Time Machine Trip to August 1968

By Lyle Hansen

August 2, 1968

Ken Roloff, Kaukauna High School football coach announced that physical exams for boys who plan to participate during the 1968-69 school year will be given this Thursday in the athletic department of the high school.

The Rev. Donald Van Stralen and the Rev. David Van Stralen twin brothers from Kaukauna will begin work as missionaries this week. They will begin by attending five months of training at the Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

Rev. Monsignor Peter A. Salm pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Kaukauna, for more than 13 years is retiring August 31. He was ordained February 1, 1925.

August 7, 1968

The top stock car winner KK sports arena Kaukauna was Ron Ritter Milwaukee in a ’55 Mercury speed of 90 mph. Dave Krause piloted his ’57 Chevy to win in middle stock with a top speed of 97 mph. The junior and overall stock winner was Gary Miller of Madison with his ’66 Mustang with a top speed of 101 mph.

August 9, 1968

On Saturday evening the Green Bay Packers make their home debut at Lambeau Stadium against the New York Giants in the 8^th Annual Bishops Charity game. In New York last fall Jim Grabowski gained 123 yards as the Packer offense blasted for 249 yards for a 48-21 victory.

Junior and Senior High School girls will have an opportunity to take advantage of “Cheerleading at its best” at the Birch Knoll Cheerleading Camp being held August 35-30 at Eagle River, Wisconsin. The camp will have the Green Bay Packers Pom Pom Girls and a staff of National Cheerleaders of Dallas, Texas. 

A plaque and a badge were presented in ceremonies to Lieutenant Robert Main, left, on his retirement from the Kaukauna Police Force after 33 years of service. He is shown receiving congratulations from Melvin Nieuwenhus, president of the Kaukauna Public Policemen Association.

August 21, 1968

The dedication of the 1968 “Papyrus,” was made this year to instructor Dallas Werner by the editors of the annual and the student body. Mr. Werner’s activities and teaching have suited the theme of this year’s annual.

August 28, 1968

The mysterious bald eagle spotted just east of Kaukauna near the Doty Bayorgeon Area earlier last week has cropped up again in the area. According to a witness a large bird bearing a close resemblance to the one sighted earlier swooped down with the family’s dog as its prey. The bird has a whitish head and a long wingspan.

Men were back at their jobs at Thilmany today after an agreement was reached ending the strike which began on the morning of August 9. The entire community gave a sign of relief, as persons everywhere weighed the possible personal effects of an extended impasse.

The Kaukauna Athletic Club girls team won the 1968 Wisconsin Softball Championship. They are currently competing in regional completion in Pekin, Illinois. The winner of this tournament goes to the national tournament in Connecticut. Shown front row left to right are Jenny Gertz, Jan Kuchenberker, Sherry Ploor, Kris Ostrowski, Lindy Kemp, Lynn Sonsthagen and Karen McCleery. In the back row are Mary Bowe, Nancy Hustad, Judy Weigman, Donna Larson, Lola Schmelke and Peggy Ploor.

August 30, 1968

An award for dedicated service to the City of Kaukauna was presented to C. J. Hansen, publisher of the Times, by Mayor Gilbert Anderson and Eugene Franchette, director of the regional planning commission.

Carl J. Hansen was given a surprise award here Tuesday. Mayor Gilbert Anderson and the planning commission, with whom he served on from its beginning in 1938, presented him with a plaque and honored him at a dinner at Oakwood Hills country Golf Club.  The mayor stated, “Carl never wanted to take credit for the efforts he helped to promote”.

Time Machine Trip to August 1928

By Lyle J. Hansen

August 3, 1928

Ernest Sasnowski, 34 years of age, ex-service man and well known as the proprietor of the Kaukauna Motor Car company here, was instantly killed here Wednesday evening when the car in which he was riding, was struck by the south bound Chicago North western train at the Tobacnior street crossing. He was demonstrating a new Chrysler Plymouth when it stalled on the railroad tracks.

Gene Tunney, heavy weight champion, following his sensational victory over Tom Heeney announced that he is retiring permanently from the prize ring.

Farmers all over the United States are using electricity more and more each year as electric lines are being strung to rural areas. Not only is electricity being used for lighting but now for power and heat as well. Recently a lumber company began using electric heat to dry lumber in two days without damaging the wood.

August 7, 1928

Rolling on the ground to extinguish the flames which enveloped him probably saved the life of 15-year-old Mark Kilgas last Wednesday afternoon after his clothes caught fire following an explosion of an old gasoline stove. He and his brother Jerome had found the old stove and planed on taking it apart to sell for scrap. They noticed a liquid in it thinking it was kerosene light it. Mark was burned on his left leg and will be confined to home for some time.

Two Kaukauna people, Mrs. Rose Rink and Miss Theresa Rink are in a Green Bay hospital as result of an auto accident which occurred on WSH 78 outside of that city Sunday afternoon. Miss Rink was driving the auto when she came upon a vehicle stopped on the road making a turn. She skidded off the road to avoid striking the car.  

August 10, 1928

Martin Verhagen. Jr. 10 years old was drowned in the Fox River Thursday morning when he fell from the coal dock near the draw bridge.  

August 14, 1928

Twenty-five runs, nineteen stolen bases, nineteen hits and six men being hit by pitched balls, two wide pitches and eight walks, enabled the Kaukauna baseball nine to hand Neenah-Menasha a 25 to 0 defeat here on Sunday.

Three hundred and fifty children enjoyed the picnic which ended the summer playground program at the LaFollette park.

August 17, 1928

Authorization to discontinue the Green Bay-Kaukauna interurban has been given to the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation by the Wisconsin Railroad commission. The order will take effect on Monday, August 20th. Thus, the last of the two interurban lines into Kaukauna passed out of existence.

August 21, 1928

Chief of Police R. H. McCarty has issued a warning to local motorists to comply with all speed and other traffic regulations here. A number of arrests had been made in the past few weeks since the advent of motorcycle officer Andy Miller to the local department.  

August 24, 1928

Elmer Ott, newly appointed athletic director of the Kaukauna High School, has issued a call for gridiron candidates to report to him next Friday afternoon to receive their equipment.

A rubber stop sign is to be installed at the corner of Lawe and Taylor streets. The sign about 2 feet wide and seven inches high have the words “STOP” printed on them.  The signs are built of rubber so that any car hitting them will not cause any damage to the car or the sign.   

August 28, 1928

A fine of $50 and costs was assessed on Mrs. Jos. Jansen of Combined Locks at municipal court at Appleton as a result of her escapade Monday night at Little Chute, when she hurled several rocks through the plate glass windows of the Gloudemans Department Store on Main street causing damage amounting to $400.

  

Time Machine Trip to August 1888

By Lyle Hansen

August 3, 1888

The Publishers of The Times have, for some time now, been contemplating a change in the publication of this paper and have decided to issue a semi-weekly after this week. On each Wednesday and Saturday hereafter, the subscribers of The Times will find a sheet at the post office ready for delivery. The sheet will be a six-column folio-one half the size of the present sheet-and will contain, besides a full and complete record of recent happenings, a liberal amount of the most important general news of the day.

“Mamma,” said the sweet small boy before admiring friends, “I knew as soon as I came in, there was folks visitin’ here.” “How did you know that” responded the fond mother. “Oh you had your company voice on.”

The city of Green Bay has taken a new departure in the treatment of tramps. They have purchased an outfit of jewelry known as the ball and chain and henceforth all tramps caught within its borders will be set to work on the street with ornaments attached.

Lexington, O., - Charles Miranda, a brakeman on the railroad was killed as result of a falling from a train. There seems to be a strange fatality connected with this family, as this is the seventh son killed on the railroads.  

August 8, 1888

The Catholic Church in Hollandtown was struck by lightning on Thursday. The steeple was destroyed and some of the plastering was knocked off the wall of the interior.

Danville, W. Va., - Miss Mary Hudson an accomplished and wealthy young woman of 20 years, committed suicide on Saturday. She had a large number of admirers and left a note stating she preferred death to the risk of making a mistake in the selection of a husband.

General Phillip H. Sheridan, age 57 has passed away Aug. 6 of heart failure. The valiant hero passed away at his sea side home at Nonquitt, Mass. 

August 11, 1888

About seventy-five labors from this village found employment at the improvement near the Combined Locks.  The hotels are also doing a good business as a large number of men employed are board at Little Chute.

Six thousand coal miners in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pa., struck on Tuesday against a reduction in wages. 

A 5-year-old son of M. Dovin had a narrow escape from drowning. While crossing the Lake Shore Bridge that crosses the rapids, he fell through into the water beneath. His rescue was remarkable there being no one with him at the time but a small boy, aged about seven years, who by a great effort succeeded in catching hold of his hand and helping him from the water. The little rescuer, Freddie Mundinger, by name, showed considerable heroism for so small a boy, and it was by his presence of mind that the boy escaped death.

August 15, 1888

The smoke stack of the Kaukauna Paper company was completed on Saturday last. It is one hundred and ten feet high.

A witness before the immigration investigation committee told about what he knew about the sending of ex-convicts from English prisons.  He was sentenced to prison for life but upon his promising to go to America he was pardoned. He stated that only the worst prisoners were sent to America. 

August 18, 1888

Yesterday afternoon little six years old Willie, son of Louis Altendorf fell into the Fox River and drowned. He was playing upon the dock that is run in connection with Eden Park which is operated by his family. Another little boy who was with him ran for help and people rushed to the scene.

Pine Ridge Agency, Dakota Territory – A large band of Sioux Indians have left the Cheyenne Agency. It is feared that they contemplated the massacre of unprotected settlers on the Tongue and Power rivers. Two companies of cavalry are in pursuit.

August 22, 1888

The mammoth paper mill of G. A. Whiting at Menasha burned at 1 o'clock Thursday morning, and with the explosion of a rotary bleach therein fifteen men lost their lives and a large number were crushed, mangled and bruised. It was an awful night, the like of which was never experienced in this manufacturing valley.

August 25, 1888

The woods west of this city were on fire last night, and the light in the heavens arising there from caused many inquiries as to what was burning. It was thought at first that the new boarding house recently built at the Combined Locks improvement was on fire.

August 29, 1888

Dr. H. B. Tanner has been made the company's physician for the Kaukauna Paper Company, Union Pulp Company and the company owning the mill at  Combined Locks.

Time Machine Trip to August 1988

By Lyle J. Hansen

August 2, 1988

Kaukauna and Kimberly are alive in the American Legion tournament. Kimberly went undefeated last weekend winning 16-8 and 19-7. Kaukauna went 1-1 in the tournament. Jeff Weber went the distance over Kewaunee striking out nine and walking five in the 8-6 win. 

August 4, 1988

Eight is her number – Kaukauna’s Jennifer Anne Jansen will celebrate her eight birthday, on the eighth day, of the eighth month of 1988.

August 9, 1988

Elmer Otte, former Kaukauna native, is one of the Ten Most Admired Senior Citizens of Wisconsin for 1988, Otte was “humble, yet delighted” at being selected to receive the honor sponsored at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Joellyn Erdmann, of Little Chute,  has been golfing for just eight years and could probably whip many golfers who would challenge her. What’s more amazing is she is only 13 years old. At age 10 she entered her first tournament. Now in 1988, she has entered five tournaments and has been impressive in each one of them. She captured first in the PGA Junior Championship in Madison in June. A few weeks ago, she won the A-Flight of Ladies State Amateur Tournament in Appleton.

August 11, 1988

Tammy Ann Leverenz, Kaukauna, has been crowned 1988 Miss Teen of Wisconsin. She is an eighth grader at Electa Quinney School and an honor student. She won her title at the Miss Teen of Wisconsin Scholarship Pageant Saturday evening, August 6 in Eau Claire. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of her choice and an all-expense paid trip to the Teen America Pageant in Hawaii in November.

August 18, 1988

William N. Lamers of Hollandtown, was crowned king of the Schut last Sunday after he brought down the final portion of the bird on the 883^rd shot. This is the second time Lamers has won the title winning first in 1960. It took two hours to topple the final portion of the bird on a hot summer afternoon.   

August 23, 1988

Kaukauna’s advisory group on the proposed greyhound racing track will give its report by September 7. The report will be based largely on the committee’s observations on their field trip to Phoenix, Ariz.

August 26, 1988

Many of us have dreams but Kaukauna’s Dave Viaene is one who can have his cake and eat it too. He has survived the pressure packed days of two a day practices with the Houston Oilers this summer after being drafted in the eighth round of this year’s National Football League Draft.  The 1983 Kaukauna High School graduate made last week’s cut down on the teams’ roster.

August 30, 1988

Airman 1^st Class Michael Menozzi of Kaukauna has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.  He is a 1988 graduate of Kaukauna High School.

For John Gerrits, 91, the war ended 70 years age, but this week, he received a final memento, a certificate from the Army. The French Army, that is. Gerrits received the certificate of commendation as a veteran of the American Expeditionary Force which went to France in 1918.

Time Machine Trip to August 1955

By Lyle Hansen

August 3, 1955 – Polio News

Two more cases of polio this week brought the total number of cases to 33 on Tuesday morning according to a report by City Nurse, Mrs. Thomas Pearman. The figures show that the bulk of the persons affected fall between the ages of one year to eight years of age.

Because of the restrictions placed on children under 16 years during the polio emergency, the carrier boys for the Kaukauna Times will not be around to make their usual collections this week.

Four new cases of polio reported Wednesday and one on Thursday brought the total polio toll in Kaukauna to 38. The totals were released by assistant health officer, Robert Vanevenhoven.

The Kaukauna Board of Health voted to cancel all softball games in the City league because of the increasing incidence of Poliomyelitis in Kaukauna.

Children in Kaukauna are obeying authorities and staying at home. One little boy said to his mother, “Mamma, can I go over to Billy’s house? I don’t want to play with the kids; I just want to look at them.”

Football fans in Kaukauna will be able to get a little better view of the game when the season starts this fall now that the new lights have been put up at the KHS field.

August 5, 1955

Lt. James Marx U.S. Navy has recently reported to Formosa as the officer-in-charge of a team to work with the government of the Republic of China’s armed forces defenses. 

Eugene Wyro has enlisted for four years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He will leave for New Jersey in August where he will be stationed.

A total of 88 bowhunters for the Omro Bowhunters invitational field tournament. Della Grimm of Little Chute shot the highest score in the women’s division with a first-place score of 363. Second place was 174 with third place 67.

August 12, 1955

The views of Kaukauna youngsters were graphically presented in the recent recreation department sponsored essay contest on “Polio in Kaukauna”. Judging of the 30 entries the first place went to Dwight Bastian, 13, second to James Glasheen, 14, and third to Alice Van Dyke, 13. On the subject of “How I Can Help to fight Polio” First place Sandra Dix, 10, second place Gerrianne Smits, 11, third place to Thomas Wolf.

August 17, 1955

Allan L. McKay, president of the Kaukauna Machine Corporation announced the pending sale of the company to the Giddings & Lewis Tool Company of Fond du Lac.

Badger Tissue Mills, Kaukauna paper converting plant founded in 1913 has been sold to the American Linen Supply Company of Chicago it was announced by Lewis F. Nelson, Badger President.

August 19, 1955

Robert Petruska, former outstanding quarter-back of the University of Wisconsin football team, signed a contract as head football coach at the Kaukauna High School.

Two Kaukauna men have enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the recruiting station in Appleton. Martin Engstrom and Robert F. Swanningson and are currently undergoing nine weeks of recruit training at Great Lakes, Ill.

August 24, 1955

Two Kaukauna youths have been included in the military draft for the month of August. Bernard F. Mischler and Marvin J. Zwick both were listed as students.

August 26, 1955

The dream of every golf player, a hole-in-one, was realized Wednesday afternoon by Mrs. Robert Cox during ladies “Circus Day’ at Fox Valley Golf Club. Her tee-off shot on No. 3 hole rolled neatly into the cup without hitting the pin.

Miss Sandra Ann Thelen of Kaukauna is now a Delta-C&S Air Lines’ Stewardess, based in Atlanta, Ga. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thelen.

A Kaukauna young man with the army in Germany escaped death in a flying boxcar crash August 11 near Stuttgart, Germany. He is a member of the command football team. He is Pat Cox, “I missed the plane by two hours as I was at football practice that day.  There were ten of us on the field and we were all pretty shook up.” Sixty-six men were killed in the crash. “There weren’t enough of us in my platoon to stand formation this morning”.

August 31, 1955

A small size safe is shown being loaded into a trailer for moving to the Farmers and Merchants bank’s new location. The safe is estimated to weigh four tons and took all eight men to load it in the trailer. At the left is cashier, John Van De Loo and police officer Earl Egan who along with Sergeant Robert Main and officer Dean Ball guarded the operation.

The Kaukauna Board of Health decided that the current polio restrictions will be lifted on September 5 and that school will be allowed to open on schedule. There have been no new cases in the past 16 days and there is no indication that the recent epidemic was returning.

The first contributions to the pennies for polio campaign were made by Alderman William Glasheen, Ray Morgan, Dr. George Behnke, and Dr. Alois Bachhuber. The Lions club is sponsoring the campaign.

New sidewalks are being installed by Joe Conrad’s service station on Main Ave.

Time Machine Trip to August 1918

By Lyle Hansen

August 2, 1918

The Ride-out Safety gates are being installed this week on the Lawe Street Bridge. The mechanism governing the gates is so arranged that when the bridge first commences to open, the gates are closed automatically and vice versa, when the bridge is nearly closed, the gates will then open. These gates are hung in such a position that if an automobile should run against them while closed, they could not be forced out of position, ensuring perfect safety to all teams, autos, or any vehicle trying to cross the bridge.

Samuel Metoxen, aged 7, died Sunday from spinal meningitis at the home of his mother Mrs. Sophie Metoxen, Second street. This is the third death within the home within a few months. A little child died last Summer, and her husband was killed in the lumber woods of northern Wisconsin last winter. Her husband was a descendant of an Oneida Indian Chief John Metoxen.

John Welhouse of Little Chute caught his right arm in a shaft at the Combined Locks Paper Mill Thursday morning. The arm was torn off at the shoulder. He was taken to St. Elizabeth’s hospital where he died. Welhouse is the father of ten children who have the sympathy of the entire community.

Forest County Reporter - The village board passed a resolution prohibiting squaws from going swimming without a blanket on. Our reporter can’t see where it is any of the Board’s damn business, if Lizzie Little Feet wants to frisk around in the water just natural like, they shouldn’t worry and just look the other way. 

Gerald Harrington, 16 years old, who has been working in one of the local mills had the misfortune to catch his hand in the shafting resulting in two fingers being torn out of his hand. He was taken to St. Elizabeth hospital where an operation was performed to save his hand.

Men who are physically fit for military service between 18 and 40 years of age are needed to Man the Ships of the Navy. All enlistments are for the duration of the present war.   

August 9, 1918

John H. Nushart, a Kaukauna boy in the U. S. Infantry with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, was severely wounded in a battle on July 18^th, according to a telegram received Monday. 

Fred Olm of Kaukauna, millwright at the Combined Locks Paper company for the past eighteen years, was struck by a belt and fatally injured Tuesday morning. He was transported to St. Elizabeth hospital where he died from a fractured skull. He is survived by his wife and four children.

The Camp Fire Girls of this city knitted a quilt which was presented to a hospital in Brooklyn, N. Y. They received a letter thanking them for the beautiful quilt. “We have many sick sailors being treated here and this quilt will find a home on the lap of a sailor in a wheel-chair.” 

August 16, 1918

Two young men of this city were arrested for driving their automobiles faster than the law allows and were each fined $14.75. The law fixes 15 miles as the speed limit and Chief McCarthy is determined to enforce it to the letter. 

August 23, 1918

One of Kaukauna’s patriotic families is that of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Britten, which has the rare distinction of having all its four boys in the army and navy of the United States, although the Britten’s are descendants of German. Mrs. Britten says that she is as proud as she can be of her four boys whom she has willingly given to the cause of Liberty. The oldest son, Matt, is 27 years old and is serving in France, Joseph is 25 and is in the U. S. Navy in foreign service, John is 23 and is serving on a torpedo boat and the youngest, Frank, 18 is in the Navy training at Virginia Beach preparing for foreign service. 

The most important commercial transaction in the recent history of Kaukauna is the sale of the John G. Fechter Clothing and Shoe store to W. H. Haessley, who has been with the company for a period of 21 years continuous service, and who proved himself a faithful employee in every sense of the word.

Mrs. Theodore Lamers of Little Chute has the notable record of having eighteen grandsons serving in the army. She was married in 1850 and her husband Theodore died 26 year ago. She has 100 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. William Derricks of Kaukauna received a telegram that their son, Private William Derricks of the U. S. Infantry was severely wounded in action in France on July 18. Shortly after received a letter from their son William.

“Dad and Mom, at present I am in the Base Hospital nursing a wounded leg. I was hit just below the hip, it is just a flesh wound. I was coming out of the trench when a piece of Fritz’s shrapnel hit me. We surely put them on the run and gave them h—l. The boys back in the states don’t know what they are missing. I am hoping to get back to my unit soon. We are going to plant the American flag in Germany and leave it there.”

August 30, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mangold have received a telegram from Washington stating that their son Corporal Stephen Mangold was wounded severely in action in France on August 3^rd.  A post card was received about the same time from their son. “Dear Father: I am in a hospital wounded in the arm but am getting along fine.”