Time Machine Trip to September 1886

This Trip is sponsored by:

 Look Back in Time

Antiques and Collectables

112 E. 2^nd St.

Kaukauna, Wi 54130

920-759-1985   

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

 

September 3, 1886

 

The swing bridge was open for about half an hour last Wednesday afternoon and before it was closed thirty teams stood in waiting to cross. Tempers were high toward the official in charge of the bridge.

 

September 10, 1886

The work on the Wis. Ave. project is now nearing completion. To hasten the work, Contractor Geo. Kelso has put on a night crew and now runs the crusher both night and day. The amount of macadam used on the streets in Kaukauna this year, has made a very large excavation in the island quarry, much of the material being fine coursing stone which it seems too bad to break up for this work. However, it is making an excellent roadbed.

 

Seventy thousand volunteers enlisted forty years ago for the Mexican War. They brought to our country a million square miles of territory. The weight of gold and silver recovered is more than the weight of all the soldiers. Ten thousand of the volunteers still live and the recent law of Congress gives them each a pension of $96 a year.

 

September 17, 1886

  

The Fourth Street Viaduct – View South up 5^th Ave. (Reaume Ave. today)

Geo. Haas has completed the bridge across the 5th Avenue ravine on 4th street. This bridge is a handsome structure and is a credit to Mr. Haas and the city.

 

September 24, 1886

The workmen engaged in excavating for the sewer on Third street, struck what appears to be ancient ruins of a stone building, the first of the week. At the depth of about eight feet below the surface, the first rock was found bearing traces of the work of man, and a foot or so below this was found a large deposit of ashes, of which about twenty-five bushels were thrown out. The stones are faced on one side and have the appearance of those dressed for buildings where close work is required. Some of them have doubtless been subjected to great artificial heat, as pieces have crumbled off and are converted into lime; others are smoked and blackened by fire. The building or whatever it was, set nearly cornerwise to the street, and the point first reached was the corner. After excavating for about twenty-five feet further, another wall was found extending diagonally across the cut, the stone being carefully dressed as those at first discovered, but without the accompaniment of ashes and lime.

Ancient ruins have been discovered in numerous places in this state, proving beyond doubt that this section was at one time occupied by a race superior to the Indians in the use of tools and implements for building. The fact that these indications of a former race of semi civilized people are found but a foot or so above the natural bed of rock underlying this city, and that a mammoth elm tree about two feet in diameter has grown up over the ruins, is evidence that centuries have passed away since the hand of man was active in the construction of that once towering piece of masonry.

 

The long-expected action against the city for trespass was commenced by Geo. W. Lawe last Tuesday. The property in question is the land at the north approach to the draw bridge, and the amount involved is $600. Mr. Lawe has retained Pierce & Moeskes, attorneys at Appleton.

 

The macadamizing of Wisconsin Ave. is now completed, and Kaukauna may now boast of possessing the finest pavement of any city in the state.

 

The shipments of buffalo bones from the Northwest are growing larger. From 20 to 25 Canadian Pacific cars, loaded with this class of freight, arrive at Fort Benton, Mon., every week, consigned to fertilizing works in the East.

 

There is one plan, one solution of the so-called Southern question, that has never been tried. At the present it seems to be the best choice: Let the negro alone. The negro is doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Leave him to the same laws that govern all over the land. He is not an anarchist or a bomb thrower he does not threaten law and order or society. Just at present we do not see where a better labor can be had. With a population like that which makes life unsafe in Chicago, the South might quickly and gladly reimport its banished negros.

 

 

Yahnozha  –  Chappo  –  Fun  -  Geronimo

 

Dispatches arriving on the 4^th reported that Geronimo, Natchez and three others have surrendered unconditionally to Gen. Miles. The Indians, it is said were without provisions and were in a starving condition. According to Capt. Lawton all will be shipped 2000 miles east. He is also moving all from Fort Apache in the same direction.