Time Machine Trip to September 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

September 2, 1926

According to Wm Van Dyke, local theater owner, who recently acquired a lease on the Bijou theater on the north side, the formal opening of the show house will be held next Sunday, September 5th, showing Colleen Moore in "Irene", with a matinee starting at 2:30 o'clock, and the evening performance starting at 7 o'clock. The Bijou theater is undergoing a thorough process of redecoration at the present time, both inside and outside, and will be in first class condition for the opening performance.

 

As an added feature for next week, Mr. Van Dyke has secured the services of the Peters Bros., European artists of the concertina for presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will give one performance at the Bijou and at the Vaudette each of these two evenings.

 

Poverty is a relative condition. That is, the poor of today are more richly endowed with worldly goods than the poor of twenty years ago, although the one felt no poorer nor richer than the other. Many of this age who feel poor would be considered better than moderate means by their corresponding class of two decades past. Picture a boy of poor family in 1905; Home-cut hair, trousers made over from father's and then patched, patch-quilt shirt, sans shoes, stockings and underwear, happy with a penny or marble, lucky to have darned stockings, baggy underwear and a frayed coat and cap for winter and compelled to work his way into the circus or for his infrequent ice cream soda. And the poor of twenty years ago were content with such homely fare as beef stew, potatoes and rice. Parents then boasted of wearing the same suit or dress for ten years—it was fortunate for them their clothes were durable for they could not have purchased new ones.

 

As a remedy for divorce a Chicago judge urges men not to marry until they reach the age of reason. But that would bar so many from marriage altogether.

The class of '26 began the year in a new high school. We left an old, congested brick building that had served as a high school for many years. We had to walk up flights of wooden stairs that were worn thin by the ever-tramping of nearly three-hundred students over the same paths. We had always visioned the day when we would be students in a wonderful new building. Today, our dreams have vanished, and we are proud to say that our high school is no longer a vague conception, but a reality.

 

September 9, 1926

Zwick continued his winning streak when he knocked out Phil Sousa of New York in the third round of a scheduled ten rounder at Canton, Ohio, Labor Day afternoon.

 

Everybody kicks about the weather, but, as Mark Twain so sagely observed, nothing is ever done about it. Nothing, that is, except to inflict upon the strangely submissive male sex the order to don straw hats on May 15, and to take 'em off on September 15.

 

September 16, 1926

A. P. Andersen, local auto livery and transfer line owner, received a new specially built limousine hearse with a landau back, from the Kissel Motor Car company of Hartford, as an addition to his funeral equipment. The hearse was driven to Kaukauna by a representative of the company last Friday, and since its arrival here has been a center of attraction for admiring crowds.

 

With the beginning of school last Tuesday, Coach Smith sent out a call for material for the football team. About thirty men reported for practice the first night. The most promising candidates for position at fullback are Marvin Miller, last year's tackle, and Jack Verbeten, former halfback. The successor at quarterback position will probably be filled by Landreman, a last year substitute. Hollis Whitman will probably fill position at one end with Captain Noie at the other Mislinski.

 

A. Ludke of the Kaukauna Pigeon club won the first and second places in the 200 mile flight last Sunday from Kasson, Minn., when his first bird was checked in at 2:35:53 in the afternoon, and the second pigeon at 2:45:33. Edward Ludke won third and fifth places, and Frank Heimke was awarded fourth.

 

Many a married man is hocking his car to get his wife the demanded fur coat. And he'll have to keep warm by "getting hot under the collar" thinking about the deal.

 

September 21, 1926

Melford Spaulding, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Spaulding, E. Eighth street, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock, when he fell from the top of a hickory tree, and landed on the ground fully 35 feet below. Dr. Gallaher was immediately summoned, and the injured lad was rushed to the St. Elizabeth's hospital, where an operation was performed upon him at once.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kromer announced the birth of a baby son last Saturday. Art is awfully proud of the eight pounds of life.

 

Now that the ladies have taken to wearing extreme, boyish bobs and rompin' about in golf knickers—it won't do for us men to run up behind somebody, thinking we recognized an old friend and administer a stinging slap on the back.

 

September 23, 1926

 

The Rev. T.P. Hilborne and family are guests at a reception of the Methodist church here Thursday evening. Rev. Hilborne will assume charge of the Methodist church here.

Norbert Noie, captain of this year's football squad, was elected president of the senior class by a large majority at the meeting held last Friday, September 17, during the general assembly period. At the meeting Thursday morning the other class officers were elected. Valery Vanevenhoven will fill the office of vice president and Helen Esler that of secretary-treasurer. Elizabeth Derus and Elmer Grebe were elected to lead the cheering.

 

Considerable discussion is heard these days as to the means that may be adopted to keep folks on the farm. The situation has become serious, for many experienced farmers are moving into the cities, either for the purpose of earning what they consider easier money, or to use their savings in giving their children and themselves the advantage of city life. The fear is expressed that the production of food may become reduced to such an extent that the scarcity will not only greatly increase prices, but threaten the welfare of the people.

 

September 30, 1926

 Arthur Esler, 15 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Esler, Elm street, was instantly killed Thursday evening at 8:30 o'clock, when he came in contact with a high tension wire on the Wisconsin avenue bridge. According to eye witnesses Esler climbed up one of the girders supporting the high tension wires above the bridge and was almost instantly electrocuted. He was badly burned about the body, his clothes catching fire when the wire shorted and produced a flash that could be seen in all parts of the city. His body hung upon the girder for approximately three minutes before falling to the bridge. A physician was immediately summoned and an attempt was made to revive the boy which proved futile.

Time Machine Trip to September 1916

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

September 3, 1916

 

Last Friday the Electrical Department closed a contract with the Combined Locks Paper Co. which will eventually involve the use of 1000 kilowatts or approximately 1300 horsepower, This is the second big contract that has been made within the last sixty days, a similar one having recently been made with the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Co. The Thilmany however, only takes water power current, power subject to the water conditions, which means that they use power from the electric power plant only at such times as power is available from the flow of the river.

 

Herman Gustman and his family narrowly escaped serious injury Sunday morning when their car went backward down an 18-foot embankment on the river road where it branches toward Hollandtown. Mr. Gustman was the only person injured, suffering from one broken finger and another badly bruised. Despite the damage, the engine remained intact, allowing the family to drive the vehicle back to town for repairs at the Ford garage.

 

Kaukauna High School students pose for a photo at the start of a new school year.

 

The first annual athletic tournament for boys and girls was held at the municipal playgrounds Thursday afternoon and was certainly a marked success for the grounds swarmed with young people all afternoon, dozens of them taking part in the events. The entire arrangement for the big event which marked the closing of the grounds for this season, so far as supervisorship is concerned, was entirely in the hands of Miss Freida Boettcher, the supervisor in charge for the three months summer season, and everything was carried through without a hitch.

 

A brand-new barn filled with grain belonging to John Verbeten in Buchanan narrowly escaped being destroyed by a severe fire. A very hot blaze broke out in an old stack of straw situated less than five feet away from the barn structure. The building was saved thanks to the intense, rapid efforts of a threshing crew and approximately 50 neighbors working together.

 

September 8, 1916

 

Owen Kitto, ticket agent at the north side depot, was held up early Sunday morning and the robber took all the currency in the cash drawer. The 3:15 o’clock train, northbound, did not arrive until shortly after 4 o'clock. He took the newspapers and the baggage which had been thrown from this train to the baggage room, then went back to the office, which he had scarcely reached when a man walked in and called out, “Hold up your hands!” The man repeated his command and covered the ticket agent with a revolver, and forced him to unlock the money drawer. He took currency amounting to $11.28 from the till, but left $7.00 in paper money alongside the silver. He took Kitto’s watch, but when begged to return the timepiece, did so. Kitto says that the robber told him not notify the police. Kitto replied that he had to report the robbery, whereupon the hold-up man said he wanted five minutes’ start. He forced Kitto to walk out on the platform with him and wait until he had reached the Depot street crossing, when he yelled to Kitto that now he could go back into the station. Kitto then called the police, and Chief McCarty and Policeman McFadden immediately secured an automobile and covered the country between Kaukauna and Little Chute but without result.

 

The labor organizations of Kaukauna certainly have every reason to be proud of their Labor Day demonstration and of the big celebration, which was held at the municipal playgrounds, for beyond any question of doubt it was one of the largest and best demonstrations and the largest Labor Day celebration that took place in any city in the Fox river valley.

 

Contractor A. F. Jelieniewski of Green Bay and a full crew of workmen broke ground Monday morning for the Outagamie County Training School which he will erect this fall, placing it under roof before winter closes in. This is going to be one of the finest looking public buildings in the county and one of which all may well be proud. Standing as it does in a commanding location high above and facing Wisconsin avenue it will be a monument to the good judgment and wise choice of the committee who chose its design and the builders who erect it.

 

Martin Lamers, Little Chute, is said by those who have watched his work this season to be one of the best amateur baseball pitchers ever developed in this section of the state, has been signed by the Chicago White Sox and left Monday for Windy City to join the squad. A White Sox scout, sat on the players’ bench at Sunday’s game between Little Chute and Green Bay and he saw Lamers trim the Bay boys 4 to 0. This was the nineteenth straight victory for Lamers this season. Promptly after the game Lamers is said to have signed a Sox contract and left Monday for Chicago.

 

September 15, 1916

Twenty-six applications have been made in Outagamie county for citizenship during the September term of court. Examinations will be held Nov. 9.

 

September 22, 1916

John Dericks fell off the Combined Locks dam about two o’clock Sunday afternoon, close to where the dam joins the high bank forming the double locks and striking on the stone was found a short time afterwards in the shallow water, still partly conscious. An injury to the left side of his head and face was found but his death was reported as having been caused by drowning. He died in a few minutes after being found.

 

September 28, 1916

Anton “Casey” Jansen of Little Chute is making a vigorous campaign for election as county clerk of Outagamie County. Mr. Jansen has had experience in public affairs, having served as clerk of the village of Little Chute for several terms.

 

FOR SALE—1916 Five-Passenger Buick. Used as a Demonstrator. Run only about 1,500 miles. $100.00 worth of accessories, such as engine driven tire pump, extra casing and tube on rim. snubbers, nickel plated Bumper. A big snap if taken at once.

 

FOR SALE—2 cows, 2 pigs, 2 horses and harnesses, one pony and harness, 17 chickens, wagons, buggy, sleigh, cutter, hay, and numerous other articles. On a rented place close to the city, and rent is paid to April 1st., 1917. Can be leased another year. Will sell at bargain.

 

FOR SALE—1914 Overland, Electric lights and self-starter, Engine driven Tire Pump. Just overhauled and is in excellent shape. Price $325.00 if taken at once.

 

Time Machine Trip to September 1906

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

 

September 7, 1906

With this number the Kaukauna Times enters upon the twenty-seventh year of existence, and this month completes the twenty-fifth year that C.E. Raught, senior editor, has been connected with The Times. May the old sheet live another quarter of a century, and may it continue to picture the glories and advantages of the Lion on the Fox as it has in the past.

 

Mrs. Mary Dyer, a 44-year-old mother of ten, committed suicide at her home near Little Chute by shooting herself in the heart. She had been suffering from a prolonged nervous illness and had attempted self-harm a few weeks prior before succeeding while her family was out.

 

Adam struggles briefly to kiss Eve, after which she earnest, pleadingly asks if she is the only woman he has ever really loved.

 

A new 15-horsepower electric motor connected to the electric light plant was installed at the Nic Blau elevator, replacing an old 5-horsepower gasoline engine.

 

Henry Lawrence Vandenberg, born in Holland in 1828, passed away in Kaukauna Saturday from Bright's disease. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross cemetery following funeral services at St. Mary's church and is survived by his wife and three children: Joseph, Mrs. John Bodmer, and Mrs. Theodore Schmalz.

 

Circuit Court Judge Fowler awarded Racine baker Otto B. Schulz $6,000 in damages against 80 trades and labor council members who boycotted his business for refusing to put union labels on his products.

 

Will White informed The Times that a 10-pound baby girl ("a hummer") arrived at his house at 1:30 Wednesday morning.

 

Mrs. George Cooper was shot and killed in the head by a neighbor near her home in Bell Center while picking berries; the hunter mistook her hair above the bushes for a squirrel's fur.

 

New football regulations mandate game officials (two umpires, a referee, a linesman), shorten games by 10 minutes, separate rush lines by the length of the ball, require 10 yards gained in three downs, allow one forward pass per scrimmage, prohibit hurdling, and enforce strict penalties for unnecessary roughness.

 

September 14, 1906

Tuesday, September 11, was one of the hottest days of the year. The heat was so intense that many of the laborers about town were compelled to quit work. The building of cement sidewalks was generally suspended and so was work in the yards of some of the pulp and paper mills. The thermometer registered nearly 100 degrees in the shade, and the wonder is that no cases of sunstroke were reported.

 

Kaukauna High School opened with 11 more students than the previous year, featuring a record senior class of 29 and a freshman class of 38. The football team is practicing quietly and efficiently, while the school sees growing enrollment from neighboring areas like Wrightstown, Buchanan, and Calumet County.

 

September 21, 1906

Twelve residents of Little Chute took out their first citizenship papers Saturday. The new naturalization law goes into effect September 27, after which time the proceedings will be more expensive.

 

Valuation $2,972,725, City Clerk L. C. Wolf released a statement showing the aggregate number and value of personal and real property appearing on the Kaukauna assessment rolls.

 

During C. & N. W. Ry. construction work at Gillette, a switch engine backed into standing boarding cars, killing two Italian laborers and injuring eleven others.

 

Mrs. Therese Berendts of Shiocton dropped $20 in the Appleton County courtroom. An unnamed Kaukauna woman found the money and returned it to Mrs. Berendts' son, receiving a generous reward for her honesty.

 

While returning from church, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Hartzheim and their daughter of Darboy were thrown into a ditch when their horse spooked at an overtaking automobile; the daughter suffered a fractured arm and Mrs. Hartzheim was also injured.

 

September 28, 1906

The Green Bay board of education reconsidered its recent action relative to the banishment of football from the high schools at a meeting Friday and will permit the students to participate in the game under certain conditions.

 

Appleton-Kaukauna interurban conductor A. L. Hamblin found a wallet containing $2.84 in cash and a $446 check, which belonged to Miss Bridget Roache after she exited the car at Little Chute.

 

Local Real Estate Transactions

• Blumberg Residence: Sold on Ninth Street and Quinney Avenue to Ed. Balgie of Dundas for $1,025, who plans to add modern plumbing and offer it for rent; Mr. and Mrs. Blumberg are moving west to live with their daughter.
• E. D. Neff Home: Purchased by Conductor F. L. Bertrand on Eighth Street for $1,400.
• McCarty Residence: Located on Seventh Street east of Metoxen Avenue and formerly owned by John McMorrow, this property was bought by John Behler for $1,600.

  

After a three-year search across the northwest and east, Mrs. H. Hathaway of Kansas City, Mo., located her five-year-old daughter in Appleton in the care of Mrs. Nettie Plummer. The child had been turned over to Mrs. Plummer as an infant in Chicago after Mrs. Hathaway was deserted and left penniless.

 

Time Machine Trip to September 1896

 Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen  KAHS

September 4, 1896

In spite of the fact that no water is being used by the Fox River Valley Mills for power purposes, the amount in Lake Winnebago continues to fall. Unless the fall rains make their appearance soon there is no telling when the mills will be able to go back to water power.

On Monday morning last a tramp entered the farm residence of Dan F. Robinson, a couple miles west of this city, and stole a suit of clothes and a gold watch. No one was in the house at the time. Upon returning home Mrs. Robertson found the bureau drawers open and things scattered around the floor and at once summoned Mr. Robinson from the field. A message was immediately dispatched to the city for the police force and Marshall Kuehn went to the farm to gather some clues. He discovered that someone had entered through the back door and went across the cornfield. Marshall Kuehn followed the trail to the railroad track and found several tramps sitting about. They said they saw a man coming out of the cornfield carrying clothing. Outside of Appleton a man had been seen walking up Apple Creek Road caring a coat over his arm. Jule caught up to him and took him into custody; he had Robinson’s suit and gold watch on him. He now languishes in a county jail to await trial. 

Don't forget the Seymour fair September 10, 11 and 12. Lee Richardson, the trick bicycle rider will perform. White’s Green Bay band of 19 men will furnish music and five grand horse races will be held along with other amusements.

The opening gun of the fall campaign was fired in Kaukauna Tuesday evening and the echo of the boom still lingers. The Opera house was filled to almost capacity many having to stand. A glimpse around the faces showed that everyone was anxious, eager and had come to hear the words of cheer from the speakers of the party. A large number of ladies were also present. Dr. H. B. Tanner, Pres. of the Kaukauna Republican club presided over the meeting. Wisconsin Lieut. Gov. Baensch, Congressman Minor and Hon. C. N. Fowler of New Jersey, were the guest speakers for the evening.

 

 

Physicians are no longer to be puzzled to determine whether a patient is dead. Dr. Carl Barnes of Chicago has made a discovery of the use of an x-ray can readily detect if the person is dead. 

September 11, 1896

The trouble with a great many young men is they don't like to work between meals.

The TIMES passes another milestone in its career and celebrates its sixteenth birthday.

 

Remorse of having whipped his son to death many years ago and a firm belief that he will never inhabit the celestial regions has caused Newton Gilkison, a farmer living a few miles from Mansfield, Ohio, to build for himself a “heaven,” in which he says his spirit will live after his death. “Newt” is about 70 years old. 30 years ago he accused his son of having stolen some trivial article. The boy denied it. Newt trashed him so severely in an effort to make him admit his guilt that the boy died. After his son was buried it was discovered he had not stolen the article. The father's remorse and grief unbalanced his mind. 

 

September 18, 1896

The Kaukaunans went to Oshkosh last Sunday and again met defeat by a score of 4 to 6. The superstitious members of the team felt certain they would be downed, for they took 13 men, it cost $13 fare and the game was on the 13^th.

The rains of the past week have raised the lake nearly to the crest of the Menasha dam. A few days more and all the mills will again be running by water power.

A petrified man, claim to have been found in the Cedar Swamp near Peshtigo and supposed to have been a victim of the fire of ’71, was on exhibit here last Saturday.

It took an Oshkosh jury just four minutes to discharge the Oshkosh ball players who were arrested for playing on Sunday.

Peter Broeren, an employee of the Kaukauna Electric Light Company, was arrested Wednesday by a U.S. Marshal. He was charged with drawing water from the river on August 31 and September 1. He is being held in Milwaukee on a $300 bond. 

  

The Zeitung the Kaukauna German paper which has been run by C. G. Brenner for the past two years has been sold to the Appleton Volksfreund company. 

 

Kaukauna High School’s First Football Team - Standing left to right are tackles Henry Kercher and Dave Reese, guard Henry Gerharz, Professor Allen, high school principal, tackle Charles Chamberland, center “Dutch” Hoenig and guard Knight Hallock. Seated in the same order are end Winn Green, right halfback Paul Hallock, fullback and Captain Charles Frambach, left halfback Jake Miller and end Tom Malone, reclining in the same order are quarterbacks Ed Frambach and Earl Nugent.  

September 25, 1896

An Irishman on visiting a cemetery noticed on a tombstone the following inscription: “Sacred to the memory of a lawyer and an honest man.”  That be a strange custom to bury two men in one grave. 

A mob of 125 men on horseback in Kentucky destroyed ten turnpike tollgates and admonished the tollgate-keepers that the next step would be to lynch them if they attempt to collect again.

 

A country minister took leave of his congregation in the following pathetic manner:

"Brothers and sisters, I came to say goodbye; I don't think God loves this church because none of you ever die."

"I don't think you love each other because I never marry any of you. I don't think you love me because you have not paid me my salary."

"Your donations are moldy fruit and wormy apples, 'and by their fruit ye shall know them.'"

"Brothers, I am going away to a better place; I have been called to be a chaplain of a Penitentiary."

"Where I go ye cannot come; I go to prepare a place for you, and may the Lord have mercy on your souls. Goodbye."

The baseball season in Kaukauna has closed and the members of the club have divided the net receipts. Each member got $1.87 for every game he participated, 21 games having been played.

San Francisco Cal., - The story of the loss of the German gunboat Iltis has been told by shipmates from a nearby ship. At the moment the ship was to go down the captain gathered the doomed crew about him and called upon them to give three cheers for the emperor. Waving their hats at the flag that flew over them the brave sailors showed their fidelity to the Fatherland. They grasped each other's hands and singing the national anthem as they went down to deathin the sea.

 

Time Machine Trip to September 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

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

 

September 3, 1886

 

The swing bridge was open for about half an hour last Wednesday afternoon and before it was closed thirty teams stood in waiting to cross. Tempers were high toward the official in charge of the bridge.

 

September 10, 1886

The work on the Wis. Ave. project is now nearing completion. To hasten the work, Contractor Geo. Kelso has put on a night crew and now runs the crusher both night and day. The amount of macadam used on the streets in Kaukauna this year, has made a very large excavation in the island quarry, much of the material being fine coursing stone which it seems too bad to break up for this work. However, it is making an excellent roadbed.

 

Seventy thousand volunteers enlisted forty years ago for the Mexican War. They brought to our country a million square miles of territory. The weight of gold and silver recovered is more than the weight of all the soldiers. Ten thousand of the volunteers still live and the recent law of Congress gives them each a pension of $96 a year.

 

September 17, 1886

  

The Fourth Street Viaduct – View South up 5^th Ave. (Reaume Ave. today)

Geo. Haas has completed the bridge across the 5th Avenue ravine on 4th street. This bridge is a handsome structure and is a credit to Mr. Haas and the city.

 

September 24, 1886

The workmen engaged in excavating for the sewer on Third street, struck what appears to be ancient ruins of a stone building, the first of the week. At the depth of about eight feet below the surface, the first rock was found bearing traces of the work of man, and a foot or so below this was found a large deposit of ashes, of which about twenty-five bushels were thrown out. The stones are faced on one side and have the appearance of those dressed for buildings where close work is required. Some of them have doubtless been subjected to great artificial heat, as pieces have crumbled off and are converted into lime; others are smoked and blackened by fire. The building or whatever it was, set nearly cornerwise to the street, and the point first reached was the corner. After excavating for about twenty-five feet further, another wall was found extending diagonally across the cut, the stone being carefully dressed as those at first discovered, but without the accompaniment of ashes and lime.

Ancient ruins have been discovered in numerous places in this state, proving beyond doubt that this section was at one time occupied by a race superior to the Indians in the use of tools and implements for building. The fact that these indications of a former race of semi civilized people are found but a foot or so above the natural bed of rock underlying this city, and that a mammoth elm tree about two feet in diameter has grown up over the ruins, is evidence that centuries have passed away since the hand of man was active in the construction of that once towering piece of masonry.

 

The long-expected action against the city for trespass was commenced by Geo. W. Lawe last Tuesday. The property in question is the land at the north approach to the draw bridge, and the amount involved is $600. Mr. Lawe has retained Pierce & Moeskes, attorneys at Appleton.

 

The macadamizing of Wisconsin Ave. is now completed, and Kaukauna may now boast of possessing the finest pavement of any city in the state.

 

The shipments of buffalo bones from the Northwest are growing larger. From 20 to 25 Canadian Pacific cars, loaded with this class of freight, arrive at Fort Benton, Mon., every week, consigned to fertilizing works in the East.

 

There is one plan, one solution of the so-called Southern question, that has never been tried. At the present it seems to be the best choice: Let the negro alone. The negro is doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Leave him to the same laws that govern all over the land. He is not an anarchist or a bomb thrower he does not threaten law and order or society. Just at present we do not see where a better labor can be had. With a population like that which makes life unsafe in Chicago, the South might quickly and gladly reimport its banished negros.

 

 

Yahnozha  –  Chappo  –  Fun  -  Geronimo

 

Dispatches arriving on the 4^th reported that Geronimo, Natchez and three others have surrendered unconditionally to Gen. Miles. The Indians, it is said were without provisions and were in a starving condition. According to Capt. Lawton all will be shipped 2000 miles east. He is also moving all from Fort Apache in the same direction.