From The Early Files
25 YEARS AGO
Nov. 23, 1995
After all the delays that have put off the start of its “Building for the Future” expansion project, it isn’t surprising that the Tri-County Memorial Hospital officials actually jumped the gun a little last week. TCMH staff, administration and board members held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $4.3 million project last week, more than a year later than it was hoped the work would begin. But construction won’t officially start until next week.
Despite concerns raised by some neighbors, the Trempealeau County board of supervisors last week Tuesday approved a change in zoning that will allow the expansion of a rural Whitehall mobile home park. The board unanimously accepted its zoning committee’s approval of the change sought by Harold Olson of Ettrick. Olson had asked to rezone 15.2 acres in the town of Lincoln from agricultural to residential. Rezoning will allow Olson to expand the Stagecoach Lanes trailer park.
The Whitehall Development Fund Loan Administration Board recommended loaning money for the third time in its history last week, but barely. On a 3-2 vote, the board last week recommended granting a loan to Mister Kleen Auto Wash. The new automated carwash which is located at the corner of Ervin and South Abrams streets is being built by local businessman Al Sczepanski.
The former general manager of A-G Cooperative will serve jail time for embezzling money from the defunct co-op. Jackson County Circuit Judge Robert Radcliffe last week Tuesday ordered Clareton Smith to spend six months in the Trempealeau County Jail as a condition of his five-year probation. Smith, 63, had pleaded guilty Sept. 26 to felony theft by embezzlement for diverting more than $100,000 in co-op funds for his own use.
Members of the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department were summoned to Highway 93 in Eleva last week when two tractor trailers collided on the highway in the heart of the city. A truck operated by Robert Huff, 31, Independence, was traveling south when, according to a police report, he entered a corner at a high rate of speed before crossing the center line and striking a truck operated by Larry Wrycza, 44, Arcadia.
The Arcadia Recreation Center has started venturing into uncharted waters recently as its Parks and Recreation Director, Eva Halverson, has made several changes since she was hired in the newly created position. Some of the changes include remodeling the center’s physical appearance and the addition of programs, including walking, aerobics and baton classes and the extension of weight and exercise room hours.
Taking advantage of higher revenues, the Trempealeau Town Board adopted a 1996 budget that rises while cutting the tax levy. Property owners will pay the town $30,471 — down from $32,102 this year.
Thanks to Marilyn Klinkner, a little bit of the Mississippi River runs through the new drivers license and vehicle registration building in Onalaska. Based on past work done by the Galesville clay and fiber artist, the Wisconsin State Arts Board designated her nine-foot long mural depicting a segment of the river and adjoining bluffs and prairie to decorate the public building’s interior.
Deer count numbers in the Galesville, Ettrick and Trempealeau areas were similar to last year. There was a big drop in deer recorded at Express Mart in Galesville, where this year’s count of 535 was down 103 from last year. The drop was smaller at John’s 1 Stop in Ettrick were 716 deer were registered this year, three fewer than last year and at Centerville Stop & Shop, the same number of deer, 335, was registered this year and last year. There were 93 deer registered at Gil’s sportsmen’s Bar in Trempealeau, reportedly up from last year, but the 1994 opening weekend count was not available.
50 YEARS AGO
Nov. 26, 1970
What will be a very attractive apartment building is now being constructed at the west edge of Whitehall. A two-story building, it will offer eight, two-bedroom apartments for rent, and is expected to be ready for occupancy by April 1. Four residents of this city, Maynard Clipper, Harold Everson, Norman Friske and Leonard Ellison, formed CEFE, Inc., for the purpose of constructing this building. A name for the building will be chosen later.
The deer take in this area for the opening days of the season was down only slightly from last year, with a total of 280 animals registered at the Duane Foss Mobil station as of Monday. Several bucks with large racks were taken, one the biggest by Aubyn Smith of Independence.
Dr. Florentino Lleva, M.D., a general practitioner qualified in medicine and surgery, will open a medical practice in the Arcadia Medical Center on Dec. 7. He will move into the former Marcel Przybylla home on the west side, which he recently purchased.
Although hunting success was described by hunters as “spotty” in the area, deer registration at Rebhahn’s Service Station, the Arcadia check point, stood at 457 Monday morning, well over the 333 registered on opening weekend a year ago.
Eight bankers from Brazil visited A-G Cooperative Creamery in Arcadia last Wednesday, touring A-G facilities.
75 YEARS AGO
Nov. 22, 1945
At least two dozen projects are included in post-war plans for the city of Whitehall, which has been forging ahead in population and general growth since early in the war, when the Land O’ Lakes Creamery, Inc., erected its milk-drying plant here. Since then the Illinois Cooperage Mfg. Co. was built, and at present a third industrial plant is being erected by the Badger Packing Co. of Eau Claire. Two other businesses are currently under construction, the nursery being developed by Kenneth Berdan and the service station and electrical shop being built by D.A. Bensend, an 15 new homes are planned for construction.
William C. Mason, highway commissioner since 1930, was defeated for re-election during last week’s Trempealeau County board of supervisors annual meeting. Jens Klavestad, former town of Sumner chairman and member of the county board and its road and bridge committee, was elected on the fourth ballot. He received 21 votes on the final ballot, to 12 for Mason and one for J.O. Lund of Galesville, the other applicant for the position.
Eagle Scout awards were presented to Seth Speerstra, Richard Holtan and twins Thomas and Edward Larson of Whitehall at the Decorah District parent’s meeting held last week Wednesday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Donald Schroeder, Whitehall matron with one daughter less than a year old, was stricken with polio last week and her husband took her to the Elizabeth Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, where she is now in isolation. This is the first case of infantile paralysis reported in Whitehall in 1945.
Dr. Donald Peterson of Independence was chosen president-elect of the Tri-County Medical Society, which met in annual session Thursday evening. Dr. J.C. Tyvand of Whitehall, president-elect the past year, succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Comstock of Arcadia as president.
Lieutenant Howard Kinney received his navy discharge Nov. 9 at Great Lakes, Ill. And is now in Arcadia on terminal leave until Dec. 22. A former commercial teacher in Arcadia High School before joining the navy in 1943, Kinney will resume his teaching position after Dec. 1.
100 YEARS AGO
Nov. 25, 1920
M.E. Ladd has sold his insurance business to F.N. Larson. Mr. Ladd’s agency included some of the best companies in the United States. The acquisition of these, together with the former Towner agency, makes Mr. Larson one of the largest underwriters in the county.
Dr. E.A. MacCornack, who is hunting deer in the company of Walter Sprecher and J.A. Markham of Independence, wired home that he got his deer last Monday. Mart Swenson, Howard De Bow and Art Kins also sent word from Hawkins that they have their quota.
The Wisconsin U will give a Thanksgiving vacation this year — the first since 1914. This will enable Whitehall students to eat turkey at home.
Frank Modahl left Friday for Appleton, where he is enrolled at Bushey’s Business College.
The Red Cross Society will hold a sale at Solsrud’s Hall Saturday evening for the purpose of disposing of all yarns, knitted scarves, garments and other articles on hand.
York — The York Power and Mill Co. report their mill complete and have already commenced grinding.
York — The program given at the hall Wednesday night by three consolidated school districts was very well attended. Our county superintendent, Miss Hardie, gave an interesting talk.
South Branch of Hale — Several from here marketed turkeys and geese last week.
Pigeon Falls — Eat your dinner at the bazaar Saturday. There will be lutefisk, lefse, chicken and lots of good things to eat. Adults, 35 cents; children above eight years old, 20 cents.
L.E. Danuser, Nick Michalski, August Giesen, A.A. and Ed Foster returned to Arcadia from northern Wisconsin, bringing home two bucks.
125 YEARS AGO
Nov. 21, 1895
A large number of little folks in the village enjoyed attending a party in honor of Inga Engen Friday evening.
Edward Nyhus, the new druggist at Pigeon Falls, inserts an advertisement in The Times-Banner this week, to which we direct the attention of our readers.
Rev. Christopherson confirmed a class of five boys and 12 girls in Whitehall last Sunday. The services were largely attended.
C.E. Breed and L.J. Stratton returned home Saturday from a few days’ deer hunt in Wood County. Leslie killed on deer, which he brought home. He remembered ye editor with a fine cut of venison.
At a meeting of the county board last week, provision was made for putting in a steam heating plant in the courthouse before Nov. 1, 1896. This is a wise move and will be a saving to the taxpayers, besides giving the farmers a better market for wood, instead of helping to fatten the coal barons.
At meetings held on Friday and Monday evenings, a village fire company was organized, with Ludwig Solsrud as chief, P.A. Van Horn as his assistant, and a full set of nozzlemen, axemen, etc. This is a proper step, and the company will be ready for business when the waterworks are turned over to the village. The members of the company are all good men in their respective positions, and will make a crack team when all practiced up.
The profile and plans of the proposed electric railway from La Crosse to Neillsville, through Black River Falls and Merrillan, about 70 miles, are nearly completed. The company projecting the road will decide this winter whether or not to go ahead with its construction.
Independence — The men who took the job of lathing the new Catholic church arrived Monday and began work at two cents a yard. Wednesday, they struck for two and a half cents, but not gaining their point, lathing is suspended until the arrival of other workmen.
