Time Machine Trip to August 1936

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

August 4, 1936

Roy Schuler (aged 30, Main Street, Combined Locks) was instantly killed in an accident at the Combined Locks Paper company at noon on Monday. Schuler was carrying paper over a reel when he became caught between a metal drum and a paper roll, pulling his head and shoulders between the rolls before nearby workmen could stop the machine.

 

165 boats passed through the canal during July. Bridges were opened 38 times in the final week of July, indicating an uptick in river traffic. Fox River Navigation company boats are moving to 24-hour operations due to cooler weather and higher demand for coal.

 

Kaukauna's three main swimming facilities (the quarry, the fourth lock, and the municipal building pool. served 28,380 swimmers in July, breaking city record during its hottest month on record.

 

August 7, 1936

Mildred Feller won the low score prize with a 64 during ladies' day activities at Kaukauna Golf course, which drew 20 participants for golf, bridge, and lunch.

 

An inquest was held regarding the deaths of Mrs. Nellie Straka (75) and her son George (29), who were found dead at their home on East Eighth Street on Wednesday morning, July 15. The jury determined the cause of death was food poisoning of unknown origin combined with possible heat prostration.

 

Relief Director Joseph V. Krahn reported July poor relief expenditures totaled $1,271.05—a decrease of $302.83 from June ($1,573.88).

 

Four 4x5 foot signs painted by Karl Minkebige were installed on Highways 55 and 41 to invite tourists to visit the historic 100-year-old Grignon Mansion.

 

The Gold Medal shows, hosted at the ballpark by Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge No. 1416, are drawing large afternoon and evening crowds to support the lodge's building fund. Features include rides, sideshows, concession stands, and nightly 10:30 PM performances by world champion high fire diver Captain Jack Perry into 6 feet of water.

 

August 14, 1936

 

Investigating the cost of Grignon Home property brought sixty attendees—including members of the Outagamie County Board, representatives of the city of Kaukauna, the Advancement Association, and the Kaukauna Historical Society to the Grignon home lawn for a Tuesday noon luncheon. Attorney William L. Crow spoke on the history of the Grignon family, the home's significance as early water traffic stops, and the long-term value of preserving the property. Judge Fred V. Werner spoke on the advisability of purchasing the home and property. Mrs. Ross Grignon, current custodian of the home. The county board unanimously passed a resolution authorizing a committee to investigate purchase costs and options. This effort aims to evaluate converting the property into a county park and memorial in cooperation with the Kaukauna Common Council.

 

August 18, 1936

 

Chief of Police James E. McFadden will ask the city council to purchase safety signs to place in the center of the road near all Kaukauna grade schools. The 5-foot-tall sign depicts a Boy Scout holding two signs reading "10 miles per hour" and "Danger, school zone".

 

Norman Hennessey paid a $3 fine plus costs in Justice Abe Goldin's court on Monday following a Saturday arrest for disorderly conduct.

 

Arthur Kappell was fined $1 and costs in Justice Abe Goldin's court on Monday following his arrest on Saturday for disorderly conduct.

 

August 21, 1936

Among the hundreds of odd exhibits at the National Inventor's Congress to be held at Springfield, Mass., September 1 to 4 is this dimple-producing gadget. E. Isabella Gilbert, the inventor, demonstrates how the device is clamped around the face, with knobs pressing into the cheeks to imprint the dimples.

Conservation wardens stocked 60 cans of perch, crappies, and walleyed pike into the abandoned Niesen stone quarry. Between 8,000 and 10,000 fish were delivered, with another truckload expected Saturday. Fishing in the quarry is prohibited for two years while seaweed and wild rice are established; unauthorized fishing in the reserve carries a heavy fine.

 

A petition signed by 82 5th Ward voters and taxpayers requested the city halt construction of an 8-foot stone WPA wall around the high school athletic field, citing property devaluation and loss of scenery.

 

Two-armed men held up the Seymour State Bank on Wednesday afternoon, forcing four employees and three customers to lie on the floor. The robbers forced bank president Charles Prosser to open the vault, took approximately $6,000 in cash and securities, locked the victims in the vault, and fled in a getaway car driven by a third accomplice.

Mary Main, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph V. Krahn, was chosen as Miss Kaukauna during a contest at the Nitingale Ballroom, with Ruby Belling placing second. Main won an all-expense trip to the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee to compete for Miss Wisconsin. She is a high-ranking high school student and pianist.

August 25, 1936

 

Julius Nemetz, a Kewaunee farmer, lost $6,249.50 to a fortune teller named Madame Marie. After gaining his trust by charging fees to "cure" his daughter's hand and "appease spirits" with candles, she convinced him to bring cash to Manitowoc on June 30 under the promise that spirits would double it. Nemetz mortgaged his farm for $6,000, cashed the check, and allowed Madame Marie to tie the wrapped cash around his waist with instructions not to open it for a week. When she failed to return, Nemetz opened the bundle to find only 100 one-dollar bills and old newspapers. Police across the Midwest and District Attorney John Cashman are searching for her.

  

According to county agent, Wisconsin farmers will need to import roughly 14,000 work horses and 250 mules from other states in 1937 due to a lack of local breeding in recent years.