Time Machine Trip to July 1905

 

Kaukauna Times

 

July 7, 1905

Professor Hicks claims a stormy July is owning to the influence of Mars. According to Professor Hicks Mars will continue to kick up all kinds of bad weather during July.  Normally this would extend from about the 12th to the 16th but under the continued influences of Mars and Mercury these normal limits will most likely be extended.

 

The new resort at Ridge Point along the Green Bay-Kaukauna interurban line was thrown open to the public last Sunday. The crowd that gathered there on the 4th of July was estimated to be 2000.

 

Kaukauna is on the verge of a building boom such as it has not experienced in years. Besides the new library building and additions and improvements to numerous dwellings, a new paper mill plant is being erected. Two new stores and a parsonage are to be erected by the members of Brokaw Memorial Church and a new residence by John Mau, the contracts of which has already been let.

 

An accident to the electric generator caused the Evelyn to be left in total darkness on Monday night. The accident happened in Appleton and not being allowed to remain there the captain continued to Kimberly for the night.

 

Kaukauna will soon be provided with another telephone exchange. It will be built by the Fox River Valley Telephone Company, which is successfully operating exchanges in nearly all the neighboring cities.

 

July 14, 1905

 

The car on the Kaukauna-Green Bay interurban line struck four cows at the Stephens landing a mile South of Wrightstown and killed three of them. The accident happened about 11:00 at night. Only three passengers were on board the car at the time.

 

Doctor J. N. Foster of Kaukauna suffered a serious and painful accident to his left knee this morning, being displaced by a kicked by his horse just as he was hitching to answer a call.

 

Among the new laws passed by recent legislation is an act prohibiting the presence of any girl under the age of seventeen attending dances in saloons or halls or in connection to, unaccompanied by her father or mother.

 

July 21, 1905

The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Carnegie Public Library of the City of Kaukauna was accomplished Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock in the presence of the library board. The face of the stone bore the figures "1905" and in a cavity was placed a tin box containing copies of the Kaukauna Times and Sun of recent dates, together with various papers pertaining to the library. Dr. H. B. Tanner, the past president of the library board, made a short dedicatory speech for the occasion.

 

Rollie Thompson and Frank Carmichel two railroad men from Saginaw, Michigan were arrested Sunday night for going in bathing in the government canal immediately above the Lawe street bridge without being clad according to the law. Thompson paid the fine of $6.65.

 

Paul H. Beaulien Post, G. A. R., was made the recipient of a finely turned gavel made from wood once part of the old Ducharme log house in Kaukauna. The gavel is made of the red cedar porch post of that memorable old building erected in 1790. The Ducharme home was the first recorded settlement in Wisconsin.

 

John Hurst, a 14-year-old boy who lives a mile South of Kaukauna, saved freight train number #51 from being wrecked during a severe storm Tuesday night. The boy resides only a short distance from the railroad track and while the storm was at its height he heard a crunch. In making an investigation, he found a large elm tree had blown across the track. The freight train was due, and no time could be lost. Hurst ran home for a lantern and wrapped a red handkerchief around the globe returning to the tree. Just as the train appeared the engineer’s attention was attracted by the danger signal which the boy waved above his head, and he stopped the train in time to prevent an accident.

 

The Town and Village Improvement committee is making the first tour of inspection this week throughout the city, to be able to judge the condition of the premises of private residences. Prizes are to be given ranging from $5 to $1.00 for the neatest kept lawns and grounds during this summer of 1905.

 

July 21, 1905

 

Doctor H. B. Tanner will hold an open house at his drug store tomorrow in honor of the 25th anniversary of his arrival in Kaukauna. He was born in Whitewater on February 13th, 1859, but spent his boyhood days had Lafayette, IL. He graduated from Indiana Medical College at the age of 19 and was on the road the following two years. His travels about the country give him an opportunity to find a desirable location. He finally decided on Appleton, in which city he arrived in 1880. He found there were too many doctors there already and was advised to come to Kaukauna. There was a small town on the north side of the river and mostly forest on the south side of the river.

 

July 28, 1905

Joseph McCarty sold his entire ice business Saturday to John McMorrow of the south side, including his immense icehouse in the first ward and all his teams, wagons, and tools for cutting and handling ice.

 

 

Miss Jenny Lindauer was thrown from her horse Thursday but fortunately escaped injury. The accident was due to the whistle of a locomotive at which time the animal became frightened and ran. Miss Lindauer remained in the saddle for nearly a block but was then thrown from the horse.

 

When Mr. and Mrs. Anton Verkuilen of this city, formerly of Little Chute, speak of “our family” it would be found advisable for all practical person to stop and think a moment. This gentle couple had 27 children of which three are dead. But there is an explanation for all of this. Tony was first married in 1875, but his wife died in 1896 after giving birth to 15 children he then married Mrs. Thomas Van Domenelen, a widow from, Little Chute in 1899 and their combined family numbered 27 children.

 

The 1905 Kaukauna “Elites” baseball team. Seated in front are, Jim Jones, Otto Minkebige. Second row: Fred Hamilton, Joe Driessen, Joe Jansen, Frank Berens. Top row: Henry Minkebige, Vernon Murchie, Ted Elsworth, Will Eiting, Cy Driessen and Dan Powers.

Time Machine Trip to July 1895

Kaukauna Times

July 5, 1895

R. Chauncey Depew, who was asked whether he thought the horse was doomed said: “I imagine that one fine morning we will wake up with apparatus ready to take us to our offices by an automobile carriage, or, perchance through the air.

 The Appleton baseball team met with a defeat at the hand of our players last Sunday. Kaukauna won so easily that after the third inning our boys crossed the home plate seven times. The score was 14 to 4.

The Hutchinson has considerable trouble in making a landing Friday evening after returning with the excursion party. The current swung the boat crosswise in the canal, the wheel striking one bank and the bow into the other.

 

Nic. Van Gompel, a young boy from Little Chute, was out with two playmates on a raft in the river on Thursday afternoon at Little Chute. His hat blew into the water, and in, reaching after it he fell into the river. The little fellow’s body was found below the stone lock.

 

The water in the Fox River and Lake Winnebago is falling at a rapid rate, and navigation, which is now difficult, is in danger of being totally suspended. The water in the river has fallen one and one-half inches in five days, being that much lower yesterday than it was last Wednesday. This leaves the stage of water only an inch higher than it was on May 22.

 

The next time the present member of the police force and the ex-member, indulge in a wrestling bout, they ought to let their friends know it so that the fun can be shared by all of us. The bridge isn’t in a very good location either.

The meanest man on earth lives in up Maine. He told his wife he was going to Lake Asusangwatonsogamagogwacontongwaukaunobago for a week’s fishing and then had his friends go ask her where he had gone.

Marshals Kuehn and McCormick were out hunting for dogs Monday on which the tax had not been paid.  The third and fourth wards were gone over, and twenty-two dogs were shot, the owners refusing to pay the $2 license.     

 

July 12, 1895

Officer Kuehn placed Albert Newman in custody, Tuesday afternoon, after receiving a telegram from his sister at Minneapolis. He walked here from Minneapolis making the trip in two weeks, He is simple minded and has to be watched closely. He had lived in Kaukauna originally.  He told Officer Kuehn that if he had a pair of new shoes he could walk back again and that there was no use in his folks spending money, for his car fare.     

 

At the Fourth of July celebration at the city park last week, liquor was dealt out without the necessary city license, and in consequence four members of the fire company, who acted as cashiers at the various stands and received the money, have been arrested and will be tried for violation of the license laws of the state.

 

The taking of the census of the city of Kaukauna has been completed. The population of the city is 5473 of which 2917 live on the south side and 2556 in the north district.  

 

There is a gentleman in the city this week with twenty of Edison’s phonographs on exhibition. He is raking in a goodly number of nickels. 

 July 19, 1895

The fiery demon again played havoc with the north side property early Thursday morning, cutting a swath through the center of the block that lies between Sarah & Doty Streets. The fire originated from a lamp explosion in Frank Kloehn's residence. The fire soon spread to buildings adjoining Kloehn’s residence and within a short time a half dozen dwellings and as many barns were wrapped in flames and doomed to destruction, H. S. Tuttle's store building being among the number.

Several years ago, the residents of the north side district voted to build a new schoolhouse, and the site decided upon was what is known as Lawe’s Park. However, when the district board got around to purchasing the property, it was found difficult to secure a clear title as the particle of land was set aside as a public park. Upon learning this the city at once stepped in and took possession of the park and an order to secure the ownership thereof Mr. Peter Reuter, who had purchased the property from Mr. Lawe, in behalf of the schoolboard commenced an action against Mr. Lawe to recover the purchase price. The case has lingered in the courts for several years, the final hearing coming up last week in which a decision that Mr. G. W. Lawe had a clear title to the property and now it passes into the ownership of the school district.

The Appleton Crescent says that no less than 300 men were on the spot Tuesday morning when the 7 o’clock whistle blew, looking for work on the new street paving job. This shows what the shutting off water at the mills does in this valley. Hundreds are now out of work.

 July 26, 1895

Oscar Thilmany, proprietor of the Thilmany Paper Mills was forbidden last week by engineer Mann of Oshkosh from drawing even enough water from the government canal for use in his boilers. Mr. Thilmany telephoned the bristled-backed specimen at Oshkosh that he did not intend to blow up his mill endangering the lives of the employees, and government or no government he would continue to draw water from the river for the boilers.

 

Mabel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michleson, died at her home on the south side, last Sunday, after a brief struggle with diphtheria, age 10 years, 6 months. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of many friends in their sudden affliction.

Albert Vandenberg has the contract for re-shingling the St. Johns church at Little Chute. It will take about 100,000 shingles. He will receive $1 per 1000 for taking off the old shingles and putting on the new ones.

 

Time Machine Trip to July 1885

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

July 3, 1885

Herman Zimmerman, of Freedom, while returning home from this city and riding on a load of lumber. The load tipped, and he fell to the ground and one of the wagon wheels passed over his neck, but surprising as it may seem he was not badly injured. The accident, however, served to sober him up, and thus proved a benefit.

Maryland has reinstituted the whipping post, and wife beating is an offense punishable by whipping. One wife beater has had his back opened at the post. 

Louisville, Ky., - No less than four bands of armed men are gunning for each other among the mountains and bloodshed is so common that it hardly attracts attention. At a recent murder trial, a fight broke out resulting in two men killed and several injured. Family feuds are frequent, and human life is worth very little.

Gainesville, Tex., - On June 20^th five horse thieves were reported lynched in addition to a recent report of fifteen men being hanged two weeks ago there.

July 10, 1885

Judge – “What is your age, Miss?” “Please sir, I don’t like to say.” Judge - “If you don’t want to say what your age is now then tell me what your age was ten years ago.” “Oh, that would have been 31, sir.”

 

The much-longed-for and the much-talked-street sprinkler will soon lay down the dust on our streets.  Blacksmith John Kramer is now at work getting the machine in running order and will probably have it ready for business some time next week. Jas. Doyle is the proprietor of the sprinkler and has been assured of sufficient support from the North Side businessmen to keep it running during the balance of the dry season.

Officer Mulloy arrested a stranger for drunkenness on Wednesday and gave him safe quarters in the “little brown jug.” The man was just drunk enough to insist on lying across the sidewalk, to see whether people would walk over him or go around him. He had in his possession a ticket for Clintonville and was shipped to that place on the evening train.  

Sitting Bull must regret his abandonment of the warpath for the peaceful pursuits of show business. 

July 17, 1885

Fire visited Kaukauna again Sunday night and again found the city without a fire engine. The property destroyed was the machine shop belonging to Rivers & Yost, in the fifth ward. The fire caused by lightning and commenced about 1 o’clock, entirely destroying the building and its contents. The firm carried insurance to the amount of $1,500. As soon as the insurance is adjusted the firm will rebuild, probably larger than before.

 

Charleston, SC., - Gov. Thompson was informed that the convicts employed in grading the Savannah railroad grading were cruelly treated. One convict has died as result of brutal whipping by the guards and that they were all over-worked. The governor instructed the superintendent to investigate the charges. The official report just made shows sixteen deaths have occurred since January 1 out of a force of 120 men seven are unable to work at this time. Dr. Pope states there is evidence of severity of the whipping inflicted on the men and the punishments have been very cruel. The guard responsible for the beatings has fled to Georgia. Steps will be taken to discontinue the practice of hiring out the convicts.

July 24, 1885

The census was completed by City Clerk Charlesworth. The report furnished shows a total population in the city of 3,243, which is about equally divided between the north and the south sides, there being 1,645 on the north side and 1,598 on the south side. Of this number there are 1,735 males, and 1,508 females. There are 703 men of militia age, of whom 458 are in South Kaukauna. In 1880 the census showed a population of only 700 in what is now the north side of the city, there being at that time but two or three buildings on the south side.

Albert, the huge elephant attached to Barnum’s show, killed his keeper on the 18^th.  On the afternoon of the 21^st. after the performance, an announcement was made, and Albert was led to a secluded spot outside of town and shot by a detachment of the Light Guards in the presence of 2000 spectators.

 

The first, and perhaps the only excursion from this city during the present season, will be on the steamer Evelyn under the auspices of the Kaukauna Military Company, on Sunday August 2nd. The trip will be a very desirable one giving all a chance to view the beautiful scenery of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago, the object of the excursion is to give people a fine pleasure trip for a small sum of money and also for the financial benefit of the new military organization in our city.

July 31, 1885

Nearly everybody is now looking anxiously for the pay car, which went through one day this week, but failed to stop.

The new steam fire engine which arrived in this city on the 18th was pretty thoroughly tested by the council committee on a fire on Friday and Saturday of last week. The engine is a very handsome machine throughout, and according to the report of Frank Slater, Chief of the Fire Department, who, by the way, is a practical engineer, and a first-class machinist, and is certainly fully qualified to act as judge in this matter, fills to the letter the contract made by the builders of the engine with this city. Mr. Slater also states in his report that he has carefully examined the engine and finds that it exhibits first-class workmanship in every particular. He therefore recommended the council to accept the engine.

 

A Milwaukee liveryman mourns the loss of a $200 horse which he let to two young men to drive to Cedarburg. The men so cruelly beat the animal that it died on reaching there. The men will be made to settle up for the loss.

 

 

Ulysses S. Grant 

The death of one of the most illustrious citizens in American history has occurred in the demise of Gen. and Ex-President U.S. Grant, which took place on July 23d, 1885. Every household in the land, every commonwealth and foreign nation will pay tribute of sorrow to this great soldier and great citizen. 

The view of Wisconsin Avenue on Kaukauna’s northside shows a busy place this time of the year. Take notice of the mud streets that are now dry, but the horse droppings are not, so watch your step when we cross the street for your newspapers.

Time Machine Trip to June 1975

 

Kaukauna Times

June 4, 1975

God and Country Awards, the highest award given to scouts by the Protestant churches, were given to four members of Troop 146 at the Immanuel United Church of Christ. Harvey Kandler made the presentation. Pictured left to right are Greg Noonan, Craig Kandler, Dale St. Arnold and Mark Abel.

 

Citizen band radio equipment continues to vanish in Kaukauna and city police say they have no clue yet as to who is responsible.

 

There has been much in the media in recent weeks regarding the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees. Catholic social services of the Diocese of Green Bay have recognized the need for this very special mission and is working with Catholic charities to facilitate resettlement of some refugees in this area of the state.

 

Kaukauna sewer and tunnel projects are among those across the state which have halted by this week’s strike by members of the Construction and General Laborers Union against the Wisconsin Association of Public Works Contractors.

 

Marvin Miller, executive director of the Golden Venture apartments, was honored at an appreciation night retirement party given by residents of the apartment on Tuesday evening. Mr. Miller, who has held the director's post for the past five years, will be retiring as of June 16th.

 

Mrs. Carl (Genevieve) Anderson former assistant postmaster and businesswoman here, died suddenly at her home on 9th St. Monday. Mrs. Anderson was active in many fraternal civic organizations here and was the only woman to serve on the board of directors of the Kaukauna Community Hospital.

June 6, 1975

 

The twin brothers Dave and Mark Lenz were presented with the Lang trophy at the Kaukauna High School graduation ceremonies. This is the first time in 45 years and for only the second time in its history that there were two Lang trophy winners. 

Triple Eagle awards – Dan Gilchrist (right) was presented the Eagle scout by Troop 31 Scoutmaster Dennis Piepkorn. At the ceremony his brothers DuWayne and David also became Eagle Scouts. 

 

New assignments for several priests in the Green Bay diocese have been announced by most Reverend Aloysius J. Wycislo, Bishop of Green Bay. The assignments will be affected June 18th. The Rev. James Vanden Hogan will become pastor of St. John's parish at Little Chute replacing Rev. Norbert a Vander Loo, who had been assigned as pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church Hollandtown.

Mrs. Neil Steinberg explained “this is a once in a lifetime and I needed a lot of luck to do it”. She finished second in the Post Crescent Bowl-O-Rama with a 716 series on April 25.

 

To the editor: This is a message for all cat and dog lovers whose animals frequent Holy Cross Cemetery in Kaukauna for bathroom privileges. Cars drive into the cemetery, drop off their pets, which in turn use the evergreens and flowers, which incidentally cost a great deal to plant and care for. If people persist in using Holy Cross cemetery at least have the courtesy to pick up your animals excretes or try to keep animals from expensive evergreens and flowers.

Mrs. John Courtney

  

          Lorraine Dudley                              Mary Landreman

 

Retiring, after many years with Kaukauna school system, Lorraine Dudley 30 years and Mary Landreman 33 years.

  

           Miss Lorraine Flinn                               August Straus

Miss Lorraine Flinn retired after 30 years of teaching and August Straus taught for 31 years in Kaukauna.

June 13, 1975

Melissa Dalke eats only french fries, candy, potato chips, curly noodle soup and drinks mostly soda, she got a visit last week from a woman from England. Miss Jean Hopkins didn't come all the way from London just to visit, and Melissa didn't eat all this garbage food just because she likes to or because her parents let her. Melissa can eat nothing else because she is one of only five children in the world still alive with a rare genetic disease which prohibits her from eating any food containing protein.

 

June 18, 1975

The Alumni Association of Kaukauna High School will host its 39^th annual Rally on Saturday June 21 with Karen Krumm Laws of New York headlining the program as Rally mistress.  

 

The current rate of unemployment in the Fox River Valley has been put at 7.1%, a slight increase over March of this year, but still more than twice the rate of April of 1974.

 

Eileen Sadlier, who had been associated with the vocational school system at Kaukauna for the last 34 years, assumed the position as executive director of the Golden Venture Apartments this past Monday.

Sister Carlyn Zeutzius, teacher at St. Mary’s Kaukauna, has been named Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America for 1975. She was selected on the basis of her professional personal and academic achievements.

 

June 20, 1975

Jeff Biestervelt was named the most valuable member of the Kaukauna High School 1975 baseball team by his fellow teammates.

Ken Schmidt, who single handedly carried the Ghost to a 6th place birth in the WIAA sectional tennis tournament this spring, was the overwhelming choice as Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.

Newly chosen name for the center of all city government is shown on sign.

June 25, 1975

A thanks to city employees whose work resulted in savings of money on the new building and an invitation to residents to consider the city hall doors open not just for the dedication, but any time afterwards, came from Mayor Robert La Plante at the official opening of the city's new municipal services building. The new municipal facility is located on Second Street, where the Badger Northland plant was formerly located, and is completely remodeled, both inside and out.

In 1974 the average price for all foods went up 14.2% while meat alone increased only 2.4%. For 1975 food prices are expected to increase and estimate 10 to 15%.

June 27, 1975

Robert L. Natrop, Kaukauna’s city engineer, has been chosen as the engineer manager of the Heart of the Valley Metropolitan Sewer Commission. Natrop, who has already resigned his post with the city effective August 15th was chosen unanimously by the Commission Wednesday night. About 16 engineers applied for the position said commissioner Dave Pennings of Combined Locks.

 

Births

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ott.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fischer.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Doyle.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hennes

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ulmen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Weigman

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Strick

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Levknecht

Son to Mr. and Mrs. James Severson

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Vanevenhoven

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Milton

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pynenberg

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Butler

Twin daughters to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kerkhoff

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Nett

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Balke

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Heindel

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Glen R Weyenberg

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hietpas

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Siegel

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Verhasselt

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Mantie

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Diedrick

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hartjes

Son to Mr. and Mrs. David Kramer

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kain

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Asman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Micke

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Huss

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Johnson

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Schmirler

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kaufman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cramer

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eiting

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGinnis

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sweere

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Armstrong

Parents, two daughters and a son celebrated wedding anniversaries together on June 16 at Holy Cross church. Left to right are Mr. and Mrs. David J. Hartjes, 12 years, Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Marilyn) Coonen, 18 years, Mr. and Mrs. David Hartjes 40 years, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Donna) Hoffman, 12 years.