From Our Early Files Dec. 21, 2022
25 YEARS AGO
December 25, 1997
The Whitehall Police Department is looking for a “second-story man.” That’s what burglars used to be called, and whoever hit the John O. Melby and Co. Bank sometime in the past two weeks, definitely was operating at the second-story level, or higher. Missing in the theft is the weathervane that graced the cupola atop the Main St. bank building. According to bank president Kurt Johnson, the eagle-shaped, golden instrument probably was taken sometime on the weekend of Dec. 13 and 14. Bank personnel aren’t sure when, though, as they didn’t know the weathervane was gone until the middle of last week.
Area residents working to save the mill dam and pond in Pigeon Falls may have thought their greatest fears had been realized Thursday. Some may have thought that the worst-case scenario – the pond drained and the Pigeon Creek running unstrained through the dam – had happened sooner than expected. That was, after all, one of the possible outcomes of state Department of Natural Resources action against the village. But the dam was opened as part of the effort to save it. The draw-down was necessary so tests could be conducted on the 67-year-old structure prior to the village applying for a DNR grant to repair it.
Whitehall district school board members got an overview last week of new state statutes that will affect how the local schools educate children. District Administrator Jerry Freimark reviewed provisions of Wisconsin Act 27 at the board meeting and he warned the board that new standards and requirements would increase the responsibilities of the district and others in the state. Freimark said the high school graduation test that will be required starting in the year 2001 is problematic. Beginning the following year, Wisconsin schools won’t be able to award a diploma to students who do not pass the state’s graduation test.
Kevin Whalen, Arcadia Ag Science instructor, won a statewide speaking event, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Discussion Meet. As a result, he and his wife, Marilyn, will travel to Charlotte, N.C. for the national competition. Whalen received $500 for taking first place and an all-expense paid trip to Charlotte and Washington D.C.
The Trempealeau County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against nine individuals in the theft of merchandise from Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. County DA Peter Gierok said he did not believe that all nine of the individuals were working together and that all individuals who were charged signed confessions admitting to the thefts. Those charged include: Jon Bartelt, Greg Carroll, Barry Cross, Jesus Flores, Mario Fuentes, Kevin McGuire, Jerrod Nelson, Jeffrey Olson and Bryan Stockton.
At 88 years old, Lillian Hanson, Galesville, has published her first book – Black River Journal. It’s the second time in the last six months Hanson has been published. The first time, two of her stories appeared in “Celebrate” a compilation of stories by WWTC students in a writing for publication class. Her book will get its official introduction at a book signing on Dec. 26 at Eden house in Galesville.
Tax reevaluations will be occurring for the towns of Ettrick and Gale and the city of Galesville. One is already in progress for the town of Trempealeau. The reassessments are being done for the 1998 tax period.
Mother Hen, better known as Ardelle Williamson, will be closing the doors to her Galesville gift shop on Dec. 30. The shop has been a big part of her life for 15 years and, while Williamson is overwhelmed by the good fortune she has had at Mother Hen’s, she is ready for a new chapter.
50 YEARS AGO
December 28, 1972
Sen. William Proxmire, who is on a running-walking tour of the Wisconsin, arrived in Whitehall Friday about 8 a.m., after jogging the eight miles from Blair. Two high schools students, Nathan Carlsen of Blair and Tom Ritland of Whitehall, ran with the senator.
A semi-trailer truck jackknifed on Main Street in Whitehall Thursday, when its Duluth, Minn., driver braked to avoid pedestrians. The truck struck a car owned by Mrs. Henry Thoreson of Whitehall, which was pushed into one owned by William Gardner of Whitehall.
Brian Borreson and Ralph Lyon took firsts as the Norseman wrestling team placed fourth at the Mustang Invitational tournament held Saturday at Melrose-Mindoro.
Officers to head Arcadia Woodmen of the World Camp #74 for 1973 have been selected. They are: Franklin Sobotta, president; Howard Knutson, vice president; William Braun, treasurer; Warren Shankey, secretary; Joseph Klimek, escort; Joe Grossman, watchman; Ernest Sonsalla, sentry and Bernard Kulig, Clarence Misch and Edward Sonsalla, auditors.
Word was received from Congressman Thomson’s office that the city of Galesville has received a grant increase of $5,900 for the new sewage disposal treatment plant.
The Trempealeau Lions Club held its first Christmas party on Dec. 20 at Sullivan’s Supper Club. It was ladies night with approximately 60 Lions and ladies in attendance. During the program, five new Lions were installed including: Father Walter Brey, Roger Kramer, Winston Elkins, William Lehman and Frank Grupa.
75 YEARS AGO
December 25, 1947
Henry J. Aleckson, Whitehall, was awarded the Silver Beaver at the Gateway Area Boy Scout Round-up held at La Crosse Dec. 8, for his outstanding contribution to Scouting. Mr. Aleckson first became associated with the Scouts in 1926, when he was asked to serve as Scoutmaster of the new troop that had been organized by the America Legion post here.
Miss Amy Kins has been engaged to succeed Mrs. James Erickson as bookkeeper at the MacCornack Clinic, but will continue to assist through the end of January at the O.J. Eggum law office, where she has been employed. Likewise, Mrs. Jackson will continue at the clinic until Miss Kins is acquainted with the work.
Ed Jacobson of York, who has resided in the town of Northfield for nearly a half-century, while in town a day last week, stated that the highway improvement project On Co. A from the county line to Alma Center is the largest and best that he can recollect in that portion of the township. The 12 miles of road has been relocated in many places, and an 80-foot cut on the ridge east of Northfield provides a practically level road from Whitehall to Alma Center.
Marty Crowe, coach at St. Patrick’s school in Eau Claire, was speaker at the Whitehall Lions Club Christmas party held at the Walgert Hotel Friday. Mr. Crowe spoke on juvenile problems.
Stanley Dettinger was elected president of the recently-organized volunteer fire company of the Pigeon Falls community, and Palmer Ackley and Curtis Kaas were chosen as vice president and secretary, respectively. The company has met the minimum goal of raising $5,000 for the purchase of a fire truck.
Ole Hanson, who has served the town of Northfield as treasurer since 1927, has resigned. Herman Johnson was appointed by the town board to act in this capacity for the balance of his term.
The farmhouse on the Bernt Myren farm in Fuller Coulee was destroyed by fire last week Wednesday, the Emery Wiverstad family barely escaping from the building and losing nearly all their household goods and furniture.
Dr. Steve Williams of Chippewa Falls was guest speaker at the meeting of the Tri-County Medical Society entertained at Whitehall last week. The program and annual business session were held at the MacCornack Clinic following a dinner at the Walgert Hotel. Williams is one of the most traveled doctors at the session.
A calf-growing contest, to determine which dairyman in the Arcadia area can grow calves the fastest, has been announced by A.C. Schultz, manager of the A-G Cooperative Creamery. Any calf born between Dec. 1 and April 30 can be entered in the contest. All calves are to be raised on the dry calf food, Purina Calf Startena.
100 YEARS AGO
December 28, 1922
The jury system has undergone a change with the march of time. The suffrage amendment gave to woman the right to serve on juries. In reporting the case of B.B. Olson vs. Stanley Skroch last week, we stated that the jury contained 10 men. This was an error and should arouse the righteous indignation of the fair sex. This panel contained six men and four women.
The drawing of the slips on the guesses of the number of beans contained in a jar at the Lunstad jewelry was had Saturday night, and resulted in Harold Hagen drawing the first three and last prizes, while Marie Hagen copped the fourth. Attorney O.J. Eggum and several assistants supervised the drawing, and everybody had a fair show.
The American Legion basketball team will play the fast Hixton city team at Whitehall tomorrow night. Let’s all turn out and give the Legion boys a lift.
It is pleasing to the relative and friends of Rose Anderson to see her on the street again, after several months of illness.
Public dancing in Galesville hereafter is to be regulated. From now on, two supervisors will be in the auditorium when a public dance is being held, and improper dancing will be tabooed.
The dance given by the Whitehall Band Tuesday night was well attended. Many from the nearby towns were there, and report a very enjoyable time. From the receipts, the band will be able to pay rent and all outstanding debts.
While H.C. Sveum was returning from Black River Falls Saturday, he stopped at York and while there, had the misfortune of slipping and breaking a bone in his leg. Thinking it only a sprain, he drove his car to Whitehall and had a x-ray at the hospital, which disclosed a clean break.
Between $7,000 and $8,000 was stolen from the State Bank of Mondovi Saturday afternoon by two armed strangers who locked George Orlady, vice president of the bank, in the vault.
A fine Christmas gift -- Mr. Fred Steig of Pigeon Falls brought home a new Overland automobile for a family Christmas present.
The Whitehall merchants had a splendid trade during the holiday season, and are very grateful to their patrons for their very generous support. Trade is reported to have been at least 25 percent above former seasons.
York -- A fine program and Christmas tree were given at the schoolhouse by our teacher, Agnes Hanson, and her scholars.
125 YEARS AGO
December 23, 1897
Our stores are unusually well-stocked with holiday goods.
The steam pipes for the school have been encased with asbestus the past week.
A.E. Wood and crew expect to finish the interior of H.H. Scott’s new residence in about 10 days.
Some party cut down the Wisconsin Valley telephone poles in front of Leslie Stratton’s place last week.
Nels G. Eid has sold his 120-acre farm to Gullack Knudtson of Fly Creek, who takes possession next spring, for $2,000. Mr. Knudtson has in turn sold his 80-acre farm to Robert Martinson of Onalaska for $1,800, which amount also includes payment for personal property.
There will be a union Christmas tree at the Baptist church on Christmas eve, and an appropriate program will be carried out. The tree will be furnished and decorated, and then may be used as a medium for making presents by any who may wish to make them, to their children or to others.
Martin Garfield of Taylor is an old-time fiddler, an irrepressible character, well known in the neck o’ woods, but an inveterate drinker who has been known to pester his friends for the price of a drink. He was in Whitehall a day last month, in the Solsrud and Kidder store, location of the central telephone exchange, importuning the boys for a lone nickel, when they conceived of an idea. One of them went to the bank, called the exchange and asked for Martin, saying he was needed to play for a wedding in Taylor that evening. He left on the first freight, and has not been seen since that bright blue November morning.
E. Buck has been reinforced by another man in putting incandescent lights into the residences in the village, and they are busy as beavers in completing the electric light plant.
The Whitehall Cornet Band have bills out for a mask ball, which will take place at the Woodmen Hall, next Friday, Dec. 31. There will be four prizes awarded, to the best masked lady and gent, and to the most comical lady and gent. Suits to rent from Fred Lemme of Winona. Dance tickets, 50 cents, spectators, 10 cents.
Elk Creek -- Will Warner returned Thursday from a two weeks’ visit in Adams County. Will is better satisfied than ever with Trempealeau County, and also thinks the vicinity of Elk Creek has as pretty girls as anywhere in the state.
