These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Backward feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection. Originally, these bits of information appeared as larger stories in the Valparaiso Daily Vidette and The Evening Messenger newspapers.
October 1, 1925
A jury to try Alex McCabe, Chicago gangster, charged with slaying Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in a May 1924 hold up near Cedar Lake, was completed in Porter Superior Court this morning. As the twelfth man was selected to pass upon McCabe’s guilt or innocence in the third trial of the case, an attorney for McCabe filed a motion with Judge Crumpacker to lock the jury up and not allow them to separate during the hearing of the trial evidence. The court granted the request but excused the jury until Monday morning to permit them to get their affairs in shape for an extended “imprisonment.” A total of 148 veniremen were examined by attorneys before the jury was obtained.
“Watch the flasher.” This today became the slogan of Lincolnway motorists as they approached the Franklin Street intersection, Valparaiso’s busiest corner, and became aware that the long-promised automatic “stop and go” electric traffic signal was in operation. Workmen completed the installation about ten o’clock and then the fun began for fully one-half of the motorists, not being accustomed to such regulation, failed to pay any attention to it. Toward mid-afternoon, however, it began to have quite a general effect.
October 2, 1925
Jurors selected to sit in the McCabe murder case and sentenced to “confinement” during the progress of the trial, which starts on Monday, were cheered today to learn that Judge Harry L. Crumpacker, desirous of making their confinement as pleasant as possible, had been able to engage quarters for the jury at the home of Mae London on Garfield Avenue in Valparaiso.
H. C. Taylor, for the last three years proprietor of the Taylor Stationery Store on North Franklin Street in Valparaiso, today announced he would retire from business. He has sold his stock to a Chicago firm. Taylor came here from Zion City, Ill.
October 3, 1925
Word has been received here of the death at Elmyria, N.Y., of Aurelia Woodmansee, age 55 years, a resident of Valparaiso for five years. News of the death came to Frances Anderson, a sister, who had just returned from her bedside, much encouraged over her condition. During her residence here, she resided on North Napoleon Street. Her husband, two sons, mother, five brothers, and two sisters survive.
Peter J. Horn, today received a bronze medal from the United States Department of Agriculture signifying that his entry of a carload of Duroc-Jersey swine in the 250-to-300-pound classification won first prize at the twenty-fifth annual International Livestock Exposition held in Chicago last spring. Accompanying the medal was a personal letter from W. M. Jardine, secretary of agriculture, who complimented the local stockman “for the achievement represented by these superior animals.” Horn passed credit for the showing to E. V. Owens and Sons and Frank Pressel and Son who reared and conditioned the winning swine.
October 4, 1925
Clarence Darrow, famous criminal lawyer and defender of John T. Scopes, Tennessee school teacher, convicted in the widely heralded “evolution trial,” with his wife, was a guest at the James McGill home on Sunday. The trip to Valparaiso was made in McGill’s automobile. They returned to Chicago by train this morning. McGill and Darrow are friends of long standing. The veteran barrister is not a stranger to Valparaiso, having delivered addresses here some years back.
Maxine Knickerbocker, a young lady reared and raised by Eugene T. Funk, former superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary, was legally adopted by Funk today, making her a lawful heir to the Funk holdings.
October 5, 1925
B. A. Gott, manager of the Studebaker garage, is today suffering from a badly burned hand received when answering a call for help in his garage yesterday afternoon. He grabbed a pail of gasoline being used by his son, William Gott, in cleaning a motor, and which was ignited by sparks thrown off by a steel brush. Damage estimated at $150 was caused by the fire.
October 6, 1925
At a meeting of the Valparaiso Council of Boy Scouts, a decision was made that a camp be provided for the scouts, now numbering 217, for next summer. A committee was appointed to investigate the different lake properties and make a report at the November meeting.
October 7, 1925
Frederick James Marston, of Valparaiso, is making considerable progress in his teaching duties at the Kemper Military School at Boonville, Mo., according to word received by his parents, James and Emma Marston. Marston is now a captain in teaching rank and instructs in junior college English and is coach of the tennis team. He is a graduate of Valparaiso High School, Valparaiso University, and took post graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has been teaching at the Kemper school since 1922.
Fred Bartz, of Valparaiso, will represent Porter County in the farmers’ dairy judging contest, one of the highest educational events of the National Dairy Exposition, to be held at Indianapolis starting October 10. Thirty-seven other farmers from ten Indiana counties will also participate with those of California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.
October 8, 1925
Johnny O’Reilly, Chicago gangster, now serving a life sentence in Michigan City prison for his part in the slaying of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in the Halfway House holdup near Cedar Lake, was the main witness this morning at the trial of Alex McCabe, of Chicago, also for the Fancher slaying, in progress in Porter Superior Court. O’Reilly, brought here from the prison by two guards, testified that McCabe had no part in the killing and that he was also innocent of the Fancher murder. He refused to name the men who he claims committed the crime, though interrogated four times on this point by Prosecutor August Bremer, of Lake County.
Johnny O’Reilly, now in Michigan City Prison serving a life sentence for the murder of Thad Fancher, came here to testify in the trial of Alex McCabe, who is also being tried for the Fancher slaying. Due to precautions taken by court attendants this morning, a reporter for the Gary Post-Tribune, who had come here to report the trial, failed to get in because the doors were locked. Circuit Court Judge H. H. Loring came to his rescue and secured his admission.
October 9, 1925
James B. and Emma Dye, through Attorney Frank B. Parks, have started a suit in Porter Superior Court to quiet title of their property located north of the fairgrounds. This property, like all others, is traced from American Indian days. It goes directly back to the tribe of Chief Lewis Shadanai, to whom it was deeded in a treaty of peace with the government in 1823, a number of years before Porter County was surveyed. A few years ago, L. D. Wolf, who at one time owned nearly all this tract, quieted title to his property in a similar action.
For the 146th time during 1925, the Valparaiso Fire Department answered a call yesterday evening at 5 o’clock. An overheated stove caused a fire at the George Cota home, 106 Lincoln Avenue (Brown Street). The blaze was extinguished with a small chemical extinguisher.
October 10, 1925
Closing arguments are being made in Porter Superior Court in the trial of Alex McCabe, of Chicago, charged with the murder of Attorney Thad S. Fancher, Crown Point, in the Halfway House holdup on May 4, 1924. Attorney D. E. Kelly made the opening address for McCabe, and was followed by Franklin T. Fetterer, deputy prosecutor of Lake County. During Fetterer’s talk, Earl Moorehouse, a juror, developed a toothache and time had to be called until he could visit a dentist and have the tooth treated. Attorneys for the defense in their arguments are attempting to show that another set of men other than McCabe were responsible for the holdup and killing.
Winter stretched a long hand out of the north last night and with rain, snow, and sleet, gave this section a blast of its icy breath. Valparaiso was completely blanketed with a cover of white this morning. The trees and shrubbery, unable to carry both the load of green leaves and fleecy snow, bent beneath the double burden.
October 11, 1925
Rev. Frank M. Briggs, new pastor of the local Methodist Episcopal Church of Valparaiso, was greeted by a large congregation Sunday morning on the occasion of preaching his first sermon. Rev. Briggs held pastorates at Chesterton, Lebanon, and Plymouth before coming here. Rev. Briggs was succeeded at Plymouth by Rev. E. W. Strecker, whom he succeeded in the local pastorate.
Alex McCabe, of Chicago, was acquitted by a jury Saturday evening in Porter Superior Court of the murder of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in the Halfway House holdup in May 1924. It was the third time McCabe faced a local jury for the crime. In the first trial, the jury returned a disagreement. In the second trial, he was found guilty and given a life sentence. He was granted a new trial by Special Judge W. H. Worden, of LaPorte. In the interval between the second and third trials, Frank Cochrane, the state’s eyewitness for the killing of Fancher, was mysteriously slain while walking home one night.
October 12, 1925
E. E. Shedd, for forty-five years a resident of Porter County, Sunday celebrated his eighty-second birthday anniversary. In honor of the event, twelve members of his family were entertained at a fried-chicken dinner at the home of his son, Roscoe Shedd. Each fall, Shedd migrates south and is now planning to leave soon for Florida to spend the winter.
Members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club were given the glad news today that Valparaiso electric consumers were to receive a lower rate schedule. The new rates have been approved by the public service commission and have been accepted by the City of Valparaiso. They are expected to result in a material saving to all consumers.
October 13, 1925
Valparaiso experienced a thrill this evening when a large number of officers from Chicago came here with armored cars, machine guns, and sawed-off shotguns looking for Martin Durkin, Chicago bad man and slayer of U.S. Agent Edward Shanahan. According to an aide who was captured in Chicago, Chicago police learned that Durkin was brought to Valparaiso on Monday and unloaded at the corner of Jefferson and Napoleon Streets. It was also learned that he made his way to the Nickel Plate Depot and purchased a ticket for Bellview, Ohio. Heading the Chicago police were Chief of Detectives Shoemaker and Captain Stege.
October 14, 1925
Efforts of William J. Murray, East Chicago attorney, to reopen the case of Milan Vucetich, one of the two 15-year-old East Chicago youths, who two weeks ago were sentenced to the Indiana Boys’ School by Judge H. H. Loring, when they pleaded guilty to breaking into the home of Nelson Reck, at Ogden Dunes, met with a severe rebuke this morning. Attorney Murray claimed the finding of the court was contrary to law and the court had no jurisdiction. Judge Loring informed Attorney Murray that Vucetich pleaded guilty and there was no way whereby a new trial could be granted. Judge Loring finally told Murray to leave his motion with the court, and he would consider the matter and enter his ruling.
October 15, 1925
Chesterton’s bid for a place in the industrial sun was given a rude setback today when it was announced the Fraunfelter China Company plant will be transferred to Zanesville, O., where the company operates another plant. The reason for the change was due to the heavy cost of operating the two plants at a great distance from one another. The company has $300,000 invested in the Chesterton plant, it is said, and this will be sold.
Indiana “Annie” Brown, widow of William T. Brown, who was born in Washington Township to John and Eleanor Shinabargar in 1843, died last evening at 9 o’clock at her home in Washington Township. She had lived in Washington Township all her life.
October 16, 1925
Arthur R. Robinson, of Indianapolis, one of the battery of attorneys for Alex McCabe, Chicago man, acquitted by a Porter Superior Court jury after three trials for the slaying of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in the Halfway House holdup near Cedar Lake, more than a year ago, is being mentioned as the successor of United States Senator Samuel M. Ralston, who died recently. Governor Ed Jackson, a Republican, has the power of making the appointment. Robinson was associated with Daniel E. Kelly in the defense of McCabe.
Responding to spirited appeals on the part of Prosecutor W. W. Bozarth and Deputy Prosecutor John P. Crumpacker, a jury in the Porter Circuit Court this morning after fifteen minutes deliberation, returned a verdict finding Simon Oszvar, of South Bend, guilty of reckless driving under the new Indiana statute. Oszvar was fined $100 plus costs and given a thirty-day jail sentence. It was charged that Oszvar drove his machine on the wrong side of the road into a car owned by John Adler, of Chicago, seriously injuring Adler’s wife.
October 17, 1925
Twenty-one additional deputy sheriffs, armed with serviceable Colts, and plenty of ammunition, are now on duty to guard Porter County from attack by bank bandits. Meeting at Valparaiso National Bank on South Washington Street last evening, officers of the newly organized Porter County Bankers’ Protective Association, in which the five banking institutions that are participating joined with the Valparaiso financial institutions in the war against bandits. Sheriff W. B. Forney also officially appointed this new defensive force.
Meeting at the James & LaForce Shoe Store, Friday evening, directors of the newly organized Lincolndale Country Club adopted bylaws and authorized the directors to take necessary steps to purchase the two-hundred-acre farm on West Lincolnway known as the Summer property. By this action, this Summervale County Club passes out of existence and is superseded by the new organization. The Lincolndale Country Club was incorporated Thursday at Indianapolis. Promoters expect a membership of two hundred.
October 18, 1925
Valparaiso University gridders lost to Michigan State Normal at Kalamazoo, Mich., Saturday, 25 to 0. Valparaiso played poorly offensively, never getting within forty yards of Michigan’s goal, and fumbling on almost every occasion when they had a chance to gain ground.
The Valparaiso chapter of the Izaak Walton League today launched a campaign to enroll three-hundred members in the organization. Earl V. Smith is chairman of the membership drive and has secured the cooperation of local business firms to display rally cards and show windows to bring the league’s message to sports lovers and those who like the call of the out-of-doors.
October 19, 1925
Charles E. Norton, of Valparaiso, was one of two men selected to act as delegates to the Moose Lodge convention to be held at Terre Haute. The selections were made at a district meeting held at Michigan City. Richard Smith, of Valparaiso, was nominated for Guiding Post and will be a candidate at the annual election to be held in Hammond this December.
Charles S. Pierce, local insurance agent, was host to a party of his old friends at a dinner held last night at Hotel Lembke. Covers were laid for twenty-two. Pierce brought to memory some striking incident in the life of each of his guests who, in turn, responded to his challenge to defend themselves.
October 20, 1925
A capacity crowd heard the concert by the United States Marine Band given at Valparaiso University’s auditorium this evening. A good-sized crowd attended the afternoon matinee. The band was brought here by the Valparaiso Lodge of Elks through the efforts of Congressman Will R. Wood.
October 21, 1925
Porter County G.O.P. leaders do not take kindly to Governor Ed Jackson’s action in naming Arthur R. Robinson as United States Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel M. Ralston. Many of them denounced the appointment as a “play of politics.” One Republican spokesman hinted that by naming Robinson instead of Albert J. Beveridge, the governor had made a bitter Republican primary fight next year inevitable. While the Porter County reaction was not directed against Robinson personally, except that all questioned his fitness, it did point out that the governor made a bungle of the situation, a bungle that would split the lines of party harmony. Ever since Jackson turned down the measure that would have made Valparaiso University a state normal school, Porter County Republicans have been lukewarm against him.
October 22, 1925
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the promotion of the organization of any financial institution such as a bank, trust company, or savings and loan association where there is a promotion fee attached, according to an announcement by the directors. This was forthcoming after it was stated that Valparaiso had been picked as one of the cities in which a Mutual Building and Loan Association would be organized. Investigation has developed that this type of organization has been driven out of both Michigan and Ohio, due to passage of adverse legislation.
A reception was held in the parlors of the Valparaiso Methodist Episcopal Church last night in honor of Rev. Frank R. Briggs, the new pastor, and his family. R. C. Higley acted as chairman. Talks were made by Revs. C. W. Wharton, E. R. Edwards, and W. W. Ayer. Rev. Briggs made a response. Musical numbers were rendered by Hollene Whitaker, Vernal Sheets and Frank Wilson.
October 23, 1925
The two-story structure on West Lincolnway, occupied by the Chevrolet Auto Sales Company, was completely gutted by fire early this morning, causing a property loss estimated at $55,000. The blaze is believed to have originated from a short in one of the fourteen used cars stored in the garage and storage department. The building is owned by Roy Ross, who estimates his loss as $30,000. Milton J. Take, president of the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company, figures his loss at $25,000. Six new Chevrolet cars in the display window were destroyed. The Messenger building next door was slightly damaged. Twelve years ago, the Frank A. Turner buggy plant, which occupied the Ross building, was destroyed by fire. Following this, the property was sold to R. D. Ross, father of the present owner.
Bringing action under the Indiana Workmen’s Compensation Act, Violet Farnum, widow of Edward Farnum, Hotel Lembke employee, who lost his life in an elevator tragedy on September 2, 1924, today presented her case before Edgar Perkins, member of the Indiana Industrial Board. If her claim is allowed, Farnum will recover around $4,000 under the compensation act.
October 24, 1925
The Valparaiso City Council was told that the city needs a greater firefighting force by Alderman Samuel E. Collins at the regular meeting last night. The second ward councilman declared that four regular firemen and twelve volunteers could not successfully combat a fire like the one that destroyed the Valparaiso Auto Sales Company, Chevrolet distributors, Friday morning, causing a loss of $55,000. Collins’ assertion was made after Fire Chief W. B. Forney made a request for two-hundred feet of new hose and a dozen rubber coats.
Valparaiso University gridders went down to their third defeat of the season Friday when they suffered a 24-to-0 setback at the hands of St. Viator College. In the first game against the Notre Dame freshmen, the locals lost 20 to 0 and followed the loss with a 25-to-0 licking at the hands of Kalamazoo State Normal. Powell, one of the Valparaiso regulars, sustained injuries that may prove serious.
October 25, 1925
Bidding his Valparaiso and Hobart congregations farewell, Rev. G. Taylor Griffith, priest in charge of the two Episcopal churches, Sunday delivered his last addresses. Forced to quit the pulpit for at least the winter season, Rev. Griffith departed today for the Pacific Northwest where he will spend the winter months. He will be succeeded here by Rev. Arthur Worger-Slade, of Peru, Ind.
Sunday marked the third year of the pastorate here of Rev. Chester W. Wharton, pastor of Valparaiso’s Presbyterian Church. With Dr. J. M. Gelston, now of Alma, Mich., former pastor of the church, in the pulpit, for both morning and evening services, good congregations were on hand in honor of the occasion.
October 26, 1925
“Taxation is the most important public issue before the American people. Like the tariff, it is not – and should not – be a political football, but such they have been made by the politicians and such they seem likely to remain." This was the keynote statement of Congressman Will R. Wood before the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club and guests at the regular meeting of the club at Philley’s cafeteria this Noon.
October 27, 1925
While Valparaiso is inactive as far as political battles are concerned, Chesterton and Kouts are waging red hot scraps between rival candidates for town offices to be filled on November 3. The most intense struggle is being carried on at Chesterton where it is said a record vote will be cast. The only political happening in Valparaiso is that Congressman Will R. Wood will deliver an address at Memorial Opera House on Wednesday evening.
October 28, 1925
Eugene T. Funk, for seventeen years superintendent of the Porter County Infirmary, died Tuesday at his home at Hillcrest, Flint Lake. He served as head of the county infirmary from 1907 until 1924. Funeral services were held this evening at the Elks’ Temple with Elk officials in charge. Rev. C. W. Wharton preached the funeral sermon.
With the Rt. Rev. John W. Noll, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, presiding, assisted by Rev. J. Loche, of Knox, and Rev. W. Bone, of Lucerne, as deacon and subdeacon, and Rev. E. J. Mungovan, pastor of St. Paul’s Church as master of ceremonies, a class of sixty-seven was confirmed in the faith of the church in splendid and impressive ceremonies in St. Paul’s Church Tuesday evening.
October 29, 1925
Congressman Will R. Wood addressed a large gathering at Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso last night. He predicted that Calvin Coolidge would be the only man to ever hold the office of president for ten years. He advocated the two-party system Republican and Democrat and pointed out Germany’s plight with her score or more of parties. Candidates in the coming city election occupied the stage. Congressman Wood was introduced by Celista “Lizzie” Boucher.
More than five hundred Valparaiso people viewed Uncle Sam’s latest “Big Bertha” today at the Pennsylvania Railroad opposite the Three Trails Garage when the big gun stopped here on its way to Fort MacArthur, California. The gun is ninety-three feet and three inches in length and weighs 730,000 pounds. It is capable of firing a projectile weighing 1,560 pounds a distance of twenty-five miles.
October 30, 1925
The Rev. William Ward Ayer, pastor of Valparaiso’s Baptist Church, will have some of the burdens of an extremely active ministry removed from his shoulders by secretarial assistance provided to him by the church board. Some time ago, Rev. Ayer informed the church board that he had too many details to look after and this detracted from the more important business of the church. The board agreed and arranged to employ a secretary.
The Rev. Arthur Worger-Slade, who was recently appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Campbell Gray to succeed the Rev. Father Griffith as priest-in-charge of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, arrived today and assumed the oversight of the parish.
October 31, 1925
Sheriff W. B. Forney was on the jump yesterday and today. He was called to Porter last night by reports that two gunmen had robbed the E. J. & E. Depot at Porter, obtaining a goodly sum of money from the trainmen and the station agent. Search of all trains failed to find trace of the men. Returning to Valparaiso, the sheriff got word that a man answering the description of Martin Durkin, Chicago killer, had been seen in Jackson Township. Sheriff Forney overtook the suspect near Woodville but found that he had made a wild goose chase.
Because he was favorably impressed with the ability of Attorney Oliver M. Loomis, junior member of the law firm of Kelley & Loomis, with whom he associated in the last trial of Alex McCabe, who was acquitted of the murder of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, Attorney Arthur R. Robinson, of Indianapolis, appointed by Governor Ed Jackson as United States Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel M. Ralston, has asked Loomis to take over his extensive practice in Indianapolis. Attorney Loomis is in Indianapolis to consider the proposition.