100 Years Ago Today - December 2021

Look at these statements from headline articles in the La Porte Argus in December 1921. 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 1-4 

Ten pairs of black silver foxes arrive at a farm on the Waterford road where they will be raised. Their furs are very valuable because the silver fox is nearly extinct. 

 

St. Joseph’s church on C street will be coated with a new composition over the brick to give the appearance of a stone structure. 

 

A permanent office with a paid secretary for handling the La Porte County Tuberculosis association work will probably be established. 

 

Over a thousand kiddies met Santa Claus when he got off the train in La Porte. Then Santa, followed by shouting admirers, went to a store where he passed out buttons, some worth cash. 

 

December 6-11 

The British cabinet approves the Irish peace settlement. A new British dominion known as the Irish Free State is born today. 

 

In London, King George issues a decree of amnesty granting liberty to all Irish prisoners. There are 4,000-5,000 Sinn Fein prisoners in British detention camps. 

 

Forty-five are rescued from a new submarine after it nose-dived and brought to a Brooklyn navy yard after being trapped over 11 hours. 

 

Paris is alarmed over the delay in starting arrangements for the Olympic games there in July, 1924. The committee may reconsider and give the games to Los Angeles. 

 

Mayor Sallwasser faces again the ever recurrent problem of a city building to house the various city departments in La Porte. 

 

People unable to walk to the free tuberculosis clinic at Holy Family hospital on account of physical disability will be taken there in automobiles. 

 

December 13-18 

As of 3 o’clock, 30 people were examined at the tuberculosis clinic. Seventy-five percent were found to be afflicted with consumption in an advanced stage or a condition with cause for alarm. 

 

Each Christmas it seems nearly every La Porte woman bought her “Men” sox presents from Lows’ Clothing Store. This year the famous Holeproof silk hose which were $1.25 are now 75c. 

 

The Hoosier Automobile assoc. opened yesterday in La Porte and issued 25 1922 car licenses and three truck licenses. Up to 3 o’clock today, 30 pleasure and 10 truck licenses were issued. 

 

The German crash has come. Germany today virtually confesses national bankruptcy. 

 

The Board of public Works will investigate saving $3,000 a year by installing steam water pumping after it learned La Porte Gas & Electric would not lower rates paid by the city. 

 

A La Porte man who was arrested when a still was found in his home took ill while riding to the penal farm and nearly died. He had been drinking poisoned whiskey. 

 

December 20-24 

From 250 to 300 children, aged 10 to 15, will be treated to candy, oranges, and presents from the Kiwanis club at their Christmas tree party in the Masonic building Saturday evening. 

 

The autographed Babe Ruth baseball donated by Knights of Columbus sold for $10 at the Good Fellow dinner auction in Wolf hall in La Porte. It was thought the ball would bring at least $50. 

 

Congress passes a bill appropriating two million dollars for purchasing food stuffs for starving Russians. President Harding is expected to sign it without delay. 

 

Put Christmas joy where otherwise there would be but gloom by becoming an Alias Santa Claus. 

 

The American Red Cross will spread Xmas cheer to 29,000 wounded veterans of the world war. This will take place in big hospitals, homes in hamlets, overseas where some Yanks still are, etc. 

 

December 27-31 

Yesterday morning 1050 kiddies filled Central theater for the Christmas party given by The Argus. There were pictures on the screen before Santa Claus came and awarded gifts. 

 

Even before an Indianapolis slaying occurred, police were at the scene because of a telephone girl’s warning to police. 

 

A huge slash in army and navy appropriations for next year, possibly $300,000,000, would be made by congress under plans framed by influential Republicans in the house. 

 

La Porte County farmers who sent 30,000 pounds of wool to Ohio in October are elated with their returns, about $3,000 above what would have been realized on the open market. 

 

Canadian Indians which depend on their annual caribou hunt which failed this year are reported to have resorted to cannibalism. Mounted police are bringing food to their isolated territories.