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

Time Machine Trip to May 1906

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

May 4, 1906

The regular monthly meeting of the common council was held this week. The committee on fire and police were instructed to inspect the city jail and cause needed repairs to be made, and also to keep their weather eye open for a new fire department horse team and figure on the disposition of one of the teams now in service.

 

Silver dollars in Kaukauna will probably not be nearly so plentiful in the future as they are now. One and two dollar bills will likely take their place in considerable degree.

 

The Evelyn passed through the city Monday on her way to Green Bay loaded with grain, lumber and merchandise.

 

The Little Chute team defeated the Appleton Athletics at Little Chute Sunday by the score of 18 to 2. A member of the visiting team threw mud at a Little Chute player which came near resulting in a general mix up.

 

 

A passenger train ran into a freight train at Kiel, Monday morning. Five men were injured one of whom has since died.

 

In order that the city of Philadelphia might be rescued from the ice famine, a powerful ocean-going tug has accomplished the almost impossible feat of capturing a large iceberg and towing it into port. Never in the world's history has this wonderful achievement been duplicated.

 

Your husband is a very deliberate man, isn't he? Indeed, he is. Did he ever know to do anything in a hurry? No never! He plans every movement with utmost deliberation and lingers strenuously over every detail. I have often thought that if he ever died suddenly, it would be an awful shock to him.

 

May 11, 1906

The fence surrounding the baseball grounds is being repaired preparatory to the opening season game. The grandstand has been provided with a new wire screen, and a wire has been run from the home plate to first base in order to keep the fans at a proper distance.

 

Doctor H. B. Tanner who had been in Mexico for the past two months superintending the work of construction on a new Rio Tamasopo Sugar companies mill left the south for home yesterday, being summoned by the illness of his wife and also his aged father Ford Tanner of Appleton who had suffered a stroke.

 

 

The Kaukauna Lumber and Manufacturing Co., ever alive to the march of improvements at their model plant on the Island and are about to commence running all their machinery by electric power. They have rented a fifty-horsepower motor from the Kaukauna Gas and Electric Light company.

 

George Sawyer was shot and killed at Chilton while trying to force his way into the residence of Mrs. Joseph Schultz. Mrs. Schultz is now under arrest.

 

May 18, 1906

Fishing at sunrise is now a popular pastime with many Kaukauna anglers who may be seen heading for Combined Locks each morning about daybreak. Some of them have returned with big strings. The largest pickerel caught so far weighed nearly ten pounds.

 

Joseph VandenWall, the oldest prisoner behind the walls of at Waupun prison, died Tuesday.  He was sentenced from Green Bay to serve a life term for a murder committed there in 1862. He served for 44 years at Waupun.

 

Company G of Appleton has secured a rifle range just on the other side of Little Chute, where a natural backstop exists. The soldiers have been without a range for several seasons.

 

Maggie Obarskie, who is employed in one of the local paper mills, had a narrow escape from death at an early hour Thursday morning. While stepping over a shaft that was about a foot from the floor her skirt got caught in a set screw and before she was aware of it she was drawn into the shaft. After making one revolution she grabbed a post nearby and clung to it until the machinery was shut down.

 

 

A twelve-horsepower touring car capable of carrying five persons, arrived here from Chicago Saturday. G. J. Quigley, Superintendent of the Ashland division of the C. & N. Railroad, the owner of the car.

 

 

L. P. Haskins, of Madison stopped over in Kaukauna between trains Friday with a party of Oneida Indians whom he was taking to Michigan to work at his father's cranberry marshes. Over 100 Indians have already preceded the party. The Indians will live in tents and were accompanied by several squaws who will be doing their cooking. The work is done almost exclusively by Indians, as they are more familiar with the cranberry growing than the white race.

 

May 25, 1906

Myriads of sand flies, the first that have visited Kaukauna in years, descended on the city Monday and for two days made life anything but pleasant. They swarmed about the river and streets in clouds and found their way into stores and residences where they expired by the thousands. Shovels were used in disposing of them. No cause was assigned for the visitation.

 

Time Machine Trip to May 1896

 Kaukauna Times May 1896

By Lyle Hansen KAHS 

May l, 1896

A crew of about fifty men is at present employed at Luther Lindauer's quarry on the lower end of the Island, where stone is being taken out for the new bridge at Manitowoc.

 

Look out for this swindle. A woman book agent appears in town and goes house to house leaving books for examination. Next day a man calls to see if the books are wanted and then takes them with him. Usually, they are not wanted. A few days later the woman appears again and on being told that the man collected them, she claims the villain has been collecting her books all over town and pleads poverty and asks for compensation.  

 

May 8, 1896

Frank Ashauer has succeeded Peter Eimmerman as agent for the Miller Brewing company in this city.

A number of accidents happened during the past week. Friday a young boy fell into the tailrace at the quarry and had to be rescued. The same day a boy riding a horse had the animal run away with him which then hit a man on the street. Geo. Kamps was kicked by a horse in Lindauer’s stable, and a workman was injured at the quarry by the derrick falling on his foot.

 

A reduction of about 10 percent was made in the wages of the machine tenders and finishers at the Thilmany mill last Monday and as a result several of the employees quit work.

A settlement in the case of Joseph Promer versus the Lake Shore railway was reached last Monday in court at Appleton. By agreement between the opposing parties’ damages in the sum of $2,500 were awarded to Mr. Promer. The case grew out of injuries received by Promer in the railway yards in this city while in employment of the railroad. Inasmuch as the plaintiff’s attorney gets a large slice of the damages awarded, Promer’s anticipated bundle has dwindled away considerably in the past four months. 

May 15, 1896

 

If the members of the bicycle clubs that visit this city, addicted to the habit of their vulgar language, would confer a favor upon those with whom they come in contact, and do honor to all lovers of the wheel.

 

Miss Josephine Malone has resigned the position in the local telephone office which she has held for eight years and will take a rest from the “Hello” business.

 

In accordance with orders issued by Mayor McCarthy, most of the saloons of the city closed their doors last Sunday during church hours 10-12 o'clock and will hereafter have to comply with this rule. The move by the new mayor came somewhat unexpectedly and caused quite a flutter among the saloonists.

 

May 22, 1896

 

When you pass a farm and see a large barn and a small house you may know the man is boss; when you see a fine house and dilapidated barn you may understand that the woman has things her own way; and when there is a new house and good barn you may take it for granted that the woman and man are equals and work in harmony.

 

Some of the league pitchers now fortify themselves against the assaults of coachers and unfriendly bleachers by stuffing their ears with cotton.

 

May 29, 1896

That whistle that attracted so much attention in the direction of Little Chute, Monday afternoon was caused by the Little Chute mill, all on account of the return of one of the foremen with his bride.

 

Mrs. McKenzie, whose husband was killed by the cars and was a city charge for some time, removed to New York this week where she has relatives.

 

A call for help was received here last Tuesday evening at about 5:30 from the officials of the Village of Brillion, who stated a big conflagration was raging. The cities fire apparatus was loaded onto a flat car and shipped to Brillion. When the Kaukauna Department reached the scene a large portion of the business district was in flames. The Reedsville fire department was also at the scene to help in the hours that followed. The flames were brought under control after several hours but not until about twenty-seven buildings were destroyed.

 

Frank Ponchock, of the north side, age 11 years, an incorrigible child, was sent to the Industrial School by Justice Mitchell last Tuesday.

 

Ed. Seegers was fined $1.00 and cost before Judge Mitchell this morning for assaulting Chas. Murphy.

 

Eight students graduated from Kaukauna high School. Principal Bolton and Supt. Corlett presented the diplomas: Pearle Towsley, Clara Schreiber, Mary Welter, Thomas Malone, Harry Grose, Garlon Harrington, William Hoenig and Chas. Schiefelbein. The class motto was “We have reached the shore - - the ocean lies beyond.”

 

A citizen of Appleton driving along the Kaukauna Road the other day saw a sight near Rose Hill that is common in some parts of Europe among the peasantry, but decidedly novel in free America. In a field near the roadside two boys ages 12 or 14 were drawing a corn-marker to which they were attached by a harness, while the father walked behind and guided the machine. The citizen watched the proceeding for a while then drove off for fear his inclination to get out and horsewhip the father that made his two boys into beasts of burden.

Time Machine Trip to May 1886

 

This Trip is sponsored by:

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112 E. 2^nd St.

Kaukauna, Wi 54130

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Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

May 7, 1886

While delivering groceries on the south side last Wednesday John Cororan’s team got stuck in quicksand on Fourth avenue. It was necessary to unhitch the team and use levers to get them out of the mire. 

 

N.A. Stewart, of Fond du Lac, a shiftless and somewhat debauched specimen of humanity, whose room on his earth is more valuable than his carcass, visited Appleton, on Tuesday last, and entered the lake home. He then beat their six-year-old daughter. Talk of a lynching was indulged in before he was taken before the circuit judge and was sentenced to nine years at hard labor.

 

The eight-hour workday movement in Chicago led to a bloody conflict between the Socialist and police in Haymarket square on the night of the 4^th. The police attempted to breakup a mob being stirred up by the Socialist when someone hurled two dynamite bombs at the officers. One officer was killed and thirty were wounded. The police returned fire killing one and wounding seventy others. By midnight order was restored in the area.

 

A woman, 26 years of age, residing here was taken before United States Commissioner Ryan, of Milwaukee, last Friday on a charge of sending obscene writing through the mail. It is stated that the prisoner recently mailed the letter to a neighbor woman. She was scheduled for trial and released on a bail of $500.

 

Ex-President Jefferson Davis gave the address at the laying of the corner stone of the monument to the Confederate dead at Montgomery, Ala., on the 29^th with imposing ceremonies. Among the articles deposited in the corner stone was a Confederate flag.

 

Arizona, April 28 – The Indian raid in Pima County was the first in that section in years. It is believed that the hostiles are committing these outrages in revenge for the supposed death of those captured on their land and sent to Florida. Gen. Miles arrived last night after hearing of the raids.

 

May 14, 1886

The fishing season has opened in earnest here. A string of bass or pickerel is no unusual sight to behold.

 

Erastus Sheppard, convicted in New Orleans of conspiring to defraud the government out of $25,000, testified that he belonged to an organization of counterfeiters which included ex-mayors of New Orleans and Galveston, chiefs of police, judges, lawyers, bankers and others many who are in the highest circles of Texan society.

May 21, 1886

Dan and Lon Mann, who murdered Marshal Campbell and wounded Officer McCormick at Bartow, Fla., on the 15^th, were lynched late that night. A crowd of 200 men surrounded the jail, disarmed the sheriff took the keys and took the prisoners to a tree nearby. While stringing Dan Mann, Lou got loose and ran. He was promptly winged and strung up to the same limb. 

 

Jacksonville. Ill., Charles Oeler was sent to prison for forty years for infanticide. Oeler was married last fall, and in a month his wife gave birth to a child. To conceal the disgrace Osler strangled the infant and hid the body.

 

About three weeks ago a twelve-year-old lad of Appleton, named Joseph Bollen was drowned. On Friday last his remains were found here and conveyed to Appleton on Saturday. His mother identified him from his clothing.

 

About 12 o’clock last Thursday night an alarm of fire was sounded but upon investigation it was discovered that only a pile of brush was burning. The fire company turned out, as did the hook and ladder boys.

 

The Northside Baseball Team

 The two local clubs, the north side and the south side boys, indulged in a game of ball last Sunday afternoon. The game came to an end at the close of the sixth inning, owing to some disagreement, the score standing 12 to 7 in favor of the south side lads.

  

May 28, 1886

The material for the new German paper arrived here last Monday morning, and the printers are busy "laying" the type and getting ready to issue the first edition. The new paper will be called The Post-Bote. The proprietors, Messrs. Schneider & Emmers.

 

Many people in California are again petitioning congress to pass a bill forever prohibiting the immigration of Chinese into the United States. Most of the vessels leaving California for China each week carry away from the United States forever large numbers of Celestials.