USA > Indiana > Lake County > Reports And Papers Of Lake County Indiana (1958-1966) > Part 6
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Joseph Haas of Gary is assistant general manager; Gerry Grainger of Gary, program director; Ted Thorne of Michigan City, news director; Victor Voss of Gary, technical director.
WWCA operates on an assigned frequency of 1270 kilo- cycles from a directional antenna located at 50th Avenue and Chase Street in Gary. The station's signal is radiated from the transmitter roughly in the pattern of a figure "8."
WWCA is on the air approximately 18 hours per day. Several of the station's programs are directed to the various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups in the Calumet area. The station's call letters, WWCA, stand for Working With the Calumet Area.
WWCA endeavors to serve the Lake-Porter county areas. Our entertainment, public affairs, and news broad- casts are made up with the intent to serve the 500,000 persons living in this general area.
WWCA presently (1959) employs about 30 persons. We have two newsmen, two announcers, two secretaries, a continu- ity director, a traffic manager, a sports director, and a studio engineer, who work inside the studios Monday through Satur- day, in addition to the regular staff. The WWCA sales force includes five persons.
The transmitter is manned by the engineering depart- ment during broadcast hours.
Under the executive staff, the sales department is charged
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
with selling radio time.
The program director is charged with directing the make- up of entertainment and public affairs program, with the scheduling of shows and announcers, and with supervision of the traffic and continuity departments.
The continuity department makes up and produces all announcements which are delivered on the air.
The traffic department makes up the station's daily "log," which lists all programs and announcements.
The news department covers all events considered signifi- cant in the Lake-Porter county area. Eighteen newscasts are broadcast on WWCA Monday through Saturday. Special newscasts are prepared and delivered from the Crown Point area. In addition, the news department may cover any sig- nificant events with live broadcasts from the scene.
We have three mobile units which may be used for on-the- scene events.
The sports department is charged with scheduling and broadcasting all types of sporting events throughout the year. WWCA carries a complete schedule of high school football and basketball games, Little League baseball, all-star games, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, the high school basketball tourney, golf tourneys, and other significant sports events. The sports department also produces a 10-minute sports show, Monday through Friday.
60
CHAPTER IV 1949-50; 1950-51; 1951-52; 1952-53; 1953-54
The seventy-fifth annual meeting, September 9, 1950, was held in the beautiful landscaped yard of the Dr. John W. Iddings' home at 603 South Court Street, Crown Point, Indi- ana.
This site and several other lots to the west on the south side of Ellendale Circle were the part of the first or old Lake County fairgrounds where buildings were erected. It was a most appropriate and thoughtful gesture that our host ex- tended the invitation at a former meeting to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the association on almost the ex- act spot where the first meeting was held in 1875.
Quoting from the minutes taken that day, "after eating heartily of the sumptious basket dinner, which had been spread in the old Floral Hall, the meeting was called to order by W. A. Clark and prayer offered by Rev. Timothy H. Ball. An old song 'The Indian Captive' was sung by Dr. Wood. Remin- iscences of old times were delivered by G. Hurlburt, R. Fan- cher, H. Wells, W. A. W. Holton, Amos Horner, J. H. Luther and others. A long letter from Solon Robinson, who had gone to Tennessee for his health, was read; also, one from Joseph Jackson of Wapello, Iowa."
"It was decided that pioneers were those who came into the county prior to 1840 and those who came in the next twenty five years are old settlers."
Thus the tables set under towering oaks and old-fashioned basket dinners spread on linen cloths revived memories for some, enjoyment for all guests and members at Dr. Idding's home today. At 1:30 P.M. President Paul W. Knight re- quested that all chairs be brought near. Items on the pro- gram conformed to that first program. However, they di- gressed in content. After the group singing of "God Bless America," directed by Mrs. Fred Young, a pageant, entitled "Early Days," presented reminiscences. This was composed, directed, costumed and cast by the joint efforts of Mrs. Bessie Black Gunder and Mrs. Joseph E. (Avis Bryant) Brown, who was the narrator.
Actual incidents that occurred during the pioneer days, were dramatized and were enacted by the descendants of the families named. The dialogue and the episodes abounded in humor and merriment; in pathos and hardships; indomitable
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
courage and optimism, all characteristic traits of our sturdy pioneer ancestors. The costumes, as well as the props, were loaned from the cedar chests and attics. The localities repre- sented were Crown Point, Merrillville, Cedar Lake, West Creek and Eagle Creek Townships. The stage setting was Crown Point.
Playing the role of hosts were: Mrs. Solon (Mariah Evans) Robinson, Solon, and their little son Solon and baby daughter Josephine; Mrs. Harriet Warner Holton, the first school teacher, her three pupils and her grown son, William A. Holton, Judge and Mrs. William Clark and their daughters, Margaret and Mary. From the Cedar Lake settlement there came Mrs. Obadiah (Lucy Winchester) Taylor, Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Lilly, (née Dorothy Taylor), Mrs. Sarah Ann Odell Taylor, and all of their children. From the west side of the Lake, near the north end, came the Ball family, Judge Her- vey, his wife, Jane A. Horton Ball, and their son Timothy, who took off time from their busy civic and school activities to enjoy this festive occasion. Way down in the south end of West Creek Township was the "Garden of Eden" where the Dodge and Spalding families lived. Mrs. Jerusha Dodge and her charming daughter-in-law, Lucretia De Gau Dodge, Mrs. Nancy Spalding and Herman, arrived bright and early. The Warriner families, Sabra and Lewis Warriner, were early ar- rivals. The Eagle Creek settlement was well represented by the Dinwiddie, the Pearce and the Bryant families. Also, rep- resenting Indian Village or now called Merrillville, were Ebi- nezer Saxton and wife (Minerva Munson) and their baby, Laura Eveline.
Sam B. Woods was a small boy but he attended the first meeting. His written account was read by Dr. Malmstone, his son-in-law.
The Masonic Temple in Crown Point was elected for the 76th annual meeting, September 1, 1951.
Roy W. Hack, president, convened after the traditional basket dinner fellowship hour. The reports of the officers were read and placed on file. Arthur G. Taylor, recording secretary, read several amendments to the constitution which were recommended by the committee. He moved the adop- tion, seconded by Mrs. Alice Demmon. No dissenting vote, the amendments were declared to be adopted.
Miss Julia Sloan, librarian at their public library, gave a
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
splendid resume of "Tolleston Centennial Highlights," their recent celebration. Richard Weiss, a Hammond realtor, who was general chairman for the centennial of that city, recited many experiences of interest and amusement that he had- failures and successes.
Miss Loyce, a talented young accordion artist, played sev- eral popular selections.
Mrs. Chester A. Clark read more stories about early days in Ross Township that her father, Sam B. Woods, had written.
Twenty-one people of all ages were presented with pretty, and also useful, gifts that had been donated by merchants ac- cording to the customary plan.
"Auld Lang Syne" was sung. Traditional farewell ended the meeting.
The 77th annual meeting, August 30, 1952, was scheduled to be on the day of the big parade of the week that Lowell cele- brates their centennial, and the Methodist Church was chosen as their meeting place. The morning schedule was carried out in the basement assembly room where the ladies set up the picnic tables for the feast.
Dr. John W. Iddings, president, reconvened the group in the sanctuary at 1:30 P.M. Rev. Paul Reisen, pastor, gave the invocation. Reports were read.
The resignation of Arthur G. Taylor, recording secretary elected in 1932, was read. It was accepted with regret. Dr. Iddings expressed a sincere appreciation of the faithful and splendid service rendered. A resolution to be filed .*
Mrs. Hattie McNay, Mrs. Amos Brannon and Madge Lynch planned a special program. It is:
Prelude and chimes on pipe organ by Mrs. A. Edmondson. Vocal trio-Mrs. Otto Dahl and daughters, Mrs. Ruth Wein- burg and Mrs. Bethel Klemm. The early history of the Or- chard Grove community by Mrs. Fred C. Ebert. Vocal solo by Frank Childress. Early history of Lowell by Mrs. Edna Mahler Dexter. Clyde Foster-"Remarks," read by Mrs. Lil- lian Brownell. Vocal duet by the Miller twins (the girls are
* Dr. Iddings declared a recess so that all could go to see the street parade at 2:30 P.M. It was a splendid and colorful affair and had floats suggestive of the passing years of growth.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
descendants of the Obadiah Taylors) ; accompanist was Mrs. Harder. "The New Church Organ," a clever reading by Will Carlton, was given by Mrs. O. E. Eskridge. The necrology and a resolution honoring Oscar Sauerman, a former treas- urer, was read.
The 78th annual meeting was September 5, 1953, at the Masonic Temple, Crown Point. The dinner committee set the tables at the far side of the auditorium. Registration was cared for by Miss Ethel Vinnedge.
A. J. Kreiter, president, convened the group promptly at 1:30 P.M. Routine business dispensed. A note of apprecia- tion, from the children of Dr. John W. Iddings, was read. A resolution was presented about the sudden passing of Dr. Iddings shortly after his election for the second term of presi- dent. Mr. Kreiter, vice-president, is completing the year. Al- so, the death of Mrs. LeGrand T. Meyer was noted.
A note of thanks from the Indiana State Historical So- ciety for our roster of officers.
Bessie Gunder, program chairman, introduced program numbers as scheduled. Mrs. Herman Liedke rendered effec- tively the songs, "Indiana" and "America the Beautiful." Mrs. Herman Schroeder was script reader for a clever skit, "The Squatters' Union," with Fred Homfeld as Solon Robinson; cast not enumerated. Mrs. Fred Coffman related a fascinating ac- count which she compiled, after research, about "Old Farms and Old Homesteads in Lake County and Elsewhere." Mrs. Bessie Gunder had collected photographs of old houses in Lake County, city and country.
A panel discussion, of the topic "A Lake County Mu- seum," was monitored by Walter Gard, who made preliminary comments.
Mrs. Richard Collins spoke on "Other County Museums." Dixon Barr set forth opinions on "As Youth Considers a Mu- seum." Paul W. Knight spoke on "How We Might Finance A Museum." Walter Gard summarized and concluded by telling about the "Museum Pieces That Our Association Has" and the many people who would be glad to lend fine articles that are heirlooms.
President Kreiter called for discussion. Mr. Merritt Metz stunned, and at the same time thrilled, the crowd by the an- nouncement that Mrs. Chester A. (Margaret Woods) Clark,
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
daughter of Sam B. Woods, was still willing to present to the association 2.9 acres of land, the old barn and the "Bartlett Woods Homestead" to be used as a museum. Further discus- sion and thoughtful consideration, then a motion was made, seconded and passed, that a committee of three be named by President Krieter to further consider this wonderful and gen- erous offer and report in the future at a called or regular session.
Fred Homfeld, Paul Knight, and Roy Hack were ap- pointed. Joe E. Brown was to be legal advisor.
The 79th annual meeting, September 4, 1954, was held in the basement assembly room in the Criminal Court Building, South Main Street, Crown Point.
The traditional morning session, with Mrs. Herbert Prague, registrar, and Mrs. Helen Kuehl and her committee preparing the tables for the basket dinner, had all in readiness for the bountiful repast. The attendance was widely repre- sented.
Reports read and put on file; President Krieter recog- nized a motion that was duly seconded and carried that the recording secretary send letters of condolence to the families of four past presidents, S. C. Dwyer, Herbert Graham, Wil- liam Weis and Dr. H. C. Groman. Also, to the families of Dr. Malmstone, Mrs. L. L. Bomberger and John Sparling, Addison Clark, Ernest Clark and Meredith Taylor.
Custodian Margaret Clark reported that our properties that are stored in the sub-basement room of the Crown Point Library are in a sad condition. Arthur Taylor moved, Ethel Vinnedge seconded, that Mrs. Joseph E. (Avis) Brown and Walter Gard be appointed to assist Mrs. Clark and that a writ- ten report of the findings be submitted at the next meeting. It was carried.
Fred Homfeld, chairman of the suseum committee, an- nounced that a drive would soon be launched to solicit $7,500.00 as an initial amount to interest the county in providing the funds necessary to maintain the Woods Homestead annually, if it is to be used by the public.
Paul W. Knight, treasurer, read a subscription list that the committee formulated. It was formally approved and im- mediately put into circulation. The solicitation will continue on a county-wide basis. All who pay one dollar or more today
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
will receive a paid membership card for annual dues.
Mrs. Gerald Cross, Ross Township, and Mrs. Earl Little, West Creek Township, were added to this committee to aid in the circulation of the petitions.
Dick Roffman, a tenor soloist, sang several numbers. He is descended from pioneer families Ebert and Roffman.
Dyer By P. T. GETTLER
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :
Having just joined today, I want you to know that I am happy and proud to be a member of your fine organization.
Looking back to the year 1850 we learn that a great part of Lake County was swampland or lands that were subject to frequent floods. In the year 1852 the General Assembly of the State of Indiana passed an act to regulate the sale of these lands and to provide for their drainage. The average price received by the state for these lands before January 1, 1854, was $1.29 per acre.
Shortly thereafter, the Michigan Central Railroad, or the Joliet cutoff as it was then known, was completed, this rail- road extending from Lake Station through Dyer and on to Joliet, Illinois.
Thereupon, Mr. Aaron N. Hart, who originally was asso- ciated with the publishing firm of Rice & Hart in Philadelphia, became interested in lands and purchased about 15,000 acres in the vicinity of Dyer, including much of the old Cady marsh. This man, indeed, played a most important part in the de- velopment of the town of Dyer.
Mr. Hart died in 1883 as the result of the collapse of a drainage ditch in which he was working. However, his wife and four children continued to develop his properties and in the early 1890s constructed the great Hart ditch extending five miles from Dyer to the little Calumet River. It was in the year 1859 that Mr. Hart recorded an addition to, and named the town, Dyer, the maiden name of Mrs. Hart.
In the meantime, the lands adjacent to and in Dyer were being settled by immigrant German farmers. A grain eleva- tor was constructed on Michigan Central Railroad property in
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
1858 by John Dubriel and Leonard Keilman; later it was oper- ated by Keilman & Lowenberg and, upon the death of Lowen- berg, it was incorporated under the name of the L. Keilman Company. Today this firm is the largest single business en- terprise in Dyer dealing in grains, lumber, building materials, coal, hardware, etc.
In the year 1898 a large substantial brick school building was erected in Dyer by St. John School Township. In the meantime, a large Catholic and a small neat Protestant church were erected.
Two comparatively large stores also came into being, one owned by L. Keilman & Son and one by August W. Stommel. A flour and grist mill was also in operation having been built by Anthony Scheidt in the 1880s.
It might be interesting to note here that in the early 1900s there were seven saloons and two grocery stores in Dyer. Every saloon had a watering trough for horses at the curb and, of course, the usual beverages within for the driver. There was a large amount of traffic, what with farmers coming to town with wagonloads of grain, and there was a heavy traffic of horse-drawn vehicles enroute to Joliet, Illinois, via the old Sauk Trail. Incidentally, a nickel in those days would buy a schooner of beer with free lunch privileges thrown into the bargain. A schooner in those days was described as a vessel a little too small to use when washing your feet.
In the final week of the year 1902, the Catholic church was completely destroyed by fire. I recall this vividly. A fire in the middle of the night in those days was a terrifying thing -the pounding at your door and the cry of fire and the help- lessness in combatting it with practicaily no equipment. The church was rebuilt in 1903, a fine brick edifice which serves the community today.
The First National Bank was also established in 1903. Henry Keilman was the president and A. W. Stommel was the cashier. Two additional railroads, the Monon and the E.J.&E., had also been built by this time giving Dyer the services of three railroads.
In the year 1910 the townspeople, by a vote of 57 to 35, decided to incorporate the town under the laws of the State of Indiana. Henry Keilman, a farmer, Henry J. Schulte, a blacksmith, and Michael Fagen were elected town trustees and William N. Gettler, clerk-treasurer. Salaries of town officials
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
were set at $60.00 per year.
One of the first ordinances passed by this board had to do with peddlers. A license fee of $2.00 per day was required for peddlers with pack on back, $2.00 for one-horse wagons, and $5.00 for two-horse wagons. Another early ordinance provided for the construction of cinder sidewalks by the own- ers of properties in the town.
Railroad track labor, the grain elevator, the stores and the farms were the chief employers at this time. The pre- vailing wage was $1.00 per day for a ten-hour day with no coffee breaks.
In the year 1915, a municipal water utility was estab- lished. The source of the water supply was a 274-foot driven well which continues to serve the community to this day. The original rates for water were set at a $1.50 minimum per quarter year for a minimum of 7,650 gallons and that low rate prevailed for the next 35 years.
In the meantime our highways were being paved and Dyer was at long last getting out of the mud. A volunteer fire department was organized and we did a very good job of fire-fighting with the equipment available at the time.
Then came World War I and the accompanying machine age. Dyer grew progressively during this period. By this time the majority of workmen were employed by industries in the Calumet region. Then came World War II and the ac- celerated growth of the many communities on the fringe of the industrial area including the town of Dyer. The net re- sult of the 1960 census shows Dyer with a population in ex- cess of 4,000 and it is growing almost daily.
Dyer had done quite well in meeting the requirements of this rapid increase in population. We have provided for po- lice protection around the clock, we have a modernly equipped fire department second to none in the land for a town this size. Our streets are in excellent condition, street lighting is adequate, we have regular weekly garbage pickup with mod- ern equipment, we have modern supermarkets within and ad- jacent to Dyer, and we have four churches, one Catholic and three Protestant.
Dyer does not operate a school but it is a partner in the St. John Township school system. Most of the township
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
schools are located in Dyer, including a new high school build- ing erected two years ago by a holding corporation. The town- ship schools are operated on a very high standard and will compare favorably with any in the county. Dyer also has a very good Catholic school maintaining high standards.
And so it might be said that Dyer has come a long way in a comparatively short time. And yet there are problems which we cannot ignore. Our total tax rate, for instance, has been tops, or near the top, during the past four years. This is the inevitable result of a rapidly increasing population with- out a corresponding increase in industrial, railroad and util- ity valuations.
The total current tax rate is $10.26. This includes state, county, township and town rates. School levies, naturally, make up a greater part of our tax bill. Increased population means increased school enrollment which in turn means addi- tional school buildings as well as increased operational costs. In the year 1941 our total school tax rate was $6.56-64 cents of each tax dollar in Dyer goes to the support of our school system.
We are also faced with a flood control, water expansion and sewer problem. This is the challenge facing the oncoming generation, not only in Dyer, but, throughout the nation, in varying degrees.
It is a fact that more progress has been made in our time than at any time in our history. I am sorry to say, however, that we are apparently going to let the next generation pick up the tab and pay the bill. The average taxpayer in Indiana today works from the first day of the year until the middle of the month of May to pay his tax bill, federal, local and, of course, the thousands of hidden taxes. In spite of all this, indebtedness, on the part of federal and local government, is on the increase. Deficit spending has certainly become quite fashionable in our time.
And yet I am optimistic insofar as the oncoming genera- tion is concerned. When I see televised programs such as "Youth Wants to Know" I marvel at their interest in govern- mental affairs and the challenging questions asked. I believe that in due time the next generation will decide that govern- ment is their business, with the result that common sense and morality will prevail and thus our progress will become real.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
History of the Town of Schneider
By MRS. L. O. RUSSELL
The town was platted and incorporated March 17, 1902, east of Ackerman Road. First addition deeds were for the first railroad east and west. Deeds were issued by J. W. Cass and Ellen D. Cass, his wife, March 23, 1877, to Plymouth, Kan- kakee, and Pacific Railroad Company. They sold this right- of-way to Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, named the 3 I's." The building stands on the road going east and west through Schneider, now the N.Y.C. Railroad. Their deed called for the railroad to maintain depots at Illinois station, Shelby and Conrad or Schneider. This information was taken from ab- stract on 17 and 18.
The following named men have served on the Board of Trustees :
Harry Rouse, Sr.
Frank Ahlgrim
Lin Lauba
Amil Larson
Herman Rictor
Joyce Schoolcraft
L. O. Russell
Harold Hesser
Homer Turner
Alonzo Vickery
Clarence Brown
Rosco Born
C. O. Piercell
Harry Rouse, Jr.
Robert Johnson
Perry Sinks
Hut Olds
Harold Hamann
Lester Smith
Grant Reed
Cecil Ault
Orville Beier
Walter Meyer
These men have served as clerk and treasurer :
Harry Sims
Ira Gerrich Nelda Hamann
Willard Smith
August Harwick
The Town Marshals are as follows :
Harry Rouse, Sr.
William Negal
Tom Lloyd
John Lee
Allen Stott
Charles Reed
Douglas Rousha
Lloyd Hill
Cecil Ault
Otto Martin
L. O. Russell
The fire department, organized by petition, was carried
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FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
by L. O. Russell in October of 1927. The town board appointed L. O. Russell as chief; he served for 31 years as chief of the fire department.
The charter members of the Schneider fire department are as follows :
L. O. Russell, Chief
Ed McMahn
Linier 'Punk' Russell
Willard Smith
Henry Burnham
J. M. Lowe, Secretary
Harry Bishop
Amil Larson, Treasurer
Bill Negal
Marvin Stoll
Cecil Ault
John Haskel
Orville Beier
The first equipment used was a 35-gallon chemical tank on a cart, ladder wagon, extension ladders, roof ladders and twenty buckets. The first fire truck was a 1929 Dodge Boyer; the fire equipment was four 35-gallon chemical tanks with hose rack on top. The water works were built at this date.
The first school house was moved to the foot of the hill, where the school now stands, from Lineville lot four miles west of Schneider. This school was moved again when the new school was built to Mason Street, now the family home of Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers.
The first bill paid to Northern Indiana Public Service Company for street lights was on March 4, 1926.
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