Time Machine Trip to February 1936

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 4, 1936

At the game against West De Pere on Friday evening the audience was surprised to see the cheerleaders in their new suits. The four leaders Jean Panabaker, Kathryn Nelson, John Vanderberg and Leo Weigman appeared in white satin cloth suits with the colorful orange K on the left shoulder.

 

Sylvester “Ham” Hopfensperger left Thursday morning for Los Angeles Calif. He is one of a group of 20 men who will drive 1936 automobiles in caravan fashion across the continent.

 

There is a deep interest in the question often asked now, what will become of the unemployed when government aid quits or what will become the future generations with science and invention increasing the lessening need of labor?

 

February 7, 1936

 

The hundreds of people who attended the first annual ice derby and carnival Sunday afternoon will witness a three-way race between Henry Esler, chief of the Kaukauna fire department, Anton Miller Hortonville and Otto C. Kloepfel, veteran Menasha skater. The race will determine the Fox river valley championship. Esler is 58 years old, Miller 63 and Kloepfel is 64.

 

The first shipment of baby chicks arrived at the Kaukauna postoffice Thursday morning, and employees of the office were cheered throughout the day by that quaint little noise made by the group of 400 in a box which were shipped to a local farmer.

 

Fitting in with the plan to provide more entertainment at high school basketball games, the tumbling and stunt team of Kaukauna high school under the direction of Clifford Kemp, physical education director, displayed its wares to an enthusiastic audience at Friday night's game. Seventeen students paraded the floor in military file after taking their places on the mat in the center of the floor members took turns somersaulting over a single man and the center of the mat.

 

Little Chute snowplow crew.

Kaukauna along with the rest of the state of Wisconsin experienced the most severe blizzard snowstorm and cold wave in the year this past week. The snowstorm started on Monday and continued to such proportions that by Wednesday the city was physically isolated from the entire surrounding territory. Railroad services were at a standstill, traffic crippled, schools closed and the entire city nearly buried beneath several feet of snow.

 

It is agreed on all sides that the government must cut its expenditure and move as rapidly as possible toward balancing the federal budget. Unfortunately, too many citizens seem to stop right there without figuring out just how the change back to normal is going to be accomplished. The abnormal relief load creates conditions that lead to such deficits. Just how is the government going get out of the relief business and thereby out of the red?

 

February 11, 1936

When Ken Vils entered high school, he had a tradition in athletics to uphold. His brother Jerry was one of the best athletes to come to Kaukauna high school. Noe he is justly and equally well known in his football basketball and track. In football he plays end; in basketball center and in track ran the mile. During his high school career, he has already won seven letters in major sports.

 

Emil Wurdinger, Jr., 47 years of age passed away at St. Elizabeth Hospital Sunday evening of blood poisoning. Mr. Wurdinger received a scratch on his hand while working at the Fox River Machine company in this city about ten days ago. He was given several blood transfusions from one of his sons, this however was not effective, and several operations were necessary on his hand and wrist.

 

February 14, 1936

Two Kaukauna residences, James W. Lang, member of the Kaukauna high school faculty and Robert Grogan took part in “The Donovan affair,” the second production of the season of the Little Theatre of the Fox River Valley Wednesday evening at Lawrence's Chapel at Appleton.

 

February 18, 1936

The Log Cabin Inn, owned and operated by Joseph Conrad, situated between Kaukauna and Little Chute on Hwy. 41, was damaged to the extent of approximately $300 Monday morning. The fire started in our oil stove in the kitchen and spread rapidly to the attic.

 

Workmen Monday were engaged in breaking and cutting some of the ice off the Kaukauna dam in order to allow some of the water to run through the rapids. A large quantity of water ran into the tailrace between the municipal building and the library.

 

February 21, 1936

 

A Kaukauna woman appeared before the council Tuesday evening and stated that she has received relief only one week during the last five and asked for something to eat. She denied reports that she received $300 insurance at the time of her husband's passing way. She stated she received $190.00 in insurance and after all bills were paid, she received $23.10. She stated she needed a bottle of insulin each week and this amounts to $4 to $5 a month. Alterman Fred Olm said that the poor committee met and made a recommendation to the council that she received $10 each month. Any insulin she needed in the meantime will be furnished.

 

February 25, 1936

 

Only four days left and every motorist must have new 1936 automobile license plates attached to his machine according to R. H.  McCarty Kaukauna chief of police.

 

This week we present Alvin “Bing” McCormick a Kaukauna high school basketball star. When Bing graduates this year, he will leave behind him one of KHS’s greatest athletic records. During his high school career, he has received four letters in football, two in basketball and one in track.

 

February 28, 1936

Councilman adopted a resolution fixing the salaries of city officers as followed:

Mayor $510 per year

City clerk $2400 per year

Assessor $720 a year

City attorney $10.00 per day

City nurse $612 per year

Health officer $500 per year

Chief of the fire department $1600

Chief of police $2,160 per year.

Six men from Kaukauna were among the 28 area defendants named in a secret federal grand jury indictment returned about two weeks ago. All were charged with violation of the federal liquor regulation. The prisoners were taken to Outagamie County jail Wednesday night and held there until a bus from Milwaukee arrived at the jail about 11 Thursday morning.

 

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Swaningson

A Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Simo

A Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wenzel

A Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Benotch Jr.

A Daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Koehn

Time Machine Trip to February 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 4, 1926

Phil Zwick, local boxer, won his first appearance in a Florida ring, when he knocked out a Mexican boxer in the second round of the match. This was the Kaukauna boy’s first appearance since leaving Wisconsin last fall, but he is now ready for a busy season.

 

Hortonia - Quick punishment was netted out to William Knapp, Town of Hortonia, town farmer, who was arrested Wednesday afternoon for possessing intoxicating liquor. His place was raided by state prohibition officers. Knapp was fined $100 in cost when he appeared before judge Theodore Berg in Municipal Court Thursday afternoon.

Rural school boards and teachers are in receipt of letters sent by A. G. Minting, county superintendent of schools, requesting them to adhere to the ruling concerning the display of flags on the school buildings. He warned the schools that the national emblem must be displayed.

 

With two men in custody, and the stolen goods having been traced to the January robbery of Haas hardware company is being rapidly cleared up. Two seventeen-year-olds from the Town of Buchanan were taken into custody by chief of police, R. H. McCarty and James McFadden on the charge of committing the burglary.

 

An advertisement in the lost column of The Times, plus the honesty of the finder, makes a combination hard to beat. So testifies Mrs. Maloney of Wrightstown, who received a lost purse containing $42.00. Wesley Kemp, 3rd St. a 12-year-old schoolboy found the purse on 3rd St. saw the advertisement then the honest lad that he is, lost no time in returning the purse to the owner.

A light truck belonging to George Anderson, mail messenger of Kaukauna post office, eventually heard the call of the wild Monday afternoon about 4:00 pm and proceeded to leave for unknown places. Mr. Anderson had parked his car in front of the post office, when it suddenly, for no reason, decided to find a new resting place. Unattended and without a driver, it rolled down the hill on Main Ave. Turning to the left and going down the street toward the high school. But it didn't go far without the driver's hand on the wheel as it came to stop at the foot of a ditch.

 

February 11, 1926

Floyd, three-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Van Den Bloomen, Taft St. died late Wednesday afternoon at St. Elizabeth hospital, Appleton as a result of burns received Wednesday afternoon. While his mother was outdoors he and his five-year-old sister were playing about the stove in the living room of the home lighting papers from the fire. One of the papers burning furiously fell on the little chaps clothing setting them on fire and in moment he was engulfed in flames. His little girl ran screaming to the street and attracted attention of people passing by.

 

The Royal Clothing shop will display something out of the ordinary next week in the show window in connection with the Midwest winter fair. The extraordinary thing will be a gigantic pair of overalls, said to be the largest in the world, made by the H. D. Lee company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The suit is made of special heavy weight blue denim which measures 14 feet and height and 9 feet around the waist.

 

February 18, 1926

Three 17-year-old boys from the Town of Buchanan were taken into custody Tuesday on the charge of stealing a motor meter from the car of Charles Pena, Combined Locks, while the machine was parked near the pavilion there. The youths were taken to Appleton. 

 

February 25, 1926

Phillips – A two-legged wolf’s carcass was presented for bounty in the county clerk's office here. Evidently the animal had been caught in the trap sometime before as a large part of the hind legs was missing probably torn off when the wolf extracted itself from a trap.

 

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brooks.

 

Well-dressed people about the streets of cities and towns.

Time Machine Trip to February 1916

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 4, 1916

The new and beautiful church structure which has just been completed by the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran society will be dedicated Sunday by a series of three services during the day and evening, commencing at 9:30 in the morning.

 

The Pierce-Arrow automobile owned by John McNaughton of Kaukauna went over the side of the incline going up to Louis Bergeon’s paint shop on Washington Street Saturday morning and dropped 10 feet striking on its side. The body of the car was damaged but the driver, Henry Crooke of Kaukauna, escaped with a broken wrist. He was lucky to have escaped death.

 

Charles Glye, a Kaukauna boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Glye, of the South side, who had been employed as a chauffeur in Milwaukee for several years, had the honor of driving the car that conveyed president and Mrs. Wilson from the station to the hotel and later to the auditorium on their visit to Milwaukee Monday of this week. It can be remembered that Arthur Schmalz of this city, present chauffeur for Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Wertheimer, was selected as the driver for President Taft at the time.

 

Twelve to six, favor Kaukauna, was the score of the basketball game between Kaukauna and Little Chute High School teams at the auditorium last Friday afternoon. The girls’ basketball team of Kaukauna High School will play the girls team of the Little Chute High School at Little Chute Saturday evening.

 

The boys of Kaukauna High School are about to organize an anti-cigarette league, which is expected to be the death nail of the coffin nail so far as the high school students are concerned. Officers of the league will be elected, and the members will pledge to abstain from the use of the nails at a meeting to be held next week.

 

Eight Kaukauna boys enlisted in Naval Service. The following young men have just enlisted at the Naval recruiting station and are to report there next Monday for duty to be sent east for training on some of the various training ships stationed in Newport News, New York Harbor. The names reported are Frank Zeuhl, Adolph Jacobson, Rudolph Ristau, Frank Wodjenske, Fred Milz, Alfred Weirauch and Irving Mantei. All the boys are eager to begin their term of four-year service, and they'll be looking forward to the opportunity of seeing the great outside world.

 

February 11, 1916

 

Fox Club Basketball Team. Left to right Ben Bell, Gold Lindauer, Ed Haas, Gordon Mulholland, Leo Nagan, Gus Lindauer, Bill Haas, Mgr. Norb. Rennicke.

Thursday evening at the Kaukauna auditorium the Little Chute Northwesterners were given the greatest surprise of their lives when the Fox Club basketball team instead of turning the other cheek and accepting another defeat such as having been administered them a few weeks previous at Little Chute avenged themselves by defeating the Northwesterners by score of 41 to 11.

 

Why doesn’t the railroad company put in electric lights at the shops? But finally, the question has been settled. The contract between the Chicago Northwestern Railroad and the City Electrical Department was signed by Mr. A. J. Farrelly, administrator of the company, Mayor Raught and Supt. Montgomery Monday afternoon of this week. The plans call for 196 lighting units to be installed in the shops.  

 

February 18, 1916

Beautiful weather and the great interest brought many to see the fine church structure of the Trinity Ev. Lutheran society, which was dedicated here on Sunday and drew an immense crowd to witness the ceremonies which were carried out without a flaw.

 

The Supreme Court rendered a decision last week upholding the state law prohibiting the sale of liquor to Indians. Michael Dragon of Green Bay, against the state appealing the decision of the lower court and that he was found guilty of selling liquor to an Indian. Dragon had contented the Indian came under the excepted cause. “Except civilized persons of Indian descent not members of any tribe” the court declared this not the case. The Wisconsin state law states no liquor can be dispensed to any full-blooded Indian in Wisconsin, whether such Indian is affiliated with any tribe or not.

 

Frank Minkebige, Sr., an employee of the Outagamie Paper Company, was seriously injured last Thursday night while at work at the mill and it's feared his injuries may prove fatal. While engaged in taking stock a pile of pulp nearby toppled over onto him completely burying him and severely crushing him by the weight. He was not found for almost an hour later when Adam Kerry the night watchman came along by way of a tour of inspection.

 

February 24, 1916

Poormaster H. J. Mulholland and Chief of Police Richard McCarty have disposed of the Charlie Wenzel family this week, who have been city charges for some time past. The two girls were placed in the Children's Home at Sparta, a state institution, and the oldest boy will be farmed out under the direction of the court. Mrs. Wenzel had been placed in hospital temporarily as she had been suffering for about a year from a broken arm. The probabilities are that the arm may have to be amputated, after which she will be placed in a home for the poor somewhere at the expense of the city.

The most valued Civil War relic among John Lawe’s varied collection, is an old, tattered battle flag shot full of bullet holes by the Johnny Rebs, and most of Its revered folds missing. It was picked up sometime after the engagement at the siege of Vicksburg Miss., after the battle of Champlin Hills, May 16th, 1863, and so it is something like 53 years old.

Minneapolis, Minn, - Men and boys who fly over the snow with the speed of birds are carrying terror and death to the wolves of northern Minnesota. No wolf can outrun these flying men where the wolves break through the thin snow crust, while the men, who have their skis skimmed the surface easily. There have been more than 100 wolves killed, the greatest slaughter of wolves ever known in that section.

Time Machine Trip to February 1906

 

Kaukauna Times & Sun

By Lyle Hansen

 

February 2, 1906

The North and South Side Gun clubs are arranging for a clay pigeon contest which will take place on Sunday, February 11. As there is considerable rivalry between the two clubs, an exciting time is anticipated. The North Side Gun club held another contest last Sunday, with Ludtke's team defeating Rabideau's by six points.

 

Peter Eimmerman’s new saloon fixtures which have just arrived are the finest to be seen in Kaukauna. The heavy carvings and ornamental moldings are brought out by beautiful, beveled glass and heavy columns.

 

Michael Chopin, a well-known resident of the northside, sustained injuries at Combined Locks paper mill Wednesday afternoon and died two hours later. His death was the result of his coat being caught by a spinning shaft.

 

Town of Freedom – Henry Verhagen met with a number of farmers Tuesday afternoon for the purpose of establishing a new cheese factory in that town.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark Jan 20 – Christian IX., the aged king of Denmark died Monday. This is the passing of the dean of the crowned heads of Europe, who was father of King George of Greece, Queen Alexandra of Great Britain and the Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia, grandfather of King Haaken VII of Norway and relative by blood or marriage to most of the European rulers.

 

F. J. Solar of the Solar Manufacturing company caught two children helping themselves to coal from the company’s sheds early Tuesday evening. Their sled was loaded with about two hundred pounds at the time it was confiscated. He had noticed the children’s tracks and that of the sled in the snow about a week ago. Both children and their mother were taken before Justice H. J. Mulholland.

 

February 9, 1906

Kaukauna people who have returned from the northern woods claim that the depth of snow, from four to five feet on the level, has interfered with logging to such an extent that some of the camps have suspended operations. The expense of getting out logs in the past month has been more than double that of other years. Smallpox has made its appearance and has had some effect in breaking up the camps. It will be a short season, and the cut of the timber will be less than for many years.

 

Wm. Klumb, who recently took the agency for gasoline engines in this city, disposed of an 8-horsepower portable engine to James Lambie this week for $550.

 

 

Marshal Richard Conlon went to Clintonville Wednesday where he arrested Martin Verhagen, the young man who was wanted for making away three weeks ago with a horse and cutter that belonged to Malone’s livery stable.

 

 

SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS - Marshall P. Wilder “The Prince of Entertainers.”

 

February 16, 1906

 

Elderly Little Chute residents.

Little Chute is noted for the longevity of its residents. Out of the entire population of 120 families there are thirty people over 70 years of age. The oldest resident is Mrs. Mary Nugent, who recently celebrated her 93^rd birthday. Following are over 80, Jacob Appleton, 88; Henry Hietpas, 87; Mrs. Lizzie Hermsen, 86; Mrs. Mary Besslair, 85; Anna Degroot, 85; Adrian Gloudeman, 83; John Kobussen 83; and Nettie Gloudeman 80.

 

February 23, 1906

Mrs. Catherine Lawe, widow of the late George W. Lawe, "Father of Kaukauna," was 90 years old Monday and celebrated the event with an old-fashioned Virginia reel, dancing through the figure with all the zest and agility of a young girl. Mrs. Lawe entertained her friends with reminisces of her early pioneer days, when she first arrived in Green Bay in 1834, coming to Kaukauna five years afterwards. This was fourteen years before Wisconsin became a state. Nothing pleases this intelligent and vivacious old lady better than having some early settlers of this region call on her to talk over old times.

 

In Castine, Maine, there lived a man named Ordway, who had the job as grave digger in the village cemetery. On one occasion he finished the task of burying a woman pauper. He arrived at the store from which he was turned away. He then demanded his pay in no uncertain terms. He ended his harangue as follows: “Look a-here, if I don’t get my pay before tomorrow night, up she comes.

 

John Masterson, of Kaukauna, who had recently been in the employ of the Northwestern Road here, had his arm crashed at Forest Junction late Monday afternoon to such an extent that it had to be amputated.

 

James Mullogan of Iola, Wisconsin narrowly escaped being buried alive Wednesday. The funeral possession was slowly weaving its way to the church when the driver of the hearse heard groans from within, followed by the smashing of glass which plainly indicated that Mulligan had objected to being buried alive. The casket was open and Mulligan, fully restored to consciousness, sat up and began to inquire where he was.

Time Machine Trip to Febraury 1896

 

Kaukauna Times & Sun

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 7, 1896

 

Marshfield Times - During a performance at Kaukauna one-night last week the ladies of that city set a pace for ladies of other cities to follow, they removed their hats during the play. All hail the ladies of Kaukauna.

Luther Lindauer is very fortunate in having harvested his ice crop early in January, for this week the river is all but free of ice.

February 14, 1896

The north side post office was removed to new quarters, the Brother’s building on Lawe Street last Sunday afternoon.  It is about as hard for northsiders to get accustomed to the new location of the post office as it was to write 1896 a few weeks ago.

Young man, there is one thing you cannot do. You cannot make a success in life unless you work. You cannot loaf around the street corners, smoke, tell stories, drink and sponge off someone else without making a failure in life. You must learn a trade or get into some honest business. The ripe fruit is at the top of the tree, and you must climb if you want to get it. Do something no matter how small or low wage it will be a starter. 

February 21, 1896

The Badger Paper Company and the Kaukauna Waterpower Company have decided not to pay the taxes levied against them by the city for 1895 and will carry the same into the courts for a decision on the grounds of excessive valuation, compared to other like property. This will temporarily, at least make a decrease in the estimated revenue from taxes, as the taxes of these two companies amount to upwards of $4,000 and will not be paid in until the courts decide upon the equity thereof.

Several weeks ago, an article appeared in the TIMES relative to the stubbornness of the average man or woman and holding down the aisle seat, in church pews compelling everyone to crowd past to get into the seat. A preacher in Buckley, Ill., wrote back to us. We have solved the problem of dislodging the end setters in church of whom you justly complained in the TIMES. The following notice was posted on the back of the pews. “All seats free except the end next to the aisle; those are reserved for the highest contributors to the support of the church.”  That took care of the problem.

Despite the howling storm that raged last Monday evening, a large crowd turned out to attend the fifth annual masquerade given by the Odd Fellow Society at the Opera house. Only 60 couples participated in the grand march, all previous years had reached about 100. Among the good representatives on the floor was a group, the Kings club, all of whom appeared in striped garb as prisoners and headed by a guard in uniform, marching in lockstep around the hall several times.  The Odd Fellows, after paying expenses, netted about $50.

February 28, 1896

Kaukauna has fifteen separate and distinct bicycle agencies. Just whisper "wheel wanted" and bicycle agents will be around thicker than life insurance solicitors.

A St. Paul woman accuses a man of having kissed her 2,132 times. If they have got counting machines for that kind of work, why then is nobody safe.  

The Thilmany Paper Company makes papers that are put to various uses. One of the most novel kinds is for lining puffed sleeves and skirts for ladies’ wear, the paper being especially capable of making a stylish effect.   

Even if Dr. Nansen has discovered a North Pole, it is quite certain that he has not discovered any practical use to which it can be put.

James Fitzgerald was hanged at St. Louis Thursday for the murder of his sweetheart, Annie Naessens, on the night of November 24, 1893. The first rope broke and the victim lay struggling on the floor beneath the gallows. A new rope was sent for and this time the condemned man went to death. 

William Egan paid a fine of $1 and costs before Justice Mitchell last Saturday for keeping his saloon open after 11 o’clock one evening last week.