From Our Early Files June 9, 2021
25 YEARS AGO
June 13, 1996
The city of Whitehall apparently will go ahead with rebuilding or replacing its municipal swimming pool at a cost estimated at over half a million dollars. The city council voted to begin the process of hiring an architect/consultant to develop plans and specifications. The motion approved three options, including renovating the existing pool and building an all-new facility.
Vandals caused several hundred dollars of damage at the Old Whitehall Cemetery, located east of Whitehall near Stage Coach Lanes trailer court. The damage was limited mostly to real and artificial flowers decorating tombstones and urns that were overturned.
An Arcadia man convicted of breaking into a neighbor’s apartment and sexually assaulting her six-year-old daughter will spend at least 40 years in prison or otherwise under state supervision. Jackson County Circuit Judge Robert Radcliffe presiding in Trempealeau County Circuit Court, sentenced 25-year-old Glen Hollister to 30 years in state prison for the assault. Additionally, Radcliffe sentenced Hollister to 10 years in prison for burglary then stayed that sentence and imposed a 10-year probationary period to be served consecutive to the 30-year prison term. Hollister had been found guilty April 19 of first-degree sexual assault and burglary by a Trempealeau County Jury.
Dr. Todd Fetsch has been involved in scouting for 25 years. Fetsch first came to Arcadia in 1969 and has not only made Arcadia his home and residence for a successful veterinary practice, he has given a great deal back to the community through his work with local members of the boy scouts.
Julie Giemza was selected as the 1996 Trempealeau County Dairy Ambassador and Carmen Kampa was named the attendant.
Nancy Ziegeweid, daughter of Jim and Judy Ziegeweid, Arcadia, is very enthusiastic about the opportunity to represent Arcadia at the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, June 20-22 in Oshkosh.
The Arcadia golf team bounced back after a tough first day to take second in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Golf Tournament. The Raiders finished eight strokes behind Osseo-Fairchild in Division Three. Justin Halverson led the team with a score of 164.
Members of the G-E-T Jaycees are taking a popular park and a popular pastime and putting them together in a new community event that combines tractor pulls and High Cliff Park. It’s called the Cliffhanger Days.
The Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school board plans to hire a new football coach after backing the administration’s decision not to renew the coaching contract of Sam Servais and refusing Monday night to grant him a grievance hearing.
G-E-T High School staff members have given overwhelming approval to the four-period day and, following parent information sessions later this month and another year of preparation, the school plans to adopt a block schedule in the fall of 1997.
The Blair Cheese Festival Committee decided to dispense of the annual crop and homemaking show due to only a few people entering items and with fewer items expected this year.
Barbara Knutson, daughter of Hazel Knutson, Ettrick and the late Selmer Knutson will be ordained into the Holy Ministry of Word and Sacrament within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
50 YEARS AGO
June 17, 1971
On Monday of this week, a signed contract was received from the state Department of Natural Resources, notifying the city that Outdoor Recreation Aid Program funds have made available for one-half the cost of a new swimming pool. Once approval of the plans for the pool is received from the Department of Health and Social Services, bids will be let and arrangements made for the financing of the other half of the $120,000 estimated cost of the pool.
An open house and dedication will be held at the new Whitehall Clinic, located at the corner of Park and Ervin streets, on June 27. Built by the Whitehall Industrial Development Corporation, the building provides quarters for three doctors and two dentists.
The Arcadia solid waste disposal area will be controlled to the public as of July 1. City residents will be provided with free garbage pickup starting that week. Citywide pickup will be provided once a week, unless it is determined that another pickup is necessary during the summer months.
Three Arcadia city aldermen resigned Friday afternoon because of what they termed discrimination in the salary difference received by them and three councilmen reelected in April. The three, Joe Snow, LeRoy Woychik and Edward Sonsalla, submitted identical letters of resignation to Mayor Eugene Killian. The letters stated that they believed the difference in pay was unconstitutional and in violation of the Civil Rights Law.
Jill Sobotta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Sobotta, rural Arcadia, has been elected president of the Wisconsin Association of the Future Homemakers of America at the state FHA convention at Green Lake. Sobotta will be a senior at Arcadia High School this fall.
Bob Boland of the Arcadia A-G Co-op’s feed, seed and fertilizer division announced that the company purchased and has taken over the operation of the Ettrick Farm Supply, Inc., effective June 7 from previous owner Arnold Brovold. Kenneth Amundson will be the new manager of the Ettrick A-G Co-op Elevator facilities.
The Ettrick Livestock Barn was the scene of the annual Wisconsin Junior Dairymen’s Association State Diary Show Thursday with about 70 exhibitors from throughout the state.
75 YEARS AGO
June 13, 1946
Blair native Ralph Immell, Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, opened his campaign Friday with a speech over a statewide network of radio stations.
Theodore Johnson, Trempealeau County game warden the past 22 years, who will retire from service July 1, went to Madison Sunday to attend the annual conservation congress. Lloyd Anderson of Ettrick, Nic Jensen of Arcadia and J.B. Hamre of Galesville attended as delegates representing county sportsmen.
The jury deliberated about 15 minutes at the coroner’s inquest held here Thursday before ruling the Peter Marsolek of Independence died as the result of a fall from the rear steps of the Independence hotel to the sidewalk. Following the accident, Mr. Marsolek was being taken to the hospital when the car, driven by his nephew, Emil Marsolek, skidded into a pile of sand left by the highway department on the Maule curve east of Independence and struck another car head-on.
Postmaster Hensel Jacobson announces the advancement of the Pigeon Falls Post Office to third-class status, effective July 1. Classes of post offices are determined by annual receipts.
Arcadia and the vicinity suffered a terrific electrical storm accompanied by wind Sunday night. The community telephone company had considerable lightning damage on its lines throughout the area. Trempealeau Electric Cooperative also suffered a great deal of damage as a pole north of Independence had been struck at least four times.
Eleven steel corncribs that were used in Illinois in the federal governments Ever-Normal Granary program have been purchased by farmers in Trempealeau County from the Commodity Credit Corporation in Whitehall.
Six student pilots were enrolled and seven bookings were made at the Taylor airport.
Sather’s Jack Sprat Food Store observed it’s 22nd anniversary by having a full-page advertisement.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gunderson and family rented and took possession of the Beach Store.
100 YEARS AGO
June 16, 1921
On Saturday, Sheriff Erickson and his deputies, along with two assistants from the office of Prohibition Commissioner, made a search for liquor violators. As a result, a large quantity of liquor, together with eight stills, were confiscated. Appearing in court Monday on the charge of violating the Mulberger Law were John Pogreba, Louie Pullman, Albert Marsolek, Tom Stone, Paul Pampuch, Martin Kolve and wife and John Klos.
The Women’s Auxiliary to the Whitehall Improvement Association, meeting at the Village Hall Friday afternoon, has completed its organization. Mrs. O.J. Eggum, membership chairman, reported 53 women enlisted for work.
The Holstein breeders of the county met in Whitehall yesterday and enjoyed a picnic in the park. The Whitehall band furnished music, and a great spread of eats was laid at noon, at which am abundance of Holstein milk was supplied for the children. Following the dinner, an organization of the Trempealeau County Holstein Association was effected, and 29 members were signed up.
Nels Ladderud arrived this week from Norway and is the guest of his uncle, L.L. Solsrud. He is here on a visit, and if the country agrees with him, he may remain.
Pigeon Falls — Melvin Monson and Alvin Johnson had an auto collision last Saturday evening two miles above Pigeon. Both cars were badly wrecked but no one was hurt except the former’s little nephew, Harlow Rickard of Merrillan.
Chautauqua was drawing near with eight programs, two each day, planned for afternoon and evening. The Gypsy Serenaders were among the featured musical attraction.
“A” Company, 1st Wisconsin Infantry was the designation given the Arcadia unit of the Wisconsin National Guard, provided the required number of men passed the physical and were sworn in.
Under sheriff H.F. Theurer was called to the northern part of the county Saturday to assist Sheriff Erickson and state prohibition officers in rounding up a bunch of moonshiners. The raid resulted in finding eight stills and several hundred gallons of mash.
Carpenters are at work on the addition to the Marinus Olson store building in Galesville. Work on the Dr. S.D. Cronk’s residence building on South Ridge Street is going along.
Galesville’s Canning Co. will begin operation Monday. A crew of about 100 men and women will be employed.
125 YEARS AGO
June 11, 1896
A number of the young people from here attended the commencement exercises at Independence Monday evening.
Mrs. J.P. Watson had the misfortune to fall down the cellar stairs last Saturday night, striking her head on a bin. Fortunately, and almost miraculously, she escaped serious injury.
The Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 2549, of Whitehall, is increasing its numbers rapidly. Last week they adopted one new member, and acted favorably upon the applications of three new wood choppers.
The new fire bell for South Main Street in Whitehall was placed in position last week. It is on the Kidder corner, erected on a pole 20 feet high.
Joseph Sherwood secured a wandering swarm of bees Tuesday, which had settled on the limb of a tree in his field, by hiving them in a barrel.
Town of Hale — Children’s Day will be observed in the Presbyterian church next week. A nice program is planned, and everybody is invited, especially the parents of the little ones.
Blair — Miss Emma Olson is painting her father’s barn. Very few young ladies find pleasure in this kind of work, yet Miss Olson delights in it, and wields the brush with the dexterity of an expert.
