Time Machine Trip to January 1929

By Lyle Hansen

January 4, 1929

 

Hugh O’Connell

Kaukauna movie fans will receive the opportunity of seeing a Kaukauna young man take part in a play on the silver screen as a result of an announcement made here by William Van Dyke manager of the Vaudette theatre. Hugh O’Connell, who has starred for the past several years on the stage and has taken several parts in motion picture productions, will appear in the movie, “The Avalanche” to be shown at the Vaudette theatre here Monday the Tuesday.

January 8, 1929

Thirteen sisters and 558 students are safely entrenched in the new St. Mary’s Catholic school here with the opening of classes taking place this Tuesday morning. This is one of the finest schools in this section of the state. The school cost approximately $95,000 to build. There are seventeen rooms in the school with fourteen classrooms.

January 11, 1929

William Van Dyke, manager of the Vaudette theatre has announced that he has secured the services of a “Synchrotron” which will bring the “talkies” to this city for the first time. This will make it possible for local movie fans to enjoy a program of singing and musical features from the screen.

January 18, 1929

Frank M. Charlesworth, Sr., 70 years of age, a prominent local resident for the past forty-eight years, one-time mayor of the City of Kaukauna and the first city clerk of Kaukauna, died Wednesday at St. Elizabeth's Hospital at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, following an attack of appendicitis. He had been actively engaged in his daily routine of work up to last Saturday, when he was removed to the hospital.

A narrow escape was had here Tuesday afternoon when a bus skidded while about to cross the Lawe street bridge. The rear wheels of the bus going through the planking of the sidewalk. 

The Hello Girls tell how to use the telephone “Pardon me the operator gave me the wrong number,” “Don’t tell me they didn’t answer, I know they are home.”  “The lines busy? Say operator do you allow them to use the line all day?” These are some of the things impatient and irate telephone users say according to V. P. Hansen, local exchange manager of the telephone company.

January 22, 1929

After forty years as a grocery vender, Jacob Lang retired last week. The entire stock of goods was sold to an Appleton concern. Jacob Lang and J. G. Fechter opened the store in partnership in 1886. Lang took over the business four years later.

January 25, 1929

Fire of unknown origin, which was discovered about 12 o'clock this noon, caused great damage to the Chicago and North Western Railway Company's Ashland division depot on the NW corner of Second Street and Main Avenue. The roof of the entire building was destroyed, as was much of the interior. The brick walls remained standing.  The loss is between $5,000 and $6,000.

January 29, 1929

Phil Zwick, Kaukauna boxer, re-entered a Milwaukee ring Monday night and gave the fans enough of a treat to take a ten-round decision from Sammy Shack of New York.

Mayor W. C. Sullivan 

An order was issued last Friday by the Chicago and Northwestern railway of removal of the company’s shops in Kaukauna. Mayor W. C. Sullivan is awaiting word from the railways President Sargent as to the time to meet with him to discuss alternative options.

Time Machine Trip to January 1949

By Lyle Hansen

January 5, 1949

James William Black, 88, the last survivor of Andrew Clinton Black’s thirteen children, died Wednesday. He was born in Kaukauna December 23, 1860 and died after an illness of several days. His father Andrew Black came to Kaukauna in 1846 and plotted much of Kaukauna’s north side.  

An eight-pound boy, Peter Joseph Nagan, born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Nagan, is the first Kaukauna to make an appearance in this new year. He was born Sunday morning January 2 at St. Elizabeth Hospital Appleton. The newborn baby and his parents will receive a host of gifts donated by 22 Kaukauna merchants.

January 7, 1949

William F. Wolf, curator at the historic Grignon mansion, is pictured holding a skull and copper kettle, unearthed recently by workmen at the Murphy quarry near the mansion. It is believed that the skull is that of an Indian woman, buried about 200 years ago. The kettle was probably buried with her. 

The Thilmany Pulp and Paper company recently announced that a pension system has been adopted for all employees to be known as the Thilmany Employees’ Retirement Plan. 

The Kaukauna common council Tuesday evening approved the purchase of a three-ton Dodge truck from Van Lieshout Motor Sales for $4,200 with the trade in allowance of $494.05 on the old 1935 Dodge truck.

January 12, 1949

The Mereness IGA store at 111 East Second Street has been sold to Harvey C. Doering who will take over the business. Mr. V. R. Mereness has been in the grocery business in Kaukauna for 33 years.

Coach Asher Shorey and five of his 12 man Galloping Ghost varsity squad gather around prior to a recent practice. Left to right: Neil Kalupa, John Kobussen guards, Russ Hacker center. Coach Shorey, Cliff Hinkens forward and Pat Lehman forward. 

January 14, 1949

Al Schumann blasted a 703 series in league competition Tuesday night at the S & B alleys, the highest individual score rolled in the city of Kaukauna since the S & B and Verbeten’s alleys opened. He had games of 222, 255 and 226.

January 19, 1949

Diane Derus was selected from eight girls nominated for the D.A.R. This award which makes her eligible to compete for the $100 bond to be given the state winner.

James Van De Loo, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 27 was awarded the Eagle Scout badge Wednesday evening. James is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Van De Loo.

Chief of Police Harold Engerson (center) is shown as he congratulates his two new sergeants, Oscar Jahns (right) and Robert Main. The two-sergeant system which replaces the assistant chief of police went into effect the first of the year. 

Walter H. Roloff, president of the Roloff Manufacturing Corporation was elected president of the Kaukauna Advancement association at the annual meeting held Monday evening. He succeeds Dale Andrews, who served during 1948.

Robert M. Thompson was awarded the Distinguished Service Award Key by the Kaukauna Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Time Machine Trip to January 1979

By Lyle Hansen

January 3, 1979

Number eight is number one – Joyce and Peter Mischler looked over Christopher John Mischler, Kaukauna’s first baby of 1979 who arrived Wednesday. At 8 lb. 13 ounces, he made his appearance at Kaukauna Community Hospital but soon will be joining his seven brothers and sisters at home. The family now have four boys and four girls.  

By and large, Kaukauna merchants reported a good holiday shopping season. Electronics is big, one retailer reported a run on color televisions with stereo equipment as another big seller.

January 5, 1979

Mediation before a Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission has been asked to attempt to resolve a contract between city firefighters and the city. Firemen have been offered the same wage increased as members of the policemen’s association, a raise of 9 per cent in 1979 and 7.5 per cent in 1980. The police have a higher base rate than the firemen as a result the gap widens each year. Mayor Robert LaPlante said that the resulting increases are more than the city can afford.   

January 9, 1979

David L. Foxgrover, formally of Kaukauna and a chaplain at Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois, has received his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Religion from Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California.

Linda DeBruin scored all 14 points for the Ghosts in the fourth quarter but were not enough to defeat East as the Ghosts lost the game 53 – 33.

January 11, 1979

Color Day Princesses – One girl from each class was chosen as a color day princess for the per assembly last Friday at the high school. Front row: Julie Hartzheim (freshman), Terry Marx (sophomore) Back row: Claire Vande Yacht (junior) and Cindy Kandler (senior).

January 16, 1979

Barreling his way to the hoop is Mike Terry for a fourth quarter basket. Terry paced the Ghosts long awaited victory over the Rockets with 21 points.

Kaukauna 67, Neenah 53. For 15 years, basketball fans have waited for a chance to say they had beaten the Neenah Rockets. A packed KHS gym crowd screamed to its heart’s content because the day of reckoning had finally arrived.

A furious rally staged by the KHS basketball team came up short Tuesday night as Appleton West held off the surging Ghosts for a 60-54 victory. In just four minutes the Ghosts cut a 17-point deficit to four points behind the inspired play of Mike Terry.

Funeral services for August Wachel, 76, owner and operator of the Nu-way cleaners here for more than 20 years, were held Wednesday morning at Holy Cross Catholic church. He and his wife Olive, who died in 1974, had operated the Nu-way cleaners from 1948 to 1972 when they retired. He is survived by a son Leigh.

Former Outagamie County Sheriff Calvin Spice got an interesting 55^th birthday present back on December 31. He got out, and with a week of retirement under his belt. Spice commented, “It’s nice to get out of the pressure pot.” He started as a traffic officer in Kaukauna in 1953.  

January 18, 1979

Bert Lopas, Kaukauna Chief of Police, announced that parking fines are going to rise in Kaukauna. If you over stay your 90-minute limit the fine will now be $2.00 rather than the $1.00 fee of the past.

January 25, 1979

Outagamie County ground to a halt yesterday as the Midwest weather received another nine inches of snow. Kaukauna schools remained closed as did Appleton, Kimberly and Freedom schools. Winds up to 30 mph caused drifting and a number of vehicles entered the ditches.

Anton P. Berkers, 77, who owned and operated Berker’s Insurance here for more than 30 years died January 18 at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He and his wife Cecilia had move to Florida in 1970 after his retirement. He was community minded and was responsible for the formation of the Kaukauna Youth Center.

January 30, 1979

The KHS junior varsity wrestling team produce one individual champion at the Oshkosh invitational. Tom Viaene went through the pairing unscathed on his way to a gold medal and the heavyweight championship. Viaene raised his season record to 21-1.

Time Machine Trip to January 1969

By Lyle Hansen

January 3, 1969

Winners of the Kaukauna merchant’s 1969 baby contest are Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Green, Kaukauna. The Greens are the parents of a baby girl born at 8:30 pm, January 1 at the Kaukauna Community Hospital. The infant girl named Darlene Marie is the sixth girl along with four boys in the family. 

Dennis R. Schaefer of Kaukauna has been promoted to staff Sgt. in the U.S. Air Force. Sgt. Schaefer is a communication analyst specialist at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. He is a 1964 graduate of St. John's high school in Little Chute. 

January 8, 1969

Second Lt. John D. Weiland, Kaukauna, has been awarded the U.S. Air Force silver pilot wings upon graduation at Vance AFB, Oklahoma. The Lieut., a graduate of Sacred Heart seminary, Oneida, received a B.A. degree from St. Francis Seminary.

Patrick J. Courtney, Kaukauna, was commissioned a second lieutenant in United States Army on December 20, 1968. He received his commission in military intelligence from the Engineers Officer Candidate school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

J. H. DeVitt, president and chief executive officer of Hammermill Paper Company of Erie, Pennsylvania and J. T. Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company of Kaukauna, Wisconsin jointly announced Tuesday that the directors of both companies have approved a merger agreement under which Hammermill would acquire Thilmany subject to the approval by the stockholders of both companies. The transaction would be approximately $51 million.

Ernie Banks, known to millions of baseball fans everywhere as “Mr. Cub”, has been named to receive the annual “Nice Guy”, award at the annual Red Smith sports award dinner on January 21.

Assemblyman William J. Rogers, Kaukauna, was sworn in by Chief Justice E. Harold Hallows in the opening of the 1969 Wisconsin state legislature this week. Assemblyman Rogers represents the Outagamie County second assembly district.

January 15, 1969

Leslie Fuszard, of Little Chute, has won first place in the 8th district competition the VFW voice of democracy program.

The basketball fortunes of the Kaukauna Ghosts took a sharp turn for the better Saturday evening as they registered 63-59 victory over Shawano for their second victory of the season. The Ghost cagers now stand 2-4 in conference play enabling them to climb out of the MEC cellar. Sparked by sophomore Leon Franzke with a twelve point fourth-quarter, Kaukauna put on a surge with about five minutes remaining to go ahead of the Indians after trailing by a point or two most of the game.

January 24, 1969

The Kaukauna varsity matmen won their third match in a row Wednesday and their fifth of the season in a route of the visiting Truckers from Clintonville at the KHS gymnasium.

Winning

97–Mark Hoffman.

105-Darrell Olsen.

114-Dan Rogers.

122-Don Bloy.

January 29, 1969

The two-point conversions will be part of the rules governing football for the member high schools of the W.I.A.A. The new rule will begin in 1969 season.  

January 31, 1969

S. L. Forde, industrial relations manager at Giddings & Lewis was named to the board of directors at the Kaukauna Saving & Loan at the annual meeting last week.

Time Machine Trip to January 1939

By Lyle Hansen

January 4, 1939

The Moloch Foundry and Machine Company has been sold to a new concern to be known as the Kaukauna Machine Corporation, of which Ralph J. Kraut of Fond du Lac is president. The corporation has taken over the assets of the Moloch Company and will open the plant on a sound basis. Monday, January 9, has been set as the tentative opening date for this plant.

Fire losses in Kaukauna amounted to $9219.16 in 1938, according to a report submitted by Henry Esler, fire chief. The largest loss of the year occurred February 13 when lightning struck the power plant and caused damage to the extent of $5030.45.

January 6, 1939

A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Janssen, 1213 Crooks Ave. at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, January 3rd at their home, it was the first baby born in Kaukauna in 1939. Miss Janssen was declared winner of the second annual First Baby of the Year Derby, sponsored by the Kaukauna Times and cooperating merchants.

A project for the replacement of street signs under the NYA program will be conducted in Kaukauna, work to begin soon. In a preliminary survey made it was found that there are 225 street signs needed, and there are 183 now up. 

Mayor L. F. Nelson at the January meeting of the common Council Tuesday evening opened a discussion regarding the cost of poor relief in the city. He said that the cost in Kaukauna seems to be high compared to the cost of relief in other cities in this vicinity. Mayor Nelson said that he was not attempting to criticize the work of the poor commissioner or the poor committee but that he feels that an attempt should be made to see if something cannot be done to cut down on poor relief costs.                 

Florian Spang, crack 18-year-old Menasha bowler, has challenged Robert Martzahl, 19, Kaukauna's best bowler to a total pin match. Martzahl has an average of 190.7 league average, while Spang has turned in a game of 289 and a series of 727.         

January 11, 1939

The WPA recreational activities at 212 E. 2nd St. are now underway according to the directors, Eva Hoffman and Reinert Wenzel. The attendance is rapidly increasing, and the activities are becoming popular. The harmonica band is first in attendance with the boys, closely followed by the tumbling and wrestling classes. The girls are interested more in dancing and have also registered for harmonica, band and tumbling.

Martin S. Verhagen, 57, former Outagamie County Sheriff and resident of the Fox River Valley all his life passed away at his home, Tuesday evening, following a lingering illness. He served as Sheriff from 1912 to 1914 and again from 1932 to 1936. From 1905 to 1910 he operated a Tavern in Kaukauna. In 1920 he went in the hardware business in Kimberly with a son. The store is still in existence and operated as the Verhagen Hardware Store.                          

Miss Angela Van Dyke, 20, and Miss Katherine Nelson, 20, were injured in a traffic crash on old Highway 41a mile north of the city limits at 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Miss Van Dyke received cuts about the head and legs and Miss Nelson received an injured ankle.

In one of the most interesting and wildest games seen here in years the Kaukauna High School cage team eked out an 18 to 16 win over New London Friday night. The win over New London puts the Littlemen in third place in the league standings only one game behind the 2nd place Neenah Red Rockets and two behind the league leading Shawano Indians. It was Carl Giordana, who sparked the Kaws on to Friday night's victory over New London. The husky Kaukauna guard came through with timely baskets in the final 10 minutes. Giordana also made good a final charity shot in the closing seconds to cinch things for the Kaws.                                              

Intramural sports at the high school includes a bowling league made up of five teams which play every week. Team members include: Schell Alleys, Joseph Regenfuss, Capt., Jack Flanagan, Jack Hahn, Robert Nettekoven; Scheer’s Jewelers, John Jacobs Capt., Bill Eiting, Robert Befort, Bob Steinhoff; Berens Clothiers, R. Hansen, Capt. Bob Doherty, Jack Winn, Leo Rohan; Mayer's Drugs, Tom McCarty Capt., Robert Leick, Harry Vandenberg, Don Liethen; Kaukauna Hardware, Floyd D Goodman, Capt., Norbert Kuba, Gerald Reichelt, John Wandell.

January 13, 1939

John P Kline was re-elected Pres. of the Bank of Kaukauna at the annual meeting of directors held Monday evening immediately after the stockholders meeting. Dr. G. J. Flanagan was agreed elected VP and L. J. Merlot, cashier. Barbara Kraemer and C. H. Zastrow were named assistant cashiers. Directors elected were J. P. Klein, Dr. G. J. Flanagan, George A. Klein, Ben G. Prugh, L. A. Gerend, H. T. Runte, J. S. Wynboom and L. J. Merlo.  

The Mellow Brews came through with a 36 to 28 victory over the highly-favored D-X Oil five to take over undisputed first place in the city cage loop last weekend. Charles Bloch was the big gun in the Brewer attack that staged a second-half rally to step away from the D-X squad.  Alvin McCormick dropped in a field goal for the CYO team with only 20 seconds to go in an overtime period to defeat Gustmans 25 to 23 in the closest game of the week.    

Lewis F Nelson, Kaukauna Mayor, was re-elected Pres. of the Farmers and Merchants bank at the annual meeting of directors held Tuesday evening. Henry W. Olm was again named executive vice president and cashier and John Coppus and Peter Renn re-elected vice presidents.

The high school cage team will meet Clintonville tonight at Clintonville in a conference game. Coach Little is expected to start his usual five that have gotten the opening call all season except one forward.  Bloch and Koch, both tall and showing signs of developing, will get the call at the questionable position, with Biselx at the other front post, Alger at center and Giordana and Swedberg in the backcourt.

January 18, 1939

Henry W Bongers was elected Pres. of the Bank of Little Chute to succeed the late P. A. Gloudemans at the meeting of the stockholders held Tuesday evening. Other officers are Dr. J. H. Doyle, vice Pres., Herman Stark, cashier, Edward Mollen, assistant.

Harry Vander Wyst was injured Monday while working on a crane at the Combined Locks mill. He received injuries to the head and arms and suffered a fractured hip. He was taken to St. Elizabeth hospital.

January 20, 1939

Peter Gertz and Bernard Van Schyndel of Little Chute were each fined five dollars and costs in Justice of the Peace Abe Goldin's court Wednesday on a charge of disorderly conduct. Richard Derks, Martin De Bruin and Henry Siebers also of Little Chute, were found not guilty in court.

Machinery and equipment of the Klumb Wagon Shop which was destroyed by fire Tuesday evening, December 6, has been removed to the garage building adjacent to the Klumb building on Dodge Street and is again being used by the owner, William Klumb senior, who reached his 80th birthday Friday. Mr. Klumb has been in business in the building which was destroyed by fire for the last 60 years.                                      

According to a survey made recently in the home rooms, 148 students own bicycles for which they will have to procure licenses. Many of the students use their bikes for transportation to school, while others use them in our jobs which they hold outside of school hours.

January 25, 1939

Amay Bayorgeon is the leading bowler in the commercial league, according to a report received from Norbert Gerend, league secretary. Bayorgeon has maintained an average of 183 pins. Close behind is Charles Schell with an average of 182 pins. Other Keglers who have an average of 174 over follows: Les Smith, 178; Carl Ploetz, 178; Vic Gerhartz 178; Leo Nagan 178; William Haas 176; H Vandersteen 174; Norbert Gerend 173; Joe Scherer 173; and William Bedat 171.  

Ken Vils, Kaukauna heavyweight, making his ring debut Thursday evening at the Appleton Armory loss to Jack Foley of West Bend on a technical knockout. Vils was knocked down four times in the first round, three times he took the count the nine and the four-time the bell rang with Vils on the floor. The fight was stopped by the referee early in the second round. 

Previous records rolled at Kaukauna bowling alleys were cast to the wind. Monday night up-and-coming 21-year-old Kegler, Jack Burton, crack the maples for a new high series of 713 with games of 223, 245 and 245

January 27, 1939

A capacity crowd is expected to attend the annual President Roosevelt birthday ball at the Nitingale ballroom Saturday evening, January 28, under the sponsorship of the citizens’ committee to help raise funds to fight infantile paralysis. One half of the proceeds of the affair will be sent to the national committee to be used for infantile paralysis, while the other half remains in the community where the party is held.

Time Machine Trip to January 1919

By Lyle Hansen

January 3, 1919

A one-armed soldier hopped off the train at La Crosse Dec. 25 and indulged in a little Christmas celebration, cheered on by other veterans on crutches. He did an impromptu dance on the station platform. To everybody he shouted: “We got the Kaiser and that's Christmas enough for anybody.”

January 10, 1919

John Alger of this city who is with the American expeditionary forces in France and from whom no word had been received by his family since last September, is in a hospital abroad as a wounded soldier according to a card received Christmas night by his wife. 

Matt. Hopfensperger of Darboy while shopping at Kimberly for gasoline in the evening on December 31 was attacked by a supposed holdup man who struck him on the head. Mr. Hopfensberger landed on his assailant a counterattack and managed to reenter his auto and escape.

January 17, 1919

The name of Albert Balck Jr. of the Black Hawk Army division whose family lives in this city, appeared in the casualty list last Sunday among those reported at having died of wounds sustained in a battle in France. No official announcement of his death has been received by his father and mother of the North side. Albert, who is 27 years old, left here for Grant last July and was sent to France five months ago.

Spring like winds following the heavy fall of snow brought a welcome interruption to winter weather this week and helped to reduce the coal bills, relieving householders from the steady shoveling of the expense of black diamond into ravenous maw of his furnace.

Arthur Rosenthal, a Kaukauna soldier, was wounded in France while engaged in action near the Argonne Forest has been sent to the United States and is now at Fort Sheridan recovering from his injuries. He is expecting to obtain a furlough in the near future to visit his parents.

Nebraska pulled the United States over the line in the great tug-of-war between the “Wets” and the “dry’s” yesterday and became the thirty-sixth state to ratify the prohibition amendment to the federal constitution, thus making prohibition of the manufacture and sale of liquor the law of the land and placing the enforcement of the law in the hands United States authorities.

Matt. Britten, U.S. Infantry, one of the four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Britten of Kaukauna, who served in the Army and Navy during the war, died of pneumonia in France according to word recently received. 

The funeral of Edward Meulemans, who lost his life by freezing to death Thursday, January 2, was held at St. Paul's church on Monday morning January 6. Burial was in the Wrightstown Catholic cemetery. Mr. Meulemans was 43 years old and is survived by his wife and eight children.

January 23, 1919

Feeling inclined to brag a little about the beautiful mild winter weather the Times asked Mr. Nic. Blau of the North side if he could remember in the course of his long residence a winter milder than this. Without hesitation Mr. Blau replied, “Yes in 1874 we had almost no winter and it rained practically the entire month of February.”

Dr. Joel Powless recently killed in France while bravely defending a position held by Wisconsin troops in the World's War was a descended from the Civil War veteran, Henry Powless an Oneida Indian who served in Company K, 17th Wisconsin volunteer infantry. He left a good practice among his people, determined to fight the Hun and beat him back to his own country and was trying to drive him out of France when he met his death while valiantly fighting the enemy.

January 30, 1919

Sam Casey, 19, of Kaukauna, who went early to France, came back Wednesday of last week. He was seriously wounded at Argonne Forest in October when he was struck in the right shoulder with a piece of shrapnel nearly ending his life as it lodged in his neck. Another shot went through his left wrist and right arm.