, 1923
At a meeting of Valparaiso Lodge of Elks last night, the building committee was empowered to plans, specifications, and estimates of cost for a new building. Two hundred members attended.
Suit for $5,000 ($89,213 in 2023) in damages was filed in Porter Circuit Court today by George Pfiel, proprietor of a dance hall at Burrows’ Camp, south of Kouts, against F. Ray Marine, prosecutor; Oliver M. Loomis, deputy prosecutor and Constable Charles Adams. It is claimed the defendants posed as federal officials in a raid on the Pfiel place in search of liquor last Sunday night.
August 4, 1923
It is expected trustees of Valparaiso University will have an answer from the Klan for taking over the school at Monday’s meeting of the board. A meeting of state officials is being held this afternoon at Indianapolis to either accept or reject the local offer.
Valparaiso city officials have made a contract with the Union Iron Products Company, of East Chicago, for 245 street signs. A contract was entered into for street signs during the World War but the company which received the contract failed to go through with it.
August 5, 1923
Lowell won the baseball tourney held Sunday at Kouts, defeating Valparaiso Standards, 2 to 1, and Peotone, Ill., 11 to 0. Peotone defeated Kouts, 4 to 3. Valparaiso lost out to Lowell in the ninth when Lowell scored two runs.
A 74’x56’ addition to the George Downing Garage at the junction of Yellowstone Trail and Lincoln Highway in Valparaiso will be ready for occupancy by Sept. 1.
August 6, 1923
People of Porter County paid tribute to President Warren G. Harding last night as the death train wended its way through the northern confines of the county. Silent crowds of mourners lined the right-of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad tracks. Large crowds gathered at Woodville and Suman as early as 5 o’clock. The train passed through Woodville at 9:20 o’clock.
The county commissioners will keep hands off the constable mess stirred up as a result of the raid on Burrows’ Camp and other excursions about the county in which raids have been staged. The board feels the solution lies in the courts and will not attempt to pass on the eligibility of Constable Charles Adams.
August 7, 1923
George Keogan, who coached winning teams at Valparaiso University in 1920 and 1921, has been employed by Notre Dame University to assist Knute Rockne to direct athletics this fall. Keogan, since leaving Valparaiso, has been coaching at a high school in LaCrosse, Wisc. He will have charge of Notre Dame’s baseball and basketball teams and will assist Coach Rockne in developing football teams, especially freshmen. He will also serve as a Notre Dame scout.
August 8, 1923
Grant Crumpacker, Porter County Attorney, today ruled that Charles Adams is a bona fide constable of Center Township. Mr. Adams was appointed by the commissioners to serve until his successor was elected and none have been elected or qualified, so his appointment still holds, Attorney Crumpacker said. Mr. Adam’s qualifications were attacked recently following a raid on a dance hall at Burrows’ Camp in which a number of arrests were made for liquor violations.
August 9, 1923
The Valparaiso National Bank yesterday awarded the contract to Smith and Smiths Company, of Valparaiso, for the erection of a new bank building. It will be one story with high ceilings, fronting 50’ on South Washington Street, and 90’ in depth.
John Horan, 556 West Jefferson Street, was instantly killed last night when his automobile overturned on the Clifford turn, two miles west of Valparaiso.
August 10, 1923
Valparaiso Rotarians played host yesterday to several hundred boys at a picnic at Brown Field. The Rotarians lost to the boys at baseball, 11 to 8. ‘Texas Jack’ Sullivan entertained with a talk on “Life on a Movie Ranch.” Games, races, and eats were other attractions.
The Valparaiso Lodge of Elks voted last night to lease the lodge building on West Lincolnway to the Valparaiso City School Board for another year. This will delay new building plans for a year.
August 11, 1923
Valparaiso and Porter County paid its last respects to Warren G. Harding, late President of the United States, at memorial services held yesterday afternoon on the courthouse lawn. Business suspended for the observance. Talks were made by E. W. Agar, Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, Mrs. C. W. Boucher, Mrs. E. D. Crumpacker, Rev. E. J. Mungovan, and Dr. H. M. Evans.
William Stoddard, Valparaiso, has been appointed a member of the Indiana State Constabulary. He was recommended by State Senator Will Brown and Byron Smith, commander of American Legion Post No. 94. He will patrol the Dunes, Lincoln, and Jackson Highways.
August 12, 1923
A meeting of the board of the Valparaiso City Council has been called for this evening at the request of Mayor E. W. Agar to investigate complaints regarding indiscriminate use of bad language by several members of the Valparaiso Police Department to traffic violators.
The Valparaiso Standards defeated the Hammond Colonials yesterday at the fairgrounds, 3 to 0. Ray Knight hurled a three hitter for the Standards. Knight also knocked in two runs with singles.
August 13, 1923
The Lee Motor Company, of Valparaiso, has been incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000 ($181,612 in 2023). The company will sell autos and auto accessories.
Clarence Schneider, formerly court reporter for the Porter Circuit Court, has returned to Grand Rapids, Mich., after a visit here. He has been engaged in court reporting at Grand Rapids since his return from World War service. One of his first assignments with the famous Newberry case.
August 14, 1923
Forty-five students received degrees at the fiftieth annual commencement exercises held this morning at Valparaiso University. Judge D. N. Straup, of Utah, who was graduated from the university thirty-five years ago, made the address. President H. M. Evans presented the diplomas.
August 15, 1923
The building formerly occupied by the Jake Marks’ Barber Shop is being demolished today by workmen for the Smith & Smiths Company for a new structure to be erected for the Valparaiso National Bank. The other building on the site, now occupied by a pool room, will be torn down as soon as the pool room is able to occupy a room now being used by the Sievers Drug Company as a wallpaper and paint salesroom.
August 16, 1923
The Ku Klux Klan today announced the purchase of Valparaiso University. C. C. Watkins and Milton E. Elrod, representatives of the state organization, are said to have paid $30,000 ($535,279 in 2023) down to bind the deal. The Klan officials and university directors are meeting this afternoon.
C. C. Polk, a resident of Valparaiso for forty years, and founder of the Polk School of Piano Tuning, died this morning in Christian Hospital. He founded the Polk school twenty-five years ago and sold it recently to Willard Powell and Charles Townes.
August 17, 1923
G. W. Shadoan, of Danville, Ky., new athletic at Valparaiso University, is here for a visit with his sister, Mrs. H. H. Miller, of College Hill. He will visit in Chicago for a few days before taking up his work here. Mr. Shadoan was formerly a noted athlete at Center College.
Clyde A. Walb, republican state chairman, and president of the Walb Construction Company of LaGrange, Ind., which was awarded the construction for the Burns Ditch in Lake and Porter Counties, when bids were opened in Valparaiso several weeks ago, was in Valparaiso for a short stay today. He stated that work on the ditch would be begun in a short time and that he would probably make Valparaiso his headquarters.
August 18, 1923
An ordinance passed by the Valparaiso City Council at its last meeting granting pay increases to city police was vetoed by Mayor E. W. Agar last night. The ordinance was then passed over the mayor’s veto, 4 to 2. Councilman E. S. Miller and Louis Gast voted no. Mayor Agar said his reason for vetoing the ordinance was that the police entered into a contract for one year from last January and he believed the contract should be observed.
The total valuation of all taxable property in Porter County for 1923 is $59,050,790, according to a tabulation complied by Porter County AudItor B. H. Kinne. The amount is made up of real and personal property totaling $30,124,050 as returned by the assessors and $28,926,740, the amount returned by the state tax board against the assessment of railroads and other corporations. The 1923 valuation shows a falling off of $540,870 from 1922.
August 19, 1923
Miss Jessie Reynolds, stenographer at Lowenstines’ Department Store, suffered a slight fracture of the skull and other injuries when she fell out of a window in the rear of the store. She was endeavoring to catch a glimpse of the Sparks’ Brothers Circus Parade Saturday morning when it was traversing Michigan Avenue in Valparaiso.
Rev. James T. Mordy, son-in-law of Mrs. Alice Dalrymple, of Valparaiso, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Rock Island, Ill., has received a call to a Des Moines church at a salary of $4,000 ($72,645 in 2023). Mrs. Mordy is the former Jane Dalrymple.
August 20, 1923
Owing to the great demand for lots along the Dunes Highway, a first addition to the Pines, opened some time ago by a syndicate of Valparaiso men, will be opened up and the sale will begin next week. Two-hundred-and-fifty lots will be offered in the new addition. Harry V. Deopker and Herbert Schleman will be in charge of the sale.
August 21, 1923
Dr. Garrett D. Conover has opened up a new dental office in the new Valparaiso Daily Vidette building on Washington Street. He is located on the second floor.
August 22, 1923
Work was commenced yesterday on the excavation of a new building for the McGill Manufacturing Company. The new structure is to be in proximity to a similar structure erected several years ago on North Campbell Street west of the McGill Metal Company. The Carnegie Construction Company, of Chicago, which has the contract, has placed a sixty-day time limit on completion of the building. McGill has been promised possession by November 1. The same company built the McGill Metal Company buildings.
The purchasing power of a German mark at the present time was revealed in a letter in possession of the Thrift Trust Company, administrator of the estate of Mrs. Anna Slerck. The letter was sent by Mrs. Sierck's sister, Mrs. Fred Buck. According to the letter, it takes 35,000 marks to buy a pound of sago; 30,000 marks for one pound of flour; 10,000 marks for pint of milk; and 100,000 marks for a six-pound loaf of bread. It requires 1,100 marks to send the letter. According to the exchange today, between the United States and Germany, an American Dollar will buy one million marks. Before the World War, a mark was worth 23-and-a-fraction cents ($4.18 in 2023) in United States currency.
August 23, 1923
Work of grading the uncompleted section of the Dunes Highway between Gary and Baillytown was finished yesterday and paving of the two-and-a-half-mile strip will begin at once. A short stretch near Baillytown will not be paved until the grade separation is completed in 1924. The road will be opened around November 1.
The final meeting to close the deal for the purchase of Valparaiso University by the Ku Klux Klan is being held this afternoon at the university. Henry Kinsey Brown, the university trustees, and representatives of the Klan met at 2 o’clock to put the finishing touches to the transaction. Klan officials stated they are ready to go through with the deal.
August 24, 1923
The Good Roads Committee of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce yesterday concluded the deal for the purchase of right-of-way necessary for the elimination of the Malone turn, on Lincoln Highway, six miles east of Valparaiso. H. I. Barnett, Ernest Sachtelben, and T. A. and J. W. Jones, owners of the land, were paid $600 ($10,896 in 2023). The land was acquired under a law which permits chambers of commerce to buy land for the state highway commission and then be reimbursed for the amount.
New street signs and posts for Valparaiso, weighing four-and-a-half tons, arrived today from East Chicago and installation will start within a few days. The signs were made at the plant of the Union Iron Products Company at East Chicago.
August 25, 1923
The Crain Restaurant located in the John L. Foster building at 18 North Washington Street in Valparaiso will be moved by its owner to a building on South College Avenue next to the College Pharmacy. Mr. Foster will either lease the Washington Street building to other parties or occupy it himself.
George A. Wassenberger, instructor in journalism and printing in a high school at Pontiac, Mich., visited Valparaiso today enroute back to Pontiac from a visit to Madison, Wisc. He formerly attended Valparaiso University and was editor of The Torch.
August 26, 1923
Valparaiso and Porter County were visited by a heavy rain and electric storm last night. According to measurements from the Flint Lake Pumping Station, seven inches of rainfall was recorded in twenty-four hours. Near Suman, in Jackson Township, 350 feet of right-of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was washed away. Express Train No. 13 plunged into the whirlpool of waters caused by the flooding creeks. The engine sank into the water, but the cars remained on the tracks. Engineer George Novinger, of Garrett, Ind., was drowned. Fireman C. E. Miller, also of Garrett, swam to safety. Lightning struck a fancy stock barn on the Montdale Farm, east of Valparaiso, owned by Harry Curran, of Chicago, causing a loss of at least $15,000 ($272,418 in 2023).
For the second time in three weeks, Lowell won a baseball tourney at the fairgrounds by defeating Kouts, 3 to 0, and Indiana Harbor 10 to 3. Tim Murchison pitched both games for Lowell. Kouts defeated the Valparaiso Standards in the opening game, 3 to 1. Rainier held Valparaiso to two hits, while Knight allowed Kouts six.
August 27, 1923
J. E. Dreschoff, manager of the Hotel Lembke, announced today that the cafeteria and two floors of the hotel building will be ready for business next Saturday. Work on the hotel has been rushed during the last month, but installation of the plumbing fixtures has been delayed by the completion of the structure. The entire force of hotel employees has been on the job for some time and will be available for the Saturday partial opening.
August 28, 1923
The county commissioners today appropriated $3,500 ($65,564 in 2023) toward the improvement of Lincoln Highway from Garfield Avenue to Valparaiso’s city limits on the east, now being improved by the state highway commission with a tarvia top. The Valparaiso City Council has appropriated $2,000 toward the improvement. The action of the two governmental bodies will make the highway uniform from Garfield Avenue to the Malone Turn.
August 29, 1923
Deputy Sheriff William B. Forney was wounded last night about 10 o’clock in a gun battle between the sheriff’s forces and a gang of three moonshiners at the Frank Persell farm, one-and-a-half miles west of the old Daly School in Portage Township. A bullet from a .38 caliber revolver struck the deputy in the top of the head and burrowed a furrow through the skull. Forney was brought to Christian Hospital in Valparaiso and given treatment. Vincent Joworski, 44, was arrested in the raid. Affidavits were filed today against Nick Slade and Matt Buconich, companions of Joworski.
The grand opening of the new Hotel Lembke, Valparaiso’s modern hostelry, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13, according to an announcement made today by J. E. Dreschoff. The cafeteria, lobby, and two floors of the building will be open Saturday at 11 o’clock to the public.
August 30, 1923
Midshipman Byron Loomis, of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., is here on a thirty-day leave of absence for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Loomis. He has just returned from a 10,000-mile summer cruise on the U. S. Battleship Florida. Three-thousand sailors were on the cruise this year, and Copenhagen, Denmark; Glasgow, Scotland; Lisbon, Portugal; Gibraltar, and other places were visited. The cruise ended with a ten-day target practice off Hampton Roads, Va.
Porter County officials are the target of Michigan City and Gary newspapers for their activity in arresting speeders on the Dunes Highway. The Gary Post Tribune carried a half-column story to the effect that the Kangaroo Court on the Dunes Highway had been suspended for ten days. State police, it is said, have promised a very thorough probe. Facts concerning the way arrests have been made and persons fined were presented to the state police by W. H. Williams, secretary of the Hoosier State Automobile Association.
August 31, 1923
The engine of Baltimore & Ohio Express Train No. 13, which plunged into the washout near Suman last Sunday night during the heavy rains, which destroyed more than four-hundred feet of roadbed, resulting in the death of Engineer George Novinger, of Garrett, Ind., was lifted from the mud yesterday. The engine was badly damaged and will necessitate extensive repairs. C. E. Miller, fireman on the ill-fated train, whose escape from death was considered miraculous, was here yesterday and gave testimony in the accident at the office of Dr. H. O. Seipel, county coroner.
Porter County Surveyor Floyd R. McNiece today announced the appointment of John R. Fabing, of Valparaiso, as deputy county surveyor. He is a graduate of Valparaiso High School and attended Valparaiso University. Fabing has been connected with the surveyor’s office for the past two years.