Jan. 4, 1951: 3-Man Board To Operate Opera House

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 4, 1951.

3-Man Board To Operate Opera House

By ENG ZIMMERMAN, Sr.

A three-man board will be invested with the authority to operate the county-owned Memorial Opera House, memorial to veterans of the War of the Rebellion, and long the storm center of fractional fights among various organizations.

This plan was announced by the board of county commissioners Wednesday at the group’s concluding session of its January meeting.

The commissioners’ decision followed recommendations made early in December by special committees of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and Porter County Farm Bureau which spent much time in investigating the matter.

Only one man was named to the board by the commissioners at yesterday’s session. He is Edward F. Sebens, of RFD. 2, Valparaiso. Sebens operates a farm in Porter township.

The commissioners sought James Patrick, secretary-manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, to act as a member and fill the office of custodian, but he was unable to take the post because of press of chamber business. The custodian would be in charge of all funds received. He would account to the county commissioners. His salary could not exceed $25 per annum.

To Name Two More

The other two members are expected to be named within the next week. Their names will be made public when the commissioners hold a joint meeting with the county fair board at the office of County Agent M.A. Nye on Wednesday night, Jan. 10, to discuss 1951 fair plans.

In announcing its decision to turn control of the building over to a three-man board, the commissioners liberalized the recommendations submitted by the chamber-farm bureau committees.

The commissioners approved the committee’s suggestions that the building be kept as a memorial to the veterans of the War of the Rebellion, and that it be made available to a reputable non-subversive Porter county organization, association, group or individual for the purpose of holding meetings, gatherings, patriotic celebrations and home talent performances, school functions, symphonies, community concerts lectures, debates and uses of like kind. No meeting, however, will be permitted that is not in the best interests of the county, state and nation.

The hall will not be allowed for use in competition with other industries, though the commissioners said they felt that organizations desiring to bring in outside entertainment should not be barred.

While the new board will be authorized to deny use of the building where they deem the venture not justifiable it cannot deny the people of Porter county the right to use Memorial hall, the commissioners ruled.

Members of the joint committee which submitted the recommendations for the new setup were Paul Carmichael, Tom Womacks, James Patrick, Gale Corley, Vernon Dinse, Alva Jones and Walter Sievers.

The opera house which has been under lease to the Shauer interests for a number of years, is now ready to be taken over by the new board, the Shauer lease having expired Jan. 1.

Recently the county replaced the old heating apparatus in the building with a new one at a cost of around $2,000.

The new board when it takes over will be faced with the problem of no funds. Last fall a $1,500 appropriation for 1951 was eliminated by the county council when it was pointed out that as long as it was not known whether the building would be used an appropriation was unnecessary.

Jan. 3, 1931: Mystery Fire Stirs Hebron

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 3, 1931.

MYSTERY FIRE STIRS HEBRON

HEBRON, Jan. 3ーTHis town was agog with excitement last night when it was learned that a barn on the William Alyea farm, four miles east of here, was destroyed Friday noon by fire, resulting from an explosion. According to reports the place had been leased to a foreigner last fall. Following the blast a man was seen running from the place, and the next minute flames burst out from every part of the barn. Remains of what some declared to have been a still were found in the ruins.

Jan. 2, 1941: Stroke of Midnight Is Greeted By Brief But Noisy Spree Downtown

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 2, 1941.

Stroke of Midnight Is Greeted By Brief But Noisy Spree Downtown

(BY HERB STEINBACH)

At a misty midnight hour Tuesday night Valparaiso’s downtown sector broke forth in its salute to the new foundling, 1941, it smashed an earlier silence. For the most part it was a noisy but orderly demonstration.

Ten minutes before 1941 made its midwestern bow there was scarcely any activity on the local courthouse square. There were few cars moving down the wet thoroughfare. A solitary figure could be seen walking down the avenue, and here and there several couples laughed boisterously, but little else was happening outside. The police squad car piloted by Capt. Jerome Frankes, who was accompanied by Patrolman Jim Doran, circled the square, but there was no need for the “strong arm of the law” to round into action.

Then factory whistles rent the midnight air, and church bells tolled in the distance. Somewhere down on East Lincolnway a youngster exploded a  fire-cracker, and a throng of people poured out from the theatre where they had attended the New Year’s Eve attraction.

Cars began streaming out on Lincolnway, seemingly from nowhere tavern revelers joined the moviegoers, and shouts of “Happy New Year” added with the blasts of auto-horns, gave vivid assurance that another new year had begun Noise-makers and horns provided additional squawks of merriment and flash crackers shot into the sky.

For 15 minutes Valparaiso continued its demonstration, but then the crowd thinned out and disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Several cliques of younger men remained standing around the street corners, and a near-fight broke out between a former Valparaiso high school athlete, who said his girl had deserted him, and another youth sporting a Wheeler athletic award. Friends effected an appeasement before blows were struck, and an apology was extended and accepted by the rural youth.

Earlier in the evening joy-bent Valparaiso folkーboth young and oldーinfiltrated into the city;s various taverns. Several gas station attendants reported a brisk aftersupper business, as many members of the younger set bundled themselves in cars for points outside the county. There were still others who joined in private home parties. But wherever people gathered there was one main objectiveーto forget the cars of 1940 for one brief night of reveling.

Bartenders were busy until one a.m. providing customers with beer and liquor. Crowds jammed most of the local “night spots” and hours before the stroke of midnight horns and noisemakers were distributed and paper and novelty hatsーhats that put the modern woman’s headpiece to shameーadorned the locks of Mr. and Mrs. Valparaiso. Nickelodeons and small orchestras struck up popular airs for dancers, but only occasional strains could be caught above the jabbering and joking of the merry-makers. “Auld Lang Syne” enjoyed its usual midnight prominence.

Dec. 31, 1930: Going "Down South"

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 31, 1930.

GOING “DOWN SOUTH”

After a career of forty-three years in the banking business in Valparaiso, Andrew J. Louderback, affectionately known as “A.J.” today stamped his last check and tabulated his final account as cashier of the Valparaiso National Bank. tomorrow, with Mrs. Louderback, he will start upon the first real vacation he has ever had… a trip to the south, to visit their son, Arthur E. Louderback, of Palacios, Texas. Announcement of the decision of Mr. Louderback to cast aside professional duties, for a well-earned rest, was made on December 15. T.L. Applegate is his successor as cashier. Below is printed a reproduction of the interior of the “old” National Bank, in the building adjoining the present banking home, on the north. The old building was built in 1873 and served as banking quarters until six years ago, when the bank moved into its present home. With Mr. Louderback in the bank interior picture was DeForest Skinner, founder and then president of the bank, and the late Erasmus Ball, who was cashier. Mr. Skinner died in 1902 and Mr. Ball in 1914.

Dec. 30, 1930: CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE” - SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 30, 1930.

CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE”

SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Rotary and Kiwanis Ready to Join Chamber of Commerce in Opposition to ‘Goodrich Phone Deal’.

DESIRE FARM BUREAU AND COUNCIL SUPPORT

That Valparaiso’s civic, commercial and industrial interests are going to organize to carry-on the three-year fight against the proposed in pending split up of their telephone service system, was clearly apparent today.

During the last 24 hours, the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs have voted to join with the Chamber of Commerce to “see things through.”

J. William Bosse, retiring as secretary-manager of the city's civic organization to become deputy state superintendent of public instruction under the new Democratic regime, which takes control next march, has determined to center his efforts, the last weeks of his service here, to the organization of the city and community through an effective agency, to battle for its rights and future.

Monday Mr. Bossee appeared before the Rotary club, reviewed the split-up of the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company which means the arbitrary division of Porter county’s telephone Communications between two companies, pointed out the handicaps against community units in progress that will result, and received pledge of spirit support.

Today Mr. Bosse placed the facts of the telephone deal, by which Former Governor James P. Goodrich, through his political power, Indiana, has engineered the transaction to the point where the Public Service Commission has reserved two former rulings and given its approval to a transaction it has held to be “against the public interest” before the members of the Kiwanis club.

The Kiwanis club voted to join with Rotary in support of Chamber of Commerce opposition to the phone deal.

Mr. Bosse is known to desire the active backing of the city administration and of the Porter County Farm Bureau. The Spooner-Leetz administration, predecessor of the present Schenck administration, was active in its support and civic leaders are confident that the governing body will quickly respond. As soon as the farmers and residents of the surrounding communities realize that their interests are equally at stake, with those of Valparaiso, their support is certain to be forthcoming.

Mr. Bosse hopes that the city administration and Farm Bureau will follow the lead of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and appoint committees of three members, to participate in the formation of a central organization through which the fight against the telephone deal will be directed.

“Valparaiso and Porter county have worked for years for better and closer community relations. They have common aspirations and interests. They have realized that their future development is linked closely with the development of the Calumet and Chicago districts, and now through the proposed telephone deal, they are to be split apart,” explains Mr. Bosse.

“They must fight a common fight for mutual protection and advantages. If one loses, all lose,” he added.

The first step to make effective resistance to the latest order of the Service Commission, is the creation of an organization that will unify all community interests. The next step is to adopt a plan for financing efforts.

So far over $500 as being expanded in the contest. There may be a need of $1,000 more. It is possible that attorney Bruce B. Loring who has successfully directed all the legal moves, will  desire the co-operation of an attorney especially versed in the telephone in general utility field.

It is recalled locally, that the LaPorte community recently was successful in making remonstrance in a telephone rate increase contest and financed its efforts through an appeal to all telephone users to subscribe one dollar each to the fund which was augmented by larger subscriptions by the business, banking and industrial interests.

Attorney Loring is understood to plan an appeal to the courts from the commission’s latest ruling whereby it reversed itself and followed the order issued by Judge E. Miles Norton of Lake county, whom Goodrich, when governor, named to the bench, and gave approval to the deal by which Goodrich’s company, the Winona company of Plymouth, gains control of the Valparaiso and Kouts exchanges and the Crown Point Telephone company control of the exchanges at Chesterton Wheeler and Hobart.

If this division is finally made, Valparaiso, the county seat, and all the rural community surrounding it, will be set apart from Chesterton, Wheeler, Hobart, the new steel city development at Port Williams, and the Dunes region development generally.

Those who have taken the leadership of community opposition to the Goodrich scheme are certain that once the full meaning of the proposed transaction is understood, that hundreds of citizens will enlist in the contest, the successful termination of which means so much to county unity and progress.

Dec. 27, 1930: FIRST OF ANNUAL TRIBUTES TO “THE GREAT KNOWN SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR,” GIVEN SUNDAY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 27, 1930.

FIRST OF ANNUAL TRIBUTES TO “THE GREAT KNOWN SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR,” GIVEN SUNDAY

Valparaiso and Porter county, Sunday, will pay tribute to the memory of the “great known soldier of the World War”... Woodrow Wilson.

It was Georges Clemenceau, the Tiger of France, and the outstanding rival of the American president in the negotiations that resulted in the negotiations that resulted in the formation of the League of Nations and the drafting of the Versailles peace treaty, who paid Wilson the above tribute. It was the occasion of the last visit of Clemenceau to the United States. Wilson, a hopeless invalid, was living in retirement, in his home on ‘S’ street, in Washington.

Clemenceau had not seen the former president since the stirring days of the peacemaking in Paris when Wilson worked twelve and fifteen hours a day in the interest of what he termed “a just peace.”

To find his former colleague a physical wreck was a great shock for the famous Frenchman. He was in tears as he left the bedroom of the former president.

“I have just left the bedside of the great known soldier of the war,” he stated. It was one of the most beautiful tributes ever paid Woodrow Wilson.

So, tomorrow afternoon, at Varsity Theatre at 2:30 o’clock, the first program of what is proposed as an annual tribute on his birthday anniversary, over the nation, will be held in Valparaiso. Everyone is invited. Attorneys John N. Underwood of Gary, Mark Storen of Michigan City and others, will deliver brief addresses.

Dec. 26, 1930: CHRISTMAS IS SPENT QUIETLY AND HAPPILY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 26, 1930.

CHRISTMAS IS SPENT QUIETLY AND HAPPILY

With Ordinary Activities Hushed and Spirit of Sharing Predominant, City Holiday is Cheerful.

NO ACCIDENTS OR FIRES MAR JOYS

(BY ENGLEBERT ZIMMERMAN)

Under the spell of Christmas, Valparaiso paused yesterday in the lull of ordinary activities to contemplate the occasion’s significance… give aid to the unfortunate and finally to rejoice in the spirit of Him whose memory Christmas yearly renews.

Spreading the yuletide spirit to every part of the city, Christmas trees glistened and shone in the bright sunshine of a mild Christmas day. Holly wreaths gleamed cheery greetings from the windows of homes and brilliant lighted trees in yards and in homes at night cast a gleam of the age-old message of “peace on earth, Good-will toward men.”

In homes, families were reunited. There was the traditional and overpowering family dinner with much merrymaking and thanksgiving. The night before Santa unloaded his bag at the family tree in the corner.

The weather was perfect over the holiday, and what snow was on the ground disappeared under the warm sun, which shown down the greater part of the day.

Joy and happiness were experienced by the city’s unfortunate and jobless through the open hearts of Valparaiso citizens and service organizations which spread cheer to the most humble homes of the city.

The Valparaiso Lodge of Elks distributed a large number of baskets to needy families, an annual custom with the lodge. The cost this year was defrayed through contributions by the members.

The revival of the midnight mass service at St. Paul’s Catholic church Wednesday night after two years was the signal for a large outpouring of church members and the public to attend this popular service. Rev. John Sullivan, the pastor, preached a short sermon, and special music enlivened the colorful ceremonial.

At Immanuel Lutheran church Wednesday evening, the annual children’s Christmas service was held. Christmas day, special services were held at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with Rev. George Schutes, the pastor, officiating. Large crowds attended the services.

Rev. A.E. Pflaum, of East Chicago, former pastor at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, officiated at services held at 9 a.m. Christmas day in the church. A vested choir provided music for the service.

Business generally about the city was suspended yesterday. The post office, county building, and practically all business establishments were closed for the entire day.

At the fire station Wednesday, the city fire laddies played Santa to a large number of the poorer children of the city. A sack of candy was handed out to each child who called at the station. At one time a waiting line half a block long extended down the street. A Christmas tree tinselled and lighted was a feature. Clarence Osborn, standby of the firemen, was remembered with a large number of presents. At the Premier and Memorial theatres large crowds attended the afternoon and evening performances. Manager Justin Shauer arranged special programs, including vaudeville for the occasion.

The day was exceptionally quiet and free from any disturbances of any king, according to city police. There were no Christmas accidents or tragedies and the city fire department had only one fire call, and that occured in the waning hours.

Dec. 24. 1935: WHAT A PARTY, THAT’S VOTE OF CITY’S KIDDIES Premier Theatre Packed for Annual Christmas Party. Santa and Gifts Spread Joy at Event.

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 24, 1935.

WHAT A PARTY, THAT’S VOTE OF CITY’S KIDDIES

Premier Theatre Packed for Annual Christmas Party. Santa and Gifts Spread Joy at Event.

FOOD BROUGHT TO SHOW FOR NEEDY

Boy! Oh! Boy! What a yowling good time those kids had at their annual Christmas party today.

Just ask any one of them, or any adult who peeked into Premier THeater this morning before the big show started. How those youngsters yelled when Santa Claus strode out on the stage to wish them all a Merry Christmas. How they cheered Commander T.O.Dillon of the American Legion who told them who sponsored the party and thanked all of the businessmen and and Vidette-Messenger readers for their contributions that made the swell gifts of candy and cracker jack possible The Premier Theater management donated all the films and show house for the part.

The event was to begin at 10:30 this morning with doors of the theater opening at 9:45. But who ever saw a youngster waiting at home until that time? Not many. Red checked, laughing kiddies, wide-eyed in anticipation of the fun to come, began to swarm about the show house entrance at nine o’clock. It wasn’t long after, that the legionnaire hosts and manager Justin Shauer of the theater, decided to open the doors. Then the stampede began. Each youngster was given a bag of candy and a box of popcorn confection on his way in and the lines seemed continuous until 10:30, completely filling the large show house.

Prior to the start of the move program Vernon L. Beach led his theater packed audience in several Christmas songs accompanied by Madge Lindall at the piano. Then, after several announcements by Manager Shauer and introduction of Santa and Commander Dillon the kiddies shook the theater with their singing of “Popeye the Sailor Man”, and the two-hour movie performance began.

Due to the help of many of the youngsters scores of needy families in Valparaiso will be treated to a bountiful Christmas dinner tomorrow, for over a truckload of foodstuffs was left in the lobby. This was loaded into the truck of George Grundell, legion member, who carted it to the veterans’ headquarters where it will be sorted and tonight distributed to poor families by the members of American Legion Auxiliary.

In addition to firemen, policemen, Mrs. Walter Vevia, Mrs. Bert Smith and Mrs. Schuyler Leffler, Legionnaires who helped at the theater party this morning were: Commander Dillon, Jack Yeager, chairman of the party committee, V.C. Lane, Ralph Kouns, Frank Reid, Paul McDonald and Ray Tuttle.

Vidette-Messenger carrier boys, all of whom did their bit by soliciting donations from their readers for the party, were represented at the theater today by the committee composed of John MacFarlane, Kenneth Rader, Arthur Van Arsdel and Glenn Reynolds. Harold Trapp was commended for his fine characterization of Santa. Donald Wertman, Bob Rex, MacFarlane, Trapp and Reynolds also did a fine job helping the management straighten up the theater.