Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin

September 21, 2011 Page 9

Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

Clark County News

                                                                                

September 1876

 

Another trotting match has been arranged to take place on the Neillsville track one week from next Saturday, between Al Brown’s “Don” and “Honest John” owned by W. H. Begley.  It will be most interesting.

 

Mr. Begley has sold trotting horse “Albert,” the winner of the race on Friday of last week, to John Palmer of Sparta.  Now, Clark County is out one fast horse.  Mr. Palmer has also purchased Robert Christie’s Running mare, “Gray Green.”

•••••••••

The Brule brothers have formed a co-partnership for the purpose of carrying on a general wagon, carriage and blacksmithing business.  They are both superior workmen, chuck full of hard work, and any kind of job ordered at their shop will be done promptly and right up to the handle. They mean business and those having anything in their line of work requiring attention will find it profitable to give them a call.                     

•••••••••

We are including a letter received from a member of an excursion made by some who traveled on a trip from Black River Falls to Devil’s Lake:

 

“Thinking, perchance that a few lines in relation to our excursion to Devil’s Lake might prove not interesting to your readers, I will at once uncork and relate. Saturday morning, Sept. 2nd, at 3 o’clock, found a jolly crowd at our depot and upon counting noses we found our party to number 113 strong.  They were not all of the “2 hearts that beat as one” style, but a company of wide-awake folks ready to enjoy whatever might come up.  We had some Yankees, a few “Yermans,” and an occasional new comer as well as two clerical friends, brothers Haigh and Miller, to offer spiritual consolation in case of an accident.  Our two coaches were pulled out from the station by the morning express, on time and under the guidance and supervision of Doc Lounsberry, who doeth all things well, of this kind. We arrived in due time at the Cliff House, on the shore of Devil’s Lake, two excursion parties having boarded our train, one from Reedsburg, the other from Baraboo; also a band from each place.  The day was beautiful, the Lake looking lovely and calm. By noon excursion parties had arrived from Kilbourn City, Beloit, Rockton, Bangor and other points with a careful estimate showing at least 1,000 people.

 

Mr. Kirk, the proprietor of the grounds, pavilion, vineyard, etc., we found to be a congenial soul and ready to show parties around, making it generally agreeable for them.  Seven brass bands were in attendance and made the bluffs reverberate with their soul-stirring music.  The dinner was an enjoyable affair, everybody being hungry and little parties of from two to six scattered over the grounds made havoc with cold meats, pound cake, pies, pickles and other foods. The Baraboo City Band, under the leadership of Prof. Prethero took up their quarters at the pavilion at about two o’clock, and giddy, fantastic dancing steps we indulged in for a couple of hours.  Soon we were back in our coaches on our way home.

 

We regret that a Neillsville delegation was not with us.                            

•••••••••

Rye, Graham and Wheat Bread, is at the Neillsville Bakery, fresh baked, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; fresh groceries, teas, sugars, coffees, spices, tobacco, etc. as cheap as at any other place in town, if not cheaper. Apples can be bought by the barrel or pocketful.                                                         

•••••••••

The Windfall base-ballasts have challenged our boys to mortal combat with the ball and bat some time during the Fair. Their challenge will be accepted.                                                             

•••••••••

C. A. Youmans is now a full-fledged lawyer, having been admitted to the “Bar” at the recent session of the Circuit Court for Clark County.                                                                                   

•••••••••

Someone demolished the railing on the stairs leading to the newspaper office, last Wednesday morning, with that an all powerful instrument, called the jackknife.  It was probably one of the candidates for Sheriff, or an unpledged delegate. We know of no other nervous men who were in town at that time.         

•••••••••

Never go where you would be ashamed to be seen, and there will be no danger of being caught.

•••••••••

Cows should not be allowed to roost on the town sidewalks.                 

•••••••••

Persons wishing to pay their subscriptions with wood must bring it in long before we become well supplied.

•••••••••

Hunting parties are going out from here almost every day, in search of deer and bear.

•••••••••

The corn crop in this county is the best ever grown. Frost can’t hurt it, and it’s too late for crows.

•••••••••

The cold nights and mornings of the past week are reminders that we dwell far from the tropics.

 

September 1941

 

Clark County’s first case of sleeping sickness in a human, the illness which has claimed upwards of 100 lives in North Dakota and Minnesota in recent weeks, was reported last week by Dr. M. C. Rosekrans, Neillsville physician.

 

The victim is a four-year-old-boy living in the Town of Seif.  He was taken ill last week Tuesday.  His symptoms were described as a general lethargy, high fever, tremors and high white corpuscle count.

 

The youth’s condition described Wednesday as improved and he is believed on the road to recovery.

•••••••••

Only two schools are being operated in the Town of Hewett this year and the teachers are sisters.

 

Miss Clara Zank is teaching at the Hewettville School and Miss Elsie Zank is teaching at the Sunny Nook School. They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Zank of Pine Valley.

 

(The Hewettville School was located on Collier Road, one mile north of Hwy 10. The Sunny Nook School was on Fisher Ave. ½ mile west of Middle Rd., in what was formerly known as the village of Columbia.)

•••••••••

Chester Wagner of Neillsville reported that he held a perfect cribbage hand Monday night, something that happens once in a lifetime, or even less frequently.

 

Mr. Wagner was playing cards with his wife in their apartment when he picked up a hand with three five spots and the jack of spades.  The fourth five spots, the five of spades was cut and Chet nearly fainted.

•••••••••

Hunting licenses were available this week at the office of County Clerk Calvin Mills and were to be distributed to agents throughout the county sometime during the next week.  Mr. Mills was hopeful of receiving deer tags before distributing the license; but said that in any case, the licenses will be in the hands of those who customarily handle the licenses in ample time for the opening of the first split season on birds.  A total of 5,500 regular hunting licenses have been received by Mr. Mills.                                                                                                            

•••••••••

At a special meeting, residents of the north Willard School District voted to close the school again this year and transport the seven children of school age to the State Graded School in Willard. The vote was 13 to 10. Frank Prebil of Willard is transporting the children.

 

(The North Willard School was located 1½ miles north and 1 mile west of Willard on the southeast corner of the intersection of Spencer Road and Bachelors Avenue. D.Z.)            

•••••••••

You can depend on a Big Ben Alarm Clock to get you up in the morning. Available at Frank E. Brown’s Jewelry, prices $3.35 to $3.50.

 

(Back then nearly every home had a Big Ben Clock.  Its 5 a.m. ring at our house was loud and clear. D.Z.)

•••••••••

The major job of transforming the old Neillsville brewery building into housing for modern bowling alleys has been nearly completed and installation of six new alleys for factory workmen was under way this week.

 

As the work of placing the building and new alleys in shape for the first crash of ball against pins, nears the final stages. Ted Schmidt, who will operate the recreation center, has called meetings of the bowlers and those interested in bowling.  A meeting for the purpose of forming a women’s league will be held in the Kiwanis clubrooms in the basement of the Neillsville Bank at 8 p.m. tonight.

 

A similar meeting for men interested in bowling is planned for Friday night at 8 o’clock in the Kiwanis clubrooms.

 

Drastic changes have been done to the old brewery building. Although its appearance on the outside is the same, with the exception that it is being spruced up and repaired, it would not be recognized in the interior.

 

The inside has been finished in two-tone wallboard paneling of modernistic design.  The six new alleys will be in the east wing of the building, with the runways extending out into the lobby.  The ceiling of the alleyways has been stepped down and at the end where the pin-setting machines will be installed are an arch and a noise trap. The alleys will be illuminated by hidden fluorescent lights, which also will furnish the illumination for the rest of the building.

 

In the ample lobby will be a dairy bar and locker space in addition to spectators’ seats. A ladies’ lounge is being provided off the lobby as are the rest rooms.

 

The old brewery well in the basement of the building, probably one of the best known wells in this section will provide a constant supply for drinking. It is a dug well, 12 feet deep and four feet in diameter.  It was curbed up; but while they were doing things to the old brewery building, they also added things to the old brewery well. A cement wall was built inside the old curbing and the space between the old and new walls has been filled with washed and chlorinated gravel.  A cover also has been put over the well, and an electric pump is being installed.

 

An air conditioning system and a hot air plant are being installed in the basement. The outlets for the heating system are in the ceiling of the lobby and alleyways, which will aid in keeping the air fresh and the building at a proper temperature.

 

Advertising announcing the new bowling alley:  With the final touches being put on the old Brewery, Neillsville will have one of the Finest and Wholesome Recreation centers in the State of Wisconsin.

 

We are proud to invite the young people, wives, and families to Neillsville Recreation, where the finest of good, clean fun can be enjoyed by all.

 

No Beer or Liquor will be served there. (The building was destroyed by fire in the mid-1950s)

•••••••••

The Turner construction crew has started work on the relocation of highway 73, between the Hiawatha School, in Pine Valley and Shortville. The new road will cut off all the short curves, which have been something of a hazard for drivers, and will shorten the road about a mile.

 

(Hiawatha School was on the northeast corner of the Highway 73 and 95 split 2 ½ miles south of Neillsville. D. Z.)

 

The new highway will be a great improvement.  It will be 100 feet wide, from ditch to ditch, and the hope is that its construction will be such that the mud as of last spring, which caused the road to be impassable for some time, will be eliminated.

 

But for each improvement, it seems, there must be some sacrifice.  In this case, the old T. M. Winters house, a landmark in this vicinity, is being razed to make way for the new roadbed. The house was built by Fay Dresden about 50 years ago. It was the oldest log structure left in this vicinity.

 

Another, an older landmark must go to make way for the new road.  It is a large pine tree, the age of which is not now known, but will probably be revealed when it is cut. The tree has been partially dead during the past few years; no doubt bearing the scars of droughts of summers over several yeas in the recent past.  It is one of the few first growth pines that still stand in an area, which 60 years ago was covered with great pines and tamaracks.

•••••••••

Free Wedding Dance at Hake’s Barn, Saturday, Sept. 20 in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elmhorst.

•••••••••

Old Time Dance at Riverside Pavilion, Monday, Sept. 21.  Music by Chuck & His Plow Boys

•••••••••

The first timber sale from the Clark County forests has been made by contract and the work of cutting, pealing and hauling approximately 200 cords of jack pine is under way, County Forester A. C. Covell, said this week.

 

The contract was completed last week and work started immediately by Lester Vandeberg of Fairchild, who is cutting for Selves and Corcoran. The contract calls for a price of $2.50 per cord.

 

Of this amount the state will receive 50 percent of a severance value set at about one dollar a cord for jack pine; and the remainder, totaling approximately $400, will go into the county’s general fund. This will be the first stumpage revenue to find its way into the county’s general fund since the establishment of the county forest in 1933.  However, some revenue has been realized in the last few years from the sale of Christmas trees.

 

Mr. Covell said that a second timber sale, calling for about 25 cords of unpeeled aspen, is now being negotiated and probably will be completed within a few days.

 

Timber taken under the first contract is coming from the Hay Creek unit of the county forests and will be used as pulpwood.  It is being treated as salvage cutting, for the trees taken have been diseased and are dying, Mr. Covell said. The cutting is being carried out under the supervision of the county forester.            

•••••••••

Recent rains have greatly benefited late field and garden crops.  Pickle patches are now producing their largest yields and the pickles are of superior quality. Farmers raising pickles for the factory this season are: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Iverson, Mrs. Wm. Papenfuss and children, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Poertner, Mr. and Mrs. Hnetkovsky, Mr. and Mrs. George Mashin, also Mr. and Mrs. William Sollberger.

 

The Town of Washburn had five rural schools in the early 1930s; Shortville, Cannonville, Washburn, Irving and Happy Hollow*.  The above photo is that of the Washburn School.  (Courtesy of Dawn Weyer for providing a plat book of the 1930s and Frances Strebing for the photo) *note by transcriber, this should read Sleepy Hollow.

 

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