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. 

Time Machine Trip to May 1916

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

May 4, 1916

Last Sunday was an important day in the history of the Holy Cross congregation, for it marked the dedication of their beautiful new house of worship, and the consecration of the magnificent marble altar thereof, the ceremonies being carried out perfectly. During the morning service also, the magnificent new pipe organ was heard for the first time by the congregation, being played by Rev. Father Dobelstein of De Pere.

 

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Lochman  Pastor at Holy Cross 

 

Louis Kemp lost three fingers on his right hand, the result of an accident at the Kimberley mill last Friday morning.

 

Albert Goss and Simon Borchardt escaped very serious injuries Monday night when a beater machine at the Union Bag mill broke, and they were stuck with a beater knife. Mr. Borchardt suffered a slight concussion and lacerations.  Mr. Goss was struck in the side and was rather severely injured.

 

Emil Hein came out lucky when he was struck on the forehead with a piece of iron casting when a grinder stone exploded at the Fox River pulp mill on the canal a few days ago. Mr. Hines was standing within 2 feet of the shaft running the stone when it burst and went through the roof of the mill, knocking him backwards. A large chunk then came back through the roof and landed on the spot where he had been standing.

 

Lambert Reynolds, a third hand at the Thilmany pulp paper mill, lost four fingers on his left-hand Monday morning. He was cutting paper on the ream cutter on the knife and severed the fingers.

 

Michael Verstegen is sporting a brand-new uniform with shiny brass buttons this week, which in addition to his star, helps to emphasize the fact that Little Chute’s  law and order is conspicuously in evidence.

 

May 19, 1916

 

Fritzie Langlois, of the south side, fell through the iron railing of the bridge near Renn’s office last evening fracturing his arm. The railing seemed to have been loose and gave away when the boy came in contact with it.

 

The proposed site for the new Outagamie Training school building just east of the Hotel La Salle on the elevation facing Wisconsin Ave. was purchased this week by northside parties.

  

The Little Chute baseball team of the Fox River Valley league was formally organized this week. Doctor J. F. Doyle was elected president.

 

The cars of Fred Merbach and F. F. Becker collided on Kimberly Rd. between Appleton and Kimberly last Thursday night. Edith Sadlier, riding in the front seat of the Merbach car was hurled through the windshield by the impact of the collision. She received cuts about her face and bruises but was not seriously injured. Both cars were very badly damaged in the collision.

 

Albert Verhagen driving his Ford car containing his wife and two other passengers tipped over at the Little Chute bridge and dumped the car and passengers into the river. The car landed upside down and Mr. Verhagen was able to get out and turn the car upright to get the passengers out.

 

May 25, 1916

 

John Brill, pioneer of Outagamie County, one of the most prominent residents of this section of the Fox river valley, died at his home in the Town of Buchanan about 9:30 last evening at 72 years of age.

Renn and Company have joined the progressive Kaukauna firms which have motor trucks. The company has purchased a truck of one ton capacity from William Van Lieshout, the Lawe street Ford dealer.

  

Civil War Figures - In the course of the Civil war, in round numbers, 2,000,000 men enlisted on the Union side and 1,000,000 on the Confederate. The total number of deaths in the north was over 300,000. It is not known how many Confederates gave up their lives but is believed in the range between 250,000 and 300,000.

 

1916 Graduation Kaukauna High School