Time Machine Trip to October 1912

By Lyle Hansen

October 4, 1912

The women's suffrage organization suggest that the members talk to other women workers with a view to forming estimate as to the strength of the suffrage sentiment in their particular location. One member, who has employed the same washerwoman for last six years reported that she put the question to this lady. “Are you in favor of votes for women?” She asked. “I don't pay any attention to politics, the woman replied, I leave it all to my husband.” Well how does your husband stand on women's suffrage?  “He don’t stand at all. He believes in women staying at home minding their own business.” How many families do you wash for? “Six.” What does your husband do? “He ain’t doing nothing right now unless he found something this morning.”

Mr. and Mrs. John Niesen moved to Kaukauna having purchased the restaurant and ice cream business of R. P. Olin, and will open business there next Monday morning.

October 11, 1912

Coach Grogan is working the men hard, developing speed and accuracy and pounding "football" into them every minute. The football fans of Kaukauna may be sure of seeing some real football played by the locals this year.  The team is made up with the following members: center - Rennicke; guards - Olm and Hayes; tackles - McNaughton and Strathearn; ends – Werely and Sadlier; quarterback – Lee Schroeder; fullback – Gus Lindauer; left halfback Jewell; right halfback - 0. Schroeder.

St. Petersburg, Russia – Americans are to be invited to take part in the Infant Mortality Conference to be held here. There are 4 million children born in Russia each year, and 2 million of them die as babies.  Last year's conference, held in Berlin, gave Hungry the world's championship for fighting infant mortality, as all children under 14 years who are orphans or have bad parents come under state protection. The government bears the entire burden of 54,000 homeless children. 

The Regenfuss Brewing Co. is engaged in enlarging their facilities for the transaction of their constantly growing business. It is certainly encouraging for these gentlemen John and Jacob Regenfuss, that their efforts are being appreciated by home demand for their product. 

  

Herman Knitter, Jr., aged 18, died Monday from diseases resulting from an injury he received a year ago. While engaged in work at the mill of Union Bag and Paper company. A pile of paper fell on him badly injuring his side and back. The injuries later developed into complications causing his death after over a year of intense suffering. The young man was always patient and at first lived in hope of recovering but toward the end realized that the struggle was against him.

Joseph Hentz 21 years old from Kaukauna was fatally injured early Saturday morning at the new plant of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper company. He was painting under a railroad car that was on hoists when the hoist gave way. An examination at St. Elizabeth hospital in Appleton revealed the fact that his back was broken. Everything was done to alleviate his condition but medical aid proved futile.

An eight-pound baby boy arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Kailhofer last Friday, all doing fine.  A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Vanevenhoven Wednesday night and there is rejoicing in the family.

The Kaukauna high school football team again demonstrated their supremacy on the gridiron by defeating the East Green Bay team in a score of 28 to 3 at the Kaukauna ballpark Saturday.  Kaukauna gained largely by plunging the opponents line for short but insistent gains of 5 to 15 yards a time, then “Butts” Hayes went through the line for the touchdown and Jewell kicked goal. 

October 18, 1912

The Crystal Theatre on the south side will open on the 19^th with a new manager and a new name. William Van Dyke, for several years leader of the Olympia orchestra, has purchased the stock of the company. The new name will be the Vaudette and good music will be furnished under Mr. Van Dyke's directions, a violinist, with a change in program every evening.

Before a campaign speech in Milwaukee on October 15, Theodore Roosevelt, the presidential candidate for the Progressive Party, was shot at close range by saloonkeeper John Schrank while greeting the public in front of a hotel. Schrank’s .32 caliber bullet, aimed directly at Roosevelt’s heart failed to mortally wound the former president because its force was slowed by a glass case and a bundle of manuscript in the breast pocket of Roosevelt’s heavy coat. Schrank was immediately detained and reportedly offered his motive that “any man looking for a third term ought to be shot.” Roosevelt, who suffered only a flesh wound from the attack, went on to deliver his speech with the bullet still in his body. After a few words, the former “Rough Rider” pulled the torn and bloodstained manuscript from the breast pocket and declared, “You see, it takes more than one bullet to kill a Bull Moose.” He spoke for nearly an hour and then was rushed to the hospital. 

October 25, 1912

The Boston Red Sox won the World Series, defeating the New York Giants 3-2, at Boston. The series had been tied 3-3, and the deciding game was tied 1-1 after nine innings. The Giants scored in the 10^th but gave up two runs when an easy fly ball was dropped.