Time Machine Trip to June 1911

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to June of 1911.

For today’s trip Ed Hammen Sr. 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.

•       22 graduate from Kaukauna high school
•       The hook and ladder truck struck by train.
•       Twenty-five saloon licenses granted by city council 

Charlie has left the papers for us on the chair out front of the Times office.

Charles E. Raught – Owner, Editor & Publisher

Let’s see what’s in the news this month. 

Your old newsman - Lyle Hansen

PS:  The closest a person ever comes to perfection is when he is fills out a job application.

June 2, 1911 

The graduation exercises of the KHS class of 1911 will take place next June 8 and 9 at the opera house. A class of 22 graduates this year including 15 in German course, six in English Scientific course, and two in Classical course.  Supt. L. P. Bunker will present the diplomas and Miss Sayde Kinney will be named the valedictory.  

Eathen A. Brewster

   Alma Brill

     George Anderson

       Ethel M. Towsley

         Vern W. Rounseville

           Guy Charlesworth

             Laila E. Spurr

               Martha A. Haas

                Leora Connors

                  Martha A. Buelow

                    Elsie A. Lucht

Edith R. Thompson

   Viola M. Wolf

      Elmer M. Richardson

         Fannie Towsley

           Anna M. Kline

             Sayde N. Kinney

               Margaret J. Carney

                 Mary A. Nytes

                   Dan T. Hennessey

                     Lee Whitman

                       Elmer J. Hayes

June 9, 1911

The river is higher this week than it has been before in years in the month of June, as a result of the recently heavy rains. Last Sunday's damaging storm caused a considerable amount of crop damage from heat and flooding from the two inches of water which fell in the early morning hours.

The Crystal Theater re-opened for business after moving three doors down the street from the Lindauer block. The theatre will hereafter give a motion picture show every night except Monday and Friday. An orchestra pit has been provided witch allows the piano player and singer to face the picture. A small stage will allow vaudeville acts to put on shows. The one handed piano player Prof. J. C. Harriman and his wife will be in charge of the music.

St. Paul, Minn. – “I am not a candidate.” William Jennings Bryan, three times presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, snapped this sentence out when asked if he would seek to be placed at the head of the national ticket again.

Charles Ristau, as guardian of Gordon Ristau age 7, has filed a suit against the C. N. W. Ry. For $9000 damages. The boy suffered the loss of his foot and leg below the knee by being run over by a caboose on April 11, 1909.

Washington – President Taft told a delegation of negroes at the White House that he would not recommend that congress make lynching cases triable in federal court instead of state courts. The delegation, representing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, submitted a memorial asserting that a negro was lynched almost every day in this country.

The annual shoot at St. Francis Shooting Society of Hollandtown was held Tuesday morning. The bird, for the contest, was made on a very tough Elm knot and it took 128 shots to bring it down from the 90-foot pole. William Van Lieshout won and he will bear the honorable title of king for the ensuing year.

June 16, 1911

Hook and Ladder truck – Not Kaukauna

While making a run to the south side about 10:50 Wednesday evening, the hook and ladder truck of the fire department was struck at the Main Avenue crossing by No. 11 passenger train and badly wrecked. The truck was struck just ahead of the rear wheels, which unquestionably saved the lives of the firemen. Firemen Otto Kilgas, Peter Esler, Jr., Joe Reichel and Teamster Henry Ravens were the only ones in the truck at the time. Almost as soon as the truck was hoisted in the air by the engine, the whiffle-tree split and let the horses pull loose from the truck. Bumps and bruises were the only injuries.

The capital stock of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper co. has been increased from $400,000 to $800,000. The increase was made to provide for the new sulphite plant which is to be erected on the newly acquired land to the east of the company.

June 23, 1911

While engaged Monday with a crew working on the new barn which is being erected by Ed Balgie on his farm near Dundas, John Hein narrowly escaped having his right hand severed at the wrist by coming in contact with a circular saw. He was rushed to Dr. Donaldson in Kaukauna, where he was sewed together. Hein was greatly weakened by loss of blood, and it is hoped that blood poison will not set in.

Twenty years ago a man bought 147 acres of land near Madison for $8,285.00. He recently sold the farm for $174,000.00, some increase in a few years, eh?

Headgear for Motoring

June 30, 1911

Nic Faust, president of the Fox River Health and Accident Company, has just heard from his brother, Anton Faust, who left here thirty years ago for the Pacific Coast and had not been heard from for over fifteen years, and who was given up for lost or dead. He is located now in central California and is doing well.

Twenty-five licenses were granted by the city council to saloon keepers in Kaukauna. The Hendricks saloon across the street from Park School was not granted due to being within one hundred feet of the school. The Miller Brewing Company’s attorney is arguing the decision to deny the license.

Reardon secured 16 strikeouts in the game against DePere Sunday at the local grounds. Otto Minkebige made a two base drive, all the other hits of the game being singles. Jones, first base for Kaukauna had his right wing disabled before the game open. He was struck on the elbow by thrown ball. He played a good game in spite of the handicap. Ike Johnson was “umps” and he made good calls, satisfying both teams. Kaukauna 7 - DePere 5.

Art Ulrich has purchased a four-door five passenger Ford automobile from the Hoehne Auto Co. Gus Ristau has ordered a similar car both of which will be here in a few days. Martin Van Roy recently purchased a five passenger Ford. Kaukauna is gradually increasing its number of auto owners.