Time Machine Trip to April 1925

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 2, 1925

A Wisconsin senator introduced a bill empowering courts to punch holes in the license plates of drivers that committed violations. A road hog would receive an H, an intoxicated driver an I. A driver could tell at a glance which autos to avoid.

In Madison a great fire wiped out our historic old State Capitol. We then blew $7,500,000 for one of the finest marble palaces in the United States. We built a maze of corridors, 277-foot dome, restaurants and much more but no work rooms. We have to go downtown to a four-story office building to house the real business of the state.

 

Henry Minkebige of this city won fifth place in all events in the A. B. C. National bowling tournament which was held at Buffalo last week. In his first game he hit a 277 but was unfortunate in the second game dropping to 139 then all his other games were over 200.

 

April 9, 1925

Teacher: Do you think there was a person that knew all the words to Star Spangled Banner?

Student: Sure, Francis S. Key knew ‘em.

Teacher: Just who is that?

Student: The man who wrote it.

 

Eight Kaukauna boys have been accepted for the Citizens Military Training Camp this summer at Camp Custer, Michigan. Olin G. Dryer, principal of the high school, has been made director for this section. The boys are John Farwell, Fay Posson, Leon Stine and Leonard Macrorie are first year members. Norbert Noie, Herbert Haas, Gilbert St. Michell and Joseph Bayorgeon will be attending for the second season.

 

April 16, 1925

George “Stormy” Kromer, former president of the Wisconsin State league will manage the Blytheville, Arkansas club in the Tri-State league this season. 

 

Did you know that five of America’s wars commenced in April.

Revolutionary war began April 19, 1775.

Mexican war began April 24, 1846.

The Civil war began April 12, 1861.

Spanish-American war began April 19, 1898.

U.S. declared war on Germany April 6, 1917.

The Civil war ended, and President Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865.

 

Grant and Gillespie have opened a new oil and gasoline service station at the corner of Draper and Gertrude streets on Highway 15.

 

April 23, 1925

The Kissel car owned by the Welter brothers crashed into the gates on the Lawe street bridge Monday morning.  Witnesses said the bridge tender signaled the car to stop but it was misunderstood by the driver. 

 

April 30, 1925

A butcher’s bill more than four thousand years old was found in the ruin of Ur. It is in the form of a small block of baked clay. Whether it has yet been paid has not been determined but if modern bills were rendered in the same form, some men could pave their driveways.

 

A May Day program will be given at the high school auditorium on Friday evening. A dance around the May pole will begin the program. Elaborate costumes are being prepared with Clouds, fairies, elves and garden flowers will be displayed.  

 

 

 

Time Machine Trip to April 1915

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 2, 1915

The Farmers and Merchants Bank is now offering a $100 bond at 3 percent interest.

 

April 9, 1915

By an overwhelming majority, the people of Kaukauna, by their vote, on Tuesday last, again placed the reins of municipal management in the hands of Chas. E. Raught.  Mayor Raught defeated Jos. J. Jansen by 350 votes.

The Ashland division train left the track at Appleton. The train which left Kaukauna Tuesday morning with engineer Charles Clark, Conductor Thos. Conway and Thos. Hanson as firemen. The engine left the track at the top of the hill near the Interlake Pulp and Paper company. Clark and Hanson of Antigo were both scalded and the track tore up for 100 yards. The passengers were badly shaken up but none of them severely injured.

 

Kaukauna soldier Charles W. Chamberlain writes home from El Passo, Texas that the President’s policy of “Watchful Waiting” is being strictly followed by the 5,000 U. S. troops along the border.

April 16, 1915

New management for the city:

City Attorney-Geo. H. Kelly

City Physician—Dr. A. M. Foster

N. St. Commissioner-Theo. Schmalz

So. St. Commissioner-Jos. Kuehn

Lawe Street Bridge-Geo. Rice

Wis. Ave. Bridge-Robt. Hamilton

Poor master-H.J. Mulholland

Pound master-Fred Reichel

Sewer Commissioner-F. C. Loope

 

The Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company placed a crew of men at work Monday overhauling the electric and power equipment at the electric power station on the south side canal to get the same in running condition to be taken over by the city on the contract pending conditionally,

 

April 28, 1915

 

Manager Wm. Van Dyke of the Vaudette Theatre has just installed a fine new Power 6A moving picture machine. This enables the Vaudette to run a two-reel feature film without stopping for change of reels.

 

Shawano- Enraged because a rival suitor was shown preference by Miss Mary Dickson, Wapoose, a young Indian man, shot and instantly killed the young woman while she was buggy riding with another man. He then fired two bullets into his head and is now in a hospital hovering near death.  

 

April 30, 1915

E. G. Driessen finished putting in a new plate glass in front of his meat market on Wisconsin Avenue Saturday, which gives him a better light and adds much to the appearance of his place of business.

 

 

Time Machine Trip to April 1905

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 7, 1905

Albert Schley of Woodville met with an accident on the south side Monday afternoon. He was caught in the sudden wind and rainstorm that came up, and for protection sought refuge against the billboard on the Morgan property on the west end of Second Street. He had scarcely stopped when the board was blown over with a crash burying him beneath the debris. His ankle was found to be sprained and chest slightly bruised, but no broken bones when examined by Dr. Nolan.

 

Jimmie, son of Wenzel Wolf of this city, met with a serious accident at the Combined Locks Mill Tuesday, when his foot became wedged by a piece of machinery and was crushed. It is thought that the foot will be saved, and he is doing as well as could be hoped for.

 

April 14, 1905

Peter Reuter, pioneer Kaukauna banker and manufacturer, died at his home on Catherine Street Sunday. Mr. Reuter was born in Belgium in 1838 and came with his parents to America in 1847. Having acquired a great interest in manufacturing, he left Milwaukee, where his family had been living, and came to Appleton before moving with his brother, Alex, to Kaukauna in 1869. Mr. Reuter built a hub and spoke factory. In 1879, with his brother Alex, they established a State bank. Two years later, this institution was organized as the Bank of Kaukauna, being named president.  He was also elected mayor of Kaukauna, holding that position in the years 1887, 1888 and 1894.

 

The government this year will be a commenced of disbursements to Indians of five tribes that will total up way into the millions. 

 

April 21, 1905

 

W. G. Wendt took a run down to Milwaukee and purchased a fine new soda fountain for his Wisconsin Avenue drug store. The new fountain will be handy and conform to the modern and up-to-date equipment of his establishment.

The anti-cigarette law has received the signature of Governor La Follette and takes effect July 1. It provides a heavy penalty for offering for sale or giveaway cigarettes or cigarette papers. The fine should not be less than $100 or more than $500 and the imprisonment to be for no more than six months in the county jail.

 

In the last half dozen years. “The Missouri Girl” has been seen in this city several times and the visit again this season, which will be announced for Tuesday evening, May 2nd at Kaukauna Opera House. The show will be hailed with delight by numerous theatergoers who have long contended that this attraction is the greatest of all comedies.

 

April 28, 1905

Architect Claude of Madison was in the city on Tuesday conferring with contractor George Smith, relative to the new library building. The contract was then the duty let to Smith for a total of $8,676, this to include plumbing and heating.

 

Alex, the four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fahrbach, was instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a loaded gun in the hands of a playmate, at the home of his parents, in the town of Harrison, about 6 miles out of this city.

 

Time Machine Trip to April 1895

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 5, 1895

 

Mayor H. B. Tanner

Tuesday was an ideal Election Day and evidently Republican weather from the results. The polls opened at 6 o'clock in the morning and from the very start the voters began to deposit their ballots and then hustle out all their friends, determined that none should escape. And few did, as there were over 1,250 votes cast, the largest ever polled here. Crowds lined the streets all day, arguing politics, but there was no disturbance, as the firewater that usually excites could not be obtained, all saloons being closed on Mayor Tanner’s order. Democrats were again snowed under, and Tanner wins again as Mayor of Kaukauna.

 

April 12, 1895

The bridge over the tail race in the rear of the Kaukauna Paper Company’s mill gave way last Wednesday, while a load of pulp was being hauled across it, and the team, wagon, and all precipitated into the race. Although the water was about six feet deep, the horses escaped, they being able to hold their heads above water until the harness was cut. No great damage was the result.

 

The news of a shocking tragedy last Monday comes from Seymour. The 19-year-old son of Jos. Meyer was helping finish up at Windel’s saw-mill. By accident he slipped and fell on the whirling circular saw. The teeth struck him right on the nose and in a second had eaten their way into the skull tearing out the eyes. He was drawn away in a minute but the brains were scattered from the gaping wound. He was fatally hurt though he lived for a short time. 

 

Pittsburg, Pa., April 9 – Oil took another spurt today and at noon the price had jumped to $1.40 a barrel. There is a possibility that the price may rise as high as $1.50 in the future.

 

April 19, 1895

Marshal Kuehn requests The Times to notify merchants and others that unless they stop throwing paper in the thoroughfares, some one will have to suffer arrest. Paper on the streets not only looks bad, but scares horses that may result in injury to someone and a consequent suit against the city. As there is an ordinance prohibiting it, Jule says the law must be enforced.

 

The case of Miss Delia O’Conner vs. the City of Kaukauna for $3000 damages for injuries received from d defective sidewalk has been settled by the city this week, out of court by the payment of $640.

 

 

“Coffin screws” is a new but exceedingly appropriate name for cigarettes.

 

A new bridge tender’s house has been erected at the end of the Lawe street draw.

 

The odor of burning rubbish is abroad in the land.

 

April 26, 1895

 

Counterfeit 1-cent pieces are in circulation in the east. Now we are getting interested and propose to protect ourselves against swindlers. Heretofore we have been exempted from danger. Pennies will not be taken on subscription at this office at this time. 

 

The modest and early harbinger of spring, the May flowers, abounds in the woods about the city and swarms of children search for them in the leaf strewn thickets.

 

John Theiss, 70-year-old resident of the south side, was run over by the cars in the Northwestern switchyards Thursday afternoon. Theiss was not employed in the yard, being there gathering up pieces of wood and coal at the time of the accident.  

 

A telephone has been placed in THE TIMES office this week and anyone having business with us can ring us up.

 

The organization of the Kaukauna Baseball Club for the ‘95 season occurred at the Grand View hotel Tuesday evening. Julius Martins was chosen manager and Geo. Kromer, Jr., as captain. The work of enclosing the park below the Badger mill has been commenced and the boys are getting themselves in trim by active practice. It will not be long before some of the neighboring clubs will be leaving their scalps dangling at the belt of the new Kaukauna team.    

 

Diphtheria still lingers around Kaukauna showing itself occasionally. Two children in the family of Peter Assauer of the south side are now ill with the disease.

Time Machine Trip to April 1885

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

April 3, 1885

Burglars broke into M. Reid's saloon near the depot on Friday night of last week and carried away about $9.00 in cash. They apparently helped themselves to what liquor and cigars they wanted, leaving the boxes and bottles laying on the counter. There is no clue as to who the parties are.

 

Tuesday of next week will be held the first municipal election of the city of Kaukauna. First class men have been nominated to fill the important offices and unless a majority of the voters should go astray, nothing less than a miracle can prevent a good city government for at least one year.

The KAUKAUNA AND LEDYARD TIMES, which was formerly THE KAUKAUNA TIMES, will return to its original title, now that Kaukauna and Ledyard have combined as one incorporated city. THE TIMES will still be published every Friday as in the past, and E.C. Bidwell will remain the editor of the paper.

 

Cadillac, Mich., - Two woodsmen who were coming here on snowshoes yesterday morning found an Indian camp on the Pune River with only one Indian girl as the survivor of a party of seven. She had been four days without food. They took her to the nearest settlement and buried the six bodies in the snow. They were a band of Ottawa’s and the snow was too deep to permit them to hunt and they died from exhaustion.

 

April 10, 1885

Tuesday last was a great day in Kaukauna, and not-withstanding the rainy weather there was quite a heavy vote polled. The city of Kaukauna has completed its first election and a mayor, and other officials have been elected. Col. H. A. Frambach has been voted in as the city's first mayor. He is a fine man and leader and will certainly fill the post as mayor in the best way possible. Others elected in the municipal election include P. M. Charlesworth as clerk, Peter Nettekoven as treasurer, Jos. S. Feller as assessor, and Jas. Simons and H. J. Mulholland as justices.

Horry, Ga., - One of the sheriffs’ deputies was sent to take a mule into possession of a citizen of that country. The owner pointed to his stables saying: “The mule what you come after is in the stable. I see you got the rights to go in after him, but I don’t see that you are provided with the authority to come out again. Betsey, bring me my shotgun.” The deputy returned but he did not bring the mule. 

 

April 17, 1885

It is to be hoped that the sidewalks leading to our schoolhouses will be among the first improvements made in the city this year. The North side school building is located in a place where children are obliged to go into mud ankle deep, on their way to school, and it is no more than right that this evil should be remedied as soon as possible. 

Albert Koepp, a 3-year-old child, whose parents live in the town of Wauwatosa, was accidentally killed on the 10^th. A clothesline attached to an outhouse was hung full of clothes and was caught by a strong wind causing the outhouse toppled over on him.

 

April 24, 1885

It is said that the increase in the price of liquor license from $75 to $200 will decrease the number of saloons in Kaukauna from thirty to twenty-five. At Little Chute there will probably be down to three saloons.

Word has been received that Gen. Grant has been feeling better. It is ascertained that his disease is not cancer.

 

The President issued a proclamation annulling the executive order of President Arthur, opening the Winnebago and Crow Creek Indian Reservation in Dakota and ordered all settlers to vacate the lands within sixty days.

 

 

Time Machine Trip to March 1975

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen 

March 7, 1975

Putting the city hall in a used building was expected to save Kaukauna money. The total $1,140,276 cost of purchase and remodeling the former Badger Northland plant on 2^nd. Street. A new building of the same size would cost twice that price.

An industrial accident claimed the life of a 22-year-old Kaukauna man Tuesday evening. Michael J. Diedrick died at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah. Death was caused by burns he received at Appleton Papers Combined Locks Mill.

March 12, 1975

Three Kaukauna boxers won Golden Gloves fights at the Brown County Arena. Ron Dercks recorded two technical knockouts. Mike Nelessen came up with his first knockout and Greg Kessler won on a decision.

Congressman William Steiger feels that the United States is justified in sending monetary aid into Cambodia and Viet Nam in a talk he gave in Kaukauna. That remark drew a strong response from Buchanan Town Chairman Joseph De Bruin whose son Eugene has been held prisoner since 1963. “Thirteen hundred are unaccounted for, yet you want to keep pouring money into there?” After a long pause, Steiger continued to talk.

Gregg Kessler of the Kaukauna Boxing Club rocked his opponent Wayne Slater of Green Bay at the Golden Gloves bout to get the win.

The American Automobile announced that motorists can easily pocket an extra $280 each year and all it takes is a personal commitment to conserve fuel. If conservation is not tried there will be gasoline rationing and it will be the motorist who will shoulder the extra burden.

March 14, 1975

 

Kaukauna’s new high school varsity football coach will be Willian Biekkola and Robert Bragg will head the varsity wrestling squad in the fall of 1975. Biekkola replaces Kenneth Roloff while Bragg replaces Kenn Smith. 

 

1974-75 cheerleaders, right are Polly Nack, doing the splits; Keri Schierland and Becky Sachs on the wings; Polly Wahlers supporting Kim Kappell and Peggy Van De Loo atop Sue Gerow’s shoulders.

1974-75 Kaukauna high school varsity basketball team. Seated Tim Wirth, Bryan Hacker, Dennis Kramer, Ross Giordana, Tim Roberts, Ken Schmidt, Standing Dave Spice, Frank Bouressa, Jerry Schumacker, Keith Kuehl, Greg Helf, Tom Vaubel and Ric Huss.

A training session conducted by Little Chute physician Dr. Francis X. Van Lieshout showing the proper procedure to use when aiding a choking victim was instrumental in saving the life of a supper club diner last Tuesday. Mrs. James (Sherry) Lettau, an employee of the Lox club at Combined Locks, went into action when one of the patrons was choking. She was able to get the woman to her feet and putting her arms around her clenched her fists and applied force to dislodge the caught particle. Her first and second attempts were unsuccessful, but the third attempt dislodged the particle.      

March 19, 1975

Hugh Anderson, KHS senior, has been named as a Finalist in the 1975 National Merit Scholarship competition and will now be eligible to compete for Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring.

March 21, 1975

The Kaukauna Community Hospital celebrates 20 years of service to Kaukauna and surrounding communities on Sunday March 23. The hospital has a 72-bed capacity and was built with only community money and no Federal aid.

Kaukauna yesterday was designated as an official Bicentennial community, Rep. Robert J. Cornell has announced. The City of Kaukauna will be presented with an official Bicentennial flag.

It may have been the year of the gasoline crunch and declining economy, but people still love to travel and 1974 was little different according to the Auto Ass. of Wisconsin.

March 26, 1975

Military services for Sp. 4 Marc E. Gast were held at 11 am Saturday at St. John’s church, Little Chute. The 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gast of Little Chute died on March 17 as the result of an accident at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he had been stationed. Army personnel served as honorary and active pallbearer’s members of the firing squad and color guard. 

March 28, 1975

Fred Herbolzheimer Jr., president of Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company, Kaukauna was presented with the Gold Knight of Management Award, the highest honor bestowed by the National Management Association at the Pioneer Inn in Oshkosh. The award was given to managemental people who have reached a high professional level in their careers.

Fred Haas was recently honored as the Ghosts’ Most Valuable Wrestler this year. Haas compiled and outstanding 22-5-0 overall record, best in the squad and the only Kaukauna wrestler to make it to the WIAA sectional tournament this year.

Leigh Wachel, of Lee’s Lionel Lines and Hobby Shop, stood in front of a display case of model railroad stock.