Time Machine Trip to March 1919

By Lyle Hansen

March 6, 1919

The signature by President Wilson allowing soldiers, sailor and marines to keep their uniforms enables the boys to retain valued souvenirs from the great war. To many a young man these visible evidences of youthful valor and sacrifice will serve as a powerful inspiration in later life.

De Haviland Aeroplane

Falling three hundred feet through the air, as his aeroplane plunged to earth, landing in a tree top and left hanging 15 feet below by a back strap until he was rescued was but one of the thrilling adventures of a young Kaukauna aviator. Oscar Steffen related his stories at The Times office. Steffen was assigned to the 50^th Aero Squadron as a forward observer. 

Theodore Molberg who was recently mustered out of the army, has returned to his old position at The Times and is once more engaged in “sticking type” just as though he had never left the composing room. He had worked here for 11 years before entering army life. 

March 13, 1919

The Kaukauna Buick Sales rooms were opened for business Tuesday afternoon. A handsome display of the Buick automobiles in the building adjoining the Grand View hotel on Second street. Manager John Coppes says the machines shown are tempting enough to sell themselves.

March 20, 1919

An auto passenger bus line will be established April 1st to operate between Kaukauna and Appleton. Buses will run every hour between the two cities and a fare of 15c charged. Passengers will be carried from Little Chute to Appleton for 10c.

Charles Remmel, of Kaukauna, who has been paroled from the state prison and living here. This week he received an absolute pardon from the governor. He received a life sentence for the murder of his father together with his step mother about thirty years ago. She went insane and eventually died in the asylum. Remmel remained in prison until nine years ago when a new investigation turned up evidence that he and his step mother were not guilty of the crime. 

March 27, 1919

The recent wrestling match here when Louis Vistour of Kaukauna defeated Young Krampein of Fernwood drew no spectators from Appleton. This was one of the classiest events pulled off in the Fox River Valley in many years. Fortunately, the financial success of the match was not dependent upon Appleton fans. 

Robert McNaughton of Kaukauna received his discharge from the army and arrived home. He was somewhat disgusted with camp life as the work in peace time seemed like “just putter” around.

Ty Cobb

For years our fellow baseball fan, “Stormy” Kromer had devoured the newspaper reports of the great Ty Cobb and his one great aim in life was to see him on the diamond. At long last the Detroit Tigers, with Ty Cobb were scheduled to play an exhibition game in Milwaukee. When the day of the game rolled ‘round Killian Zink and I boarded his early “rattler” and beat it for the city of breweries and for the middle of the grandstands where 7000 were gathered. When Ty came through the gate at the park, we clapped our hands as he was stopped by each player who wanted to shake hands with him. When the Brewers took the field, Ty played first base for them.

KAUKAUNA SOLDIERS

Time Machine Trip to March 1959

By Lyle Hansen

March 4, 1959

Kaukauna High School's big center, Leroy Weyenberg, is making Kaukauna basketball history with his outstanding point producing abilities. In the final game of the 1958-59 season, the lanky Ghost center poured in 41 points, leading the Kaukaunans to a 77-52 win. The spectacular output gave Weyenberg the Mid-Eastern conference scoring title for the season, totaling 268 points. Weyenberg is a junior and will suit up in the orange and black again next season.

Lee Jo Jacob has been chosen for the Safe Driver Award in the month of March. The award is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce each month.

Awards were presented to eight boys and girls with the top averages at the teenage bowling league at Verbeten’s rathskeller. Boys awards: Lee Wachel, 166; Roger Leick, 144; Ken VandeHey, 139; and Carl Hermans, 135. Girls awards: Dolores Ebben, 129; Carol Artz, 106 and Judy Jacobson, 105.

Kaukauna policemen investigated 24 accidents in February, while firemen made 10 runs according to reports the two departments show. Seven accidents in the past six days have been reported to the Kaukauna police.

March 6, 1959

Arthur H. Mongin longtime Packer football fan and director of the team’s ticket outlet at Look Drug stores here was re-elected to the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers Corporation at the annual stockholders meeting Monday. This is his fourth three-year term. The corporation reported a profit of $37,303.61 after taxes last year. About 150 of the 1600 stockholders attended the session in Green Bay. 

More snow was dumped on the area Thursday. Many events had to be cancelled. The police report most roads are slippery and urged motorist to use caution while driving. The removal of snow this year has cost the city $9,560.

March 11, 1959

Approximately 100 students will take part in a forensics festival at the high school next Wednesday night, according to Miss Barbara Little, chairman. 

March 13, 1959

Court of Honor for Explorer Post 51, Little Chute, was held at Lamers’ Tearoom. At the event an eagle award was given to Patrick McCormick by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Lewis McCormick.

One of Kaukauna’s four patrol women is Mrs. Daniel Van Linn, pictured at the corner of Crooks and Eight street. The children are from St. Mary’s and Nicolet schools.

March 18, 1959

Dennis Priebe, captain-elect of the Ghosts’ junior varsity quintet, was leading scorer during the past season, according to Coach Harold Kobin. Priebe scored 154 points on 52 field goals and 50 free throws.

Another winter storm dumped snow, snow and more snow on the ground leaving another 8 ½ inches behind.

Timothy Eiting was chosen from seven boys nominated to represent the junior class as their Prom King for the 1959 Prom.

The Kau-Hi-News high school newspaper has received a first place rating from Columbia Scholastic Press, New York City according to Francis Corry student advisor.

Kaukauna’s Galloping Ghosts finished the basketball season tied for fourth place in the Mid-eastern conference. LeRoy Weyenberg, the top scorer in the conference, led the Kaukauna scoring by a wide margin. He scored 389 points in the season averaging 19.2 points per game.

A Kindergarten Class at park school put on a puppet show. Puppeteers are Margaret Renn and David Roloff.  Emcee are George Behnke, Pamela Kerry and Russell Senso.

March 20, 1959

The recession of 1958 saw demand for new telephones drop 35 per cent according to the Wisconsin Telephone Company. Kaukauna has a record 3,581 phones at the end of the year 1958, an increase of 115 instruments.

The Green Bay Packers professional team will train at St. Norbert College, De Pere next summer. The announcement was made by Packer Coach Vince Lombardi.

March 27, 1959

The Kaukauna High School volleyball squad whizzed through the W.I.A.A. district tournament Tuesday night at Chilton to qualify for the state sectionals to be played next week.  Coach David Hash said that Kaukauna won six straight matches at the tournament. 

A car was hit by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway streamliner Monday morning at Gertrude street. The car was a total loss, but the driver James Erickson, of Kaukauna, jumped to safety. The car had become stuck in the snow on the tracks.

March 30, 1959

Most Sportsmanlike team in the tourney was Trinity Lutheran. Pictured with the trophy are Ricky Nagel and Eddie Lutzow.

Kimberly took first in the Holy Cross Invitational grade school tournament with Holy Cross placed second. Robert Promer is shown presenting the second-place trophy to Father Quella pastor of Holy Cross.

The third-place trophy went to St. Mary’s of Kaukauna. Ron and Don Straus accept the award from Father Quella.

The Kaukauna Ghosts basketball team coached by Jerry Hopfensperger, compiled a 7-7 record in the Mid-Eastern conference. Members of the team left to right, seated: Dan Lamers, Tom Frank, Myron Zachowski, Leroy Weyenberg, Mike Landreman and Cyril Vander Horst. Standing are: Coach Hopfensperger, Harry Gast, Ron Busse, Ken Kavanaugh, Jim Steger, Bill Borcherdt, Gary Vanevenhoven and DeLyle Bowers, Manager. 

40^th Anniversary of the American Legion was observed by Kaukauna Post 41 and its auxiliary Saturday. Cutting the birthday cake is Mrs. Arthur Kromer, Jr., with her Mrs. Harold Scholl, Hortonville, district president Arthur Gandt, Karl Freier, Post 41 commander, and Olin G. Dryer, former Kaukauna High School principal and retired reserve officer.

 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Time Machine Trip to March 1909

By Lyle Hansen

March 5, 1909
The annual track meet of the various classes of Lawrence University was held at Alexander gymnasium. Kaukauna was represented by two freshmen, Frank Charlesworth, who secured first place in the broad jump, and Roy Kuehn, who took second in the shot put.

A Kansas City street car conductor found a pocketbook lying under a seat.  He remembered the man who had been sitting there and ran after him.  “Thank you, there’s $3000.00 in there.” was all the man said and walked off. He later heard the man was looking for him. Expecting maybe $50.00 floated in his thoughts.  But all he said was “Go buy yourself a cigar.” Then he handed him 15 cents.

William H. Taft was duly inaugurated President of the United States. Thousands that had assembled in Washington to witness the event and accompanying parade and festivities spent the day in the throes of one of the worst storms that the city had experienced in many years. A blizzard raged all during the night.  Ceremonies had to move inside taking place in the senate chambers.  The parade through the slush was not well attended and very unpleasant.




March 12, 1909

Open war on the car flipping practice indulged in by boys here and elsewhere in the state has been declared by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Co. which has appealed to the courts for aid in fighting the evil because of the danger in it. Prosecution of boys who practice car flipping is the means which the company will employ to abolish the practice.

Kaukauna was visited Tuesday and Wednesday by one of the worst blizzards of this winter.  The snow delayed trains and interurban cars and crippling the telegraph service. The railroad found it necessary to run double headers and even then, the trains were one to two hours late.

March 19, 1909
Luther Lindauer will commence work next Monday on his new $150,000 pulp mill on the power recently acquired at Little Rapids and from that time on there will be activity at this point until the mill is complete and is ready to turn out pulp because it is a well-known fact that "no grass grows under foot" when once Mr. Lindauer gets started on a project of this sort.

March 26, 1909
The unusual sight was witnessed of two beautiful white swans on the lower river disporting themselves, their size and gracefulness attracting much attention. An inexperienced hunter got his shooting iron to go gunning for the birds, but was informed that they were protected by law in all seasons of the year. A heavy penalty attaches to either killing the birds or destroying the eggs.

The saddest case on record in this vicinity from the ravages of consumption is that of the Van Gompel family of Little Chute.  The father, mother and six children have died within the past eleven years and one child remains, a young daughter, whose health is impaired.

Plans for the complete rebuilding of its telegraph lines on the Lake Shore division south to Milwaukee is being considered by the railroad. The decision will be reached within the next thirty days.  The cost of the work will be between $4000 and $6000 according to estimates. The rebuilding of the lines was made necessary by damage resulting from several storms this winter.

The reign of terror among women in Manitowoc by a person dubbed “Jack the Hugger”, will probably be ended after an incident of a recent evening. A south side girl was seized at a late hour when she was on her way home from work. In the struggle which followed the girl jabbed her assailant with a hat pin.  As the man sought to cover her mouth she bites his hand. She tells the police he will be easy to identify by his wounds.  The girl had bruises and a cut on her lip.

Time Machine trip to February 1979

By Lyle Hansen

February 1, 1979

“BIG RED”, “BUCKY” or “FARMER” are some of the 13,500 names people in Wisconsin have requested from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

February 6, 1979

The Ghosts realized all their goals when they defeated the Kimberly Papermakers 60-56 Friday evening. The Ghosts are now .500 for the season. After leading by 19 points Kimberly came back to within 3 points with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game.  

February 8, 1979

The Kaukauna common council members ratified a two-year pact with the firemen, calling for a nine percent pay increase in 1979 and 7.5 hike the following year. The police lieutenants will receive a flat salary of $18,400 per year.

It was a very good day for the Kaukauna boxers last Saturday at Holy Cross gym. Six of the eight local boxers won their bouts sponsored by the Kaukauna Boxing Association. Bill Hibbard treated the crowd of 350 to the best match of the evening. Tom Horn won a decision in the 70-pound Junior Olympic bout. Nick Horn won the final match of the evening in the 135-pound Senior Olympic division. Mike Horn won his bout when his opponent became ill before the bout and dropped out.

Norman Boettcher, Kaukauna, celebrated his 77^th birthday anniversary by smashing a 232 game in the couples Bowling League at the Bowling Bar February 6.

February 13, 1979

Clair Vande Yacht again showed why she is considered one of the area’s best vaulters by placing first. Paced by a sweep in both floor exercise and vaulting, the KHS team posted a 81.20 to 73.86 non-conference dual meet victory last Thursday. Chris Hoffman finished second in vaulting.

February 15, 1979

New ownership at the Lee Store also means some changes in the store itself. Elaine Novak is the manager who with her husband James working on remodeling the store. The specialty store will have a grand opening this summer.   

Chief Warrant Officer Dale R. Nagan, Kaukauna, recently was assigned as a maintenance inspector with the 3^rd Support Command in Frankfurt, Germany. He is a 1969 graduate of Kaukauna High School.

February 20, 1979

Jim Viaene, Kaukauna’s heavyweight wrestler, is headed for state. He finished third at the Pulaski sectional qualifying himself for this week’s state tournament.

February 27, 1979

Ghost wrestler Jim Viaene picked up some very valuable experience last week, but he came home from Madison minus the prize he was really after. He was in search of a heavyweight championship at the state meet, but his hopes were dashed in the first match.

Sparked by Jodi Chandler’s winning performance on the uneven bars, the KHS gymnastics team capped their regular season with their highest finish ever in a conference meet.

Sophomore guard Ross Giordana of Kaukauna helped the University of Wisconsin Varsity Reserve to a perfect 17-0 record in the recently completed season. Giordana started all 17 games for the Badgers, finishing as the team’s third leading scorer.   

Ribbon cutting for the opening of the expanded Larry’s Piggle Wiggly store on Hwy 55 was officiated by Mayor Robert LaPlante with a big scissors as members of the Verhagen family look on. Left to right Tom Verhagen holding son Dan. Larry and Gladys Verhagen, Don Ronspies of P.W. Mrs. Tom (Judy) Verhagen, Maureen Verhagen, Orville Lehman, Joe Verhagen, the Mayor, Bill Verhagen, Vicki Verhagen, Glen Hessler of P.W. and Don Niemuth. Near the scissors are Tricia and Emily Verhagen. The five children belong to Tom and Judy.

The Kaukauna wrestling team – Members include front row: Larry Kitterman, Brian Schumann, Bruce Van Schyndel, Dennis Van Asten, Larry Van Wychen, Dan Geenen and Phil Kessler. Row 2: Coach Bob Bragg, Jim Viaene, Dan Schneider, John Petrie, Kevin Huss, Rich Rogers and Bruce Lamont.

Passing the badge – Police Chief Gerald Lopas presenting a lieutenants’ badge to newly promoted Lt. William Appleton, Jr., the departments juvenile officer. Also promoted are Richard Bentley, now a corporal (far left); Patrick Campbell, now a sergeant and Eugene Schaefer, far right promoted to night lieutenant.   

Members of the Holy Cross 7^th Championship Grade basketball team – Front row: Jeff Promer, Kevin Calmes, Craig Gavaert, Fred Jacques and Steve Goetzman. Row 2: Brett Wallace, Alan Rosin, Kevin Roberts and Dan Spietz. Row 3: Coach Mike Reardon, Ron Biese, Matt Vanden Heuvel, Kirk Rademaker and Steve Leick.

Kaukauna varsity basketball team – Craig Kandler, Mgr., Kevin Coenen, Pat Brogan, Jim Plutschack, Lee Hennes, Mike Terry, Tom Romenesko, Mark Simon, Greg Pawiak Berry Martzahl, Greg Eiting and Brian Roebke, Mgr.  

Members of the KHS Girls’ basketball team – Kneeling: Kris Patschke, Sue Grissman, Donna Simon, Lori Cummings and Chris Conis. Row 3: Brenda Lemke, Gail Balck, Carol Ebben, Terry Malkowski, Linda DeBruin, Cindy Kandler and Karen Vandersteen, Mgr.

1979 Pontiac-Trans-Am

Time Machine Trip to February 1929

February 1, 1929

The Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company’s shops, part of which will be permanently discontinued and dismantled after March 1^st. The railway shops have ranked second only to the paper mills as the chief industry of our city.

A report says that Cornelius Verbaeten, proprietor of the hotel at Wrightstown, was sentenced to thirty days in the Brown county workhouse and fined $100 when he plead guilty to a second offense against the liquor law. 

February 5, 1929

Famous stories of the frozen north of the Yukon palled before the story of a brave young local nurse who last Thursday battled a raging blizzard on foot for forty miles to reach the bedside of a patient who needed her services. Miss Fern Lambie, who has been staying in Shorewood received a call from Seymour that she was needed  quickly to take care of her 19-year-old niece. All trains were snowed in and highways were blocked by drifts. This did not stop her from hiking off on her 40-mile trip. The lone hiker stopped at various farm houses, for a brief rest, on her trip of mercy. She arrived at her destination Seymour Saturday afternoon having covered the distance in 50 hours and 45 minutes.

Neenah’s red clad warriors, favorites to win the state basketball championship same to the Kaukauna High gym Friday evening. They defeated the home team before a record size crowd 24 to 7.

February 8, 1929

President Coolidge, in his last address to the business organization of the government, called attention to the rapidly mounting cost of government. From $3,900 million in 1921 to $7,900 million in 1927 is a serious matter and a heavy drain on the economy of the country. This is a red flag warning us of the disaster of a depression ahead.

February 12, 1929

William Van Dyke, proprietor of the Vaudette Theatre, states that beginning February 17, "talkie" motion pictures will be shown for the first time here with permanent talking picture equipment, a "Moviephone."

February 15, 1929

Charles Clune, town of Buchanan, was fined $500 after he had pled guilty Tuesday to a charge of violating the state prohibition law. He was arrested after a raid was conducted on a small building which contained a 75 gallon still on his property.

February 22, 192

Olin G. Dryer, principal of the Kaukauna High School and captain in the reserve army, has been notified by the commanding general of the sixth corps area he has been accepted on the county committee of the Citizens Military Training Camp enrollment organization.

February 26, 1929

Forest Junction – A truck mounted rotary snow plow is being given a trial on Calumet county highways this week. The plow leaves a path sufficiently wide to enable vehicles to pass. 

Louis Faust of this city was renamed president of the Wisconsin Well Drillers’ association at the annual meeting held in Milwaukee.

The slaying of seven gangsters in Chicago at one time has aroused great interest over the country. “What bitterer satire could there be on the enforcement of law in Chicago to have gangsters disguising themselves as policemen”. This, they thought was only a police raid. They had nothing to fear from that.  

Time Machine Trip to February 1949

By Lyle Hansen

February 2, 1949

Everyone was shouting “Hi Harry” and “Good luck Harry” and trying to get the President's attention as he rode by at the head of the inauguration parade according to Meyer Miller, Kaukauna’s only representative at the inauguration ceremonies.

  

Thilmany lower mill is back in operation this morning after a ten-hour shutdown caused by mass of ice falling thru the roof of the electrical control and steam turbine room yesterday noon, damaging the main electrical central panel.

Donald Sheehy, Kaukauna, who enlisted in the Army January 13, is now stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. 

St. Mary’s wins, 40-23 with Joe Hinkens scoring 22 points as St. Mary’s chalked up its third out-of-town win over St. Peter’s of Oshkosh Sunday afternoon.  

February 4, 1949

Cub Scout awards were made at a recent meeting of Cub Pack 27 at St. Mary's church hall. Those receiving Wolf badges were James Reichel, Victor Haen, Robert Woods, and Peter Berens, while Wolf Gold Arrow awards were presented to John Renn, Leslie Schulz, Robert Woods and Peter Berens. Lion awards were presented to Ronald Woods and Bernard Siebers.

February 9, 1949

Over $200,000 was collected in real estate taxes according to a statement released by Ruth Wolf City Treasurer.

February 11, 1949

Kaukauna’s Jim “Red” Hopfensperger was stopped by Joey Brunnette of Michigan in the second round of their semi-final bout for the 118-pound state Golden Glove title in Milwaukee Wednesday night. The two fighters were nip and tuck for the first few minutes each getting blows to the other. The Kaukauna boxer took a trip to the mat in the 1st  round and then again in the 2nd before the referee stopped the bout.

February 16, 1949

A packed house of 800 highly pleased fans saw the nationally-known, football talented Green Bay Packers display their basketball abilities in the form of a convincing 48-26 victory at the expense of the Kaukauna All-Stars Saturday night in the high school gym. The game was sponsored by the Kaukauna Lions Club for the benefit of the high school band uniform fund.

Green Bay Packers cage squad Back row, Ted Fritsch, Earl “Jug” Girard, Tony Canadeo; Front row, Nolan Luhn, Andy Uram, Ken Keuper and Tim O’Brien.

The Kaukauna all stars left to right top row, Bob Biese, Bill Alger, Matt Otte, Don Kuehl and Paul Koch. Bottom row William Ranquette, Carl Giordana, Jerome Parman, Fred Nack and Bill Van Dyke.

“OZZIE” the safety clown cop appeared at the Kaukauna schools last week and gave talks to students on safety, good citizenship and good behavior.

February 25, 1949

Pfc. Harold W. Humphrey, Kaukauna, has been placed on the attached service for ninety days with this 79th Engineer Maintenance company for duty in Kyoto, Japan.

Kaukauna passengers on the Appleton and inner-city Motor Coach buses will pay a minimum fee of 10 cents per ride and 25 cents for three rides beginning March 15 according to the bus company's recent requested rate increase.

For the third time in the last nine years, a Kaukauna player has walked off with the top honors in the Northeastern Wisconsin conference individual scoring race. Latest to turn the trick is Cliff Hinkens, 1948-49 winner with a total of 122 points in 10 games. Big Bill Alger won the crown back in 1941 scoring 140 total points. The season in 1945 Jim Lehman turned the trick by registering 117 markers. 

 Cliff Hinkens

1949 Ford station wagon