Time Machine Trip to May 1888

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

Well it’s time to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and travel back in time to May of 1888.

For today’s trip Gretchen Tolksdorf, will be sitting in the front seat operating the Time Machine. The big wheel is spinning and the years are clicking back in no time, we are back on Wisconsin Avenue on Kaukauna’s Northside.

Charles Raught, Times owner and editor, has left the newspapers on the chair out front.

PS: The sign in the restroom state; 

“No employee showed up so I washed them myself.”

   

Your old newsman - Lyle 

May 4, 1888

The United States governments dredge No. 1, was burned to the waters edge and sunk in the government canal at Croche Sunday night about 10 o'clock. Wm. Cogan, captain of the boat perished in the flames and his body was carried down with the boat.

Another snow storm was enjoyed (?) the first of the week. When, oh, when will it stop?

Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of the late President Abraham Lincoln is among the possibilities for the republican side.

A new postmaster was appointed for a country post office in Texas and for several days afterward the mail agent received no mail from the post office and reported the matter to the superintendent of the railway mail service. The agent wrote to the postmaster, who replied that he was waiting for the mail sack to get full before sending it to the train.   

May 11, 1888

The brakemen on the upper division of the Lake Shore road are on a strike. Their wages have been reduced from $1.92 per hundred miles to $1.60.

New York – The Methodist Episcopal General Conference today voted to exclude women from the present conference and submit the question of eligibility to attend future conferences.

Face veils of dotted gauze are very fashionable.

The First Congregational Church of Kaukauna was dedicated on May 6^th.  Nine months ago the little church began the repairs and enlargement. There was more “you can do it” class of people than “you can’t do it” people.  The total price of the changes is $2500. 

Tramps of very bold nature have been numerous in this city during the past week. On Saturday night three of them stood upon the river bridge and demanded money of people who passed with threats of violence if some was not given them.

May 18, 1888

One of the grinders of the American Pulp Company's mill burst on Tuesday morning about 10 o'clock, and caused considerable damage about the mill. Several large pieces of stone crashed through the roof and sides of the building, demolishing about twenty feet of the former. The breaking of the stone resulted from a cracked flange used in holding the same in position. George Griffin, the tender of the machines, had a narrow escape from being killed.

When you clean out your back yard be sure and throw the rubbish in the road so as to make the road look nice and frighten horses.

Lynchburg, Va., - United States revenue officers arrested a moonshiner, George Hale, at Rocky Mount, while he was peddling illicit whiskey. While on the way to jail the guards were overpowered by a crowd of 150 men and the prisoner was released.  

May 25, 1888

Quite an amusing scene was witnessed by a Times reporter on the Island Monday evening. While crossing the river bridge, a young Kaukauna lady in company of two other ladies, was accosted by a young man “masher” from an up the river city, who expressed a desire of making her acquaintance and taking an evening stroll. Hardly had the words left his mouth, when he was laid out upon the roadway, from several direct blows that landed on his nose. Had not the two other ladies interfered and restrained the young lady’s wrath the punishment would have been more severe and in keeping with what he richly deserved. 

The Hon. Wm. F. Cody, Indians, cowboys, animal tents and paraphernalia arrived at New York on the 20^th.  Buffalo Bill was of course the center of attraction. The shore was lined with spectators. The show will setup on Staten Island where the Wild West show opens on May 30.  

Soda water can now be purchased at P. M. Charlesworth's Drug Store. Frank started his "fizzer" on Monday of this week and has been enjoying a rushing business.

The annual land slide along the North Side of Wisconsin Avenue has occurred, and much damage has been done thereby.  The ground has sunk on an average of about a foot, and extends the entire length of the canal bank, from the dam to the drawbridge. This time the slide has occurred farther up the hill than it has heretofore, and passes directly through the center of many of the buildings standing thereon which naturally, has caused several foundation walls to cave in and otherwise injuring the buildings.

The United States circuit court at New York, on the 16^th rendered an important decision in favor of Thomas Edison against the United States Electric Light Company. The court listed twenty-six infringements on his patents.