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.
May 1, 1925
A gold vanity case picked up near the body of a woman slain northeast of Chesterton on Sunday has caused authorities to believe the woman is Josephine Desiderio, age 27, estranged wife of Louis Desiderio, of Gary. The latter is well known to Gary police and formerly conducted a garage in Gary. He was suspected as a fence for stolen automobiles. During the trial of one of the men implicated as an accessory in the Tolleston bank robbery, in which Herman Uecker, cashier, was killed. Desiderio was an alibi witness for the man who received a two-to-twenty-one-year prison term.
Philley Brothers, operators of a confectionery, newspaper, and refreshment stand in the Haste building on Franklin Street and the Premier Theatre building in Valparaiso, announced a dissolution of partnership, beginning today. Wallace Philley will take over the Premier store, and Vernon Philley, the Franklin Street stand.
May 2, 1925
Samuel Ross, of Gary, was taken into custody by Porter County authorities last night and lodged in jail here in connection with the murder of Josephine Desiderio, whose body was found mutilated and half burned northeast of Chesterton. Ross will be held until it is established the victim was Josephine Desiderio. A new clue developed today when it was learned that the Desiderio woman had applied to a Gary attorney to have her husband, Louis, placed under peace bonds after he had threatened to kill her.
Nathan H. Sheppard, of Valparaiso, was re-named county attendance officer at a meeting of the county board of education held yesterday at the office of Porter County Superintendent of Schools, Fred H. Cole.
May 3, 1925
The Porter County Board of Commissioners today handed down a ruling granting the petition of the Town of Chesterton to annex about 2,000 acres of land, extending from the town’s limits to the Lake Michigan shoreline. About thirty to forty property owners living in the area to be annexed were in court when the decision was announced. They plan an appeal to the Porter Circuit Court through their attorneys.
Mary Deegan entertained the teachers of Valparaiso’s Gardner school on Saturday in honor of Mary Armfield, whose resignation takes place at the close of the term. Covers were laid for eight and a delicious three-course luncheon was served.
May 4, 1925
Because Porter County authorities are not yet sure that the body of a woman found slain on a country highway, northeast of Chesterton, is that of Josephine Desiderio, of Gary, Dr. A. O. Dobbins, county corner, refused to surrender the body to the parents of Desiderio. Dr. Dobbins stated that he had sworn statements from two persons who viewed the body and declared that it was not that of Josephine Desiderio. Florence Boto, alias Kish, a chum of the Desiderio woman, identified the body as that of Desiderio. Boto claimed she was with Desiderio the greater part of last week in the company of two men.
Gilbert W. Butler, from the Boy Scouts of America, spoke to members of the Kiwanis Club at the Hotel Lembke today. He gave many interesting experiences from his thirteen years of volunteer work.
May 5, 1925
E. W. Agar won the Republican primary nomination over John R. Burch. Flora Kinney defeated Grace Blachly for the city clerk nomination by a vote of 907 to 817. Laura Kouns came in third with 290 votes. Charles Hicks and Louis Leetz were nominated for at-large council positions. Rollin C. Higley, present councilman, was a close contender. Other council selections were E. S. Miller, first ward; C. A. Stanton, second ward; Louis Gast, third ward, and John R. Palmer, fourth ward.
May 6, 1925
Summervale Country Club is the name of a new golf course and recreation grounds to be opened in the next two weeks at the S. J. Summer farm, two miles west of Valparaiso, on the Lincoln Highway. The club is the result of an agreement between Summer and his heirs, as parties of the first part, and Roy Hall and others, as parties of the second part. More than fifty members have signed up for the new club.
May 7, 1925
The Liberty Theatre, formerly the Schelling Music Hall, will open on May 9 for the first time since it was closed last fall, following the expiration of the lease held by G. G. Shauer and Sons. August and Josephine Miller, owners of the Valparaiso building, have furnished and equipped the building in attractive style. The Six Mooseheart Melody Masters from Mooseheart, Ill., will provide the opening show.
Fifty members of Charity Rebekah Lodge tendered George G. Sherwood a farewell party last evening at his home on East Chicago Street in Valparaiso. Sherwood will leave Saturday for Cassville, Mo., for the benefit of his health. He will be joined later by his wife and two daughters.
May 8, 1925
Students of the Valparaiso High School Senior Class presented “Golden Days,” a society drama of New York’s four hundred, at Memorial Opera House last night. The players were drilled by Celista Boucher. The high school orchestra under Lily Darby provided music. Players taking part were Anita Parker, William Christy, Millicent Thatcher, Luella Goodrich, Virginia Fisher, Frances Shurr, Vernon Hauff, Lois May Whitehead, Harold Shurr, Dorothy Goodpaster, Mox Ruge, Avis Worstell, Englebert Zimmerman, Leroy Chumley, and Berniece Wakefield.
Freda Brunelle and John Leming, two inmates at the Porter County infirmary, eloped several weeks ago, it was learned today. Porter County authorities today announced that no effort to apprehend the pair was made. Brunelle figured as an important witness in the celebrated case of Eugene Funk, former superintendent, who resigned after charges had been preferred against him and a public hearing held. Leming, a resident of New York, was injured on the Dunes Highway by a hit-and-run driver, and brought to the infirmary while he recovered from his injuries.
May 9, 1925
Par A. Johnson, well known Chesterton businessman, who died recently, left a large sum for charitable purposes, according to his last will admitted for probate in Porter Circuit Court today. The estate is valued at $25,000. The sum of $5,000 was left to nieces and nephews, and the balance to churches, hospitals, and other organizations designed to relieve the sufferings of humanity.
About twenty-five members of Canton Valparaiso, No. 27, I.O.O.F., and Ladies’ Auxiliary, were present at a birthday party given last night at the home of G. G. Sherwood, of East Chicago, on the occasion of Sherwood’s 59th birthday anniversary. A potluck supper was served and games and contests played.
May 10, 1925
The body of the charred and mutilated young woman, found lying by the side of the old Chicago-Detroit Highway, two miles northeast of Chesterton, Sunday afternoon, April 26, was saved from a potter’s field burial Saturday when Bernardi Genero, of Gary, claimed the body of his daughter, Josephine Desiderio, age 21. The Generos heretofore had been unconvinced that the body was that of their daughter. Burial was made in Oakhill Cemetery, Gary.
Echoes of the Thad Fancher murder case, for which Johnny O’Reilly, Chicago gangster, was sentenced to life imprisonment, for his part in the Fancher slaying, were heard in Crown Point on Saturday when Frank Cochran, star witness for the state in the trials of Fancher’s alleged slayers, was found murdered. Cochran was with Fancher at the time of the holdup in which Fancher was killed. He identified O’Reilly and Alex McCabe, who was also convicted of the Fancher slaying, but who has a new trial pending as the killers. Chicago police declare that Cochran was slain by members of the Frank McErlane gang, of which O’Reilly and McCabe were members.
May 11, 1925
V. R. Despard left today for New York City, to join his wife, Minnie, and son, Victor, Jr., who are visiting relatives there. On Saturday, May 16, the Despards will leave on a six-week vacation trip, visiting various European points of interest. They expect to return here early in July.
Frank A. Moore, a member of Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28, Knights Templars, died last night at Columbus, Ohio, according to word received here by Mark L. Dickover. Moore was at one time a resident of Chesterton. During the World War, he served as an engineer on one of the government boats.
May 12, 1925
Froebel High tennis players defeated Valparaiso two matches to one in the third match between the two teams at Brown Field. Anda Pepa, Froebel star, subdued John Lowenstine, and Dick Higley, of the local team, lost to Richter, giant Froebel player. Bud Ruge, the only Valpo player to come through, defeated Milton Levenburg, to avenge a former defeat.
May 13, 1925
Clarence Schultz, fifteen-year-old Chesterton High School boy, was seriously injured yesterday afternoon when he was struck by an automobile on the Dunes Highway. The boy had been riding in a truck and got off, walking directly into the path of a car driven by George Hutch, an employee of the Dunes Highway Garage. The boy was taken to Chesterton and later brought to the Christian Hospital in Valparaiso.
May 14, 1925
Robert Edwards, of Gary, was acquitted by a jury in Porter Circuit Court on Wednesday night of the murder of Percy Coob, in Gary, on December 12, 1924. Edwards had entered a plea of self-defense. According to the evidence, Cobb went to the Edwards home to effect a reconciliation with his wife, who is a sister of Mrs. Edwards. An altercation followed and Cobb attacked Mrs. Edwards and her daughter and attempted to attack Edwards. The latter went to another room, got a gun, and shot Cobb.
Thomas E. Crowe, well-known Kouts attorney, and formerly head of the Kouts baseball team, will leave Porter County and move to Gary where he will establish a law and real estate office. He has been a resident of Kouts for the last thirty-three years.
May 15, 1925
Milton J. Take, who has been manager and secretary of the Valparaiso Auto Sales Agency, is now president and treasurer with a controlling interest in the company. Take has been connected with the local concern since 1922.
Mildred G. McMahan, wife of Zenas J. McMahan, died this morning at the family home on North Michigan Avenue in Valparaiso, following a year’s illness. She was past president of the Woman’s Relief Corps and member of the Ladies of the Mooseheart Legion.
May 16, 1925
A jury in Porter Circuit Court yesterday afternoon returned a disagreement in the case of Abe Irwin, Gary man, charged with murder of Earl Ellis, during a fracas in the Edwards home in Gary on November 4, 1924. The jury deliberated for eighteen hours. At one time, the jury stood ten to two for giving Irwin a life sentence, but two held out for manslaughter.
Valparaiso University was defeated at Dubuque, Ia., yesterday by Dubuque University, by a score of 11 to 8. Both teams made fourteen hits, but Dubuque’s hits were of the long-range variety. “Beanie” Harris clouted out four hits for Valparaiso, one being a homer.
May 17, 1925
George Gullstrom, of Chesterton, was sentenced to the state penal farm this morning by Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court for a term of six months. Gullstrom and Elmer Anderson broke a lock on the Chesterton town jail and freed Barnard Stangland, china factory employee, who was serving a sentence for drunkenness. The two men forced the jail lock with a Ford axle. Anderson, who was scheduled to be tried this morning, did not appear, and his bondsmen were ordered to produce him.
O. E. Nichols, of Hebron, recently awarded the contract for the construction of a bridge across the Burns Ditch on the Dunes Highway in Portage Township, Porter County, commenced work this morning. A controversy between state highway commission members and sub-contractors on the ditch has been holding up the work.
May 18, 1925
Valparaiso authorities today announced that the city dump, located southeast of the city near the county infirmary, would be abandoned as far as hauling garbage and dead animal matter to it for disposal was concerned. Farmers living in the vicinity instituted legal action and secured an injunction. The matter is pending in LaPorte Circuit Court. Thomas Hines, of Pleasant Township, has been awarded a contract for hauling garbage and will take it to his farm south of Valparaiso and feed it to his hogs.
Thirty-two of the fifty-seven seniors of Valparaiso High School, who graduate this month, qualified as cake-eaters this morning. The little party, staged in the classroom of Mabel Benney, high school instructor, was limited to seniors, who in their early days, came under the guidance and supervision of Margaret Cameron Beer, for forty-two years a teacher in Valparaiso. Beer sent a mammoth cake from her home in Iron Mountain, Mich., as a treat for those whom she had once taught and who are now graduating.
May 19, 1925
A big crowd attended the boxing and wrestling show held at Memorial Hall under the auspices of the Moose Lodge. Dick Conners, local lightweight, won from Herbie Kessler, of South Bend, on a technical knockout. Dan Kramer, of Knox, and Dick Martin, of LaPorte, boxed eight rounds to a draw. George Matropoulous, former Olympic champion, was awarded a fall in the wrestling match with Archie “Kid” Cain. Tommy Jones and his gang of boxers from Gary climaxed the bill with a free-for-all.
May 20, 1925
Special judge W. H. Worden, of LaPorte, today granted a new trial to Alex McCabe, Chicago man, recently convicted in Porter Superior Court of the charge of slaying Attorney Thad Fancher in the Halfway House holdup near Cedar Lake in May, 1924. The ruling by this court came after arguments by Attorneys D. E. Kelly and Oliver M. Loomis in support of the contention that the court had erred in failing to properly instruct the jury as to the punishment for second degree murder.
May 21, 1925
Fifty-seven members of the Valparaiso High School Senior Class received diplomas in the annual graduating rites held Wednesday night at the Premier Theatre. Bishop Edwin Hughes, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered the address, “Certain Dangers Along the Intellectual Road.” Superintendent C. W. Boucher presented the diplomas, and Principal H. M. Jesse made a short talk to the graduates.
Three of this year’s graduates at Valparaiso University have landed jobs for next year. Earl Scott goes to Glendale, Calif., to coach basketball and football; Harold “Beanie” Harris has landed a coaching job in Florida, and Walter Hiltpold will direct football and basketball teams at North Manchester, Ind.
May 22, 1925
Girdon S. Bartholomew, age 59 years, died today at his home here with a heart attack. He was born in Morgan Township. Twenty-five years ago, Bartholomew engaged in the bookstore business on Washington Street in Valparaiso with his cousin, Mark Bartholomew. Later, he took over the management of the J. Lowenstine bookstore.
Work was begun this morning on the new Summervale Country Club, west of Valparaiso. Interested in the new venture are S. J. Summer and son, Carroll, owners of the grounds on which the new club will hold forth. It is expected the golf course will be ready for play in the very near future. Memberships in the club are selling fast.
May 23, 1925
Porter Lodge, No. 137, Free and Accepted Masons, dedicated its new lodge home on East Lincolnway last evening in fitting ceremonies. Representatives from many neighboring lodges were present. Judge J. C. Orbison, potentate of Murray Temple, Indianapolis, was the main speaker, Jonathan Osborn, for many years prelate of the local lodge and oldest mason in Porter County, occupied a position of honor during the services. The Apollo Quartette of Chicago sang a number of selections. A social session, inspection of the lodge rooms, and an appetizing lunch followed by the Eastern Star ladies followed.
Joseph B. Brown, manual training instructor at Valparaiso High School, leaves today for Remington, Ind., where on Thursday of next week he will be united in marriage to Hazel Lee Culp, of that city. The marriage is a culmination of a college romance. Brown will return here next year to teach.
May 24, 1925
Lucy Clark Bramhall, age 76 years, a former resident of Jackson Township, Porter County, and a sister of ex-Congressman Jerry Simpson, of Kansas, known as “Sockless Jerry,” himself a Porter County product, died Friday afternoon at her home in Michigan City. All her life had been spent in Porter and LaPorte Counties.
Jack Yasovich, 52, a Russian, who formerly lived on the Hiller place on Linwood Avenue, is being held by East Chicago police pending an investigation of a story told by his eleven-year-old son, Steven, involving him in the slaying of Florence Guazea, age 15, in East Chicago last November. The lad, according to East Chicago advices, is said to have told on his father after the latter had treated him abusively. On the night of the murder, the boy said his father came home and told his son he had just killed a girl, and that if he squealed, he would kill him. The lad remained silent until a few days ago. While a resident here, Yasovich was sentenced to two-to-fourteen years in prison for the theft of chickens. After his release, he was charged with failure to support his children.
May 25, 1925
The annual alumni banquet of Valparaiso High School was held last night at Altruria Hall. Upwards of two hundred attended. Dr. R. C. Shurr acted as toastmaster. Sarah Darst ‘84, welcomed the class to the alumni. Vernon Hauff, class president, gave the history of the class. Talks were given by John Shatz ‘17; Howard Eschell ’24; James Nixon ‘25, Helen Mabel Benney and Principal H. M. Jessee. Howard Eschell was elected president; Edith Stoner, secretary; and Forrest Jones, treasurer.
The Porter Circuit Court Grand Jury, impaneled a week ago by Judge H. H. Loring, spent half a day investigating the Chesterton murder case. They interviewed Sam Rossi and Florence Boto, friends of Josepine Desiderio, murder victim, and convened this afternoon to resume its investigation. George F. Beach is foreman of the body, and Clara Kirkpatrick, clerk.
May 26, 1925
It cost the City of Valparaiso the sum of $655.78 to conduct the recent primary election. Of the entire cost, $129.50 was for meals, or an average of $1.85 per election worker.
May 27, 1925
Charles Ohlfest, administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Bodamer, today sold the Bodamer farm, of 80 acres, fronting on the Lincoln Highway at Blachly’s Corners, to John Bodamer for a consideration of $5,275. The farm has been in the hands of the Bodamer family for over fifty years.
Ben T. Lemster, formerly of Valparaiso, first assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Gary, has been chosen as cashier of the Gary Trust and Savings Bank, to succeed Walther H. Thomas, who recently resigned. Lemster will be succeeded at the First National Bank by C. R. Brown, second assistant cashier.
May 28, 1925
Judge Martin Smith, of the Lake County criminal court at Crown Point has barred Chicago attorneys from practicing in his court. This is because of the slaying of Frank Cochran, of Crown Point, a witness in the case of Alex McCabe, charged with murder of Attorney Thad Fancher, of Crown Point, in the Halfway House holdup a year ago. Judge Smith’s edict was aimed at W. W. O’Brien, Chicago attorney, who represented McCabe at his first trial.
May 29, 1925
Herman E. Sievers, for many years connected with the Specht-Finney Company, and one of its stockholders, was elected president and treasurer of the company at the annual meeting held last night. Other officers named were Claus F. Specht, vice-president; Grover Hinkle, secretary. Sievers is contemplating a number of changes in the store’s arrangement.
Katie Vukovich, of Gary, was freed of the charge of slaying Andrew Yacko when Judge H. L. Crumpacker, in Porter Superior Court, suspended a 2-to-21-year prison sentence given by a jury in superior court here more than a year ago. Judge Crumpacker’s ruling came after the Vukovich woman’s attorneys, Harold Stiles, of Gary, and Ira C. Tilton, of Valparaiso, argued a motion for a new trial, which was overruled by the court. According to the evidence, Yacko was killed when he endeavored to enter the room occupied by the woman in Gary and she shot through the door.
May 30, 1925
Sheriff W. B. Forney and his aides raided the home of Catherine Cassler at Hebron and placed Cassler and her house guest, Loren Patrick, under arrest. Five quarts of alcohol and one pint of kimmel liqueur were confiscated by the officers. The pair were brought to Valparaiso and released under bonds.
May 31, 1925
Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court this morning announced the appointments of John G. Johnson, of Westchester Township, and Clayton Phillips, of Porter Township, as members of the Porter County Board of Review. They, with Auditor B. H. Kinne, Treasurer William McGinley, and Assessor Fred Marquart, will form the board of review to pass on the 1925 assessments.