From Our Early Files Aug. 17, 2022


 

 

 

25 YEARS AGO

August 21, 1997

Whitehall’s attempts to raise money for its new “family aquatic center” got a major shot in the arm this week. Mayor Keith Johnson announced Monday that Ashley Furniture Industries made a gift of $50,000 to the new city facility, which is to replace the existing municipal pool next year. The Ashley donation came as a volunteer committee prepared to kick off a “capital campaign” aimed at raising at least $400,000 of an estimated $1.1 million cost of the center. 

Whitehall’s application for a state department of commerce grant, which appeared to have come up short of approval earlier this year, has been funded after all. Mayor Keith Johnson was notified last week that the city had been awarded the Community Development Block Grant it has sought in the 1996-97 application cycle. The $186,782 in state funds has been sought to pay for 60 percent of the estimated $325,000 cost of a new city fire station. 

Members of the Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors voted Monday night to increase the pay they receive for attending meetings. Or rather, the supervisors may have voted to pay their successors more. The new per diem paid for board and committee meetings does not go into effect until after the next election and voters may not want to reward the present board members with a 45 percent pay raise. 

The death of a Mindoro boy Sunday afternoon brought Trempealeau County’s 1997 traffic fatality total to five. Joshua Reynolds, 13, was one of four children thrown from a station wagon in the three-car accident that took his life. Reynolds was one of eight children riding in a 1984 Mercury station wagon driven by 24-year-old Nicole Miller of Galesville. The mishap occurred at the intersection of County Highway K and Highways 93/54, west of Galesville. 

Gold ‘n Plump officials celebrated growth and expansion last week as the company conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the official opening of a new $8 million feed mill. 

Arcadia man and Korean War veteran Vilas Hanson entered the military at 14 years old, joining the U.S. Air Force with two friends who were 15 and 16, respectfully. Hanson, along with many other underage veterans, have come together to place their stories in a book entitled “America’s Youngest Warriors.” 

Comedy magician Bob Miller isn’t content to stand on a stage and do his slight of hand. He likes to walk around and get close to those he surprises. He’ll be doing both as one highlight of the newly renamed Centerville Family Fest. The event will be held the first Saturday in September. 

Based on the advice of its attorney, the Trempealeau town board is unlikely to consider a cornfield gun control ordinance, in response to what some residents say is a noisy situation that has gotten out of hand. The town board was advised that the county’s existing ordinance on nuisances could be considered if a formal complaint is to be filed. 

Seeking the title of Miss Ettrick are Desirae Anderson, Mary Corcoran, Kelly Henderson, Kelly Kraemer, Erika Larson, Christy Murray, Lorna Wallin and Megan Woyicki. 

50 YEARS AGO

August 24, 1972

Mary Harnisch was crowned Miss Whitehall 1972 to open Beef and Dairy Days weekend. Her attendants are Natalie Anderson and Gloria Larson; Mary Relyea was chosen as Miss Congeniality.

The board of directors of Brookside Apartments has approved preliminary plans for a second, 20-unit apartment building, which would be built across Claire Street from the existing building.

The faculty for the Whitehall schools was completed last week with the hiring of Frances Wong of Janesville, who will teacher second grade at Sunset Elementary.

Arcadia police stated there were two automobile accidents, one involving hospitalization in the city on Monday. David Krett, Arcadia was hospitalized after he was struck by a vehicle driven by Richard Rebhahn. In the other accident, Mrs. Henry Bremer, Waumandee, escaped serious injury when she went through a stop sign at the junction of Highways 93-95. Her vehicle was hit broadside by David Hesch, also of Waumandee. The 1965 Oldsmobile driven by Bremer was a total loss. 

Aug. 29 will mark the 73rd anniversary of Ole’s Barber Shop in Arcadia. Henry Schroeder, father of the present owner, Otmer (Ole) Schroeder, purchased the equipment and supplies in August of 1899 for $85 from a retiring barber. The shop was located in the shop now occupied by Jerry’s Barber Shop. The cost of a hair cut in 1899 was 25 cents. 

The Berean Baptist Church of Galesville announced they will be moving to the basement of their new facilities this Sunday. Construction has been going on for the new building to seat 200. The entire building will be done sometime in October. 

Army Specialist Four William Wason, 18, son of Mrs. Adeline M. Ahrendt, Trempealeau, participated in the 56th International four-day marches, July 18-21 at Nijmegen, Netherlands. The 15,000 marchers completed approximately 25 miles per day with a 22-pound sack through the countryside and village of the Netherlands. 

75 YEARS AGO

August 21, 1947

All rural elementary school teachers of Trempealeau County are urged to attend the annual teachers’ institute that will be held at the Whitehall High School auditorium Tuesday. Any others interested may also attend the all-day program, which will open at 9 a.m. A second day of the institute will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, for all teachers. At that time, the Trempealeau County Teachers Association will make plans for the year’s activities.

The Smith brothers have received a new school bus, mounted on a Chevrolet chassis, which has a capacity of 48 passengers. Norman and Eugene will operate two buses out of Whitehall this year.

PFC George Fromm arrived in Whitehall Monday evening on his return from Japan. George has been engaged as a cook with the army of occupation since February, and is very glad to be back, as Japanese modes of living did not appeal to him.

A boy or girl from Whitehall will go to St. Paul in September to see Gene Autry at the championship rodeo there, as a guest of the Pix Theatre. The lucky one will be chosen Sept. 6, at the first show to be held once Saturday matinees resume after closing for the summer.

Extensive damage was done in the York area late Monday afternoon when a small twister his this vicinity, damaging buildings, cutting off REA service, disrupting telephone communications and scattering grain shocks and freshly-threshed straw stacks. Those with severely damaged or destroyed farm buildings were Aaron Hulett, the Peterson brothers, Albert Larson and Charley Iverson.

The cornerstone for the new Arcadia hospital was laid in a ceremony last week. Many members of the clergy and local dignitaries were on hand for the ceremony. Bishop John P. Treacy of La Crosse praised the Sisters for their dedication to health care. He said that the new hospital was a source of great pride for the city. 

Modern pumper type firefighting equipment mounted on a new International KS-6 truck chassis is now in Arcadia and was put through the first test conducted at the river Friday night. 

Dr. Henry Jegi Day was a grand day with 1,500 or more to enjoy it. The Galesville Lions Club made the arrangements and they were perfect. John Quinn was master of ceremonies and Frank Smith’s band provided the music. 

Ground was broken on the new Johnson Theatre on Main St. in Galesville. 

100 YEARS AGO

August 24, 1922

Whitehall school in the grades opened Monday in the barracks. The weather is pretty trying for both teachers and pupils, and a change to cooler weather would be much appreciated. Before the new building is completed, a cry will got up for a return of some of the temperature now being dished up by the weatherman.

The last chapter in baseball history between Whitehall and Blair was written Sunday, when the far-famed Blair team quit at the end of five innings, packed their bags and left, claiming that Rook was using the emery ball. The management of the Whitehall team notes that Blair had claimed for weeks before the game was played that Rook threw an emery ball, but came to Whitehall, accepted the umpire, permitted something like 1,500 people to pay 50 cents admission apiece, and proceeded to play a baseball game. Only when it began to dawn on them that they were going to take a drubbing, did they declare the game off, and allege as the reason the emery ball. Whitehall will play white men or black men, the managers says, but not yellow men.

The Auto Sales Co. received another carload of seven Fords yesterday, the third this month. Since John Hager and Dr. A. Vold bought their first Fords in 1911, to date 999 Fords have passed through their hands. Deliveries this week were made to Thos. Wilzek, Whitehall; Arthur Melby, Hixton, Klomsted Bros., Pigeon Falls; and John Davis, Blair. The company has the new Model Touring Car, with one-man top, tilting windshield, deeper cushions and roomier body, at a cost of $348, on display.

The Ettrick and Northern Railroad, which had been out of business for several months, resumed operation of its train. The line, running from Blair to Ettrick, had been in financial difficulty. 

Frank Fernholz, town of Glencoe, had the misfortune to lose 10 hogs, averaging 300 pounds, due to the excessive heat. 

Master Freddie Gardner brought in a five-pound bass caught in Lake Marinuka. Many nice ones have been caught. 

A dance will be held in Alfred Emerson’s new barn on Decora Prairie Friday night and one at the Richard Williamson’s barn on Saturday night. 

125 YEARS AGO

August 19, 1897

Melvin Elstad lost a pocketbook, containing $40 and valuable papers, last Saturday.

G.H. Olds and W.D. Buchholz made a catch of 41 speckled beauties over on the Elk Tuesday.

The band boys have announcements out for a grand harvest dance, to occur Saturday evening, Aug. 21.

Thom Iveland has purchased 65 acres of the Kelley property, lying east of N.L. Fredrickson’s farm, and has commenced the erection of a residence on the tract.

Mrs. Luddington of Neillsville is here for the purpose of assisting in the organization of a camp of Royal Neighbors, the ladies’ auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen.

Nick Hanson of Independence is serving a sentence in the county jail, having been convicted in Justice Whitney’s court of using abusive language toward Peter Kessella. The fine imposed was one dollar and costs, amounting to $17.99.

The criminal case of Fritz Paul against John Ryan of Arcadia, was called in Justice Scott’s court last Saturday. A number of witnesses were present for the defense, but the complaining witness, Paul, failed to appear, and the case was dismissed and the defendant discharged. Ryan was charged with threatening to kill Paul, his father-in-law.

Prof. Judge of Neillsville, a renowned band instructor, has been engaged by the band boys to assist them next week. He will arrive here Monday and will remain all week, accompanying the band to Arcadia, where they will play on Wednesday, Whitehall day. A large delegation from here will go down.

Blair -- The harvest dance given for the benefit of the band boys at the town hall Friday night was a success socially and financially. Thirty-two numbers were sold. Miss Helena Lokken received the $2 prize given for the most graceful lady dancer, obtaining 1,974 votes to 1,941 for Miss Louisa Ness. The contest between the friends of the two young ladies was interesting, and at times exciting.

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