Time Machine Trip to July 1899

By Lyle Hansen

July 7, 1899

The water in the Fox River and Lake Winnebago is higher than it has been at any time in ten years and has reached a rather critical stage. It is now 151/2 inches above the crest of the Menasha dam.

The final test of the Kaukauna Water works system was made last Thursday and Friday and has been accepted by the city. The system is now drawing rental and is ready for use.

A gypsy outfit of four covered wagons and a dozen horses camped near town Friday on the way through this section. It was an extra tough looking set of dirty sun browned men and women. People will be wise to keep their doors locked while this crowd hangs around here.

A judgment by the Wisconsin Supreme court stating definitely the conditions of the power at Kaukauna. The Green Bay and Mississippi Canal company is the owner and manager of the water rights of the Fox River.

G. W. Lucia’s team which was standing unhitched on Wisconsin avenue last Friday made a lively dash up the avenue. They broke out one wheel and collided with several teams on the street. It is a miracle that no one was hurt among the numerous rigs then on the street. 

July 14, 1899

Theo. Weaver's saloon was entered by thieves sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, who stole a couple of the slot machines that stood on the bar, containing upwards of $17.00.  The machines were found down the railroad track, broken open with an axe which lay near.

Kaukauna, sometimes called the “Lion of the Fox River Valley,” is naturally one of the most beautiful localities in the state. The fall of water is greater than at any point on the Fox River providing power to the city. Thus, Kaukauna is on the high road to prosperity with these fine businesses.

KAUKAUNA

Hotel Brothers

Bank of Kaukauna

Grand View Hotel

The First National Bank

Kromer’s Hotel

John Mueller Shoes

Herman C. Haas – Liquors-Cigars

Albert Manti – Sample Room

Beucus Bros. General Repair Shop

F. M. Charlesworth – Druggist

Herman Schreiber - Sample Room

J. Bailey – Sanitary Expert

J. Hartman & Co. – Cigar manufactures

American House – E. Rennicke Propr.

N. M. Kettenhofen – Harness & Horse Goods

John Sprangers – Jeweler

C. H. L. Hamer - Sample Room

H. J. Wagner – Photographer

Gus. Paul - Sample Room

J. A. Watson – Tailor

Victoria Mills – Russell Bros.

Wm. Lemke – Hardware – Stoves

Kaukauna Lumber & Manufacturing Co.

Martens & Overbeck Co. – Dry Goods

Otto F. Kuehne – Barber Shop

Northwestern House – August Walsdorf, Prop.

South Kaukauna Grain Co. - Julius Kuehn Prop.

A. W. Haas – Meat Market

A. G. Koch – Tonsorial Artist

H. Schubert – Confectioner

R. K. Sullivan – General Blacksmith

Peter Eimerman - Sample Room

Jas. W. Dougherty – Staple & Fancy Groceries

J. W. Corcoran – Retail Liquors

W. M. Richardson – Photographer

Knitter & Fuhrman – Blacksmithing

H. Scholl – Flour-Seeds

A. Jenss – Marble & Granite Works

Otto H. Runte – Dry Goods

Thos. Malone – Livery Stable

C. Wilke – Cheap Store

Julius J. Martens Co. - Fancy Grocers

Jacob Licht – Harness

J & R Lehrer – Meat Market

John Majeres – Tailor

W. E. Smith – Staples & Fancy Groceries

A. Foerster – Tailor -Clothier

Harvey Bills – Livery-Stable

Frank C. Babcock – Dentist

New Hand Laundry – Henry Wittmann Prop.

W. S. Mulford – Wearing Apparel

Spranger & Co. – Clothing-Furnishings-Groceries

Konrad & Parton – Clothiers

H. E. Thompson – Boots & Shoes

P. A. Nagan – Department Store

Corner Drug Store – Dr. H. B. Tanner

Fargo & Sons – Furniture & Undertaking

Kaukauna Electric Light Co.

J. H. Schroeder – Harness

E. C. Griswold – Jewelry-Furniture-Undertaking

Warshasky & Cohen – Department Store

M. L. Barstsch – Reliable Footwear

Kaukauna Steam Laundry – A. A. Kern Prop.

J. Kircher – Blacksmithing

John Frank – Sample Room

Wm. Klumb – Carriages-Sleighs

T. W. Armstrong – Sample Room

Haas & Merbach – Hardware

Peter Feller – Hardware

Mrs. M. G. Lawe – Millinery

Mrs. John Gerend – Millinery                             

Salm & Verfuerth – Boots & Shoes

Kaukauna Machine Works – Wm. Libert, Prop.

Butler Bros. – Hardware

Helf Bros. – Brewery

Steidl & Fisher – Meat Market

Osler & Thomas – Barbers

A. P. Bayorgeon – Meat Market

M. Wittmann – Tailoring

F. H. Hayes – Lumber, Building Supplies

J. L. Anderson – Fancy Grocer

Konrad Bros. - General Merchandise

F. Wiggers – Bakery

John Hiting – Groceries

E. A. Mayers – Drug Store

L. A. Dana – Jewelry

Jacob Lang – General Merchandise

Mulholland & Connors – Insurance & Real Estate

J. G. Fechter – Boots & Shoes

Wm. Egan – Sample Room

LITTLE CHUTE

Zeeland Flouring Mill - H. J. Verstegen, Prop.

The Hammen Hotel – John Hammen, Prop.

Dr. J. H. Doyle – Physician – Surgeon

John A. Kilsdonk – Hotel - Real Estate

Fox River Hotel – Jacob Vandenhoven, Prop.

John DeBruin – Livery Stable

P. A. Ramson – General Merchandise

Lamers Hotel – John Lamers, Prop.

A. Peerenboom – Dry Goods – Clothing

Gloudemans Bros. – General Merchandise

Nat Miller’s Rose Hill - Sample Room

July 21, 1899

The creamery on Lawe Street, was struck by lightning during the storm early last Saturday morning, and was badly damaged by the fire which followed.

July 28, 1899

Alderman Ristau was the first man in the city to use the water from Kaukauna's newly acquired water work's system. He commenced Tuesday evening at Hotel Ristau with its use all through the house.

Mrs. Ophelia Woubleski, 38, died suddenly of a heart attack Wednesday while sitting in a chair holding her four-month-old baby. The only warning given before she expired was the request she made to her little daughter to come and take the baby. Her husband and 11 children survive.