Time Machine Trip to February 1912

February 2, 1912

LIFE LOST AT COMBINED LOCKS MILL - Another life was sacrificed at the Combined Locks Paper Company's mill early Monday morning when 18-year-old Edward Voecks, of Kaukauna, was killed instantly. He was crushed between two paper winder rolls.

The new income tax law passed by the last legislature and which is now in effect, is demanding considerable attention for taxes to be paid under the new act. Much has been said regarding the wisdom of the new law.

February 9, 1912

The annual masque carnival at the Kaukauna Opera House Roller Rink was a big success. First prize for the best lady’s costume was awarded to Miss Catherine Oleshek, who wore a white dress literally covered with spoons. The popular local Dutch comedian Joe Schermitzler carried off the honors for the most comical makeup.

The Kaukauna High school girls are going to Oconto this evening to play basketball with Oconto High. The following is the lineup of the home team: Center - Jeanette Strathearn; Right guard - Lottie McCarty; Left guard -Mildred Kinney; Right forward - Bessie Solar; Left forward - Hortense Berens. 

Six Nations of New York - Senator Clapp has introduced a bill to authorize the Oneida Indians to bring suit against the United States in the court of claims to determine the amount due under the treaty of 1794 between the United States and the Six Nations of New York. The court of claims will ascertain whether there are any funds in the treasury belonging to the Oneidas.

February 16, 1912

J.J. Faust's horse ran away on Wisconsin Avenue Saturday afternoon and came near ending in a tragedy when   Robert Dresden was thrown out and received a blow to his head which caused him to be in such a dazed condition that he did not know were it happened.

Police Call Signal - The method for having the special signal light or police call at the corner of Lawe Street and Wisconsin Avenue turned on seems to be misunderstood. This light is not connected with the central telephone station but is manipulated at Hotel La Salle. The proper way to have the light turned on for a police call is to call up the hotel office and make the request there. Remember the signal is not turned on from the telephone station. This will avoid delay and confusion.

“What's with all those flags up for today?” exclaimed Gus Ristau as he alighted from the street car in Appleton, Monday. “Why it’s Lincoln Birthday Day” volunteered a bystander. “Well wouldn’t that cork you” said Gus “why it’s my birthday too and I forget all about it.” Mr. Ristau went back home in the early evening to find that his home was filled with people who had come to celebrate that important event by the invitation of his wife who had not forgotten.

February 23, 1912

P. O. Mencke of St. Paul, Minn., known on the road as "The Giant" agent for the Van Camp Packing Company, was in the city last week supplying the trade with pork and beans. Mr. Mencke measures 6 feet and 7 inches and weighing 250 pounds. He is a finely proportioned specimen of perfect manhood.

Time Machine Trip to February 1957

February 1, 1957

Pvt. Kenneth J. Nushart, who took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Graduated from Military Police Training Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia in December. He is currently serving in Frankfurt, German.

Kaukaunans late Wednesday afternoon hailed the reopening of the Lawe Street bridge which had been closed for repairs since Monday, December 3. The construction of the span included the lift portion of the bridge with a steel gridding.

  

The Beginner Bowlers in the league sponsored by the Kaukauna Recreation Department at Verbeten’s continue to post good scores last Saturday. James Schumann led all bowlers with a 185 game. Other good games were rolled by George Kailhofer 169, Karen Berg 152, James Pahl 146 and 144 and Darlene Diedrich 138.

February 6, 1957

Rambling Reporter – by Mrs. Ed Wolf.

Little Jimmy was crying his heart out because he couldn’t get his way. Suddenly he stopped, looked at his mother and said, “You never cry, do you, Mommy?” then added, “But then you always have your own way.”  

The defending State champion basketball team, Shawano, Friday night had no difficulty in sweeping to a 75-50 win over Kaukauna’s Galloping Ghosts in the second meeting of the teams. Toward the end of the third quarter, with Shawano well in the lead, both Shawano and Kaukauna coach, Fred Barribeau, sent in their second teams. As a result, many of the players who would not have seen action had ample opportunity to display their basketball wares.

A new look for the Kaukauna postmen was inaugurated Tuesday morning as the postman made their first run with their new mailbag carts. Left to right are Robert Wittman, Carl Kloehn, Art Koehne and Jim Siebers.

Mary Lou Berens had been chosen as the DAR award winner by the senior class and faculty of KHS in a recent election, according to Miss Francis Corry faculty member in charge.

Seven students are on the straight “A” Honor Roll for the second nine weeks. The students are seniors, Jean Bauer and Janet Oettinger; Junior, Thalia Hodgins; Sophomores, Patricia Doering and Oliver Kruse; Freshmen, Jane Barribeau and Milo Straus.

The Kaukauna high school cheerleaders deserve a great deal of credit for the fine sportsmanship they displayed at Friday evenings game at Shawano. When one of the Shawano lads tripped, and twisted his leg, he had to be helped from the court. The Kaukauna cheerleaders joined the Shawano cheerleaders in applauding the limping players as he left the floor. Kaukauna cheerleaders this year are headed by Joann Faust, captain, Karla Kuchelmeister, Bonnie Bayorgeon, Carol Siebers, LaVonne Dreger, Marilyn Conrad, Carol Belling and Nancy Nettekoven.

In preparation for next week’s observation of National Brotherhood Week Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon, seated, signed a proclamation setting aside the dates for the event. Looking on left to right are Abe Golden, George Greenwood, general chairman of the event and T. H. Boebel, who oversees the observation in the school system.

“Look what my grandpa speared” says John Johnson, as he posed with this 80-pound sturgeon caught in Lake Winnebago five hours into opening. The fish was speared by Art Freier of Kaukauna.

February 8, 1957

The highest sales in the company’s history was reported at the annual management meeting of the Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company by its President E. H. Jennings Wednesday evening. The company’s sales last year rose to $27,817,000 compared to $26,225,000 in 1955. The higher sales were primarily due to higher costs.

February 13, 1957

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Klister have been named the co-editors of the annual Alumni News, which is published each June as a preview to the alumni reunion. The Klisters are both graduates of the KHS class of 1944 and have been active in the alumni affairs in the past.  This year will be the 50^th anniversary of the founder, Joseph McCarty’s class graduation.

Kaukauna will again be represented in the annual Golden Gloves State tournament this year as Bob Lamers, KHS senior, goes to Milwaukee to take part in the amateur boxing competition.  Another Kaukauna representative at the Fond du Lac district meet was Roger Danner, also a KHS senior, but was defeated. A third youth who has been in unofficial boxing training during the past couple of months at the high school in Jim Lettau but has not taken part in regular competition to date.

February 15, 1957

A small but enthusiastic crowd was on hand Wednesday evening as the Lions club held its wrestling show for the benefit of the March of Dimes at the KHS gym. In the opening match, Don Pollock of Milwaukee defeated Jim Siksay of New York. The second match featured midget tangling with a Cowboy Bradley bulldogging Tiny Roe the alleged villain of the piece. The final match was the team of Gypsy Joe and Angelo Poffo and the team of Carl Engstrom and Billy Melby was won by the good guys Engstrom and Melby in a two out of three-fall match.

The cornerstone laying ceremonies took place at the new St. John Catholic High school in Little Chute. Father Martin Vosbeck, pastor of St. John parish, addressed the students over the inter-com. The dedication of the school will be held on April 7.  The first official classes will be held on Monday.

February 22, 1957

St. Mary’s Blue Ghosts Monday evening took the 1956-57 championship of the Kaukauna Grade school loop as they rolled to a 45-29 decision over Trinity Lutheran at the St. Mary’s gym. Pacing the winners was Bruce Bay with 16 points, while Ken Kavanaugh with 14 points was next and Bill VanderPas with nine earned third honors. Trinity Lutheran had Dennis Priebe was the high scorer with 17 points and Wayne Merbach with nine points. Coach Bill Knapp has coached St. Mary’s for the past ten years.

A group of students and teachers of the Outagamie County Teachers College recently made a tour of the Kaukauna post office. Left to right front row are Jim Johnson, Teri Lee Jurgensen, Nola Ihlenfeldt, Naomi Carnot and Iris Meyer. In the second row are Mary Jane Cassidy, Mrs. Gertrude Hennes and Betty Van Rossum. In the rear are E. H. Gordon, faculty member at OCTC, August Krueger, Warren Welch, Bob Raschig and Frank Morgan.

 1957 Dodger Coronet

Time Machine Trip to February 1939

February 1, 1939

The Little Chute Legion girls won a 5 to 3 decision over the Kaukauna Merchants girls team Sunday. Grace Walsh served the only basket for the merchants and Dorothy Timmers counted a free throw. Graham and Brys dropped in field goals for Little Chute and Schumacher added a free throw.

The first step in the enforcement of the new bicycle ordinance, which was passed by the common council, is taking place this week, according to James E. McFadden, chief of police.  Inspection of every bicycle in the city will be made at the police station on Saturdays during the month of February 9 am to 4 pm. Every person who owns a bicycle is required to have their bicycle inspected by the police department. If the bicycle passes a license can be obtained from the city clerk at a cost of twenty-five cents.

The Holy Cross basketball team defeated Park school 25-10 Saturday morning at the high school gym.  B. Van Dyke scored 13 points for Holy Cross while Walsh scored four points for Park school.

A fire of undetermined origin caused approximately $700 damage to the Jacob Miller tavern on East Second street Tuesday morning.

This week the Hall of Fame presents another prominent member of the senior class, Arlene Schomisch. Arlene is interested in stamp collecting, pen pals and photography. She is in band, Quill and Scroll and Camera Club this year. She has currently been office girl for principal Olin G. Dryer.

Kimberly A. A. cage team will meet the Superior All Stars at Kimberly club house Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. With Joe Gossens, veteran Kimberly guard, having one of his best seasons, fans will see one of the best sharpshooters in the state.

February 3, 1939

 Phil Zwick, the Kaukauna featherweight, who has been visiting in and around the city has left for Toronto, Canada where he has signed to fight the Canadian featherweight champion on February 13.

The Rialto theatre is observing its second anniversary. Top center Mr. Reuben Rosenblatt, manager; in the second-row Walter Holt, projectionist and Francis Biselx, assistant manager; In the front-row Werner Altman, usher, Dolores King, cashier and Jean La Borde, usher.  

February 8, 1939

Kaukauna scored a 28 to 24 victory over St. Mary high school of Menasha here Friday evening. The game was fast and rough with a total of 30 fouls being called. The Kaws held the Zephyrs to a lone bucket in the last period while Paul Koch and Bill Alger came through with valuable points and the Kaw team played great defensive ball.

February 10, 1939

The cost of poor relief in Kaukauna during January amounted to $2,468.11 according to the monthly report submitted by the relief director. There were 110 cases on relief in December with 21 new ones and 10 were closed.

A profit of $55.83 was realized from the President Roosevelt birthday ball held at the Nitingale ballroom according to Ray De Bruin, secretary and treasurer of the committee.

February 15, 1939

This week the Hall of Fame presents another prominent member of the senior class, Robert Deering. Having gone to school at De Pere in his freshman year, he has been in the band here last three years. He is one of our rural students who plays basketball during noon hour. His hobbies are playing the tenor saxophone, Hawaiian guitar and Spanish guitar. Besides music he likes science and has taken both chemistry and physics. 

Over the past few years a new winter sport has attracted the attention of high school students. Boxing is not as popular as basketball but has the support of students. The year’s squad has only four veterans but Coach Kemp has all the boys tuned up for a pretty good show. This year’s veteran squad includes Sherman Powers, Robert Niesen, G. Steffens, and Gordon Hennes. 

The employment situation in Kaukauna has been greatly aided through the formation of the Kaukauna Machine Corporation, a new company which took over all the assets of the former Moloch Foundry and Machine company on January 1. Ralph J. Kraut, Fond du Lac, is president. Company has doubled the full-time employees of the former Moloch, there being 72 full-time employees on the payroll at this time. 

February 17, 1939

A Toronto, Canada telegram reports of the Zwick-Castilloux bout, which took place Monday at Maple Leaf Gardens.  For six rounds, they boxed and fought evenly and then the younger man took the lead with youth and stamina on his side he moved ahead until there were no doubts as to the winner. Castilloux by winning moved nearer to the world featherweight title.

The number of filling stations in Kaukauna during the last 10 years is increased from 4 to 16 according to a recent city report.

E. L. Lambeau, Green Bay Packers coach, is going to take about two months off from football as he plans to leave on a European trip early in March. Some of Curly's friends can’t help but wonder if he isn't on the trail of a couple of big husky lineman “over there.”

February 24, 1939

Abe Golden, Thursday, announced that he will be a candidate for reelection to the position of justice of the peace in April. Golden is seeking his fourth consecutive term as justice.

Time Machine Trip to February 1898

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

For today’s trip Christine Gray, 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

PS: It is with a heavy heart that I dedicate this trip to a very special friend who is now part of the past.

Thurston “Turtle” Lambie was an inspiration to all who knew him.   

February 4, 1898

Going home Monday evening Sus. Hilgenberg noticed a light flickering in John Clespill's store on Lawe Street. Breaking down the door, a lamp was spotted over turned and burning on the floor. The lamp must have upset when the door was closed at the end of the day.

A bloody fight occurred on the night train on the Northwestern road near Oshkosh Monday night, between three drunken Indians who got on at DePere, with the train crew and passengers. The Indians attacked a traveling man, who had come from Green Bay, and chewed his ear off. The traveling man was left at Oshkosh to receive surgical attention, while the Indians were bound and taken to Milwaukee and turned over to authorities there.

GREEN ONE CENT STAMP – The new one cent stamp is now on the market but the color is green instead of blue. The one cent United States stamps have always been blue since the first one was issued in 1851, except in 1869 when the color was buff.

KINDERGARTEN ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment will be under the auspices of the children's Study class, Tuesday evening at Heindel's hall, the proceeds derived therefrom to be used to purchase proper decorations and materials for work in the Kindergarten at Park school. The oldest kindergarten in United States will be in the closing feature, the following children being enrolled: Little Willie Mulford, Lessie Chamberlain, Flossie Charlesworth, Ruth Nohl, Johnny Mitchell, Petie Becker, Dodo Vilas, Allie Lovelace, Birdie Locklin, Frankie Charlesworth, Bertha Jones, Jakey Matthews, Lena Wright, Tommy Stoakes, Ethie Titus, Lewis Locklin, Teddy Allen, Henry Hilfert, Abbie Hilfert, Jimmy Toner, Mary Toner, Dollie Ormsbee. Prices of admission, adults $.25, children $.15.

The Kaukauna party who anticipate going to the Klondike should spend a couple of hours daily on the river bridge during the kind of weather that has prevailed this week. A rendezvous there each day would temper them up nicely for the Alaskan breezes.

February 11, 1898

An order was issued yesterday by the Neenah and Menasha Water Power Company directing that the amount of water being drawn by the mills for power be reduced by 10 percent.

Julius Martens’ horse ran away Sunday night, starting just the other side of Little Chute where Julius was tipped out and coming up on into Appleton at a lively pace. The cutter being badly wrecked.

EDISON’S PROJECTOSCOPE – Prof. Young’s Projectoscope and vaudeville company will appear at the Kaukauna Opera house two nights next week, Monday and Tuesday. From all parts of the country where this company has appeared this season, reports of a very flattering nature. Among the many features that will be seen is Edison's latest invention. Presented will be high-class magic, mind reader, a descriptive singer, a troop of performing monkeys and Prof. Young's performing birds. Seats on sale at the usual places. 

February 18, 1898

The United States cruiser Maine, which was recently sent to Cuba, was destroyed by an explosion Tuesday night in the harbor of Havana. It is expected that 258 lives are lost. The government expects it is the work of Spanish treachery.

The Mill and Nugent orchestra is enjoying a rushing business these days. They played at a dance in Wrightstown last Friday.

February 25, 1898

The Finnegan block, corner of Crooks avenue and Second Street together with the Giles house adjoining were totally destroyed by fire Saturday night. For a time, it looked as if the entire block was going but a shift in the wind and a very heavy snow fall caused the fire to be extinguished.

The storm that prevailed Saturday night and all day Sunday was the most severe one that has visited this area in several winters. The wind blew a steady gale for twenty hours during a steady snow fall. Snow was whirled into heavy drifts and traffic on the railroads was stopped in all directions.

An Italian astronomer has discovered that the earth actually has two moons. That's nothing. There are men in Kaukauna who declare that, under certain circumstances, the earth has four moons, two for each eye.

Time Machine Trip to February 1907

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

For today’s trip Carol Hofensperger 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 

February 1, 1907

An exchange states that a cow was struck by a Chicago and Northwestern express engine at Little Chute and hurled high in the air, but that the "cow landed on her feet and went on nibbling grass as though nothing had happened."

George Berghaus of the town of Buchanan appeared before Justice Mulholland on a charge of cruelty to animals, pled guilty and paid a fine of one dollar and cost. Berghaus left his team standing unblanketed on third Street for several hours on one of the coldest days this week, where they remained until taken in charge by an officer who had them placed in a warm stable and fed.

The biggest cocking mania ever held in this part of the state was to have taken place at Duck Creek Monday night but was postponed, on account of the presence of Sheriff Killmann and three deputies. Birds from Appleton, Oshkosh and Chicago about 30 in all, were entered. Over 300 people were on hand to witness the event, among whom were several Kaukauna people.

February 8, 1907

Counterfeit silver dollars have been in circulation in various parts of the state for several weeks and federal officers are warning people to be on the watch for them.

Golden & Stone, dealers in hides, junk, etc., who have been located on the south side, have transferred to Wisconsin Avenue and opened the place of business. They will continue in the old business in addition thereto open up a second-hand store.

Kaukauna played in a fast game Friday evening when they engaged with the swift Manitowoc team of girl basketball players and were beaten by a score of 9-5.  A splendid crowd was on hand to witness the game, many times larger than any other audience ever before turning out for a game of basketball. It was certainly encouraging to the team has such a large number of friends present and so much appreciated by each and every one of them.

Because they disobeyed the orders of the basketball coach, Miss Weber, and went to Appleton to attend a high school dance function, two members of the girls’ basketball team of the North Side high school have been suspended from all further participation in school athletics as a result of their little escapade.

A dog that has been making a practice of taking after the interurban cars ran out once too often Friday and got under the wheels of the Appleton-Kaukauna car. Several other dogs will meet a similar fate unless their owners keep them chained.

February 15, 1907

A few days ago, C.A. Lawton noticed something out of the ordinary in the heap of scrap iron that goes to feed the furnace of a local machine shop. He picked it up and on examination found it to be a loaded shell about eight inches in diameter, such as used in the Civil War. The shell was disposed of by dropping it into the river through a hole in the Ice.—DePere Democrat.

License revoked - As the result of an altercation at the Clark saloon on 2nd St., Sunday night, the license for the place which had been granted at a council about a month ago, has been revoked by the Mayor at the saloon closed Monday. In consequence of the trouble Mrs. Clark has started proceedings for divorce from her husband.

A Kentucky minister preached for three hours on the topic of “Hell is here and Now.” He doubtlessly thoroughly convinced his congregation.

February 22, 1907

Mart Danielson of Neenah was in Kaukauna Tuesday endeavoring to engage men for the Kimberly & Clark pulp mill at Niagara which has been shorthanded for some time. He needed thirty-five to forty, but succeeded in securing only three or four in this city and he was not sure but that they would back out when it came to taking their departure. Mr. Danielson said he could have engaged several men for Fox River valley mills but very few care to go north to work.

The Regenfuss Brewing company on the north side has been enlarged, remodeled and improved to such an extent since it came into the possession of the present owners and now is practically a new plant. The bottling department has been enlarged, double its former capacity. The plant is in charge of John Regenfuss one of the most experienced brewers in the state.

What was supposed to have been a Neenah high school team played our hometown team here to a 10-10 tie at Heindel's Hall. The local team thought they were to play a Neenah high school team after the game it was learned that Neenah’s star player, who had 6 points for the visitors, graduated from high school last year. The game was played under girl’s rules which the locals were not familiar with. This accounts for the large number of calls on the Kaukauna team.

Time Machine Trip to February 1889

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

For today’s trip Carol Hagens 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 

February 1, 1889

W. Benz, the south side cigar manufacturer has turned out 135,050 cigars during the past year. Wm. stands as the fourth largest cigar manufacturer in the country.

The board of supervisors voted to purchase 310-acre farm one mile west of Appleton as the site for the Outagamie county asylum. The asylum will accommodate 100 inmates and will cost about $50,000.

Scarlet fever is prevalent in this vicinity but not in Kaukauna as of yet.

An Indianapolis brute received a timely visit from the Whitecaps. Patrick O’Neil has a wife and five children, and a habit of getting drunk and beating his wife. About 10 pm on the 27^th a crowd of men congregated in front of his house. O’Neil was dragged from the house and given twenty-five lashes with a whip. He was then warned that if he abuses his family again he would receive a double dose.  

February 8, 1889

A tramp who was determined to have a change of underwear waltzed off with a half dozen undershirts that hung in front of Watson Bros. store last Tuesday. When he got as far as the Northwestern depot he hid them in a snow bank so they would keep. He was observed in the act of covering them, as he had a rather suspicious appearance. Marshal McCarty was sent for and he was then waltzed off to the cooler, Jail; 21 days.

February 15, 1889

While oiling a gearing, at the Badger mill, Joseph Chopin had his right hand caught in the cogs and mangled to such an extent that amputation was found necessary. While in the act of oiling, he dropped the oil can and in grabbing for it ran his hand into the cogs. He is a young man about 17 years of age, and had until that morning been employed at the Kaukauna paper mill, leaving there to work with his brother on a new machine that was started at the Badger.  It was a very unfortunate change for he had not been in his new position half an hour before the accident occurred.

The latest invention to hang in the family dining room is the gum board. It is a neat, little circular board, plain or decorated, fastened to the wall. The name of each family member is then painted on the circumference, and marks the spot where the gum is left until wanted.

A skunk farm is one of the curiosities of the state of Michigan. The owner of the skunkery finds profit in the pelts and oil. Thieves never molest his stock.

Quite a bloody fracas is reported as having taken place at Killian’s saloon on the south side Saturday evening. It was reported that knives and revolvers were drawn and one person was slashed in several places.

February 22, 1889

Mr. Oscar Thilmany has bought out the American Pulp Co., which has been doing business here for several years, and has reorganized under the name of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company.

A Grand Army of the Republic Post was organized in this city Friday evening with about twenty members. The new post was named the Paul H. Beaulieu Post. Paul Beaulieu was from Kaukauna and died in the Civil War in 1863.

Hugging socials are becoming popular for paying off church debts. The scale of prices are as follows: Girls under sixteen 35 cents from 16 to 20 75 cents; school madams 49 ½ cents, widows 10 cents to $3. Old maids are 3c each or 2 for 5 cents, Married ladies whose husbands are not present free for all.

A Bill was introduced in the Michigan Senate Tuesday “prohibiting the transportation of dead Chinamen or their bones over Michigan territory.”

In 1888 some of our subscribers, who are behind in paying their subscription, promised us solemnly to pay if not dead. We presume they are dead, for they have not paid. Sometimes we see them moving about just as if they were alive; but of course, they are dead and merely walking around to save burial expenses.