100 Years Ago Today - December 2020

Look at these statements from headline articles in the La Porte Argus in December 1920. Terminology, capitalization, and what makes headline news can be different. Yet accidents, business, crime, and war still make headlines. Want to read the whole article? It’s on microfilm in the Indiana Room at the Main Library. Staff will be glad to help you access it. 

 

December 1-5 

Federal agents working in Michigan City are said to have obtained evidence against about 70 persons who have been engaged in the illicit liquor traffic. 
 

If twelve men are not secured from the third venire and a fourth is necessary for a murder case, the opposite sex may be called upon to render service to the state. 
 

La Porte has not had a Fourth of July celebration for a number of years. Mayor Sallwasser says next year it will be celebrated on a larger scale than ever heretofore attempted. 
 

George Gipp, Notre Dame football player, who has been at the verge of death of pneumonia, passes a favorable night and day. Attending physicians say he has passed the crisis. 
 

The Independent Oil Co. of this city burns to the ground early today with an almost total loss of all machinery and tools. An employee using gas and a light bulb on a cord caused a short circuit. 

  

December 7-12 

In his last congressional message today, President Woodrow Wilson urges on congress their duty of making this nation the champion of right and justice in all world affairs. 
 

The Board of Education decides to secure a school nurse as soon as a qualified one could be found and as soon as the funds would permit. 
 

Come to a popular price dance Saturday night at Richter hall. McCurdy-Crowe orchestra, 75 cents a couple. 
 

A woman resident of the Warsaw addition is found guilty on the charge of operating a disorderly house. She was fined $10 and costs and committed to jail. 
 

It is time to be a Good Fellow again. They bring cheer to homes that would have had no Christmas cheer. You can truly be a La Porte Santa Claus. 
 

A man is fined $3 and costs on a charge of profanity. He was arrested by a deputy sheriff and Chief Norris of the local police. 

  

December 14-19 

Congressman Hickey of this city is one of 41 members of the lower house opposed to the bill to prohibit immigration for 14 months. Nearly 300 voted for the measure. 
 

A hot noon lunch at the cost of two cents per pupil is introduced into 31 schools in the county, among the first to realize the necessity of hot food for country school children. 
 

Attorneys begin arguments today in the jury trial of Dr. Edward A. Rumely in New York City. 
 

E street is rapidly becoming the business district of the Fifth ward. Mr. Diltz and sons Preston, Harland and Walter, Jr., all progressive young fellows, will open a grocery store at 602 E street. 
 

The white house announces that President Wilson has purchased a home in Washington. Now we know where the costly furniture he had been purchasing in Washington is going. 
 

A grand Christmas concert was given at First Baptist church. The crowd taxed the capacity of the auditorium and over 200 were turned away. Miss Florence Andrew presided at the organ. 

  

December 21-26 

Dr. Edward A. Rumely, formerly of La Porte, was sentenced yesterday to one year and one day in the federal prison at Atlanta, Ga., and was today admitted to bail in the sum of $5,000. 
 

Basketball tossers from the high school at Niles will be here this evening for a game with the local high school in the Central school gymnasium. Niles has won most of there games this year. 
 

Santa Claus was the reigning monarch last night at the Christmas festivities of the La Porte Moose. It was near midnight when the strains of the orchestra died away. 
 

Dr. Edward A. Rumely, who is in La Porte for the holidays, is confident of a complete vindication. 
 

Clearing of the ice of Clear lake in the locality of Fox park by La Porte Boy Scouts will begin tomorrow afternoon. Then the fire department will flood the section for an ice park for the sport. 

  

December 28-31 

La Porte ice packers will start operations within a few days. A good harvest appears assured. 
 

The bank at Culver is robbed in broad daylight. The money is recovered. 
 

A dry goods store and grocery establishment in Wanatah are at a total loss today from fire of unknown origin. 
 

John H. Ball, 86, pioneer, passes away. He was one of the city’s early undertakers.