Time Machine Trip to July 1946

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

July 3, 1946

The law firm of John J. Ensley and John E. Esler opened on West Wisconsin Avenue. Esler previously maintained an office in the Hotel Kaukauna before serving in the Navy. Ensley, a native of Superior, previously practiced law in Chippewa Falls. The firm also operates an office on Main Avenue in Kimberly.

Memorial services for Private First-Class John A. Lemke, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Lemke of 220 Lawe Street, were held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. Paul Oehlert. Pfc. Lemke left his role as an English instructor at the University of South Dakota on March 9, 1941, to join the Army. He was captured in the Philippines on September 9, 1941, and is presumed to have lost his life on October 24, 1944, when the Japanese prisoner-of-war ship he was aboard was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea by an American submarine.

 

An audience of roughly 300 gathered at LaFollette Park for the opening summer season concert by the high school band, directed by Clarence Kriesa. The 40-member band consisted of high school musicians, alumni, and returning war veterans who were former members of Kriesa’s band.

 

The city housing committee assigned 26 families to emergency housing Quonset huts located on Crooks Avenue. City engineer F. M. Charlesworth reported that outer covering and insulation are complete on 10 of the 13 mass-produced buildings. Each hut will contain two unfurnished dwelling units equipped with oil heaters, oil water heaters, kerosene stoves, and ice boxes.

 

Walter P. Hagman, principal of the Outagamie Rural Normal School, stated that prospective students may be unable to attend the upcoming school year due to a severe shortage of local housing. Principal Hagman requested that anyone with an extra room available for a student room or board contact him at the school during the day.

July 10, 1946

The newly formed Fox Valley Golf Club has purchased land and elected its permanent board of directors. Officers chosen to head the club include President Robert Grogan, Vice President Ray Schwanke (Kimberly), and Secretary-Treasurer Leroy Seifert. Membership has reached 100 with a target cap of 200; anyone from Kimberly, Little Chute, Combined Locks, Kaukauna, and the surrounding area.

 

Chief of Police James E. McFadden announced the addition of two World War II Army veterans to the local force, bringing total personnel to eight men. Dean Ball started last week as a temporary regular patrolman, with the potential for full-time permanent status after a six-month evaluation by the fire and police commission. Wilfred Licht has begun duties as a relief man. The rest of the force consists of Assistant Chief Harold Engerson and Patrolmen William Nagel, Robert Main, Oscar Jahns, and Leo Ludtke.

 

July 12, 1946

 

Dr. M. G. Teske took over the duties of President of the Kaukauna Rotary club last week.

 

Dolores Van der Loop, the 13-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Van der Loop of 225 Maria Street, won a $50 grand prize for her baton-twirling routine at the Appleton Junior Chamber of Commerce holiday picnic at Pierce Park. She initially began twirling lessons at age seven to help strengthen her arm after a fracture.

 

The 12-person Vanderaa family moved to Route 3, Town of Buchanan, after becoming the first family evicted in Outagamie County during the current housing shortage. Following a municipal writ of restitution served by Sheriff Lyman B. Clark, the family was evicted Wednesday afternoon. After sleeping on a mat at the police station on Wednesday night, they secured a home on Thursday. Mr. Vanderaa is employed at Goldin and Sons. Sheriff Clark noted that roughly 50 similar eviction proceedings are currently underway in the county.

 

 

July 19, 1946

The common council passed a city ordinance, changing the name of Lincoln Street to Grant Street following a property owner request. A previously unnamed road extending from County Trunk Q on Beaulieu Hill on the south city limits was named Peters Road.

 

T. F. Boebel, superintendent of schools, announced that the fourth grade at Holy Cross school will be eliminated this year, moving 60 to 70 children into the public school system at Park School to relieve campus congestion. Rev. Peter Grossnick, pastor at Holy Cross, noted that the parish's 800 families are currently conducting a school fund drive to build a new facility, at which point the fourth grade will return to the parochial school.

 

Following Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon's emergency closing of the mid-channel pool in the lower rapids of the Fox River due to contamination in the water. the common council voted to favor building a new municipal pool. A survey of estimated costs and designs will be prepared before the final issue is put to city residents via a public referendum.

July 24, 1946

 

The American farmer sustained the nation and its allies during the war and is now called upon to prevent global starvation. Despite losing labor and lacking new tools, farmers successfully increased production by 30% over five years. Farmers anticipated that peace would finally allow them to replace their worn-out, heavily repaired machinery. Labor strikes across key sector specifically steel, coal, and the farm implement industry itself have severely bottlenecked production.

James E. McFadden, Kaukauna Chief of Police, warned that unnecessary vehicle horn honking violates city ordinances and will result in arrests. The practice has escalated due to a record post-war wedding season, drawing numerous citizen complaints. While noting out-of-town wedding parties have plenty of space in the country to honk, McFadden emphasized the law will be strictly enforced in the city, where one arrest has already been made.

 

A building permit has been issued to Sherman Rogers of Route 2 to construct Kaukauna's first prefabricated home. The structure will be built at 165 Garfield Street at an approximate cost of $2,000. The request was processed through the office of F. M. Charlesworth; city engineer and building inspector.

 

Dundas Canning Company records peak pea season. Factory Manager Raymond Driessen reported a record pack of 108,000 cases of peas during a continuous 21-day production run that began June 27. Due to hot weather ripening the fields early and a tight domestic labor supply, the company employed a 217-person crew that included imported West Indian workers from the Bahamas and Barbados, alongside 16 Mexican laborers. A total of 1,100 acres were processed into No. 10 gallon cans, with 100 additional acres saved for seed. The heavy volume filled the warehouse, requiring extra storage space to be rented from Coonen's store.

 

July 31, 1946

 

Miss Marian Frances Charlesworth departed Monday to open her third performance engagement at the Chicago Theater on Friday, following a week-long visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Charlesworth of 611 W. Wisconsin Avenue. Her previous engagement was at the Bellerive Hotel in Kansas City. Her brother, Frank Charlesworth, Jr., traveled with her on Monday before flying to Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday to visit their sister, Pat Charlesworth, who will return with him for a one-week vacation.

 

Discharged

Byron Derricks – 113 Doty street

Eugene Kersten – Route 3

George J. Hatchell – 118 Doty street

Eugene A. Vandehey – 712 Lawe street

William Van Lieshout – 110 Doty street

William F. Siebers – 902 Roosevelt street

Glenn J. Aerts – 717 Lincoln Ave.

Jerald H. Wittman – 409 W. Eleventh street

Dolores Giesbers – 206 W. Sixth street

Clayton Weyers – Route 2

Robert Vandenberg – Kimberly

Dean Bayorgeon – 126 Sarah street

John D. Schommer – Route 1

Roland Jansen – 135 Willow street

Gertrude Renn – 209 Depot street

Charles E. Wussow – 927 Wilson street

Cletus A. Blair – Route 2

Clement F. Boucher – 314 Wisconsin avenue

James Egan– 263 W. Wisconsin avenue

William Landreman – 115 Sixth street

James Toonen – Brothers Street

 

Enlisted

Wilfred A. Van Handel – Route 1

Harold J. Klitzke – 401 Klein Street

Son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schommer.

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Driessen.

Son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Skalmusky.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jirikowic.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumann.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Vosters.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wittman.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dimperio.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Verhagen.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Schuh.

Son was born Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Killian.

Son was born Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Yingling.

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Daul.

 

Time Machine Trip to July 1936

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen  KAHS

July 2, 1936

 

At 3:00 p.m., five-year-old Clifford Vander Steen (son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Vander Steen of Dodge Street) sank to the bottom of the Reichel ice pond swimming pool. He could not swim and floated out too far when his water wings slipped out from under him. Lifeguard Floyd Cotter noticed the danger, dived into the water, and successfully rescued and resuscitated the boy.

 

Over 1,600 participants are enrolled in the city's summer recreational program directed by Clifford H. Kemp across local playgrounds and parks.

 

H. S. Cooke was installed president of the Rotary club at the noon luncheon meeting at Hotel Kaukauna Wednesday. Mr. Cooke is a well-known and respected citizen of Kaukauna,

 

July 8, 1936

On Wednesday night in De Pere, 51-year-old Carl Jorgensen suffered a fatal heart attack while driving and died within minutes. As Jorgensen collapsed, his foot slumped down and pressed the throttle open. His 11-year-old son, Francis Jorgensen took the steering wheel and steered through traffic. When he could not dislodge his father's foot from the gas pedal, he shut off the ignition switch and guided the car safely to the curb.

 

June relief costs in Kaukauna dropped to $1,573.88 (down $335.12 from May) under city relief director Joseph V. Krahn. Local officials credit this steady decline to the city separated from the Outagamie Relief Unit. June labor statistics included 61 men on WPA projects, 44 men on PWA projects, 26 youth under the National Youth Administration, and 8 women on a sewing project managed by 3 women teachers.

 

July 13, 1936

 

Unlike other cities forcing citizens to curtail sprinkling, Kaukauna residents are encouraged by H. F. Weckwerth (manager of the City Electrical and Water departments) to use all the water they need to keep lawns and gardens healthy.

 

Due to extreme heat nearing 100 degrees, operations were suspended on Tuesday at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company, Union Bag and Paper Corporation, Moloch Foundry and Machine Company, and other local offices and construction projects. Several employees had been overcome by the heat.

 

Glimpses of World Events - Austro-German Peace: Austria and Germany ended their feud on Saturday, reestablishing friendly relations, which may lead to a triple alliance involving Italy. A tentative "gentlemen's agreement" was reached Friday between the Nazi government of the Free City of Danzig and the Polish government, temporarily lowering European tensions.

 

July 15, 1936

 

Funeral services for Peter Feller, 78. Pioneer Kaukauna hardware merchant, who passed away Thursday night. He had operated a hardware store in Kaukauna for the last 50 years.

 

Auto dealers sold 50,094 new cars during the six months ending July 1. This volume is nearly four times higher than 1933 sales, 9,000 units ahead of last year, and only 9,298 short of the historic 1929 record for the same period. Total employment across Wisconsin manufacturing industries for May rose 5.8% compared to May of last year and 43.3% over May 1933. Additionally, factory payrolls in May 1936 reached their highest levels since 1930.

 

July 22, 1936

 

Funeral services for John Schmidt, retired Farmers and Merchant Bank president, who passed away Saturday morning were conducted at St. Mary’s church. Schmidt was president of the bank a total of 19 years.

 

Marvin Miller of Kaukauna has been named head coach of St. Mary high school, Menasha.

 

July 24, 1936

Frank Evers of 603 North State Street, Appleton, was arrested on Tuesday for "jumping the arterial" (failing to stop) at the corner of Main Avenue and Second Street. He was fined $1 plus court costs in Justice Abe Goldin's court.

 

July 28, 1936

The Kaukauna Junior All-Stars defeated the Kimberly Junior All-Stars 20 to 1 at the library diamond. Kaukauna pitchers Micky Walsh and Art Grissman limited Kimberly to 5 hits. Willett Ranquette hit two home runs, while teammates McMahon, Winn, and Effa each hit one.

 

July 31, 1936

 

Peter A. Gloudemans was re-elected president of the Bank of Little Chute during a meeting on Tuesday evening.

 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Berg are the proud parents of a daughter born at their home.

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Borree are the parents of a daughter born at St. Elizabeth hospital.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Dudek at St. Elizabeth hospital.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Grode at St. Elizabeth's hospital.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Jaeger at St. Elizabeth hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Don Kenney are the proud parents of a son born at their home.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Noie are the parents of a baby daughter born at St. Elizabeth hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Rademacher are the proud parents of a son born at St. Elizabeth hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. George Zwick are the proud parents of a son born at St. Elizabeth hospital.

 

 

Time Machine Trip July 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

July 1, 1926

The Kimberly bridge over the Fox River has officially reopened to traffic on Monday after its span was severely damaged by an April windstorm. A large crew worked through the weekend—briefly closing boat traffic—to finish the project.

 

Tiger Bill" Smith is lining up the city's youth for summer playground sports. Following a highly successful turnout last year, attendance is expected to be larger than ever under his supervision.

 

On Wednesday afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock, two unmasked men carrying revolvers executed a daylight robbery at a bank in Dale, escaping with approximately $3,800.  Bank President Henry Schultheis and a clerk, Miss Viola Bock, were ordered to give up the money. They were locked inside the vault while the thieves calmly left. The pair freed themselves using a screwdriver and flashlight kept in the vault for emergencies.

 

 

Hundreds of visitors from across the United States traveled to attend the massive three-day Homecoming celebration hosted by St. Mary's church. Guest registrations at the grounds' booth showed a wide representation of different states, beginning with listings from Wisconsin.

 

Vampire Car Strikes Girl - Five-year-old Marie Vander Heiden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vander Heiden north of Wrightstown about 10 am Saturday morning. She died roughly eight hours after being struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver.

 

On July 10th, the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Kaukauna celebrated 15 years of business. Founded by a progressive group of local farmers, laborers, and businessmen, the institution now boasts over 3,000 depositors and total deposits exceeding $660,000. The bank originally opened on Main Avenue in a small building with just two employees. It has since relocated to the Central block, one of the city's finest structures.

 

July 18, 1926

Motorist Sees Kaukauna as a Friendly City. "The Right of Way," an automotive column in the Sunday Milwaukee Journal, highly complimented Kaukauna for its welcoming approach to tourists.  Unlike most towns that post aggressive "hardboiled" 10- or 15-mile speed limit threats, Kaukauna's incoming placard reads: "Kaukauna—A Friendly City. We Rely on Motorists' Judgment."  The columnist argued that drivers are far more likely to naturally slow down when treated with good humor and respect, whereas threatening signs only breed resentment and drive tourist business to neighboring towns.

 

At a Wednesday Kaukauna Rotary Club luncheon, Frank Charlesworth, Jr. requested a committee be formed to help the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) acquire a proper grave marker for Captain Hendrick Aupaumut who was a Native American Revolutionary War hero and one of only twelve Revolutionary soldiers buried in Wisconsin.

 

Dr. H. B. Tanner, a well-known former resident and two-term mayor of Kaukauna who now resides in Eastland, Texas, returned to the city for a two-day visit. Dr. Tanner remains active in politics and has accepted the Republican nomination for Congress in the 17th congressional district of Texas.

 

July 22, 1926

 

San Diego, Calif., sets a parking time limit on horsed as well as on automobiles.

 

Zwick mauled and ripped Johnny Dunn of Pittsburgh to a clean-cut decision in an eight-round go at Cleveland Tuesday night before a large crowd of rabid fight fans. Perhaps the biggest news of the recent sports season was the success of Kaukauna's Phil Zwick in the boxing ring. Week after week, fight after fight, the Kaukauna ring artist added one victory after another in putting together an outstanding record.

 

The local police department received multiple complaints regarding local youths swimming completely "devoid of bathing suits." The skinny-dipping occurred at the third and fourth locks, as well as the old dock at Tourist Park.

 

Mrs. Augusta Feldt passed away at her home on a Friday morning at 6:00 AM. Her death comes just three weeks after the passing of her husband, August Feldt.

 

July 27, 1926

 

Thomas H. Ryan, attorney for the village of Little Chute, suggested that a referee be appointed in the suit of the village of Little Chute against the government, to restrain the United States government from bringing criminal action against them. The action of the village was taken when the government threatened to bring criminal proceedings against Little Chute because of the village's alleged neglect to comply with the order of the war department commanding it to raise the level of the drawbridge over the Fox river. The village in its answer states that the county and government are responsible, the former because of the highway which crosses the bridge, and the latter because it owns the canal over which the span is built.

 

 

 

Time Machine Trip to July 1916

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

 

July 6, 1916

The strike at two Appleton pulp mills has escalated into conflicts between pickets and police. Laborers allege unnecessary police violence, including an assault on union leader, Burke and Alexander St. John—rumored to be a Pinkerton detective involved in the paper industry's eight-hour movement. St. John as filed a $10,000 lawsuit against Chief of Police Garvey, claiming the chief struck him.

 

At midnight on Monday, Otto Luedtke, Michael Kortz, Otto Kloehn, and Joseph Paulisch were injured at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Lawe Street. Immediately after purchasing two boxes containing 144 fireworks torpedoes each, one package was dropped. The resulting explosion detonated the second package carried under a man's arm, setting off 273 of the 288 torpedoes and embedding gravel filling into the men's bodies and faces.

 

Jacob Lang, a local grocer on Wisconsin Avenue, has been selected by Congressman Konop to become the new north side postmaster. He will succeed John C. Mitchell, whose term expires on July 23.

 

People living miles around Kaukauna have noticed a brilliant new light in the sky this week, with some mistaking it for a brand new star. The phenomenon is actually a large electric light installed by the electrical department on top of the high smoke stack of the old boiler house next to the power plant. The high-altitude light serves to mark the location of Kaukauna from a long distance away.

 

Madison—Over 2,500 state teachers will receive special state aid under a bonus law passed during the last legislative session. The amount of extra monthly pay depends on consecutive years taught in the same district: $2 a month for the second year, $4 a month for the third year, and $8 a month for four or more consecutive years. A small portion of each recipient's bonus will be allocated to the teachers' pension fund.

 

July 14, 1916

 

On the Island. View twelve good entertainments $1.50.

  

 

The Thilmany Pulp and Paper Co. paid every man in their employ a bonus of 10% on their total wages earned over the past six months, dating back to January 1, 1916. On July 10th, this advance was distributed to their 300 employees in addition to their regular wages. Based on an average wage scale of $60.00 per month, the total aggregate payout exceeded $1,100.00 for the half-year. This generous move has successfully kept their large crew of trained employees satisfied and, on the job, contrasting with other local employers currently suffering from disruptive labor strikes and production delays while trying to fill urgent orders.

 

July 21, 1916

 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Recent developments lead army officers to believe that the troops from Wisconsin will no doubt remain in the south for three or four months, even if there is no trouble. The Wisconsin troops have received their full equipment and none of the boys will have to sleep with the ants any longer, as all now have cots. The Badger soldiers held a celebration when they learned that regular bread was to be served in place of the usual army hardtack.

 

Nicholas Lom and John Van Dyke of Little Chute killed a sturgeon Sunday that weighed 118 pounds and measured seven feet in length. It was killed near the Little Chute dam.

 

Max Lemke is erecting a good-sized enclosure on his lot on Lawe street next to the Van Lieshout garage, opposite his place of business, wherein he will establish a fox kennel and endeavor to breed some black foxes. Mr. Lemke has half a dozen young foxes which were recently captured near here with which he will start his pen. He has also purchased a male black fox from John Micekalski of Pulaski which he will add to the kennel for breeding.

 

July 28, 1916

 

Aloysius Verfurth went to Milwaukee last week and returned on Saturday bringing back a new seven-passenger Mitchell auto, for which the Verfurth Co. have taken the local agency.

 

John Langendyk, about 30 years of age, a resident of Little Chute, was drowned last Friday evening in Lake Winnebago about two miles below Waverly. Mr. Langendyk had gone out to the lake with a party of others from Little Chute to spend the evening bathing and boating.