Early Files - January 15, 2020
(25 YEARS AGO) Jan. 19, 1995 -
It didn’t cost the city of Whitehall much to buy the former Memorial High School building last year, but the price tag for turning the old school into a new city hall could hit a quarter-million dollars. City clerk Lynn Johnson reported to the city council last week Tuesday that the cost of modifications and improvements at the former high school to date was $188,471. Another $51,000-plus has been obligated, but not spent, bringing the total to $239,853.
The former manager of the defunct A-G Cooperative in Arcadia has pleaded not guilty to embezzling the co-op’s money. Clareton Smith entered the plea during his arraignment last week Tuesday in Trempealeau County Circuit Court. Smith, 62, is charged with one count of felony theft by embezzlement for allegedly diverting more than $100,000 from the co-op, which failed financially three years ago, for his own use.
They may have just postponed the inevitable, but Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors members Monday night defeated a move to eliminate their health insurance coverage. The board, with an 11-9 vote, referred to its finance committee a motion to terminate the county-paid coverage.
If you would ask Erma Schmidt what the most important things in her life are, she would probably tell you: God, her family and volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Arcadia. She has been a part of the Arcadia community for approximately 40 years and devotes countless hours of her time helping people at the hospital.
There are several occupations in the agricultural world, but none is as unusual as that of Bill Kopperud of Strum. Kopperud is a cow hoof trimmer. Some people may wonder why such a well-educated, cultured man would choose to trim cow hooves for a living and Kopperud said that he has always had a significant interest in the world around him and a love for animals.
Ettrick President Nels Stalheim has decided not to seek re-election after nearly 20 years on the job. Two veteran town board members, Ralph Kittleson in Ettrick and Stan Oedsma in Gale are calling it quits as well.
If Galesville wants to change its mind and reverse a five-digit house-numbering plan already in the works, that would delay the expected April start of the county’s emergency response plan. That’s the view of Kay Wiemer, Trempealeau County emergency government coordinator.
A water clean-up measure worked out by state farm leaders and environmentalists would affect virtually every livestock operation in Trempealeau County, Dave Appleyard, county land and water conservation officer, predicted. Some livestock operators, he adds, could face the need to build concrete animal waste containment structures, that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Foreign exchange students attending Blair-Taylor for the 1994-95 school year include Andreas Paaske, Denmark; Vahe Poladian, Armenia; Christian Harmjanz, Germany and Shingo Dolta, Japan.
(50 YEARS AGO) Jan. 22, 1970 - The Trempealeau County Hospital has been granted direct admission status by the state, allowing county residents to be committed for treatment in their home county rather than being sent to the Mendota State Hospital.
Whitehall is in the grip of some kind of epidemic that has been laying people low with high fever and general weakness. Last week Wednesday, 97 students and six teachers were absent from the high school.
Duane Stoner of Galesville has been hired as the county sheriff’s department’s fifth full-time traffic officer.
The Norsemen moved into first place in the Dairyland Conference Friday, defeating Augusta 83-65 while previously undefeated Osseo-Fairchild lost to Blair. Ralph Rasmuson and Jeff Dahl led Whitehall with 39 and 20 points, respectively.
Joyce Theisen, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Theisen of Arcadia and the late George Theisen, has been named Arcadiaq’ High School’s 1970 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. The award entitled Theisen to become eligible for 102 college scholarships.
Eduardo Berdichevesky, 17, of Santiago, Chile, arrived Jan. 8 to spend his summer vacation attending classes at Arcadia High School. He is Arcadia’s first exchange student, coming under the International Fellowship Exchange Program of Buffalo, N.Y. He is staying with Mr. and Mrs. John English.
So called progressive property taxes were again under fire last Saturday evening as citizens of the town of Trempealeau got together to discuss the issue and consider ways to alleviate the big tax. With the meeting Trempealeau taxpayers became the second group last week to protest high property taxes.
A significant step was taken toward bringing Trempealeau County into the federal Partnership for Health program at a meeting Thursday evening at the courthouse in Whitehall as a county resource committee was formed. The Partnership for Health is a program laid out with a new concept in health planning in mind. It is designed to enable local areas to voice their needs, to establish priorities and goals and to recommend the best use of available dollars.
(75 YEARS AGO) Jan. 18, 1945 - The consolidation of the Arcadia National Farm Loan Association with the Big Five association, headquartered in Whitehall, was perfected last week by the vote of the boards of directors of both groups. Arne Torud of Whitehall is a member of the new combined board of directors.
Melvin Everson of Fly Creek recently purchased the Mundstock 65-acre farm situated just east of the Blair mill, and he and his wife have moved onto their new place.
When Arne Torud of Hale was in town Monday, he remarked that is like old times to see loads of tobacco lined up in the railroad yard. Arne was one of the early tobacco growers in this vicinity, but he did not raise a crop this year.
The Rev. J.R. Michsckl announced that the church of Nazarene, on the corner of Ash and Cleveland Streets in Arcadia, will conduct a service of revival meetings beginning Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.
Fred Finner, one of Arcadia’s oldest residents, observed his 92nd birthday anniversary on Jan. 20. Friends and relatives called to extend their congratulations to Finner. He was born in Germany and came to the U.S. when he was 27 years old. He has lived in Arcadia for 25 years and spent 40 years farming in Trout Run Valley with his wife, Louise.
(100 YEARS AGO) Jan. 22, 1920 - The question of providing Whitehall with adequate electric service, not only for light but power, is coming up for a decision of the people at an election to be held Feb. 6. We should not make a mistake at this time, for the step we take now will be permanent for some time. There are two alternatives: purchasing power from Messrs. Wagstad and Mattson; and giving over a franchise to the Minnesota-Wisconsin Light and Power Co. There is practically no argument against the Minnesota-Wisconsin Power and Light Co.’s plan. It is simply a question of whether you wish to give the franchise over to an outside corporation and permit them to come in and have a monopoly of your streets and the entire electrical service.
The prevalence of several cases of grippe and flu in mild form in Whitehall is considered of sufficient importance by the board of health to take early precaution to stamp it out. It is ordered that schools close for the balance of the week, and that all public gatherings be suspended during that time, including church services next Sunday. Children and others are requested not to assemble in groups, and to remain in their homes as much as possible.
The dance billed for last Wednesday night at the Opera House failed to attract on account of the stormy weather, but two of the boys (not mentioning any names), undaunted by the elements, adjourned to the Wright and Risberg restaurant to dance to the music of the electric piano. They trudged through deep snows and braved winter’s blows to get a crowd, but in spite of their enthusiasm, it was a terpsichorean failure.
Skiing is now a popular Sunday afternoon sport. The snow is deep and soft.
Attorney General John Blaine has handed down a decision sustaining the Volstead act and declaring the Mulberger law illegal. This means that only liquor containing one-half of one percent alcohol can be sold in the state.
The Arcadia Leader reported that a fire broke out in the home of Joseph Breyer. The fire was believed to have been caused by a hot stove pipe. The damage amounted to $30, which was covered by insurance.
Solomon Uhl, son of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Uhl, lost the index finger on his left hand by the accidental discharge of a gun.
The open-house number at the public school building following the basketball game was enjoyed by hundreds of Galesvilleites. A feature of the program was “The District School” in which the faculty and others starred.
The Caledonia community was shocked and saddened by the death of Giles Chappell, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Chappel. The young man was ill for five days; death was due to neuritis.
By a deal closed last week, M.C. Waldera, Arcadia, became the owner of the Oscar Van Vleet farm, formerly known as the W.T. Burns place.
(125 YEARS AGO) Jan. 17, 1895 - Christianson Bros. threshed 84,000 bushels of grain this fall.
There is now no preaching at the Baptist church, the Young People’s Union occupying the usual hour of morning service, followed by Sabbath school.
Judge R.A. Odell moved from the parsonage into his new house in the south ward this week. The judge has one of the most comfortable homes in the county.
Tuesday, the 15th, was payday for the Whitehall creamery and brought a goodly number of people to town. Some $3,600 was distributed to patrons of the creamery, which is about the amount of the monthly payroll.
Snow fell in the northern part of the state last week, to a depth of from four to 12 inches, which helps out the work in the wood in good shape. We are still summering along without “the beautiful” in this latitude.
H.H. Mortenson of Pigeon had a portion of chicken bone lodge deep in his throat Tuesday evening. Dr. Parker dexterously removed it yesterday, much to the relief and satisfaction of the gentleman.
William Dutter, the barber at Eleva, was brought before County Judge Odell last Thursday, charged with selling liquor without a license.
