Time Machine Trip to September 1926

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

September 2, 1926

According to Wm Van Dyke, local theater owner, who recently acquired a lease on the Bijou theater on the north side, the formal opening of the show house will be held next Sunday, September 5th, showing Colleen Moore in "Irene", with a matinee starting at 2:30 o'clock, and the evening performance starting at 7 o'clock. The Bijou theater is undergoing a thorough process of redecoration at the present time, both inside and outside, and will be in first class condition for the opening performance.

 

As an added feature for next week, Mr. Van Dyke has secured the services of the Peters Bros., European artists of the concertina for presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will give one performance at the Bijou and at the Vaudette each of these two evenings.

 

Poverty is a relative condition. That is, the poor of today are more richly endowed with worldly goods than the poor of twenty years ago, although the one felt no poorer nor richer than the other. Many of this age who feel poor would be considered better than moderate means by their corresponding class of two decades past. Picture a boy of poor family in 1905; Home-cut hair, trousers made over from father's and then patched, patch-quilt shirt, sans shoes, stockings and underwear, happy with a penny or marble, lucky to have darned stockings, baggy underwear and a frayed coat and cap for winter and compelled to work his way into the circus or for his infrequent ice cream soda. And the poor of twenty years ago were content with such homely fare as beef stew, potatoes and rice. Parents then boasted of wearing the same suit or dress for ten years—it was fortunate for them their clothes were durable for they could not have purchased new ones.

 

As a remedy for divorce a Chicago judge urges men not to marry until they reach the age of reason. But that would bar so many from marriage altogether.

The class of '26 began the year in a new high school. We left an old, congested brick building that had served as a high school for many years. We had to walk up flights of wooden stairs that were worn thin by the ever-tramping of nearly three-hundred students over the same paths. We had always visioned the day when we would be students in a wonderful new building. Today, our dreams have vanished, and we are proud to say that our high school is no longer a vague conception, but a reality.

 

September 9, 1926

Zwick continued his winning streak when he knocked out Phil Sousa of New York in the third round of a scheduled ten rounder at Canton, Ohio, Labor Day afternoon.

 

Everybody kicks about the weather, but, as Mark Twain so sagely observed, nothing is ever done about it. Nothing, that is, except to inflict upon the strangely submissive male sex the order to don straw hats on May 15, and to take 'em off on September 15.

 

September 16, 1926

A. P. Andersen, local auto livery and transfer line owner, received a new specially built limousine hearse with a landau back, from the Kissel Motor Car company of Hartford, as an addition to his funeral equipment. The hearse was driven to Kaukauna by a representative of the company last Friday, and since its arrival here has been a center of attraction for admiring crowds.

 

With the beginning of school last Tuesday, Coach Smith sent out a call for material for the football team. About thirty men reported for practice the first night. The most promising candidates for position at fullback are Marvin Miller, last year's tackle, and Jack Verbeten, former halfback. The successor at quarterback position will probably be filled by Landreman, a last year substitute. Hollis Whitman will probably fill position at one end with Captain Noie at the other Mislinski.

 

A. Ludke of the Kaukauna Pigeon club won the first and second places in the 200 mile flight last Sunday from Kasson, Minn., when his first bird was checked in at 2:35:53 in the afternoon, and the second pigeon at 2:45:33. Edward Ludke won third and fifth places, and Frank Heimke was awarded fourth.

 

Many a married man is hocking his car to get his wife the demanded fur coat. And he'll have to keep warm by "getting hot under the collar" thinking about the deal.

 

September 21, 1926

Melford Spaulding, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Spaulding, E. Eighth street, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock, when he fell from the top of a hickory tree, and landed on the ground fully 35 feet below. Dr. Gallaher was immediately summoned, and the injured lad was rushed to the St. Elizabeth's hospital, where an operation was performed upon him at once.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kromer announced the birth of a baby son last Saturday. Art is awfully proud of the eight pounds of life.

 

Now that the ladies have taken to wearing extreme, boyish bobs and rompin' about in golf knickers—it won't do for us men to run up behind somebody, thinking we recognized an old friend and administer a stinging slap on the back.

 

September 23, 1926

 

The Rev. T.P. Hilborne and family are guests at a reception of the Methodist church here Thursday evening. Rev. Hilborne will assume charge of the Methodist church here.

Norbert Noie, captain of this year's football squad, was elected president of the senior class by a large majority at the meeting held last Friday, September 17, during the general assembly period. At the meeting Thursday morning the other class officers were elected. Valery Vanevenhoven will fill the office of vice president and Helen Esler that of secretary-treasurer. Elizabeth Derus and Elmer Grebe were elected to lead the cheering.

 

Considerable discussion is heard these days as to the means that may be adopted to keep folks on the farm. The situation has become serious, for many experienced farmers are moving into the cities, either for the purpose of earning what they consider easier money, or to use their savings in giving their children and themselves the advantage of city life. The fear is expressed that the production of food may become reduced to such an extent that the scarcity will not only greatly increase prices, but threaten the welfare of the people.

 

September 30, 1926

 Arthur Esler, 15 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Esler, Elm street, was instantly killed Thursday evening at 8:30 o'clock, when he came in contact with a high tension wire on the Wisconsin avenue bridge. According to eye witnesses Esler climbed up one of the girders supporting the high tension wires above the bridge and was almost instantly electrocuted. He was badly burned about the body, his clothes catching fire when the wire shorted and produced a flash that could be seen in all parts of the city. His body hung upon the girder for approximately three minutes before falling to the bridge. A physician was immediately summoned and an attempt was made to revive the boy which proved futile.