Looking Back • September 1921

September 1, 1921

An American Legion post has been organized at Wanatah by the Michigan City Post. Julius Richmond as commander; Frank Gruse, vice-commander; William Smith, treasurer; and Kenneth Reed, sergeant-at-arms.

September 2, 1921

Rev. John W. Newsom and son, Jack, will leave this evening for Rexford, Kansas, where Rev. Newsom will assume charge of the Union Community Church. Rev. Newsom and family have resided in Valparaiso for seven years and he has been pastor of the Baptist church for the greater part of the time.

September 3, 1921

The Premier Theatre being built by Shauer and Sons is nearing completion. Contractor Charles Lembke stated today that he is far ahead of the schedule. He said the building will be ready by November 1.

The Indiana State Highway Commission has rejected bids for the construction of an arch over Salt Creek, west of Valparaiso, on the Lincoln Highway. It will be re-advertised for next year.

September 4, 1921

Dewey Kelly, of Cambridge City, Ind., has arrived here to resume his studies at Valparaiso University. He will be associated with Frank B. Parks’ law office in the practice of law.

Miss Jeanette Finney, of Valparaiso, has just received a signal honor by being elected by the Tri Kappa chapters of Indiana for a year’s scholarship at Indiana University. She will take up her work at Indiana University the latter part of the week.

September 5, 1921

Attorneys attending the local court openings yesterday viewed for the first time the new court library in the court house. The large room, 23x37 feet, presents an imposing appearance. The new library was enlarged by the addition of the superior court chambers and the hallway between the library and superior court room. The circuit court chambers were taken over by the superior court and the stenographer’s room will be used by the circuit court judge for his chambers.

September 6, 1921

The Valparaiso High School enrollment is now 313, an increase over last year. At christmas time between 40 and 50 more students will enter, making the school rather congested. A total of 1,280 children are enrolled in the Valparaiso City Schools.

September 7, 1921

Labor Day

September 8, 1921

The Porter County Commissioners yesterday rescinded the contract awarded sometime ago to Flynn & Small, of LaPorte, for the construction of the Barnard Road in Jackson Township. The commissioners set aside the report of the viewers and engineer and referred the road back to the engineer and viewers for a less expensive road. The state tax board last week denied the petition for the issuance of $83,000 in bonds for the construction of the road.

The West Side Business Men of Kouts were hosts last evening at a chicken dinner and dance to LaCrosse merchants as a penalty for losing a baseball game two weeks ago. The Kouts merchants proved royal entertainers. The East Side Kouts Business Men will play the LaCrosse merchants next Thursday afternoon.

September 9, 1921

A charter has been received here by the local organization of Disabled American Veterans of the World War (DAVWW). Ten men, students at Valparaiso University, make up the charter list. As soon as the term at Valparaiso University commences, efforts will be made to increase the membership. Sam Houston, of the university, is state commander of the DAVWW. He was largely instrumental in getting the local post formed. Only two other posts have been formed in the state, Indianapolis and Evansville.

Pine Township, which has been the only township in Porter County without a subdivision, is now to have one. It will be called Ardendale. The tract is to be sold to persons who desire small tracts to raise garden truck (vegetables raised for market) and chickens.

September 10, 1921

The contract for erection of the New Horn building has just been awarded to Smith & Smiths Company and actual construction work will begin the forepart of the week, as the excavations are all about completed. The new building will be used for the meat market. On the second floor will be two modern flats.

September 11, 1921

Miss Margery Ellis left yesterday for a week’s visit in Washington, D. C., and New York City, after which she will sail for France for a year’s study in a girl’s Lycee at St. German, fourteen miles from Paris. Miss Ellis was awarded an exchange scholarship by the Institute of International Education while a senior at the University of Chicago.

Lombard, Kalamazoo, St. Xavier, and South Dakota have been signed for football games the coming season by Coach Harold Goheen, of Valparaiso University. Other colleges are negotiating for games with the local school.

September 12, 1921

Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, former pastor of the Methodist church here, and his wife, have decided to make Valparaiso their home. They arrived in the city yesterday and concluded the deal for the purchase of a residence. Rev. Bassett was succeeded here by the Rev. Thomas F. Williams. Since leaving here he has held pastorates at Monticello and Hammond. He owns a farming property near Wanatah.

The sale of a $300,000 bond issue of Valparaiso University is expected to get under way by next week. The bonds are a first mortgage against the school property valued at more than a million dollars.

September 13, 1921

Clyde Stratton, prison breaker, who served five years in federal prison at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for a post office robbery at McCool, was released Monday. He was taken in charge by officers from the Ohio State Penitentiary to serve an unexpired term.

September 14, 1921

Jack Burt, formerly of Valparaiso, has returned here after a stay at Atlanta, Ga., where he was connected with the Atlanta Realty Company. He has become associated with Paul E. Marks, local builder. Mr. Burt was formerly connected with the McFetrich Lumber Company and Foster Lumber and Coal Company.

September 15, 1921

George T. Pearce, former county surveyor, who has been superintendent of construction of the Crown Point district, comprising the counties of Lake, Porter, and Jasper, for the Indiana State Highway Commission has resigned his position because of ill health. R.W. Lytle has been appointed to fill Mr. Pearce’s place temporarily.

High schools of Porter County show increased attendance for 1921, according to reports received by Superintendent Fred H. Cole. Chesterton has 109, a gain of 29. Hebron has 91, a big increase. Valparaiso has 313, an increase of 40 percent. This year, the county attendance curve is expected to show a trend upward.

September 16, 1921

The Rainbow Restaurant on College Hill, owned by Tom, Gus, and James Pappas and Mike Lambrox, was sold today to Gus Pappas, George C. Scooffakes, and John G. Pappadak.

At a meeting of the Portage Township Farming Association last evening at the home of J. S. Robbins, a resolution was adopted favoring the establishment of a milk skimming station near Chesterton.

September 17, 1921

Rolla and Arthur Specht, of Valparaiso, will establish a truck line between Valparaiso and Chicago to haul all kinds of freight. A light truck will begin making trips Monday, and later will be supplemented by a larger truck. The truck will leave here each day at 6 o’clock in the morning and return at 5:30 o’clock in the afternoon. Stops will be made at Gary and Hobart.

A large number of farmers of Porter County have filed their applications with County Agent A. Z. Arehart for the tuberculin testing of their cattle, and many others are contemplating doing so. To date, fourteen herd owners have filed applications.

September 18, 1921

The Valparaiso Tennis Club defeated the Rensselaer Tennis Club in a series of games staged yesterday at the university tennis grounds. Two double and four single matches were played. Valparaiso made a clean sweep of the contests with the exception of one of the singles.

Boone Grove lost yesterday to the Valparaiso Athletics, 3 to 2. Davidson pitched for the Athletics and although he allowed eleven hits, he permitted only two runs. Valparaiso made five hits off Jerry Maloney, but they came at the right times. Maloney struck out twelve batters.

September 19, 1921

Voluntary subscriptions to $300,000 bond issue of Valparaiso University, amounting to $17,700, have been made, the committee in charge announced today. The next week will be devoted to an intensive soliciting campaign.

Ten men of Valparaiso University met Monday night to open a chapter of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War and elected officers as follows: L. T. Maudlin, commander; Howard M. Wright, vice-commander; Harry E. Hulce, secretary; Chester Cannon, treasurer. Sam Houston, of the local post, is state commander.

September 20, 1921

Louis Holland and Ernest McBride, for several years students at Valparaiso University, who walked from Valparaiso to Washington, D.C., have arrived there and will enter George Washington University Law School. The whole trip cost the men $5 and took 20 days to complete. George Stimpson, member of university law class last year and author of “History of Valparaiso University,” will also attend Georgetown. The trio were central figures in the rebellion resulting in the ouster of Daniel Russel Hodgdon as president of the local school.

September 21, 1921

W. E. Wansbrough, of Valparaiso, who has been a salesman for the Texaco Oil Company with headquarters in Chicago has been promoted to district manager of the company with headquarters at Kansas City. Mr. Wansbrough will continue to make Valparaiso his home.

September 22, 1921

Joseph Cuncinella, Gary soft drink proprietor, was found shot to death this morning near Willow Creek, Portage Township. He was slumped behind the wheel of a Hudson super-six. Five bullet holes were found in his head. The body was brought to the Stinchfield Fehrman Funeral Home in Valparaiso.

A movement is on foot to change the routing of the National Dunes Highway. A. F. Knotts and John Bowers are backing the plan. The new routing will eliminate five railroad crossings.

September 23, 1921

Indiana has the honor of sending the oldest delegate to the mammoth convention of Odd Fellows in session at Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Telegram contains a picture and article about Col. Herman Hagen, of Valparaiso, staff officer, who is the oldest man attending the convention. He is 80 years of age and has been an Odd Fellow for 45 years.

An arrangement between officials of Valparaiso University and the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce will result in the establishment of a tourist camp site for 1922 that will meet all the requirements for taking care of a large number of tourists adjacent to Yellowstone Trail and Lincoln Highway. The ground has been donated by the university and the chamber of commerce will install the proper equipment. The site has been listed with the Chicago Motor Club for 1922.

September 24, 1921

The Franck Manufacturing Company of Kouts has filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state. The concern is capitalization for $8,000. The incorporators are A. A. Franck, George lan, Mrs. A. A. Franck, Charles H. Cannon, and Della M. Cannon, all of Kouts. The company manufactures house aprons, dresses, men’s shorts and children’s dresses and ladies’ hats.

Superintendent of Schools Fred H. Cole is in receipt of a letter from S. B. Sinclair, inspector of auxiliary class, department of education, Toronto, Canada, asking for information regarding the education of sub-normal or defective children in rural schools. Superintendent Cole will make an address at Indianapolis next month on “The Personal Equation as a Factor in Rural Education.” The Valparaiso man is receiving much recognition in educational circles in this line of work in which he has specialized for a number of years.

September 25, 1921

Despite efforts of Sheriff William Pennington and local police, the murderers of Joe Cuncinella of Gary, killed Thursday in Portage Township, are still at large. Several clues followed up by the officers failed to produce anything in the way of apprehending the killer. Officers are of the opinion that Cuncinella was killed by a Black Hand gang.

Miss Katheryn Anderson, deputy treasurer of Porter County, will be a candidate for county treasurer at the next primary election on the Republican ticket. For the last two years she has been deputy treasurer under Treasurer J. G. Graessle. She formerly taught in the Center Township schools and during the World War was in the War Risk Department in Washington.

September 26, 1921

Emerson High, of Gary, defeated Valparaiso High 19 to 0 Saturday in the first game of the season. Rain fell throughout, making the field a quagmire. Sturtridge and Monhardt, of Gary, and Fred LePell, Earl Scott and Lembke, for Valpo, were the stars.

An old time house, known as the Crow’s Nest, in Jackson Township, burned to the ground last night. The origin of the blaze is unknown. The building was one of the old landmarks of the township. For a number of years it had not been used for living quarters. It was believed moonshiners plied their art there.

September 27, 1921

Two men Monday afternoon attempted to burn the Carver School in Pine Township. Miss Katherine Maxwell, of Valparaiso, is the teacher. Shortly after she dismissed the pupils the men entered the building and ordered her to leave. Miss Maxwell left and notified Henry Glafcke, where she stays. He and others went to the school and found the building on fire. The flames were extinguished after hard work, but extensive repairs will be necessary.

September 28, 1921

The Valparaiso Lodge of Elks is considering the purchase of the Dr. J. R. Pagin property at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets in downtown Valparaiso. The matter will come up at a meeting Thursday night.

September 29, 1921

Mae R. London, deputy county clerk, was admitted to the Porter County Bar this morning by Judge H. L. Crumpacker in Porter Superior Court. A committee composed of Grant Crumpacker, Mark B. Rockwell and J. S. Bartholomew examined Mrs. London upon her qualifications as to the law and she passed favorably.

Mark L. Dickover returned home this morning from Boston, Mass., where he attended a meeting of 33rd Degree Masons.

September 30, 1921

At a meeting of the Valparaiso Lodge of Elks last evening, a motion was made and carried that a committee of the lodge, consisting of Frank L. Faley, W. S. Lindall and Charles H. Stinchfield, be empowered to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the Dr. J. R. Pagin property at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. The vote on the purchase of the property was seventy-one for and thirty-two against it. It is said the consideration is to be around $30,000. The lodge will retain its property on West Lincolnway.

W. A. Stimson, who has been conducting an auto sales agency in the Sievers’ building at 113-117 Lincolnway in Valparaiso, today, sold the lease on the building to the Harvil Brothers, dealers in Dodge autos. The Harvil Brothers will move their sales room at 151 West Lincolnway to the new location. Mr. Stimson will still retain the Studebaker sales agency.

Looking Back • August 1921

August 1, 1921

Ray Kenworthy of Porter Township, was named county attendance officer at a meeting of the county board of education this afternoon at the office of Superintendent Fred H. Cole. He is a World War veteran. The office pays a salary of $1,200 per year ($18,214.26 in 2021).

J. W. Brummitt and Glen J. Goddard, local real estate men, have consummated a big deal for Chicago and Knox parties. The total value of the property figuring in the deal involved $170,000 ($2,580,353.07 in 2021), and consisted of 157 acres of Porter County land, near Beatrice; 200 acres near Amber, Ind.; 640 acres near Francesville, and a hardware store near Amboy, Ind.

August 2, 1921

The Hour Committee has been appointed by the president of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce to expand the membership of the chamber. It consists of twenty men who are pledged to give one hour’s work to the chamber each month.

August 3, 1921

Earl Goheen, graduate of the Valparaiso University law school, and left tackle on the football team for two years, has been appointed athletic director of Valparaiso University for the coming year. No provision has yet been made for forming an athletic association, but this is expected to be done at the opening of the fall term.

August 4, 1921

The Town of Kouts will soon have electric lights. The poles are all in from Hebron where the town will receive current. Stringing of wires will be commenced the first of the week, and it is expected current will be available the latter part of the month. The Main Street of Kouts will be lighted with ornamental lights.

The Porter County Commissioners yesterday ruled in favor of the town of Chesterton on its amended petition for annexation of land to the town. The original petition filed sometime ago called for annexation of a large amount of acreage. Before the annexation, Chesterton had 5,000 lots or considerably more than Valparaiso. A large amount of land was cut out in the amended petition.

August 5, 1921

Lieutenant Arthur T. Johnson, Chesterton aviator, shot down during the St. Mihiel Drive, September 12, 1918, will be buried from the Augsburg Lutheran Church at Porter Sunday afternoon with the American Legion in charge. Johnson was born north of Chesterton on March 21, 1896. He graduated from St. Augustana College at Rock Island, Ill.

Although the Porter wreck in which thirty-seven persons lost their lives occurred on February 27 last, Coroner H. O. Seipel is still receiving inquiries from people over the country asking about relatives believed killed in the wreck. Two inquiries were received this week from Los Angeles and New Orleans.

August 6, 1921

A remonstrance signed by fifty-five farmers of Jackson Township was filed with County Auditor B. H. Kinne yesterday against the bond issue in the Barnard Road in Jackson Township. The contract was recently let to Flynn and Small, of Laporte, for $83,625 ($1,269,290.85 in 2021), or at the rate of $30,000 ($455,356.42 in 2021) per mile for penetration asphalt. The objectors declare the price is exorbitant.

Yesterday a deal was consummated by the O. C. Fredericks Agency whereby Harold J. Schenck traded his property on Linwood Avenue under lease to the Phi Delta Psi fraternity of Valparaiso University to S. C. Wilson for a farm property three miles east of Westville.

August 7, 1921

Captain John F. Zajicek, of the United States Army, who was a major in the World War, has written friends here of his transfer from Washington, D. C., to the Philippine Islands. Captain Zajicek graduated from the engineering department of Valparaiso University and lived here before entering service.

A number of Valparaiso young men have formed an athletic club and have obtained rooms over the Szold Department Store on East Lincolnway. Gymnasium equipment has been installed for use of the members.

August 8, 1921

Mrs. Minnie Robinson, of Valparaiso, widow of Harvey W. Robinson, Civil War veteran, has obtained a pension after seventeen years of waiting. Due to inaccurate data furnished, the pension department was unable to act.

Miss Anna Mohnssen, of the county agent’s office has been notified of her appointment to a home economics course at the state fair at Indianapolis. Miss Mohnssen’s appointment has been confirmed by State Senator Thomas Grant, of Lowell, president of the Indiana Agriculture board. The Porter County Farming Association is sending Miss Mohnssen to the school as a reward for her efficiency.

August 9, 1921

Valparaiso University will push the half-million endowment for the institution. The fund now amounts to $200,000 ($3,035,709.50 in 2021) in cash and pledges. The work of raising additional money will be pushed forward by the school through the committee composed of the faculty. No attempt will be made to commercialize it, according to Dr. G. H. Stoner, a trustee of the university, said at a talk given at chapel exercises this morning. O. P. Kinsey also gave a talk.

August 10, 1921

Everything is coming earlier this year. The same applies to auction sales, according to Colonel George Wyman, veteran auctioneer. Mr. Wyman has eight sales booked for August and September. Many families are becoming disgusted with the poor return and are anxious to sell. Mr. Wyman believes the number of sales this fall will eclipse any year.

August 11, 1921

Porter County is one of the few counties in the state not to feel the horizontal increase order of the state tax board. Porter’s assessment is that property assessments increased by $6,540,490 ($99,275,139.05 in 2021), an increase of 5.8% over last year.

Rev. John W. Newsom and family will leave the latter part of the month for Rexford, Kansas, where Mr. Newsom will take a position with the Rexford Chamber of Commerce. His activities will be confined to the religious field. The town has two churches, the M. E. and Christian, but no pastor. Rev. Newsom spent several months in Rexford last year and was asked to return.

August 12, 1921

Roscoe Pool, of Wheatfield, formerly of Valparaiso, has sold his 180-acre farm north of Wheatfield to William Brandt, residing east of Sheridan Beach, Flint Lake. Mr. Pool took, in part, payment of eighty acres of land owned by Mr. Brandt near Flint Lake. The deal involved a total of $42,000 ($637,498.99 in 2021).

The Indiana Sanitary Engineering Association will establish a school for the training of students at Valparaiso University. An agreement has been entered between the trustees of the university and officials of the state sanitary engineering association where a school will be opened in September. The association will send an instructor here to take charge of the work and will guarantee a starting attendance of thirty students. The two campus buildings will be remodeled by the school.

August 13, 1921

A referendum vote by members of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce of two propositions was as follows: For $1,200 ($18,214.26 in 2021) appropriation for city band, 72 for, 68 against; to permit street carnivals, for 34, against 106. Out of 496 ballots sent out, only 142 were returned.

The Inland Steel Company will soon begin the survey of its 640-acre tract of land in Portage Township. A large gang of surveyors will go over the property to establish boundaries of the area. The land to be surveyed fronts on the lake for nearly a mile and includes acreage around Lake Longius. Title to land around this lake has been in dispute for a number of years.

August 14, 1921

County Clerk Roscoe C. Jones left this afternoon for Indianapolis where he will receive the ballots from the secretary of state for the special election to be held on September 6, when the constitutional amendments will be voted upon.

Today R. C. Breth, manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, left for Madison, Wis., where he will attend the summer school of Community of Wisconsin. He will be absent until September 1. The chamber will be in the charge of Miss Irene Thompason, office secretary.

August 15, 1921

Fred H. Cole, county superintendent of schools, was recently elected for a new term of four years, began his new term today. Mr. Cole was elected in 1908 to fill the unexpired term of S. C. Ferrell, who took a position with the state superintendent of public instruction.

When he returned Saturday morning from San Francisco, Calif., where he went to attend the International Convention of Knights of Columbus, Rev. Father E. J. Mungovan, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, was presented with a new Buick Touring Car by the parishioners of the church.

August 16, 1921

E. F. Rainier has resigned his position as instructor at the Dodge Institute of Telegraphy, and with his family, will leave Nov. 1 for Los Angeles, Calif., to reside. The change is being made for the benefit of Mrs. Rainier’s health.

August 17, 1921

Lewis E. Myers was elected president; H. R. Ball, vice-president; T. L. Applegate, treasurer, and Edmund J. Freund, secretary, of the Valparaiso Hotel Company at a meeting of the stockholders at the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce rooms last night. About fifty persons, representing seventy percent of the membership, attended the meeting.

August 18, 1921

About 10,000 ballots will arrive here today or tomorrow from Indianapolis for the special election to be held September 6 when amendments to the state constitution will be voted upon. Three boxes will be received containing 9,820 ballots made up as follows: Voters in thirty-eight precincts, 7,670; absent voters, 150; reserve, 2,000.

Farmers in Porter County are coming to realize the value of alfalfa as a crop and this year more land is being planted with the crop. The assessors’ books this spring gave the county 922 acres, but it is estimated the amount is closer to 1,200 acres.

August 19, 1921

While enroute to the Farmers State Bank on Wednesday, A. A. Williams, vice-president of Valparaiso University, was robbed of $539 ($8,181.24 in 2021). Mr. Williams was carrying the money in a sack and was stopped by several students enroute. When he arrived at the bank the money was missing. Mr. Williams made good on the loss.

Word has been received here by Attorney Owen Crumpacker announcing the appointment of Walter H. Evans, formerly of Valparaiso, by the governor of Oregon, to a vacancy in the office of judge of the circuit court of Multnomah County, Oregon, in which Portland is located. Mr. Evans was re-elected district attorney of Multnomah County at the last fall election. He is a brother of Dr. H. M. Evans, and married a daughter of Erasmus Ball, of Valparaiso.

August 20, 1921

Boone Grove was defeated by Hamlet on Sunday, 5 to 4, in twelve innings. Boone Grove scored a run in the twelfth, but Hamlet pushed across two by the aid of errors. Maloney pitched a fine game for Boone Grove and deserved to win.

W. C. Sergeant, special policeman on College Hill, equipped with a motorcycle, Saturday arrested six speeders on West Lincolnway. All were fined in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court. Sergeant was to have worked Sunday, but his motorcycle refused to work and speeders escaped as a result.

August 21, 1921

A. E. Starr has taken a position at the Longshore and McMahan Grocery Store during the absence of F. L. Longshore, who is on a vacation. Clerking at the Longshore and McMahan store brought back recollections to Mr. Starr that he worked in the same building for Frank Hunt from 1866 to 1878 and later from 1911 to 1920 for Fred Joel.

Dr. Charles Gregory, of the plant disease department of Purdue University, will come to Porter County Thursday to demonstrate the hot weather method of treating wheat for disease and also to inspect seed potato fields using certified seed. Charles Keoppen, of Union Township, has had extra good success with certified seed.

August 22, 1921

An educational campaign to acquaint local citizens with what is manufactured in Valparaiso is being planned by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. Newspaper publicity and an industrial exhibit will comprise the campaign. At the present time there are eighteen plants in Valparaiso manufacturing sixteen different lines. It is the intention of the chamber to put the display before the public about September 1.

Last evening at the Rose Room of the Philley Confectionery, a farewell party was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright, who will soon leave for Texas to reside. Fifteen couples were in attendance, and following a banquet, the crowd enjoyed the evening in dancing.

August 23, 1921

Thirty-seven new houses were built in Valparaiso this year, providing housing facilities for forty families. In addition to the new homes there was considerable remodeling.

August 24, 1921

Mrs. W. H. Gardner, wife of William H. Gardner, former president of the Farmers’ State Bank of Valparaiso, has brought suit in Chicago against the brokerage firm of Babcock, Rushton and Company, for $300,000 ($4,553,564.25 in 2021). It is alleged W. H. Gardner, her husband, lost his entire fortune of $138,082.50 ($2,095,891.78 in 2021) in speculation and that the bank passed from his hands when he lost his holdings of capital stock.

August 25, 1921

William M. Sergeant, who has been manager of the Ladies’ Ready-to-Wear Department at Specht-Finney Company, has resigned to take a position with the Landauer Clothing Store at Lincoln, Ill. He will assume his new position on Monday.

E. F. Rainer yesterday sold his residence property at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Institute Street to county treasurer J. G. Graessle. Mr. Rainier and family will leave November 3 for California to reside.

August 26, 1921

In the preliminary handicap shoot, one of the events of the Grand American Handicap held in Chicago yesterday, Dr. Robley D. Blount, of Valparaiso, broke 97 out of 100 targets. The event was won by M. L. Fox of Emery, S. D., with ninety-nine.

A movement has been started by W. A. Briggs, of Crisman, for the staging next year of a celebration in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the settling of Baillytown in 1822. Mr. Briggs has lived in the Baillytown vicinity many years and is interested in the early history of the county. Baillytown was settled by French trader Joseph Bailly. For many years it was an important trading post and gathering place for holding religious rites.

August 27, 1921

Dr. R. S. McElwee, of Washington, D. C., was speaker last night at the forum meeting of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. He spoke on the subject, “Bringing Ocean Ships to the Heart of America.” The speaker during the war had charge of much navigation for the government.

H. V. Deopker, of Kouts, yesterday purchased the Maxwell Implement Company and a stock of merchandise at Hamlet, Ind., of which he gave in trade an 80 acre farm in Morgan Township and town property in Kouts. He also purchased the Edward W. Trowell general store at Mill Creek, LaPorte County.

August 28, 1921

An Indian mound on the Charles LaCount farm in Morgan Township, excavated by the LaCount Brothers, has given up four skeletons believed to be Indians. The bones crumbled upon being exposed to the air, but the teeth were well preserved. The skeletons are large in stature. Tomahawks, pottery, and pipes were found near the bodies. The mound is twenty feet high and seventy-five feet across. The earth comprising the mound is clay texture, and proof against weathering. There are three other mounds on the LaCount Farm.

The Valparaiso Plumbing Company, owned by Lyman Dean and Sons, is moving to the Fitzwilliam building on West Lincolnway, recently purchased by the company. For thirty years the company has been located in the basement under the Meagher Drug Store.

August 29, 1921

Horn Brothers’ Quality Meat Market will have a new home. Work was commenced today by Cash Jones on the excavation of the lot just east of the present Horn building on Lincolnway for a new building. It is planned to have the building ready by December 1. It will be two stories.

Cottagers at Summitt, between Flint and Long Lakes, will have a water supply. J. D. Price, owner of many lots in the addition between Long and Flint has erected a building for housing the biler and pumping station with a pressure capacity of 1,800 gallons. It will supply 75 homes.

August 30, 1921

An American Legion post, to be known as Valparaiso University Training Post, will be established by federal vocational members attending the local school. A number of men attending the university obtained the services of Edmund J. Freund, officer of Valparaiso’s Charles Pratt Post, and through his efforts the necessary papers were sent here for establishing the post. Between 400 and 500 men are attending the local school.

August 31, 1921

The A. N. Worstell Real Estate Agency yesterday negotiated a big farm deal in which Valparaiso City Councilman A. J. Worstell sold his farm of 175 acres in Porter Township to John Rhoda, of near Flint Lake. Mr. Worstell took, in part payment, the Lake View Farm of thirty-four acres owned by Mr. Rhoda. The deal involved $45,000 ($683,034.64 in 2021).

Looking Back • July 1921

July 1, 1921

Special services were held at Valparaiso University yesterday in honor of Professor O. P. Kinsey, former president of the school. Mrs. O. E. Weaver, here on a visit, sang. Professor Kinsey spoke and reviewed the policies of the institution and how it grew into a mighty factor for education by inculcating in the minds of the students a desire for hard work and devotion to study.

The Pennsylvania Western Veterans’ Association of the Pennsylvania Railroad will hold its annual outing in Valparaiso this year. The date will probably be set for some time in September. Between 200 and 250 veterans are expected to attend.

July 2, 1921

Farmers of Pleasant and Boone Townships, Porter County, have started a movement for the restoration of the Kankakee River to its old location. A number of years ago the old river bed was forsaken and its waters diverted to the Marble Ditch. The farmers contend this agricultural move has been a failure and the ground is now worthless. Standing timber is dying as a result. Senator Harry New has been asked to assist and a government agent will probably visit the region. It is the plan of the farmers to restore the section for hunting and fishing.

The Wheeler-Lunbeck Company of Valparaiso today incorporated with the secretary of state at Indianapolis with a capitalization of $25,000 ($375,970.67 in 2021). Roy Wheeler is president; L. T. Applegate, secretary; Frank Lunbeck, treasurer; Leon Wheeler, sales manager. The company will manufacture and sell a proposed shoe form for window display purposes.

July 3, 1921

Canton Valparaiso No. 27, the Patriarchs Militant Branch of Odd Fellowship, was mustered in by officers of the state organization on Saturday afternoon at Odd Fellow hall. Canton Hammond, No. 55, conferred the degrees. Major General Landes of Indianapolis, and staff, mustered in both orders. Following the work a 6 o’clock dinner was served. At 7:30 o’clock a grand military ball and parade was held. Weed’s Band headed the procession. Harry J.Fox is captain of the canton and Sarah Ina Cunningham is president of the auxiliary.

Miss Willa Wansborough, assistant to county superintendent of schools, Fred H. Cole, was the only Porter County applicant who successfully passed the special examination for qualification of attendance officers offered by the state board in June. Her manuscript graded 100. There were thirty applicants.

July 4, 1921

Nearly 1,000 persons attended the Fourth of July picnic given by the Porter County Farmers’ Association at the country home of County Agent A. Z. Arehart at Wolf’s Corners. Pine Township defeated Porter Township in a baseball game in the morning by a score of 11 to 9. A flag raising ceremony by Joseph W. Zea and E. M. Burns, old (Civil War) soldiers, assisted by Flora Baer, was held. In the afternoon talks were made by J. T. Buchanan, president of the Farmers’ Association; Maurice Douglas, of the Indiana Public Service Commission; E. J. Freund and M. J. Bowman. The Valparaiso Athletics defeated a picked team by a close score. Races and games were also held.

July 5, 1921

O. P. Kinsey, of Valparaiso University, addressed members of the Kiwanis Club at their meeting today. He expressed the opinion the city should build a hotel at any cost.

July 6, 1921

Professor Kinsey also shared with the Kiwanis Club that he had sold his property here and expects to spend summers in Valparaiso where he consequently would like to live at a hotel.

July 7, 1921

Indignation meetings over the closing of the Flint Lake Road by County Highway Superintendent Joseph Crowe are now the order of the day. Resorters at the lakes are complaining about being bottled up by the ten-day order. A number of persons are contemplating going to Michigan City and obtaining an injunction from Judge H. L. Crumpacker, of the Porter-LaPorte Superior Court.

Major A.V. Dairymple, former Valparaiso University student, and recent federal prohibition agent for Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Kentucky, visited Valparaiso today. In company with Attorneys Grant Crumpacker and William Daly he went to Flint Lake to swim to cool off in the waters.

July 8, 1921

Neil Arvin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arvin, of Valparaiso, was united in marriage at Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 30, to Miss Marguerite Mullere, of Lausanne. Mr. Arvin has been studying in Paris for several years, and will return to the United States in September. He formerly taught at Harvard University.

Dr. G. R. Douglas was in Chicago yesterday to meet the remains of his cousin, Captain Howard Douglas, who was killed several weeks ago in an airplane accident over Chesapeake Bay. The body of Captain Douglas was enroute to California for burial.

July 9, 1921

Sergeant Charles A. Pratt, formerly of Valparaiso, who lost his life in France on November 8, three days before armistice was signed, has been awarded the French Croix de Guerre by the French government. Pratt went to France in 1917 and was severely wounded in action in July, 1918, but recovered. John Bert Mitchell, another Valparaiso boy, received a similar decoration. He was severely wounded in action.

An ordinance was passed by the Valparaiso City Council last evening annexing a parcel of land west of the fair grounds into the city. The land is owned by F. W. Alpen and has been platted into building lots. A number of homes have been built in the addition.

July 10, 1921

George LaForce, who has severed his connection with the Lowenstine Shoe Department, and Frank James of Columbus, O., formerly of Valparaiso, will open up a shoe store in the LaForce building on Franklin Street about September 1.

Indiana Avenue and Chicago Street will soon be improved with a coating of asphalt by Valparaiso authorities. Chuck holes in the streets are being filled preparatory to the work. Other streets are also to receive attention.

July 11, 1921

The Up-to-Date Cleaners on Lincolnway in Valparaiso, owned by Gust Demos, opened its new dry cleaning plant on North Washington Street, recently built. New machinery for dry cleaning of all kinds of fabrics has been installed.

Morris Poncher, who has been connected with the W. A. Stimson auto agency, has resigned his position and taken the agency for the Mitchell auto.

July 12, 1921

Porter and Boone Township voters approved two gravel roads at elections held. The Valentine Hahn Road in Porter Township carried by a large margin, and the Frank Foltz Road by a small majority. Both townships voted on the Foltz Road.

July 13, 1921

The Porter County Cow Testing Association was organized last night at the county agent’s office. George Huitma, tester last year, will act again. Julius Turk, Liberty Township, was named president, and Everett M. Carver, Pine Township, secretary-treasurer.

July 14, 1921

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is having plans drawn for a new edifice to be constructed upon the Sisson lot owned by the church at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Franklin Street. An architect from the Carnegie Company, Chicago, which erected the McGill factory buildings, has been employed. The building will cost $25,000 ($375,970.67 in 2021).

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Carpenter, of Brazil, Ind., parents of Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, pastor of the Methodist Church, made a recent visit here before sailing for Europe and purchased an automobile for their grandson, Guy Duncan Carpenter. This is the second automobile given to the Carpenter family in the last few months. One presented to the pastor by the congregation was stolen a few weeks after its presentation.

July 15, 1921

Only two Valparaiso boys will attend the citizens’ military training camp at Camp Knox, Kentucky, on July 21 to August 20. About forty local young men applied, but as only 400 were accepted from the state out of 5,111 applications, only two were selected here. The successful applicants are Howard C. Bailey and John Edward Middaugh.

W. J. Whitaker, who recently purchased the Willis Winninger Farm east of Valparaiso, is moving here from Francesville, Ind. Mr. Winninger was formerly connected with the State Bank of Francesville, but resigned because of his health.

July 16, 1921

Chesterton will have a building and loan association. The decision was reached at meeting of the directors of the chamber of commerce of that place. The capital of the association will be $30,000 ($451,164.80 in 2021), and it is proposed to operate as a rural association. The movement recently gained headway at a meeting of the chamber of commerce members addressed by Harry P. New, of Lebanon, building and loan expert.

The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce membership will vote on two questions in a referendum to be submitted to them. The first question is: Do you favor the appropriation of $1,200 ($18,046.59 in 2021) by the city council for band concerts. The second is: Do you favor the chamber of commerce recommending such steps to the city council as to prohibit so-called carnivals, streets fairs or street fakirs operating within the city, based on your opinion whether such action would be good for the economic, civic, social and moral welfare of the entire community.

July 17, 1921

The Mineral Springs Race Course at Porter, dream of Chicago, Hammond, Gary and Valparaiso racing men, was sold today at sheriff’s sale by Sheriff William Pennington to Charles S. Peirce, of this city. It is said Mr. Peirce purchased the property for Charles Crumpacker. The race course consists of 120 acres, and the price paid was $9,000 ($135,349.44 in 2021). The Mineral Springs Race Course was established seven years ago and a number of races were held. It was ordered closed by Governor Thomas Marshall who sent the state militia here to enforce the order. Since then, it has been used for auto and motorcycle racing.

A number of Porter County farmers are loading wool today and tomorrow at the Pennsylvania Depot for shipment to Columbus, O. The farmers expect to fill a car load with a minimum capacity of 16,000 pounds.

July 18, 1921

J. E. Oliver, of Chicago, who took several leases covering about 2,000 acres of land in Jackson Township, Porter County, is expected to begin drilling for oil within a few days. His drilling outfit, which was to have arrived several days ago, has been delayed. He will go down to Trenton rock.

Lives of Edward Zugbaum and his two-year-old daughter, Josephine, were snuffed out today when an automobile in which they were riding was struck by a Baltimore and Ohio passenger train one mile west of Suman. Harry, age 13, who was in the auto, miraculously escaped with a broken leg. He was carried 200 feet.

July 19, 1921

At a meeting of the faculty of Valparaiso University, President J. E. Roessler announced that many inquiries had been received at the college office from all parts of the country in regard to the fall opening in September. Indications are that the enrollment will be the largest enjoyed by the school in many years. President Roessler said that Professor O. P. Kinsey would conduct chapel exercises on Friday morning.

July 20, 1921

The first wool pool shipment by Porter County farmers left this morning over Pennsylvania Lines for Columbus, O. The car contained 18,569 pounds of wool. It will be stored in the warehouse at Columbus and sold to best advantage.

July 21, 1921

The machinery to be used in the training of federal board students at Valparaiso University arrived here today over the Grand Trunk Railroad. It was purchased at Cleveland, Ohio, and consists of 25 pieces, lathes, drills, presses and planers. The aggregate weight is 58,000 pounds. Training of the men has been held up pending the arrival of the machinery scheduled some four weeks ago.

Rollin C. Higley, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. at Greensburg, Ind., has resigned to accept a position in the local office of Lewis E. Myers and Company. Mr. Higley’s family will move to Valparaiso on August 1. They formerly resided here.

July 22, 1921

The Foster Lumber and Coal Company has commenced work on several factory buildings for the U. S. China Company at Porter. The aggregate cost of the buildings will exceed $140,000 ($2,105,435.75 in 2021). The local firm also has the contract for $20,000 ($300,776.54 in 2021)  in government construction for the remodeling of buildings at Valparaiso University for federal board students training. The work must be completed within thirty days.

The treasury of the Porter County Red Cross was enriched $453.73 ($453.73 in 2021) by the baseball game played recently between the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs at Brown Field.

July 23, 1921

The Lowenstine-owned building at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Franklin Street in Valparaiso has been leased to Doyle and Breed, barbers, who have been occupying the LaForce building, formerly occupied by the George Knoll Confectionery. The LaForce building will be occupied by Frank James and George LaForce for a shoe store.

According to a report compiled by County Agent A. Z. Arehart, fifty-eight percent of the farmers of the county belong to the Porter County Farming Association. There are 1,591 farmers in the county farming five acres or more. A total of 929 belong to the association.

July 24, 1921

County Agent A. Z. Arehart was re-elected for another year at a meeting of the county board of education Saturday. His second year of office dates from August 1. Mr. Arehart made a report of work done by his office for the last eleven months.

Bruce Loring, son of Judge H. H. Loring, of the Porter Circuit Court, today opened an office for the practice of law in a room over the Valparaiso State Bank. He was graduated from the University of Michigan last month.

July 25, 1921

The Smith and Smiths Company of Valparaiso, has been awarded the contract for the erection of a cow barn at the Montdale Stock Farm, east of the city. The building will be equipped with the latest devices The Montdale Farm has acquired an additional herd of Ayrshire cattle for its milk trade.

Twenty-five acres of land within a short distance of the concrete road at Waverly Beach is being subdivided by S. Freund, proprietor of Sheridan Beach, Flint Lake. The property was offered for sale Saturday. Attorney E. J. Freund, of Valparaiso, is handling the sale. The property consists of 103 lots.

July 26, 1921

The office of the American Railway Express Company may be moved from its present location on Indiana Avenue to the Pennsylvania Depot. Officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad were here today in conference with express company officials. If the move is made, the office will be under the supervision of E. D. Hodges.

July 27, 1921

The county commissioners awarded the contract for the construction of the Barnard Road in Jackson Township to Flynn and Small of LaPorte for $83,325 ($1,253,110.24 in 2021). The road is to be macadam with an asphalt binder. The cost of the road is over $30,000 ($451,164.80 in 2021) per mile. Ray DeMass, of Chesterton, bid $86,000 ($1,293,339.11 in 2021) on natural asphalt.

July 28, 1921

The Alpha Epsilon fraternity of Valparaiso University has leased the O. P. Kinsey residence on Greenwich Street and will occupy it as a home. It is the intention of the fraternity to remodel the building.

Philley Brothers, who conduct a confectionery and news stand in the Schelling Theatre building, have leased the corner store room in the new Premier Theatre being built by Shauer and Son. The firm will retain its location in the Schelling Music Hall.

July 29, 1921

Harry Herrick, who has been manager of the Specht-Finney Company grocery for the last three years, has resigned his position and will sever his connection with the firm on August 1. Mr. Herrick has accepted a sales position with the McMahan-Wood Company. He has been in the grocery business in Valparaiso for twenty-five years.

At a special meeting of Valparaiso Lodge of Elks last evening, the proposition of remodeling the present quarters was discussed by the membership. A motion was adopted authorizing Exalted Ruler Charles H. Stinchfield to appoint a committee to take up the matter of remodeling with architects in club construction and getting plans and figures for cost of the work.

July 30, 1921

Richard Lieber, head of the department of conservation of Indiana, visited the sand dunes in north Porter County yesterday in company with representatives of the Indiana Editorial Association which met at Gary. State Senator Will Brown and Representative J. J. Overmyer were in the party. Mr. Lieber was enthusiastic over the establishment of a park in the dunes but said nothing definite had been decided upon by the state department.

A complaint alleging that the Great Lakes Sand Company has damaged the State of Indiana $50,000 ($751,941.34 in 2021) and is asking a temporary injunction, damages, and temporary restraining order against the company taking sand from Lake Michigan off the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County shores has been sent to Lake Circuit Court by U. S. Lesh, Indiana Attorney General.

July 31, 1921

Charles Chester, W. W. Bozarth, George Burke, and Garland Reynolds caught ten wall-eyed pike, weighing from four to six pounds, and a number of pickerel at the Kankakee River, south of Kouts. The fish are biting good because of the low water.

Fully 150 took the July examination for teachers’ licenses at the Central school in Valparaiso on Saturday. This was the largest number for several years according to Superintendent Fred H. Cole and brings back the old times when the number ran over the 400 mark.

Looking Back • June 1921

June 1, 1921

A big road grader, the largest ever brought to Porter County, arrived here today. It weighs four tons and carries a twelve-foot blade or scoop. It will be used on construction work for a big fill near Deep River on the old road, which was shifted 100 feet. George T. Pearce, county gravel road superintendent, and Joseph Wilgen, assistant, are in charge of the work.

June 2, 1921

The Chatfield Grain Company, of Chatfield, Ohio, which recently purchased the old Valparaiso Grain Elevator on South Washington Street, has begun work on the remodeling of the structure. An Indianapolis firm has the contract. The Chatfield Grain Company will deal in coal, cement, feeds and grains.

The directors of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce today decided to offer R. C. Breth, of Canton, Ill., the managership of the local chamber for one year. Mr. Bret stated he would come to Valparaiso, but asked for a three-year contract. If they accept his offer he will take up his duties June 15.

June 3, 1921

Rev. Charles E. Burns, new pastor of the Christian church, arrived here yesterday with his son, Earl, and are occupying the parsonage on Franklin Avenue. Rev. Burns has been instructor of bible literature at Milligan College in Milligan, Tenn. He will preach his first sermon Sunday. He went to Chicago today to meet Mrs. Burns and six children who have been visiting there.

The Olympia Confectionery on Lincolnway in Valparaiso, owned by Peter Brown, was purchased today by Charles Thune, who will remodel the interior for a first-class drugstore. Mr. Thune has been manager of the College Pharmacy in College Hill.

June 4, 1921

Valparaiso authorities have taken a determined stand against pool room owners allowing minors to frequent their places of business. The pool room owners had a verbal agreement with the police board to keep all minors out. An affidavit was filed by Councilman B. D. McMahan, chairman of the police board, against a local pool room owner, following a raid by city police in which four minors were found in the place.

The Gary-Valparaiso Interurban is planning a one-hour service to Gary this summer for the first time in its history, President C.W. Chase announced today. The service at present is hourly on Saturday and Sunday, and two hours every other day. Last year was the first time hourly service was tried on Saturdays and Sundays.

June 5, 1921

Wheeler, in Union Township, seven miles west of Valparaiso, will soon have electric lights. A contract has been signed with the Calumet Electric Company of Hammond, which recently installed a line from Long Lake to McCool. The work of wiring homes and business houses is now going on.

A large crowd attended the services at the Christian church, Sunday to welcome Rev. C. E. Burns, the new pastor. John R. Burch announced during the morning service that the church indebtedness had been lifted. The children’s day exercises in the evening was largely attended. A free-will offering for foreign missions was double that of last year.

June 6, 1921

Fred H. Cole was re-elected superintendent of county schools by election held this morning at the office of County Auditor B. H. Kinne. Charles H. Reider, principal of the Liberty Center school, was a candidate. Each received six votes. Auditor Kinne broke the tie.

The dedicatory services commemorating the 30th anniversary of the dedication of Immanuel Lutheran Church (now Heritage Lutheran Church)  was largely attended yesterday. Rev C. W. Baer, the pastor, spoke in the morning, and Rev. O. W. Linnemeyer, of Goodland, Ind., in the evening. The cornerstone of the present church was laid in June, 1891.

June 7, 1921

R. C. Breth, secretary of the chamber of commerce at Canton Ill., has accepted the offer of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce to become manager. He will arrive here June 15.

June 8, 1921

The Monterey Light and Power Company was granted a franchise Monday night by the Kouts Town Board to build a lighting system in Kouts. The Monterey Company at present supplies the town of Hebron. Daly and Freund, of Valparaiso, and T. E. Crowe, have asked the county commissioners for permission to erect poles between Kouts and Hebron.

June 9, 1921

Wayne Lewis, who has been serving as deputy county clerk under G. E. Bornholt, will soon enter the practice of law in Valparaiso. Mr. Lewis has been admitted to the bar. He will have an office with Judge A. D. Bartholomew and J. S. Bartholomew in the Valparaiso National Bank building (later occupied by First Federal Savings & Loan before being demolished) on South Washington Street.

The forty-seventh annual commencement exercises of Purdue University were held at Fowler Hall in West Lafayette yesterday. Among the 400 students who received diplomas were Max Evans and Earl Mavity of Valparaiso.

June 10, 1921

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club defeated the Valparaiso Rotarians in a baseball game at Brown Field by a score of 12 to 6  yesterday afternoon before a crowd of 1,000 people. The proceeds went to the Red Cross. VonDoehren, Sandy, Ealing, J. Griffin, Wilson and Blount were the batteries for Kiwanis, and Hayward, Meyers, Moreland and Siemetz were the Rotarians’ battery.

Leroy Brown, of Wheatfield, has leased the Lightcap building on College Hill, formerly the Dutch Kitchen, and will open up a restaurant. He is installing a new oven and doughnut machine.

June 11, 1921

The state convention of the Indiana Elks may meet in Valparaiso next year. Julius Albe, Charles Chester, and Glen J. Hardesty returned from Evansville, Ind., last night, where they attended the state meeting. They reported prospects for bringing the convention here next year are unusually bright. The place will be selected at a meeting of the state organization to be held soon. Mr. Albe was elected trustee of the state organization for three years.

Councilman B. D. McMahan last night filed an affidavit with Mayor P. L. Sisson asking revocation of a Lincolnway pool room. Recently the owner of the pool room pleaded guilty in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court for allowing minors to frequent his place of business.

June 12, 1921

A big baseball game will be staged at Valparaiso University’s ball park Thursday afternoon between the employees of the Lowenstine store and the Specht-Finney Service First Club. The proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. W. B. Forney and Dr. E. H. Powell will umpire.

Porter County farmers held a meeting at the office of County Agent A. Z. Arehart last night and named a committee to take charge of pooling wool. J. C. Meister was named chairman, H. I. Barnett, secretary, and William St. Clair, manager.

June 13, 1921

John W. Moreland, registrar at Valparaiso University, will leave the university in August for Monmouth, Ill., where he will act as registrar at Monmouth College. He will attend the University of Chicago this summer to obtain his degree of doctor of jurisprudence.

The contract for construction of the Grassmere Land Company Ditch in Pleasant Township was awarded Saturday at the office of county surveyor Floyd A. McNiece to Walter Hygema, of Wakarusa, Ind., for $23,365 ($348,587.53 in 2021). The construction calls for the excavation of the old Reeves Ditch south of the Panhandle Railroad in Pleasant Township and runs ten miles in a southwesterly direction, emptying into the Marble Ditch. The Reeves Ditch was built in 1880 and was the first dredge ditch built in the county.

June 14, 1921

Joseph Crowe, county highway superintendent, and a force of men commenced work today asphalting the Valparaiso-Chesterton Road. The work will begin at Chesterton and proceed to the B & O Railroad. Last year the road from the B & O bridge to Wauhob Lake was asphalted.

June 15, 1921

Clarence Burmeister, one of a gang which attempted robbery of a Grand Trunk merchandise train west of Valparaiso, was brought here and placed in county jail. He was receiving treatment in a Chicago hospital for a gunshot wound received in a gun battle with a Grand Trunk detective. He posted bond for his release. Three others are also at liberty on bonds.

June 16, 1921

Wayne A. McDaniels, who resigned his position with Lewis E. Myers and Company last week began the practice of law in Gary today. He will be associated with Thad Menczynski, who is a graduate of Valparaiso University.

The Mutual Chautauqua to be held June 17-21, will open tomorrow at Valparaiso University’s ball park. The afternoon sessions will be devoted to a junior frolic and a ticket hunt for juniors will be a feature. The tent and other equipment arrived yesterday.

Note: A chautauqua was an adult education and social movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s and brought entertainment and culture through speakers, teachers, musicians, showmen, preachers, and specialists of the day.

June 17, 1921

Harry R. Curran, owner, and L.W. Hart, manager of Montdale Stock Farm, have returned from Springfield, Mass., where they attended the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association meeting and national sale on June 7. Mr. Curran purchased seven head of fine registered stock.

The Rev. Father Griffith, priest-in-charge of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, will begin his thirty-eighth year in the ministry today. Next Sunday being his first in the thirty-eighth year, he has invited his parishioners and friends to worship with him at 9 o’clock in the morning.

June 18, 1921

The U. S. China Company will expend nearly $100,000 ($1,491,921.79 in 2021) on its plant at Chesterton. Theodore Dittell, head of the company, is awaiting untangling of certain legal matters before awarding the contract. The present force of twenty-five workers will be increased to 300.

The drought of the past two weeks is raising havoc with the oats crop, and even with heavy rains little benefit will accrue. Small fruits are also suffering. The corn crop is still holding its own, though the rain is badly needed. The crop shows the best prospects in years, it is said.

June 19, 1921

R.C. Breth, of Canton, Ill., today assumed the secretaryship of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. This week he will attend the first directors’ meeting when the active program of the community service will be outlined.

Willard Hall, located on East Monroe Street in Valparaiso and owned by Charles Hershman, is being changed from a students’ rooming house into a light housekeeping apartment.

June 20, 1921

The annual recital of music pupils of St. Paul’s Academy was given last evening at Community Hall. The pupils were assisted by an orchestra composed of Charles Coyer, E. J. Salisbury, Charles Whitehead, Richard Fabing, William Johnston, Edward Auzola, Mr. Lewis, and Bernard Finnegan.

June 21, 1921

A carload of tubercular cattle, twenty-five in number, were shipped to the Union Stockyards, Chicago, today. The cattle are reactors under a recent test for tuberculosis. They will be slaughtered under government inspection. The owners are compensated by the government and state up to $130 ($1,939.50 in 2021) and salvage for purebred and up to $65 ($969.75 in 2021) salvage for a grade.

June 22, 1921

The wool committee appointed by the Porter County Farmers’ Association has announced that enough wool has been listed to make a minimum load of 16,000 pounds. Bags will soon be distributed to the shippers.

June 23, 1921

The electric lighting equipment at the Pageant of Progress given by the American Legion at the fair grounds was put out of commission last evening at 10 o’clock when one of the transformers burned out. It was necessary to go to Michigan City for repairs. The burned transformer was one secured for Valparaiso University to provide additional light for the new vocational training students.

Funeral services for Charles F. Weiseman, of Furnessville, who died at Comercy, Grance, January 6, 1919, were held at the Lutheran Church at Porter, Sunday, in charge of the American Legion. Weiseman was born at Furnessville on December 5, 1892. Surviving are a widow, whom he married before he left for camp, one sister, and two brothers.

June 24, 1921

Valparaiso Odd Fellowship will stage a gala event here July 2 when a canton and ladies’ auxiliary will be mustered in. Valparaiso years ago had one of the largest cantons in the state. The organization finally disbanded and the members affiliated with the Gary canton. The local canton will consist of thirty members. A parade and military ball in the Valparaiso University gym will be features of the meeting.

Ben and August Koselke have leased oil rights on their farm in Jackson Township to Chicago men who will begin drilling two oil wells. Oil was struck in that vicinity several years ago. The Chicago men expect to go down 1,200 feet.

June 25, 1921

O. P. Kinsey, of Valparaiso, has made a gift of a free public library to the city of Freeport, Ohio, where he formerly lived. A property in Freeport has been purchased for a site for the library building. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey and his sisters, Sarah and Arminda, have had in mind the building of the library in Freeport for a number of years. It is their intention to deed a home and 300 acres of land for the maintenance of a library. Large coal deposits on the farm make the land valuable.

Charles Chester, who has been assistant superintendent of the factory for the Pioneer Truck Company, has been promoted to the superintendency of the local plant. The company is expecting to reach the peak of construction of trucks inside of a few weeks. During the last two weeks many machines have been shipped to Chicago.

June 26, 1921

The state appellate court has affirmed the decision of the Lake Circuit Court in the case of Charles F. Leeks and others, of Boone Township, Porter County, against William Schleman. The plaintiffs brought suit to enjoin the defendant from building a channel from the Breyfogle Ditch to the Phillips Ditch and diverting the waters of the former ditch to the Phillips Ditch. They contend the waters from the Breyfogle Ditch would, in time, clog up the Phillips Ditch. The case has been in litigation for three years.

The Pageant of Progress given by the World’s Fair Shows under the auspices of the local American Legion post last week was a financial success. Toney Poleria, federal board student at the university, won the Ford car. Robert Louis, seven-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Farrington, won the baby contest. Miss Margaret Timmons was queen of the pageant.

June 27, 1921

The annual meeting of stockholders of the Altruria Dormitory Company was held last evening. The following directors were elected for the ensuing year: Peter Schuldt, E. W. Chaffee, Mrs. Anna Morony, C. W. Benton, G. M. Dodge, W. A. Hoffman and A. W. Williams. Officers named were: G. M. Dodge, president; Anna Morony, vice-president, and C. W. Benton, secretary-treasurer.

June 28, 1921

The Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company is installing one of the largest cables ever used in Valparaiso. The cable is twice as large as any heretofore used and contains 804 wires. The cable runs underground for several blocks in the business district.

June 29, 1921

Joseph Leurs, proprietor of the Kouts Department Store, yesterday sold the business to the Shutske Brothers, of Pleasant Township. The Schleman-Morton Company of Valparaiso engineered the deal, involving $30,000 ($447,576.54 in 2021). Mr. Leurs took, in part, payment of an eighty-acre farm. The deal is the third in Kouts this year, including W. S. Bush selling his hardware and lumber yard to H. G. Spencer, and J. T. Cannon and Son selling their general merchandise store to Hammond parties.

Fishing in the Kankakee River is no good, according to reports brought here by Deputy Game Wardens Gregg Stansell and J. H. Randall. Mr. Stansell, who was formerly police chief in Valparaiso, stated that the change of the river course by dredging has ruined the former abodes of fish. He said the Tippecanoe River is alive with fish at the present time.

June 30, 1921

A horseshoe court is being installed on the vacant lot just east of the city hall in downtown Valparaiso (present-day location of Aster & Gray and the MUG). Edward Cowdrey, champion of the steel company at Gary, will meet all comers. Mr. Cowdrey played a series of games yesterday at Gary and made 111 points, 105 of which were from ringers.

A Valparaiso citizen has suggested that the school board sell the Wolf property at the corner of Washington and Chicago Streets in the downtown and purchase the Porter County Fair Grounds for a building site for a new high school.

Looking Back • May 1921

May 1, 1921

The Valparaiso Athletics blanked the Boone Grove baseball team Sunday at the fairgrounds by a score of 4 to 0. Sides pitched for the Athletics and Maloney for Boone Grove.

The riot cases against Thomas Dandalet, Arthur Engstrom and Baldwin McLennon, star athletes at Valparaiso University, growing out of a row between opposing factions at the university over President Daniel Russell Hodgdon, were dismissed in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court today. The three defendants and Frank W. Thomas, the complaining witness, were in court. Following a conference between Prosecutor J. S. Bartholomew and Thomas the cases were nolle prossed (dismissed).

May 2, 1921

At a meeting of the official board of the M. E. church last evening the proposition of building an addition to the church was discussed. A committee was appointed to formulate plans. The addition if built would be constructed on the north side of the present structure and would include space for a gym. The improvement would cost $20,000.

Charles L. Jeffrey, Mandel R. Lowenstine, and George F. Beach returned this morning from Washington, D. C., where they went last Friday to confer with the government federal vocational board in regard to closing a contract to bring 500 students here to the university for training under the vocation board act. The contract is expected to be closed within a few days.

May 3, 1921

E. W. Agar, city attorney of Valparaiso, won the republican mayoralty nomination yesterday. He defeated R. D. Raymond and Eugene Hodges. John R. Burch and B. D. McMahan were nominated for councilman-at-large; E. S. Miller, first ward; S. E. Collins, second ward; Louis Gast, third ward; Blaine Williams, fourth ward.

May 4, 1921

Charles L. Jeffrey, chairman of the board of trustees of Valparaiso University, announced that the contract between the university and the government for the training of 500 students under the federal vocational board act had been accepted, according to a telegram received from Washington. A government representative will be here in a few days to make arrangements to remodel the buildings and install the necessary machinery. It is said the government will spend $100,000 in providing equipment for training the men. The contract runs for one year.

May 5, 1921

The Kiwanis Club reported today that a wonderful battery had been uncovered for the coming clash with the Rotary Club at Brown Field. The Kiwanians refuse to divulge the identity of the two star players discovered, it is said, during a recent dinner. O. F. Helvie, of the Rotary Club, on receipt of the news wore a worried look. E. D. Hodges, Dr. Stoner, W. J. Morris and other heavies of the Rotary Club are losing weight over the Kiwanis find.

S. J. Brown, of the Chatfield Grain Company, of Chatfield, O., is in the city making arrangements for the remodeling of the old Valparaiso Grain Elevator building on South Washington Street at the Pennsylvania tracks. The Chatfield Grain Company recently purchased the building and will remodel it. The company will sell coal, cement, and fertilizers.

May 6, 1921

Charles Specht, owner of Burlington Beach, Flint Lake, has sold his property to John Kostjal, of Gary. The resort consists of 32 acres and a number of buildings. The place has been in the Specht family for 25 years. Mr. Kostjal for a number of years conducted a resort at Miller Beach.

Several representatives of the government were here from Washington yesterday inspecting buildings at the university for the purpose of drawing plans and specifications for the alteration of the structures for training of 500 men to be sent here under the federal vocational training act. An army physician and nurse will be sent here by the government for active duty.

May 7, 1921

A photograph was taken this morning at university ball park of students attending the university. The picture was panoramic view and also included members of the faculty. The large number in the picture occasioned surprise for many people who witnessed the photographing. The students stated that everyone in the picture was one hundred percent American.

County Superintendent Fred H. Cole has been distinctly honored in the book: “Who’s Who and Why in After War Education,” published by the Institute for Public Service, New York City. The Valparaiso man’s sketch is included in the book and a good-sized space is devoted to his accomplishments. Only 1,800 names are listed in the book, persons who have been responsible for forward steps in education.

May 8, 1921

E. W. Agar, republican nominee for Valparaiso mayor at the recent primary election, has received a letter of congratulation from United States Senator Harry New. Senator New expressed the hope that Mr. Agar will be successful in the November election.

Melvin J. Stinchfield, a former Valparaiso boy, who has been connected with a Pittsburgh construction concern in Chicago, has been appointed by Governor McCray as assistant date engineer with offices in the state building at Indianapolis. Mr. Stinchfield left Saturday for Indianapolis to assume his new duties.

May 9, 1921

Waverly Beach, Lake Michigan, where many drownings have taken place, will soon be equipped with a pulmotor. The boy scouts of Porter are behind the movement to obtain one for emergency purposes. Sunday the boys took up subscriptions from persons visiting the beach, and probably a hundred persons contributed from fifty cents to one dollar.

Deputy Sheriff Gust Long, who has been deputy under Sheriff William Pennington since the latter took office, will resign his position tomorrow and take a position with the Foster Lumber and Coal Company.

May 10, 1921

The pickle factory building at the Grand Trunk station owned by Reid, Murdoch and Company, has been sold to Mark Palmer, local Ford auto dealer. He will use the building for unloading, storing and assembling Ford autos, tractors and farm machinery.

May 11, 1921

The Foster Lumber and Coal Company was yesterday awarded the contract by the government for alteration of buildings at Valparaiso University to be used by 500 students to be sent here for vocational training. The appropriation calls for an expenditure of approximately $35,000. The repairs cover Heritage Hall, Lembke, Domestic Science, Elocution, Commercial Hall and the medical building. The government will spend $100,000 in alteration of buildings and installing new machinery and other changes. The work must be completed by June 1.

May 12, 1921

Three hundred and ninety-five boy scouts of the scout area, comprising LaPorte and Porter counties, will again join the South Bend scouts in summer camp, according to a decision reached at the area meeting at the Rumely hotel at LaPorte Tuesday afternoon. The committee is comprised of W. B. Brown, Michigan City, chairman; Earl V. Smith, Valparaiso, and J. V. Dilworth, of LaPorte. The South Bend camp, Camp Bryan, is located near Wakeklee, Mich.

Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce through its board of directors today took action to assist the city administration in bringing about a solution of the pressing and disconcerting downtown parking problem. A committee was appointed to look into the feasibility of purchasing or renting a centrally located lot for parking purposes, and two or three were submitted for consideration. The chamber is committed to some program that will afford accommodations to motorists. Through the new parallel parking ordinance affecting the north side of Lincolnway through the business section the congestion problem has become even more annoying.

May 13, 1921

Gus Demos, proprietor of the Up-to-Date Dry Cleaners, announced today that the new building on North Washington Street would be ready inside of three weeks. The building is of cement block and is being built by Paul E. Marks. Mr. Demos came here from Cincinnati O., following his discharge from the army.

Chesterton is to have a new library to open in September. Trustee G. J. Johnson and Superintendent, F. M. Goldsborough have been working on the project for several years and enough money has been procured through taxation in the township to provide for its establishment. The location of the new library has not been determined.

May 14, 1921

The St. Michael’s American Russian National Orphans’ Home and Institution are selling lots to Russian members of the organization in the tract of 1,355 acres purchased by the society of the Robbins estate in Portage Township. The land cost the society $200,000. Yesterday twenty deeds were placed on file in the recorder’s office. The east half of section 29 in Portage township was subdivided by the society into lots for building purposes.

May 15, 1921

A big steam shovel, weighing thirty tons, and equipped with tractor wheels, is being used by P.T. Clifford and Son in the construction of the Hanrahan road in Center and Liberty townships. The Hanrahan road is six miles long and more than 38,000 cubic yards of dirt must be moved. A number of hills are being cut down along the route.

Valparaiso High School did not score a point in the Northern Indiana Track and Field meet at Notre Dame, South Bend, Saturday. Coach R. E. Schenck took three men to the meet—Thomas Clifford, Charles Riddle and Herman Mohnssen. The competition was too stiff in the events the men were entered and none of them was able to annex a point.

May 16, 1921

A white frost last night did incalculable damage to garden truck and small fruits throughout the county. Garden truck was sipped, strawberries and other small fruits were damaged. Hardy garden crops escaped.

Valparaiso University defeated Kalamazozo college Saturday afternoon at Brown Field, 3 to 2. “Iefty” Higgins, on the mound for Valpo, beat Fenner, Kazoo pitcher, given a tryout last spring by the Chicago White Sox. Higgins allowed but four hits. Gilbert’s work at third base featured.

May 17, 1921

The Inland Steel Company of Indiana Harbor, yesterday placed on record in the county recorder’s office deeds to 335 acres of land in Portage Township, purchased of the Crumpacker estate of Hammond. The consideration was $103.50. The land acquired is south of 219 acres purchased by the company quite some time ago. 

May 18, 1921

A “History of Valparaiso University,” has just been completed by George W. Stimpson and will be ready for distribution next week. The history commences with the founding of the school and traces its development down to the present administration. The most interesting feature of the book is the chapters on the recent revolution. Mr. Stimpson was on the inside of the revolution and knows many things not known by the average student.

May 19, 1921

Dr. George Keogan, acting director of athletics and coach at Valparaiso University, for the last two years, today tendered his resignation to the board of trustees of the school and the same was accepted. Before coming here Dr. Keogan was coach at St. Thomas college, Great lakes Naval Training station, and Allegheny College. He has received several offers to coach, including one at Notre Dame.

An architect from the M. E. church Sunday school board of Chicago, was in the city today conferring with a committee on improvements of the local M. E. church. Some time ago the church organizers decided on enlarging the present structure to make more room for the Sunday school quarters and installation of a gym. The possibility of obtaining these enlarged quarters either through use of present basement or through an addition on the north part of the lot will be considered by the architect and building committee.

May 20, 1921

L. R. Gignillant, state commander Indiana American Legion, and Frank McHale, chairman of the Americanization committee, may make an investigation of reports of radical tendencies on part of persons attending Valparaiso University, it was learned today. Dr. Daniel Russell Hodgdon, president of the school, after resigning his post, asserted the school was a hotbed of radicalism.

G. G. Shauer and Sons yesterday awarded the contract for construction of the Premier Theatre on the site of the old Hotel Spindler site to C. F. Lembke and Company of Valparaiso. Work will be commenced tomorrow. The structure will be 72 by 132 feet, and will contain an auditorium seating 1,032 persons, two store rooms, and six suites of offices.

May 21, 1921

Grand Trunk trainmen frustrated an attempt to rob a merchandise train at the Clifford Crossing, west of here. The robbers out an air hose. When trainmen went to repair it, the robbers fired on them. A detective on the train replied with a volley of shots.

H. Leigh Lawrence, rector of an Episcopal church at Menominee, Mich, is here visiting his parents, Mr. an Mrs. J. A. Lawrence.

May 22, 1921

Fred Marquart was appointed Saturday by the county commissioners as county assessor to succeed Ezra Brody, deceased. Mr. Marquart has been acting as assessor during Brody’s illness. He formerly served as Center Township assessor.

 After laying dormant for 18 years an oil well dug by W. J. Henry, east of Woodville Junction, has been uncapped and Mr. Henry and Mark R. Palmer will give it a thorough pumping to ascertain whether it will produce in paying quantities.

May 23, 1921

J. M. Wilcoxen, of Hammond, won the registered shoot held at Flint Lake yesterday by the Valpo Gun Club. He broke 142 of 150. Dr. E.H. Powell, Valparaiso, and Bert Lewis, West Alron, Ill., pro, broke 140. W.H. Hunsley broke 139, and Ora Gray and Sol Freidheim 138 apiece.

Three of five men who attempted robbery of a Grand Trunk merchandise train west of the city, were captured in Chicago Saturday when Clarence Burmeister, one of the men wounded in a gun battle with a railroad detective, applied at the Jefferson Park hospital for treatment. Two men who took Burmeister to the hospital for treatment. Two men who took Burmeister to the hospital were also arrested. The trio were brought here to Porter County Jail.

May 24, 1921

George Downing, operator of a garage and auto repair shop at Garfield and LaPorte Road, will open up a restaurant and grocery in a new addition next to the garage Mrs. Downing will be in charge of the new business.

May 25, 1921 

The Valparaiso Auto Sales Company has leased the R.D. Ross and Son building on West Lincolnway, formerly occupied by W. A. Stimson agency. Possession will be taken over on June 1. The company will move there from its present location on Washington Street across from the chamber of commerce.

May 26, 1921

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club received its charter last night at a dinner meeting held at Altruria Hall. More than 100 attended, 58 being members of the club. Col. J. L. McCullock, of Marion, presented the charter to President George R. Douglas of the local club. Mayor P. L. Sisson gave the welcome address.

Joseph L. Doyle, former secretary and clerk of the Porter County Draft Board, said there were only three evaders of the select draft in the county. Twenty men were listed as non-wilful deserters, but a number of these enlisted elsewhere. 

May 27, 1921

Memorial Opera House was filled to capacity last evening by friends and patrons of Valparaiso High School who gathered to honor the class of 1921. The address of the evening was delivered by State Superintendent L. N. Hines. There were forty-one graduates.

The Valparaiso Lighting Company will try the new McDonald process of manufacturing gas at its plant June 1. The plant was constructed by Mr. McDonald who has been working for a number of years.

May 28, 1921

Joseph Demarggio, of Gary, who has operated the Red Bus Line in Gary, for the last seven years, will start a line between Valparaiso and Sheridan Beach. He will operate a Packard bus seating between thirty-five and forty persons. Trips will be made between the city and lake every half hour.

C. R. Bret, secretary of chamber of commerce at Canton, Ill., may be employed as manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. E.D. Hodges will be retained as manager. The appointment will probably be made at a meeting of the directors next Wednesday.

May 29, 1921

The ride tickets to Chicago on the local steam roads, transferable will soon be a thing of the past. On July 1, only 25, 46, and 54-ride tickets, good to individual purchasers and his family will be sold. 

Attorney Ralph N. Smith, of Laporte, will return from Hot Springs, Ark., the coming week to prepare the defense of Engineer William Long and Fireman George Block, charged by Coroner A. O. Seipel with responsibility of the Porter wreck in which forty persons lost their lives. The case is set down for trial June 6. The defense will try to place the responsibility on the towerman at Porter.

May 30, 1921

On May 30, 1901, eight students of Valparaiso University, who sat at the same table in one of the dining halls, agreed to meet on the west steps of the court house on May 30, 1921. W.C. Mulroy, of Ponca City, Okla., was the only member signing the agreement to show up.

May 31, 1921

A big road grader, largest ever brought to Porter County, arrived today and will be used on a big fill on an old road near Deep River, which was shifted 100 feet. It weighs four tons and carries a 12 foot blade or scoop. George T. Pearce, county road superintendent, and Joseph Wilgen, assistant, are in charge.

Looking Back • April 1921

April 1, 1921

Funeral services for Martin J. Gabel, who lost his life in fighting in the Argonne during the World War will be held in the court house yard Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The American Legion will be in charge. Rev. Guy O. Carpenter who served in the navy during the war, will officiate. A military funeral will be held. The body of the dead soldier arrived here last night and was met at the depot by a guard of honor of the Rehabilitation Club of the university, and representatives of the American Legion, and escorted to the home of Gabel’s sister, Mrs. Jerome Spencer. A guard will be maintained until the body is removed to the court house tomorrow where it will lie in state until the funeral.

W. B. Forney, who recently completed two terms as sheriff of Porter County, has formed a partnership with C. S. Peirce in the insurance, real estate, and investment business. Mr. Peirce established the business in 1915. The new firm will be located at 6 Michigan Avenue.

April 2, 1921

County Treasurer J. G. Graessle today sold four issues of gravel road bonds. The $140,000 ($2,057,092.74 in 2021) issue in the Arthur Hanrahan Road was sold to Straus Brothers of Ligonier. The Valparaiso State Bank bought two issues in the B. F. Williams Road in Washington and Morgan Townships for $78,200 ($1,149,033.23 in 2021), and also the $34,800 ($511,334.48 in 2021) issue in the Galbreath Road in Morgan Township.

Joseph F. Crowe, county highway superintendent, has been appointed by Governor McCray as one of the delegates to the ninth annual convention of the U. S. Good Roads Association convention to be held at Greensboro, N. C., on April 18 to 20, to represent the State of Indiana.

April 3, 1921

Valparaiso paid tribute Sunday to Martin Gabel, one of its sons who gave his life in France during the World War. Funeral services were held at the court house lawn at 2 o’clock. Three thousand persons attended. Lincolnway was full and many buildings held persons. A quartet composed of Arthur and Carroll Schneider, Mrs. W. T. Conklin and Mrs. Emma Dorsey sang. Rev. J. A. Lord, pastor of the Hebron M. E. church, gassed in France, gave the text; Rev. John W. Newsome, army chaplain, the prayer: O.F. Helvie, commander Charles Pratt Post, American Legion, the post commander ritual for the dead, and Rev. Guy Carpenter, pastor of M.E. church, and navy chaplain, preached the sermon. The pallbearers were Gust Long, Don Herrick, Justin Shauer, Claude Beach, Edward Abel and Peter Young. Following the services the city band led the procession to Maplewood Cemetery. A firing squad three volleys over the grave. Fully 1,500 persons accompanied the body to the cemetery.

At the conclusion of the morning service Sunday at the Baptist church a permanent call was extended by the congregation to Rev. Clarence Mitchell, acting pastor of the church for several months. It is not known whether he will accept the call.

April 4, 1921

E. W. Agar and E. D. Hodges Saturday filed their declaration of candidacies for the office of mayor, making three now in the republican race for the office. John R. Burch, who filed for mayor, but withdrew, filed for councilman at large. A.L. Lebrercque also filed for councilman and large, and Fred Comstock filed for councilman in the Third ward.

Father John Quinlan, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Fort Wayne, and a native of Valparaiso, died Sunday morning at 7:25 o’clock. He was born in Valparaiso on April 19, 1858. He was a relative of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Clifford and Mrs. Mary Stokes, of Valparaiso.

April 5, 1921

The old frame building on Lincolnway next to the Horn Brothers’ meat market was sold by its owners, Horn Brothers, to Edward Jones, who will tear it down and use the materials to build summer homes at Flint Lake. James M. Sheldon, owner of the flower shop, is negotiating for the purchase of the William Pennington flower shop on Indiana Avenue, owned by Lauren Maudlin.

April 6, 1921

“Five Hundred” night was observed last night at Masonic hall by Porter Lodge, No. 137, Free and Accepted Masons. The Master Mason degree was conferred on one candidate, bringing membership up to the 500 mark. More than 400 members attended the meeting. Westville, Chesterton and Hebron had large delegations. The Apollo Quartet furnished music. The dispensation of Porter Lodge was granted on June 25, 1850, and the charter was dated May 27, 1852.

April 7, 1921

Joseph L. Doyle, who served as secretary of the Porter County Registration Board during the draft, is assisting ex-service men in obtaining information regarding their order and serial numbers. Before sending the list to Washington he made a copy of the data.

J.M. Sheldon, who has been conducting a flower shop on Lincolnway, has bought the Lauren Maudlin flower ship on Indiana Avenue. Mr. Maudlin will enter Valparaiso University under the Federal Vocational Board Training Act.

April 8, 1921

A meeting of K. of P. lodges was held at Hebron last night with 228 members from Hebron, Valparaiso and Chesterton attending. The third rank was conferred upon five candidates. The next meeting will be held in Valparaiso in May.

A.R. Hardesty was elected president of the Valparaiso University Alumni held at Million Dollar headquarters last night. Other officers named were: R. D. Raymond and Mrs. Mary Stiles, vice-presidents; Paul Marks, secretary, and Earl V. Smith, treasurer. 

April 9, 1921

George Huitema,  official tester of Porter County Testing Association, has gone to his home at New Paris, Ind., to recover from an attack of the mumps. County Agent A.Z. Arehart is attempting to obtain a substitute tester.

Constitution and bylaws of the Porter County Realtors’ Association were adopted at a meeting last night. Ten members signed up and others signified their intention of doing so.

April 10, 1921

The Charfield Grain Company, of Chatfield, O., may establish a flour mill here. The company has made a bid on the old Valparaiso Grain and Elevator building on South Washington Street and if acquired will remodel it and install machinery for the making of flour. The Chatfield Company owns a number of mills and granaries in Ohio and Indiana.

The Bogarte Book Store on College Hill was burglarized last evening and loot valued at between $500 ($7,346.76 in 2021) and $1,000 ($14,693.52 in 2021) taken. The principal part of the loot consisted of special drawing instruments, valued as high as $30 ($440.81 in 2021) per set.

April 11, 1921

John D. Frechete, of this city, has been granted a patent on an easy walking shoe by the Canadian patent office. The shoe absorbs shocks and prevents moisture from penetrating from the bottom while permitting absorption from the inside.

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club at its meeting today effected a permanent organization by electing V.R. Despard president; L. H. Trott, secretary, and T. L. Applegate, treasurer.

April 12, 1921

A struggle for supremacy between two factions of university students has resulted in the principals getting into court. Frank W. Thomas has filed an affidavit in Justice T. B. Louderback’s court against Baldwin McLennon, Arthur Engstrom and Thomas Dandalet, charging assault. Many students and faculty members have been subpoenaed for the trial set for Saturday.

April 13, 1921

A suit brought by William Muster against J. O. Ellis, county fair promoter last year, is still pending in the courts. Muster sued for $175 for services in connection with the fair. A writ of attachment was obtained against Ellis’ trunks. A cash bond was put up and the trunks released. Yesterday a change of venue was taken from Justice Louderback’s court on the ground that he is a material witness in the case.

April 14, 1921

The Chatfield Grain Elevator Company of Chatfield, O., has purchased the old Valparaiso grain elevator on South Washington Street, for $1,710 ($25,125.92 in 2021). The structure will be torn down and a new one erected.

Arbor Day will be observed at the Pinney-Purdue Farm, near Wanatah, tomorrow by the planting of 500 trees. Maples, Birch and Ash found along the Kankakee will be planted. They will replace a grove that has died.

April 15, 1921

Fares on Gary and Interurban from Valparaiso to points north of Sheridan Beach, Flint Lake, were reduced by directors of the road yesterday. The rates were cut from 21 cents to 15 and 19 cents. The directors also decided to operate cars on the Chesterton division. A one-man car will be operated between Woodville and Chesterton.

The Farmers State Bank today received 200 safety deposit boxes. The boxes on hand have all been rented.

April 16, 1921

The first of the claims growing out of the wreck at Porter in which 37 died was settled at Michigan City yesterday when Lynn Kramer, administrator of the estate of Mrs. Barney Kramer of Michigan City, settled with the Michigan Central railroad for $7,000 ($102,854.64 in 2021).

Cases against three students of Valparaiso University, charged with assault and battery on another student, were continued in Justice T.B. Louderback’s court today. It is believed the case will be settled.

April 17, 1921

The Knights of Columbus degree team went to Mishawaka yesterday where it conferred upon a class of candidates for the Notre Dame Council. T. P. Galvin, district deputy, was in charge. Thirty members of the local lodge attended a banquet at the Oliver hotel after the work.

The McMahan-Wood Company, on East Lincolnway, is enlarging its building with the addition of two stories and a basement. The company now has 25 jobbers in five states on its cereal products.

April 18, 1921

Freezing weather over the weekend did damage to the fruit crop in Porter County. Saturday the temperature registered 25 degrees above. Snow fell and ice froze in many places. Cherries were practically killed and peaches suffered. Grapes are gone, but plums, pears, and apples were not injured.

The Bloch Hotel on Lincolnway is being improved. The pool room in the rear is being removed and the restaurant will be extended to the full length of the building.

April 19, 1921

Broncho John Sullivan, of this city, was given a feature writeup in the April 4 issue of the Florida Times-Union, published at Jacksonville. He recently visited Jacksonville after an absence of 23 years. Mr. Sullivan was chief trainmaster at Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, during the Spanish-American War.

April 20, 1921

Valparaiso University enjoys the unusual distinction this quarter of occupying the front page of the American Magazine, published by the American Historical Society. The article is written by President Daniel Russell Hogdon, and comprises 13 pages, with profuse illustrations of the school buildings.

April 21, 1921

Henry Pahl, who was appointed third commissioner to act with county ditch commissioner Andrew Bickel in the Smith Ditch, qualified yesterday and the work of getting the ditch ready for construction will proceed. The petition to establish the Smith Ditch was filed three years ago by residents living around Wolff’s Corners who have complained of lack of drainage.

The Notre Dame University Glee Club made its second appearance here last night under the auspices of the Valparaiso Knights of Columbus Lodge. A large crowd greeted the entertainers. “The Soldiers’ Chorus,” from Faust was one of the best of the glee club members. Walter O’Keefe supplied the specialty numbers which were thoroughly enjoyed.

April 22, 1921

The elevator at the Aylesworth Switch in Boone Township has been sold by Charles Ray, of Kouts, and William Dahl, of LaCrosse, to the Farmers’ Equity Union of Hebron, made up of Boone and Porter Township farmers. The capacity of the elevator is 18,000 bushels. It is located along the Pan Handle Railroad.

Prof. Rolla A. Tallcott, Dean of the Department of Expression at Valparaiso University has tendered his resignation and will go to Indianapolis about June 1, to engage in chautauqua work this summer. In the fall he will give part of his time in instruction at Butler College and Indiana College of Music and Fine Arts.

April 23, 1921

The Farmers’ Equity Union of Hebron, composed of farmers of Boone and Porter Townships has purchased the Hebron elevator of D. A. Fisher & Son. This makes the second elevator purchased by the society, the one at Aylesworth having been purchased last week. The Farmers’ Equity Union will also build an elevator at Hurlburt, plans for the building having been drawn by the Alliance Company of Indianapolis.

The Porter County War Memorial Building Board met Saturday afternoon at the county commissioners room in the court house. Members of the board were present. The members in the north and south parts of the county were in favor of deferring action until a later date. The present high taxes was advanced by out of town members for postponement of the building.

April 24, 1921

Odd Fellows and Rebekahs yesterday observed the 102nd anniversary of the founding of Oddfellowship in United States. One hundred and fifty persons attended services at M. E. church and listened to a sermon by Rev. Guy O. Carpenter. Clarence Field acted as marshal of the day, assisted by G. G. Sherwood in charge of the Rebekahs. A dinner was served at Odd Fellows Hall after the services.

Valparaiso University defeated the House of Davis team of Benton Harbor at Brown Field yesterday 14 to 0. Adams and Higgins pitched for Valparaiso with Tree catching. The university scored seven runs in the seventh inning on five hits and three errors.

April 25, 1921

A new gas-making device is being installed at the Valparaiso Lighting Company on South Napoleon Street, John W. Wood, of Indianapolis, and W. D. McDonald, of Chicago, are the promoters of the experiment. The plant to be erected will cost $25,000 ($367,337.99 in 2021). If the plan proves successful, the local company will take it over. The new plant makes gas out of coal, leaving no by-products.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Valparaiso University today at noon, Dr. Daniel Russell Hodgdon resigned as president of the school. John E. Roessler, for nearly thirty years an instructor in the school, was named as acting president. A. A. Williams, another instructor, was named acting vice-president.

April 26, 1921

The long line of living ex-sheriffs of Porter County was broken last night when Charles W. Dickover was claimed by death. Porter County has the distinction of having men living who served as sheriff for 45 years back. James Malone, oldest living ex-sheriff, served two terms from 1876 to 1880. He was followed by C. W. Dickover, Elias Thomas, Shedd Herrick, Joseph Sego, Heber Stoddard, Charles Green, Charles LaCount, Lewis Green, Clayton Wood, W. S. Lindall and W. B. Forney.

April 27, 1921

The Windle building, 122 East Lincolnway, occupied by the Valparaiso Auto and Carriage Trimming Company, will be remodeled by its owner, W.G. WIndle. The building will be occupied upon its completion by W.G. Windle & Son, grocers, now located in the Urbahns’ building. The Valparaiso Auto and Carriage Trimming Company will move to the Valparaiso Electrical Sales Company next door east.

April 28, 1921

Officers of the Rehabilitation Club, Valparaiso University, have issued a statement declaring that recent newspaper account picturing Valparaiso University as a hotbed of bolshevism and communism is pure bunk. The origin of the news articles is believed due to the recent breach between President D. R. Hodgdon and students, which resulted in the president’s resignation.

Porter County will have twelve entrants for the state five-acre corn contest. J. A. Warren captured the honor last year with 127.75 bushels.

April 29, 1921

Charles L. Jeffery, M. R. Lowenstine and George F. Beach, trustees of Valparaiso University, will leave today for Washington, D. C., to confer for representatives of the government board for vocational training. A contract is expected to be signed which will bring between 5,000 and 10,000 men here for training at the local school.

The annual Valparaiso High School play, “Boomerang,” was given last night at Memorial Opera House. Miss Beulah Bondy directed the play. Players taking part were Tom Morony, Bartlett Marimon, Stephen Corboy, Jr., Bernard Finnigan, Harold Wood, Phyllis Stinchfield, Bessie Long, Edith Small, and Dorothy Bartholomew.

April 30, 1921

Members of the American Legion were called to the university this morning to notify men in a rooming house that a red flag containing a skull and cross bones be taken down. When a second visit was made to the place the flag was missing.

An involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed at Indianapolis Thursday against the Hess Mercury Carburetor Company of Valparaiso and Kokomo. Creditors who filed the claims allege the company owes them $2,482.93 ($36,482.98 in 2021).

Looking Back • March 1921

March 1, 1921

Governor Warren McCray, five members of the public service commission, County Attorney Grant Crumpacker and Coroner H. O. Seipel will meet here Friday to investigate the railroad wreck at Porter which caused the death of thirty-seven persons.

Sidney J. Winter, of Stearns and Company, Chicago, were here yesterday looking over location of factory for manufacture of china ware. The company will deposit $25,000 in a local bank, providing chamber of commerce furnishes 12 acres of land and $12,000 toward erection of a building. Investors will be given preferred and common stock.

March 2, 1921

All bodies of persons losing their lives in the railroad wreck at Porter last Sunday night were identified today. The total dead was thirty-seven. The list had been placed at forty-four. The engine of the New York Central Railroad which plowed through the passenger coach of the Michigan Central Railroad train was lifted this afternoon. No bodies were found under it. Dr. Clement Briggs, of Chicago, by his attorney, Robert H. Moore, today filed mandamus action to compel Dr. H. O. Seipel to hold an immediate inquest over the wreck dead. Hearing on the application will be heard Wednesday by Judge H. L. Crumpacker.

Herbert Schleman, of this city, who is attending the University of Wisconsin, will leave soon for Paris, France, to do newspaper syndicate work and attend lectures at the Sarbonne, one of the departments of the University of Paris. He will be gone a year.

March 3, 1921

Dr. Daniel Russell Hodgdon, president of Valparaiso University, today received a photograph from President-elect Warren G. Harding, who takes office tomorrow. On the bottom of the picture is the following inscription: “To President Daniel Russell Hodgdon with best wishes for continued success in a great and good work. Sincerely, Warren G. Harding.” Dr. Hodgdon is an old friend of the Harding family. He also received a personal letter from the president wishing him success at Valparaiso University.

Louis Pahl, of this city, today closed the deal for the purchase of the Minnie Kamerer property, near Joliet Bridge. He will erect a garage building covering the site. The location catches the incoming and outgoing traffic on Lincoln Highway.

March 4, 1921

Probe of the railroad wreck at Porter Sunday night between New York Central and Michigan Central Railroad trains in which thirty-seven persons lost their lives, was started today in the court house here by Dr. Herman O. Seipel, coroner of Porter County. Prominent railroad officials were present for the hearing. Trainmen and signal men were the first witnesses called.

The Lowell High School basketball team eliminated the Valparaiso High School team in the first game of the sectional tourney at Gary this afternoon by a score of 18 to 10. Valpo led at half time, 6 to 4.

March 5, 1921

Charges of involuntary manslaughter were filed today in Porter Circuit Court against W. S. Long, engineer; and George Block, fireman, of the New York Central train which figured in the crash with the Michigan Central train at Porter on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of thirty-seven persons. Long’s bond was fixed at $5,000, and Block’s at $3,500. They were arrested but later posted bond for their release.

The Wheeler school was condemned today by Dr. G. R. Douglas, county health officer, acting on instructions from the state board of health. The school was inspected several weeks ago by a state deputy. Use of the building after June 15 for school purposes is positively prohibited.

March 6, 1921

Whiting won the sectional basketball tourney Saturday in Gary when it won over Lowell, 22 to 8. Whiting defeated Emerson and Fair Oaks to win its way to the finals. Wickhorst was the star of the Whiting team.

Cash fares on the Gary-Valparaiso Interurban were increased Saturday from 3 to 3.6 cents per mile. The increase does not apply to monthly tickets. The increase in fare between Valparaiso and Gary is from 55 to 65 cents.

March 7, 1921

Whiting and Emerson High Schools captured all places on the first all-sectional basketball team selected by coaches and officials at the Gary tourney last week. The first team includes Sibley, Emerson, rf; Burke, Whiting, lf; Sturtridge, Emerson, c; Thiesen, Whiting, rg. The second team comprises: Underwort, Brook, f; Hayden, Lowell, lf; Larsh, Rensselaer, c; Lyons, Brooks, rg; Olson, Froebel, lg; Scott, of Valparaiso received honorable mention.

The Porter County Board of Commissioners went to Gary today to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commerce Commission and Public Service Commission in regard to investigating the railroad wreck at Porter which claimed thirty-seven lives. The commissioners will seek to have conditions such as exist at Porter brought to the attention of the commissions and railroad officials.

March 8, 1921

At Gary, a secret investigation of the Porter wreck was held in which thirty-seven persons were killed. Two members of the Interstate Commerce Commission and two from the Indiana Public Service commission were present. Grant Crumpacker, county attorney, was the only one present representing Porter County. Coroner H. O. Seipel and the county were refused admittance. The same witnesses were examined as appeared here at the coroner’s inquest. Railroad officials and attorneys for the railroads attended. No finding was announced. The Porter County board conferred with railroad officials and the commission members about elevating the tracks but no decision was reached.

March 9, 1921

The Whiting basketball team, winner in the Northern Indiana sectional tourney at Gary may be eliminated from the final tourney at Purdue University through the protest from Hammond High School. It is charged Thiessem, running guard of the Whiting team has played five years. The action by Hammond is in retaliation of a complaint made by Coach Hart, of Whiting, against Cadawallader and Shelton, Hammond players, through which Hammond was suspended by the state association. If Whiting is barred, Emerson probably will be selected to go to Purdue.

March 10, 1921

By a deal consummated today, Modest Coash sold his coal business at the Nickel Plate to Edward Coash and Joseph Saunders, his son and son-in-law. Mr. Coash has been engaged in the coal business 21 years. He will embark in the sand business, having purchased the Bornholt property across from the Nickel Plate Depot. The new purchasers have taken possession.

Frank L. Longshore, who has been connected with the downstairs store of Specht-Finney Company, and Z. J. McMahan, employed in the clothing department of the same store, have leased the building formerly occupied by Chester and Son, and will open up a grocery and clothing business.

March 11, 1921

The Liberty Center school will have electric lights and telephone. Trustee Ira M. Biggs let the contracts to W. C. Bassow, of Valparaiso, for the wiring, and the Portage Home Telephone Company will install the telephone. The electric current will be furnished by the Calumet Electric Company.

The proposed annexation of tracts of land on the south edge of Chesterton, into the corporation limits of the town, will be put up to the county board of commissioners at its meeting March 21. A remonstrance against the annexation has been filed. In case the remonstrance is upheld by the commissioners, the town trustees will undoubtedly refuse to annex the other area which can be taken in merely by resolution of the town trustees.

March 12, 1921

The Indiana Supreme Court yesterday denied the petition of the Public Service Commission for a rehearing in its suit against the Valparaiso Lighting Company. The commission several years ago fixed the rates for electrical energy. Substantial reductions were made. The lighting company appealed and the case was tried before Judge Gallaher in the LaPorte circuit court. The lighting company was beaten and appealed to the high court. That body reversed the lower court. A petition for rehearing was filed. This was denied yesterday. The lighting company charged the old rates in the meantime and guaranteed to make refunds in case it was beaten.

At three meetings of business men held in the Valparaiso Chamber rooms this week, $25,000 was pledged toward the $100,000 being raised by the chamber of commerce. The remaining amount will be raised by the organization throughout the city and county.

March 13, 1921

William Wade Hinshaw, formerly of this city, president and general manager of the Society of American Singers, New York City, has announced an extended tour of a company presenting Mozart’s musical comedy, “The Impressario,” subtitled, “The Wiles of a Prima Donna.” The tour will begin next October and cover the entire country and Canada.

The American Restaurant, which opened its doors Saturday in the Foster building on Washington Street, enjoyed a good business Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday the restaurant was crowded with former patrons of Mr. Foster. The building has been remodeled throughout.

March 14, 1921

The Valparaiso Spring Water Ice Company has purchased an artificial ice making plant and the machinery has arrived here. It will soon be installed at the company’s ice house at Sager’s Lake. The company only harvested a third of a crop of ice this year at Sager’s Lake.

The business girls of Valparaiso organized under the name of the Sphinx Club, have leased rooms formerly occupied by the chamber of commerce in the Academy of Music Block. The club was formed two months ago. It will soon celebrate the event with an “open house.”

March 15, 1921

Porter County has six of the ten high cows in butterfat production in the state, according to Purdue University. Morgan Brothers, of Chesterton, captured first and second places with records of 90-8 and 76.5 pounds of butterfat. Marcene Haxton’s cow won fourth place; Tom Keene’s cows fifth and eighth, and Morgan Brothers, ninth place.

March 16, 1921

Harry Tripp and wife, Katherine Salisbury Tripp, formerly members of the Salisbury Family orchestra, are now performing in vaudeville and doing fine. Mr. Tripp is at present appearing at the State and Lake theatre, Chicago, with the Courtney Sisters, and Mrs. Tripp is in New York City in vaudeville work.

March 17, 1921

Dr. A. M. Jacoby, state and federal tester, arrived here today to make a number of retests of dairy herds in the county. About 40 herds were tested by Dr. Jacoby some time ago and retests are to be made of there.

March 18, 1921

Ford Moe, of this city, who is attached to the hospital ship, Relief, now in Cuban waters, has written a letter to his brother, Robert Moe, of the Sievers’ Drug Store. The weather there is summer heat, he says. Naval men are barred from Cuba because of the smallpox epidemic. The Relief is the master hospital ship of the world.

March 19, 1921

Mrs. Hannah E. Hauff of College City Camp, Royal Neighbors, was elected vice-oracle at the state convention held at Lafayette. She was defeated for oracle by Mrs. Fannie Voltz, Indianapolis, by a close vote.

Union Township residents today filed suit against state board of health and Union Township Trustee appealing from the condemnation order forbidding use of the Wheeler school after June 21, 1921, for school purposes. The plaintiffs say the building was built 23 years ago at cost of $25,000, and the health board move is only a pretext to get a new building.

March 20, 1921

Valparaiso Lodge of Elks last night voted to contribute $1,500 to the Valparaiso University Endowment Fund, making a total of $2,500 given by the order.

A number of prominent citizens are planning to reorganize the Porter County Agricultural Society and put on an agricultural and industrial exhibition the first week of October. Porter County has not had a first class exhibit for a number of years.

March 21, 1921

The Valparaiso Rotary Club was initiated here yesterday. At 6: 30 o’clock a banquet was served at Altruria to 167 persons. James Heron, New York City, and Walter Pittsford, Indianapolis, District Governor of Indiana, spoke. Charter members are: G. L. Maxwell, president: W. J. Morris, secretary; William Schleman, treasurer; O. F. Helvie, sergeant-at-arms; M. J. Bowman, director; B. L. Brenner, Guy O. Carpenter, E. D. Hodges, R. H. Johnston, C. L. Jeffrey, M. R. Lowenstine, Mark Palmer, Mox Ruge, Byron Smith, and Frank A. Turner.

The body of Martin Gabel, Valparaiso boy, killed in France during the World War, will arrive here tomorrow. Young Gabel was wounded in action and died several days later. Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, is planning special rites.

March 22, 1921

Franklin, winner of last year’s state high school basketball title, repeated at Indianapolis when Anderson was defeated by a lop-sided score. Franklin defeated Rochester 19 to 18 by a goal in the last few seconds. Robbins, Rochester, scored all 18 points for his team.

March 23, 1921

The affirmative debating team of Purdue defeated the negative team of Central College of Indianapolis here last night at university auditorium. The judges’ decision was 3 to 2. Valparaiso University affirmative defeated Purdue negative at Indianapolis and the Valparaiso negative defeated Indiana Central affirmative at Lafayette.

March 24, 1921

A petition signed by forty-six taxpayers has been presented to John Bell, trustee of Morgan Township, asking that a joint grade and high school be constructed in the township.

Coach George Keogan, of Valparaiso University, has forty candidates working out for baseball. Among them are Ray, Adams, Higgins, Conley, Sides and Taylor, pitchers; Tree, Anderson and Bledsoe, catchers: Conley, 1st; Schwartz, 2nd; Malony and Beogol, ss; Gilbert, 3rd; Bradley, Robinson, Schwartz, Beanie Harri and Jimmy Marshall, outfielders.

March 25, 1921

Edward Mitzner, who recently came here from Wanatah, has purchased the E. E. Shedd grocery on East Lincolnway. Mr. Shedd has been in the grocery business here for thirty years. Mr. Mitzner has been connected with the Leetz Grocery Store since coming here from Wanatah.

The Hebron Equity Exchange, composed of farmers living in Boone and Porter Townships, is being organized by promoters of the Farmers’ Equity Union, an organization which operates in eleven states. Nearly 100 farmers have taken stock in the exchange. The purpose of the exchange is to operate elevators to handle the grain crop. It is said three elevators will be built in the south part of the county.

March 26, 1921

The Valparaiso Ice Company, which commenced drilling several days ago for an eight-inch well, struck water on its property at Monroe and Lafayette Streets. The strike was made at a depth of forty feet, but drilling was continued to a depth of sixty-five feet. The water will be used to supply the company in making artificial ice.

Marvin Heck, of LaPorte Avenue, was the winner in the contest conducted by the Valparaiso Ice Company for a name for its ice cream. Heck suggested the name “Valpo Velvet.”

March 27, 1921

A meeting scheduled for Saturday at the court house to reorganize the Porter County Fair Association proved a fizzle. Only a small number of persons attended. According to livestock men, the lack of suitable buildings to house the animals is a drawback. Several promoters recently conferred with local fair officials in putting on an exhibition.

After several months of intensive training, the Immanuel Lutheran Choir of forty voices made its debut before a crowded house at Immanuel Lutheran Church last evening. Mrs. A. Z. Arehart directed the choir, which showed superb ability in rendering a difficult program.

March 28, 1921

The contest for membership conducted by the Young Married Folks’ class of the M. E. Sunday School ended Sunday. Eighty persons were present Sunday, making the highest enrollment ever attending a class session. The Reds, captained by Mrs. John Palmer, defeated the Blues, captained by E. Zimmerman, by 200 points. The losers will banquet the winners. Attendance at the M. E. Sunday School Sunday was 650, and the collection $50.

At Summitt, Long Lake, on the Valparaiso and Gary Interurban, a number of cottages are being built at the present time. John Ludington, local contractor, has just completed a home for Harry Steward. Mrs. Louis Irvin, of Chicago, and George Feighner, of Gary, have awarded contracts to Mr. Ludington for new homes at Summitt.

March 29, 1921

Five candidates have filed declarations of candidacy with City Clerk Louis D. Bondy. They are: E. S. Miller for council, first ward; W. Blaine Williams, council, fourth ward; A. J. Worstell and B. D. McMahan, council-at-large; Louis Gast, council, third ward. All are republicans. Gast was elected on the democratic ticket four years ago.

March 30, 1921

The fruit crop in Porter County, believed to have been damaged by cold weather, is not badly hurt. George W. Neet, local fruit man, after examining his tree, said cherries were hard hit, but other crops suffered slightly.

March 31, 1921

Robbers plundered the Hess Mercury Carburetor Company factory on South Greenwich Street last night, taking between 75 and 100 carburetors, valued at $4,000. The loot had just been made and was awaiting shipment.

Five representatives of the Federal Farm Board for Vocational Training were here yesterday and approved plans for training a large number of federal board men at Valparaiso University. The minimum number will be 500. Around $100,000 in equipment will be installed.

Looking Back • February 1921

February 1, 1921

Valparaiso University defeated Northwestern Dentals of Chicago last night by a score of 28 to 21. The locals entered the second half six points behind but a barrage of baskets by McLennon, Anderson, Bradley, Harris and Ecklund put Valparaiso into the lead.

February 2, 1921

The Pioneer Truck Company of Valparaiso has four machines with different types of bodies on display at the Auto Show in Chicago. Rollie Hitesman is in charge of the exhibit. 

February 3, 1921

A.F. Heineman today retired from the firm of Heineman & Sievers. The change became effective February 1. His interests have been taken over by John H. and Robert Sievers. The partnership of Heineman & Sievers was formed October 1, 1900. Mr. Heineman entered the drug business in April, 1879, when he took employment with Willis P. Wilcox. He was a member of the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy for a number of years.

Valparaiso will have a chautauqua this year. Arrangements were made yesterday by the Valparaiso Chautauqua Association with the Morgan Bureau of Chicago for a program to be put on in this city the latter part of August, to continue six days. It will be the first chautauqua since 1913.

February 4, 1921

Ralph Hindenberg, who has been assistant carrier at the Valparaiso Post Office for some time, started today as an auxiliary carrier. Mr. Hindenburg will relieve somewhat the burden now being borne by two of the city carriers.

February 5, 1921

Valparaiso University basketball team defeated the A.G.U. Normal of Indianapolis yesterday at Indianapolis, 56 to 33. Harris with nine baskets and Ecklund with six led the locals’ attack.

Valparaiso High School lost to Culver High School last night at Culver by a score of 23 to 5. Culver led at half time, 13 to 5. Valparaiso was unable to penetrate Culver’s defense in the second half and failed to score a point.

February 6, 1921

Ora J. Davies, of Kokomo, Ind., state treasurer-elect, announced Saturday that he would retain Ben H. Urbahns, of Valparaiso, as deputy in the state treasurer’s office Mr. Urbahns has been deputy to Uz McMurtrie, present treasurer. Previous to going to Indianapolis, Mr. Urbahns was Porter County treasurer. 

Local workers in the Million Dollar Endowment drive for Valparaiso University have already raised $174,000 (≈$2.52M in 2021) of the $250,000 (≈$3.61M in 2021) quota for Porter County, according to an announcement made today. It is expected that when the soliciting period ends next Thursday night that the quota will be exceeded.

February 7, 1921

The Shrine Club of Valparaiso, composed of Masonic members, which intended to purchase the residence and furnishings of Dr. J.R. Pagin at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets, will not exercise its option on the property. At a meeting held Sunday, the club decided to await an official ruling of the grand lodge regarding the status of such an organization.

Gerald McGillicuddy, of this city, a gravel road contractor, attended the automobile show in Chicago last week and contracted for the purchase of six White trucks for gravel road work. Mr. McGillicuddy has contracts for the construction of the Williams and Galbreath roads and will soon begin work on them as the weather moderates.

February 8, 1921

Ford Moe, who has been stationed at Minneapolis, Minn., where he has been doing recruiting work for the U.S. Navy, is here visiting his parents. He has been ordered to report to Philadelphia, to join the crew of the new government hospital ship, Relief, an electrically operated boat. The vessel is due for a long cruise.

February 9, 1921

A.D. and L.F. Keene, local young men, returned today from Akron, Ohio where they have been connected with the vulcanizing department of the Goodyear Tire Company. They will open a tire shop here sometime in March.

February 10, 1921

The Flint Lake Mothers Club was organized yesterday with twenty-two members. Mrs. Louise C. Shauer was named president; Mrs. Theodore Purdy, secretary, and Mrs. Thomas Bradley, treasurer. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. Charles Specht.

The organization of the Rotary Club under way for some time was completed yesterday when the Michigan City Rotary officials came here and organized the local club. The following directors were named: George Leonard Maxwell, William Schleman, Lewis E. Myers, Milo Jesse Bowman, and O. Frank Helvie.

February 11, 1921

Pledges and cash totaling $244,000 (≈$3.53M in 2021) have been raised by Porter County workers in the endowment campaign of Valparaiso University. The quota is $250,000 (≈$3.61M in 2021). In addition to the $244,000, the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce announced at a workers’ supper last night with a pledge of $100,000 (≈$1.45M in 2021) to be raised within the next 30 days.

February 12, 1921

John W. Sieb was renamed president; William J. Morris, vice-president, and Stanley B. Sink, secretary, of the Graceland Cemetery Association, at a meeting held last night. Mr. Sieb retired as manager after 23 years of service. A program will be launched to increase the perpetual care fund from $20,000 (≈$289,174 in 2021) to $200,000 (≈$2.89M in 2021), and the laying out and development of the new section to the north with trees and shrubbery and new roads and lanes.

More than 2,200 persons attended Sunday school in Porter County last Sunday. Valparaiso M.E. Sunday school had the largest attendance with 377. The totals by districts were: Valparaiso, 1,171; Chesterton-Porter, 514; Hebron, 400; Kouts, 181.

February 13, 1921

Valparaiso University defeated Indiana Normal college at Indianapolis Saturday evening, 28 to 8. The Normal team was held to three baskets.

The Kouts Gun Club has a membership of 52. Since the first of the year it has used 10,000 shells in its meetings. Members of the Valpo Gun Club attended a meet yesterday in Kouts. Dr. Robley D. Blount had the highest score with 45.

February 14, 1921

Joseph L. Doyle today purchased a half interest in the James Breed Barber Shop on South Franklin Street in Valparaiso. The Knoll Confectionery, which occupies the front part of the store room, will be moved to the rear.

Valparaiso University cagers defeated St. Louis University 30 to 17. In the middle of the second half the north side bleachers fell, several persons being slightly injured.

February 15, 1921

Milton J. Take, formerly of Valparaiso, has been appointed by Jay F. Grantham as manager of the Gary branch of the Grantham Auto Sales company which maintains four salesrooms in surrounding cities for the sale of Nash and Chevrolet cars. Mr. Take has been in Gary since the early days of the auto business. 

February 16, 1921

Dr. A.M. Jacoby, state and federal cattle herds of the county for tuberculosis. Almost forty herds were tested by Dr. Jacoby some time ago, and retests are to be made of many of these herds.

February 17, 1921

Word was received here today from Indianapolis that the state appellate court has reversed the LaPorte Superior Court in the case of Rosa B. Hitt and others versus Drusilla Carr, involving title to 80 acres of land on Lake Michigan near Miller Station. The case was tried twice at Michigan City and Mrs. Carr won. The case will be sent back to Michigan City for retrial.

The Smith and Smiths Company, recently organized, yesterday took possession of the McFetrich Lumber and Coal Company, purchased several weeks ago. The directors are: Harry E. Smith, E. V. Smith, Byron Smith, Paul Nuppnau, and Grant Crumpacker. Harry E. Smith is president; Byron Smith, vice-president and treasurer; E. V. Smith, secretary, and Charles Whitehead, mill superintendent.

February 18, 1921

Harvey Varner, Valparaiso’s crack wrestler, lost his match last night at the American Legion show at LaPorte to Eugene Graubowsky, of Trenton, New Jersey. Varner succumbed to Graubowsky’s aggressiveness after twenty-seven minutes of fancy grappling. Varner was handicapped by a weak shoulder suffered last week at Kouts when he threw Graubowsky two out of three falls.

Last night at the M.E. church, the Sphinx Club held its first banquet, attended by forty-two of its fifty charter members. The club is composed of young women of the community, who are employed in office work. Miss Marie Harrington of the Farmers’ State Bank, read a paper on “Possibilities,” which ably expressed the sentiment of the club.

February 19, 1921

Porter County will be accorded the honor of sending the first car of corn to starving Europe. John G. Brown, president of the Indiana Farmers’ Federation, notified County Agent A. Z. Arehart by telephone today from Chicago that a car would be ready at the Pennsylvania siding to receive the corn. Porter County was among the first to take steps to collect corn and the honor of making the first shipment was given the county. James O. Cox, county chairman of European relief, was largely instrumental in inducing the Porter County Farmers’ Association to ship the corn.

February 20, 1921

Valparaiso University defeated the American College of Physical Education here last night by a score of 74 to 10. Harris with nine baskets, and Bradley and Anderson with eight each, were the local high scorers.

Valparaiso’s Central Fire Station is undergoing improvements. New sleeping quarters are being added on the lower floor for three firemen. The interior has been redecorated and two windows put in the front folding doors.

February 21, 1921

Emerson High of Gary defeated Valparaiso High at the Valparaiso University gym Saturday night by a score of 36 to 12. Sturtridge was high point getter for Emerson with seven baskets and five free throws. Sibley also contributed five baskets for Gary. Light for Valparaiso, made six free throws.

Kouts held its election for town board members yesterday. William Denzine defeated A. L. Arnold in the first ward; Henry Herring won over William P. Betterton in the second ward; Ira J. Dye was victor over Gust Rueger in the third ward, and R.S. Berlin nosed out John G. Benkie in the fourth ward. Albert Hofferth was unopposed for clerk-treasurer.

February 22, 1921

Farmers from every section of Porter County were here today with gifts of corn for the starving children of Europe. The car at the Pennsylvania siding was filled with shelled corn. The car was the first given in the United States for European relief. Corn shelling machines shelled all the corn brought in on the cob. O. N. Peck had charge of the loading. The city schools paraded to the car and watched the proceedings. Representatives of movie companies took pictures.

February 23, 1921

City and county taxes for 1921 will be higher than in 1920, Treasurer J. G. Graessle announced today. In Valparaiso, the rate for the year will be $3.06 as against $2.35 in 1920. Other taxing units also show increases.

February 24, 1921

Valparaiso University basketball team defeated Notre Dame at South Bend yesterday, 32 to 26. Bradley with six baskets and Ecklund with four baskets and four free throws paved the way for the locals' win. The game was rough throughout.

February 25, 1921

The Lincoln Highway Garage on East Lincolnway was sold today by Harry Pagin to a company composed of Tom Benton, Harlow Smith, and J. L. Spooner. They will take possession March 1.

February 26, 1921

Postmaster J. T. Scott of the Valparaiso Post Office has received an order from Washington not to take checks in payment of money orders. The reason is that the post office cashes more money orders than it issues and consequently there is a dearth of money on hand to cash checks.

February 27, 1921

A new grocery store will soon open up in the third ward. Fred Bowlby, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Bowlby, has awarded the contract to Smith and Smiths Company for a new frame building to be started immediately. Mr. Bowlby has been employed in the steel mills at Gary.

February 28, 1921

Forty-one bodies have been recovered from the wreckage up to 2 o’clock this afternoon in the disastrous railroad wreck between two passenger trains on the Michigan Central and New York Central Railroads at Porter Sunday night. It is estimated that many bodies are still in the wreckage. Searchers are digging in the mass for signs of human fragments. The wreck was due to the failure of the engineer and fireman of the Michigan Central train to heed a derailment signal. Coroner H. O. Seipel immediately launched an investigation into the wreck cause.

James Harden, age 54, dropped dead in the R. P. Wolfe Clothing Store on South Washington Street in Valparaiso this morning from a heart attack. He was talking of the railroad wreck at Porter yesterday which claimed 42 lives when stricken.