Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Time Machine Trip to December 1902

December 5, 1902
Edward Fricke of Kaukauna was killed instantly at the coal sheds while working for the railroad here Monday. He was crushed to death by a chute which was struck by engine No. 830 which was backing into the station.

Menominee, Mich., - Joseph Levalleo, 12, had his fingers blown off in school yesterday. He had a dynamite cartridge which he was hold in one hand and poking with a pencil which he held in the other hand. Suddenly the cartridge exploded making a terrific noise and frightening all the students.

J.P. Helf of the north side brewery is gaining quite a wide reputation with a new brew of beer he has recently placed on the market. A few days ago, he sent several bottles of his beer to the laboratory of the U.S. Health company in New York. The laboratory came back as his was the purest and best beer to drink.

The deer season closed Sunday and the hunter who have been in the northern woods dodging bullets for several weeks are all back home. Kaukauna hunters fared well, most everyone that went having brought back two deer each.

A reception was tendered the football team of Kaukauna High school by the high school girls on Friday evening at the High school rooms. Ed. Weston was again elected team captain.



Carloads of Christmas trees have been passing south this week, another indication that it will soon be time for Santa Claus to make his annual visit.




December 12, 1902
Engine No. 970 started out of the round house unguided Monday morning on its own and as a result tumbled head first into the turn table pit. The iron horse was being steamed up for use and the throttle must have been left open sufficiently to allow steam to escape with pressure enough to start it moving. No one was in the engine at the time. It was damaged enough by the fall to place it in "dry dock" for repairs.

The dead trees in the small patch of land known as a city park on the south side, have been cut down this week and converted into firewood for the city poor.

La Crosse, Wis., - The Pastors’ Union, has appointed a committee to look into the intemperance among women of this city. This was brought about by recent wine room raids by the police at homes of the ultra-fashionable. 


The miniature engine built by the Kaukauna railroad boys has been the subject of illustrations in magazines and newspapers. The engine was loaned to the Firemen’s annual ball at Fond du Lac last Thursday.

December 19, 1902
Half a dozen car-loads of coal have been received here within the week, partially relieving the fuel famine.  This, however, is not enough to finish the winter season, and if more is not near forthcoming, many who have started their coal stoves with a small quantity on hand may find it necessary to revert to wood again inside a few weeks.

A woman cured her husband of staying out late at night by going to the door when he came home and whispering through the keyhole, “Is that you Willie?” Her husband’s name is John. He now he stays home every night and sleeps with one eye open.


Washington D.C. Dec. 15Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, widow of the former President of the United States, is dead. She died of heart failure at the age of 76 years.

La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 15 – The folly of youth marrying age was shown in court when three babies were taken from J. Fosdick and wife, on the grounds that the home was not a fit place for them. They married five years ago, when she was 14 and he was 57.


December 26, 1902

The new Princess Bowling Alley, situated on the Donahue property on Third Street, Southside Kaukauna was formally opened to the public Christmas Day. The large roomy hall built especially for this purpose affords an excellent place, as there is plenty of room not only for the bowlers but spectators as well, an amphitheater with opera chairs being provided at one end.

Sheboygan, Wis., Dec. 22 – The Social Democracy of this city, which expects to win in the spring election, promises to afford free baths, free concert, free theatrical performances, municipal ownership of street railway, electric light and water works plant.

Tony Heid of the north side of Kaukauna performed a very heroic act recently, having saved the life of the Wrightstown young lady. A few days ago, he skated down the river to Wrightstown. Just as he is about to return home he heard the scream for help from a party of Wrightstown young people who were also on the river. A young woman had fallen through the thin ice. Tony did not propose to witness a drowning if he could avoid it. He rushed to the dangerous spot, reached out and pull the young lady from the water, but in doing so was swung around on to the thin ice himself and down he went. He was able to pull himself up onto the ice.

Madison, Wis., Dec. 22 -
An initiation at the University Saturday night nearly resulted fatally to the candidate for membership in one of the fraternities. As a result of the affair several expulsions will probably follow. The fraternity members secured a back room of a saloon on Monroe Street to conduct the initiation. They were in the room almost the entire night and until 11 o'clock and consumed beer and other drinks. The fact that six students left rather than seven was not noticed by the barkeeper. A few minutes later he went into the back room and was horrified to find one of the students hanging by his neck from the ceiling. He quickly secured a knife and cut the boy down. 


The cold weather of the last few days has afforded John Coppes and opportunity to flood and prepared ice of the ballpark rink. The rink will open Saturday evening with music by the Kaukauna Band.  


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