IN REVIEW
COMPILED BY RUTH ANN MONTGOMERY
In Review
First Week of January 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Winston & Bennett are the oldest firm now doing business. The senior
partner established himself in business something over twelve years ago, with his father, John
Winston and his brother Reuben, under the style of J. Winston & Sons. In the Spring of 1861,
Mr. I. M. Bennett purchased the interest of the elder Winston, and also of Reuben, and
established the firm as it now exists. The amount of business done the past year by this firm,
approaches fifty thousand dollars, and their regular customers extend over a larger territory,
perhaps, than any other firm in the country. Early last Spring an extensive addition was made to
their store, and the whole well filled by purchases from Boston and New York, to which
additions have been made from time to time as their trade demands, so that customers have a full
stock to select from at all times. They are men of thorough business culture and keep well
informed as to the price and quality of all kinds of merchandise, correct in their dealings, and
always obliging to their customers, ready to accommodate without charging fabulous prices to
cover imaginary losses. They have connected, other branches such as banking, buying and
selling of exchanges, on Chicago and Eastern cities, tailoring, millinery, business &c. The
Merchant’s Express Company find a prompt and reliable agency in these gentlemen. It would
seem almost invidious to close our article without adding a word to the gentlemanly clerks of this
establishment, Messrs. Blakesley & Griffin, who are always found at their posts of duty, ready to
wait upon customers, with kind attention and affability. [Note: Nelson Winston and Isaac
Bennett’s store was located at 1 West Main Street.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Married. Tolles-Strong—At Evansville, Dec. 31st., by Rev. E.
Robinson, Mr. Frank D. Tolles and Miss Kate Isabel Strong, both of Union.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. Elmer Bullard took a car load of stock to Chicago, Tuesday night.
He says he has shipped 72 car loads of stock the past year, and paid out to farmers $50,000.
110 Years Ago (1897): C. Babcock of Evansville, Albert Moore, of S. Magnolia, A. Spencer
and family and G. Babcock and family spent Xmas at C. W. Moore’s.
100 Years Ago (1907): Owing to the poor health of the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Janes, it has been decided to spend the winter in a more congenial climate. Mr. Janes will stay
here with part of the family while Mrs. Janes will try some southern clime. They are packing up
their household goods so as to let the new tenant, Mr. Robinson, into their house.
90 Years Ago (1917): After considering several bids, the City Council on Tuesday evening
decided to purchase a new Studebaker combination chemical and hose motor truck for the fire
department from the Evansville City Garage. The price is to be $1,925, which is $125 lower
than the second lowest bid, and the truck is believed to be just as good as the higher-priced ones.
The truck, which is strictly up to date, carries two extension ladders, roof ladder, folding hooks,
pike poles, 1,000 feet of fire hose, a forty-gallon chemical tank, two hand chemical tanks, axes,
crow bars, door-openers and hose shut-off. The truck will weigh about 5,500 pounds. The
manufacturer promises delivery within sixty days after the order is placed, which will be the first
of next week.
80 Years Ago (1927): The decrease in railroad passenger traffic, especially on the short hauls, is
due to the great amount of automobile and motor coach travel, local passenger and freight agent,
A. T. Smith said in an interview. “If people continue to travel by bus and in their private cars,
there is no question but what they are going to force the railroad companies to discontinue their
service, in fact, many trains have already been taken off from branch lines,” he said. “When a
great transportation company discontinues its service in a community, the business of that
locality is absolutely crippled.” The agent cited this city as a typical example and explained
what would happen if railroad traffic here was abandoned. Evansville never had better train
service than it now has. At the present time it is benefited by five south bound and four
northbound passenger trains daily together with four regular south bound and five northbound
freights. All of these trains make connections with all the principle points, north, south, east and
west. “What Evansville would do in such a case as the abandonment of the local railroad is only
too evident,” he declared.
70 Years Ago (1937): A crowd of nearly 200 enthusiastic sportsmen from Evansville and
neighboring cities flocked to the Grange Hall to attend the annual raccoon and venison supper
which culminated an eventful season of field trials, raccoon hunting, and other sporting
activities. All guests were served promptly without confusion by the ladies of the Waucoma
Grange who prepared a most inviting menu to accompany the raccoon and venison roasted by
Frank Meredith of Frank’s Café where the supper was served last year. The Evansville chapter
of the Izaak Walton League was the first group in the state to introduce annual sportsmen’s
banquets and programs and since its first attempt, when only a few were served at a more or less
private affair, the suppers have constantly grown in popularity until they are now commended
throughout the state and are much anticipated from year to year. Among the Evansville
sportsmen who have taken decided interest in planning and sponsoring the banquets from year to
year are Dr. J. W. Ames, R. J. Antes, and P. D. Pearsall, who have been untiring in their efforts
to make the events a success from both the attendance and financial standpoints.
60 Years Ago (1947): At the extreme north boundary of Evansville, on Highways 13, 14 and 59,
Valhalla, an original and distinctive eating place will be open to the public after January first.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Carlsson will conduct Valhalla and serve the meals, which will be upon
reservation only. Mr. Carlsson comes from the Drake Hotel in Chicago, where he has had
considerable experience in the preparation of foods. Mrs. Carlsson, formerly Miss Sylvia
Hatlen, has for some eight years been connected with the serving of foods in Carson Pire and
Scott dining room in Chicago.
50 Years Ago (1957): Officer John Whitmore, who has been with the Evansville Police
Department eight months, recently began a 10-week police training course at the Janesville court
house. There will be sessions devoted to the laws of arrest, crime reporting, criminal
investigation, and the laws of Wisconsin. The program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Chiefs of
Police Assn. and the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Assn. in cooperation with the
Milwaukee office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
60 Years Ago (1967): WCLO Schooltime listeners would never guess that it was the first day
after vacation for members of the Evansville Junior High School French class taught by Mrs.
Duane McIlwraith. The students responded to a rapid barrage of questions, never missing a beat,
as their peppy French teacher questioned them in French and were answered in that same
language. The class rounded out the program with a couple of French songs. The students who
introduced themselves in French were Christopher Eager, Paul Pratt, Lisette McCabe, Josette
Shea, Charles Heimerl, Anne Rasmussen, Suzanne Hatlevig, Anne Graham, Nannette
Thompson, Janine Albright, Susette Dennison, Colette Des Rochers, Catherine Ballmer, Lisette
Gallman, Paul Brunsell and Simone Gray. The students are rapidly becoming experts, although
they are only in the second year of study of the language. They are 8th graders.
30 Years Ago (1977): Judith Guth graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on
December 19. Six from the Evansville area graduated from the University of WisconsinWhitewater at the mid-year commencement held December 18. The graduates from the
Evansville area included John W. Bryant, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bryant Sr.; Terry D. Bund,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bund; James Gallman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gallman;
Wilbur K. Hoesly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hoesly; Yvonne J. Meichtry, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Meichtry and Delbert L. Schneeberger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans
Schneeberger. .
20 Years Ago (1987): David Wartenweiler of Monroe, Evansville’s Building Inspector has
noted there is a lot of construction taking place now in Evansville. “Construction amounts to
$1,500,000 in property value,” he says, indicating this includes the Baker Block remodeling,
addition to Piggly Wiggly and several new houses. The new inspector is certified in plumbing,
heating, electrical, building and energy areas. Several new homes have sprung up on Fifth
Street, in the Abey Addition. Originally, the homes were to be built under the Self-Help
Concept, but due to the program no longer being in existence, the funding was assumed by the
Farmers Home Administration. The same homeowners, who had planned to do the labor
portions of the houses, will be moving in to the homes soon, bringing new faces to Evansville,
and a boost in the tax rolls.
10 years ago (1997): After many years in the making, the Fifth Street project has been finished
and the residents are able to regain normal living. Fifth Street was widened to 36 feet, curbs and
gutters installed, sidewalk on the east side of the street, storm sewers and an asphalt surface. The
project extends from Fourth Street on the north to Porter Road on the south.
In Review
Second Week of January 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married. At the residence of the of the bride’s father in Evansville, on
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1866 by Rev. J. I. Foote, E. W. Beebe, M. D. of Stoughton and Frank A.,
only daughter of H. G. Spencer.
130 Years Ago (1877): The installation of the officers of Union Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A.
Masons came off at their hall Tuesday evening of last week. Dr. J. M. Evans, installing officer.
The ceremonies were witnessed by numerously invited ladies and gentlemen, friends of the
order. At the close of the services the officers of Evansville Chapter, No. 35, Royal Arch
Masons were installed by Dr. C. M. Smith. Both services were conducted with solemnity due
the occasion. After the close of the ceremonies members of the order repaired to the Spencer
House, where mine host, Col. Beebe had prepared, in an excellent manner, a fine oyster supper,
which was partaken of with a hearty relish for the good things amply provided at that hostelry.
120 Years Ago (1887): Dr. Smith complained of a sleepy weariness lately. Tuesday night he
took a girl baby over to Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Lucas, and a boy baby to Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Stevens, some eight miles off in the eastern part of Porter. The track was poorly trod and several
tip-overs rewarded him for the midnight journey.
110 Years Ago (1897): The Evansville Dramatic Club will present the famous 5-act temperance
drama entitled “Ten Nights in a Bar Room,” admission 10 and 15 cents; reserved seats at E.
Ballard’s. The club have spared no time or means in making this entertainment one well worthy
your most liberal patronage. Cast includes, A. C. Humeston, E. H. Fiedler, C. S. Baker, Jay
Fessenden, F. E. West. F. F. Humeston, W. G. Taggart, Cora Carpenter, Grace Carpenter, Jessie
Paylor.
100 Years Ago (1907): The first application for a marriage license in Rock County for this year,
was filed by George J. Johnson and Myrtle Courtright, both of the town of Union, on Friday last.
90 Years Ago (1917): Leon Patterson, Lyle Porter, Lloyd Wilder, Everett Van Patten, Wesley
Langemak, Loyal Baker, Beth Baker, Barbara Pearsall and Ethel Van Wart were among those
who have returned to the University of Wisconsin.
80 Years Ago (1927): In several Western Kansas towns there is a windmill on every lot and
every alley is marked by its row of windmill towers, as on account of the depth of the wells,
hand pumping is almost impossible. A careful count of twenty-three mills on one street showed
that about fifty percent of the mills were “Monitors” or Baker Manufacturing Co., as against four
other competitors. So it is to be seen that Evansville is more than holding her own in the
windmill business, out in the short-grass country.
70 Years Ago (1937): Although no official announcement has been received here from the
postal department in Washington, Roy Reckord, city treasurer and operator of a tire and battery
service station at 7 South Madison street, has been recommended by Senator F. Ryan Duffy for
appointment as postmaster at Evansville to succeed A. C. Holmes. After writing a civil service
examination late in 1935, Mr. Reckord, P. A. Finstad, and Palmer Slauson were selected as the
three eligibles for the Evansville post office after which Reckord received the recommendation
of Senator Duffy. Mr. Holmes, who now holds the position, was appointed acting postmaster
here August 1, 1927 to succeed F. T. Durner and on Jan. 8, 1928, received a four-year
appointment from the late President Coolidge. He was reappointed for four years by Expresident Hoover on February 10, 1932.
60 Years Ago (1947): A testimonial dinner to be held at 6 p.m. Sunday in St. Paul’s Catholic
church under the sponsorship of the Holy Name Society of the church will be a homecoming
turkey banquet free to the veterans of the parish together with all other GI’s of Evansville
regardless of religious affiliations. The banquet is a heartfelt testimonial of gratitude and
appreciation to the men of Evansville who fought so valiantly for the everlasting glory of their
country. The dinner is being financed by the members of the Holy Name Society and the
cooking, serving and all arrangements are being carried out by the men of the parish. St. Paul’s
church numbers about 120 families. Those in charge of ticket distribution are George Mattakat,
John Gundlach, Charles Maloy and Edward Erpenbach. The parish hall has been appropriately
decorated in red, white and blue.
50 Years Ago (1957): An engineering firm to design the new $75,000 swimming pool here was
approved by the City Council Wednesday night. Aldermen authorized Mayor R. B. Townsend
and the City Clerk to enter into a contract with Ruekert and Mielke, Inc., Waukesha, to design
the pool. The contract will not be signed until after Jan. 15, when money is received for a city
bond sale. The city will then advertise for construction bids. The site will be in Leota Park but
has not been definitely picked.
60 Years Ago (1967): Many Evansville people are unaware that an Evansville citizen is a song
writer. In an interview recently with Victor D. Wall, a member of the Review staff learned that
he had written “The Laughing Song” way back in 1918 and it became then and still is popular
with soloists, dance bands and on radio programs. The song played by five different bands was
recorded on Leaf, Decca, Polka Land and Cuca records. It was played ever morning for six
months on the Red Blanchard show over WLS. Its popularity started when it was sung as a
novelty song by many different voices. Mr. Wall was his own agent for some time but recently
he has engaged an agent. Contracts are currently being discussed and signed to take “The
Laughing Song” to West Germany.
30 Years Ago (1977): Eight building permits were issued by the Evansville City Assessor’s
office in 1976 for new single family homes. The number is only the second highest since 1970,
when five residential permits were issued. Permits were issued to the following persons last
year, with street address included: Randy Peters, Garfield Ave.; Carolyn U’Ren, 24 Higgins
Drive; Evansville Community School District, 26 Higgins Dr; Lyle Wickersham, 505 Fowler
Circle; Probst Bros. builders, 502 Fowler Circle; and Walter Waeffler, 27 Higgins Dr. Union
township issued 13 single family residential permits, according to assessor Ed Hallmark, Seven
of those were for homes in the Francis addition just southwest of the Evansville city limits..
20 Years Ago (1987): Tom Edwardson, genial manager of the Evansville IGA, has been elected
president of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds Marsha Dobbs, who has served
in that position for three terms. Other officers names are Jim Martin, vice president; Rowland
Straka, re-elected treasurer and Ruth Ann Montgomery, secretary.
10 years ago (1997): Baker Manufacturing is in the process of expanding its office space. A
new structure is being tied in just south of the present office building to accommodate
accounting and executive offices. The move practically doubles Baker’s office facilities and will
provide more space for sales which has been cramped. The project is expected to be completed
by the end of February.
In Review
Third Week of January 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): To Farmers. Having recently put into my mill one of Laffel’s Double
American Turbine Water Wheels, I am prepared to do all kinds of grinding and give as good
quality of work as any mill in the country. Farmers coming from a distance can have their flour
immediately to return with. Flour kept constantly on hand and delivered to any part of the
village free of charge. C. Raymond.
130 Years Ago (1877): Burchie J., only child of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. C. Taggart, aged nearly one
year and a half, died Saturday morning last and was buried Sunday. Funeral at Free Will Baptist
church. Sermon by Rev. McKenney.
120 Years Ago (1887): The C. & N. W. railroad company has bought several acres of land at
Lyden, and the people of that section are wild with the idea that the car repair shops will be
located there instead of Janesville or Evansville.
110 Years Ago (1897): E. P. Colton, who was a representative of the C. & N. W. Ry. at the City
Council meeting, stated that the extension of Water St. across the tracks would be a great
inconvenience to the company on account of the location of the water tank and coal sheds. The
Mayor referred the matter to the City Attorney and committees. The opening of Railroad Street
was brought up and the committee reported that the best method, in their judgment was to extend
Railroad Street to Water St., but owing the expense necessarily incurred they did not recommend
this plan at present. [Note: Railroad Street was renamed Maple Street.]
100 Years Ago (1907): Halstead and Parkin were busy yesterday plowing the ice on the pond
east of their ice house, and are now rushing the ice as fast as possible into the ice house. The ice
is about fifteen inches thick, and previous to the present cold snap, they have been able to house
but a small quantity of ice. The smile on the faces of the gentlemen indicate that they will be
able to furnish sufficient ice for their patrons during the coming season.
90 Years Ago (1917): W. F. Biglow has returned from a trip to Des Moines, Iowa, where he
purchased of the Des Moines Casket Co. a late model auto hearse, delivery of which is promised
April 1. The hearse, which will probably be the only auto hearse in Rock County, was
manufactured by the Des Moines Casket Company of which W. H. Antes, formerly of this city,
is president and general manager.
80 Years Ago (1927): The men of Evansville turned out royally last Tuesday evening at the
Community Club banquet to welcome George Little and our old townsman, Rollie Barnum.
There were 134 present at the tables, the dinner being prepared and served by the ladies of the
Methodist Church. After the dinner there was a call for “Barney”, and with many blushes, he got
up on his feet, and in a very creditable manner thanked the people for the honor of being there
and for their honest hearty welcome. He spoke several kindly words for Coach Little and
predicted that if he was left alone at the University he would bring about wonderful results in
athletics. Coach Little, in his talk, told the people of Evansville that in “Barney” they had a man
of whom they had already heard much of on the athletic field and that in his opinion in the future
they would hear much more, for they had in him one of the best football and basketball men of
his day.
70 Years Ago (1937): Decator DeForrest was reelected president and Warren Brown, vice
president, at the annual meeting of the Baker Credit Union held here Tuesday night in the city
hall. Other officers are as follows: E. M. Jones, secretary; Clyde Babcock, treasurer; and Leedle
Denison, director. The credit committee is composed of Lyle Wells, Charles Thompson, and
Robert Fraser. Charles Winsor and Lewis Spencer comprise the new auditing committee. The
union, which paid a six per cent dividend on Jan. 2, on the 1936 deposits, now has 110 members,
38 of whom joined during the past year with one withdrawal. A total of 85 members hold fully
paid shares with ten partially paid shares. Total Assets of the credit union are $5,770.81.
60 Years Ago (1947): With A. C. Holmes and A. H. Devine serving as installing officers, the
following Masons were seated in their stations at a ceremony performed here Tuesday evening in
the Masonic temple: George Greenway, worshipful master; Arthur Tomlin, senior warden; B. J.
Bakke, junior warden; Don Every, secretary; L. P. Eager, treasurer; Eugene Martin, senior
deacon; J. C. McKenna, junior deacon; Stanley Perry, chaplain; M. V. Allen and Edwin Devine,
stewards, and William Phelps, tyler.
50 Years Ago (1957): New officers of the Home Gardeners club are Mrs. Byron Holmes,
president; Mrs. Paul Phillipson, vice president; Mrs. Phil Klitzman, secretary-treasurer.
60 Years Ago (1967): Airman Tom S. Cain, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cain, Evansville has
been assigned to Vandenberg AFB, Calif., after completing Air Force basic training in San
Antonio. The airman, a 1962 graduate of Evansville High School, will be trained on the job as a
communications specialist with the Strategic Air Command. Airman Cain attended Wisconsin
State College at Whitewater.
30 Years Ago (1977): .Ms. Brenda Martin is the new vocal music instructor at Evansville
Middle School. Ms. Martin will take over for Miss Lois Schmidt at the Middle School while
Miss Schmidt moves to the high school to replace Mrs. Lynn Panosh, who left Evansville school
system to join her husband at his new job at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. Ms.
Martin’s duties as middle school vocal music instructor will include directing three choirs,
teaching a general music class covering music appreciation, theory and composition; and
directing the Middle Schools’ production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, HMS Pinafore, at
the Middle School this spring. Miss Martin taught for one year at the River Falls, Wis., Jr. High
and has worked with the Madison Civic Opera and the Madison Savoyards. She is on the
executive board of the Savoyards and most recently appeared as Kate in the Savoyard’s
production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s, The Pirates of Penazance, last summer in Madison. She
also appeared as Pitti Sing in the Savoyard’s production of The Mikado. She has also been a
member of the Madison Festival Choir and taught private voice lessons. Miss Martin is
originally from Bloomington, Wis. and holds a degree in Music Education from UW-Platteville.
20 Years Ago (1987): Seventh grader Rachel Mackie is one of the 270 talented young musicians
from 68 schools, 37 cities and 12 counties of southern Wisconsin who take part in the Wisconsin
Youth Symphony Orchestras. She plays in the Philharmonic Orchestra now in their 21st season.
Rachel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mackie began studying cello at the age of three and a
half, in Janesville, while attending a Montessori School. She was introduced to the Suzuki
method which teaches very young children to play the violin, cello, or piano. Mrs. Mackie
(Michelle) plays the cello. She felt she could help her daughter with an instrument she knew.
Rachel is currently a student of Martha Pickart in Beloit. Rachel’s brother, Rob, 8 ½ also plays
the cello.
10 years ago (1997): Two candidates have surfaced for the position of Supervisor in the Town
of Union. Kendall Schneider and Donald Elmer are both seeking the seat being vacated by
Norman Hatlen, who has chosen not to seek re-election. Other candidates seeking offices are
Supervisor incumbent Dean George, who is unopposed; Chairman Wayne Disch; Sharon
Franklin, Treasurer; and Linda O’Leary, Clerk.
In Review
Fourth Week of January 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): James S. Carle came here from Center some two years ago, and engaged
in business with Mr. Alex Winston, but after a brief partnership purchased the entire interest, and
became sole proprietor. Goods at this time were at war prices but soon went down, leaving a
small margin for profits, but with energy and capitol combined, Mr. Carle has kept up, and now
informs us that “he is doing well.” He proposes at the present time to close out his goods, sell
his store and move to Missouri, but circumstances may change his purposes, when he will reenter the business with a full stock of general merchandise. He is now selling goods at reduced
rates and consequently obtains a large trade just at this time.
130 Years Ago (1877): By the failure of Mr. Hoffman, a banker and real estate dealer of Elk
Point, Dakota, quite a number of our moneyed citizens are brought into the limbos. Upwards of
$40,000, we hear, has been sent to that man for investment, on individual security, and the
prospects are now that they will not realize over twenty-five per cent, on their loans, and this
after a tedious adjudication in bankrupt court. We understand further, that this whole affair was
brought about by the secret workings of one person which makes the case more distressing than
it otherwise would have been.
120 Years Ago (1887): Notices were posted Wednesday for a special town meeting to be held at
the town hall, Saturday, February 5th, to see if the town of Union will vote to be separated from
the village of Evansville. The matter of separation is being somewhat agitated with a view to
that project, but as near as we can learn, a small faction of the voters of the town of Union are
favorable to it. There can be no reasonable demand on the score of finance, for there is no town
in the county whose business is managed with better economy than Union. There would be a
greater distribution of town offices to be sure, but they are barren of any great emoluments. The
expenses of the town shall go if it wants to, and “bid it God’s speed,” but the movement looks to
be unwise and savors of jealousy on the part of a very few more than wise financiering. The
village does not vote upon the question but if carried by the town then the village will be called
on to give its consent. The great question of the secession was pretty well argued in the 60s’ and
it was found that both parties must consent to an agreement of separation.
110 Years Ago (1897): About 7 o’clock Thursday evening, Mrs. Ray Gillman locked her part of
the house and went into the other part occupied by her daughter, who is sick. A few minutes
later Fred Gillman and Clint Scofield started down town, when Fred noticed the front door to his
mother’s part of the house open and went back and shut it, but suspicious of something wrong
went in and found the back doors, which were left locked, all unlocked and open, and heard
someone run out the back way across the garden. Mr. Stevens’ son, who lives next door heard
someone run also, but nothing has been missed from the house. In all probability they were
frightened away before completing their job, and it is thought that it was some one well
acquainted, who thought Mrs. Gillman was at her husband’s store, where she spends nearly
every evening.
100 Years Ago (1907): Invitations are issued for the wedding of Miss Matilda Acheson to
Charles A. Gibson at the home of the bride’s parents in Magnolia, on Thursday, Feb. 14. The
couple will make their home in South Dakota.
90 Years Ago (1917): The Saxon garage, under the proprietorship of Harry Loomis and W. J.
Rowley, is carrying an announcement in this issue of the Review. The handsome new garage,
which is located on the lot west of the Central House, will probably be formally opened with a
dance about February 1. As its name implies, the garage will be headquarters for the Saxon car.
Mr. Loomis was formerly manager of the Central House, and Mr. Rowley was foreman of the
Bucyrus foundry, in Milwaukee, for a long time.
80 Years Ago (1927): Announcements have been received here by relatives and friends of the
marriage of Leslie Miles, Madison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Miles of this city to Myrtle
Antoinette Skrenes, also of Madison, which took place Jan 15. They are making their home in
Madison
70 Years Ago (1937): A state crew which was at work here Thursday and Monday seining Lake
Leota in an effort to put the body of water in better condition for the production of game fish,
removed approximately 15,000 pounds of carp which were hauled in live trucks to a storage
pond at Lake Koshkonong from where they will later either be shipped to the New York market
or canned for fish and animal food. Employment of state crews in this work is a comparatively
new enterprise. Under the direction of Robert A. Gray state crews are making every effort to
remove small as well as large carp. Wisconsin’s expanded game fish program and extensive
operations at the Experimental Game and Fur farm, Poynette, requires many tons of food. The
conservation department has established a canning plant on the grounds of the Madison fish
hatchery. Canned carp is fed to young game fish and has also become part of the diet of animals
at the state farm. Carp came to the United States and Wisconsin a half century ago when it was
felt that they would make a valuable addition to the fish life in this country. They were brought
in and propagated by the U. S. Department of Fisheries. They are prized for food in Europe and
Asia. Carp had no more than become established in this country than people found that they
were undesirable and there has been a persistent demand to get rid of them ever since. Carp slow
down the production of game fish and interfere with spawning grounds and weed beds that
harbor small fish and eradicate weed beds that furnish a necessary food supply for aquatic
waterfowl.
60 Years Ago (1947): The 11th annual meeting of St. John’s Lutheran Church was held last
Friday evening in the parish house under the chairmanship of the Rev. A. M. Romstad. Reports
of the past year were ready. New council members elected are Ray Rosen, Robert Turner, Alf
Algrim, and Stanley Jensen. The other eight members whose terms have not expired are Harold
Spersrud, Howard Becher, Arthur Lee, Ernest Edwards, Gilman Spersrud, Ernest Kopp, Leo
Brunsell and Lester Patterson. Mrs. Harold Spersrud was reelected superintendent of the
Saturday religious school, in charge of the junior department and Mrs. Robert Turner was
reelected superintendent of the senior department. The pastor reported an enrollment of 132 in
Saturday school. Miss Annette Hyne was reappointed office secretary; Mrs. E. M. Cannelin,
organist, and Otto Guse and Chris Olson, custodians of buildings and grounds. Rev. Romstad
reported the following facts: congregational membership, 408; communion services, 12;
marriages, 15; burials, 6; infant baptisms, 17; adult baptisms, 5; juniors confirmed, 11; adults
confirmed 9.
50 Years Ago (1957): Four new directors were elected by Evansville Chamber of Commerce:
Mrs. Dee Losey, Ray Knapp, Ben Green and Dr. E. W. Krueger.
60 Years Ago (1967): Master Sgt. Marvin F. Hollibush, son of Mrs. Anamae Dobbs is now
serving in Vietnam. He is a supply inventory specialist and a member of the Pacific Air Force
which provides air power to maintain the U. S. defense posture in the Pacific and conducts air
operations in Southeast Asia. Hollibush is a Korean War veteran and attended Evansville High
School. His wife, Mary is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wagner of Milwaukee.
30 Years Ago (1977): William Wood, 328 W. Main, Evansville, who has been the business
manager for the Evansville School District for twelve years, is retiring at the end of the present
school year. Mr. Wood, who is 66, said he thought it was just getting to be time to retire and let
another person take over his job and responsibilities. Mr. Wood first came to his present job in
1965 after working since 1947 at the Evansville City Hall. While employed by the City, he was
in charge of the Water and Light Department accounts. When J. C. McKenna left his post as
school business manager, Mr. Wood stepped in. Mr. Wood is a life-long resident of the
Evansville area, except for the time away from the city during military service. He has served
under six superintendents and said his work at the school and his association with both the
administrative and faculty staff has been, for the larger part, pleasant and productive.
20 Years Ago (1987): This year’s AFC students Helga Schepers of Belgium and Andres Torrel
of Sweden, will present a slide program and talk about their native countries and experiences.
The public is invited to this presentation which will be next Sunday evening, January 18 at 7:30
p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church.
10 years ago (1997): The ballot for the city election April 1 will have two vacancies. No one
filed papers for the 3rd Ward and for the 1st Ward one year vacancy. Former city councilman
Dale Bryant has filed for a two-year 4th Ward seat. He will vie with incumbent Ron Jennings,
who has filed for re-election. Thomas Cothard has filed for re-election in Ward 2 and Thane
Anderson, newly appointed to the 1st Ward vacancy, created by the resignation of Eric Pease, has
filed for this position.
In Review
Last Week of January – First Week of February 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married. At Allen’s Grove, on the 24th inst. At the residence of the
bride’s mother, by Rev. R. W. Bosworth, Mr. C. H. Wilder, of Evansville, to Miss Nettie B. Lee.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Landon’s family awoke Monday morning with an unusual amount
of headache on hand, but did not smell the cause until about breakfast time when they discovered
that the cover of the coal stove had been left slightly ajar. They felt themselves fortunate that a
door leading into another apartment on the house had been left open, where most of the gas
escaped.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. Aller loaded up what few collaterals he needed Tuesday, and hied
away to Johnstown, to take the superintendency of Rock county poor farm. Few people, one
year ago, ever thought our wealthy and honored citizen would be obliged to go to the county
poor house to be supported at the county’s expense but such is the real fact. The county thought
him to be the best man it had for the place, however, both his old neighbors and towns people
were to part with him. Mr. Aller leaves sharing the good wishes of all and has the confidence
and hope of the balance of the county that he is just the man for that place. [Note: Peter Aller
was the superintendent of the Rock County Poor Farm and Insane Asylum for many years, first
at Johnstown and later at Janesville. His son, Arthur P. Aller, was associated with his father in
the management of the facility and in 1900 was appointed as steward for the Northern Asylum
for the Insane at Oshkosh.]
110 Years Ago (1897): Lawrence Huff, of Magnolia, has traded farms with E. P. Wixom, of
Janesville, Mr. Wixom trading his sixty-eight acres for Mr. Huff’s two hundred acres. Both
farms are in the town of Magnolia. The transaction comprised $15,000 of property value.
100 Years Ago (1907): A Rambler model twenty-one was received by the local agent of that
machine, Clarence Baker, Tuesday and notwithstanding the unsatisfactory conditions of the
roads, made good showing upon our streets that day. This machine is commonly known as
general utility cars, and is in marked advance of any machine yet turned out. The body of model
twenty-one is a strictly new design of the convertible type, in which the connection between the
detachable tonneau and forward part of the body is so designed that the unpleasant appearance of
earlier convertible bodies is entirely overcome. The price of this car is $1,350 and it is a beauty.
90 Years Ago (1917): On Tuesday evening a farewell reception was given Rev. Leroy A. Jahn,
at the home of Mrs. C. E. Lee, on First Street. There was a large company present, including the
members of St. John’s Episcopal Church, members of the boys’ vested choir and the Sunday
School. Musical numbers were given, refreshments were served, and a most pleasant evening
was enjoyed by all present. Rev. Jahn has been rector of St. John’s Episcopal church for nearly
three years, and during that time has won a wide circle of friends who regret his departure; he
has done splendid work in the Sunday School and with the choir boys, as well as with the boy
scouts, and he will be greatly missed by these young lads. Rev. Jahn took his departure
Wednesday for Elkhorn, where he has accepted a call as rector of St. John’s church in that city,
which has a much larger congregation than the local church. His departure will be felt in the
city, as well as in his church, yet his numerous friends rejoice that he was extended the call to
take charge of the Elkhorn church, and wish him every possible success in his new field of
labor. A student from Nashota will have charge of the Sunday services at the local church.
80 Years Ago (1927): Clar L. Franklin, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Franklin was born,
February 15, 1864, in the town of Union and departed from this life January 21, 1297. She has
resided most of her life in the township of Rutland. On March 13, 1887, she was united in
marriage to Burr Courtier, who is left with three children, Erle L., Mrs. Oliver Chapin, Mrs. Wm.
Leeder and five grandchildren to mourn her loss. She also leaves five brothers, Arthur, Lew,
Frank, Fred, and Leon Franklin. Since her early life she has been a member of the Union Baptist
church. She was a member of the Columbia Chapter, 29, O.E.S., and the W.C.T.U., of
Brooklyn. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Masonic Temple, when after
the sermon by the Rev. Pratt of the Baptist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, rendered their
beautiful service in honor of their departed sister. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery.
70 Years Ago (1937): For the first time since 1929 when business conditions were at their
height, the Baker Manufacturing Company, Evansville leading industrial plant, is operating on a
six-day; 48-hour per week schedule. The new time schedule went into effect the week of Jan. 10
and will be continued indefinitely in order to build up sufficient warehouse stock to take care of
spring orders. In order to keep up with production, several new men have also been added to the
factory force which now numbers nearly 130 employees.
60 Years Ago (1947): Despite yesterday’s blizzard, a large crowd of farmers were in the city
attending the Farmer’s Institute held as an all-day meeting in the Rex Theatre under the
sponsorship o the Rock County Agent.
50 Years Ago (1957): About 200 people turned out last Thursday for the annual meeting of the
Union Co-operative Assn., meetings at the Masonic Temple. Franklin Leeder was named
president; Louis Nelson, Oregon, vice-president; Morris Gilbertson, secretary; Dean George and
Oliver Franklin directors.
60 Years Ago (1967): Six months ahead of schedule, Kim Gill, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Gill, will receive his diploma at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, L. I., on
February 10. The graduation marks the realization of a childhood ambition for him. He will
immediately enter the merchant service to fulfill his military obligation. Because of the trained
manpower shortage, the training course will be completed next month instead of next August, the
normal time. Gill will receive his certificate of third mate rating, and his commission as an
ensign in the naval reserve at the ceremonies. He graduated from Evansville High School in
1963, and was appointed to the academy by Sen. William Proxmire. He will be the only youth
from the Evansville community ever to graduate there.
30 Years Ago (1977): Last Sunday at 11:30 a.m. 19 snowmobiles and 29 people departed from
the Red Barn in Evansville for a ride to Indianford. New fallen snow, during the night enhanced
the 40-mile round trip of the local riders. The ride is the Shrine Annual Snowmobile Drive for
Shrine Charities. The Evansville Sno-Devils on the drive were Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards, Mr.
and Mrs. Jud Spooner, Curt Hartzler, Sue Moe, Ron Phelps, Ken Schmidt and son, Tom; Ruth
Thompson, Les Golz, Mr. and Mrs. George Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kueng, Mr. and Mrs.
Chris Dickert, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Jeske, Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Huffel, and two children; Mr.
and Mrs. William Heritage and two children, Ron Buttchen and Kathy Garvoille.
20 Years Ago (1987): This past weekend the Evansville Boosters held a very successful gun
show at the Red Barn. Over 1,000 attended this annual event to see the wares of dealers who
filled 41 tables. Prize winners were 12-gauge shotgun, G. Reese of Footville; half hog, David
Cartwright of Whitewater; half hog, Dwight Redders of Evansville; $50 savings bond, Ricky
Schlitzer, Evansville; $25 savings bond, Perry Gallman, Evansville; and binoculars, Ken
Gallman, Evansville. The hog was donated by Chris Dickert and the binoculars by Larry Kettle.
Members of the Booster Club appreciate the support of those who attended this civic event.
10 years ago (1997): Blue Devil Wrestlers traveled to Brookfield to compete in an eight-team
tournament comprised mainly of Division I schools. Eleven wrestlers made the trip and all of
them won places. Blue Devil Wrestlers at the tournament were Brian Cufaude, Adam Bradley,
Dennis Petersen, Dale Creighton, Doug Braucher, Rick Carlson, Kevin Schneider, Dan Phillips,
Paul Nardini, Terry Delzer and Jesse Rice.
FEBRUARY 2007
IN REVIEW - RESEARCHED BY RUTH ANN MONTGOMERY
In Review
First Week of February 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Janesville is making a strenuous effort to provide the city with every
possible means that human ingenuity can invent to prevent another conflagration by the
organization of bucket companies and having water facilities perfectly under their command.
Evansville will have need to lose property, to doubly exceed the cost of an engine, or the simple
organization of a bucket company, before our citizens will awake to the necessity of having
something done to prevent a general conflagration. A few long substantial ladders, and buckets
kept in accessible places at our stores, so that people could have something to work with, and
under the charge of a competent leader much real good could be done towards saving property;
but as it is now nothing will prevent a general conflagration should a fire once be kindled.
130 Years Ago (1877): Evansville Graded School. Primary Department. Pupils neither absent
nor tardy, for the month ending February 2d, 1877. Asa Bemis, Harry Bemis, Johnnie Baker,
Elsie Baker, Dora Ballard, Maud Backenstoe, Eva Campbell, Leo Campbell, Allen Clifford,
Sammie Cole, Victor Eager, Minnie Sargent, Artie Snashall, Johnie Evans, Nellie Heron, Cora
Holman, Lizzie Monshau, Marcia Treat, Kittie West, Therman Whaley, Irvin Whaley, Gusta
Hanover, Myta Siver, Leo Bevier, May Walker, Emmet Heron, Frankie Johnson. Mrs. C. W.
Powles, Teacher.
120 Years Ago (1887): Willie Stiles, youngest son of Mr. George Stiles had his leg broken in
two places on the toboggan slide Saturday. The Toboggan Club regrets exceedingly that an
accident should have happened at their slide so early like that of breaking Willie Stiles’ leg,
Friday. Although the Club knew nothing of it, and even the little boy himself is unable to
account for the accident. Several parties of boys were sliding at the same time, and it is thought
Willie must have allowed his leg to protrude over the sled and strike against the side of the chute
as he was descending.
110 Years Ago (1897): The Ladies Auxiliary of the Farmer’s Institute, held in this city the 28th
and 29th insts. Proved a decided success. Mrs. Vie Campbell presided with grace and dignity,
she said in opening that she believed that the holding of a separate meeting by the ladies was, in
Wisconsin, an innovation. If this is the case other towns may profit by our example. Mrs. Risa
Tullar’s paper on “Mothers and their Relation to the Common Schools” was excellent, those
mother who did not hear it will do well to read it when it appears in print. Mrs. Mihills had a
practical paper on “Beds and Bedding” which was well received. A very practical and useful
paper was read by Mrs. Mary Brigham in which she told her experience in poultry raising in such
a lucid manner that anyone could not fail to understand just how she cared for her poultry. Dr.
Ewing spoke a few minutes on “House Sanitation” in her talk reminding us that cold air is not
always fresh, pure air, and that air may be perfectly pure when quite hot. Between the papers,
Mr. Gillies favored the audience with a fine solo. Mrs. Richardson’s “Rag Babies” who sang for
the institute are the children of the Richardson and Franklin families, of Cooksville.
100 Years Ago (1907): Married: Miss Matilda Acheson and Mr. Chas. Gibson were united in
marriage at 7 o’clock, Feb. 14, 1907, at the bride’s home in Magnolia; Rev. T. W. North
performed the ceremony in the presence of about a hundred relatives and friends. Promptly at 7,
Miss Lola Acheson began playing the wedding march and the happy couple, unattended, took
their places beneath a beautiful white bell and the words that united them forever were spoken.
The house was handsomely decorated in cut flowers, ferns and hearts. After congratulations, the
guests partook of a sumptuous dinner. The Misses Leta and Zita Acheson served at the bridal
table while five girl friends of the bride residing in Magnolia served the guests. The groom is a
prosperous farmer and owns a fine farm near Kimball, S. D. He and his bride, accompanied by
the bride’s father, David Acheson, will leave in about two weeks for that place.
90 Years Ago (1917): The Meredith brothers entertained the Young People’s Social club at
their home one evening last week. About thirty persons enjoyed their hospitality. Cards were
played, high scores being won by Miss Kittie Croak and Dick Dawson. A delicious four course
supper was served, after which a few hours were devoted to music. At a late hour the guests
departed, declaring the Meredith boys grand entertainers. The club will meet next week with
Nellie Maloy.
80 Years Ago (1927): At the meeting Monday evening, the directors of the Rock County Fair
named the following department superintendents for the ensuing year and also elected a director
tot ake the place of Leonard Eager. Superintendent of Gates: C. W. Babcock; Horses, John
Johnson; Cattle, Peter Templeton; Sheep, Geo. Emery; Swine, Wade Woodworth; Poultry, H. A.
Blakely; Floral, Mrs. Mae Shreve; Horticulture, R. Anderson; woman’s, Lulu Van Patten;
Culinary, Mrs. Wm. Schneider; Youths, Mrs. Maude Axtell; Education, Miss Amy Perry;
Machinery, Mr. Roy Lewis; Grounds, Z. W. Miller; Privileges, R. C. Searles; Rural Schools,
Hazel Murphy; Junior Club, R. G. Glassgo; Committee on Premium book, Dr. C. S. Ware, W. S.
Gollmar, R. J. Antes, and J. C. Robinson. H. H. Loomis was elected director to succeed Leonard
Eager.
70 Years Ago (1937): Coasting along to a 29 to 22 victory, Coach O’Neil’s high school cagers
were not extended very much to defeat the Monticello quintet in a fracas played there Tuesday
night. The Golz brothers were the standouts for the local Blues with six points apiece. Jefferson
comes for a return game here tomorrow night. The Blues defeated Jefferson 33 to 16 before
Christmas but since that time the opponents have improved tremendously. Brodhead is now in a
tie with Evansville for second place in the conference. Still experimenting with the starting lineup due to the absence of Clayton Sperry and Jack McKenna who are out with injuries, Coach
O’Neil will probably start tomorrow night’s game with Al Golz and Ted Thompson as forwards,
Babe Brunsell at center, and Don Montgomery and Bernie Golz at the guard positions. Ted
Greenway and Don Rosen are expected to see action at the forward and center posts.
60 Years Ago (1947): The first meeting of the Congregational Church Couples’ club held
Monday evening in the Church, Ray Knapp was elected president; E. W. Johnson, secretary; and
Harold Tait, treasurer. The group’s next meeting will be held in March with Mr. and Mrs. Edwin
Devine, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tait, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Staffeld
on the arrangements committee. Monday evening’s activities were planned by Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Erstad, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Knapp, and the Rev. and Mrs.
Francis Kranz. The program included solos by Robert Erstad accompanied by Mrs. R. J. Gray,
who also played for group singing.
50 Years Ago (1957): Dr. P. S. Kauth completes 25 years of practice as a chiropractor in
Evansville. Dr. P. S. Kauth, who took over the chiropractic practice here of Dr. Helen Logic in
1932, maintained offices both in Evansville and Beloit for a year and then in March 1933
devoted his entire time to Evansville patients and moved his family from Beloit to this city. Dr.
Kauth was graduated from Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Ia., in 1921 after which
he opened his first office in Harvard, Ill. He began practicing in Beloit in 1928.
60 Years Ago (1967): Karen Kopp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kopp has been named CoEd Correspondent for the 1966-67 school year. Her appointment was made by Mrs. Franklin
Bradley, home economics teacher at the Evansville High School. Selected for her qualities of
leadership by her classmates, Miss Kopp will serve as junior advisor to the editors of Co-Ed
national magazine for teenage girls published by Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
30 Years Ago (1977): David Schuh has enlisted in the regular army and left early last week for
Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he is presently stationed. Karl Rasmussen also left last Wednesday
for Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for basic training and instruction after enlisting in the army..
20 Years Ago (1987): Ann Prudhon, age 7, gave a private violin recital at her home on County
Trunk C. The recital was given as a graduation recital from Book I of the Suzuki Violin School,
totaling 18 pieces. Assisting Ann in the recital were her teacher and husband, Alison and Al
Jewer of rural Milton, Randy Prudhon and Carol Prudhon. Thirty-six friends and relatives
attended the event. Ann’s parents are Dr. and Mrs. Gene Prudhon.
10 years ago (1997): Karen Fisher of Evansville, daughter of Shirley and Bob Fisher of
Evansville, and single mom of 4, graduated Magna Cum Laude from UW-Whitewater. A
December grad, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work. Karen attended grade
school in Evansville and graduated from the high school in Dakota, IL. Her four children are
Josh, Nicholas, Heather and Angela.
In Review
Second Week of February 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Revival: The special meetings for the conversion of souls continue
to be held in the Baptist and Methodist Churches. The latter is filled every evening and jammed
on Sabbath. Nearly thirty have been converted or reclaimed; and the interest continues
unabated. Last Sabbath the Sunday School and General Class were united and took the form of a
Love Feast, minus the bread and water. The singing of the scholars added much to the joy of the
meetings; many of them also testified their personal and happy knowledge of the Savior.
Opportunity being offered, five joined the Church by letter and twenty-two on probation. At the
Baptist Church the pastor and flock continue to labor with their accustomed zeal and their efforts
have been rewarded by the hopeful conversion of ten or more. The services of The Rev. Mr.
Brown of Honey Creek, contribute much to the interest of their meetings. Special services were
held this week in the Congregational Church. We are pleased with these indications of moral
prosperity in our village. How much brighter are the prospects of a community where youth are
crowding around God’s altars, than one where young men squander their time and money in bar
rooms and billiard saloons. Few villages of the size of ours can boast of four working churches,
such as we shall have as soon as the Regular Baptist shall have finished theirs in the Spring.
130 Years Ago (1877): At the close of the present term of the High School, an entertainment
will be given, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the purchase of an organ. The
programme will occupy two evenings, will be participated in by each of the departments, and
will bring out a variety of exercises, that will afford the surest possible guarantee of
“Entertainment.” Keep it in mind.
120 Years Ago (1887): Union School. Monthly report of School District No. 1, town of Union.
The number enrolled is 31, the average 27. Names of those perfect in attendance and
punctuality: Lyman Gillies, Milton Fairbanks, John Johnson, Flora Bullock, Blanche Brigham,
Maud Gillies, Mabel Bullock. Anna L. Cutts, Teacher.
110 Years Ago (1897): Wm. Wray died at his home in Cooksville, Saturday evening, Feb. 13,
1897. Funeral this Tuesday afternoon. Various rumors are afloat relative to the cause of Mr.
Wray's death, some saying that liquor and a quarrel was connected with it, but a coroners inquest
and post mortem examination was held at which Dr. Colony was present and he states to us that
the cause of his death was heart disease and the bursting of a blood vessel.
100 Years Ago (1907): At the recent gathering of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders’ association at
Madison, Arthur Broughton and S. L. Crall of Evansville, were elected directors.
90 Years Ago (1917): H. S. Spooner has purchased the farm occupied by John Pearson and will
take possession on March 1. Elmer Devlin will occupy the farm where Mr. Spooner is now
living. Floyd Steele is preparing to move on the Robert Steele farm. Another house is being
built on the farm for the former gentleman. Will Kleinsmith, Sr., who has been living on the
John Wall farm, soon will move to the northern part of the state. Burle Williams, who has been
living on a farm on the county line, is preparing to take possession of the Frank Hyne farm,
which has been occupied by Sumner Wadsworth, who will move to town. Walter Williams, who
has been living on Montgomery Court, will move on the farm with his son, Burle.
80 Years Ago (1927): The fire department was called Monday to the Dan Finnane farm north of
town where some trash which had dropped down the radiator caught fire and made a big smoke,
but did no damage. Mr. Finnane was in Evansville gathering garbage at the time and hearing the
alarm was at his place, pushed the lines so hard to hurry his horse, who knew it wasn’t dinner
time yet, that he hasn’t been able to get the kinks out of the lines yet. Though there was no
damage to speak of, Dan “set ‘em up” to the fire boys, in real Irish style and outside of the
damage to the lines he pushed on so hard, everything is again lovely.
70 Years Ago (1937): After 46 years of faithful service, Robert L. Finn, lifelong resident of
Evansville and one of the city’s most prominent business men, will retire March 1 as manager of
the shoe department of the Grange store. Mr. Finn’s familiar face and cordial greetings will be
missed by many of the store’s customers. Albert C. Holmes, who has served as postmaster here
for the past ten years and who is to be succeeded at that post by Roy Reckord, has been
appointed by the store directors to take charge of the shoe department. He will assume his new
duties in the store March 1.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Rock County Sheriff’s Department was called to Evansville last
Friday afternoon to break a traffic jam involving 150 cars north of the city. The jam started
when an auto drawn house trailer stalled on Finnane’s hill. Snowplows had cut a narrow oneway path through the deep drifts and snow was piled 20 feet high on both sides. Thawing
weather brought snow slides vaulting down into the cut during the tie-up. The department
arrived here at 4:30 p.m. and by 5:30 traffic was moving orderly.
50 Years Ago (1957): Dr. E. W. Krueger was elected president, Ray Knapp, vice-president and
Dee Losey secretary-treasurer at a meeting of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce.
60 Years Ago (1967): Mrs. and Mrs. Emmett Miller, Route 2, Evansville, will observe their
silver wedding anniversary with open house at the Center Town Hall, Magnolia Rd., Sunday,
Feb. 19 from 2 to 5. Relatives, neighbors and friends are invited. Mae Bratzke and Emmett
Miller were married in the parsonage of the Zion Lutheran Church by the Rev. H. J. Gruell, Feb.
21, 1942. This date also marks the golden wedding anniversary of her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Bratzke of Route 4. Janesville. They have four children, Kenneth, Route 1, Evansville,
Mrs. Eugene Johnston and Mrs. Eric Runaas of Evansville and Mrs. Gerald Johnson of Albany
and three grandchildren.
30 Years Ago (1977): Evansville’s Property Tax Board of Review met for an unofficial session
in front of the cameras and microphones of the UW-Extension Media Center in the City Hall
Council Chamber last Monday morning. The Center was working with the State Department of
Revenue on a slide and sound presentation which will be shown to taxpayer groups around the
state with questions on how the assessing and valuation system works. Assessor Harry Hayter
offered his performance as an assessor addressing a Board of Review Meeting..
20 Years Ago (1987): A new road, to be called Countryside Drive, is being installed on the east
side of town on the north side of Hwy. 14. Two lots were approved by the Council at the
December meeting to allow the land to be used commercially. A car wash is planned which will
include 3 to 4 bays, with a possible bay for trucks and one for automatic. Building should begin
as soon as spring breaks. The plan is to put in Countryside Drive, paved with blacktop, with
sewer, water and gutter, to be intended for future growth to the north and east.
10 years ago (1997): At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Council and Mayor
DiSalvo will discuss and most likely approve a survey, to be mailed to the citizens of Evansville
about their preferences concerning a city hall. The goal is to conduct a referendum in the coming
months that will feature at most three alternatives for the location of the city hall, with cost
estimates. Before then, the Mayor and Council are registering citizens’ preferences through the
survey.
In Review
Third Week of February 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Call and Settle. All persons indebted to J. M. Evans & Co. for goods,
medicine, or medical treatment, during the years 1865 and 1866, are requested to call and settle
their accounts without delay. EVANS, QUIVEY & SMITH. Evansville. Feb. 20, 1867. [Note:
Drs, John M. Evans, William Quivey and Charles M. Smith were Evansville physicians and also
ran a drug store at 1 East Main Street. Quivey planned to move to the state of Oregon to join his
father and other family members. In 1868, Quivey left Evansville and Evans and Smith
continued in business. Quivey’s son, William, Jr. returned to Evansville in the 1880s.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Evansville Graded School. Primary Department. Pupils neither absent
nor tardy for the month ending February 2d, 1877: Asa Bemis, Harry Bemis, Johnnie Baker,
Elsie Baker, Dora Ballard, Maud Backenstoe, Eva Campbell, Leo Campbell, Allen Clifford,
Sammie Cole, Victor Eager, Minnie Sargent, Artie Snashall, Johnnie Evans, Nellie Heron, Cora
Holman, Lizzie Monshau, Marcia Treat, Kittie West, Therman Whaley, Irvin Whaley, Omer
Whaley, Gusta Hanover, Myrta Siver, Leo Bevier, May Walker, Emmit Heron, Frankee
Johnson. Mrs. C. W. Powles, Teacher.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. James W. Gillies, who has charge of Mr. Jacob Bemis’ large
Norman horses, proposes going to Scotland in the spring and purchase a number of small,
Shetland ponies.
110 Years Ago (1897): Little 8 months old Grace, daughter of Frank and Ida Hynes died
Wednesday morning, Feb. 17, 1897 of pneumonia, after an illness of but a few hours. Funeral
was held today at one o’clock.
100 Years Ago (1907): The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kleinsmith, died Sunday evening
from the effects of whooping cough. The little boy was an unusually bright one for his age of
only seven months, and the grief-stricken parents feel the loss keenly. They have the sympathies
of a host of friends,
90 Years Ago (1917): George J. Gollmar, sixty-five years old, well known here, died at his
home in Baraboo last Friday, and was buried on Sunday. He had been ill only ten days. Mr.
Gollmar, who had been retired from active business for about five years, achieved quite a little
fame by being the inventor of a bell-ringer used on locomotives, operated by air or steam. His
invention is in use on all Chicago & Northwestern locomotives, as well as on engines of several
railroads. He was a skilled machinist at one time being foreman of the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad’s machine shops. He had been in business for himself, operating a large machine shop
and garage. Mr. Gollmar was the oldest of the Gollmar children. He made frequent visits in this
city, having been here only three weeks ago. He leaves a wife, three daughters, two sons, a sister
and six brothers, among the latter being W. S. Gollmar of this city.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mr. and Mrs. Lew Fellows returned last Monday from California, where
they have been spending the winter at Los Angeles and Long Beach. They made the trip, of
3,061 miles in twelve days, being routed through Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas, on account
of high water in many places. The travel clubs along the way, however routed them by way of
hard roads and they never got into the mud. Mr. Fellows states that it is wonderful what the
south is doing in the way of making hard roads. Just think of a state being over a thousand miles
across—yet that is what they found Texas to be. At Cairo, Ill., where they ran into Highway No.
2, which runs in a bee line to Beloit, they found the Mississippi River five miles wide. He states
that a few days before leaving he visited the Evansville colony at Long Beach and found them
doing fine and that C. J. Pearsall is making a record of an expert golfer, while Vi Holmes as a
ringer artist at horse shoes is making a splendid reputation for Wisconsin.
70 Years Ago (1937): Evansville was not without flood damage last week-end. Allen creek,
which passes through the park and city, increased to the size of a river and had the ice backed up
and jammed in Lake Leota the spillways might have given way with a result of an extensive
flood in that region. As it was, the water in the creek raised within only a few inches of the five
bridges in the city. Two men were stationed at the park throughout the night Saturday to watch
for a possible ice jam in the lake and were prepared to give immediate warning to nearby
residents if necessary. The basements of several buildings near the stream were flooded and
surface water completely surrounded the city sewage disposal plant where electric motors had to
be removed. Although the rip-rapping laid along Allen creek by the local WPA crew took a
terrific beating, it held up exceptionally well with the exception of two places where flag walks
had been built on top of the walls.
60 Years Ago (1947): At its regular meeting held last Monday evening the American Legion
decided to sponsor a Chamber of Commerce for the city of Evansville. Harry Roderick Jr. has
contacted the State Secretary and arranged for a charter and the Legion has voted to pay all fees
the first year. Evansville businessmen will thus be able to join without charge. The purpose of
forming a Chamber of Commerce at this time is to provide a liaison group between the city and
prospective new industries. The State Secretary has a listing of industries interested in locating
in Wisconsin. William H. Bewick, Legion Commander has appointed a committee consisting of
Don Thompson, Harold Hull and Walter Nitcher to contact Evansville businessmen and organize
the local chapter.
50 Years Ago (1957): James B. Davis, manager of the Grange IGA for several years, has
resigned and has moved south where he will represent Milwaukee Cheese Co. in Alabama,
Georgia and Florida.
60 Years Ago (1967): An open house to observe the 40th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs.
Kenneth R. Dunbar, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday Feb. 26 in their home. Relatives,
friends and neighbors are invited. The former Sarah Schneider and Kenneth Dunbar were
married Feb. 28, 1927 in the Zwingli Swiss Reform Parsonage, Monticello by the late Rev. A.
Muehlmeier. The Dunbars are former Albany residents, moving to their present home 31 years
ago. They have three sons, Kenneth, Pascagoula, Miss., Raymond, Omaha, Nebr., Wayne,
Indianapolis, Ind., and four daughters, Mrs. William (Alma) Shultis, Coloma, Wis., Mrs. Harold
(Lilas) Miller, Evansville, Mrs. Jerry (Bettie) King, Indianapolis, Ind., and Mrs. Melvin
(Bernice) Deaton, Madison and nineteen grandchildren.
30 Years Ago (1977): An estimated 2,000 persons inspected the newly expanded Third Street
Elementary School Sunday afternoon. Tours began with an examination of new administrative
offices and continued along newly remodeled areas in the older building, eventually leading to
the actual building addition with 15 classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, an instructional media
center and a multi-purpose room. Visitors could then sign the guest book and partake of
refreshments in the older multi-purpose room. Superintendent George Knuckles greeted
visitors.
20 Years Ago (1987): Margo Losey, on tour with St. Olaf College choir for three weeks, spent a
recent Monday evening in Spokane, Washington, with her mother’s aunt Mildred Worley and
daughter, when they gave a performance there. The group gave a Thursday night performance in
Seattle and she then was an overnight guest of her brother, Luke Johnson. The choir gave
performances in other cities, as they made the return trip to Minnesota.
10 years ago (1997): Whitney Krause and Rachel Martin, both members of Girl Scout Troop
#343, remind Evansville buyers that cookies will be arriving during the first week of March. The
Evansville Girl Scouts will be delivering cookies to customers during the first week of March.
Funds raised during the 1997 cookie campaign will help to provide programming for the 11 local
troops throughout the coming year. Many of the older troops are planning camping experiences
for the girls.
In Review
Last Week of February 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Houses Wanted. Doubtless if twenty-five good dwelling houses were
immediately erected in this village they would all be filled in less than two months. By the first
of April quite a portion of our inhabitants will be obliged to move and seek other habitations than
what they now occupy. Why couldn’t some one or two who are always “on the wing” put up a
good tenement, the rent would be a good investment, besides the idea of a permanent home
contributes much to real happiness.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Case’s little boy Orrey, was thrown from a horse, Tuesday last by
the horse slipping down and striking his leg, broke the bone between the foot and the knee.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. William Benedix had a very good auction Wednesday, the 16th. The
remaining of his collaterals, together with a good horse team, he loads a car and sets off for the
west—the Northeast corner of Nebraska, almost under the Black Hills. His son who got jammed
by dirt falling upon him in a cut below here last fall is able to be about by the aid of crutches.
They will be on their land in good season for the spring’s work.
110 Years Ago (1897): Married. Courtier – Fairbanks. At the home of the bride in Union by
Rev. O. P. Bestor, Feb. 24, 1897, Mr. Lemmel B. Courtier and Miss A. Maud Fairbanks. The
friends of the young people congratulate them on the joyous event and rejoice that their future
home is to be in Union where they are well known.
100 Years Ago (1907): Charles and Nathan Kelley very pleasantly entertained the friends and
neighbors last Monday evening. Dancing was indulged in until a late hour, when they departed,
having spent a most enjoyable evening. Tuesday last Mrs. Kelley and son, Charles moved onto
Peter Smith’s farm, where the latter will work the coming year.
90 Years Ago (1917): Cars driven by Frank Hyne and Dr. George Spencer collided in front of
the doctor’s office Sunday morning damaging Dr. Spencer’s car to the extent of $15 or $20. Mr.
Hyne was driving a Buick car west, when the doctor, failing to see Mr. Hyne, turned his car out
from the sidewalk and ran into the Hyne car, which was only slightly damaged
80 Years Ago (1927): Fred Luchsinger left Monday evening for the Northern part of the state
where he will pick up another car load of dairy cows which he will bring to Evansville for sale.
There will be a sale of twenty-three high grade cows, tested and clean Tuesday, March 1, at one
o’clock on the Fred Luchsinger farm 2 miles S. E. of Evansville. Patterson and Knoll are the
owners, D. F. Finnane the auctioneer and E. Libby clerk, with the usual terms and 7 percent
interest on bankable notes.
70 Years Ago (1937): The Hon. Peter E. Freuchen, world traveler, explorer and lecturer who
recently arrived in America from Copenhagen, Denmark, was a guest here last night of his
cousin, Mrs. Eve Freuchen, 204 West Main street. Mr. Freuchen has been making an extensive
lecture tour in the East since his arrival in America this month and has addressed large and
enthusiastic audiences in Philadelphia, Buffalo, Flint, and Ann Arbor. He left Evansville on the
9 o’clock train last night for Superior where he is scheduled to lecture this evening. Mr.
Freuchen is the author of the book “Eskimo” and director of the motion picture of that name
which was shown at the Magee theatre here two years ago. He visited Mrs. Freuchen two years
ago during lecture engagements in Chicago.
60 Years Ago (1947): Among Evansville’s new business enterprises since the close of the war
is the Bennett Monument Company located on the corner of Cherry and Water Streets. Ralph
Bennett, who owns and operates the business, received his honorable discharge November 1945,
after serving with the army for three and one-half years one of which was spent in the E. T. O.
Before entering the service he operated a Monument Company in Footville. Many people in this
community will remember Mr. Bennett as a salesman representing the Fred Schlimgen
Memorials, Inc. of Madison, during 1932 to 1937. In November 1937, the Fred Schlimgen
Memorials, Inc. discontinued business. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and two children, Karen and
Kenton, moved to Evansville in July.
50 Years Ago (1957): Beth Catherine Cain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cain, has been
selected by the Evansville high school faculty as the school’s nominee for the 1957 DAR good
citizenship award.
60 Years Ago (1967): Members of the Cooksville Lutheran Church Choir, under the direction of
Edwin Julseth, have released an album of anthems entitled “Their Anthems Swell Where God
Doth Dwell.” Now on sale as a fund-raising project, the album consists of one long-play record
featuring 10 anthems. The jacket for the album portrays an artistic sketch of the Cooksville
Church drawn by Joseph Hanson, president of the congregation. The organist, Mrs. M. H.
Hegge of Stoughton, is the widow of a former pastor. She has the distinction of having had
numerous anthems, arrangements and lyrics published by Augsburg Publishing House of
Minneapolis.
30 Years Ago (1977): Miss Sandra Jean Gray, Middleton, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Roger Sloan
Gray, Evansville, became the bride of Robert Christopher Heimerl, Madison, son of Dr. and Mrs.
Robert G. Heimerl of Evansville, in a ceremony performed at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 1977
in the Evansville Congregational United Church of Christ.
20 Years Ago (1987): Ernest and Beatrice McCaffrey, S. Madison Street, Evansville, observed
their 62nd wedding anniversary in a unique way on Feb. 24. Following a family anniversary
dinner at the home of their youngest daughter, Donna Jaggi, of Brodhead, the McCaffreys were
whisked away to the Lester Detweiller farm for a horse and buggy ride. After the ride they
returned to the Jaggi house and were presented with a book of their 66 years together. The
McCaffreys were courting for four years before their marriage and still are a very devoted and
happy couple.
10 years ago (1997): Wayne Disch, Town of Union Chairman is unopposed and seeking reelection to the post, having served in that capacity since 1979, when he was first elected. Sharon
Franklin, unopposed, is seeking the post of secretary in the Town of Union. She has been
serving this past term. Mrs. Franklin and her husband George, who is the Constable of the Town
of Union, reside on W. Hy. 59. Dean George, long time Town of Union Supervisor since 1985,
is unopposed for the position. Kendall Schneider is a candidate for Supervisor II for the Town of
Union the seat which Norman Hatlen has held for 22 years. Don Elmer, who has been a resident
of the Town of Union for 48 years is running for the Supervisor seat, vacated by Norman Hatlen,
opposing Kendall Schneider.
In Review
First Week of March 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married. In Evansville, Wis., Feb. 27th, 1867 by Rev. E. Robinson, Mr.
Darius W. Pepper and Miss Minnie Owen, both of Center.
130 Years Ago (1877): Village Election. The following is the ticket elected yesterday. The
election was animated, but we think no bad blood was spilt. The old question of “billiards or
anti- billiards” was a vital issue, resulting in favor of the anti-billiard party by a small majority.
For President: A. S. Baker; For Trustees, Caleb Snashall, David Stevens, Lewis Spencer, E. W.
Beebe; For Clerk, Homer Potter; For Treasurer, R. Winston; For Justice of the Peace, Jacob
West; For Constable, Henry Hubbard; For Supervisor, A. S. Baker.
120 Years Ago (1887): The Sick. The neighbors, day by day grow stronger in the hope of Mrs.
Simon Van Patten’s recovery. Mrs. F. A. Baker, continues about the same, perhaps, with some
more favorable symptoms of improvement. Mrs. Liv. Frantz is low yet, but her friends are not
without hope, for her. Mr. R. F. Woodbury rides out and gives considerable assurance of
amend. Mrs. Finn has a very bad hand and arm yet, but her symptoms appear favorable. Mrs.
Noel, who took a cold while visiting at Whitewater last week, but is nearly well now.
110 Years Ago (1897): Born: To Mr. and Mrs. J. Christman, Thursday, Feb. 25, 1897, a girl.
Born: To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fellows, Friday, Feb. 26, 1897, a boy. Born: To Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Barrett, Sunday, Feb. 28, 1897, a girl. Born: To Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Cary, Monday,
March 1, 1897, a girl. Born: to Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Richmond, Monday, March 1, 1897, a girl.
100 Years Ago (1907): The names of the following pupils appear on the High School roll of
honor for January: Seniors—Fern Ball, June Baker, Beulah Day, Cleve Gillman; Juniors—Ethel
Smith, Inez Murray, Spencer Pullen; Sophomores—Kathleen Calkins, Marian Purinton,
Josephine Knudtson, Josie Hadley, Hazel Keylock.
90 Years Ago (1917): Having decided to move north, Robert Hubbard will sell at public auction
on the place known as the Watt Hubbard farm, situated two and one-half miles northwest of
Evansville and five and one half miles southeast of Brooklyn, on the Brooklyn road, on
Thursday, March 15, beginning at ten o’clock sharp, the following property: six head of horses,
nine head of cattle, six Poland China brook sows, machinery, grain, etc. Free lunch will be
served at noon. In case of storm, sale will be held under cover. Col. Dan Finnane, auctioneer;
Leo Campbell, clerk.
80 Years Ago (1927): Grade School News, Second Grade Notes: The following people will
receive stars for good hand-writing: Morris Hanson, Bessie Trunkhill, Jane Groh, Rosemary
Finnane, Kenneth Hatlevig, Lyman Worthing, David Baird, George Kelly, Thelma Kleinsmith
and Margaret Dreher.
70 Years Ago (1937): The following senior committees have been chosen: Class History: Beth
Schuster (Chairman), Doris Collins, Robert Hubbard, Albert Gibbs. Class Prophecy: Mildred
Funk (Chairman) Phillip Croak, Rosemary Finnane, Lola Shaw. Class Will: Jane Groh
(Chairman), Bernadine Kleinsmith, Sylvia Clark, Howard Brunsell. Invitations: Don
Montgomery, Gwendolyn Bowen, Beulah Gransee, Omar Haakenson.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mrs. Clara Reese and daughter Delores, are in Mercy hospital recovering
from serious and painful injuries they suffered last Saturday when the Reese car was involved in
a collision with a machine driven by Chris Farberg, Jr., route 1 Janesville. The accident
happened about four miles east of Evansville on the highway. Mrs. Reese and daughter were
taken to the hospital in an ambulance after the collision. Farberg was shaken up and bruised but
not seriously hurt. Mrs. Reese is the teacher in the Franklin school and Delores is a junior in the
local high school.
50 Years Ago (1957): Ruth Robinson and Paul Brown received “A” ratings in the Wisconsin
high schools’ regional forensic contest at Oregon Tuesday, according to Mrs. Barbara Voight,
Evansville high school speech instructor. Ruth Robinson’s talk was on “The Girl Who Made
Herself Over,” and Paul Brown’s title was “Consider With Me.” Both students will be eligible to
compete in the district forensic contest at Ft. Atkinson. Other Evansville students who competed
with speakers from Milton and Oregon high schools were Bernice Dunbar, “Late for a Date”;
Betty Dammen, “A Modern Mrs. Malaprop”; Ken Barnard, “The Next Four Minutes”; and Dick
Meyers, “European Line of Defense.”
60 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilbert, Evansville, will observe their 40th wedding
anniversary Sunday, Mar. 5, at which time they will be honored by their children at an open
house starting at 2 p.m. in the Cooksville Community Center. Charles Gilbert and Eva Burhans
were married Mar. 1, 1917 and since their marriage they have resided in rural Evansville and
Cooksville. He is a member of the Waucoma Masonic Lodge at Cooksville and both are
members and officers of the Evansville Eastern Star. They are also members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Gilbert was a master of the Waucoma lodge in 1966. He was formerly a farmer
and is currently operating a repair shop in Cooksville. The Gilberts have five daughters, Mrs.
Arnold Alme, Dayton; Mrs. Lloyd Luek, Janesville and Mrs. Frank Davis, Mrs. Phil Woodworth
and Mrs. John Hermanson, Evansville. They also have 17 grandchildren and two great
grandchildren.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Evansville Jaycees held their Community Awards Banquet Thursday
evening, honoring Jan Berezowitz and Nancy Kress, kindergarten teachers, honored as
Outstanding Young Educators; Paul George, Outstanding Young Individual; Robert Antes,
Distinguished Service Award; and Dave and Mary Viney, Outstanding Young Farm Couple..
20 Years Ago (1987): Expanding to the west, a new home is being constructed on Croft Rd. just
west of Fifth Street. Construction by Robert Schaefges, will be for the Brad Goodspeed home.
New home construction in Evansville has been at a low ebb for some time, and the sight of new
construction is most welcome.
10 years ago (1997): The newly constructed Dean/St. Mary’s Medical Clinic in Evansville,
located on E. Main Street, is an added attraction for Evansville. It is now fully equipped and
furnished and running smoothly. The $600,000 project, offers 5500 square feet, twice as large as
the older facility on W. Church Street. Excellent parking is provided, including handicap
facilities. Full services are offered in cheerful, pleasant surroundings. Work which was begun in
early fall was completed in January in very good time. The new location can comfortably
accommodate three providers. Presently, Dr. Stephen Lewis and Dr. Janet Deegan are serving
the community, responding to needs.
In Review
Second Week of March 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): It will be born in mind, by our village readers, that a meeting of the
qualified electors residing on Section 27, and the east half of Sect. 28, also the west half of the
west half of Sect. 26, including what is now termed the “Village of Evansville,” are to meet at
Swager’s Hall on Tuesday next at 1 o’clock, p.m. to then and there cast their ballots for or
against a charter, granting us certain municipal rights and privileges. The instrument has been
for some time before the citizens in its printed form, and we presume all have given it a critical
examination. We do not understand that it in any manner deprives or excludes us of town
government, but endows us with certain municipal privileges. The officers to be elected on that
day are first, three judges of election, and one clerk, after which a president, four trustees, one
treasurer, and one clerk are to be elected by ballot. Each subsequent election is to be held on the
first Tuesday of March each year.
130 Years Ago (1877): Messrs. Snashall & Mygatt are getting a corner on steel beam plows.
They are sending circulars all over the country, offering them at $15.50.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. Delos Williams who has been in Rock county jail for more than a
year, was taken home to his father’s on bail, in an advanced stage of consumption. Dr. Smith
pronounced his condition hopeless Tuesday, and for several days he has failed to recognize
anyone. Mr. Williams died at 7:30 o’clock Tuesday night, and the funeral was held at his
father’s house Thursday afternoon, Rev. F. L. Wharton presiding.
110 Years Ago (1897): John Babcock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gard Babcock, of Magnolia, died at
his home Saturday, March 6, 1897, of pneumonia and typhoid fever, aged 18 years. Funeral was
held at the home Monday afternoon.
100 Years Ago (1907): Sunday last, the Rev. Rolvix Harlan tendered his resignation as pastor of
the First Baptist church of this city, same to take effect April 1. Mr. Harlan came to this city
some three and one-half years ago fresh from the University of Chicago, and during his residence
here has made many warm friends both in and out of his church society. His recent publication
issues from the Review job rooms, taking for his theme “John Alexander Dowie and the
Christian Catholic Apostolic Church of Zion,” has created considerable comment on account of
the forcible manner in which he handled the question. He goes to Dixon, Ill., where a larger field
of usefulness awaits him, and where we expect Evansville people will occasionally hear from
him.
90 Years Ago (1917): Mayor Byron Campbell recently added a few articles to his interesting
collection of curios—namely, a road runner from California, very rare; a magpie from Colorado;
a sword and scabbard, carried by Capt. John Logan in the rebel army; a large ox horn, used by
Germans for drinking beer; and an old cast iron lamp, with three wick burners for oil, weighing
four pounds.
80 Years Ago (1927): Former Justice Burr W. Jones, attorney, teacher, text book writer, and
patriarch of the Dane County Bar Association, whom Evansville and the town of Union are
proud to claim as a native product, is celebrating his 81st birthday today in San Antonio, Texas,
where he is spending the winter. Mr. Jones is the oldest member of the Dane County Bar
Association. When he was 74 years of age he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by
Gov. E. L. Phillipp. He was reelected to the office in 1922 and in spite of his advanced years
was an active and efficient judge. Judge Jones has been a teacher at the Wisconsin Law School
for 30 years before he was appointed to the Supreme Court in Madison.
70 Years Ago (1937): Miss Marie Josephine Tronnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Tronnes,
Rutland township, became the bride of Raymond W. Heritage, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R.
Heritage, town of Union, at a ceremony performed at 9 p.m. last Thursday in the M. L. Paulson
residence at 12 North Second Street, with Mr. Paulson, justice of the peace, officiating. The
attendants were John Heritage, brother of the groom and Miss Dorcas Rewey, high school home
economics teacher. The bride was graduated from the local high school last June. The newly
weds are making their home north of Evansville in Union township.
60 Years Ago (1947): Announcement. Beginning Monday, March 17, I will be at my welding
shop full time. Welding service, both acetylene and arc welding of all materials including white
or due-case metals. Shop is located next to Libby warehouse on Franklin street. Work
guaranteed. Prompt & Efficient Service. Aaron Cornwell.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Evansville City Council voted to abolish the three-man commission
which has been operating the water and light department, and approved plans for the swimming
pool to be built this summer at a special Council meeting Wednesday, March 6. Council
members felt that inasmuch as the utility commission was required to bring most matters to the
Council for approval, they might as well handle the utility affairs directly as have them come up
from the commission. Since the resignation of George Mattakat last month from the commission
there has been only one citizen member, Ben Green, on the commission, with the second
commissioner being Councilman Norman Bone. Plans for the swimming pool drawn by
engineer John Mielke, Waukesha, were approved at the meeting.
60 Years Ago (1967): Plans for a new $50,000 structure to house the Evansville Fire
Department is presently under consideration by the City Council’s finance committee. The plan,
prepared by Almarco Engineering, Madison, call for a 70 x 80 foot building to provide space for
six trucks, the city ambulance and a meeting room for the city’s 24 volunteer firemen. A small
kitchen, rest room and shower facilities are also included. The building would be located behind
the present City Hall and face Church Street.
30 Years Ago (1977): Howard Cufaude has been named Business Manager for the Evansville
Community School District. Mr. Cufaude takes over on March 15. His contract runs from
March 15 of this year through June 30, of 1978, for which time he will receive $15,500. He has
been hired on an annual salary of $12,000. Of the 15 applications received, the choice was
narrowed to six who were personally interviewed. Mr. Wood, who is retiring, states he has
enjoyed the job and Mr. Cufaude is looking forward to working with Mr. Wood and the people
of the community..
20 Years Ago (1987): Evansville FFA members gained top seed placing by winning at the Ft.
Atkinson Dairy Cattle Sectional contest this past Saturday. Team members Rich Templeton,
Kelly Zweifel, John Abey and Don Templeton, walked away with team honors edging teams
from Whitewater, Milton, Monroe and Lake Mills. Their winning record in dairy cattle judging
during the past year has carried them to the state tournament to be held at the UW-Madison site,
April 24. The Evansville FFA members gained a “Gold” rating with their finish and will now be
practicing for state competition. The community and school can be very proud of the members
for an excellent job of representation throughout the year in contests and activities.
10 years ago (1997): The Evansville High School Music Department will be boarding three
motorcoaches to begin their 25 ½ hour journey to America’s favorite make-believe land:
DisneyWorld. The trip will begin Saturday March 22 and will come to a close Thursday March
27. The six day event will be jammed-packed for these 95 talented musicians. The concert band
and choir will perform at the Tomorrowland stage. The two music groups will also be attending
a music workshop where they will each have a chance to work with some of the best conductors
Disney has to offer.
In Review
Third Week of March 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Seminary Roll of Honor. The Roll of Honor for the Winter Term of the
Evansville Seminary, as is herewith presented, comprises all the students whose standing is
seven or higher, and whose demerits are not over three. Gentlemen: Richard Adee, B. B.
Boynton, Dwight R. Crowell, James Carville, Geroge E. Champney, J. Gillies, Warren Howard,
W. H. Hauser, Adam Luchsinger, C. D. Manning, George F. Martin, T. Marty, Geo. H. Brodrick,
Wm. T. Nett, Seth H. Remington, G. R. Mitchell, Theo’d P. Robinson, Fred H. Spencer, Frank
H. Winston, John M. Tuller, Hiram J. Tourlett, Henry A. Talcott, Willie Wheeler. Ladies: Anna
G. Burdick, Maggie Bennett, Maggie H. Clark, M. Celia Clark, Dora M. Campbell, Aurora
Dibble, M. M. Davis, Elvira Gilman, M. A. Hoisington, Julia A. Hersey, L. Hayward, E. F.
Houser, C. E. Mc Mullen, M. J. Porter, Ellen Starkweather, R. M. Pike, M. Amelia Straw, M. E.
Slawson, C. J. West, E. M. Warren, E. S. Waldron.
130 Years Ago (1877): The Masonic Lodge has a project on foot that looks feasible for the
construction of a hall. Mr. Byron Campbell proposes to erect a building for a market and other
purposes, connected with his business, and offers the Masonic Lodge an opportunity to build and
occupy a hall of the second story. The size of the building will be 24 x 70 feet. The Lodge met
Monday night and elected a board of trustees, and has authorized a committee to close the
bargain with Mr. Campbell. The hall, irrespective of the 1st story, will cost somewhere between
$2,000 and $3,000. If the plans are carried out, it will, be far, be the best and most complete fireproof building in town. [Note: The Campbell meat market and the Masonic Lodge were located
at 11 East Main. The Masonic emblem can still be seen on the second story of the building.]
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. H. W. Ingraham, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, whose father lives in
the town of Union, and who has been visiting the old home for some weeks, returned to Kansas,
Monday morning. He took with him his daughter, who has made it her home with her grand
parents since the death of her mother, some years ago.
110 Years Ago (1897): The Evansville Laundry, Baker Block, is now prepared to do all kinds of
laundry work and will spare no efforts to give the people of Evansville a grade of work that will
keep their patronage at home. Work is called for and delivered free. B. T. Bryan, Prop.
100 Years Ago (1907): Street Commissioner Hamilton commenced his annual spring work upon
the streets in this city, Monday last. His first object lesson was in unloading many loads of
coarse sand, gravel, etc., upon Church street between First and Second streets. If we remember
rightly, about two years ago many loads of good dirt were taken away from the same place. How
time does change the location of soil.
90 Years Ago (1917): Starting on Monday, April 2, Evansville merchants will conduct a
cooperative delivery system. All the stores that have been operating deliveries, except Charles
Barnum’s meat market and the Grange, have signed contracts with George Anderson, whereby
he will furnish two delivery trucks, making six deliveries to all parts of the city every day.
Owing to the fact that the Grange store had previously made arrangements for its deliveries, it
could not enter into the arrangement. The contracts cover one year. Mr. Anderson will be
assisted by his son, Glenn. The merchants are confident that their customers will find the new
system a great improvement over the present way of handling deliveries. Deliveries will be
made every morning at 8:30, 9:30, and 11:30 and in the afternoon at 2:30, 4:00 and 5:00.
Edgerton, Janesville, Richland Center and other Wisconsin cities have found the system a good
one.
80 Years Ago (1927): The town of Union town caucus was held March 19, at which time the
following candidates were nominated: Chairman, Potter Porter. Supervisors, George Emery and
Wade Woodworth. Clerk, H. S. Spooner. Treasurer, Oscar Brunsell. Assessor, Ben Disch and
Charles Weary. Justices, Walter Flood and W. E. Reese. Constables, Arthur Jones and M. F.
Moore.
70 Years Ago (1937): At a special meeting of the board of directors, the newly organized Leota
Hotel Corporation completed arrangements to purchase the Hotel Central in the heart of
Evansville’s business district from H. F. Brunsell who bought the property two years ago.
Though no definite plans have been announced, the corporation is planning an extensive
renovation and remodeling program for the reopening of the hotel which has been closed for
some time. Directors for the corporation are Dr. J. W. Ames, president; E. H. Libby, vice
president; Phil D. Pearsall, secretary; A. M Winn, treasurer; and R. L. Collins, H. H. Loomis, L.
L. Thompson and Charles Maloy. [Note: The Central House was located at the northwest corner
of Main and Madison streets.]60 Years Ago (1947): Joe’s restaurant moved this week from its
location in the Boreva building on East Main Street to the Combs building on North Madison
Street. The rooms which have been used as a dwelling the past few years, have been completely
remodeled and new restaurant equipment has been added. Evansville citizens are invited to visit
the place of business. [Joe’s restaurant was located at 14 North Madison.]
50 Years Ago (1957): Evansville high school seniors Dick Meyers and Arlyn George were
elected honorary co-captains of the 1956-57 Blue Devil basketball squad by their teammates,
according to coach Bernie Golz. Senior guard Harry Becher, was elected “most valuable player”
of the season. All three were awarded letters. Other local cagers who earned letters for their
efforts during the season just ended include: Jack Thornton, senior, forward; Karl Romstad,
junior, forward; Louis Harnack, junior, forward; Dick Moore, sophomore, center; Chuck
Peterson, sophomore, guard; and Tom Helgesen, team manager.
60 Years Ago (1967): Joshua Crowell has accepted a call to become pastor of the UCC
Congregational Church here. He succeeds the Rev. Alan Kromholz who resigned to become the
pastor of a Watertown church. Crowell will receive his degree from Andover Newton
Theological Seminary, Newton Center, Mass., in May and plans to assume his duties here about
July 1. His wife, Betty Ann, also will receive her master’s degree in religious education in May.
Crowell was guest speaker in the church Sunday after being welcomed at a reception Saturday
night in the fireside room of the church.
30 Years Ago (1977): Officers and board members were elected at the annual meeting of the
Evansville Golf Association. Randy Feldt was elected president. Edd McCaffrey is vicepresident. Harlan Steindl was chosen treasurer and Gary Grossman is the organization’s
secretary. Board members include Roger Thompson, Paul Klitzman, Lois Holzem, Theo
Rasmussen and Norman Tomlin..
20 Years Ago (1987): Dobbs’ Duds and Dr. Prudhon’s Optometric are sporting brand new
complementary awnings, a part of their plan for revitalization. R. and B Tarps of Cambridge
installed an olive green and brown strip at Dobbs’ Duds and a solid olive green one at Dr.
Prudhon’s. A bright, sunny logo now helps define the Union Coop. The new design, now
obvious on their trucks, caps, bills, etc. serves their Belleville and Albany facilities, as well as
Evansville. The design for the new logo was created by Evansville’s Kevin Schelley, Fertilizer
and Agronomist Manager at the local facility.
10 years ago (1997): Metal Culverts, Inc., a Missouri company with additional operations in
Illinois, Texas and Florida, will be starting business in Commerce Park in the city’s industrial
park. The company produces and distributes metal culverts for use in water drainage projects
and intends to establish a foothold in Wisconsin. The company plans to locate in Evansville
permanently. Initially the company plans to employ 10-15 people, most of which will be hired
locally.
In Review
Fourth Week of March 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): We are informed by Dr. Smith, the attending surgeon, that B. S. Hoxie,
Esq. of Cooksville, and Mr. Cyrus Bates, of Porter, received severe injuries on Monday last, by
falling from a staging upon which they were at work building a school house. The board which
formed their stage contained a knot and on their attempting to pass each other the board broke,
precipitating them both to the ground where they lay in a helpless condition until some
accidental assistance reached them and they were helped home. Mr. Bates sustained a fracture of
several ribs, and Mr. Hoxie received a severe injury to the knee. On the same day, Mr. Ezra
Mann, of Porter, fell from a load of hay and fractured his shoulder.
130 Years Ago (1877): A Pioneer Gone. In the last number of the Review we mentioned,
briefly, the death of our esteemed townsman, and old settler, David Johnson. Mr. Johnson
settled in this town in the year 1840 and it has been his residence ever since. Father Johnson, has
for the past eight years, been very feebled but retained full vigor of mind until within a few hours
of his death. His funeral, was before noticed, took place in the Baptist church in Union village,
and was attended by a large number of old settlers and friends. His wife survives him, having
married in 1817. Mother Johnson will be lonely now, being separated from her life-long
companion, with whom she has braved the ills of life as well as tasted its joys, for over sixty
years, but she views her bereavement from a Christian stand point, and looks to a kind Savior for
protection and support. Mr. Johnson’s last words were: “O glorious hope of immortality and
eternal life.” He died as he lived: a Christian. Peace be to his memory.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mrs. Barnum is raising her house on the East side; she will have it
resilled, moved back and West six feet, and will put up a large addition on to the East side. Mr.
Sale is doing the moving.
110 Years Ago (1897): The school in the White Star district will close next Friday, April 2, with
the following graduates: Miss Aleria Erdahl, Miss Maude Pierce, Miss Myrta Howard, Miss
Lizzie Collins, John and Jerome Collins. This term will complete the twelfth successive term
with Miss Pantell as teacher.
100 Years Ago (1907): The Seminary had quite a scare Saturday morning when the roof of the
dormitory caught fire from a burning chimney. The high wind was fortunately in the southwest,
otherwise the building could hardly have been saved. We wish to extend our hearty thanks to
those of the Evansville Fire Company who responded so quickly to our call for help.
90 Years Ago (1917): On March 24, 1892, Frank F. Asmus was united in marriage with Miss
Minnie Hess, by the Rev. J. Kahl. For twenty-five years they have prospered, building a
beautiful home on Main Street, and besides they are the owner of farm property. On last
Saturday a large number of friends and relatives gathered at their home and celebrated their
twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, enjoying a bountiful dinner. After the dinner Mr. and Mrs.
Asmus were seated in the front room and with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kutzke, who were present at
the wedding twenty-five years ago, seated next to the happy couple, the Rev. G. E. Zellmer
conducted a short religious service. Everybody enjoyed a good time and upon departing wished
Mr. and Mrs. Asmus many more happy years of happy married life.
80 Years Ago (1927): Tourist Park Notes: The Park Committee have decided to close the
drives at 10 p.m. The reason for this is the large number of out of town autos coming into the
park at all times of the night. The Tourist Camp entrance will be kept open but there will be a
man on duty all night at the camp. Mr. and Mrs. Matt Ellis and son, Fay, will again have charge
of the concessions at the park. We are expecting the largest attendance at the park and camp this
season in its history. By the generosity of some of our citizens we have now 22 tables or a
seating capacity of about 170 persons. What we are lacking now is lawn seats. Will you donate
and have your name on the back. You will be doing yourself a favor by having your ashes
hauled to the park. As soon as the weather permits the park will be raked and put in order, and
the tennis court will also be put in shape for use. Fred Wilder, Custodian.
70 Years Ago (1937): After nearly a month of detour routings, traffic conditions on U. S.
Highway 14 between Evansville and Janesville were restored last Thursday when the road
barriers, in place since the heavy storms of Feb. 21 were removed and county snow plows
completed clearing the ice from the pavement near Leyden. The water at Leyden went down
enough to permit highway crews to work there the fore part of last week but eight inches of
water continued to cover the ice at that time. During the week, however, the water level dropped
below the pavement elevation and a heavy snow plow broke up the coating of ice and pushed it
aside. At one time nearly four feet of water and ice covered the road at this point completely
paralyzing traffic. As a result for more than three weeks motorists traveling from Evansville to
Janesville were either routed around by Orfordville or from Leyden via Center. Highway 59 at
Union has also been reopened but several inches of water still cover an area between Union and
Cooksville which was completely flooded at one time.
60 Years Ago (1947): Donald Thompson was elected temporary chairman of the local Chamber
of Commerce which was organized Friday night in the city hall. He appointed a committee to set
a permanent date for future meetings. Committee members were Prentice Eager, Donald Scott,
Jack Heffel, William H. Bewick, Donald Gallagher, Walter Carlson and Wallace Everill.
50 Years Ago (1957): The primary reason for Monday night’s special council meeting was to
open bids on utility poles for which the city Water and Light Department advertised. The
council unanimously agreed to accept the bid of the Laufenberg Lumber company of $2,337.90
for 73 utility poles of southern yellow pine. Bids were received on southern yellow pine, classes
four and five and western red cedar, classes four and five. Harold Tait, superintendent of the
Water and Light department, was present to advice the council about the merits and demerits of
the various types of poles. Western red cedar, the council decided, was too much more
expensive than southern yellow pine, even though it was lighter and somewhat easier to handle
and maintain. Discussion was then limited to yellow pine. Another factor which entered into the
selection of the Laufenberg bid was the fact that the firm promised immediate delivery. The
only other bid for select number four yellow pine poles was entered by the Joslyn company and
totaled $2556. The poles will be used in the relocation of city utility lines along rear property
lines, rather than on the street where trees create severe maintenance problems. The beautifying
effect to the city was also considered in the decision to relocate the lines in back yards.
60 Years Ago (1967): The Evansville Fire Department at their meeting Monday March 20, held
election of officers for the coming year. The following were elected officers for the coming
year. Assistant chief Lawrence Skoien; Captain Leslie Golz; Lieutenant Chas. Nordeng;
Secretary Robert Olsen; Treasurer Wm. Erbs; Steward Robert Gallman; Assistant Steward
Kenneth Gallman. Fire Chief, Chet Jorgenson appointed Wm. Morrison, Edd McCaffery and
Wm. Erbs as an investigation committee for prospective new members. Robert Olsen was
retained as publicity chairman. Rolland Propst was taken into the department as a new member.
With the new member, the department is at full operational strength with 24 men. At the April
meeting, the department will make a tour of the Pruden Co. to observe their fire extinguishing
equipment.
30 Years Ago (1977): Evansville city and area senior citizens have a new place to go for a cup
of coffee, a game of cards, or just plain conversation; the Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Center at 16
E. Main in Evansville is now open. The center, funded with help of the Rock County
Commission on Aging, is in the building which most recently housed Reible’s Bakery in
downtown Evansville. In the words of Evansville Senior Citizen Association president Betty
Guernsey, “It’s a place for people to come, to get together, to enjoy themselves a little bit.” At
present the facilities include three rooms, tables, chairs, and a coffee pot with cups. In the near
future a kitchen range and refrigerator will be installed to allow occasional lunches and pot luck
dinners. The hours are from 9 to 12 noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
20 Years Ago (1987): Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin will open a new regional
service center in Evansville later this year, company officials have announced. Tom Hefty,
president, recently signed a three-year agreement to lease 6,600 square feet of office space in
The Grange Mall in downtown Evansville from Robert Peterson and Robert Helgesen, partners
in the R. R. J. Partnership and owners of the mall. The Center scheduled to open sometime
around June 15 will be the second Blue Cross & Blue Shield regional facility located outside
Milwaukee. Last year, the insurer opened a center in Fond du Lac. They also have seven
regional marketing offices located throughout the state.
10 years ago (1997): The City Hall survey results have been tabulated and are bound to give
city officials some very interesting food for thought. 399 survey responses, about 27% of the
1,500 mailed to citizens of Evansville, were received by the March 17, deadline. By the
slimmest of margins, opponents of maintaining the current city hall with required ADA changes
prevailed by a tally of 179 to 178, with an additional 31 citizens declaring neutrality and 11
expressing no choice. Opponents commented frequently about their concern for “wasting money
on an old building which lacks office efficiencies.” Many also commented about a perceived
lack of parking. Opponents often mentioned significant support for moving city hall offices into
the soon to be vacated Piggly Wiggly store on South Madison Street. Many thought that a move
of that nature would allow for a more efficient and cost-effective consolidation of city
administrative offices with those of the Water and Light Department.
IN REVIEW
APRIL 2007
In Review
First Week of April 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Mr. I. M. Bennett started for New York to make his purchases for the
Spring trade. Mr. Sheafe also left for Boston where he will purchase another stock of ready
made clothing. A miniature winter greeted us last Monday morning, but the warm sun made a
quick run of the snow flakes when he got out and began to look around. Mrs. Allen S. Baker left
her home yesterday morning on a visit to friends at Annapolis, Md. The Village School begins
Monday.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. B. S. Hoxie of Cooksville, is manufacturing a good article of churn,
and which he has christened “The Farmer’s churn. It can be seen at the Grange Store.
120 Years Ago (1887): We understand it is the intention for women, as per section of the law
below, to present themselves at the polls and offer their votes for all town officers that in any
manner related to common schools, next Tuesday, under the school suffrage law enacted in
1884. The Law. Section 1. Every woman who is a citizen of this state of the age of twenty-one
years or upwards, except paupers, persons under guardianship, and persons otherwise excluded
by Sec. 2, Act 3, of the Constitution of Wisconsin, who has resided within the state one year and
in the election district where she offers to vote ten days next preceding any election pertaining to
school matters shall have a right to vote at such election.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. Almeron Eager is soon to erect a handsome white brick building
upon the site occupied by J. T. Toynton before the fire. It is to be hoped that other property
owners will follow the good example and that the unsightly ruins will so give place to modern
buildings. The new buildings now owned by Dr. Smith, Frank Devendorf and B. Campbell are
certainly great ornaments to the city. [Note: Mr. Eager’s building was located at 11 and 13 West
Main Streets; Dr. Smith at 5 West Main; Frank Devendorf at 7 West Main and Byron Campbell
at 9 West Main.]
100 Years Ago (1907): Mr. Pehler of Milwaukee, the Y. M. C. A. organizer, has been in our city
this week perfecting plans for the new Y.M.C.A. rooms, the necessary funds being raised. The
upper floor of the old Grange store is being fitted with baths, gymnasium, etc., and when
completed will be of great convenience and a great help to our young men and visitors. [Note the
old Grange store was at 19 East Main Street.]
90 Years Ago (1917): At Tuesday’s election, Magnolia elected the following officers:
Chairman, Dan Drew; Supervisors, B. A. Sisson and Robert Spencer; Town Clerk, W. D.
Dougherty; treasurer, Robert Fraser; Assessor, W. B. Andrew; Justices of the Peace, William
Ahara, Gaylord Butcher and Grant Howard; Constables, Henry Horan, George Bahr and Ernest
Post.
80 Years Ago (1927): Every seat in the hall and gallery was packed to see the Junior Class
present the annual class play, entitled “Grumpy”. In the cast of characters there were twelve
players. Grumpy was acted by Wilson Brown, in a manner which would have done credit to a
much and more experienced actor. The class and their instructors are to be congratulated in the
able manner with which they carried over the play. The following took part in the play:
Elizabeth Fellows, Pauline Munns, Maurice Woodworth, Horace Reynolds, Martelle Griffeth,
Dudley Slauson, Wilson Brown, Olav Ellis, William Wood, Donald Elert, Herbert Miller. The
executive staff which had charge of the affair, comprised of: Veryl Courtier, William Hanson,
Ruth Guilfoyle, Ellena Devlin, Frank Wood, Howard Munns, Raymond Miller, Dorothy Durner,
Miss Magdanz, and Miss Scott.
70 Years Ago (1937): More than three million dollars, $3,262,525 to be exact, has been
distributed to stockholders of the Baker Manufacturing company here during the past 37 years,
according to announcements mailed with the distribution of the first quarterly dividend checks.
The common stockholders received $2,907,186, with the balance going to preferred shareholders
who invested the original capital to establish the company in 1873. The large earnings of the
firm have been made possible by the employees themselves who, because of the profit sharing
system, having taken a personal interest in the company and its products. Quoting the firm’s
announcement, “The fundamental idea of profit sharing was to make the corporation owned by
its employees, not by taking something from the original stockholders for the employees, but to
give the employees a chance to save material and time and own what they saved with something
they could fall back on in case of emergency or old age.”
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Reese, Evansville announce the approaching
marriage of their daughter, Ruth Dorothy, to Frederick Macart, son of Mrs. Marjorie Macart, also
of Evansville. The marriage will take place in the near future.
50 Years Ago (1957): Evansville seventh and eighth grade basketball team was defeated by
Brodhead in the championship of the Janesville YMCA tournament last Saturday by a score of
21 to 20. Local boys who participated at Brodhead were Randy Decker, Scott Sperry, Dick
Erpenbach, Jerry Spencer, Dave Powers, Tom Cain, Jim Ganoung and Don Thornton. Forward
Randy Decker was the leading scorer of the tourney with 42 points in three games. The
tournament climaxed a successful year for coach Prchal’s “Junior Blues.” The team improved
steadily as the season progressed and ended with ten wins and four losses.
60 Years Ago (1967): Preparations are being made for the erection of a new supermarket on
Liberty Street in the city. The structure will be a Pruden pre-engineered metal building sold by
Helgesen Pruden Sales, Janesville, Robert Helgesen. The building will be 60’ by 120’ x 12’
truss beam structural system, olive green with color accents. [Note: this building is at the
southeast corner of Liberty and Madison Street and is currently the location of the Care Closet.]
30 Years Ago (1977): The Ecumenical Choir concert was held last Sunday evening at St. Paul’s
Catholic Church. Soloists were Ruth Olson, Marsha Dobbs, Sharon Miller, Larry Olson, Lee
Ringhand, John Patterson and Rev. I. Dean Jordan. Julie Wollinger, LaVonne Winter, Jean
Guggisberg, presented a trumpet rendition of “Crown Him With Many Crowns.” Dr. Raymond
E. Light was the guest director. Mrs. George Knuckles was the accompanist. Will Sumner, Sr.
and daughter, Miss Lucy were the violinists for one rendition..
20 Years Ago (1987): Election Day is coming up next week; Tuesday, April 7. Three school
board seats are open and to be filled. There were no candidates filing before the January
deadline. School board candidates are all declared write-ins as follows: Incumbent Greg
Whitmore, Lyle Trow, Denise Cole, Carol Prudhon, Richard Hamacher and Thomas Madsen.
Dale Bryant, who had formerly declared as a candidate has withdrawn his name.
10 years ago (1997): April and Aaron Burkhalter recently competed in the “Dance Team
Showdown” for Country Western Dancing at Fort Wayne, Indiana and walked away with
excellent placings. They scored high enough in the preliminaries for the “top teenagers, ages 1319, to qualify them among the top eight finalists. In the final competition, April placed fourth
and Aaron finished sixth.
In Review
Second Week of April 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Village Ordinance: The President and Trustees of the Village of
Evansville do ordain as follows: Every person who shall ride, drive, or lead any horse, mule, ox,
cow, or other domestic animal on any side walk in said Village, (except where necessary to cross
the same,) or who shall willfully injure any of said side walk in any other manner; or who shall
willfully destroy or injury any of the ornamental trees on the sides of any of the streets in said
Village, shall forfeit and pay a penalty of five dollars, for each and every offence. David L.
Mills, Village Clerk
130 Years Ago (1877): The Spencer House changed hands. Mr. Ed. Fellows is proprietor; Col.
Beebe ex. The sale amounted to some $6,000, including all the running establishment. We are
sorry to lose Col. Beebe from that popular hostelry, but hope his place will be made good by Mr.
Fellows. The Colonel has built up a good patronage, and won hosts of friends among our people
and the traveling public, and we bespeak the same success to his successor. Our people—
business men and others—ought to lend a helping hand and show by an occasional word that a
well-kept hotel adds immeasurable to the business of our place.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. Cassius C. Searles and Miss E. Blanche Helms were married at
home, Evansville, Wis., April ninth, A. D. 1887. Miss Helms was, for several years, a
compositor in the Review office, and we never knew a truer or more faithful lady than what she
was. The marriage took place at her mother’s residence on Main street, and was performed by
Rev. A. D. Sanborn, of the Free Baptist church, witnessed by only a few relatives and intimate
friends of the parties. They made a short wedding trip to Janesville, to visit friends, and then
went at once to housekeeping on the “Searles” place, on the Cooksville road. Their many friends
join the Review in wishes for a pleasant and happy marital life, and no dreams of ‘caps or small
caps” ever disturb their anxious slumbers, nor visions of “italics” or “bold faces” haunt their
dreams.
110 Years Ago (1897): Results of Election. Town of Union Board, Ira Jones, chairman, A. G.
Franklin, W. R. Patterson; Clerk, W. W. Gillies; Assessor, I. H. Brink; Treasurer, John Tullar;
Justice, S. H. Frost; Constable, Chris Jorgensen. Voted to buy road scraper.
100 Years Ago (1907): The old tenement house just west of the Congregational parsonage, has
been moved to Almeron street where it will be fitted up as a residence for Fred W. Hanson. This
house is one of the old landmarks in this city, but its place was needed by B. A. Meyers, who is
to erect a modern house for himself this season. [Note: Meyers and his brother owned the
Meyers Lumberyard on East Main Street. B. A. Meyers built the home 120 West Church
Street.]
90 Years Ago (1917): Overcast skies and a biting north wind did not chill the ardor of about
twelve hundred men, women and children who participated in Evansville’s splendid loyalty
parade on Saturday afternoon. School children carrying flags, all local fraternal orders, fire
department, city officials, commercial club, veterans of the civil war—keeping step to patriotic
music by the Evansville band and drum corps—and seventy-two automobiles, bedecked with the
stars and stripes, registered the people’s pledge of patriotism. Superintended by Harry C.
Hansen, chairman of the parade committee, and marshaled by F. W. Gillman, the loyalty parade
proved to be even a greater success than the roseate dreams of the committee anticipated.
Malcolm G. Jeffris, of Janesville, who was a candidate for the United States Senate concluded
his forceful address by making an appeal to the young men of Evansville to enlist under the stars
and stripes before they are drafted, and urged every man to give freely his service and wealth, if
needed, during the crisis through which the country is passing. The committee consisting of
Harry C. Hansen, Rev. Golder Riley Lawrence, Dr. C. S. Cook and Rev. Malcolm F. Miller,
deserves much praise. A platoon may be formed here. If forty men are secured the government
will send an officer for drill practice.
80 Years Ago (1927): It is announced that this week that the Country Club, of this city,
numbering seventy members, has purchased seventy-seven acres of the Knapp estate, northwest
of town and will at once fit it for the use of the Golf Club. A golf architect has already been
engaged to go over and lay out the grounds so that the natural advantages of the property may be
used to the best advantage for the game and also that the scenic qualities of the location may be
preserved and beautified. The golf bug has bitten so many people in the smaller towns of recent
years that they go long distances and pay for the use of the links in order to enjoy the game. It is
stated that all the golf associations at Janesville, Stoughton and Edgerton have been paying
propositions for the last year or so. The officers of the club are: President, Dr. Denison; Vicepresident, R. M. Richmond; Secretary-treasurer, Harley Smith.
70 Years Ago (1937): Miss Eleanora Andrews and her sister, Mrs. Marilla Buchwalter, after
disposing of the Buchwalter estate at Springfield, Ohio, where they had resided for over twenty
years, returned to Evansville to make their home, the house their father, John C. Andrews, of
Argyle, bought of Jacob West, May 15, 1868, on the corner of West Church and Third Streets.
These ladies both grew to womanhood in Evansville and both were honored by the citizens with
the position of post-master. Miss Eleanora being first appointed by President Cleveland, serving
through his administration and that of his successor, Theodore Roosevelt. [Note: the Andrews
home was located at 262 West Church Street.]
60 Years Ago (1947): Extensive plans are being made by the members of the Janesville 192nd
Tank company and Tank Auxiliary for the unveiling and dedication of a monument next Sunday,
in honor of the boys in the division who lost their lives fighting on the death march and in
Japanese prison camps. The activities will include a parade at 2 p.m. from the court house park
to the armory where the dedicatory ceremony will take place. The monument, weighing
approximately seven tons is a granite bronze plaque bearing the names of all the boys in the
company, formerly National Guards. It has a bronze tank on top of it which is an exact replica of
the tank used in the Philippine Islands. Blue prints were secured from the war department. In
that Evansville had six sons in the tank company, it is expected that a large group from here will
attend the ceremonies. The local group included LeRoy Scoville, Robert Hubbard, Kenneth
Hatlevig, Herbert Durner, Edward Trebs and Robert Kubly. The first three boys named lost their
lives in prison camps; Herbert Durner now resides in Janesville; Robert Kubly in Baraboo, and
Edward Trebs, California. He was removed to Australia for hospitalization prior to the fall of
Bataan. All Evansville ex-service men are asked to be at the city hall at 1 p.m. where they will be
transported to Janesville to participate in the parade.
50 Years Ago (1957): The financial aspects of dredging Lake Leota were discussed at the City
Council meeting, but no final action was taken. It was reported that Rock County would
contribute $2,000 toward the project and that R. J. Antes would seek an additional $1,000 if the
city contributes $2,000 toward the project. Total cost will be about $5,000 according to the
estimate of a contractor from Crystal Lake.
60 Years Ago (1967): The possible erection of a $300,000 nursing home in Evansville is being
considered by a Stoughton couple, Mayor Ida T. Conroy announced today. In making the
announcement, Mrs. Conroy said Mr. and Mrs. Duane Brickson of Stoughton have received
tentative approval of a $250,000 FHA loan, but before plans can proceed the government
requires that some $40,000 be available in local financing. Mr. and Mrs. Brickson are seeking
local citizens who would be willing to furnish the $40,000 for the initial operating cost of the
home until it becomes self-sustaining. Mrs. Conroy said the couple indicated the facility would
be in a position to meeting its own expenses as soon as 25 beds are filled. Plans revealed by
Mrs. Conroy after working with the couple, call for a 150 bed accredited unit within the city
limits. She pointed out that it would be a fireproof building with a brick exterior and the
possibility of its being a Pruden Products Co. steel structure is also being considered.
30 Years Ago (1977): Kent Katzenmeyer, 27, has been named to replace resigned officer Jerry
Mulholland on Evansville’s police force. Katzenmeyer, a 1968 graduate of Evansville High
School. He is an Emergency Medical Technician serving with the ambulance crew and is taking
courses in police science at Blackhawk Tech. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger
Katzenmeyer..
20 Years Ago (1987): On Friday of last week, members of the Evansville Police Officers Assn.
voted unanimously to become union members, according to Sgt. John Whitmore. Four full time
officers are eligible for membership in Teamsters Local 579. Officers who have signed cards to
join are Whitmore, Jed Sperry and Art Phillips. Frank Warner has not yet signed. Police Chief
Kent Katzenmeyer remains neutral in the situation as part of management. When asked why
they joined the Teamsters, John Whitmore said, “So that the Teamsters can bargain for us. The
city hired a professional negotiator. We felt it was time that we got some professional
representation.”
10 years ago (1997): Jason Moe and Kristin Rosa from Evansville were among the area
students at UW-Platteville who received Chancellor’s Honors. Rosa made the Dean’s List in the
College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. Moe made the Dean’s List in the
College of Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences.
In Review
Third Week of April 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Village Ordinance To Prohibit the Keeping of Billiard Tables. The
President and Trustees of the Village of Evansville, do ordain as follows: Section 1. Every
person who shall keep any room as a place of public resort, and shall allow the playing of
billiards in such room in said Village, shall forfeit and pay a penalty of Ten Dollars for each and
every day so kept open. 2. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to cause the foregoing Ordinance to
be published in the Evansville Citizen at its next issue. April 11, 1867. D. L. Mills, Clerk.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Jake Allen’s family is in a sick and destitute condition—depending
wholly upon the charity of the public for aid. Himself and wife, and three children are helpless
from an attack of scarlet fever.
120 Years Ago (1887): We never saw the Methodist church so well filled at a Sunday service as
on Easter morning, and seldom has a better sermon been uttered from the pulpit than on the
occasion; the orchestra was full of good music, and the congregation taking up the refrain, made
the walls of that old sanctuary echo as it seldom has done before. The day was calm and
beautiful for a spring morning and every heart seemed to respond to the melody of rhythm, and
with the inspiration that fired the hearts of those who first beheld the form of a risen Savior to
bless mankind.
110 Years Ago (1897): The photo buttons Combs turns out are beauties. The fad of wearing a
button with a picture of yourself, or one of your family is becoming more and more popular, and
you should be in line with the rest. Photos of buildings, society emblems, pets, etc. placed on
buttons in first-class style and at very little cost.
100 Years Ago (1907): Harvey Walton and Wm. Meggott were in Madison Thursday,
consulting with the architect on the Evansville public library building.
90 Years Ago (1917): A citizens’ meeting was held at the Commercial Club rooms on Friday
evening to appoint committees from the different wards to attend a meeting in Janesville at
which the county will organize to take steps to supply the machinery needed for common
defense in the time of war. The second ward committee is composed of the following
gentlemen: M. L. Paulson, E. J. Ballard, John S. Baker, T. C. Richardson and R. M. Richmond.
C. J. Pearsall, A. C. Holmes and others will be sent from the first ward, the committees from that
ward and the third ward not having been appointed in full yet.
80 Years Ago (1927): Eighth Grade Notes: The boys have organized baseball teams. The
teams are as follows: Milo Hatlevig, Capt., Alvin Burtis, Harold Schuster, Alfred Brooks,
Norman McCaffery, Leroy Geisler, Herman Doering, Willard Propst, James Parkin, Keith
Williams; Morris Moore, Capt., Maurice Lee, Leonard Nelson, Everett Crawford, Boyd
Crawford, Austin Jones, Gordon Jones, Ralph King, Mark Bruce, Harry Roderick. We have
received our Audubon pins and pamphlets. It is now time to go on bird hunts.
70 Years Ago (1937): Work was begun here Monday on a new building to be completed by a
home appliance store owned by H. H. Loomis, between the old Central house and the Buick
garage on Main Street. The structure is to be of brick and tile construction, and will be 20 feet
by 36 feet, with a cement floor. The foundation is already in and work on the walls is
progressing rapidly. The contract was let to the Evansville Construction company, Mr. Loomis
said. The store will carry a full line of Norge products, including electric gas range, electric
ironers, washing machines, refrigerators, and gas stoves. Mr. Loomis said he expects to open the
store about May 10. [Note: this is the store at 8 West Main Street, the current location of the
Evansville Chamber of Commerce.]
60 Years Ago (1947): Piano Recital given by the pupils of Miss Lou A. Howland, assisted by
Louia Gransee and Gwenyth Chandler, Sunday afternoon at 2:30, April 20, 1947, Congregational
Church. Participants: Diane Crawford, Marian McCarthy, Elaine Easton, Rita Ann Bly, Joan
Moldenhauer, John Bly, Theresa Gibbs, Eileen Schwartzlow, Marilyn Klusmeyer, Delores
Uselmann, June Heffel, Marianne McKenna, Olive Sprecher, Lois Gransee, Eleanor Nimmo,
Nancy Brunsell, Beverly Amidon, Bobby Blum, Joan Rosen, Marjorie Klofton, Judy Romstad,
Mary Blum, Betty Lou Lawry, and Shelley Thurman.
50 Years Ago (1957): April 16, 1957. Reorganization Meeting of the Evansville City Council.
The meeting of the new council was called to order at 8 p.m. by the Hon. R. B. Townsend,
mayor, on the above date with the following members present at roll call: Ralph Bennett,
Norman W. Bone, L. R. Finn, C. Ira Larsen, Mrs. Charles Conroy and Walter S. Spratler, Jr. All
members present at roll call. Mayor Townsend welcomed Mrs. Conroy as did the council
members.
60 Years Ago (1967): Mayor Ida T. Conroy received special recognition for outstanding
contribution to the community at the Evansville High School All Sports Banquet last night. It
was put on by the Sports Booster Club, which is less than one year old. The banquet was one of
this city’s major events of the year. A high school senior, Dennis Reese, was awarded a medal
from the University W Club as the best all-round athlete. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin
Reese, of 268 W. Main Street. Some 400 guests were on hand. More than 50 athletes,
managers, and cheerleaders, who have represented the school this year were honored. A
standing ovation was given Mrs. Conroy as she accepted a plaque for her mnay contributions to
the growth and development of Evansville youth.
30 Years Ago (1977): A mobile home at the corner of Tolles and Gibbs Lake roads east of
Evansville was totally destroyed by fire late Monday afternoon, but Evansville firemen were able
to save a farm house on Porter Road from total destruction west of Evansville, early Friday
afternoon. Fire Chief Lawrence Skoien described the trailer owned by the A. K. Investment
Company, a calf-raising outfit, as completely demolished. The cause of the fire which
apparently started in the rear bedroom area, was unknown. On Porter Road, a passing motorist
alerted the Spence Porter family that their roof was on fire Friday. According to Skoien the
blaze was caused by faulty wiring in the attic, was completely destroyed along with one bedroom
at the upper west end of the house. The rest of the home sustained water damage. The Porters
and their children were all at home and were able to carry out several pieces of furniture. .
20 Years Ago (1987): Jon Ischi, aged 15, of Evansville Boy Scout Troop 514, was presented the
Eagle Scout award at a presentation ceremony held March 20, 1988 at the Evansville United
Methodist Church. As his Eagle Project, Jon chose to build bluebird nesting boxes. Jon is the
son of Joe and Barb Ischi, Evansville.
10 years ago (1997): Evansville Basketball Team has three members who have been voted All
Conference. Wyatt Fellows, a junior, was the team’s leading scorer with 288 points, and leading
defensive player. He was third in assists and rebounds. He also set a new school field goal
percentage record, and was selected as Co-MVP. Joe Knudtson, a senior, was the team’s leading
rebounder and second in scoring. He set new school 3-point field goal records, 8 in one game
and 58 for the season. He is also a member of the 500 points in a career club and was CoCaptain. R. J. Laube, a senior, and Co-Captain, was the team leader in assists. Third in scoring
and defense, he was two rebounds short of a triple-double this year. Three members were
included in honorable mention: Ben Beal, Andy Tomlin, and Ryan Subera.
In Review
Fourth Week of April 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Sewing Society of the M. E. Church meets every Friday afternoon,
in one of the rooms of the Church. Their energies at this time seem to be directed to the getting
up of a Fair at no distant day to aid in the completion of the church edifice. The ladies connected
with that society are untiring in their efforts to place the condition of their church in the
foreground of spiritual and temporal success.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Harvey Prentice, wife and daughter, and Mr. Levi Leonard
contemplate making a visit to Dakota and Colorado, and will leave home sometime the first of
May.
120 Years Ago (1887): The new fire bell was received and deposited with the rest of the
paraphernalia of the fire company Wednesday afternoon, John Reilly draying it from the depot.
It will be mounted upon a tower not yet constructed or located. It was rung to call the boys
together Wednesday by Fireman Call poising it on an iron bar. The tower will be built after the
windmill tower style, 36 feet high and located on the South side of the hall entrance. Booth &
Walton are doing it.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mrs. Henry P. Aller, aged 34 years, died at her home in this city on
Sunday morning, April 18, 1897, at 7:15 o’clock, of consumption. The deceased’s maiden name
was Florence Amanda Gillespie; was born in Mercer Co., Pa., came to Wisconsin when nine
years old, was married to Henry P. Aller on Dec. 24, 1879. She has been a long sufferer from
the disease, having been an invalid for about 7 years. Funeral was held Tuesday at 2 o’clock at
the M. E. church.
100 Years Ago (1907): George Pullen and wife went to Chicago Tuesday for a two-day visit.
While there they noted the progress of work being done on the bronze statue of A. Eager, which
is being made to occupy a prominent position in the new library building.
90 Years Ago (1917): Rock County is represented by eighty-nine students at the University of
Wisconsin this year. Seventeen are from Evansville: In the College of Letters and Science:
Ivan G. Fay, Miss Barbara E. Pearsall, juniors; Miss Elizabeth Baker, senior. In the course in
Commerce: Carroll G. Crane, freshman; Wesley E. Langemak, Lyell P. Porter, Lloyd L. Wilder,
Gordon D. Adams, sophomores. In the College of Engineering: Loyal S. Baker, freshman;
Everett Van Patten, senior (in the Mechanical Engineering course.) In the College of
Agriculture: Leon E. Patterson, sophomore. In the School of Music: Miss Leila E. Miller,
senior. In the Chemistry course: Max Phillipps, senior. In the Home Economics course: Miss
Ethel Van Wart, junior.
80 Years Ago (1927): At the close of the services last Sunday morning the Rev. O. W. Smith,
of the Congregational Church, read his resignation to his congregation, asking that they release
him June 15. His resignation came as a surprise to many of his congregation who realizing what
he had accomplished for the church here and for the Boy Scouts and young people of this city
hoped he could be prevailed upon to continue his pastorate indefinitely. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Smith have worked hard since they have been in Evansville, in their earnest and unselfish
manner, and they have well earned the long vacation they intend to take in the mountains of the
West this summer where he and Mrs. Smith are going to fulfill a lifetime desire and put in the
summer fishing and camping to their hearts’ content. At the close of the summer vacation he
expects to take charge as pastor at the Oconomowoc Congregational church.
70 Years Ago (1937): Stanley Sperry, Evansville boy who is playing second base for Oklahoma
City in the Texas league, is pictured in four photos in the May issue of the Cosmopolitan
magazine, illustrating an article by Paul Gallico, New York sports writer, according to Pete
Finstad, former Evansville baseball coach now educational advisor at Camp Dodge CCC camp.
Sperry is shown sliding into home plate on his training trip to Flordia last spring. He and Babe
Ruth illustrate the article, entitled “Farewell to Sports.” Sperry rushed to Houston, Texas
Monday to rejoin the Oklahoma team which telegraphed him to hurry back into uniform. He had
been here last week to attend the funeral of his grandmother.
60 Years Ago (1947): Although the late spring , cold weather, and rain has hindered baseball
practice Coach Mel Erickson has been training a large group in the gymnasium and has hopes
that the boys will develop into outstanding players when they are able to get onto the diamond.
Mr. Erickson said recently, in that there has been no team here the past three years, of course
there are no lettermen to count upon and the boys who have come out for practice are young and
inexperienced but are determined to do their best to become baseball players. The pitchers on
the team are Neil Moldenhauer, Andy Hollibush, Ed McCaffery, Roger Valentine, and Ken
Kuelz. In the catcher group are Jerry Easton, Marion Benton, Charles Fritscher, and LaVerne
Seeman; Fred Elmer and Bill McCarthy, short stop; Kenneth Devlin, Willis Martin, and Jim
Kaltenborn, second base; Jim Finnane, Matt Meredith, and Charles Romstad, first base; Roger
Sell and Roger Wood, third base, and Byrl Rowley, Marvin Hollibush, LaVerne Gallman, Ken
Hatlen, Delmar Lunde, Malcolm Bollerud, Elwood Heacox, and Edward Miller, outfield.
50 Years Ago (1957): Convictions on 47 charges of traffic law violations against motorists in
justice court here since Monday last week resulted in a total of $1,094 in fines. Twenty of the 47
convictions were for speeding and 14 of these were brought by State Patrol officers and six by
the Evansville police department, according to justice of the peace, Paul Pullen. All arrests by
city police were made with the aid of the electric timing device in a 25 mile an hour zone. State
Traffic Patrol speeding arrests were all made with the aid of a radar speed timer at night, with the
exception of two, who were clocked at 74 m.p.h. and 82 m.p.h. in a 65 m.p.h. speed limit zone,
during daylight hours.
60 Years Ago (1967): Richard Muenich, assistant basketball coach at Evansville High School
the past three years was named to succeed Rodney Truog as head basketball coach. Truog
resigned in March without indicating future plans. Muenich will teach high school English. He
was on two Badger Conference title teams under Coach Lee Mitchell at Monroe. Samuel Mills
was named to succeed Muenich as assistant cage coach and has been an elementary physical
education teacher in the Evansville school system the past year. He also coached freshman
basketball and as assistant football coach..
30 Years Ago (1977): The Evansville High School juniors on the reigning court for this year’s
Junior Class Prom are Steve Blum, Diane Lundey, Kurt Gransee, Mark Rowley, Sandy Corn,
Greg Baumberger, Barb Miller, Caron Heinemann, King Royce Smelcer and Queen Terry
McDonough. The prom is based on a theme of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and will be
held at the high school gymnasium. .
20 Years Ago (1987): The new $11.5 million Rock County Jail – Sheriff’s Department is the
culmination of about 15 years of work and battles. The county was given its first hint that a new
jail was needed in 1972 when a report, commissioned by the Rock County Board, projected jail
needs several years into the future. The report was updated in 1974 and again in 1976. The
project cost of a new jail in 1976 was about $3.4 million. That price was updated a few years
later to $7.6 mill, but it was not until 1985 that the bonds to fund construction of the new jail
were finally sold. During the jail battle, a citizens committee collected about 5,000 signatures on
a petition requesting a referendum on the matter, asked the County Board to reconsider its
decision, requested additional study of remodeling the Janesville Water Street facility, threatened
a recall effort against supervisors who voted in favor of the jail and requested that Richard
Everson resign from his post as chairman of the Public Safety and Justice Committee. At a June
1984 meeting, the County Board Public Safety and Justice Committee voted in favor of the
Pinehurst site, north of Janesville on Highway 51. The project should be 99-percent complete
when it is dedicated May 1, 1987. The architects are Potter, Lawson & Pawlowsky, Inc. of
Madison and the general contractor of the project is Hutter Construction of Fond du Lac.
10 years ago (1997): Everything is ready for “42nd Street,” Evansville’s 31st musical.
Evansville’s production will feature two seniors who are veterans of the school’s arts program:
Mark Larson as director, Julian Marsh and Sara Doering as Peggy Sawyer, the girl who saves the
show. Other veterans of the show include: Meg Krake as Dorothy, the veteran actress who hurts
her leg and cannot continue. In all over 60 people are involved at all levels of the production.
The performances are scheduled for April 25, 26, and 27th.
MAY 2007
In Review
First Week of May 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Moses Vervalin has sold his house on Main St. to Rev. Mr. Colman.
Mr. C. F. Dicky has bought a lot in the Baptist Church block and made commencements for a
dwelling house. Mr. Plaisted has a house began adjoining Mr. Sawtell’s. The masons have
commenced laying brick on both of the new Churches. [Note: In 1867, Moses Vervalin’s was a
brick maker and his home was at 250 West Main. Colman was head of the Evansville Seminary.
George Plaisted’s home was at 214 West Church. Elnathan Sawtelle lived at 230 West Church.
The new churches under construction were the Methodist and the Baptist.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. and Mrs. E. Sargent were called Sunday night last, to mourn the loss
of Minnie May, aged eight years, their eldest daughter. She attended the High School exhibition
Thursday night of week before last, and took part of the “Z” in the Roundelay, and was taken
sick that very night, and, despite care with medical aid, her little spirit passed hence. She had
always characterized herself for her gentleness and amiability, for one of her years, and had
endeared herself to all who knew her. Mr. Sargent’s family have the deep sympathy of all, in
this their hour of deep affliction. The funeral took place at the Episcopal church Tuesday
afternoon. Discourse by Rev. Henry Green.
120 Years Ago (1887): The Baker manufacturing company are putting down two lines of
railway tracks leading from different departments of their shops, to connect at right angles with
the west side track of the C. & N. W. road. On these rails are to be placed light push cars to take
their manufactured goods away and receive in turn, stock for the several apartments of their
works. At the terminus of the north line of track, is to be a turn-table to connect with a line
running parallel with the side track of the railroad for the purpose of shipping or receiving freight
that may be left for their shops, along the line of the side of the track of the railroad. Large
lumber sheds will be built and if the present influx of business continues, a large community of
buildings will cover the unsightly grounds of the late Lehman furniture shops. This shows a
prosperous state of business worthy of the company’s enterprise. [Note: The Lehman furniture
shops, also know as the Evansville Furniture Company, were located on the east side of
Enterprise Street. Lehman’s and Bakers buildings burned in a fire in 1884. Baker’s rebuilt and
Lehman’s did not. Baker’s purchased the Lehman property]
110 Years Ago (1897): George Hall Jr. will give his first exhibition this season at Brooklyn, on
Wednesday, May 5.
100 Years Ago (1907): Clarence Baker expects to receive a consignment of touring cars, the last
of this week, direct from the Rambler factory in Kenosha. Two of the cars have been disposed of
to Dr. Colony and Ed Smith, and other parties are contemplating the purchase of an auto. From
present indications Evansville will be well supplied with these cars this season.
90 Years Ago (1917): Roy Reckord, Lyle Blakely, Willis Decker, Howard Morrison and John
Medler left Sunday evening for Toledo, Ohio, from which city they will drive home five
Overland cars, including one “six,” three of which have been sold. They are expected to arrive
here this afternoon.
80 Years Ago (1927): Present members of the Junior Forest Rangers in Evansville are Harry
Roderick, President; James Parkins, Vice Pres.; Boyd Crawford, Sec.; Robert Shreve, Treas.;
Ralph King, Leroy Geisler, and Keith Williams. The purpose: To teach youth an appreciation of
forest values by actual study and participation in the process of forest upbuilding. To create in
the rising generations a sentiment and knowledge that will guarantee for the benefits of a
regenerated forest life. To provide good times for boys that will be wholesome; that will build
health and character. To cooperate with all agencies now working for a greater appreciation of
our Great-Out-Of-Doors. Henry S. Graves, Pres., American Forestry Association said, “Our
remaining forests are being destroyed at a rate of 400 per cent faster than new forest growth is
being provided. Over ten million acres of cut-over land now awaits development in this state.
Many other states have large areas of similar land.
70 Years Ago (1937): Another step forward in beautifying the city park in time for the summer
visitors expected to crowd the site, was forseen this week as a contract for 85 barrels of cement
to be used for construction work in the park was awarded to Meyers Bros. Lumber Company,
according to R. J. Antes, superintendent of the park WPA project. The concrete will be used for
the pointing of a rip-rap at the park, and for the construction of a scenic pool with a fountain,
water for which is to be supplied by a pipe line laid through the dam some time ago. Frank
Francis, Evansville route 3, gave several more elm trees to the city to be planted in the park.
Mr. Francis has previously been a donor of trees from his farm southwest of the city for park
purposes. More trees will be received from him for planting within the next few days. Mrs.
Sophia Scott has the concession again. Shuffleboard, heretofore largely a sport on ocean liners,
is expected to be an attraction for park-goers since the WPA built the courts this summer.
60 Years Ago (1947): The women of the Evansville V. F. W. auxiliary are completing plans for
a box social to which the public is invited to be held next Monday evening at the Golf Course
club house. Coffee, cream and sugar will be provided. Dancing to begin at 8:30 o’clock will
precede the sale of boxes. Mrs. Edwin Powers, Mrs. Lee Ringhand and Mrs. William Park
comprise the arrangements committee.
50 Years Ago (1957): Construction will start on Evansville’s new swimming pool. A letter to
the contractor, the Fred J. Rogers and Sons Co. of Hales Corners hoped to start work May 2.
Bids for the pool construction were opened at a special council meeting last Friday and contracts
awarded at a meeting Tuesday night after council members had had a chance to study the various
bids. The bids and their amounts included general construction, awarded to Fred J. Rogers &
Sons, Hales Corners, in the amount of $22,686.69 base bid and $373.78 for the wading pool;
pool construction and piping to Fred J. Rogers & Sons in the amounts of $23,749.11 base bid
plus $1,473.03 for the wading pool; filter and chlorinating equipment awarded to United Water
Products Corp., Walworth in the amount of $8,285 and electrical work to Al’s Electric Service,
Evansville, in the amount of $1,559.50. Plumbing bids were rejected and the council is
advertising for new bids on this work. Bids for the needed miscellaneous equipment for the pool
will be taken later. The council plans to open new bids for plumbing the bath house and pool at
a later meeting. From the bids received, it is evident that the city will be able to have its new
pool for the money available for the job, $75,000.
60 Years Ago (1967): The theft of a microphone and other equipment from the Evansville
Congregational UCC Church, which occurred last Nov. 6, has been under investigation by the
Evansville Police. A few weeks ago, the local officers received a “tip” and by following it up
gained a confession from three youths. The stolen goods are now in the possession of local
police and the Rock County Juvenile officers..
30 Years Ago (1977): Evansville’s American Legion McKinney-Hatlevig Post 35 held a dinner
and honor ceremony Tuesday, April 26, for the area’s veterans of World War I. Harley Smith,
one of the vets present, came to the banquet decked out in his World War I vintage uniform
jacket and helmet while others brought in such souvenirs as propaganda pamphlets dropped by
the Germans on Allied front lines urging the troops to go home and not fight in a war which was
not accomplishing anything. Some of the vets had old photos of themselves and their comrades
as well as belt buckles and medals from the war. Claron Powles, C. Rex Buckeridge, Robert
Antes, Herman Oscar, Alvin Olsen, Earl Van Wart, Harley Smith, Leonard Finn, Frank Bender,
Sr., and Roland Rice were World War I veterans attending the event.
20 Years Ago (1987): The 1987 Junior Prom royalty are King Mark Zee and Queen Emmy
Wheeler. Court members are Gretchen Youngman, Jayd Grossman, Kathy Hazlett, Jon Benash,
Katie Grimes, Tom Franklin, Amy Dammen, Brian Reilly, Jan Bue, Tim Madsen, Joanna
Knuckles, Mark Walmer, Lori Baertschi, Todd Hoffman, Marci Hopkins and Mark Bratzke.
10 years ago (1997): The newly built Evansville Dean Clinic at 10 N. Water Street, on the east
side of Evansville will be the site of a gala Open House on Sunday, May 4 from 12 noon to 3
pm. The new facility boasts expanded room, as well as services, not available previously in the
clinic on W. Church Street, where the clinic was housed until last January.
In Review
Second Week of May 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): We learn that Prof. Colman, of the Evansville Seminary will be a
candidate for the Superintendent of Public Instruction upon the State ticket this fall. We are
assured by those who are well acquainted with Prof. Colman that he is a thorough and popular
instructor, and has placed the Evansville Seminary upon a secure basis by his indefatigueable
energy, and that his nomination for the office named is one “eminently fit to be made.” “Old
Rock” is deserving of a place upon the ticket, and we presume her claim will be recognized.
Beloit Journal.
130 Years Ago (1877): Cora Maud Holman, aged 6 years, 2 months and 25 days, died May 6th,
1877, of malignant Scarlet Fever. Little Cora Holman had been assigned a recitation at the
Juvenile Temperance Meeting but during the week, had been seized with scarlet fever, and was
then lying at the point of death. The bell on the Baptist church tolled the sad hour of her spirit’s
departure at 4 o’clock, p.m. This was an incident of emotion, and drew forth some brief and very
appropriate remarks from the President of the Juvenile Temperance Society.
120 Years Ago (1887): The Fire Company held their annual meeting and election of officers on
the 1st Monday night in May, with the following results: C. E. Lee, Chief of fire department;
Ray Gilman, Foreman; N. J. Kendall, Assistant Foreman; Joshua Frantz, Secretary; Daniel
Whaley, 1st Engineer; J. W. Benney, 2d Engineer; H. H. Blood, Foreman; Charles Powles,
Treasurer; George Collier, Foreman of hose; Prentice Call, Assistant Foreman; Kossuth Morgan
and Fred Benedict, Pipemen. Hook and Ladder Company. Albert Snashall, Foreman;
Livingston Frantz, Assistant Foreman; Fred Springer, Secretary; Fred A Baker, Treasurer; and
Charles Moore, Steward.
110 Years Ago (1897): Two well known youths from Evansville spent last evening in the Rock
county jail. Yesterday afternoon Janesville Police Chief Hogan found the young men in a
beastly state of intoxication asleep beside a grain elevator near the railroad tracks in Janesville.
When they awoke in jail this morning they both begged so hard not to be brought into court, that
they were released and told to go home.
100 Years Ago (1907): The dedication of the Catholic church in this city, occurs Sunday next
immediately after the morning service. Not only will many of the priests from the adjoining
cities be present, but Bishop Messmer of Milwaukee, will bless the church and society. The
choir from the Catholic church in Beloit will be present and assist materially in the services.
90 Years Ago (1917): Miss Minnie Milbrandt, teacher of the White Star school, and pupil, Miss
Alma Babler, attended the spelling contest at the Eagle school house, Miss Babler taking first in
writing there.
80 Years Ago (1927): Believing that on account of over fifty years of service in the Baptist
churches and Sunday Schools of Union and Evansville, he was justified in letting some of the
work fall on younger shoulders, W. W. Gillies last Sunday, closed his work as superintendent of
the Baptist Church of this city, however retaining his position as teacher of the Adult Class.
After a service of something over fifty years in the Baptist Church work here and at Union,
during which time he had put in many years as school superintendent and at different times filled
other offices in the school and church, always conscientious and faithful, the people of the
church and school were saddened by the thought that failing health made it necessary for him to
resign even a part of the work. In behalf of the whole school Dr. Shipman presented Mr. Gillies
with a nice fountain pen set given by the adults, intermediates and juniors and a framed motto by
the primary department, while each beginner presented him with a beautiful carnation.
70 Years Ago (1937): Harry Roderick Jr. Sees Hindenburg Tragedy. A cogent description of
tragic scenes at the site of the “Hindenburg” tragedy was received here by Mr. and Mrs. Harry
Roderick in a letter from their son, Harry, Jr., who is stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in
an officers training camp, and who was at the scene of the crash only a short time after it
occurred.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Evansville Chapter of American War Mothers will sponsor a
Memorial Day carnation sale Saturday, May 10. Those in charge are Mrs. Sever Hatlevig, Mrs.
Frank Topp, Mrs. John Sullivan and Mrs. Burton Wall.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Methodist Church will hold open house Sunday, May 19, in the new
addition which has recently been completed on the church edifice. At the regular Sunday
morning workshop services, there will be a dedication of the new altar, pulpit, lectern, and red
hangings in the church. The pulpit hanging is in memory of David Johnson, the alter hanging in
memorial to George Buehler, and the lectern hanging is an anonymous gift. The handsome twostory addition at the rear of the church is the culmination of more than ten years of planning by
Methodists here. For some time the church has found it was faced with the same problem that
faces so many public schools, insufficient classroom space for its growing Sunday school group.
In addition the members were faced with the problem of replacement of an old heating plant.
Starting about ten years ago, the church held a number of meetings to try to work out a plan
which would be both practical and agreeable to a majority of members of the church.
60 Years Ago (1967): Robert Smith, head football and wrestling coach five years at Evansville,
has resigned to accept a physical education and drivers education teaching position in New
Berlin High School. Named as head football coach is Richard Schwartz, assistant coach under
Smith the past season. Schwartz, a native of Darlington, graduated from Platteville State
University in June of 1965. He teaches industrial arts. Schwartz presently is serving a 20 week
tour with the U. S. Army. He will return August 10 for the beginning of the fall football season.
James Ganoung has been named as the assistant to Schwartz. Ganoung, a graduate of
Whitewater in elementary education, was an outstanding athlete at Evansville High School and at
Whitewater in football and track. Schwartz and Ganoung will assist Gary Hurtley in track next
spring.
30 Years Ago (1977): All festivals take some long range planning but some more than others.
One of the ones which takes a little bit more is the first annual Timbo’s Pumpkin Growing
Contest and Festival scheduled to top-out this coming October 15. Timbo the Clown says:
“This fall we are going to have the “Giant Pumpkin Contest” with prizes given for the largest
pumpkin submitted by a grade school student, a middle school student, and a high school
student. We will also have a Jack O’Lantern contest in which prizes will be awarded.” Prizes
are being donated by the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday, October 15, two
weeks before Halloween, we will have a Pumpkin Festival in which all the pumpkins will be
judged. Seeds and directions for planting are available at the local school offices for 25 cents.” .
20 Years Ago (1987): J. Peter Shaw, Guidance Director, announced that four 11th grade students
have been selected at Evansville High School to be the school’s 1987 delegates to Badger Boys
State and Badger Girls State. The Girls State representatives are Marci Hopkins, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John Hopkins, 28 Fifth Street, Evansville and Patti Neefe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Harold Neefe, Route 1, Evansville. The Boys State representatives are Dan McFarlin and Greg
Wahl. Dan McFarlin, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard McFarlin, 10 Higgins Drive, Evansville
and Greg Wahl is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paulson and the late James Wahl., Evansville.
10 years ago (1997): Melissa Whitmore, Evansville, a special education major at UW-Eau
Claire has been elected as president elect of the Student Council for Exceptional Children. She
was elected while attending the SCEC national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the
first UW-Eau Claire student to hold the position and will become president of the organization
the following year. Melissa currently serves as president of UW-Eau Claire’s SCEC chapter.
In Review
Third Week of May 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Evansville Base Ball Club meet every Wednesday and Friday, P.M. at 3
o’clock, for field exercise, on the ground south of the Seminary.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mrs. Powles’ school of juveniles, numbering some 60 or over, had
dwindled down to less than a score, by reason of the scarlet fever, which had taken such a fatal
hold upon the children of the place. We are informed by that lady Monday that the disease was
abating and her pupils returning, much to her satisfaction. DIED in Union, May 13th of Scarlet
Fever, after an illness of five days, Electra A., only daughter of Alfred and Anna Jones, aged 16
years, 11 months and 10 days.
120 Years Ago (1887): As Miss Moore, daughter of Mr. Zeb Moore of West Magnolia, was
coming into town Sunday night, and just as she approached the track near Mr. J. M. Cole’s, the
cars hove in sight, going south, and she being pretty near the track, her horse took fright and
made a sudden turn, throwing the lady out and overturning the carriage, breaking it
considerably. The girl had hardly struck the ground before she was upon her feet, and had such a
firm hold upon her horse that she brought him too at once, and prevented a runaway and amore
serious damage to her carriage. Persons who witnessed her fortunate escape rushed to her
rescue, helped her rig up her carriage, and she drove off home.
110 Years Ago (1897): Invitations are out for the marriage of Mr. Frank Bullard and Miss Anna
Tupper, on the 17th inst.
100 Years Ago (1907): Sunday, May 12, 1907, will always be remembered by the Catholics of
Evansville, as the time when the dedication of their church was made. The day was most
auspicious for such, and the attendance was simply immense. People from Beloit, Janesville,
Edgerton, Stoughton, Brodhead, Albany, and country homes were present, and it was soon found
that the church was by far too small to admit them. Archbishop Sebastian Messmer of
Milwaukee, preached the sermon of dedication, and those who heard him affirm the address as
one of the finest they ever listened to. In the course of his remarks the archbishop thanked the
Protestants of Evansville, who contributed nearly one thousand dollars towards the building
fund. Father J. F. Fitzgerald, also of Milwaukee, assisted in the services. The male choir of St.
Thomas’ church in Beloit, numbering twelve people, participated in the dedication exercises, and
sang several selections. At the close of the sermon, five persons were confirmed and were,
Anastasia Reilly, Mrs. Schleim, Joseph Bodenberger, Frank Montgomery and Leo Murray. The
Knights of Columbus from Janesville and Beloit also members of the Total Abstinence society of
Edgerton were present and made a very creditable showing in their parade to the church. Father
Eugene McCarthy is the resident priest and being a young man of considerable energy and push,
is not only well-liked by his people, but wields a strong power with them for a good and holier
life.
90 Years Ago (1917): Mr. and Mrs. Earl Allen announce the arrival of a son at their home on
Wednesday morning. Jug Prairie News
80 Years Ago (1927): Swancutt School One of The Oldest in County. Those who drive the
Albany road west of Moore’s Corners cannot fail to notice the old stone school house. This old
school building has made history in this part of the county, having been built in 1850. The work
being done by an Irishman by the name of Buckley, who did his work so well that it still stands
after seventy-seven years. J. G. Babcock, who is one of the early settlers of this locality states
that the building of this school house was quite an event in this locality in those days, as there
had been three other schools in this locality before it was built, constructed of saw mill slabs,
sawed at the old Norton Mill, close to where the red bridge on Highway 59 now stands. These
old buildings, Mr. Babcock states were built of slabs doubled, the round side of one slab being
on the inside and the round side of the outer side, out, so that they looked like log buildings. The
benches, he stated were made of split logs with holes bored in one side into which the legs were
driven. He thinks the hardness of these seats may be the reason why he is so tall and slim, as
they were so hard that his head and shoulders were always trying to get away from their awful
hardness. Mr. Babcock states that the first teacher he can remember at the Swancutt school was
Horace Henderson and later Frances Platt, who married George Kellan, of Janesville, a
nurseryman and he believes that her descendants are still in the nursery business in that city.
70 Years Ago (1937): The junior prom of the Class of ’38 will be held at the high school gym
Friday night, with Judd Binkert’s Fort Atkinson orchestra providing the dance tunes. Couples,
attired in their best for the most important social event of the school year, will glide about the
smooth gym floor in a rainbow setting arranged by the decorations committee. Heading the
grand march will be Theodore Thompson, prom king and president of the junior class, and
Roberta Collins, prom queen. Numerous former students are expected back to make prom night
a reunion night.
60 Years Ago (1947): The 1947 junior promenade held last Friday evening in the high school
gymnasium with a social function of which Prom Chairman Kenneth Devlin and his cohorts can
justly be proud from an aesthetic point of view at least. Much credit goes to Miss Natalie
Meehan junior class advisor for her untiring efforts and assistance in planning the affair and
supervising the preparatory work which was ably accomplished by student committees. More
than 200 couples of students, alumni and friends danced to the music of Eddie Laurenz’
orchestra in the gym which was decorated to represent the porch of a southern plantation. Prom
King Ken Devlin and his chosen queen, Betty Dutcher, led the grand march followed in turn by
Senior class president, Ronald Wall, and Jean Kelm, Junior class president, Demar Lunde, and
Jane Holman, Senior class vice president, Richard Antes, and Virginia Ten Eyck, Roger Wood
and Marcia Patterson, Roland Straka and Joan Hansen, then the members of the Senior class, the
Junior class members, the sophomore and freshmen.
50 Years Ago (1957): A dividend of $1.25 per share was declared on Baker Mfg. Co. common
and preferred stocks of record by the firm’s board of directors, according to an announcement
made last week by J. R. Myrold, secretary-treasurer of the company.
60 Years Ago (1967): Louia R. Gransee, pastor of the Advent Christian Church of Baraboo,
Wis., and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gransee of Evansville will receive the degree of Master
of Divinity at the eighty-ninth annual commencement exercises of the Evangelical Theological
Seminary, Naperville, Illinois on Friday, May 19.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Evansville High School has announced the Valedictorian and
Salutatorian for the graduating class of 1977. Two girls will lead the ceremonies this year.
Debra Blum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Blum, 339 Lincoln Street is Valedictorian for the
class of 1977. Deb plans to attend Edgewood College at Madison next year and major in
Medical Technology. The Salutatorian for the class of 1977 is Jane Norby, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Norby, 330 South First Street. Jane will attend the University of WisconsinOshkosh next year to pursue a career in nursing..
20 Years Ago (1987): Ken Fenrick, former school board member of six years, is returning to the
school board, to fill the one-year vacancy of Wayne Wilson, who resigned recently. Board
members Phil Hamilton and Mary Abey expressed their opinions that Fenrick’s expertise is
sorely needed on the board and was the important factor in making the motion to have Fenrick
fill the vacancy. Fenrick had indicated he would serve, as did the write-in candidates, Tom
Madsen, Lyle Trow, and Richard Hamacher.
10 years ago (1997): Alex Strassburg will graduate from the UW Medical School on May 16.
He will start a residency in Internal Medicine at Eastern Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
Jesse Strassburg graduates on Sunday, May 18, with a B. S. in Meat and Animal Science from
UW-Madison’s School of Agriculture. He will enter the Peace Corps in late September for two
years in Tanzania. They are sons of Elaine Strassburg, Evansville and the late Richard
Strassburg.
In Review
Fourth Week of May 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): A brief report of Wilder’s cheese factory was quite extensively copied
into the state papers as well as in some of the leading dairy papers of the East. The success was
so flattering to the patrons that instead of falling off, a large percentage has been the actual gain.
Two vats only were used last year and we are informed by Mr. Wilder that he will have to add
another before this season closes. In point of quality, but few brands command a higher price in
the Chicago market, than “Wilder’s” Evansville. Mr. Wilder is manufacturing many articles
used by cheesemen, such as vats brands, and is ever ready to communicate whatever information
is desired to any one who may favor him wih a call, and show them through his factory, and the
long lines of golden cheeses made this season.
130 Years Ago (1877): Griswold & Co. started up their soda fountain in full blast, the other day,
having polished the silver mountings and put the machine in prime order for business. It is a
popular resort of a warm, pleasant evening, and the beverage is of the most health-giving,
exhilarating character. A season ticket costing $1.00 saves the purchaser 25 per cent of the cost
of a single glass.
120 Years Ago (1887): The boys met Monday night and organized a juvenile fire company, and
officered it with the following: Frank Morse, foreman; Will Sargent, 1st assistant foreman;
Charles M. Smith, Jr., 2nd assistant foreman; Robert Hartley, secretary; John Evans, Jr., steward;
Frank Shively, treasurer; Otto Cooper, foreman of hose; Grant Doolittle, assistant foreman;
Charles Holland and Will Taggart, pipe men. The boys can throw sand, lots of it, and can throw
water, as well, when needed.
110 Years Ago (1897): The Evansville Laundry, Baker Block, is now prepared to do all kinds of
laundry work and will spare no efforts to give the people of Evansville a grade of work that will
keep their patronage at home. Work is called for and delivered free. B. T. Bryan, Prop.
100 Years Ago (1907): The Franklin Blueing company are making preparations to erect a twostory factory on Lincoln street this season. From a small beginning in a room big enough to turn
around in, the business has increased to such an extent that new quarters have to be made for it.
The company is composed of Frank and Fred Franklin, the senior partner being on the road
continually selling the product, while Fred looks after the manufacturing end of the concern.
90 Years Ago (1917): Harry and Eugene Fitzgerald were each fined $28.45 on Monday
morning for having engaged in a fight with Harold Kelly in this city on Saturday night.
Accompanied by Fred Schulz and John Dooley, they came from the I. O. O. F. dance and
meeting Kelly, began quarreling with him about an alleged misunderstanding over a girl at the
dance. The Fitzgeralds proceeded to attack Kelly, Eugene inflicting the most punishment. To
avoid arrest, Eugene ran and jumped in his buggy and tried to escape, but was checked in time
for Chief of Police Gilman to nab him. He spent Sunday in jail. The Fitzgeralds, it is said, were
under the influence of liquor.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mr. William Steele was born October 10, 1863, near Madison, Wis., and
died at his home near Evansville May 21, 1927. Mr. Steele has been in failing health for the past
five years. He was married to Miss Nellie Patchen, April 2, 1896. To this union was born one
son, Orrie, who with the widow, four sister, the Misses, Jennie, Tina, and Ida Steele of
Evansville, and Mrs. Mary McGau of Syenne; one granddaughter, two nephews and several
nieces survive him. Funeral services were held Tuesday in the home and in the Free Methodist
Church, the Rev. J. K. Peckham officiating. Burial was in Maple Hill cemetery.
70 Years Ago (1937): Joseph Bodenberger, 61, secretary of the Baker Manufacturing
Company, purchasing agent, and member of the board of directors, passed away in a Madison
hospital after an illness of two weeks. Double pneumonia and complications was the cause of
death. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic church, with the Rev. Fr. Schladweiler
officiating. Mr. Bodenberger was born in Bohemia, July 16, 1865, and came to Iowa as a boy.
He worked his way through school and after graduating from Janesville business college, came
to Evansville, where he was employed as a telegrapher and trouble shooter by the Northwestern
Road for a few years before entering the employ of the Baker company thirty-five years ago. On
June 21, 1904, he married Mary Wurms of Waukesha who survives him with one daughter, Mrs.
John Gedakovitz, Waukesha and a half brother, Anton Geisler, Evansville.
60 Years Ago (1947): At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Baker Manufacturing
Company, it was announced that starting June 1, 1947, all pay rates are to be increased ten cents
an hour. This will bring the starting rate to eighty-one cents an hour. Incentive pay in the
production department will add another ten to fifteen cents an hour to this rate. This is the
second general pay raise and the third increase in minimum pay within the last thirteen months.
It was also announced that working schedules will be reduced to bring them more in line with
other similar industries in the area. The company plans to eventually reduce the work week to
forty hours. In addition to the regular pay the employees receive profit sharing. Last year
$33,000 in stock and cash was distributed in profit sharing among ninety-six employees.
50 Years Ago (1957): Committee on Licenses, report that they have fully examined the
applications of the following individuals and firms applying for Fermented Malt and Intoxicated
Liquor Licenses: C. Ira Larsen and Byrl Rowley, at Central Tavern, 101 East Main; Gilbert
Fahrney and Walter Gene Fink, doing business at Gib & Wally’s, 6 East Main; Ralph Brzezinski,
Sr., doing business as East Side Inn, 230 East Main Street; McKinney-Hatlevig Post #35, 19 East
Main Street; Joe Tresch, 14 North Madison; Stanley K. Sperry, doing business as “Sperry’s
Hotel”, 155 East Main Street; William E. Brown, Brown Drug Store, 7 West Main Street; Peter
A. Hamacher, Krebs Pharmacy, 1 East Main Street; Raymond B. Knapp, Beverage Mart, 368
North Madison Street; Floyd M. Nesbit, 4 East Main Street; Dr. F. J. Bongiorno, Evansville
Dairy Bowl, 108 East Main Street; and Agnes C. McBride, Norm’s Hi-Way Inn, 497 East Main
Street.
60 Years Ago (1967): Evansville High School Dance Band will don their new navy blue blazers
for their forthcoming Pop Concert this Sunday evening. The blazers were recently purchased by
the Band Parents at a cost of $500. The band members are: Carol Maas, Gwen Sarow, Andy
Wyse, Gene Prudhon, Steve Showers, Kay Shannon, Don Cornwell, Karbet Schoenenberger,
Bonnie Fellows, Joe Peterson, Roger Sarow, Jeff Porter, Doug Conners, Terry Jorgensen, Tony
Farrell, Gary Shull, Parker Gibbs, Randy Rasmussen, John Paulsen, Arlene Phillips and Marge
Sumner. The Director is Raymond Baumgardt.
30 Years Ago (1977): Students will get a chance to dunk some of their fav orite coaches and the
coaches will get a chance to dunk some of their favorite students at the Evansville Elementary
School sponsored Art, Craft, Plant and Antique Fair. Those scheduled for the dunk tank are
baseball coach Daryl Fuchs; teaching assistant Carole Van; basketball coach, Dennis Reese;
girls’ track coach Mary O’Connell; Eric Hurtley, tennis coach, Helene O’Reilly; track coach,
Ron Grovesteen; Kitty Verkeilen, track coach, John O’Connell; Laura Leopold, football coach,
Bob Berezowitz; vocational coordinator, Dick Schwartz; Roger Gray, Debra Natz, and Randy
Keister.
20 Years Ago (1987): J. Peter Shaw, Guidance Director, of the Evansville High School is proud
to announce the Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor graduates for the class of 1987. April
Rockstead, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rockstead, Route 2, Evansville is Valedictorian for
the Class of 1987. The Salutatorian for the Class of 1987 is Janell Johnson, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. William Johnson, Crocker Road, Brooklyn. High honor students include Christia
Baumberger, Amy Goding, Donald Templeton, Tyna Lund and Jody Zweifel. Honor graduates
are Matthew Hamilton, Christine Bartle, Richard Templeton, Ann Adams, Marie Luers and
Marlene Moffett.
10 years ago (1997): Dawn M. Sarbacker, Evansville native and graduate of Evansville High
school is the new Branch Manager at the University of Wisconsin Credit Union, where she will
manage the branch office in the University Square Mall. She has 13 years of experience in the
financial industry.
In Review
Fifth Week of May 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): MARRIED. May 30th, 1867, by Rev. John Wesley Cawthorn, of the M.
E. Church, Mr. John Rodd, of Magnolia, Wis., to Miss Katie M. Moore, of Lamont, Ottawa Co.,
Mich.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Aaron Rowley, father of James Rowley, Esq., and one of the old
pioneers of Union, died Saturday. Funeral service took place from the Free Baptist Church,
Monday.
120 Years Ago (1887): The families of A. S. Baker and C. H. Wilder rode across the country
Wednesday to visit Mr. Aller’s people at Johnstown. Mr. Baker is looking up the electric light
business a little and will visit Whitewater and Waukesha. Dr. Thos. Addison, representing the
United States Electric Lighting Company of Chicago, was in town Monday, looking up the
prospect of putting in a plant here. The Baker manufacturing Company are considering the
matter and if it proves as Mr. Addison represents and our people will take hold of it, we can have
our village illuminated with bright electric lights the same as Beloit is having and what
Whitewater, Waukesha, and other places in Wisconsin are enjoying at a trifling cost above the
old “tallow dips.” Good light is one of the moral excellencies of the people and a great moral
purifier. Let us go in for it.
110 Years Ago (1897): Decoration Day. A nicer day for this occasion could not have been
asked for in Evansville. The business places and many residences were handsomely decorated at
an early hour, and all seemed anxious and willing to pay a fitting tribute to our fallen comrades.
The procession was a little late in starting for the cemetery, in order to avoid trains which were
due; but the march was taken up in regular order and a large crowd of people accompanied the
old soldiers upon their mission to the cemetery. Nearly every grave there was remembered with
some friendly token, as well as those of the fallen soldiers. The usual G.A.R. services were all
that was performed at the cemetery, after which all returned to the opera hall, the seating
capacity of which was all taken, aside from that reserved for the societies, long before the arrival
of those from the cemetery. To the ladies and the school children and their teachers do the old
soldiers owe a great deal for the success of this occasion. Had it not been for them our ranks
would have been very thin indeed. Every scholar, including the little tots, marched in line, each
of them carrying a flag which they proudly waved, teaching the older ones patriotism, instead of
being taught. It is hoped that these days may make such an impression upon the coming
generation, as will never be forgotten after the last old soldier has long passed away.
100 Years Ago (1907): Photographer E. E. Combs took a picture of thirteen Rambler
automobiles in front of Gillman & Sons’ Clothing store. The machines were all owned by
Evansville parties, with the exception of one owned by Homer Sholtz of Brooklyn, which was
also in the line. The agent, C. S. Baker had two or three machines, and the others represented
were owned by the following citizens: Walter Blunt, Clint Scofield, Fred Baker, Dr. Colony, Ed.
Smith, Dr. Smith, Mayor C. J. Pearsall, Gertrude Eager, Geo. L. Pullen and H. Sholtz.
90 Years Ago (1917): 23 are on high school class roll: Jessie Mae Mapes, Earl Van Wart, Olga
Berg, Ethel Mae Johnson, Mildred M. Cain, Lottie A. Johnson, Marion Irene Cole, Walter
Adelbert Knapp, Maude Fell, Elzie B. Libby, Glenn F. Fellows, Gladys Ursula North, Kenneth
S. Fellows, C. Arden Patterson, Helen Mabel Funk, Richard Andros Schleim, Iva M. Hollibush,
Ida Ingram Tomlin, Elizabeth Jane Weaver, Robert Lee Woodard, Richard D. Evans, Helen A.
Meyers, Vernaline M. Johnson. Commencement week of the high school will begin with the
baccalaureate sermon at the opera house on Sunday evening at seven-thirty o’clock.
Commencement will be give on Thursday evening at eight-fifteen o’clock at the opera house.
80 Years Ago (1927): Workmen are this week busy at the D. E. Wood Butter Co. plant
installing a new refrigerating system and electrifying the entire plant. Steam power will no
longer be used but two large motors, one thirty horse and one twenty horse will supplant the old
steam engines. These motors will run all the machinery of the plant and three three-horse power
pumps which will pump water at the rate of 150 gallons a minutes for the use of the plant and for
making the brine which runs through the pipes of the cooling machines.
70 Years Ago (1937): Union Play Day will be held Monday, May 31 at the fair grounds. The
officers of the play day are as follows: president, Dana Phelps; vice president, La Verne
Ringhand; secretary and treasurer, Ruth Allen; games chairman, Robert Franklin; stand
chairman, Harry Spooner; horse shoe, Hans Norby; kittenball, Claude De Remer; relays, jumping
and throws, Orville Devlin; bean bag throw, Gladys Peterson; and scorekeeper, Berta Odegaard.
The following districts will take part: Tupper, Butts Corner, Union, Pleasant Prairie, Holt,
Tullar, Brown, Franklin and No. 10.
60 Years Ago (1947): Douglas Hull, Evansville’s representative in the southern Wisconsinnorthern Illinois Marbles Tournament held in Beloit on Sunday, blasted his way to the quarter
finals of the big Mibs Jamboree, covering himself with glory before he bowed out with a smile
and the good sportsmanship typical of all Evansville kids. Douglas returned to Evansville with a
silver medal, a box of agates, a flashlight and Beloit Theater tickets for his afternoon’s work.
50 Years Ago (1957): After 37 years of service, Orville Jones has retired from active duty as a
member of the Evansville fire department. Members of the department have made him an
honorary life member and presented him with a wrist watch at a recent meeting of the
department. Jones’ service with the department actually began in 1899 and covered 37 years of
active service since then. When he started with the department, horses were of course used to
draw the hose cart and ladder truck. Fire department chiefs with whom he has served include
Ray Gilman, Fred Gilman, Ben Bly, Leslie Giles and the present chief Chet Jorgensen.
60 Years Ago (1967): Ken Ellis, president of the Evansville Golf Association accepted a
$94,000 loan check from Farmers Home Administration Agency to develop a golf course at
Evansville. Plans call for the immediate completion of a 9-hole golf course, club house, and
irrigated fairways. The loan will be repaid over a period of 40 years. Officers of the Evansville
Golf Association are Kenneth Ellis, president; Alfred Ward, vice president; Betty Gray,
treasurer; and J. R. McElroy, secretary.
30 Years Ago (1977): Alvin Helgesen, owner-manager of Helgesen’s, Inc. in Evansville has
announced that the firm has taken on the Ford franchise for this area. Helgesen’s current product
line consists of Pontiac, AMC, and lawn products. The Helgesens are completing an expansion
program of their facilities here in Evansville. The automobile showroom has been enlarged into
the area where the parts department was formerly located. The showroom ceiling has been
lowered with modern lighting installed. The shop area has been almost doubled in area with a
new hydraulic hoist having been installed. The parts department has been conveniently located
next to the work area and the entire shop has been made more efficient. With new light tan metal
siding, the outside appearance of the building has been enhanced.
20 Years Ago (1987): Principles in the 1987 Memorial Day ceremonies at the Maple Hill
cemetery in Evansville were Mae Thompson of Footville who has served for 17 years as our
Gold Star Mother, Charlie Nordeng, Ron Peckham, Rev. Dave Farina and Tom U’Ren.
Peckham delivered the Memorial Day address which was outstanding and is published in the
Review. The parade began at 9:30 a.m. at the post office and proceeded east on Main Street to
the Cemetery. There was the customary solemn and impressive ceremony to stress the
significance of Memorial Day and to honor our War Dead. Participating in the ceremonies were
the Evansville High School band, the Evansville Middle School band, the Evansville Pom Pom
girls, the Evansville Generic Band, the Boy Scouts, the American Legion and VFW.
10 years ago (1997): Governor Tommy Thompson will be the featured guest at Union Bank &
Trust Co. in Evansville on Friday afternoon, May 30. Leonard P. Eager, Jr., president of Union
Bank & Trust Company confirmed that the Governor’s office has indicated that Gov. Thompson
will be speaking as part of the bank’s centennial celebration. “A visit from the Governor is quite
a birthday present for the bank and an honor for the community,” said Eager.
In Review
First Week of June 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): We are very thankful to Mr. Abbott of Madison, for the very handsome
donation of $20, on the marble tablet which now adorns our new church; moreover are very
much pleased with the execution of the work. The marble is four feet long by twenty inches
wide, neatly inscribed “M. E. Church, 1867,” in raised letters, not only adding beauty to the front
of our church, but honor to mechanics who executed the marble. I observe on entering our
cemetery, a marked difference in the general good taste and superior workmanship of the
monuments and slabs that stand sentinels at the resting places of our loved ones, not a mar, or a
single false stroke of the chisel can be observed on those coming from Mr. Abbott’s Marble
Works, in Madison. [Note: Mr. Abijah Abbott, marble dealer, Madison, was one of the leading
stonecutters in Wisconsin. His twelve-man operation was located near the Square.]
130 Years Ago (1877): State Superintendent Searing called upon us Friday morning. He had
been to Magnolia to settle a school house site difficulty and was on his way home. The difficulty
is in the Huyks’ district, where the house was burned last winter. [State Superintendent of
Schools Edward Searing was once a school teacher in Union. A bust of Searing can be seen at
the Eager Free Public Library.]
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. James A. Flowers was killed at the coal shed here at about 15
minutes to twelve o’clock, Tuesday night, by falling beneath a coal box car he was riding down
the incline track of the coal shed to the track below. The car was without a properly working
brake, a fact he probably was not aware of when he climbed upon it, hence he could not control
its motion and it went crashing down upon the cars that already stood upon the track and the
sudden concussion threw him off, falling forward, the car passed over his body crushing in his
head and producing instant death. The remains were properly taken care of by the Co.’s agent,
Mr. P. H. Noel, and placed in Undertaker Potter’s hands for interment. His funeral was held at
the M. E. church Thursday, and he was buried in G.A.R. memorial lot in the cemetery, with all
the care and consolation that the order could bestow. He leaves a wife and two children in poor
circumstances.
110 Years Ago (1897): Building inspector Snashall is not well pleased with his treatment of late;
he says that none of the new buildings being built of late within the fire limits, are according to
the requirements of our city laws, and that his complaints have been ignored, and the city board
have permitted the builders to go on with their work in their own way.
100 Years Ago (1907): The old settlers reunion of northern Rock and southern Dane counties
will be held in Cooksville, Thursday, June 20. As usual, it will be a basket picnic and everybody
is urged to be present.
90 Years Ago (1917): Registration day passed off quietly, Tuesday, when 162 men, between
the ages of 21 and 30, inclusive, registered for military service. It is believed that all men in this
city of military age registered. Sixty-nine claimed exemption from draft for different reasons,
and six aliens put their names on Uncle Sam’s war books. It is predicted that the drawing of men
will be made at an early date, so that the soldiers-to-be can arrange their personal affairs before
reporting at army camps.
80 Years Ago (1927): Pleasant Prairie School will hold their picnic dinner Thursday, June 2nd,
instead of Friday, due to the fact that the town of Union Play Day comes Saturday, June 4th,
thinking it best to have one day between. Miss Mary Montgomery is the teacher.
70 Years Ago (1937): Fifty-one students will receive their diplomas tonight from Supt. J. C.
McKenna, marking the end of their school careers. Speakers on the subject, “Building of a Full
Life” include Dorothy Jahn, introduction; Thelma Kleinsmith, health education; Alvin Golz,
academic subjects; Beulah Gransee, vocational education; Albert Gibbs, physical education;
Beth Schuster, music; Phillip Croake, forensics; Doris Collins, home economics; Jane Groh,
dramatics; and Dorothy Jahn, conclusion. Senior girls of the glee club will sing, followed by the
presentation of diplomas, and concluding with the recessional by Angela Bewick.
60 Years Ago (1947): Richard Antes has been engaged as life guard at Lake Leota for the
summer months and is now on duty. The capable guard will be on the beach daily from 9:30
a.m. to 11:30 a.m., from 1:30 to 5:30 and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Evansville parents are
requested by the park board to prohibit their children from swimming in the lake when the guard
is not on duty. The city has not had a drowning casualty while the guard was on duty for many
years which is attributed to the excellent work of the life guards who have been on duty and the
utmost cooperation of parents and swimmers. Lake Leota is a popular resort during the hot
months and local children are fortunate in having swimming facilities so close at hand.
50 Years Ago (1957): The City Council reaffirmed its earlier decision to make $2,000 available
for dredging Lake Leota this summer and also instructed the clerk-treasurer to open a new bank
account to handle some $8,000 in parking meter funds. The meters are currently bringing about
$125 weekly into the city coffers.
60 Years Ago (1967): Scott Sperry, son of Mrs. Stanley Sperry, Sr., was wounded in Viet Nam
on Sunday, May 21, while on patrol duty in the Marines and has been flown back to the U. S.
He is presently receiving treatment at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Ill. His
injuries include shrapnel wounds in his arm and hand. The following members of his family
visited him Sunday: his mother, Mrs. Iris Sperry; his brothers, Ross and Jed; his brother and
sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Sperry, Jr., and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sperry,
Evansville and his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lindemann, Omaha, Neb.
Sperry has been in the Marines the past three years and in Viet Nam for nearly one year.
30 Years Ago (1977): Miss Cheryl Ann Gibbs became the bride of Gary Wayne Fuchs in a
Saturday evening ceremony at the United Methodist Church. Cheryl is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Richard Gibbs and Gary’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fuchs.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): At a special council meeting on Wednesday night of last week, Bill
Hurtley was appointed as emergency medical service coordinator. He replaces Karen Krause,
who resigned May 15.
10 years ago (1997): Commencement for 94 students will be held this Sunday, June 8, in the
Evansville High School gym. Sara Luchsinger, president of the 1997 class, will give the
welcome, followed by the commencement address of Salutatorian Beth Piper. Foreign exchange
students, Michele Galleno, Thomas Lous and Laetitia Tartaix will present their farewells.
Mitchell Illichmann, Valedictorian, will give his commencement address. Honors awards will be
presented by high school principal Robert Scott, following by the Presentation of the Graduation
Class by Kenneth Fenrick, Board of Education president; and Dr. Thomas Benzinger, District
Administrator.
In Review
Second Week of June 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Methodists have just completed the exterior of their church edifice.
It is a splendid structure and a decided ornament to the place. The Ladies will hold their
Strawberry Festival and Fair in the new church Friday afternoon June 14th. No pains will be
spared to make this a very pleasant and attractive entertainment. At this festival articles
manufactured by the ladies will be offered for sale. The proceeds are to be used to purchase
furniture, etc. for the church. An admission of 20 cents will be charged at the door. Children, 10
cents.
130 Years Ago (1877): A brilliant wedding took place Wednesday evening at St. John’s church,
the participants being Dr. D. C. Griswold, principal of the drug firm of D. C. Griswold & Co.,
and Miss Lizzie Evans, only daughter of Dr. J. M. Evans, both of Evansville. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. Henry Green. A grand reception was held in the evening. They left for the
East on the midnight train. [Note: St. Johns was the Episcopal church on the site of the current
post office.]
120 Years Ago (1887): The graduating exercises of the Evansville High School took place at
Wood & Kendall’s Opera House on Friday afternoon the 3rd inst. The house was well filled
with a very appreciative audience. The stage was decorated most beautifully with flowers of the
choicest kind. Everything being in readiness, the Revs. F. L. Wharton and E. R. Curry; the
school board and the teachers entered and took their places on the left; these were followed by
the class, which consisted of eight members, one male and seven females and took their positions
on the right. The speaking commenced by an oration, “Salutatory” by Arthur M. McCoy. The
next was an oration by Hattie Joslyn, the subject being “Immediate and Remote Results”; Essay
by Belle E. Lloyd, “Poverty an Element of Success”; Oration by Nellie M. Walker, “Unseen
Forces”; Oration by Maud Luddington, “From Acorn to Oak.”; Oration “Compensation” by
Alice M. Leighton; Essay, “Simon says Thumbs up”, Mae Wolff; Oration and Valedictory,
“Gold Digging” by Mae E. Stevens. Then followed the presentation of diplomas by Mr. J. R.
West who delivered a few parting words to the class. When we see such a class as the one on
Friday, it shows plainly that the school has been under good rule and in efficient hands to
produce such results. We may well feel a pride in our high school; it is worthy of all praise.
110 Years Ago (1897): The school board have located the site for the new school building in the
southeast corner of the present grounds, the best and most available spot that could be selected,
although it must necessary destroy quite a number of the most beautiful shade trees. The
building of the new school building was awarded to Messrs. Wm. Libby and R. Hankinson for
$8,848. We are glad that this work was kept within our own city. The work will commence at
once. Ground was broke, Tuesday for the new school building. Mr. A. M. Van Wormer has the
job of removing the dirt for the basement and foundation. [Note: This building was a new high
school that was razed in 1939, and replaced with the school on South First Street.]
100 Years Ago (1907): If more of our corner lot property owners would follow the example of
Miss Eleanora Andrews in not only putting in a good sidewalk in front of her property on Church
street, but likewise extending the cement curbstone on the Third street side, it would aid
materially to the beauty of our city. Tolles & Cook are doing this work and it is a very creditable
job at that. [Note: The Andrews property was at 262 West Church Street.]
90 Years Ago (1917): G. R. McArthur, Eldon Hatfield, Lyle Blakeley, Wesley Langemak, Paul
Jones, Floyd Neff, Willis Decker, Brooks Gabriel, Paul Mabie and Chester Hurd have passed the
examination to enter governmental radio reserve service and will soon go to Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. The young men have taken the federal oath for four years, and if peace should be
declared before the end of the period they may return to civil pursuits, but be subject to fifteen
days camp service yearly with pay for that period. There are three companies to a signal corps—
wire company, which handles ground phones, a wireless company and an outpost company.
One-third of a company have to be telegraph operators and all members carry small guns.
80 Years Ago (1927): The workmen of the City Water and Light Commission who have been
working on the new power and light line west of this city, will almost complete their work this
week in setting poles and stringing the cable on the new light and power line that the Wisconsin
Railroad Commission recently gave them the power to build. This line will leave the city on
West Liberty Street running west and then north past Henry Porter’s and Orrie Steele’s to the
Evansville County Line road, then down the county line and west to W. G. Patterson’s where, for
the present it will end. This line will give light and power to eleven farmers to start with, and it
is expected that several more will come in as soon as it is shown that the line is a success. The
farmers along the lines which will be served are Floyd Steele, Henry Porter, Orrie Steele, August
Ringhand, Mrs. Earnest Ringhand, Potter Porter, John Golz, Oscar Brunsell, Peter Rasmussen,
Job Miles and W. G. Patterson.
70 Years Ago (1937): The suffleboard court at the city park will be completed and ready for use
next week, it was announced by R. J. Antes, WPA superintendent who is in charge of the city
park project. The shuffleboard court completion will round out the program being followed by
the WPA under the plans drawn by the Lions club to make the city park an all-around recreation
center. Already completed and ready for dedication is the bandstand, tennis courts have been put
in; new walks and fountains and planting of additional attractive shrubbery and trees and new
walks are constantly being worked on; and the baseball diamond and bathing beach are in
excellent condition for recreation seekers.
60 Years Ago (1947): Extensive plans and preparations are being made in Evansville for the
second annual 4th of GI celebration to be held here in Leota Park Friday and Saturday, July 4 and
5. Harry Roderick, Jr., chairman of the event has announced that a full program is being
planned. Among the activities will be a street parade, fireworks, free exhibits and acts, an air
show, games of skill, ball games, water sports and wrestling matches. The following committee
chairman have been named: Lee Richardson, food stands; Richard Williams and Edward Culver,
refreshment stands; Walter Nitcher, publicity and booster run; Bernie Christensen, ball games;
Phil D. Pearsall, street parade; and Burton Janes, exhibits; Harold Brunsell, free attractions;
Robert Cain, wrestling show; William H. Bewick, games of skill; Ben Green, tents and grounds;
Kenneth A. Ellis, air show; John R. Kennedy and Morton Batty, finance; and Norman Bone,
fireworks.
50 Years Ago (1957): Harold W. Fenrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Fenrick, Rte. 2, was
among the top ranking seniors at Beloit College annual honors day convocation. He is a member
of Phi Beta Kappa. He also was awarded the Danforth fellowship, the Walter S. Haven
chemistry prize and the American Institute of Chemists award.
60 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. George L. Kelly will celebrate their 25th wedding
anniversary on Thursday, June 15 at a family dinner at the Chalet, Brodhead. On the following
Sunday, June 18, they will be guests of honor in their home at 328 South Madison Street,
Evansville, at a dinner for relatives to be given by their children. Margaret Mary Meredith and
George Kelly were married June 15, 1942, in St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Evansville. Mr. Kelly
is employed at Fisher Body, Janesville. They have a son, George, a sophomore at Whitewater
State University and two daughters, Kay, a secretary at Baker Manufacturing Company, and
Ann, a senior at Evansville High School.
30 Years Ago (1977): Since the passing of J. C. McKenna, former Evansville School
Superintendent, many people have expressed the desire to perpetuate the memory of Evansville’s
outstanding leader in education. Suggestions were made at the Evansville Education Association
that one of our schools be named the J. C. McKenna School in his honor. Richard Krake,
Evansville artist and instructor, has expressed a desire to create a plaque or relief sculpture of
Mr. McKenna to commemorate his accomplishments if one of the buildings were so designated.
Mr. McKenna’s office as superintendent for 27 years (1934-1961) is our present middle school
office. Our new high school was built during his regime. Upon his retirement as
Superintendent, Mr. McKenna was persuaded by the school board to serve as the district’s first
business manager. He served in this capacity in the new high school from 1961-1964.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Ralph and Angie Hall, who have owned and operated the Evansville
Greenhouse the past 13 years, are turning over the operation to Ron and Jane Pierce on July 1.
The Pierces, lifetime Evansville residents, bring with them years of business experience in the
Evansville area. The Halls are assisting with the orderly transfer of all phases of the business to
assure an even transition without disruption of services. As is customary when floral businesses
are sold the selling florist assists the new owner for a year, through major holidays.
10 years ago (1997): Scholarship winners at presentation June 3rd were Luke Williams, Ericka
Crans, Sara Doering, Jolene Braucher, Jeremy May, Phillip Farberg, Amanda Krumwiede,
Joseph Knudtson, Angela Tesch, Brieanna Shippee, Shawn Heider, Justin George, Josh
Weigand, Angela Grandt, Emily Benson, Angie Maynard, Sarah Vannoy, Amanda Miller, Mark
Larson, Mitchell Illichmann, Carey Cole, Dawn Malterer, April Burkhalter, Edward Turner,
Kierstan Goggin, Kelly Albright, Jay Marin, Beth Piper, and Emily Skinner. Beth Piper was the
Salutatorian and Mitchell Illichmann, Valedictorian.
In Review
Third Week of June 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): There have been enrolled upon the Seminary books during the present
term ninety-nine students. The largest number of any Spring term, for years.
130 Years Ago (1877): The past few days have been very favorable for transplanting tobacco,
and those who are fortunate enough in having plants of proper size, have improved the
opportunity. Among the first I have seen is 3 acres of E. D. Barnard, and 6 ½ acres raised by Mr.
Albert Fessenden upon the farm of Geo. W. Dibble, Esq., all of which are looking very fine.
This is the earliest transplanting of tobacco ever known in this state.
120 Years Ago (1887): Foremen of the two fire companies received their speaking trumpets,
Saturday, purchased from the avails of the Fireman’s Supper, gotten up by the ladies. They are
beauties, triple plated silver and cost $18 each. The presentation occasion has not been made
public yet.
110 Years Ago (1897): There will be a party of pleasure seekers leave Evansville in a special car
for California. The party will not leave the car from the time it pulls out of the station here until
it reaches San Francisco. Among those who have already decided to go are Mr. and Mrs. A.
Eager, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. N. Winston, Mesdames Helen Winston, A.
Axtell, Wm. Drummond, Anna Soverhill; Miss Maggie Gillies, Mabel Alsop, and Messrs I. J.
Porter, J. P. Porter, E. Blakeley. There are a few who are yet undecided as to their plans but
without doubt the entire coach will be filled with our citizens and we bespeak a delightful trip for
them.
100 Years Ago (1907): Cooksville: There will be a box sociable at the church basement Friday
evening for the benefit of the poor in Norway who are needing relief. Rev. I. H. Johansan of
Stoughton, with the choir of the congregation will be present and entertain the people with music
and speaking in both languages.
90 Years Ago (1917): Between 800 and 900 people enjoyed the military ball given by the W. R.
C. at the Garden Canning Company’s new plant last night. Prior to the dance, Biel’s lady
orchestra gave a fine concert. The proceeds, after all expenses are paid, will be given to soldiers,
old and young. While the corps was not able to render a report this morning, the gross receipts
are said to be about $230, and as the public, as well as the canning company, was liberal in
giving support free of charge, it is thought the expenses will not exceed $30. The affair was a
complete success in every respect. [Note: the canning company was located on the grounds of
today’s Varco-Pruden offices and plant.]
80 Years Ago (1927): Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Ida Julseth, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Julseth to Harvey Brunsell, at the Cooksville Lutheran Church, Tuesday,
June 28. Both of these young people are well known and liked all over the town of Porter and
there will be a large attendance at the wedding.
70 Years Ago (1937): Among those who attended the ninth annual reunion of the JohnsonBovre family at Cambridge Sunday were Borger Hanson and children, Daryle, Borger Jr., and
Joan, Evansville; and Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Johnson and sons Curtis and Kermit, Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Bovre and children, James, Robert, and Jean of Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Johnson were
elected officers.
60 Years Ago (1947): Kenneth Morrison, 29, Evansville received a bullet through his side
Sunday afternoon while picking asparagus at the south edge of the Evansville city limits.
According to a report made to the Rock County Sherriff’s Department by Evansville Police
Chief Orvin Nimmo, the bullet came from a .22 caliber pistol fired by Fred Macart, 20, also of
Evansville. Nimmo said Macart and his brother-in-law, “Billie” Reese, 14, were trying out the
pistol which Macart had just purchased. Macart was shooting at birds, tin cans, and other targets
and started pumping lead into a clump of bushes near a railroad track when Morrison appeared
from behind the undergrowth. He told the youths he had been shot but was able to return to his
home. The shooting victim was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, where the slug was
removed. The bullet had pierced his side just above the belt and was lodged one-quarter inch
from his kidney. Chief Nimmo said Macart was not being held pending further investigation.
50 Years Ago (1957): City Council meeting: Bids were again discussed on the digging of
1,800 feet of water main ditch in the Brzezinski Addition and Alderman Bennett moved and
Alderman Spratler, Jr., seconded that the bid be awarded to Francis E. Cook on his low bid of
$.65 per foot upon his furnishing the city with a performance bond and upon his failure to furnish
such said bond, the bid be awarded to the next lowest bidder. Motion carried by roll call vote.
40 Years Ago (1967): Although at 9 a.m. Saturday newspaper reporters were told that
everything was under control on rain-swollen Lake Leota, during the early morning hours there
was evidence that the small spillway leading from Lake Leota into Allen Creek in the lower
park, might give away completely. Police Chief Richard Luers discovered the danger at about 2
a.m. as he was driving through the park on a routine check. He immediately alerted the entire
police force when the water in the lake pushed to a critical point. The flood gates were opened to
relieve the pressure on the dam. Early this week, officials stated that the lake may not be
completely drained to repair the crack in the spillway. That section has been sandbagged until an
estimate of the damage can be made. Before waters began receding at 4 a.m., a number of
basements were inundated and equipment in Leota Park was floating away to be smashed against
the Main Street bridge over Allen’s Creek. At crest stage, handrails atop the dam were entirely
submerged as was a footbridge in the park. Only the chimneys on fireplaces in the park
remained visible. Waters pushed across the Pruden Products parking lot to the sandbagged doors
of the plant. The city disposal plant was inundated. Waters rose to a depth which prevented
traffic to the Baker Manufacturing plant. The personnel office and foundry at the latter firm
were flooded.
30 Years Ago (1977): Father Joseph Brechtl left Evansville this week, after serving as pastor of
St. Paul’s Catholic Church for the past nine years. Following a leave of absence, Father Brechtl
will begin work in September as co-pastor of St. Catherine’s Church in Granville, North
Milwaukee. He said the bishop assigned him a term of two years to assist Father Arthur
Baertlein in ministering to the 2000 families in St. Catherine’s Church. “I enjoyed the people of
this community and I will not be forgetting them,” Father Brechtl said. “I will be back here
occasionally to see good friends.” Assuming the pastorate at St. Paul’s this week is Rev.
Thomas C. Lourim. Father Lourim has been pastor at St. Rose Catholic Church in Brodhead
since 1973. He originally from Beloit and graduated from Beloit college. Lourim, 65, has
served at several parishes throughout Wisconsin, including two years at Jefferson and 18 years at
Mazomanie. He is presently the moderator of the Madison Diocese Council of Catholic women.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Some Evansville residents felt the earthquake on Wednesday evening of
last week and other were completely oblivious of the situation. The quake, registering 5.0 on the
Richter scale, occurred at 6:50 p.m. The tremor was felt from Minnesota to West Virginia and
from Canada to Tennessee. The Epicenter of the quake was in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Only one
minor injury was reported. Seismologists are predicting a devastating tremor in the Midwest
before the year 2,000. E. Eric Jones, Exec. Dir. Of the Central U. S. Earthquake Consortium,
predicted “it will be ugly.”
10 years ago (1997): Kristin Haakenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Haakenson, was elected
to serve as a “State FFA Officer” for the 1997-98 school year. Kristin competed against more
than 70 of the top youth leaders in the state for the elite position of State FFA Officer and will
now represent Wisconsin’s FFA members at local, state and national activities. Kristin
continued a state leadership run from Evansville, being elected as the third State FFA Officer
from the local chapter. Previous State Officers were her brother, Pete (1995-96), Stacy Crull
(1994-95) and Terry Johnson (1973-74.)
In Review
Fourth Week of June 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Annual Meeting of the Trustees and stockholders will meet at the
Seminary. Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock. All are invited to be present. Remember Dr.
Steele, President of Lawrence University, will lecture at the Seminary Chapel this Tuesday
evening. Ex. Gov. Lewis will lecture on Wednesday evening at the same place.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Levi Leonard and wife, who have been spending a month or two
among the haunts and purlieus of Dakota, returned from their pleasant trip Wednesday morning.
Levi’s commanding figure always casts a welcome shadow upon our streets. They report
Evansville people, Mr. J. A. Pettigrew’s family in particular, as enjoying an abundance of
Dakota’s healthful climate.
120 Years Ago (1887): The annual school meeting will be held in Wood & Kendall’s hall on
Tuesday the 5th of July, Monday being a legal holiday. The object of holding the annual meeting
in a hall is to afford more room to accommodate the expected congregation consequent upon the
women suffrage measure more than any unusual interest connected with the school meeting. A
clerk is to be elected and as has been our practice, a librarian; reports of the superintendents and
school officers made and money raised for the next year’s school work. It is well to give the
meeting a good attendance.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. C. T. Noyes exhibited some of the largest strawberries at this office
this morning that we ever saw, the largest measuring 4 ½ by 5 ½ inches in circumference; they
were of the Enhance Shaw variety and grown in his own garden.
100 Years Ago (1907): Some of our auto-fiend ladies who started for the Eastern Star “blowout” at Brodhead realize that the horse is still superior to the auto, at least they should think so,
when one auto only reached one-half the distance to Brodhead and still remains in the public
highway; another auto load lost its way, and perhaps it is still trying to find the neighboring city;
still another auto load reached the park just before luncheon was served, having departed from
this city in ample time to reach there long before the coveted banquet was spread, but alas! their
chairs were vacant. Undoubtedly they did justice to the later spread. The ladies who made the
trip with good old horse flesh enjoyed both spreads and spent the day in the entertainment that
had been provided for them by their neighbor sisters.
90 Years Ago (1917): Very Pretty Home Wedding On Wednesday. Wednesday, June 26, at 4
p.m., Miss Helen Brunsell was united in marriage to Rex Buckeridge, at the home of her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brunsell, of this city. The officiating pastor was the Rev. L. H. Hegge,
Lutheran minister of Stoughton. A sister of the bride, Miss Emma Brunsell, acted as bridesmaid
and was escorted by Will Buckeridge, of Terre Haute, Ind., as best man. The ring was carried by
Mary Jeanette Buckeridge. The bride has been employed for three years in the Industrial
Commission at Madison, and the groom is a popular teacher in the Beloit High School.
80 Years Ago (1927): The late William Gillies, of Evansville, was born in Rutland, Dane
County, February 15, 1854. His childhood life was spent in the town of Union, where he
attended the district school and the Evansville Seminary. In early manhood, he taught in the
schools of the County, and in 1875, he was married to Julia Hosley, of Union, who passed away
in 1910. Three children survive, Maud Gillies Spooner, Lyman and Milo, a son Scott having
died in 1916. Mr. Gillies is survived by four grandchildren; two sisters, Miss Elizabeth Gillies
and Miss Margaret Gillies, both of Evansville and a brother, James Gillies, Evansville. In 1895,
the family left their farm at Union and since that time, Evansville has been his home. Mr. Gillies
lived a life which counted for the better life of the community. His best was given to his God
and to his fellow men.
70 Years Ago (1937): Twenty cans of northern pike were planted in the waters of Lake Leota
Monday morning under the direction of R. J. Antes, member of the county conservation
committee, who picked up the pike at Janesville from Warden Eric Moir. Very few of the
pickerel fingerlings were lost in the planting in Lake Leota Monday, and it is hoped that the
conservation measure will bring the lake back to its former fish fertility.
60 Years Ago (1947): Attorneys Donald F. Gallagher and William H. Bewick are announcing
that they have formed a partnership and will maintain their offices in the Union Bank and Trust
Co. building on North Madison Street. Mr. Gallagher was graduated from the University of
Wisconsin law school in 1927 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He has practiced law
in Evansville since 1929 and was formerly associated with Attorney R. M. Richmond. Since
1934 he has been city attorney with the exception of the time he spent in the armed forces. Mr.
Bewick, a 1941 graduate of the University of Wisconsin law school, was admitted to the bar after
graduation. Prior to entering the service he was associated with Attorney Raymond C. Fett in
Janesville. Since he was discharged from the armed forces he has maintained an office here.
The partnership will be known as Gallagher and Bewick.
50 Years Ago (1957): Michael Sorkin and John Ganoung were the Evansville representatives at
the Badger Boys State recently. Their trip to this event was sponsored by the Legion and the
Lions Club.
40 Years Ago (1967): Many Evansville residents, unaware of the installation of the new Civil
Defense outdoor warning siren last Thursday afternoon were startled Monday night as the new
siren was sounded for the first time. A 3-warning siren—a storm alert which will be a steady 3
to 5 minute tone; an attack warning which will be a wavering 3 to 5 minute tone; and a fire siren
which will be a hi-lo 3 to 5 minute tone was erected at the side of the City Hall. The generosity
of the following is acknowledged for their donations of: Pruden Products Co. for the angle iron
to support the motor; The Wisconsin Gas Co., for the length of pipe to hold the siren; Helgesen’s
Crane Services of Janesville and Bob Helgesen for the invaluable use of the crane to hoist it into
position; and Gordon Milbrant for the final welding services at the motor base. The speed of
modern weapons which has sharply decreased the time available for pre-attack public survival
action and the use of the outdoor warning sirens to warn of approaching tornados moved the
Civil Defense directors to agree upon the uniform test schedule at 12 o’clock noon on the first
Wednesday of each month.
30 Years Ago (1977): Lewis Peckham, who has been a businessman in Evansville since 1945,
will step down from the top spot in Peckham Electric Service as of July 1. He will be succeeded
by Ron Buttchen, who has been working for him for the past seven years, as the business
changes to Buttchen Electric Service.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Local author and park historian, Keith Williams has written a detailed and
interesting history of the Evansville Parks. The book entitled “Evansville City Parks, 18831996” is available at the Eager Free Public Library. The author has devoted many hours to the
research of this history, contributed many hours serving on the park board, as well as his talents
and time for the beautification of the park.
10 years ago (1997): The Evansville City Council has approved a Farmer’s Market in downtown
Evansville, which will provide residents with an opportunity to purchase fresh produce in an
open market atmosphere. It is anticipated that this type of market will boost downtown
shopping. FFA Advisor Gary Burkhalter is coordinating the project. Plans are to begin the
Market on Saturday, July 12 and continue every Saturday until Oct. 12. The area will be either
behind the Blue Cross/Grange Building or West Main Street. Items for sale must be grown or
gathered in south central Wisconsin. Produce includes fresh vegetables and herbs, fresh or dried
fruits. No frozen or previously frozen fruits or vegetables allowed. All produce must be sold off
tables, truck beds or tailgates. Additional produce must be in boxes or baskets. Miscellaneous
flowers, plants, eggs, honey, bread will be allowed. Eggs must be candled, graded and packed in
cartons bearing producer’s name.
In Review
First Week of July 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): We understand that Mr. W. Winston is about to open the old hotel
known as the Evansville House, as a place for public entertainment. Mr. W. claims a lineal
descent from a good hotel keeper and we doubt not that he will honor his pedigree in this
respect. The public will understand that it is to be a temperance house without our mentioning
the fact. [The Evansville House was located on the northeast corner of East Main and Union
Streets, the current site of The Station.]
130 Years Ago (1877): The wind Friday night seemed to have a particular course of its own, and
a way of doing business not usual in these parts. Mr. David Johnson, of Union, informs us that it
blew the roof off the school house in his district, scattering it in minute pieces into fields a long
distance from its original location. The brick walls remained almost intact. The force of the
wind was not particularly severe at short distances either way from the school house.
120 Years Ago (1887): A. S. Baker was canvassing the town a little the other day for subscribers
to an electric light plant. He wants at least 400 subscribers to start with. He met with pretty
good encouragement, we understand.
110 Years Ago (1897): The stone work is well along on the new school building, and the brick
work will soon commence. The furnace is being put in position in the basement of the new
school building. Isaac Brink went to Madison, Monday, on business connected with the stone
work on the new school building.
100 Years Ago (1907): Among the many new fashion colors for house painting is what is
termed a copper brown. Mayor Pearsall is one of the first householders in this city to adopt that
color and he is having his residence repainted with this, and trimmings are white. It makes a
very rich coloring. Fisher Bros, are doing the work. [Note: Mayor Charles J. Pearsall lived at
227 West Church Street.]
90 Years Ago (1917): Lester Harry Krause, a son of August and Alvina Krause, who live about
six miles west of Evansville, was born September 30, 1910. Few were his years to bring
sunshine to his parental home and surroundings. For a year, little Lester was a sufferer. Heart
trouble set in, which caused him great agony and often brought a dark cloud over him and others
in the family. His chair was vacated shortly after dinner, June 27, 1917, at the age of six years,
eight months and twenty-seven days. Funeral services were in the Friedens Evangelical Church,
Friday afternoon and cemetery near the church, the Rev. G. E. Zellmer officiating. He leaves to
mourn his early departure bereaved parents, four sisters, three brothers.
80 Years Ago (1927): Judging from the way people flock to the Evansville Tourist park and to
the city park for rest, recreation and amusement, the park, seems to be much more appreciated by
people from a distance than it is at home. Lately there has been some prominent people staying
at the park, among them being the president of the General Electric Company, of Chicago, who
comes, and stays several days at a time. Tourists state that all the camp now needs is a few
cabins which can be rented by tourists, many of which prefer them to hotels and which are much
preferable to tents in case of storm or rain. While our little lake and park do not seem to be
appreciated by many of our own people, the writer wants to make a prediction that before many
years have passed that some large corporation of Chicago or some other city will pick up some
land near this lake and park and make a summer resort of it. There are still too many in
Evansville who sneer at “The Pond” and wail because the lake cost a few thousand dollars.
70 Years Ago (1937): Another of the varied programs which have been greatly enjoyed by
Wednesday night audiences at the city park, will be presented next Wednesday by the city band
under the direction of Russell L. Moberly. Since the construction of the new bandstand, the park
has become more of an entertainment center than it was previously. The program will include a
cornet duet by Julia Williams and Maxine Olsen and readings by Marjean Moore.
60 Years Ago (1947): Kenneth Devlin, Rowland Straka, Roger Wood and Betty Lou Lehnherr,
who represented Evansville at the Badger Boys State camp at Ripon and the Badger Girls State
camp at Madison have returned to their homes here.
50 Years Ago (1957): Mrs. Harold Jones and Mrs. William Blair spoke to the City Council
regarding the cabins in the park that both the Girl Scouts and the Legion share. After discussing
all the cabins, Alderman Walter Spratler, Jr. moved and Alderman Ralph Bennett seconded that
cabins No. 2 and No. 4 be given to the Girl Scouts at no expense to the City and details on the
sharing with the Legion could be worked out later. Mayor R. B. Townsend reported that Mrs.
Hannah Sorkin had asked for the use of a cabin for the Red Cross and Cabin No. 5 was given to
the Red Cross for storage.
40 Years Ago (1967): Robert Helgesen, co-owner of the sales firm of Helgesen-Pruden Sales,
Janesville received an outstanding sales award for 1966 from Pruden Products Company District
Supervisor, James Brantner. Helgesen-Pruden Sales has offices in Janesville, Dodgeville,
Wisconsin and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Donald and Robert Helgesen are co-owners of
Helgesen-Pruden Sales. The firm is franchised to sell Pruden structures in Rock, Jefferson,
Green, Lafayette, Grant and Iowa Counties.
30 Years Ago (1977): Positioning a future State Highway 14 bypass into the Evansville area was
a dominate theme at the public hearing Tuesday night on the proposed land use map of the city
and its 1 ½ mile extra-territorial zoning area scheduled for insertion in the city’s master plan.
Residents and landowners along Territorial Road which runs northeast of Evansville, had the
most questions because the township road has been proposed as the future route of the highway
by-pass. They hinted concern about their ability to subdivide and build homes in the face of a
master plan provision stating that development along Territorial Road be avoided until a definite
highway route is mapped out. There was also comment that placing the route that far away from
the city will be a deterrent to business prosperity. And in the waning moments of the hearing
there was a plea from a Union Township representative to the Extra-Territorial Committee that a
bypass route be agreed upon now or the state will arbitrarily choose its own route when it
decides to go ahead with the construction. An 80 to 100 ft right of way is generally required for
such a road and Phil Blazkowski, Rock County Planner, said that new buildings cannot be
constructed within 100 feet of the road. Blazkowski said the Territorial route was chosen in lieu
of four other alternatives because other corridors presented engineering difficulties and the grade
of Territorial Road should be easier to work with.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Robbie Peters of Evansville went thru astronaut training activities
recently, leading to two simulated missions in space at U. S. Space Academy, Level I at the
Space and Rocket center in Huntsville, AL. The simulated missions used a realistic trainer
mockup of the Space Shuttle orbiter, the European Space Agency Spacelab and a space station.
10 years ago (1997): Magnolia’s 4-H Queen is Amy Hatlen, daughter of Doug and Vonnie
Hatlen. She is a ten-year member of Magnolia 4-H. Mark Larson, Magnolia 4-H King, is the
son of Ed and Barb Larson. He is a nine-year member of Magnolia 4-H.
In Review
Second Week of July 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): We intended to have called the attention of our readers before this to the
Reaping and Mowing Machines of John P. Manny and for some weeks past has been on
exhibition. Mr. Hiram Bullard is the agent for Union, Porter, and Magnolia, although
commencing to sell quite late in the season, he informs us that such are the universal merits of
the machine that he has sold more than of all other machines held for sale in the place. Separate
parts of the machine can be had of the agent, to replace broken or defective pieces at any time.
130 Years Ago (1877): The Tornado. At a few minutes past four Sunday morning, the wind
began to blow and the rain came down in torrents, mingled with heavy masses of ice, that rattled
against the panes in a fearful manner. Going out after the storm had abated, the whole country
presented a devastated appearance. Cornfields lay flat upon the ground, shade trees were twisted
off like twigs, fences were turned over, and chimneys blown down and scattered about fearfully.
The chimney on the bank building blew over upon the roof of Pullen & Wilder’s store, smashing
in seven rafters, making a breach that emitted a flood of water, running through the ceiling and
drenching goods and everything in its way. In the country, the damage was much more severe.
Several houses were unroofed, and scarcely a wind mill of any kind is left standing on the prairie
east or west. Mr. Philip Cadwallader’s barn was turned some eight feet from its foundation. Mr.
W. H. Johnson, of Union, thinks that $500 will not repair the damage done to his crops and
premises. In some places the hail cut fields of oats badly, others only driven to the ground. Corn
was left in pretty much the same manner, but what was not entirely broken off will rise again.
Nearly every farmer suffered more or less by injury to his buildings, or by the hail to his crops.
There was no accident to life or limb that we have heard of.
120 Years Ago (1887): The annual school meeting Tuesday night attracted a little more than its
usual attention, probably from the fact that the ladies would be there to vote for the first time,
under the partial woman suffrage act. The recommendations of the board adopted, including
$3,000 for school expenses for the current year. There are in the treasury now to run the school
until taxes are collected, $2,038.44. Allen S. Baker was elected clerk and Fred Wilder was
elected librarian. The free book system, the district was asked to vote on, was voted down by the
majority, as in our judgment it ought to be. There is as much sense in the school district
furnishing food to eat and clothing to wear, as books to study. The ladies seemed to concentrate
their interest chiefly upon the librarian and the choice of librarian is a good one. There are
different expressions as to where and how it should be kept—in the Y.M.C.A. reading room or in
a public book store. [Note: library books were available for public use many years before the
Eager Free Public Library was built. The school district voters were responsible for funding the
public library and electing a librarian.]
110 Years Ago (1897): We should all take pride in the building of new school buildings and
elevating our educational institutions to the highest point possible; for what better purposes can
we use our money, and greater legacy leave to posterity.
100 Years Ago (1907): The iron beams, girders and truss frames for the library building arrived
Wednesday, and work on that building will soon commence again.
90 Years Ago (1917): The old custom of using the road side for pasture is being revived this
year to a considerable extent. Increased amounts of land put under cultivation, the high rentals
being asked for pasture, and the general and advanced price of livestock feeds are all
contributing causes. “Watching cows” is one of the ways in which the children can do their bit
toward helping win the war.
80 Years Ago (1927): Albert C. Holmes last week received word of his appointment as
postmaster for Evansville. Mr. Holmes has been appointed as acting postmaster taking charge of
the office August 1, his official appointment and confirmation to take place after congress gets in
session. Having always stood by the Coolidge faction of the Republican Party in this state, Mr.
Holmes, according to political ethics, is entitled to the position and will doubtless fill it to the
satisfaction of all. As a college graduate and a man with abundant business experiences acquired
through his experience as one of the department managers and credit man of the Grange Store,
Mr. Holmes is ably qualified to fill the position to the satisfaction of our people and patrons of
the office.
70 Years Ago (1937): The rise and fall of a major industry here was brought to mind this week
by the tearing down of portions of the D. E. Wood Butter Company plant now owned by the
Cudahy company, which was begun last week by the Evansville construction company. From
humble beginnings, the plant became one of the four largest of its type in the United States, with
shipment of its products to many corners of the globe, and then suddenly declined when
legislation was passed in the state as state law placed a tax on oleo margarine manufacture. A tax
of ten cents per pound for oleo made in Wisconsin made it unprofitable to manufacture here.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Evansville Community fire truck responded to a call from Union
about 3 p.m. Wednesday when a small truck owned by Hatlen Bros. caught fire and was almost
destroyed by the blaze, which was caused by back-firing. .
50 Years Ago (1957): In the election held prior to the annual meeting of the school board, Clark
Prudhon and Robert Turner were re-elected to the school board and Rev. John Walker was
elected to it. The meeting voted by a 70 to 3 margin to have school board elections held in
conjunction with the regular spring elections in future years. Following considerable discussion,
the school board was instructed to get plans and cost figures on the possible construction of an ag
shop at the school.
40 Years Ago (1967): Four large trees were removed last week from the city hall campus to
make room for the new fire house which is to be built of steel erected by the Helgesen Sales of
Janesville. The company states that Evansville labor will be used wherever possible. The cost of
the contract is $40,967. It is expected that the building program will start at an early date.
30 Years Ago (1977): Two 7-year old children with matches were the cause of a fire in an
upstairs storage area in the Central Building on the corner of East Main and Maple Streets.
Evansville firemen fought the fire for 3 hours, entering with gas masks, and contained the fire in
the western half of the building. There were no injuries reported. Byrl L. Rowley, owner of the
Central Bar on the ground floor, said he attempted to use a fire extinguisher when about a dozen
tavern patrons smelled smoke coming out of a rear stairway, but called the fire department when
he discovered the fire was out of control. Windows were broken to let smoke escape from the
structure. According to the police report the children had set pieces of cotton on fire with stick
matches and became scared when flames went out of their control. [Note: this is the Baker
Block at 101 East Main.]
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Members of the Senior Citizen’s Committee representing the city, met
recently at the Baker Block proposed site for their Center. Thus far $1,300 has been spent and
wiring is in at the center, located in the lower level of the newly renovated Baker Block on East
Main Street. Volunteer labor has carried the project thus far. Lee Winch, chairman of the group,
notes that there is a need to buy insulation and install the same. There will be a need to purchase
paneling, vinyl and carpeting, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The room measures 50 ft. x
100 ft. The Senior Citizen Committee includes Ruby Phillips, Lucille Schroeder and Irene
Higginbotham.
10 years ago (1997): On parade in Evansville on July 4 were members of the newly formed
Community Theater group. Members in the parade included Megan Stewart, Jeff Farnsworth,
Sue Woulfe and Heidi Sendelbach.
In Review
Third Week of July 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Public School money for the Town of Union has been received and
apportioned to the several school districts in town. The total amount is $2,720, and there are 719
scholars in the town which gives 46 cents to each scholar.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. James Wadsworth lost two children last week from scarlet fever-one was buried Thursday, the other Saturday. The oldest was six years old. Funeral from the F.
W. Baptist church. DIED. Willis Irwin and Charles Lynn, aged respectively six and four years,
children of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Wadsworth. The former died on Thursday morning, the latter
on Saturday morning, July 12th and 14th, 1877, of scarlet fever. The bereaved parents have the
hearty condolence of an extended circle of friends, in this their dark hour of affliction.
120 Years Ago (1887): Our people will be called on soon to say by vote whether they will have
electricity to light our streets or the kerosene we are now using. We have 39 lamps in all and
they extend from one end of town to the other, a distance of more than a mile, and are lit at an
expense of $325 a year, including lighter’s salary. It is estimated that the same number of
electric lights will cost us $400, $75 more than the oil. The kerosene lamps are so placed along
the walks in the shade of the over hanging trees, as to impair much of their otherwise usefulness.
The electric lights would be placed, or suspended, amid street, and with their reflecting power,
would give us much better light than we now have. The Village Board do not like to take any
responsibility in the matter and will ask for a public expression by a vote, soon. The details of
the plant have not been consummated, but the agent will be here shortly to talk up the matter
with parties who will run the machine and explain any detail connected with public and private
lights. Cogitate upon the matter and be ready to give a decision when called upon.
110 Years Ago (1897): Advertisement: Evansville Seminary, a day and boarding school of high
academic grade. We seek to combine thorough instruction with practical piety. Four Regular
Courses, Classical, Theological, Latin-German, Scientific. Instruction given in common school
and commercial branches, including bookkeeping and commercial law, drawing, vocal and
instrumental music also taught. Work Satisfactory. Terms Moderate. For Catalogue, address
Rev. A. L. Whitcomb, Evansville, Wisconsin. Fall Term Begins September 1st, 1897.
100 Years Ago (1907): Miss Lulu Van Patten went to Elgin Saturday to visit a friend, and from
there goes to Chicago where she will take a three-weeks’ course in an art institute. For the past
two years Miss Van Patten has followed the study of line drawing and has proved very efficient
in the work. She used it in her school work here with success. For the coming school year she
will be the instructor in drawing at the Appleton High School.
90 Years Ago (1917): At about six o’clock last Thursday evening the fire department was
called out to extinguish a fire at the Baker Manufacturing Co.’s plant. The fire started in a
shaving bin by a spark from the foundry. The damage amounted to about twenty-five dollars.
80 Years Ago (1927): Sometime ago the Wisconsin Telephone Company leased the building at
8 South Madison Street, known as the Pioneer building, for its new quarters. The entire building
has been remodeled to meet the requirements of the company. A new concrete floor was laid in
the basement, and a hot water heating plant is being installed. Two partitions on the main floor
and one on the second floor were removed to enlarge the rooms. All work is being done by local
people. The general contract for the work was awarded to James A. Harper, who sublet the
heating and plumbing to the hardware department of the Grange Store, the electric wiring to A.
E. Tomlin and Company, painting to George Dell, plastering to John Hanson and the concrete
work to Richard Carson. When the work is finished, the main floor will be used for the business
office and apparatus room. The operating room, locker room and rest room, will be on the
second floor. The basement will be used for storage.
70 Years Ago (1937): A number of old-timers who put in many years of their lives at the D. E.
Wood Butter Co. plant have come to our attention. Amoung them are: F. O. McKinney, who
was employed for thirty-two years by the firm, the last eighteen of which he was engineer. Ernie
Clifford, who blew oil for the process butter, and was in the Wood company employ for twenty
or twenty-five years. Charles Theobald, who melted the old butter for renovating, and was with
the company 12 or 14 years. Charley Merrick, who tended to milk on the second floor used to
make the process butter for about 18 years. Frank Roberts, the print wrapper, who also helped
prepare the milk, for about eighteen years. Ray Thompson, head print wrapper, who worked
with the company from the time it started until it closed.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mrs. C. L. Conroy and Harry E. Roderick were reelected members of the
Board of Education at the annual district meeting in the city school auditorium. The former is
president of the Board. Robert Erstad was elected clerk to succeed P. G. Slauson who has held
the office for many years, and Howard Becher was named a board member in place of V. H.
Laufenberg. Both Mr. Slauson and Mr. Laufenberg declined reelection. The session was
attended by 55 local citizens. Supt. J. C. McKenna in presenting his annual report, discussed the
possibility and advisability of taking steps to make Evansville a union free high school. A
motion was passed requesting the superintendent and board members to investigate the
proposition. If the rural districts in this locality and the city should decide to take that step it
would mean that farm residents within a radius of about eight or nine miles around Evansville
would pay school taxes in Evansville and the high school tuition for their children would be
eliminated. The grade pupils would not be affected in any way by the change.
50 Years Ago (1957): The mayor, R. B. Townsend, with the water and light department was
given authority to go ahead with details of lighting the swimming pool. Present plans call for
two 50-foot poles to be erected, with 90,000 watts of light on each. The mayor is also to work
out details for excavating for water and sewer connections for the new pool.
40 Years Ago (1967): Douglas Hull made a “hole in one” on the Evansville Golf Course
recently. The feat was accomplished on hole No. 8, which is 211 yards and it is the first time for
a hole in one on No. 8 since the course was opened here three years ago. Hull was laying a
match with Norman Tomlin at the time of his successful shot. A trophy was presented to Hull by
Clint Erickson, through the courtesy of Straka’s Jewelry Store.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Baker Manufacturing Co. has purchased the inventory, equipment,
engineering and marketing assets of the Haight Pump Co., Milwaukee, manufacturers of positive
displacement rotary gear pumps, according to an announcement this week by Financial Vicepresident G. A. Manke. As a result of the July 1 purchase Baker now has four major divisions,
Monitor Division, specializing in water systems; Custom Division, producing gray iron and
ductile castings, welding, fabricating, machining and hot dip galvanizing; Wholesale Division,
providing plumbing, heating, cooling and accessory items, through eight distributors in the
United States and one in Canada; and Haight Division, manufacturer of positive displacement
rotary gear pumps.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Among the approximately 450 to graduate from Blackhawk Technical
Institute recently were Ann M. Bennett and Rita Spinhirne, both of Evansville, Associate Degree
nursing; Susan Sanner, Brooklyn, child care services; Wendy Wickersham, Evansville, clerk
typist; and Tom Hunt, Evansville, welding.
10 years ago (1997): Rob Peters and Tim Courtier will participate in this weekend’s Monona
Terrace Grand Opening. Featured with the Wisconsin Singers, Peters and Courtier will perform
at 12 noon on Saturday, July 19 in the William T. Evjue Gardens.
In Review
Fourth Week of July 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The grading around the Methodist Church was done Saturday last, by
some of the Society, who also laid the sidewalk in front of the church, in a very neat and tasty
manner. The piles of board, staging poles, old mortar beds, were all removed and we hardly
knew the place on going to church Sunday morning. The carpenters are now at work putting in
the seats and finishing up the main audience room. Considerable work is yet to be done before
the house is completed, but we understand that the finances are such that the work will be
completed at an early date.
130 Years Ago (1877): Lawn services in the Seminary campus, Sunday evening, were attended
with a perceptible increase from the previous Sunday evening. There was a much better success
in the singing department than before. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Stowe, M. E.
presiding elder of Janesville. The clergymen present on the stand were Revs. Lathrop, Cole, and
Eldredge, of Footville. The sermon was practical, thoughtful and full of good points. Services
will be continued each Sunday evening, commencing at 6 o’clock.
120 Years Ago (1887): The Baker Manufacturing works made a shipment Monday of 25
windmills, 125 large cylinder pumps, 25 water tanks and 275 brass cylinders. They were
consigned to a wholesale firm in Atchison, Kansas.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. John Burgess, of Parkersburg, Iowa, was an arrival Friday, for a
visit with his daughters, Mrs. Del Bullard and Mrs. Albert Fessenden.
100 Years Ago (1907): The masons started to work on the library building this week, and
consequently are as busy as bees in swarming time. The windows for the auditorium part have
been placed in position, and one is now able to form some idea as to how the building will look.
The dressed cut stone, from the New Bedford quarries in the east, is nearly all arrived, and in fact
sufficient material is now on hand to warrant a continued work till the entire building is
completed. From the proposed plans and from the material already shown, Evansville will have
a library of merit and beauty.
90 Years Ago (1917): Bids are requested and will be received for two one room, one story
frame temporary school buildings, to be built on the school property in the city of Evansville,
said buildings to be completed by September 1, 1917. Bids to be directed to Paul Pike Pullen,
clerk of joint school district No. 6, of Evansville, Union and Magnolia. Bids will be opened at
the High School building at two o’clock p.m., July 31, 1917. P. P. Pullen, Clerk. F. A. Baker,
Director.
80 Years Ago (1927): The parking space for autos on Saturday nights has become such a
serious question of late, that it will be noticed that several of the side streets are filled on both
sides from the overflow from Main Street. This has been very inconvenient for farmers who
have children and who have large bundles, from the stores to load into their cars at the close of
the evening’s trade. A move made this week by the Economy Store and Herb Durner which will
help the matter considerable. The hitching posts have been taken out of the old Wagon Yard
back of the economy and of Durner’s shop and the ground leveled off so that it may be used for
parking purposes. This new parking space will accommodate about seventy-five cars and will be
especially appreciated by those who do their trading at the Economy Store as it is close and
handy for them to load in their groceries and children.
70 Years Ago (1937): Angela Bewick, Julia and Ruth Williams, Betty Brown, Ruth Morrison,
Betty Murphy, Shirley Estes, and Jane Boode accompanied Miss Lou Howland, their piano
teacher, to Madison Saturday to take part in a recital at the Wisconsin School of Music.
60 Years Ago (1947): Two weeks of concentrated study and group practice will culminate
Saturday in the all-state band concert in the University stadium when 225 of the best high school
musicians in the state give their festival performance. Following is a list of the Evansville
musicians who will play: Beverly Amidon, clarinet; Ann Hansen, saxophone; Shannon Ferguson
and Donna Hartl, cornets, and Charles Romstad, trombone.
50 Years Ago (1957): Evansville’s annual Tri-County Black and White show last Thursday
drew about 350 entries from Rock, Green and Dane counties and was attended by nearly 1,000
people.
40 Years Ago (1967): Miss Judith Elaine Spanton, 109 E. Main Street, Evansville, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Spanton, Rte. 3, Whitewater, formerly of Evansville, became the bride
of Donald L. Bratzke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bratzke, Rte. 2, Evansville, in a ceremony
performed at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in the Cooksville Lutheran Church, the Rev. Cyril
Jandrey read the service at the altar decorated with summer flowers. The bride, a graduate of the
Evansville High School, class of 1965, is employed at the Evansville Review office and the
groom, a 1961 Evansville graduate, is employed at Fisher Body plant in Janesville. When Mr.
and Mrs. Bratzke return from a wedding trip to St. Louis, they will reside at 109 E. Main Street,
Evansville.
30 Years Ago (1977): Mitch Hull of Evansville was in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Junior World
Wrestling Tournament, July 11-16. Mitch, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Hull represented
the U. S. in the International tournament wresting on the Greco Roman team. Wrestling at 198
lbs., Mitch took 4th place, the top winning spot of any American Greco wrestler. Hull won his
position on the U. S. team after winning in state and national wrestling tournaments.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): The 75-car Circus Train pulled into Evansville for a 10 minute layover.
The train from the Circus World Museum in Baraboo was loaded with antique circus wagons.
The circus wagons glistened in the hot July sun. Gov. Tommy Thompson was among the many
riding in the passenger car. The children of Tree House Playschool had a good view from a hay
wagon as the Circus Train rolled into Evansville from Baraboo.
10 years ago (1997): Ann and John Edwards have returned from Dayton, Ohio, where they
attended a special occasion at Wright Patterson Air Field on June 24. Their son Nathan became
a Captain and the Edwards had the honor of pinning on his bars. Nathan is a 1981 graduate of
Evansville High School and of the UW-Madison. He has 14 years of service in the Air Force.
While there the Edwards also visited the Air Force Museum.
In Review
Last Week of July 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): It will be seen by notice elsewhere that the Baptist society of this place
are making an effort to re-paint their Church, and for this purpose the ladies have taken the
matter in hand and are going to get up a supper to be served in the grove at Deacon Ballard’s
house, on Main Street. All will agree with us, that their house needs painting very much, but
their pecuniary condition is hardly equal to the improvement necessary, and now make a demand
on the public in this very appropriate manner to aid them. We may expect a good time, plenty to
eat and excellently served, and certainly the price is very low. Come out, you who have been
selling “eagle pennies” for a dime a piece and do a good act, we shall all have the benefit.
Benefit Supper. The Benefit Supper of the Free Will Baptist Ladies’ Mite Society will take place
next Thursday evening (early) Aug.1st., in Deacon Ballard’s garden grove. Supper, $1.25 a
couple. Proceeds to be used in painting their meeting house.
130 Years Ago (1877): We understand that Rev. Mr. Rowley of Darlington, has been called to
preside over the Congregational church here, and will immediately remove his family thither.
The ladies of the Congregational Mite Society have purchased three very excellent chairs for the
pulpit of their church, costing nearly $50.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. John Clifford’s house in Magnolia was struck by lightning a week
ago during a heavy rain storm and demolished the chimney, and went through the roof tearing
off shingles but doing no other great amount of damage. It gave the premises a decided
sulphurous smell for sometime.
110 Years Ago (1897): George W. Thurman, of Albany, sold a pearl found by Mr. B. T.
Andrews, in Bass Creek back of the Afton mill to Mrs. Cecelia Wallace of Chicago, for $2,000.
John Young, a Brodhead landlord, first bought the pearl of Mr. Andrews for $350, and Mr.
Thurman purchased it from Mr. Young.
100 Years Ago (1907): The Misses Daisy Spencer, Blanche Crow and Gertrude Eager returned
from their trip to Yellowstone Park the first of the week. Miss Crow, however, stopped off in
Chicago for a few days’ visit in that city with relatives.
90 Years Ago (1917): Some time during Monday night the office of Brunsell & Fellows was
broken into by yeggmen, who succeeded in rifling the contents of the safe. It is not known
whether the safe was locked that evening, but when the employees reached the office on Tuesday
morning the safe was locked and the contents scattered over the floor. The police have as yet
been unable to secure any clue that might lead to the apprehending of the guilty parties.
80 Years Ago (1927): The season tickets for stockholders of the Evansville Rock County Fair
are now at the State Bank of Evansville, ready for distribution. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Thompson
and Mr. and Mrs. Zala Miller are at Mineral Point today where they are attending the fair and
gathering pointers for our own fair next week. The machinery exhibit promises to outclass
anything ever shown before and the auto exhibit will be equal to that of last season which was
fine, to which may be added the hope that the new Ford will be on display, as Mr. Thompson, the
dealer here states that he is doing his best to get one here. There will be a lot of hogs, sheep and
cattle at the Rock County Fair this season, which have never shown at the fair before. Among
these is the fine herd of Jerseys from the farm of J. A. Craig, of Janesville.
70 Years Ago (1937): Members of the Ole Moe family gathered at the Cooksville park Sunday
for their second annual reunion. Included in the gathering were three new members added
during the past year: Donald Roy Kloften, Barbara Fincher, and David Olson. Officers elected
were Mrs. Borger Hanson, Evansville, president; Rudy Hatlevig, Evansville, vice president; Miss
Elaine Dahl, Stoughton, secretary; and Miss Selma Kloften, Chicago, Treasurer. They succeed
Helmer Kloften, Gordon Lindquist, Leonard Nelson and Miss Alice Nelson, last year’s officers.
60 Years Ago (1947): The wind storm of last Saturday night hit Evansville hard, uprooting trees
all over the city and scattering limbs and branches on lawns and in the street. The electric
service was badly crippled by the storm. No one in the city had electricity for more than 12
hours and in several sections the time lengthened to more than 24 hours. W. W. Waeffler, owner
and operator of the Waeffler Frozen Foods states that despite the fact that the electric service was
out of commission 43 hours, there was no damage to the meat in the lockers. The Antes Press
was unable to run Monday because of no electricity to run the presses and linotype machines.
The farmers who use electricity to run their milking machines and to pump water for their stock
were busy doing everything by hand. West Main Street and Second Street became clogged by
falling branches and the local police had a busy time rerouting traffic coming into the city from
the west. A large tree had Main Street completely blocked. The street department truck made
numerous trips throughout the city collecting fallen branches and other trash scattered by the
wind.
50 Years Ago (1957): John Kennedy, a familiar figure at the post office here for nearly 40 years
retired Wednesday, July 31. He came to the Evansville post office Feb. 21, 1916, and except for
a two-year period in which he managed newspapers and print shops at Laona and Gillett, has
been here ever since. Before coming to Evansville he had been employed by the Thompson
Malted Milk Co. in Waukesha. Oct. 5, 1916, he returned to Waukesha to marry the former
Eveline Bourquin, Marenisco, Mich. Kennedy carried mail here until 1920 when he left the
newspaper and printing business. In 1922 he returned to Evansville post office where he has been
since. Kennedy has long been a popular figure in the post office. He started his service here
when Alex Richardson was postmaster and has served under Postmasters Palmer Slauson,
Forrest Durner, A. C. Holmes, Roy Reckord, and R. J. Antes.
40 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. Lee George of Brooklyn, announce the engagement and
approaching marriage of their daughter, Vicky, to Mr. Erling Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hal
Adams of Blue River. Miss George attended the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and has
taught school the past four years in Walworth Co. Mr. Adams is employed by Borden Food
Company in Boscobel. The wedding will be August 5 at the Community Methodist Church in
Brooklyn.
30 Years Ago (1977): Since the declaration of the Evansville Historic District, the Historic
Commission has concerned itself with the restoration of the District’s downtown area, among
other projects. The education Committee of the Commission applauded the efforts of Roger
Berg for his restoration of the former Grange Store—Legion Lounge in the first block of East
Main Street in the Grainery. The distinctive but deserted building was rescued from the all-toousual decline of similar structures. The restoration of the exterior was masterfully
accomplished. [Note: This building is at 19 East Main and is the current home of the Night
Owl.].
20 Years Ago (1987): Chris Cox, who moved to Evansville from the east earlier this year, does
fine carpentry and woodworking. He will be on hand this year at the annual Community
Sidewalk Sale on Main Street. He will be offering hand made wooden candle sticks, toys and
wood vessels. Cox also makes a unique garden cart. He lives at the corner of Hwy 213 and
Townsend Road.
10 years ago (1997): Josh Weigand of Evansville 4-H was crowned King of the Rock County 4H Fair on Monday night of last week. Weigand will attend Milwaukee School of Engineering
for architectural engineering. He is the son of Ray and Mary Weigand. Members of the Court
included Mark Larson, son of Edward and Barbara Larson
In Review
First Week of August 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Mrs. Adey of Brooklyn, daughter of James Carle of Evansville, met with
quite a severe accident by the horses taking fright and running with the reaper on which she was
driving. She was thrown off and caught by the machine which tore and bruised her flesh in a
horrible manner. Drs. Evans and Quivey were called to her aid and express hopes of her
recovery.
130 Years Ago (1877): One day last week a woman named Thorpe, living in the town of Union,
went to the well to draw a pail of water. Finding something attached to the bucket that was down
in the well, she examined closely and saw a small child clinging to the bucket. She went to the
nearest neighbor’s (about eighty rods) for assistance, and they were obliged to send across the
farm for a man. Finally help reached the spot and the child was brought to the surface alive. The
well is forty feet in depth, the water seven or eight feet deep, and the child, only three years of
age. The child’s name is Tierney. How long it had been there no one knows. Its teeth were set
and hands clenched when taken from the well. A more wonderful escape has not come under out
notice lately.
120 Years Ago (1887): Otis Thompson, of Brooklyn, was 80 years old July 29th, and on that
day, pitched on two loads of hay, and then walked 10 miles to Evansville to attend a Post
meeting. The Post presented him with a cane properly engraved.
110 Years Ago (1897): Messrs. Wm. Garfield, Wm. Burk and Arford Jones were considerably
shaken, bruised and scratched up Monday morning, by the falling of a scaffold at Mr. Burk’s
new residence. Mr. Burk suffered the most injury, having fallen the greatest distance about 20
feet; it is thought that no bones are broken and all will soon recover, but it may be several days
before Mr. Burk will be able to resume work.
100 Years Ago (1907): The masonry and brick work on the first story of the new library is
completed. How do you like it thus far?
90 Years Ago (1917): On last Thursday, Company M, of Janesville, went to Camp Douglas to
train for their activities in the Great War. While the train was in Evansville many of the relatives
and friends of the boys were at the depot to say farewell to them. This company has in a short
time been recruited to full war strength and they are as fine a bunch of men as ever donned the
regulation uniform. The following is a roster of Evansville men in Company M: Glenn Estes,
Raymond Estes, Warren J. Hibbard, Herbert Pritchard, Lloyd M. Rowley, Clarence Stiff, Alfred
Stiff, Percy Weaver, Max Weaver, Dan S. Williams, Robert Woodard, Allie Petersen, Virgil
Keller. Brooklyn men on the roster are Bernie Christensen, Thorward Christensen, Frank
Milbrandt, Robert Weiser, Einer Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Otis B. O’Brien, and Melvin
Berger.
80 Years Ago (1927): Last Saturday the Baker Manufacturing Co. gathered in a picnic to
celebrate the conclusion of fifty years of continuous service on the part of Frank L. Hubbard,
who had not only worked for the company for that length of time, but had worked continuously
in one department, the foundry, starting there when a young man and becoming foreman until his
advancing years forced him to turn the foremanship over to his son, Ray, although even then and
now, he still holds his place on the payroll of the company. John Baker presented Mr. Hubbard
with a beautiful service pin of gold, with a diamond in the center. Three have been there
between forty and fifty years, Charles Jenkins, with a record of forty-six years; F. G. Wilder,
with forty-five years and Mr. John Baker, President of the company has a record of forty-six
years. Clyde Babcock has over thirty years of service.
70 Years Ago (1937): Mrs. Gertrude Eager announced today that William A. Steffin, formerly
of Fort Atkinson, had leased a forty-foot frontage in the Economy building, and would occupy
the space September 15, or thereabouts. The new store will be a Ben Franklin Store carrying a
line of ladies wear, light hardware, and smaller goods. Mr. Steffin is well know in Fort Atkinson
where he has managed a Penney Company store for many years before retiring. Extensive
alterations will be made in the building. Besides the forty foot frontage which Mr. Steffin has
leased, there will remain one store on the west, and two on the east in the Economy building.
Mr. and Mrs. Steffin and family will move to Evansville to make their residence here as soon as
they rent a home.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Evansville American Legion baseball team scored a 9-4 victory over
Deerfield last Sunday, thus tying that team for third place. Bob Olsen pitched a steady game
Sunday while Mel Allen, Bernie Golz, La Vern Elmer and “Sleep” McCaffery led the team in
hitting. Mel Allen had a home run and Bernie Golz two doubles. Jim Johnson had a perfect day
at bat with four walks and a sacrifice.
50 Years Ago (1957): Susan and Jane Willoughby, Patricia Bewick, Pamela Erstad, Sally
Capron, Juliann Fick, Janet Ballard, Norma Estes, Rhonda Thompson, Patty Hall, Lois Becher,
Mary Patterson and Joetta Davis are attending Phantom Lake Camp from Aug. 11 to 21st. Some
50 girls from the Tri-county YMCA area are attending this summer.
40 Years Ago (1967): Harry Romano of Newark, New Jersey, has been named as the new
principal of Evansville High School. Romano, 35, received the B. S. degree in 1961 with majors
in mathematics and English and the M. A. degree in 1963, majoring in secondary school
administration from Seton Hall University. Mr. Romano served two years in the U. S. army
during the Korean War as a missile officer. He has coached football, and enjoys golf and skiing.
The Romanos have one son, Peter, sixteen months old.
30 Years Ago (1977): Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hensel, 129 Sherman Ave., will celebrate their 50th
wedding anniversary Sunday, August 14. Their children will host an open house at the
Evansville Country Club. Alfred Hensel and Beth Noyes were married in Evansville, August 17,
1927. They were both teachers. Mr. Hensel retired from General Motors. They have had an
antique shop the last 15 years. They have three daughters, Mrs. Carroll Hartl, of Madison, Mrs.
Kenneth Kuelz and Mrs. Robert Hallmark of Evansville, 12 grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Doug Spooner, son of Ann and Don Spooner, Rt. 1, Bullard Rd.,
Evansville was crowned King of the Rock County 4-H Fair. Doug’s projects are beef, swine,
leather craft, youth leadership, and veterinary science. He has been active in county fund raising
and recreation and participates in county and district livestock contests. This year he served as a
delegate to the National 4-H congress for beef. He is also the Fulton 4-H Beef Leader and junior
supt. in the beef and swine at the fair.
10 years ago (1997): New to the Middle School will be Brian Cashore, Physical
Education/Health; Charity Kostroun, Physical Education/Health; Nancy Karls Niehaus, 5th grade
Reading/Language Arts; Sally Nelson, 5th Grade Math; Patty O’Connor, long term substitute for
Kim Wollinger.
In Review
Second Week of August 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The weather continues warm and favorable for farmers to secure their
crops. Farmers are getting along finely, by another week the grain will be all cut and in the
stack, and then will come the busy season of threshing, already the old rickety machines are
being hauled out for repairs. Seldom do we have a season so favorable to harvesting as what this
has been. Cheering news of a bountiful harvest greets us from every part of the country.
130 Years Ago (1877): DIED. August 13, 1877, Clifton E. Bullard, son of Elmer and Edwina
Bullard, aged 6 years and 7 months, of malignant scarlatina, after an illness of three days.
120 Years Ago (1887): Mr. C. E. Cummings came up from Janesville in the storm Wednesday
night, and will now put his store in prime order for opening up his large stock of goods about the
first of September. The store has been cleaned thoroughly, and will be newly papered and
painted, ceiling calcimined and everything, shelving and all, put in first class shape for business.
The new firm will be Cummings & Clark. [Note: The Cummings & Clark business replaced
Winston & Sons in the general store business at 1 West Main.]
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. George Wood with his family spent his vacation of a week with
friends in the vicinity of Albany. He sought pearls one day and was rewarded by finding three in
one shell, which he takes great pride in showing his friends.
100 Years Ago (1907): Another baseball game Saturday afternoon at the fair grounds between
the employees of the Baker Manufacturing Company and the Butter Company. Admission only
fifteen cents.
90 Years Ago (1917): Miss Maude Tomlin is off duty at the office of the Baker Mfg. Co. for a
two week’s vacation.
80 Years Ago (1927): Fine Talent Shown By Our Rural Clubs In Community Work. The idea
of having some entertainment in the Rest Tent at the Rock County Fair in Evansville originated
with the Pleasant Prairie Club. After a good bit of work by the Pleasant Prairie people, seven
different communities joined the movement. The Fair Management provided a larger tent, with a
platform, to be shared with the 4-H Club demonstration teams. The Club women procured their
own piano at a cost of $15. It was inevitable that misunderstanding should arise, for the plan was
new to everyone. Some clubs did not realize they were to help pay for the piano, others wanted
free tickets for everyone. There was a hastily called conference of leaders who decided that
everybody should pay their own way. The 4-H Club girls who demonstrated between programs
deserve very creditable mention. Their grasp of household problems was astonishing to people
who have not been following the work of the clubs. Their ability to bake, can, or serve means
much to the future of Rock County, Wisconsin.
70 Years Ago (1937): Calvert Broughton, who has been ill at the home of his niece, Mrs.
Orville Jones, was surprised Friday night by former baseball teammates. Those who came where
Charles Newman, former Janesville chief of police; Charles Hayden, state public service
commission, Madison; Ray Fessenden, Madison, former billiard champion and resident; William
Campbell, Madison, former Evansville mayor; “Roundy” Coughlin, Madison and F. W. Gilman,
Evansville. Mr. Broughton was member of the Milwaukee baseball club in the old Northwestern
league in 1884, and Messrs. Newman, Broughton, Hayden, and Gilman, were members of the
state champion Evansville team in 1896.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mrs. Ray Hubbard has been chosen general chairman of the history
project being sponsored here by the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The history
when completed will be a service record of all Evansville World War 1 and 2 veterans. It will be
a bound book with pictures and historical data of the veterans. All veterans are requested to send
a picture of himself together with a filled out questionnaire which will be sent to those who have
not already received one. In order that the boys and girls who have been gone will know what
the civilians were doing at home, there will be portrayed with words and pictures the activities
that took place while they were away.
50 Years Ago (1957): Teachers have been announced for the various schools in Union
Township: Butts Corners, Janice Abey; Union, Mrs. Ruth Templeton; Tupper, Berdette
Weisphennig; Brown, Mrs. Clara Moldenhauer; Pleasant Prairie, Mrs. Doris Robert; Franklin,
Merlyn Anderson; Tullar, Jean O’Brien.
40 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Wilbur and sons, Ken and Tom opened their new
Supermarket early Wednesday morning. The new store on S. Madison Street is now open and is
known as Wilbur’s Shop Rite, a Roundy member store. The store, a Pruden building, is finished
in blue and green and offers a large selection of all food products. The Wilburs have been in
business at the corner store known as the E and W Market on Madison and Main for a number of
years and they now hope to serve the residents of this area with the finest of foods and service in
their new location. [Note: this building now houses the Evansville Care Closet.]
30 Years Ago (1977): Mr. and Mrs. Donald Persons were in Gwinn, Mich., on the weekend of
July 23 for a farewell visit with their daughter-in-law, Mrs. David Persons and children, David
and Matthew, who left on August 2 for Germany. They will be joining S/Sgt. David Persons
who left on May 24 for Ramstein Airforce Base in Germany where he will be stationed for 4
years.
.
20 Years Ago (1987): Employees at the recently opened Blue Cross & Blue Shield United office
in the Grange Mall are Kathleen Squier, Deanna Jorgensen, Barb Smith, Jennifer Tomlin, Toni
Nehls, Amy Schwarz, Paula Bailey, Marlene Beckmer, Sue Wooldridge, Lisa Nelson, Sue
Barnes, Connie Davis, Carol Isbell, Rebecca Livick, Shawn Ringhand, Delores Risseauw, Barb
Nieman, Dulcy Ann Bauer, Jaclyn Baumberger, Steve Wooldridge, Kevin Jones and Colleen
Gransee.
10 years ago (1997): Some 1,542 students are expected to enter the doors of Evansville schools
the first day of school, up from 1,488 in January. But perhaps even bigger news presented at the
school board meeting was this: Because of an increase in the value of the Evansville School
District’s wealth to $315,092,539, an increase of 8.4 percent over last year, Evansville’s school
mil rate is expected to decrease ten cents per $1,000 from $9.89 per $1,000assessed value to
$9.79 per $1,000. District superintendent Tom Benzinger noted that the district’s wealth has
doubled since he began his tenure here 13 years ago.
In Review
Third Week of August 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Evansville is a neat prim but busy village with a small creek meandering
through it, on which is a little mill. The village is in the midst of a fine farming country and
enjoys a large trade. Some of its private residences are large and costly, and all are uniformly
neat and commodious, their premises being adorned by evergreens and other delightful
shrubbery. It contains several beautiful churches, two of them not yet completed, a large
Seminary, averaging nearly two hundred pupils, and is under the vigorous auspices of the M. E.
Church; an extensive cheese factory; and long rows of large stores on each side of the business
district. Farmers in this vicinity are generally before handed, many of whom purchase a village
lot on which they erect a neat dwelling and move in town to education their children, constituting
one of the elements of Evansville’s growth and usefulness. Its citizens show life and energy, all
alive with the elements of go-aheadativeness. (Written by a correspondent for The Democrat,
Janesville, Wisconsin and reprinted in the Evansville Citizen.)
130 Years Ago (1877): The teachers engaged for the present annual term of the high school are;
A. R. Sprague, A. M., Principal; Barney Standish, Assistant; Miss Belle Pettigrew, 1st
Intermediate; Miss Laura Standish, 2nd Intermediate; Mrs. Chas. Powles, Primary Department.
The high school building has been undergoing quite extensive repairs. In addition to the painting
that has been pretty extensively done by Mr. Backenstoe, the well has been deepened and the
stone relaid; the main school room has been shortened by running a partition across nearly where
it stood originally, forming a recitation room in the west end, replacing the seats, facing them
westward, and a number of other little jobs that in the minds of the board needed attending to.
The whole expense will probably require a tax of $100 to liquidate.
120 Years Ago (1887): The remains of Mr. Leon Griffith were brought home from Beloit
Tuesday afternoon and were buried from the M. E. church Wednesday forenoon, Prof. Coleman
of the Seminary, officiating. Mr. Griffith went to Beloit not very long ago and engaged in work;
but he soon took sick, of typhoid pneumonia and died Monday evening. His mother and sister
were with him during his sickness, but in spite of all that care and skill could do, passed over on
the other side. His funeral was largely attended.
110 Years Ago (1897): Married at their home in this city on Thursday evening, Aug. 19, 1897,
by Rev. J. Hart, Mr. Nathaniel E. Libby and Mrs. May W. Keegan.
100 Years Ago (1907): That the prospects for the 1907 tobacco crop are poor is self evident.
Many fields are already topping, but the leaf is small and presents a spindling appearance.
Should the frosts hold off till October there will be a large amount of gummy stuff shedded and
to expect any such favorable weather till that time, is out of the question. While there are many
acres which will produce good crops, a large percent of the tobacco will be fair to good and will
not be ready for harvesting for two weeks or more. The farmers will not receive as much money
for this crop as they did last season, and consequently the many who expected rich returns will
have to be satisfied with small returns.
90 Years Ago (1917): E. Crall & Sons captured twenty-six premiums on sheep at the Janesville
Fair. Lynn Crall is showing sheep at the fair at Des Moines, Iowa, this week.
80 Years Ago (1927): Just after the morning service Sunday the people of the Congregational
Church met as a committee of the whole and issued a call to the Rev. Grant Clark, of Ladysmith,
to fill the pulpit of the 1st Congregational church here. The Rev. Clark has occupied the pulpit of
the Congregational church at Ladysmith for eight years and has built for himself an enviable
reputation as an earnest Christian worker in the northern part of the state. Mr. Clark has taken
the call under advisement, but as yet has notified the committee of no decision regarding the
matter.
70 Years Ago (1937): Some 5,000 people were assembled at the Finnane grove north of the city
on Sunday at the 14th annual Irish Picnic sponsored by St. Paul’s Catholic Church. The picnic
was by far the most successful held in the history of the event, according to Rev. Francis
Mehigan, who said that some 1,200 persons were fed. State Senator Maurice P. Coakley of
Beloit was the principal speaker, outlining Irish history. Robert Daley of Monroe was the winner
of the tall corn contest. Joseph Leo “Roundy” Coughlin, Madison, exchanged witticisms with
Rev. Mehigan, who presented the former with a box of Irish linen handkerchiefs, a rosary, and a
medal, which he had obtained while on his trip to Ireland this summer. Christie Ryan,
Evansville, obliged the crowed with an Irish jig and song. The evening’s highlight was the
amateur program under the direction of Mrs. John Gedakovitz, Waukesha. Participating were
Marie Kemp, Betty Murphy, the Fanning sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell of Albany, Mr. Fox,
three Klitzman sisters, Maxine Moore, Clara and Ida Burki, Janice Davis and Bob Safady.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Evansville American Legion baseball team defeated Pleasant Hill
Sunday 6-0 in the final league game for the locals which put them in second place at the finish.
There were ten teams in the league. In commenting on last Sunday’s game, Mel Erickson said:
“it was a good fast game, played in one hour and 35 minutes, with very few errors. Bob Olsen
pitched the entire nine innings and Mel Allen had a triple.”
50 Years Ago (1957): An Evansville institution for 47 years moved to a new building and
location when the Graham café opened on Union Street. Successor of the famed “DogWagon,”
the eating place got its beginning May 10, 1910, when the late Lyle Graham built and opened a
small lunch wagon on wheels. The new café provides seating space for 42 people with booths
and counter stools, and is a light, cheerful place, finished in knotty pine paneling. It is owned
and operated by Bob Graham, son of the founder of the Dog Wagon. The shift from railroad
travel to trucks and automobiles is reflected in the café’s move to its new location on a busy
highway. [Note: this building is now the Green Forest Family Restaurant at 225 Union Street.]
40 Years Ago (1967): Four large trees were removed last week from the city hall campus to
make room for the new fire house which is to be a 70 x 80 ft. building of steel structure erected
by the Helgesen Sales of Janesville, which company states that Evansville labor will be used
wherever possible. The cost of the contract is $40,967. It is expected that the building program
will start at an early date.
30 Years Ago (1977): Local residents driving along Evansville Maple Street may have noticed
the construction aiming at providing the Evansville Veterinary Service with new quarters.
Construction began last week on the structure. Dr. Howard Krueger explained the present
building at 115 East Main Street was designed for two veterinarians and the service has grown to
five DVMs. We just needed more room,” Dr. Krueger said. The new building will be 70 by 50
feet and have two stories. Since it is built into the side of a hill, the portion of the building
fronting on Maple Street will appear to be single story. The basement story will be accessible
from the rear. The upper story of the building will contain reception areas, two examination
rooms, treatment preparation, surgical, x-ray, large animal pharmacy, laboratory and office
space. The building is of core-wall construction; a method employing sandwiches of concrete
and insulating foam. Construction is being done by Helgesteel of Janesville.
20 Years Ago (1987): Two residents of the Evansville area are among about 60 new freshmen at
the UW-Stevens Point each receiving $500 Alumni Honors scholarships. They are Janell
Johnson, Route 1, Brooklyn, and Christia Baumberger, 189 Badger Dr., Evansville. Johnson and
Baumberger are 1987 graduates of Evansville High School. New freshmen who rank
academically in the top 10 percent of their high school class and have been active in
organizations in their home communities and schools are eligible to compete for the $500
awards.
10 years ago (1997): Magnolia 4-H Club Cloverbuds had an enjoyable year learning what 4-H is
all about. The Magnolia Junior leaders have also taken these younger members bowling, to
Pizza Hut for a tour and to the Children’s Museum in Madison. The Cloverbuds are Kent
Myhre, Robert O’Leary, Ashley and Amber Culbertson, Matt McElroy, Roxanne Reisem,
Heather Bader, Mark Haakenson, Trent McCoy, Amanda Gallman, Chelsy Larson, Kali
Pomplun, Thomas Phalin and Ben Hunt.
In Review
Fourth Week of August 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Work at Wilder’s Cheese Factory continues lively. He takes in nearly
ten thousand pounds of milk daily.
130 Years Ago (1877): The opening attendance Monday at the Teachers’ Institute, now in
session here was poor and scarcely any better Tuesday, with poor prospects of an increase the
rest of the week. Prof. McGregor, of Platteville is in attendance to conduct the exercises. He is a
man of culture and ability. The invincible and ubiquitous book agent is present, representing the
publishing house of Appleton & Co. Our home teachers are nearly all present, Prof, A. R.
Sprague, J. B. Jones and others. Superintendent John West naturally feels nervous over the
laxity of his teachers, and is hardly able to reconcile the thin attendance with the importance of a
teacher’s work. If teachers do not set an example of promptness, how can they really demand it
of their pupils.
120 Years Ago (1887): We were shown a photographic view the other day, of the interior of the
parish church of Lydd, Kent, England, by Wm. Finn, who had just received it by mail from his
cousin, Mrs. T. Tunbridge, of New Romney, Kent. In the front ground of the view, stands the
font at which Mr. Finn was baptized, his father and mother also, and his grandfathers and
grandmothers for generations past, as well as his brothers and sisters, and hundreds of relatives.
In the rear stands the altar at which Mr. Finn's father and mother were married, in the aisle in
front of the pulpit, once stood the coffins that contained their remains, as well as those of six of
his deceased brothers and sisters. And from the loft tower clanked the sonorous bell to tell that
other souls had gone hence, and in a spot in the old church yard can be seen the graves of the
household. The grand old church of Lydd, as Mr. Finn tells us, was a house of prayer before
"The Wars of the Roses." It was built before the battle of Agincourt, and a long time before the
burning of Joan of Arc.
110 Years Ago (1897): Died. At his home in this city, Monday August twenty-third, 1897 Mr.
Henry Longfield, aged 76 years and 3 months. The deceased was born December 11, 1820, in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, removing in his childhood with the family to Trumble
County, Ohio. In the early forties he came to Wisconsin and after several moves he located upon
a farm in the Town of Magnolia in this county. Upon November 25, 1852, he was married to
Miss Orilla Spence. His wife and one son, the Rev. Arthur Longfield, survive him; one son
having died in 1871. Thirteen years ago the family moved to this city and it has since been their
home. In 1855, Mr. Longfield became a member of the United Brethren church and retained his
connection with that society until three years ago he united with the F. W. Baptist church. The
funeral occurred Wednesday morning, the Rev. M. C. Miner officiating.
100 Years Ago (1907): According to the customs heretofore allowed, all business houses in this
city will close Thursday afternoon next, so as to allow all the clerks to attend the Rock County
Fair. The time before the opening of the ninth annual fair, is rapidly drawing to a close. From
present indications, the exhibits in different departments and the several amusements of a high
merit, are of an exceedingly flattering nature, and promises to be attractive enough for the most
fastidious. The baseball attractions will prove a good drawing card every forenoon and couple
with horse racing in the afternoon will afford much pleasure to the sporting fraternity. Bands
will be plenty, two on the grounds every day. Let all our people throw out a welcome hand and
beaming smile to the stranger who appears in our city during the fair week, and assist in making
it a pleasure to be within our corporate limits.
90 Years Ago (1917): The Evansville High and Public Schools will not open on Monday,
September 10, as originally planned, but will begin the year’s work on Monday, September 17.
The reason for the change in the date is to allow those of the scholars who are employed in
agricultural pursuits to assist in harvesting and in this way aid the general movement throughout
the Nation for the furthering of Food Conservation. The Evansville schools are not alone in the
postponement of the opening of their session, as the schools at Beloit, Janesville, and other large
cities have adopted this plan.
80 Years Ago (1927): The threshing company, which includes twelve farmers, with a “run”
from Will West’s, north of Brooklyn, to James Anderson’s south of Brooklyn, finished their
work in eleven days. The tractor engine which kept the separator busy was run by W. Crocker
for his son, Charles. It being a new engine accounts for the speed in which the work was done
up. About 14,600 bushels of grain were threshed, showing a decrease in bushels of grain as
22,000 were threshed out last year.
70 Years Ago (1937): Officials of the White Star school board this week were seeking
information leading to the arrest of vandals who broke into and made a wreck of the school
interior. A reward was offered this week by the school board for information leading to an arrest
and the county sheriff was called in to work on the case. The discovery of damage done to the
school was made Tuesday of this week, when the building was entered for the first time since
early in July, when the annual meeting was held. The vandals had broken in, and smeared black
paint on all the desks, on the floors, walls, boards, and had wrecked the games and library. The
building will be unusable until repairs are made at considerable expense to put the building in
shape for the opening of school.
60 Years Ago (1947): The 1947 summer season at the city parks will be officially closed next
Monday, Labor Day, but as in former years, if the weather permits, many picnics will be held
during September and even later in the fall. The store which has been operated during the
summer by Mrs. Christian Ebenhardt and daughter will be kept open as long as business is good
and the tourist cabins which are in charge of Mr. and Mrs. J. I. Scott will be open for rent for
some time. The playground equipment located in Leonard park with Emmett Hamm, custodian,
will be left in place for the entertainment of the children until cold weather makes it necessary to
put it in storage for the winter.
50 Years Ago (1957): With only about 60 people present, school district voters here voted down
construction of an agricultural shop building Monday night. Ed Zamzow, agriculture instructor
at the high school, discussed the need for a shop. About 70 students would be aided by such a
shop. Estimated cost would have been $40,000, with another $3,000 in equipment needed. The
vote turning down the proposed shop was 29 to 18. In other actions at the special meeting, the
voters turned down a chance to purchase the Betsy Jensen property on Liberty St. for $7,800, and
in an advisory vote selected Marion Mackey to succeed Lester “Bill” May on the school board.
40 Years Ago (1967): Mayor Ida T. Conroy appointed Lawrence Skoien fire chief to replace the
late Chester Jorgensen. The appointment was confirmed by the council members.
30 Years Ago (1977): among the faculty present at the Evansville schools inservice meeting
Monday morning were new instructors Catherine Gedko, middle school teacher of the
emotionally disturbed; Kathy Herritz, art intern for middle and high schools; and high school
teachers, Jeff Hanamann, driver education; Marie Carter, half-time reading; Rona Piddington,
special education; Debra Nelson, two-thirds time business education; and Barbara Andrew,
English.
20 Years Ago (1987): Recently the city council minutes, dating back to the early 1800s were
microfilmed and stored by the State Historical Society. The city purchased a copy for the Eager
Free Public Library and is now available to the public and may easily be read on the microfilm
reader printer.
10 years ago (1997): At a special council meeting on Wednesday night of last week, council
members were able to study the space and costs prepared by city engineering firm Foth and Van
Dyke and come up with comparison figures for three referendum options. The figures for the
three options resulted in the following: City Hall/Dean Medical Building $892,500; Piggly
Wiggly Store on South Madison Street, $897,700; and building a new city hall at the present east
side police department site $1,018,000. The city hall and the Dean Medical building would
require remodeling, the city hall would get an elevator and masonry work would have to be
done. The Piggly Wiggly building would require masonry work to create the ambience of a city
hall. The interior would have to be remodeled and heating and air conditioning redone. In the
case of a new city hall building, no figure for the sale of the present police station building was
advanced.
In Review
First Week of September 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The First Annual State Base Ball Tournament opened in Beloit Tuesday
morning, Sept. 3d, 1867, everything was favorable as to the weather and the number of clubs
reported. The ground selected was a beautiful piece of prairie, level as a house floor, on the
Stateline Road, near the Northwestern depot. The grounds were all fenced in, comfortable seats
erected, offices, &c., that made the grounds look more like an industrial exhibition of the
agricultural elements of the county, than a grand playground for big men and little boys.
Nineteen Wisconsin teams, including seven from Beloit, 1 from Milton, 1 from Clinton and 3
from Janesville, and seven teams from Illinois competed.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mrs. Kelsey, who has been sick for a long time, and subsisted almost
wholly upon the charities of our people, was taken to the poor house, at Johnstown, by
Supervisor Aller, Wednesday morning last. She has the scrofula to the extent as to impair all
hopes of her recovery and when taken away had to be removed upon her bed. Our people have
been unrelentless in their care toward Mrs. Kelsey during her protracted sickness, and feel as
though they were still consigning her to kind hands, and she would receive better attention than
is possible to give her here, with no one to supervise their charities. Mr. Kelsey is living with a
daughter away, and the children are here. The children are all old enough to take care and
provide comfortably for themselves, which they undoubtedly will do.
120 Years Ago (1887): The Baker Manufacturing Company shipped a car load of pumps and
windmills yesterday to their agents, Messrs. Cunningham & Cropper, of Ansley, Neb.
110 Years Ago (1897): Peter St. John gave himself up to Sheriff Acheson as an accomplice in
the burglary of the Eager residence a couple of weeks ago. He says that since he was released
from Waupun where he was placed for the crime of forgery, he has tried to do better but met
with no encouragement, no one being willing to give him employment and he broke into the
house as the only means to get money. He says that the fine work of the theft was done by an
associate. The truth of St. John’s statements is very much doubted.
100 Years Ago (1907): The old Barnum house, near the Main Street railroad crossing, recently
purchased by Michael Finneran, has been moved to his property near the cemetery. This house
is one of the old landmarks, it being used as an eating house when the railroad was being built
through the city.
90 Years Ago (1917): The First Congregational Church of our city was startled and surprised
last Sunday morning by the resignation of its pastor, Rev. Malcolm Miller. Pastor Miller came
to our city from Moline, Illinois, where he had a successful ministry of four years. He and his
family have endeared themselves to a host of our citizens. They are an interesting and an
exceptional family in many respects. Mr. Miller is a man of real thought, an excellent preacher,
broad-minded; deliberate in judgment, an earnest worker, avoiding the spectacular, but whose
life is acknowledged to be an every day sermon.
80 Years Ago (1927): John Montgomery, aged forty-seven, died at St. Mary’s Hospital,
Madison, as the result of an operation last Monday, after a year of failing health. M.
Montgomery was a son of the late Mary and Frank Montgomery and was raised on the old
Montgomery farm in the town of Porter. About twenty-five years ago he was united in marriage
to Miss Gertrude Dean also of the town of Porter, they lived on several different farms in that
township, later moving to the Delia Fish place just north of Evansville, where he was making his
home at the time of his death. In the passing of the years, ten children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Montgomery, two of them dying in early childhood. Those left to mourn his loss are his
wife, Gertride; Dean, Edgerton; Miss Myrtle, Chicago; and Mary, Melvin, Kenneth, Donald,
Joyce and Jeanette at home. Mr. Montgomery was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church from
which the funeral services were held, burial being in Maple Hill Cemetery.
70 Years Ago (1937): Rural schools in this vicinity, scheduled to open soon, will see few
changes in teachers for the coming year. Only one school, Forest Academy school in the town of
Porter, will not open this year, as the two children who were enrolled for this term will be cared
for at neighboring schools. In the town of Union new teachers are Mrs. Marion Holmes, Union;
Mrs. H. T. Carey, Brown; and Madeline Bryan, Tullar. Returning are Ruth Allen, Butts Corners;
Hazel Murphy, Tupper; Orpha McLaughlin, Pleasant Prairie; and Gladys Peterson, Franklin. In
Magnolia township, Doris Broughton, Drew school, is the only new teacher, returning teachers
being Sadie Finnane, Furseth; Evelyn George, Moore; Mrs. Hannah Anderson, Magnolia Center;
Perle Skinner, Harvey; Margaret Tierney, Gardner; and Harriet Clark, Cainville. In Porter
township there are two new teachers, Helen McCarthy, Wilder; and Eleanor Spike,
Stebbinsville. Returning are Mrs. Bertha Odegaard Roe, Eagle; Mary Finnane, Lienau; Mrs.
Jeanette Klimenhagen, Miller; Mildred Horkey, White Star; Lloyd Porter, Cooksville; and Edna
Barrett, Stevens.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Evansville Legion baseball team members have not only made a
name for themselves in baseball circles, but have also revived some of the old time spirit in the
city. Coach Mel Erickson developed the team into a fighting club, as was shown on numerous
occasions, coming from behind to win the game, on others to stave off the rally of their
opponents. Evansville is a member of the Eastern Section of the Home talent League, which is
the largest amateur league in the United States. There were ten teams in the Eastern Section and
local boys won 12 while losing 7 to gain second place in the league.
50 Years Ago (1957): One hundred boys, the full capacity of the school, will arrive here
Wednesday, September 14, to begin classes at the Wyler School, according to the Des Rochers
who operate it. Boys who attend the school will come from 14 states this year. A high
proportion of the boys are from Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland, but others come from as far
away as Florida and Nevada. The school has a staff of 16, the same as last year. Instruction is
given from the first through eighth grades. [Note: the Wyler School was located in the buildings
now known as the Seminary Apartments. The Wyler School closed in 1979.]
40 Years Ago (1967): Instructors who joined the District No. 6 Evansville School District
teaching staff last week for the 1967-68 school year are Mrs. Carol Heinemann, Mrs. Carol
Smith, Miss Mary Jaggi, Mrs. Marianne Beckwith, Miss Arlene Blank, Mrs. Mildred Harried,
Mrs. Irene Olsen, Mrs. Judith Christensen, Harry Romano, William Gandt, Michael Smith,
Daniel Pernat, Earl Broetzmann and Olin Harried.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Lake Leota District annual meeting was held last Saturday at 3 p.m.
in the City Hall. Only two property owners, Lee Smout, and Vivian Gildner, were present as
well as John Jones, representing the City and Jaycees and Phil Kress, who has been working with
the Jaycees on the Lake Leota project since its beginning. Some discussion was had on the lake
study which is currently being done. Jones state that the lake has been weed free for the past two
years. This situation is true due to the return of the carp to the lake. Cattle in the upper part of
Allen’s Creek are eroding banks and causing sediment. The lake is murky and carp are almost
big enough to turn a boat over. The carp do a lot of rooting and keep the sediment stirred up.
The basin is full of sediment according to John Thresher, Environmental Resources Assessment
of Madison. The only solution is dredging out. A possibility is allowing the water to be lowered
over the winter and letting the sediment compact and then drag line it, which would be cheaper
than dredging.
20 Years Ago (1987): A small housing development received final approval of the DNR for a
cul de sac at the west end of Lincoln Street north of the Kenwood Apartments, on land owned by
electrical contractor, Robert Judd. Several nice lots will be developed in this vacant area, greatly
adding to the city’s valuation. Robert Judd, Roger Berg, and Bob Schaefges are leading this
effort.
10 years ago (1997): New elementary school staff are Jeanette Gulledge, occupational therapy
assistant; Renee Bjugstad, third grade teacher; Gail Guenther, fourth grade teacher; Kathy Tissot,
speech/language technician; Andrea Adler, occupational therapist; Rene Hanson, Early
Intervention Reading; Teresa Ellison, Early Intervention Reading; Carol Zee, EEN program
assistant; Keith Miller, fourth grade teacher; Kelley Gransee, junior primary teacher; Julie
Mandli, physical therapist.
In Review
Second Week of September 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The order took effect Sept. 9th making the Evansville post office a
money order office. This arrangement will have a great tendency to influence the business
facilities of Evansville and work a great convenience to our business men.
130 Years Ago (1877): Sperry Bros. of Porter, threshed on Wednesday from one till seven, for
Elmer Bullard of Union, one thousand and one bushels of oats, machine measure. We have the
assurance to say this is the largest quantity of oats threshed in that time.
120 Years Ago (1887): Notice to Sportsmen. We, the undersigned, residents of the Towns of
Magnolia and Union, Rock County, Wisconsin, and real estate owners in said towns, do hereby
forbid any and all persons shooting or in any way trespassing on our lands, and any one caught
trespassing, with gun, will be prosecuted to the extent of the law. Dated August 24, 1887. F. D.
Reed, Fred Topp, S. S. Lee, August Shutt, S. Huff, Josiah Wadsworth, C. E. Lee, A. D. Ballard,
S. Reed, A. Newell, G. H. Reed, H. W. Warmouth, Lottie Lee, W. H. Wadsworth, Frank Lee,
Mary Brigham, David Smith, T. Sellow, A. Milkew, Josiah Carpenter, C. W. Decker, C. E.
Robinson, Ferdinand Block.
110 Years Ago (1897): To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Evansville,
Wis. Your petitioners of the City of Evansville, Wis. would respectfully represent that the public
convenience and wants require that an electric street lamp be erected on First Street in said city
at a point to light Highland Street intersecting said First Street and would request your honorable
body to erect said street lamp at your earliest convenience. There are steps on the sidewalk from
First Street to Highland Street therefore the light should be placed as petition calls for: B. S.
Hoxie, E. A. Hoxie, Dorlan Mihills, Isabella mihills, Elizabeth Colton, E. P. Colton, J. A.
Clemmer, Mrs. J. A. Clemmer, J. B. Hartley, Elizabeth E. Hartley, Gilman Searles, Carry
Searles, Mary Bemis, Kittie Maranville, R. A. Maranville, A. Baldwin, A. L. Covell, Mrs. L.
Covell, W. Baldwin, E. M. Baldwin, W. E. Combs, Mrs. A. E. Combs.
100 Years Ago (1907): Shall the old mill pond be restored? Come to the City Hall Monday and
make it a success.
90 Years Ago (1917): Beginning Saturday, September 15, we will charge six cents per quart for
retail milk at our factory until further notice. D. E. Wood Butter Company.
80 Years Ago (1927): For several years, the firm of Rodd and Miles of this city, have been
building up a wool shipping business until last year it developed that they had made Evansville
the largest wool shipping point in the whole Middle West. This year they have increased their
business until last week they shipped from this point, in one shipment, nine cars of wool,
containing 890 sacks, amounting to 190,000 pounds. This is quite an increase over their
shipment last season. This wool not only comes from all over the state of Wisconsin, but from
Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois and is brought to Evansville in trucks from far distant points and
stored in warehouse until the final shipping time. The shipment this year went to Worcester
Spinning Co., of Worcester, Mass., who will sort, clean and make it into yarn and woolen goods.
Having such a good market for wool right at home is a great encouragement to farmers in this
locality to raise small flocks of sheep and is especially helpful to young men who are just starting
for themselves, as sheep are an easy thing to get into and multiply rapidly.
70 Years Ago (1937): About 300 men of the 3rd Field Artillery, U. S. Army, went through
Evansville early Wednesday morning on their way to Ft. Sheridan, Ill. They had camped at
Oregon Tuesday night on their way from Camp McCoy, Sparta. Units of the troop stopped on
Maple Street, and near the Baker Manufacturing Company to water horses before proceeding.
The unit is under the command of Col. Carl Baehr and consists of 245 horses with batteries of
field pieces. They stayed at Janesville overnight Wednesday. The cavalry unit was not with the
artillery on their return trip to Fort Sheridan.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Herman Smith have sold their farm west of the city to Mr.
and Mrs. Carl Spersrud who recently returned here from N. Dak. where they moved last spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have purchased the former Covey home on Lincoln Street. Mr. and Mrs.
Peter Templeton Sr. have bought the former Willard Lay property on S. Second Street from Mr.
and Mrs. Darrell Crawford who purchased it several months ago. The Crawfords have moved
into the Mrs. J. H. Gillies home on West Main St. which they bought recently.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Pet Milk company announces that, effective September 30, 1957, it
will close the Footville processing plant and the Sun Prairie receiving unit. This will not affect
operations at the other nine plants in Wisconsin. The company has plants at New Glarus,
Shullsburg, Platteville, Dodgeville, Evansville, Middleton, Sparta and North Prairie and
Belleville.
40 Years Ago (1967): With the cast complete for the Evansville Community Theater fall play,
“She Stoops to Conquer”, rehearsals are underway with Mark Bruce directing. The play will be
presented here in the school auditorium Saturday and Sunday nights, October 21 and 22.
Members of the cast are A. H. Gill, Kay Gill, Norma Bosshart, Mrs. G. W. Sawtelle, Parker
Gibbs, Phil Maas, Gary Lewis and William Amundson.
30 Years Ago (1977): After a long and successful career by Rose and Claire Ehle, the Leader of
Evansville, including the building, commercial printing and shopper, has been sold to a group
headed by William E. Branen, southeastern and central Wisconsin publisher and immediate past
president of the National Newspaper Association. Named manager of the business in Evansville
is Leslie J. Puttkammer, who has worked in rural and suburban Illinois and who for the last
several years has served the successful shopper in Delavan, Wisconsin. The sale was culminated
on Thursday, September 1, with the new owners taking possession on that date. Ehle will stay
on for a short period of time to help familiarize Puttkammer with the territory. Except for Mr.
Ehle, no other personnel changes are being announced at this time. Branen has also indicated an
interest in buying, merging or entering into some other agreement with one or both of the
Evansville newspaper, the Review and the Post in the near future.
20 Years Ago (1987): At the regular Town of Union meeting on Thursday night of last week,
residents were informed of a new business planning to locate in the township. Worthington
Tractor Parts, Inc., Worthington, MN, is purchasing approximately 30 acres from Robert
Jorgensen, who resides on Bullard Road, near Territorial Road. According to Barbara George, of
George Realty, Brooklyn, WI, representing the Jorgensens, Worthington Tractor Parts, Inc. is a
quality agricultural related business. Ms. George presented a brochure depicting some of
Worthington’s related business sites located in Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, South Dakota,
Mississippi, and Iowa. She also cited several points from the cover letter in the brochure
pertaining to the facility being built in a convenient location near Hwy. 14, reduced prices for
parts, job openings and revenue for the area. Jorgensen sought a zoning change for the property
from A-1 (agriculture) to A-2 (commercial) with a conditional use permit to allow Worthington
Tractor Parts, Inc. to operate their business.
10 years ago (1997): The POPS/FFA Cornfest proved a successful and very delicious event once
again this year. The hot-buttery sweet corn, along with the rest of the meal, has been a favorite
to look forward to each fall. The event has been conducted the last years prior to the football
teams home opener. With the excellent sweet corn provided by area farmer Randy Shotliff, Ag
Ed/FFA Department members joined the high school faculty, Joe Amato, Peter Diedrich, Barb
Willoughby, Bob Scott, Richard Krake and Gary Burkhalter, in preparing and serving the allyou-can-eat meal. The event provided a tail-gate party for the fans to kickoff the home opener
for the football season. The POPS program and FFA have sponsored the event for many years
with profits going to community service and educational projects in the Evansville community.
In Review
Third Week of September 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Johnson & Company have bought the warehouse of Mr. Nelson, and are
extensively engaged in buying produce of all kinds and stock for shipment. The firm embraces
the well known businessmen, Reuben Johnson, Samuel Norton and David E. Stevens.
130 Years Ago (1877): Bank of Evansville. The following named persons are now shareholders
and directors of the Bank of Evansville: L. T. Pullen, J. C. Sharp, D. M. Rowley, C. F. P. Pullen,
C. M. Smith, M. V. Pratt, F. H. Treat. Officers are: L. T. Pullen, President, M. V. Pratt, Vice
President, J. C. Sharp, Cashier.120 Years Ago (1887): W. B. Hubbard believes his legs, arms
and hands all belong to him, because they would ill fit another person, but the rheumatic pains,
and the stiffness of the joints, he wishes belonged to the man who carelessly shot his sheep, last
spring.
110 Years Ago (1897): City Council. Office of the City Clerk, Evansville, Wis. September 15,
1897. Mayor Stevens was in the chair, Aldermen Hubbard, Johnson, Glidden, and Pearsall
answered to roll call, Lemmel coming in later. The Mayor then appointed Fred L. Janes as City
Attorney. Alderman Hubbard then introduced a resolution favoring the confirmation of Fred L.
Janes as City Attorney. This motion was seconded by Pearsall. The vote stood; Hubbard,
Johnson, Glidden, Pearsall aye, no noes.
100 Years Ago (1907): The Rev. E. A. Ralph, pastor of the Congregational Church last week
tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret by the trustees. Mr. Ralph has accepted
a call to the Second Congregational Church at Beloit, where he will be associate pastor.
90 Years Ago (1917): Miss Hildor Johnson and Cleland and Gordon Baker came from Haugen
Saturday, so the boys could start school Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Baker and Margaret and Mary
will follow soon and Allen Baker will attend Northland College, at Ashland, for a few weeks.
80 Years Ago (1927): City School News, High School. E. O. Evans, who for five years has
been at the head of our school and worked for higher scholarships and a better E. H. S., has gone
to Monroe to fill a large position. Mr. Evans will be missed, but it is the wish of Evansville that
he will enjoy the best of success. Now E. H. S. welcomes Mr. J. P. Mann who has come to take
Mr. Evans’ place. Mr. Mann favors all outside activities, evidence of which has already been
shown on the football field after school and on Saturday. But he believes that scholarship comes
first. Let us prove that we are glad Mr. Mann is here by starting now to make 1927-28 a banner
year.
70 Years Ago (1937): Stan Sperry, former Evansville High School star, and son of Mr. and
Mrs. Fred Sperry of this city, will don the uniform of the Philadelphia Athletics next spring.
Sperry, who was perhaps the outstanding factor in the drive of the Oklahoma City Texas League
team was sold in a telephone deal between President John Holland of the Oklahoma City Indians,
and Connie Mack of the Athletics on Friday. The Evansville boy, now 23 years old, hopped into
the limelight with the Eau Claire, Wis., team in the Northern League, when 19. He was bought
by the Phillies in 1934, and was farmed out to Elmira in the New York-Pennsylvania League in
1935, traveling south with the Phillies in 1935, but was farmed out to Hazelton for the season.
At the start of the year he came to the Indians. He is now batting about .360 and has showed a
steady improvement.
60 Years Ago (1947): Miss Joan Marie Ehredt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Ehredt,
Evansville, became the bride of Arthur Matthew Sands, Evansville, son of Mr. and Mrs. George
Sands, Beloit, in a ceremony performed at 10 a.m. Friday in the Methodist church parsonage by
the Rev. H. A. Graubner.
50 Years Ago (1957): More than 200 girls will participate in the Girl Scout and Brownie Scout
programs here this year. Some 20 leaders of the various troops had their first meeting of the year
Monday night at the home of Mrs. Alvin Helgesen. Mrs. Al Golz was co-hostess. It is asked
that mothers who wish to donate, sell, or trade scout uniforms get in touch with Mrs. Harold
Jones. A number of leaders will attend a training course at Edgerton.
40 Years Ago (1967): Janeen Cufaude, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cufaude, 8 Garfield,
Evansville, was among the 112 student nurses who graduated from the Presbyterian-St. Luke’s
Hospital School of Nursing on Sept. 15. Ceremonies were held in the Fourth Presbyterian
Church of Chicago. The graduates have completed a two year hospital training program. Miss
Cufaude, a graduate of the Evansville High School, will join the psychiatric nursing staff at
Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital.
30 Years Ago (1977): Mitch Hull, former state wrestling champion from Evansville, has been
asked to join a U. S. wrestling team which is going to the World Tournament held in Sweden.
Mitch will be leaving Oct. 14, for this event which is practically the same thing as the Olympics,
only it is held in the off years. Hull felt that his excellent wrestling at the Junior World
Tournament in Las Vegas helped him go on this trip because the coach of the team called him up
to see if he was interested. The University of Iowa, at Iowa City, is his next stop as he will
practice for a few weeks before leaving for Sweden with the 10-man team.
20 Years Ago (1987): Gordon and Margaret Brigham have announced that they will be moving
their Coast-to-Coast store to the present Ben Franklin location on E. Main Street. They are
anticipating getting into the East Main Street location by the end of this month and with some
remodeling and repainting and changing of fixtures, they are hoping to be all settled by
November 1 and ready for business. The new location will double their present space. The
Brighams have entered into a lease with the owners of the Ben Franklin building, Mrs. Peg Berg,
Lewis Farnsworth, and Robert Judd. It is anticipated the Ben Franklin will be closed October 1.
The Brighams have been at their present location for 17 years. [Note: the store moved from 13
West Main to 7 East Main.]
10 years ago (1997): Carrie Loftus, daughter of Michael and Kate Loftus of Evansville and
Grace Loftus of Apple Valley, MN, is currently interning with ABC’s Good Morning America, a
national morning news program. Her duties include acting as a liaison between the production
and writers, pitching story ideas and assisting in the weekly cooking segments. She is a senior at
Hamline University in St. Paul MN majoring in communications.
In Review
Fourth Week of September 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Mr. L. T. Pullen returned from New York Saturday night, and will
immediately commence business. He is increasing the capacity of his store by an addition of
some sixteen feet. [Note: Pullen purchased the brick store on the Northeast corner of Main and
Madison in 1866, current location of UB&T.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Peter Murray, of Brooklyn, has returned from his annual tour to the
head waters of the Missouri with a large lot of choice buffalo robes, which he is offering in lots
to suit purchasers. Everybody knows Pete Murray, and when you find him without a buffalo
robe to sell, it is because he has not returned from his annual hunt.
120 Years Ago (1887): C. E. Lee, President of the Village Board, informs us this Tuesday
morning that they have contracted with Mr. Baker, for 56 electric street lights for one year at $10
each. This is but $1 each more than we pay for our present oil lamps and leaves it optional with
the Village Board to say what nights they shall be lit with no moonlight schedule which is as it
should be. The electric light mill was started up Saturday, and for the first time, most of the
stores and public places were lit with electricity. In nearly every instance the light burst out from
the darkness of that cloudy night, which began to gather at an early hour. There was a failure at
the New Cash store on the corner, but the defect was discovered Monday, there being a broken
wire leading from the main street wire into the store. This was replaced by a new wire and
everything went off nicely. Monday night, all the lamps sent out nice, white, brilliant lights,
quite to the satisfaction of all, or nearly so. At 9 o’clock the current was turned off. The hour of
turning off was not definitely provided for, and it caught many in the dark. Barbers had their
customers in the chair half shaven and villages were in the stores making their late Saturday
night purchases. Besides a little momentary unpleasantness, lamps were brought into use until
closing hours arrived.
110 Years Ago (1897): All the services of the Free Baptist church for next Sunday will be at the
tent in Mr. Greatsinger’s Grove. A special service at 3:00 p.m. All are cordially invited. As the
result of the season of revival meetings held in the Greatsinger Grove under the leadership of
Rev. Miner of the Free Baptist Church, 16 persons professed conversion and were baptized last
Sunday at Owen’s Mill.
100 Years Ago (1907): The Review regrets that the town still has a few narrow minded people
who knock on the restoration of Lake Leota.
90 Years Ago (1917): Last Wednesday night prisoners at the Madison jail escaped. On Friday
night, Chief of Police Fred Gillman and Night Watchman Albert Blunt went down to the railroad
yards looking for a man and while standing there talking they saw a man cross the tracks who,
upon being questioned, could give no satisfactory answer as to his being there. Gillman asked
him to go with him to the station to spend the night as they were picking up all the men they
found in the yard that night. He became very inquisitive as to the reason. Upon pretense of
wanting some tobacco, the wily criminal succeeded in getting Gillman to release his hold upon
his arm for a moment and at the same time hit him. With that he darted across the street and
down toward the depot. Blunt and Gillman followed him, Blunt taking a shot at him and they
soon had their prisoner recovered near one of the buildings in the vicinity. They then took him
to the city jail and Mr. Gillman decided that he was one of the Madison jail breakers. He
telephone to Madison and gave the description of the man and he was correct. The police
department of this city has been very successful in the past in rounding up criminals. It’s all due
to the watchful eye of Chief Gillman and his force of police officers.
80 Years Ago (1927): On account of their being a shortage of children in the district, the old
Fred Emery school district has been consolidated with the Pleasant Prairie and Butts Corners
districts and the school house sold and moved to the E. H. Libby farm where it is being
converted to a residence. This school house was built in 1872 and in it many of the now old
settlers of that locality received their education. The leading families of the district at the time
the school house was built were those of Fred Emery, the families of David James and Edward
Rowley, Alonzo Sawin, and Edward Devereaux.
70 Years Ago (1937): Well Known Pony Passes Away; Was Favorite of Youth: Trixie is
dead. In all the years that pony races were held at the fair here, her owner, Art Cain, reminisced,
Trixie never lost a race when she had a rider. For seven years the Shetland pony made herself a
well-known figure in Evansville, pulling the delivery wagon for Cain’s grocery. Mr. Cain, who
got Trixie when she was two years old, kept her 26 years. For a great army of Evansville boys,
and former boys now men, who remember her gentle nuzzling, and the pleasures she gave them
during her lifetime, and how she took her single talent and multiplied it tenfold, would have
marched bareheaded before her bier had her funeral been public.
60 Years Ago (1947): Baptisms were administered and a group received into membership in the
Evansville Methodist church at the regular morning worship period last Sunday by the Rev. H.
A. Graubner, pastor. The following children were baptized: Christine Ida Allen, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Melvin Allen; Michael William Schuster, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Schuster;
Sandra Ann Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Williams; Gary William Parsons, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Parsons; Donald Glenn Maas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Maas; Charles
Lawrence West, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles West, Stoughton, and James Dean, Beverly June,
Wayne Everett, John Arthur, Donald Jean and Sheryl Ann Thornton, children of Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Thornton. Mrs. Glenn Morrison and Mrs. Wilbur Luchsinger were also baptized. New
members taken in on confession of faith included Mrs. Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur
Luchsinger, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sands, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Thornton.
50 Years Ago (1957): Members of the Evansville 4-H club appeared on a radio show over
WCLO Saturday, Sept. 21. The program included music and a round table discussion of the
junior livestock show to be held Oct. 14-16 in Madison. Taking part in the discussion were Ruth
Ann Robinson, Phillip Maas, Don Spooner, Terry George, Larry Porter, and Ed Zamzow, high
school agriculture instructor. For the musical part of the program Joyce Norum played a flute
solo accompanied by her sister Doris, and Linda and Susan Grundahl played a piano duet.
40 Years Ago (1967): Miss Cheryl Olsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Olsen, 409
Longfield Street, Evansville, was among the 112 student nurses who graduated from the
Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing on Sept. 15. Ceremonies were held in the
Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Miss Olsen is a graduate of the Evansville High
School. She will be on the nursing staff of Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago.
30 Years Ago (1977): Three Evansville men were arrested by police early Monday morning
after spinning circles with a car on the football field. This is the fourth time the field has been
torn up by vandals since May. It was questionable whether the field could be repaired in time for
the homecoming game and festivities planned for this weekend. The coaches, football team, and
all willing students are working on the field trying to get it repaired in time. According to police
reports, Officer Robert Hallmark stopped a vehicle containing the three men about 12:30 and
released them. Shortly afterwards he discovered the damage to the field. Hallmark went
searching for the vehicle and apprehended the trio about 1 a.m. at the home of one of the men,
washing the mud off the car. The owner of the vehicle was charged with criminal damage to
property, one was charged with being in the park after hours and the other was charged with
operating a vehicle after license revocation. They were released without bond, pending a court
appearance to be set later.
20 Years Ago (1987): Ken Ellis is being remembered by his buddies, Ralph Bennett, Al Bone,
Bud Peterson and Roger Thompson, as they are completing the erection of the sign at the
entrance to the Golf Course on the afternoon of Sept. 14. They are recalling that a year ago, Ellis
had helped in burning the golf association mortgage, taken out when he was president in the
infancy of the club. They also remembered that Ken demanded quality in materials and
workmanship of any finished product. This is why they put in a great deal of time researching,
designing, and selecting materials for the memorial, that would be approved by all who will see
it through many decades to come.
10 years ago (1997): This summer, retired Evansville High School alumnus and businessman,
Jack Heffel, established a trust to give annual scholarships to four individuals graduating from
the Evansville High School. The four students will each receive $2,500 and will be chosen by a
selection committee designated by the trust. The trust is the largest ever given to the school and
the Heffel Memorial Scholarships will be awarded for the first time on scholarship night 1998.
The Heffel family moved to the area in 1892 and four generations of the family lived in the city.
In Review
First Week of October 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married. At Evansville, September 30th, by Rev. E. Robinson, Mr.
Watson Turner and Miss Hattie Dibble, both of Center.
130 Years Ago (1877): Rev. McKenney made T. E. Lucas and Miss Ella Murray happy by the
bonds of matrimony, Sunday, September 29th.
120 Years Ago (1887): Col. Geo. W. Hall spent last Sabbath with his family and show at his
home in this place, leaving for Watertown, Monday. He informed us that he anticipated giving a
benefit entertainment in this place upon his return after the Madison fair, investing the entire
receipts in flour to be distributed to the needy during the winter. Hope there will be a good turn
out.
110 Years Ago (1897): Born on Sunday, September 26, 1897, to Mr. and Mrs. Dan Finnane, a
daughter; all prospering nicely under the professional care of Dr. Colony.
100 Years Ago (1907): Fred W. Gillman is acting as sheriff of the county while Sheriff I. U.
Fischer is attending the trail of Florence Dugan.
90 Years Ago (1917): E. J. Ballard this week received a letter from their daughter, Mrs. S. S.
Beath, who, with her husband, left this country in August to go to China, where they will be
engaged in missionary work and teaching in the interests of the Baptist Church. The letter states
that they stayed in Japan until September 25. They are probably now in China, where they
expect soon to take up their work of teaching.
80 Years Ago (1927): Henrietta Von Trapp Kueltz, was born June 14, 1841 at Nelep, Prussia.
She came to America with her parents in 1869 and was married to Frederick F. Kueltz at Center,
Wis. on August 29, 1869 and joined the Center Evangelical Church about this time. Mrs. Kueltz
has been in poor health for some years with heart trouble but during the past six weeks of illness
she never left her bed and the end came at 12 o’clock noon on Friday September 30, 1927 at her
home, 126 N. 2nd St., where she has lived for the past 14 or 16 years. Her husband, one sister,
Mrs. Amelia Butts, also of Evansville and six children, thirteen grandchildren, four great
grandchildren survive to mourn their loss. Mrs. Kueltz’s life was made beautiful by her intense
devotion to her home and children. One son, William preceded her in death in June 1924. The
remaining children are: Albert and Martha Kueltz of Evansville, Frank and Mrs. Ella Minch,
Belleville, Wisconsin, Mrs. Anna Hunter, Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. Beth Luoma, Evanston,
Illinois.
70 Years Ago (1937): R. J. Antes was appointed alderman from the first ward to succeed Chas.
Van Wart, resigned, at the city council meeting Tuesday night by confirmation of Mayor A. M.
Winn’s appointment by the aldermen. R. L. Collins was appointed to succeed himself as a
member of the water and light commission. On motion of Loomis the fire and police committee
will investigate the advisability of purchasing special insignia for cars of city firemen.
60 Years Ago (1947): A daughter Tracy Jean was born Sunday in St. Mary’s hospital, Madison,
to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Golz. Mrs. Golz was formerly Miss Natalie Laufenberg. Tracy is the first
grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Golz and Mr. and Mrs. V. H. Laufenberg, and she was born
on her parents’ first wedding anniversary.
50 Years Ago (1957): Richard Eager will succeed John Wyse this week as commander of
McKinney-Hatlevig Post 35 of the American Legion here. Eager will assume his new office at
the regular Legion meeting next Tuesday, Oct. 15. The meeting will be held in the Legion club
house. Other officers named for the coming year are Howard Brunsell, adjutant, and Louis Shea,
finance officer. A drive for 1958 memberships is now underway.
40 Years Ago (1967): Homecoming Court for 1967: Dave Odegaard, Debbie Miller, Dan
Bishop, Ann Brunsell, King Bob Hrdlicka, Queen Kathy Kopp, Jerry Kersten, Nancy
Schumacher, Ken Fuchs and Linda Norby. Friday’s events include: skits, parade, snake dance,
pep rally at four corners; bon fire at the lower diamond; game at park, and dance in the high
school gym with Top Hatters providing the music.
30 Years Ago (1977): The front on Helgesen’s Auto Agency has been redone and the building
has been extended in the back to give about a third more floor space, most of which has been
used to expand the service shop. Helgesen’s Auto Agency is holding an Open House this week.
20 Years Ago (1987): Work has begun on four lots on Lincoln Court in Evansville. The lots are
completely developed at no expense to the city, according to Roger Berg, Realtor. He notes that
the City Council and Mayor John Jones have given their support to this project and they will be
fully developed with city services, curb, gutter, water and natural gas. Two of the lots have
already been spoken for. According to Berg, the developed lots will provide $280,000 value to
the city tax rolls.
10 years ago (1997): Alfred and Rose Ann Arnold of Evansville have returned from a threeweek trip which included a visit with their son Steve and family in Morris Plains, NJ and Italy
and Greece. In Italy, they visited the major cities, Rome, Florence, Venice, Isle of Capri, Assisi
and Pompeii. In Greece, they visited Delphi, Olympia and Athens. They reported a wonderful
trip.
IN REVIEW
Second Week of October 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): As cold weather is sure to come without postponement, our citizens are
all busy preparing to meet it. A few new houses are being put up with the rapidity that men and
means can do them. Old ones are being repaired, and additions are being put it others, evincing a
very busy and active time among all classes of mechanics. We see a large pile of bricks in front
of Mr. Bennett’s and are informed by that gentleman that he intends to increase the proportions
of his already commodious residence by the addition of a new house. Merchants are making
additions to their stores to accommodate their increasing business. Every branch of industry is
strained to its utmost tension to meet the pressing wants of trade and to prepare for cold weather.
[Note: Mr. Isaac Bennett’s house was the site of the current Allen-Meredith Funeral Home at
103 West Main.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. E. L. Bullard, son of our townsman, Hiram Bullard, Esq., and late of
St. Joseph, Michigan, has rented a portion of the store belonging to Mr. Morehouse, and is
putting in a first-class stock of boots and shoes. Mr. Bullard is a young man, but possesses
energy and experience that means business in whatever he may engage. He has a good
reputation and personal influences to support him, and we gladly introduce him to our “board of
trade.”
120 Years Ago (1887): Charles Smith, son of Dr. C. M. Smith left Monday night for Chicago,
where he enters Rush Medical College as a student in physics and medicine. He was
accompanied by his father, also Mrs. E. H. Winston, who is engaged in a kindergarten school in
that city.
110 Years Ago (1897): The following have been perfect in attendance in District No. 8, town of
Union, for the month ending September 24: Adelbert Jones, Minnie Jones, Rae Jones, Jennie
Higday, and Maud Thomas.
100 Years Ago (1907): The ladies of the M. E. Church will give their annual chicken pie supper
in the church dining room on Friday, Oct. 18, from 5:30 until all are served. Price 25 and 15
cents. Menu: chicken pie, mashed potatoes, brown and white bread, cabbage salad, beet pickles,
jelly, pie, cheese, coffee, tea.
90 Years Ago (1917): The Congregational church of our city held their annual church meeting
last Tuesday evening. The inclement weather kept some away, but the attendance was very good
and many spoke of it as a very fine meeting. The annual dinner was served by the ladies in the
dining room at 7 o’clock and was a sumptuous repast well up to the established reputation of the
church for such dinners. After the tables were cleared the society was convened for the business
session and was called to order by Mr. Harry Blakeley. Mr. John Baker was made moderator of
the session. Mr. C. J. Pearsall and Mr. L. A. Baldwin were re-elected as trustees, Mr. Harry
Blakeley as clerk, and Mr. R. D. Hartley was continued as treasurer for another year. The
treasurer’s report was very good showing all outstanding bills paid, and only a slight deficit in
the apportionment for benevolence, which amount was made up in full before the adjournment of
the session. A special committee was named to have charge of the church property, oversight of
janitor work, etc., this committee being composed of M. L. Paulson, F. A. Baker and Warren
Cain.
80 Years Ago (1927): A festival sermon was preached by the Rev. M. M. Gerend, St. Francis,
Wisconsin, at the 75th anniversary services held in St. Michaels Catholic church in the town of
Porter, southwest of Edgerton, Thursday. This is a mission church to St. Ann’s Catholic church
of Stoughton, founded in 1845. One of the guests of honor was Archbishop S. G. Messmer,
Milwaukee, now 80 years old. Solemn high mass was sung by the Rev. A. N. Zingen, Belleville,
assisted by the Rev. J. E. Harlin, Edgerton as deacon and the Rev. S. J. Dwyer, Evansville as
sub-deacon. A dinner was served in the C. W. McCarthy farm home located near the church.
70 Years Ago (1937): The Ladies Aid of the Evansville Lutheran church will meet on
Wednesday, October 13, 2:30 p.m. at the K. P. Hall. Hostesses are Mrs. Borger Hanson, Mrs.
Lawrence Larson and Mrs. Merrill Hyne.
60 Years Ago (1947): Fifth Grade News: The fifth grade has organized a club which will meet
twice each month. The officers of the club are: President, Ronald Brigham; Vice President,
Melvin Petersen; Secretary, Darla Albright; Treasurer, Larry Decker. The following children
have been absent several days this week because of illness: Nancy Nimmo, Jay Blum and
Barbara Thompson.
50 Years Ago (1957): Twenty sophomores will leave Monday for a visit with high school
students in New Smyrna, Florida. Kathryn Robinson, Sheila Sorkin, Kathy George, Roberta
Rowald, Norma Dille, Carmen Shelby, Carol Holm, Candace Bradley, Florence Hopkins, Iris
Peterson, Shirley Cadman, David Brunsell, Carol Davis, Ken Wood, Tom Tiede, Jerry Annen,
Alan Fick, Rodney Carlson, John Bullard and Donald Bruce. They will be chaperoned on the
trip by teachers Barbara Voight and Bernie Golz. They will take with them gifts of Wisconsin
cheese and a portfolio of letters from the Governor, Wisconsin’s two U. S. Senators, and
Congressman Lawrence Smith.
40 Years Ago (1967): An installation ceremony will be held Sunday, October 15, for the Rev.
Joshua Crowell, pastor of the Evansville Congregational-United Church of Christ during the
morning worship period. The Rev. and Mrs. Crowell came to Evansville from the East last June
and the pastor assumed his duties as pastor early in July.
30 Years Ago (1977): Mr. and Mrs. Francis Cook were the honored guests at a 45th wedding
anniversary surprise party at their home here last Sunday. All their children and grandchildren
were present. They are Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Engendorf and family, Richland Center, and Mr. and
Mrs. James Cook and family, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cook and family and Mr. and Mrs. Steve
Cook and family, Evansville.
20 Years Ago (1987): The members of the Evansville High School Homecoming Court for 1987
are: Tracy Neuenschwander, Mark Walmer, Nancy Jeans, Chris Larsh, King Matt Bratzke,
Queen Kathy Hazlett, John Benash, Patti Neefe, Jason Sellnow, Jill Updike, Mark Zee, Emily
Golz, Angie Csukardi, John Briggs, Gretchen Youngman and Jayd Grossman.
10 years ago (1997): Twelve students in Pat Peters’ seminary/composition class walked to the
post office to mail their college applications for next year. Post office clerk, Art Harnack helped
the students mark this senior year accomplishment. They students are JoDee George, Meg
Krake, Kari Malterer, Erin Porter, Mike Berg, Sherry Sanner, Ross Templeton, Tamra Wussow,
Jenny Leuzinger and Jamie Woodstock.
In Review
Third Week of October 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): MARRIED. In Oregon, Dane County, Oct. 13th, 1867, by Rev. Matthew
A. Fox, Mr. Joseph P. Lincoln, of Center, Rock Co., and Miss Mary E. Benson, of Brooklyn,
Green County.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. E. L. Bullard, son of our townsman, Hiram Bullard, Esq., and late of
St. Joseph, Michigan has rented a portion of the store belonging to Mr. Morehouse, and is putting
in a first class stock of boots and shoes. Mr. Bullard is a young man, but possesses energy and
experience that means business in whatever he may engage. He has a good reputation and
personal influences to support him, and we gladly introduce him to our “board of trade.”
120 Years Ago (1887): The meeting of young men at the Y.M.C.A. rooms last Sunday
afternoon, led by Prof. Jacobs, was the best attended and most interesting one that has been held
in many months. The instrumental music rendered on the occasion by Messrs Fred Tolles, John
Porter and Robert Hartley, was excellent and enjoyed by every one. It is hoped that this feature
of the meeting will be permanent. A cordial invitation is extended by the association to every
young man of Evansville to come to these meetings. There is no better way in which to spend an
hour each Sunday afternoon than to attend this service.
110 Years Ago (1897): We were cautioned by Mr. Ray Gillman, chief of the fire department, to
caution people not to build fires in the streets during the extreme dry spell, which is very
dangerous.
100 Years Ago (1907): Mrs. Fannie Briggs Bump died at her home near Albany, on Oct. 6,
1907, aged 78 years. Her husband, William Horace Bump departed this life on March 23, 1889.
The deceased had been in poor health for the past 18 years. She leaves to mourn her departure
three daughters, Mesdames Geo. Thurman of this city, W. R. Webb, of Spencer, Iowa, and R.
Anderson of Magnolia; and two sons, George of Albany, and Dwight of Decatur, Ill. Funeral
services were conducted in the Magnolia Advent Church, and the remains interred in the
Magnolia cemetery. Mrs. Bump was known by many Evansville people, and friends extend
sympathy to the bereaved family.
90 Years Ago (1917): Last Tuesday morning orders were received in this city that the Radio
corps, consisting of Eldon Hatfield, Brooks Gabriel, Willis Decker, Wesley Langemak, Chester
Hurd, Paul Mabie, Paul Jones, Glen McArthur, Floyd Kneff, Lyle Blakeley and Joe Devendorf,
Signal Sec. Reserve Corp, U. S. Army, which was organized this spring in Evansville, should
report at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia, as soon as possible. This is the order that the boys
have been waiting for, for some time, and at once they all began the necessary preparations, so
that they might be ready to start. On Wednesday morning all were ready, and with happy faces
and glad hearts they took the early morning train for the Camp Gordon. The Signal service is
entrusted wireless telegraphy work that occupies such an important place in all warfare now-adays, as well as different lines of signaling and other important work. A finer bunch of boys than
those which go from this portion of Rock county cannot be found in the whole American army;
an army that is being complimented by the military men of Europe as being the finest physically
and morally that has ever touched foot on European soil.
80 Years Ago (1927): The George brothers and families and Mrs. Clara George, Janesville, met
at the home of their father Thos. George Saturday as a farewell for their sister, Mrs. Grant Haney
who on account of poor health leaves the last part of the week for Nebraska and other points west
to spend the winter months.
70 Years Ago (1937): The sneak thief who has been operating in Evansville apparently did not
cease his depredations here last week after publicity had been given his actions, and residents
had been warned to keep their doors locked at all times. Mrs. Gordon Ellis, South Second Street,
discovered Thursday that her purse, containing $15.75 had disappeared from the buffet where
she placed it. Several people’s homes have been entered here. When apprehended, one dodge
the thief uses, is to claim he is trying to rent a house or room. One woman reported her purse
stolen while she was in her back yard only a few moments. The thief walked through the open
front door and was gone instantly.
60 Years Ago (1947): In that breaking and entering is going on all around Evansville, Police
Chief Nimmo warns citizens to watch their doors. Mr. Nimmo said that many are found open
when they should be closed. He also gives the following advice: “Don’t leave too much cash in
a box on a shelf; leave a small night light burning in your place of business during the night.”
Heeding the Chief’s advice will help the department which is doing everything possible to keep a
watch on local property and to prevent breaking and entering in Evansville.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Jug Prairie Good Times Club, celebrated a 25th anniversary this
month. They visited WEKI radio station in Monroe, toured the Lakeside Cheese Factory and the
Green County Jail, and had lunch at the Swiss Wheel.
40 Years Ago (1967): Evansville 4-H club officers were installed at the recent annual
achievement banquet. Harold Abey, Jr. president; Catherine Kopp, vice president; Maurene
Abey, treasurer; Linda Rasmussen, secretary; and Darrell Ross, reporter. Mrs. Harold
Klusmeyer received special recognition for her 40 years of service to 4-H Club work. Al Finger
presented Mrs. Klusmeyer with a diamond pin.
30 Years Ago (1977): On Maple and Church Streets farmers have lined their wagons, filled with
corn and in the parking lot of the Union Cooperative, waiting for the corn to be dried. The Coop is working long shifts to complete the drying. Church Street was torn up recently for sewer
extension and was completed in time for the trucks and wagons to use. Time was critical in this
effort and the job was done.
20 Years Ago (1987): Volunteer Firemen, Fire Prevention Week, October 1987: Chief Edd
McCaffrey; Assistant Chief, Ken Fuchs; Lt. Dennis Cooper, Dave Turner, Jim Gallman, Mike
Cufaude, Gregg Peckham, Art Phillips, Ron Peckham, Ken Grenawalt, Dean Hermanson, Ken
Nehls, Scott George, Bob Gallman, Kevin Endres, Art Harnack, Gary Fuchs, Todd Sperry, John
Rasmussen, Jim Schwartzlow, Lee Dammen, Scott Nimz, Randy Schwartzlow, Mark
Sendelbach, Phil Montgomery, Robert Miller, Jay Blum, Larry Ringhand, Joe Ischi, Russ Hall
and Mark Brzezinski.
10 years ago (1997): At a special meeting of the Evansville Council on Friday night of last week,
the resignation of Police Chief Chuck DiPiazza was unanimously accepted. DiPiazza, who has
served the city since 1988, resigned to pursue other interests, it was stated. The city will
continue to pay his salary and benefits until the end of the year, with DiPiazza receiving $36,000
in salary and $14,000 in benefits. Scott McElroy, investigator will serve as Acting Chief, and a
search for a new police chief will begin.
In Review
Fourth Week of October 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Spencer House Sold. Mr. Wm. B. Winston, late of the Evansville
House, and Mr. Tyler Campbell have purchased the Spencer House and immediately take
possession. Mr. Semans who has occupied it for the past two years as we learn, goes to
Nodaway County, Missouri. Of Mr. Semans’ successors, the public can better judge than
ourself, after having catered to their benefit for a time. Mr. Semans retires with the generous
wishes of the public whose favor and esteem he has acquired while being the popular landlord of
the Spencer House. [Note: The Spencer House and the Evansville House were two of
Evansville’s three history hotels. The Spencer House was a three-story hotel, located at 1 North
Madison, the northwest corner of Main and Madison, razed in 1938. The Evansville House was
located on East Main, the northeast corner of East Main and Union Streets and was for many
years known as The Eastside Bar & Steakhouse, destroyed by fire in 1988. The third historic
hotel, the Commercial Hotel, later named the Coach House, was destroyed by fire in 2007.]
130 Years Ago (1877): Mrs. Curtis, nee Harris, left Tuesday for Chicago on her way to the
Japan mission. Her many friends here parted sadly with an amiable and worthy young lady for a
long journey, perhaps not ever to return. The last word, “good bye, Delia,” wrung tears of
sorrow from many who witnessed her departure, on this bright Tuesday, October morning.
120 Years Ago (1887): Burglars attempted to get into Campbell & Son’s meat market Sunday
night, by cutting away the sash of a rear window. Mr. Barnum, who occupies tenements above,
was awakened by the noise and on enquiring what was wanted, got only silence for reply.
They’d got steak out of a shotgun in a moment longer, and Ad’s just that kind of a fellow that’d
give it to ‘m, too.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. Olaf Sundby, who is employed by Wm. Milbrandt in the town of
Magnolia, received a very painful accident while cutting poles last Friday. A tree was felled in
such a manner as to strike the young man across the thigh; happily the bone was not broken but
the ligaments of the muscles were badly lacerated. Dr. Stair gave him surgical attention.
100 Years Ago (1907): Hiram Sperry is loading a car with his household goods, farm
implements and horses, and will leave for Fairchild, where he recently purchased a fine farm
about five miles northwest of that city. Mrs. Sperry and little son Lloyd will leave Thursday.
We regret their removal from our city, but wish them health and success in their new home.
They will be but a short distance from Frank Tolles, Harvey Graves, Ray Elwood and E.
Blakeley, all of whom recently moved there from this vicinity. From all reports they are located
in a productive district, the crops having been much better than the crops in this section, this
year.
90 Years Ago (1917): A fine display of knitted goods that have been made by the ladies of
Evansville and surrounding country was on exhibition at the city hall last Monday. There was on
display seventy-two sweaters, eight scarves, eighty-eight pairs of socks, five helmets and ninety
two wristlets. These articles were knitted by the ladies of Evansville, Cooksville and Magnolia
and after their display at the city hall were packed in a box and shipped to the Red Cross
headquarters at Chicago, where they will be forwarded to the troops in France. [Note: the
helmets were wool caps worn under metal helmets for warmth and comfort.]
80 Years Ago (1927): Evansville boys took all the leading places in all of the classes at the
Junior Livestock exposition in Madison. Walter and Robert Templeton, Evansville, took the
grand championships in the fat lamb and swine classes. Other winners were Shropshires, Evelyn
George, fifth on single fat lamb; Hampshires, Philip Robinson, first; Lee George, second;
Southdowns, Walter Templeton, first; Philip Robinson, second; Arthur Templeton, third; Harold
Robinson, fourth; Lee George, sixth; single fat lamb grand champion, Walter Templeton, first;
Philip Robinson, second; Arthur Templeton, third; Harold Robinson, fourth; Lee George, eighth;
Evelyn George, 10th in class of 22.
70 Years Ago (1937): John Farnsworth, 38, a World War veteran, died Thursday at his home in
Harvey, Ill., and was buried there Saturday. Death was caused by heart trouble and
complications. He was born in Brooklyn, Wis., where he lived until he entered the war.
Survivors are his widow; his father, Lewis Farnsworth, Harvey, Ill.; two brothers, Lewis Jr.,
Evansville, and Vincent, Madison; and five sisters, Miss Frances Farnsworth, Mrs. Lois
Campion, Madison, Mrs. Elsie Miller, Middleton, and Marie and Inez, Harvey, Ill.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mrs. Harold Jones was reelected president of the Congregational Service
Commission at a meeting held Thursday evening in the church parlor. Mrs. Edgar Horne was
named vice president and Mrs. Raymond Miller re-elected secretary and treasurer. Plans were
made to hold the annual Congregational women’s bazaar in the church Wednesday, Nov. 19, at
which time fancy work articles will be sold. A hot luncheon will be served at noon. Mrs. Edgar
Horne and Mrs. M. O. Bollerud will serve as general chairmen and each church division will be
responsible for its own booth.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Cooksville Lutefisk dinner and supper was again a success, 1,000
attended. The weather was ideal and guests came from some distance.
40 Years Ago (1967): Magnolia 4-H officers were installed at the recent Annual Achievement
Banquet held at the Footville Church of Christ. Gordon Andrew, President; Steve Kundert, Vice
President; Lucy Rowald, Secretary; Sandy Howard, Treasurer; Bill Mauerman and Don Larsen,
Jr., Council Representatives; Phil Andrew, reporter to the Gazette and Ed Larsen, reporter to the
Evansville Review.
30 Years Ago (1977): A surprise birthday party was held for George Wollinger, Sr., Route 2,
Evansville, Sunday, Oct. 16. His seven children and their families were all able to be home for
the celebration. Many other relatives also attended the event. Mr. Wollinger’s sister, Frances
and her husband, from Munich, Germany, spent several weeks with the Wollingers and other
relatives.
20 Years Ago (1987): No matter what the outcome of the upcoming game on Thursday night of
this week at Beloit, the Evansville-Albany Football Team will be in the WIAA state playoffs.
The big question is who will be the Rock Valley Conference Champions. Each team, Beloit
Turner and Evansville-Albany have each scored a 6-0 conference record. This will be the third
straight year that the two teams have come up against each other. In the last two years Beloit has
taken the Rock Valley Championship. Beloit Turner will be going into Thursday’s game with a
22 game conference win. Evansville-Albany came out with a 15-7 record in defeating Clinton.
10 years ago (1997): In last Friday’s game at Walworth, the Blue Devils downed Big Foot with a
40-12 victory. In winning for the 13th time in their last 14 conference games, the Blue Devils
boosted their current Rock Valley record to 5-1. This keeps them a game behind Brodhead-Juda,
which clinched a tie for its fourth championship in six years. Quarterback Ryan Subera ran for
three touchdowns covering 28, 10 and four yards and completed with 17 passes for 114 yards.
In Review
Last Week of October 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Mining.—The success of the mining interests in and around Evansville
is quite encouraging to those engaged in it. Mr. McMillan informs us that from the shaft he is
putting down near Exeter, he has taken out some 140 pounds of mineral. His shaft is easy to
work, and his prospects in every particular are good. Mr. Campbell’s diggings near the “Liberty
Pole,” in Brooklyn, are much facilitated by the aperture which they struck in the ledge, and are
going down finely. Mr. Huckins experiences some difficulty by the hardness of the rock through
which he is working. He has now the services of an old Cornish miner, and is in hope of making
better headway.
130 Years Ago (1877): Silver Wedding. Saturday the 27th inst. was the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Emery. Friday evening the 26th inst. a large
number of relatives and friends from Evansville and vicinity gathered at Mr. Fred Emery's and in
one grand procession marched to the home of the groom and bride, and took them by complete
surprise. After the hearty shaking of hands and the many congratulations, a committee of ladies
returned to the place from whence the procession started and arranged the supper, which was in
every way suitable for the occasion. Supper ended, in behalf of the company, Rev. C. E.
Goldthorp, in a few sentences, presented to Mr. and Mrs. Emery a cake basket, butter dish, spoon
holder, pie knife, and a dozen forks. May prosperity and happiness be the future lot of the
reunited pair. The wedding was enjoyed by all who were present.
120 Years Ago (1887): Dr. Smith took a ride out into the country Wednesday to visit Mrs. Hans
Christiansen, who is sick with malarial fever. Dr. Spencer accompanied him.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. Wm. Milbrandt, a prosperous farmer, aged 35 years, residing about
three miles south of this city, was instantly killed Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock, by the falling
of an embankment of stone and dirt upon him while he was directing the clearing away of some
loose dirt. Although Mr. Milbrandt’s regular occupation is that of a farmer, he had been drawing
stone from a quarry near his home at intervals this summer to this city, and we are informed that
on this fatal morning, he went there with Geo. Bidwell, Jr., of this city, and was directing him in
the best manner to clear away some loose dirt and stone to make access to the quarry more
convenient, when the embankment fell upon him causing the fatal results. The unfortunate man
leaves a wife and five small children; but fortunately he carried $2,000 life insurance, $1,000 in
the New York Life Company, and $1,000 in the Aetna Company which will undoubtedly be
promptly paid. The funeral was held today, Friday at the house at 12 o’clock, and at 1 o’clock at
the M. E. church in this city. Rev. F. T. Eilert, resident German minister, and Rev. W. Rollins,
resident M. E. minister officiating. Interment in the Evansville cemetery by undertakers Young
and Meinke and Jas. Powles, sexton. The family are receiving the sympathy and comfort of
many warm friends.
100 Years Ago (1907): Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rodd are rejoicing over the arrival of a baby girl.
Mother and baby are doing fine under the care of Mrs. Lottie Edwards.
90 Years Ago (1917): A. H. Devine is rejoicing over the fact that he has a new barber at his
house, he having arrived without baggage last Saturday night. While the youngster will not be
able to handle a razor for about eighteen years, his coming was cordially welcomed by his father.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mr. and Mrs. Clarence George and daughter, Dawn Ellen, attended the
Calf Club, at Madison, Tuesday. Dean and Lee George are members of the Calf Club and have
been attending it all of this week.
70 Years Ago (1937): Work was begun this week on wrecking of the old Central House on the
northwest corner of Main and Madison streets, by men under the direction of Jacob Nihart.
Some floors have already been ripped out and after the interior is largely ripped out, the shell
will be torn down. Action on destruction of the historic old landmark, standing since 1855, came
to a head last week when a contract was signed between the Leota Hotel Corporation, through its
committee, consisting of H. H. Loomis, H. F. Brunsell, and L. L. Thompson and Mr. Nihart,
absolving the corporation from responsibility during the wrecking of the building. It is the plan
of Mr. Nihart to use former and present WPA employees who are in need of firewood to tear
down the structure on their own time.
60 Years Ago (1947): J. Gordon Baker, head of the engineering department of the Baker Mfg.
Company, recently received an award in the national Design-For-Progress program sponsored by
the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation. Mr. Baker’s subject matter had to do with the
pump jack.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Cooksville Lutefisk dinner and supper was again a success; 1,000
attended; the weather was ideal and guests came from some distance.
40 Years Ago (1967): Members of the Junior High School personnel recently honored John
Willoughby at a surprise party in his home on Garfield Ave. which he purchased recently from
the Mrs. Warren Rodd estate.
30 Years Ago (1977): Last week, many curious shoppers were poking their heads in Marsh’s
Decorating Den, the newly remodeled store replacing the former Marsh and Al’s Paint and
Appliance at 17 W. Main St. The upstairs has a new look, and there is a whole new area open
downstairs. Besides wallpaper and paint, some of the new items include wall paintings, paneling
for kitchen cabinets, and bathroom accessories. Also on sale in the basement is pottery by Miles
Armstrong.
20 Years Ago (1987): Deanna Jeans, Clerk, Town of Union; Eloise Wethal, Treasurer, Town of
Union, and Marie Ross, Treasurer, Town of Brooklyn recently attended the 40th anniversary
convention of the Wisconsin Towns Association in Appleton.
10 years ago (1997): All Evansville residents are invited to contribute to a book that will be
published by the Lions Club in 1998 celebrating the history, culture, and food of “old
Evansville.” Proceeds from the book sales will be used to fund sight-related projects and
community projects. The Lions Club seeks contributions of favorite family recipes, historic
photos, and stories or anecdotes dating from around the time of early settlement, up through
World War I, the Depression and World War II.
In Review
First Week of November 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Oyster Supper and Festival. There is to be an Oyster Supper and
Festival at the Spencer House on Friday evening next (Nov. 8.) This entertainment is gotten up
for the benefit of the Regular Baptist Society of this place, who are just completing a new church
edifice, and now lack the material aid wherewith to purchase the necessary furniture and articles
for its entire completion. The house is a decided ornament to the village, and while the members
of the society have strained every nerve to complete the house in so creditable a manner, it is but
a reasonable demand they now make upon the public to aid them in procuring their furniture.
130 Years Ago (1877): An attempt was made to burglarize Smith & Eager’s store, Saturday
night last. Entrance was gained by breaking a pane of glass in the rear storage room, and also a
pane in the rear end of the store. Mr. Smith, who occupies the upper story with his family, heard
the breaking of the glass, but not suspecting it was in his store, arose, and taking a light and
revolver, went below. After listening awhile, he called out, “Halloo! Who’s there?” and was
answered back in a gruff, husky voice, “Halloo.” The person appeared to be about midway of
the store, but too dark to be distinctly discerned, and commenced advancing toward Mr. Smith,
who stepped within the staircase, by which he had just entered the room, and the man passed him
and made his exit by the broken pane in the door, and also cleared the outer door by the same
means. As he was passing the first door Mr. Smith fired his revolver, but without effect. Blood
was seen on the door, but probably came from a wound made in breaking the glass. Had no one
been in the building a good haul might have been made, with the usual result: “no clue to the
robber.” [Note: the Smith and Eager store was on the site of the newly remodeled Eager
Building on East Main Street. It was razed in 1904 to make way for the Economy Store.]
120 Years Ago (1887): Caleb Snashall who has spent most of the fall in Minnesota and Western
Iowa, selling the Monitor windmill, returned Saturday. He says he has not so much trouble to
sell mills as to get his pay. Mills sell well but pay comes slow.
110 Years Ago (1897): The social event at the Henry Campbell farm, east of the city, Saturday
evening, would have been the greatest and grandest success of its kind, of the season, had it not
been for the announcement of the horrible death of Mr. Chas. C. Brink. About half had taken
their departure and remainder were in waiting for conveyance, when this terrible tragedy was
announced, which so shocked this entire community that all else was forgotten for the time
being, and of course all further pleasure suspended. About one hundred had already assembled
at Mr. Campbell’s to whom the sad news was conveyed, casting a gloom over all, but of course
those present could do no better than to eat their lunch in silence and return to their homes with
heavy hearts in their strong sympathy for the afflicted.
100 Years Ago (1907): Last Wednesday proved the greatest trading day in the history of the
Economy. From early morning until late at night the store was crowded with people eager to
take advantage of the many bargains offered in each department for the one day. The store was
prettily decorated in autumn foliage, potted plants and gay ribbons. Twenty-five extra clerks
were employed to assist the regular clerical force, and all were busy throughout the entire day.
The sales were the largest of any day since the doors were first opened to the public. Kneff &
Hatch’s orchestra, of Janesville, furnished music during the afternoon and evening, and Mr.
Hatch delighted the crowd with several vocal solos.
90 Years Ago (1917): The Evansville boys to enjoy their short furloughs at their home town last
Saturday were Robert Collins, Harry Milligan and Harry DeVoll. Cyrus Montgomery, of this
city, it is said by the boys who have written home, has become very popular at the Rockford
Camp by reason of presenting to the company a Victrola, which helps to while away many
lonesome hours.
80 Years Ago (1927): The Evansville team held Delavan High School to a scoreless first
quarter in the game at Delavan last Saturday. In the second and third quarters, however,
Evansville could not hold the Delavan players and they ran the score to 19. In the last quarter
Evansville fought like tigers and while they made no scores, they showed Delavan what they
could do if they tried.
70 Years Ago (1937): A crew of sixteen WPA employees started work Monday morning on the
installation of water for Maple Hill cemetery. A six-inch main will be laid on Cemetery Street
from Main Street to the northern entrance to the cemetery before the work is completed, R. J.
Antes, WPA superintendent stated.
60 Years Ago (1947): The Shea Furniture Company recently moved from the Maple Street
address to its new location in the recently remodeled Heffel building at 120 East Main Street and
is now open for business. L. J. Shea, who has been employed as furniture buyer and manager at
the J. M. Bostwick store in Janesville, has resigned his position there to become associated with
his son, Richard, in the local business. The company will handle a complete line of furniture and
floor coverings as soon as they are available and is also carrying the Frigidaire line of electric
appliances. In addition to the furniture and electric equipment sales business, the Sheas will do
furniture upholstering. [lNote: the building at 120 East Main was razed and is currently a
parking lot at the corner of East Main and Railroad Street.]
50 Years Ago (1957): The queen who will reign over the annual Snow Ball on Dec. 28 will be
chosen from the following: Tracy Shea, representing the American Legion Auxiliary; Lenora
Lunde, Eastern Star; Diana Eager, Lions Club; Muffy Heffel, American Legion; Helen Murphy,
Masons-RAM; Peg McBride, Chamber of Commerce.
40 Years Ago (1967): The Convalescent Home Committee appointed by Mayor Ida T. Conroy
desires to be contacted by all persons interested in making a pledge toward the $12,500.00 which
the citizens must raise toward expenses of planning and construction of a million dollar, 98-bed
nursing home in Evansville by the Church of Christ Manors, Inc. At a luncheon meeting held
Oct. 19, 1967 at the Legion, representatives of the Church of Christ Manors, Inc. explained the
plans to about fifty citizens. The consensus of opinion was that the project was feasible and
would fill an urgent need of this community. In addition to Mayor Conroy, the following
members of the Committee will be glad to accept pledges or arrange for an interview with those
who desire it: Leonard R. Finn, Chairman, Dr. Roger S. Gray, Dr. S. S. Sorkin, and Attorney
Don F. Gallagher.
30 Years Ago (1977): Two major residential developments are currently breaking ground for
roads just outside the city limits, in the extra-territorial zone. Stoneridge Manor, 30 acres of land
east of the city already has roads bulldozed across the rolling hills west of County M and is ready
to accommodate home construction. The average lot size of this rural residential single-family
development is between one and one-half and two acres and two of them are already marked
sold. Stoneridge Manor is owned by Robert Schaefges of Prospect Heights, Ill. Devlin Agency
of Evansville is in charge of developing and selling the property. In the Golf Air Estate, owner
Clark Prudhon has already sold six of the acre-size lots in his development. Seven more are
platted now and more lots will be added. Last week bulldozing was underway for an access road
off Cemetery Road. The area to be developed borders Cemetery Road on the west and extends
approximately 33 acres to the east.
20 Years Ago (1987): Doug Batty, Secretary-Treasurer of the Evansville Historic Preservation
Commission, Lee Winch, Commission member, Ed Eisele and his wife Joan, who is also a
Commission member, planted 16 trees on the Highway 14 entrance to Evansville just at the north
end of the City. John Rasmussen and Russell Hall of the Water and Light Dept. used the city
digger to set the trees and the work was completed in less than an hour.
10 years ago (1997): Junior Mike Thornton competing in his second State Cross Country meet,
placed 3rd out of 108 runners at Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday. Mike began the race by running
in 10th place at the mile in 5:08. In the second mile, Mike moved up to third with a pack of
runners just behind. Mike’s time of 16:25 placed him 10th on the All State Cross Country Team.
This was the first time Evansville placed a Cross Country runner on the All State Cross Country
Team.
In Review
Second Week of November 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The friends of John Winston will be pained to learn that he has been
confined to his bed for some days under an attack of typhoid fever, and that a recovery is
regarded with much doubt at the present time. In fact, nearly all hopes for his recovery are
despaired of.
130 Years Ago (1877): Married. Grove – Tullar. At the residence of the bride’s parents in
Union, Nov. 1st, 1877 by Rev. C. R. Lathrop, Mr. J.D. Grove, of Le Mars, Iowa and Miss Carrie
C. Tullar, of the same place. Aller – Ahara. At the Free Baptist parsonage, in Evansville, Nov.
11th 1877, by Rev. B. F.McKenney, Mr. Ransom D. Aller and Miss Rachel Ahara, both of
Union, Wis.
120 Years Ago (1887): The electric light poles are all set and the wire strung, but there is a
provoking delay about getting the lamps. The plea is that electric apparatus is needed faster than
it can be manufactured.
110 Years Ago (1897): The ladies basket ball team of the high school of this city play the ladies
of the Albion Academy at the driving park, on Saturday, Nov. 27, 1897, at 2 o’clock p.m. A
football game between the Evansville and Albion teams will immediately follow. Get your
dinners early and be on time to see both games, which will be very interesting.
100 Years Ago (1907): Messrs. H. H. Hile, Charles Fuller, B. B. Billings, E. H. Morrison, A. M.
Libby, John Schieble, and their wives, Mrs. J. C. Lees and daughter Lily, Mrs. Lina Doolittle,
Leila Jenson, Stella Magee, Terry Sorenson, Chas. Bullard, Orange Little and Joe Donnelly were
among those from this city who attended “Forty-five Minutes From Broadway”, at Myers’ Opera
House in Janesville, Thursday evening. All were well pleased with the performance.
90 Years Ago (1917): The young people’s society which was held in the church basement at
Cooksville Friday evening was largely attended. The following delegates were elected for the
Madison convention: Mabel Onsrud, Lillian Erickson, Augusta Brunsell, Torfin Olson and Ole
Norby.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mrs. Fred Brunsell and son Billie, and Mrs. Ace Fellows and son Jerry
spent Tuesday in Madison. Jerry and Billie both having their tonsils removed at St. Mary’s
Hospital.
70 Years Ago (1937): At the special meeting of the Lutheran church congregation of Evansville
Tuesday night at the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Theodore Heimarck, there was considerable
enthusiasm over the prospect of either purchasing or building a church. It was agreed that the
church council be authorized to make an offer on the Episcopalian property which they have
used for the past year. It was decided to elect a committee to organize and plan and carry out a
campaign for funds, consisting of Martin Anderson, Harold Spersrud, Edward Johnson, Leo
Brunsell, Ole Norby, Mrs. Harry Hamilton, Mrs. Ray Rosen, Mrs. Carroll Bly, Mrs. Selmar
Jordahl, and Mrs. Tom Johnson. It was agreed and the church council was authorized to
incorporate under the Wisconsin laws, with the name of the congregation to be St. John’s
Lutheran Church. [Note: the Episcopal Church was on the site of the current post office
building on South First Street.]
60 Years Ago (1947): Petterson and Sarow who for the past few years have operated a
plumbing and heating business at 10 North Madison Street have moved to a building at 5 Maple
Street recently vacated by the Shea Furniture Company and are now open for business at that
location. Mr. Petterson and Mr. Sarow invited the public to visit their new place of business and
look over their sales articles which are on display to better advantage since they have more room
than in their former location.
50 Years Ago (1957): Chamber of Commerce directors met Monday night to lay out a program
for next year. This includes a 1958 dairy night; exchange students program; Black and White
show; dredging Lake Leota; industrial development; Christmas decorations for stores and
offices; a week-long retail promotion.
40 Years Ago (1967): George Prudhon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Prudhon is presently serving
in the Third Medical Corps near Conthien, Viet Nam. Doctor (Captain) Michael I. Sorkin, son of
Doctor and Mrs. Samuel S. Sorkin of 227 Garfield Ave., Evansville is on duty at Tuy Hoa AB,
Viet Nam. Arthur Dennison, son of Harry Dennison and Mrs. Anna Dennison arrived in
Evansville on Monday having been discharged from the armed forces after two years of service.
He has recently been in Viet Nam where he saw a great deal of action.
30 Years Ago (1977): Blanche Devine shared her reminiscing to a full church at the 125th
anniversary celebration at the Congregational United Church o Christ last Sunday. A special
morning service followed by an afternoon service open to the public commemorated the special
day for the church that was organized in 1846. Several other life-long and young members of the
church and community attended and enjoyed remembrances by Blanche, and three other former
pastors: Rev. Francis Kranz, Wendell Marshall, and Alan Kromholz and present pastor, Timothy
Kehl.
20 Years Ago (1987): While Evansville-Albany finished second behind Beloit Turner in the
Rock Valley Conference standing, the Blue Devils placed more players on the all-conference
team. Eight members of the Blue Devil team, four on the offense and four on the defense, made
the elite team. Doug Spooner, Mike Koch, Todd Heritage, Rich Franklin, John Briggs, Jon
Benash, Mark Walmer and Matt Bratzke were named to the first team.
10 years ago (1997): Interim Pastor Bill Neuman is serving St. John’s Lutheran Church. He is
from Evanston, IL where he is currently pursuing an advanced degree from Garrett Seminary,
which is part of Northwestern University, in addition to his duties in Evansville. His field of
study is Patristics (early church fathers). Pastor Timothy White left St. John’s recently and
returned to his previous congregation in Nebraska, as associate pastor.
In Review
Third Week of November 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Fire at Cooksville – The barn belonging to the hotel in Cooksville was
destroyed by fire on Friday afternoon of last week, together with what hay, grain, &c. it
contained, the property of Wm. P. Johnson, The flames, when first discovered, were bursting
from one corner of the building, and before aid could be rendered to subdue it, the building was
enveloped in one mass of flames; although the neighbors were promptly on hand yet had barely
time to secure the horses and a few light articles such as were within easy reach. The wind was
blowing hard at the time, and it was with great efforts that the barn of Henry Duncan was saved.
The houses of Mr. Wells and B. S. Hoxie caught in several places by flying brands, but an active
force of women and boys, under the direction of Justin Wells saved them from a general
conflagration. The loss of the barn was some $500; with a partial insurance.
130 Years Ago (1877): Mr. Jas. H. Hoskins, who has been in Mr. Sheafe’s employ a month or
so in Elk Point, Dakota, returned last week and is given charge of the shipping business of A. S.
Baker & Co.
120 Years Ago (1887): Cal Broughton, the champion catcher of the west has signed with the
Detroits next season. Cal’s record the past season with the Milwaukee club is first rate. He
received a salary of $2,100 the year.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. Chas Moore returned Sunday morning from Freeport, Ill., where he
has been visiting his brother-in-law, Will King, who is in a hospital in that city, very sick with
typhoid fever.
100 Years Ago (1907): The first deer arrived at the express office this morning, having been
captured by Frank Devendorf. F. H. Devendorf has delivered the deer, which he brought home
from his hunting trip, to Wm. Lee’s meat market where it will be cut and distributed among his
friends, as by law he is not allowed to sell the venison.
90 Years Ago (1917): William Frederick Krause, Sr., was born in Kramshoff, Germany,
December 4, 1838, and was united in marriage with Louise Popanz May 10, 1864. Seven
children were born to this union, of whom four preceded the father in death. In the fall of 1865,
he, with his family, crossed the deep blue, which took them nine weeks. December 31, the same
year, they arrived at Juda, Wisconsin, where they made their home for a while. Over thirty-eight
years ago they settled on a farm in the Town of Brooklyn, about six miles west of Evansville
where he proved himself a worthy citizen and neighbor, and where he also was one of the
organizers of the “Friedens,” Evangelical Church, in which he took an active part. About sixteen
years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Krause moved to Albany to spend the evening of their life in ease.
About three years ago they again moved back and made their home with their son, William, Jr.,
where he passed away quietly Friday morning, November 16, 1917, at the age of seventy-eight
years, eleven months and twelve days, after a lingering sickness which made itself felt in the
beginning of the month of July. He leaves to mourn his departure, the bereaved wife, two sons,
William F. and August, and one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Ross, who are all living near the old
homestead, seventeen grandchildren, two brothers, August of Brodhead, and Fred of Monroe,
and one sister, Mrs. Ernestine Feulker, of Cadiz, and also many relatives and friends. The
funeral services took place Sunday from the home of his son, William, at 2 p.m. in the Friedens
Church and interment in the family lot in the adjoining cemetery. A very large concourse of
people had met to pay the last tribute to an old friend and neighbor, the Rev. E. G. Zellmer
officiating.
80 Years Ago (1927): This week Biglow and Roderick started construction on a modern
operating room, where they will do their embalming. The room will be equipped with all metal
white furniture, which will be in keeping with the room which also will be painted white.
Members of the firm state that they felt that they were in need of such a room as many people
desire to have their relatives taken to the funeral parlors for embalming and then returned home.
[Note: in 1927, the Biglow and Roderick funeral home and furniture store was at 10 East Main
Street.]
70 Years Ago (1937): Thirty pupils in the White Star school near here walked out of the
structure to safety at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, as fire starting from an overheated chimney
partially burned the roof of the school. Janet Knudson, one of the pupils discovered the yard full
of smoke as she glanced out of the window, and called it to the attention of the teacher, Miss
Mildred Horke, Orfordville, who investigated to find the roof ablaze. The Evansville Fire
Department put out the fire, while neighbors removed desks and other movable materials. Laths
near the chimney caught fire. Damage was estimated by the contractor between $35 and $50 late
Wednesday.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mrs. Ray Hubbard has received word from Marceline, Mo., where the
veterans’ history books are being printed that the 8 ½ x 11 hard bound volumes will reach here
and will be ready for distribution soon after the first of Dec. Orders are being taken now at
Marty’s Clothes shop and Dixon and Sperry barber shop. The price of each book is $3 and the
supply is limited, therefore, those who have not placed orders should do so at once to avoid later
regrets. The volumes will contain pictures and histories of all veterans of both wars who filled
out and returned their questionnaires and a list of all veterans of both wars, also pictures and
stories of home activities during the war and reports, names and photographs of those who
participated in them. There are also pictures of places of interest in Evansville including
business establishments.
50 Years Ago (1957): Evansville’s well known quartet, the Gospel Singers, will present the
vesper service at Methodist Hospital in Madison today. Members of the quartet are Clarence
Franklin, William Wood, Eli Habeger and Eugene Millard.
40 Years Ago (1967): Virginia Wyse was elected president of the newly organized Junior High
School drama club at a meeting held recently. Mrs. Peter Hamacher will be advisor for the
group. Other officers are Kate Collins, vice president; Mary Beth Mohn, secretary; Kevin
Katzenmeyer, treasurer; Terri Bone, properties and Maureen Abey, reporter. The group is
planning a Christmas party.
30 Years Ago (1977): Only five persons were present at the public hearing on the city’s 1978
budget Tuesday night to hear finance committee chairman, Alan Eager, review the budget that
has hit the $1 million mark for the first time in Evansville’s history. The growth of the city this
year and contemplated future expansion has created the need for extending two streets and
sanitary sewer services plus the purchased of the right-of-way and land acquisitions that accounts
for the major portion of the $277,537 increase in the budget. The tax levy of $289,623 is an
increase of $28,031 over last year’s levy and just barely under the state’s levy limit. The tax rate
would be $13.38 per $1,000 assessed valuation, up $1.29 over last year’s rate.
20 Years Ago (1987): Past Master Harold L. Tait of Union Lodge #32, has been awarded a
special certificate by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin in recognition of his 66 years of service to
Masonry in Wisconsin. Brother Tait was raised to Master Mason October 24, 1921, in
Dodgeville, Wis. He transferred to Union Lodge #32 in Evansville on February 5, 1940. He was
elected Master of Union Lodge #32 in 1944. Since that time he had served as secretary of the
Lodge for more than 30 years.
10 years ago (1997): On Tuesday night of last week, at the regular council meeting, Mayor
Steve DiSalvo broke a 4-4 tie vote on the City Hall referendum and voted for the renovation of
the present 108 year old building. Some 60 supporters of the city hall renovation were present,
fearing that the Council members might have been inclined to vote down the results of the recent
referendum election. One of the first to speak was long-time resident, Alice Mackie, who
questioned “why we pay for a vote you are going to ignore.” John Sorenson said a vote “don’t
mean nothing.” Main Street businessman, Jeff Farnsworth stated the downtown integrity must
be maintained. Bill Alt indicated the council info was adequate and by possibly not following
the vote they would set a bad precedence. Tom Alisankus said, “A lot of communities around
Madison have no identity. Evansville is based in rich history. City Hall is a mainstay. Once lost
we will never regain. As elected officials, it is unwise to go against it.” Voting for the City Hall
renovation were Adlerman James Bates, Ron Jennings, Ron Schmit and Tom Cothard. Voting
against the project were Aldermen Harlin Miller, Thayne Anderson, Jeff Hanson and Janice
Turner.
In Review
Fourth Week of November 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Mr. Raymond has sold his grist mill, house, and all the property
connected, Mr. Prentice, of Whitewater, being the purchaser. We understand that it is the
intention of Mr. Raymond to go West in the spring.
130 Years Ago (1877): Business is in the utmost confusion, down to the furniture factory. The
Lehmans are putting their new engine into position, and making steam connections with the
boiler, and changing the entire lines of shafting, to run lengthwise of the mill instead of
crosswise, as it originally stood. They are getting in several new machines, purposely for their
sewing machine work, and arranging everything with a view to business and economy than what
they have heretofore had. Consequently business of every other kind is suspended, both here and
at the foundry of Baker & Co. [Note the Lehman furniture factory was located on the east side
of Enterprise Street and provided power for the Baker Manufacturing Company machines. Both
businesses were destroyed by fire in 1884 and only Baker rebuilt.]
120 Years Ago (1887): Our young men have organized a dancing club called the Evansville
Quadrille Club, with about 45 members, for the purpose of giving social parties every two or
three weeks during the winter at Magee’s Hall. Music will be provided by Prof. J. M. Smith’s
orchestra of Janesville. All lovers of this delightful pastime are cordially invited to attend and
the managers will endeavor to see that all have a pleasant time. The first of the series was for the
benefit of the Base Ball Club, but the remaining ones will be for the benefit of the members of
the Quadrille Club. The second of the series will be given December 9th. J. H. Johnson, F. A.
Morse and Lew Van Wart floor committee. Jas. Broderick, Pres.; G. S. Brink, Secretary; & W.
J. Clark, Treas. Directors: N. D. Wilder and Wm. Magee.
110 Years Ago (1897): The board of education has decided to close the high school on Friday
Dec. 10, making the fall term fourteen weeks. The winter term will commence on Monday, Jan.
3, 1898, in the new high school building. The loss of two weeks in the fall term will be made up
in the winter and spring terms. The high school building will be dedicated on Monday, Jan. 3,
1898.
100 Years Ago (1907): Invitations have been issued for the wedding of Miss Blanche D. Rutty
of Brooklyn, and Arthur H. Devine of this city, which will take place at the home of the bride’s
parents on Wednesday, Nov. 27th.
90 Years Ago (1917): Articles of incorporation of a firm to be known as the Farmer’s Milk
Company, located at Evansville, have been filed with Register of Deeds, Smiley. The
corporation is capitalized at $10,000, and has been organized for the purpose of preparing for
market, storing, buying and selling farm products and handling fuel. The stockholders are:
Robert Spencer, Leo H. Campbell, A. G. Franklin, Fred W. Rodd, andDaniel Finnane.
80 Years Ago (1927): At its meeting Monday evening, the Lions Club decided to again put up a
Community Christmas tree, as was done last year, the tree to be electrically lighted and filled
with candies for the poor children of the town. Mr. Lester Thompson was appointed to get the
tree, which will be furnished by Mr. W. G. Miles. Harry Loomis, Rev. Dwyer and Robert
Collins were appointed as a welfare committee to look after the decoration of the tree and the
purchase of the goodies for the children. A program committee consisting of P. D. Pearsall, L. P.
Eager, and J. P. Mann will take care of the program which will be given at the time of the
unveiling of the tree.
70 Years Ago (1937): Spencer Tracy, has a bit of Evansville in his autobiography, if he ever
writes one. According to an article published in the Chicago Sunday Tribune. Tracy got his
name from a girlhood friend of his mother, formerly Carrie Brown, who attended the Evansville
seminary. Here she met Miss Daisy Spencer, a sister of Mrs. George L. Pullen, and formed a
deep and lasting friendship. So deep was the friendship that she named her son Spencer after her
girlhood friend. Tracy’s parents visited at the Pullen home here a few years ago. Tracy was
born in Milwaukee and attended parochial schools there, later going to Northwestern Military
Academy, Lake Geneva; Marquette University and Ripon College where he developed a desire
for dramatics. He met Pat O’Brien in Milwaukee while working in a lumber yard nights after
school.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Cain were guests of honor Thanksgiving day at a
family dinner at the home of their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Don Ellis and daughter,
Madison. The occasion was the Cain’s 45th wedding anniversary. Other guests were Mr. and
Mrs. Kenneth Cain and two children, Mrs. Earl Deininger and two sons and Olive and Diane
Cain, all of Evansville. Mr. and Mrs. Cain were married in Johnstown, Nov. 27, 1902 and lived
for a short time in Cainville before coming to Evansville to make their home. Mrs. Cain was
formerly Miss Jennie Sperry. Mr. Cain owned and operated a grocery store here several years
ago. He is now employed by the city. In addition to the children and grandchildren at the family
party, they have a son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Cain, Oshkosh who could not
be present. A son, Tom, died in 1930.
50 Years Ago (1957): The Rev. Francis E. Doherty, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church here
the past five and one-half years, has been assigned to a Madison Catholic Church.
40 Years Ago (1967): Sp-4 Leonard M. Nehls, U. S. Army, arrived home Nov. 24, from 12
months service in Viet Nam. He will be home at his parents Mr. and Mrs. Leo C. Nehls till after
Christmas. He received the Bronze Star medal for meritorious achievement in ground operation
against hostile forces. He will be stationed at Ft. Riley, Kan., 387th Repl. Co. after Christmas.
30 Years Ago (1977): A plaque placed on the Congregational United Church of Christ in
Evansville was dedicated Nov. 6, 1977 when the church observed its 125th anniversary. The
church was organized in 1846 and received its charter in 1852. They met in the church erected
by the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was on the site of the Ben Franklin Store. In 1857
they completed their own building at the present location. The church has been enlarged several
times since then. The plaque was selected by Harry Roderick and a church committee. Mr.
Roderick is the Chairman of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. He plans that
this plaque will be the prototype for others that will be placed on significant historic buildings in
the city. [Note: the Methodist Church was located on the site of the newly renovated Eager
Building on East Main Street.]
20 Years Ago (1987): The Downtown Revitalization meeting is set for Dec 9 at the library.
Doug Batty and Larry Dobbs, committee members, state the purpose of the meeting will be to
discuss new and on-going projects with emphasis on continuing façade renovations, Allen’s
Creek project, etc.
10 years ago (1997): Blue cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin has named Joe Decker Vice
President of its Southwestern Region. Decker will direct the sales, marketing, provider relations,
and customer service operations from the Southwestern Region’s Service Center in Evansville.
Decker joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1988 as a sales representative. Decker worked in
United Wisconsin Services’ Legal Department while attending Law School at Marquette
University. Upon graduation, Decker focused on insurance.
In Review
First Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married at the residence of John Dudley, Esq., in Rutland, Wis., Nov.
12th, 1867 by Rev. A. C. Keene, Henry A. Pond and Harriet J. Rose. Married at the residence of
the bride’s father in Brooklyn, Wis., Nov. 21st, 1867, by the same, John A. Ogden of Des
Moines, Iowa and Nellie E., daughter of William Johnson.
130 Years Ago (1877): FIRE: Stable & Carriages Burned. Loss $2,000 – Partially Insured.
About 10 o’clock Monday night a young man discovered fire issuing from the crevices of the
rear stable of the Spencer House hotel and immediately gave the alarm. The stable contained
several horses, a number of carriages, harnesses, hay, feed &c., amounting in all to between one
and two thousand dollars. By a speedy effort the blaze was subdued, doing no essential damage
other than burning the front part of a buggy. The fire proceeded from a bunch of hay that was
piled beneath the carriage. After the fire was subdued, the horses were all removed, and people
generally repaired to their homes, and most were in bed. About half past four, morning, another
alarm was given and the bell on the Free Will Baptist church sounded ominously that a fire was
going on somewhere. People rushed out, but to find the building, which but a few hours before
had narrowly escaped, all in flames, and beyond all possible means of saving any of the
contents. The total loss is variously estimated from $2,000 to $3,000 mostly in carriages and
livery stock, belonging to Mr. Ed. Fellows. The barn belonged to Mr. Case, and was insured in a
St. Louis Co.
120 Years Ago (1887): People who went late to their domiciles Thursday night, thought as they
braved the driving sleet and snow, surely we’ll catch a freeze before morning, but were surprised
in going out Friday and finding a regular January thaw in progress. It gave people a nice
opportunity to clear off their icy walks.
110 Years Ago (1897): Died at her home on First St., Thursday morning, Dec. 2, 1897, Mrs.
Margaret Galligan McCoy, aged 74 years. The deceased was born in Ireland where she married
Mr. James McCoy, May 10, 1848, and sailed from Dublin for this country the same day, and
settled on sec. 17, Brooklyn township where they still own a beautiful farm of 360 acres. Failing
health and old age induced them to move to this city seven years ago, where they have since
made their home. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, eight of whom are still living,
Joseph and Robert at Lakeland, Minn.; George and Arthur at Navoo, Wash.; Charles at
Minneapolis; John at New Richmond; Edward F. in Dakota, and Mary who is now here.
100 Years Ago (1907): A homecoming dance will be given in Magee’s Hall Friday evening,
Dec. 27th. Music will be rendered by Kneff and Hatch orchestra (including drums) of Janesville.
This dance will be given as a reunion of the students who will be home for the holidays, and the
old and young people of this city. All are most cordially invited to attend this party. Come one
and all and have a jolly good time.
90 Years Ago (1917): Hattie L. Spencer Departs This Life. At her home in Madison, Friday,
November 30, Mrs. Hattie L. Spencer departed this life, after a long and lingering illness. The
funeral services were held at the home of the deceased at 432 Francis Street, the funeral being
conducted by the pastor of the Congregational Church of that city, after which the remains were
taken to Milwaukee for cremation, the interment being made in Maple Hill Cemetery. Mrs.
Spencer was survived by her brother, Lieutenant G. F. Spencer, of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, her
only son, Lloyd G. Spencer, having departed this life in 1905. The deceased had many distant
relatives in this city who were present at her bedside during her illiness and mourn the departure
of a woman of sterling worth, whom to know was to love on account of the unselfish generous
nature with which she was endowed. [Note: Hattie Spencer was a professional photographer in
Evansville from 1887 to the 1890s. Her father, George, Sr., purchased a house on North Madison
Street and remodeled the second floor into a studio for his daughter. Hattie married William Metcalf
in 1878 but the marriage was short-lived. When she divorced her husband, she took back her
maiden name. Their son, Lloyd, born the year after their marriage, also used the surname
Spencer. Her brother, George, Jr., a physician, dabbled in photography as a hobby. Hattie
Spencer took many photographs over the years, including Evansville's circus, Seminary classes,
and portraits. When her son was old enough to attend the University of Wisconsin, she moved to
Madison and continued her photography.]
80 Years Ago (1927): The Review this week received the following list of prizes which were
won in a contest which was put on at the Magee Theatre by some outside parties on November
15-16. Prize Winners November 15: First, Vincent Vreeland; Second, Lloyd Apfel, 243 East
Main; Third, Bob Gibbs, 46 North 2nd St.; Fourth, Arthur Smith, Jr., 235 Lincoln Street. Prize
Winners, November 16: First, Carl Kertsten, Porter Township; Second, Harry Cowell, Center
Township; Third, George Lange, Union township; Fourth, M. A. Otteson, Union township; Fifth,
H. Durner, Highland St.; Sixth, George Emery, Union township. Those who donated the prizes
are given as Cain’s Grocery, A. E. Harte, The Ellis Store, Variety Store, the Jewelry Shop, and
Magee Theater.
70 Years Ago (1937): Miss Dorothy Louise Jahn, granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Archie E.
Hart, became the bride of Jens A. Norum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jens Norum, route 1, at a double
ring ceremony performed at 4 p.m. Thanksgiving day in St. John’s Lutheran Church by the Rev.
Theodore Heimarck, pastor. Mrs. Lester Patterson, sister of the groom, acted as matron of honor
and Miss Mildred Funk as bridesmaid. Edwin Haakenson served as best man, Omar Haakenson
as groomsman, and Edwin Julseth and Morris Haakenson as ushers. The flower girls were De
Ette and Joan Devereaux and the ring bearer, Richard Brunsell. Friends of the bride who served
at the reception were the Misses Roberta Collins, Borghild Haakenson, Betty and Luanne
Brunsell. Mr. and Mrs. Norum are making their home in an apartment at 137 Maple Street.
60 Years Ago (1947): Two Evansville men, Morris Jensen and Wilbur Ehredt, recently received
honors from the State Milk Testing organization and with their wives are spending today in
Milwaukee where they are guests of honor of the Luick Ice Cream Company. They will receive
$20 in cash and a plaque as gifts from the company. Mr. Jensen came here in Sept. 1934 to take
up his duties as Evansville and Brooklyn milk tester. When he arrived in this locality there were
24 farmers and 427 cows in the association and at this time there are 150 farmers and 3,330
cows. He is assisted in his work by his daughter, Miss Lorna Jensen. Mr. Ehredt lives east of
the city. His herd average is 505 pounds of butter fat per cow per year. His best cow, a
registered Holstein, averages 850 pounds butter fat in a two times a day milking program.
50 Years Ago (1957): A painting by Prof. John Wilde, S. Second Street, is on display in New
York now as part of the International Hallmark Award now being shown at the Wildenstein
Gallery. Wilde’s painting, “The Glorious Fourth,” is one of fifty paintings in the exhibit.
40 Years Ago (1967): Miss Connie C. Christensen, granddaughter of Mrs. Elsie Christensen of
Evansville, Wisconsin was sworn in the Army Nursing Corps on Oct. 14, 1967. She was sworn
in by her father LCDR Cyrus R. Christensen, commanding officer of the USS Ability (MSO
519). The ceremony took place on the main deck of the Ability at Charleston, South Carolina.
The events of the day were a repeat performance for LCDR Christensen. A year ago, his son,
Ronald Chris, stood before him at the same place and took the oath to enter the U. S. Navy.
30 Years Ago (1977): Richard Waller, 39, cashier for the Merchants Bank of Evansville, was
approved by the City Council Tuesday night and sworn in as the new second ward alderman
replacing Richard Meyers whose resignation, effective Monday, was also approved by the
Council.
20 Years Ago (1987): The American Legion’s district award for law and order went to Arthur
Phillips of the Evansville Police Department, at a meeting of the Clinton Legion Post last week.
Charles Nordeng, Commander of the Evansville Post; Bill Hill, Rock County Commander and
Ted Demiche, District Vice Commander presented the award.
10 years ago (1997): Melissa Hughes, 1996 graduate fo the Evansville High School, is a
member of the ensemble cast for “Mousetrap” to be presented Dec. 3-6 at Barnett Theater, UWWhitewater Center of the Arts.
In Review
Second Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): DEDICATION: The Baptists have their new church completed. The
Baptist Church is to be dedicated on Wednesday of next week. (Dec. 18th.) Rev. Mr. Everett, of
Chicago, and other prominent clergymen are expected to be present and assist in the exercises.
130 Years Ago (1877): A Teachers’ Meeting will be held at Orfordville, Saturday, Dec. 22,
1877, commencing at 10 o’clock a.m. The following is the programme: Reading, Alfred
Snyder; Remarks on above; Analysis of Sentences, Helen M. Welch; Fractions, Annah
Cummings; Passing Query Box; Intermission; Answering questions from Query Box; Use of
Globes and Outline Maps, M. L. Richardson; Discussion on Tardiness; Beginners in Writing,
Wallace Taylor; Remarks on above; Miscellaneous business; Adjournment. Teachers are
invited to be present.
120 Years Ago (1887): Hon. L. T. and Mrs. Pullen, and daughter May, left for their winter’s
sojourn in California, Tuesday. They will first stop in Sacramento, and visit with Rev.
Mayhew’s family, and then go to San Francisco where they will make another stop, and before
starting on their homeward trip, six months hence, will visit Los Angeles and Mr. Pratt’s people
at Pasadena. They will be absent some six months returning by the southern route. [Note: L. T.
Pullen’s family lived at 129 West Main. He wrote “Pullen’s Pencilings: Poems and Prose.” The
book was published by R. M. Antes Publishers and is available in the Reference Section of the
Eager Free Public Library.]
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. J. F. Ennis, proprietor of the Evansville House, pleaded guilty
Saturday to two indictments against him for the illegal sale of liquor, paying $200 fine and $45
costs, a total of $245, which is the highest legal fine that could be imposed. He also signed the
following agreement: Whereas the city of Evansville in the County of Rock and state of
Wisconsin has been annoyed and put to expenses through the violation of the license laws in said
city, and Whereas said city through its officers have refrained from further prosecuting me for
such violations of the law, therefore in consideration thereof I do hereby agree and promise not
to sell directly or indirectly or give away, for the purpose of evading the law of the state, any
liquors of any kind or description to any person in said city for the period of five years. That I do
hereby promise and agree to clean out of my house and premises entirely all intoxicating liquors
of any kind or nature, and not to allow any liquors to be again brought or used in any premises
occupied by me in the city of Evansville, Wis. J. F. Ennis. [Note: the Evansville House was
located on the site of “The Station” at the northeast corner of East Main and Union Streets.]
100 Years Ago (1907): The Girl’s basket ball team of the high school defeated the Brooklyn
girl’s team at Brooklyn last Saturday night, to the tune of 18 to 10. Our girls feel quite good over
their victory, as it was their first game this season and they had had no practice whatever. The
Brooklyn girls will come to this city, a week from Saturday night, Dec. 21st.
90 Years Ago (1917): The music class of Mrs. H. R. P. Richardson will hold a musical recital at
the music school rooms, Friday evening, December 21. This will be a song and instrumental
recital and the parents of the pupils and their friends are invited to attend. The following is the
students in the program: Helen Gray, Hildred Gray, Evelyn Rodd, Catherine Rodd, Josephine
Antes, Charlotte Colony, Ella Everill, Bessie Brown, Crystal Lee, Josephine Antes, Mildred
Blakely. Each pupil will also play a piece of their own composition.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graham announce the arrival of a baby girl at their
home Friday, December 2nd. They will call her Harriett Ann.
70 Years Ago (1937): Common Council, December 7, 1937. Motion by Loomis, seconded by
Ballard that the recommendation of the Water and Light Commission in the matter of rural
service contracts between the City of Evansville and Mae Miles, Melvin Klassey, Joe Tomlin,
Wm. F. Krause, Ferdinand Lange, Mrs. Alvina Krause, Arthur Asmus, Mrs. John Thompson
Est., Mrs. Susan DeRemer, Gordon Page, Russell George, Walter Elmer and Leslie C. Ringhand
be adopted and that the mayor and clerk be instructed to complete and sign said contracts.
Resolved that a sanitary sewer be laid on Garfield Avenue from a point about two hundredninety (290) feet west of N. Second Street to N. Fourth Street and that the Street and Alley
Committee, acting as a Board of Public Works be and is hereby ordered to cause to be made, the
necessary survey, plans and specifications.
60 Years Ago (1947): The street Christmas lights are on again in Evansville and with additions
this year. The light poles have been decorated with large wooden stars with colored light bulbs
on each corner of the emblem. The stars were designed by Robert Cain, made at the high school
by the manual arts class under the direction of Dan Kissel, instructor, and wired by George
Mattakat. The committees in charge comprised L. L. Thompson, J. R. May, Ed Teubert, and A.
C. Holmes, Lions Club members, and Robert Cain, George Mattakat, and Harry Roderick, Jr.,
Chamber of Commerce members have announced that if the wire and bulbs can be secured the
strings of lights along Main Street will extend beyond the railroad tracks to the intersection of
East Main and Union Streets this year.
50 Years Ago (1957): Lions Club next Monday night will spend the time after its dinner
meeting filling candy bags for the annual Christmas party for area children provided each year
by the club and Rex Theater.
40 Years Ago (1967): The Student Council of Evansville High School has mailed 25 Christmas
packages to High School Alumni servicemen. Donations for the packages came from individual
students, clubs, and members of the community. With these packages, the members of the
student Council hope to express in a small way their appreciation to all of the boys from
Evansville serving our country today. Working on the project were Pat Smalley, Sandy Gray,
Sue Gray, Kay Shannon, Lucy Rowald, Roger Sarow, Deb Higgenbotham, Joan Kelley, Pam
Lowry, Jackie Johnson and Mr. Romano.
30 Years Ago (1977): Seventy-five voices joined in Christmas carols and a cantata Sunday night
in the ecumenical choir’s Christmas concert. During the first part of the program, Jenny Stratton
directed a group of modern carols and two traditional carols. The last half of the program, was
the Cantata, “A Song Unending” by John Peterson, directed by Linda Knuckles. Accompanists
were Billie Westbrook and Catherine Fellows, pianists and Alvina Patterson, Organist. Soloists
were Larry Olson, Ruth Olson, Betty Hamilton, Lois Schmidt and Sharon Miller.
20 Years Ago (1987): Irma Steinhoff arrived from Santiago, Chile on December 1st to attend the
wedding of her brother, Rudy to Lauri Sperry, Saturday, Dec. 5. Also arriving to attend their
brother’s wedding were Peter Steinhoff, who came from Orlando, Florida and Wayne who drove
from LaCrosse.
10 years ago (1997): On Dec. 6 and 7, the new Inn Care facility held an Open House to launch
the project in Evansville. Attending the ribbon cutting ceremony were Joy and Lillian Morrison,
Mayor Steve DiSalvo, Thayne Anderson, Scott Arneson, Jeff Hanson, Darlene Einerson, and
Ann Koch.
In Review
Third Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Masons of Cooksville, having completed their new Hall, propose to
have a Ball, St. John’s Day, Dec. 27. The Evansville Band will do the music, and E. T.
Stoneburner prepares the cuisine department.
130 Years Ago (1877): Prof. A. R. Sprague, took to himself an assistant, after his own heart, a
Miss Myra Peck, of Racine. The nuptial event was celebrated Wednesday, the 19th inst., the
parties arriving here by the P.M. train. Mr. Sprague has had charge of our High School for
something more than the year past, and has managed its affairs quite acceptably to the
community. The gathering numbered nearly one hundred persons, embodying a highly
respectable class of our young people and those farther advanced in life. The parlors of Mrs. and
Dr. C. M. Smith’s fine residence were thrown open, and there seemed to be nothing omitted, by
the Dr. or Mrs. Smith that could render the comfort or pleasure of their guests more enjoyable.
Round after round of cakes, with bon bons and bon mots were passed. We understood that Mrs.
Lydia Williams and our own hostess were in charge of the cuisine department. After the tables
were cleared away, Mr. D. M. Rowley was called upon for a few remarks, to which he responded
in a very excellent manner, wishing the new bride and groom much happiness and love in this
life and eternal life and love in the life to come.
120 Years Ago (1887): Thomas Morgan was placed upon a board, closely padded with quilts,
taken down stairs by a number of stout men, loaded into a sleigh, floored over with straw, and
hauled to his home in Cooksville, last Wednesday. He had lain stretched out on a cot for four
long weeks, and when Dr. Smith gave consent that he might be taken to his old home, he felt
comparatively happy even with his broken and wounded leg. He struck up the old hymn “Home,
Sweet Home,” in his usual musical voice as though he meant just what the words expressed. A
postal was received next morning that he arrived safely and was feeling quite well. Later reports
confirm the same condition.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mrs. Charles W. Jones died on Thursday, Dec. 9th, 1897, of
consumption, at the home of her parents Mr. and Mrs. James Francis, seven miles west of this
city. The deceased leaves a husband and seven small children to mourn their sad loss. The
funeral was held at the house on Saturday, Rev. Graves, of Albany, officiating.
100 Years Ago (1907): Elmer Rosa, Blaine Davis, C. Snashall and L. Gillies returned from
Arizona, Monday, where they went to investigate a mine. We have not learned whether the
gentlemen took stock. However, Mr. Rosa says he was well pleased with the country and would
have remained the balance of the winter, if his family had been with him.
90 Years Ago (1917): The evening service of the Methodist Episcopal Church next Sunday
evening will be given up to a patriotic flag dedication, which will be celebrated by beautiful and
appropriate services. The flag will be a beautiful service flag upon which will be placed eighteen
stars—seventeen of them each representing a son and a brother who have offered their lives to
their country’s service and one gold star for the one who has already answered the call of “taps”
from the Great Commander. The names inscribed on the stars for the living: Floyd Neff, Lyle
Blakeley, Paul Jones, Brooks Gabriel, Paul Mabie, Harry Thompson, Lloyd Wilder, Glen Estes,
Raymond Estes, Chester W. Hurd, Arthur O’Dell, Lloyd M. Rowley, Robert Woodard, Harry
McKinney, Harry Milligan, Fay Patton, Harold Seguine, Clarence Stiff, Alfred Stiff and Robert
Antes. It was sad that on this beautiful service flag, this early in the war should have been
necessary to place one gold star, indicating that one of our boys, Lieut. Ivan G. Walton, had
already responded to the call of “Taps.”
80 Years Ago (1927): There will be Norwegian Services at the Cooksville Lutheran church,
Sunday, beginning at 2:30 o’clock.
70 Years Ago (1937): Christmas cheer will be brought to Evansville’s needy families on Friday
of next week when Miss Ruth Chase, city nurse, starts her annual distribution of yuletide baskets
which will include groceries, canned fruits, and vegetables collected in relief barrels placed
yesterday in stores throughout the city, and other donations contributed by public spirited
organizations and individuals. In addition to the food items being collected in the stores, the
pupils of the grade school have placed depositories in the grade buildings where items are being
contributed daily.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Kloften entertained a group of relatives at dinner last
Sunday at their home on Longfield street. The occasion was the baptism of their three and onehalf months old daughter, Linda Kay, in St. John’s Lutheran church that morning. The sponsors
were Linda Kay’s sister and brother, Dawn Ellen and Roger Kloften and two cousins, Marjorie
Kloften and Barbara Kloften.
50 Years Ago (1957): Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Quinn, Route 2, Evansville, will observe their
golden wedding anniversary at an open house on Sunday, Dec. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. at their home
southeast of Evansville on County Trunk A. They have four children and twelve grandchildren.
40 Years Ago (1967): Evansville citizens who have not seen the Christmas pageantry, “Living
Christmas” being offered by the members of St. John’s Lutheran Church still have an
opportunity tonight.
30 Years Ago (1977): The City Council accepted the resignation of Evansville police officer,
Robert Hallmark, effective Dec. 17, and accepted the mayor’s appointment of Thomas Norby to
fill the vacancy. A beginning salary of $870 a month was approved. Norby is an Evansville
High School graduate, has taken a police science course at Blackhawk Technical Institute and a
course in criminal law at UW-Platteville, has nearly completed an Emergency Medical
Technician course and has worked for the city as a part-time dispatcher.
20 Years Ago (1987): Chad Wallisch, Brandon Whitmore and Matt Nardini decorated the Junior
Historian’s Christmas tree, December 3rd at the Eager Free Public Library. Members of the 4th
grade Junior Historians group made the ornaments as would have been done years ago. The
advisor’s for the group are Terry Straka and Sally Eager.
10 years ago (1997): Junior Girl Scout Troop #343 welcomed Evansville police officer, Michael
Goetz, who volunteered to help the girls earn their science sleuth badge. Officer Goetz spoke to
the troop members about various ways officers use technology to assist them in performing their
jobs. He demonstrated the technique of fingerprinting and the girls enjoyed seeing the special
equipment in the squad car.
In Review
Fourth Week of December 1867 -1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Some twenty-five new buildings have been added to our village the past
year, many of them are creditable additions to the place. Several new houses were commenced
but the cold weather has stopped further progress on them. Mr. Spencer has his carriage shop
nearly finished. The building of Mr. Lucas at the end of Winston & Bennett’s block moves
slowly owing to the weather being too severe for the carpenters to work to advantage.
130 Years Ago (1877): The following ladies will be happy to receive calls from their friends on
New Year's Day: Mr. F. H. Treat, Mrs. T. C. Richardson and Mrs. T. Wallis, at the residence of
F. H. Treat, East side; Mrs. Dr. Evans and Mrs. L. Spencer at the residence of Lewis Spencer on
Madison Street; Miss Lizzie Pettigrew, Miss Elnora Andrews and Mrs. D. C. Griswold, at the
residence of D. C. Griswold, Church Street; Mrs. J. W. Osborn, Mrs. A. C. Goodard and Mrs. J.
R. West at the residence of the latter. Mrs. D. Johnson, Mrs. Dr. Smith and Miss Bell Shurrum,
at the residence of Mrs. Daniel Johnson, from 12 M to 8 p.m. Those desiring callers on that day,
and who have not desired this announcement, can signify the same by suspending a blue ribbon
from the door knob.
120 Years Ago (1887): Water Pierce, who has been sometime in Dakota, from union, returned
for a visit, Thursday. He was accompanied by Mr. Franklin, also of that place.
110 Years Ago (1897): Married: At Madison, Wisc. Saturday Dec. 11, 1897, by Rev. E. J.
Baskerville, Mr. Lyle Patterson and Miss Bernice Lillian Lloyd, both of this city. The bride is
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lloyd and graduated from the Evansville high School in
June 1893, The groom, who is a highly esteemed young man, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ad.
Patterson. The young couple will reside on the farm of the groom's father, about four miles west
of the city. Both are possessed of a host of friends who will wish them much joy.
100 Years Ago (1907): Mrs. Jane A. Hopkins died at her home on East Main Street, on Monday
morning, Dec. 23, 1907, of old age. Mrs. Hopkins was born in New York state nearly eightyeight years ago. Her people were of English birth. She leaves a daughter, Florence, and two
sons, Walter of Delavan, and Virgil of Brooklyn. The funeral services will be held at the late
home on Thursday forenoon, Dec. 26th. Undertaker W. F. Biglow will have charge. Interment
will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery. Rev. T. W. North will officiate.
90 Years Ago (1917): At the Evansville House on Christmas Day was celebrated the fortieth
anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bishop. The celebration came in the nature
of a surprise to the parties concerned, and it being Christmas day as well, the occasion was made
one of great rejoicing and festivity. A fine wedding and Christmas dinner was served to the
guests, at the close of which, Mrs. Margaret gray, presented Mr. and Mrs. Bishop with a half
dozen silver dessert spoons as a token of their regard. There were about thirty present and a very
enjoyable time was had. Among those present were Mrs. George Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Will Lee,
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lee and children, Leonard and Morris, Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Gray and daughter, Elizabeth, Mr. Orrie Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Ed.
Lee and daughter, Helen and grandson, Fay, Mr. and Mrs. Worthington and daughter Marion,
and Harry Bishop and three children, Marjorie, Orrin, and Evelyn.
80 Years Ago (1927): While leaving his home on West Main Street at 5:30 last Thursday
morning; Charles Ross was knocked down by an automobile, the end of the fender catching him
as he was walking along, throwing him against the curb. The accident left Mr. Ross badly
shaken up, a large cut over his right eye, his leg severely bruised, and his chest injured.
Inasmuch as the car kept on going after the accident, it was not ascertained who the driver was.
70 Years Ago (1937): Richard and Stacia Henneberry, 14 Railroad Street, are this week giving
to the citizens of Evansville a gift of $600 to be used in the erection of a shelter house in Leota
Park, which will be known as the Henneberry memorial. The offer will be submitted to the
mayor and City Council at a special meeting this week and will be in the form of a letter signed
by the donors. The new shelter house will be an ideal improvement at the park in that it will
provide a place for picnic groups and visitors to go during inclement weather and will also serve
as a storage place for the park equipment during the winter season. A bronze plate bearing the
name of the memorial and the names of the donors will be imbedded in a corner stone.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Orville Devlin, prominent Waucoma Grange members will
celebrate their silver wedding anniversary at their home here Saturday. They were married
Dec.27, 1922, at the home of Mrs. Devlin, who was formerly Miss Clara Rasmussen. The
attendants were Laurence Janes and Alma Rasmussen, who are now Mr. and Mrs. Laurence
Janes. Mr. and Mrs. Devlin have lived in Evansville and this vicinity the entire 25 years. For the
past 13 years the former has been employed by the Evansville Feed and Fuel Company. The
couple has three sons, Marvin, Rolland, and Kenneth Devlin.
50 Years Ago (1957): Order of Rainbow for Girls was formed recently in Evansville. Members
include Margaret Templeton, Edith Tomlin, Nicki Estes, Alice Klug, Susan Warner, Jean Marie
Decker, Merriellen Ashbaugh, Sharon Leeder, Norma Dille, Mary Lynn Estes, Karen Brunsell,
Bonnie Templeton, Bernice Dunbar, Ann Baker, Diane Propst, Pearl Prudhon, Sue Ellen Jones,
Judith Cain, Ann Schwartzlow, Barbara Blair, Carol Warner, Donna Jean Golz, Karen Meier,
Pam Erstad, Barbara Cornwell, and Patty Hall.
40 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. Donald Thompson entertained Sunday afternoon at an open
house in honor of their son, Gary and his bride, the former Kristine Westby, who were married in
Glessen, Germany. Gary has recently been discharged after serving two years in the United
States Army. The young couple will be living at 433 South First Street in Evansville.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Housing Authority of the City of Evansville is accepting proposals
for 20 units of elderly housing. The housing shall be constructed according to requirements of
FMHA 515 Rural Rental House and HUD Section 8 programs on land controlled by the Housing
Authority. The project shall be constructed in accordance with plans and specifications prepared
by HSR & Associates, Architects. The Authority anticipates construction to begin on or about
April 1, 1978 and be completed 8 months thereafter. Judy Gitchel, Executive Director.
20 Years Ago (1987): A record snowfall which dumped a some of 16 inches of snow on
Evansville and the area on Tuesday of last week brought winds up to 73 mph. It was the greatest
snowfall in the area’s history. All Rock County roads were closed and even road crews were
unable to work on the roads. The snow proved to be Evansville’s number 13, and after Saturday
night’s snow, the count now is at 11 remaining. Schools were closed as well as offices and
employees were told to stay home and off the roads. Power was out in some areas, on the north
edge of town for an hour.
10 years ago (1997): The increased popularity of metal buildings prompted the LTV
Corporation, the third largest steel producer in the U. S. to acquire Varco-Pruden Buildings, a
leading manufacturer of metal building systems. The acquisition from United Dominion
Industries Inc., is valued at $187.5 million in cash. Varco-Pruden will operate as a wholly-
owned subsidiary of LTV and has changed its name to VP Buildings. The sale also includes
AEP Span, a manufacturer of building products, particularly metal roofing components.