Time Machine Trip to May 1885

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

May 1, 1885

A new hotel will be one of the great improvements on the South Side this season. The fine corner lot on Third Street, near Duggan's Hall, has been purchased for this purpose and work on the same will begin immediately. The dimensions for the main building are sixty by one hundred feet and three stories high, making it one of the largest hotels in the country.

Chicago - An electrician while repairing a light apparatus on the 21^st. lost his balance on the ladder and grasped the wires attached to the light. He was shocked and died.

A St. Petersburg dispatch reported that another engagement has taken place between the Russian troops and the Afghan natives on the frontier. Of the 1,700 Russians engaged nearly all were killed. 

May 8, 1885

Kline Bros., proprietors of the South Kaukauna mills, find their flour is in great demand, and have the honor of being the manufacturers of the first to be sold on the floor of the new Chicago Board of Trade.

A watchman has been stationed at the grave of millionaire Cyrus McCormick to guard it every night since his death a year ago and a large salary was paid to an old servant Mike Allen who took the job. The effects of sitting in the graveyard each night for a year has resulted in the lonely watcher sickened and he died a few weeks ago. A speedy erection of the mausoleum now contemplated will relieve the watchman’s duties.   

The veterans of the Texas Army of the Revolutionary War of 1836 against Mexico met at Sherman Tex. and celebrated. Davy Crockett’s famous bowie-knife was exhibited. Mr. Phillips was present; he raised the first Lone Star flag on the Rio Grande.

May 15, 1885

Dr. Ed. Phelps, while acting as umpire for a game of baseball a few days ago received one square in the nose, hot from the pitcher's hands. The results were, of course, a broken nose, but Doc's experience as an umpire more than compensated him for the trouble of wearing it in a sling for a few days.

New York – An old woman whose face had been familiar for years as a beggar had been missing for some time. She recently reappeared looking much younger her rags had given place to a tidy dress. She explained that after twenty years of begging for money she had invested all her money in the market. She said she was now 39 years old and was retiring on her investments which are substantial. She says she was 18 when she began dressing as an old lady in rags begging on the street.

May 22, 1885

On Saturday last a noble Redman, answering the name of Abram Jones, was brought before Justice Simons, on Saturday last, charged with drunkenness. An effort was made to have him name the person who sold him the liquor, but the "big injun was heap cute," and refused to "squeal." He was given 30 days in the county jail.

The strike at Eau Clair practically ended on the 13^th with the prompt action of sixty special police who made half a dozen arrests and confiscated the drums of the strikers. 300 to 400 of the excited strikers armed with sticks marching to beating drums attempted to compel the Eau Clair Lumber Company steam mill to suspend work.

Little suits of velveteen in dark red, hunter’s green and blue are to be the stylish dress suits for little boys this spring.

 

May 29, 1885

We learn that one "old timer," of the North Side, objects to the city government paying for printing the proceedings of the Council, ordinances, etc. This "old timer" will soon begin to understand that the city business is not run on the plan of the old town board, which ran things on the "still hunt" plan, and as they had nothing published; the public knew nothing of their proceedings.

A million and a quarter of cat skins are used annually by furriers.

 

Liberty, Mo., - While the circus was unloading here Tuesday morning, Emperor, the largest elephant, fell while being led from the car. He sustained injuries which he died from. The elephant had been on exhibition for forty years and was worth $10,000. He was estimated to be about 105 years old.

Dr. H. B. Tanner is making extensive repairs on his house opposite the Northside public school; he expects to move his family there about the first of June, leaving the Reuter block where he has had his residence for the past four years.