Time Machine Trip to December 1901

December 6, 1901

Small-pox at Dundas and in the Town of Woodville is on the increase. At Dundas one fatal occurred that of Tony de Vrucht. Dr.  H. B. Tanner was called to the Dundas Wooden Ware Company’s factory, where young de Vrucht was employed. He vaccinated all the hands numbering 28. The factory was closed to await developments.

The Kimberly-Clark company in the Fox River Valley, took an initiative in acceding to the demands of its employees for shorter hours without a reduction in pay, and the action of the company will affect 150 to 200 employees in the Neenah and all their other mills. By the terms of the agreement the working hours in all departments are reduced from 72 to 60 hours a week without a reduction in wages taking effect December 1. Other paper companies in the fox valley have likewise agreed to try the desired change experimentally. 

All the physicians in the city met yesterday and resolved upon taking certain action relative to the spreading of smallpox and in order that the disease may not become prevalent in Kaukauna will take prompt action in every case that is reported. Strict quarantines will be ordered. In view of the prevalence of smallpox in the immediate vicinity, we urge general vaccination of all those who have not been successfully vaccinated within 3 years.

O.G. Lord - MD

H.B. Tanner - MD

C.D. Boyd - MD

J. Quinlan - MD

W.N. Nolan - MD

D.A. Titus - MD

J.W. Blair City Physician

An Indiana man says he has invented a cheap substance that will absorb heat rays and keep them absorbed until they are turned loose again under a boiler or in the kitchen stove. His idea is to capture the sun's rays during the day and use the heat later.

Sixteen dead, thirty-two wounded and two missing constitutes a record of casualties to hunters during the deer season in Wisconsin.  

December 13, 1901

Everyday has been the doctor's "busy day" this week, for hundreds of children and grown people as well have had a little vaccine put in their arms. There will be sore arms galore by this time next week.

December 20, 1901

Winter came on with a hop, skip and a jump when it really got started. There were no yard gains connected with it. It was a clean sixty-yard run around the end for a touch down. The mercury went down so fast Saturday night that it got clear out of sight before the rebound occurred.

A disaster occurred last night about 6:30 at the Union Bag & Paper company’s mill, which may have easily been a fatal one. Several thousand pounds of ice came crashing down through the roof burying the back end of the 63-inch paper machine. The great weight of the combined ice, roof timbers, planking and tin sheathing came down on the machine resulting in it being down for repairs. 

December 27, 1901

There is more joy in the printing office over one sinner who pays in advance and abuses the editor on every occasion, than over the ninety-nine who borrow the paper and sing its praises without contributing one cent to pay the bills.

Those investing in lands in northern Wisconsin are reaping good profits. A farm purchased near Colby a couple of years ago for $600 has increased in value so that the owners have refused an offer of $2000,00 for it last week. 

Nelson Green, an Oneida Indian came to town Tuesday with a load of pulp wood and filled up on booze, suffered the extreme penalty by losing his life on a railroad crossing. He left the city late in the evening and in attempting to make Rademacher’s crossing was hit by the special freight. The engine struck the rear end of his wagon throwing him about 30 feet. He died from head injuries. 

My New Sled

Time Machine Trip to December 1938

December 2, 1938

Kaukauna boxer Ken Vils will make his debut in the boxing ring at the Armory in Appleton January 12. He's working out under direction of Steve Andrews, former local amateur boxer.

An automobile belonging to B. W. Fargo was stolen from in front of his store on W. Wisconsin Ave., Monday evening and was recovered about an hour later by Kaukauna police. The car was found parked on W. Wisconsin Ave. near Kaukauna Street. A gallon of gasoline had been used according to police reports.

Benefit Movies - With everyone in the city lending a helping hand towards making this Christmas time a happy one for less fortunate citizens and their families, the youth of Kaukauna will be given an opportunity to help the Christmas good cheer committee perform its work.  Two benefit movies, one at the Vaudette, and the other at the Rialto, will be staged to furnish enjoyment for young men and women and to help fill Christmas baskets which will be distributed to the needy. Instead of cash admissions for the shows, children are asked to donate an article that can be added to the Christmas baskets.

December 7, 1938

Santa Claus paid an early visit to Mrs. Mary Hooyman, city Treas., and Lester J. Brenzel, city clerk, Monday, when he brought in a check in the amount of $27,229.26. It was a real present too, particularly to the city Treas. and Clerk who were notified by the banks early Tuesday that the city account was overdrawn. The money represents the major part of the city's portion of the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal company's utility tax. 

The Federal power commission has issued a 50-year lease to Kaukauna authorizing the city to build and operate an electric plant on the Fox River, according to a telegram received by Mayor L. F. Nelson.

Kaukauna's Lodge No. 233 Free and Accepted Masons have purchased the former Vaudette theatre building on E. 2nd St. from William Van Dyke. The lodge will remodel the building and use it as a temple.

With Joe Bloch and Bill Alger connecting often and at the right time, the Kaukauna high school basketball team handed the West DePere Black Phantoms a 28 to 18 trimming in a conference game Friday night at DePere. The Kaws have one win and one loss in conference play. 

December 9, 1938

Poor relief cost the city $2390.82 during the month of November, according to the monthly report submitted by Joseph Krahn relief director. There were 76 relief cases at the beginning of the month 24 were open during November and there were 6 cases closed leaving a total of 94 cases on relief at the end the month. There were 131 men and 10 women employed on the WPA program and 8 girls and 10 boys were employed on the NYA during the month.

The Kimberly Club basketball team will be at home to the Piney Wood colored team Saturday evening, December 10 when they will clash at 8:30 pm at the Kimberly clubhouse gymnasium.

A fire which caused damage of approximately $5000 to the wagon shop and residents of William Klumb, Sr, 235 Dodge St., Tuesday evening. The fire Department used two streams of water on the building for 2 hours before the fire was entirely extinguished. Mr. Klumb had been in business in the same building for the last 60 years. Members of the family escape the flames but all clothing, personal belongings and furniture were destroyed by the fire. The Klumb building was one of the landmarks in Kaukauna. There was some damage to the Lummerding building which is situated just east of the Klumb building.

Richard “Red” Smith, line coach of the Green Bay Packers, will be manager Mickey Heath’s right hand man with the Milwaukee Brewers this season.

Residents of Kaukauna will have to do their drinking at home in the future, that is, as far as drinking water is concerned. The common Council took action at its regular meeting Tuesday to close the drinking fountains in the city to affect a savings of $300-$400 a year. Ald. Al Hartzheim reported that the drinking fountains are a menace rather than a convenience. He pointed out that they have become unsanitary because the fountains are being used by dogs as well as humans. The fountains to be closed are those located on the corner of Main and 2nd St., Dodge and 2nd St., Beaulieu Hill, Wisconsin Avenue and Lawe streets and the one at Monument Park. The horse trough located at Dodge Street will also be closed. 

  

December 14, 1938

Enrollment in the day and night classes at the Kaukauna vocational school in a new high for this time of the year, according to William T. Sullivan director. At present, there are 532 persons enrolled.

Several shoplifters are caught in Kaukauna business places last week according to police reports James E. McFadden, chief of police said that shoplifters will be prosecuted the full extent of the law.

A picture of Robert “Mush” Martzahl, Kaukauna's best major league bowler, appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sunday. The article stated that Martzahl is distinguishing himself as Kaukauna's best bowler. In 39 games to date he has smashed an average of 190.5 to lead the league. His high game was a 256 and high series 647. 

The Savoy Hottentots, one of the top notch colored teams of the country, will meet the Kimberly A. A. team at the Kimberly clubhouse Friday evening. Several of the Hottentots players have played with such teams as the Harlem Globetrotters. An added feature of this year's Hottentots team is the presence of Bernie Jefferson, negro halfback of this year's Northwestern football team. 

December 16, 1938

The members of the 1938 Northeastern conference championship team, the Kaukauna High school football team, received letters and gold footballs Wednesday night as the Rotary club honored the squad at a victory dinner at the Kaukauna Hotel. 

1st Row left to right Carl Giordana, G. Steffens, John Velte, Leroy Frank, Bob Niesen, Leo Rohan, John Wandell, Sherman Powers. 2^nd row Clayton Watson, William Alger, Robert Dougherty, Steve Andrejeski, Harold Stuber, Leo Wolf, Karl Kobussen. 3^rd row Cliff Femal, Herman Franz, Willis Ranquette, Bob Danner, Ray Hurst, Ralph Doering, John Kromer, Joseph Regenfuss. 4^th row Coach Paul Little, Managers Harry Watson and Leland Scherer, William Van Lieshout, Robert Wodjenski, Marvin. Janssen, Assistant Coach Clifford H. Kemp.

December 21, 1938

Robert J. Niesen, 41, 210 Kaukauna St., died at St. Elizabeth hospital Monday evening the result of injuries received when he was hit by car. Niesen had purchased the Christmas tree at the Fred Mueller farm on old Highway 41. When he had driven about 100 feet along the highway after leaving the farm he discovered at the tree had fallen off his car. He drove into a driveway and went back for the tree when he was hit by a car. He was rushed to the hospital immediately by ambulance where he died. 

December 29, 1938

78 Highway deaths in state last month – November brought death on Wisconsin streets and highways the Highway commission reports. The total slaughter for the 1st 11 months in the year in Wisconsin was 576 and contrast with 815 the 1st 11 months last year. Outagamie County reported one fatality and 32 injuries. 

Time Machine Trip to December 1897

December 3, 1897

An Appleton paper prints a story of a well-known young lady of that city who walked in her sleep from Appleton to Kimberly, a distance of over 4 miles. The trip was made through the snow at about 2 AM and the lady did not awake until the arrival of a search party. 

December 10, 1897

Jos. Vilas is evidently a believer in the old saying that "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," for he has already received one of the new Columbia chainless wheels of the '98 pattern. The wheel is a crackerjack to look at anyway.

December 17, 1897

The long expected happened on Monday morning when George and Albert Weyenberg broke through the ice while skating on the river above the dam, the former losing his life by drowning and the latter narrowly escaping a similar death. When about sixty rods from shore the ice broke letting Albert into the water. George rescued his brother, but in doing so broke through the ice himself and lost his life.

December 24, 1897

A car load of piping bound for Kaukauna for the water works system was piled up in a wreck near Cincinnati, twenty-two pieces out of a total of forty-one being broken. This causes still further delay in the commencement of the work here as it will take several weeks to get the loss adjusted.

The Savings Bank sleigh ride last Saturday night was quite a success. Several loads of schoolchildren were driven around the town during the afternoon.

December 31, 1897

The dam across the channel below the Thilmany paper mill, put in to divert the water to the Meade & Edwards canal, and which has caused Thilmany mill considerable trouble by backing the water into the wheel-pit of that plant, was blown out with dynamite on orders issued by Mr. Thilmany. Mr. Thilmany had served notice to the Green Bay Mississippi canal company that he would hold them responsible for $50,000 in damages caused by their dam. Now the litigations will undoubtedly follow.

The TIMES this week is published on the same day that 1897 closes his eyes, as it were, in a deep repose of a never resurrecting past. This is New Year's Eve and at 12 o'clock tonight the bells will toll and dying knells of 1897, and as though simultaneously also at the same time send forth the welcoming chimes of the birth of the new year 1898. Many will sit tonight and reflect with pleasure on the blessings enjoyed by them over the past year, while others will sit and fret with sadness upon adversities that have visited them. Let us all still fight the battle of life. 

Ewald Kuehne, one of the best-known wholesale meat dealers in this part of the state, was killed in the runaway Monday night, driving home at Appleton, his horses evidently having started to run as they turned at his gate. Mr. Kuehne was thrown against the fence. He was one of the Kuehne Bros. who controlled the livestock shipments in the county, doing an immense business.

Time Machine Trip to December 1960

December 7, 1960

Kaukauna’s building has exceeded $1.5 Million mark for the first time. In 1952 and 1956 the mark was almost reached but 1960 it was achieved. The figures were released this week by city assessor Luther Kemp. Commercial building was mainly responsible with many industries adding on additions. Home building permits in 1960 were four more than 1959. The greatest numbers of new homes were built on the south side of the city.  

December 7, 1960

The Menasha Bluejays defeated the Kaukauna Ghosts 48-40 in the home opener.

December 9, 1960

The Combined Locks Paper Company announced this week that they would make $15,000 available for the new wing to the Kaukauna Community Hospital. The pledge to date has reached $193,840.

December 14, 1960

THE KHS CROSS COUNTRY team for 1960 is pictured above with their coach shortly after they were presented with their letters for the past season. Left to right in the back row are Coach Harold Kobin, John Whitman, Norman Eppinger, Joe Mayerl, Dick Spaulding, voted the most valuable tea member, and Leigh Wachel. In the front row, Jim Zuelzke, 1960 team captain, Pete Kahler, Larry Woldt, Mickey Thompson, 1961 captain-elect, Mark McAndrews and Jeff DeBruin, manager.   

The KHS student council with the help of advisor Thomas Kissinger will sponsor the annual Christmas Dance; this year entitled “Peppermint Dreamland”. The event will be held Saturday 8 to 11pm. in the KHS gymnasium. The Modernairs will furnish the music.

December 16, 1960

Kaukauna’s snow less winter so far this year is a boom for motorist and the Mailman, but a sad time for Joe Schouten.  Mr. Schouten, the proprietor of a fuel oil business, has been offering a chance for a lucky person to get their winter’s fuel for free if they are closest in guessing the first snowfall. “The ads in the Kaukauna Times are costing more than the free oil”, he lamented, but stayed true to his bargain. A few flakes have come down now and then but it must be enough to track a rabbit. Last year the contest, which always starts in October, lasted one week. When will the first snow fall be this year?

December 21, 1960

Robert Roloff was elected the first president of the newly formed Kiwanis Club of Kaukauna at the organizational meeting held on Thursday.  Other officers elected include Joseph Walsh, vice president; Elton Rice, treasure and Raymond Nehrlich, secretary.  The club was sponsored by the Appleton Kiwanis Club.

December 23, 1960

A new high in the number of telephones in service at Kaukauna was announced by R. J. Kuehn manager of Wisconsin Telephone Company. The present total of phones is 3952, an increase of 127 over 1959.

Kaukauna football fans will be pulling for the Green Bay Packers to win the World championship against the Philadelphia Eagles this Monday in Pennsylvania. Vince Lombardi coach of the team evaluated the team as “A good team but not a great team” last September. The team has grown in stature through the season. It is now looked upon as the best-balanced team in football. The Eagles coach Lawrence Shaw will be quitting this year after a long career. Their quarterback Norm Van Brocklin has also announced this will be his last game. The $10 and $8 seats have been sold out and few others remain. Winning players are expected to receive about $6000 and losers about $4500.

December 29, 1960

The Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960 National Football League Championship game in Pennsylvania.  The Packers out gained the Eagles 401 to 296 yards and had 22 1^st downs to the Eagles 13.  Coach Vince Lombardi stated that his decision to go on fourth down on several occasions deep in Eagles territory rather than attempting field goals. “When you get down there, come out with something. I lost the game not my players.”

 

 

Time Machine Trip to December 1887

December 2, 1887

About 4 o'clock Sunday morning John Mueller was awakened from his slumbers by the sound of glass breaking. He immediately arose and entered his store, finding that one of the front windows had been broken by someone who endeavored to enter the store. His arrival on the scene however, put a stop to any further proceeding and the parties fled, with a couple of unmatched shoes.

Two dynamite bombs were found in St. Joseph Mo., one being found under the steps at the city hall. The chief of police has given orders to shoot any Anarchist who resists arrest. 

You cannot always tell what people mean by what they say; but when the bottom comes out of the ash can that a man is tugging up the cellar steps, it is safe to assume as a general rule that he means it.

December 9, 1887

Wisconsin Avenue is again being used as a "toboggan slide" by the boys. This is an excellent place to coast, but of course they must be careful about passing teams.

San Antonio, Tex., Well drilling an artesian well six miles from the city petroleum was struck at a depth of 300 feet. Several barrels have been drawn and indications point to a large deposit. The discovery causes excitement.

The vote in the prohibition elections at Atlanta was canvassed and it was found that the majority against prohibition was 1,128. The sale of liquor will begin at once.

 Luther Lindauer has commenced the cutting of ice from the government canal to filling his ice house for the next summer use.  (Not a Kaukauna picture)

The United States expects to have a surplus of $110,000,000 for the year ending in1887.

December 16, 1887

Larry Finn, who murdered his wife at Marquette, Mich., by pounding out her brains with an iron teakettle, has received a life sentence at hard labor.

New York – Mrs. Astor, widow of John Jacob Astor, chief heir to the Astor estate, valued at $100,000,000 died December 13. Mrs. Astor was 61 years old.

The case of the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, against the Kaukauna Water Power Company, recently was decided by the Supreme Court in favor of the plaintiff. The discussion will be appealed to the supreme court of the United States.

December 23, 1887

Lockport, N.Y. – The grand jury presented four indictments against women who voted at the recent state and county elections. The ladies are all earnest prohibition workers and voted the straight prohibition ticket.

Owing to the recent death of Mr. E. C. Bidwell, senior member of the firm of Bidwell & Raught, publishers of this paper, another change has been found necessary in the management of The Times.  The paper comes to you today under the firm name of C. E. Raught & Co.

In 1890 the term of 100 years during which the cities of Boston and Philadelphia have each enjoyed the income of a bequest of $5,000 made by Benjamin Franklin with the provision that the interest from the funds should be loaned out to young married mechanics. In Boston, the fund has grown to $328,000, while in Philadelphia it has reached $70,000.

 

December 30, 1887

The publication of The Daily Times was discontinued on Saturday last. We felt compelled to stop its issue for the reason that we could not give other work the attention needed. We are ready to turn out job work on short notice as in the past.

Ed. Johnson living three miles out of Cincinnati placed some dynamite to thaw in a cooking stove on the December 22. They exploded killing his 18-year-old daughter and one year old son. Johnson and his wife were seriously injured.

The mercury dropped to 16 degrees below zero last Sunday night. Every hill of the city is dotted with juvenile coasters enjoying the first sliding down hill of the season.

Time Machine Trip to December 1966

December 2, 1966

A large noisy mid-week crowd at Kaukauna high school gymnasium received their money's worth Tuesday night as they saw KHS upend a classy Abbot Pennings high school team by a score of 77-70. After 5 1/2 minutes of the 1st quarter Pennings had an 18-9 lead. The next two minutes saw the Ghosts put on a blitz for which they are becoming famous and scored 9 straight points to take a 20-18 lead. In that 2 minutes Dick Carstens hit a rebound shot, Quinn Vanden Heuvel made a pretty steal and drive, Carstens had a free throw, Pat Kavanaugh hit on a drive shot and Denny Spice rammed in a rebound shot. 

The Kaukauna athletic club basketball team will open league play Saturday at 8 PM in the old Kaukauna high school gymnasium, according to team manager Bob Gossens.  Members of the K.A.C. game include Tom Gerrits, Gary Verstegen, Harland Hietpas, Gary Weigman, Bill Borcherdt, Jim Rausch, Jim Steger, Bill Simon, Mike Rohr and Jeff Vander Velden.

The Green Bay Packers strengthen their grip on first place in the Western division with a 28-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday and will prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers December 4 in Milwaukee. Defensive captain Willie Davis was credited with 10 tackles throwing Tarkenton 3 times for loss of 27 yards, deflecting two passes as well and causing the recovery of a fumble. Offensively Bart Starr connected on 21 of 31 passes and 2 touchdowns as Pitts, Taylor and Grabowski ground out the yardage on the ground.

December 7, 1966

Preparation has already begun for the 1967 addition of the KHS alumni news, according to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene King, recently appointed co-editors. All members will be receiving a letter along with the honored classes of 1917, 1927, 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952 and 1957.

Ghost Shoot 53.6 Percent from Floor - A happy band of running, gunning Kaukauna Ghosts raced to a 11-0 lead in the 1st quarter of Friday's night's game against the New London team at the KHS gym. KHS defeated New London by a score of 91-46. The Kaukauna defense gave the Bulldogs very few good shots and tough rebounding by John Van De Hey, Dick Carstens and Dennis Spice gave the visitors few shots at the basket.

December 9, 1966

Tom Driessen is home after spending the past 17 months in Vietnam with the armed forces. Tom was assigned to an ordinance unit 60 miles southeast of Saigon. He said the biggest morel booster the men in Vietnam have is the mail they get from the United States even mail from complete strangers. 

The Green Bay Packers assured themselves of a tie for the Western Division Title by defeating San Francisco 20-7 on an ice-covered field at Milwaukee County Stadium Sunday. Bart Starr was 13 of 24 for 236 yards and one TD and scored another himself. Carroll Dale had 3 catches for 142 yards and Jim Taylor groundout 84 yards in 18 carries over the frozen ground. The Packers now turned their thoughts to Baltimore. A Packer win or tie Saturday will clinch the title.

December 16, 1966

The Green Bay Packers clinched their fifth Western Division Title in 7 years Saturday with a 14-10 victory over the Baltimore Colts in Baltimore and now head west to prepare for the season’s finale against the Los Angeles Rams. 

Pat Kavanaugh star forward for the Kaukauna high school basketball team leads the Mid-Eastern conference in scoring after 3 games with a total of 54 points.

Little Chute Marine serving in Vietnam – Marine Cpl. Thomas Schlack, Jackson St., Little Chute, is serving with the Marine reconnaissance squadron at the Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam.

Top Junior bowlers – Kris Fahrbach slammed out a 200 game at the Bowling Bar and Jeannie Pieters fired a 342 two-game series to pace the individual bowlers in the Junior Girls recreation league.

December 21, 1966

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Gloudeman, who lost a son, Allen, in an automobile accident while he was returning to the University of Stevens Point on a Sunday evening last fall have been deeply impressed by the many fine things done for them by fellow students of their son since that time. They have agreed to comment on these matters in a letter written for the readers of the Kaukauna Times.

Officials of the Kaukauna Electric and Water Utility are preparing for a public hearing in January before the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in which plans to connect the Kaukauna Utility system with that of Menasha. 

December 31, 1966

Packers prepare for NFL title tilt against Cowboys – After clinching the Western Division title by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 27-23 before 72,416 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum the Packers (12-2-0) now turn their thoughts to preparation for the NFL Championship game in Dallas January 1.  Zeke Bratkowski, subbing for Bart Starr who has a minor rib bruise, quarterbacked his 3rd victory of the year as he hit 13 of 23 passes for 245 yards and one TD against the Rams.

Seaman George T. Pebbles, USN, is in the Far East, with the U.S. Seventh Fleet, as a crewman aboard a dock landing ship.

Bart Starr, Marty Lamers given awards – “An award never fitted anyone more appropriate than this,” were Chairman George Kloes words as he announced today that Bart Starr, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, would be the recipient of the “Nice Guy” award at the 2nd annual Red Smith sports award banquet on January 24 at Appleton. Red Smith will be on hand to present his award to Marty Lamers of Little Chute.

A record harvest of adult bucks and the fifth highest legal deer kill in Wisconsin history, are highlights of the 1966 deer season recently completed the Conservation Department has announced. The department listed the 67300 mature bucks among 109,973 deer kill was greater than any other season.

Kaukauna was saddened by the death of five prominent community leaders during the past year of 1966. The deaths of Joseph Bayorgeon, Mayor of Kaukauna since 1946 on August 10: Charles Dostal, Pres. and chairman of the board of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company, on February 27: Rev. Paul Th. Oehlert, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church for 47 years on March 10: Father A. J. Quella, pastor of Holy Cross church for 19 years on June 16: and Miss Francis Corry, English teacher at Kaukauna High School for 39 years on November 10^th. 

 The new Van Vreede Store opens in Little Chute 

Time Machine Trip to December 1886

December 3, 1886

The new furnace for the Catholic school building arrived this week, and will be placed in position for use immediately.  The furnace is one of the latest improved, and manufactured by Ratan Co., of Chicago. This furnace will heat the three class rooms on the first floor.

Old winter has been upon us in full force this week and many of our merchants are displaying a fine stock of holiday goods.

Rev. Father Hens, who has recently been appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Congregation in South Kaukauna. He comes here from Grandlec, Kewaunee Co., where has had charge of the church. Rev. Hens will find a vast field of labor in his new location and will meet with success in the undertaking. 

December 10, 1886

The work of sinking the shaft of the alleged Dundas coal mine has been progressing as well as the weather would permit. Wednesday, John Holberg informed us that they had gone to the depth of about 17 ft. and thus far every indication was favorable to the discovery of a good paying bed of coal. The water depth has caused considerable delay in the work, but it is expected that an increase in this depth by but two or three feet will be all that is necessary to show the prospects whether or not they have a "bonanza"' on their hands.

In reporting the birth of a fine boy baby in the last week’s TIMES the compositor made the father’s name Ed. Posson when it should have been Ed. Parton. Both Eds. are happy that the mistake was only in the print.

December 17, 1886

The building of the new water power canal in Kaukauna is attracting much attention from the press throughout the state and county.  The recent discovery of coal east of the city and the abundance of natural gas all tend to assist to make Kaukauna what she is evidently destined to be; the greatest manufacturing city in Wisconsin if not in the United States.

The skating season of the Kaukauna Roller Rink will open tonight.  Kaukauna band will furnish music for the occasion.

Alphonso King, a young Frenchman, recently accepted a bet of $3000 that he could not walk across the Niagara River, a distance of 100 feet, in a pair of shoes of his own invention.  The shoes used are shaped like fish and are 32 inches long by 8 inches wide. He walked one third of the way until he hit a swift current and fell forward. Those who witnessed the feat are of the opinion that his shoes could be made practical in ordinary waters.

December 24, 1886

Jac. Lenssen, the Little Chute harness maker, will erect a building to be used as a beer garden in that village. Work will begin on the proposed building early in spring. Jake will endeavor to make Little Chute attractive as a summer resort.

As is well known the thrifty people or a majority which form Little Chute inhabitants have introduced an industry that is carried on no other place in the United States, that of carving wooden shoes.  The business is quite a monopoly and the shoes are in great demand in the Chicago area as well.

December 31, 1886

The ice forming on the new railroad bridge has kept a large crew of men busy this week to prevent the ice and water from carrying out the structure. The ice has also been forming between the two north piers of the city bridge, thus endangering that structure.

Dynamite was used to break open the Meade & Edwards’ canal of ice on Wednesday.

The Coal Company’s machinery, we understand, has arrived and will be placed in position for operation immediately. The men who have the coal mine business on their hands are apparently confident that the Dundas farms can be made to pay.

(Describes this?)

C. G. Loeber, a native of Germany, is said to be engaged at his work in Boston building air ships. He says that after years of study he has discovered a law of motion that will make it as easy to navigate in the air as it is now to navigate the ocean. The steamer will carry its own fuel, passengers and freight as easily as traveling on the water. The wings will be of steel in the form of a bird and will be immovable with the mechanism for propulsion situated in them. The body of the structure will contain the steam boilers, engines and coal for fuel.

 Map of Kaukauna 1886