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 Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.
June 1, 1924
The identity of the sixteen-year-old lad killed when his bicycle collided with an automobile on the Lincoln Highway, west of Valparaiso, Decoration Day, remains a mystery. The body is still being held at the Stinchfield-Fehrman undertaking parlors. An effort is being made to trace his name through the bicycle manufacturer.
Mary A. Reibly has sold her Valparaiso residence property, corner of Michigan Avenue and Chicago Street, to Dr. J. R. Pagin, and will remodel the residence property she owns at the corner of Napoleon and Jefferson Streets, for her own use.
June 2, 1924
Summer playgrounds will open in this city within the next few days. The grounds are being put in shape, the equipment is ordered, and the director is ready to begin. One playground will be located at the Ball property and the other at Brown Field.
Members of the Mandarin Club banqueted their fathers last night at the Meg Shop in Valparaiso. Fathers and sons, numbering fifty, with C. W. Boucher and J. Earl Mavity as outside guests, comprised the group. Bruce Gordon, vice-president of the club, acted as toastmaster. Howard Eschell, Mavity, and Boucher spoke. Seventy-five percent of the membership of the Mandarin Club are high school students.
June 3, 1924
The Porter County Commissioners awarded a contract to William St. Clair, of Valparaiso, for the construction of the Beeler Road at a bid of $11,800. Arthur Rader, of Chesterton, was awarded the contract for a bridge over Coffee Creek at a bid of $7,000.
June 4, 1924
So far, no clue has been found that would lead to the identity of the boy killed west of Valparaiso on Decoration Day when his bicycle was struck by a Hammond motorist. Sheriff William Pennington today had a picture taken of the dead boy and will use it in an effort to learn the identity of the lad.
Ellen, five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Herron, of Malden, was burned to death when a can of gasoline exploded and set fire to the home. The little girl and three neighbor children were playing in the Herron home. The mother went across the street to a neighbor. Helen spied the kerosene can and taking it up proceeded to pour the contents into the kitchen stove. A loud explosion followed, igniting the clothing of the child. By the time the tot reached her mother’s side her clothing was burned off. Brought to Christian Hospital, she died at midnight. The home was badly damaged by the fire.
June 5, 1924
Work on the new Elks’ building will probably begin in Valparaiso next week, it was announced today. A committee from the lodge will go Friday to Chicago to confer with grand lodge officers and submit plans and other matters for the new structure. After this has been disposed of, contractors will be called in and the contracts let.
June 6, 1924
The boy killed west of Valparaiso on Decoration Day, when his bicycle was struck by a car driven by John McGuire, of Hammond, was identified last night as Michael Norvich*, 52 West 103rd Place, Roseland, Ill. Identification was made by a sister and brother of the dead boy, who came here after reading an article in a newspaper. The two stated their brother had left home after a quarrel with his father. They were unable to explain how the boy got $60 found on his person.
One hundred and thirteen seniors will receive degrees at the annual commencement exercises of Valparaiso University, to be held on Friday, June 13, at 10 o’clock in the morning. Celista Elizabeth Boucher, a graduate of the university, and prominent in state and national club circles, will give the address.
June 7, 1924
The building code ordinance, which came up for vote before the Valparaiso City Council last night, failed to receive a unanimous vote because Councilman Louis Gast voted against it. Gast objected to the salary provisions in the ordinance. He believed the chief of the fire department could look after the enforcement of the ordinance. The ordinance will come up at the next meeting when a majority vote will pass it.
The body of Michael Norvich, the young lad killed west of Valparaiso when his bicycle was struck by an automobile on Decoration Day, was taken to the home of his parents in Roseland, Ill., this morning where the funeral and burial will be held.
June 8, 1924
A three-inch rainfall fell here Saturday and Sunday, raising the level of Flint Lake 5 ½ inches. Many basements in Valparaiso homes were flooded, and Porter County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe sent men over the county this morning to determine the extent done to roads and bridges.
The Frank W. Lesch Glass Factory on South Franklin in Valparaiso was badly damaged by fire early Sunday morning and will be closed down for several weeks for repairs. The fire started in the basement and was confined to that part of the building. Two pumpers played four streams of water on the fire and succeeded in holding the damage down to a minimum.
June 9, 1924
Floyd Wilson, age 32, of Peru, Ind., was fatally injured at Beatrice, in Porter Township, when a B. & O. wrecker cable broke, letting a partly raised freight car fall on him, crushing his leg, which had to be amputated. The accident occurred about six o’clock last night, and Wilson died at 6:30 o’clock this morning at Christian Hospital in Valparaiso.
A huge airplane flown by Lieutenant O. Cook, from Kelly Aviation Field, Texas, was totally wrecked several miles east of Valparaiso on the Yellowstone Trail this morning about 9 o’clock. Lt. Cook, with Pvt. Monette, enroute to Washington D. C., tried to make a landing to visit his brother, John Cook, when a cow got in the path of the machine. The aviator tried to rise, but the wheels of the plane failed to clear it. This caught the machine, tilted the wings, and they wrecked the craft into a fence.
June 10, 1924
Coroner H. O. Seipel held two afternoon inquests. The hearings were held in the death of Floyd Wilson, of Peru, Ind., who was killed when a cable on a wrecker train broke and allowed a freight car to fall on him at Beatrice, southwest of Valparaiso, and Michael Noviak*, of Roseland, Ill., who was killed on Lincolnway during Decoration Day, west of Valparaiso, when an automobile driven by John McGuire, of Hammond, collided with Noviak, who was riding a bicycle.
June 11, 1924
“Diana of the Dunes,” who lives in the sand dunes near Waverly Beach, has filed a $100,000 libel suit in the U.S. District Court at Hammond against the Chicago American. It is alleged that the newspaper implicated her, and her husband, Paul Wilson, with the slaying of an unknown hunter whose body was found burned to a crisp on the beach. Because of the statement made in the newspaper, authorities were hunting for the couple. Diana charges that a deputy constable arrested her and Wilson. She also blames a raid made on her home due to defamatory articles in the newspaper.
June 12, 1924
The $50,000 damage case of Clyde Johnson, of Porter County, against the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, which has been on trial in Porter Circuit Court, was settled today. Mr. Johnson will receive $5,000. Johnson was severely injured in an automobile wreck near LaPorte, which claimed the life of Hebron resident John Sams. At a former trial, Johnson was awarded $14,000. The verdict was appealed by the railroad and the supreme court ordered a new trial on grounds of errors in the instructions.
Charles Padgett, connected with the Smith Greater Shows, today filed suit against K. F. Smith, owner of the shows, for $2,000 in damages. He alleges that Smith represented to him that he had a big show, and that he signed a contract with Smith to run a corn game concession at $60 per week. The bill recites that Smith had no show of note and that he has been unable to take in enough money to pay his concession. As a result, he says Smith has taken his property. He charges fraud.
June 13, 1924
A farewell party for A. N. Charamuga, who is leaving next week for California, was held last night at Bachelor’s Hall, 503 Lincoln Avenue*. The guests were J. C. Seafuse, A. Alonzo, D. E. Martin, Paul Summers, R. K. White, A. N. Charamuga, Charles W. Leigh, and Pierce L. Thatcher. A dinner prepared at the hall by Mr. Thatcher was served at 7:30 o’clock. Mr. Leigh acted as toastmaster and talks were given by the boys. Mr. Leigh favored with several violin selections.
Robbers swooped down upon Wheatfield again last night, blowing one safe at the post office, the D. D. garage, and a meat market. Not much money was obtained. Some time ago, a department store at Wheatfield was robbed but the robbers were frightened away by persons returning home from a dance before they could carry out their plans to rob the bank.
June 14, 1924
Last evening at Valparaiso’s Community Hall, the annual commencement of St. Paul’s High School was held. This is the second year of the senior high school work at St. Paul’s and there were 25 in the class. Out of this number two were graduated, Ralph Kinder and Mary Cinkoski. Rev. E. J. Mungovan presented the diplomas and gave the address. A fine musical program was given.
At last night’s meeting of the Valparaiso City Council, considerable discussion ensued regarding the width of the Ridgeland Avenue improvement. Part of the Ridgeland delegation wanted a forty-foot street, while others wanted a thirty-foot street. Those favoring the thirty-foot width wanted the additional space between the sidewalk and curb to plant shrubbery and beautify the street.
June 15, 1924
The Indiana Public Service Commission has granted the Portage Home Telephone Company of Porter County permission to discontinue business. The company has not been in operation since the big sleet storm, which wrecked its lines. It was unable to finance the rebuilding.
At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council Friday evening, the council voted to improve Ridgeland Avenue with a forty-foot pavement instead of thirty feet, as asked for by some property owners. Freeman Street and Franklin, from Bush Street north, were also ordered paved. Curb and gutter will also be constructed.
June 16, 1924
World War veterans are backing a movement to make the Chesterton Highway from the Dunes Highway to the Lincoln Highway in Valparaiso a memorial highway. The veterans have the endorsement of other veterans’ organizations and businessmen. It is planned to dedicate the memorial road on July 4 with appropriate patriotic services. Temporary markers will be placed at either end of the memorial road in the shape of arches, and it is planned to have these up on time for the dedication. After the highway has been dedicated, the state highway system will be prevailed upon to take the road into the state system.
Bert McMahan today sold his interest in the McMahan and Krudup hardware store to Tom Benton. The new firm will be known as Krudup and Benton. Mr. McMahan has not yet decided what he will do but will probably engage in business in Valparaiso.
June 17, 1924
St. John’s Night will be observed by the Valparaiso Masonic Order by a banquet at the Christian church in Valparaiso on the evening of June 27. A prominent Masonic speaker from Chicago will give the address.
June 18, 1924
The Valparaiso Home Water Company was made defendant today in a contempt of court action filed by R. W. Lytle, owner of property near Flint Lake, who charges the company failed to obey an injunction issued by Judge Harry L. Crumpacker in lowering the waters of Flint Lake to the top of the concrete dam, by the interurban tracks, in the time allotted the company. Trial of the action will be held at the September term of court. The water company, through its attorney, Grant Crumpacker, has filed a condemnation case against Mr. Lytle, asking the right to maintain a dam at the southeastern end of the lake, and condemning an easement on the lands of Mr. Lytle that will be overflowed by such a dam raising the lake level.
June 19, 1924
Porter County Treasurer William O. McGinley today received a draft from the First National Bank of Gary in the sum of $224,862.52. The draft was in payment of the Burns Ditch bonds purchased by the bank.
Franklin Mead, a resident of Valparaiso for sixty years, died last evening at the Christian Hospital following an operation for kidney trouble. He was born in New York State in 1854 but came to Porter County when he was ten years of age. He followed farming for a number of years and was one of the big stockholders of the Valparaiso Home Ice Company. A widow and two sons survive.
June 20, 1924
The new lake, which the Valparaiso Home Water Company is making west of Flint Lake, may be named Loomis Lake. The lake embodies the entire basin about Spectacle Lake and completely obliterates that small body of water. Considerable interest has been evidenced by residents of the city and water men since the company officials began building the new lake. The pumping of water into the new lake from Flint Lake was stopped a week ago when the dam at the northwest end of the lake showed signs of weakening. Steel supports are being added to the dam to make it stronger.
The congregation of the First Baptist Church of Valparaiso decided to enter upon a five-year building program last Wednesday, which will entail an outlay of $20,000. The plans call for a complete remodeling of the entire church building and erection of a new Sunday school room. Rev. W. W. Ayer, the pastor, announced that a substantial contribution to the project will be made by one of the members.
June 21, 1924
Mrs. Gertrude Ludington, of Valparaiso, was instantly killed yesterday afternoon when she was struck by a bolt of lightning at Waverly Beach, Lake Michigan, as she was walking from the lake shore to her car parked on the concrete road. Her daughter, Edith, was stunned by the bolt, as was Mrs. Dee Helmer and Mrs. Earl Vergin, who were in the party. A number of persons on the beach at the time were shocked.
Fred LePell, of Valparaiso, played in the tennis finals of the Gary district of Northern Indiana yesterday and won the championship, as well as silver medal given by the Chicago Daily News. Today he went to Chicago to play in the semifinals at the Sherwood Tennis Club. Malcolm Fyfe and Wayne Zerber accompanied him.
June 22, 1924
From 3:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon until midnight, Valparaiso was without electric current due to the storm, which burned up two transformers at Goodrum Station, north of Valparaiso. Churches held services with the aid of candles and lanterns. Theaters were unable to hold any shows.
The Anderson Brothers’ stores will open a new grocery in the Specht-Finney Department Store with Glen Davidson as manager. They will occupy that part of the store formerly used by the Edward Mitzner Grocery and Market.
June 23, 1924
The pumps, discharging three million gallons of water daily, from Flint into the new lake, being constructed by the water company, are again working to capacity, after a suspension while the company drove steel pilings in the dam to prevent it washing away. Heavy rains during May and June guarantees the success of the new project, according to Superintendent E. L. Loomis. Flint Lake is full and the new lake is rapidly filling up.
Rev. and Mrs. George Schutes celebrated their tin wedding anniversary last night when twenty-five members and a few friends of the Co-operative Circle gathered at the parsonage and surprised the couple. Rev. Schutes and wife were presented with a number of fine gifts, Miss Anna Mohnssen making the presentation. A program was given, followed later by a lunch in the parish hall.
June 24, 1924
The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed the verdict and sentence of the Porter County Circuit Court in the case of Harry Diamond, of Gary, convicted of the slaying of his wife and sentenced to die in the electric chair on November 24. It is believed attorneys for Diamond will file a petition for a rehearing, and in event this is denied, will appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The trial of Diamond in the local court was sensational and attracted attention throughout the country.
June 25, 1924
Thomas and William T. Brown have filed suit in the Porter Superior Court against the Cutting Advertising Company for $800 in damages. The complaint recites that the defendant company has a sign board along the Lincoln Highway. Painters hired by the company left some cans of paint, which, seven Holstein cattle belonging to the plaintiffs, ate and died.
June 26, 1924
Oliver R. Marsh, who took a temporary job fifty-five years ago as a brakeman with the Pennsylvania Lines, was retired the other day on a pension. At the beginning, he worked on a train that operated west of Valparaiso. Later, he received deserved promotions until he had passenger runs out of Chicago.
A Chicago Checker cab, which was completely burned, is reposing in a Chesterton garage, while Chicago officials of the company are endeavoring to solve the mystery. The car was stolen in Chicago and driven to Waverly Corners, north of Chesterton, where it was burned. At first, it was believed a human body was in the car, but no trace of any could be found.
June 27, 1924
Charles Durham, East Chicago, was convicted by a jury in Porter Circuit Court last night on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Willie Austin during a dance in East Chicago last September and was sentenced by Judge Loring to Michigan City prison for a term of 12 to 21 years.
Army worms have been found on the farms of C. H. Peters and Schuyler Hutton in Washington Township and Everett M. Carver’s farm in Pine Township, according to the county agent’s office. The worms are of the fall variety. It was also reported that Canada thistle worms have been found in other townships.
June 28, 1924
Attorney Daniel E. and Mrs. Angela Kelly, of Valparaiso, will tour Europe this summer. Kelly will attend the International Bar Association meeting in London in July. Following this, he and his wife will tour the continent, visiting the principal points of interest in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. Wednesday evening at Community Hall, the Catholic Women’s Club, of which Mrs. Kelly is president, presented her with a beautiful leather portfolio and gold fountain pen and pencil at a farewell party. The Kellys will return home in August.
A bond issue of $15,000 for the completion and equipment of a joint grade and high school building at Chesterton was sold yesterday by Trustee Charles Pearson, of Westchester Township, to the bank in Chesterton at a premium of $225. The bonds bear 5½ percent.
June 29, 1924
G. Leonard Maxwell was elected a member of the city school board at a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council Friday night. He succeeds Myron J. Draper, who has served two terms. Mr. Draper was urged by the council to accept another term, but he declined. The council also awarded the contract for improvement of Ridgeland Avenue to Gerald McGillicudy at a bid of $8,000.
The ten-millionth Ford Touring Car turned out at the Ford Manufacturing Plant at Detroit, Mich., passed through Valparaiso this morning enroute to San Francisco. It was accompanied by fifty other cars. Members of the Mark Palmer Agency here met the advance guard of the parade at Westville. The next stop is at Chicago Heights, Illinois.
June 30, 1924
The Valparaiso Durant-Stars defeated the Fort Wayne Kips at the fairgrounds here Sunday by a score of 14 to 4. Buck Weaver, old White Sox player, and Kopko, led the local batting attack with three hits each. Ray Knight pitched for Valparaiso.
One hundred candidates were given the second and third degrees in the Knights of Columbus lodge at a big meeting held Sunday in Gary. Grand Knight Edward O’Meara and his staff from the Valparaiso council exemplified the second degree and District Deputy Michael Geraty and staff from Chicago the third degree. Fifty members from Valparaiso council attended. Valparaiso and Chesterton furnished twenty of the candidates. A banquet for five hundred followed in the Gary Commercial Club rooms. Captain H. I. Norton, of Gary, and T. P. Galvin, of Hammond, were the speakers.