1925

THIS WEEK IN INDIANAPOLIS

news stories & adverts from one hundred years ago

Compiled by Steve Barnett
Ads & Illustrations clipped by Carl Bates

Five Ideal Opening Day Crowds Exceeded Expectations

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, November 23, 1925: Yesterday, a crowd of 15,000 descended upon Williams Creek Estates, a Washington Bank & Trust Co development, to see the five Indianapolis News ideal homes. Interested visitors from throughout Indiana and neighboring states swarmed across the grounds and through the homes open for inspection. The “homes of the future” constructed over the last several weeks by Ralph S. Brydon Co, are houses of Spanish, Italian, America

Nov 23

Mrs. Oberholtzer Weeps on Stand

From The Indianapolis Times , Thursday, October 29, 1925: After thirteen days of jury selection, opening testimony began this morning in the trial of D C. Stephenson and his two co-defendants who are charged with the murder of Madge Oberholtzer. The first witness to take the stand was Mrs. George Oberholtzer, dressed in deep mourning, her voice breaking with sobs and at times unable to speak because of her grief, told of the last time she saw her daughter – how Madge left h

Oct 28

Butler Campus Has Festive Appearance

From The Indianapolis News , Saturday, October 17, 1925: Butler College campus had a festive appearance today for home-coming celebrations. Fraternity and sorority houses were decorated in blue and white and Irwin Field, scene of the football contest between Franklin College and the Bulldogs was bedecked with colors of both schools. For the first time in recent years, no downtown parade was planned on home-coming day. The alumni met in the chapel and then went in a body t

Oct 16

Bringing Magicland to Hospital Tots

From The Indianapolis Star , Friday, October 16, 1925: Yesterday afternoon the small patients at Riley Hospital were mystified by the magic of Houdini. In two sessions, one for girls and one of boys, Houdini had each audience laughing and gazing in wide-eyed wonder when the little yellow rabbit came out of an empty box and the glass filled with inky black water turned crystal clear under the magic handkerchief. Houdini showed where the magic egg went when it vanished from

Oct 15

Stephenson and Aids Indicted in Arson Plot

From The Indianapolis Times , Monday, October 5, 1925: D. C. Stephenson, Earl Gentry, and Earl Klinck, whose trial for the alleged murder of Madge Oberholtzer is to begin next Monday at Noblesville, have been indicted together with Fred Butler by a Marion County grand jury for arson in conspiring to burn Stephenson’s Irvington home, 5432 University Av, last April 17. Allegedly the conspirators “willfully and maliciously set fire” to Stephenson’s house valued at $20,000 ( 20

Oct 4

Radio Exposition Ends, Pronounced Complete Success

From The Indianapolis Star , Sunday, September 27, 1925: The first Indianapolis radio exposition signed off last night after a successful week. More than 45,000 visitors ambled about the exhibit booths at Cadle Tabernacle since the doors opened Monday evening. Herbert Luckey, president of the Broadcast Listeners Association, said exhibitors transacted over $100,000 ( 2024 : $1,826,571) in radio business during the show. While Jerry Peter, a representative of the Radio Co

Sep 26