Time Machine Trip to June 1918

June 7, 1918

The seventieth anniversary of the admission of Wisconsin into the Union was passed on May 29, 1918, since Nelson Dewey took the oath of office as the first governor. Wisconsin has grown from a population of less than 250,000 in 1848 to 2,500,000 today. In 1848 there were no railroad tracks in Wisconsin now there are more than 7000 miles of tracks.

The first Kaukauna soldier to be wounded in France is Sergeant C. W. Chamberlain, who was struck by a piece of metal while leading his comrades in a fight somewhere in France.

Henry Eimmermann has closed his saloon on Wisconsin avenue. A number of saloonkeepers have gone to work in the paper mills. Three or four saloons will not renew their licenses for the new year beginning July 1. The increase cost of liquors has resulted in not enough money in the business to make it go.

“The war has to go on until it has been won. Not a man ‘over there’ thinks of quitting the job before it is finished and finished right no matter how long it takes.” This is the message Private N. H. Nickols of the 101^st engineers, American expeditionary force, brought to Kaukauna in his war talk at the auditorium Monday evening.

June 16, 1918

Three Kaukauna soldiers were reported wounded on the French front. Floyd L. Hawkins and Walter A. Haas were severely injured May 27 and Alvin H. Ploetz was injured May 13.

Floyd L. Hawkins

Alvin H. Ploetz

June 21, 1918

The man whose shot brings down the wooden bird securely perched on a high pole at the yearly “Schut” in Hollandtown is king for the succeeding year and will wear the royal coat. The honor this year goes to Kaukauna Postmaster John Coppes who will replace William Van Lieshout last year’s king. 

The Federal government has asked the police departments to aid the local boards in the matter of violations of “work or fight” order. Chief McCarty of Kaukauna has placed his department at the disposal of the local board. All men of the draft age not regularly employed in some useful occupation will have to “get busy” for there will be no room in town for idlers. Citizens are also requested to aid in weeding out the of the slackers and loafers by reporting them.

Every wage-earner in Kaukauna is expected to register in his school district on June 28 and pledge himself to buy a certain amount of war saving stamps before the end of the year.

A big fire Tuesday afternoon threatened the neighborhood at the corner of Seventh street and Main avenue. The fire started in the barn to the rear of the Avenue Grocery. 

June 28, 1918

Private Theodore Feller When Mrs. Goetzman received her brother’s letter dated June 2, some people were of the opinion that he had been wounded May 28 but had not died until after having written this letter. However, the telegram from Washington reported Private Theodore Feller, infantry died May 28 from wounds received in action. The Red Cross has determined that the Kaukauna soldier’s reported death was in error.

The loss of the thumb, middle finger and index finger of his left hand and cuts on his right hand and face were received by little George Tennessen age 12. The boy was playing in the barn when he struck a dynamite cap which exploded.

Kaukauna and the other parts of the second Outagamie county draft will send 522 selected men into the national army. This is the largest call thus far issued. Kaukauna will be required send 266 and Appleton 256. (Picture taken at the Kaukauna Public Library)