Index of "Good Old Days" Articles

Clark County Press, Neillsville

July 15, 1998, Page 17

Transcribed by Sharon Schulte

Good Old Days

The Clark County Agricultural Society, which met in Neillsville last week, purchased 40 acres of land from John Lynch. The land, located one mile south east of the village, will be used as fair grounds and was purchased for $1,200. The grounds are sufficiently cleared, enabling the fair to be held there this fall.

A man residing on the Yellow River, in our neighboring Wood County, started a mosquito smudge on his land last Sunday. He got rid of the mosquitoes and also a barn and yoke of valuable oxen were consumed by the smudge fire.

The annual school meeting held at the principal school building in Neillsville last Monday evening, reports the following: Receipts on hand at the beginning of the year $1929.21, received from Town Treasurer $1755.00, received from County Treasurer, $146.98 for total of $3,831.19. Expenditures for teachers’ wage and incidentals were $1,034.35, leaving a balance of $2,796.84. It was decided to have nine months of school during the coming year. Classes will start in September and close about July 1^st, with vacation of three weeks during winter holidays and in the spring, dividing the time in three terms of three months each. A vote was taken and passed to spend $800 for teacher’s wages, $250 for incidental expenses and $1,000 for building purposes.

Everett Bacon was elected a member of the building committee in place of John S. Dore, who moved from the district.

A very neat portico, with cast iron balustrade, has been put up in front of Hewett & Woods’ block. It sets off the block quite nicely.

The whortleberry business is very lively at Humbird. Hundreds of bushels of the berries are being picked, sold and shipped weekly. Buyers are paying $1.25 per bushel.

The Neillsville Fourth of July committee has a considerable sum of money remaining in their hands after expenses were paid. They propose to purchase a cannon for use at future celebrations.

The old bridge across O’Neill Creek went down under the weight of a heavily loaded wagon on Tuesday. The north middle pier gave way as the logs in the pier were completely rotted. The bridge has been temporarily repaired.

George Lloyd, of Neillsville, and Miss Madora Marshall, of Hingham, Sheboygan County, were married on July 8^th by Rev. Brill at the home of the bride’s father.

The ice cream social held at the O’Neill House last Friday evening, was well attended. It proved to be a great success as well as profitable for the Methodist Church whose members sponsored the social. The profit of $50 leaves the church entirely free from debt.

The people of Greenwood and vicinity have at last got a good bridge, or rather three good bridges across three channels of the Black River, at Schofield’s mill. All three bridges are well-built and will meet the community’s needs for many years.

A heavy shower of rain, lasting about ten minutes, provided us with seven barrels of wash water as it ran off the roof’s gutters.

C.E. Carpenter reports he has met with good success in canvassing for his forthcoming paper, the Greenwood Gazette, which will make its appearance next week.

Wm. E. Cramer, Editor of the Milwaukee Daily Wisconsin Newspaper visited Neillsville in early July of 1873 and wrote the following editorial:

Neillsville is the county seat of Clark, 28 miles north of Black River Falls, on O’Neill’s Creek, a branch of the Black River. It is now mostly approachable by stage coach from Humbird, on railroad from Black River Falls it is 17 miles to Humbird. The setting of Neillsville is naturally beautiful, partly in the valley and partly on hills of a moderate elevation. It is one of the most thriving inland villages in the State of Wisconsin and is to become the center of the large lumbering operations on Black River.

The land in the vicinity is most excellent; a good deal of it is covered with hardwood timber. It is also providing to be an excellent winter wheat country. The summer nights are very cool, and therefore the climate is well adapted for corn. It is most refreshing for those who suffered from the exhausting hot nights of Southern Wisconsin and Illinois.

The village was laid out by James O’Neill nearly twenty years ago, at that time more than a hundred miles from any railway. But he had a certain faith in the future, and now his hopes begin to be realized in the village which has gradually spread around his mansion.

A.S. Eaton is erecting a large store building at Greenwood, in which he will commence the hardware business next month. He has been conducting a flour and feed store there.

By a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, the bonds voted for the West Wisconsin Railroad by the towns along the line will have to be paid in full with interest, by the towns. It is a pity that the West Wisconsin Road cannot be brought to honest terms through the same tribunal. In this case, what’s sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander.

Sealed Proposals Wanted

Sealed proposals for building a school house in the first school district in the Town of Lyon, Clark County, will be received up to the 1^st of August, 1873. Plans and specifications of the same may be seen upon application to the building committee of said district, or by mail. Post office address, Lynn, Clark Co., Wis. Building committee members are Alonzo Brooks, Charles Sternitzky and George Ure.

The week of June 3 to 10 is National Coal Buying Week and the government is setting this week aside as a national event. Coal users are urged to get their orders in for coal during this week so the amount of coal necessary for the coming winter will be definitely known and arrangements can be made for supply.

President Wilson has commissioned the Boy Scouts of America to find all black walnut trees they can, to be used in making gun stocks. This is not supposed to be a black walnut region but several such trees have already been found here by the Scouts. Any person who knows of any black walnut trees in Clark County will do a patriotic duty by reporting the same to Scout Master, George Glass, Neillsville.

There will be a big farm auction on Saturday at Nels Nielsen’s farm, two miles south of Neillsville. For sale will be: 8 milch cows; 2 spring calves; 1 Holstein bull; 5 spring pigs; 60 chicken hens; 7 draft horses; 1 horse rake; 1 mower; 1 disc; 1 horse cultivator; 4 h.p. gas engine; wood sawing outfit; 2 heavy wagons; 1 buggy; 1 plow; Ford touring car; 3 sets of work harnesses; 1 buggy harness; 16" Eagle silo filler; 11" Blizzard silo filler; 1 Overland car, 1912 model first class, guaranteed. Many other misc. items. P.A. Schipper Auctioneer.

By advice from Washington, D.C., it is ordered that all sugar bowls be taken from the tables of clubs, restaurants and eating places. Sugar should be served in individual envelopes containing one teaspoon of sugar or one lump. By order of J.E. Ketel Clark County Administrator. (Some food items were of short supply during World War I)

The Neillsville Post Office has moved and is now located in the newly remodeled Schoengarth Building. The equipment and mail was moved from the O’Neill Building where the post office has been located for the past ten years. The need for larger quarters have required the move and the ten-year contract signed by the government had expired so an up-dated facility was obtained. All lock boxes have combination locks and no keys are used. There was some confusion Monday morning, many patrons being unable to find their boxes and open them, but everything is running smoothly again.

The was has created an overwhelming demand for bookkeepers and stenographers, at salaries from $1,100 to $1,200 a year. With such large salaries, now is the opportunity for young people to take the bookkeeping/stenography course at Mankato Commercial College.

Herman Wegner, of Neillsville, has become owner of the Merchants Hotel. Well known and well likes, we are pleased to see Wegner returning to the hotel business in our vicinity.

The large livestock barn on the Clark County Fairgrounds is near completion and will be ready for the big livestock show. The floor space is about 10,000 square feet, will be well lighted and ventilated. The show ring will be at the intersection of the four wings. Provisions will be made for the seating of spectators.

This is everybody’s fair. It represents all of us. Help make it better than ever. What are you going to do as your "part"? You might help swell the exhibits, increase the attendance or boost the fair some way. There are a few more shares of stock for sale and you can find no better investment for a few of your dollars.

The Marshfield Schools abolished German language classes in the city’s public schools by action of the school board. Action was taken during the past week and it was through the Marshfield branch of the Wood County Council of Defense that the action was hastened, although the school board had the matter under consideration for some months past. The County Council suggests that the teaching of German be discontinued in the parochial schools at this time. Authorities in charge of all private schools of the city should take proper steps in establishing an All-American School for All-American people.

Sheriff Hewett and District Attorney Rush drove to Withee Saturday and secured a consignment of cartridges for the Manser army rifle as well as clips and cartridges for large caliber revolvers. The ammunition was picked up at the Withee Express Office of which was consigned to Ennis and Frank Krueger from some party in Minneapolis.

The consignment of so much ammunition of a war-like character aroused the suspicion of the express agents and the goods were held until the authorities could act. The matter was especially important because of the fact that two of the Krueger brothers, Louis and Leslie, had fled from the draft when called and have not been located.

Monday, the ammunition was turned over to Federal Officers at Eau Claire.

The three canning factories in Clark County (Neillsville, Owen and Humbird) expect to need help from men, women and children during the canning season. All persons who will take work at any of these plants are asked to give their names of Mrs. T.E. Brameld, who represents the labor division of the war work.

Mrs. L.B. Ring, Mrs. Ida Ring, Mrs. Lillian Kennedy, Ethel Ring and Beatrice McMillan of Neillsville traveled to Globe Sunday afternoon to organize the Red Cross Society of that community. Frieda Henchen was elected chairman; Mrs. Linus Prock, Vice Chairman; Helen Belter, Secretary and Mamie Hemp, Treasurer. Mrs. Albert Kalsow was appointed as head of the knitting department and Mrs. Linus Prock superintends the sewing. The Red Cross workers are to meet every Wednesday evening at the Lutheran parochial school.

Joe Decker, Helen Belter, Mr. And Mrs. Puttkamer, of Globe, attended a dance at Ripplinger Saturday night. On their return, Decker ran his car against the abutment of a culvert, near the cheese factory. His car was damaged and the four occupants escaped without serious injuries.

The Town of York lost one of its early settlers this past week. Wm. M. Rowe passed away after a brief illness of two days.