Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to November 1943

Kaukauna Times – November 1943

By Lyle Hansen

November 5, 1943

Several arrests were made by the police department during October, according to chief James E. McFadden. Three people were arrested for speeding, two for disorderly conduct and one for driving without lights. The police car drove 1,988 miles and the motorcycle 718 miles.

November 10, 1943

The government is urging people to save wastepaper for there is a serious shortage for the paper manufacture. The war effort also wants deer hides and goose and duck feathers to be used for military purposes so "Shoot a deer for Uncle Sam."

November 12, 1943

PFC. George Verkuilen, 28, Little Chute, who reported missing in action in Italy, is a prisoner of the Germans according to the war department.

The Kaukauna service honor roll contains 877 names and is a replica of Washington’s Mount Vernon home. The structure was dedicated on Memorial day this year.

Kaukauna high school 1943 Basketball team

Back Row: Assistant coach Fred Barribeau, Kenneth. Dexheimer, Robert Biese, Donald Kuehl, Jim Lehman, Capt. Frank Zirbel, Coach Guy Krumm. Front row: William Landreman, Fred Nack, Darkie Ristau, Warren Otto, Richard Wandell, Gerald Derus.

Johnny Maras, 15, of Milwaukee is an ex-army sergeant. Johnny earned his three strips the hard way in a heavy weapons unit after fibbing about his age. His commander discovered his age after checking with the city hall in Milwaukee.

November 17, 1943

Sargeant Donald J. Milton of Kaukauna receiving the silver star award for gallantry in action from Colonel William H. McCarty.

The site of the first Indian Catholic Church west of Lake Michigan has been discovered at the end of Ducharme Street on a bluff of the Fox River, opposite the second lock. The discovery was made by Tom Reardon, superintendent of public works, who noted the depressions in the earth at the place. The depressions are graves numbering about twenty-five. The early church was built by the Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican missionary in 1831.

Mr. and Mrs. George Egan, West Wisconsin avenue, received a telegram from the war department Monday informing them that their son, Private George Egan Jr., 26, was killed in action during the invasion of Sicily in Italy on September 16.

November 19, 1943

The board of public works voted unanimously to grant a raise of three cents per hour for hourly city employes and a $5 per month increase to salaried city employes.

November 24, 1943

Because of the rapidly decreasing number of men teachers on the high school faculty, Olin G. Dryer, Principal, is being forced to rely on women teachers to handle activities formerly done by men.

Bill Peterson, of Kaukauna, is playing football with a navy team on an island in the Pacific ocean according to a recent letter.

November 26, 1943

Navigation on the Fox River closed on Thanksgiving Day according to Ben Prugh, manager of the Fox Navigation Company. During the winter months barges and tugs will be repaired at dry dock. Next spring the boats will be running as usual hauling coal and wood to the manufacturing plants on the river.

St. John's High School football team – 1943

Front: manager, Marv Ebben, Reg Hermsen, Jesse Beavers, Gene Friebel, Joe "Red" Reynebeau, Paul Ebben, Bob Hartjes, manager Gordy Hietpas.