Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin

April 18, 2012, Page 9

Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

Clark County News

April 1912

 

Between two and three o’clock last Thursday morning fire broke out in the O’Neill House. The fire bell was rung as soon as the alarm was given and as quickly as possible, at that time of night, the Fire Company assembled and a large crowd of citizens turned out. It seemed, even to those who arrived first that the whole interior was afire.  The steel roof and the brick walls held in the flames for some time, and all parts of the building were far beyond saving long before the flames broke out.

 

The hotel was three stories high beside the basement and had covered a large ground area.  Had it not been that the night was calm and that most vigorous work had been done by the fire company, much damage might have been done to other buildings.

 

The O’Neill House was one of the oldest buildings in the city and had a most interesting history; at first as a residence and boarding house, started by James O’Neill, Sr. about 1860.  As business increased it was enlarged and remodeled from time to time, for many years. The patronage continued to increase and it became a very popular stopping place. When it came into the hands of John Paulus, the third story was added, the brick veneering was put on and business was carried on in a metropolitan way.  It has passed through the hands of many landlords and for many years was a most popular meeting place for city visitors, politicians and men about town.

 

Recently it has lost prestige in this way and has been closed entirely at intervals.

•••••••••

Charles Cornelius and A. E. Dudley went to Greenwood last week Wednesday to act with the rest of the directors of the new bank there, in deciding upon location of building and some details of construction.

•••••••••

Those in the community of York who will build silos this spring are: Abe VandeBerg, John Lastofka, Frank Greeler, Emil Winkleman and J. L. Parrett.                                                                  

•••••••••

Peter Paulson of Marshfield has bought the Neillsville Garage and will continue the business. Mr. Paulson is said to be an expert automobile and machine man.                                               

•••••••••

The stone cistern on the old Counsell home on Pleasant Ridge was recently re-cemented.  It was first cemented about 35 years ago, Denis Tourigny doing the work with his own hands, and it has stood without a leak or any repairs ever since.

•••••••••

Blum’s store is closed and in the hands of the American Creditors Association. The stock, fixtures and everything else will be sold at auction Saturday and Monday, April 20, and 22.             

•••••••••

Miss Augusta Esselman, who is employed at the Stauss Drug Store in Marshfield, took hold of one of the electric light window fixtures Monday afternoon while at the same time touching the iron bracket on the cigar stand and received the full 110 volt current supplied through the light wires of that city. She could not let go of the wires for a moment, and her screams attracted immediate help.  Dr. W. H. Budge was summoned from his upstairs office and was able to bring the young lady out of a faint.                                                                         

•••••••••

In an adjoining town, while a ladies’ card club was playing for a two dollar book as a prize, the sons of these same ladies, small boys, were arrested in a hay mow, while playing for a fifty cent prize. They had organized a club like their mothers. The mothers cried and said: “What a terrible place this town is to raise boys, anyhow!”  Served them right!  They might have known the difference between a haymow and a parlor, and a $2.00 and a 50’ prize.

•••••••••

Mr. Henry Seidelman of Neillsville and Miss Lena Meier of Levis were married Wednesday, April 24, Rev. Brandt officiating. After the ceremony the bride and groom and a party of their friends drove to the house of the bride’s father, William Meier, where a reception was held. The young couple has many friends here and in this vicinity, with whom we join in wishing them joy and prosperity.                                              

•••••••••

A petition is being circulated in the Town of Levis to change the county road in that town as located, so as to have said road fun directly south for three miles south from Hutchings Corner, thence straight west to Dells Dam. The petition gives each signer an opportunity to state whether he wants the change made or not.

•••••••••

The WCTU has received the promise of help from the officers of the railroad company in beautifying the depot grounds.  The ladies have sent to St. Paul for plans and will follow these designs in planting flowers and shrubs.  The Company officers will assist in anyway possible. Mr. Locke the local agent is much interested also in the idea.

 

April 1932

 

At the Kiwanis Club meeting Monday, Judge Schoengarth announced that the state will build about a mile and a half of concrete on Highway 10 at the west end where it joins No. 12, during the coming summer.  The right of way for widening the road is being bought.  About one mile of this concrete will be in Clark County.

 

The state will have a crew laying concrete on No. 12 and will run in this mile and a half at the same time on No., 10.

•••••••••

Max Opelt won first prize in the harmonica contest at Adler’s theatre Friday night.  Marlin Bandelow was second and John Sladek third. The contest, which was conducted by Dr. M. I. Claflin, drew a large crowd. The entertainment met with the hearty approval of the audience.                                                      

•••••••••

Geo. E. Rude as vice chairman of the Clark County Red Cross, on Monday, received notice from Earl Kidd of Owen, County Red Cross Chairman, that this county had been allotted 1,866 sacks of government flour to be distributed to needy families. This flour is made from some of the wheat bought by the Federal Farm Board. It is being milled free by the government and is to be distributed through the Red Cross. Shipping freight costs will be paid for by the Red Cross.

 

Nine hundred forty-two sacks for the south half of the county will be shipped to Neillsville and 924 sacks will go to Owen for the north half.  Mr. Kidd and Mr. Rude will notify the chairman of each town, city and village in his district and the chairmen or someone employed by him will truck the flour out and distribute it to those entitled to it.  It is estimated that there is a 90-day supply for each needy family.                               

•••••••••

Six children of Carl Bartz of the Town of Lynn were sent Saturday to the State School for Dependent Children of Sparta.  There are two girls and four boys, ranging in age from 3 to 10 years. The mother died last September and the father has made an attempt to care for them, but in poor circumstances financially, unable to give the children proper care. They are fine, bright looking little folks.                                                            

•••••••••

O. J. Hughes and E. O. Eggert of the state highway department spent several days last week surveying for the proposed new bridge across the O’Neill Creek on Hewett Street. Under the plan, the street will be widened at the railroad track and the sharp turn eliminated. Frank Ruddock assisted them in their work.

•••••••••

The new V-8 Ford was on exhibition Friday at the Ford Garage. By actual count there were 297 persons who called to take a look at it. Three orders with payment down were booked that day by the Hoesly Motor Co.

•••••••••

Last week Mayor S. F. Hewett of Neillsville received a letter from a lumber dealer in Rushmore, a small town in southwestern Minnesota, enclosing a clipping from the Minneapolis Journal. The clipping stated that maple syrup season had opened in Clark County and that around Neillsville and Granton was one of the greatest maple syrup centers of the United States.  The writer asked Mr. Hewett to refer him to some reliable producer.  Mr. Hewett sent the name of John Pietenpol of Granton, from whom he had purchased a good quality of syrup. As a result, it is stated that Mr. Pietenpol got an order from the Minnesota man.                                                    

•••••••••

Traffic on many roads in this vicinity has been virtually at a standstill for the past week due to sinkholes and mud. The cut-off west on Highway 10 is closed and many cars were hauled out of the mud north of Greenwood.

 

On the Columbia milk route, operated by Fred and Christ Moore (Mohr) and Lester Cook, a four-horse team and wagon loaded with 20 cans of milk were stalled Saturday.

 

Milk from Fairchild and Humbird is brought by truck via Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and around by Marshfield.

•••••••••

Two “bungalow” birdhouses on steel posts were place on the Court House lawn last week by the county property committee. The houses are beautiful pieces of work and were made by patients of the County Hospital at Owen.  The committee also is planning on reseeding the courthouse lawn this spring.

•••••••••

Hugo Quast of Willard, this week, received his appointment as postmaster, succeeding H. Thompson.

•••••••••

Persons interested in playing kitten-ball are asked by Earl Bruhn to meet at the high school grounds on Thursday between 6 and 6:30 p.m. to lay plans for organizing several teams to play this summer. An effort will be made to organize a team for each of the city’s four wards.

 

(Kitten-ball in the 1930’s was later changed to be known as softball. D.Z.)

•••••••••

O. K. Ripplinger last week was appointed motorcycle cop for the southern half of Clark County and began his duties Friday.  Mr. Ripplinger formerly was assistant cashier of the Dairy Exchange Bank and up to his appointment by the county was employed with the Badger State Telephone Co., in clerical work. Mr. Ripplinger is well qualified for his new position and his appointment has met with popular approval.                            

•••••••••

F. O. Balch’s bowling team, consisting of R. E. Schmedel, Dr. M. L. Claflin, Alfred Kleckner and John Irvine, is leading the tournament, by having won 7 and lost 2 with 2 more games to roll.  Fred Balch who has perfected a “slow snake ball” has been mopping up the pins consistently all season and is pinning his hopes on the same wandering ball to lead his comrades to the championship.                                                                

•••••••••

Farmers of this community will have a new market for their poultry, eggs, dressed veal, honey and other products as the result of the establishment of a new company here this week by Otto K. Ebeling and William Schultz of Chicago, who have rented the old drying plant on West Seventh Street. They are also bringing Carl Schule of Chicago to help with the business.  Mr. Schule is a cousin of Mr. Schultz.       

 

Mr. Ebling stated that farmers who are willing to dress their own veal will receive considerably more money than for live veal.  In the past it has not paid to ship some calves because of high commission and freight charges.  Mr. Ebeling, however, says that in buying only dressed veal they are able to pay the farmer more than he would get otherwise.

•••••••••

O. W. Lewerenz, last week, began construction of a brick addition on the north side of his filling station at Fifth and Hewett Streets, which will house a restaurant. Booths will be set in the wing facing Fifth Street and a long counter will be located in the structure formerly used as a light testing station.          

•••••••••

I. E. Svirnoff reports a growing scarcity of horses for farm work. Last week Mr. Svirnoff traveled more than 1,000 miles in Minnesota before being able to buy enough horses for a carload.  Prices of horses are swinging upward and a shortage of horses is the outlook, according to Mr. Svirnoff, Neillsville.          

•••••••••

Greenwood and Loyal have united to support a band, the organization to be known as the “Twin City Band.” Practice will be held one night a week.  The band is to play at both the Greenwood and Loyal Memorial Day programs and plans concerts throughout the summer.  There are a number of good musicians in the two towns and a fine band is assured as a result of the combined efforts.                                                                                  

•••••••••

Receipts at the Neillsville depot were $9 more than they were in March a year ago.  Local railroad men are wondering whether this “boom” in business is the beginning of a return to prosperity.        

•••••••••

The past week has seen the trout fisherman sharpening the barbs on their hooks, varnishing poles and oiling reels in preparations for first offensive when the season opens next Sunday.  From the interest being displayed by the fly-rod artists it is evident that greater numbers than ever before will be out on the opening day.

 

The stores handling sporting goods; report more than usual activity in the sale of all kinds of fishing tackles this year.

 

Two streams in Clark County are closed to trout fishermen.  They are Sniteman’s Creek, from its headwaters in Section 30, Town 23, Range 2 West, downstream to where it empties into Black River, and that part of Indian Creek from its headquarters in Section 30, Town 23 Range West to where it flows into Black River.

 

There were 24 new trout refuges established in all counties this year and seven old ones were rescinded.

 

The limits on trout are mot more than 15 in one day per person and none less than seven inches in length.

 

(Township 23N, R.2W is the Town of Levis. D. Z.)

•••••••••

Neillsville launched its baseball season Sunday when more than 20 candidates for places on the team went through a strenuous workout at the fairgrounds.  With the addition of Everett Skroch, Walter and Dick Hemp and Oscar Gluck, who will join the team at the end of the school year, Neillsville is expected to have the strongest squad it has had in years.  Walter and Eddie Zank will play with the Loyal Team.

 

At the league organization meeting at Abbotsford April 19 the following towns joined the Black River Valley circuit; Neillsville, Stetsonville, Stratford, Colby, Edgar, Riplinger, Loyal, Spencer, Abbotsford and Dorchester.  The League adopted an admission charge of 25’.

 

 

An early 1930’s Neillsville area baseball team with none of the players identified.

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