Time Machine Trip to January 1886

 

Look Back in Time

Antiques and Collectables

112 E. 2^nd St.

Kaukauna, Wi 54130

920-759-1985  

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen - KAHS 

January 1, 1886

 

About 1,600 pounds of pike, pickerel and bass have been received here within a few days. They were speared through the ice in lakes in the vicinity of Chetek by Indians. The Indians make a profitable deal by disposing of the fish to second dealers at a rate of 3 to 4 cents per pound.

 

There are good prospects for two chemical pulp manufactures being built here sometime within the next few months, though nothing definite is known. One of these is contemplated by Oscar Thilmany, of the American Pulp Company and other members of the syndicate, who have recently purchased the state right to manufacture by the Mitscherlich process, a new process widely used in Europe.

 

Mr. Thilmany, we learn, is making great efforts to have a mill erected on the American Pulp Co.’s power and in the next issue of THE TIMES we hope to be able to state more definitely the possibilities of the mills locating in Kaukauna.

 

The Badger Paper Company, on the south side, has placed an Edison electric light plant in their new mill and last Tuesday, both the office and the mill were brightly illuminated by this light.

Williamsburg, Ky. - The moral effect of hanging as a preventative of crime received a novel illustration a few days ago. Some of the crowd, were drunk, a row was started and two pistol shots fired under the gallows while a victim was upon it saying to the hangman, “I am ready when you are.”

Wyoming - The governor of Wyoming has begun early demands of his territory for admissions as a state. In 1870 the population was 9118 now it is estimated to be 68,000. Wyoming is mostly mining and grazing country. In any case, Wyoming should wait until Dakota and Washington are admitted, before pressing her claim.

 

Syracuse, N.Y. – The Fisk University jubilee singers consisting of thirteen men and women were in town to perform a concert with the proceeds given to the sufferers of the great Chicago fire but were refused accommodations in two hotels on account of their color. They obtained shelter in a third only on condition that “We would hide ourselves from the other guests”. As the group traveled across the country singing, they were forced to sleep in barns and sheds and were subjected to gross indignity.

A deplorable accident occurred in the Town of Greenville on Christmas Day. Louis Pengel found an old revolver and was cleaning it when it discharged. The bullet struck his 7-year-old daughter in the forehead. At last report the girl is still living.

Green Bay - A deputy United States marshal from Washington is in Green Bay this past week reviewing complaints of the former Indian agent at the Green Bay agency. Former agent Bridgman was appointed by democrat congressman so there is much dissatisfied toward them.

Madison, Wis. Dec. 28 - Governor Rusk today granted a full pardon to George Wilson who in 1865 was sent to prison for life for the murder of a barkeeper in Milwaukee. Wilson served twenty years before being granted a pardon. Evidence was not pursued that showed Wilson did not commit the crime. He was ordered to leave the state of Wisconsin and never return as a condition.

January 8, 1886

Two young boys died this past week in Kaukauna from inflammation of the bowels. The town’s people share in the sorrow of the two families.

New York City – The Grants are living quietly in the old home on Sixty-Six Street. Frederick and Jesse are engaged in bringing out the second volume of General’s memoirs. President Grant had died July 23^rd of last year. Mrs. Grant goes out seldom. She is not in good health. 

Dallas, Tex., - Joe Parker, colored, died last week at the poor farm, at the age of 126 years. He was a slave for a century, most of the time in Tennessee, where he was fortunate in having kind masters.

A million dollars, it is said, will weigh 1 2/3 tons in gold.

January 15, 1886

A hook and ladder truck would be a decidedly valuable addition to our fire protection. Some are even inclined to believe that Kaukauna should be possessed of two such outfits. -one on each side of the river. Our city fathers should take this matter under consideration.

East St. Louis – The police are greatly dissatisfied at the inability of the municipal treasurer to pay them the last two months’ wages due to no money in the police fund. Officers have made no arrests for the last forty-eight hours and the whole force threatens to resign if they are not paid in a short time. 

Not a stone or memorial tablet marks the grave of John Brown.

January 22, 1886

We have learned this week that a new postmaster has been appointed at Kaukauna, and Jos. J. Wirtz is the fortunate candidate for this position.  Hon. Geo. W. Lawe, the present P.M., has filled this office since February 1878 thus serving a term of eight years.

The average wages in this country at the beginning of the century were $65 a year with food and lodging. Six dollars per month in summer and $5 in the winter was the rule in Pennsylvania.

Helena, M.T. – The residents of Montana are quite enthusiastic over the prospects of its admission as a state. It is generally regarded as a Democratic state and will offset the Republican Dakota.

 

1886 - Benz Patent Motorsport

 Lemberg, Bavaria – An enormous haystack used by a congregation of tramps as a lodging house, was burned in the night. Twenty dead bodies were taken from the ashes, and it is thought others were entirely consumed. 

Joliet, Ill - The sheriff of Johnson County, Wyoming, arrived here with a gang of territorial convicts, consisting of cowboys and Indians. There were two powerful-looking Arapahoe Indians bound together by heavy chains and irons. The two Indians were young men fully six feet in height with raven black hair that hung halfway down their backs. They were convicted of killing beef in the mountains near the Buffalo agency. It is said that the Indians are in a starving condition owing to the small number of supplies furnished by the government. Although they have the sympathy of everyone at the agency they were given a year for the crime. 

January 29, 1886

Officer Conlon gave lodgings in the cooler to several tramps this week. The north side schools were shut down, Friday last on account of the cold weather.

The terms today for a laborer in Germany is as follows: For thirteen hours a day in summer and from sunrise to sunset in winter, he gets use of a garden patch together with about $20 a year in cash.