Looking Back • September 1922

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

September 1, 1922

The Barneko Tin Shop is the center of a new industry. Emil G. Barneko is manufacturing a self-locking coal chute of his own invention. Machinery will be installed capable of turning out twenty-five chutes a day.

September 2, 1922

Superintendent Fred H. Cole, of the county schools, has received two invitations to address two different groups at the Indiana State Teachers’ Association meeting this fall. Both departments have urged that he accept the appointments even after he had notified them he could not fill the dates.

September 3, 1922

Miss Olive Whitlock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Whitlock, of Jackson Township, is a member of Charles Pratt Post, 94, American Legion. She took out her membership yesterday. She was overseas 1 ½ years, being attached to Unit R Base, 32, Pershing headquarters. She saw action at Chateau Thierry and other battles. She is the only woman member of the post.

Valparaiso has the largest city school enrollment on record and additional students are expected. The enrollment is the largest on record for Valparaiso schools with over 1,300.

September 4, 1922

Porter County was awarded second prize of $100 ($1,763.55 in 2022) in the special class of agricultural exhibits at the Indiana State Fair at Indianapolis. The local exhibit featured milk production. Paul Mather, local artist, painted two large figures of a Holstein bull and cow for the exhibit. A. Z. Arehart and Mr. Mather arranged the exhibit. It will be shown at the Porter County Fair.

September 5, 1922

The USCGC Mojave, carrying Assistant Secretary of Commerce Huston’s party, of which Dr. H. M. Evans, former Valparaiso man, and U. S. Public Health Service official, is a member, has left Yokohama for the Philippines. The boat will then go to India, through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean. The return trip will be by way of Great Britain shortly before Christmas.

September 6, 1922

A portable substation on the Gary and Valparaiso interurban line at McCool was destroyed by fire Saturday night. The blaze is believed to have been due to spontaneous combustion. The loss is estimated at $15,000 ($264,532.14 in 2022). Employees at the station escaped without injury. A severe electrical storm prevailed at the time of the fire, but it is not believed the place was struck by lightning.

September 7, 1922

A new hospital and sanitarium will be established in Valparaiso in the Bloch residence at Pearl (now Park Avenue) and Academy Streets. L. W. Bloch, owner of the building, will remodel the structure and Dr. Harvey S. Cook will lease it. Dr. James Craig, of Gary, and several Chicago doctors are interested in the project.

September 8, 1922

Prof. Frank B. Theroux, who has been for some years head of the engineering department of Valparaiso University, has accepted a position in Cornell University at Ithaca, N.Y., and will leave for that city in a few weeks. Prof. Theroux will also take a course at Cornell.

An enrollment of Valparaiso City Schools taken yesterday by Superintendent C. W. Boucher shows a big increase over last year. At the present time there are 1,415 enrolled. This is an increase of 75 over last year, not counting the kindergarten. There are 358 in the high school and 91 in kindergarten.

September 9, 1922

Berte D. McMahan, who has been a member of the Valparaiso City Council for the past five years, resigned his position last night and will enter the hardware business with William Krudup. At the last election a big fight was waged against him, but he polled more votes than any of the three candidates arrayed against him.

The rating department of the Valparaiso Merchants’ Bureau is in working order. All persons within the trading area have been rated. Ira C. Tilton is attorney for the bureau. Credit ratings of all persons will be circulated among the bureau members.

September 10, 1922

Nicholas Crossland, residing at 957 West Street in Valparaiso, entertained 15 auto-loads of people comprising employees of the Mystic Workers, and fraternal and beneficiary society of Chicago. Mr. Crossland is district manager of the society. All of the autos of the party were decorated.

Clarence Ludlow Brownell, formerly of Valparaiso, is now associate editor of the Public Health Journal of Toronto, Canada. The recent issue of the magazine has an article on the Gary schools written by Mr. Brownell. The latter was connected with the Gary schools following his removal from Valparaiso.

September 11, 1922

W. E. Wansbrough, of Valparaiso, who has been connected with the Texas Oil Company, one of the big oil concerns of the country, has been transferred from Kansas City to Chicago. He will take up his new duties October 1.

September 12, 1922

A tabulation of figures for registration of voters for the November election held throughout Porter County shows only 2,502 voters registered at the first two registrations. The figures were compiled by Auditor B. H. Kinne. Of the number, 891 were registered in Valparaiso.

September 13, 1922

O. K. Napier, of Scottsburg, Ind., has arrived here to take charge of the milk testing for the Porter County Cow Testing Association during the year. Albert W. Snyder, who has been acting as tester, will go to Madison, Ind., to finish his high school course, before entering Purdue University.

R. W. Lytle, whose ice houses at Flint Lake contain five to six thousand tons, is shipping two to three carloads daily to Gary. The ice is taken by the Michigan Central Railroad for use in its fruit and meat business.

September 14, 1922

Miss Sybil Kitchen, county health nurse, has taken up her work among the schools of the county. Miss Kitchen is in Chesterton this week and tomorrow will conduct a free clinic with the assistance of Chesterton physicians. From Chesterton she will go to Kouts and then to the various schools of the county.

By the deal completed today, Boris Kozlenko, proprietor of a shoe and general merchandise store on South Washington Street, sold the business to Louis Kauffman and company, of South Bend.

September 15, 1922

The Calumet Electric Company of Hammond, which is supplying the farmers from Long Lake to McCool, is extending its lines from Long Lake to Wanatah and Lacrosse. The line from Long Lake runs east from Specht’s Corners to the Jared Blake place, then southeast to the Bryarly School, thence south to Al Brown’s Corners, then east to Wanatah and then to Lacrosse. The company also supplies farmers living near Wheeler.

The case of Elmer Alyea versus the National Construction Company and the Hebron Water Company has been filed in the St. Joseph Superior Court at South Bend. The case is the outgrowth of injuries received by Alyea in the explosion of gas while a well was being drilled for the Hebron Water Company. Alyea was not employed on the work but was merely a spectator.

September 16, 1922

Roland C. Higley, connected with the Lewis E. Myers Manufacturing Company, was elected member-at-large of the Valparaiso City Council at a special meeting held last evening. He takes the place of Berte D. McMahan, who resigned last week. Aldermen E. S. Miller, S. E. Collins, John R. Palmer, and John R. Burch cast their votes for Mr. Higley, and Councilman Louis Gast voted for Mrs. A. R. Putnam.

Yesterday was the closing day for the filing of remonstrances against the Sandy Hook Ditch in the south part of Porter County. Many of the original petitioners for the ditch eighteen years ago have filed remonstrances. The general complaint is that the assessments are too high.

September 17, 1922

Morgan R. Evans and Clare H. Peas, of Chicago, today filed suit in Porter Circuit Court against the Pioneer Truck Company in which judgment in the sum of $1,863.15 ($32,857 in 2022) is asked. The plaintiffs claim they furnished the company materials in the form of audit books, books, stationery, and traveling expenses.

Boone Grove and Griffith played a fine game of baseball at Boone Grove yesterday, Boone Grove winning, 2 to 1. Maloney, for Boone Grove, and Zoeller, for Griffith, pitched sterling baseball. A Chicago scout was reported on the grounds and took particular notice of the work of Maloney, Zoeller, and H. Clinedinst.

September 18, 1922

Two Valparaiso men who entered in the auto races at Springbrook Park, South Bend, had a narrow escape from death when their car overturned on a turn while going at a high speed. Welby Rasor was the driver and Jimmy Watts, the mechanic. Both men were badly bruised. The Valparaiso men had qualified in the elimination trials and clipped off the fastest mile in 33.3 seconds.

September 19, 1922

Ennis Bullock has purchased the Glen J. Hardesty place of business on East Monroe Street. Mr. Hardesty will take a rest and then enter some other line of business.

September 20, 1922

A Veterans of Foreign Wars camp was organized here last night at a meeting at N. A. U. Hall. Ora L. McNiece was elected commander; H. S. Schneider, senior vice; A. H. Pollentzke, junior vice; Harvey Varner, adjutant; Arthur B. White, chaplain; Milton Take, quartermaster; William Stoddard, officer of the day; Fred Wiencken, historian; Bernard Wills, outer guard; Dr. V. L. Springer, Dr. M. B. Fyfe and Howard S. Dailey, trustees. The post will be called the Hayes Post in memory of the three Hayes brothers, one of whom was killed in service (Pvt. Lester Hayes), and the other two met death in an auto-train crash (Harry & John Hayes).

Stephen P. Corboy, reporter of the Porter Circuit Court, has been a reporter for the courts for nearly forty years. Mr. Corboy came to Valparaiso 42 years ago as a student at Valparaiso University. He was graduated from the stenography department and for a time did stenographic work in local courts. He also taught at the university. When the present courthouse building was completed in 1883, he was appointed reporter for the Lake-Porter Circuit Court. Elisha E. Field, afterward general, was judge. William Johnston served later and was followed by Judge John H. Gillett and W. C. McMahan, now appellate court judge. For eight years Mr. Corboy was county auditor.

September 21, 1922

Harry Herrick, who has been in the grocery business in Valparaiso for a number of years will re-enter business. He has leased the John Foster building on Washington Street, now occupied by the Valparaiso Daily Vidette office. As soon as the Vidette moves to its new building across the street, the building will be remodeled to suit the needs of Mr. Herrick’s business. 

Construction of the Dunes Highway through Porter County may not be completed this year because of action of the New York Central Railroad refusing to grant a right-of-way through its property, west of Baillytown, for a highway unless the state highway commission releases the railroad from liability to bear expense of a proper highway viaduct over the railroad.

September 22, 1922

The registration effort in Porter County cost the taxpayers $1,100 ($19,399 in 2022) or $29 ($511 in 2022) for each of the thirty-eight precincts in the county. The next registration will be held in October. About 7,500 voters failed to register in the first registration.

Peter C, owned by W. N. Muster, of Valparaiso, won the 2:20 pace at the Crown Point Fair yesterday in three straight heats. The best time was 2:20½. Previous to yesterday’s race, Peter C took second money in a number of races in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

September 23, 1922

Football teams representing the Valparaiso High School and alumni participated in a contest last evening at the fairgrounds, resulting in a 6-to-6 tie. The alumni presented a heavier line and speedier backfield, but the Green and White held opportune times. The game was played to uncover the weak spots in the high school squad before the Emerson game a week from today.

Remonstrances were filed with the Valparaiso City Council last night against the proposed construction of a sewer near the Nickel Plate Railroad. Seventeen property owners objected to the improvement. About forty property owners are affected. The estimated cost of the improvement is expected to run about $7,500 ($132,266 in 2022), or $100 ($1,763 in 2022) per sixty-six feet of frontage.

September 24, 1922

Lowell, with Tim Murchinson pitching both games, won the baseball tourney staged at Kouts yesterday. Lowell defeated Kouts, 8 to 3, and Fowler, 17 to 1. Kouts defeated LaPorte, 3 to 1. Murchinson, Bud Clancy, Krumps, and other imported players made Lowell outstanding team in the tourney.

Julius E. Dreschoff, assistant manager of the Oliver Hotel at South Bend, was in Valparaiso yesterday. He was formerly connected with the Hotel LaSalle in Chicago. He will manage the Hotel Lembke in Valparaiso when it is completed.

September 25, 1922

Drilling for oil in Jasper, Porter, and Lake Counties is soon to commence under the direction of different companies. The machinery for drilling at Giffodt and Tefft passed through Valparaiso yesterday. Drilling will also start this year in the vicinity of Suman and near Hobart. Next year it is said a company will sink a well west of Valparaiso in lands owned by P. W. Clifford and D. F. Donahue. Surface indications west of Valparaiso are said to be in favor of striking oil in better quantities than any place within a radius of 100 miles.

September 26, 1922

Valparaiso’s Christian Hospital last year had 477 cases, of which 162 were surgical and 315 medical. There were 17 charity patients. Hospital expenses this year were increased due to a ruling of the state that the local hospital could not act as a training school for nurses. As a result, additional trained nurses were necessary.

September 27, 1922

Harry Albe’s famous Black and White Orchestra will furnish music for dancing at the Porter County Fair. A large open dance pavilion has been erected on the midway. Mr. Albe has just returned from a summer in Michigan, where his orchestra met with decided success.

The Porter County Fair opened this morning with a good attendance and prospects of the best fair in the association’s history. The Bodnar Brothers Rides and Gordon Stock Company are furnishing the entertainment for the exposition.

September 28, 1922

Installation of new ornamental streetlights in Valparaiso may be halted by an injunction. Surveyors in attempting to line up Franklin from Jefferson and Monroe have run against a snag. Sidewalks along the street are irregular, and in order to line up the lights, it is necessary to place the light posts more than a foot inside the curb at the Lowenstine store. Objections were raised against the proceedings. Mayor E. W. Agar and Councilman E. S. Miller investigated and found it would be necessary to extend the sidewalk into the street at the block north and south of Lowenstine’s.

Organization of a boy scout troop at Wheeler has been completed under the direction of the Gary council. The troop is comprised of nine boys. L. F. Newsome is scout master; George L. Arnold, Dr. A. O. Dobbins, E. E. Walsh and R. L. Field comprise the troop committee.

September 29, 1922

Julius E. Dreschoff, of South Bend, has leased the Hotel Lembke now being completed in Valparaiso. Mr. Dreschoff has been connected with the Oliver Hotel in South Bend as auditor for nine years, purchasing agent, steward, and assistant manager. For a number of years, he was connected with Abe Frank, now president and general manager of the Ambassador chain of hotels Los Angeles.

Announcement was made today by Dr. Harvey S. Cook, one of the head promoters of the new Valparaiso hospital to be located in the Bloch property, corner of Academy and Pearl Streets, that the hospital would soon be ready for receiving patients. Remodeling of the building will be completed in two weeks. The building will accommodate 40 patients.

September 30, 1922

The Pennsylvania Railroad, realizing the absolute necessity of moving coal over its lines, in order to prevent suffering this winter, has placed an embargo on both carload and less-than-carload freight, except perishable freight, livestock, coal and coke, for a ten-day period ending October 11. It is thought by the railroad management that in that time enough coal can be hauled into different localities to prevent actual suffering.

Rev. Guy O. Carpenter, present pastor of the M. E. church in Valparaiso, has been returned for another year, according to announcements made at the annual session of the Northwest Indiana M. E. Conference at Brazil. Mr. Carpenter’s appointment was strongly recommended by the local congregation. A. H. Lawrence was returned to Chesterton and J. A. Lord to Hebron.

Looking Back • August 1922

These century-old historical excerpts were selected from the Looking Back feature of The Vidette-Messenger newspaper, which are part of the PoCo Muse Collection.

August 1, 1922

Doyle and Breed, barbers, yesterday moved their shop from Franklin and Indiana to the building formerly occupied by McDowell Pomeroy, on Washington Street in Valparaiso. The building vacated by Doyle and Breed has been leased to Gus Pappas and brother for a pool hall.

August 2, 1922

J. H. Warner, of Boston, Mass., a steeplejack, started work painting the cross on the high tower of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Valparaiso. He will also repair the broken and loose tile in the tower.

August 3, 1922

Half of the taxes paid every year in Porter County are from corporations―railroads, telegraph and telephone lines, banks and so forth. They are assessed by the state tax board. Total local assessments returned by the assessors of the county total $31,000,000 ($539,355,714 in 2022). Corporations are assessed an equal amount.

Supt. C. W. Boucher, of the Valparaiso City Schools, has received a letter from Indiana University on the fine showing of five of his former students. They are: Laura Neet, Hazel Mutler, Ruth Blachly, Jeanette Finney and Fred Kennedy.

August 4, 1922

The Pioneer Company of Valparaiso was today incorporated by the secretary of state at Indianapolis with a capital stock of $100,000 ($1,739,857 in 2022). The purpose of the company will be to buy and sell real estate. P. L. Sisson, Effie M. Sisson, Joseph Blalock and T. L. Applegate are the incorporators.

E. L. Loomis was elected president of the Valparaiso City Board of Education at a meeting held last night. Myron J. Drapier is secretary and A. A. Hughart, treasurer.

August 5, 1922

Five original paintings by Walt S. Louderback, former Valparaiso boy, and son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Louderback, of Valparaiso, are on exhibition in this city in the Philley Confectionery. Reproductions of paintings also appear in Hearst’s and Good Housekeeping Magazines, in illustrating stories.

Two memorial trees at the courthouse yard at the north entrance to the county building planted last Armistice Day by the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary are failing to survive. One has already died and was recently removed. The other is following suit. Dry weather is held responsible.

August 6, 1922

The state tax board Saturday approved the appraisement of farmlands plus improvements made this year by Porter County assessors. This year’s appraisement was $76.97 ($1,339 in 2022) per acre against $77.60 ($1,350 in 2022) last year.

Kirchoff Park, on the eastern edge of Valparaiso, bequeathed by Fred Kirchoff, together with $10,000 ($173,985 in 2022) in money, will be placed in good condition. The public improvements committee of the council, together with members of the civic association, will visit the park and outline the improvements to be made. A new fence, flower beds, and benches are among some of the projects planned.

August 7, 1922

Major J. J. McKenszie, of the Valparaiso Shelter, was found guilty yesterday by Justice T. B. Louderback on a charge of slander preferred by E. T. Funk, superintendent of Porter County Infirmary. McKenzie is said to have told persons Funk operated a still at the county farm. An appeal will be taken to the Porter Circuit Court.

Valparaiso Chief of Police Robert Felton yesterday ordered all draymen away from the corner of Lincolnway and Washington Street. The move resulted from complaints received from various persons of near accidents. The drays have taken locations at the southwest corner of the square.

August 8, 1922

Peter Jansen, of Gary, has purchased the old Burge farm, south of Wheeler, for a consideration of $30,000 ($521,957 in 2022). The property has been owned by the Dwyer family for the past three years.

August 9, 1922

Word was received here this morning from Monticello, Ind., that Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, former pastor of Valparaiso’s Methodist church, is in critical condition from a stroke of paralysis.

August 10, 1922

About 1,000 poor children of Gary enjoyed an outing yesterday at Wauhob Lake. The children and their mothers were guests of the Salvation Army. The Valparaiso-Gary Interurban furnished free transportation.

Farmers of Porter County and Valparaiso merchants will hold a big harvest picnic at Brown Field on Aug. 24. A program, including games, races, band concert, baseball game and other attractions is being planned.

August 11, 1922

Miss Mary Brad, of Porter, born without hands, has been a teacher in the Porter County schools for 25 years. She can sew, write, and do other things any person with two hands can do.

A skating rink will be made at the tennis courts at Brown Field next winter. Mr. Matthews, an engineer at Valparaiso University, is promoting the venture.

August 12, 1922

Three persons were killed and four injured, one seriously, at 8 o’clock this morning at the Kettle Crossing, of the Michigan Central Railroad, west of Porter, when a train struck an automobile. Mrs. Louis Cohen, daughter Florence, and Meyer Pinsof, of Chicago, were killed. Jerome Cohen was seriously injured. Sol Silverstein, Louis Cohen and Oscar Pinsof were injured.

L. D. Wolf, former Valparaiso man, died last night at San Diego, Calif. He was eighty and a veteran of the Civil War. Three daughters survive.

August 13, 1922

Two big real estate deals were consummated here today. Glen J. Goddard traded the old Lewis farm of 200 acres, west of Valparaiso, to Edward Mitzner, for his grocery business at Lincolnway and Michigan, and business building at 70 Washington Street. The total consideration was $60,000 ($1,043,914 in 2022). Goddard also traded 253 acres in Pulaski County to Harold J. Schenck, of Valparaiso, for a farm near Ligonier, Ind.

The Pennsylvania Railroad today settled for the deaths of Harry and Carroll Hayes, who were killed when their automobile was struck by a Pennsylvania train at the South Franklin Street crossing. Mrs. Minnie Hayes, the mother, received a check for $8,000 ($139,188 in 2022).

August 14, 1922

The August Schumacher hitch barn, former home of the Pioneer Truck Company, on West Indiana Avenue in Valparaiso, is being remodeled for a garage. Schumacher has sold the property to Andrew Beyer. Edward Ference will be in charge of the garage business.

Mayor E. W. Agar announced today that Valparaiso has leased the William Arnold farm, near the Porter County Infirmary, for a dumping ground for garbage. It is now ready for use.

August 15, 1922

Kouts citizens are considering the purchase of a twenty-acre tract of land near the town, known as Hodgins’ Driving Park, for a baseball park and recreational center. A meeting will be held to discuss the proposition.

August 16, 1922

A Gary-bound interurban car and a work car collided head-on at the Woodville Junction yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. None of the passengers were hurt.

August 17, 1922

Valparaiso citizens will pay more taxes in 1923. The rate for 1922 was $3.22 ($56.02 in 2022), but is expected to approximate the $3.50 ($60.89 in 2022) mark next year. Townships where new schools have been built will feel the increase.

Prompt discovery by Charles L. Jeffrey, of Chesterton, saved the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Bridge at Woodville from being destroyed Tuesday night at 11 o’clock. Jeffrey was returning from Chesterton. Sparks from a passing engine are believed to have set the fire. Nearby farmers helped to extinguish the blaze.

August 18, 1922

Sixty-six seniors received degrees and diplomas yesterday morning in the annual commencement exercises at Valparaiso University. The graduates comprised the second edition of the 1922 class. Robert Judson Aley, president of Butler University, and former graduate of the university, made the address.

Workmen for the Kelly Construction Company, of Chippeau Falls, Wisc., have arrived here to install the new ornamental lighting system for Lincolnway and the business district in Valparaiso. A large force of men will be employed to make up for lost time in failure of materials to arrive on time.

August 19, 1922

Mrs. C. L. Terry, of Valparaiso, has been engaged by Lowenstine and Sons to take charge of the store’s book department.

Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, former pastor of the Methodist church in Valparaiso, died yesterday at his home in Monticello, Ind. He was local pastor from 1911 to 1916. He was seventy-three years of age.

August 20, 1922

The Kouts baseball team won a tournament staged at the Porter County Fairgrounds yesterday. They defeated Lowell 8 to 5, and Boone Grove 6 to 3. Valparaiso lost to Boone Grove 4 to 3. Fiene, an old Chicago White Sox pitcher, pitched for Boone Grove.

Benjamin Barts, age 42, was fatally injured Saturday at 8:20 o’clock, when he was struck by a Grand Trunk Work Train in the local yards. Barts recently came here from Rensselaer. He has a wife and daughter.

August 21, 1922

H. C. Taylor, formerly connected with the Lowenstine and Sons’ bookstore, has opened a stationery, school, and office supply store in the room with the Electrical Sales Company, next to the Schelling Music Hall on North Franklin Street in Valparaiso.

Claus F. Specht today rounded out 50 years in the commercial life of Valparaiso. On Aug. 22, 1872, Specht entered the employ of G. Bloch, pioneer businessman of Valparaiso. Specht came to Valparaiso in 1871 and his first work was on a farm. Later he was employed at the Sager and Chartier brickyards and helped make water bricks for the Porter County Jail. Soon afterward he took employment with Bloch. In 1883, Specht, S. L. Finney and Peter Hesser founded the present Specht-Finney Company.

August 22, 1922

The Chicago Motor Club mechanical service station in Valparaiso handled more than 1,700 Chicago Motor Club members who stopped to buy gas and accessories on July 4, according to a bulletin issued by the club.

Nick Kuraski, of Gary, was instantly killed at Turkey Creek yesterday when he was hit by a Grand Trunk train. John Kowal, of Gary, escaped injury. The men had been to Crown Point after grain.

August 23, 1922

George Sheeks, of the American Laundry on South Lafayette Street in Valparaiso, has awarded a contract to Smith and Smiths Company for a new addition to his building.

August 24, 1922

On the occasion of their joint picnic at Burlington Beach, Flint Lake, Aug. 25, Hammond and Valparaiso locals on the American Federation of Musicians will give a band concert in the evening at 7:30 o’clock.

August 25, 1922

The farmers and mechanics picnic held yesterday at Brown Field was attended by more than 2,000. A free lunch was served at noon followed by a band directed by W. H. Diercks. Talks were made by F. R. Marine, of the Valparaiso Chamber, and H. I. Barnett, of the Farmers’ Association. The Farmers’ baseball team defeated the Valparaiso Firemen, 9 to 6. Field and athletic events were held.

C. W. Benton, trustee of the Frank B. Chester estate, today sold the business building at 58 Lincolnway occupied by William Smith, barber, to James L. Meagher, of the Corner Drug Store. The deal involved $18,000 ($313,174 in 2022).

August 26, 1922

Today Field R. Marine, Republican candidate for prosecutor, is mayor of Valparaiso. Mayor Edgerton W. Agar, who is leaving for a vacation in Canada, appointed him as mayor pro tem until he returns.

Kouts vicinity, on both sides of the Kankakee River, will soon see oil drilling operations. Oklahoma oil men have leased farmlands in that section and will drill wells. W. J. Henry, of Valparaiso, owns land in the territory to be drilled.

August 27, 1922

Identification of the man found incinerated on the Lake Michigan Beach at Waverly Beach, several months ago, appears unlikely, according to Porter County authorities. A Philadelphia, Pa., concern has notified Coroner H. O. Seipel that it has been unable to trace a Winchester gun found near the body.

August 28, 1922

A petition for a concrete road from the Grand Trunk in Valparaiso to the concrete road at Waverly Beach was filed yesterday with the Porter County Commissioners. It is proposed to build the road under the county unit road law.

Frank Wilson, who has been a member of the White-Myers Chautauqua Company as soloist in Missouri and Iowa, will arrive home tomorrow for a visit before joining the Ralph Dunbar Opera Company.

August 29, 1922

The greenhouse on West Indiana Avenue owned by Sheriff William Pennington, has been told to Alex Lippman and Paul Nuppnau. The Valparaiso property is presently occupied by James Sheldon, florist.

The assessed valuation of the several corporations of Porter County as fixed by the state tax board for 1922 is $29,436,090 ($512,145,914 in 2022). The total assessed valuation of the county, including the net local, is $59,600,000 ($1,036,954,857 in 2022). In 1921, the total assessed valuation was $62,376,310 ($1,085,258,684 in 2022). In 1920, it was $63,759,950 ($1,109,332,044 in 2022).

August 30, 1922

 T. C. Mullen, formerly associated with his uncle, D. E. Kelly, in the practice of law in Valparaiso, has been named acting city manager of Michigan City. He has been serving as city attorney.

August 31, 1922

R. C. Breth, who has been manager of the Valparaiso Chamber, resigned yesterday and will take a position with a Chicago firm. No successor will be named. The present officers headed by E. D. Hodges, president, will be in charge.

Looking Back • June 1922

June 1, 1922

A roaring in trees in many parts of the county today sounded like the hum of factory wheels. It marked the visit of the 17-year locusts. On the William Schleman farm, near Hebron, a five-acre tract of timber was literally covered with locusts. The locusts lay eggs and the insects hatched there-from, eat the leaves, and kill the trees. No reports have come of growing crops having been damaged. Porter County Agent A. Z. Arehart has a number of the locusts on exhibition at his office in the courthouse.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Maudlin and son arrived here yesterday from Laffayette, Ind., where Mr. Maudlin is attending Purdue University. Mr. Maudlin is commander of the Disabled American Veterans post of the World War at Purdue University. He has been selected as a delegate to the national convention of the D. A. V. to be held at San Francisco, Calif., in later June.

June 2, 1922

The annual alumni banquet of Valparaiso High School was held last night at the M. E. Church and Lincolnway school. J. Earle Mavity, ’17, acted as toastmaster. Attorney J. S. Bartholomew, ’97, welcomed the class to the alumni association. Marian Albright responded for the Class of 1922. Helen Dean, ’17, sang two songs. Alma Curtis, ’16, gave a reading. John Fabing, ’20, spoke on the value of the alumni association. Edith Small, ’21, gave a toast to the sweet girl graduate. Charles Coyer, ’22, gave a violin solo. Superintendent C. W. Boucher made a plea for support of the alumni. Lowell Dowdell, president of the alumni association for 1921 and 1922, presided at the business session. Richard Fabing was elected president; Bessie Long, vice-president; and Forrest Jones, secretary-treasurer. The crowd then went to the Lincolnway school and danced.

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, awarded the contract for the construction of the new high school and grade building at Wheeler, has commenced work on the foundations. The excavation has been completed. The building will be ready for occupancy next fall.

June 3, 1922

Representatives of the Lansing Morgan heirs, owners of land on Lake Michigan abutting Waverly Beach, are causing the arrest of persons driving along the beach on their property. A test suit may be brought to ascertain whether property rights are being violated.

Albertus Gray, of Valparaiso, has returned from Detroit, Mich., where he attended the meeting of the Polar Bears of the North Russia Expedition. The convention passed resolutions insisting the government erect one of its proposed hospitals for the disabled in Detroit, asserting Detroit gave more per capita of its youth to war than any other American city.

June 4, 1922

The Valparaiso Mid-West League team defeated the South Bend Singers Sunday at South Bend, 5 to 4. Smith pitched a fine game for Valparaiso and was accorded marvelous support. Valpo batted Henning hard. Three thousand attended the game. Manager Deak Austin has booked Racine, Wisc., for a game there on Sunday.

June 5, 1922

With practically the entire force of the old Pitkin & Brooks Glass Factory at work, the F.W. Lesch Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of cut glass, began operations yesterday at the southeast corner of Franklin and Lincoln Avenue (now Brown Street) in Valparaiso, in the old church building. The Lesch Company is working under a contract from Pitkin & Brooks Company, and will also do other work.

June 6, 1922

Mayor E. W. Agar, who is a member of the Valparaiso University faculty, is not teaching at the summer term which began last week. This is the first time he has missed a term in 27 years. Next September he will resume his teaching. Mr. Agar began teaching in the Michigan schools 40 years ago (circa 1882). Prior to coming to Valparaiso, he was Indian agent and superintendent of the Indian schools in the State of Washington.

June 7, 1922

William Nallis, Delmore Carr, Nick G. Bulls, David R. Hoffman and Edward F. Boule, members of Valparaiso Chapter, No. 2, Disabled American Veterans of World War, will represent the local chapter at the national convention to be held at San Francisco, Calif., June 26-30. Other members of the local post will also attend.

The new hotel being erected by Charles F. Lembke, local contractor, is being built according to lines set forth in the Chicago building ordinance for reinforcement of concrete buildings. The entire construction is concrete, including footings, basement walls, interior and exterior columns, girders, beams, joists, floors and stairs.

June 8, 1922

Aaron Sapiro, Chicago attorney and marketing expert, addressed a large gathering of farmers at the Memorial Opera House last night on the new plan that will place the milk industry on a business basis and return the producer his just share of the consumers’ dollar.

Fred Weincken and Ora McNiece have returned from Chicago where they attended the reunion of the Second Division, commanded by General Bell during the World War. Both Valparaiso men were decorated with the Fourragère, a French war decoration, for distinguished service with the American Army in France.

June 9, 1922

The body of a man, apparently thirty years of age, and burned to a crisp, was found yesterday afternoon on the Lake Michigan beach, three and one-half miles east of Waverly Beach in Porter County. Malcolm Simmons, a Chicago student camping in the dunes, discovered the body. The body lay on a pile of burning ashes. A Winchester rifle lay nearby. It is believed the man was murdered.

Dr. H. M. Evans, who is connected with the U.S. Public Health Service at Washington, D.C., will leave June 17 for a tour of the world on behalf of American trade and development of the fur, seal, and salmon industries of Alaska. The party will be headed by C. H. Huston, assistant secretary of commerce. The trip will be made on the United States Cutter, Mojave.

June 10, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last night, City Attorney E. G. Osborne was instructed to draw up a contract with the Valparaiso Lighting Company for the installation of an ornamental lighting system on Lincolnway.

Judge and Mrs. H. H. Loring, and son, Bruce, attended a reunion last night at Hebron of the Hebron High School Class of 1890. Judge Loring taught the class for three years.

June 11, 1922

Mrs. R. C. Wheelock, formerly Beulah Beshears, of Valparaiso, and her husband were killed yesterday in Chicago when an airplane in which they were riding crashed. Mrs. Wheelock, who for the past two years had been head of the Fine Arts Department at Valparaiso University, was married last week at the H. C. Swartout home here.

Local authorities investigating the mystery of the finding of the burned body of a man in the Lake Michigan sand dunes near Waverly Beach, are still without clues regarding his identity. A report that Chicago newspaper men planned to dig up the body caused Sheriff William Pennington and Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney to hurry to the scene. As they arrived the newspaper men stepped from a boat. The party consisted of Austin O’Malley, D. E. Williams, E. W. Raple, Nicholas McDonald, Dr. Joseph Springer, deputy coroner of Cook County, Ill., and Darrell R. McConnaughly, a funeral director. The men told the officers they went to the place to look at the grave but disclaimed any attempt at molestation of the body. The officers did not go to the grave to investigate.

June 12, 1922

Wheatfield and LaCrosse, of the Kankakee Valley League, staged a great game Sunday. LaCrosse won 27 to 1. Myers, Wheatfield pitcher, quit in the third inning when his teammates failed to accept easy chances. It was LaCrosse’s first win following four straight losses.

A Winchester rifle found near the body of an unknown man incinerated on a pyre in the sand dunes near Waverly Beach may lead to his identity, Coroner H. O. Seipel said today. An effort is being made to trace ownership through the number on the gun. Yesterday Deputy Sheriff W. B. Forney and Coroner’s Physician Joseph Springer, of Cook County, Ill., nearly came to blows when the two men became involved in an argument over the digging up of the body of the victim by Chicago newspapermen. Dr. Springer attempted to bluff local officers but soon found out his mistake.

June 13, 1922

An argument over the slaying of an unknown man in the Dunes region of north Porter County caused a fight last night near Miller’s Station between Paul Wilson, husband of Diana of the Dunes and Eugene Frank, Miller fisherman. Wilson attempted to strike Frank and was shot in the leg. Mrs. Wilson went to her husband’s aid and was struck on the head with a gun by Frank. The three were taken to Gary at gunpoint by Frank’s father. The fight started when Wilson upbraided Frank for bringing curiosity seekers to the Wilson home while the latter was not there.

June 14, 1922

The Consumers’ Wholesale Grocers with main offices at Chicago Heights, Ill., today leased the Henry Sievers’ building on East Lincolnway for a term of five years. The company operates 35 stores in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. The Sievers building was formerly occupied by the Kingley Shirt Company.

June 15, 1922

P. Kenneth Brock, formerly manager of the Kingley Shirt Company factory in Valparaiso, will soon commence the manufacture of men’s shirts, women’s and children’s dresses and shirt waists in the upper part of the Sievers building on East Lincolnway. The Kingley Shirt Company recently closed its factory here because of heavy overhead.

Tuesday in superior court at Michigan City, Judge Harry L. Crumpacker granted the petition filed by Attorney Mark B. Rockwell on behalf of William Smith, of Valparaiso, whereby the latter assigns and transfers his lease to the building on West Lincolnway, now occupied by him as a barber shop and pool room, to the National Tea Company. The latter company will move its store from Indiana Avenue to the new location.

June 16, 1922

The Porter County Fish and Game Club will be reorganized. Elmer Vrooman, inspector of the Department of Conservation, was here yesterday and conferred with Dr. J. D. Keehan, local club secretary. Mr. Vrooman stated this section of the state had always been active and he desired a live organization to protect fish and game in Porter County. A. J. Bodine will arrive here in a few days to begin a reorganization. Mr. Vrooman stated two game wardens would be sent here this summer.

A china factory, three times as large as the Chesterton plant, will be erected in Valparaiso within the next two years by the American China Products Company, it was announced today. The factory, when operating in full blast, will employ 1,500 people. The local unit will have 18 kilns.

June 17, 1922

Dr. Joseph Lester Gordon, of Wheeler, was graduated from the medical department of the University of Kentucky on June 8. He is also a graduate of the Wheeler High School. He will leave in a few days for Wayland, Ky., to practice his profession.

St. Paul’s Parochial School closed yesterday afternoon for the summer. There were no graduates from the school this year, but next year there will be a big class. Jean Overmeyer was high honor pupil among the first-year high pupils with an average of 96; Leonard Gannon, high among second-year pupils with 96; and Rose O’Sullivan, high among third-year pupils with 95.

June 18, 1922

Negotiations are now under way by Chicago colored people who have been figuring on purchasing Sager’s Lake for the leasing of the property for a term of 99 years with an option to buy the same. It is understood the promoters intend to lease 400 lots on the basis of 7% interest on a valuation of $400 ($6,845.33 in 2022). By this method $12,000 ($205,360.00 in 2022) would be created for the down payment. Mr. Sager said today he was still willing to sell to Valparaiso interests.

Wesley Hoffman, who obtained a degree of Bachelor of Science in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Purdue University, has accepted a position in Chicago at the Underwriters’ Laboratories.

June 19, 1922

Contract for construction of the new Valparaiso Daily Vidette building on the Salyer site, southwest corner Washington and Jefferson Streets in Valparaiso, was awarded to Smith and Smiths Company. Work will be started at once and completion is expected by Oct. 1. The building will be a two-story brick. The upper floor will contain office rooms.

Glen J. Goddard, of Valparaiso, has traded 640 acres of land near Francesville, Ind., for a store building and stock of merchandise at Lafayette. The deal involved more than $100,000 ($1,711,333.33 in 2022).

June 20, 1922

Mayor E. W. Agar and City Attorney E. G. Osborne returned today from Chicago after a conference with President Brewer, of the Valparaiso Lighting Company. They obtained the signature to a contract drawn up by Attorney Osborne and approved by the Valparaiso City Council for the installation of an ornamental lighting system on Lincolnway in the business district.

June 21, 1922

Mrs. H. M. Evans, son, Max, and daughter, Lucille, arrived here last night from Washington, D.C., and will occupy the Dr. E. H. Powell home on North Washington Street during the summer. Dr. Evans sailed last Saturday from Seattle, Wash., with Assistant Secretary of Commerce Claude Huston and party of government officials for a trip around the world to be gone until December.

June 22, 1922

Tony Massey, who conducts a barber shop in the basement of the Szold Department Store on Lincolnway, has been in his present location 56 years. In 1866, he purchased the interest of his brother, Lafayette Massey, and Anson Goodwin, in the business. On the wall of the Massey shop is a clock which survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. It was rescued from a pawn shop by Mr. Goodwin some time ago.

Valparaiso trap shooters who participated in the Indian shoot at Petoskey, Mich., made the following scores: Powell, 141; Hunsley, 140; Blount, 136; Gray, 136.

June 23, 1922

A road roller, belonging to Porter County, which crashed through a bridge over Salt Creek, near Crocker, about a week ago, was hauled from its position in the creek yesterday. Ernest Luedtke, of Furnessville, was driving the roller when it went through the bridge. He was uninjured.

Mrs. Laura Roe Kouns, of East Jefferson Street, received word from Washington, D.C., that she had been appointed to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

June 24, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City council last night, A. A. Hughart, cashier of the Farmers’ State Bank, was elected a member of the city board of education by the city council. He succeeds Harry R. Ball, whose term expires soon. Mr. Hughart has been an educator for many years. He served as Superintendent of Porter County Schools and later as city superintendent of the Coffeyville, Kansas, schools. Since the return here six years ago he has been connected with the Farmers’ State Bank.

The golf course of the Valparaiso Country Club, northeast of the city, will soon be ready for play. Piping of water from the main of the Valparaiso Home Water Company from the Valparaiso-Chesterton Road, three-quarters of a mile away, is nearly completed. The water is essential for the growing of grass on the greens.

June 25, 1922

Arthur S. Simon, manager of the wholesale and retail grocery department at the J. Lowenstine & Sons’ store, resigned his position Saturday to become buyer and manager for Tibbetts & Garland store on Michigan Avenue, Chicago. The latter concern is one of the largest in Chicago. Mr. Simon came here six years ago from Springfield, Ill., and has built up a large business at the Lowenstine store.

Earl J. Goheen, coach of athletics at Valparaiso University last year, has been appointed coach for the coming year. Mr. Goheen was graduated from the law department this spring. At present time he is taking a coaching course at the University of Illinois under Robert Zuppke, coach at Illinois.

June 26, 1922

Rev. Father Theodore Hammes, pastor of the Wanatah Catholic Church, has been appointed priest-in-charge of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at South Bend by Bishop H. J. Alerding, of Fort Wayne. He will go to South Bend on June 28.

Charles White returned today to Wenatchee, Wash., after a several days’ visit here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. White. Mr. White is superintendent of the water works at Wenatchee. He has been in Hot Springs, Ark., attending the international meeting of the Lions’ Club.

June 27, 1922

Ralph J. Cory, manager of the Valparaiso Lighting Company, announced today that work on the city’s new ornamental lighting system will start in two weeks and be completed by Oct. 1 of this year.

June 28, 1922

Seral I. Warren, son of J. A. Warren, of Kouts, is attending reserve officers’ training at Camp Knox, Ky. The camp comprises 500 students gathered from nineteen colleges and universities.

June 29, 1922

According to announcement made by several members of the Valparaiso City Council, another fire truck will be purchased for Valparaiso sometime this fall. The new machine will be larger and better than the present one. The need of another truck has been apparent for some time, according to the council members.

Nelson J. Bozarth, nester of the Porter County Bar Association, and Civil War veteran, now entering his 79th year, believes he still retains his old-time prowess as a swimmer. After reading an account in an Indianapolis newspaper of the ability of Dr. A. P. Letherman, he issued a challenge to the doctor to meet him in a swimming contest. Mr. Bozarth has swum Flint Lake many times and knows its ins and outs.

June 30, 1922

Judge H. H. Loring in Porter Circuit Court today established the Smith Ditch, a drain at Wolff’s Corners. The estimated cost is $17,200 ($294,349.33 in 2022). More than 50 property owners are affected by its construction. Amos Lantz was named construction commissioner. Petition for the ditch was filed a number of years ago by Attorney Frank B. Parks for the petitioners.

Chesterton now has sufficient land for building and housing a population of between 15,000 and 20,000. Ninety acres of land, consisting of the Haslett, Cushman, Lewis, Colling, and Brown tracts has been annexed to the town. The land lies in the middle of the corporate town on its southern edge. The proposed new sewer is to run through the south part of the newly-annexed area.

Looking Back • May 1922

May 1, 1922

Robert Felton, elected Valparaiso Chief of Police by the Valparaiso City Council to succeed James A. Jones, who resigned, assumed his new duties today. Matthew Brown will take Chief Felton’s beat on night duty.

Announcement was made today that the theatrical interests of J. A. Schelling and A. F. Heineman, operators of the Schelling Hall of Music and Memorial Opera House, and the Premier Theatre, owned by Shauer and Sons, has been merged.

May 2, 1922

Nearly 5,300 votes were cast by republicans in yesterday’s primary. Those nominated were: Field Ray Marine, prosecutor; Ross C. Jones, clerk; William Pennington, sheriff; C. E. Barrett, recorder; Dr. H. O. Seipel, coroner; Fred Marquart, assessor. A. A. Coplin, treasurer; B. H. Kinne, auditor; Floyd R. McNiece, surveyor; Marion Curtis and C. E. Fifield, commissioners.

May 3, 1922

Lauren F. Maudlin, of Valparaiso, was elected commander of the Lafayette Chapter, Number 4, Disabled Veterans of the World War of Purdue University. Before going to Purdue, Mr. Maudlin attended Valparaiso University and took a prominent part in the activities of the Rehabilitation Club and Daughters of the American Revolution chapter here.

May 4, 1922

W. A. Hill, of Hammond, won the republican nomination over J. J. Overmyer and A. O. Krieger, of Porter County for joint representative of Lake and Porter Counties. Will R. Wood, for congress, will have 10,000 majority over William Anderson, of Gary, and Senator Will Brown, of Hebron, defeated Nathan H. Sheppard, of Valparaiso, by 6,000 for senator of Porter, Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties.

Kalamazoo College defeated Valparaiso University baseballers 1 to 0 yesterday. Adams, of Valpo, allowed three hits, while Valpo garnered five off Ray, Kazoo twirler, who struck out 10.

May 5, 1922

The general contract for the new Westchester Township school has been awarded to Joseph Ameling, of Chesterton. Only the rough work will be done this year because of lack of funds, according to Trustee J. G. Johnson and Attorney C. W. Jensen. Later money will be forthcoming to do the plumbing, heating, and ventilation.

Earl J. Salisbury, who has been manager of the Schelling Music Hall and Memorial Opera House, will go to Detroit, Mich., Sunday to join an orchestra. Roger Wilson will accompany him.

May 6, 1922

Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, enjoyed an impromptu concert by its new band last night. The band comprises twenty members, but an attempt will be made to increase it to forty.

Shea and Company, of Hammond, which has the contract for Lincoln Highway from Deep River to Valparaiso, have commenced grading near the Tom Brown farm, west of Valparaiso.

May 7, 1922

Twenty-one acres of land north of the Grand Trunk Railroad owned by the Pioneer Truck Company was sold today at sheriff’s sale to satisfy a $4,500 ($75,995.36 in 2022) judgment of the Valparaiso National Bank. James H. McGill was the purchaser.

Saturday Supt. E. T. Funk opened the fresh air tuberculosis camp at the Porter County infirmary. The infirmary has six beds, and these were filled up with arrival of a patient from Portage Township.

May 8, 1922

A Valparaiso branch of the National Welfare Council was organized last night by members of the National Association of Post Office Clerks and City and Rural Mail Carriers associations. Harry Albery was named chairman; Ellsworth Mitzner, vice chairman, and Frank Deckro, secretary.

A total of 1,665 school children is shown in the Valparaiso enumeration just completed. The total is a gain of 71 over last year.

May 9, 1922

Valparaiso University baseball team defeated Wheaton College yesterday at Brown Field, 8 to 0. Martenson hurled for the locals and was unhittable. Thomas, for Wheaton, pitched well after the fifth inning, allowing only one hit.

May 10, 1922

Nelson J. Bozarth, of Valparaiso, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for judge of the Indiana Appellate Court. Mr. Bozarth is a graduate of Valparaiso University and the University of Indiana.

May 11, 1922

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, was low bidder at $31,574 ($75,995.36 in 2022) on the construction of the new joint high and elementary school at Wheeler, and Smith & Smiths Company, Valparaiso, was low bidder at $2,035 ($34,366.79 in 2022) on the remodeling of the Union Center School when Trustee A. O. Dobbins opened bids at the office of the county superintendent of schools in the courthouse here today.

Charles Claudy and family have moved here from Battle Creek, Mich., and are building a new home in the Alpen Subdivision. Claudy is general car inspector for the Grand Trunk Railroad.

May 12, 1922

Trustee A. O. Dobbins of Union Township has withheld award of contracts for building a new high and elementary school at Wheeler and remodeling of the Union Center school. The Wheeler bid was lower than the estimate, and the Union Center bid higher.

Robert Winslow, of Valparaiso, a student at the University of Michigan, has been made a member of the mines, music, and dramatic fraternity of the university, only a few students being accorded the honor each year.

May 13, 1922

Anderson Brothers, of Gary, was awarded the contract for school building at Wheeler at a bid of $47,500 ($802,173.21 in 2022), and the Foster Lumber and Coal Company, Valparaiso, the contract for remodeling at Union Center school at $4,500 ($75,995.36 in 2022), by Trustee A. O. Dobbins last night.

The lighting committee of the Valparaiso City Council made a report last night on plans and specifications for a new ornamental lighting system for the business district. The system will consist of 96 units.

May 14, 1922

Charles F. Lembke, builder of the Hotel Lembke, announced today he will start pouring the footings for the foundation of the building next week. Steel for the building has arrived. About 3,500 loads of dirt have been hauled from the basement.

Boone Grove made a garrison finish yesterday at Lowell by blasting five hits and four runs and winning by a 5 to 4 score. Walters, Kaleel and E. Forney was the battery for Boone Grove.

May 15, 1922

Knute Rockne, coach at Notre Dame, and Councilman George Hull, of South Bend, attended a meeting here today of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club. Coach Rockne spoke on athletics in college, deeming it just as necessary to develop the body as the mind.

A group of members of Chapter 2, Disabled American Veterans of the World War, will attend the national convention to be held at San Francisco, Calif., in June.

May 16, 1922

Valparaiso defeated Kalamazoo College yesterday at Kalamazoo, 1 to 0. Smith, for Valpo, struck out 12 men and homered to win the game.

May 17, 1922

Charles F. Cobb, chairman of the Porter County Fair Board, has made the following appointments for the fair in September: Henry Barnett, general superintendent; Herman Homfeld, cattle superintendent; Walter Williams, horse superintendent, C. W. Boucher, school displays superintendent.

May 18, 1922

Contract has been let out by the Smith and Smiths Company for a one-story, 50’ x 50’ garage building at the Joliet Bridge by Walter M. Davis and Louis Pahl, of the Three Trails Auto Service Company.

J. F. Lininger yesterday sold the American Restaurant on Washington Street in Valparaiso to G. E. Crane, of Pennsylvania.

May 19, 1922

A lower jawbone of a prehistoric monster was found yesterday along a dredge ditch on the A. E. Upp farm in Pleasant Township. The bone was 18 inches long and contained three teeth three inches across.

Harry Herrick yesterday traded the O. P. Kinsey property on Greenwich Street for 120 acres of land near Hebron to Jerry LaFrentz, of Valparaiso.

May 20, 1922

Milo J. Bowman, Jr., has been named president of Valparaiso University by its board of trustees to succeed Dr. John E. Roessler, who resigned several months ago. Bowman is dean of the law school.

Albertus Gray will leave Wednesday for Detroit, Mich., to attend a reunion of the Polar Bears, composed of members of the United States Expeditionary Forces to North Russia during the World War.

May 21, 1922

Kouts defeated Boone Grove Sunday at Boone Grove, 1 to 0. An error and Herring’s single produced the final run. Walters pitched for Boone Grove and Chief Rainer for Kouts. Approximately 1,800 persons attended.

Mrs. Frances Anderson, employed at Lowenstines’, has purchased a half-interest in the Terry Tea Room.

May 22, 1922

E. A. Schall, for two years general secretary of the Valparaiso University Y.M.C.A., has resigned and will go to Lake Geneva, Wis., to assume charge of the summer camp.

Ray Adams, star pitcher of Valparaiso University baseball team, and Maxine Witham, a student in the music department, were married in Chicago several weeks ago, it was announced today.

May 23, 1922

Work on the construction of a new bridge over Salt Creek on the Lincoln Highway, west of Valparaiso, was commenced this morning by Cleary and Hailey Construction Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, awarded the contract by the state highway commission. The structure will cost $27,000 ($455,972.14 in 2022).

May 24, 1922

The Valparaiso Electric Service Company, located at 119 East Lincolnway, distributors of Vesta Battery, yesterday was taken over by the Cook Electric Company located in the Main Garage. Vernon Barnhizer, former owner of the Valparaiso Electric Company, will be associated with the new firm.

May 25, 1922

Rev. E. J. Mungovan, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, was given a reception last evening at the Catholic Community Hall on occasion of his 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The affair was a surprise and was planned by the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Ladies, and Oasis Clubs.

John J. Blaine, Governor of Wisconsin, and a graduate of Valparaiso University Law Class of 1886, made the address to the graduating class at the university this morning at 10:30 o’clock.

May 26, 1922

Forty-two seniors received diplomas at the annual commencement exercises of Valparaiso High School held at the Memorial Opera House last night. Dr. Josiah C. Sibley, Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, delivered the address.

W. A. Stimson yesterday became agent for Oldsmobile in Valparaiso. He now has three car concerns, Studebaker and Maxwell being others.

May 27, 1922

At a meeting of the Valparaiso City Council last night the Valparaiso Lighting Company submitted a proposal for installation of an ornamental lighting system. The council also passed a curfew ordinance regulating the right of children under 16 years to be on the streets between 10 o’clock in the evening and 5 o’clock in the morning.

Class freight rates between Chicago and Valparaiso will be attacked by Valparaiso shippers. H. E. Fairweather, of Fort Wayne, has been retained to represent local shippers. It is expected a reduction will be obtained.

May 28, 1922

G. L. Burns of Lockney, Tex., graduate of Valparaiso University Law Class of 1922, has associated himself with P. J. Bailey. They will have quarters in the Academy of Music Block at the southwest corner of Main & Washington Streets in Valparaiso.

Frank Hull, of the Maxwell Implement Company, is moving to LaCrosse, Ind., to engage in the implement business.

May 29, 1922

Frank Rumney, husband of Mrs. Jewell Rumney, employed at the local telephone office, was killed Sunday morning in an automobile accident in Chicago. He suffered a fractured skull. Surviving are the widow, a daughter, his parents, two sisters and five brothers.

The Chesterton Bank has purchased the $150,000 ($2,533,178.57 in 2022) bond issue of the Westchester Township School in Chesterton. The bonds bear five and a half percent interest.

May 30, 1922

Lives of three persons were snuffed out at a grade crossing on the Pennsylvania Railroad on at the Porter-LaPorte County line, two miles west of Wanatah, this afternoon, when a car driven by Clarence Bailey, federal board student at Valparaiso University, was struck by the Pennsylvania Railroad milk train. Bailey was killed along with Mrs. Magdalene O’Connor Stevens and her daughter, Adeline, age 4.

May 31, 1922

Mrs. Anna E. Rose, of Valparaiso, has been appointed district deputy president of the Rebekahs of this district by the state association president and grand lodge, International Order of the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Rose has served three terms as association president of Illinois.

Looking Back • April 1922

April 1, 1922

Horn Brothers Quality Meat Market at 62 Lincolnway was opened to the public this morning. The first pound of meat was sold to Miss Ruth Buel, 153 Indiana Avenue. This arrangement had been planned in advance. On October 16, 1859, a brother of Miss Buel’s, James R. Buel, purchased the first meat sold by Conrad Horn, founder of the business. Louis and Peter J. Horn, who were associated with their father in the business, are now proprietors of the concern. Joseph Horn, son of the former, is manager.

Eight years ago in 1914, the Tittle Brothers, who conducted meat markets at Gary and other places, came to Valparaiso and established the Valpo Cash Market. The event was celebrated today with a big sale at their West Lincolnway store.

April 2, 1922

The county jail is empty for the first time in months. It is the first time since Sheriff William Pennington has been in charge that it has occurred. The last prisoner to leave was Charles Edward Conley, wanted by the federal government for violation of a parole from Leavenworth Prison. He was being held here for the theft of the James O. Cox automobile.

Forest Rexinger, age 18, was killed at Hebron last night. Rexinger, with three other boys, were examining a shotgun in the West Side garage when it accidentally was discharged. The charge struck Rexinger in the abdomen. He died a few minutes later.

April 3, 1922

Addison Emmett Woodhull, former mayor of Valparaiso, died today at his home in Chicago. He is survived by a son, Alderman Ross A. Woodhull of Chicago, and five daughters.

April 4, 1922

The Schleman-Morton Company plans considerable building in Valparaiso this summer. The company has purchased the Anna Ward Morony Building on West Lincolnway and will remodel it. A new garage is to be built on the lot west of the Zimmerman Garage. The structure will be 60 X 80 feet. Plans are also being drawn for a two-story office and business building at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. Contracts have been awarded by the company for the erection of two bungalows in City View Addition. Other homes are to be built.

April 5, 1922

By a deal consummated today, the business and coal yard of the Raymond Coal Company at the Nickel Plate Depot was sold by R. D. Raymond to R. C. West, of Gilman, Ill. Mr. West will retain the firm name and continue the business. Mr. West has also purchased a small farm east of Valparaiso of Thomas McConnell.

Shea and Company, of Hammond, was low bidder on the improvement of the Lincoln Highway in Porter County when bids were opened by the state highway commission yesterday at Indianapolis. The Hammond firm’s bid was $157,000 ($2,651,393.57 in 2022) for the 7.6 miles.

April 6, 1922

Many farmers in Porter County are planting oats. The wet weather of the last several weeks has prevented work along this line. Last year, many fields were planted in March. In Pleasant Township, many farmers have finished planting. In Washington Township, farmers began planting yesterday. In other townships the ground is being prepared.

Contractor Gerald McGillicuddy, who has the contract for the improvement of the post office alley and the Academy of Music Block alley, will start work next Monday. Metropolitan brick will be used.

April 7, 1922

A petition asking the state tax board of commissioners to deny permission to issue bonds to build the new high school building in Morgan Township has been filed with Porter County Auditor B. H. Kinne. The school is to cost $58,000 ($979,495.71 in 2022).

The ashes of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thatcher, former residents of Valparaiso, were brought back to Valparaiso last Monday from Seattle, Wash., and were interred in Maplewood Cemetery. The Thatchers left Valparaiso thirty years ago and went to Lawton, N. D. Later they moved to Seattle. Mr. Thatcher died three years ago and Mrs. Thatcher last July.

April 8, 1922

The Valparaiso Lighting Company is making an extension of its gas mains in two parts of Valparaiso. About 8,000 feet of pipe is being used and work will cost approximately $10,000 ($168,878.57 in 2022). The mains to be laid are on Cyrus, Brick, Nickel Plate Avenue, and West Streets. Extension of gas mains in City View Addition is contemplated. Oak Street citizens are also agitating a movement for mains.

The building at 121 East Lincolnway, owned by W. G. Windle, is being remodeled by the Foster Lumber and Coal Company.

April 9, 1922

Excavations for the new Hotel Lembke, Valparaiso’s five story hostelry, will be completed by the end of this month, according to announcement today by Charles F. Lembke, builder of the hotel. Seventy loads of dirt are being taken out daily for the basement of the building. Plans are all made to pour concrete for the foundations by May 1.

The partnership of Charles S. Peirce and W. B. Forney, real estate and insurance, has been dissolved, and Mr. Peirce has purchased his partner’s interest.

April 10, 1922

Glen J. Goddard has purchased a residence property on North Lafayette Street of the Winslow estate. He will build a new residence.

Sheriff William Pennington and Chief of Police James A. Jones went to Michigan City today to bring back Charles Jerome, one of six men alleged to have held up Walter Davis, proprietor of the Three Trails Auto Service on West Lincolnway. Davis was trussed to a chair while the robbers took $3,000 ($50,663.57 in 2022) in auto tubes and tires.

April 11, 1922

The Bornholt Building, home of the Citizens' Savings and Trust Bank, is being improved extensively on the second floor. Howard Dailey and Harry Dye have leased quarters for their real estate business, and Harry Deopker, who recently entered the real estate business, has also leased rooms.

April 12, 1922

John J. Blaine, Governor of Wisconsin, will deliver the annual address at the Valparaiso University commencement on May 10. Governor Blaine was graduated from the university, attending school here in 1885-6-7. President J. E. Roessler, of the school, received word yesterday from the governor saying he would accept the invitation to speak. Ninety-seven students will be graduated from the institution this year.

April 13, 1922

Bernard L. Carpenter has leased part of the Zugbaum Building on South Franklin Avenue and will open an electric shop next week. He will have a large stock of fixtures.

President E. W. Agar, of the Valparaiso Chautauqua Association announced today that the annual chautauqua would be held June 15 or 16 and extend the usual number of days. Mr. Agar said the Mutual Morgan Bureau would hold its conference of workers in conjunction with the chautauqua.

April 14, 1922

Myron Pische, formerly shoe repair man at the Mrs. M. LaForce Shoe Store, has leased a part of the Frank Cain Building, corner Jefferson and Franklin, and will open up a shoe repair shop.

Porter County must pay $1,023,933 ($17,292,034.23 in 2022) in taxes this year. This is on an assessment of $62,376,310 ($1,053,402,212.38 in 2022). Although the last day for the payment of the spring installment is only two weeks away a very small percentage of taxes has been paid. Many loans will have to be made by farmers this year to meet the tax payments.

April 15, 1922

McNabb & Andrews, of Chicago, who leased thousands of acres in Pleasant Township several years ago, will drill for oil in the next few weeks. Machinery for drilling is being stored in the barn on the Paul Wells Farm. The first well will be named Lyon Dream Well, after Parmenieus Lyon, well known Pleasant Township citizen.

Flint Lake lacks only two inches of reaching its highest stage since 1907. The lake lacks only two feet of reaching its extreme high-water level prior to the time the water company began supplying the city in 1885.

April 16, 1922

Audrey Skomp, formerly of Valparaiso High School, but now agricultural instructor at Chesterton High School, today began his duties as official seed corn tester under Prof. George I. Christie, recently appointed state food censor.

Dr. Simon J. Young today received his commission as captain in the officers’ reserve corps. He is the only reservist physician in Porter County. He was a first lieutenant in the old reserve corps.

April 17, 1922

Valparaiso University won its first baseball game of the season 6 to 5 from Lake Forest yesterday. Marshall’s triple with two on base won the game.

The Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company is placing new cables in the alley back of the post office building and new Hotel Lembke. 

April 18, 1922

Valparaiso will be a member of the Mid-West League, composed of professional baseball teams in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, according to Deak Austin, manager of the local team. Mr. Austin says he has signed up all members of his team.

April 19, 1922

Dr. A. O. Dobbins, trustee of Union Township, will receive bids on May 11 for the repair and remodeling of the Union Center High and Elementary School. The work will cost $3,000 ($50,663.57 in 2022).

April 20, 1922

Miss Margery Ellis, a graduate of the Valparaiso High School of 1917, has been employed as French and History Teacher in the Valparaiso Public Schools. She taught high school in Hamlet, Ind., one year and then attended Chicago University for two years.

Bids opened this week by Trustee John G. Johnson, of Westchester Township for the construction of a new high school building were too high and it may be necessary to float another issue to take care of the project. The estimated cost of the school is approximately $175,000 ($2,955,375.00 in 2022). It is to be erected at Chesterton.

April 21, 1922

Mayor E. W. Agar and Valparaiso City Attorney E. G. Osborne have received word from the Public Service Commission of Indiana that the Valparaiso Lighting Company has filed a petition for a voluntary reduction of gas rates in Valparaiso of 15 cents per 1,000 cubic feet, effective after the first meter reading in May.

Charles Pratt Post, American Legion, of Valparaiso, will organize a band with Ray Marine as director. The action was taken at a meeting last night presided over by Commander Byron Smith.

April 22, 1922

Efforts are being made to organize a platoon of the Indiana National Guard in Valparaiso. Three officers of the Gary National Guard were in Valparaiso last night conferring with officials of the American Legion. The platoon, if organized, will consist of 35 men.

T. O. Dillon has arrived here to take a position as solicitor with the Charles O. Pierce Real Estate Agency. Mr. Dillon has been associated with the Continental Fire Insurance Agency. He is a veteran of the World War.

April 23, 1922

Charles Deardorf, a Wheeler resident, received a check for $100 ($1,688.79 in 2022) and a letter of thanks from the Nickel Plate Railroad for saving the Nickel Plate Freight Train from being wrecked last week. Deardorf heard the swish of waters coming from the railroad tracks. They entered his yard and flowed into his basement. Investigation revealed that the roadbed was washed away for a distance of sixty feet. He notified railroad authorities and a fast freight was held at Hobart until the damage was repaired. Three carloads of cinders were required to fill the washout.

Miss Ruth Brown, of Valparaiso, is one of the singers broadcasting over the Chicago Daily News Radio Station each night.

April 24, 1922

Dr. John E. Roessler, who has been president of Valparaiso University, tendered his resignation to the board of trustees of the school yesterday. The trustees refused to accept it and asked President Roessler to reconsider. The school, since Dr. Roessler assumed charge following the dismissal of Dr. D. R. Hodgdon, has prospered in every way.

April 25, 1922

James A. Jones, first chief of police of Valparaiso, has tendered his resignation to the Valparaiso City Council and will sever his position May 1, it was announced today. Mr. Jones’ successor will be Robert L. Felton, desk sergeant. Mr. Jones will return to his former position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.

April 26, 1922

Morgan Township will have a new school building. The state tax board yesterday approved a $58,000 ($979,495.71 in 2022) bond issue for the erection of the school. The board ordered that the issue bear 5% instead of 5½%. A hearing on objections to the bond issue was held in Valparaiso last week.

Thirty-five members of College City Camp, Royal Neighbors, went to Wanatah yesterday and instituted a new camp of Royal Neighbors. Mrs. Ollie Montgomery, oracle of College City Camp, assisted by local officers, had charge of the work. Mrs. Hanna E. Hauff, of Valparaiso, state vice oracle, gave the obligation to the members. LaPorte Royal Neighbors installed the newly elected officers. The Wanatah camp will be known as Maple Leaf Lodge.

April 27, 1922

Work was commenced this morning on a large siding for the Nickel Plate Railroad, three miles west of Valparaiso. The siding will accommodate 180 cars and will be used for storage and switching. P. T. Clifford & Son, of Valparaiso, has the contract. Work is to be finished by June 1.

The Main Garage on East Lincolnway, owned by G. H. Claussen, has been sold to Cook Brothers, of LaCrosse. The new owners took possession Monday.

April 28, 1922

Judge A. B. Anderson, in a final decree at Indianapolis yesterday, awarded thirty acres along Lake Michigan, near Gary, to Charles Stebbins, of Chicago, and John Putney of Concord, N.H. The decision was the final word in the case that has involved years of litigation over land once considered worthless, but now said to be valued at $2,000 ($33,775.71 in 2022) an acre. The land is commonly known as the Carr Estate.

Work on the golf grounds of the Valparaiso Country Club, east of Bull’s Eye Lake, is progressing rapidly. A force of men are employed. Inside of a few months the greens will be in shape to withstand the tramp of the golfers’ feet.

April 29, 1922

The new public library at Hebron was dedicated last night. Open house was the order of the day. In the afternoon Miss Root, of Indianapolis, spoke to three gatherings of school children, and also at the dedicatory exercises in the evening. Miss Carrie Nichols, formerly of the Hebron Library, made the dedication speech. The Hebron Orchestra furnished music. The building cost $15,000 ($253,317.86 in 2022), of which the Carnegie Foundation furnished $10,000 ($168,878.57 in 2022). The circulation of the library is 1,600 books. A number of new books will soon be added.

John N. Hardesty, well-known Union Township farmer, was accidentally killed last night about 6:30 o’clock when a large log fell on him at the Don Richard Saw Mill in Wheeler. He was hauling a log into the yard when the wheel of the truck struck a saw dust pile and caused it to overturn. He was caught under the log and crushed.

April 30, 1922

Maurice Simon, brother-in-law of Boris Kozlenko, of Valparaiso, Saturday purchased the David Poncher Shoe and General Store on Indiana Avenue. He will take possession May 15, when Mr. Poncher will become a teacher in the federal vocational board school at Valparaiso University.

Prof. R. E. Schenck, of the Manual Training Department of the Valparaiso High School, has received the appointment as commanding officer of pursuit flyers in the Reserve Air Service. Mr. Schenck was a first lieutenant in the aviation branch during the World War. There will be a 15-day training course for reserves on June 1 either at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, or at Fort Thomas, Ky.

Looking Back • March 1922

March 1, 1922

Valparaiso University defeated Wheaton College at University Gym last night, 37-12. The locals’ played without the services of Andrew Evans and Walter Hiltpold. Cadwallader with five baskets was high point getter for the locals. Sawyer played a fine guarding game and also scored a long shot from center of the floor.

The district conference of the Northwest Indiana Conference of the M. E. Church will be held in Valparaiso on March 9 and 10. On Thursday morning Bishop F. D. Leete, resident bishop of Indiana, will address the conference.

March 2, 1922

John Mollick, 16-year-old orphan boy, who shot and killed Mrs. Robert Stoltz, in Morgan Township last November, was found guilty by a jury in Porter Circuit Court yesterday afternoon and sent to prison for life. Mollick lived at the Stoltz home. Attorney P. J. Bailey, counsel for Mollick, filed a motion for a new trial and Judge H. H. Loring will rule on it tomorrow.

The Pitkin and Brooks Glass Factory will discontinue operation on May 1 and Frank W. Lesch will continue the industry in a new location. He will manufacture under a contract for Pitkin and Brooks. He will employ the same working force which calls for an annual payroll of $23,300. Machinery now in the factory at the Joliet Bridge will be moved to the White Church on South Franklin Avenue, where manufacturing will be carried on.

March 3, 1922

In the opening games played in the sectional basketball tourney at University Gym today, Valparaiso defeated Hammond, 19-14; Lowell nosed out Hebron, 9-8; Rensselaer upset East Chicago, 15-14; Crown Point disposed of Lowell, 25-12, and Brook ran rings around Remington, 34-5.

R. D. Ross, aged 68, for many years engaged in the hardware – and later the automobile business – in Valparaiso for many years, died last night at St. Petersburg, Fla. He was the first Ford agent in Valpo.

March 4, 1922

Rensselaer and either Froebel or Whiting will meet tonight in the final game at the sectional basketball tourney at University Gym. Valparaiso, which defeated Lowell 19-9, lost to Rensselaer 7 to 5, and failed to reach the finals. Other scores were: Whiting 12, Emerson 11: Kentland 28, Boone Grove 2; Froebel 34, Goodland 5; Rensselaer 19, Crown Point 16; Froebel 14, Kentland 8.

The site and building of the old Clifford School west of Valparaiso was sold today by Charles H. Crisman, Center Township Trustee, to John A. Prentiss. The school was abandoned a number of years ago.

March 5, 1922

Whiting won the sectional basketball tourney held at University Gym by defeating Rensselaer, 25-9. Whiting won its way to the finals by defeating Froebel 18-14, in a game in which many thought the refereeing favored Whiting to a marked degree. Whickhorst of Whiting scored twelve of his team’s points with free throws. The tourney was a financial success, the proceeds amounting to $2,500 ($41,837.50 in 2022).

Charles F. Lembke, local contractor, will soon begin work on the new Valparaiso hotel building at the corner of Lafayette and Jefferson Streets in Valparaiso. Some equipment has already been moved to the site.

March 6, 1922

Frank W. Morton, of the Schleman-Morton Company, suffered severe injuries to the right arm this morning when he fell down cellar stairs into the basement of the old Salyer residence, corner Washington and Jefferson Streets in Valparaiso. The elbow bone was fractured.

March 7, 1922

The spring term of Valparaiso University opened this morning. The enrollment promises to be unusually large for the term. The faculty will hold its regular weekly meeting this evening.

March 8, 1922

John Mollick, 16-year-old orphan boy, sentenced to life imprisonment at Michigan City Prison for the slaying of his stepmother, Mrs. Bertha Stoltz, on November 21, 1921, entered the prison yesterday. Mollick appeared at the prison in knee pants, being the first life prisoner to enter the institution in short pants. A number of editorials have appeared in newspapers in this section scorning the Porter County court for its action in dealing out a life sentence.

Valparaiso University girls’ basketball team defeated the Hammond Nets girls team last night, 13 to 3. The result was a surprise as the Netz team is one of the strongest in this section.

March 9, 1922

The Schleman-Morton Company today announced it would erect a business building at the corner of Jefferson and Washington Streets on the old Salyer property purchased some time ago. The building will be two stories with business room below and offices above. Chas. F. Lembke, local architect, is drawing plans.

March 10, 1922

Otis Sanford, of Valparaiso, and student at DePauw University, tied for second place in scholastic honors in the freshman class of 500 students the last semester. He is an Edward Rector student and is working his way through school.

The conference of the South Bend District of the M.E. Sunday School which was convened in session here yesterday, closed at noon today. The attendance was the largest of any conference in this district in many years. The church was crowded to capacity to hear Bishop F.D. Leete, of Indianapolis, who spoke Thursday night.

March 11, 1922

The Foster Lumber and Coal Company, of Valparaiso, was awarded the general contract for the construction of the new Morgan Township School today when bids were opened by Trustee John W. Bell at the office of Porter County Superintendent Fred H. Cole. The local firm’s bid was $39,000 ($652,665 in 2022). The cost of the building will be $55,000 ($920,425 in 2022). The building will be two stories, 65 by 86 feet, and situated on the Joseph Crowe Farm, between the Adams Church and Malden, on the Valparaiso-Kouts Road.

A delegation of farmers living near Valparaiso appeared before the Valparaiso City Council last night to protest against charging a fee for the privilege of selling milk and milk products in Valparaiso. A set of resolutions passed Saturday at a meeting of the directors of the Porter County Farmers’ Association was presented to the council. The farmers claim the ordinance will cause them to go elsewhere to sell their products and do their trading.

March 12, 1922

Dr. A. P. Letherman has received word from his brother, Lawrence L. Letherman, at Boston, Mass., announcing that he has been appointed special agent in charge of the New England Bureau of the U. S. Department of Justice. Mr. Letherman has been in government work for 33 years.

Whiting, representing this section in the basketball tourney at Lafayette last Saturday won an easy victory from Decatur team, 26-6. Wickhorst, of Whiting, caged six field goals and six charity tosses.

March 13, 1922

The new school at Garyton, in Portage Township, was opened yesterday. Only part of the structure is available at the present time. The building cost $30,000 ($502,050 in 2022). It is a two-story school with auxiliary rooms. Trustee Herman W. Swanson had charge of the building plans and the work was done by a Gary firm.

March 14, 1922

Harry and Carroll Hayes, of Valparaiso, were instantly killed Sunday evening when their automobile was struck by a Pennsylvania Passenger Train at the Franklin Street crossing. Both were World War veterans.

March 15, 1922

Through efforts of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, an office of the Hoosier State Automobile Association, will be established in Valparaiso. The new office will give an up-to-date touring department for accommodation of the public, membership in the American Automobile Association and a state automobile licensing department. At present time automobile owners must go to either Lake or Laporte Counties for licenses.

Joseph Montgomery has purchased a new residence in the Alpen Subdivision on North Franklin Street of F. W. Alpen.

March 16, 1922

Twelve operators of hotel experience have made overtures to Charles F. Lembke, who will build Valparaiso’s new hotel. When a selection is made of a man to conduct the hotel, Mr. Lembke will begin excavation for the building.

Miss Mayme Salisbury, who has been engaged in concert work with the Keith Sisters, has returned to Valparaiso to remain with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Salisbury.

March 17, 1922

The School of Sanitary Engineering was started at Valparaiso University this week. The Indiana Sanitary Engineering Society has been urging the government to approve a course in sanitary engineering at the university for the vocational training of students under federal jurisdiction. The Indiana Society this week at its meeting at Indianapolis contributed $1,100 ($18,408.50 in 2022) for the aid of Valparaiso University students in plumbing.

A new traffic signal was installed yesterday at the corner of Lincolnway and Lafayette Street by the Valparaiso Lighting Company. The signal is different from others in that there is no post and it is only six inches above the pavement. A red light glows in the signal at all times. Another signal will be installed at Morgan Boulevard and Lincolnway.

March 18, 1922

Excavation work for Valparaiso's new hotel will be commenced Monday, according to an announcement today by Charles F. Lembke, architect and builder of the hotel. A large force of men will be employed. By the time the excavation is finished, Mr. Lembke hopes to have selected an operator for the hotel.

J. H. Allen, of Chicago, lighting engineer, was in Valparaiso yesterday and made a trip for a preliminary survey of the lighting system. Later a more comprehensive survey will be made to determine a plan for better lighting facilities.

March 19, 1922

Maurice E. Crumpacker, former Valparaiso boy, and son of ex-Congressman E. D. Crumpacker, of Valparaiso, is a candidate for the congressional nomination on the Republican ticket in the Third Oregon District, which includes Portland. Mr. Crumpacker is connected with the district attorney’s office at Portland as assistant district attorney. American Legion and ex-service men are backing his candidacy.

Kouts citizens and business men are planning to have a baseball team this year. Attorney T. E. Crowe was selected by the citizens to manage the team, and $600 ($10,041 in 2022) has been raised. Mr. Crowe has signed up Chief Rainier, pitcher, and Waite, shortstop, of Michigan City; Carter, outfielder, of Michigan City; Frank Maloney, second baseman, of Boone Grove. Arrangements are being made to form a five-club league with Kouts, Lacrosse, Wanatah, San Pierre, and Boone Grove as members.

March 20, 1922

News was received here of the death at Bakersfield, Calif., of Otto F. Brandt, formerly of Valparaiso, and first agent of the Nickel Plate Railroad in Valparaiso. Mr. Brandt died in a court room at Bakersfield after giving testimony in an auto collision case. A heart attack caused death. He was vice-president of the Title Trust and Insurance Company at Los Angeles.

March 21, 1922

The contract for the construction of the new high school building in Morgan Township, awarded to the Foster Lumber & Coal Company, of Valparaiso, for the general contract; Deal & Company, of Sturgis, Michigan, for heating and ventilating; and Wyman Electric Company, Valparaiso, for lighting, is one of the four lowest to come before the state board of accounts for some time. The construction cost of each room figured $5,906 ($98,836.91 in 2022).

March 22, 1922

Plans for a new high school building for Valparaiso took on serious aspects today when it was announced that the school board had taken options on two parcels of ground owned by P. L. Sisson lying south of the Grand Trunk Railroad, east of Washington, west of Franklin and north of Park, in the north part of the city. Some time ago the board took an option on the L. D. Wolf property at the corner of Washington and Chicago Streets. This site will probably be sold.

Dr. Brunson, of Indianapolis, representing the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Husbandry, and Livestock Sanitary Board of Indiana, is in Porter County making retests of herds for tuberculosis. Thirty-three herds are due for retests, but Dr. Brunson will not be able to complete one half of them. More than 200 applications are pending in the county for tests.

March 23, 1922

At a meeting of the board of trustees of Valparaiso University yesterday it was announced the school would soon receive $25,000 ($418,375 in 2022) of machinery for the training of federal board men at the school. The government will also send a large number of new students here for training.

Joseph F. Crowe, Porter County Road Superintendent, has been appointed by Governor McCray to represent Indiana at the U. S. Good Roads Association’s tenth annual convention at Phoenix, Arizona, April 24-29.

March 24, 1922

Mrs. Gennis Hillard, who has been matron at Altruria Hall for two and one-half years, resigned this week. Miss Brown, who has been acting as assistant matron, will have charge until a successor to Mrs. Hillard is named. Mrs. Hilliard expects to go to California.

March 25, 1922

Last evening at the Lincolnway school building, the Junior class of Valparaiso High School entertained the members of the basketball squad. A program was given. Margaret Timmons and Clarissa Ely gave readings. The Sedgwick twins played two numbers on pianos and drums. Coach R. E. Schenck made a talk.

The City of Valparaiso will handle its own garbage collection. The street committee was authorized last night to buy a team for the work. Recently bids were asked but only a few informal ones were received. These were declared too high.

March 26, 1922

Nick Sudovich, convicted of manslaughter by a Porter Circuit Court jury in connection with the slaying of Uron Marovich, rival beer lord, at Indiana Harbor, is enroute to Yugoslovia. He left Chicago with 135 aliens deported by the government. He got out of prison last summer after serving two years.

The recent sleet and snow storm early this week wreaked havoc with Porter County’s road system. Shoulders and berms on a number of roads were washed away by melting action of snow and ice. Culverts were frozen up and this prevented the surplus water from making a get-away.

March 27, 1922

Craig Church, of Valparaiso, who was shot by a holdup man in Gary, is slowly improving in Mercy Hospital, Gary. A metal clip carried into his liver by a bullet from the robber’s gun is causing trouble.

Flint Lake is still rising from recent rains. Since last fall, the lake has risen eight feet. At present, the lake is at 170 datum plane.

March 28, 1922

William E. Urschel, of Valapraiso, has just received three patents on fruit steaming machines. Two interferences were fought with California interests. The applications have been in the patent office for four years. N. S. Amstutz conducted all the proceedings for Mr. Urschel.

C. H. DeCook, who recently purchased the Andreas Crawford Store in Hebron, has disposed of his interests to his brother, John DeCook.

March 29, 1922

Lewis E. Myers and Company is completing this week the removal of its Canadian factory from Woodstock to Toronto. The company has taken a lease on a large manufacturing building in Toronto. The chief reason for moving from Woodstock to Toronto is to combine the executive offices with the factory. Charles E. Eveleth, formerly of Seattle, Wash., is general manager for Canada, and George Hauff, of Valparaiso, is superintendent of the new factory at Toronto.

Auditor B. H. Kinne received word today from Indianapolis that the state tax board had approved an issue of bonds in the Foltz Road in Porter Township. A remonstrance was filed by taxpayers of the township and a hearing was held before a tax board representative in this city recently.

March 30, 1922

Charles Edward Conley, of Chicago, arrested here by Chief of Police J. A. Jones and Sheriff William Pennington for the theft of the J. O. Cox automobile, is wanted by federal authorities. Conley violated his parole from Leavenworth prison where he was serving time for cracking a government safe. Fingerprints of Conley were sent by local authorities to various parts of the county.

Last evening at University Auditorium, the Valparaiso University band gave its second concert of the year. William Diercks and Robert Davidson favored with a delightful clarinet duet. Miss Tama Lyke was vocal soloist. Adam Lesinsky directed the band.

March 31, 1922

A flat building at 303 North Washington Street, owned by Ralph Humphrey, of Malden, was purchased yesterday by William H. Nuppnau, who with his family has been occupying one of the flats. Mr. Nuppnau will remodel the structure.

Valparaiso is in the midst of a building boom. A new fifty-room hotel, a new business building on Lincolnway, across from the post office; the Schleman-Morton building on Washington Street; the remodeling of the Ruge building on Lincolnway; the Longshore grocery building at Franklin and Chicago Streets and contracts for a number of residences are a few of the numerous projects now in process of construction.

Looking Back • February 1922

February 1, 1922

The Valparaiso & Northern, operating from Valparaiso to Chesterton, and leasing the Gary Connecting Line from Woodville to Gary, was sold yesterday in Chicago by Stance C. Mosser, of Bolger, Mosser and Williams, Chicago bankers, chairman of the bondholders’ protection committee, to Frank J. Baker, for the sum of $32,250 ($32,250 in 2022). The Valparaiso & Northern was purchased by the bondholders at a sale four years ago. The gross earnings of the road have increased from $88,000 in 1918 (1,624,806.36 in 2022) to $132,000 in 1921 ($2,055,970.06 in 2022). The appraisal value of the property by the public service commission is $284,000 ($4,713,081.43 in 2022).

The Porter wreck cases, growing out of the Michigan Central and Lake Shore train crash on February 27, 1921, will be called for trial in Porter Circuit Court on February 7. W. S. Hart, of Lansing, Mich., engineer on the Michigan Central train, charged with manslaughter in connection with the deaths of thirty-seven persons, will be tried first. Prosecutor J. S. Bartholomew said the state was ready to try the case but the outcome will depend on the presence of three witnesses from Michigan.

February 2, 1922

Jack Rose, well known singer in vaudeville theatres in the United States and famous as a song writer, and Janet Lawson, whose stage name is Jeanette Odette, a Ziegfeld beauty and member of the “Follies” were united in marriage by Justice W. W. Bozarth here today. Rose is a native of London, England. Recently Miss Lawson sued Rose for $50,000 ($829,767.86 in 2022) for breach of promise, but the suit was later dropped.

R. W. Lytle has completed the filling of his huge ice houses at Flint Lake. It is estimated that about 8,000 tons were harvested. From all reports all persons storing ice this year got a good supply.

February 3, 1922

Edward A. Mitzner, of the Mitzner & Greiger Grocery, has purchased the Maxwell Implement Company building on South Washington Street in Valparaiso, occupied by the McMahan Grocery.

Valparaiso University girls’ basketball team defeated Hobart last evening at University Gym, 5 to 4. The locals’ lineup comprised Deinger, forwards; Detman and Bowman, centers; Brady, Blacher, and Pike, guards.

February 4, 1922

By a deal made last night the Mitzner & Greiger Grocery purchased the Specht-Finney Grocery and will take possession on Monday morning. The business will be conducted at the Specht-Finney building. The Mitzner-Greiger grocery will be continued and probably converted into a cash and carry store. If business does not warrant its retention it will be merged with the Specht-Finney store.

At a meeting of the Porter County Realtors Association last night a resolution was passed putting the association on record as opposed to the new federal judgeship to be created in Indiana. Copies of the resolution were sent to the United States Senators, all congressmen and Congressman Volstead, who is chairman of the committee.

February 5, 1922

St. Paul’s quint, of Valparaiso, defeated the strong Hammond All Saints’ five Saturday opening on the Hammond floor, 20-13. Bud Gannon started the scoring for the locals, and Captain Nolan and Finnegan followed with well-placed shots. Valparaiso led at half-time, 17-5. Kinder and Hall did fine work at guarding the Hammond players.

E. F. Rainer, who left here last fall with his family for California for the benefit of his wife’s health, writes to friends here from Whittier, Calif., that Mrs. Rainier has practically regained her health.

February 6, 1922

Dr. J. E. Roessler, President of Valparaiso University, and Mrs. Roessler, left today for Indianapolis to attend the inauguration of Robert Judson Aley as president of Butler University. Mr. Aley was a classmate of Prof. Roessler and was graduated from the scientific department of Valparaiso University in 1880.

Mozart’s “The Impresario,” was presented at Valparaiso University Auditorium Saturday evening under the personal direction of J. William Wade Hinshaw, of New York City, former teachers of voice at the university. Percy Hemus, one of the best baritones in America, sang the principal role, supported by an All-American cast.

February 7, 1922

John Mollick, 16-year-old orphan boy, who shot and killed Mrs. Robert Stoltz in Morgan Township on November 22, 1921, will go on trial February 22 in Porter Circuit Court. P. J. Bailey has been retained by relatives of the boy to defend him. A plea of insanity will probably be filed.

February 8, 1922

Albert Holloway of Yeomans, Ill., was yesterday awarded the contract on three gravel roads by the county commissioners as follows: Valentine Hahn Road, Porter Township, $64,904.74 ($1,077,117.34 in 2022); Frank Foltz Road, Porter Township, $29,100 ($482,924.89 in 2022); Jerry Garvey Road, Boone Township, $8,683 ($144,097.49 in 2022).

February 9, 1922

Parent-Teacher Associations for Central, Gardner, and Columbia Schools were organized at mass meetings held at the Central School last evening. A. A. Hughart, former school superintendent, presided. Chairmen were elected as follows: Mrs. Mynnic Gordon, Central; Mrs. J. G. Kenan, Gardner; Mrs. A. R. Putnam, Columbia.

Charles Sheffield was elected chairman and John R. Burch, secretary, of the Porter County Fair Board at a meeting held yesterday at the county clerk’s office. A committee was also named to look over the fair grounds and ascertain what repairs were needed for the fair in September.

February 10, 1922

Six big freight cars piled up across the tracks of the New York Central Railroad at the exact spot where the great Porter wreck of February 27, 1921, occurred when thirty-seven persons lost their lives. The place presented much the same sight as one of a year ago, but no lives were lost.

Another attempt was made to burn the Carver School in Pine Township. Kerosene saturated rags were placed in the building but failed to burn. Last September two men tried to burn the building after being ordered away by Miss Katheryn Maxwell, of Valparaiso, the teacher. Nearby farmers saved the building.

February 11, 1922

Valparaiso High School lost to LaPorte at University Gym last night, 18-15. Wise and Boardman did fine work for LaPorte. G. Douglas and Lembke, forwards; Seymour, center, and Scott and Leetz, guards were the local lineup.

Nearly all the loot stolen from the Three Trails Auto Service shop a month ago by five men has been recovered at Chicago Heights, Ill. Fifty-eight automobile tires, and fifty-one inner tubes, comprised the loot. Walter Davis, proprietor of the Three Trails, went to Chicago Heights today after the loot.

February 12, 1922

Walter D. Schundt has gone to East Chicago where he will give a specialty act in the annual Elks’ show. This is Mr. Schlundt’s fourth consecutive season in the East Chicago show. He will be assisted by Boyce Gumbert, pianist of the Keith and Orpheum circuit.

William Schleman, of Valparaiso, now sojourning in Florida, was a member of a party of fishermen which captured 900 pounds of fish on February 11, near St. Petersburg. He won first prize by capturing a nineteen-pound red snapper. O. H. Powers of Evanston, Ill., and W. H. Noel of Jamestown, N.D., former Valpoites, were members of the party.

February 13, 1922

The proceeds of the Hinshaw Opera Company concert given on February 4 at University Auditorium amounted to $1,320.60 ($21,915.83 in 2022). This amount goes to the university. Professor J. E. Roessler, president of the school, today extended thanks to the public and others who assisted.

Westchester Township farmers have petitioned the county commissioners for the opening of a new road fifty feet wide, between the Westchester and Pine Township line to tap Lake Michigan. Last summer trouble resulted at Waverly Beach when a landowner placed a restriction on persons camping there. The township expended a large sum in concreting the road to the beach and a landowner is claiming the land abutting the beach and is causing trouble for persons who visit the lake.

February 14, 1922

The Foster Lumber & Coal Company was yesterday awarded the contract to remodel the Ruge building on West Lincolnway occupied by the Peoples’ Lunch Room. A new copper front will be installed, and new cement sidewalk built in place of the old stone walk. James Pappas, owner of the lunch room, plans a number of improvements. The upper part of the building will be remodeled and accommodations made for fourteen rooms.

February 15, 1922

The Valparaiso Woman’s Club celebrated its twenty-seventh anniversary in the M.E. church parlors last evening. A four-course dinner was served at 7 o’clock. Members of the Literature, Home Economic Civic, Art and History Departments provided program of the evening.

February 16, 1922

The Gary and Valparaiso Interurban yesterday filed notice with the secretary of state at Indianapolis of an increase in capital stock of $140,000 ($2,323,350 in 2022).

Between 75 and 80 persons have signed up for memberships in the new country club now being formed in Valparaiso. It is expected about a dozen new members will be obtained from Chesterton.

February 17, 1922

A number of citizens of Morgan Township residing in the southeast end near the LaPorte County line are agitating for a division of the township. The movement is believed due to the fact that other citizens have petitioned John Bell, trustee, for the construction of a new high school building. The question of dividing the township is up to the county commissioners.

Mrs. Minnie Kindt and family have moved from the Kindt Farm in Washington Township to Valparaiso, and are occupying the property at 506 East Institute Street, purchased by Mrs. Sutor.

February 18, 1922

Earl Warren Sherwood, 27, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Sherwood, of Valparaiso, and a junior in the civil engineering department of Purdue University, drowned yesterday in the Memorial Gym swimming pool at Purdue University. His body was found by Wilbur Dittrich, a Purdue freshman. Besides his parents, he is survived by four brothers and two sisters.

Valparaiso High defeated Whiting High last night at University Gym, 21-17. Ernest Lembke was high-point man for Valparaiso with nine points, while Earl Scott’s work at guard was high class. Whity Wickhorst was Whiting’s best with nine points. Seymour showed to good advantage for the locals with three baskets.

February 19, 1922

Porter Township property owners have filed a remonstrance with the county commissioners against a bond issue for Porter Township’s share of the cost of the Frank Foltz gravel road between Porter and Boone Townships. It is contended the bond issue is excessive, that the road will not serve any householders and that the building of the road should be postponed until material prices are lower and the need is more urgent.

Mrs. Lewis E. Myers was notified yesterday of her election as delegate of the Chicago Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to the continental congress at Washington, D.C., April 19-23. Mrs. Myers will attend a meeting of delegates of the Chicago Chapter in Chicago tomorrow.

February 20, 1922

The Volunteer Rescue Army is now located on the second and third floors of the building occupied by the Szold Department Store. Major James J. McKenzie, in charge of the mission, today announced that the home is open to any person who may be down and out. Since February 9, the army has assisted 55 men, 33 of them ex-soldiers.

John Bell, trustee of Morgan Township, today gave notice that he will receive bids on March 11 for the construction of a joint high and elementary school in Morgan Township. The estimated cost of the building will be $55,000 ($912,744.64 in 2022).

February 21, 1922

Rev. E. P. Westphal, who was extended a call by the Presbyterian church of Valparaiso, preached last night in the church and he and Mrs. Westphal met the members of the church following the service. Before leaving for his home in Fulton, Ill., today he did not state whether he would accept the call but said he would take it under advisement.

February 22, 1922

More than 150 local stockholders of the Co-Operative Society of America met at Armory Hall last night and heard two field men of the company tell of the affairs of the company. They said the company was solvent, despite the bankruptcy proceedings now pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals, which they claimed was started by Chicago attorneys for the purpose of getting big attorney fees. The local stockholders were informed that the reason some of the stores of the company were sold to the National Tea was that a profit was realized on stores that were not profitable. Ninety-eight were sold to the National Tea, fifty-eight were discontinued and twenty-six are now in operation. They assured the stockholders that every dollar invested by them was safe. 

February 23, 1922

Miss Mary Monohan and Miss Margaret McKezie, of the National Delphian Society, are in Valparaiso to organize a local chapter. The objects of the work is personal improvement, social progress, and higher education.

All records for the warmest Washington birthday since the Valparaiso Home Water Company started to keep water records at Flint Lake was tabulated yesterday when the mercury crawled up to sixty-nine degrees. Today Valpoites are again enjoying winter.

February 24, 1922

The body of Hasan El Maghrady, an Egyptian student at Valparaiso University who died last Friday night, will be shipped to New York City by C. W. Bartholomew, local undertaker, where it will be transferred to a steamer sailing for Cairo, Egypt.

Actual work on Westchester Township’s new high school building will commence April 1, according to J. G. Johnson, trustee. Plans for the building have been completed by Herbert Erickson, of Gary, and have been submitted to state officials for approval.

February 25, 1922

Valparaiso was rocked last night when 30 tons of dynamite exploded in a stone quarry near Argo, Ill. Many homes were shaken.

East Chicago high school defeated Valparaiso High School last night at University Gym. The score was 18-13. George Douglas caged three of the four baskets for the locals.

February 26, 1922

Valparaiso University defeated Lake Forest College at University Gym last night, 20-15. The locals were minus the services of Hiltpold and Evans. Glen Thistlewaite, new football coach at Northwestern University, refereed the game.

Valparaiso is to get better street lighting. The city council at a meeting last night authorized the lighting committee to employ the services of an expert lighting engineer to make a survey of an entire lighting system of the city. 

February 27, 1922

The case of John Mollick, 16-year-old orphan boy, charged with the slaying with a shotgun of Mrs. Robert Stoltz, of Morgan Township on November 21, 1921, was called for trial today in Porter Circuit Court. The boy has been living at the Stoltz home. Otto Bruce, of Crown Point, and P. J. Bailey, of Valparaiso, are defending the youth.

Daly & Freund today received word from the secretary of state at Indianapolis that the Morgan Township Co-Operative Farmers’ Elevator Company had been given permission to increase its capital stock from $15,000 to $35,000 ($248,930.36 to $580,837.50 in 2022). The company will soon begin work on construction of its new elevator to handle the grain crop this fall.

February 28, 1922

Valparaiso University defeated Wheaton College at University Gym last night, 37 to 12. Cadawaller scored five baskets for the locals. Sawyer played a nice guarding game.

The district conference of the Northwest Indiana Conference of the Methodist Church will be held in Valparaiso on March 9 and 10. Thursday morning Bishop F. D. Leete, resident bishop of Indiana, will speak.

February 29, 1922

A contract was entered into yesterday at the law office of Daly & Freund between Charles F. Lembke, local contractor, and the Valparaiso Hotel Company whereby Mr. Lembke will erect a modern fifty-room hotel on the site of the corner of Lafayette and Jefferson Streets. Louis J. Gast, president of the hotel company, and E. J. Freund, secretary, signed the document for the company. Work will be started within a few days and the building will be completed by March 1, 1923. Mr. Lembke posted a $15,000 ($248,930.36 in 2022) bond whereby he agreed to build the hotel and maintain it for a period of twenty years.

An echo of the wreck on the Michigan Central and New York Central Railroads at Porter on February 27, 1921, was heard today in Porter Circuit Court when B. D. McMahan, administrator of the estate of Mrs. Martha Goldstein, filed suit against the two railroads for $10,000 ($165,953.57 in 2022) damages. Kelly & Ryan are attorneys for the administrator.