Time Machine Trip to January 1895

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

January 4, 1895

New Year's Day was one to be remembered by all, for in all probability, a similar one will not be seen for years. No snow on the ground, and the weather by no means uncomfortably cold.

A young woman employed as a domestic at Dr. H. B. Tanner’s residence until recently, was arrested last Saturday on the charge of stealing two rings belonging to Mrs. Tanner. The woman pleaded guilty upon being accused and produced the stolen property and was committed to jail. 

 

The year 1894 closed in Kaukauna with a fire, the Transient Hotel being completely wiped out of existence. About 6 o'clock Monday evening, the building was discovered to be on fire; around one of the chimneys an alarm was immediately sounded. The fire was burning very slowly in the attic area. The engine was set at the reservoir at the corner of Kaukauna Street and Wisconsin Avenue and as the cistern has not held much water since the new sewers were put in it was pumped dry within a few moments. The engine moved to the canal in an attempt to find water but soon the hose burst and the fire department “threw in the sponge.”  All was lost in the effort.

There has been excellent skating on the River for the past week and on Sunday and New Year's Day the ice was literally covered with boys and girls enjoying the sport.

January 11, 1895

Sheriff Baker found seventy boarders at the county jail when he took charge last Monday. They were mostly tramps and are being boarded at the county's expense. When, oh when, will some plan be invested to properly punish these worthless vagabonds?

 

An extraordinary horseless carriage, which is not electric, but propelled by steam, is an invention in France. It is built of tubes, which are encased in a light frame and therefore not seen. The wheels are fitted with bicycle spokes and have solid rubber tires. A coachman sits in front before a pair of upright handles not unlike those of a bicycle with which he steers. The cost of this carriage is about $1000.  

 

Smallpox cases are reported at Fond du Lac, Appleton and Manitowoc.

 

January 18, 1895

Fire again paid a visit to Kaukauna over the weekend, despite the valiant efforts of Mayor Tanner and Policeman Kuehn, who worked like beavers giving orders to the department. A shortage of water in the reservoir and the fact that the fire engine tipped over on the way to the fire resulted in the tragic loss of several businesses on Third Street. The Lindauer & Ruppert structure which housed G. W. Fargo & Sons Furniture Store was a total loss, along with A. W. Thomas Jewelry, Frank Bartsch Shoe Store, John Majeres tailor, and Misses Diedrick, dressmakers. The total loss is estimated to reach $35,000.

 

Policeman Kuehn of Kaukauna has been reappointed deputy Sheriff for this part of the county. Jules has served in this capacity for several terms and has at all times proved an efficient officer. The poor department of a city is a thing that is very expensive according to the city council. Many people are honest and do not ask for help that they actually need. The worthy poor it is a pleasure to aid, but the greedy, lazy class ought to be left in the lurch.  

Madison, Wis., Jan. 14 – Since the present state administration came into power just one week ago today, they have begun paying off $82,000 in debts left by the Democrats.

January 25, 1895

Three children in our city died this week of diphtheria and the number of cases continues to grow every day.

Last Thursday evening Ernest Schlafler, employed at the Kimberly paper mill, at Kimberly, while crossing the drawbridge which connects to departments of the mill, slipped on the ice and fell into the waterpower canal. He succeeded in reaching one of the iron columns supporting the trestle after clanging to it was frozen fast. It was almost dark, and the roar of the mill drowned out his cries and it was some time before he was discovered considerable force was found necessary to dislodge him from the post and he was totally helpless and unconscious when rescued.

 

           

 Open they lattice my true love, gaze with thy bright orbs.   And she did.

  

The Ball Season

Time Machine Trip to January 1885

 

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

January 2, 1885

Happy New Year to all! 1885, How does it sound to you?

H. Kinzer, a brakeman on the Lake Shore road met with a serious accident on Wednesday of last week. He was in the act of coupling a flat car loaded with lumber and failing to notice that the load projected from the car was badly jammed between the two cars.

At a Catholic Church in Brooklyn, on the 27, was held the funeral of twenty-one victims of the fire at the orphan asylum.

A body of well-equipped men is setting out from Laramie, Wyoming for the purpose of shooting wild horses and poisoning coyotes. The cattlemen have offered $2.50 for the coyote pelts. The wild horses do damage by enticing away tame ones at great loss to the owners. 

January 9, 1885

Kaukauna should have better sidewalks and more of them, also a well-organized and regulated fire department. This would require the village portion being incorporated as a city. The recent fires in both business districts prove that city incorporation would be for the best interest of this community.

At a country hotel a traveler retires to his room, leaving word that he is to be called for the early train. In the morning, he is aroused from a sweet sleep by the knocking at the door. “Are you the gentleman that was to be called for the 5:15 train?” “Yes, I am that person.” “Then you can go to sleep again sir the trains gone.”

 

1885 Western Washing Machine

January 16, 1885

Early on Wednesday morning the alarm of fire sounded for the third time within six weeks, arousing our citizens from their slumbers. The flames originated in the Dockery building about 3:15. The adjoining buildings, Kellogg’s drug store and the Bank of Kaukauna being wooden structures, were soon caught by the devouring element and were soon consumed. The Bank of Kaukauna has been temporarily opened in Butler Brothers hardware store. The safe used at the bank came through all right, the contents being found in perfect condition. The enterprise of the bank officers was illustrated by the fact that though their building was a pile of ashes at about 4 p.m., at 10 they had the safe open and were ready for business.

The iron for the new drawbridge is now in readiness for the completion of that structure, and the work for the same began this week. Messrs. Keepers & Riddell, the Milwaukee firm, have the project in hand and are expected to have the job finished before spring.

Salyersville, Ky., John Stapleton was taken from jail by a mob and hanged to a tree. His son killed a Mt. Sterling man last November and he was arrested last week under suspicion that he assisted in the crime. There was much indignation at the hanging many believing him to having nothing to do with the killing.

Chattanooga, Tenn., - A beautiful young lady named Lilly Lathro is the victim of a false marriage. Oscar Coulter a leading young man of this section is under arrest on a charge of forgery. The couple was engaged, and the day was set for the nuptials. On the appointed day Coulter was accompanied by a stranger who he introduced as a magistrate to perform the ceremony. Several weeks after the wedding it was rumored that the magistrate was an imposter. Coulter was arrested but will not tell who aided him in committing the fraud. 

 

January 23, 1885

The central telephone office has been temporarily placed in W. H. Srey's store under The Times office and the shouts of "hello," "hello," have become anything but funny.

There is an old and true saying that "in union there is strength," and while the citizens of Kaukauna and Ledyard are talking of incorporation, and its advantages and disadvantages, why should they not let the truth of the old adage come home to themselves? The time has arrived for some action to be taken on this matter, and the only real obstacle is the question of separate or united cities. Of course, there are two sides to every question, and for everyone to see this one in the right light, it should be discussed in public, by citizens holding opposite views on the subject. By presenting the question in this manner, to people of both sides of the river, the citizens can see the advantages and disadvantages-if there are any-of a united city, and thus be able to judge for themselves as to what they want and what would be best for all.

January 30, 1885

With unfavorable weather of 30 below zero the past two weeks the new bank building has progressed finely, the foundation being entirely completed and the frame ready to rise.

On Monday of this week, a meeting was held at the office of W.T. Albers for the purpose of discussing the question of united incorporation. At the meeting were citizens from both Kaukauna and Ledyard, and a committee was chosen to represent each village. The meeting of these committees, which include some of the leading citizens from both villages, was held at the office of Master Mechanic Hickey on Tuesday evening, and a very interesting discussion took place. By taking a vote at that meeting, it was shown that a unanimous number of all present felt that the two places should be incorporated as one, if it could be done without detriment to either place. Another committee was then selected to draw up the outlines of the new charter, which would see the new city be called the City of Kaukauna.