Time Machine Trip to December 1900

 

Kaukauna Times - December 1900

By Lyle Hansen

December 7, 1900

Four men and one boy were instantly killed, and thirteen others injured by the explosion of a boiler in the powerhouse of the Chicago and Northwestern Road at Chicago Monday afternoon.

 

Mart Kelly, who was employed at the Thilmany mills, got a small piece of steel in his hand about a week ago. He now has blood poisoning and there is a possibility of Kelly having to lose his hand.  

 

December 14, 1900

The resolution passed at the last meeting of the common council ordering all places of gambling and houses of ill repute closed upon order of the mayor, was put in force Monday morning, and acting under orders the police force notified all saloon keepers and others coming under the ban to discontinue all games for money.  By noon all the slot machines had their pictures to the wall and the whir-r-r of the discs of fortune were silenced.

 

Charles Holtz, a farmer in the town of Liberty, Outagamie county, has brought suit against John Hansen, a young farmer from Stephensville, for $30 and interest for one year, for depriving him of the services of his hired girl by marring her. The current Mrs. Hansen was hired by Holtz as a servant girl for a period of one year. Hansen came along, proposed marriage, and had agreed to pay Holtz $30 to release the girl from the contract.

 

December 21, 1900

Under the Mistletoe

 

The little flurry of snow that fell here last Friday was the tail end of a storm that piled up “the beautiful” fifteen inches deep at Manitowoc the same night.

 

The 1900 census of the City of Kaukauna sets the population at 5,115, compared to 4,667 in 1890, a growth of 448 in ten years.

 

A stranger, claiming to be a wealthy ranchman for Montana, has arrived at Appleton and says he is searching for a wife. He said he has $1,500 and would give half to the girl who would marry him. Come to Kaukauna, old man, you could get several for that price here. 

 

December 28, 1900

Bishop Messmer, of the Green Bay diocese, has come out with an official approval of the recent order that the English language be spoken in all the churches of the diocese. The children instruction would be in English and in their mother’s tongue when preparing them for first communion.

 

F. A. Briggs, superintendent of the Thilmany Pulp & Paper mills was presented with a handsome chair and footrest Monday afternoon as a Christmas remembrance from the employees of the mill.

New York – One evening a man came to the police station house asking if any lost children were there. Three were asleep in the back room and the man went to see if his own was among the number. He wakened a boy about 3 years of age and asked if he was Johnny So and so. The little fellow being very sleepy could not make an answer and the man turned away saying he would have to send his wife. “What don’t you know your own child?” asked the police official. “To tell the truth, I don’t. When I go to work the kids are sleeping and when I get home at night, they are in bed.  I never see them. Later his wife appeared and identified one of the children, not being the one he had picked out of the group. 

Time Machine Trip to December 1890

 

Kaukauna Times December 1890

By Lyle Hansen

December 5, 1890

Some men will sit for hours in a crowd around the stove in a grocery store telling stories about things that they can remember that happened in early childhood and go home with the letter in their pocket which their wife gave them to mail before they left home.

 

UPRISING IN THE SOUTH – Oklahoma, I.T., Dec. 2 – The Messiah craze is fully on in the Indian Territory, and the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Osage, Missouri and Seminole tribes are the most uneasy. The Kickapoos, 25 miles south of here, a tribe which is always been more or less uneasy or superstitious, are dancing. The Sixth Calvary has been ordered to Fort Meade and General Merritt has received orders to send the troops at Fort Lewis Colorado to Fort Meade.

            Birmingham, Ala., Dec. 2 – The strike of coal miners of Alabama went into effect yesterday. Of the 8000 miners in the state it is estimated that 6000 are out. A number of the mine operators here are going to fill the places of the strikers with Negroes. They expect eventually to operate their mines entirely by Negro labor.

John Holberg has received a carload of handsome cutters this week. A number of them will be placed on sale and the balance goes into his livery barn.

 

Residence Burned – One of the Lakeshore Company’s houses on the hill took fire about 10 o’clock this morning from a defective flue. The fire Department turned out as quickly as possible but, owing to the fact that, the engine is at present without a heater and stands with cold water in the boiler it was sometime before water reached the flames. Damages are expected to amount to several hundred dollars.

December 12, 1890

Asks for More Money – Mrs. Gen. Custer, who since the death of her husband, has been receiving a pension of $600 a year, and now has asked to have it doubled.

 

      Crows Sell Their Land – The work of the Crow commission has been successful concluding at the Crow Agency, Montana, with the Indians selling to the government nearly 2,000,000 acres of the western side of the reservation. The consideration was $948,000. The Crows are quiet and take no interest in the Messiah craze

      Disturbed the Peace – On Tuesday morning of this week Wm. Klumb, chief of the fire department swore out an arrest for John Kavanaugh charging him with willfully disturbing the peace last Sunday morning, by ringing the fire alarm bell at the engine house without just cause. The case promises to be an interesting one and in case Kavanaugh is defeated in justice court he will undoubtedly appeal to the higher court.

       Brakeman Killed – Mr. Louis H. Eagan, age 25, employed as a brakeman on the Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western road was killed at Eland Junction last Friday morning. While engaged in switching, his foot got caught and he was thrown to the track the train passing over his limbs severing both between hip and knee. He died shortly afterwards. His remains were brought back to Kaukauna in the evening. He leaves a widow here having been married for only a few months.

 

      Volunteer Department – The Green Bay Fire Department lacks sufficient organization and practical training. The Council has decided the companies will be “overhauled.” The department at Green Bay is one similar to Kaukauna principally volunteers receiving little or nothing for services rendered. In case of a fire laddies they are expected to turn out in rain, hail, shine or snow, mud ankle deep or snow up to the knees, 40° below or 90 above.

 

Met the Wrong Men – A dispatch from Navajo Springs, A.T., of a shooting affray occurred yesterday afternoon, resulting in the probable death of Bud Blake, an ex-cowboy and one of the most feared desperados in this section. Blake rode into town yesterday afternoon and after filling up on tanglefoot proceeded to shoot up the town. After terrorizing the citizens, he rode across the country in the direction of St. John's about 2 miles from here. He encountered two telegraph operators returning from an antelope hunt. Riding up within 50 yards he called upon them to throw up their hands and received an immediate response in shape of a volley from a Winchester. Blake fell from his saddle mortally wounded. The men rode into this place where they gave themselves up to the constable. 

 

December 19, 1890

The Badger Paper Company's plant has been fitted throughout with the Grinnell Dry Air Automatic Fire Extinguishing system, which places the mills under far better protection than formerly.

 

SITTING BULL KILLED – Standing Rock Agency - Dec. 15 - Gen. Miles’ staff, received a dispatch from St. Paul, saying Sitting Bull was arrested this morning at daybreak by the Indian Police. His friends attempted a rescue and a fight ensued. Sitting Bull, his son Blackbird, Catch Bear and four others were killed. Also killed were seven Indian Police.

 

Gen. Sherman says that “the idea of supporting the Indians in idleness, while white men have to work for a living, is a reproach to the government and it is to be hoped that Congress will turn over a new leaf in that respect.”

 

The Pope Critically Ill – A dispatch from Rome says there is much anxiety at the Vatican over the condition of the Pope; he has been seriously affected by the extreme cold weather. Dr. Ceccerelli, who is attendance on His Holiness, has prepared for the worse.

 

December 26, 1890

Kaukauna's real estate boom has not let up during the past year as it has in many other areas. It is estimated that over eighty new buildings have been constructed in this town over the past twelve months, including both homes and businesses. The manufactories which have been put up during the year include: The Kaukauna Fibre Company's plant, the Badger Sulphite Fibre mill, and the Thilmany Paper mill.

 

County officials are in a squabble over the tramp question. In accordance with their solution to provide a stone pile at the County seat and set the tramps sentenced to jail at work cracking stone. The shed has been built and the stone secured, and an overseer has been engaged to look after the tramps. Sheriff Conlon, however, objects to the rulings of the committee and refuses to allow the tramps to be taken from his custody until the overseer furnishes a bond in the sum of $5000, and now trouble is brewing.

 

The Northwestern passenger train was stopped three times Monday afternoon for the purpose of ejecting tramps. No sooner would the train start than a half a dozen would again climb aboard.

 

How the Boy Begins Dudism – It is a curious fact that a boy's first awakening to the desire for personal adornment is always connected with his necktie. From the time that he attains his first boots he cares nothing for his appearance, until one day many years later. He suddenly demands a new necktie.  It is the beginning of the end. Next, he wants long trousers then begins to brush his hair, then a high collar and a cutaway coat following in quick succession.  He then wants to possess a dress suit after which it is his mustache and whiskers occupy all of his thoughts that are not engaged in imagining how he will look in a tall hat. Therefore, it is with a passive thrill of pain that I heard a small boy put first on his list of expectations for Christmas, “a tie and a tie pin.”

SLAIN BY INDIANS - Wounded Knee Creek, Neb., Dec. 29 – Bright and early were the troops up this morning. At 8 o'clock the Calvary and dismounted troops were massed about the Indian village, the Hotchkiss guns overlooking the camp not 50 yards away. Col. Forsythe ordered all the Indians to come forth away from the tents. They came and sat in a half circle until counted. The Calvary men surrounded them. The order was then given to 20 Indians to go and get their guns. Upon returning it was seen that only two guns were had. A detachment at once began to search the village, resulting in 38 guns being found. As the task was about complete the Indians surrounded by company's K and B began to move.  All of a sudden, they began firing rapidly at the troops not 20 feet away. The troops were at a great disadvantage fearing they would shoot their own comrades. The Indian men, women and children ran to the south, the battery firing as rapidly as they ran. Soon the mounted troops were after them shooting them down on every side. The battle lasted fully an hour and a half. To the south many took refuge in a ravine, which was difficult to dislodge them. The soldiers were shooting the Indians down wherever found and gave no quarter to anyone. To say that it was the most daring feat, 120 Indians attacking 500 Calvary.  It could only have been insanity which prompted such a deed. It is doubtful if before night either a man or woman out of all Big Foot’s band will be left to tell the tale of today’s treachery.  The members of the seventh Calvary had once more shown themselves to be heroes and in deeds of daring.

Time Machine Trip to December 1880

 

Kaukauna Times December 1880

By Lyle Hansen

December 3, 1880

Mr. and Mrs. John Patterson rejoice in the advent of a 12 ½ pound boy at their home.

 

Phoenix, Arizona – Demetrio Domingues, age 17 years, was hanged for murder on the 26^th of November. This is the first legal execution in the territory, though it is a known fact the several men have been lynched at various times.

 

December 10, 1880

Wm. H. Vanderbilt, the great New York millionaire, President Rhinelander, S.S. Sands, and the general officers of the M., L. S. & W. R'y. visited Kaukauna this week. These are influential and wealthy gentlemen, mainly those connected with the great Kaukauna Waterpower Co. The visit portends great things for Kaukauna.

 

December 17, 1880

We are informed that it is probable that Kaukauna will be favored in the near future with a theatrical representation by the Appleton Dramatic Association. "The Octoroon" is underscored.

The Kentucky “Moonshiners” are again organizing, and the U.S. authorities are taking steps to subdue them. Arms will be resorted to if necessary.

 

December 24, 1880

The Northwestern Telegraph Co. put in an office at the depot of the C. & N.W. R'y on Tuesday, now giving Kaukauna two offices, one on each side of town. This will indeed prove a great convenience to the businessmen of the village located on the north side, who have been compelled to cross the river whenever they wished to use the wires. It will also be a decided benefit to the traveling public, as the exact position of trains and their probable arrival time can be ascertained.

 

S. J. Long, age 35, brakeman on the Louisville and Nashville road, was killed near Glasgow on the 15^th.  He was on the top of a car as the train entered a tunnel. His head was knocked off.

 

December 31, 1880

Kaukauna now boasts of a real, live milkman who drives through the streets daily blowing a horn to arouse the people to inform them that the dispenser of the lacteal fluid is at the door. Who says we do not put on style here?

 

Jamesburg, N.J. - Some time ago the Chinese workers in the shirt factories struck. The factory people replaced them by American laborers, three hundred finding employment. The Chinese quarters outside of the town have been abandoned, all the occupants leaving the place.

Time Machine Trip to November 1960

 

Kaukauna Times November 1960

By Lyle Hansen

November 4, 1960

Bert W. Fargo, Mayor of Kaukauna during the depression and a former businessman, died Thursday noon at Westtown, Pennsylvania, after an illness of about a year. He was 84.  Bert came to Kaukauna at the age of six in 1882. His father made furniture and coffins in a shop on Wisconsin Ave. He lived most of his life in Kaukauna leaving for a time traveling to Washington state then returning at the age of 39 to take over the family store and funeral parlor. During the depression Thilmany Mill was struggling and was making plans on moving out of town. He made arrangement for the city to lend $50,000 to assist them with construction plans. The funds were paid back by the mill within five years. He was known for his wisdom. “Never let money dominate your professional interest in what you are doing. If you do it will show up in your work and it will not be as good as it should”. Bert would recall that he was a member of the first football team of Kaukauna High School. The team had to practice and play in secret due to football being branded as being too dangerous a sport at that time. He graduated in 1894 from Kaukauna High School.

 

“We’ll probably have the smallest “big school” basketball team I have ever seen this year, but I’m still not too discouraged about our game winning prospects for 1960-61,” Commented Jerry Hopfensperger after looking over his varsity candidates at practice Monday.

 November 9, 1960

The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts won their first championship in the Mid-Eastern conference as they defeated the Clintonville Truckers 12-6 Saturday evening. The conference championship was the first for the Ghosts since 1950 and their 8-0-0 was the best since records were kept in 1935.

 

November 11, 1960

John F. Kennedy, Junior Senator from Massachusetts was elected the 34^th President of the United States. Tuesday’s election was the closest in history. A record number of voters were seen going to the polls. Votes in Kaukauna went for Kennedy-Johnson 2523 and 1663 for Nixon-Lodge.

 

November 16, 1960

Contracts in the amount of $163,252 were awarded Wednesday for the construction of the new wing at the Kaukauna Community Hospital to A. H. Nimmer Construction Company of Kaukauna.

November 18, 1960

Robert Wurdinger, varsity fullback for the Ghost team for the past two years was elected team captain for the 1961 season, according to head coach Harry Wilson. When the titles were handed out, senior halfback Bruce Bay was named the most valuable player of the squad, also receiving the title of best backfield man who made the most tackles of 54. Bill Jirikowic was named most improved and Chuck Dorn the best lineman for the year.

November 22, 1960

Kaukauna police chief Harold Engerson issued his annual reminder to motorist regarding overnight parking during the winter months. From the date of the first heavy snowfall or December 1, which ever comes first, all automobiles must be kept off city streets from 1:00 to 5:00 am. No warnings will be issued by patrolmen finding autos illegally parked.

 

November 24, 1960

By tomorrow evening the streets of Kaukauna will have been completely decorated in their Christmas finery for the holidays and shopping season. William Ranquette, manager of the Kaukauna Utility says that city workmen, are in charge, of putting up the ornaments and greenery. The community Christmas tree will be put up in its traditional station on top the city garage at the bottom of the Lawe Street Bridge.

 

November 30, 1960

Gale force winds Monday afternoon resulted in bringing down the city Christmas tree. Four of the guywires broke at the same time resulting in the damage. The utility reports about 80 percent of the lights were broken so a big replacement job is in store for the crew.

 Brides November 1960

 

 

Time Machine Trip to November 1950

 

Kaukauna Times November 1950

By Lyle Hansen

November 1, 1950

Five Kaukauna men were included in the 31 draftees that were inducted from Outagamie County Thursday. They are Clifford O. Fischer, route 2, Arthur A. Meulemans, route 2, James S. Lehman, Doty Street, James J. Siebers, Third Street, and Marvin De Bruin 8^th Street.

Pvt. Leo A. Fink and Pvt. Charles J. Rolf have recently completed the Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Base, San Antonia, Texas.  

Little Chute – Vincent Vissers, Pine Street, Gordon Hammen, Depot Street, and Gene Vanden Heuvel, Main Street, and Gerry Verhagen, Lincoln Avenue left Thursday for training in the armed forces this week.  

November 3, 1950

The seven-man Kaukauna police department had a busy time in October. They made 102 investigations, escorted three funerals, policed two fires, disposed of five dogs, served one garnishee, served three summons, served two vacate notices, investigated three truancy cases, conducted 96 drivers tests, returned six people that were lost, reported 37 street lights out, found five merchants doors open, investigated 15 accidents, gave lodging to two people, policed four civic amusements and placed signs for the board of health. All this in additions to the routine arrests made for parking violations, drunken driving. The police cars traveled 4,500 miles and the motorcycle was ridden 810 miles.

 

November 8, 1950

Kaukauna High School now possesses its 11th conference football title in the past 13 years, as the Ghosts of 1950 captured this year’s title.

 

Employees of the Combined Locks Paper Company were granted an increase of 8 cents per hour, effective November 1, 1950. This brings the base pay for men to $1.22 an hour. The base rate for women is now $1.16 per hour. 

 

November 10, 1950

Lt. Tom Velte, Fourth Street, will leave Wednesday for the San Diego Boat Group training center. During WWII Lt. Velte served with the Merchant Marine and in the navy.

 

Pat Flanagan, perhaps the greatest football lineman ever to graduate from Kaukauna High School, is making all kinds of things happen at Marquette University this year. The national football Los Angeles Rams has invited him to look over a grid contract but had delivered the contract to a girl in Milwaukee named Pat Flanagan by mistake. This is the first time in professional football that a girl was sent a contract. Pat Flanagan, of Kaukauna, told the Rams that he has another year at Marquette. The girl Pat Flanagan told them her Mom said no.

 

November 17, 1950

Richard W. Biese, fireman, USN, Brothers Street, is serving aboard the USS Amphion.  

Naval Cadet John A. Deering, USNR, route 2 Kaukauna, recently completed the first phase of his aviation training by making his first solo flight at Whiting Field, Florida.  He will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve upon completion of his flight training.

 

 

November 22, 1950

Two Kaukauna men, Francis H. Yingling, quartermaster, second class, USN, Desnoyer Street and Donald J. Rupiper, seaman apprentice, USN, Joyce Street are attached to the carrier USS Midway in the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Captain William P. Kelly, golf pro at the Fox Valley Golf Course, who was re-called to active duty last month is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico. He is connected with the Guided Missile experimentation.

 

Little Chute – A 6’6’ center and his teammates from Milwaukee Cathedral spoiled St. John’s opening game of the 1950-51 basketball season Sunday with a 46-28 decision at the Dutchman gym. 

 

November 23, 1950

Topping the list of deer reported from the Northwoods by hunters is the 260-pound, 11-point buck bagged by Harold Roloff, Division Street. 

 

November 29, 1950

Two maples stood between Al Schumann and a perfect game of 300 when the Kaukauna kegler went on a bowling rampage Monday night at the S & B alleys. Schumann had an 8-pin hit on his last shot to end with a 298 game. He had a 765 series for the evening.

1950 Park School Kindergarten - Bottom row from left: Mary Schwin, Kathleen Verhagen, Tom Driessen, Frances Nelson, Margaret Ann Coleman, Susie Smith, Dick Robach, Jerry Kobussen, 2^nd row: Herman Runte, Carol Sullivan, Mary Ristau, Mary Hoehn, Judy Laborde, Kay Hartzheim, Tom Otte, 3^rd row: Kathleen Ann Hartjes, Kathleen Mooney, Fawn Pechman, David Liethen,  Tom Berg, Pat Berg, Julie West, Loreen Hermans, 4th row: Kay Kuchelmeister, Edward Weber, Charmaine Melchoir, Donna Jean School, Mary Ann Vanevenhoven, Kathy Eslein, Jack Benotch, Bill Jirikowic, Barbara Kuhn, Greg Russo.

 

November 1950 Brides