Time Machine Trip to June 1957

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

It’s that time again to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and make a trip back in time.

Today John Vandenberg, is sitting in the driver’s seat. The big wheel is spinning and the years are clicking back. In no time, we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on the corner of Third Street and Main.

We are now in June of 1957.    

For the music lovers, the top song on the Hit Parade this month is:

Love Letters in the Sand – Pat Boone

Carl Hansen, the publisher, has left the newspapers for us by the front door of the Kaukauna Times. Let’s see what’s in the news this month.

Gary Grissman, my cousin and friend, has stepped off the Time Machine and is now part of history. His smile and family are his legacy. 

God’s Speed Gary, we’ll miss you. 

Your old news man – Lyle

June 5, 1957

Tomorrow and Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., residents of Kaukauna and the entire Fox River Valley area will be given the opportunity to tour one of the city's major industries, as Badger Northland Incorporated holds its first open house, according to Vincent Rohlf, the firm's president.

Senior Jack Coenen and sophomore Gary Vanevenhoven set new individual Kaukauna High school batting marks the last season with averages well over 500 as the Ghosts swept through to six wins in nine starts.

Ed Wettstein was named by his teammates late last week as the honorary baseball captain for the 1958 Kaukauna High School diamond team. Ed the “stopper’ has been a regular with the Ghosts for the past few seasons. 

June 7, 1957

Total of 545 Kaukauna youngsters have been registered for swimming lessons at the Memorial swimming pool this summer, according to Miss Mary Jane Appleton, assistant recreation director.

June 12, 1957

The discontinuance of three Chicago and Northwestern trains serving Kaukauna will probably take effect next Sunday evening according to information received from the Appleton depot.  

Kaukauna’s Boy Scout troop 27 was singled out as the most outstanding troop in the East District by Camp Chiefs at the climax of the three-day Camporee held during the weekend at the Kaukauna recreation area.

Kaukauna’s Order of Sidewalk Superintendents were out in mass Sunday afternoon to “supervise” the destruction of one of the city’s most venerable structures, the C&NW coal tower located in the south side railroad yards.  The tall building was toppled early Sunday afternoon.

June 14, 1957

Fullback Fred Cone became the sixth Packer veteran to sign a contract for the 1957 season according to Coach Lisle Blackbourn. Other veterans who have signed contracts are Quarterbacks Tobin Rote and Bart Starr, Ends Billy Howton and Dick Deschaine and Player-Coach Bobby Dillon. 

Pvt. Robert R. Smith, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Smith, 203 W. Third St., Kaukauna, Wis., completed six weeks of advanced individual training June 8 under the packet platoon system at the Army’s Armor Training Center, Fort Knox, Ky.

Construction of the new addition to the Kaukauna Vocational School is now about five weeks behind schedule according to word received from school director, Dominic Bordini. Bad weather and the current strike of carpenters are the main reasons for the delay.

The installation service for the Rev. R. J. Muehl, new pastor of the Bethany Lutheran Church will be held Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at special afternoon services.  Pastor Harold Brauer, vice president of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, will officiate, with pastors of neighboring congregations participating. Pastor Muehl succeeds the Rev. Paul Schedler as pastor of the Bethany Church.

The 1957 Kaukauna American Legion Picnic got under way this morning at LaFollette Park and will continue through until Sunday evening, according to an announcement by the co-chairman of this year’s event, Al Marzahl and Fred Mason.

June 21, 1957

Pvt. David H. Kobussen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood J. Kobussen, Route 3, Kaukauna, Wis., recently graduated from the supply handling course at the Army’s Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, VA.

Pvt. E2 James E Matchett, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Matchett, 101 W. Third Street, Kaukauna, having now completed his basic training and also eight weeks of combat engineering school at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri has been assigned to duty in Alaska, as permanent party in an engineering unit.

The city’s ten playground sponsored a checker tournament this past Monday in another of the continuing efforts to provide Kaukauna youngsters with as many varied activities as possible.

Nicolet’s Senior division winner was Bill Jirikowic; Junior, Joan Sachs; Intermediate, Lynn Patterson and Kris Defferding won the midget prize.

Hennes Park, the Senior award went to David Keough, the Junior to Dan Biselx, the intermediate to Linda Otte and Mary Otte picked up the Midget prize.

Strassburg contestants were headed by the Senior winner Judy Meulemans with the Junior award to Ed Patschke.  The two other division winners were Intermediate, Bob Patschke and the Midget Diane Verhagen.

White City’s slate of winners had Tom Otte in the Senior division and Bob Bootz in the Junior group with Jane Bambery winning in the intermediate section and Mike Jacobson midget.

June 26, 1957

The funeral service for H. F. McAndrews 54, 902 Grignon Street, who served Kaukauna as City Attorney for the past 21 years, was held Tuesday morning at a High Mass from the Holy Cross Catholic Church. He died of a heart attack early Sunday morning at the Kaukauna Community Hospital.

The Parade down Wisconsin Avenue for Huck Finn Day.

Kaukauna’s 1957 Huck and Becky, Lenny Hawley, being selected as Huck Finn, left and Pat Minkebige, being chosen as Becky Thatcher, right are pictured with their new bicycles, which they won at the annual Huckleberry Finn Day observation. Mr. and Mrs. D. J. MacDonald were the judges for this year’s contest. 

June 28, 1957

Kaukauna Fire Chief, William Haupt, and Police Chief, Harold Engerson, this week issued a reminder to Kaukauna residents that it is unlawful to follow fire engines enroute to an emergency call and that motorists may not park within a block of the scene of a fire unless they have an official reason for being present.

The daily vacation church school of Kaukauna Methodist church completed its annual summer session on June 14. The children are pictured with their teachers.

Two Brothers added two sons to their respective families on the same day recently at the Kaukauna Community Hospital. Pictured at left are Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wallace and son Rickie and at right are Mr. and Mrs. Roland Wallace and son Randy.

The Commanders gavel was relinquished by Arthur Kromer, Jr., third from left to Dave Specht, fourth from the right. The group left to right includes Karl Freier, William Schmutz, Kromer, Lloyd Berkens, district commander and installing officer. Specht, James Ring, Chris Roerig and Ralph Juneau.   

Time Machine Trip to June 1939

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

It’s that time again to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and make a trip back to June 1939.  

The big wheel is spinning John Lambie is taking his place in the driver’s seat. The years are clicking back and in no time, we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on Main Street.     

  

The hit parade song of the month.

Beer Barrel Polka – Will Glahe & his Orchestra   

Carl Hansen, the publisher, has left the newspapers for us by the front door of the Kaukauna Times. Let’s see what’s in the news this month.

PS: Spent a little time with the boys from my class of 1963 last Friday. It was great to reminisce a little. 

 

Your old news man – Lyle Hansen

June 2, 1939

Rev. Norbert Verhagen, of Kaukauna, was ordained to the priesthood at Green Bay Wednesday. Rev. Verhagen will celebrate his first solemn high mass at St. Nicholas Catholic church at Freedom at 10 o’clock Sunday morning.

Thirty-nine seniors will receive diplomas from the Rev. J. J. Sprangers at the eighth-annual commencement to be held in the St. John high school auditorium, Little Chute Sunday evening.

A new cooling system which was recently installed at the Rialto theatre was pressed into service for the first time Thursday. It is an air conditioning system which uses 60 gallons of water a minute.

Ena Richards, valedictorian and Rosemary O’Neil, salutatorian of the class of 1939 will present their addresses at the commencement exercises at the civic auditorium this evening. The 1939 senior class of Kaukauna High School consists of 105 students, according to J. F. Cavanaugh, superintendent.

June 7, 1939

Edward Ludke took first place in the Pigeon Club race Sunday from Britt, Iowa. Reuter brother took second place. 

June 9, 1939

James E. McFadden, chief of police issued a warning that there will be no swimming allowed in the stone quarry pond this year because of the blasting and other activities occurring there.

The common council Tuesday evening voted unanimously to purchase a new motorcycle for the police department. The bike will cost $185 and $240 will be allowed for the old motorcycle. The new motorcycle will not have a side car.

Poor relief cost for the city is $1.440.36 during May according to a report by Joseph Krahn, relief director.

Ashley Pickens paid a fine of $5 and costs on a speeding charge before Justice Abe Goldin Wednesday.

June 14, 1939

An all-time record of attendance was established by the vocational school this year, according to a report received by William T. Sullivan, director. There were 826 students enrolled in the day and night courses with 26 subjects being offered.

Former students of Kaukauna high school from far and near, 400 strong, attended the fourth annual rally of the Alumni association Saturday evening. There were 300 at the dinner, served by the band mothers and another 100 came later for the dancing to the music of the Berg’s orchestra. Members of the class of 1939 and high school instructors were guests of the association.

June 16, 1939

George Schubring was elected commander of the Kaukauna Post No. 41 of the American Legion at a recent meeting to succeed Joseph Promer.

June 21, 1939

Frank Schmidt was named King of the Schut at the ninetieth anniversary celebration of St. Francis Schut society at Hollandtown Sunday morning when he brought down the last piece of the wooden bird perched on the 80-foot pole. There were 506 shots taken at the target before the king was named.

Robert Miller, 8-year-old son, of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller fell into the government third lock here Monday afternoon and drowned. Henry Mau, lock tender saw the youth fall in and jumped in after him but was unable to rescue the boy.

The Climax of the second annual national professional and amateur outboard motor boat races Sunday at Riverside park in Kaukauna was winning of the Governor Heil trophy by Joe Micheline of Evanston, Ill. The trophy was presented by Kaukauna Mayor L. F. Nelson. 

The formal opening of the Service Hardware company located at 159 West Wisconsin avenue is taking place this week. The store, which was formerly the Butler-Dietzler hardware is now operated by Carl Anderson and Harold Kiffe.   

 June 23, 1939

A car owned by Edward Fink crashed through the front window of the Gamble store on West Second Street Sunday evening. Fink cranked his car while it was in gear and the vehicle went through the window before he could get it under control.

Several of the Packers who reside in Green Bay have taken up softball as training for the football season. Hank Bruder, Buckets Goldenberg, Clark Hinkle ant Milt Gantenbein are among the gridders who are exercising on the diamond several times a week.  

June 28, 1939

Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Vidales and his sister Rosa, 11, were doctors for a day last week when they delivered a seven-pound baby boy to their 13-year-old sister Angela, at their farm home near Forest Junction. Their father Antonio was not at home at the time as he was looking for employment as a beet worker. Mother and baby were taken to Green Bay by the county nurse. Both are reported doing well.

Six hundred boy scouts of the Valley Council attended the annual camporee held at the Clintonville park over the weekend. Thirty-five troops were represented.

June 30, 1939

Phil Zwick, the “Wisconsin Flash”, is scheduled to meet Nick Peters in the ring of the Hollywood, California, stadium tonight. Although Zwick is in excellent shape for the fight he received a badly cut eye at the gym last Friday. 

Time Machine Trip to June 1889

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to June 1889.

For today’s trip Joann Mau will be sitting in the front seat operating the Time Machine. The big wheel is spinning; the years are clicking back and in no time, we are back on East Second Street on Kaukauna’s Southside.

Editor Charles Raught has left the papers on the chair in front of the Times building. Let’s see what’s in the news this month.

Your old newsman – Lyle Hansen 

June 7, 1889

The Holland Catholic Church congregation will build a new church edifice during the present year.  Rev. Fr. Bongers, pastor, will give as his own personal contribution, a fine clock for the tower, facing four directions, which will strike the hours, halves, and quarters so loudly it may be heard over the whole city. This will do away with the necessity of ringing the town bell by the city officials. The gift is a splendid one, and will cause the donor to be held in grateful remembrance so long as the bell tolls forth the hour.

About 3,000,000 bricks will be used in the construction of the Kimberly Clark mill at the Cedars.

Shawano dispatch says that the daredevil who robbed three stage coaches in this vicinity recently has had a reward of $1,000 offered for his capture. This Black Bart or whatever he calls himself turned up this morning in Bonduel, a little town fifteen miles from here. He walked quietly into a general store and at the muzzle of the usual revolver compelled Sol Kann the owner to give up all his money and his gold watch. Then the robber jumped into a wagon that was standing in front of the store and drove the team on a dead run on the road toward Gillette.

The London “Jack the Ripper,” has been at his horrible work again. The terrible mutilated remains of another woman were found in the Thames Monday.

The lake above Johnstown, Pa. was several hundred feet above the level of the devastated towns when the dam failed. The wall of water flooded the towns along the valley sweeping everything away in its path. It is estimated that fully 30.000 people lived in the torrent-swept valley that not less than 8,000 were drowned. Another 900 persons died in a fire that consumed the bridge that they had taken refuge upon.

Wing Lee, proprietor of the south side laundry who had his property damaged by a mob that recent made a raid upon his wash shop, has filed claim of damage against the city of Kaukauna for $550.  

June 14, 1889

A dispatch from Rosebud, Dak., - At a council last night June 9, Hollow Horn Bear and High Hawk withdrew from the opposition to sell their land. This breaks up the unfriendly element and insures the acceptance of the terms of cessions of the surplus land of the great Sioux reservation. 

One of the elevated seat stands in the rear part of the opera house gave away during the performance, causing quite a commotion for a few moments. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Manager Hayes has decided not to pay the $100 license and will close the opera house. This means no more shows for Kaukauna.

Seattle, W.T., It is now estimated that the total loss to the city by the fire in buildings alone, is $10,000,000, and that all personal losses will reach $2,000,000. Many people must have perished in the flames.  The entire business portion of Seattle is nothing but smoking ruins.   

Sitting Bull is dying of pneumonia. Many will only leave a sigh of relief when they know he has turned up his toes and has gone to the happy hunting grounds.

June 21, 1889

Robert Green and Gus Geist had a narrow escape from going over the government dam. They were out in a row boat and getting too close to the dam; the boat became unmanageable and was soon carried to the crest of the dam. Upon seeing that they would be carried over and down the rapids the young men jumped into the water and clung to the ends of the boards that compose the dam and succeeded after a while in getting to shore.

Buffalo Bill has sent the proceeds of one of his performances to the Johnstown sufferers, the amount being $2000.

June 28, 1889

The machinery for the Thilmany Paper Company's new mill is arriving daily now. The work on the institution is progressing rapidly.

C. H. Finnegan has the contract for hauling all the stone used in the construction of the new Thilmany mill.  

There were five to six hundred strangers in the city Sunday. The picnic of the Sons of Herman was held at Eden Park. 

  A River Boat Excursion in Kaukauna

Time Machine Trip to June 1907

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to June of 1907.

For today’s trip Tom Duescher will be sitting in the front seat operating the Time Machine. The big wheel is spinning, the years are clicking back and in no time, we are back on East Second Street on Kaukauna’s Southside.

Charlie has left the papers on the chair out front of the Times building. Let’s see what’s in the news this month.

Your old newsman – Lyle Hansen 

PS: Employee asked his boss, “Could you raise my salary?” Boss responded “Well, I’ve been able to every payday so far.”    

June 7, 1907

The party of fisherman who returned from the northern trout streams a week ago had a laugh at the expense of a carload of Italians. One of the members had a bottle of "Cachoo" and shortly after the train had left Kaukauna he went through a coach of sleeping Italians and distributed it with a generous hand. The fun commenced at once. A sneeze here and a sneeze there was followed by a succession of sneezes in all parts of the car and as fast as the Italians woke up they gazed at each other in bewilderment.

The government is preparing to introduce some sort of system in the distribution of the Immigrants who weekly come to our ports by the thousands and to prevent the concentration of these people in diseased-breeding, crime generating colonies in the larger cities.  This is an outgrowth of the legislation of the last session of Congress with respect to Immigration and its utility will be quickly discerned.

Twenty employees of the Little Chute pulp mill struck for higher wages Friday necessitating a shutdown of the plant.  The wood room employees who had been receiving $1.50 per day demanded $1.75. The foremen and skilled workers who received $2.25 want $2.50. A compromise was made the following day.

The paper manufactures of the state report a scarcity of competent help.  The mills in the Fox River Valley are handicapped in this respect as well as those of the Wisconsin River Valley.  The Combined Locks Mill has been badly crippled for some time.

June 14, 1907

The draining of the trail race of the railway shops which was made necessary by the building of the new electric power plant, furnished an opportunity for a crowd of boys to catch all the carp, red horse, and suckers they could carry home. The youthful fishermen got into the water and caught fish with their hands or scooped them out with forks and shovels or whatever they could get hold of. The fishing continued until late in the evening.

The corner stone of the new church of the Holy Name at Kimberly was laid Sunday with an impressive ceremony.  The crowd was estimated at nearly 2,000, all the neighboring cities and villages being represented.

June 21, 1907

The telephone service of the south side has been badly crippled since Tuesday owing to water having gotten into the cable that crosses the river, during the storm Tuesday morning. The necessary repairs are being made as rapidly as possible and the manager expects to have the lines again in working order within a day or two. The business district suffered more than the residence district.

Charles Mahn, one of the men engaged in digging out the canal embankment at the site of the new electric power plant, was injured Tuesday afternoon by several tons of earth sliding down upon him.  He was partially buried, but was promptly rescued by other members of the crew. He will be laid up for several weeks as a result of his injuries.

The game Sunday between Kaukauna and DePere was too one-sided to be interesting, the locals having the best of it from the very start.  The DePere team is not in our class and will have to play better ball or the lovers of the great national game will lose interest and forget to attend the games.  To keep the public interested the contests must be close and exciting and the teams somewhere evenly matched.

June 28, 1907

The Evelyn continues to find it a difficult matter to get through the bridges and locks here without getting around or coming in contact with some other craft. Monday, she collided with the Marston which was tied up in front of the Union Bag company's plant but did not do much damage. On another occasion, a few days before she came in contact with the side of the canal, damaging the walk. The trouble is caused by the sharp turn in the canal just above the bridge and the swift current.

A young man employed in one of the local depots got two of his friends to assist him unload several cases of beer and whisky Saturday night and after the work was completed the friends suggested that he treat them which he did.

Joseph Fiala, an expert swimmer drifted into town Saturday and gave two exhibitions.   One Saturday evening and the other Sunday afternoon, in the government canal, diving from the Lawe Street bridge.

Appleton baseball fans are pouting over the refusal of the Wisconsin Traction, Light, Heat and Power Company to donate to their baseball fund and refuse to ride over their interurban line in attending games out of the city. As very few have automobiles or care to go to the expense of engaging a livery rig they remain at home.

Time Machine Trip to June 1898

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to June of 1898.

For today’s trip John & Joanne Kobussen, will be sitting in the front seat operating the Time Machine. The big wheel is spinning; the years are clicking back and in no time, we are back on Third Street on Kaukauna’s Southside.

Charles Raught, Times owner, has left the newspapers on the chair out front.

   

Your old newsman - Lyle 

June 3, 1898

The regular company drills are being held on Monday and Friday evenings. All enlisted men are hereby notified to attend one weekly drill. Those failing to attend will be dropped from the roll. H. G. Becker Capt., E. A. Nelson Orderly Sergeant.

Wisconsin Avenue – Kaukauna 1890’s

The property owners of Kaukauna have become convinced that the city officials really mean to strictly enforce the ordinance relating to the running at large of cows and horses. A great many are removing fences on the sides of their property abutting the streets, thereby making an improvement which adds to the beauty of residence property.  

June 10, 1898

There is a growing opinion that this city should build a new city poor house, one capable of properly caring for many more inmates. An aged couple or a widow or widower can be better cared for in the poor house than in rented quarters, and at much less expense. Penurious relatives will not be in haste to shove on the city the dependent ones, as is now often the case.

A little girl named Mary Essler, while passing under the scaffolding of the new St. Mary’s church Tuesday, was struck on the head by a falling brick, cutting a gash about two inches in length. 

The Kaukauna High School graduating class has adopted as the class motto, "Green but Growing." This is one of the most sensible class mottos we have seen in some time.

June 17, 1898

The semi-centennial of the coming of the Hollanders to this section of the state was held in Little Chute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landing here in 1848.  The three-day celebration was a tribute to one of the most important cities in the history of this area of the nation.

June 24, 1898

The sixth annual graduation ceremonies were held for the Kaukauna   High   School graduates. The class consisted of four members:

John Whitter

Margaret Phillips

Adolph Mill

Mabel Glass.

Commencement exercises were held at the Opera House on the island.

RETURNS OF AN ELECTION HELD HERE IN 1846

19 Votes were cast the majority voting against the question of State Government.