Time Machine

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Time Machine Trip to March 1906

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

Kaukauna Historical Society

March 2, 1906

The City Brewery of the north side has been sold by Peter Helf to John Regenfuss, consideration of $8,300. The property transferred includes the brewery, malt house, dry kiln, and two cottage residences, occupying the corner of Desnoyer and Tobacnoir Streets, four lots in all. The new proprietor has been connected with the Walters Brewing company at Menasha for a number of years and is quite well versed in the business. Extensive improvements will be made to the plant.

The regular spring Kermess at Little Chute was held Monday and Tuesday and was attended by the usual large crowd, all the neighboring cities being present.

The depth of a mother's love was shown at Appleton, Monday when Mrs. Joseph Kabat of Reedsville, visited her son Wenzel E Kabat, the alleged murderer of Michael M McCarthy at the county jail. The broken-hearted mother spent all day there with her son, the conversation was carried on and the Bohemian language the guards were unable to report the trend of the conversation. There is no dungeon too low or scaffold too high for mother’s love cannot reach.

According to a letter received at the office of the Chilton Times, the High Cliff property has been sold and will be improved. H. Caldwell, M. D., of Saint Louis, Missouri, states he negotiated the purchase of the High Cliff property for the sum of $12,000. The company which the doctor is connected will build a $20,000 hotel and sanitorium. They will also build a harbor and have docks and all the necessary boat landings.

March 9, 1906

M.A. Raught has leased the vacant room in the Central block building, formerly occupied by the Secker Bros. furniture store, and will run a first-class restaurant therein about the first of May. In addition to a choice line of confectionery, fruits, etc. a large ice cream parlor will be fitted up and a handsome soda fountain installed. Mr. Raught has not yet decided upon the full details of the new establishment but has assured the people of the city of an up-to-date restaurant in every respect.

A young man entered Cohan’s clothing store and told the proprietor he wished to buy a coat and a vest. He was having the desired articles and then having them on suddenly rushed out the establishment. Cohan shouted, “Stop the thief!” A policeman taking in the situation at a glance drew his revolver to fire at the fleeing culprit. Seeing this the proprietor rushed up to the officer and explained shoot him in the pants, the coat and vest are mine.

Miss Ida Enter of Seymour, a domestic who claims to have been duped by a man she consented to marry and was fleeced out of $100 in Minneapolis. She was in Appleton Wednesday in search of the man who also duped other girls. It is said that the man had obtained some of $100 to $300 from no less than six servant girls this past year.

March 16, 1906

Druggist F.M. Charlesworth is now the owner of two drug stores in this city, one on each side of the river, having purchased Dr. H. B. Tanner's pharmacy on Wednesday. Mr. Charlesworth will continue his north side store and also the newly acquired one, conducting the latter under the name of the Kaukauna Drug Co. The purchase of the south side store by F.M. Charlesworth brings it back into the possession of the one who established the store in Kaukauna, he having started the first drug store in the village of Ledyard upwards of a quarter of a century ago.

Rochester, N.Y. March 13th. Miss Susan B. Anthony is dead. The long and eventful life of the noted suffrage came to an end on Tuesday morning.

The Sun has called attention to the fact that half-hour cars at certain times of the day are necessary between this city and Appleton, but it appears that the Wisconsin Traction, Light, Heat and Power company are in the business for all there is in it, regardless of the comforts of the patrons. The editor of the Sun made the trip from Appleton to Kaukauna, Tuesday afternoon on a car leaving the county seat at 4:15 and had the pleasure of standing up the entire trip.

The basketball game between Kaukauna high school girls’ team and Menasha which was played at Heindel’s hall Friday evening proved a decided victory for the home team. Very few fouls were called and the excitement was intense. Kaukauna scored 20 points to the visitors 5.

March 23, 1906

At a meeting at the office of Drs. Tanner and Donaldson on Friday night, local physicians decided to increase their fees on the first of April. After that date a day visit will cost $1.50 instead of $1.00 as heretofore. An ordinary night visit between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. will be $2.00. For all country work a rate of one dollar per mile will be charged. Confinement cases will range from $10.00 to $15.00. The minimum for office consultations will be fifty cents.

Something never heard of in this city took place on Sunday at the Kaukauna Gun Club shoot at which over 200 people were present. Gus Hilgenberg brought two birds in one shot. Hilgenberg made a clear square breaking the full number of 26 blue rocks at 25 shots. At the seventh shot somehow and throwing up two birds as is the custom they made flights slightly different angles and happened across each other in the course just at that moment the shot struck, breaking both birds to make in a record never known among sportsmen here.

March 30, 1906

J. L. Anderson, the Wisconsin Avenue grocer, will start a dollar from his store, to which has been attached a ring and a number of tags. The tags announce that the object is to demonstrate that a dollar spent at home will return to the original spender eventually, to be paid out again and again, and thus be kept in circulation among resident people, while a dollar spent abroad seldom, if ever, returns to the local channels of trade. Those who come into possession of this particular dollar are requested to write their name on one of the attached tags and spend it again the first time they have occasion to spend a dollar. The mission of this dollar is a worthy one and everyone who gets possession of it should assist in proving the advantage of trading at home by carefully following the instructions.

Commencing January 1st, 1907, the salary of the Catholic priest in the Green Bay diocese which had been $600 at the lowest will be $700.00. Parishes having from 200 to 300 families will pay their pastors at least $800.

The floating bridge at Kimberly was damaged by the wind, ice and water Thursday breaking in the center. Workmen have been busy since the accident repairing the structure and it will be sometime before usage to the mill will be able to continue.

Reverend Fathers Kuhlmann and Otten of St. Louis, or conducting mission at St. Mary's church, Kaukauna, commencing Sunday April 1st and continue one week. The mission will be in the German language on Sunday April 8th.

Friday, March 6, 2026

Time Machine Trip to March 1896

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

Kaukauna Historical Society

March 6, 1896

Nine hours now constitute a day's work at the shops, an extra hour having been added Monday. The employees now work until 5:30 p.m.

Oscar Thilmany attended the skat tournament at Appleton Wednesday evening and pulled down another trophy.

Barcelona, Spain – Indignation and hate against the United States seems to have taken possession of the heart of all Spain over the action of the United States senate in recognizing the provisional government of Cuba. A public demonstration of 15,000 people is protesting against the United States in Spain.

The Appleton council has cut the salaries from $100 to $1 per animal for the ensuing year. The Crescent thinks the move will keep many from seeking the office who regard the position as a snap, thinking only of the $100 salary, needless to their ability to fill the office with satisfaction. The TIMES can inform the Crescent, however, that such is not the case just look at Kaukauna council for the salary is not even $1.00 per year. It’s the honor, don’t you know.

Indianapolis, Ind., - Commander-in-Chief Walker of the Grand Army of the Republic has made public that the Grand Army of the Republic shall not take any part in the celebration of the Fourth of July if it is arranged for war veterans of the north and the south to march together.

March 13, 1896

A head end collision occurred on the Ashland division near Tigerton last Tuesday afternoon, as a result engines 47 and 88 are in badly demoralized condition, together with several cars. Dan Hennessy was engineer and seems to be responsible for the wreck, his watch having stopped, thus throwing him off the time schedule. Both engine crews saw the inevitable in time to jump from the locomotives and escape with a hard shaking up.

The Badger Paper company and the Thilmany Paper company, having refused to pay the taxes leveled against their property for the year 1895 on the grounds of excessive assessed valuation by the city. City treasurer Faust posted notices last week to the effect that pulp wood and other material at the mills had been levied on by the city to be sold at public vendue to pay off the taxes.

March 20, 1896

Farmers in the Wrightstown area have been missing fowl and other property over a period of time. Last Wednesday night three well-known local citizens were caught with the goods. A big crowd gathered, and a rope was produced. But if not for the common sense of a few men, the fellows would have been hanged.

At the government Indian school at Carlisle, Pa., the graduation of four students from the Oneida reservation took place recently. The names of the graduates are Herman Hill, James Wheelock, Miss Cynthia Webster and Miss Selia Cornelius.

Fort Scott, Ark., “Cherokee Bill” was hanged here Tuesday. He but 20 years old and been a member of the Bill Cook gang. Cherokee broke away from the gang and went on his own. He committed many robberies and not a few murders were laid at his door.

Many of the lumber camps in northern Wisconsin and Michigan are breaking up and men are returning home from them.

The days of the old-fashioned slate for writing purposes seems to be counted, says an English exchange, and nobody will be sorry for it except those who hitherto manufacture them. The new substitute is made of paper, or rather a thick kind of parchment, from which writing on ink as well as lead pencil can easily erase with a wet sponge.

March 27, 1896

One of the large 3.500-pound pulp grinders at the Western Paper Bag Company's plant burst last Monday night. One of the pieces of stone passed downward tearing a large hole in the floor. No one was injured by the flying pieces.

A child playing with matches is not more dangerous than a politician playing with religion.

The Republican ticket for the coming offices of Kaukauna for 1896 was placed in nomination last evening. For mayor – Thomas Reese; for clerk – Charles B. Kraebs; for treasurer – F. J. Solar and for assessor - C.C. Green.

William F. Montgomery, a druggist of Appleton, is one of 300 heirs to the property of Alexander Montgomery, who died nearly 100 years ago leaving real estate covering 59 acres in the vicinity of Wall Street, New York, leased to a syndicate for a long time. At the time of his death his deeds and papers were lost and the claims for the heirs could not be proven. These papers have recently been found; it is claimed and established the title of to the heiress to the property valued at $300 million.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Time Machine Trip to March 1886

This Trip is sponsored by:

Look Back in Time

Antiques and Collectables

112 E. 2^nd St.

Kaukauna, Wi 54130

920-759-1985

Kaukauna Times & Kaukauna Sun

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

March 5, 1886

The prospect that Kaukauna will undergo a "boom" this coming summer is, indeed, flattering. Already arrangements have been inaugurated for a number of store buildings and something over a hundred dwellings of modern design will be constructed. The advancement made by Kaukauna during the past two years has been somewhat remarkable and we can reasonably expect that the summer of 1886 will be no exception to those of '84 and '85.

Indianapolis – A box car which had grain on the floor was invaded by a flock of goats. When some boys came by, they closed the door to the car. The workers thought it to be empty, and it was shipped out. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, the door was opened and the goats scattered in the yard. The railroad workers gathered the goats only then discovered the joke.

Butler, Penn. – A man sent 25 cents to learn how to make $50 a week at home. He received the following printed slip; “Fish for fools as I do.”

Philadelphia Newspaper - Charles, I hear you are going to marry Miss Softly. Charming woman! Let me congratulate you on your good taste.

Ah, yes, but the fact is, I have broken off the match and am not going to marry anyone. Then let me congratulate you on your good sense.

Robinson Kemp was sentenced at Fort Smith, Ark., to be hanged on April 27^th for murder. On that same day seven others condemned for Indian Territory murders will be hanged.

March 12, 1886

The political pot is not boiling as vigorously as might be expected, still there is enough being said to warn voters that election is approaching. The lack of candidates for the several city offices may be the result of the decrease in amount of salaries.

John J., of Little Chute, who advertised for a wife through the Times last week, is meeting with good success in the way of offers. A School Marm from Buchanan, who is 28 years of age and calls herself good looking, will try and make herself both useful and ornamental. She wishes to meet Johnny immediately.

The Kaukauna Sun, ever enduring to keep up with advanced processes, has just added to its already varied supply of material, several new and unique typefaces which will enable it to cope with the work turned out by any office in the state.

North Manchester, Ind. – A mob of 150 men went to the house of R.B. Swankin, who was accused of beating his wife and abusing his family. They ordered him to pack up and leave town. They then beat and horsewhipped him. He was escorted to the town limits given another whipping then told to skip and never return.

The latest style hair dressing is called “sweet disorder.” It gives one the appearance of being blown through a tree top.

Texas – Two wretched looking tramps were brought up before the justice of peace. Addressing the worst looking one the justice asked: “Where do you live?” “Nowhere.” “And where do you live”, addressing the other. “I’ve got the room above him” he responded.

New York City – Another case of a perfectly sane woman being shut up in a Lunatic asylum has been brought to light. The railroad, in an effort to procure the right of way through Staten Island, found that a certain track of land was the property of a young lady who was the inmate of an insane asylum. It became necessary to have her examined to see if she could make a contract. The results showed that she was not insane at all nor had she been. And yet she had been confined in this horrible prison for more than two years.

March 19, 1886

The Southside post office, which has heretofore been known as Ledyard, has been changed to South Kaukauna.

Batavia, N.Y. – A little newsboy started four years ago on a capital of five cents. He has supported himself in the meantime and now has $250 in a bank. He is an example to boys who infest bad places and complain they can find nothing to do but puff cigarettes and talk slang.

A large wolf which had been feeding on farmers’ sheep in the northwestern part of Racine County was killed by Anton Kruze north of the city. Between twenty and thirty sheep had been killed by the wolf.

March 26, 1886

Wisconsin Avenue is barely navigable for empty wagons. The sidewalks, however, are a consolation to foot passengers.

Carrolton, Miss. – Fifty men rode into town and repaired to the courthouse where thirteen Negroes were waiting for a trial to begin. The white men walked into the court and shot ten of the Negroes dead and mortally wounded the other three. The Negroes were accused of the attempted assassination of a prominent citizen several weeks ago.

Montgomery – Al. – Jefferson Davis has promised to lay the cornerstone of a monument to Alabama soldiers about the last of April and to lecture for the monument fund on the capital grounds where he took the oath of office as president of the Southern confederacy. Thirty companies of Alabama militia will be present.

Philadelphia, Pa. – About twenty boys in a packinghouse gave the following written notice: “Boss, we’re de packing’ boys. We wants to work eight hours a day, an’ we wants four dollars a week, an’ if we don’t get it we won’t go to work, and dere’ll be trouble. Patsy Shea and others.”

Twin City News Rumor has it that Kaukauna is blessed with a genuine old-fashioned “Witch” capable of telling the past, present and future. Who says the age of prophecy is gone?

Friday, February 27, 2026

Time Machine Trip to February 1976

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 3, 1976

Carl R. Runte, 72, former proprietor of the Runte department store here and a member of one of Kaukauna’s oldest business families, died suddenly Saturday in Fullerton, California while he and his wife were visiting their daughter. A lifelong resident of Kaukauna being born here May 15th, 1903. After college he returned home to work for the family business. He took over the management in 1942 after the death of his father.

The winning Girl Scouts and the bicentennial float design contest joined with the contest judge and one of the sponsors for a look at the overall winning design. Deb Ziegelbauer, of troop 312 (seeded) drew the winning entry. With her is Fireman Scott Robach, contest judge Joyce Arnoldussen, and three first place entries Emily Hinkens Troop 248, Heidi Voet, Troop 389 and Beth Vanevenhoven, Troop 222. The contest was sponsored by the Firefighters Local 1592.

Mobile radio operators were told Saturday night that the hot setup for preventing the theft of radio equipment was to lock their car doors when leaving the vehicle add to engrave identifying numbers on their two-way radio units.

If you're pumping your own gas exclusively at a self-service station, the chances of your car breaking down are increasing with each tank full, according to the American Automobile association. Unless you are a do-it-yourself mechanic or someone who has the car checked frequently at a competent repair garage, many motorists may have future car problems.

February 5, 1976

The Holy Cross cheerleaders received the second-place trophy at the Reedsville Basketball tournament. Left to right Debbie Huss, Sue Verbeten, Kara Kamps, Cheryl Gilchrist, Diane Brown, Diane Weyers and Karen Weyers.

In an order received yesterday, the Federal Power Commission has suspended for three months a request by the Wisconsin Michigan power company to increase the rate for power it sells to the Kaukauna Electric and Water Utility. The temporary suspension will save the KE&W about $225,000, which it would have paid if the new rate had gone into effect as of February 1st as planned.

February 12, 1976

Four scouts from Troop 146 of the Immanuel Church of Christ earned the Eagle Award. Rev. Harvey Kandler far right is pictured congratulating the scouts. Craig Kandler, Greg Noonan, Dale St. Arnold and Mark Abel.

A pair of language offerings will be made available to students at Kaukauna high school in the coming year, the first is an offering of the Spanish department and the second involving the language of the computer. The Kaukauna school district’s Board of Education voted Tuesday afternoon to allow the high schools mathematics department to initiate a course in basic computer language and programming provided that no additional teachers are necessary and the subject to review at the beginning of the second semester of 1976-77 school year.

Kaukauna artist Mary Haen McKay received “Best of Show” award and an honorable mention for artwork being shown at the Arts Unlimited exhibition at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. The “Best of Show” award was given to her for an oil painting entitled “The Picnic”. The painting depicts a picnic held along the Fox River in approximately 1917.

February 17, 1976

Those who like their high school basketball fast-paced loved Friday nights encounter between the Kaukauna Ghosts and the Oshkosh North Spartans. The Ghost scored more points than any other FVA team last night but also gave up the most in an on inspiring 86-68 run and gun affair. Offensively Kaukauna exceeded its average by 9 points and boosted a few individual offensive averages especially those of Greg Jensen and Ross Gordana who combined for 51 points.

February 19, 1976

Combined Locks is one of the first cities to join in a nationwide bicentennial competition to become America's Votingest City by November 2, 1976. Bicentennial chairman Fred J. Pennings accepted the challenge on behalf of the community. Cities and villages from 28 states have entered the competition by February 1st.

No mother would be willing to do anything to harm her child, but an expectant mother may unknowingly be jeopardizing the health and even the life of her unborn child says the Wisconsin Lung Association if she is a smoker.

February 26, 1976

By defeating Manitowoc and Kimberly last Thursday the Kaukauna Ghostettes basketball team won the WIAA regional tournament at Kimberly. Bottom row Marianna O'Connor, Lisa Schwalenberg, Jean Meyerhofer, Sue Gerow, and Paula Giordana. Back row Debbie DeBroux, Lynn van Vonderen, Tina Klister, Debbie Meehl, Capt., Cindy Mischler, Helen Wall, Yvonne Evers and coach Janet Knapp.

The land to the rear of the Grignon home could be developed into a tri-level recreation area for winter and summer activities as well as open play and natural area, over a five-year, recreation officials were told Monday.

Cheryl Florek of Neenah found herself in some tough straits as a result of a February 14th theft in Kaukauna. At noon that day when she stopped to pick up a friend on West 7th St. It was just a quick stop, but it gave someone time to enter her car and steal a saddle bag purse. She is unemployed and has two children. Her bag contained $120 in cash and all her credentials which now need to be replaced. In the meantime, she is now about out of money and has asked anyone with information on the bag to contact her.

Tomorrow night's game against Oshkosh North will mark the final regular season game for Kaukauna high school seniors. Mark Van Grinsven, Tim Wirth, Brian Hacker and Dennis Kramer.