St. Mary’s Church projects building for parish school,

Construction at cost of $23,000 proposed for 1939

St. Mary’s Church of Neillsville is organizing a campaign for the construction of a new school building. Announcement was made by Father Biegler last Sunday that the Bishop has given his approval of the project, providing $12,000 to $15,000 assured, either in cash or good pledges by April 1. It is contemplated that the building, begun April 1, would be completed for the beginning of school next fall.

The cost of the proposed new building is placed at $23,000.

Father Biegler stated that a study had been made of that relative advantage of repairing the old school building, but it was found that this would be better to make the expenditure of $23,000 and insure a thoroughly modern building.

Must sacrifice

Father Biegler talked very earnestly to the people of St. Mary’s about sacrifices involved in carrying the program through. He said it would mean that some parties would have to be given up; that some projected trips would have to be canceled; that some would have to wait for the new coat or the new dress. Such sacrifices, he said, were involved in true giving.

A preliminary drawing of the front elevation of the proposed new building was on view on the bulletin board just inside the front entrance of St. Mary’s Church.

Upon the successful completion of the building campaign, St. Mary’s will again have a parish school, suspended since the fire which destroyed the old church building in June 1923. The church services were then transferred to the school building and the school was discontinued.

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Man drowns in Lake Arbutus

Stanley Martin, 60, is trapped as his truck breaks through ice

Stanley Martin, 60, of the town of Komensky, Jackson County, was drowned early Wednesday morning when he was trapped in the cab of his truck as it plunged through thin ice on Lake Arbutus.

Martin was driving toward a pile of cut ice which he was to haul away for James Blazek of Hatfield. The accident happened as Martin prepared to haul his first load. According to Carl Strozewski, a helper who was standing near the ice pile, Mr. Martin apparently did not notice the thin surface, from which ice has been cut the previous day.

Strozewski attempted to warn Mr. Martin of the danger but was unable to make his warning heard above the noise of the truck motor. The truck plunged through the thin ice front first into about 15 feet of water.

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Mentor farmer shoots bobcat, first in years

The first bobcat killed in this vicinity in several years was shot about sundown Monday in the town of Mentor by Sam Fitzmaurice, Mentor farmer.

Mr. Fitzmaurice suffered a broken arch when nearing the end of the chase and the dog which cornered the cat was bitten as it made a last frantic stand to drive off its pursuers. Details of the hunt were told by James Hardwick of Humbird, a companion of Fitzmaurice’s on the first day’s hunt, as he presented the bobcat at the office of County Clerk Calvin Mills Tuesday morning to claim a $5 state bounty offered for the animals.

“We came on the trail early Sunday morning,” Hardwick related. “At first we believed the tracks were made by a wolf. But closer observations indicated that they were too heavy for a wolf’s tracks, and they appeared to be more like tracks of a lynx, or some other member of the cat family”.

“Using three dogs, we trailed the animal until dark, and left them at a point where they entered the reserve bordering Highway 10.

“The next morning my son, Wayland, 18, started out with Sam to pick up the trail again. They found the trail where the bobcat had left the reserve about 40 rods from where he entered and started the three dogs on the trail again.

“The trail led about four miles due north. Two of the dogs played out. Along toward sunset Sam climbed up on a stump for a look around. When he jumped down his foot struck a limb lying on the ground, and his arch broke,” Hardwick related.

“By this time, the trail has led Wayland, the one dog and Sam toward Sam’s house. They continued to follow the trail, Sam hobbling along on one foot and a heel. Finally, as they were closing in about 15 minutes before sundown, they came on a clump of spruce. Sam went in, and the dog drove the bobcat around the clump.

“The first time the dog drove it around, Sam said the cat appeared to be about two feet high and five feet long (the cat proved to be four feet long and weighed 22 pounds). The bobcat stopped on the second time around, backed up to a spruce and prepared to fight off the dog, Sam said.”

Hardwick continued the narrative: “The dog kept edging in, watching for a chance to grab the cat by the neck. And, as Sam fired his first shot - which missed - the cat turned his head. The dog pounced in and grabbed on.

“The cat just rolled over and hurled the dog away with its two front paws. Sometime during the scuffle, the cat sank his fangs into the dog’s front foot.

“The dog went right back at him, and Sam fired again. This time the bobcat fell.”

County Clerk Mills said it was the first bobcat he had been called on to certify in six years in the office.

At the same time, the bobcat was “on exhibition” in Mr. Mills’ office, two wolves and two gray fox also were presented for bounty claims. The wolves were shot in the town of Komensky, Jackson County, near the Clark County line, by Martin Muzynoski and Joe Ignatz, both of whom live near Neillsville. A state bounty of $20 each is paid for wolves.

The two gray fox brought the total presented for the $2 county bounty to 62 since January 1. Provision was made by the county board of supervisors for the payment of only 75 bounties.

County Clerk Mills said that when the fund set up for the payment of gray fox bounties is exhausted, he will continue to certify the kills. The claims will be presented for payment at the next meeting of the county board of supervisors.

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Chamber plans Winter Carnival

Wood Chopping Contest, Dog Derby set for February 11

One of the greatest fun fests and most interesting exhibitions of the year - the annual Dog Derby and Wood Chopping Contest - will be held on Saturday, February 11.

The date for the event, which last year attracted in the neighborhood of 5,000 persons to Neillsville, was set by members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, sponsors, at a special meeting late last week.

Discussion of the possibility of including speed skating contests for boys and girls of all classes also were discussed. Henry Ott, sportswriter for the Clark County Press, was enlisted to determine the possibilities of ice competition. All persons interested in entering skating contest are asked to write to Mr. Ott at the Press office.

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Authorize purchase of chassis for fire truck

City aldermen, at a special meeting last Saturday, voted to instruct the city’s purchasing department to order a Diamond T chassis for the fire department through the Reinhard-Davis Co. of Neillsville, at their bid price of $1,228.50, less federal tax. The purchase was authorized with the provision that the contract drawn up by the city for the purchase of a fire truck body and equipment, including a 500-gallon pumper, is accepted by the General Fire Truck Corp. of Detroit. The General Fire Truck Corporation’s bid on body and equipment was about $2,700, which will bring the cost of the new fire engine to slightly below $4,000.

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Hewett

We certainly were very much surprised to hear the sound of the siren going through Saturday night. Where was the fire?

Dan Dormady is on the sick list with a cold.

Lorrain Ehlert and Lloyd Klatt were callers at the Beryl Hart home.

Butch Schultz was an overnight visitor at the Henry Hart home.

Nellie Arndt and Lucille Lambert were trying out the ice on the pond Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Chester Klatt were callers at the home of the former’s parents Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kendt entertained company Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kendt entertained company Sunday.

Laura Hart called on Ann Finder last Friday.

The first baby of 1939 is certainly getting off to a lucky start in life.

Mrs. Fred Finder and Bobby were visitors at the Arthur Klatt home Sunday.

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Washburn

Miss Louise Kuhn of Marshfield spent Saturday night and Sunday at home.

The Welcome Club was well attended at the M. Rinehart home last Thursday. The next meeting will be held at the Paul Schultz home.

Mr. and Mrs. Jess Wilding were Sunday visitors at the Ralph Alstot home.

Jeanie Moon, little daughter of Mrs. Wanda Moon, passed away Sunday morning. We extend our deepest sympathy.

Mrs. Pretsch and son and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd and family of Columbia spent Sunday at the Fred Pretsch home.

The next meeting of the Community Club will be held Friday night, January 27. There will be election of officers. Bunco and other games will furnish the entertainment. Ladies, please bring cake or sandwiches.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Short were Sunday visitors at the George Albaugh home.

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Chili

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bartsch of Lynn were supper guests at the home of Oscar Bartsch Sunday.

About 30 ladies met at the home of Mrs. Herman Montag last Thursday and organized a club to be known as the Chili Community Club, with Ethel Hogenson, president, Anna Montag, vice-president,

Sophia Rush, secretary; Mrs. Gwethera, treasurer of the Sunshine Fund, and Elmyra Snow, chairman of the entertainment committee. The next meeting will be with Mrs. Ernest Neinas Thursday afternoon, January 26.

Mrs. Roland Quicker of Lynn visited Mrs. Oscar Bartsch last Friday afternoon.

Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips of Nasonville came last Thursday to stay with her sister, Mrs. Glen Snow, for a while.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark Waterman of Mosinee visited Mr. and Mrs. Frank Waterman Sunday.

Cecil Chaffey of Juneau and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kroll of Oshkosh were Sunday guests of the former’s mother, Mrs. Anna Chaffey. Mrs. Kroll is a daughter of Mrs. Chaffey.

The Royal Neighbors met with Mrs. Lena Mattson last Wednesday afternoon, January 11. Installation was postponed until the next meeting at the home of Mrs. Glen Snow Wednesday, January 25.

Mr. and Mrs. Phelps Spry attended the funeral of the latter’s uncle, Sidney Cole, at Osseo last Wednesday.

Mesdames H. Montag, A. Coffin, B. Muir and O. Bartsch attended the Community Ladies’ Aid of Nasonville at the home of Miss Lizzy Muir and Mrs. Edna McBurney last Wednesday afternoon.

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Willard News

Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Schwarze and son, Donald, of Greenwood and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Trost and daughter, Nancy, of Willard spent Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Hintz.

Mr. and Mrs. Matt Brisky and family of Braun Settlement spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Malnar.

Miss Ruth Richter returned Sunday evening from West Allis, where she spent three weeks visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Richter. She was accompanied by Miss Shirley Godec, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Godec, Jr., of Willard.

The Willard school teachers attended a Saturday session at the Central State Teacher’s College at Stevens Point.

Morris Meredith of Tioga transacted business in Willard last Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Severson and family returned to their home at Prescott, after visiting relatives and friends in this vicinity.

Victor Musich, who works at a CCC camp at Riley Creek, near Fifield, spent the weekend at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Musich.

Mrs. Peter Belay is ill and under a doctor’s care at this writing.

Mr. and Mrs. Alva Clumpner of Loyal visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Butcher last Tuesday evening.

Correction - A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Hollman, not a daughter, as was stated in last week’s items. Sorry!

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Thorp

News Henry Karpinski called at the Rollin Williams home Tuesday.

Steve and Joe Dudra, Dewey Williams and Ray Karpinski visited with Frank and Stanley Malaszuk last Thursday. 

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