Looking Back • November 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

November 1, 1920

Owen Price, of Freeport, Ill., has purchased the Algie Kauffman farm east of the fairgrounds, and will take possession on March 1.

Vandals, believed to be Hallowe’en serenaders, completely wrecked the interior of Cook’s Corners schoolhouse, north of the city. The outrage is believed to have been committed Saturday night. Desks were overturned, school books torn and scattered about, window shades torn down and walls defaced. Trustee Charles H. Crisman has offered a reward for the arrest of the culprits.

November 2, 1920

The Maxwell Implement company has received authorization from the secretary of state at Indianapolis, giving it permission to increase its capital stock from $70,000 to $150,000 ($910,980 to $1,952,100 in 2020). The additional capital is to provide working capital for the increased business.

Warren G. Harding carried Porter County by nearly 4,000 in Tuesday’s big Republican landslide. He polled 5,570, votes to James O. Cox’s 1,671. Will R. Wood, Republican for Congress, defeated James H. McGill, of Valparaiso, Farmer-Labor candidate, 4,641 to 1,839. Barnett, Democrat, polled 1,029, and B.A. Gott, of Wheeler, Socialist 90. Senator James E. Watson beat Tom Taggart 5,382 to 1,619, and Warren McCray led McCullouch for governor by a vote of 5,380 to 1,646.

November 3, 1920

The Maxwell Implement company has received authorization from the secretary of state at Indianapolis, giving it permission to increase its capital stock from $70,000 to $150,000 ($910,980 to $1,952,100 in 2020). The additional capital is to provide working capital for the increased business.

November 4, 1920

Mayor P. L. Sisson in a letter from his Chicago office to Lyman Dean, chief of the Valparaiso Fire Department, is in favor of an increase in the pay of city volunteer firemen. The present pay of the eleven volunteers is $70 ($910.98 in 2020) per year. The new pay demand is $150 ($1,952.10 in 2020). The increase would not become effective until January 1 next.

Roscoe Rodgers has commenced the erection of the cement block garage and auto repair shop in the rear of his lot on Jefferson Street, just north of the post office. The structure will be 40x66 feet.

November 5, 1920

The Vidette and The Messenger fronts presented a rather dilapidated appearance, due to unknown persons hurling rocks through the plate glass windows. At each place the windows were caved in with cobblestones wrapped in bed sheeting. Various reasons were assigned for the act. A recent scoring of the Valparaiso University football team for walking off the field at DePauw following a referee’s decision and forfeiting the game was given as one reason for the desecration.

An enormous orphanage costing $350,000 ($4,554,900 in 2020) will be erected near McCool, Porter County, on an estate of 1,500 acres. A Russian branch of the Society of Slavic People is behind the project.

November 6, 1920

At chapel exercises yesterday morning Valparaiso University observed Founders’ Day with appropriate exercises. Five professors associated with Henry Baker Brown, president and founder of the university, were given degrees as follows: E. W. Agar, doctor of jurisprudence; J. E. Roessler, and Miss Catherine Carver, doctor of literature; A. A. Williams, doctor of mathematics; E. W. Chaffee, doctor of music. Miss Catherine Corboy was presented with a gold-lined silver cup in appreciation of her thirty years service. Talks were made by Mrs. H. B. Brown, Henry Kinsey Brown, President D. R. Hodgdon and the six professors honored. Dr. Hodgdon conferred the degrees.

Before one of the largest crowds ever attending a football game at Brown Field, Valparaiso University defeated St. Louis university, 41 to 0. The locals played without the services of Dandalet, Gilbert, Kersheval and Moore. Cearing featured the game with a forty-eight yard run through the entire St. Louis team. Ecklund was a fine kicking form.

November 7, 1920

Philip Poe, of Baltimore, Md., one of the large landholders of the LaPorte division of the Chicago-New York Electric Air Line railway which plied between Goodrum and LaPorte, is selling the right-of-way to farmers whose lands adjoin that of the old railway. The railroad purchased the right-of-way in many instances and the sale of this is now being made by Mr. Poe. Two parcels have been deeded to John O. Johnson and John Ludolph, both residing in Jackson township.

About 500 people witnessed the Valparaiso-East Chicago high school football game Saturday at Brown Field. East Chicago won 13 to 0. East Chicago scored twice in the first half, but was unable to do anything in the last half. Valparaiso steadied and smothered any further attempts at scoring. East Chicago also proved vulnerable in this respect.

November 8, 1920

A number of Valpoites went to Kentland, Ind., this morning to attend the jollification meeting in honor of the election of Warren T. McCray as governor of Indiana. The Purdue band of 105 pieces, and five other bands, together with six glee clubs, United States Senator James E. Watson and a barbecue roast beef are some of the attractions. Those from here in attendance are G. E. Bornholt, A. W. Coplin, W. B. Forney, E. J. Gardner, A. N. Worstell, W. E. Brown, P. W. Clifford, J. D. Kenan, Walter Clifford, Ted McAuliffe, E. E. Cunningham and H. H. Loring.

According to persons who are interested in the matter, the Shauer theatre building on the old Hotel Spindler site will be erected this winter. Plans have been submitted to the Shauers and bids are now being awaited.

November 9, 1920

The county council yesterday viewed the Charles F. LaCount road in Morgan Township, and Fremont D. Sawyer road in Porter Township. The two roads along the Lindell and Hanrahan roads will be passed upon by the county council for report to the county commissioners. The council will meet again to view the Hanrahan and Lindall roads. When all inspections have been made a report will be submitted to the commissioners and appropriations will probably be made for the roads on which favorable action is taken. The total estimated cost of the four roads is $321,000 ($4,177,494 in 2020).

November 10, 1920

Among the Valparaiso Masons who are taking the Scottish Rite degree at the fall meeting of the Fort Wayne Consistory this week are: Dr. G. R. Douglas, Glen J. Goddard, Fred Landsdown, George Cadwell, Robert Sandy, F. E. Morton and H. K. Brown.

November 11, 1920

H. G. Venamann, engineer of the Baker Ice Making Machine company, of Omaha, Neb., was here yesterday looking over the new building of the Valparaiso Home Ice Company. He arranged for the placing of the machinery to be installed. C. F. Mason, secretary of the company, stated today that the factory would be in operation by February first.

At a meeting of Red Cross workers last night, Hobart M. Lackey, secretary of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, was elected chairman of Porter county for the fourth roll call. John M. Oldham will serve as chairman for Valparaiso and A. A. Hughart, treasurer. Active work on the roll will start next Monday.

November 12, 1920

The St. Michaels’ American-Russian Orphans Home and Institution which recently acquired 500 acres of land in Portage Township, yesterday placed its subdivision, comprising the east half of section 29, township 36, range 6 west, on file in the recorders’ office. The subdivision is made up of twenty-five blocks. The filling of the plat and conveyance to the International Trust and Savings banks, of Gary, which will act as sales agent for the society, cost $150 ($1,952.10 in 2020).

The second anniversary of Armistice day was observed in Valparaiso yesterday. All business houses closed at noon and the university and schools declared a half holiday. A parade was held at 2:30 p.m. with O. F. Helvie as marshal of the day. T. P. Galvin, commander of the local post, presided. Robert Moore, Michigan City attorney, made the address. Mrs. Louise C. Shauer, president of the legion auxiliary, also spoke. At night the legion met and elected O. F. Helvie commander.

November 13, 1920

The campaign for better schools in Porter County in conjunction with the state drive in progress, is proving a winner. Meetings are successful and people seem interested. Superintendent Fred H. Cole, of the county schools, is working every night attending meetings throughout the county. Superintendent Cole has been unable to attend any of the district schools because of pre-arranged meetings in the larger schools. The campaign scheduled to end Nov. 16 has been extended one week to take care of meetings which cannot be reached in the allotted time.

J. A. Warren, of Pleasant Township, the corn champion of the county eclipsed all his previous efforts when he averaged 127 bushels to the acre on a field of 15 acres. Mr. Warren was entered in the Purdue 5-acre corn contest and his total is the highest reported to date. Three samples of corn grown by Mr. Warren are shown at the county agent’s office here. One was from a plot that yielded 10 bushels per acre; a second from a plot that yielded 80 bushels, and the third from the record-breaking plot of 127 bushels per acre.

November 14, 1920

Valparaiso University defeated Morningside College 14 to 0 at Brown field Saturday afternoon. Bandelet and “Beanie” Harris scored touchdowns for Valparaiso. Morningside had the same lineup when it defeated Valparaiso 27 to 0 last year. The locals were without the services of Scanland, Sawyer and Kersheval. Harris intercepted two forward passes by Morningside. Gilbert, Cearing and Ecklund also starred for Valparaiso. In the curtain raiser, Valparaiso High School was defeated by the strong Kentland, Ind., team, 19 to 0.

A. J. Ponton, who has been serving as deputy under County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones for the last three months, has resigned. He will take employment in Gary. Mrs. Mae R. London, who has been employed in the office as stenographer for the last year, will succeed Mr. Ponton. Miss Katheryn Kirkpatrick will take Mrs. London’s place.

November 15, 1920

By a deal completed yesterday the Motor Service company shop located on the second floor of the Lincoln Highway garage, was sold by its owners, S. H. Adams, Myron Bell and Henry Robbins, to L. T. Ross and J. J. Overmeyer. Mr. Bell will remain with the new management.

Henry F. Blocker arrived home last night from Yorktown, Va., to look after his property here. He has completed a contract on mason work on twelve government buildings costing nearly a million dollars ($13 million in 2020). W. D. Marquart, Mandel Tofte and W. C. Marquart, of this city, were employed by Mr. Blocker.

November 16, 1920

Rev. Robert H. Dunaway, successor to the Rev. J. M. Gelston, as pastor of the Presbyterian church, was installed last evening. Rev. Fred E. Walton, of Gary, presided at the meeting. The sermon was given by Rev. Robert H. Beattie, president of the Presbyterian Training School, Chicago. The charge to the pastor was delivered by Rev. Walton, in the absence of Rev. Gelston. The charge to the people was given by Rev. A.S. Stewart of LaPorte. A quartet furnished music. A reception for Rev. Dunaway and family followed. There was a large attendance.

November 17, 1920

The United States China company of Chesterton today filed its articles of incorporation with Recorder John W. McNay. The capitalization of the company is $200,000 ($2,602,800 in 2020), and its object is to manufacture pottery and earthenware.

November 18, 1920

Homer Londonberg and J. J. Herring, of Valparaiso, have taken over the Johnson Oil company in Valpo. They will have charge of the filling station on East Lincolnway, besides the tank trucks operated by the company. Mr. Londonberg has been manager for the Johnson Oil company here for the last two years.

The county council yesterday afternoon approved four gravel road petitions under the county unit road law. The roads approved were: Fremont Sawyer road in Porter Township; Arthur Hanrahan road, Center and Liberty Townships; Lindall road in Washington and Jackson Townships.

November 19, 1920

M. E. Zimmerman, instructor in the commerce department at the Valparaiso University, has written words and music for three songs, which are making a big hit here and elsewhere, Mr. Zimmerman who is an accomplished musician, was the life of the army camps where he was stationed during the war.

North Dakota University will take the place of the University of Buffalo in the Thanksgiving day football game to be played at Gleason park, Gary. word was received today from North Dakota officials accepting the local offer. The North Dakota team will outweigh the locals.

November 20, 1920

Dr. G. R. Jones has traded his residence at 703 East Erie street to Leander Frankes for the Morgan Skinner farm, east of the city. Mr. Frankes has purchased the old Uncle Al Brown farm of 158½ acres, four miles east of the city on Lincoln Highway, of William Brown, commissioner.

The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce at a meeting last night decided to take a correct enumeration of the city in view of the inaccuracy of the government figures. Captains will be assigned to each precinct. Plans were made for the establishment of a bus line between LaPorte and Valparaiso. At present a bus line is operated between Valparaiso and Wheatfield.

November 21, 1920

Nello Biagnio, Chicago Italian, arrested for the theft of the Sam Buchanan auto in this city, several months ago, failed to show up in Porter Circuit Court today for trial and Judge H. H. Loring forfeited his $1,000 bond ($13,000 in 2020). Biagnio was caught by Gary police after being wounded three times. He was said to have been one of the main members of the biggest gang of auto thieves in Chicago.

The Parent Teachers Association of Blachly Corners’ vicinity at a meeting at Union Center Friday evening went on record as favoring the building of a new high school to be located accessible to the school children of Union Township.

November 22, 1920

The new automobile fire truck purchased by the City of Valparaiso from Ball and Stanton, local agents for the Service Auto company, Wabash, Ind., is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow night from Kenosha, Wis., where the chassis has been undergoing the equipping with fire apparatus.

Valparaiso at the present time is free of epidemics. Other cities hereabouts have many cases of infectious diseases. Gary and Hobart report a large number of cases.

November 23, 1920

The new motor truck of the Valparaiso Fire Department, arrived here this morning and was given a test about the city. Frank Light and John Deardoff drove it back from Kenosha, Wis., where it was being equipped with fire fighting apparatus. The chassis was made by the Service Auto company at Wabash, Ind. it was bought through Stanton and Ball, local agents for the Service company.

November 24, 1920

The Knights of Columbus were hosts to the Valparaiso University football team last evening at Community Hall on Indiana avenue at a banquet. More than 125 persons were present. The Catholic ladies served the meal. Rev. E. J. Mungovan was toastmaster. Talks were made by President D. R. Hodgdon of the University, Coach George Keogan, A. Langivan, T. P. Galvin and P. W. Clifford. Many of the gathering pledged support to the university and will attend the game at Gary on Thanksgiving day when the university meets the University of South Dakota.

November 25, 1920

At a meeting of officers and congregation of the Baptist church held Wednesday evening, Rev. Clarence A. Mitchell, of Chicago, was extended to call to the local pastorate. Rev. Mitchell was present and accepted the call. He will begin his new labors next Sunday.

County Agent A. Z. Arehart is in receipt of letters daily from breeders of the state requesting information concerning whether Holstein heifers and young cows can be purchased in the county. Porter County’s reputation as a Holstein center has become widespread.

November 26, 1920

Valparaiso University football team defeated North Dakota State yesterday at Gleanson Park, Gary, by a score of 20 to 10. The game was fast throughout. Dandalet carried the ball over for all three touchdowns. Gilbert, Harris and Ecklund were stars for Valparaiso.

Valparaiso citizens, through a committee of one hundred, went on record at a meeting Tuesday night as endorsers of a greater Valparaiso endowment fund campaign and pledged their undivided support to save the university. They also adopted a plan of organization presented by Frank A. Converse, campaign manager. It is planned to raise $1,000,000 for the school. Under the plan the university property is to be transferred by the Browns to a board of trustees.

November 27, 1920

The police board of the city council has appointed three special policemen to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation of J. H. Marshall and W. H. Balleau. They are Jerry Lafrentz, Jerome Frankes and Chris Woodholm. If they give satisfaction their election by the council will probably follow.

November 28, 1920

Martin H. Carmondy, of Grand Rapids, Mich., a graduate of the Valparaiso University Law class of 1894, has been made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory by Pope Benedict XV. he is a practicing attorney at Grand Rapids.

November 29, 1920

G. G. Shauer and Sons today announced the erection of the Premier Theatre, postponed last year by unfavorable building conditions. Preliminaries for receiving bids are under way. The structure will be fireproof with a seating capacity of 1,200. It will be operated in connection with the Famous Players Lasky Corporation.

Frederick N. Arvin, Jr., of Valparaiso, was elected among thirty members to the Harvard University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at a recent meeting of the 1921 junior eight. Mr. Arvin is a member of the senior class at Harvard and has an excellent scholastic record. He is a graduate of Valparaiso High School.

November 30, 1920

F. M. Boykin, of Chicago, representing the American City Bureau, arrived here this morning to make a survey of the city for the purpose of reorganizing the chamber of commerce along lines similar to other cities throughout the country. His office force will arrive here within a few days.

Today in the Lake County Circuit Court at Crown Point Judge E. Miles Norton rendered judgement in favor of Fred Moltz, Mrs. Marie Krieger and heirs of Theodore Jessee in the case brought by Mrs. Cora Sager, of Rochester, N. Y. for setting aside the will of the late William H. Vail, Valparaiso jeweler.

Looking Back • October 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

October 1, 1920

This afternoon in Porter Superior Court, Judge H. L. Crumpacker sentenced Albert Batchelor, James H. Parker and Dan Trkulpa, members of a bandit gang that attempted the robbery of the Tolleston Bank on June 14, 1919, in which Herman Uecker, cashier, was killed, to the state’s prison at Michigan City. The three entered pleas of guilty. Thomas Batchelor, found guilty by a jury yesterday, was also sentenced to a life term.

Wallace Philley and wife have moved to Valparaiso to reside, Mr. Philley has been living in Chicago for a number of years. He will be associated with his brother, Vernon L. Philley, in the management of the Philley, in the management of the Philley confectionary and newsstand in the Schelling theatre.

October 2, 1920

Mark L. Dickover was elected president of the newly formed Shriner Club organized here by local Masons last night. Other officers were: Dr. H. E. Gowland, vice-president; Edmund J. Freund, secretary; John H. Ross, treasurer; O. F. Helvie, G. W. Vann and Dr. E.H. Powell, trustees.

Forty-seven cases involving condemnation proceedings against lot owners in Bartlett’s subdivision and near the Dunes Highway were filed in Porter Circuit Court Wednesday by James M. Ogden, attorney-general of Indiana. The Indiana State Highway Commission is plaintiff. The land sought is for right-of-way for the Dunes relief road.

October 3, 1920

The Grand Trunk Railroad has awarded the contract to Foster Lumber and Coal Company for the construction of a large ice house at the east end of the local yards. The house will furnish ice for the Pullman car service.

Robert M. Boone, one of Porter county’s prominent residents, and a descendant of Daniel Doone, famous Indian fighter, died today at his home in Pine township.

October 4, 1920

Playground devices are being installed at three schools in the city — Central, Gardner, and Columbia. A giant stride, teeter-totter and slide comprise the equipment. City schools have been without such equipment until now.

Attorney T. P. Galvin, district deputy of the Knights of Columbus, and the Valparaiso degree team, will go to Indianapolis next Sunday to put on the third degree on a class of ninety candidates. The Indianapolis council is one of the largest in the state.

October 5, 1920

Valparaiso taxpayers will pay more taxes next year. Last year’s tax rate was $2.35 ($35.31 in 2020). Next year the rate will be $3.06 ($39.77 in 2020). The increase is due to the fact that the City of Valparaiso raised their levies thirty and thirty-five cents respectively. Auditor B. H. Kinne received word from the state tax board announcing that it had cut its proposed tax levy twenty-two cents or twenty cents. Last year the state rate was eighteen cents.

October 6, 1920

The results of a school survey made in Porter County is being used as authoritative data by a Chicago newspaper in a series of articles by correspondent of the United States Public Health Bureau, now being run daily.

October 7, 1920

The Valparaiso University football team was given a rousing sendoff yesterday afternoon as it departed for Cambridge, Mass., to play Harvard. Classes were dismissed for the day. Headed by the university band the students escorted the team to the courthouse square where yells were given and talks made. The team was then taken to the Pennsylvania Depot. At Gary when the team arrived there, another demonstration took place. Following a dinner at the Gary hotel, the Emerson band played and a large crowd accompanied the team to the Lake Shore depot where it took a train for the east.

Valparaiso High School will play its first football game in five years when it meets Froebel here Saturday. Froebel has already played two games this year, while the locals have not encountered any team to date. Coach R. E. Schenck has his squad in good condition for the game.

October 8, 1920

According to figures compiled by Auditor B. H. Kinne from recent registrations of voters in September and October, there are 8,907 voters in Porter County. At the September registration, 3,531 men and 2,437 women registered, and at the October registration, 1,591 men and 1,438 women registered. This makes a total of 5,122 men and 3,785 women registered.

Each taxpayer in Valparaiso should have nearly $1,000 ($12,995.90 in 2020), according to figures compiled by a member of the state board of accounts. The average per capita wealth was based on the 1920 census and the 1919 assessment valuation of taxables. The actual figures for each taxpayer is $911 ($11,839.26 in 2020).

October 9, 1920

Valparaiso University was defeated this afternoon by Harvard University at Cambridge by a score of 21 to 0. During the first half neither team had a decided advantage. In the third quarter Harvard rushed the ball to the Valparaiso goal line for the first score. The second goal resulted from a fumble by Cearing, of Valparaiso, on the Valparaiso twenty-five yard line. In the final minutes of the game, Hamilton, a substitute back, got away for a sixty-eight yard run and a touchdown. Horween kicked all the goals.

Boone Grove baseball team was defeated yesterday at North Judson by the Hamlet club, 1 to 0. Jimmy Middleton, of Argos, pitcher on the Kansas City American association team, pitched for the winners. Walters was on the mound for Boone Grove. Hamlet was defeated by Boone Grove a short time ago, 5-3.

October 10, 1920

A special trail will be run from this city to South Bend, Oct. 23, on the occasion of the Valparaiso-Notre Dame football game. A committee composed of Mr. Langevin, athletic director; Dad Elliott, cheerleader; Tremaine, Torch editor, and the Nichols Toggery, has been appointed to arrange for the train. It is expected 500 persons will attend the game from here.

Dr. Gilbert Fitzpatrick, of Chicago, has been elected trustee of Valparaiso University. Dr. Fitzpatrick is a noted surgeon, fellow of the American College of Surgeons, member of numerous state and national medical associations, and major in the reserve corps of the United States army.

October 11, 1920

The Porter Bank at Porter will open on Oct. 16. C. W. Wright, of Kirklin, Ind., will be cashier, Mr. Wright has been cashier of the Farmers’ State Bank at Kirklin. The new bank building was recently completed and is now ready for occupancy.

The annual sale of the Swinebreeders’ association held yesterday at the fairgrounds was not well attended. Farmers are busy sowing wheat and doing other farm work. Out of 40 head of hogs to be sold, only about half were disposed of to buyers. A young gilt brought $105 ($1,364.57 in 2020) and a sow $85 ($1,104.65 in 2020).

October 12, 1920

J. L. Kmoch, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., has arrived here to take the place at the Lowenstine store of Loyal W. Wood. Mr. Kmoch will have charge of the window display, interior decorating and advertising for the Lowenstine store. Mr. Wood goes to Bowling Green, Ohio. 

Joseph Crowe, county highway superintendent, was seriously injured east of Kouts yesterday morning. Mr. Crowe’s car struck a cable stretched across the highway which was being treated with oil. He was taken to Kouts for treatment, and later brought here.

October 13, 1920

Joseph Crowe, county highway superintendent, was seriously injured east of Kouts yesterday morning. Mr. Crowe’s car struck a cable stretched across the highway which was being treated with oil. He was taken to Kouts for treatment, and later brought here.

J. L. Kmoch, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., has arrived here to take the place at the Lowenstine store of Loyal W. Wood. Mr. Kmoch will have charge of the window display, interior decorating and advertising for the Lowenstine store. Mr. Wood goes to Bowling Green, Ohio. 

October 14, 1920

William Alyea, of Hebron, has filed suit in Porter superior court against the American Railway Express company for $3,712.85 ($48,251.83 in 2020) damages. He alleges he shipped 862 muskrat furs to Rushville, Ind., on March 30, 1920, and the furs were stolen from the express office in Hebron.

Dr. A. M. Jacoby, federal cattle tuberculosis inspector, went to South Bend today, where he will test a herd of cattle. Dr. Jacoby has finished testing about one third of the cattle in Porter county.

October 15, 1920

The Pioneer Truck company yesterday received a shipment of a carload of motors from Toledo, O. This is the first car of a large number ordered by the company to arrive here. A carload of rims and a carload of axles arrived last week. The company has received about $10,000 ($129,959 in 2020) worth of starters and lighting systems, and other parts have also been received. President O. C. Freier has been working at top speed getting manufacturing operations started at the local factory, but inability to get shipment of parts has hampered the work. Mr. Bevington, traffic manager of the company, has purchased a residence of F. W. Alpen and will move here from Chicago.

The two years’ pastorate of Rev. C. G. Roadarmel at the Baptist church will close with the morning service Sunday. Rev. O. B. Sarver, of Gary, will preach at the morning service, and Rev. Roadarmel will say some farewell words. He is leaving Valparaiso on account of his health.

October 16, 1920

Mrs. D. E. Kelly returned last evening from Boston, Mass., where she attended the biennial convention of the International Federation of Catholic Churches. Mrs. Kelly also attended the Harvard-Valparaiso football game at Cambridge. She reports Harvard rooters had much praise for the fine showing of the local team.

Mrs. Edna Cullison, of Valparaiso, was granted a divorce and $60,000 ($779,754 in 2020)  alimony yesterday afternoon by Judge W. C. Hanley in the Jasper circuit court at Rensselaer, in her suit against Albert T. Cullison of Danville, Ill., an East Chicago, Ind., banker. The court allowed $5,000 ($64,979.50 in 2020) for attorneys’ fees and $3,000 ($38,986.70 in 2020) for expenses. Following the divorce hearing. Cullison deeded his former wife 625 acres of land in Morgan Township, Porter County, in lieu of the alimony settlement. Attorney F. J. Lewis Meyer of South Bend, and Frank B. Parks, of Valparaiso represented Mrs. Cullison.

October 17, 1920

Sunday morning at the Baptist church, Rev. C. G. Roadarmel, who recently resigned his pastorate, was given a purse by the congregation. They were tendered a reception at the morning service before leaving for California where they will spend some time for the benefit of the pastor’s health.

The Valparaiso University football team defeated Northwestern College of Naperville, Ill., yesterday at Brown field, 57 to 0. The locals counted forty-three points in the first half and then Coach George Keogan sent in his substitutes.

October 18, 1920

By a deal completed Saturday, the Maxwell Implement Company business of Chester & Son. The Maxwell Company traded the building owned by it on Lincolnway, occupied by the Smith Barber Shop for the Chester & Son building on Washington street. The Maxwell Company will take possession of the Chester & Son business on Nov. 1.

The Boone Grove baseball team lost to the Argos team Sunday in the final game of the year 3 to 2. Les LaCount hit a home run for Boone Grove in the fourth inning. Maloney was on the mound for Boone Grove. A Fort Wayne pitcher and four Notre Dame and South Bend players were in the Argos lineup.

October 19, 1920

The Porter County Motor Club, a branch of the Hoosier State Automobile Association, was definitely launched last evening at a meeting of the Porter County Automobile Dealers’ Association. M. E. Noblett, state association, and E. M. Wells, of Indianapolis, manager of the field secretary, were guests of the dealers for an excellent dinner and later spoke at a meeting held in the chamber of commerce rooms.

At a meeting last evening of Charity Rebekah Lodge, No. 164, Eva Decrow, noble grand of the order, presented jewel pins to Mrs. Ophelia Pennock and Mrs. Anna LePell in token of having been a member of the order for the last 25 years.

October 20, 1920

The Porter County Motor Club, a branch of the Hoosier State Automobile Association, was definitely launched last evening at a meeting of the Porter County Automobile Dealers Association.  M. E. Noblett, of Indianapolis, manager of the state association, and E. M. Wells, field secretary of the association, were guests of the dealers for an excellent dinner and later spoke at a meeting in the chamber of commerce rooms.

At a meeting last evening of Charity Rebekah Lodge No. 64, Eva Decrow, noble grand of the order, presented jewel pins to Mrs. Ophelia Pennock and Mrs. Anna LePell in token of having been members of the order for the last 25 years. 

October 21, 1920

Coal dealers of Valparaiso have joined other dealers in the state in a suit against the state food and coal commission asking an injunction against the commission limiting the profile on coal to $2.25 ($29.24 in 2020) per ton. G. Ray King, accountant for the commission, is here checking up the books of the local dealers and also investigating the general coal situation.

Schelling’s Music Hall was crowded to capacity last night by an enthusiastic crowd that listened attentively to a forceful speech by Colonel Raymond Robbins, of Chicago. He was introduced by E. W. Agar.

October 22, 1920

According to G. Ray King, accountant for the Indiana Food and Coal Commission, who is in the city, coal dealers in Valparaiso are not profiteering. Coal here is being sold for less than elsewhere and these prices have prevailed for some time, according to Mr. King. All local dealers except one who signed to enter the suit against the commission limiting the profit on coal to $2.25 ($29.24 in 2020) per ton, did not have any intimation they were joining into a suit.

More than 200 men of the McGill-for-Congress Club met last night at Armory Hall and perfected plans for the final drive to be made in the closing days’ campaign on behalf of Jim McGill for Congress. Walter Smith was elected president, H. M. Lackey, secretary, and James L. Meagher, treasurer. L. E. Myers made a short talk outlining work to be done. Mr. McGill also spoke, telling his audience of his plans and policies in the event of his election. Headquarters of the McGill Club have been established in the building formerly occupied by the Patton Lunch Room.

October 23, 1920

Charles Link, the real estate man, reports the sale of two lots off the west end of the O. P. Kinsey property on College Avenue to William Sergeant and Harry Hodsden. They will build new homes on the lots.

The Valparaiso University special, carrying rooters to the Valparaiso-Notre Dame football game at Cartier field, South Bend, today had 775 passengers. Many Valpoites made the trip in autos. It is safe to say 1,000 local people will be in attendance at the game.

October 24, 1920

The Valparaiso University football team was defeated by Notre Dame Saturday afternoon at South Bend by a count of 28 to 3. Valparaiso scored in the first quarter when Ray Ecklund kicked a field goal from the forty yard line. Notre Dame did not score until the third quarter when Chet Wynne and George Gipp went over for touchdowns. Two more touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter after four of the Valparaiso regulars were forced to leave the game by inquiries. Gipp was again the moving factor in the Notre Dame march.

Emerson high of Gary defeated the Valparaiso high gridders by a score of 42 to 0 Saturday at Brown field. Coyer and Riddle starred for Valparaiso, while Sibley, Sturtridge and Kelso were Emerson’s outstanding players.

October 25, 1920

Dr. A.M. Jacoby, state and federal tuberculosis cattle tester, who has been examining cattle herds in Porter County, will complete his work this week. When he leaves he will not return here for six months to retest. He has tested thirty-five herds in the county to date.

A big moose head from the body of a large Moose shot in Canada and mounted by a Canadian taxidermist, has arrived here for the Valparaiso Moose Lodge. The head cost about $100 ($1,299.59 in 2020). It will be placed in front end of the Moose Lodge rooms.

October 26, 1920

W.A. Ostrander, of the Bureau of Soils and Crops, Purdue University, is at the Pleasant Township farm of J. A. Warren, checking up a five-acre corn plot. Mr. Warren is a contender for the state championship. Estimates place the yield at from 140 to 145 bushels per acre.

Porter County has two candidates for congress in the tenth district. J.H. McGill is a candidate on the farmer-labor ticket, and B.A. Gott, of Wheeler, is a candidate on the socialist ticket.

October 27, 1920

Porter county has two candidates for congress in the tenth district. J.H. McGill is a candidate on the farmer-labor ticket, and B.A. Gott, of Wheeler, is a candidate on the socialist ticket.

October 28, 1920

Thirty-five autos loaded with McGill boosters left here this morning on a tour of the Tenth District in the interests of J.H. McGill’s candidacy for congress on the farmer-labor ticket. The tour will end at Lafayette where Mr. McGill will speak.

Snow was reported at Long Lake this morning and coupled with the precipitation was a visitation at both Long and Canada Lakes of more than 200 mallard ducks. George Benner and wife, of Gary, killed 14 and Valparaiso hunters led by Attorney P. J. Bailey killed 17.

October 29, 1920

A snow and sleet storm that was ferocious in its intensity struck the city late yesterday afternoon and continued for several hours. This morning trees and foliage were covered with snow which was so heavy that it caused the limbs to touch the ground. Many large limbs were snapped off. Valparaiso was in the path of the storm as other cities adjacent reported a light fall and some hardly any.

John Diggs, sanitary engineer for the Indiana State Board of Health, has just completed the survey of the plant of the Valparaiso Home Water Company at Flint Lake. Mr. Diggs is detailed to investigate all public water supplies in the state and ascertain the quantity of water supplied to consumers. He spent three days at the local plant, and at the close of his inspection issued a certificate to the local company approving the local water. He also reported the filtration plant in good working order. He informed Superintendent E. L. Loomis the local plant was one of the best in the state.

October 30, 1920

A patent from the United States government to an eighty-acre farm in Morgan Township dated 1834, more than eighty-six years ago, and signed by Martin Van Buren, president, has just been placed on file in the Porter County Recorder’s office. Policeman J. H. Marshall of this city, owner of the farm, recently sold it and an abstract failed to reveal the government patent recording.

The Valparaiso University football team walked off the field at Greencastle yesterday when Referee Durkey of Illinois, made a ruling in the third quarter of the Valparaiso-DePauw game. The dispute resulted when DePauw was held to five yards on three downs and Gipson, of DePauw, punted. The ball shot off his foot toward the side lines where a DePauw player picked it up and ran to the Valparaiso five-yard line. Coach George Keogan, of Valparaiso, refused to continue play after he learned the referee had ruled it an onside kick and withdrew his team from the field. A decision on the play will be sought from Walter Eckersall of Chicago. Keogan claimed the play was a legitimate punt and not an offside kick.

October 31, 1920

Mark L. Dickover, of the Valparaiso State Bank, has an official ballot of the election of 1888. It is a republican ballot with the names of Benjamin Harrison and Levi Morton as candidates. Grover Cleveland was the democratic candidate and was beaten in the election. The ballot is unique in that it was the last of its kind used before the Australian system came into use. All the voter had to do was to cast the ballot in the box without marking it. If desired to vote a split ticket, it was necessary to paste a sticker over the name of the candidate which the voter desired to scratch.

The Porter County Holstein Breeder Association’s third annual sale at the fairgrounds Saturday was attended by 500 persons. Forty-seven cattle were sold at prices from $200 to $400. A number of cattle went to out-of-town buyers.

LOOKING BACK • September 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

September 2, 1920

Teaching 89 terms of school at Valparaiso university or more than 22 years without a miss is the record of Prof. B. F. Williams, head of the English department. Prof. Williams will leave next week for a three months’ trip to his old home at Turney, Missouri. He came to Valparaiso 30 years ago as a student and later attended Harvard for three years. On his return he joined the Valparaiso University teaching staff.

September 3, 1920

Dr. C. F. Rickard and son left yesterday for Pittsburgh, Pa., where the former will open an office for the practice of chiropractor. Accompanying him was Lester Pierce, who will enter the Pittsburg College of Chiropractory. Dr. C. R. Wickham, who will take Dr. Rickard’s place, arrived here yesterday from Davenport, Iowa. Mrs. Rickard and daughter went to Pittsburgh several days ago.

September 4, 1920

Miss Gladys Young, deputy county recorder under John W. McNay, today tendered her resignation, effective October 1. She has been connected with the recorder’s office for several years.

September 5, 1920

Lewis E. Meyers and Company will begin construction of an addition to its factory to serve as a boiler room for the new steam heating plant and dry kiln and reserve lumber storage.

September 6, 1920

New rates for the Northwestern Indiana Telephone company were granted the company in an order issued by the Indiana Public Service Commission yesterday. The exchanges affected are: Valparaiso, Hobart, Kouts, Chesterton and Wheeler. The rates are expected to yield a return of seven percent on a valuation of $225,000. Business phones in Valparaiso run from $4 to $2.50 (≈$51.82 to $32.39 in 2020 dollars), while residence phones range from $2.50 to $2 (≈$32.39 to $25.91 in 2020 dollars).

September 6, 1920 (Alternate Story)

Directors of the Farmers’ Association and Livestock Men met Saturday evening at the court house to decide on the question of hiring a tuberculosis cattle inspector for Porter County. A conference will be held with state officials before decision is made to apply for an inspector.

September 7, 1920

Auditor B.H. Kinne has completed an abstract of registered men and women voters in Porter County. The total is 5,878, made up of 3,531 men and 2,347 women.

September 8, 1920

The Valparaiso Home Ice Company has started tearing down the old Shinabarger residence at the corner of Lafayette and Monroe Streets for the erection of a new building to house the ice and ice making plant. Machinery for the plant has been ordered and will soon arrive here.

September 9, 1920

Lawrence Ginnell, of Ireland will tell what Sinn Fein is, and Dr. Albert W. Allen, Episcopal minister of New York will discuss, “Is the Irish Issue a Religious Question?” at a meeting to be held at Memorial Opera House tonight.

September 10, 1920

Porter County’s prize-winning cattle fared ill at the state fair at Indianapolis this week. Iowa, with an Iowa judge, captured many of the prizes. Tom Keene and Morgan Brothers, with cattle that were unbeatable, were ruled against by the Iowa man, who favored everything from his state. Charles Ohlfest obtained the only blue ribbon from Porter County on young heifers. There were many entries in this particular class.

September 10, 1920 (Alternate Story)

The Pioneer Truck Company, of Valparaiso, has a big drawing in the Specht-Finney Company window (at Lincolnway and Franklin Street) showing its proposed new building. The architects are Runnenberg, Pierce, and Hauber, of Chicago. A notice on the drawing states that one of the units of the structure will soon be commenced. 

September 11, 1920

Several members of the local Odd Fellows lodge went to Chesterton today where an encampment to be known as Trinity will be instituted tonight. Three degrees will be conferred on members of the new lodge. Teams from Gary, Hammond, and Valparaiso will be on the work.

September 11, 1920 (Alternate Story)

The Co-Operative Society of America will open its new store in the Urbahns Building on Thursday of next week. George Hitesman, formerly of the Lowenstine Grocery, will be in charge. Over 300 local people have taken stock in the store.

September 12, 1920

Superintendent Fred C. Cole has received notice of his assignment to the program of the Indiana State Teachers’ Association in Indianapolis on October 21 to 23, to discuss the subject, “The Exceptional Child.” He has also received word from Washington, D.C., inviting him to take part in the regional conference at Terre Haute the same week and deliver a talk on, “The School and the Individual.”

September 13, 1920

Only two Valparaiso citizens took in the excursion run from Gary to Marion, Ohio, Saturday to attend a big meeting in honor of Senator Warren G. Harding, Republican candidate for president. They were E. Zimmerman, city editor of The Vidette, and Stanley Swanberg.

September 14, 1920

The annual meeting of the Porter County Farm Association will be held on October 16 at the home of County Agent A.Z. Arehart at Wolff’s Corners. Mr. Gunnells, of Chicago, an official of the American Farm Bureau, will make an address. Other speakers will be from Purdue University. A fine program has been arranged.

September 15, 1920

The local Presbyterian church has extended a call to Rev. Robert Dunaway of New Paris, Ohio. Rev. Dunaway preached in this city recently and made a favorable impression. Rev. Anson Dewey, of Chicago, to whom a call was recently extended, declined.

September 16, 1920

A poem on, “A Word from the League of Nations,” by E.M. Burns, bailiff of the Porter Circuit Court, may be used by the Republicans in the coming campaign.  Mr. Burns wrote a fine poem on his own views of the league. A copy was sent to Senator Warren G. Harding and Mr. Burns received a letter from George B. Christian, secretary of the senator, that the poem has been referred to the National Republican Committee at Chicago for consideration by its publicity department.

September 17, 1920

Porter County cattle breeders will have an opportunity of getting their herds placed on the accredited honor roll. By submitting to tests cattle can gain the honor roll of found free of tuberculosis on two successive annual tests. A certificate is then given the owner by the state veterinarian. Dr. A. E. Dobson, state veterinarian, was here from Indianapolis last night. He made arrangements for an inspector to come here to test cattle. 

September 17, 1920 (Alternate Story)

Valparaiso policeman Louis Kulp has tendered his resignation to Marshal T. C. Thedens. No successor has been appointed. Mr. Kulp will take up some other enjoyment.

September 18, 1920

The McClelland Building on North Washington Street, recently purchased by C.W. Bartholomew, undertaker, and occupied by Frank N. Billings, the repair man, is undergoing repairs at present. Mr. Bartholomew will move his funeral parlors from the Salyer building to the new location as soon as the building is ready for occupancy.

September 18, 1920 (Alternate Story)

E. A. Schall, of Gilette, Wisconsin, has arrived here to take charge of the Valparaiso University Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). He is a graduate of Lawrence College and Northwestern. He was a long distance runner while in college.

September 19, 1920

O. F. Helvie, of Valparaiso, an old football man and husky of the gridiron, while watching Valparaiso University athletes preparing for the Harvard game, became imbued with the old spirit and engaged in scrimmage. In the mixup he bumped into Thomas Dandelet, big fullback. The result was he suffered slight fractures of the large bone of the arm above the right wrist.

September 20, 1920

The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Porter County will organize a Shrine Club in the county. At a meeting held yesterday at Memorial Opera House plans were made for the formation of an organization. Another meeting will be held in October.

September 20, 1920 (Alternate Story)

Professor John H. Cloud, formerly of Valparaiso University (and a founding member of the group that organized the PoCo Muse), who recently went to Ishpeming, Michigan, to take a position with the Gossard Corset Company, has accepted a position as head of the physics department of the state university at Stillwater, Oklahoma.

September 21, 1920

Frank J. Hicking, cashier of the Valparaiso Lighting Company for the last eight months, has received a promotion as chief clerk and assistant manager of the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light Company at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Mr. Hicking came to Valparaiso in 1916 as clerk. He served eight months in France (during the First World War) and upon his return accepted his old position.

September 22, 1920

Fifty-one men have been examined for jury service in the Thomas Batchelor murder case in Porter Superior Court. One hundred jurors were summoned for service in addition to the regular panel. Batchelor is being tried for the slaying of Herman Uecker, cashier of the Tolleston Bank during a holdup by a gang of bandits.

September 23, 1920

R.E. Jacoby, of Indianapolis, assigned here by the state and federal authorities for testing cattle for tuberculosis, arrived today. Mr. Jacoby will begin his work at the Morgan Brothers’ farm near Chesterton, and later will go to the Arthur Hanrahan farm in Liberty Township. 

September 23, 1920 (Alternate Story)

Rev. J. M. Gelston, who recently resigned the Presbyterian church pastorate, was given a thank offering of $250 (≈$3,329 in 2020 dollars) at the close of the regular prayer meeting last night. Mrs. Alice Dalrymple, in behalf of the church, voiced feeling of the congregation in expressing sorrow at the leave-taking of the Gelstons and the close of ten years’ of faithful service by Dr. Gelston and wife. Dr. Gelston will be succeeded here by Rev. Robert Dunaway, of New Paris, Ohio.

September 24, 1920

Two Westchester Township citizens gathered in front of the Groff Undertaking Parlors at Chesterton this morning and made dire threats against Detective Edward Schlene and Charles Simmons, of the Michigan Central Railroad, who shot and killed John McFarland, of Chicago, during a gun battle near Porter yesterday morning. Coroner Herman O. Seipel and Sheriff W. B. Forney decided that it would be best to postpone the inquest, and the two men were spirited away by a back door to Valparaiso. The remainder of the inquest will be held in Valparaiso.

September 24, 1920 (Alternate Story)

J. H. McGill, of Valparaiso, farmer-labor candidate for congress in the Tenth Indiana District, addressed a crowd of 350 members of the union labor trades last night at Moose Hall. Mr. McGill gave a fine talk and was warmly applauded.

September 25, 1920

Edward Schlene and Charles Simmons, Michigan Central Railroad detectives, were held to the Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury on manslaughter charges in the shooting of John McFarland, of Chicago, early Wednesday morning west of Porter. Coroner H. O. Seipel after hearing the testimony, ordered the officers held. According to Schlene and Simmons they mistook McFarland for a train robber. When McFarland shot at them in belief that they were holdup men the officers returned the fire, killing McFarland. According to McFarland’s wife, who was accompanying him, her husband had stopped along the highway to repair a tire on his automobile.

September 26, 1920

The Porter County Grand Jury will be called to investigate the killing of John McFarland, near Porter. Edward Schlene and Charles Simmons, Michigan Central Railroad detectives, who shot McFarland after the latter had shot at them, were released on $2,000 bonds.

September 27, 1920

Unknown miscreants attempted to wreck the old horse-drawn vehicle of the Valparaiso Fire Department early yesterday morning. An alarm was sent in from the west part of the city. When firemen were driving down Main Street (now Lincolnway), they encountered a pile of logs, cement ties and other bits of obstruction at Weston Avenue. John Deardorff, driver, managed to avoid striking the mass. The alarm proved to be false. Police are conducting an investigation.

September 28, 1920

Edward O’Brien, of Kouts, narrowly escaped death yesterday while tolling the bell in the Catholic church in Kouts for the funeral of John Wandrey. After he had pulled the rope several times the lever supporting the bell clapper unloosened and the big bell came crashing down through the belfry. The lever struck Mr. O’Brien a glancing blow on the head and cut a gash.

September 29, 1920

An automobile thief who stole a Buick car of Samuel L. Buchanan Monday night and was captured at Gary after being shot twice, is in county jail here, but refuses to give his name. No trace of the stolen car has been found.

September 30, 1920

Edward Schlene, of Michigan City, and Charles Simmons, of Chicago, Michigan Central Railroad detectives, were indicted by the Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury of manslaughter in connection with the shooting of John McFarland, of Chicago, near Porter, a week ago. They are at liberty under $20,000 bonds.

September 30, 1920 (Alternate Story)

Thomas Batchelor was found guilty by a jury in Porter Superior Court of the slaying of Herman Uecker, Tolleston Bank cashier, and was given a life sentence. Batchelor was one of a gang of five men, four of whom are now in prison. 

Looking Back • August 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

August 1, 1920

Three men tied for first honors in the registered shoot held by the Valparaiso Gun Club at Burlington Beach, Flint Lake, yesterday. They were William Hunsley, Valparaiso; W.E. Phillips, Jr., and Robert Hedge, Chicago. All broke 143 out of 150. Fifty-two shooters participated in the shoot.

August 2, 1920

The Public Service Commission of Indiana has granted the petition of the Valparaiso Lighting company for an increase in gas rates effective Sept. 1. The principal averment of the lighting company in its petition was that the increase in operating expenses would cause a deficit in the company’s earnings and not permit it to set aside proper sums for depreciation and return on invested capital.

August 3, 1920

The electric line supplying farmers from the vicinity of Long Lake, north of the city, to McCool, will soon be in operation. The Calumet Supply company of Hammond will provide the current. The line is twenty-one miles long, and the cost to the farmers is about $40,000.

Sol Ramsey, attorney T.H. Heard, George Fernekes, and two Chicago men, rendered ill several days ago by eating toadstools for mushrooms, are reported improved. The men ate the toadstools at Long Lake. Others rendered ill in the last few days by eating mushrooms are County Clerk G.E. Bornhort and Miss Hattie Anderson.

August 4, 1920

George Revoir and Hugh Mooreheard, two young business men of Syracuse, N.Y., passed through Valparaiso yesterday in their return to Syracuse from Joliet, Ill. They covered the 1,100 miles from Syracuse to Joliet in four days and made the trip without mishap. Harley-Davidson motorcycles were used.

August 5, 1920

The Porter County board of review met in session today to act on the total valuations, change them when necessary and return the revised figures to the state tax board as per order received yesterday by Auditor B.H. Kinne. A horizontal increase in all taxing units was ordered by the board.

The Chicago and Erie Railroad is making purchases of land along its right-of-way in Porter County, indicating the company intends shortly to begin double tracking its line. Daly & Freund, local attorneys for the railroad, are handling negotiations for the company in this county.

August 6, 1920

Milk went up in Valparaiso today. According to an agreement made by the local handlers the price will be fourteen cents by the quart and eight cents by the pint. The action was made necessary by the fact that dealers will have to pay a $2.80 rate during August, September and October, an increase of fifty cents.

August 7, 1920

At a recent meeting of the trustees of Valparaiso University, Frank Baackus, vice-president of the United States Steel Corporation, was named trustee.

August 8, 1920

Louis Perissa, a student at Valparaiso University, was the victim of a stabbing affray on College Hill last evening about 11:30 o’clock. Alexander DeGeorge is being held in jail charged with the stabbing. DeGeorge said he found Perissa in his home when he returned. The latter claimed he was asked by Mrs. DeGeorge to come to the home for a book.

August 9, 1920

Valparaiso’s population in 1920 given by the government at 6,518, is far from correct, according to E.M. Burns. Taking a poll of the voters for the republican central committee, Mr. Burns found 680 voters in the second ward. Multiplying by two, a small ratio, gives the ward a population of 1,630. The census figures show 700. According to the school census figures there were 222 children between the ages of twenty-one. Added to Mr. Burns’ figures gives a population of over 900 with children under six years of age still uncounted.

August 10, 1920

A farewell party was tendered Charles Lape and wife by 20 members of the Young Married Folks’ class of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school last evening at the Lape home. Mr. Lape has been president of the class. He is taking a position as manual training instructor in the South Bend schools. J.W. McNeeley has been selected as president of the class to succeed Mr. Lape.

August 11, 1920

Dr. C. F. Rickard, chiropractor will soon go to Pittsburgh, Pa, to locate. He has sold his business to Dr. C.R. Wickham, of Davenport, Iowa, who will take charge Sept. 1. He will be located in the office of Dr. Rickard on West Jefferson street.

August 12, 1920

The Valparaiso Home Ice Company has purchased the property at the corner of Lafayette and Monroe streets for the site of its new ice plant. The Baker Ice-Making Company, of Omaha, Neb., is now designing the machinery for the new plant.

August 13, 1920

Fifty-eight graduates received degrees in the annual commencement exercises of Valparaiso University held this morning at 10:30 o’clock at the university auditorium. The address was delivered by President Daniel R. Hodgdon, Valparaiso graduates were Verna Summer, Vera Conover and Edith Weems.

August 14, 1920

Porter County Republican women plan to be active in the coming election. Yesterday meetings were held in Morgan and Washington Townships. Mrs. C. W. Boucher and Mrs. E. D. Crumpacker were the speakers at the Morgan meeting held at the Adams Church. A number of Valparaiso women spoke at the Washington township meeting held at the home of Mrs. Gwilym Jones. They included Mrs. Frank B. Chester, county chairman; Mrs. J.G. Keenan, Mrs. Effie Earle, Mrs. Amos Lantz and Mrs. W.E. Harris. Officers were named.

August 15, 1920

Adrian J. Ponton of this city has been selected by County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones as his deputy to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of W. L. Copeland, who recently left for Portland, Ore., to enter the law practice. Mr. Ponton is a graduate of Valparaiso University.

August 16, 1920

County Agent A.Z. Arehart yesterday began moving from the county surveyor’s office where the county agent has been temporarily quartered for some time, to the newly remodeled quarters just completed by the Foster Lumber and Coal Company in the northwest corner of the court house basement.

August 17, 1920

County Auditor B.H. Kinne today received a notice from the state tax board that no horizontal increase in local taxable valuation will be necessary in Porter County. The assessed valuation of the county is $63,662,260, of which Valparaiso has $6,626,440.

August 18, 1920

Prof. George W. Neet, head of the educational department at Valparaiso University, and Edward A. Anderson, registrar, today tendered their resignations as members of the faculty, Prof. Neet has been with the school for many years.

August 19, 1920

Glen J. Goddard, of this city, has traded a 120-acre farm near Hebron for a garage building and contents at Montery, Ind., owned by Henry Pagis, and also a 120-acre farm at San Pierre to John Wulff for the latter’s 160-acre farm in the Hughart settlement, northwest of Valparaiso.

August 20, 1920

The seventy-third Indiana regiment which is in reunion in Chesterton, held its camp fire at Waverly Beach on Lake Michigan last night. Judge H.H. Loring of Valparaiso, Judge Job Barnard of Washington, D.C., and Arthur J. Bowser were the speakers. The reunion closed today with the election of officers. Only three Porter County members of the regiment are living.

August 21, 1920

Dr. Harvey S. Cook of Worthington, Ind., is going to locate in Valparaiso and has leased the room soon to be vacated by the Ladies’ shop over Wark’s Hardware. He is a brother-in-law of Alfred R. Putnam. The Ladies’ shop, conducted by Mrs. R.P. Wolfe, will move to the Zimmerman building on North Washington street.

August 22, 1920

The Bloch Hotel is undergoing extensive remodeling. The Foster Lumber and Coal Company started work today on improving the third floor. All rooms are being plastered and oak floors and trim are being put in. The second floor was recently remodeled.

August 23, 1920 

Sheriff W.B. Forney Saturday at sheriff’s sale sold the plant of the Gary Lime and Brick Company in Portage Township, to a group of Gary and Valparaiso men for $12,899. The buyers held a judgment of $58,901 against the property in foreclosure proceedings.

August 24, 1920

The Polk School of Piano Tuning is the model for the first piano tuning school to be established in Tokio, Japan. The founder is R.T. Kirkushima, who attended the local school. Many Japanese homes now have pianos and organs.

August 25, 1920

Miss Mabel Flint, of this city, has accepted a position as instructor of public school music in the Missouri State Normal school at Calpe Girardeau, Mo. She will leave Sept. 1 to take up her work. For six years Miss Flint has been an instructor in the Valparaiso High School faculty.

August 26, 1920

Work on excavating for the new Standard Oil station at the corner of Lincolnway and Napoleon St., was started yesterday. The new structure will cost $20,000, and will be modern in every respect. The building will be of brick construction.

August 27, 1920 

The Daly School in Liberty township is to be rebuilt and ready for occupancy by January 1, according to Trustee Ira M. Biggs. Children at the Daly school will be accommodated at other schools until the building is ready.

August 28, 1920

Valparaiso Republicans will make a trip to Marion, Ohio, on Sept. 11 to visit Senator Warren G. Harding, republican candidate for the presidency. A special train will be run over the Pennsylvania railroad from Gary.

August 29, 1920

City schools are facing a dearth of quarters at the present time. The city board of education has tried to remedy the matter by leasing additional space in various buildings, but has been unsuccessful. The need of the new building is apparent, but the cost of construction is beyond the finances of the board at present material and labor costs.

August 30, 1920

Football practice at Valparaiso university will start Wednesday. Coach George Koegan and a number of players arrived Saturday. The game with Harvard at Cambridge, Mass., on October 9 is the goal toward which the university coach and players are working.

August 31, 1920

The first Labor Day parade ever staged in Valparaiso will be held on Monday, Sept. 6, when all labor unions of the city will take part. The parade will be headed by the A.F. & M. band, composed of union musicians. It will be held at 10 a.m. and all local union men will participate.

Looking Back • July 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

July 1, 1920

Business houses of the city and all public buildings are beginning to loom up in fine shape for the big July 5th celebration which takes place next Monday. F.W. Lawson, decorator of Toledo, Ohio, is busy decorating the store fronts. A number of business men are contending for the silver cup for the best decorated front.

The Co-operative society of America with headquarters in Chicago will open a store in Valparaiso. H.C. Riordan, who has been here, has sold stock in the company to a number of local people. Members participate in the profits resulting from sales.

July 2, 1920

S.B. Sink yesterday served his connection as county agent and took up his work with the Schleman-Morton company. He will look after farms owned by the company and also select farms suitable to the wants of the firm’s clients.

The Salvation Army drive which has been in progress in Porter county for a number of weeks, will probably net close to $1,000 when all reports are in. Charles H. Stinchfield, county chairman, stated that little interest was shown and it was difficult to secure canvassers. The county’s quota was $3,000.

July 3, 1920

T. P. Galvin, head of the Valparaiso Knights of Columbus lodge, has received word the state secretary of the Indiana Knights of Columbus to the effect that Valparaiso lodge led all lodges of the state in membership gain during the fiscal year just ended. The local lodge showed a gain in membership of 391 per cent.

Business men of Valparaiso will go on daylight saving time schedule beginning next Tuesday. On Monday night clocks will be turned one hour ahead, and the plan will continue through the months of July, August and September. The plan was submitted to the chamber of commerce by local people some tome ago and more than 100 business men favored it. Sentiment was developed in favor of the new time by the fact that more than 400 men of this city are employed in the Calumet region. Local factories some time ago went on the time and railroads adopted it for their suburban trains.

July 4, 1920

Valparaiso’s 4th of July celebration was one of this most successful the city has ever held. From early in the day until late at night the festivities continued. The parade in the down town districts was the big feature off the celebration. Free vaudeville acts were given at the court house lawn, and in the afternoon the Valparaiso Elks’ baseball teams defeated the Gary All Stars at the fair grounds 6 to 2. Wrestling bouts at Armory hall, concerts by the band, an address by Peter Collins, of Boston, Mass., and a mardi gras on Main street with fireworks as a climax were other features of the big day’s program.

July 5, 1920

The bus line between Valparaiso and Kouts and Wheatfield is doing fine business. This morning eight passengers were brought to this city from the south end, and every day the bus is filled both coming and going.

July 6, 1920

About 200 Elks left this morning on a special train for Chicago to attend a national meeting of Elks. Headed by the A. F. of M. band the “Bills” parted the downtown district before embarking for the depot. In the afternoon the local band was scheduled to give a concert in Grant Park.

July 7, 1920

At a meeting of the township trustees yesterday, a resolution was passed favoring old time in the different townships. The trustees also passed a resolution to pay beginning teachers $70 to $75 a month, and teachers from 2 to 3 years’ experience in grade schools $80 to $90 a month, depending on the size of the schools.

July 8, 1920

Census figures for Valparaiso announced today from Washington give the city a population of 6,518, a decrease of 469 in ten years. The 1910 census showing a total of 6,987. According to local citizens faulty enumeration was responsible for the failure to count many families. The pay for enumerators was only four cents per name.

July 9, 1920

Dr. C. O. Wiltfong of Chesterton, Mrs. Wiltfong, Mrs. Charles Jeffrey, wife of Charles Jeffrey, of the Farmer’s bank of Valparaiso, and daughter Elouise Jeffrey, narrowly escaped death last evening near Aylesworth school, north of Hebron. Dr. Wiltfong failed to discern an S turn in the road during a heavy fog and drove straight ahead into a creek. Mrs. Wiltfong was rendered unconscious, Dr. Wiltfong was cut on the right arm, but Mrs. Jeffrey and daughter escaped with slight hurts.

July 10, 1920

Valpoites developed a case of sore neck today when they watched the maneuvers of Henry F. Fawcet, an army aviator, pilot the flying fish, an airplane designed like a fish. Fawcett had a landing field on the Walter bond farm east of the city and took up passengers.

Because an appeal made by merchants to the citizens to set their clocks ahead one hour for adoption of fast time did not meet with support, local merchants have gone back to old time. Local factories however, will still remain on fast time.

June 11, 1920

A special election on the R.M. Phillips gravel road in Porter township held Saturday carried by a large majority. Only one vote was cast against it. The vote was very light because the farmers were busy with farm work. 

Promoters of the Valpo Home Ice company are today looking over available sites and will soon decide upon a site to build a new ice plant. Incorporation of the company is expected shortly and stock will be offered for sale.

July 12, 1920

Boone Grove, which has the best baseball team in Porter township people, lost its first game to the Gary All-Stars. The score was 11 to 10. The Gary team hit Maloney hard and the Boone Grove players’ efforts to keep pace failed. Raymond, of Gary, and Clinedinst, of Boone Grove, hit home runs. Twice the game was stopped because Gary players objected to decisions of the umpire and refused to play on until they were reversed in their favor.

The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and the Porter County Farm association at a meeting last night voted their opposition to the proposed bill calling for the creation of a park in the sand dunes of north Porter county to be presented to the state legislature at a special session soon to meet. Resolutions were passed against the bill and a committee was named to go to Indianapolis to protest against its passage.

June 13, 1920

Oil drilling at Suman in Jackson township has suddenly and mysteriously stopped and numerous reasons have been assigned for the move. One is that oil men know there is a large amount of oil in that section and desire to lease more ground. Officers of the oil company declare the delay is due to the failure of machinery to arrive.

Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state by the Lewis E. Myers and Company of this city. The capital stock is $500,000. The directors are Lewis E. Myers, John A. Hauff and M.A. Gregory.

July 14, 1920

Oil drilling at Suman in Jackson township has suddenly and mysteriously stopped and numerous reasons have been assigned for the move. One is that the oil men know there is a large amount of oil in that section and desire to lease more ground. Officers of the oil company declare the delay is due to failure of machinery to arrive.

July 15, 1920

The Daly school in Liberty township which was struck by lightning and destroyed in a storm Tuesday night, will probably be rebuilt. Trustee Ira M. Biggs and others, of Liberty township, discussed the matter yesterday and the opinion seems to prevail that the school should be constructed.

July 16, 1920

Residents of Liberty, Jackson and Portage townships are said to be against the proposed state park in Porter county sand dunes. A number have expressed themselves in bitter opposition to taking land from Porter county for pleasure purposes. Attorney D.E. Kelly, who is fighting the park proposition has received word from Indianapolis that nothing yet has been done by the park promoters.

July 17, 1920

Indiana avenue residents were peeved yesterday when workmen for the city street department swooped down on the vicinity of Indiana avenue, just east of Michigan avenue, and began cutting weeds. The weeds proved to be bushes and shrubbery. Owners remonstrated and told the men to shift their forces a block away where weeds were growing to a height of several feet on the side of the Hiser hitch barn property.

Hearkening to the demand of employes, the McGill Manufacturing company will go back to the old time beginning Monday. Employes of the Chicago Mica company voted to go back to the old time but the factory heads have made no announcement of whether it will grant the request.

July 18, 1920

Aviator H. C. Heyn, of Detroit Mich., in an airplane carrying Harry Smith, Chesterton merchant and his son, narrowly escaped death Saturday evening when the craft crashed against a telegraph post on the Michigan Central railroad near Chesterton. The crash resulted when the engine went dead just after the takeoff. The three occupants were only slightly bruised.

July 19, 1920

The Valparaiso Home Ice company will offer for sale in a few days an issue of $25,000 of common stock of an authorized issue of $75,000. The shares will be sold at $10 each. The directors of the company are Carl F. Mason, William Schleman, E.W. Agar, John H. Ross ad W. B. Wasser. The capacity of the plant will be 4,503 tons per year.

Pleasant township, around Kouts, will soon be the scene of oil drilling. Oil men from Oklahoma and Texas are securing leases of land in the vicinity of Kouts and expect to drill soon. A.B. McNabb, of Chicago, is head of the promotion.

July 20, 1920

Twenty-five men of the West Side Non-Political club of Michigan City have purchased 160 acres of land of Richard Arden. Three fourths of the land is in Porter county. The land will be divided into smaller parcels for suburban home sites.

The Burlington Beach tennis club has been formed with a membership of 25. The committee in charge of the club’s affairs are Max Specht, Edwin Szold and John Van Ness. It is planned to stage a local tourney and participate in the northern Indiana tourney in Gary in August.

July 21, 1920

The Burlington Beach tennis club has been formed with a membership of 25. The committee in  charge of the club’s affairs are Max Specht, Edwin Szold and John VanNess. It is planned to stage a local tourney and participate in the northern Indiana tourney in Gary in August.

July 22, 1920

A three weeks’ old baby boy was left in a basket at the N. L. Bradfield home at Nickel Station, east of the city, last night. A man brought the baby, left it on the porch, knocked on the door and dashed away. The Bradfields will keep the little tot.

The Federal Land bank of Louisville, Ky., has notified Anna Mohnssen, secretary-treasurer of the local association that a six percent dividend as been declared. There are nine borrowers in the local association with loan of $30,600.

July 23, 1920

An American Legion post has been established at Kouts with Luther B. Wise as commander. It is called the William Radilyack Post, No. 300, the William Radilyack Post, No. 300, in memory of the Kouts by who saw distinguished service in France, and was killed several months ago in an auto accident near Malden.

July 24, 1920

The concrete road at Waverly Beach, on Lake Michigan, north of Chesterton, built at a cost of $10,000, will be finished by the end of the week. Only a small part of the concrete remains to be put in. The road is seventy-five wide and 800 feet long. There remains to be built an eighty-five foot water bound macadam stretch of road on the end up to the high water mark, but this will not be attempted until material can be obtained.

At a meeting of the board of trustees of Valparaiso university yesterday, Charles L. Jeffrey was elected chairman, M.R. Lowenstine, secretary, and George F. Beach, treasurer. Sometime ago the university was turned over to a board of trustees consisting of Messers. Jaffrey, Lowenstine and Beach, Frank Morton and Dr. H. E. Chislett, of Chicago, and three other prominent business and industrial men whose names were withheld. At yesterday’s meeting Henry Kinsey Brown, who has been president of the university since May 1, 1919, resigned, and was elected bursar. He was succeeded as president of Hahnemann Medical college.

July 25, 1920

Alex Watt, local contractor, is erecting a building on Linwood avenue, 40x100 feet, which he will lease for an automobile salesroom and garage. Mr. Watt obtained a large amount of material from the Eglin hitch barn and other structures recently razed.

The Gary Connecting Railway, controlling 16 miles of interurban railway between Goodrum Junction and Gary, has been incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000. The incorporators are Lester Woodard, secretary-treasurer of the Gary Street Railway; John A. Norman and Ralph W. Melin. The strip of arilroad was bought at receiver’s sale two years ago by Charles W. Alvord, of Philadelphia, Pa. It is leased by the Gary Valparaiso railway.

July 26, 1920

The city jail in the rear of the city hall is being razed to build a barn for the street department. Deputy Prosecutor William Johnston and John Fabing, husky center on last year’s high school basketball team, are doing the work of dismantling the jail which was built many years ago but of late has been used as a coal storage.

July 27, 1920

The Wheeler baseball team defeated the Gary Slovak Athletic club in a slugging match Sunday 13 to 12. Conrich pitched for Wheeler and struck out eight. The Slovaks showed some fine base running and nearly tied the score in the ninth.

July 28, 1920

Special Judge William H. Dowdell yesterday in a written opinion sustained a motion to quash an affidavit against Attorney N. J. Bozarth in a case brought against him for hunting on lands without the owner’s consent. The prosecuting attorney stated the affidavit was prepared by the attorney general at Indianapolis. Judge Dowdell, however, held it was defective.

Valparaiso firemen will participate in the 6th annual tourney of the Northern Indiana Firemen’s association to be held at Lowell on August 6. Whiting, Hobart, Chesterton and Lowell departments will also compete. A grand parade will take place with a band concert and dance in the evening.

July 29, 1920

Rev. W. H. Book of Columbus, Ind., pastor of the Tabernacle Christian church, will be the chief speaker at the 7th annual meeting of the Christian churches of Porter county here Sunday on the Chistian chirch lawn. In the evening, Rev. Book will deliver the sermon at the union meeting to be held in the Methodist church.

The state highway commission has at last explained the reason for its failure to keep the Lincoln highway, east of Valparaiso, in repair. According to word from the commission the Interstate Commerce Commission will not permit the railroads to haul stone at the present time because the hopper cars used for this purpose are now employed in hauling coal.

July 30, 1920

The Floyd W. Sleb meat market and grocery will open in the Sieb building on Franklin avenue next Monday. The interior of the store has been remodeled throughout. A cork and concrete composition floor is one of the features. The latest in refrigeration has also been installed.

July 31, 1920

Byron Loomis, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Loomis, of this city, will leave this evening for Annapolis, Md., to enter the United States Military Academy. He attended the preparatory school of the academy a short time ago to fit himself for the examinations. He passed with flying colors.

Looking Back • June 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

June 1, 1920

At the annual meeting of the rural route carriers of Porter County, John W. Gilburn, of Valparaiso, was named president; Herbert Foseland, of Chesterton, vice-president; E. A. Mitzner, Valparaiso, secretary-treasurer; Elmer Gay, Valparaiso, delegate to the state convention; Charles Magnuson, Valparaiso, alternate.

June 2, 1920

The Chautauqua Manufacturing Company was purchased yesterday by Lewis E. Myers, following an action of the stockholders at a meeting held in Chicago at which time it was voted to dissolve the corporation and offer its assets for sale. The deed for the real estate involved a consideration of $18,125.11. While the amount paid for the personal property was not disclosed the amount for the realty and personalty is said to be $100,000. The Chautauqua Mfg. Co. will be dissolved and a new corporation called the Lewis E. Myers Company will be formed. Factory operations will be continued without interruption under the direction of John A. Hauff. 

June 3, 1920

The 29th anniversary of the dedication of Immanuel Lutheran (now Heritage Lutheran) Church of this city will be celebrated with special services Sunday. The building on North Washington Street was dedicated by Rev. W. J. B. Lange in 1891.

June 4, 1920

Albert W. Snyder, of Madison, Ind., is here and began work as official tester for the Porter County Cow Testing Association. Work in testing has been at a standstill for some time owing to the lack of a tester.

June 5, 1920

Professor Daniel Russell Hodgdon has assumed the position of Dean of the Faculty of Valparaiso University. His work is to be connected with the advancement of educational activities of the school, thus relieving Henry K. Brown and permitting him to devote his time to the business of the institution.

If plans of Frank Randolph Chandler, Chicago real estate man, are successful, “Dunes City,” a gigantic Atlantic City will arise on the sand wastes north of Chesterton. The Indiana Dunes Land Company has already been formed and will purchase land and develop it. A million-dollar bond issue will be floated.

June 6, 1920

Boone Grove baseball team strengthened its hold on the Northern Indiana Semi-Pro Championship by defeating the Valparaiso Penslars at the fair grounds 5 to 4. It was a pitcher’s battle between Maloney, of Boone Grove, and Martin, of Valparaiso. Valparaiso took the lead of 4 to 2 in the first two innings but Boone Grove kept hammering away, picked up one run in the sixth and two in the eighth to win. Maloney held Penslars runless after the second.

June 7, 1920

Charles Ohlfest and Francis Bushore have returned from St. Paul, Minn., where they attended the National Holstein Cattle Sale. They purchased for the Porter County Holstein Association, of which they are members, a Holstein bull for $7,200. The animal is 17 months of age and was one of the best shown at the sale.

A mad dog recently bit several animals in the herd of Harry Vergin, in Porter Township, and one of the cows went mad and was killed.

June 8, 1920 

John T. Scott, Valparaiso Postmaster, was reappointed postmaster for another four years. Saturday his nomination by President Wilson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Postmaster Scott was gift named on February 3, 1916, succeeding M. J. Stinchfield.

June 9, 1920

Rev. J. M. Gelston tendered his resignation to the trustees and elders of the Presbyterian Church, effective October 1. Illness of his wife was given as the reason for his resignation. Dr. Gelston has been pastor of the local church for ten years.

June 10, 1920

The Jahns Bus Line Company of LaPorte will inaugurate a bus line between Valparaiso and Kouts and Wheatfield within two weeks. This was the announcement by the chamber of commerce officials today. In addition to carrying passengers the Jahns line will handle packages and express.

June 11, 1920

The first real touch of summer came yesterday and is continuing today. The high point reached by the mercury yesterday was 91 above at the government station at Flint Lake.

June 12, 1920

E. Leslie Loomis, whose school board term expires in August, was re-elected to the board for another term at a meeting of the city council last evening.

June 13, 1920 

Elba Firebaugh, of near Kouts, rescued his two-year-old son yesterday from drowning in a well. The child fell into the well and was not noticed until Mrs. Firebaugh made a search and discovered it in the well. Mr. Firebaugh jumped into the well containing two feet of water and pulled the lad out.

Hebron was visited by a miniature cyclone Sunday. A heavy storm, accompanied by lightning, struck the town about 5 o’clock.

June 14, 1920

Officials of the City of Valparaiso will enforce the ordinance against fireworks. No discharge of fireworks will be permitted within the corporation limits, nor will merchants be permitted to sell fireworks.

June 15, 1920

At a meeting of the directors of the chamber of commerce it was decided to revive the Porter County Fair. J. O, Ellis, E. H. Hartwick and Rodney Ellis, fair promoters, were present. They, with the assistance of H. M. Lackey, chamber secretary, will be in charge of the fair promotion. Offices will be opened in the chamber of commerce rooms.

June 16, 1920

C. W. Beam, who has been operating the West End store, opposite the post office, has sold his merchandise and will quit business. With his wife he will leave for California to reside. He formerly conducted a store on College Hill.

June 17, 1920

The thorough bred calves obtained by County Agent S. B. Sink in New York state were distributed to members of the Boys’ Calf Club here this afternoon.

June 18, 1920

Porter County is opposed to the move by Gary and Michigan City interests to establish a state park in the sand dunes of north Porter County. Local people see it as a move to crowd out steel competition of the Gary mills. Under the proposed plans of the park advocates, it is proposed to take eight miles of lake front for the new park.

June 19, 1920

The work of placing fixtures in the new Citizens’ Savings & Trust Bank on Lincolnway is progressing rapidly. It is expected the new bank will be ready for opening within a short time.

June 20, 1920

Robert B. Ewing, former Valparaiso City Clerk and connected with Valparaiso University offices, dropped dead Saturday afternoon while working at his garden on Lincoln Avenue (now Brown Street). Apoplexy was the cause of death.

June 21, 1920

Members of the Service Club of Specht-Finney Company Store were entertained last evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Herrick, the occasion being their 20th wedding anniversary. Miss Ida Bloom read an original poem.

Jack, the peeper and grabber, has created considerable consternation among young ladies of the city during last week. Jack has been molesting girls returning to their homes from the theatres. Police are on the lookout for the fellow.

June 22, 1920

Several hundred Valparaiso and Porter County women will receive Red Cross certificates in recognition of services faithfully performed in behalf of the nation during the World War.

June 23, 1920

The Valparaiso City Band will give concerts and dances Sunday at Burlington Beach at Flint Lake. Charles Specht, proprietor of Burlington Beach, has offered the band use of his place free of charge.

June 24, 1920

The Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury was ordered to report at the court house yesterday. The session is expected to be short. A report will probably be made tomorrow.

June 25, 1920

The dreaded army worm has invaded Porter County, according to reports. Farmers living near Westville state that traces of the worm have been observed in the fields.

June 26, 1920

Valparaiso will remain on Central Standard Time as at present. The Valparaiso City Council last night did not take any action on the ordinance presented asking that daylight savings time be adopted.

June 27, 1920

The Jahns Bus Line from Valparaiso to Wheatfield began its operation this morning. The bus leaves Wheatfield every morning at 7:30 p.m., and makes two trips daily between the two places.

June 28, 1920

At a meeting of the Fourth of July committee yesterday plans were made for a monster celebration to be staged in this city on July 5. A pageant parade in the morning will be a feature. More than 100 floats are already entered.

June 29, 1920 

Reports come to Valparaiso that the new Clearly Hotel proposition wherein a four-story modern hotel is to be erected on the Hotel Spindler (Central Park Plaza) site is progressing rapidly as possible. Illness of the principal members of the concern is responsible for the delay.

June 30, 1920 

At a meeting of the chamber of commerce today an agreement signed by 65 business men to operate on daylight savings time beginning at midnight on next Monday was presented. The signers claimed they are going on the new time to obtain uniformity with surrounding cities. 

Looking Back • May 1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

May 1, 1920 

Fire threatened to destroy the College Pharmacy on College Hill early today, causing considerable damage. The fire started in the studding in the second floor and ran up the joists to the roof. One university student occupying a room upstairs was awakened when plaster fell on him. The fire department did good work in saving the building.

May 2, 1920

The Indiana Public Service Commission has granted an increase of rates to the Hebron Telephone Company, effective May 1. A tentative valuation of $21,583 was placed on the property. The new rates will yield a return of 7 per cent on the valuation of the property. The new rates range from $1.50 to $2.00.

May 3, 1920

The Schleman-Morton Company opened for business today in the present William Schleman offices over the Farmers’ State Bank. The company will deal in city property and farm lands. It was recently incorporated by the secretary of state.

May 4, 1920

George W. Wyman was elected president of Immanuel Lutheran Men’s Club at a meeting held in the church assembly room. Other officers named were: John Wheeler, secretary; Chris Bliss, treasurer; Charles Ohlfest and John Sievers, directors; C. F. Specht, Louis Kull and H. E. Sievers, entertainment committee.

May 5, 1920

Hiram Johnson, of California, led the presidential candidates in Porter County’s primary election. The vote was: Johnson, 1,820; General Leonard Wood, 510; Frank Lowden, 232; Warren Harding, 190. The vote on the building of a livestock pavilion at the fair grounds was lost by a vote of 1,599 to 1,529. J. S. Bartholomew, for prosecutor, and William Pennington, for sheriff, were the successful county nominees in the only contests held.

May 6, 1920

Since the first of October the city jail has housed 1,368 wayfarers, according to statistics compiled at city hall police station.

May 7, 1920

Stone for maintenance of Lincoln Highway through Porter County will soon be received here, according to announcement made today. The state department will maintain the highway until the road is hard-surfaced.

May 8, 1920

Washington Township High School won the Porter County track meet held yesterday at the fair grounds with 34.5 points. Wheeler was second with 33, Kouts third with 20.5, Chesterton fourth with 7, and Jackson Center, fifth with 1. Valparaiso High did not compete.

May 9, 1920

The New York-New England and Eastern divisions of the Lewis E. Myers & Company are now in process of incorporation into a single unit with headquarters in New York City. Offices were opened in the Flatiron building May 1. Robert B. Wise and Christopher Ruess will become the executive heads of the business centered in New York.

May 10, 1920

A big truck carrying a load of seven tons of steel crashed through the bridge over Crooked Creek in Washington Township on Wanatah Road yesterday afternoon. The cost of replacing the bridge will be $7,500.

May 11, 1920

W. F. Spooner was elected treasurer of the tenth district democratic central committee at a meeting held in Rensselaer. Edward Simon, of Hammond, was elected chairman.

May 12, 1920

Captain Walter Hiltpold, Werner Hiltpold, Roy Stansell, John Fabing, and Carroll Sievers, of this year’s VHS basketball team, were awarded sweaters at the annual presentation at the high school. V letters were given to Earl Scott, captain-elect; Charles Coyer, Arthur Mains, and Lowell Dowdell, and monograms to Tom and Bartlett Marimon, Otis Sanford, and Kenneth Lawrence.

May 13, 1920

The several carloads of sugar that have been in the Grand Trunk yards for the past month, were sent to the Corn Products Company at Granite City, Ill. The sugar on the tracks here ranged from four to twenty cars. It had been sold and consigned to many persons, each time showing a profit. Valparaiso stores which tried to buy some of it were unable to make a deal. The sugar was bought at twelve cents and thirty cents was asked a pound.

May 14, 1920

The Phoenix Club of Valparaiso is endeavoring to bring Ted Lewis and his jazz band to this city to play for a dance to be given by the club in the near future. Lewis and his band are headliners in the Greenwich Village Follies now playing at the Studebaker in Chicago.

May 15, 1920

The Valparaiso City Council last night was deadlocked on the proposition of buying two new auto fire trucks. Aldermen George F. Beach, J. R. Pagin, and J. W. DeWitt voted to buy the trucks, but Alderman A. J. Worstell, Z. J. McMahan, and Louis Gast voted no. Mayor Sisson cast the deciding vote against the purchase on the grounds that be believed purchase of the equipment was up to the council. The council is desirous of buying the equipment but are unable to agree on the kind. Some want to buy one big truck, others one big and one small, and others two of the same size.

May 16, 1920

Last evening teachers of the Gardner School gave a farewell party to Miss Margaret Cameron Beer at the home of Miss Clara Crosby. Miss Beer has been principal at Gardner for the last ten years. A musical program was given by Miss Adeline Amstutz, accompanied by her sister, Mrs. H. R. Roberts. Mrs. C. W. Boucher presented Miss Beer with a beautiful pocketbook.

Boone Grove defeated the Valparaiso Penslars at Boone Grove yesterday 2 to 0. Maloney pitched for Boone Grove and Pettsner for Valparaiso. Both Boone Grove runs were result of errors.

May 17, 1920

A branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom may be organized in Valparaiso, as a result of an address here yesterday by David O’Connor, Irish Sinn Fein editor. The meeting was held in Community Hall on Indiana Avenue. Rev. E. J. Mungovan presided. P. T. O’Sullivan of South Chicago, spoke briefly and introduced Mr. O’Connor.

May 18, 1920

Bert Annis, former manager of the South Bend and Grand Rapids baseball teams, and Mrs. Katherine McFannon, both of South Bend were killed when their automobile truck was struck by a Pennsylvania train near Louck’s Crossing. A $2,000 bank draft and diamonds valued at $8,000 were found on Annis. South Bend advises were that Annis left South Bend with $13,000. Local authorities are investigating.

May 19, 1920

The Porter County Council at a meeting today appropriated the sum of $28,450 of which all was for new bridges in the county, with exception of $100 for repair of the fair grounds fence. Two bridges, one over the Reeves ditch, and one on the Wanatah Road, east of Valparaiso, were wrecked recently by automobile trucks going through them.

May 20, 1920

Charles Wark was elected chairman of the newly organized merchant section of the Chamber at a get-to-gether smoker and gathering held last night. The new section will meet again Friday to outline a program of work.

Edgar D. Crumpacker, former congressman from the Tenth District, and former judge of the Indiana Appellate Court, died last night at his home in this city. He had been in failing health for some time. He retired from congress on March 4, 1913, after serving nine terms.

May 21, 1920

At a meeting of the merchants’ branch of the chamber of commerce last night it was voted to close Thursday afternoons during the months of June, July, and August. Holding of a July Fourth celebration was also discussed.

May 22, 1920

Much of the corn that was killed in Porter County several weeks ago has been replanted and conditions for a bumper crop are said to be excellent, according to reports received here by County Agent S. B. Sink.

May 23, 1920

John M. Tennery will address the republican women at a meeting in the home of Mrs. C. A. Nixon. He will talk on “Workings of the State Convention.” Several other talks will be made on various topics.

May 24, 1920

A class of 13 was confirmed in a beautiful and impressive service held at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. C. W. Baer preached the sermon. The church was well filled. The class comprised: Huldah Wiemuth, Margaret Erler, Luella Goodrich, Flora Baer, Bernice Ahlgrim, Laura Nehring, Geneva Lutz, Bertha Fritz, Helen Dinse, Dorothy Kindt, Ernest Barneko, Paul Domke, and Vernon Dinse.

May 25, 1920

Valparaiso’s Chamber drafted plans for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration. The entire county will be asked to join. A big parade will be a feature. Fireworks and a band concert will be other attractions.

May 26, 1920

Three years ago today (1917) the fatal and destructive cyclone hit the south part of Porter County, wrecking buildings and doing much damage to property in Kouts and Hebron, and surrounding territory.

May 27, 1920

Governor W. L. Harding of Iowa was the speaker at the annual commencement exercises of Valparaiso University held in Elocution Hall this morning. Two degrees were conferred by President Henry Kinsey Brown on Daniel R. Hogsdon for services in the educational world and accomplishments in authorship, and to Frank B. Morten for services in engineering and science.

May 28, 1920

Sheridan Beach, at Flint Lake, will begin its season’s activities tomorrow with fine prospects. Cottages at the lake have been in great demand, according to S. Freund, proprietor at Sheridan Beach. The demand has been greater this year for cottages than ever before, resort owners state.

May 29, 1920

The Valparaiso City Council last night purchased a new Service fire truck, manufactured at Wabash, Ind., at a price of $6,372.25.

May 30, 1920

Mrs. A. M. McKenzie, age 66 years, mother of Mrs. H. M. Jessee, is in critical condition at Christian Hospital from a bullet wound in the head received while she was sitting in the rear yard at the Jessee home in McIntyre Court. The bullet is believed to have been fired by small boys shooting in the neighborhood at targets.

May 31, 1920

Charles Ohlfest, B. B. Morgan, and Francis Bushore have gone to St. Paul, Minn., to attend the national Holstein cattle sale. They have authority to purchase a Holstein bull for the local association at a price not to exceed $5,000.

Looking Back • April1920

These historical excerpts from one century ago were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

April 1, 1920

Kouts people have raised $349.50 for L. Decrow, Kouts man, whose wife was injured and property destroyed in a cyclone last Sunday. Elba Firebaugh and Henry Glissman were in charge of raising the money.

April 2, 1920

The annual Easter dance of the Phoenix Club which closes the formal social season of the club will be held Tuesday night at Stoner’s Palace. Extensive preparations are being made by Edwin Eiercks and his committee. Cope Harvey’s orchestra of Chicago will furnish the music.

April 3, 1920

Democrats made no effort to file for office in the coming May primary when the time limit expired Saturday. No filings were made by the party for precinct committeemen. 

April 4, 1920

W. F. Lederer, a pioneer music dealer of Valparaiso, is arranging to close out his business. He has accepted a position with the sales department of the Chevrolet automobile company at Flint, Michigan.

April 5, 1920

A forty-mile gale blew into Valparaiso early yesterday, accompanied by a heavy fall of snow which obstructed traffic. Thirteen inches of snow was recorded. Taxicabs and automobiles were stalled in the streets and street car service put out of commission. Despite the storm large crowds attended the Easter services at various churches.

April 6, 1920

Raw furs valued at $5,000 (≈$63,914 in 2020 dollars) were stolen from the Pennsylvania Depot in Hebron. Thieves broke in and escaped, leaving no clue. The furs were a shipment from some distant point to William Alyea, a fur buyer in the Kankakee district.

April 7, 1920

Since March 15, John Gunther, of Valparaiso, has been standing daily from 2 to 6 p. m. at the corner of Sixth and Spring Streets in Los Angeles, Calif., looking for two men who took $15,000 (≈$191,743 in 2020 dollars) of his money in a bunko deal through fake stock speculation. According to Gunther, he met the two men last February. They worked the old game of winning on the stock market and finally told him it would take $15,000 to take down the winnings. Gunther returned to Valparaiso, mortgaged his farm and borrowed $5,000 of his daughter. The money was turned over to the men who reported that the entire investment had been lost. They gave Gunther $100 (≈$1,278) and a ticket to New Orleans. Gunther said he surmised he was a victim of a “skin” game and returned to hunt the fleecers.

April 8, 1920

A special county election to decide the question of building a show and sales barn at the fair grounds will be held on May 4 in conjunction with the primary election. The county commissioners at a meeting yesterday resolved on this plan.

April 9, 1920

Chicago truck drivers were arrested here today upon orders of County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe, charged with carrying overloads on county highways. They were fined in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court.

April 10, 1920

The banquet in honor of the Valparaiso High School basketball team was held last night in the M. E. church. Sixty persons attended, including the high school faculty, school board, first and second teams, and friends. Ralph E. Schenck, coach, acted as toastmaster. Talks were made by Dr. J. M. Gelston, Miss Juva Higbee, Captain Walter Hiltpold, Professor H. M. Jessee, Professor G. W. Neet, Miss Olie Welty, John Fabing, Professor C. O. Pauley, Miss Madeline Ashton, Captain-elect Earl Scott, Otis Sanford, captain of the second team, Harry R. Ball, Dr. George Keogan, coach at Valparaiso University, and Superintendent C. W. Boucher.

April 11, 1920

The City of Valparaiso is now in control of Kirchoff Park, left in the will of Fred Kirchoff. In addition to two acres of ground, east of the city, a $10,000 (≈$127,829 in 2020 dollars) cash fund is available.

April 12, 1920

Rev. J. H. O. Smith, formerly pastor of the Christian Church here, reported killed in a rail and automobile accident at Wills Point, Texas, is alive and well. Mrs. H. B. Brown received a telegram last night which reported Rev. Mr. Smith as well and happy. The fatal accident was to another man named Smith.

April 13, 1920

Cases of the Tolleston bank bandits charged with slaying of Herman Uecker, cashier, have been venued here from Lake County criminal court. Four of the gang pled guilty and received death sentences from Judge Martin Smith but their sentences were reversed by the supreme court and new trials ordered. They will be tried before Judge Harry L. Crumpacker in the Porter Superior Court.

April 14, 1920

Porter County farm areas are soon to be inspected by Frank N. Wallace, state entomologist, for signs of the Australian “take-all” disease. Drastic measures were taken last year to curb the disease which attacks wheat, rye, oats, and grasses.

April 15, 1920

Owing to the inability to secure print paper, New York City newspapers are appearing in four page issues. The South Bend Tribune has published a four page paper and reports everywhere are that newspapers are radically reduced in size. Valparaiso newspapers are still printing four pages.

April 16, 1920

C. W. Bartholomew has purchased the Mrs. J. W. McLellan building on Washington Street now occupied by S. C. Billings, the baker. He will remodel it into a funeral home. Mr. Bartholomew will move into the new location as soon as the changes have been completed.

April 17, 1920

The Women’s Relief Corps (W. R. C.) observed Arbor Day today by planting two elm trees on the public library lawn. The event was in honor of the Grand Army of the Republic and the W. R. C. Miss Josephine Frazier, president of the W. R. C., acted as chairman. Mrs. Mary F. Stiles, past department patriotic instructor, made the address. W. E. Pinney, chairman of the library board, accepted the trees and said it was fitting they were planted on the lot once the homestead of Chaplain Brown, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the Civil War. Mrs. Anna Rose suggested the planting of the trees.

April 18, 1920

The Grand Trunk Railroad embargo on freight has been lifted from this city to Chicago and also to South Bend. Freight is accepted for these places in less than carload lots.

April 19, 1920

Flint Lake is rising due to recent rains. The lake today was within one and one-half feet of the highest point last season, and is steadily rising. Yesterday up until 6 p.m. a total of .81 of an inch of water fell. Friday the total was 1.26 inches, and on Friday and Saturday the total was .36 of an inch.

April 20, 1920

O. A. Jomers, department commander of the Indiana Grand Army of the Republic, announced the appointment of Nelson J. Bozarth, of Valparaiso, as additional aid to his staff.

April 21, 1920

Notices were received here today from Chicago that application would be filed this week in the U. S. District Court at Chicago by Rand-McNally & Company and other creditors for appointment of a receiver for the Home Herald Company of Chicago, formerly of Valparaiso. The company has a number of creditors in Valparaiso.

April 22, 1920

Valparaiso University baseball team swamped Armour Institute of Chicago at Brown Field yesterday. The score was 12 to 2. Several persons were injured when a temporary bleacher holding 150 collapsed. The spectators were thrown into a mud puddle.

Sheriff W. B. Forney submitted to an operation for appendicitis last evening at Christian hospital. Following the operation he rallied nicely and is well started on the road to recovery. Ex-Sheriff W. S. Lindall is assisting at the sheriff’s office during Forney’s illness.

April 23, 1920

The Holstein Breeders’ Association held a meeting yesterday afternoon and decided to obtain the cooperation of local bankers in expending $1,500 for calves for the boys’ calf club. A resolution was passed that all persons selling animals for breeding purposes have them t. b. tested. It was announced that the fall sale would be held October 15 and in case the state sale is brought here that Porter and Lake Counties will unite and hold a joint sale in Lake County.

April 24, 1920

R. Scott, age 66, for eight years in the British Army, several of which were spent in India, died early today at the county infirmary, of cancer. He came here from Chesterton. Scott had many medals to show for his service in the army.

April 25, 1920

The Schleman-Morton Company filed incorporation papers in the county recorder’s office here today with a capital stock of $50,000. William Schleman is president; F. W. Morton, secretary, and A. R. Hardesty, treasurer. The company will have offices in the Farmers’ State Bank building (SW corner of Lincolnway and Washington) until lease of the LaForce Shoe Store (East Lincolnway) expires.

April 26, 1920

Porter Circuit and Superior Court terms were begun today. The Tolleston bank murder cases against four bandits was set down for trial in Superior Court on May 13.

April 27, 1920

Porter County Council of Boy Scouts was organized here last night at a meeting attended by representatives from every part of the county. J. F. Horton, of Chicago, field representative, spoke. C. M. Lish, was named chairman; Jay T. Buchanan, of Hebron, vice-chairman; M. A. Gregory, secretary, and A. A. Hughart, treasurer.

April 28, 1920

Valparaiso is facing a gas shortage due to the railroad switchman’s strike. Local coal dealers are without coal. Water gas is now being made from coke. Manager R. J. Cory said the present supply of coke would last 10 days. Local citizens have been asked to conserve as much as possible the use of gas to tide over the situation.

April 29, 1920

General Leonard Wood, republican candidate for President of the United States, visited Valparaiso today and spoke before a crowd of several thousand at University Auditorium. In his talk, General Wood favored a big navy, a standing army of 250,000 or more men, deportation of all reds, naturalization of foreigners, and opposition against the League of Nations.

April 30, 1920

The field and track meet of the Porter County schools will be held at the fair grounds on May 7. The chamber has promised $60 toward financing the project. Local business men have agreed to donate awards. The various schools are training hard for the big event. Schools taking part are Chesterton, Kouts, Wheeler, Boone Grove, Liberty Center, Union Center, and Washington.