Time Machine Trip to March 1907

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

For today’s trip my old friend David Schwalenberg 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 

March 1, 1907

The girls' basketball team of Kaukauna High School is in the field for championship having defeated Manitowoc, their old rivals, 13 to 4. It was the most fiercely contested game ever played in this part of the state.

In general, the citizens of Kaukauna feel that it would be wise for the city to have its own electric plant and run it with the water works system, instead of accepting the offers of the Kaukauna Gas Electric Light & Power Co. The common council is still discussing the matter and considerable thought will be given the matter before decision is reached.

Demolished Engines Here – The two engines that collided at Vanbuskirk three weeks ago, in which three railroad men were killed, arrived here Wednesday morning. What was left of the smaller one was loaded on a flat car. The other battered and almost shapeless came in on its own running gear. The collision occurred on a curve while both were under full headway.

March 8, 1907

Several months ago, City Treasurer John Coppes shot a silver-grey fox while hunting in the woods near Hollandtown. He sent the pelt to the Heimeri tannery at Jefferson and recently received word that the skin was ready for delivery or that he could leave it there and take $250. John took the $250 and says that will pay his hunting expenses for years to come.

Wolves Causing Trouble – Wolves are so numerous in the vicinity of Amberg that people hesitate sending their children to school. Some packs have followed children to their door.

A Chicago office boy looking for a job, was asked whether he used profane language. He replied “I kin, if necessary.” He got the job.

It is said that Andrew Carnegie is about to make a gift that will cause Mr. Rockefeller’s $32,000,000 to look like thirty cents. By the time this cruel warfare is over, we fear the price of oil will be $1.98 a gallon.

Shoplifters Busy – Several merchants have suffered at the hands of shoplifters the past month. The loss was especially heavy during valentine season. Several youngsters were made to empty their pockets but no arrests were made.

March 15, 1907

The first colored couple ever united in marriage in Kaukauna took their solemn vows before Justice H. J. Mulholland at his office Sunday evening at 7 o'clock. They were Robert Jones, who has made his home here since last summer, and Mrs. Mary Nelson of DePere. The couple has already taken up housekeeping on Main Avenue. The groom is employed in the Kaukauna machine shop.

In the railroad accident at Antigo a couple of weeks ago, it will be remembered that Will Beard was so badly scalded by escaping steam that he had to be brought to a hospital there. Large quantities of skin had peeled off, leaving him in serious condition and that skin grafting had to be done. Six men volunteered to donate patches of their skin for their friend. The grafting was successfully done.

A $100,000 Estate -  Father De Wilt, who recently died, left an estate of $100,000 to be divided. St. Norbert’s college, St. Joseph’s orphan asylum, Wrightstown church, which he was pastor of for 31 years and also churches at Little Chute, Duck Creek and Montello will receive funds. Each of his former housekeepers will also receive a portion.

March 22, 1907

A south side woman sat up until one o'clock the other night waiting for her husband to come home. At last, weary and worn out with vigil, she went upstairs to retire, only to find her husband in bed fast asleep. Instead of going down town, he had stolen into bed, this made his wife so mad she didn't speak to him for a week.

March 29, 1907

There is a story going the rounds of a farmer who used an automobile horn to call his chickens. When he got them well trained an automobile tooted its horn in passing. The chickens started after the machine and fourteen hens and two roosters ran themselves to death.