From The Indianapolis Times, Friday, December 31, 1920: Dancing the old year out and ushering in the new one has been assured in Indianapolis since the police have sent out word that dancing would be permitted until 1 a.m. The announcement brought joy to the hearts of those bent on dancing to the mesmerizing strains of the saxophone, the wail of the banjo, and the syncopated sighing of the slide trombone. In addition to New Year’s Eve arrangements made for the fox-trotting public at hotels and clubs, churches will hold watch night services and homes will be the scene of watch night parties. While there will be dancing, it will be a “dry” celebration among the merrymakers; “hip pocket parties” will not be tolerated by law enforcement and hotels will not permit dispensing of cheering cocktails from individual bottles.
From The Indianapolis Times, Tuesday, January 4, 1921: Motorization has rendered the ninety-eight fine horses in the fire department useless. Once the pride at the various fire stations, the horses stand idle and disconsolate in their stalls, having been replaced by motor fire-fighting monsters. With the delivery of ten motor pumpers from the Stutz Fire Engine Co, the public safety board will take immediate steps to dispose of the horses. Appraisers have been appointed to fix not only the value of the horses, but also of all the wagons and trucks made unnecessary by the motor equipment. Five of the best animals will be turned over to the mounted police to replace old horses, and the park board will receive ten other horses. Some of the horses will be shipped to eastern buyers where a better price can be obtained.