Time Machine Trip to October 1880

Kaukauna Times October 1880

By Lyle Hansen

October 1, 1880

What Kaukauna needs and must have is more houses for residence purposes. The town is now over crowded, nearly every house containing from two to three different families; winter is near at hand and unless some steps are taken soon in the direction indicated, there will be much inconvenience, and possibly suffering before spring.  Rents are high; therefore, the erection of cheap dwelling houses would be a profitable investment to men of capital.

A young woman recently answered and advertisement for a dining-room girl and the lady of the house seemed pleased with her. But, before engaging her, there were some questions to ask. “Suppose that you were carrying a piece of steak from the kitchen and by accident should slip from the plate to the floor, what you should do in such a case?” the girl looked the lady square in the eyes before asking: “Is it a private family, or are there boarders?” “Boarders” was the answer. “Pick it up and put it back on the plate” She was hired.

October 8, 1880

Green Bay – A disastrous fire struck on the 20^th of September. About sixty building were destroyed including a church and parsonage, the high school, Pine Street School and a number of the best residences in the city. Loss is about $125,000. The entire police force of Green Bay, three officers, were suspended from duty by the mayor because of inattention to duty.

The high winds last Saturday played havoc with the fences and outbuildings in this village. D. J. Brothers' fence around his handsome residence on Lawe Street was prostrated in several places while others suffered more, or less severely.

October 15, 1880

A petition to the postmaster general requesting that the mail for this point over the M. S. & W-Railway be delivered directly instead of going to Appleton first, will soon be circulated amongst our businessmen for signature. We trust the measure can be brought about as it would be of the greatest importance to our citizens in many instances and is an arrangement that we have every right to ask for.

October 22, 1880

Henry Vander Vorst, proprietor of the store and public hall at Darboy post office, Calumet County, is doing a fine business and deservedly so, too. He has by square dealing won the confidence of the community in which he has cast his lot, keeps a good supply of general merchandise, and sells the same at reasonable prices. He is also the efficient postmaster at that point.

Spotted Tail, chief of the Brule Sioux has six young men of his tribe being tried for the massacre of the whites near the White River agency. He has sent $320.80 to Secretary Schurz to secure the services of able lawyers to defend them before the courts of the Great Father.

October 29, 1880

A republican meeting was held here on Wednesday evening, the speaker of the evening being Hon. J. E. Burton, of Geneva Lake. A large bonfire was built on the street in front of The Times office on Wisconsin Avenue, about which a large crowd of people gathered, while the orator spoke from a large box on the sidewalk.

Indian Chief, Victorio, has been killed and most of his band killed or captured by Mexican troops. On the afternoon of the 14^th troops overtook and surrounded the Indians. The two-day fight resulted in the almost complete annihilation of the whole party. Chief Victoria, 50 warriors and 18 women and children were killed. 7 women and children were taken prisoners and 250 horses and mules captured. The Indians being entirely out of ammunition resulted in only three losses to the Mexican troops and three wounded. It is believed that Victoria and his band have murdered upwards of 400 persons.