Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Time Machine Trip to March 1912

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine and travel back in time to March of 1912.

For today’s trip Jo Verstegen will be sitting in the front seat and 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 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: I hate it when I see an old person then realize we were in high school together.

March 1, 1912
The girl's basketball team of Kaukauna High School went to De Pere to play Saturday night and were defeated by a small score—De Pere 2, Kaukauna 0. The following line up was played by Kaukauna: Janet Strathern, c; Mildred Kenney, r.f.; Lottie McCarty, l.g; Hortense Berens, r.g.; Bessie Solar, l.f.; substitute, Rosella McMorrow.


What’s your income last year?  That’s the question being asked by Thomas Flanagan, Income Tax Assessor for Outagamie and Waupaca counties. All in this city having incomes exceeding $800 will have blanks mailed to them by March 10 and must be returned by April 1. There are thirty-six questions to be answered to determine the tax to be paid.  All income must be reported including that of the wife and children under the age of 18. This is the first year the new tax law is in effect.


Fred Reichel is now ready to deliver ice and make contracts for the delivery of ice for the coming season. Rate reasonable. Phone Y167.


F.W. Findenkiller of Bannock, Minn. (Formerly of Kaukauna) has quite a reputation as a moose hunter having slain thirteen of them within the past four years. The heads make a striking ornament for a large room when mounted.  Mr. Findenkiller has sold all the heads up to the present. Two of his most recent trophies have been preserved and are mounted in Kaukauna, one at Hotel La Salle and the other at Joseph Kendrick’s place.
    
March 8, 1912
John Coppes’ term as mayor expires this spring and he will probably receive a call from the voters to accept another two years. Mayor Coppes is making no effort in his own behalf to continue in the office for he feels his service has been satisfactory and it is up to the people to seek a new man for the office. Mayor Coppes has spent much time during the past two years adjusting business matters for the city, especially in connection with the city taking over of the electric light plant.  





Theodore Roosevelt announced that he will accept the Republican nomination for the Presidency.





Joseph Lehrer, the Third street meat dealer, has thrown out his gasoline engine and installed an electric motor to drive his meat machinery, which makes a very agreeable improvement as it does away with the odor of the gasoline driven power. 

March 15, 1912
Accidents - Oscar Swanson had his nose broken while at work at the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company’s new mill. The accident was the result of a fellow worker having his hammer slip from his hand.

Barney Hopfensberger was thrown out of his rig Monday forenoon against a telephone pole on Tenth Street, had his nose badly smashed and injured his leg. He was delivering meat when one of the reins broke and the horse got the advantage of him.

March 22, 1912
The immense sulphate plant of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company which has started last summer at the site purchased on the Grignon flats is now nearly completed, as all the buildings but one were placed under roof this week. There have been 150 men employed on the construction work. The first shipment of machinery for the wood room arrived here Monday.

March 29, 1912
Mrs. Johanna Maes, aged 80 years died Friday afternoon. She was born in Holland in 1832 and at the age of twenty came to America and settled in Little Chute. She came by sailing ship and the trip took 50 days. Traveling to Little Chute required taking a ship from Buffalo, New York to Green Bay then up the Fox River by a small boat to the foot of the Kokaloo rapids and then over land to their journeys end. A great forest covered the lands around here. The Menominee Indians had their hunting grounds along the Fox River and Johanna recalled that their Chief I-Yam-a-Taw lived near Little Chute. There was no road to Green Bay but with the help of the Menominee tribe and with the assistance of George W. Lawe a road was cut to Green Bay.  

A stock company composed of ten resident citizens, mostly young men, has taken over the business and stock of the Royal Clothing Store on Wisconsin Avenue.

Henry Buerth of the south side, while at work making repairs at the Kaukauna Lumber Company was struck in the chest by a piece of wood and he died as result of the injury.  He was 41 years old and leaves a wife and three children.

Mrs. H.B. Tanner and daughter Miss Blanche Tanner arrived home from the sugar plantation in Tamasopo, Mexico. The country is in such a revolutionary turmoil that all Americans have been instructed to leave. Dr. Tanner and son Kenneth are still at the plantation running the sugar mill and hope to be able to stick out the balance of the season and harvest the sugar cane. They and their crews are all heavily armed and are on constant watch for indications of trouble.

The Wisconsin board of health has issued an inspection in the schools here by Dr. Williams, a lady physician, employed under the direction of the Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis association.  The cost of the inspection at the schools is small compared to the gain to both the children and the community. Ninety percent of the diseases in children are contagious and the public school is the dispensary for these diseases.


There will be a home talent minstrel production staged at the Crystal theatre this weekend. The latest songs will be played by the Golden Gate quartet. Two reels of motion pictures will be in addition to the show. The entertaining will commence at 7:00 and 8:30 admission being 10 cents. 


Saturday, March 25, 2017

Time Machine Trip to March 1957


Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

It’s that time again to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and make a trip back in time.

Today Dick Staedt, is sitting in the driver’s seat. The big wheel is spinning and the years are clicking back. In no time, we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on the corner of Third Street and Main.

We are now in March of 1957.    


For the music lovers, the top song on the Hit Parade this month is:


Party Doll – Buddy Knox


https://youtu.be/ofkhZNWFr0M


Carl Hansen, the publisher, has left the newspapers for us by the front door of the Kaukauna Times. Let’s see what’s in the news this month. 

Your old news man – Lyle



March 1, 1957
Two West DePere men were crossing the Community bridge at Little Chute Wednesday when they noticed two children playing on a shelf of ice that stuck into the river. The quick thinking on the part of the men combined with immediate action of Little Chute residents were responsible for the averting what could have been a tragedy in saving the lives of the two youngsters. They drove to the home of John Wildenberg nearest the scene. The three men hurried to the shore where they saw the children floating face down in the water. Using a pole, they pulled the children to shore. Members of the fire department had been alerted and revived the children. One child is Jeff Driessen three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Driessen and the other child is Katie Van Hoof three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Van Hoof.





KAUKAUNA’S BOB LAMERS, who recently won the State Golden gloves boxing championship at Fond Du Lac in the 147-pound novice division, will be one of the principals in the Saturday night Lion-sponsored boxing show here.   










March 6, 1957
Kaukauna's outstanding physician and surgeon, Dr. G. J. Flanagan, died Monday at 12:30 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton, at the age of 68, after a professional career covering a span of more than 40 years of service to the community and its outlying areas. Persistent illness caused his retirement in 1954 and was responsible for his death.


Basketball Players and cheerleaders of Trinity Lutheran school received awards at a recent athletic banquet. Left to right front row are David Hertler, Gene Fahrbach, Ed Lutzow, Myron Schuette, Sharon Welhouse, Betty Gast and Karen Sager; second row, Karen Krumm, Dick Fahrbach, Keith Busse, Wayne Merbach, Jim Zuelzke, Michael Rogers; back row, Lois Woelz, Gerald Spaulding, Dennis Priebe and Robert Effa. Adults are Jack Blumreich, coach and Oscar Jahns, president of the Christian PTA.
 
March 8, 1957
Head KHS football and track coach, Robert Petruska has submitted his resignation to the Kaukauna school board. He has taken a position at Brookfield. He served as head football and track coach as well as physical education instructor for the past two years in Kaukauna.


March 13, 1957
Pooch, Kaukauna’s only war dog and possessor of an honorable discharge from U.S. Army, is dead. The German Shepherd dog, was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meinert died recently at the age of 16 years. Pooch was loaned to the U.S. government during World War II and did sentinel duty in Japan for two years with the K-9 unit after attending K-9 school in Nebraska. The Meinert's think Pooch had a very good memory. The day before he left to take up his duties at the Army, they gave him a large juicy bone. After feasting on it for a while, he buried what was left of it in the garden. The day after he returned, he was left out in the yard and went immediately to the spot in the garden where you buried the bone and start digging it up.

March 20, 1957
Ramblings of a reporter - by Mrs. Ed Wolf – In one household, a little boy threatened to leave home, apparently enjoyed the full cooperation of his mother. She helped him to put on his coat, cap and boots and even open the door for him. In the doorway, he hesitated, saying “It's too windy and cold” and changed his mind about running away. The second-time mother and son went to the same procedure the child backed out because there was too much snow. The third time when his feelings were hurt, he employed different tactics. Gathering up his mother's coat and scarf, he handed them to her saying “Mama, you run away”.

David Linskens, chosen by the Kaukauna high school juniors, will be King of the 1957 junior prom. Representing the seniors at the prom will be William Lambie, Lance Goetzman is the sophomore choice, while Thomas Frank is the freshman representative.

A total of 10 basketball letters were distributed to the members of Kaukauna varsity basketball squad at a recent meeting with head coach Fred Barribeau. The letters went to four seniors and six junior members of the team. Jack Coenen, besides receiving a senior letter, was also elected honorary captain for the season. The three other senior letter winners were Karl Frank, Mike Glandt, and Joe Lamers.  Juniors receiving letters were Tom McAndrews, Glenn Hinkens, Dale Kemp, Jim Walsh, Charles Kemp and Bill Simon. Walsh received the nod from his fellow classmates as the most improved player on the varsity. 



Walter Holt was named chairman of the Kaukauna annual Red Cross drive. The drive for funds in Kaukauna is scheduled to start this week with the solicitation of the North and South side business places.








March 22, 1957
The Electric City Post 3319, Veterans of Foreign Wars, elected new officers for the current year at a meeting Tuesday evening in the groups club rooms on Catherine Street. William Woods was chosen commander and James McDaniel was chosen vice commander.

Special ceremonies honor three Cub Scouts entry into Boy Scouts. Left to right front row, Tom Van Drasek, Kenneth Grissman and John Grissman. The parents standing behind the lads are Mrs. Joseph Van Drasek, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Grissman and Mr. and Mrs. John Grissman.  


Eagle Scout badgers were presented at Troop 27 court of honor at St. Mary’s Catholic church. Recipients of the honor were Glenn Hansen and Mark Bachhuber. Glenn is pictured with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Hansen and Mark on the right with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Alphons Bachhuber. Looking on is Louis Schultz, Scoutmaster for Troop 27.


Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon was offered a Valentine cake by a member of the Girl Scouts and James Bambery, secretary of the Kaukauna Community hospital received a check from the proceeds of the annual sale in the city. Left to right are Lois Hansen of the Brownie Scouts. Bambery, Mrs. Ed Ryan, Girl Scout chairman, mayor and Grace Krueger, of the Girls Scouts.


Honored by the Rotary Club were members of the Kaukauna high school basketball team. Pictured are Ernest Trude, Rotary president, Jack Coenen, honorary team captain for 1956-57, Fred Barribeau, varsity coach and Harold Kobin, junior varsity mentor.


An international fashion show highlighted the observance of Brotherhood week at St. Mary’s Catholic school. Typical costumes of various nations were worn by the students. Left to right are Nancy Kerkhof, Leroy Spaulding, Mary Lou Schultz, Norbert Nushart, Wilma Wyngaard, Donna Feldkamp, James Jonen, Carol Ann Doering. Judith Ludwig, Karen Siebers, Bonnie Braun, Kenneth Bergeron, Susan McCole, Dennis Lewandowski and Lynn Andrejeski.


Friday March 29 was officially proclaimed Knights of Columbus Day in Kaukauna in honor of the 75th anniversary of the order. Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon signs the proclamation before Clarence O’Connor, left, deputy grand knight and George Simon, grand knight of the Kaukauna council.   


The third graders of Nicolet grade school recently took a tour of the Times printing shop. Pictured left to right front row are Sandra De Witt, Jack Capon, Linda Baker, Tom Bauer and Carol Koesler. Second row Lynn Schueuler, Jerry Bauer, Gary Zuehl, Barbara Veldman and Sherri O’Dell. Third row Ronald Pitt, Kenny Stecker, Jeffrey Kobin and Wesley Brill; fourth row Marsha Beaugrand, Philip Voights, Wendy Petruska and Karlett Kuehn; Fifth row Laura Fink, Donna Hendershot and Mary Hunt; Sixth row Bobby Heilman, Enid Gigstead and Karen Wiedenhaupt; Seventh row Kenny Kaphingst, David Sielaff and Wayne Frank.


To further international friendship some of the student at St. Mary’s school have applied for international pen pals. Pictured are back row left to right Karen Kappell, Colleen Kuehn, Dale Van Dyke, Nancy Van Dyke, Michael Verhagen, Patricia Haen, Thomas Reinke, Kathleen Klein, Mary Jo Whittaker, Robert Hawley, Mary Ann Schommer, Kay Patterson and Mary Otte. In the front row are Helen Doering, Susan Gerend, Joanne Mereness, Jacqueline Mathis, Joan Marx and Bruce Bay.



The Grade School Basketball Champs of St. Mary’s are pictured. Over the past two years the team has 17 wins and one defeat. Left to right standing are Coach Bill Knapp, Jerome Vanden Heuvel, John Vanden Heuvel, Willian Vander Pas, Ken Kavanaugh, William Mayer and Patrick Weigman, team manager. Seated are David Barribeau, Richard Weigman, John Borree, David LaRock and Bruce Bay.


4-H Club Week was observance by members of the Spirit of the Valley unit who constructed window displays in the windows of south side stores. Pictured are Sandra Lornson, Rosalie Mader and Donna Micke. 


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Time Machine Trip to March 1902

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine and travel back in time to March of 1902.

For today’s trip Diane Smits, will be sitting in the front seat and 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 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

March 7, 1902
The wages of rural route mail carriers have been raised from $500.00 per year to $600.00, the new rates took effect March 1. This rate affects 14 carriers in the county of Outagamie, and is considered a deserved recognition as each carrier is to keep two horses to do the work.

The Interurban car ran over August Pahl’s hound Tuesday killing it instantly and on Wednesday John Watson’s fine bird dog met death in the same manner. It would be a blessing if these cars would kill off about half of the worthless dogs in town, but not the dogs of value.  

John Van Nortwick, president of the Combined Locks company, has made an additional proposition to his men the past week, along the line of a short hour schedule. He proposes to give them the full number of hours they ask, quitting work Saturday at midnight and commencing at noon Monday.

A young lady in Chicago was singing a “croon” song the other evening when her sweetheart shot her. This is a rather severe form of criticism.

March 14, 1902
The Fox River is free of ice from the lake to Green Bay, which breaks last year's record of river opening by about twenty-four days.

March 21, 1902
Messrs. Schatz & Son have purchased Frank Bartsch's boot and shoe store on the Southside. On account of his health, Mr. Bartsch will retire from business for a while.




It is said that a preacher in one of our neighboring cities announced recently that he would deliver a sermon on “Hell and Who Would be There.” Before the week was out he received letters from two editors, three hotel men, four barbers, five bankers and eighteen lawyers threatening to sue him for slander it he dared to mention them in his sermon.


All the paper mills have been bothered considerably with muddy water during the past week as it is impossible to make white paper with such water.

March 28, 1902
The advent of twins is recorded by Dr. Titus at the Peter Bootz home, an eleven-pound boy, and an eight-pound girl.

The removal of the needles at the headgates of the government canal Monday evening resulted in the tragic death of one of the workman. William Kluge, an employee of the Union Bag and Paper company was engaged in helping to remove the lumber used in closing the gates. Kluge was holding a board when the swift current rushing through the opening caught it and pulled him into the water. He was 23 years of age and has been a resident of Kaukauna about a year. It appears that he had a premonition of approaching danger for when he went from his boarding place in the morning as he left a gold watch and fine ring, saying “Something might happen today.” 




Saturday, March 18, 2017

Time Machine Trip to March 1939


Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

It’s that time again to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and make a trip back to March 1939.  

The big wheel is spinning Dennis Wydeven is taking his place in the driver’s seat. The years are clicking back and in no time, we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on Main Street.     

   
The hit parade song of the month.

God Bless America – Kate Smith    



Carl Hansen, the publisher, has left the newspapers for us by the front door of the Kaukauna Times. Let’s see what’s in the news this month.
 
Your old news man – Lyle Hansen


March 1, 1939
George “Stormy” Kromer at his Milwaukee hat factory
  The year was 1905, Teddy Roosevelt was president and George J. “Stormy” Kromer couldn't keep his cap on. George's action, about his cap, led to his establishment of the Kromer Cap company: to its present time giving of jobs to 22 persons in Milwaukee and is providing railroad men with headgear that stays on when they are out on their runs. Home from his job on the Northwestern back in 1905, George said to his wife:“Ida, see if you can make me a hat that will stay on my head. The thing keep going off and cutting my head when it I jam it over my ears to try to keep it to stick on.” Mrs. Kromer got a piece of heavy material and with George’s guidance fashioned a cap that soon attracted the attention of other Northwestern firemen. George was asked could Mrs. Kromer be induced to make more of the caps. She did and that was how George got into the business and gathered in a tidy little nest egg. Mr. Kromer, though president of the thriving little concern which does an international business, still retains his rights under Northwestern and puts on the track as an engineer regularly. 


The Kaukauna High School basketball team lost to New London Friday evening 28-15 and dropped to fourth place in the conference race.

Kaukauna won 6 bouts to 4 in their first show of the year at Neenah. The winners included Billy Mitchler at 85 pounds, Gordon Hennis at 100 pounds, Don Keil at 124 pounds, Cliff Femal at 148 pounds, Bob Niesen at 164 pounds, and Sherman Powers at 170 pounds. 

Hundreds of canvas-back ducks can be seen on the lower rapids of the Fox River at this time. The ducks are fed each year by Kaukauna conservation club and are exceedingly tame.

It is with deepest sorrow and regret that we chronicle the death of Monroe A. Wertheimer, 76, nationally known paper industrialist and longtime resident of Kaukauna, who passed away early Wednesday morning at his New York residence. The news of his death, which came unexpectedly to most of his associates and friends, cast a shadow of gloom over the entire city. Mr. Wertheimer was chairman of the board of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company and held a like position with the Longview Fibre Company of Longview, Washington. He served the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company as president from the time of its incorporation in 1901 until 1936 when he became chairman of the board.

March 3, 1939
Carlton Schmitt has his 1902 model touring car on exhibition in front of the garage on Wisconsin Avenue. The car still bears the original 1902 license plates. The car is a 1902 Peerless and one of three that were built. The other two were destroyed in a fire so it is now the last one. The car has burn marks on the steering wheel so it too may have been in the fire but saved. The car was used as a squad car in Milwaukee from 1910 to 1914 and was purchased by William “Billy” Hood of Kaukauna later sold to Carlton Schmitt.

Walter G. Albert of Manitowoc has the distinction of being the first person to be arrested and pay a fine under the new city parking ordinance which went to affect's winter. Albert paid a fine of one dollar and cost in Justice Abe Goldin's court when he pleaded guilty to parking on a Kaukauna Street between the hours of one and 5 AM.

All games in the city basketball league scheduled for this week have been postponed due to the large amount of sickness about the city.

March 8, 1939


Kaukauna residents who desire to listen to the ceremony of the coronation of Pope Pius XII which will take place Sunday morning at St. Peter's in Rome will have to rise early, as the actual coronation ceremony will be held at 2:30 AM Kaukauna time and broadcast to the world.



The town of Kaukauna will be 100 years old on Thursday, March 9 according to William F. Wolf, Grignon home caretaker, who is in charge of the project of gathering historical documents pertaining to the history of the area. Wolf’s original documents show that on March 9, 1839, the territory Council of Wisconsin approved the town of Kakalin. The town was in Brown County at that time. In 1841 Brown County voted to change to the township system and from Kakalin, Charles A. Grignon, Paul Beaulieu and Hoel Wright were named supervisors. Grignon was named town chairman. In 1851 Outagamie County was organized with the towns of Grand Chute, Greenville, Hortonia, Ellington, Kaukauna and Lansing.  Kaukauna was the first town be organized in the county 1830 with Grand Chute next in 1848.

March 10, 1939
Poor relief cost the city $2585.62 during February according to the monthly report of Joseph V.  Krahn, relief director.

March 15, 1939
This week the Hall of Fame presents another member of the senior class, Lorraine Powers. Lorraine has no certain hobbies but enjoys dancing very much. She has taken a complete commercial course and would fill the requirements for the position of any office on graduation in June.


March 17, 1939
Assistant Chief of Police John Haid, who has been serving as chief during the illness of James E McFadden, this week announced that there will be no further extension of time for securing 1939 on license plates. A notice of this effect has been received by the police department.




Paul Koch was elected honorary captain of this year's Kaukauna high school basketball team by the lettermen Thursday, according to Paul Little, coach. Don Biselx and Joseph Bloch were named co-captains for this year's team. The letterman announced by Little in addition to the above are Carl Giordana, Willis Ranquette, Bill Alger, Junior Swedberg and James Sanders. 


March 22, 1939
The oldest living alumnus of the University Wisconsin celebrated his 99th birthday at his home in Los Angeles on March 3. He is William W. Church, a member of the graduating class of 1861 and a recipient of a Masters of Arts degree at 1865. Mr. church was discovered by the Wisconsin alumni Association.

March 24, 1939
A finely turned gavel made from the historic wood once part of the old Grignon log home in this city is now owned by the Kaukauna chapter of Women's Relief Corps. The gavel is made from part of the red cedar porch post of the memorable old building erected in 1794, the first building in Kaukauna.  It was presented to the Paul H. Beaulieu Post of the Grand Army of the Republic and had been in the possession of the Hon. Judge John Lawe until his death.


A 1939 Chevrolet Police Car 
The city fathers voted unanimously to purchase a police car from Gustman Chevrolet Sales for $638.50. Four bids were received from local garages. Gustman’s bid was for a standard coach with siren, red light and spotlight.

March 29, 1939
Kaukauna high school boxing team scored a 7 1/2 the 3 1/2 victory over St. Mary's of Menasha here Thursday evening. Don Keil and Carl Giordana scored knockouts. 

March 31, 1939

Carl Anderson and Harold Keefe this week purchased the Butler Dietzler hardware store 150 West Wisconsin Ave. from John H Niesen. The store will be known as Service Hardware and will carry a complete line of hardware and will do heating and sheet metal work. The hardware store one of the first in the city was operated originally by the Butler brothers.