Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin

December 28, 2011 Page 9

Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

Clark County News

December 1876

Quite a number of sleighs have been seen upon the streets during the past week.  The demand for that kind of a vehicle is enforced, however, due to some snow.

The general wish is for an old-fashioned snowstorm that will make good sleighing. The roads are terribly rough but more snow would even them out.

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A new schoolhouse is to be built in School District No. 3, Towns of Pine Valley and Weston, during the next season. The clerk of the district, Mr. C. A. Ackerman advertises for proposals from builders for the work.

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The Hart brothers having anchored the old courthouse on their lot east of Jaseph’s are now actively engaged in its reformation. The lower part is to be made into a storeroom and the upper portion as habitation for their families.

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Cyrus Dewey, a foreman in Anson Green’s logging camp on Wedges Creek, was severely injured, last Tuesday, by a falling tree.  His injuries, though serious, are not regarded as dangerous and he will soon be fit for working again. The accident happened while cutting small timber for the purpose of getting boughs for covering a dinner shanty, but just how Cyrus came to be where the tree landed, we were not informed.

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Last Wednesday steps were taken to prosecute several of the saloonkeepers in this village for selling their wares in this village on Sunday.  It is well known that such has been the practice, but no evidence could be produced to establish that fact and the suits were dismissed.

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The entertainment given by Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Hewett at their residence, last Thursday night, for the purpose of procuring aid for the suffering poor of our village, was one of the most enjoyable affairs ever afforded to the people of Neillsville.  The attendance was large and the generosity manifested by Mr. and Mrs. Hewett in the splendid entertainment furnished imbued all with the same spirit and a liberal donation for the benefit of the needy was the result. The amount realized was $50, which will be carefully expended in the purpose for which it was raised by a committee that was previously appointed for that work.  Contributions of clothing and provisions were also promised.

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George Austin is getting high-toned and refuses smoking to be allowed in his mills.

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Work is progressing on the Merrillan road and it will not be long before stages will run from here to that place.  No change will be made in the Humbird line.

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Accidents are still reported in different parts of the state from “set guns”, not withstanding the fact that there is a law prohibiting their use; we understand that it is extensively practiced in this county.  The law should be enforced, as it probably will be after a few more murders of the kind have been committed.

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The most enjoyable party in Neillsville for some time was an impromptu affair, at the O’Neill House Hall, last Wednesday evening.  It was gotten up for the purpose affording Ingalls’ Band a chance to show the people of Neillsville what they could do and they succeeded in satisfying forty or fifty couples of dancers that they could give them more dancing in a few hours than they usually get in an entire night. Everything was splendid and everybody had a good time.

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Last Monday, December 11, the Wisconsin Central Railroad commenced operation through to Ashland, Lake Superior, with a daily train leaving Milwaukee at 1:30 a.m.

Freight will be carried to and from Ashland, Bayfield, Laponte and Odanah. The rates for the winter between Milwaukee and Ashland: first class, $1.15; 2nd class, $1.09; 3rd class, 95 cents; 4th class, 85 cents.  It is expected that there will be a large trade in frozen fresh fish, the rate on which has been made $1.25 per hundred to Milwaukee.

The road is now completed excepting that portion between Butternut Creek and Chippewa River, over which, twelve miles distance, stages and teams will be run by the company, in connection with trains in each direction.

The distances are as follows: Milwaukee to Butternut Creek, 297 miles; Chippewa River (stage line), 12 miles; Chippewa River to Ashland, 42 miles.

The uncompleted portion of the railroad will be finished in the spring of 1877, to accommodate the summer travel to Ashland, Bayfield, Thunder Bay, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Silver Island, Isle Royal, Duluth and all points on Lake Superior.

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Mrs. Hill’s music pupils will have their closing rehearsal this evening at the music room in the School House.  Parents and friends of the players are cordially invited to be present and hear them perform. After the rehearsal they are to have a vacation, lasting until the first of February.

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It is no longer lawful to hunt the nimble deer in his native jungle, or out of it, and venison should be made dear meat to any person found violating the law enacted for their protection.

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The state of the weather doesn’t appear to lessen the inclination to make use of expressive language when a change of ends if produced by a misstep on an icy side-wall (walk).

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One week from next Monday we’ll all turn over a new leaf, in our imaginations, by making good resolutions for the future and then go on the same old road to the end.

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Loyal will have a Christmas tree on Monday evening, Christmas night.  It is expected that it will be a grand affair, as it will be held in the new M. E. Church. Their new church is now completed and will be dedicated on the 14th of January 1877.  Rev. W. S. Wright, Presiding Elder, will preside over the program and a large attendance is expected.

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The latest excitement in the village of Greenwood has been caused by a man putting in the appearance of presenting a twenty-dollar bill.  He was sent below at once. A man with that amount of ready cash took on too many airs for a berg where saw logs are currency.

December 1951

A Christmas tree, weighing 800 pounds and over 15 feet high, has been placed on a vacant lot on the main street of Neillsville, across from the Neillsville Bank.  A platform was built over a basement excavation to hold the tree, which has a branch spread of over 10 feet. The tree will be decorated and trimmed this Saturday and will be lighted at night, adding to the Christmas decorations of Neillsville.   

E. A. Georgas has donated the use of his “Adoration of the Shepherds” scene, which will be illuminated by a spotlight in front of the tree.

The vacant lot was formerly occupied by a furniture store. The platform will be available after Christmas for bands, politicians and civic events.  Use of the lot, the platform and the tree were donated for the Christmas season.

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Marriage Licenses issued in Clark County:

Rodger Dale Ertl of Unity and Mary Agnes Ledger of Marshfield married in the town of Brighton on December 1;

John Francel, Hendren, and Anna Smole, Waukegan, Ill., married at Willard on December 1;

Roland Anthony Mondlach, Sherman, and Arlene Clara Bauer, Loyal;

Donald Heideman, Stanley, and Carol Anderson, Thorp, to be married December 25;

Velma Gardner, Loyal, and Elmer Gotter, to be married at Loyal, December 8;

Lucetta Schmidt of Thorp, and Edwin Wehlacz to be married at Thorp, December 26;

Maureen Freezy of Neillsville and Walter Wirkuty of York, to be married at Neillsville, December 8

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Members of the Homemakers’ clubs of Clark County are planning to organize a chorus.  Since the county is large, it is thought that the interested members from local clubs could meet at the centers for practice sessions. Arrangements will be made to meet as a complete group for practice before the chorus participates in anything.

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This season was the first time Janet Seelow had gone deer hunting and, remembering her instructions to “load-pull-up and Bang!” she did just that, getting a four-point buck.

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Gus Carl argued with a freight train Tuesday night, Gus lost.  Damage to the right side of the car, a 1951 model, is estimated at $200.

The accident happened at about 6:45 p.m. on the crossing on Grand Avenue.  Mr. Carl saw a diesel-powered freight train waiting on the siding so decided to cross. Another freight train, powered by a steam engine, decided to cross at the same time.  He was not injured.

 

Wall’s Deep Rock Service Station was a familiar landmark for many years on the southwest corner of Fifth Street and Grand Avenue.  Milo Reese operated the bulk tank service, delivering fuel oil and gasoline to area homes, farms and businesses

Milo Reese, who lived west of Neillsville “so long ago I can’t remember exactly when,” has leased the Deep Rock bulk plant from Fred E. Wall, and is in active management of the business.  Arnold Ebert, who has been the tank wagon salesman for the bulk plant for many years, will continue in the same capacity.

 

Mr. Reese comes from Renville, Minn., where he was engaged in the bulk oil business.  He has brought his family with him, and they are now living in the former Lars Thompson house, located on West Seventh Street. The family includes: Mr. and Mrs. Reese and their two daughters: Judith, 13, and Kathleen, 8.

 

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An ice-skating rodeo will be held on O’Neill Creek in Neillsville on Sunday afternoon, December 30. Contests for all age groups will be held.  A skate-waltz contest is also scheduled.

 

The Neillsville Evangelical and Reformed Church will sponsor the event and Mayor Leo Foster has promised that the creek rink will be well maintained for the event.

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Irvin A. Marg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Marg of the Town of Pine Valley, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant with the Air Force.  He enlisted on October 23, 1950 and is stationed at Turner Field near Albany, Ga.  He plans on being home for Christmas.

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Harry’s Standard Service Station, Stock and Lease have been purchased by Werner & Roland Jenni, and same is now being operated as “Jenni’s Standard Service.

 

They will have Complete Auto & Truck Service: Greasing, washing, change-over, ignition service, and battery charging & tire repairs. For sale & on hand: anti-freeze, Atlas batteries, all sizes in stock; Atlas tires, guaranteed, with a great selection in sizes & treads!  Jenni’s Standard is located on 7th Street, opposite the Merchants Hotel.

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No Lutefisk is complete without Lefse!  Place your order with Mrs. Otto Schlimme, 309 State Street, Neillsville (call Blue 108).

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Trondhjem Community News:

Earl Caliebe left Monday to go to Africa with a construction crew.  He expects to be gone a year.  Mrs. Caliebe drove him to Minneapolis, where he was to take a plane to New York.  Mrs. Tanner of Greenwood stayed with the Caliebe children during the time their mother was gone.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Verhulst celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Sunday by entertaining their many friends and relatives at a potluck lunch at noon and an entertainment in the afternoon in the parlors of the United Lutheran Church.

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Christmas Lore:

 

The Cedars of Lebanon are well protected by religion and law.

 

On a shelf-like plateau, 600 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, the world’s oldest Christmas trees stand where they have stood for centuries. The cedars of Lebanon, 400 of them, are protected by religion and law from harm at the hands of either the Moslems, or the Marrano Christians.

 

The magnificent trees “that sing of the nativity” were venerated as monarchs among trees long before Judah had her first king. Some of them have a girth of 40 feet and a branch circumference of 300.

 

In the days of the conquerors thousands of conscripted Hebrew workers were sent into the Lebanon to take Jerusalem “cedar trees without number; the result of one of the first building contracts, between Hiram of Phoenicia and King Solomon.

 

However, today, the cedar trees are protected by law, and the department of agriculture of the government sponsors the planting of seedlings, so that the giant cedars will grow forever.

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Although the White House and Rockefeller Center outdoor tree decorations have become famous in recent years, the practice of lighting outdoor trees began in smaller towns and cities long before those two displays became an annual affair.

 

Four widely separated communities lighted up as early as 1913. Two of them McDonald and Germantown were in Pennsylvania; Salem, Ore., decorated a large Sitka spruce; Riverside, Calif., illuminated a large evergreen, an Araucaria. 

 

The first National Christmas Tree was in 1924 and was sponsored by the American Forestry Association.

•••••••••

News on Occupation forces at Kaiserslautern, Germany:

 

As new American army units arrive in Western Germany the towns take on the appearance of American cities. Everywhere there are new buildings for the occupation forces.  Clubs, schools, apartment buildings, and picture theaters have been built or are in course of construction. The Frankfurt military post has just completed one of the largest dry cleaning in Europe for the U. S. military and civilian personnel.

 

U. S. Army stores sell everything from Swiss watches, Italian ornaments and fruit from North Africa to motorcars, which may be driven away by the purchasers.  In addition the U. S. authorities will bring from home private cars owned by military personnel at government expense. At least 1,000 American cars are expected to be brought over for troops of the town’s National Guard divisions, the 28th and the 43rd, and other units coming to join Eisenhower’s European command.

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Seven Clark County Youths who were inducted into the armed forces on December 12 at Minneapolis will served in the Marine Corps.

 

The seven, who filled the December quota for Clark County, are: Ervin G. Silkey of Neillsville, Wayne F. Seefeld of Spencer, William H. Pusheck of Chili, James A. Beisner of Spencer and David D. Mamayek, Richard M. Schultze, and John E. Turenne, all of Thorp.

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Holiday Specials at the Neillsville IGA: Picnic hams, 6 to 8 lb. average, lb. 39’; Lean ground beef, lb. 59’; sliced, tasty assortment luncheon meats 8 oz. 29’; Red Owl pop, 24 oz. bottles., 3 for 29’; grapefruit 10 for 49’; California red grapes, 2 lbs. 29’.

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New Year’s Eve Dance at American Legion Memorial Hall, Dec. 31; Orchestra with Freddie, Jerry & Don; Admission, Men 60’; Ladies 40’!

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