Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin

June 28, 2006, Page 17

Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"

Presentation by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Compiled & Contributed by Dee Zimmerman

 

Clark County News

June 1881

 

The new bell of the Presbyterian Church, of Neillsville, arrived last week and was placed in the tower of the church on Saturday evening, May 28th.  It is from the factory of Clinton H. Mencely, Troy, N.Y.  It weighs 596 pounds; the weight of the whole affair, when shipped was 900 pounds.  Its shipping cost, to Humbird, was $208.03.

 

The inscription on the bell is as follows:

 

“Proclaim Salvation throughout the land and unto all people.

 

Presbyterian Church of Neillsville, Org. 1872

 

William T. Hendren, Minister… 1872”

 

The new spire is 96 feet high, and was built by C. V. Bradshaw, who is one of the finest architects in this region.  It is a fine addition to the church, and is a great improvement to the village.  It was erected at a cost of about $300.  Other improvements in the church have been made inside and out, and others are soon to be made for the whole cost, of which, will not be less than $600.

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Geo. H. Ray is building a flooding-dam on Cawley Creek, 80 rods or so above the bridge.  The creek, from that point to the mouth, is full of logs and the dam will be of immediate service.  It is being put in substantially, however, so that it will continue to be valuable.  Ray holds a charter to thus improve the creek for logging purposes.

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The dance at the Neillsville Brewery, Monday evening, was a perfect jam, just as we said it would be.  Bill Neverman receives the credit he deserves in putting the dance on.  He has done a good deal, one way and another, to make Neillsville lively in his day.  The big crowd at the dance testified to his popularity.  The hall was gaily decorate with green boughs, and presented a very attractive appearance.  This will continue to be a scene of merrymaking for many years, that is, if Bill Neverman and the hop crop hold out.

••••••••••

Quite a big picnic was held Sunday in a grove, 80 rods or so from Kurth’s Corners, Grant Township.  Many Neillsville people attended, carrying their own lunch.  Lemonade was provided on the grounds.  As we possessed no means of getting out there, no minute report can be given.

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One of the liveliest celebrations for the Fourth of July, in this county, is to take place in the Town of Levis, in a pleasant grove near the farm of Wm. H. Hanes.  It is to be in the form of a social picnic during the day.  There will be croquet and other games, firecrackers and knick-knacks for the children.  In the evening, there will be a bowery dance with the best of music, to be kept going as late as those present desires.  Those managing the affair know just how to make it a success.  They extend a hearty invitation to everyone in general, and residents of Levis in particular, to come with their baskets, turn in and have a rousing time.

••••••••••

If you are looking for noble scenery, drive out on the Pleasant Ridge road and turn north, at the new Methodist Church, at John Nichols’ corner.  Then go east, and from the brow of the great hill west of Fred Vine’s farm, look eastward.  Grand lines of farms, backed by stately forests of dense foliage, rolling hills, and pleasant valleys, form the scene.  And the whole region out that way is equally noble to the view, and rich in soil.  Haying began last week, and Sunday the air was laden with the sweet perfume from the fields.  At J. S. Dore’s place, we noticed that the new cheese factory was enclosed and roofed, ready for business.  A better dairy country does not exist than the people of this county possess.  At Austin’s, we struck it rich in the shape of ice cream.  At Thomas Reed’s, a company of visitors sat conversing on the porch.  The stumps out that way seem to have taken to the woods, as the fields are clear of them.  Fences are in good repair, houses are substantial, barns large; the roads lined with fine, sleek, good-conditioned cattle, horses are plenty, and the whole aspect of the country is indicative of wealth.

 

(Pleasant Ridge still provides a most scenic view to anyone traveling along Highway 10, east of Neillsville. D.Z.)

••••••••••

In the York area, strawberries are plentiful, which is why sun hats and bonnets dot the meadows in every direction.

••••••••••

The mail route between North Fork and Colby was discontinued the 15th of this month.  The offices (are) being supplied by rail except Green Grove which will be supplied from Colby.

 

A lodge of F. & A. M. was instituted at Medford, last Friday evening.  A number of the members of the Colby Lodge were in attendance, some of them accompanied by their ladies.

 

June 1936

 

The appointment of Kurth Oil Company, as dealer for Nash and LaFayette automobiles in this territory, was announced today by the Nash-LaFayette distributor, at Milwaukee.  The new company will start operation under the Nash franchise, at once and expect to receive first shipment of cars within a few days.

 

This will include models in the Nash Ambassador and “400” series as well as the LaFayette, Nash’s “big car” entry in the low price field.  This provides cars in a base price range from $595 to $995 f.o.b., and offering many unique advantages in the four price classes.

••••••••••

Plans are made to dedicate the Sherwood Community Church in the Town of Sherwood, Sunday afternoon June 7.  The program will begin at 2:30 p.m., when Rev. G. W. Longenecker of Neillsville will give the dedicatory address.

 

The organization that will carry on the work of the church has been incorporated as the Sherwood Community Chapel.  It will be non-sectarian and the building will be open for the use of services of all denominations under reasonable conditions.

 

The building is an attractive and convenient edifice, and has been built by funds raised by the Sherwood Community Club, largely by suppers, which have become so noted as to attract people for many miles in all directions.

 

Besides the dedicatory service by Rev. Longenecker, there will be other features on the program.  The public is invited.

•••••••••••

George Janerro, Milwaukee fruit peddler, was arrested last week by C. Coolidge, state license inspector, on a charge of selling without a license and paying $17.40 in costs.

••••••••••

The State Conservation Commission has ordered gates placed on all fire lanes through county owned land in Clark County.  The gates will be made and set up by CCC camp members.  Anyone found tampering with the locks or going into fire lanes with cars will be vigorously prosecuted, it was stated. The action was taken to cut down game law violations, reduce fire hazards and prevent the roads from being damaged, according to officials.  It is planned to open the lanes during the blueberry season.

••••••••••

Wisconsin’s first strawberry show will be held this year in connection with a strawberry day program in the Community Hall at Warrens, Wis., June 12.  Cash prizes are offered by the Wisconsin Horticultural Society to be given for quart samples of all leading varieties of strawberries, including the newest kinds.  All growers are invited to enter.

••••••••••

Mrs. Ruby C. Bahr, night operator for the Community Telephone Company of Wisconsin at Fairchild, has been awarded a silver Theodore N. Vail medal and $250 for alertness, initiative and prompt and intelligent action.  Her action led to the apprehension of a dangerous criminal who shot and killed Dan Cattanach, Fairchild filling station operator on Aug. 21, 1935.  While on duty about 4 a.m., Mrs. Bahr heard shots.  From her office, she saw an automobile speeding away.  She noted the first three digits of the license number and a description of the car.  Returning to the board, where she received a report Cattanach had been shot and killed.  She promptly notified officers and the slayer was caught at Black River Falls.

••••••••••

Stop at Webb’s Used Car Lot for this week’s specials.  He has an Overland Touring Car with actual mileage of 22,000 miles, 4 new tires, license and battery, $35.  Also 1929 Model ‘A’ Ford Coach with 1930 wheels and head lights, runs and looks like new.  Model ‘A’ Ford Sport Coupe with Rumble Seat.

••••••••••

For many years, a group of friends have gathered at the Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Crothers farm home of Romadka, to honor the birthday anniversaries of Miss Libbie Bartell and Wendell Crothers.  This year, the party has been delayed on the account of road conditions, but the gathering was no less pleasant Monday evening, when the following drove out to partake of a fine dinner and to enjoy a social evening: Mr. and Mrs. James A. Musil, Mrs. Leslie Yorkston, Mr. and Mrs. George Hubing, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Page and daughter, La Verne, Miss Clarice Dodte and Miss Libbie Bartell.

••••••••••

Dr. Leslie E. Pitcher recalls the origin of Flag Day:

 

“In these days of militarism and propaganda to instill patriotism, the flag that has stood rolled on its staff in the corner of the G.A.R. hall has been dusted off and we see it once more waving in the summer breeze.”

 

It heads the columns gathered to expound the doctrine of everything from the spellbinders of church, or state, to the flamboyant merits of an herb tonic.

 

We are living in an age of unrest when the rule of crowned heads may topple over night.  “Uneasy rests the head that wears the crown.”  Their emblems may change as well but Old Glory and the Liberty for which it stands still waves on.

 

Our flag has undergone a few minor changes since the days of Betsy Ross and I have noted a few even in my short life.  I recall one old flag owned by Chas. Deutsch at his tailor shop of which, the 13 stars were in a circle in the blue.  I have seen the addition of stars as states were admitted to sisterhood.

 

No march seems complete without the laurel wreath as an honor to the many who gave their all-out to the benediction of Old Glory be it for purpose of bestowing in the cause for which they stood or as a tribute to a living Cincinnatian who has just finished his plowing.

 

Sunday, the 14th was nationally observed as Flag Day but though I noticed through print and radio the mention of the origin and evolution of our emblem, I failed to find one mention of the origin of Flag Day.  The man who had the idea that a patriotic day be set aside in honor of our stars and stripes was Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand, late of Chicago.  He wrote to Congress and the President to appoint a day to be known as Flag Day, which was done.  Dr. Cigrand was student of history and he was the author of several books upon this and other subjects.  At the time I attended college, he was dean of the Illinois School of Dentistry and I had the pleasure of several visits with him at his office in the flat iron building at North Ave. and Robey Street.  I also recall an evening in particular at his home out on the northwest side.  His two small daughters had received high marks in their school report cards and he was especially interested and overjoyed at their knowledge of history and the dime bank on the mantle was a dollar heavier after each favorable report.  Dr. Cigrand was a brother of Mrs. Herman Korman who still resides on the North Side of Neillsville.  He visited his sister several times and had several acquaintances in our city.  He was a man of pleasing personality, an orator and high in his profession.  He was a member of many associations and a member of the Chicago Library Board for years.

 

As a citizen, he was an honor to the flag he loved.  Bernard (Bernie) Korman, a namesake of his illustrious uncle, was a printer’s apprentice in Neillsville twenty-five years ago.  Dr. Cigrand died several years ago.

••••••••••

The cannon, which the Otto A. Haugen Post of the American Legion obtained from the government and placed on the lawn of the courthouse last year, is being painted and camouflaged by Oluf Olson, Jr.  He is doing a fine piece of work.  The camouflage design was drawn on the cannon by Dr. M. C. Rosekrans.  The only complaint is that the camouflaging is so well done that nobody will know there is a cannon on the lawn unless they happen to bump into it while taking a short cut across the grass.

••••••••••

The Hatfield Pavilion will have their Grand Opening Friday, June 19 with the Jimmy Jones’ Orchestra playing.  Tickets will be 25c and 50c.  There will be a Free Movie Show before and after the dance at 7:45 p.m.  There will be roller-skating Sunday afternoons and evenings.

 

There will be a Free Dance at Day Corners’ Tavern, 4 miles south of Neillsville, Saturday night.  Music will be by Clarence Shaw and Orchestra.

••••••••••

Marriage license applications: Alvin Fravert, Evelyn Stange, Town of Beaver; William Dollase, Jr., Hazen Schwamb, Town of Seif; Rudolph Knaack, Owen, Marie Miller, Longwood; Arthur Zank, Neomi Schuelke, Town of Pine Valley; Elmer R. Haselow, Owen, Helen Weaver, Town of Pine Valley; Joseph Bilecki, Cicero, Ill, Helen Gutowski, Thorp; Arthur Wiersig, Erna Stock, Colby; Adolph Stacke, Colby, Marian Dietrich, Green Grove, and Edward Muranko, Hixon, Mary Madsen, Owen.

••••••••••

Carl Roder and Miss Gertrude Hauser were united in marriage at 8 o’clock Tuesday morning, June 16, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Peter Weber officiating.

••••••••••

A Town of York resident was arrested by State Treasurer Agent Ben Wolf, last week, on a charge of operating a still.

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A July 4th celebration in Neillsville, circa 1900, featured a parade that marched through the downtown.  Above is a float which was decorated and entered by the Marsh Department Store.  (Photo courtesy of Bill Roberts’ collection)

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