Time Machine Trip to March 1890

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

March 7, 1890

Two extra dryers were added to the paper machine at the Thilmany Mill. The machine now has a total of twelve.

The star of Bethlehem will again be visible this year, being the seventh appearance since the birth of Christ. It comes once in 315 years and is of wondrous brilliancy for the space of three weeks, and then it wanes and disappears after 17^th month. It will be the sixth star added to the five fixed stars in the constellation Cassiopeia while it remains in sight.

William Gatz, an employee of the Milwaukee, Lakeshore and Western shops had a great misfortune being injured in such a way Monday morning that the loss of his left eye will be the result. Dr. Tanner treated the injury.

March 14, 1890

A new experiment will be tried at the Thilmany Paper Mill this week and work preparatory thereto is now under way. An attempt at manufacturing striped manila paper will be made. The necessary ruling machine is being placed in position and a few days will show whether, or not it is a success.

New York, March 11 – Among the 927 immigrants who arrived here today on the steamer Elder, over 80% of these will have come under contract to work in the mines. The majority of them are Hans and Serbians. They are going to work in the mines near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A Black Hills paper reports a curiosity in the way of a lawsuit in the spectrum of humanity.  A man found a pocketbook in one of the valleys containing $250. It contained no clue to the loser about a month later he discovered the owner in another locality and took the money to him. The man was very grateful for the recovery but demanded interest on the money for the time the finder was hunting for him and he brought a lawsuit and recovered $1.45 and costs. It is not one of the good incidents to show that “honesty is the best policy.”

March 21, 1890

The Times St. Patrick's Day edition, printed in green, which was distributed at the opera house last Monday was in great demand and many were the compliments received for our enterprise. As the paper was a novelty many carried them home and have them carefully preserved as souvenirs.

The members of the Kaukauna Fire Department attended their chief Wm. Klumb surprise party at the firemen’s hall last Saturday evening. Mr. Klumb (center of the photo with beard) was requested to call at the hall during the evening and when he arrived, he found, a large number, of the members and invited guests present. Mr. K was then presented with a fine crayon portrait of himself by the department, after which refreshments, games, singing the other amusements followed.

John Junk an employee of the Lake Shore shops had his face badly burnt Monday. He was working near a steam pipe and another laborer accidentally open one of the cocks.

March 28, 1890

A large steam pump has just been put into the boiler house at the Kimberly Mill, to be used as an extra protection in case of fire.

The total wealth of the United States at the present time is given at $71,000,459 which makes it the wealthiest country of the globe. The figures compared with 10 years ago shows an increase of 42% of wealth.

Gen. George Crook of the United States Army died in his room at the Grand Pacific in Chicago last Friday morning at the age of 62. Gen. Crook graduated from US military Academy in 1852 being called to duty the same year. From time to time he was engaged in a number of Indian campaigns among which were the chase of Geronimo and his braves in 1886. At the time of his death he was a major general of the division of Missouri.

Westchester Pa., – A young woman made a desperate attempt to escape from the Villa Maris Convent. About 6 o’clock one morning she leaped from one of the windows of the large convent building to the ground and ran down the boardwalk leading to town. She was clad only in her night clothing and had nothing but stockings on her feet. After her ran five nuns. When she got 100 yards from the convent, they caught her and dragged her struggling and crying bitterly back to the convent. A young lad who was near by was told by one of the nuns that the girl was sick and delirious, but this the fugitive indignantly denied. The girl is about 18 years of age and of an attractive appearance.

Time Machine Trip to February 1970

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 4, 1970

The cold wind and deep snow meant nothing to the drivers Sunday as the Fox Valley Sports Car Club stages its first trials of the year at Waverly Beach on Lake Winnebago.

Due to the closing of the former dump site in the Town of Buchanan, the Kaukauna board is considering alternate means of waste disposal. Two types of trash management were discussed. One process would be the burning of up to 48 tons of trash per day reducing it to 7% volume. The second method would be a landfill process. 

February 6, 1970

Patrolman John Carnot uses and inflatable splint to immobilize the arm of Sgt. Gerald Lopas as part of first aid training program for students.

February 11, 1970

The cause of the fire which took the lives of Mrs. Marvin Hooyman and four of her children in an early morning blaze on January 11 is still unknown according to Fire Chief Ted Smits. 

A new store at a new location was opened by the St. Vincent de Paul society of Kaukauna Monday in a step forward in a move to downtown Kaukauna. The society purchased the Second Street building next to the Vaudette theatre. The building was formerly the Stokes Grocery store.

February 18, 1970

Three Kaukauna High wrestlers qualified for the sectional tournament to be held in Green Bay on February 20 – 21. Mike Pomeroy at 137, Steve Van Schyndel at 145 pounds and   Norm Van Wychen at 115 pounds.

Zooming down the hill at Kaukauna’s Riverside City park was this happy youngster. Tim Schell manages a smile despite being snow-covered and cold on his saucer sled.

February 20, 1970

Holy Cross School assured itself a share of the Catholic Boys’ conference title Sunday with a win over St. John’s of Menasha to the tone of 58-42. The win left Holy Cross with a 13-0 record for the season. Both Holy Cross and St. John’s went into the game with 12-0 records.

 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

Time Machine Trip to February 1960

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 3, 1960

Badger Northland employees voted by 7-1 margin to settle contract negotiations for 1960. The employees had voted 4 to 1 to strike on February 24^th unless wage increases were granted.

Kaukauna beat Kimberly 59-56 and secured first place in the Mid- -Eastern conference basketball league.

February 5, 1960

Tom Wendland has become Kau-Hi’s first homebound student. A victim of polio he is not able to attend school in person. By means of a telephone “intercom”, Tom has a direct connection with several High School classrooms. He carries a full academic program and has maintained a straight ‘A’ average. 

February 10, 1960

Thilmany recorded record sales and production figures for 1959. The sales of 33 million are 5 million over the previous years.

February 12, 1960

Badger Northlands tenth anniversary in Kaukauna will be observed today with an open house. Guides will greet the guests and escort them through the plant.

Walter Schmidt, a teacher and counselor at Kaukauna High School for the past 19 years, Tuesday evening was named Principal of the High School, effective July 1, 1960, by action of the Kaukauna Board of Education. He will succeed Principal Julian Bichler, who will be superintendent, replacing the retiring T. H. Boebel.

February 19, 1960

First Aid procedures in event of a disaster are practiced by students and teachers at the OCTC.

The oversized uniform of Navy whites has become somewhat of a classic theatrical costume since the production of the Broadway musical and later the movie “South Pacific”. Joanne Vandehey used the costume and a recording of the number to pantomime her way to one of the first prizes in a recent Youth Center talent show at KHS.

February 24, 1960

J. Grant Whitman of Kaukauna died Sunday at the age of 95. He was born May 19, 1884 and his family moved here from Little Chute in 1868 when he was four. His recollections of times past were sharp and clear. As a young man he helped break out the stone for building Nicolet School from a quarry that is now the current site of the high school football field. The only bridge over the river was a floating draw bridge at the end of Wisconsin Avenue. He began working at Thilmany in the 1890’s. “There was a year of hardship when we had to wait two months for our pay, and I remember workers coming to their jobs with just one slice of bread and a boiled potato for lunch”. Grant recalled when his father accidentally struck his foot with an axe. “The infection resulted in the doctor removing his leg right on our kitchen table”. I carved a leg for him out of basswood, installed some straps and he got along pretty well with it.” 

Fire caused several thousands of dollars in damage to an apartment building on West Second Street. The three-apartment structure is owned by Vern Despins.

February 26, 1960

Record sales and earnings were reported by the Kaukauna Electric and Water department. Net income was up $31,000 and net sales up $29,000.

David Hash boy’s physical education instructor demonstrates the traditional starting position on Mickey Thompson during a recent class. 

Eagle scouting awards were given Sunday evening at St. Mary’s church to members of the Scout Troop 27.  Pictured Left to right are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lappen and their son Dennis; Dr. and Mrs. Alphonse Bachhuber and their son David; Wallace Mooney, who made the presentations; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Jaeger and their son Kenneth; and Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Hansen and their son Lyle.

Dave Yokeum was among the prize winners in the Kaukauna Youth Center talent show with his performance on the drums.

1960 Ford Sunliner

Time Machine Trip to February 1950

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 1, 1950

89,000 United Auto Workers left their jobs in Chrysler Corp. plants in six states in demand for a 10-cent-an hour welfare package. The strike halts 7,100 cars per day at the plants.  

Captain Rollie Halfman, Kaukauna, graduated last week from the Air Force Communications school at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Captain Halfman entered military service in April 1941. Upon graduating from the school Capt. Halfman was promoted to the rank of major.

Donald Diestler, Kaukauna, who is stationed with the army at Okinawa has been promoted to Private First Class. Diestler enlisted in the army in January 1949.

Opportunity knocks but once upon one’s door so when the telephone rang at the home of George Webster last Friday night little did, he think it was Dame Fortune herself calling. The operator told him it was a long-distance calling; he was surprised and unprepared for the voice on the other end. “Is this George Webster? This is the Break-the-Bank quiz program calling from Chicago and if you can answer the question correctly you will receive the award of $1,000. What is the largest city in Africa?” Poor George with all that cash at stake couldn’t think of the city. “Too bad better luck next time.” The correct answer was Cairo, Egypt. 

February 3, 1950

Census takers are needed in the area. Qualifications needed are that the person be a U.S. citizen, have at least a high school education and be able to understand written and spoken instructions. The census to be taken this year is the seventeenth since 1790. The daily wage a worker may can earn is $7.50 to $8.50 for a full day’s work. 

Cliff Hinkens is now just one point short of doubling the total of his closest competitor as he continues to lead the scoring in the Municipal race. Hinkens now has counted 163 points for an average of 23 per game. Far back in second place is Dick Pearson, the top scorer for the Modern Dairy with 82 points, 14 per game.

February 8, 1950

Quite a mix-up has taken place over the weekend in the professional football coaching staffs. To begin with the old Packer mentor of the Bays, Earl “Curly” Lambeau, signed with the Chicago Cardinals as their head coach. This came as a big surprise and left the head coaching position of the Packers wide open. But it wasn’t long before the Packer management announced the signing of Gene Ronzani, former Chicago Bears star, as the new head coach.

February 10, 1950

Packed snow and glare ice on the city streets will offer far less of a driving hazard due to action on the part of the shop classes at the Kaukauna Vocational school. A novel sand and cinder spreader has been hand-made by members of the Machine and Welding classes.

February 15, 1950

Pfc. Robert Bartels, Kaukauna, is currently serving with the occupational forces in Honshu, Japan. He is assigned to the duty with the 32^nd Infantry Regiment as a rifleman. Bartels has been in the army since November of 1947.

The Engerson family Trio – John Engerson, right, who will celebrate his 84^th birthday February 16 and his two sons, Chief of Police Harold Engerson left and Fire Chief Carl Engerson standing. 

February 22, 1950

Corporal Gilbert Arps, Kaukauna, was sworn into the US Army Reserve Corps’ 291st Combat Engineers last Wednesday at the armory in Appleton.

A copy of the January 4, 1800 issue of the Ulster County, N.Y. Gazette containing the account of the funeral service of General George Washington first president of the United States has been loaned to The Kaukauna Times in commemoration of his birthday today February 22. This old newspaper is 150 years old and yellowed with age. The paper is the property of Milton Schmitt of Kaukauna. 

February 24, 1950

Jeanne Carstens, five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carstens Seventh Street fractured her right leg Monday afternoon while sleigh riding near her home. She is confined to her home.

1950 Ford Convertible

Time Machine Trip to February 1940

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 2, 1940

Carl Ploetz, of the K. E. & W. team, rolled a 621 series on the Wednesday night league at the S & B Alleys.

February 7, 1940

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Great speculation prevails in Washington as to whether President Roosevelt will seek a third term or not,” according to eight district congressman Joshua Johns. “The next president of the United States will have a heavy burden to carry. It will take a young man strong in body and mind.” 

Kaukauna walloped West De Pere 48 to 24 Friday night at De Pere putting the Kaukauna squad one game out of first place. Giordana again led the Kaws with 28 points and Alger with 12 and Koch with 11.

Andy Hardy has girl trouble again in “judge Hardy and Son” which opens Sunday at the Rialto for the three-day show.

February 9, 1940

Enrollment at the school of vocational and adult education at the end of January totaled 529, according to director William T. Sullivan. Unemployed young people of the city are taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the vocational school.

February 14, 1940

“The reason that the average life of an Indian is 36 years longer than that of a white man is due chiefly to the fact that Indians go to bed at sunset and rise before dawn,” said Chief Whitefeather, a full blooded Indian at a lyceum program at the high school Tuesday morning. He said the Indian believes in three essentials of life, sun, earth and water. 

Fire shortly before noon Friday destroyed the former Little Chute Pulp company building at Combined Locks, a 40-year-old structure estimated loss is $25,000. The building was owned by the Green Bay and Mississippi Cabal company and was leased to the Combined Locks mill in 1914.

Holy Cross defeated St. Mary’s Saturday morning 14 to 0 to take over first place in the grade school league. Lanky Ervin Lucassen led the Holy Cross in its one-sided win. He used his height to advantage to score five baskets for 10 points.

February 23, 1940

The question to restoration of the salaries of firemen and policemen to the 1932 level will hold up adoption of the city’s salary ordinance until next week when the common council will decide the matter.

February 28, 1940

The former building of the Union Bag and Paper Company, owned by the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, has been leased by the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company and will be used for additional converting quarters and storage rooms by the Thilmany Company. The Union Company is no longer in operation here.

More children died in traffic accidents last year according to a report from the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Department. creasing. Lives of 151 persons under 20 years of age were lost in accidents last year compared with 132 in 1938.

High school ice skaters who won races are J. Winn, Harold Vandenberg, J. Wandell, Coach Mr. Kemp, Joan Derus, L. Smith and Laverne Lopas.

1940 Ford Coupe Deluxe

Time Machine Trip to February 1930

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 4, 1930

A telegram received here today states that a carload of horses will arrive in Kaukauna this evening in preparation for the horse auction to be held here Saturday in connection with the monthly pig fair.

February 7, 1930

Word received from Ralph Emerson, prominently known Chicago organist and frequent visitor to Kaukauna states that he will be at the keyboard of the world’s largest organ with a program being broadcasted over radio station WLS this Friday evening.

 

February 11, 1930

Kaukauna motorists have been warned by Chief of Police R. H. McCarty that only a month remains before autos must have their 1930 license plates. No warnings will be issued this year. 

February 14, 1930

A warning that the quarantine against rabies in Outagamie county is still in force. All dogs must be confined to the premises of the owners under a penalty of a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100. Because of the outbreak of rabies in Kimberly last December 17^th the quarantine has been in effect.

F. W. Berg of Appleton has taken over the Service laundry, second street, and is now operating the place. He has eight years of experience from the Peerless laundry in Appleton.

Rev. H. J. Lane, scoutmaster of Kaukauna Boy Scout Troop 20, announced that the troop now has 33 full-fledged members and is at full strength.

Anton Jansen

By a vote of 22 to 19 the Outagamie county board of supervisors accepted the resignation of Anton Jansen, Little Chute Village president, from the highway committee. Jansen resigned in opposition to action in cutting the wages of some of the highway crew workers.

February 18, 1930

One hundred and fifty farmers representing the rural population of Freedom, Dundas, Wrightstown, Darboy, Sherwood, Forest Junction, Harrison and Greenleaf met in Kaukauna Friday afternoon and perfected the organization of the Kaukauna Cooperative Egg Producers’ association.  Kaukauna will be the shipping center for the eggs. 

February 28, 1930

Hundreds of visitors attended the opening of the seventh annual Mid-Winter fair Thursday, in Kaukauna, the morning finding the visitors busily engaged in entering samples in the various exhibits, and the afternoon finding them entertained and instructed by means of various speeches and the program in the auditorium. In the evening, the auditorium was also crowded, as every parking space for blocks around was filled. Today is finding another large crowd of visitors taking advantage of the fair, and this evening's crowd is expected to break all records for attendance.

George “Stormy” Kromer! That name is one which is as every dyed-in-the-wool baseball fan knows, closely connected with that great national game of baseball. But how did he get that name “Stormy”? We’ve asked several old timers, but none seems to know. The answer maybe from a column in the St. Louis News edition of February 20^th. One of Stormy’s greatest bid for fame was made in 1925 when he was bossing the Blytheville team on a record run of 35 straight defeats. The team lead the league in fielding, was sixth in batting, third in home runs, fourth in triples, sixth in doubles, and first in bases on balls. At the same time, he was turning out 360,000 hats a year at his Milwaukee plant.  Once he was elected captain of a team to succeed a fellow who was known Windy. He wasn’t on the job two days when one of the players said if the old cap’s name was Windy this fellow’s a Stormy.