Saturday, August 2, 2025

Time Machine Trip to August 1895

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen


August 2, 1895

The south side brewery, owned by Helf & Brill, was totally destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. The fire broke out in the boiler room about six o'clock while the employees were at breakfast. The building being an entire wooden structure, the fire spread rapidly and in a short time the building was in flames and was soon swept away in smoke.

 

The game at the ball grounds last Sunday afternoon decided the championship between the Kaukauna and De Pere teams. The Kaukauna nine won, taking two of three games and the pennant.

 

The new Kaukauna orchestra recently organized by Andrew Kemmeter has been named the “Aria Orchestra.”

 

August 9, 1895

Geo. Kromer, catcher for the Kaukaunans, caught two games for the New London team last week at Antigo. He covered himself with glory and was offered a permanent position at both towns.


The early history of the bicycle is one that is attracting the attention of lovers of the wheel all over the country. We take pleasure in giving the history of the first bicycle in Wisconsin. John Kavanaugh presently of Kaukauna lived in Oshkosh in 1867 and saw a cut in the Scientific American illustrating a vehicle having one wheel in front of another. This being the invention of a Frenchman. Collecting his Irish wits added to the fact of being a skilled mechanic, he turned his mind and hand toward making a machine to ride with one wheel behind the other. The first machine he turned out was for himself and the second for a friend. The propelling power was attached to the front axle and was a crank motivation being solid to the wheel. The wheels and frame were made of wood. Mr. Kavanaugh had no idea when he was making the wheel that any living person could ride it, this fact motivation's not coming to his mind at all. Thus, the old velocipede was introduced by way of one of our own citizens.

 

The common Council took the matter of creating a new fire Department under consideration at the regular meeting Tuesday evening. A resolution was passed ordering the disbandment of the old companies and an ordinance was introduced and passed providing for a new department under a different system. According to the ordinance the fire department in the future shall consist of an engineer, stoker, two teamsters, a chief and 12 firemen. Firemen shall receive an annual salary of $50. Any firemen not answering to roll call after a fire shall be fined $5, unless he can furnish a good excuse for his absence. No intoxicating liquor shall be allowed at a fire unless ordered by the proper authorities.

 

August 16, 1895

Luther Lindauer finished his contract at the Little Chute mill today. Since April he has removed over 7000 cords of stone and given employment to 100 men. He has disposed of 3000 cords of stone, and 4000 chords remain on the banks of the river. He has loaded as high as 37 cars of stone in one day the machinery, and the coffer dam will be removed and the water turned into the tail race tomorrow.

 

The Times and Zietung presses are humming these days on an order for 4,000,000 orange wrappers that will be shipped when completed to a large orange and lemon plantation in Jamaica. The order comes through Thilmany Paper Company and will make a carload of their best grade tissue. The order will be completed in about 30 days.

 

The baseball game that was last Saturday between the north side Methodists and Congregationalists was a great surprise to all. Nearly 300 people witnessed the game and showed their appreciation with outbursts of applause.  The Methodists were defeated 20 to 15 with a game full of errors on both sides. 

 

August 23, 1895

A special from Menasha says: "The water in the Fox River at this point is so low that the waste matter from the mills remains on the dry spots and when the rays of the sun strike it, it causes a stench which is almost unbearable. Unless rain falls sufficiently to carry away the refuse the health of the community is in danger.


Another farmer’s team that had been left unhitched took a spin around the south side Tuesday. Hereafter the police officers of the city will strictly enforce the ordinance providing for the hitching of teams when left on the streets. Let this be a warning to everyone.

 

There is at least one man in the world who did not believe in the old adage, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” He was a Chicago student of theology and committed suicide just to find out what there is to the hereafter. When he finds out he might return and deliver a few lectures to the millions who are anxious to know.

 

August 30, 1895

When the heavy rainstorm came up Tuesday afternoon the tanners who were at work on the roof of the new Lindauer block on Second Street went in out of the rain leaving a gasoline soldering furnace burning outside. The rain cooled the pipes of the gas generating apparatus to such an extent that the gasoline ran out, and this took to fire, causing quite a blaze. An alarm of fire was sounded and the fire company turned out in the down pouring rain, but did not have to set the engine.


Kaukauna lads carried off all the honors in the 1-mile bicycle race for boys under 16 at the Appleton fair Wednesday. Earl Nugent of the north side and crossed the tape first followed by Henry Kircher of the south side. Time 3:13.

 

Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Upham wrote a letter to the War Department at Washington asking that the manufacturers of this river be allowed to use a part of the flow of the water for power purposes. He said that he had been asked to do this by the people of the Fox River Valley in the interest of the great number of workmen who are out of employment as a result of the closing of so many of the mills. 

 

Yreka, Cal., Aug. 26 – The long continued public clamor for better local government bore bitter results when the infuriated people tired of the public officials and the continuation of lawlessness in the city took four murderers from the jail and hanged them. When asked if they had anything to say all the prisoners said they were innocent of the crimes they were arrested for.

 

Little Chute News

 

A son arrived at the home of G. Germansen Tuesday morning.

 

G. H. Peeters has started a music store in connection with his other business.

 

The Little Chute Cornet band has added four new members. Henry and Peter Stuyenberg, Jack Luke and John Hartjes.

 

The work of reshingling the church will be completed this week.

 

Johnnie Van Handel runs a dray from the depot to the city.

 

The Hammen block will be completed in a few weeks.

 

A son made his arrival at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Hietpas on Sunday.

 

A new band was organized on Sunday with Nick Langendyk as leader. Meetings are held at Hammen’s Hall.  

 

The large number of buildings erected here during the season adds considerably to the thriving village.

 

The low water has thrown quite a number of men out of work here.

  

 

August Mill & Sons is located on the 

NE corner of Main Ave. and Third Street.

No comments:

Post a Comment