Time Machine Trip to May 1946

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen  KAHS

May 1, 1946

Dave Hartjes, manager of the Hartjes Electric company, who has been in business and Little Chute and Kaukauna for the past 13 years is holding a grand opening this morning for his new store and new building at 130 East 2nd St.

 

Mrs. Frederica Schifelbein, 99, Kaukauna’s oldest resident, headed a family of five generations, died at 10:00 Monday morning in Appleton after a long illness. She was born July 21, 1846, in Germany and came to America in 1883 moving directly to a farm in the Town of Kaukauna.

 Francis Brewster

Despite cold and windy weather which was far from ideal track conditions, 2 records were broken in the annual Orange and Black track meet held on the Kaukauna tack Thursday and Friday, the Orange team emerged victorious by winning the last event, the relay. This year's captain, Francis Brewster, set a new mark in the mile 5 minutes and two seconds. Big Pat Flanagan, class B state shotput champion, threw the ball a distance of 45 feet, 5 inches, also a new card.

 

May 3, 1946

Joseph T. Sadlier, who served as an auditor and accountant for a number of businesses in and out of Kaukauna during the last 20 years, has returned to the city after a four year absence to become the campaign manager of the Kaukauna Community Hospital fund committee.

 

May 10, 1946

 

Over 50 veterans of World War II are now enrolled in the Kaukauna Vocational school as apprentices and taking on the job training. The Vocational school is assisting veterans and the employers and in executing the proper papers and arranging for the school attendance of the trainees.

 

Wiggie’s won the championship in the Kaukauna Knights of Columbus bowling league. Left to right, Henry Minkebige, Leo Coffey, Lawrence Gerend and Alois Mayer with Norman Weigman seated. 

 

May 15, 1946

 

Japan’s ex-premier Tojo and his fellow defendants eat lunch GI style, seated at a long bench.

 

The Kaukauna High school track squad took the first conference championship in the history of the school when it defeated 7 other schools in the conference meet held at the Neenah track on Saturday afternoon. Pat Flangan broke the conference record in the shot put, heaving the 12-pound ball 45 feet, 6 1/2 inches. Phil Haas garnered a first in the low hurdles and seconds in the broad jump and high hurdles to lead the scores of the day with 13 points.

 

The Kaukauna Merchants got off to a flying start in 1946 race for the Fox River Valley pennant when they overwhelmed a highly touted Little Chute team by the score of 13 to 5 at the Kaukauna ballpark on Sunday. Cal Spice hit a home run in the big 6th inning.

The city of Kaukauna will send about 62 members of its school patrol units to the third Wisconsin School Safety Patrol Congress May 17-18 held at Wisconsin Dells.

For the first time since Wisconsin began recording deaths, less than 100 mothers died in childbirth during the year. Just a generation ago four times as many mothers were dying in childbirth.

 

Old Dobbin and his kind now number 385,000 on Wisconsin farms the smallest population at 65 years.  More and more work is now done by tractors and trucks.

 

May 17, 1946

 

V-E Day Parade – Frankfurt, Germany Four thousand American troops parading. Shabbily clad German civilians watched the parade in stony silence.

 

When Electric City Post 3319, Veterans of Foreign Wars, met Tuesday evening, five new members were mustered in. The post voted to donate a new flag for the city's honor roll and to make a donation to the American Legion auxiliary poppy fund.

 

A fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the coal and wood yard of N.  E. Lummerding, located on West 3rd St. The blaze was discovered about 4:00 Thursday afternoon before the firemen arrived the wooden structure was ablaze and the beyond hope for saving them.

 

Kaukauna's Phil Zwick, the "Wisconsin Flash" seems to never grow old, defeating Marion Rotten, the state featherweight champion via a knockout in the third round of their bout in Oshkosh. Zwick came out of retirement for the fight and looked as impressive as ever in doing away with his opponent.

 

May 22, 1946

Plans for a night high school in the summer for veterans of Kaukauna, Kimberly and Appleton were laid last week by Paul E. Little, Kaukauna high school principal. The three high schools involved will cooperate in giving veterans of these towns who wish to complete their credit toward high school diplomas an opportunity to do so.

 

L. F. Nelson, former mayor of Kaukauna, announced that he will be a candidate for the office of Lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket.

 

May 24, 1946

119 seniors will graduate from Kaukauna high school this week.

 

Kaukauna high school's first spring registration day for incoming freshmen was well attended by 8th graders from the vicinity according to a report by Principal Paul Little. Of the number there were 67 boys and 66 girls.

 

The third issue of Thilco News was delivered to mill employees this week. This issue was dedicated to four former employees who were killed in service during the war, the men commemorated are Richard LaRock, Kenneth Arts and Harvey J. Kerrigan all killed in European theater and Melvin Courtney, who died in an air crash in the United States.

May 29, 1946

 

Pat Flanagan                     Phil Haas                     Cliff Hinkens 

Defending state champion and record holder Pat Flanagan of Kaukauna successfully defended his state title in the shot put, and in record breaking style, throwing the shot 50'2" for his second straight Class B title, Saturday, at the state track and field meet in Madison.   Flanagan complemented that performance with a third-place finish in the discus throw. Kaukauna had two other placers at state in Phil Haas and Cliff Hinkens. Haas captured fourth place in 120-yard hurdles, while Hinkens, a freshman, secured
fifth in the mile run. All three athletes are underclassmen and will return next year.

Judge Joseph R. McCarthy of Appleton declared on Monday that by destroying the industrial heart of Europe we are sowing the seeds of communism there. When he spoke to the Knights of Columbus at the Wisconsin Ave. club rooms. McCarthy is a candidate for the Republican nomination for senator from Wisconsin. “Europe is starving because the farmers cannot get machinery with which to work the land.” He stated.

Dr. George A. Behnke, recently discharged from the army, will take up the practice of medicine in Kaukauna in association with doctors C. D. and George Boyd at their offices at 240 W Wisconsin Ave. announced Tuesday.

Honorable Discharged

 

Eugene Lange - Navy

Robert O. Newlin - Navy

Kenneth A. Pratt – Navy

Gene Driessen - Navy

Earl M. O’Connor - Navy

Robert D. Thon - Navy

Allan L. Johnson - Navy

Robert Boebel - Navy

R. N. Van Wychen – Navy

Terrence McLaughlin - Navy

Francis Giordana - Navy

  

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Schmidt

Son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nackers

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Orville Krabbe

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Bloch

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Luckow

Son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ted Gloudemans

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vander Pas

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Coffey

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kersten

Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sief

 

Time Machine Trip to May 1936

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

May 1, 1936

Little Chute – Day Marshal Frank Hermsen was engaged at a salary of $85 a month and Ernest J. Miron was engaged as night marshal at a salary of $80 a month at a meeting of the village board Tuesday evening.

Eighteen young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 will go to work Monday under the national youth administration program. The group transferred here from the WPA in Green Bay will work under the direction of William T. Sullivan, director of the vocational school. The program was set up to put members of large families who are on relief assistance with additional income.

 

“Join the Kaukauna high school alumni association”, was the slogan adopted at the meeting of the newly formed group. All graduates of Kaukauna high school are requested to join. Personnel of the membership committee list a contact for membership from every class starting in 1896.

 

May 5, 1936

There were but 11 cases of contagious diseases reported in Kaukauna during April, according to Dr. C. D. Boyd, city health officer. 6 cases of measles, 3 cases of mumps, and 2 cases of scarlet fever.

 

May 8, 1936

Little Chute - A class of 40 students will graduate from St. John's high school on Sunday, June 7th, the first day of Centennial celebration.

 

Team No. 1 of the Electric City Post Veterans of Foreign Wars, won first place and the five-man team event and in the first annual VFW state bowling tournament which was held at Arcade lanes in Appleton.

 

Robert Hietpas, Little Chute, became a member of Kaukauna Boy Scout troop No. 31 at a meeting Thursday evening.  He is the only Boy Scout in Little Chute.

 

A substantial reduction in the cost of poor relief in Kaukauna was noted in a report submitted to the Times today. The city spent $2131.23 and relief during April. The March cost was $2830.58.

 

Twelve Kaukauna youths between the ages of 18 to 25 are put to work here on Wednesday afternoon under the National Youth administration program. Young people who are employed under the NYC program will earn from $16.00 to $19.00 a month and will be engaged 46 hours per month. These hired are sons and daughters of persons on certified relief roles. 

 

May 12, 1936

 

Richard “Red” Smith, who answered the Milwaukee Brewers S.O.S. for a catcher, became an early favorite with the fans Monday when the Brewers defeated Indianapolis 10-9. Smith, the semi pro catcher from Madison, formerly of Kaukauna, did a good job behind the plate and pasted it out three hits in five times up.

 

May 15, 1936

A Holstein heifer on the farm of Elwood Kobussen, Kaukauna, Wednesday morning, gave birth to 4 calves. It is not unusual for a heifer to give birth to twins, but this is the first time four have been born at one time in this area.

 

James E. McFadden, newly appointed chief of police, assumed the duties today, succeeding R. H. McCarthy, resigned. Chief McFadden had served in the Police Department as an assistant chief of police for the last 16 years.

 

May 19, 1936

Three Kaukauna High School trackmen have qualified for the state track and field meet to be held in Milwaukee on May 23, due to the performances in the qualifying meet at West Green Bay last Friday. Alvin McCormick will run the 100-yard dash, Marvin Doering qualified in both the high and low hurdles, and Harvey Smith has also made it in the lows. All three athletes have a good chance at placing high in the meet, based on their performances throughout the year.

 

Thieves entered the Theisen Bottling Works, on West 8th St. sometime during the night Friday and got away with a quantity of pop beverages. This is the second theft the bottle works has experienced within a year. Police are conducting an investigation.

 

George R. Greenwood, the newly organized Kaukauna Lions Club club's first president will preside at the meeting this evening at Hotel Kaukauna.

 

May 22, 1936

A number of bonds which were stolen from the Bank of Kaukauna on September 23rd, 1930, were found in a block of $9000 by Denver mining engineer in Denver last week. The loot also contained bonds which are obtained in a bank robbery in Black Earth on May 29th, 1930. Federal authorities Wednesday named John Dillinger, slain gangster and Harvey Bailey convicted kidnapper in the ring of gunmen as members of the gang that had stolen the securities.

 

May 26, 1936

Marvin Doering of Kaukauna High School captured the state title in the 220-yard low hurdle at the state track meet in Milwaukee last Saturday. Kaukauna was entered in class B. Alvin McCormick took third place in the 100-yard dash for Kaukauna's only other points of the meet. Doering was also in the 120 high hurdles but failed to place, and Harvey Smith ran in the 220 lows and failed to get a place.

 

Carl De Bruin was elected 1937 Kaukauna high school track team captain. He runs the 880-yard dash and jumps in the high jump.

 

May 28, 1936

 

R. H. McCarty, Kaukauna’s new postmaster, will assume his duties in that capacity on Monday, June 1st. He succeeds A. R. Mill. McCarty had been Kaukauna’s chief of police for 24 years.

 

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Andrews

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Massey.

 

Time Machine Trip to May 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

May 6. 1926

Trout Season! Those are magical words to the fishermen. A number of parties from Kaukauna tracked to the north to wade in the streams in search of the finny fish and while all that some did was to get back, others had plenty of success.

 

If the enthusiastic response coming in by mail proves to be a criterion, the gigantic St. Mary's homecoming which is to be given here July 4th, and 5th will be even more of a success than it was in the first thought possible.

 

The interior decorating of the St. Mary's Catholic Church here, which was in charge of John Kitslaar of Green Bay, is now finished with the exception of a few minor touches and installation of the terrazzo floor in the sanctuary.

 

The biggest event of its kind ever to be presented in Kaukauna. Those other words and the correct ones in describing the big may fairer carnival day which is to take place in Kaukauna Saturday. The Tri County Fair Association in conjunction with the regular monthly Pig Fair is to make the day a gala event one full day of joy and fun. 

 

The tug of war team of the Jacob Coppus Post No. 258 of the Little Chute American Legion coached by George Van Berkel won the championship at the meet held at Neenah between Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah and the Little Chute Posts. A large delegation from here attended to cheer the boys to victory.

 

May 13. 1926

 

Phil Zwick, Kaukauna's pride in the boxing ring, has been enjoying success in recent bouts around the country. After winning a big fight in Florida a while back, news was received today that Zwick won his bout Wednesday evening in Cleveland, Ohio, kayoing Frankie Smith, a New York battler, in the second round of a scheduled six rounder.  

 

The grand march led by William Lee and Agatha Gossens was an imposing affair, the party dresses and the corsages of the young women radiated wonderful beauty. One of the brightest social events ever held in the city was given last Thursday evening at the Kaukauna auditorium, when the junior class of the local high school held their prom. Over 300 people enjoyed the dancing in the gaily decorated building.

 

With his team playing errorless ball behind him, Ray Gertz, Kaukauna boy who was with Stormy Kromer's Blackwell team in the southwestern league, breezed through to a 12 to 1 win in his first game in organized baseball.

 

Cornelius Hannagraf has purchased the interest of Martin Van Eyck in the grocery formerly Hannagraf and Van Eyck on Grand Avenue in Little Chute.  

 

May 18. 1926

 

A new Dodge coupe owned and driven by Leo Kiefer accompanied by George Birkenmeyer and John Vandenzen as passengers turned turtle on Military Road. between Sherwood and Harrison last Saturday evening about 11:00 causing severe injuries to Kiefer and bruises to both other occupants. Kiefer's left arm was so badly mangled that is reported amputation was necessary. 

 

Bernard Brochtrup and Benjamin Vande Yacht were engaged in a friendly scuffle at the side of a road in Hollandtown Friday afternoon about 5 o'clock. They pushed each other near the center of the road and did not observe an automobile which was bearing down on them. The youths were struck and immediately removed to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton an examination revealed that Vande Yacht was suffering from a ruptured kidney and three broken ribs. Brochtrup sustained a broken jaw. Both men are on the road to recovery.

 

May 20. 1926

Zwick added another victory to his fast-growing string of wins, winning the decision by a wide margin over Lew Bloom of Columbus, Ohio, in an eight-round semi-final bout Wednesday evening.

 

The dance held at Watry’s hall in Little Chute on Monday evening was well attended and the Hi Colwell orchestra furnished the music.

 

One of the red-letter days in the 40-year existence of St. Mary's Catholic Church here will be celebrated next Sunday when one of whom this parish calls its own the newly ordained Rev. Father Frank Melchoors, will celebrate his first solemn mass at 10:00.

 

Oshkosh - With sacred and dignified rights the body of old Chief Oshkosh, sage of the Menominee Indians and defender of the whites against the attacks of the hostile tribes was removed from its grave after 68 years on the banks of the Wolf River at Keshena Tuesday and taken to Oshkosh, the city which bears his name. The body is to be reinterred beneath the Chief Oshkosh statue in Menominee park at Oshkosh next Tuesday. It is expected that 50,000 people from throughout the Fox valley will attend “Chief Oshkosh day” ceremonies.

 

The big howitzer cannon which Jacob Coppus Post of the Little Chute American Legion ordered from the government some time ago arrived here in Little Chute and was unloaded on Monday evening by a number of the members of the post. After being renovated it will be then placed on Grand Ave. Blvd. before Decoration Day.

 

May 25. 1926

Because of the unusually large number of loan applications received by the Appleton Building and Loan Association this spring the association will be unable to grant any more loans until later in the summer unless a considerable amount of money is invested in the company.

 

Dorothy Van Lieshout of Kaukauna will represent the high school at the state speaking tilts which will be held at Madison Friday. The local girl earned the right to appear and the state contest by winning first place in the extermination reading tilt held recently at Oshkosh.

 

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Bruecker.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Van Gompel Little Chute.