Time Machine Trip to March 1896

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

Kaukauna Historical Society

 

March 6, 1896

Nine hours now constitute a day's work at the shops, an extra hour having been added Monday. The employees now work until 5:30 p.m.

 

Oscar Thilmany attended the skat tournament at Appleton Wednesday evening and pulled down another trophy.

 

Barcelona, Spain – Indignation and hate against the United States seems to have taken possession of the heart of all Spain over the action of the United States senate in recognizing the provisional government of Cuba. A public demonstration of 15,000 people is protesting against the United States in Spain.

 

 The Appleton council has cut the salaries from $100 to $1 per animal for the ensuing year. The Crescent thinks the move will keep many from seeking the office who regard the position as a snap, thinking only of the $100 salary, needless to their ability to fill the office with satisfaction. The TIMES can inform the Crescent, however, that such is not the case just look at Kaukauna council for the salary is not even $1.00 per year. It’s the honor, don’t you know.

 

Indianapolis, Ind., - Commander-in-Chief Walker of the Grand Army of the Republic has made public that the Grand Army of the Republic shall not take any part in the celebration of the Fourth of July if it is arranged for war veterans of the north and the south to march together.

 

March 13, 1896

A head end collision occurred on the Ashland division near Tigerton last Tuesday afternoon, as a result engines 47 and 88 are in badly demoralized condition, together with several cars. Dan Hennessy was engineer and seems to be responsible for the wreck, his watch having stopped, thus throwing him off the time schedule. Both engine crews saw the inevitable in time to jump from the locomotives and escape with a hard shaking up.

 

The Badger Paper company and the Thilmany Paper company, having refused to pay the taxes leveled against their property for the year 1895 on the grounds of excessive assessed valuation by the city. City treasurer Faust posted notices last week to the effect that pulp wood and other material at the mills had been levied on by the city to be sold at public vendue to pay off the taxes. 

 

March 20, 1896

Farmers in the Wrightstown area have been missing fowl and other property over a period of time. Last Wednesday night three well-known local citizens were caught with the goods. A big crowd gathered, and a rope was produced. But if not for the common sense of a few men, the fellows would have been hanged.

 

At the government Indian school at Carlisle, Pa., the graduation of four students from the Oneida reservation took place recently. The names of the graduates are Herman Hill, James Wheelock, Miss Cynthia Webster and Miss Selia Cornelius.

  

Fort Scott, Ark., “Cherokee Bill” was hanged here Tuesday. He but 20 years old and been a member of the Bill Cook gang. Cherokee broke away from the gang and went on his own. He committed many robberies and not a few murders were laid at his door. 

 

Many of the lumber camps in northern Wisconsin and Michigan are breaking up and men are returning home from them.

 

The days of the old-fashioned slate for writing purposes seems to be counted, says an English exchange, and nobody will be sorry for it except those who hitherto manufacture them. The new substitute is made of paper, or rather a thick kind of parchment, from which writing on ink as well as lead pencil can easily erase with a wet sponge.

 

March 27, 1896

One of the large 3.500-pound pulp grinders at the Western Paper Bag Company's plant burst last Monday night. One of the pieces of stone passed downward tearing a large hole in the floor. No one was injured by the flying pieces.

 

A child playing with matches is not more dangerous than a politician playing with religion.

 

The Republican ticket for the coming offices of Kaukauna for 1896 was placed in nomination last evening. For mayor – Thomas Reese; for clerk – Charles B. Kraebs; for treasurer – F. J. Solar and for assessor - C.C. Green.

 

William F. Montgomery, a druggist of Appleton, is one of 300 heirs to the property of Alexander Montgomery, who died nearly 100 years ago leaving real estate covering 59 acres in the vicinity of Wall Street, New York, leased to a syndicate for a long time. At the time of his death his deeds and papers were lost and the claims for the heirs could not be proven. These papers have recently been found; it is claimed and established the title of to the heiress to the property valued at $300 million.