Time Machine Trip to October 1905

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

October 6, 1905

Michael McCarty is still missing. The mystery connected with his sudden disappearance remains unsolved notwithstanding the diligence of officers. Some think that his body is in the Fox River while others think his body is buried in the depths of the forest. On Tuesday afternoon Frank Berens while looking about at McCarthy’s farm came across two burn spots and found what appeared to be a piece of burned bones. He returned to town and informed Officer Conlon of the discovery. Evidence has been secured to convict Kabat of the crime.

 

The annual Kermis at Little Chute was held Monday and Tuesday and in point of attendance all former records were broken. Hundreds of people were present from all the surrounding cities and villages who gathered in holiday attire to assist in the festival. Kaukauna was well represented. Dancing was provided in the several halls and continued from early in the morning until sundown.

 

October 13, 1905

The examination of Wenzel E. Kabat was held at the courthouse. The prisoner was brought down on a special interurban car being escorted by Marshal Richard Conlon and Patrolman Julius Knehn of Kaukauna.  Sheriff Albert Koch along with two deputies and five Appleton police officers were also on the car. When they arrived, they found a crowd of several hundred people on the street in front of the courthouse. A passage was cleared to the stairway and Kabat was led into the building.

 

A son of Peter Hoolihan fell from a hickory tree Sunday and fractured his arm.

 

A squirrel belonging to Dr. W.N. Nolan has occupied one of the show windows of Lunt and Parton's Barber shop for several months. He is a general favorite with patrons and has become so tame that he has the run of the shop. Callers frequently supply him with nuts, and it is no uncommon thing for him to sit on their knees and eat them. Notwithstanding his privilege to roam about the shop, he spends much of his time in his cage revolving the wheel which appears to be his favorite pastime.

 

October 20, 1905

Engineer Frank Fosha has purchased a fine touring car which arrived here this week, the first high grade automobile to be owned by a Kaukaunaites. Between managing a steam horse on the Ashland division and a gasoline bronco on Kaukauna hills and vales Frank will hereafter find his spare moments pretty well taken up.

 

Frank Herman was sent to the workhouse for being drunk. He endeavored to have the judge commit him to the county jail, preferring that institution to the workhouse. The judge was unable to accommodate him.

 

Coonen Bros. while engaged in drilling a well last week in the Town of Vandenbroek, pumped up a live 3 ½” fish from a depth of forty-nine feet. This subterranean species of fish was preserved in a glass jar where it seems to thrive.

 

October 27, 1905

At a depth of twenty-four feet, bedded in blue clay immediately beneath the red clay deposit, two more specimens of trees were unearthed in the sewer which is being dug on the north side on Catherine Street. The pieces found resemble tamarack both in the layers of the wood and in the shape and color of the knots, while the bark of these and other specimens looks much like that of a cedar tree.

 

Albert Mantei of Kaukauna killed a wildcat north of Kaukauna last Sunday. The animal measured four feet in length and is being mounted.

 

The new fire bell has been set in position in the tower in the Little Chute fire station. On calm days it can be heard as far away as Kaukauna and Appleton.

 

Forty-two years ago, the great battle of Chickamauga was fought. Chickamauga was the gateway of the entire South. General Bragg was in command of the Confederate force. He was outwitted and outmaneuvered and the town fell into Federal hands. The members of both armies joined at the celebration where tales of the campfire and picket lines were recounted on the anniversary of the battle.

 

The last tree in the famous avenue of pines at Little Chute was cut down this week. These trees were planted by Father T. J. Vandenbroek in 1834 and led from the old Indian trail to the church.