Time Machine Trip to December 1880

By Lyle Hansen

December 3, 1880

Mr. and Mrs. John Patterson rejoice in the advent of a 12 ½ pound boy at their home.

Phoenix, Arizona – Demetrio Domingues, age 17 years, was hanged for murder on the 26^th of November. This is the first legal execution in the territory, though it is a known fact the several men have been lynched at various times.

December 10, 1880

Wm. H. Vanderbilt, the great New York millionaire, President Rhinelander, S.S. Sands, and the general officers of the M., L. S. & W. R'y. visited Kaukauna this week. These are influential and wealthy gentlemen, mainly those connected with the great Kaukauna Water Power Co. The visit portends great things for Kaukauna.

December 17, 1880

We are informed that it is probable that Kaukauna will be favored in the near future with a theatrical representation by the Appleton Dramatic Association. "The Octoroon" is underscored.

The Kentucky “Moonshiners” are again organizing, and the U.S. authorities are taking steps to subdue them. Arms will be resorted to if necessary.

December 24, 1880

The Northwestern Telegraph Co. put in an office at the depot of the C. & N.W. R'y on Tuesday, now giving Kaukauna two offices, one on each side of town. This will indeed prove a great convenience to the business men of the Village located on the north side, who have been compelled to cross the river whenever they wished to use the wires. It will also be a decided benefit to the traveling public, as the exact position of trains and their probable arrival time can be ascertained.

S. J. Long, age 35, brakeman on the Louisville and Nashville road, was killed near Glasgow on the 15^th.  He was on the top of a car as the train entered a tunnel. His head was knocked off.

December 31, 1880

Kaukauna now boasts of a real, live milkman who drives through the streets daily blowing a horn to arouse the people to inform them that the dispenser of the lacteal fluid is at the door. Who says we don't put on style here?

Some time ago the Chinese workers in the shirt factories at Jamesburg, N.J., struck. The factory people replaced them by American laborers, three hundred finding employment. The Chinese quarters outside of the town have been abandoned, all the occupants leaving the place.