Time Machine

Monday, December 8, 2025

Time Machine Trip to December 1905

Kaukauna Times

Kaukauna Historical Society

December 1, 1905

These Kaukauna hunters appeared for a picture recently after returning from a duck hunt. The boys present convincing evidence that they never tell fish stories. Left to right are Otto Look, Dr. E. C. Hallock, Frank Balgie and Hugo Weifenbach.

According to one of the stockholders of last year's baseball team, two or three former Kaukauna players are planning a movement to organize a team here next season that will be able to defeat Kaukauna. It is said that those behind the movement are at outs with Manager Coppes of Kaukauna, and that their one desire is to defeat him on the diamond. It is claimed by the former stockholder that the businessmen will not subscribe for a team in Power's league if the grounds are selected in the fourth ward and that in all probability there will either be an independent team or a Fox River league here next year. The names of Kaukauna players will not be revealed.

Ida Koehn was awarded a judgment at New London against George Dodge because as the complaint sets forth, the defendant willfully and maliciously kissed her without her consent. Miss Koehn is a domestic worker at the Dodge home and Dodge is a married man. Miss Koehn is an exceptionally attractive young lady, and it is believed that she may have set up the defendant to justify the act.

December 8, 1905

The operating year of the Pulp Wood Company, which supplied pulp wood to most of the mills in the Fox River Valley, ended November 30. During the year this company delivered to the mills with which it had contracts for about 180,000 cords of pulp wood. About half of this amount was spruce and half hemlock.

The first skating accident of the season occurred on Sunday on the river near the Northwestern car shops. William Deering broke through the ice while attempting to cross the river. Fortunately, the young man is an expert swimmer and made it safely back to shore.

December 15, 1905

Little Chute is to have a bank. The incorporators of the Little Chute bank are residents of the village, H. J. Verstegen, P.A. Gloudemans, Henry Weyenberg, William Geenan and H.J. Mollen. The capital stock of the company will be about $15,000. Officers elected were as follows: President, H.J. Verstegen; Secretary, P.A. Gloudemans; Directors, Henry Weyenberg, William Geenan and H.J. Mollen. Work on the two-story brick bank building will commence about May 1, and it is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy July 1.

Arlie Dougherty, aged 15 years, and Roy Seims, aged 16 years, had an exciting encounter with a wolf near Little Rapids. They were part of a hunting party and shot the animal. Thinking the animal was dead, Arlie picked it up when he was attacked but not hurt. He tuned the carcass over to the county officials and received a bounty of twenty dollars.

December 22, 1905

Local merchants report an excellent Christmas trade this week notwithstanding the mild weather. The shoppers have been more numerous than in other years and the majority paid cash for their purchases. Many of the stores, laid in an extra stock of Christmas goods and in nearly every instance the greater part of it has been disposed of. It is doubtful if there is a household in the city where there will be no gift giving Christmas Day.

The deaths on the Oneida reservation during the past year were forty. This number represents twenty deaths per 1000. There appears to be considerable sickness among the younger generation.

George Beck and Henry Bauen, members of the Kaukauna fire department were touched up by burglars at an early morning to the extent of $12. The men responded to a fire alarm about 1 o’clock and it was then that their room in the city hall was visited.

December 29, 1905

Coasting upon the sidewalks in the city is forbidden, as it is, a dangerous practice. Police officers have been instructed to see that walks are kept clear and parents are also requested to see to it that their children do not slide on the sidewalk. If the practice is not stopped there will be arrests and fines, to pay. There are plenty of hills in Kaukauna so that the young people do not have to resort to the walks.

The four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Buchaman of Hortonville lies at the point of death as result of burns sustained Saturday when her dress caught fire. While attempting to save her daughter she badly burned her hands. Mrs. Buchman is deaf and dumb and used her hands to communicate but now that has happened she is deprived of even that pleasure.

The Kaukauna High School girls’ basketball team defeated the Bushey’s Business College team from Appleton by the score of 8 to 7. The girls were given a reception at Heindel’s Hall.

Pictures from around Town

Friday, December 5, 2025

Time Machine trip to December 1895

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

Kaukauna Historical Society

December 6, 1895

Konrad General Merchandise Store. Kaukauna.

Liverymen and undertakers have been busy this week, there having been from one to three funerals most every day mostly from diphtheria.

· Lydia Hinnenthal, 14 years, died of diphtheria last Tuesday.

· The 8-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Zink died of diphtheria last Sunday.

· Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hinkey of the south side died of diphtheria this week. One died on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.

· The 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jonen died this week of diphtheria.

· One of the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Burke died Wednesday of diphtheria.

· Louis Bowers, 35, died at his north side home last Friday night of diphtheria.

· Mrs. Sosnowske, aged fifty years, died at the home of her son Herman on the north side Saturday November 30 of diphtheria.

· Michael McLaughlin, age 23 years and 9 months of the north side died Sunday afternoon of diphtheria.

· Gottfried Hartzheim, one of the oldest settlers of Buchanan died Tuesday morning of diphtheria. The deceased was 77 years of age. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his death.

· Ruth, seven months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schubert, died Wednesday night.

· David Mundinger, aged 74, died at the home of his son on the northside.

· Ten-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilson of the southside died last Monday night.

December 13, 1895

That advertisement about a turkey dinner at the county jail seems to have been read for tramps are coming this way in armies. A bevy of ten wandering Willies were sent up from this city the other day. Who says advertising doesn't pay?

Little Chute - John Hammen has received a barrel of choice wine from Los Angeles, California. The barrel was 24 days on its journey. John invites all his friends to come and sample it.

Bishop Messmer of Green Bay says that dancing on the eve of Holy days has a tendency to demoralize the youth and is bringing discredit upon the church. The letter strictly forbids all Catholics from attending any dances on Saturday evening and on Sundays. We urgently warn you against a most scandalous and unchristian custom widely spread in the diocese.

Chilton was visited by a $23,000 fire last Tuesday night. The Western House and the large mill on the Chilton Store and Milling Company were destroyed.

George Lenz of the Kaukauna Electric Light Company, charged with drawing water form the canal, was bound over to the United States court at Milwaukee in bonds of $500.

Ferris Neimy, an Arabian peddler of rugs, who makes his home in Appleton, has just received news that his father was among the victims taken from a burning church and he was later crucified. There are a number of Arabian families in Appleton who have relatives in Armenia where the recent horrors occurred.

December 20, 1895

What little snow there was around this section has all vanished within the past two or three days. Rained on Tuesday last.

New York, Dec. 16 – Samuel Gompers was elected president of the American Federation of Labor Saturday over John McBride. The socialists voted for McBride.

“Bloomers may, perhaps be worn by a certain class of women cyclists, but they will not prevail,” says Mrs. Alice Nash, a well-known wheelwoman of Minneapolis. The ideal costume is one that combines the convenience of the bloomer with the modesty of the skirt. Mrs. Nash has created the attire and several of the women of Minneapolis have adopted it for wear when riding a bicycle.

Influential Oneida Indians are trying to induce the Department of Indian affairs to make a division of the reservation. If they are successful in this number of suits will probably be instituted, because the Indians intent to drive all the white farmers and settlers from the reservation, who as they claim, live without right on their land. Cornelius Dockstader, one of the most prominent organizers, said there are about 1800 persons living on the reservation, including all Oneidas, Stockbridge’s, Seneca’s, Canadians and squatters. Only the Oneidas have a legal right to live there, all others must leave.

Sheriff Baake came down to Kaukauna last Sunday evening and with the local police force made a raid on the “resorts” just outside the city limits. Four were captured at Mrs. Beaulieu’s place and five at Godden’s all being soiled doves. The Beaulieu outfit was arraigned before Justice Mulloy, and the Godden lay out before Justice Mitchell. “Mother Beaulieu” was bound over to court under $500 bonds and Godden and wife followed in her wake under $300 bonds. The remaining forces were taxed $19.40 a piece or 30 days in jail. This is the broom that will sweep clean.

Harvey Bills has just added a large winter excursion ‘bus to his splendid livery outfit. It can accommodate sleighing parties of any size and there being room for twenty persons.

December 27, 1895

George W. Lawe, 85, the venerable “Father of the City of Kaukauna”, breathed his last about 10 o'clock last Tuesday night at his home on the north side, and passed to the unknown beyond. He was born on September 10, 1810. He passed quietly and peacefully without warning or a last farewell.

Monday, December 1, 2025

Time Machine Trip to December 1885

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

December 4, 1885

William Novok, alias “Whiskey Bill”, was brought before Justice Mulholland on Friday last to answer to the charge of vagrancy. This is the second time in two weeks he has been so charged. This time he was given 21 days in the county jail.

The mortal remains of Thomas A. Hendricks, the fifth vice-president of the United States to die during his term of office, were conveyed to the tomb today in Indianapolis, Ind.

December 11, 1885

A genuine Dakota "blizzard" visited Kaukauna and vicinity on Wednesday. Commencing Tuesday with a moderate snowstorm it increased in violence and on the following day was about as disagreeable as was ever experienced in this part of the country. Let us hope that this will be the last of such weather for the season.

Tombstone. Ariz. – The military at Fort Bowie fear an attack of hostile Apaches for the purpose of rescuing their squaws, who are prisoners there.

Judge Hamilton of the circuit court, Milwaukee on the 5^th instructed the jury in a case that it was not a slanderous utterance for one man to call another a dynamiter, so a verdict of 6 cents was rendered. The complainant wanted $5,000.

A lady in Santa Crus, aged 40, is suing a gentleman of 60 for breach of promise. She considers $50,000 the proper figure for affections unduly trifled with. She has had two husbands, so that her affections are thoroughly broken to double harness.

Marshfield. Wis., Jess Hallock, 15 years old, was hunting and shot a deer which his dog followed. The boy found two Indians skinning the deer and his dog dead. The boy claimed the deer and the scolded the Indians for shooting his dog. He was assaulted by one of the Indians with a knife. Hallock shot the Indian and then shot the other as he was about to attack. Hallock surrendered to the Neillsville authorities and was discharged.

December 18, 1885

In order to accommodate our advertisers during the holiday season The Times will issue an "Extra" edition which will be delivered by carrier to all city subscribers and by mail to all others. A Holiday Budget will also be issued from the office, several thousand copies of which will be distributed free among the citizens of Outagamie County. Watch for them.

New York – The late William H. Vanderbilt’s $200,000,000 has been divided according to his will.

The Wrightstown roller rink opened on Tuesday evening last under the management of Peter Leonard. The building used for the rink is the old Turner Hall.

December 25, 1885

A Merry Christmas!

C. Reible, the popular South side restaurateur has ornamented his store window with a beautiful Christmas tree.

Great stories of gold discovery came from Alaska and that bleak region after all may prove worth far more than the $7,200,000 paid to Russia for it. Should the tails of gold be realized in Alaska it may bring down the value of gold.

Wilkes barre, Pa., - A great mine disaster resulted in the loss of probably twenty-seven lives occurred at the Susquehanna mine on the 18^th. The men were working in the morning when a crash was heard in a distant abandoned portion of the mine. The roof had caved in allowing a large amount of water from a surface pond to empty into the mine. Men ran for their lives trying to stay ahead of the rushing water but twenty-seven in another portion of the mine could not escape the water and sand that rushed on them.

Gov. Rusk pardoned Jerry Wilson under the stipulation that he should not return to Wisconsin. Wilson was convicted of murder in Milwaukee twenty years ago, but the production of testimony recently tends to show he was not guilty.

George Bird Grinnell of New York has been visiting the Yellowstone National Park and says there are only 700 buffalo left on the American continent.

The funeral of the Rt Rev. F. X. Krautbauer, late bishop of the diocese of Green Bay, was held from the cathedral in that city. The funeral was largely attended by citizens from all parts of the state.

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Time Machine Trip to November 1975

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

November 4, 1975

Deadline extensions on the completion of the Thilmany Mill’s air pollution reduction projects have been officially extended by the state department of natural resources. The extensions will allow the mill more time to complete the construction and testing of the new apparatus and the conversion of existing equipment, mill managers said.

November 6, 1975

Bill Biekkola, first year Kaukauna head football coach was recently named Fox Valley Association "Coach of the Year" by a panel of sportswriters. Roloff resigned after seven years as head mentor. Biekkola's Ghosts claimed a tie for the conference championship with Menasha, with a 6-1 record on the year, bringing Kaukauna its first title in 14years.

Walter Roloff, chairman of the board of Farmers and Merchants Bank since 1971, resigned that position as of October 22, the bank announced Wednesday. He will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. Named to proceed him as chairman of the board is

Gail E. Janssen, president and general manager of Badger Northland Inc. here. Jansen had been a director of the bank since January 1974.

Dan De Koch, wildlife artist, will give a presentation on his interest in the ancient art of Falconry on Sunday November 9 at the Fall Family Nite at Immanuel United Church in Kaukauna.

November 11, 1975

11 persons including two from Kaukauna and one from Kimberly, remain hospitalized at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton following a Saturday two vehicle crash north of Little Chute which killed a passenger in one of the vehicles.

November 18, 1975

For the second consecutive year, quarterback Reed Giordana of Kaukauna has been voted the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point’s most valuable football player of the season as well as the most valuable offensive back. This past season Giordana broke 28 school conference and nationwide records and now holds all 5 individual National Association of intercollegiate athletic records the Pointers have set. Giordana holds conference game records for the most offensive plays, most passing attempts and completions and most interceptions thrown.

Miss Peggy Pomeroy has been selected as Kaukauna’s Bicentennial Queen for 1976 by the city’s Bicentennial Commission. Miss Pomeroy’s selection came after a two-month contest.

November 20, 1975

Mrs. Alice Poppleton of Sarasota, Florida, returned to Kaukauna for a two week visit after a 48-year absence. She was amazed to see the changes as she toured the city, stating “I'm happy to see that so many of the old landmarks have been retained.” Now a retired nurse, Mrs. Poppleton reminisce about the “good times” when Kaukauna was her home.

The Hollandtown Golden Raiders compiled an unbeaten 19-0 record this season.

November 25, 1975

The official opening of the Little Lake Butte Des Morts Bridge and interchange on December 1st marks culmination of long efforts and brings to mind the history of the previous bridge. In November 1860 bids were requested for the original bridge to be constructed of wood. Six months later in May 1861 contracts were awarded and pilings were placed in July of that year.

November 27, 1975

Outagamie county’s 1976 budget will include $500,000 for the acquisition of properties along the proposed Hwy. 55 freeway corridor west of the city of Kaukauna. Land will be purchased initially will be the “hardship” cases land on which no development of any kind has been undertaken.

Kenneth Schoenike, Kaukauna’s new city engineer, has a background in municipal improvement projects, but his engineering experience also includes a stint with an aerospace contractor working on manned spacecraft safety projects. Such diverse jobs are part of obtaining experience for a young engineer. Not only is Schoenike young, but at 29 he's also the youngest city official at city hall. Schoenike started in Kaukauna on November 17th.

As foreign oil prices soar and domestic fuel supplies become critical, the search goes on for alternative methods of doing the jobs that conventionally powered machines have now been done for us. One often advanced suggestion is the electric vehicle. But a rapid switch over to electric implements seems unlikely for farmers. The electric vehicle is gaining popularity and on Wisconsin farms. But there is no rush by farmers to convert to all electric operations until initial costs come down, and gasoline prices go even higher.

The Kaukauna high school volleyball squad won the FVA championship for the sixth time in eight years.

Private Gary Vandenberg, Little Chute, graduated from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego.

Airman Christopher J. Weiler, Kaukauna, has completed Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Tex.

Airman Michael P. Binish, Greenleaf, completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Tex.

Marine Private First-Class Mark W. Vandenberg, Little Chute, has been meritoriously promoted to his present rank upon graduation from recruit training at San Diego, Cal. He received the early promotion for his superior performance in all phases of the training.