Time Machine Trip to November 1960

 

Kaukauna Times November 1960

By Lyle Hansen

November 4, 1960

Bert W. Fargo, Mayor of Kaukauna during the depression and a former businessman, died Thursday noon at Westtown, Pennsylvania, after an illness of about a year. He was 84.  Bert came to Kaukauna at the age of six in 1882. His father made furniture and coffins in a shop on Wisconsin Ave. He lived most of his life in Kaukauna leaving for a time traveling to Washington state then returning at the age of 39 to take over the family store and funeral parlor. During the depression Thilmany Mill was struggling and was making plans on moving out of town. He made arrangement for the city to lend $50,000 to assist them with construction plans. The funds were paid back by the mill within five years. He was known for his wisdom. “Never let money dominate your professional interest in what you are doing. If you do it will show up in your work and it will not be as good as it should”. Bert would recall that he was a member of the first football team of Kaukauna High School. The team had to practice and play in secret due to football being branded as being too dangerous a sport at that time. He graduated in 1894 from Kaukauna High School.

 

“We’ll probably have the smallest “big school” basketball team I have ever seen this year, but I’m still not too discouraged about our game winning prospects for 1960-61,” Commented Jerry Hopfensperger after looking over his varsity candidates at practice Monday.

 November 9, 1960

The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts won their first championship in the Mid-Eastern conference as they defeated the Clintonville Truckers 12-6 Saturday evening. The conference championship was the first for the Ghosts since 1950 and their 8-0-0 was the best since records were kept in 1935.

 

November 11, 1960

John F. Kennedy, Junior Senator from Massachusetts was elected the 34^th President of the United States. Tuesday’s election was the closest in history. A record number of voters were seen going to the polls. Votes in Kaukauna went for Kennedy-Johnson 2523 and 1663 for Nixon-Lodge.

 

November 16, 1960

Contracts in the amount of $163,252 were awarded Wednesday for the construction of the new wing at the Kaukauna Community Hospital to A. H. Nimmer Construction Company of Kaukauna.

November 18, 1960

Robert Wurdinger, varsity fullback for the Ghost team for the past two years was elected team captain for the 1961 season, according to head coach Harry Wilson. When the titles were handed out, senior halfback Bruce Bay was named the most valuable player of the squad, also receiving the title of best backfield man who made the most tackles of 54. Bill Jirikowic was named most improved and Chuck Dorn the best lineman for the year.

November 22, 1960

Kaukauna police chief Harold Engerson issued his annual reminder to motorist regarding overnight parking during the winter months. From the date of the first heavy snowfall or December 1, which ever comes first, all automobiles must be kept off city streets from 1:00 to 5:00 am. No warnings will be issued by patrolmen finding autos illegally parked.

 

November 24, 1960

By tomorrow evening the streets of Kaukauna will have been completely decorated in their Christmas finery for the holidays and shopping season. William Ranquette, manager of the Kaukauna Utility says that city workmen, are in charge, of putting up the ornaments and greenery. The community Christmas tree will be put up in its traditional station on top the city garage at the bottom of the Lawe Street Bridge.

 

November 30, 1960

Gale force winds Monday afternoon resulted in bringing down the city Christmas tree. Four of the guywires broke at the same time resulting in the damage. The utility reports about 80 percent of the lights were broken so a big replacement job is in store for the crew.

 Brides November 1960

 

 

Time Machine Trip to November 1950

 

Kaukauna Times November 1950

By Lyle Hansen

November 1, 1950

Five Kaukauna men were included in the 31 draftees that were inducted from Outagamie County Thursday. They are Clifford O. Fischer, route 2, Arthur A. Meulemans, route 2, James S. Lehman, Doty Street, James J. Siebers, Third Street, and Marvin De Bruin 8^th Street.

Pvt. Leo A. Fink and Pvt. Charles J. Rolf have recently completed the Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Base, San Antonia, Texas.  

Little Chute – Vincent Vissers, Pine Street, Gordon Hammen, Depot Street, and Gene Vanden Heuvel, Main Street, and Gerry Verhagen, Lincoln Avenue left Thursday for training in the armed forces this week.  

November 3, 1950

The seven-man Kaukauna police department had a busy time in October. They made 102 investigations, escorted three funerals, policed two fires, disposed of five dogs, served one garnishee, served three summons, served two vacate notices, investigated three truancy cases, conducted 96 drivers tests, returned six people that were lost, reported 37 street lights out, found five merchants doors open, investigated 15 accidents, gave lodging to two people, policed four civic amusements and placed signs for the board of health. All this in additions to the routine arrests made for parking violations, drunken driving. The police cars traveled 4,500 miles and the motorcycle was ridden 810 miles.

 

November 8, 1950

Kaukauna High School now possesses its 11th conference football title in the past 13 years, as the Ghosts of 1950 captured this year’s title.

 

Employees of the Combined Locks Paper Company were granted an increase of 8 cents per hour, effective November 1, 1950. This brings the base pay for men to $1.22 an hour. The base rate for women is now $1.16 per hour. 

 

November 10, 1950

Lt. Tom Velte, Fourth Street, will leave Wednesday for the San Diego Boat Group training center. During WWII Lt. Velte served with the Merchant Marine and in the navy.

 

Pat Flanagan, perhaps the greatest football lineman ever to graduate from Kaukauna High School, is making all kinds of things happen at Marquette University this year. The national football Los Angeles Rams has invited him to look over a grid contract but had delivered the contract to a girl in Milwaukee named Pat Flanagan by mistake. This is the first time in professional football that a girl was sent a contract. Pat Flanagan, of Kaukauna, told the Rams that he has another year at Marquette. The girl Pat Flanagan told them her Mom said no.

 

November 17, 1950

Richard W. Biese, fireman, USN, Brothers Street, is serving aboard the USS Amphion.  

Naval Cadet John A. Deering, USNR, route 2 Kaukauna, recently completed the first phase of his aviation training by making his first solo flight at Whiting Field, Florida.  He will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve upon completion of his flight training.

 

 

November 22, 1950

Two Kaukauna men, Francis H. Yingling, quartermaster, second class, USN, Desnoyer Street and Donald J. Rupiper, seaman apprentice, USN, Joyce Street are attached to the carrier USS Midway in the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Captain William P. Kelly, golf pro at the Fox Valley Golf Course, who was re-called to active duty last month is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico. He is connected with the Guided Missile experimentation.

 

Little Chute – A 6’6’ center and his teammates from Milwaukee Cathedral spoiled St. John’s opening game of the 1950-51 basketball season Sunday with a 46-28 decision at the Dutchman gym. 

 

November 23, 1950

Topping the list of deer reported from the Northwoods by hunters is the 260-pound, 11-point buck bagged by Harold Roloff, Division Street. 

 

November 29, 1950

Two maples stood between Al Schumann and a perfect game of 300 when the Kaukauna kegler went on a bowling rampage Monday night at the S & B alleys. Schumann had an 8-pin hit on his last shot to end with a 298 game. He had a 765 series for the evening.

1950 Park School Kindergarten - Bottom row from left: Mary Schwin, Kathleen Verhagen, Tom Driessen, Frances Nelson, Margaret Ann Coleman, Susie Smith, Dick Robach, Jerry Kobussen, 2^nd row: Herman Runte, Carol Sullivan, Mary Ristau, Mary Hoehn, Judy Laborde, Kay Hartzheim, Tom Otte, 3^rd row: Kathleen Ann Hartjes, Kathleen Mooney, Fawn Pechman, David Liethen,  Tom Berg, Pat Berg, Julie West, Loreen Hermans, 4th row: Kay Kuchelmeister, Edward Weber, Charmaine Melchoir, Donna Jean School, Mary Ann Vanevenhoven, Kathy Eslein, Jack Benotch, Bill Jirikowic, Barbara Kuhn, Greg Russo.

 

November 1950 Brides 

 

 

Time Machine Trip to November 1940

 

Kaukauna Times November 1940

By Lyle Hansen

November 1, 1940

The Kaukauna High football team again captured the championship of the N.E.W. conference, giving Coach Little and his teams nine titles in the past 13 years. Kaukauna has won 19 straight games, being unbeaten in the last three years. Kaukauna now has titles in 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1939 and 1940. The league being formed in 1927.

 

Every manufacturing and business concern in Kaukauna have pledged its support to the American Legion program of Americanism, in regard, to the present conscription activities. The concerns have agreed “Any man having one year or more of service with the company, who enlists or is called to serve in the armed forces during this present emergency shall, on his return be reinstated to the job he left without losing credit of time subject to a satisfactorily passed medical examination.

 

William T. Sullivan, who is the director of the school of vocational and adult education, is a busy man these days. His industry has a payroll of $48,000 a year. The program includes WPA and NYA trainees, national defense training and WPA teaching projects with day and evening classes.

Burglars who broke into the Greenleaf State Bank early Tuesday drilled through the outer vault door and burned their way into the inner cash safe with a torch escaped with about $3,000. The loot included $300 in pennies weighing more than 200 pounds. 

 

November 6, 1940

John Lewis Wandell of East Ninth street and Norbert Willard Kuba route 3 were accepted for enlistment in the navel service at Great Lakes naval training station, Chicago.

Rev. Peter J. Grosnick began his duties as pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church this week.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, president and Henry A. Wallace, vice president, Democratic candidates will retain his position as president of the United States for another four years as result of the national election on Tuesday, defeating Republican Wendell L. Willkie. 

 

November 13, 1940

Carl Giordana of the Kaukauna High School western division champions of Northeastern Wisconsin conference took high scoring honors this year. The Kau back scored 55 points to become the leader in the conference. Bill Alger of Kaukauna took third place with a total of 43 points.

As the whistle blew on the closing play of the game between St. Mary’s and Holy Cross grade schools on Nov. 4, Holy Cross completed their successful championship season. Holy Cross was undefeated and unscored upon in the 1940 season.

A wind of hurricane proportions with rain, snow and freezing temperature struck the city this week. The howling wind reached a velocity of 80 miles an hour Monday evening.  

 

November 15, 1940

Willis Ranquette and Bob Danner were named co-captains to lead the Kaukauna High School gridders for the 1941 season. Ranquette is a halfback while Danner plays fullback.

The brick work on Kaukauna’s hydroelectric plant is being completed this week. The plant is next to the former Outagamie Paper Company. An addition of 3,200 kilowatts at a later date can be constructed without the shutdown of the unit being installed.

H. F. Weckwerth, general manager of the Kaukauna Electric and Water Department. 

November 22, 1940

Mervin Hansen took individual honors in the Wednesday evening league when he rolled a 622 series.   (Way to go Dad)

Time Machine Trip to November 1930

 

Kaukauna Times November 1930

By Lyle Hansen

November 4, 1930

According to the Thrift Almanack banking bulletin, high school students of Kaukauna averaged 100% participation the first month of the school year. Among grade school pupils the average was 89%.

 

Governor Philip LaFollette

the new Wisconsin Governor.

 

A total of 1959 votes were cast in the election by Kaukauna voters today, a larger number than was expected although the total was 892 less than the poll in the record-breaking election of 1928.

 

Squirrels and rabbits obtained by Fireman Carl Engerson and Police Officer Harold Engerson with their trusty guns, were enjoyed by employees of the municipal building Monday in a big “Feed” prepared for the noon meal at the fire department. Plenty of “Yum-yum” were voiced at the meal.

 

November 7, 1930

St. Mary’s school gridders defeated the Kimberly team Saturday 40-0, the locals running wild during the game. Heinz, fullback, was the individual star of the game reeling of many long gains, one of 90 yards for a touchdown.

 

Formal dedication and presentation to the city of Kaukauna of the Legion park, recently improved strip of land between the Lawe Street and Wisconsin Avenue bridges fronting the high school.

 

November 12, 1930

One hundred and thirty-eight members are on the role of the Kaukauna post No. 41, American Legion. The enrollment put the post over the top by a margin of two.

 

November 14, 1930

Top row: Coach Little, Mark Nagan, Mgr. Floyd Hartzeim, Ross Farwell, Nicholas Bierstecker, Victor Weirauch, Karl Piepenberg, Wallace Mooney, Ass’t Coach Greischar, Principle Dryer. 3rd row: Seggeling, Donald McCormick, Schuler, William Nelson, Clarence Koch, Frederick Luedtke, Gilbert Arps, Wilbert Jansen, Robert Minkebige. 2^nd Row: Jerome Schommer, L. McCormick, G. Nagan, Anthony Van Dyke, Wesley Kemp. Haupt, Lawrence Nushardt, Judson Judae, Leroy Derus, Eloy Vanevenhoven. 1st. Row: Cyril Bodde, Ambrose Mauel, Herbert Neison, Woodrow Toms, Leo Rabideau, Robert Vanevenhoven, Kuchelmeister, Vils.

Kaukauna High School has another championship football team. The honors for the 1930 gridiron conference season were garnered by the locals while they were idle, through Shawano handling West De Pere, 14-0, breaking a tie between Kaukauna and West De Pere for the top spot.

November 18, 1930

Peter De Bruin, 90 years of age of Little Chute, a Civil war veteran died suddenly at his home Monday morning.

 

A local dentist had quite a time Saturday morning. He had received a package of false teeth from a dental supply house. Going to the post office to pick it up, he was carrying the package up the Lawe Street Bridge when a sudden sneeze struck him causing him to drop the package into the canal. With the aid of a city fireman the package was retrieved none the worse for its bath.

All unemployed men of Kaukauna are requested to register at the Kaukauna Lumber office of Peter Renn, across from the municipal building so that their cases may be taken up at the meeting of the unemployment committee.

 

A gentleman is here from China to borrow from the United States government one billion ounces of silver, worth about 350 million dollars. China uses silver as money and would be much obliged if Uncle Sam would lend it to them. “At 2020 silver price 240 billion dollars.”

November 21, 1930

Citizens who have clothing which they wish to donate to needy people of the city are requested by the relief committee to send any such apparel to the collection headquarters at Fargo’s store on Wisconsin Avenue.

Kaukauna high school students enjoying the game.

Time Machine Trip to November 1920

 

Kaukauna Times – November 1920

By Lyle Hansen

 

November 4, 1920

At last the boys of Kaukauna are to have some recognition by the men of the community. On Friday evening the Kaukauna Council of the Boy Scouts of America was organized at the home of Mr. W. F. Ashe. The local council is authorized by a charter granted by the National Council of the Boy Scout of America.

 

The Republican ticket, county, state and national, was victorious from Maine to California. Both the U. S. Senate and the House of Representatives as well as the White House have been placed under Republican Management.

 

Little Chute fans are said to have raised $1,800 as a wager on the Kaukauna-Little Chute football game. Unless the Chuters are looking for a sure thing they can find their bets promptly covered in Kaukauna.

 

November 9, 1920

On Monday morning Cashier Towsley, of the Bank of Kaukauna, moved his office force to their newly remodeled  quarters on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Lawe Street after months of trying to run a bank across the street in the Old Hotel La Salle.  

An important deal which may have material bearing on Kaukauna’s industrial future was reported to have been consummated where by the Kaukauna Pulp mill has become the property of the Lakeview Paper Company of Neenah which will operate the local concern with a view toward strengthening its grip on supply of pulp for its paper mill connections.

November 16, 1920

Postmaster John Coppes and  photographer Meade Richardson are arranging their earthly affairs and setting their respective houses in order, the reason therefore being their intention to invade the north woods this week for the avowed purpose of deer hunting in and around Tippler. They will of course wear scarlet coats and tin helmets and use all ordinary and some extraordinary precautions against being mistaken for deer by some excitable fool tenderfoot who shoots everything he sees in the brush.  

There are at least 700 teachers in Wisconsin not qualified to teach to the lower standards of the state according to report made by the superintendents. If each teacher teachers 15 pupils that means, there are 10,500 children in this state not having a proper education. In the past great numbers of teachers have left the profession for better pay.    

A butler resigned his job. When asked by a friend why he quit he explained, “They treated me badly. They treated me like family! The mistress called me an old fool as often as she does her husband”

Kaukauna has 252 automobiles, valued to $118,395.00 according to the annual report of the county. The total number in Outagamie County is 4,322.

 

Warrants have been issued by city attorney Lefevre charging three young men and three girls of this city with disturbances of the peace and disorderly conduct in the Y.M.C.A.  restaurant Monday evening November 15th. According to testimony the party appeared at the railroad YMCA Monday night under the influence of liquor and when the caretaker tried to induce them to leave the building she was properly answered with defiance. As a result of the disorderly conduct the police were called in and the officer was subjected to abuse and resistance.   

 

November 19, 1920

Squawk, quack, quack, quack, gobble, gobble – Where? At Lehrer’s of course the headquarters for fresh poultry.  adv.

Time Machine Trip to November 1910

 

Kaukauna Times - November 1910

By Lyle Hansen

November 4, 1910

Boys with vicious Halloween propensities wrecked John D. Lawe's big billboard on Lawe Street Monday evening, about fifty of them participating in the malicious act.  It was accomplished soon after midnight when they were satisfied police and property owners were not on the watch.

Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Grignon departed Kaukauna on Sunday for San Antonio, Texas, where their son Duel resides and where they expect to make their home. Augustine is the son of Augustine Grignon being one of the first white settlers in Kaukauna. It is of great regret that his friends here part with him and his estimable wife.

November 11, 1910

The question of buying Klein's park consisting of about fourteen acres, located in the Third ward, for public purposes, which was left to a vote of the electors Tuesday, was carried by a majority of 66. The total vote was 896, the entire vote cast in the two precincts that day, so that it cannot be said that the result does not voice the sentiment of, the majority of, the people.  (Now known as LaFollette Park)

The general election report from throughout the country shows quite a Democratic landslide and the indications are that for the first time in 15 years the Democrats will control the sixty-second Congress.

 

November 18, 1910

The Kimberly-Clark Paper Co. of Kimberly completed an immense warehouse this week in which to store wastepaper, large quantities of which they utilize in manufacturing heavy paper. It is the first building in this vicinity constructed after plans on which the originators hold letters patent. It is built of steel and concrete completely.

 

Duck hunters say that there is a large amount of loosened wild rice and celery are floating in the rivers and lakes. What causes the damage to the rice and celery is believed to be carp rooting up the bottoms. The loss of these feeds will result in fewer ducks in this part of the state.

 

Dr. H. B. Tanner read a very interesting paper on the history of Kaukauna to the students at Kaukauna High School last Friday.

“I am proud of the fact that I am a citizen of the United States and am confident that this nation is destined to lead the nations of the world in the future. Jean Nicolet pasted through here in 1634. In 1670 Claude Allouez a Jesuit Missionary past this land then called “Kakalin” by the natives. In 1682 La Salle wrote of the swiftness of the water here. This place was referred to in notes by these men due to the beauty of this location. The first land purchased in the state was in Kaukauna by Dominique Du Charme in 1793. In 1822 the Stockbridge Indians of New York came. They purchased the land south of the Fox River to Lake Winnebago and along the east shore. They called this place Statesburg. They cleared the land started a sawmill and built homes and a church on the south side. One of the chiefs was Captain Hendrick Aupaumut a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Another of the tribe was Electra Quinney who taught in Kaukauna at the first public school to open in the state. This and many more people who came before you and you should be very proud to be from this city.”

 

November 25, 1910

Two freight trains collided in Fond du Lac. The Northwestern train #288 was south bound had pulled off the track to allow the north bound #278 to pass. All but the last three cars were off the line when the #278 came past. The brakeman on the #288 lost his life when he attempted to jump free the accident. A conductor on the #288 was also injured but not seriously. One engine and three cars along with a caboose were demolished.

 

The baggage car on one of the trains going south on the Ashland division one day this week carried the remains of four men and one deer, all shot by hunters in the northern woods. Deer hunting is sure great sport these days. So is war—for the fellow who likes it.

 

For the first time in history the United States government has given sanction to the transportation of mail by an airship. The mail will be sent from a transatlantic liner 50 miles at sea to New York City.