Good Old Days     

Clark County News in October 1894

By Dee Zimmerman

Geo. Andrews of Greenwood was in town Tuesday.  He was never a Democrat, but the Democrats have nominated him and he is running.  Andrews has more hair and wheels about his headgear than Joe Marsh, otherwise he lacks the necessary accomplishments.

Emery Bruley is enlarging and improving the spoke factory.  He has leased the property, lease to take effect December 1^st.

Dr. Rh. D. Paul, the eminent German eye specialist of Chicago whose skillful treatment of the daughter of Henry Spiegel and son of R. R. Brown, near this place, are being rapidly restored to from blindness to good sight, will make his fifth visit at the O’Neill House, Oct. 23, providence permitting.  Examinations free.  Spectacles perfectly fitted, ground to order, best in the world, from $2.50 to $8.

Friday evening social 6 o’clock supper at Unitarian Church parlor and dining room.  No old-fashioned, straight-laced, two-eyed chapter affair, but a banquet that no other will be equaled for some time and a merry, very, time after the feed. The invitation is broadcast.

Plumbers from La Crosse are putting a hot-water heating apparatus in Dan Kennedy’s residence.

C. Krumrey bought three horses in Chicago last week for his dray line, and they are hard at work here.

Tom Lowe’s meat market will be moved by the end of the month.

Logs wanted – at the Neillsville Spoke Mill: Cash, $12.00 per thousand; $8.00 for No. 2.  No difference about the length, 6 ft. and upwards.  Now is your chance to sell timber, as after this mill closes there will be no market for it.  E. Bruley, Prop.

C. A. Youmans has a walk-away for senatorial honors in this district this fall.

Yesterday noon Mrs. Bloom and daughter of Levis were run away with by a driving horse hitched to a two-wheeled cart at the corner of Hewett and 4^th Streets.  They were thrown in the gutter and the car (cart) was smashed, the horse got away.  The women were somewhat deposited but not seriously hurt.

Last night, after dark, Carl Neverman was run into by a bicycle ridden by Julius Hanson and knocked over, his face being badly cut open and torn and his right shoulder strained.  It happened near Wasserberger’s saloon on a crossing.  Nobody appears to be to blame as Hanson, when fairly upon Neverman, tried his best to turn out, the handle of the cycle striking Carl’s face.  Carl was taken to Dr. Matheson’s, his wounds dressed and after resting there a short time, was taken home.

Farmers who lack cash and wish to settle up their accounts at this newspaper office may due so by bringing their oats or oak fence posts, all they can spare.

Teddy Dryskow is proprietor of a new shotgun, which the squirrels regret.  Spence Marsh shot gray squirrels over near Granton, having fair success.

An Englishman, eating gray squirrel for the first time, recently suggested that they would be good stuffed and baked, so some of the ladies will try it.

If a solid stone and brick building is a good thing, a residence of the same fire-proof materials would be desirable.  As yet, Neillsville has not a solid brick or stone house.  Who will build the first one?

For the next days at Mrs. Walker’s, hats are at cost and less, with a view of closing out, as she is soon to leave town.

Mr. and Mrs. D. B. R. Dickinson, of Sparta, known to their set as Bake and Agnes, came overland from that delightful city Friday and Saturday, driving through in the good old-fashioned way.  On Monday evening, Decate Dickinson and family entertained a house full of old friends in their honor.  Time-honored Whist was laid aside for the novelty’s sake, and Cinch was substituted.  Conversation was largely of former years, when Bake was the Cashier of the Clark County Bank.  When all the Blakeslee folks were here, times were flush, special payment was resumed, wages were better and we all had a protected feeling.  When they took the cards away and substituted coffee, sandwiches, olives and cake, it seemed better than a handful of unprotected five spots.  It was a happy evening and not until the electric fluid ceased to flow was the combination broken and the company game.  Bake and wife returned home Tuesday.

Official City Council Proceedings of Sept. 22

Council met in regular session.  President Mayor Klopf; Aldermen: Leason, Korman, McIntire, Taylor, Webster and Cornelius.

Notice of claim against the City of Neillsville of Mary and Peter Gaden for injuries sustained by stepping through a hole in the boardwalk, was read, and Mayor Klopf appointed a committee of three to investigate the matter.

The following bills were allowed—

Wolff & Korman blacksmithing $63.35;

C. Krumrey freight $73.40;

Henry Klopf, repairing city hall clock $1.00;

Wm. Heaslett, dog checks & filing saws $5.25;

Phoenix Mfg. Co., castings for manholes $44.13;

Zimmerman Drug Co., medicine for paupers 80 cents;

C. M. Breed, surveying $2.00;

Gates, Standard & Co., mdse. For paupers $7.67;

C. Rabenstein, printing election notice $3.00;

R. f. Kountz, paid railway fare for paupers $3.15;

J. B. Claw & Son, water pipe fixtures $16.12;

C. Krumrey, drayage $14.75;

Pipe & Fuel Co., cement & sewer pipe $126.00;

Total expenditures…$261.12

West Weston: Eric Schoener’s house is about ready for the mason.

Quite a number from this side drove their young cattle to the city Saturday.

Wheat and rye is about all sowed and everybody is busy digging his crop of small potatoes.

A little store has been started at Fanning’s Mill.

Pleasant Ridge: Quite a number of our young men are contemplating buying bicycles next spring.

Two loads of immigrants passed through here last week on their way east.

The North Fork and O’Neill Creek, this year were the lowest ever known in the period of civilization of this part of the country.  Although the fires are not burning now, we are still timid and there seems to be a continued wish for rain.

The roads are filled more with hunters than game. The state law inaugurated a short time ago prohibiting a person or persons from hunting on another man’s property without first obtaining permission seems to be little headed.  It ought to be enforced though, several cases have occurred where cattle and other stock have been shot.

York: A large crowd of young folks met at the home of Walter and Ernest Rowe Friday evening, enjoying games.  Music was furnished by the string band.  It was one o’clock when the party broke up, yet several boys didn’t get home ‘til three-thirty.

Path master Redmond has had a crew of men working on roads in Dist. # 10 and they are fixing it up in fine shape.  Only one corduroy, the one near Hoesly’s corner, remains in York.  We suggest it be taken out and a good turnpike built.

The Press reporter got quite happy last week and spoke of a certain single young man as driving to Fairchild with his wife.  Don’t get too happy, Jumbo or you may land in a Neillsville back alley with your face spoilt!

Unity & Sherman: Last week, Joe Greenwood, while on his way to Greenwood by way of the Hayden farm, lost his road.  That was not very bad, but while Joe was looking for the road, a black bear was looking for him.  The bear was very successful in his search, and as soon as he caught sight of Joe, made for him.  Joe claims he knew no more until he came to, found driving his buggy for Greenwood. 

Columbia: There will be a social gathering at the new school house, which is nearly completed, Friday evening, Oct. 26.  Dancing will be the principal entertainment of the evening. Good music will be in attendance.  Indulgers are invited to attend.  A good time is anticipated.

R. B. Salter a Clark County Judge, elected to that position in 1889.  Born in Washington County in 1854, he began studying law at West Bend in 1875, later entering the law department at the Univ. of Wis., graduating in 1878.  His first law practice was set up at Colby in 1879.  Miss Engelhard of West Bend became his bride in 1880.  After establishing his law practice, he invested in businesses of farming and lumbering.  Prior to becoming county judge, Salter served as the town clerk and then Chairman of the Town of Colby.

Dr. W. B. Cresswell, born in Philadelphia, Penn., Cresswell came to Neillsville near the end of the 18^th century, where he set up his dental office.

J. B. Lowe was born in Lancaster, England in 1856 and came to America a year later with his parents.  They moved to Jackson County in 1865, settling on a farm.  At age 20, Lowe began teaching in the school district, continuing until 1884 in conjunction with farming.  He then started a butchering business, selling a year later to come to Neillsville where he worked in a meat market for Lowe Bros.  In 1888, he purchased the building occupied by D. Roberts, going into the furniture and undertaking business.

Hewett Street, Neillsville, during the horse and buggy era.

The elegant hotel of Neillsville, in the late 1800s, was The O’Neill.  Located on the corner of 6^th and Hewett, it featured an inviting dining room that served delicious food in a pleasing atmosphere.  On special occasions, the guests could enjoy dancing to music provided by talented musicians.  A barber shop, bar and lobby were also on the main floor.