Time Machine Trip to April 1956

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

April 4, 1956

 

In the final program before Easter vacation started, the juvenile students and student teachers at the Outagamie County Teachers College down some outlandish headgear to parody the slightly more slaid hats which were seen in the annual Easter parade. The youngsters shown are Jim Johnson, Pat McGinnis, Barbara Heller, Mary Rose Eslein, Jesse Pratt, Verna Mae Beyers and Mark Rabideau.

 

Contracts totaling $60,353,500 for improving Wisconsin highways were approved according to the annual road construction report completed this week. This is an 85% increase over 1954.

 

Kaukauna Postmaster Robert Grogan this week reported that the gross receipts for the Post Office during the quarter which ended on the last day of March reached an all-time high of $18,376.19. “Since there have been no significant changes in postal rates over the past five years, with the exception of the passing of the one cent postal card, the larger receipts this year must be credited almost exclusively to the larger population, Grogan said. 

 

The Green Bay Packers added two more tackles to the roster Saturday when coach Leslie Blackbourn announced as signing of Bill Milburn, a 230-pound tackle from the University of Texas and Richard “Jocko” Gordon from Toledo University. 

 

Chief of Police Harold Engerson this week announced that the department will start a crackdown on “litter-bugs”, persons who discard waste materials, including empty cans, papers and other like material on Kaukauna streets and parks. The chief went on to say that the person actually discarding the waste material on the street would not be the only person arrested. He said that the operator of the automobile would also be subject to arrest and fine.

 

Telephone growth in Kaukauna during the last 10 years has been at a faster rate than in any proceeding of the history of the telephone, according to R. J. Kuehn, local manager of the Wisconsin Telephone Company. The number of telephones in use here at the beginning of 1946 totaled 1438. During the past decade 1798 telephones have been added bringing the total to 3146 telephones.

 

The final arrangements for the VFW wrestling show scheduled to take place on Saturday evening April 28 at the KHS gymnasium have been completed as far as the contestants are concerned according to Fred Mason director for the show. Lady Atlas of Sheboygan versus Katie Shane of Decorah, Iowa.   

 

Despite the very slow start in building activities in Kaukauna this year it now appears that the new homes for which building permits will be issued this year will be on a par with a number recorded during 1955 according to City Engineer John Strauss.

 

April 6, 1956

Joseph F. Bayorgeon, who Tuesday was elected to his sixth term as Mayor of Kaukauna, will have reason to recall the exact number of votes he received in the spring election. In the year 1956, he received a vote a year, for a 1956 total. With his re-election, Bayorgeon set a new record for the number of times in succession that a mayor has been re-elected in Kaukauna. The late Charles E. Raught was re-elected to office five times in succession between 1916 and 1924, and also served in 1898 and from 1904 to 1908.

 

Kaukauna merchants today are putting the finishing touches on their booths and will be ready by 6 PM for the official opening of the American Legion sponsored Home Show at the Kaukauna high school gymnasium. The opening ceremonies will feature a short talk by Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon and other remarks by Kaukauna advancement Association retail division head Larry Verhagen. The Legion general chairman for the event is Dave Specht and Legion Commander Al Martzahl. 

 

April 11, 1956

The second Kaukauna anti-polio clinic for grade school youngsters has been tentative scheduled to start Monday, April 30 according to announcement made this week by City Nurse Mrs. William Nagel.

 

VFW sponsored girls’ softball team open practice on Saturday and Sunday of this week according to their coach, Cliff Woods, “they look good in the initial drills”. Elaine Vanderloop and Sharon Paul were elected co-captains for the team from 1956 season.

April 13, 1956

 

A group of KHS students who took a tour of the East during the Easter vacation are pictured at the Kaukauna depot as they awaited the train for the first leg of their journey.

 

Eleven Kaukauna high school students earn straight A's for the third quarter of the present school term according to principal Julian Bichler's office files.

Seniors: Sonia Voet and Donna Moss

Juniors: Richard Boyd, Daniel Brenzel, Janet Oettinger and Ann Teske.

Sophomores: Judith Danner, Doris DeBruin and Karen Grafmeier.

Freshman: Patricia Doering and Sally Hertz.

 

One of Kaukauna's most familiar landmarks will soon be gone from the northern outskirts of the city, when wrecking activities are completed within the next couple weeks. The home located off of Highway 41 about two blocks east of the Highway intersection with Gertrude Street was owned by Mrs. John Diedrich. The home, located on the right of way has looked down on Kaukauna since 1846 when it was built. 

 

April 18, 1956

Reigning over the Junior Prom will be David Rausch, King and his Queen, Martha West. Dave was elected by his classmates and he in turn chosen Martha as his partner. The court concludes with Jerry Ederer and Lois Vanderloop senior representatives Donald Coenen and Susan Morgan, sophomores and Jerome DeBruin and Florence Schmidt, freshmen.

 

Fire Chief William Haupt this week reminded residence to exert extreme caution while burning leaves, twigs and other refuge as they clean their yards. “We've had a couple grass fires over the past weekend and while neither of them proved to be serious on a windy day such a fire could get out-of-control very rapidly and endanger homes and other buildings in the area,” Haupt said. 

April 20, 1956

 

To help juvenile shutdowns at the Kaukauna Community Hospital the girl Scout Brownie troop 59 recently presented packages of toys and puzzles for the youngsters. Shown with the gifts they presented to Mrs. Berenice Elliott left to right Susan Miller, Becky Speener, Jean Schmitz, Candy Davis, Mrs. Elliott, Ruth Voights, Barbara Van Dyke and Dorothy Damro.

 

Ted Gloudeman was installed as this Cub Master for Cub Pack 27 at the meeting April 16 at St. Mary's Hall. Other officers seated were Orville Cleveland, assisted Cub Master, Charles Schaefer, pack chairman and Mrs. Robert Klister, secretary treasurer.

 

Miss Frances Corry, Kaukauna high school advisor to the Quill and Scroll society, was named to the honor roll of the National Scholastic Press association. Principal Julian Bichler made the presentation. Leo Driessen was toastmaster of the award event. 

 

The Wisconsin State Highway commission last week announced the contract for replacing the present flooring of the Lawe Street bridge over the navigation canal has been awarded to Ray McCarthy and Sons Inc., Kaukauna. The estimated cost of the project is $28,590.

 

April 25, 1956

 

Bob “Crusher” Massey, also known in some as “Bad Boy”, a former Kaukaunan, who has wrestled professionally throughout the mid-west will be returning to his hometown on Saturday night to meet Mark Blazer, heavyweight wrestling champion of Wisconsin for the past two years in the 40 et 8 sponsored benefit for at the high school gym. The proceeds for the three-bout card will go towards sponsoring two county girls in their nursing education.

 

A total of 233 Kaukauna youngsters are scheduled to receive the first of two Salk serum inoculations Monday morning and afternoon according to an announcement made late last week by City Nurse Mrs. William Nagel.

 

Seaman John D. Lehman is home on a two-week leave at his parent’s home on East 16^th street. He graduated “Boot Camp” April 21 at Great Lakes. Following his leave he will be stationed on an aircraft carrier.  

 

Recent winners at the BAA wrestling tournament are Carl Hoffman, who won the 103–112-pound championship in the freshman – sophomore division and in the Junior – Senior division Les Schultz, the heavyweight championship.

 

April 27, 1956

The Kaukauna Police Department this week reported that they are planning to put the new speed meter into operation, possibly by Friday of this week. The chief reminds all residents that the speed limit in the city is 25 mph except for school zones, drivers are required to slow down to 15 mph when children are present.

 

Two Cub scouts from Pack 27 were presented with Webelo awards. The boys Donald O’Dell and Peter Hertz. On the left is Mervin Hansen, troop advancement officer. Louis Schultz scoutmaster, Leslie O’Dell, Mrs. and Cubmaster Frank Hertz and John Schultz assistant scoutmaster.

 

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Roovers

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Garvey

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Hurkman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. George Vande Voort

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Schommer

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Heuvel

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. George Bodde

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Pennings

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James McDaniels

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Smet

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Felton

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ervan Miten

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Spierings

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nechodom

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Elrick

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Peterson

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William Reinke

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Van Dereaa

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Haen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bodde

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Andres

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Westphal

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Schultz

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wellhouse

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cotnoir

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Jeffrey

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Barth

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Brocktrup

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Coonen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. William Landreman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Strick

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Martzahl

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Berryman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Kunz

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ansel Gilson

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Jansen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wulterkens

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Clark 

Son to Mr. and Mrs. William Goffard

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Verboomer

Son to Mr. and Mrs. James Vanden Heuvel

Time Machine trip to April 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

 April 1, 1926

The guessing contest that of estimating the weight of a bag of sand which was hung in the shore window of Mulford’s came to an end with three people tied for first place. The correct weight of the sand was 108 1/2 lbs. James O'Connor Harold Keefe and Otto Streck each guest 109 lbs. respectively.  To break the tie lots were drawn by the three men, and this gave James O'Connor first place, receiving a suit of Oshkosh overalls.

 

April 15, 1926

The Outagamie County highway committee voted to pay the highway patrolman $160.00 a month and the truck patrolman $100 a month at a meeting of the office of the county highway commissioner Friday. The patrolman looks after the highways and keep them in repair.

 

In a moment of ambitious feeling, it was decided to give the Legion club rooms that “once over” and strange to relate there were no shirkers, but every man-jack who had promised that they would be on hand for the scrubbing bee were there. And did they work when the crew of ex-servicemen got finished the place was spick and span.

 

Following numerous complaints which came into local police headquarters regarding the running of loose chickens, Chief R. H. McCarty issued a warning that there is a city ordinance which regulates the keeping of chickens in the city. The fowls must be locked up and if there are any complaints that guilty parties will be placed under arrest.

 

April 22, 1926

 

Golf courses, so we are informed are to be invaded this year by women flaunting their bare knees. See where a lot of tired businessmen will spend all summer on the links. Knee-d we say more.

 

The new football rule passed by Big Ten coaches imposing a 5-yard penalty upon a team that fails to complete a forward pass for the second or third time after a first down will not greatly affect any team which uses the forward pass sanely. According to George Little director and athletics and football coach of the University of Wisconsin.

 

Robert Minkebige, 12-year-old son of Otto Minkebige, was severely burned and cut on the hand as a result of a cartridge from a military rifle exploding in his hand last Monday. After finding the cartridge young Minkebige took it apart and exploded the cap explosion caused deep burns and four stitches to fix up the wound.

 

On Tuesday evening in Little Chute a collision occurred on Van Den Brock Street between Rev. Theodore Brockman and the streetcar. Rev. Brockman was driving south, the streetcar hitting the Buick practically in the center and forcing the automobile along the right of way cutting down two large poles and numerous fence poles before it came to a stop. Rev. Bachman, who was accompanied by Matt Gerrits of the village, stepped out unhurt.

 

April 29, 1926

 

In the recent city election, Kaukauna was given a new mayor to Dr. W. C. Sullivan, who defeated incumbent C. E. Raught in the election for that position.

  

Madison - Fred Zimmerman Secretary of State has collected and deposited with the state treasurer 400,000 silver quarters which he received in payment for automobile title fees to comply with the title registration law that had been enacted last season by the legislature. The weight of the silver is over 2 tons.

You've got to hand it to the great Ty Cobb. At the age when most men don't know whether they want a cane, a wheelchair or an automobile there's the great Ty still out there cavorting about the baseball diamond with the alacrity of a youngster. Reports have it he is not even showing any signs of having lost any of the batting, running and fielding speed that made my star on the first magnitude on major league diamonds.

Time Machine Trip to April 1946

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

April 3, 1946

George Greenwood, Kaukauna flyer enthusiast and partner in the Greenwood and West dealership of Taylor aircraft airplanes, reports the first post war sale has been made to captain Charles McClone, Appleton who navigated a B25 in General Jimmy Doolittle’s famous Tokyo raid in 1942.

Larry Verhagen, who has been engaged in the grocery business in the Kaukauna area for the last 15 years, will open his new, independent Larry’s supermarket at the corner of 3rd and Main Ave. Tomorrow morning. He has been a resident of Kaukauna for the last 17 years. He started in the grocery business with A & P and was a store manager for a year then operated Depot Cash grocery store on the north side for 10 years. 

Joseph “Doty” Bayorgeon, former 5th ward supervisor, was elected mayor of Kaukauna yesterday piling up an almost 2 to 1 advantage over his opponent and carrying all 5 words.

 

April 5, 1946

A recommendation that Kaukauna takes steps toward the purchase of electric power plants from which the city utility is now buying power was made before the Common Council by Louis F Nelson, retiree mayor.

 

Authorization from the board of public works to purchase a 76-inch Toro professional power Mower was granted at the monthly meeting of the common council. The mower is priced at $755.

 

April 10, 1946

New electric operating overhead doors are being installed on the fire department entrance of the municipal building this week, replacing the swing type which have been in place for 24 years.

 

The three-cent Roosevelt memorial stamp, which has been requested by the stamp collectors, is now available at the post office, Robert Grogan, acting postmaster said today.

 

Of eight students selected from the entire state of Wisconsin as the “most valuable” in their schools, Kaukauna place two in the recent contest. Thomas Gerend will receive a $50 award and Kenneth Dexheimer a $25 award as result of the contest conducted by the Wisconsin Elks associations. Students were judged on the basis of scholarship, citizenship and personality.

 

Phil Haas has seen participating in athletics activities. Having won letters and all the sports in Kaukauna high school. He is right at home on the gridiron, on the court, in the boxing ring are on the cinder path. So far this year has earned such honors as being chosen an all-conference half back the northeastern Wisconsin football loop an all-tournament forward in the recent Menasha regional basketball tournament. Last spring he took part in the state track meet in Madison where he ran both low high and low hurdles. Phil pitches for the American legion baseball team and is rated as one of the best around these parts. He has recently been chosen to be a member of the National Honor Society and has consistently placed on the honor roll.

 

April 17, 1946

In a letter to the War Department in Milwaukee, mayor Lewis F. Nelson has requested that steps be taken to reduce the number of whistle signals that are required for the passage through the five locks three bridges in Kaukauna. He stated the whistles are great disturbance which awakens tired workers and others both day and night.

 

Damage was done to two automobiles occurred Monday in a collision between a car driven by Carl Minkebige and one parked on the side street of Taylor according to the police report. The Minkebige car was proceeding east on Taylor St. about 3:00 AM when the driver apparently fell asleep the car getting out of control. The owner of the park car was Otto Trettin.

 

April 24, 1946

Dr. C. D. Boyd, who has served as superintendent of Riverview Sanitarium since the hospital's was erection in 1912, has decided to resign from the position and take a well-deserved vacation at 76 years of age. No replacement has yet been found.

Lloyd Rauen 7th St. Kaukauna admitted to municipal Judge Oscar J. Schmiege in Appleton Monday that he made a mistake. Rauen plead guilty and told the judge he was flagging down cars for a ride on an Appleton street when he flagged down the wrong car, a squad car driven by patrolman Adna Thomack.

April 26, 1946

 

Two Kaukauna pilots, George Greenwood and Leonard Van Zeeland, will participate in a statewide flight to Stevens Point Sunday morning for the installation of the 20th chapter of Wisconsin Civil Air Corps.

 

A son born to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Huss

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Gerhartz

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Schuring

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Weyers

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ploetz

A son born to Mr. and Mrs. Val Wheeler

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Green

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed Mullen

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith P. Cury

A daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Fenske

A son born to Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Hanby

 

 

Time Machine Trip to April 1936

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

April 3, 1936

Over 3000 women of Kaukauna and vicinity attended the four classes of the 9th annual Kaukauna Times free electric cooking school conducted here and at Little Chute this week. The grand prize of the school was a General Electric refrigerator which was won by Mrs. Al Siebers of Kaukauna.

 

Fire smoke and water caused damage estimated at several $1000 to the Colonial theater building, Lawe St. about 11:00 Wednesday evening. The Kaukauna fire department was summoned to the scene by patrolman John Haid of the Kaukauna Police Department when he noticed smoke pouring forth from the building.

 

The Kaukauna high school alumni association will be organized at a meeting of all high school graduates to be held at the civic auditorium on Sunday afternoon. Joseph C McCarty will act as chairman of the meeting, and he asked for every graduate of the school to be present from the first graduating class to the present one.

 

A total of $76.30 was spent by candidates for the city offices in their campaigns according to expense accounts filed with the city clerk L. C. Wolf Tuesday. The fourteen candidates listed their expenses on their campaigns. Arther Nagan spent the least $1.50 while Bert Roberts spent the most at $15.30.

 

Marian Charlesworth, a very talented young lady, is this week’s high school Hall of Fame. She is well known for her Elton voice. Marion belongs to the girls Glee club of which she has been a member all during her high school career. Mary is also talented in dramatics, appearing in leading roles in plays.

 

April 7, 1936

 

Miss Lucille Hildebrandt and Edward Eiting led the grand march Friday evening at the first annual physical education demonstration at the Kaukauna high school gymnasium. They were selected by members of the physical education classes.

 

L. C. Wolf, Kaukauna's city clerk for the past 38 years, was defeated in today's election by Lester J. Brenzel, who will take over that position. Wolf, who is 77 years of age, received a total of 1,055 votes while Brenzel totaled 1,528 for the victory.

 

John H. Niesen will continue as mayor of Kaukauna for two more years as result of today’s election.

 

Jumping an arterial and crashing into a car, injuring 7 persons cost James O'Connell of Indiana a fine of $1.00 and cost of $4.75 in Justice Schwin's court this morning.

 

Ten cars with defective lights were stopped by the Police Department over the weekend. All were instructed to have their lights repaired. Two cars which carried 1935 license plates were also stopped by the department.

 

April 17, 1936

 

This is Mr. and Mrs. Phil Zwick taken on the day of their wedding, March 27, in Liverpool, England. They have left for South Africa where they will spend several months. Phil, who is a former Kaukauna resident has been making a name for himself “across the pond” by staging some good professional boxing bouts. 

 

Little Chute – Gregory Lenz was appointed fire chief of this village at a meeting of the village board Tuesday evening.

 

Mrs. Bridget Kilawee, age 95 years, Kaukauna’s oldest resident, passed away at St. Elizabeth Hospital Tuesday evening where she had been confined for one week. Death was the result of a fall on steps at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Hatchell of Doty St. on Monday when she fractured her hip and dislocated her shoulder.

 

April 21, 1936

 

James E. McFadden, who served Kaukauna as assistant chief of police for 15 years, was named chief of police at a meeting of the fire and police commission Friday evening. McFadden succeeds Chief R. H. McCarty who will become postmaster to succeed A. R. Mill. The appointment becomes effective May 15.

  

Death claimed George W. Black, this morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital following a long illness. Mr. Black, age 32, was an attorney practicing law in Kaukauna.

 

April 24, 1936

A new meat market to be known as Kuehn and Simon market, will hold a formal opening Saturday on East 3rd St. John Kuehn and Argo Simon are the proprietors of the new modern market.

 

Dear Annabelle: I’ve decided to break off with my girl can you tell me the best way to do it?

Ans: Try writing her love letters on post cards.

 

Misses Irene Vanderburg and Edna Sperka of Kaukauna were among the group of girls who danced at the Orpheum theater in Green Bay Wednesday evening.

 

April 28, 1936

Members of the Kaukauna Electric City Post No. 3319, Veterans of Foreign Wars. rolled a high score in the state V.F.W. bowling tournament at Appleton Friday evening. The Electric City post team rolled 2624 to lead the team event. Individual scorers of the team were Charles Schell 540, C.  Hilgenberg 533, N. Mertes 528, A. Kromer 523 and C. Brandt 500.

  

Evangeline Nettekoven, a senior, is featured in this week's Kaukauna high school Hall of Fame. More commonly known as “Vangie” she won the girls tennis tournament 2 years in succession and has her name engraved on the silver loving cup in the trophy case at school.

  

The border patrol tightened its blockade along California lines. Indigents were turned back from the state line, if they could not prove residence or show sufficient means.

  

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Bachhuber

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Van Grinsven

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. H. Killian

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Van Linn

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Gordan Frank

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester De Bruin

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. William Vanden Heuvel