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.”