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, 1926
G. L. Burns, Los Angeles, Cal., left yesterday morning for his home in Lockney, Tex., after three weeks’ visit with Alice Hanson. Burns, who is a graduate of the law department of Valparaiso University, and later practiced law here, is now employed as an attorney by the Los Angeles Police Department. Following a short visit with his parents in Texas, he will return to Los Angeles to resume his work.
Gerald McGillicuddy, Valparaiso contractor, was awarded the contracts for the construction of pavements on Bond and Grove Avenues Thursday night by the Valparaiso City Council. The Columbia Construction Company of Lafayette, now engaged in laying concrete pavements in Forest Park, and William St. Clair, of Valparaiso, were also bidders. McGillicuddy’s bids were $7,577.89 for Bond Avenue, and $7,637.39 for Grove Avenue.
October 2, 1926
Michael Brown, discharged member of an extra gang engaged in laying new rails along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad right-of-way near McCool, was instantly killed last night when a gasoline speeder which he had appropriated and on which he was riding was struck by a B. and O. passenger train between Babcock and McCool. Brown, who had been fired from the gang only the day before, had gone to Babcock to buy chickens and was returning from that place to McCool.
Clarence D. Wood, of Chesterton, Republican nominee for prosecutor of Porter County, speaking before members of the Porter County Woman's Christian Temperance Union at a meeting held Friday declared that if elected prosecutor, he will see to it that the laws are rigidly enforced. Not only did Candidate Wood promise that prohibition law violations cases would be pushed to the limit, but he promised a fling at all gambling devices and subterfuges. He even assailed “all card playing as dangerous,” declaring that “even social events at which card playing predominated often terminated in the passing of wine and liquor.”
October 3, 1926
Valparaiso is to boast a new automobile sales headquarters according to an announcement made today by the Schleman-Morton Company. A contract has been let to the Foster Lumber & Coal Company for the construction of a modern 44x100 foot, one-story structure on Washington Street to be occupied by the Zener-Fortin Buick Sales and Service Company, now located on East Lincolnway. The new salesroom will be ready for occupancy by January 1. It is located on the west side of Washington Street, adjoining the Werman Tire Shop.
Dr. W. H. T. Dau, of St. Louis, Mo., was inaugurated president of Valparaiso University in special services held Sunday at the university auditorium. Valparaiso was gaily decorated for the occasion. Hundreds of visitors came from many cities and towns throughout the central states to participate in the rites. Less than half the crowd was able to enter the spacious auditorium building. Dr. O. C. Kreinheder of Detroit, Mich., spoke on behalf of the university, and Dr. Dau, in his inaugural address, spoke on the subject “In Thy Light We Shall See.” The choir of Immanuel Lutheran Church provided music. Dinner and supper were served to out-of-town visitors at Altruria Hall.
October 4, 1926
A family welfare association is in prospect for Valparaiso. Backed by a committee headed by Grace Maxwell and comprised of Helen Mudge, Medillia Cox, Mable Albe, Minnie Kulp and Mary Alice Sutter, the movement was launched today through the chamber of commerce. According to the organizers there is a need for such an organization in Valparaiso, the purpose of which is to look after all kinds of difficulties affecting individual family life.
October 5, 1926
Ira M. Holmes, Indianapolis attorney, named to appear here as chief attorney for Frank McErlane, Chicago gangster, charged with the murder of Attorney Thaddeus S. Fancher, of Crown Point, and who has been preparing the appeal brief in the case of D. C. Stephenson, grand klan dragon, serving a life term for the murder of Madge Oberholzer, Butler University co-ed, said Tuesday he had received a letter from Stephenson releasing him as his attorney. Stephenson said he could not raise sufficient funds to have the appeal brief printed. He instructed Holmes to turn the appeal matter over to a man whom Holmes declined to name and said that friends of this man would pay for the printing of the appeal brief and other remaining steps in the appeal matter. It is said the man resides in Valparaiso.
October 6, 1926
Scout Executive E. O. Moyer was in Valparaiso today making final plans for the opening Monday evening of the first sessions of a six-week training school for scout leaders. The meetings will be held in Troop One headquarters over Wark’s Hardware.
A Lake County case that has been pending in the Porter Circuit Court for the last ten years was settled today as a jury was waiting to hear the evidence. It involved a suit on the bond of Contractor Lund who did the electrical work on the Lake County Courthouse building at Crown Point. A $5,000 judgment was entered against the contractor’s bond but was later reversed. A settlement was made on the basis of $1,500. Daly & Freund of Valparaiso represented the defendant.
October 7, 1926
Porter County has nearly 11,000 eligible voters for the November election, the largest number in the history of the county, according to the Porter County Registration Board. County Auditor B. H. Kinne had estimated that the re-registration, which was concluded Monday, would equal the 10,000 mark set by the 1924 registration. The county showed an increase of 596 over the 1924 check. The total is 10,774 as compared with 10,178 two years ago.
Henry Albert Sinn, well-known Kouts farmer, was kicked in the face early this morning while at work at his farm near that place. His face was badly battered and cut. He was brought to Christian Hospital where an operation was performed. The lower part of the jaw was removed and his lower front teeth taken out. Reports from the hospital this afternoon are that his condition is favorable.
October 8, 1926
Reports reached Valparaiso from Paris, France, today that Walt S. Louderback, famous artist, had been granted a divorce from Nellie Brooks Louderback. The parties reached an agreement, and Walt was permitted to take the decree. Both are former Valparaiso residents. They were married here in March 1911. For years, Nellie Louderback was closely associated with her husband in his artwork.
Kouts is all warmed up over the approaching baseball game between the Daly and Gill Club, of Michigan City, and the Chesterton Boosters, which will feature Booster Day, sponsored by the Kouts Business Men’s Association. It is the fourth game of the series, Chesterton having won two games and the Michigan City team one game. The previous battles have been so interesting that the fandom of Kouts asked that the fourth game be staged in the Kouts ballpark.
October 9, 1926
“That’s like the good old days, the days when Valparaiso University was up and coming.” This was the verdict Friday night of all who witnessed or heard the ‘rush’ staged by several hundred Valparaiso students who attended a pep meeting and then joined hands and staged a snake dance that finally invaded the downtown business section. This afternoon, Conrad Moll’s university gridders clash with Crane Junior College of Chicago in the opening game of the season.
At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last evening, Councilman E.S. Miller opposed the adoption of an ordinance introduced by Councilman C. A. Stanton for a transfer of a $10,000 bequest left by the late Frederick Kirchhoff in his will for establishment of a park on the east edge of the city from the park to the general fund. Miller appealed to City Attorney William Daly who ruled that the fund could not be appropriated except for park purposes. The ordinance was tabled.
October 10, 1926
Valparaiso University gridders played a rather listless game Saturday at Brown Field and were defeated by the Crane Junior College eleven, 12 to 0. The locals showed no offensive whatsoever outside of Capt. James Jameson who dashed through the line for a number of consistent gains. The Chicago team, with the aid of some spectacular aerial play in the last quarter, pushed over two touchdowns.
Robert Rogers, arrested Saturday afternoon by city police in Valparaiso for suspected booze selling activities conducted from the seclusion of the Indiana Auto Wrecking establishment on Indiana Avenue, was arraigned in City Court before Mayor William F. Spooner this morning and pleaded guilty. He was fined $100 and costs and sentenced to thirty days in the county jail. A large supply of bootleg liquor was confiscated by police when Rogers was arrested.
October 11, 1926
W. W. O’Brien, Chicago attorney, and well known in Valparaiso for his connection with the murder case of Alex McCabe, tried twice in Porter Superior Court for the killing of Attorney Thaddeus Fancher, near Crown Point, was shot by gunmen in Chicago late today. Two men with O’Brien at the time, Hymie Weiss and Patrick Murray, well known Chicago hoodlums, were killed, and two others besides O’Brien were wounded. O’Brien is said to have a good chance for recovery. This makes the second time O’Brien has been shot in gang disputes.
October 12, 1926
The Standard Garage in Wheeler, owned by B. A. Gott, of the Studebaker Sales and Service of Valparaiso, and managed by Harry Hildreth, burned to the ground at 12:45 o’clock this morning. The loss, partly covered by insurance, will run between $9,000 and $10,000. The garage was closed for the night by Hildreth at the regular time, and it is not known how the fire started. The Valparaiso Fire Department responded and did good work. Three Fords and a Chevrolet were destroyed in the blaze, together with a large supply of tires, tubes, and accessories.
October 13, 1926
Lloyd Nunn, age 35 years, was electrocuted yesterday afternoon when the boom of a crane which he was helping to move came in contact with a heavily charged electric power line near Ashton’s Corners, north of Valparaiso. Contractor William St. Clair, for whom Nunn was working, narrowly escaped death when he rushed to the stricken man’s aid. Only for the fact that Lewis Esslinger, who was driving the tractor, was standing on wood saved his life. Nunn was walking on the ground steering the crane by means of a steel crank. All at once the boom of the crane hit the live wire and Nunn gave a cry and sank to the ground. St. Clair rushed to his aid and was shocked when he tried to grab his clothes to pull him away from the path of the crane.
Louise C. Shauer, president of the Porter County Parent-Teachers’ Association, presided at a teachers’ meeting last evening at Wheeler School. Lizzie Boucher and Dr. A. O. Dobbins talked on the benefits to be derived from the proposed county hospital. Both speakers made clear the county’s need for such a hospital and explained the financial facts, including upkeep charges. At the Cook’s Corners School, LoEmma Chester and Dr. G. R. Douglas discussed the same subject.
October 14, 1926
County Agent A. Z. Arehart today received word from J. E. Gibson, federal veterinarian in charge of the Indiana district that Dr. A. M. Jacoby would be returned to Porter County as the first veterinarian to serve under the new area system warfare on cattle tuberculosis. Dr. Jacoby has been in Elkhart County. He will arrive here for duty next Monday. The contract between Dr. Jacoby and the county has been approved by Dr. F. H. Brown, state veterinarian.
Della Harris, Ella Casbon, Ruth Casbon, Elsie Hall, Lodema Church, Ollie Montgomery, Zelda Glover, Alice Wareham, and Julia Wareham went to Chesterton today to attend the Royal Neighbors district convention. A class of instruction was held this afternoon, and initiation will be the feature of the evening session.
October 15, 1926
T. L. Johnson of Lowell has opened a bakery in the old Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce rooms on Washington Street formerly occupied by the Kaber Flower Shop. He will be ready for business tomorrow. It will be called the Quality Bakery.
Susan Adams, 83-year-old resident of Kouts, was killed last Friday morning when struck by a fast westbound freight train at a private crossing of the Chicago and Erie railroad which divides the Dunkle farm and the farm of William Church, one-half mile west of Kouts. The aged woman, partially deaf, had left the home of her son, William Church, with whom she resides, to call upon the Dunkle family, and failing to note the approach of the freight train, stepped directly into its path.
October 16, 1926
Rev. David and Hazel Watts are guests in the manse of the Christian Church having arrived from the west on Friday. Since the last appearance of Rev. Watts, missionary pastor of the local church, whose field is in the Belgian Congo, in Africa, he has entered matrimonial ranks. He will fill the pulpit at the morning service.
Dr. D. D. Rose, who has spent the last few days of his annual thirty-day furlough from his duties at the U.S. Soldiers’ Cemetery at Baton Rouge, La., at his home here, will return south Monday.
October 17, 1926
Charles Burton, age 19, and Elmer Kuhrts, age 26, of Portage Township, were killed Sunday, when a milk truck they were driving was struck by a Pennsylvania Railroad flyer at a crossing in Wheeler. The two men had been collecting milk from farms to take to the milk depot at Wheeler.
Porter County Fair leaders voted today to carry on the fair next year despite a rainout this year. According to President H. I. Barnett and Secretary John R. Burch, the association has not been able to make an audit of the net results of the September promotion which was wrecked by bad weather after an auspicious start. Collection of $2,000 rain insurance will just about offset the losses in gate admissions caused by rain. It was the consensus of opinion among the board members that the fair must have new buildings, and a drive will be made to bring about the fruition of the building program, which was sidetracked last year by the county council vetoing the original appropriation.
October 18, 1926
Architect William Fellows, of the firm of Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton, of Chicago, designers of the new Valparaiso High School, was in Valparaiso today on one of his regular visits of inspection. Fellows expressed complete satisfaction with the progress being made by Contractors Tonn and Blank.
October 19, 1926
The foundation of the Beulah Heights model house was practically completed Monday by the Marks & Wolf Company. The masons, Fred Marsden and Thomas Lemster, put the finishing touches on the foundation job today. According to James O. Cox, builder of the model home, these men have taken especial pride in their work. Bright and early this morning, Don Lytle, foreman for the Foster Lumber and Construction Company, was on the job with five carpenters and work was begun on the superstructure. The house will be completed by Thanksgiving and then thrown open to the public for inspection.
October 20, 1926
Benjamin Hirsch, 13, is the hero of Troop 2, Valparaiso Boy Scouts. This became known today when Dr. A. O. Dobbins, physician of the Hirsch family which resides north of the fairgrounds, stated that the youth is now well on the road to recovery from a serious attack of inflammatory rheumatism which for a time threatened fatal results as it affected the heart muscles. Benjamin was one of the scouts assigned to duty at the county fair last month. With other members of his troop, he served throughout the rainy period, helping to park cars, run errands and render whatever service he could. Shortly after the fair was over, he was stricken. He has been under the care of a physician since.
Funerals of Charles Burton and Elmer Kuhrts, the victims of Sunday’s grade crossing accident at Wheeler, were held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Lutheran church at McCool. A great throng attended. Rev. J. A. Bescherer, of Porter, officiated. Ida Arehart and Minnie Martin sang two numbers. Internment was made in McCool Cemetery.
October 21, 1926
A new $50,000 apartment building for Valparaiso was announced today by Alderman Louis Gast and Frank Cincoske, his son-in-law. It will be located on West Lincolnway adjoining the other apartment buildings managed by Alderman Gast, namely, the Saran, Lincoln, and Jefferson. It will front 48 feet on Lincolnway and extend south 43 feet. The main general contract has been awarded to the Foster Lumber & Construction Company.
With big plans on foot to make the visit in Valparaiso on Nov. 8, of Paul V. McNutt, dean of the Indiana University Law School and state commander-elect of the Indiana Department of the American Legion, local Legionnaires assembled last evening at headquarters to nominate candidates for the coming year.
October 22, 1926
Vernon Marrell, for the second time in less than a week, played the part last evening of delivering a warning notice to property owners that their properties were endangered by flames. A week ago, young Marrell, who resides with his parents on East Chicago Street, rushed to the home of Mary Jordan and aroused the family from sleep, gave the information that a barn in the rear of their home was on fire. Last evening, he rushed to the home of the Harbecks and gave a similar notice. A woodshed adjoining the Harbeck home was in flames.
Chauncey W. Boucher, Valparaiso’s superintendent of schools, and one of the veteran educators of the state, was today signally honored by his professional associates gathered in annual convention in Indianapolis when they unanimously elected him as head of the state teachers’ association. Three other school heads in the state had been mentioned for the post, but Boucher’s selection was without a dissenting vote.
October 23, 1926
Treasurer Amos B. Lantz, of the Porter County Cattle T. B. Testing Association announced today that a fund of about $1,400 was on hand to be distributed to upwards of 1,500 cattle owners whose herds were tested during the last three years. The new federal and state inspection system approved by the board of directors of the farm organization on Oct. 2 is now in effect and takes the place of the former organization. The fund to be divided represents the excess of income over expenses of the fifty cents per head testing fee.
Valparaiso will soon be treated to its $1,000 flashers - the new system of traffic regulation controls, consisting of three units, which are to be placed at the intersections on Lincolnway, at Franklin, Washington, and Lafayette Streets. The signals were ordered last spring and delivered but a few weeks ago. Contract for installation was let last evening by the Valparaiso City Council to the Van Ness Electric Company at a bid of $572. The total cost of the flashers installed will be slightly in excess of $1,500.
October 24, 1926
Invitations have been issued to a large number of people for the dedication of Kouts’ new St. Mary’s Catholic Church next Sunday. Rt. Rev. John F. Noll, of Fort Wayne, bishop, will conduct the rites beginning at 10 o’clock in the morning. Every sister church in the vicinity will participate. The church, built by the Smith & Smiths Company of Valparaiso was completed last week. The structure was started in 1917, following the loss of the old edifice in the cyclone, but only the basement was completed. Building operations were carried on under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Suelzer, who has been pastor of the church for the last five years. St. Mary’s Parish was established in 1885 and Rev. Father Michael O’Reilly, of Valparaiso, fostered the first church.
Marceline Racine, age 80 years, died this morning at 12:16 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Josephine Boule, 814 Lincoln Avenue (Brown Street), following an extended illness.
October 25, 1926
State Treasurer Grace B. Urbahns, widow of the late Ben H. Urbahns, of Valparaiso, and Republican nominee for this office, has notified B. H. Kinne, Porter County Republican chairman, that with Frieda Robinson, wife of the United States Senator from Indiana, who will speak here Wednesday evening, she will make the trip and attend the rally.
October 26, 1926
Walter Blunk, of Valparaiso, was quite badly injured this morning when a car in which he was riding enroute to Gary where he is employed, was in collision with a Chicago car near Deep River. Blunk was accompanied by Louis Detlefs and Lee Weiler, also employed in Gary. The driver of the Chicago car turned around on the highway without giving any signal. Blunk was brought to his home here on West Street after which the two men proceeded to their work in Gary.
October 27, 1926
The lovely rooms of the Sarah Kinsey Memorial Club home were opened this afternoon to members of the Republican Club, and a reception was held for Frieda Robinson, wife of United States Senator Arthur R. Robinson, and Grace Urbahns, treasurer of state, and a candidate to succeed herself. Robinson was introduced to the assembly of Republican ladies by Urbahns, a former Valparaiso lady who needed no introduction. Autumn flowers added a touch to the rooms. A short program, followed by the serving of refreshments, concluded the afternoon’s festivities. Lizzie Boucher, LoEmma Chester, Nellie Chaffee, and Emma Lytle comprised the committee on arrangements.
Jack, a familiar pet in recent years and frequently seen in the vicinity of the Szold Department Store at Lincolnway and Washington Street, is being missed from his customary haunts by many, especially children. Upon investigation it was found that Jack had gone to the happy hunting grounds, due to old age. It was found necessary to ease his suffering with chloroform. He was the property of Dr. Mark Loring, now an intern in a Chicago hospital. For a number of years he was a pal of the Szold boys, and was seen on many an occasion at Sheridan Beach where he performed a diving act off the tower.
October 28, 1926
Del Vista Boulevard, edging the golf course in the Forest Park Addition, has been completed well into the ravine and is the first of the park’s new cement paved drive links to be opened to the public. Work on the entire two-mile paving program is being pushed vigorously despite the inclement weather.
Because it is believed he is planning the disruption of the Indiana State Prison morale in the same manner which caused an upheaval of the Cook County, Illinois, jail politics, Frank McErlane, Chicago gangster and beer runner, who is to go on trial late in November in Porter Superior Court for murder of Attorney Thaddeus S. Fancher of Crown Point, is being penned in a cage which Warden Walter Daly claims cannot be penetrated by a mosquito. The step was taken by Warden Daly after he learned that McErlane had entered into negotiations with Dick Day and Jack Burns, two of the most daring inmates of the institution. Notes were passed back and forth between them indicating they were planning a jail break. The only persons who will be allowed to see McErlane will be his father and his lawyer. Day and Burns were caught last May in a plot to escape from prison and rob a train.
October 29, 1926
Four men giving their residence as Hegewisch, Ill., were arrested today on the Homer Lidster farm in Porter Township, for stealing mushrooms. The quartet was brought to Valparaiso by Lidster at the point of a shotgun. Arraigned before Mayor W. F. Spooner, they were fined $1 and costs. Unable to raise more than $5, the quartet remained in jail until a friend appeared this afternoon and paid their fines. Credit for the detection was given to the Porter County Horse Thief Association, of which there is a captain in each township to prevent persons from molesting crops and animals.
North county Democrats last evening participated in the last rally of the campaign at Chesterton when Harry O. Rhodes, of Gary, opponent of Congressman Will R. Wood, addressed a large crowd at the Chesterton High School. Arthur E. Reglein, candidate for joint state representative also spoke. County chairman Ira C. Tilton presided.
October 30, 1926
Attorney George R. Williams of Chesterton will leave for Canton, Miss., this evening. The Chesterton lawyer owns a cotton plantation and the sharp fall in cotton price has raised marketing problems requiring his personal attention.
Wheeler High School defeated Kouts High School in a fast basketball game on the Wheeler floor last night. The score was 47 to 23. The Wheeler girls won 20 to 6.
October 31, 1926
Valparaiso University lost to the strong Kalamazoo Normal football team Saturday at Brown Field. Valparaiso suffered a number of bad breaks at the start when Captain Jameson and “Big Ed” Peterson were forced to leave the game because of injuries. Morley, Kalamazoo halfback, was the star of the game, once streaking sixty-six yards for a score.
Major Joseph Bush, manager of Blackhawk Beach, a reserved officer of the U.S. Engineering Corps, has been ordered to report at Chicago headquarters for duty. Each year, engineering officers are required to take special training.