Time Machine Trip to March 1943

 

Kaukauna Times – March 1943

By Lyle Hansen

March 3, 1943

War ration book No. 2 was issued to 8,840 residents of Kaukauna and vicinity last week, according to a report received from J. E. Cavanaugh and Olin G. Dryer, directors of the registration sites in Kaukauna.

Fordyce Wagnitz won the basketball free throw tournament held last Friday. Fordyce dropped in 19 out of 25.

During the last few months two students from Kaukauna High School have been drafted into the army. They are William Van Dyke and Robert Walker. Six other students have enlisted in the navy they are Jack Peterson, Vernon Cornelius, Tom Hatchell, Eugene Heiting, Andrew Lambie and Harvey Wittman.

March 5, 1943

William Klumb, Sr., 84, pioneer resident of Kaukauna, former city official and operator of a wagon works here for over 60 years, died at his home on West Ninth Street Sunday evening. Funeral services were held Wednesday from Immanuel Evangelical and Reform church.

Mrs. Doris Reichel was granted a bartender’s license by the Common Council Tuesday evening. James E. McFadden chief of police told the council that he objects to granting bartender licenses to women. "That's no job for a woman," the chief said. Alderman Herbert Specht told the council that women are engaged in every kind of business these days and added, "Who knows, maybe someday we will have women on the police force!''

Farm workers remains one of Wisconsin’s most essential war activities and workers are deferred from military service.

A replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home was selected by the common council Tuesday evening for the Kaukauna service honor roll monument.

The city will purchase 200 Moline elm trees which will be sold to residents to be planted on the curbs.

March 10, 1943

George William Hole, 13 years old and an ex-marine, joined the American Legion post at Eau Claire. Numerous youngsters have fibbed about their age in order to enlist in the armed forces. George is the youngest member of the American Legion in Wisconsin.   

March 17, 1943

Anton P. Berkers and A. H. Mongin, Jr., have been named co-chairman of the annual Red Cross financial campaign in Kaukauna which will open on Monday. The other members of the committee include Norbert Gerend, Al F. Mayer, A. R. Mill, Glen Miller, George R. Greenwood, Ray Morgan, and Helen Jankowski.

William C. Ditter, ages 81, West Eighth Street, Kaukauna merchant for more than half a century, died Friday after a long illness. He came to this city 55 years ago and opened a plumbing and heating business. He was later joined with his son John P. Ditter in the business.

March 19, 1943

L. C. Smith, personnel director of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper company, was elected president of the Rotary Club at the meeting of the directors.

 

"We are going to be bombed from the air; that comes straight from the army's shoulder, and the time is coming soon; we can't be the only country in the world to escape." That was the grim message Horace L. Davis, Jr. spoke at a civil defense course at Appleton Monday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Verhagen, West Seventh street, have received the purple heart decoration from the war department in honor of their son, Corporal Steven C. Verhagen, who had died in action.

March 26, 1943

Miss Jean Derus, maintained an average of 96.723 during her high school, career to earn the honor of being named this year’s Kaukauna high school valedictorian.

The Kaukauna High School boxing team pounded out a win over Oshkosh High School here Tuesday night to make it five years without a loss and 43 wins in a row before a crowd of 1900 fans.

March 31, 1943

Uncle Sam now has 26 former Green Bay Packers fighting on his side and if this service squad could be bunched together for football, it would be a pretty good gridiron machine.