Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin

February 11, 2009, Page 24

Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

Clark County News

January 1919

 

Robert Kurth and H. H. Bartell went to Madison Tuesday to attend the state road school.  The two gentlemen are on the street committee of the city council and went to Madison to try to pick up some ideas, which may be of benefit to the city.  In this connection it might be well to state that there is an undercurrent of feeling among the businessmen of the city that during the coming summer some definite steps should be taken toward paving the business section of Neillsville.

 

Some thing has to be done to the downtown streets within a very short time and the general feeling is that if any considerable amount of money is to be expended on the streets that the city council should go further and save the streets with vitrified brick and do the job right while they are at it.

•••••••••

The chickens have forgotten that it is winter-time because they are laying eggs as though it is early summer.  How about this warm weather folks?  And if it were not for the ice on O’Neill Creek, we are afraid some people might go swimming.

•••••••••

On Friday afternoon the C. C. Sniteman drug store was the scene of a peculiar accident and one, which caused considerable damage.  George Sontag had been mixing some shellac and had put the jug containing the mixture on the stove to warm.  This was his usual practice in this compounding and he had done that so many times before.  He thought nothing of leaving the shellac while he went to dinner.  However, in this instance it seemed that he had not corked the jug as tightly as usual, with the result that the alcohol in the mixture evaporated.  It formed a vapor or gas in the store, which was not noticeable to the clerks or customers.  However, R. F. Kountz stepped up to the cigar lighter at the front end of the store to light his cigar.  The moment the light flashed there was an explosion with the alcohol gas igniting instantly.

 

As all the doors and windows of the store happened to be closed at that instant, the full force of the explosion was taken by one of the large plate glass windows in front of the store and next to the cigar counter; it was blown out and shattered into a thousand pieces.  Small bits of glass were blown clear into the street.

 

The fire whistle on the Condensery was blown and the fire company soon responded, but their services were not needed, though the shellac jug took fire.  It was an exciting affair while it lasted.

•••••••••

Early Friday morning a terrible accident occurred at the creamery in Loyal, with victims being Art Jenks and Tom Vogel.  About 6 o’clock Friday morning, Jenks, the owner of the creamery, attempted to fill the boiler with water, being assisted by Vogel.  It is very evident that the boiler was nearly empty and when the cold water was turned into the hot boiler, it exploded with terrific force.

 

Jenks was blown completely out of the building and across a fence into the yard of his home adjoining the creamery.  He was killed instantly.  Vogel was found beneath the brick and debris of the boiler and was hurried to the Marshfield hospital, but died before arrival there.  Portions of the boiler and building were blown a distance of 500 feet and it is said that the force of the explosion was felt over the entire village.

 

Both Jenks and Vogel were married men and leave families.  Jenks owned the creamery and Vogel was employed there.  It was a sad accident and one, which has cast a pall of gloom over the entire village of Loyal.

•••••••••

The Red Cross ladies at Christie entertained at the home of Mrs. Thos. Thomas Thursday, Feb. 20.  The afternoon was spent in various amusements and at 4:30 p.m. an elaborate lunch was served.  The guests of honor were James Hughes, Dale Hawley, Frank Murphy and Wm. Finder.  These boys, with many others, marched away so bravely to fight for their country, and it is with the heartfelt appreciation that they are welcomed home.

•••••••••

E. L. Snyder went to Camp Grant Monday, to spend a few days with the 32nd Division, which just returned from France.  He had been a member of one of the 32nd Division’s units.

•••••••••

The Red Cross has an order for 180 sweaters and 210 pair of stockings to be knit for Foreign Relief children.  The quota must be filled in a short time and it is hoped that all Red Cross workers will take up this work at once.  Yarn is available at the courthouse every day of the week.

•••••••••

Bruce Armitage has 40 acres of timber and pastureland for sale.  Also he wants to sell about 2,000 feet of red oak lumber, and about 3,000 feet of two-inch plank.

 

February 1949

 

A dance club is being organized by members: Mr. and Mrs. C. Frank Hepburn, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bruhn, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Covell, Mr. and Mrs. Millard F. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. George Hubing and Mr. and Mrs. Soren Larson.

 

The officers are: president, Hazel Hubing; vice president, Earl Bruhn; secretary, Marie Covell; treasurer, Emma Larson; directors; Mrs. Hepburn, Al Covell and Millard Cole.

 

The club was organized for the pleasure and entertainment of its members.  They plan to stress old time dances, such as circle two-steps, square dances and the schottische.  It is planned to hold one dance each month in the V. F. W. Hall.

•••••••••

Earl Wright and Ray Polzin left Tuesday morning for Madison to attend Farm and Home Week.  They were accompanied by Agricultural Committee members: William Creed of Unity, Arthur Wegner of the Town of Seif, and George Zuehlke of the Town of Loyal.

•••••••••

The sale of the Seeman farm and personal property for $25,600 led the realty transactions recorded last week in the office of the Clark County Register of Deeds.

 

The large sale was one in which Marvin W. Seeman sold his farm and personal property to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold J. Haslow on January 20.  The farm is located in section four, Town of Loyal, and section 28, Town of Beaver.

 

Other transactions included:  Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Malloy having sold their home on South Hewett Street to Harry Van Gorden of Merrillan.  They purchased two farms near Greenwood and will move on one of the farms as soon as weather permits.  Their son Donald and his family will occupy the other farm.  The property was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. William C. Kavanaugh of Greenwood.  Revenue stamps affixed to the deed indicated a purchase price of from $12,500 to $13,000.

 

The sale by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Frome of Manitowoc County of their property in section 13, Town of Colby, to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund A. Becker.  Revenue stamps affixed indicated a purchase price of from $1,000 to $1,500.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kubera sold to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Polnaszek lot 2, for $375, of Kubera’s addition to East Thorp.

•••••••••

The Grand View schoolhouse, situated just west of the railroad trestle on Highway 10, will become the new town hall for the Town of Pine Valley.

 

The town purchased the property from the joint Neillsville and Pine Valley district with its bid of $3,000.  This was the only bid received for the property, according to Don Dundas, clerk of the school district.

 

The Grand View School property came under the control of the school board July 1 as the result of a school district consolidation, which brought the Grand View district into the Neillsville-Pine Valley district.  Children from that area now are being transported to the Neillsville schools.

 

The district also has possession of the Hiawatha School property, about three miles south of the city as the result of the consolidation of this district with the Neillsville-Pine Valley district.

•••••••••

Believe it or not one day last week Joe (Fuzz) Zallar, Willard, went out hunting accompanied by two friends and their dogs, chasing rabbits.

 

Somehow the rabbit, at least one of them, reversed its direction and headed for Mr. Zallar, who in the meantime had gotten on one knee to get a better shot.

 

The rabbit jumped into his arms, and in all the excitement, he dropped the gun and caught the rabbit.

 

To be sure his friends wouldn’t doubt his story; Joe took the live rabbit back home to Willard to display to any doubters.

 

But Mr. Zallar later released his catch, as he is a very good sportsman.

•••••••••

Russell’s Hardware has Tire Specials! Bar and Knobby Tires, in sizes of 4.50x21; 4.75x19; or 5.50x17, only $9.98 each, tax included.

•••••••••

H. H. Van Gorden’s 16% Dairy Feed at Special Price $49 per ton, a Complete Balanced Dairy Ration!  It includes all protein and mineral requirements and gives more milk per ton than any other feed.

•••••••••

The L. J. Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Company of Neillsville offers Cars Greased and Lubricated.  A complete Grease & Oil Change, the Chevrolet Way, for only $2.50

•••••••••

The Neillsville Warriors basketball team took on the Humbird High School Cagers last Friday afternoon in a practice game.  The outcome favored the Warriors, 50 to 40 with regulation periods being played.

•••••••••

The Goldenrod Homemaker’s Club, of the Spring Creek Valley community, met with Mrs. Irene Lindow Thursday afternoon, February 10.  Roll call was answered with, “How I met my Husband.”  Games were played and Valentines were exchanged.  The next meeting will be held with Mrs. Lucy Lindow on March 10, 1949.

•••••••••

Rev. N. J. Dechant baptized three grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bemis Saturday evening at the Bemis home.  They were Sandra Cheryl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kren; Beverly Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Hanson, La Crosse, and Bradley Erwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Kroll of La Crosse.  Sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kren, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kroll, Wilmer Kroll and Eileen Kroll.

•••••••••

The Shortville Church, an old landmark in the Town of Washburn community, has been sold to Arthur Drescher, Jr.  He will start tearing it down in the near future and will move it to Neillsville where he plans to build a home for his family.  The Church was built by the parents of many of this generation, probably over 50 years ago.  It hasn’t been used much for many years, so the stockholders decided to put it up for sale.

•••••••••

The former Greenwood Baptist Church has been purchased from the Greenwood Legion Post by Wisconsin Rural Missions.  It is an undenominational home missionary organization that endeavors to reopen closed churches, establish new work, and provide Sunday school and summer school for children.  It is Bible centered in all its activities, stresses evangelism, and is similar to the Baptists in doctrine.

 

Plans are underway to paint the exterior and do some remodeling in the interior of the building.  These improvements together with the recently constructed basement will make the church building an attractive addition to the community.

•••••••••

The Rev. Arthur A. Oswald was installed as pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Granton Sunday evening.  The installation ceremony was in charge of the Rev. Arthur H. Oswald of Milwaukee, father of the new Granton pastor.  The senior Pastor Oswald, who is President of the Southern Wisconsin district of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, also delivered the sermon.

 

Serving as liturgist at the service was Rev. Alvin H. Moog, Marshfield, who served as vacancy pastor at Granton the past month.  Assisting the officiating ministers in the laying on of hands were Pastors G. Krueger and J. Brandt, Marshfield; A. Wessel, Junction City; L. Koepke, Pittsville and L. Goetz, Nekoosa.

 

Speeches of welcome to the new pastor were given by the chairman of the congregation, Henry Helm, by Rev. Moog, and by leaders of the various organizations in the church.  Readings were presented by Mrs. Walter Sternitzky and Mrs. Henry Freestone; piano selections by Mrs. William Dankemyer, and a vocal selection was given by Lorraine and LaVonne Sternitzky.  The new pastor was presented with a gift of cash.  The program was followed by the serving of a delicious lunch. 

 

Pastor Oswald’s wife is a native of Milwaukee.  They have one daughter.

•••••••••

The Neillsville Armory was packed last week Wednesday evening, when C. E. Seif’s Sons gave their annual International Harvester “Family Party.”  Dale Seif, one of the partners estimated that about 700 farmers and members of their family crowded into the building to see motion pictures, which were highlighted by an Abbot and Costello comedy, The “Flying Buddies,” a roller skating act, wound up the evening’s entertainment.

•••••••••

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Sollie of Milwaukee, last week settled in the Moldenhauer house on South State Street.  Mr. Sollie is a watchmaker and will take over the watch repair department of Moldenhauer’s Store.

•••••••••

Otto Hainz of the Hainz Implement Co. reported that 1,200 free lunches were served during the John Deere day event held here last Thursday.  The film, “The Sugar Plum Tree,” was a feature of the day and played before 350 people in the Adler theater in the forenoon; 425 in the afternoon.  People were tuned away at the afternoon show because of the lack of room.  Walter Remend, John Deere field man, was present.  Registration prizes went to: Mrs. Paul Garbisch of Granton; Richard Dodmead, Neillsville; Fred Luebke, Neillsville and Mrs. Leon Stanley, Neillsville.

 

 

A circa 1900 photo of the C. C. Sniteman Drug Store located in the 500 block of Hewett Street.  Starting as an employee, Charles C. Sniteman eventually became the business owner in 1881.  In 1891, Sniteman had a new 2-story brick structure built around the old wooden framed silver front store, in a manner that business went on as usual.  The wooden frame store was gradually torn down as the brick construction progressed.  (Photo courtesy of Sontag Collection)

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