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.
February 1, 1924
The Saran apartment building near the corner of Napoleon and Lincolnway was badly damaged by fire shortly after noon today, resulting in a loss of many thousand dollars. The following families resided in the structure: Mark Palmer, Peter J. Horn, C. H. Parker, A. O. Bondy, Harry Conklin, and M. Filgiano. The fire started in a paper chute at the rear of the building. The building was constructed five years ago by Peter J. Horn, Louis, Gast and Joseph Henderlong. The building was badly gutted.
Robert Nelson, who has been a member of the Valparaiso City Police force for more than a year, handed in his resignation to Chief Charles Cook, effective last night. No one has been selected for the vacancy.
The poultry school held at Kouts was brought to a close last evening after a two-day session. There was a large attendance and exceptional interest shown in the meetings. Pleasant Township poultry raisers started a movement at the school to have a poultry show, with a possible short course in connection. The show will be held in Valparaiso and will be for the entire county.
February 2, 1924
Louis Gast, one of the owners of the Saran Apartment building, badly damaged by fire yesterday in Valparaiso, stated today that the building would be rebuilt at a cost of between $35,000 and $40,000. There was $22,500 insurance carried on the building. All of the occupants of the building had insurance except two, Messrs. Horn and Filgiano.
The Valparaiso High School Basketball team won two games at Lowell last night on the skating rink floor of the Lowell team. The first team won 27 to 17, and the second team 18 to 7.
February 3, 1924
Valparaiso High School defeated the strong Froebel High School team of Gary at University Gym last night by a score of 34 to 31. Valpo had defeated Froebel in a former game 30 to 20 but had to work hard to win last night. George Douglas, forward, scored six baskets and two free throws for Valpo. Pollizzotto led Froebel’s attack with seven baskets and two free throws.
“Eugene T. Funk has the right to meet his accusers face to face. The Porter County Commissioners have no right to discharge him until he has been proven guilty. To discharge him on the report returned by the grand jury would mean that Mr. Funk would be defamed. The fact that the grand jury returned such a report does not mean that he is guilty of the charges embodied in the report.” This was the information imparted this morning by Porter County Attorney Grant Crumpacker to several men and women who appeared at a session of the county commissioners and demanded Funk’s resignation as county infirmary superintendent. Petitions bearing several hundred signatures were presented to the board.
February 4, 1924
The Porter County Board of Commissioners have announced that it will sift to the bottom charges that have been preferred against Superintendent E.T. Funk, of the Porter County Infirmary, and have signified their intention to appoint an attorney to represent the persons who are presenting petitions, asking for Funk’s removal.
February 5, 1924
Electric and telephone lines in and out of Valparaiso were down today due to a severe sleet storm which struck last night. All over the city trees were broken down. Lincoln Highway was completely blocked with fallen telephone poles and trees. Patrons who attended the show at Premier Theatre, “The Light that Failed,” saw a real light failure.
February 6, 1924
The Porter County Commissioners have overruled the remonstrance of T. B. Louderback and 344 others, against the petition of the St. Clair Road. The remonstrators objected to the alleged inefficiency of the petition for the road, which is in Center Township. Ira Biggs, Liberty Township, and Phillip Miller, of Jackson Township, together with Porter County Surveyor Floyd McNiece, have been appointed viewers to report on the utility of the proposed road.
The Lewis E. Myers & Company suspended operations yesterday afternoon during the hour of the funeral services for Woodrow Wilson as a mark of respect for the President of the United States. Frank Marimon delivered a eulogy on the life of President Wilson.
February 7, 1924
Immanuel Lutheran Church, of Valparaiso, is to be the first church in this part of Indiana to be equipped with a broadcasting station. The local church has been granted permission by the Commissioner of Navigation at Washington, D.C., to erect a station. Erection of the station will begin at once and completion will be inside of six weeks. The committee in charge comprises Herman Sievers, George Wyman, A. Z. Arehart, and Gerherd Schutes. Engineers at Dodge School of Telegraphy and Wireless will supervise the work.
Brunk Zitko, indicted by a grand jury on a charge of assault with intent to kill Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney during a liquor raid in Portage Township on Aug. 28 last, entered a plea of guilty in circuit court this afternoon and was sentenced by Judge H. H. Loring to serve 2 to 14 years in prison.
February 8, 1924
General incompetency will be the charge upon which scores of local men and women hope to remove from office, Eugene T. Funk, superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary. Hearing on the charge has been scheduled for next Tuesday in the Porter County Commissioners room at the courthouse. Prosecutor Field Ray Marine, acting in his official capacity, will appear on behalf of the petitioners. A recent grand jury recommended the superintendent’s removal.
Valparaiso High defeated East Chicago High in a fast basketball game at University Gym. The score was 35 to 27. The Douglas twins, Brown, and Shurr starred for Valpo, and Benich, Spudic, and Matthews were best for East Chicago.
February 9, 1924
Residents on Campbell Street appeared before the Valparaiso City Council last night to remonstrance against the proposed widening of the street under a petition recently presented to the council. The council took no action on the remonstrance because there was nothing to remonstrate against, as the original petition had been referred to the city’s planning commission. The latter body had recommended to the council that it would recommend the complete widening of the street. This would require a new petition. The cost of the widening project is placed at $30,000.
Mrs. Katie Yukowitz, of Gary, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in Porter Superior Court last night. She was charged with killing Andrew Yuko, whom she was alleged to have shot in self-defense. Her punishment under the conviction will be from 2 to 14 years in prison.
February 10, 1924
Vernon Passwater, fireman, and Arthur G. Hepner, head brakeman, met accidental death in the Nickel Plate locomotive explosion at the local depot on Jan. 9, according to the verdict of Coroner H. O. Seipel rendered today. Engineer R. S. Shearer, only survivor in the engine cab at the time of the explosion, testified he took charge of the engine at Knox, and from Knox on to Valparaiso he had trouble trying to make the engine steam. While the evidence did not show it, it is believed that low water in the boiler was the cause of the blast.
All day Sunday linemen were working over Porter County repairing telephone and telegraph wires broken down by the recent sleet storm. The Western Union, the Postal, Bell Telephone and Northwestern Indiana Telephone Companies all had gangs at work, and some of the highways presented a busy sight. Great strings of lines were down for miles and poles snapped off. It will be some time before complete service is restored.
February 11, 1924
Valparaiso University’s basketball team defeated Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, 14 to 11. Valpo plays Columbia at Dubuque tomorrow, and Dubuque University the night after.
February 12, 1924
No hearing was held today in celebrated action against Eugene Funk, in which local petitioners ask that he be removed as superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary. It has been announced that the hearing was to have been held today. It was learned today that Bruce B. Loring and T. P. Galvin have been employed to assist Prosecutor F. R. Marine, in presenting the case against Mr. Funk. No charges have been preferred against Funk, but attorneys stated that by Friday of this week specific charges would be filed. It is expected a hearing of the case will be held within the next two weeks. It will require a week or ten days, it is believed.
February 13, 1924
Valparaiso University’s basketball team defeated Columbia College at Dubuque last night, 33 to 31. Beanie Harris, star forward of the locals, caged seven baskets. Walter Hiltpold, back guard of the Valparaiso team, played a fine game, and caged three long shots.
Ted Bullock, of Valparaiso, has signed a thirty-week contract with the Henry Santry Orchestra now playing vaudeville at the Palace Theatre, Chicago. When Mr. Santry and his musicians were at Terre Haute recently, he heard Mr. Bullock play, and offered him a position in his orchestra. The Santry Orchestra is one of the best in the country.
February 14, 1924
Judge H. H. Loring, in Porter Circuit Court yesterday, enjoined Chris Economus from engaging in the restaurant business in Valparaiso until an expiration of an agreement made by him with Thomas Michaels, proprietor of the DeLuxe restaurant, when the latter purchased Economus’ interest in the business. Economus will go to Chicago to engage in business.
Valparaiso University’s basketball team defeated Dubuque University last night by a score of 28 to 23, making their third-straight win in as many days. Tonight, the locals play Campion College.
February 15, 1924
The charges embodied in the recent Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury report, in which his character and general fitness to hold office were attacked, will be used as the basis for his removal as superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary. This was divulged at a meeting of the county board when attorneys for the petitioners, Prosecutor Marine, B. B. Loring, and T. P. Galvin appeared before the board and announced their intention to file the grand jury report. Porter County Attorney Grant Crumpacker informed them that a certified copy of the report would have to be filed.
Midst the blaring of trumpets and the beating of drums, members of the victorious Valparaiso University basketball team alighted from a Pennsylvania train at 3 o’clock this afternoon following a trip in which they won every game. A procession of students, headed by President H. M. Evans, marched to the train to welcome the victors home.
February 16, 1924
A romance that had its inception at the Christian Hospital was culminated this afternoon with the marriage of Mrs. Jewell Hembroff Rumney and Charles Reagan by Rev. E.J. Mungovan at the parish house of St. Paul Catholic Church. Ms. Rumney and Mr. Reagan had been acquainted since childhood, but it was not until Mr. Reagan was injured recently at Wanatah in an auto-train accident and was brought to Christian Hospital that the romance began to blossom.
Otto Boettcher, who was picked up on the streets of Valparaiso last Christmas Eve, hungry and forlorn, with his violin as his only earthly possession, and was taken in by Rev. George F. Schutes, Immanuel Lutheran church pastor, has reached his home in Germany after an exciting experience, according to word received here. Reaching New York, where he expected to find relatives to assist him, he found them destitute. He reached Germany as a stowaway, and reported that conditions are bad, and he expects to return to this country in July.
February 17, 1924
Mr. and Mrs. David Brough, prominent Boone Township residents, were drowned Saturday afternoon when their automobile skidded off the road near the John Dick home, in Porter Township, and fell into the icy waters of a creek. Mr. and Mrs. Brough were both killed instantly. Benjamin Brough, their 13-year-old son, was saved by John Dick and Brice Lantz. The Broughs were on their way to Valparaiso at the time.
Temporary removal of Eugene T. Funk as superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary, pending investigation and hearing of the charge of incompetency against him, was recommended by Prosecutor F. R. Marine in a bill filed with the Porter County Commissioners this morning. The prosecutor avers that the superintendent, by virtue of his position, has a control and influence over the inmates who are to act as witnesses in the case and, through this influence, their testimony.
February 18, 1924
George Chalabias, Portage Township bootlegger, was charged with shooting Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney in a raid on a booze stronghold in Portage Township last August. Forney was wounded in the head, the bullet plowing a furrow through his skull. Prosecutor Field Ray Marine and Frank B. Parks represented the state.
February 19, 1924
Louis Gast announced today that the work of rebuilding the Saran Apartments in Valparaiso would start tomorrow, and the building would be placed in modern fire-proof condition. Mr. Gast returned last night from Indianapolis where the plans were approved by the state industrial board and state inspection board.
February 20, 1924
A new chamber of commerce was organized in Porter Monday evening. A committee of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Walter K. Greenbaum, Thomas P. Greenebaum, Thomas P. Donnelly, and E. G. Richter assisted in the organization of the chamber.
Negotiations are under way to secure Knute Rockne, famous Notre Dame football coach, and Walter Eckersall, famous football referee and writer, to officiate at the athletic night of Valparaiso University at the Premier Theatre on Feb. 27. A trophy will be presented to the football team.
February 21, 1924
Valparaiso University defeated Adrian College at basketball last night in University Gym by a score of 35 to 33. The half ended 18 to 9 in favor of Valparaiso. Beanie Harris, star forward, suffered an ankle injury and had to be removed from the game. He will be laid up for several days.
The Sphinx Club held its fourth annual banquet last night at the Meg Shop at 13 ½ Washington Street in Valparaiso. Miss Marie Harrington acted as toastmistress. Seven members of the club orated, and their subjects were so arranged by Magdalene Gast as to spell the word Caravan, the club paper. Those who spoke were Myra Dolch, Mary Gast, Gretchen Smith, Doris Hodges, Frances Tilton, Esther Lindholm, and Jessie Reynolds.
February 22, 1924
Trial of Eugene T. Funk, county infirmary superintendent, on charges of incompetency, has been set down by the county commissioners for March 11. A formal complaint against Funk was filed today by the petitioners who are represented by Attorneys Bruce B. Loring, Galvin and Galvin, of Hammond, and Prosecuting Attorney Field Ray Marine. Frank S. Parks is defending Funk.
The Valparaiso City Board of Education today ordered the advertising for bids for the construction of a new grade building in the First Ward. It is the purpose of the board to push the matter of building as rapidly as possible. The new building is expected to be ready for the opening in the fall.
February 23, 1924
The Valparaiso City Council at its regular meeting last night received a petition signed by 150 persons asking that Campbell Street, from the Pennsylvania station to the Chicago Mica Company, be opened with a viaduct under the Pennsylvania Railroad. The petition was referred to the city planning commission.
Valparaiso High School defeated the Lowell High School basketeers at University Gym last night, 52 to 17. George Douglas, Valpo forward, caged nine baskets. The Valpo seconds lost to the Lowell seconds by a score of 23 to 17.
February 24, 1924
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Grimm and baby, of Wolf’s Corners, narrowly escaped death early this morning when their home was destroyed by fire. The baby coughing awakened Mrs. Grimm. When she awakened her husband, and the latter opened a door leading into another room, a sheet of flame confronted him. Mr. Grimm assisted his wife and child to escape by a bedroom window and then turned in an alarm. The home was completely destroyed.
February 25, 1924
The Tri Kappa Sorority entertained the Northern Indiana Chapter at the 11th annual luncheon Saturday at 10 o’clock at Hotel Lembke. About sixty were present. President Marie Timmons Windle welcomed the visiting members. Mrs. C. W. Boucher gave a fine talk. A pianologue and song was given by Miss Marian Nuppnau and Frank Wilson sang a group of three songs. The afternoon was spent in a social way.
February 26, 1924
The Indiana State Highway Commission will receive bids on March 18 for the hard surfacing of Lincoln Highway, east of Valparaiso, from that point where the hard surface now ends, to the LaPorte County line. The commission will also receive bids at the same time for the hard surfacing of the strip on the Dunes Highway, at Baillytown, which is the only gap in the Dunes Highway not fully concreted.
Valparaiso University will observe University Football Championship Night on Wednesday at the Premier Theatre. Robert L. Myers, basketball coach at Center College, and a friend of Coach Shadoan, will present the championship cup to the local team. Knute Rockne, of Notre Dame, and Walter Eckersall, extended invitations to attend, were unable to be present because of business engagements.
February 27, 1924
John LaBorn, age 65, a trackman for the Michigan Central Railroad, was found in his shanty at Porter about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon murdered, with two bullet wounds in his head. He has been dead for two or three days. LaBorn did not show up for work Monday, but it was believed he was not feeling good. Tuesday afternoon, James Davy, section foreman went to LaBorn’s shack and found him sitting in a chair, dead. It is believed he was slain for his money. At one time LaBorn was said to have been worth $70,000 but lost in business deals. The robbers overlooked $236 which was found in a wood box.
Valparaiso University defeated Columbia College last night at University Gym by a score of 26 to 21. To date, the locals have not lost a game.
February 28, 1924
Valparaiso paid homage last night to Valparaiso University’s champion football team in exercises held at the Premier Theatre. A cup, sweaters, and letters were presented to the victorious members of the team which won the Western Interstate Conference Championship. Talks were made by M. J. Bowman, Jr., Coach Bill Shadoan, Rev. Father E. J. Mungovan, Rev. C. E. Burns, and Dr. H. M. Evans. Robert L. Myers, Center College coach, was guest of honor.
Grace Ball McFetrich, one of the pioneer residents of Valparaiso, died at her home in Pioneer Flats last evening. Her husband, James R. McFetrich, who died in 1912, founded the McFetrich Lumber & Coal Company.