Time Machine Trip to April 1943

 Kaukauna Times – April 1943

By Lyle Hansen

April 2, 1943

There are indications that people will consider carp a bit more respectable this year. The conservation department reports an unprecedented demand for the list of carp recipes due to the wartime food shortages.

April 7, 1943

Apprentice Seaman Robert George Watson, age 17, West Wisconsin Ave. Kaukauna, died at the naval training station, Great Lakes, Illinois Sunday morning of pneumonia following a five-day illness. Seaman Watson was born in Kaukauna and resided here all of his life. He attended St. Mary's school and Kaukauna high school. He was to have graduated with the class of 1943 in June.

April 9, 1943

New London- Floyd Schoenrock followed in the footsteps of his son. On Monday March 22nd, he called the naval recruiting office in Oshkosh and offered his services in the Navy. He passed the examination with flying colors and boarded the train for Milwaukee with his pre-enlistment papers tucked under his arm. Schoenrock served in WW I as a torpedo man, second class. He has five children at home and a son in the Navy.

April 14, 1943

The Police department motorcycle will be placed in operation Thursday for the summer, according to James E. McFadden, chief of police. Harold Engerson and Robert Main will be in charge of the bike.

 

Miss Francis Corry, faculty advisor, reports that there will be no Pegasus published this year. Pegasus is a magazine which contains the literary work of high school students. One reason for not being published is because the paper grade needed is not obtainable due to the war.

There is room for many more students in the foundry and electrical departments of the war training program conducted at the Kaukauna Vocational school due to the rapid turnover of students according to school officials. The foundries are badly in need of more workers and the war training program cannot fill the program request with electrical workers fast enough. The Kaukauna war training program places its trainees in many industries. Men and women between the ages of 16 and 26 are eligible for the training. Classes are from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM daily.

Coached by Cliff Kamp, a hometown boy, the Kaukauna high school boxing team has had 41 wins and four draws over a period of seven years. The outstanding record of 45 matches without a defeat has been compiled by the boxing team that claims the state title and is ready to meet all comers.

April 16, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Behrendt of Kimberly, whose son Corporal Jean Behrendt was killed in action January 20th in New Guinea, have received the order of the Purple Heart from the government, award posthumously to their son.

 

April 21, 1943

The St. Mary parochial schools second "buy a jeep" war bond and stamp drive went over the top almost before it got under way. The second drive was to have raised $900 to buy a jeep during April 6 and 19. St. Mary's to date has raised nearly $9,000 in war stamps and bonds since the school became active in the program.

 

Carol Meyer and Jo Ann McCarty Kaukauna high school’s two representatives in the district forensics contest held in DePere Saturday emerged with “A” ratings, the highest possible forensics award this year. State medals in declamation will be presented to the winners.

When an alarm was received at the fire station Sunday morning from the house of Fire Chief Henry Esler, the chief thought somebody was playing a joke on the department. Fireman Martzahl took the call and when he reported a fire at the Esler home the boys in the department told him someone who was trying to be funny. Martzahl, however, convinced them that it was no joke. They answered the call to the chiefs’ home on east 7th St. to find that the roof was ablaze. The fire started with a spark from the chimney. The fire and water caused considerable damage “We are waiting for the insurance adjusters.”

Richard Ristau defeated Warren Otto three out of five games with a thrilling comeback after Otto had won two games to grab the lead in the high school single ping pong championship for the boys.

April 23, 1943

People who own cottages or have rented summer cottages are a war casualty. Gasoline will not be available to travel to summer homes according to an order by the OPA in Green Bay.

Area selectees were excepted for the Army and Navy.

Kaukauna: Alfred W Marzahl, Theodore Van Dyke, Raymond A. Gensler, Kermid A. Luckow,  Joseph W. Krings, Myron P. Kerkhoff, Cyril F. Huss and George J. Black.

Kimberly: Harold A. Van Himberger, Kenneth H. De Roche, Edward L. Thein, Gerald J. Brockman, Kenneth J. Dietzen, Alphonse J. Kneepkens and George J. Subert.

Little Chute: Peter H. Wonders, Harvey V. Berghuis, Paul C. De Groot, Theodore De Groot, Vincent J. Van Eyck and Herman B. Vosters.     

April 28, 1943

Sergeant Donald Milton, of Kaukauna, was one of 12 Wisconsin men who has recently been awarded the silver star for bravery in action in the New Guinea campaign. Sergeant Milton had crawled through grass under heavy fire to within 30 yards of an enemy machine gun to give first aid to Lieutenant Craig Fleming who was fatally wounded. While dressing Fleming’s wound Milton was wounded by fragments from a Japanese grenade. He recently sent a letter to his parents Mrs. and Mrs. Donald Milton that he is recovering in a hospital in Australia.

The Seagull patrol first aid team from St. Mary's Boy Scout troop 27 received an “A” rating at the district first aid meet held at Little Chute, Monday evening. Members of the team are Jerry Derus, Raymond Bouche, Robert Hohmann, Leland Klister and George Greenwood.

 

April 30, 1943

Karl S. Marzahl was elected City Clerk in Tuesday's election to succeed Mrs. Angela Brenzel for a one-year term. The new clerk took over his duties at the April 20 meeting of the Common Council.

A new wage schedule which affects youth employed at Kaukauna NYA workshop became effective this week. Boys and girls 16 to 25 years of age inclusive, who formally received $25.60 for 160 hours of work are now receiving $40 for 160 hours worked under the new wage order.