Lorain Daily News – March 4, 1911

Here’s the March 4, 1911 front page from the Lorain Daily News. As you can see, the big news was the unveiling of how the new Lorain High School was going to look. We also get a nice snapshot of what was going on in Lorain, one hundred and eight years ago this month.

The caption reads, “The above cut is the architect’s perspective of the proposed new high school building. The building will be erected on the site now occupied by the high school. The first section to be built is shown at the left of the white line in the cut. It will cost about $60,000. In order to complete the plans another $100,000 will be necessary.

“Two sets of plans have been submitted by Architect H. E. Ford. One is for a building 200 x 192 feet while the second calls for one to be 280 feet long and 164 feet wide. In order to erect the large building it would be necessary to tear down all of the old high school building. The board does not wish to do this. The present section facing on Bank St. will be used for the housing of grade pupils, as the Bank school is now crowded.

“Each of the plans call for an auditorium to seat 800 or more and a gymnasium to be [illegible]. The building of the first section will be rushed to completion, work to start on the construction within a few months. The building when completed will be one of the finest high schools in the state.”

(The demolition of the old Lorain High School was an ongoing topic on this blog back in 2009.)

The juiciest news on the front page was the capture of Gasper Delczeg. As the article notes, “Gasper Delczeg, 22, a Hungarian wanted for the murder of Peter Johnosy on the night of Jan. 7th at the corner of Wood avenue and 28th St., was captured in Youngstown yesterday afternoon. A reward of $100 will be paid for his capture. Delczeg who has been a fugitive for two months has been in three states since the murder was committed.

“Delczeg was arrested by the chief of police of the Republic Iron and Steel company, who recognized him at once from the circular sent out from the local police department. He had applied at the company’s employment office and was promised a job to begin Monday.

“Following the arrest the prisoner was turned over to the Youngstown police department and on examination he confessed that his name was Delczeg and he also told the officers whom he had shot in Lorain.”

I guess the moral is: don’t apply for a job when you're on the run on murder charges.

By the way, author Don Hilton’s book, Murders, Mysteries and History of Lorain County, Ohio 1824 - 1956 included this crime in its collection of mayhem. The book reveals that another man – Joe Farkas – had been accused, tried and found ‘not guilty’ of the crime.

At least Delczeg confessed to the shooting when captured. So did the Hungarian (as the Lorain Daily News helpfully referred to him at one point) end up in the Big House for the rest of his life? Stop back here tomorrow to find out!