Time Machine Trip to February 1886

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to February of 1886.

For today’s trip Adam Hammen 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 Wisconsin Avenue on Kaukauna’s Northside.

• The new Badger Paper Mill started operation here with four grinders and a wet machine.
• Kaukauna now has a hook and Ladder Company
• Jacob Lummerding has a bowling alley in the rear of his saloon.

Charles Raught, Times owner, has left the newspapers for us on the chair.

  

Your old newsman - Lyle 

February 5, 1886

The Badger Paper Mill started the pulp mill on Friday last for the first time. So far everything works to the perfect satisfaction of the proprietors.  Four grinders and one wet machine were started. One paper machine is now in place, but some of the shafting and other attachments remain to be adjusted before it will be set in motion.

Three bills are pending in Congress to authorize the construction of railways across the Indian Territory. Several other lines are pointing from Kansas in that direction. Congress can hardly long refuse to open up the Indian Territory to civilization.

February 12, 1886

The Reuter Hub and Spoke Factory is now at work on an order for a car load of hubs for parties in Cleveland. When this order is completed in about nine weeks, the company will be relocated in Barron County. The material fit for use is nearly exhausted in this locality.

Cleveland, Oh. – The casket of James Garfield was placed in an ornamented bronze sarcophagus costing $2000. The military guard will be continued until the end of June.

February 19, 1886

On Wednesday evening last north side fire department assembled and organized a hook and ladder company. The following officers were elected:

Jos. Driessen, Foreman; Gus Hilgenberg, First Assistant; Dan Reardon, Second Assistant;

Thos. Reese, Secretary; Geo. Butler, Treasurer; Jo. Rivers, Steward; John Watson, Trustee for one year;

Henry Schubert, Trustee for two years; John Mitchell, Trustee for three years.

  

February 26, 1886
Jacob Lummerding has constructed a bowling alley in the rear of his saloon. Lovers of that sport can now “roll the balls" to their hearts content.

Los Angeles, Cal., - The famous breach of promise case of Louise Perkins against “Lucky” Baldwin has resulted in a verdict for Miss Perkins for $75,000. Miss Perkins said she was 18 when she met Baldwin. He was about 60 at the time. After a time, he proposed, but married Miss Bennett before their wedding day arrived. He denied that he ever spoke to her of marriage.

St. Louis, Mo – Several weeks ago Charles Knollman and Henry Kroeger, two youths, stole a large sum of money from Kroeger’s father and started out to see the world. They traveled east then decided to go West after scalps. On the morning of the 22d, while fooling with a revolver they had purchased for their trip, Kroeger accidentally discharged it. The bullet entering Knollman’s heart. Kroeger was arrested. 

The strike of more than 2000 New York Street railroad employees began on Monday morning and ended 10 hours later with a complete victory for the men who demand that 12 hours be made a day's work with no reduction in pay. The men knew nothing of the strike being ordered by the Knights of Labor committee until they reported to work at the several depots. Not a man complained, and all return home to escape at least one day of the bitter cold. The railroad officials found themselves with nearly 8000 horses in the stables and not a man to care for them.  The railroad gave in agreeing to 12 hours at $2.00 a week for conductors and drivers and $11.50 per week for stablemen.