From Our Early Files Jan. 19, 2022
25 YEARS AGO
Jan. 23, 1997
The Trempealeau County board of supervisors solicited nominees for appointment to the Trempealeau County Health Care Center board of trustees then ended up reelecting the incumbent anyway. The county board sent a press release seeking nominees, recruiting that was done despite the fact that the trustee whose term expires this year, Donald Ackley, was willing to serve another term. Ackley was one of four who were nominated and easily won, getting 15 of the 19 votes cast.
When a lot of citizens turn out for a local government meeting, it usually means they’re unhappy about something. Members of the Pigeon Falls village board understand that the converse is also often true: when people don’t show up, they’re satisfied with the way things are going. Still, village officials are hoping for a better turnout when they hold the annual caucus next week.
A dairy farmer-organized effort to close snowmobile trails to protect low milk prices apparently won’t have a lot of effecting Trempealeau County, at least for the time being. As of Monday, it appeared that only three or four formers were closing their land to snowmobilers. A handful of farmers had approached the Trempealeau County Association of Snowmobile Clubs to request closing the trails in support of the milk-price campaign. While Dave Hageness of Osseo said the association was in sympathy with the dairy farmers, they wanted to keep the trails open in the interest of the small businesses, which would be affected by a loss of tourism.
Three firefighters from Arcadia retired from the department. Gaylord Metzler, Karl Bisek and Harry Haines have been firefighters 20-plus years. Metzler and Bisek were on the department for exactly 20 years while Haines was a fireman in Arcadia for 27 years.
Arcadia health instructor Michael Sobotta recently conducted a radical teaching method in his advanced health class. After consulting with the Arcadia High School administration, Sobotta had students in his health class paint AIDS awareness messages on the back of ceiling tiles located in his room. Sobotta said the students could use their creativity to design the tiles any way they wished as long as it followed the proper criteria, which was to bring awareness to AIDS.
Those honored at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet included Paul Anderson, educator of the year; Ruth Rogers, community service; Janet and Jerry Myers, business person of the year; Carol and Andy Puchalla, farm family of the year and Monica Schank, Cornerstone of Service award.
A major shift in school funding to state revenues has provided an even larger drop in property taxes for Galesville-area residents in the second of successive years with smaller tax bills. This year’s property tax relief is running about 50 percent more than a year ago.
Don Docken was first elected to the Gale Town Board in 1976. For seven terms, he was chairman, but this year he has decided to step down. He will retain his seat on the Trempealeau County board of supervisors.
A restoration effort spanning some 10 years and covering some 25 acres at Perrot State Park has won an award from the Endangered Resources Bureau at the state Department of Natural Resources.
50 YEARS AGO
January 27, 1972
Michael Schroeder of rural Whitehall suffered neck and knee injuries in a two-car accident on Co. O near Pleasantville Thursday caused by icy roads. The driver of the other car involved, James Sanders of Whitehall, was unhurt, but both vehicles were totaled.
At its annual meeting Sunday, members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church congregation amended the church constitution to give 17-year-old members full voting privileges. Previously, the age was 21.
Arcadia could well have a woman mayor after the April election. Mrs. Shirley Bergum filed nomination papers, opposing incumbent mayor Eugene Killian, who is completing his first term in office. It is Bergum’s first attempt at seeking public office.
Returned to office at the Arcadia Fire Department last week were Martin Rebhahn, chief; Arnold Patteter, assistant chief; Adrian Kostner, president and Glenn Forsyth, secretary-treasurer.
The Arcadia Police Department reported three break-ins in the city over the weekend. Places entered were Sobotta’s Grocery, Sobotta’s Feed Mill and Riverview Lanes. At all three, change was taken. The exact amount obtained at the three places has not yet been determined, according to Chief of Police Edward Kaiser.
The industrial education club at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School was recently chartered by the Wisconsin Industrial Education Association. One of 12 in the state, the new organization had 81 members with Dean Remus as president; Paul Halderson, vice president; Mike Mlsna, secretary and Todd Johnson, treasurer.
Comprehensive zoning for Trempealeau County was explained at a meeting last week by Peter Bieri, county resource agent; George Bautch, Arcadia, zoning administrator and James Sanders, Whitehall, conservationist. The purpose of the meeting ws to discuss the proposed ordinance prepared by the county zoning committee. Plans would be made to protect and reserve the most productive land for agriculture. Zoning would prevent unwise mixture of farm and non-farm uses.
75 YEARS AGO
January 23, 1947
Twenty-nine victims of infantile paralysis in Trempealeau County had received financial aid from the county fund contributed to by citizens, from the time if the first fund drive in 1939 until November 1946, according to a report given at the meeting held last week to launch this year’s campaign. A total of more than $2,500 has been expended in that period, and the fund is becoming depleted.
Something is being done in Whitehall for the benefit of the children and to keep them off the streets at night. Colonel Larson, manager of the Pix Theatre, has organized what is known as the Pix Happy Hour Club, which is open to all area children of any age, at no charge. The club meets after the Saturday matinees that have been added to the theater’s schedule, and offers features like amateur shows, where the children perform on stage and compete for prizes.
Harry Galstad has secured the held of Wendell Hagen in his work with the Pigeon Falls Boy Scouts. Hagen is employed at the P. Ekern Co., is an ex-service man, and with his training in the Army is in an excellent position to give real service in this important work.
Rufus Warner, Independence farm implement dealer, announces a family party which he is sponsoring at the Independence City Hall next week Tuesday. Feature movies will be shown, and a live music and dancing show will be presented.
Cold and windy weather Tuesday morning had the temperature down to 10-below and brought two fire calls for the Arcadia Fire Department. A chimney fire at the Norman Fetting home got them out at 7 a.m. Little damage was done. About an hour later, firemen responded to a call for help to fight a blaze at the Ed Hess house in American Valley. There, considerable damage was done because the fire had made good progress between the walls.
Thomas Manning has rented the Hulberg Hatchery at the edge of the East Arcadia city limits as he took possession Feb. 1 to operate the hatchery managed last year by Edward Hulberg. He made arrangements to obtain his hatching eggs from a well known hatchery with U.S. certified White Leghorns and U.S. approved White Rock flocks. He hoped to have his first hatch ready to fill order by March 15.
Phyllis Trimm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Trimm, died on her 12th birthday. She suffered from a lingering illness for more than two years.
Two calls for the Galesville fire department this past week. One was for a roof fire at the Margaret Lyons home and the other for an overheated pipe that burst and ignited the ceiling at the Acorn Pavillion.
100 YEARS AGO
January 26, 1922
Attend the parent-teacher’s meeting at the school house Feb. 1, and participate in the discussion of the school building problem. This is a question of vital importance to the community. A new school must be erected, and it is your duty to give your views and aid the board of education in every way.
Sheriff Erickson was at Galesville Tuesday night and arrested Mike Regan and Henry Myers on a search warrant. They were found in possession of seven gallons of moonshine.
Northfield -- Agnes Thompson came over from Black River Falls Saturday and is staying at the Jacob Dettinger home. She will act as a sub-teacher for a couple weeks at the Northfield school.
Frank Rossa received a letter from his soldier son, Roman, who had been serving with the Army of Occupation in Germany, that he had arrived in New York.
A deal was closed whereby Henry George became owner of the Geo. Kreibich residence, blacksmith shop and tools. Kreibich in turn became owner of a 120-acre farm owned by Henry George in Lewis.
The Telulan Tribe of Redmen will give a mask ball in city hall in February.
A new county map has been prepared in pocket size, showing section lines and highways.
The 1922 Burns festival was a happy number. The weather was cold and the crowd was small, but it was an outstanding program. A jazz band was not taken to very highly, Mayor Witherbee gave the address of welcome. Rev. C.H. Phipps gave a happy talk. E.H. Clark with orchestra danced a Scottish jog. A company of 300 enjoyed the ball.
125 YEARS AGO
January 21, 1897
The thermometers indicated 20 below zero Tuesday morning.
The Black River Falls council has passed an ordinance requiring a license of $200 to sell cigarettes, and a penalty of $50 for its violation.
Turnkey Beach is painting the cells at the county lock-up, and otherwise making the apartments as comfortable as can be for those who are unfortunate enough to get behind the iron doors.
The Jackson County board of supervisors have granted to a colony of Germans the option on 7,800 acres of county lands, to be used for farming purposes.
The annual meeting of the Whitehall and Pigeon Trading Association was held at the town hall Monday. The business of the past season has been fairly good, far better than anticipated. The association has made a gain of about $300 on the year’s business. No dividends were declared, the earnings being placed in a sinking fund. The labors of Manager Whitney were highly satisfactory, and he doubtless will be retained for another year at the meeting of the directors next week. The following officers were elected: John Lamberson, president; A.H. Lewis, vice president; Peter Nelson, treasurer; L.D. Parsons, secretary; and directors F.N. Hockland, Benit Anderson, H.H. Bringsosen, Even Erickson and H.A. Fremstad.
Independence —The St. Peter and Paul Benefit Society held its 10th-annual meeting in the Catholic parochial schoolhouse Jan. 10. The society has 48 members, and belongs to the Polish Union, which has headquarters at St. Paul, Minn.
