Time Machine Trip to March 1886

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

For today’s trip Al Howe 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 Merchants in town are assured that the boom in Kaukauna’s growth will continue this coming year
• The south side post office had its name changed from Ledyard to South Kaukauna.
• Wisconsin Avenue is a sea of wet mud and in no condition for wagons to travel on

 

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

Your old newsman - Lyle 

PS: We are now at 522 time travelers. Make room for Willem Keeris our newest traveler who comes with us from Holland.

March 5, 1886

The prospect that Kaukauna will undergo a "boom" this coming summer is, indeed, flattering. Already arrangements have been inaugurated for a number of store buildings and something over a hundred dwellings of modern design will be constructed. The advancement made by Kaukauna during the past two years has been somewhat remarkable and we can reasonably expect that the summer of 1886 will be no exception to those of '84 and '85.

Indianapolis – A box car which had grain over the floor was invaded by a flock of goats. When some boys came by they closed the door to the car.  The workers thought it to be empty and it was shipped out. Upon arriving in Indianapolis the door was opened and the goats scattered in the yard. The railroad workers gathered the goats only then discovered the joke.

Butler, Penn. – A man sent 25 cents to learn how to make $50 a week at home. He received the following printed slip; “Fish for fools as I do.”

Philadelphia Newspaper - Charles, I hear you are going to marry Miss Softly. Charming woman! Let me congratulate you on your good taste.

Ah, yes, but the fact is, I have broken of the match and am not going to marry any one. Then let me congratulate you on your good sense.

Robinson Kemp was sentenced at Fort Smith, Ark., to be hanged on April 27^th for murder. On that same day seven others condemned for Indian Territory murders will be hanged.     

March 12, 1886

The political pot is not boiling as vigorously as might be expected, still there is enough being said to warn voters that election is approaching. The lack of candidates for the several city offices may be the result of the decrease in amount of the salaries.

North Manchester, Ind. – A mob of 150 men went to the house of R.B. Swankin, who was accused of beating his wife and abusing his family. They ordered him to pack up and leave town. They then beat and horsewhipped him. He was escorted to the town limits given another whipping then told to skip and never return. 

The latest style hair dressing is called “sweet disorder.” It gives one the appearance of being blown through a tree top.

Texas – Two wretched looking tramps were brought up before the justice of peace. Addressing the worst looking one the justice asked: “Where do you live?” “Nowhere.” “And where do you live”, addressing the other. “I’ve got the room above him” he responded. 

New York City – Another case of a perfectly sane woman being shut up in a Lunatic asylum has been brought to light. The railroad, in an effort to procure the right of way through Staten Island, found that a certain track of land was the property of a young lady who was the inmate of an insane asylum. It became necessary to have her examined to see if she could make a contract. The results showed that she was not insane at all nor had she been. And yet she had been confined in this horrible prison for more than two years.

 March 19, 1886

The Southside post office which has heretofore been known as Ledyard has been changed to South Kaukauna.

Batavia, N.Y. – A little newsboy started four years ago on a capital of five cents. He has supported himself meantime and now has $250 in a bank. He is an example to boys who infest bad places and complain they can find nothing to do but puff cigarettes and talk slang.

  

A large wolf which had been feeding on farmers’ sheep in the northwestern part of Racine County was killed by Anton Kruze north of the city. Between twenty and thirty sheep had been killed by the wolf.

March 26, 1886

Wisconsin Avenue is barely navigable for empty wagons.  The sidewalks however are a consolation to foot passengers.

Carrolton, Miss. – Fifty men rode into town and repaired to the court house where thirteen Negroes were waiting for a trial to begin. The white men walked into the court and shot ten of the Negroes dead and mortally wounded the other three. The Negroes were accused of the attempted assassination of a prominent citizen several weeks ago.

  

Montgomery – Al. – Jefferson Davis has promised to lay the corner-stone of a monument to Alabama soldiers about the last of April and to lecture for the monument fund on the capital grounds where he took the oath of office as president of the Southern confederacy. Thirty companies of Alabama militia will be present.

Philadelphia, Pa. – About twenty boys in a packinghouse gave the following written notice: “Boss, we’re de packing’ boys. We wants to work eight hours a day, an’ we wants four dollars a week, an’ if we don’t get it we won’t go to work, and dere’ll be trouble. Patsy Shea and others.”