Time Machine Trips to February 1883 & 1893

 

Kaukauna Times – February 1883 & 1893

By Lyle Hansen

February 2, 1883

The pay car made many Ledyard souls happy on Tuesday last, this being its first appearance since December 21.

 

The seventeenth annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic of Wisconsin was held at Portage on the 23^rd Notwithstanding the poor weather nearly 200 old soldiers were present, representing fifty-five posts.

 

February 9, 1883

The government has been carting dirt from the bluff on Wisconsin Avenue to use in building their cofferdam in the canal.

 

February 16, 1883

Young men who desire to take their girls sleigh riding and don't understand driving very well, should hire a cheap livery horse that is accustomed to turn around on its own accord.

Fond du Lac- Three young men ages 18, 14 and 14 were arrested for stealing a sample case full of cigars. The trio was held in $200 bail each. Two paying the fee the other took quarters in the jail.

 

February 23, 1883

The mill of the Fox River Pulp Company started up at the week's beginning. The ice, which has troubled the other manufactories of the Meade and Edwards’s Canal, prevents them from running to any great extent.

 

Manufactories on the South side (Ledyard) are still on the increase. The latest is a new flouring mill, which will be built by Kline Bros. early this spring. Ground will be broken for the foundation as soon as weather will permit. The building will be located east of the Bradner Smith pulp mill and between that mill and the Casad Machine shop. At this place on the canal, eighteen feet of water can be secured. The mill will be forty by sixty feet, and probably three stories high. It is the intention of the proprietors to make this new mill an exclusive custom mill.

Findlay, Ohio – At a party, Jesse Taylor was invited to sit down between to ladies. Just as he was to sit down, the chair was moved away, causing him to sit down so hard that he broke his neck. Now one of the girls is so crazy that it feared she will have to be taken to the insane asylum.

 

1893

February 3, 1893

A Kaukauna man was fined $2 and costs Tuesday morning, for taking wood from the Kaukauna Waterpower. Not having the wherewithal to pay his fine, he languishes in the county jail for twenty days.

Queen Liliuokalani, of Hawaiian Islands, has been overthrown and a provisional government established in the interest of the whole people of the islands. Those who are at present conducting the affairs of the Hawaiian government have asked United States to annex the islands to her domain. 

 

Two small boys signaled a streetcar and when it stopped notice that one boy was lame. The other boy helped the cripple aboard the car and after telling the conductor to go ahead he then returned to the sidewalk. The lame boy took a seat looking out the window. The little fellow would wave his hand and smile. Following the direction of his glance’s passengers saw that the second boy was running along on the sidewalk. The little boy was asked why his friend doesn’t ride with you. “Oh, that’s my brother” and he doesn’t have enough money.  The car stopped and the little runner was invited into the car. The passengers paid the fare of each boy and give them a quarter besides.

 

       Chicago Ill., January 31 - Judge Hutchinson fined Chaplin and Gore $25 today for refusing to sell a drink at the bar to a colored man. Suit was brought by Charles Hutton, who tried to buy a drink in the saloon was told that according to regulations of the house, he could only be served by retiring to an adjoining room. The plaintiff was refused a drink at the bar because it was against the rule of the house to serve colored people at the bar. The Judge ruled this is a clear violation of the statute. This is discrimination by establishing a rule as against a whole class of people for the no other reason than they are colored.

Springfield Illinois January 26 – The state Democrats took decisive action today for the repeal of the Illinois compensatory school law. An act requiring the education of children approved May 24, 1889, and the same as hereby repealed. 

   

February 10, 1893

About 12:15 Friday night people were awakened by the shrill whistle of a switch engine and the mournful chorine tones of the mill Whistle - the alarm of fire. With the thermometer at 25 degrees below zero the fire department had little chance, with frozen hoses, against the blaze. As a result, three buildings on the corner of Crooks Avenue and Third Street have gone up in smoke. The structures included the Sheboygan House and Mc Daniel's Block.

      Let the kickers against waterworks think over the fire last Friday night and consider what might have occurred had the burning buildings been situated in the center of a business district. Hoses froze up, engine’s broke, businesses and houses at the mercy of the devouring flames. This is a matter of grave concern, and we fail to see how it is that the businessmen of Kaukauna are so negligent in bringing this question to a proper close which can only be done by the decision to have waterworks and that be immediate.

      Al Buechner, 28 years old, an employee of the Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western paint shop fell from a scaffold while at work about 3 PM Saturday afternoon and was injured so severely that he died three hours later. The board he was standing upon broke, and he fell backward striking headfirst fracturing his skull at the base of the brain. He leaves a wife and small child to mourn the loss.

 

The snow blockade last week resulted in bringing out quite a sensational affair on the Southside. Thursday last when an employee of the Lakeshore Road left on his regular train but owing to the drifting conditions the train did not finish the run, returning home about 10 o'clock the same evening unexpectedly. Upon entering his home on Second Street he found his wife in the company of another man who immediately flew down the back steps in an abbreviated costume and out into the atmosphere 20° below. Giving chase and overtaking the wife's lover halfway down the street identified him and preceded to justice Mulloy's office and had a warrant sworn out for the arrest of the fellow. He was placed under $500 bond and awaiting a hearing which will come off on Friday.

      Harrison Michigan Feb. 6 – While searching in a blizzard for his missing daughter Henry Graham perished almost within reach of his own door. His 12-year-old girl left the house just before dusk. Failing to return the father went in search of her. An hour later he was found frozen on his own doorstep. The daughter has not yet been found.

      Chicago Illinois February 2 – Unless the demand soon to be presented to the railroads by switchman in Chicago are not granted, every man so employed will leave the yards to remain out on strike until the demands are granted. The demand to be made is for an increase in wages and a large increase at that. This is something never before having been accomplished.

One of the most remarkable disappearances on record was reported from Durango Tex. A burro, one of the team of pack animals, conveying silver from the mines has wandered away and cannot be found. As he had $5000 worth of silver on his back, he is the object of a lively search.

 

      John Burkart had two of his fingers badly smashed at the Lake shore shops here Sunday while doing some repair work on a water wheel.

      Counterfeit halves quarters and dimes of the issue 1892 are being put in circulation. The coins are lightweight and lack the ring of the genuine.

      Twenty-four grinders will be put into the new pulp mill to be built in Little Chute this summer. They will run in pairs, one wheel for two stones.

Pine Ridge agency South Dakota Feb. 4 – Two Strike and his band has gone to the hills and refused to come in. Two Strike is one of the unruliest Indians in the Sioux nation and has given more trouble than any other. In the end he is the leader of a discontent portion of the Brule-Sioux and ever since the trouble that ended in the fight at Wounded Knee Creek. He has fomenting discontent among the Indians. For some time now it’s been noticed that the Indians are going hunting parties to the west and is now learned that these hunting parties all went heavily armed and their families with them. A camp is now being made in the heart of the Badlands on Big Butte.

During the past year the Chicago Northwestern railroad has built 170 passenger coaches, to be ready for the rush during the Chicago World’s Fair. The company will have a second track between Milwaukee and Chicago completed by May 1.

      Each mill whistle and church bell that sounds the noon hour in Kaukauna seems to run on different time. No two whistles blow together, just as if they were ashamed of each other’s company.

      Owing to the poor service rendered the later part of January, the Kaukauna Electric Company will discount its bills against consumers 25% for that month.

      George Green, an employee of the Lake shore shops was badly burnt about the face last Monday morning. He was at work disconnecting some steam pipes which were frozen up. A plug gave way allowing the steam to escape striking Mr. Greene in the face.

      The trouble which has been brewing for months amongst employees and Chicago Northwestern has ceased. The settlement was made with the officials of the road in the effect that 10 hours constitutes a day’s run no matter what distance is made. The Northwestern Company grants the demands upon condition that all men sign a contract not to strike during the world’s fair. The engineers and firemen get a $.50 per day increase in wages.

      Several large manufacturers in Neenah and Appleton are compelled to shut down the latter part of last week due to the scarcity of coal. Tracks were so badly blocked by snow that none could be secured.

 

February 17, 1893

"It is said that paper money is one of the most effective agents in the spread of cholera. Delinquent subscribers, who are possessed of the 'long green' and have fears, will please remember that the TIMES office is cholera proof."

       The prospect for a water works in this city never looked brighter than the present, following a meeting of the mayor and common council recently held. The question of water works is now being pushed as rapidly as possible. At the meeting, the water works committee presented their report, and it immediately met with the approval of the majority of those present. It is proposed to have the whole matter settled within the next month or before a new council steps in.

      Humane agent Wilkie was a Kaukauna visitor Tuesday dropping off here to have a chat with Liveryman Colwitz about the proper care of horses. Dr. Wilkie notifies Colwitz to feed his horses better and to be more careful about letting them to parties who abuse them.

      The post offices were besieged all day Tuesday primarily by young people looking for Valentines.

A Kansas jury has decided what a handsome nose is worth to its owner. A man brought suit against the gentleman and his wife, alleging that through their carelessness in driving their buggy it collided with his and the result was that his nose was badly crushed and that it had never regained its shape. He further alleges that his nose was a particularly handsome one and he considered it worth a strong point of beauty. The jury awarded him $675.

 

       

     

St. Petersburg Feb. 14 - Russia and France had agreed to assist the United States in the event that the United States is being attacked by a foreign power.

       Fort Smith Arkansas Feb. 11 – The courthouse and jail near Choctaw were burnt last night. There were 26 prisoners in the jail, all charged with murder, but the fire was discovered in time to get them all out safely.

       With the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands we gain a beautiful addition to our population. There are about 15,000 more Chinese, a lot of Japs and Malays and about 35,000 Kanakas, who are according to all accounts, worse than our own black population. That’s a nice mess to pick a couple senators out of now, isn’t it?

 

       During William Libert’s trip to the east he secured so many orders for machinery that the Kaukauna Machine Company will find it necessary to increase the present force of employees. A number of new machines are being put in and the shop will add ten more machinists as soon as they can be secured. The Kaukauna Machine Company will prove of great value to the “Line of Fox”.

 

February 24, 1893

The common council passed an ordinance Tuesday evening, prohibiting the running of large cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, geese, etc., on the streets at any time of the day or night. The ordinance will take effect the 1st of April next and thereafter any cow found on the street will be impounded.

 

Wanted - At the TIMES office a boy to learn the printer’s trade, must be a good reader, speller and at least 14 years of age. Only a boy with a good reputation need, apply. We do not want one that will carry the office off in his pocket the first opportunity. Put in an application and it will be considered. Do not hurry because we may not engage the very first applicant.

New Orleans Louisiana Feb. 29 – Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, the last of the generals of the Confederate military service died this evening. He died at his home with his family surrounding him of heart attack. Despite his advanced age, 75 years, Gen. Beauregard led a life of considerable activity. He was a member of all the leading clubs of the city and a liberal patient patron of theaters and music.

 

       

Houston Texas February 21 – News arrived here on the double tragedy. Joseph Wade had discharged a pistol in the street. Deputy Sheriff Hoffman attempted to arrest him. Wade drew a pistol and Hoffman attempted to get his gun. Wade was the quicker and put a bullet into Hoffmans chest. Hoffman fired and broke Wade’s arm. Hoffman, who was mortally wounded continued shooting hitting Wade five times and killing him. Hoffman died a short time later.

      Mobley, Missouri - February 18 – John Hughes, a Negro, made insulting advances to a young lady on the street. He was quickly arrested and hustled into the lockup. About 10 o’clock this morning three men entered the cell room and literally showered him with bullets.

Mrs. Newman, of Brooklyn, is now probably 50 years old. She is a tall woman with dark complexion and in her younger days she must've been very handsome. She is the widow of Patrick Newman whose death on that fatal night marked the beginning of Mrs. Newman's troubles. Quarrels were frequent and Mrs. Newman often ran into the street to avoid beatings. On the fatal night, a Saturday, Newman reached home about 8 o'clock. He is very much intoxicated. He drove his wife out of the house. She remained at neighbors until midnight and then believing that her husband was asleep returned home. While she is getting ready to retire for the night Newman jumped up with grabbed a club and began to beat her. Half attired she ran to the neighbor's farm. The night was very dark and rain coming down Newman followed his wife into the yard, but he kept straight instead of turning to the left as a result he plunged into an open cistern nearly filled with water. He began to shout for help and Mrs. Newman returned saw her husband in the water and went into the house and left him to drown. The next morning his body was found floating in the cistern. A corners jury held Mrs. Newman responsible for her husband's death. She was a long time in jail, but no indictment was ever filed against her. She became a changed woman as soon as she was released. She took to drink, and she was arrested often for intoxication. She now lives in the old shanty of the house.