Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 15, 1996, Page 32

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Good Old Days 

 

“Oldies” 

 

By Dee Zimmerman

 

Many interesting bits of local history can be found when scanning through old issues of the county newspapers.

 

Town of Lynn correspondent, Wm. Yorkston, submitted the following column for the May 27, 1876 issue. 

 

“One day last week we had the pleasure of visiting the school in District No. 1, of this town.  This being the summer term the attendance was small, owing to parents keeping their oldest children at home to assist in doing their spring work.  We heard the pupils recite their various lessons in reading, spelling, mental arithmetic, which they did in a manner that showed that the pupils are making great progress under the tuition of Miss Hand; she enforces strict discipline in her school and gives good satisfaction.

 

We are having the wettest planting time ever had since the settlement of this district.  This is the 22nd of May and very little planting is done yet.  Winter wheat is looking well; spring wheat that was sown before the last heavy rains is coming up and has a healthy appearance.  Owing to so much rain and heat there is a rapid growth of vegetation, giving ample food for all herbivorous animals.

 

The roads are in bad conditions between this place and Neillsville in places most impassable, that place on the hill, opposite George Williams, in the Town of Grant, ought to be fixed.  Plenty of work for road masters.”

 

The ground upon which the Catholic Church is to be built during the present season has been selected, and is on the north side of O’Neill Creek, near Furlong’s.

 

Some of many smokers to be found in this county when they learn what an eminent physician has said that it interferes with the molecular changes coincident with the development of tissues, and makes the blood corpuscles oval and irregular at the edges may be induced to renounce pipes and cigars forever.

 

If a man’s heart is in the right place and his liver in good condition he’ll make it pleasant for all those around him.

 

To be kind and courteous to all is as much a duty as honesty and honor to all business and social relations.

 

There is just enough grass to tempt town cows to take a stroll in the country to the disgust of the owners thereof, who do not relish a tramp to the rural districts to escort them home. 

 

The fishing season has opened with more “fishers” and fishing tackles than fish.  Fishing for cross-eyed polliwogs in the millpond is a pass-time for many in the village.

 

Now is the time for planting gardens and taking sweet revenge.  Injuries for which blood could not atone may be avenged in a few short hours by turning a flock of chickens into an enemy’s garden.  In preparing nests for setting hens, plenty of sulfur should be sprinkled in the nest, and occasionally more added to guard against vermin.  It’s awful for chicks to be born lousy and not old enough to scratch.

 

Last Saturday, a party of interested ones went to the fairgrounds and fitted up grounds for base ball purposes.  The boys claim to have a good club and as soon as the weather will admit of a little practice, they will be ready to play any club in this or adjoining counties.

 

Don’t be in a hurry about taking down your heating stoves.  Winter is evidently lingering hereabouts and is liable to return at any time.

 

The Neillsville Brass Band is again fully organized and under the leadership of Frank E. Darling is preparing to furnish music for all public occasions, wherever and whenever needed.

 

Capt. Tolford, with the assistance of High Hart, gave his dwelling a ride of several blocks last Wednesday.  He now lives in another part of town.  (Tolford was captain of the Clark County Military Company.)

 

Will those who have used the streets for wood yards and store-houses be good enough to remove the rubbish that has accumulated, and which now gives them such an unsightly appearance?  “Cleanliness” is said to be “next to godliness”, and clean streets certainly go along a long way towards giving a town an appearance of life and enterprise.

 

The First Race of the Season – Last Tuesday afternoon a trotting match was gotten up between Austin’s horse “Baldy” and a horse owned by Wm. Armstrong of Greenwood, and quite a number went out to the race track to witness the trial of speed.  This was the first race on that track for the season, which, though a little rough, is in very fine condition.

 

Austin’s horse was the winner, and is said to have done splendid footing for a horse that has not been driven at all since last fall.  That little spurt last Tuesday was but the commencement of considerable sport of the kind.

 

Again the Hook and Ladder and Ladder Company of this village have manifested its enterprise by purchasing a fire-bell.  It was received on Friday of last week and is mounted on Capt. Tolford’s livery barn.  R. F. Kountz foreman is principally entitled to credit for this efficient fire organization.  J. W. Hommel and several others are also entitled to notice for the zeal manifested in perfecting and keeping up the company.

 

Mrs. Tibbetts served the first ice cream at her popular restaurant last Saturday, where it can be found throughout the season.  You can also buy ice cream by the pint or quart at O’Neill’s House.

 

May 1961

 

The Neillsville Country Club held their Opening Dinner with the largest crowd ever to attend the annual event which is a send-off for the 1961 season.  The men had charge of the dinner.  The ladies will sponsor the closing dinner in the fall.  Starting this week, family night potluck dinners will be held Saturday evenings, Men’s night will be Wednesdays and Ladies’ day Thursdays.

 

Seven girl scouts were presented with the Carved Bar, highest award in girl scouting, during court of awards program in Neillsville high school gymnasium on May 6.  The presentation was made by Mrs. J. H. Hoesly.  The award recipients were: Mary Reams, Sandy Free, Joann Grether, Sheri Matheson, Sandy Siebert, Cheryl Sykes and Francey Blodgett.

 

American Legion Post #175 selected two Loyal High School boys to attend Badger Boys State in June.  Selected were Gary Schellinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Schellinger and Dennis Hoeser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hoeser.

 

Forty-six children, the largest class in the history of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal, received their first communion during 8 o’clock mass Sunday, May 7.

 

C. C. Hoehne, about 91, was honored as Greenwood’s “Man of the Year” by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.  Hoehne started a hardware business there in 1901, working with it for 60 years.  His two sons, George and Julius, became partners with the business.

 

A wide trail of damage was left by a wind storm that struck north of Neillsville and mid Clark County.  Barns, silos, other smaller buildings and trees were downed during the hard gusts of flat winds.

 

The Wausau Conference Convention of American Lutheran Church women, was held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Loyal.  More than 300 members from 35 congregations attended.

 

Seventy-four members of the class of 1961 of Neillsville High School will graduate on May 22.  The ceremonies will mark the last of 31 such public appearances for Donald E. Peters, who is to retire July 1 as superintendent of the Neillsville public school system.  He will be succeeded by Ivan Lauscher, principal of the high school for the last 11 years.

 

Mrs. A. M. Wilson, of Owen, who manages to keep fairly busy giving piano and voice lessons to 76 pupils, recently observed her 85th birthday.

 

Mrs. Wilson has taught music in the Owen-Withee area for a half-century.  Her comment was, “I guess I’ve always had a zest for life and working with the younger people helps keep me young.” 

 

Spring time is the season for flying kites.  An early May, 1961, photo displays the joy of four youngsters watching their kite move back and forth in the sky.  Left to right: Howard and Lynn Corey with two friends Steve and Bobbie Sternitzky who all lived along Huron Street, Neillsville.

 

Clark County town roads, before gravel surface, looked like this when “spring thaw” happened. This ’51 Chevy sank in the mire and a tractor being driven to the rescue also became motionless due to mud.

 

 

Well…this is the way it was, some years back, when the farmers hauled their milk to the nearest cheese factory.  There were times of waiting in line to get the milk cans unloaded and emptied.  But, you weren’t in such a hurry and could visit with the other fellows who were waiting, too.  The front wagon ws made from an old car chassis. (Photo was circa 1940)

 

The Knoop cheese factory was located along County Highway “G”, northwest of Neillsville.

 

  (We stated the Knoop Cheese Factory was located on “G”.  A call informed us that was an error, was it in Willard?  Does anyone remember?  Please call if you do.)

 

 


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