Clark County Press, Neillsville,

June 2, 2004, Page 28

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

 

Clark County News

June 1874

 

Next to turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, Mr. Robert Campbell has done the most commendable thing we have ever seen suggested.  He has turned the old bowling alley into a wagon and blacksmith shop.  He is doing excellent work therein.

••••••••••

The parties owning lots in the northern suburbs of Neillsville, through which the turnpike runs, have fenced their lots and turned the road in another course.  There is a question as to their right to do so, which is to be investigated by the proper authority.

••••••••••

An anonymous friend, at Loyal, sends an account of a wedding in that town, which he calls romantic.  The young couple, who appear to have been well prepared, packed their housekeeping implements into a lumber wagon and started for their forthcoming home.  As they were yet unmarried, the neighborhood looked forward to something rich to talk about. But as they passed the farm of Rev. Lester Allen, they called the good minister from his work.  They stepped out of the wagon and were married by the roadside, thus spoiling a good sensation.  Our informant says that the happy couple thought it all non-sense to make a great fuss about so small a matter.  Come to think about it, we do not see why it was not just as well for all practical purposes.

••••••••••

Dr. Thomas, of Greenwood, went out in the nearby vicinity a few nights ago, to watch a deer lick.  The lick was soon visited by a large bear, which Dr. Thomas shot at.  Believing he had wounded it, he started in pursuit and soon came to a cub.  He captured the cub and was making off with it, when the old bear returned. She demurred in so threatening a manner that the hunter took to climbing a sapling after an unsuccessful attempt to fire the other gun barrel.  He remained in the sapling until tranquility became restored to the bear family.  The doctor has again turned his attention to deer and concluded to let bear hunting out to older hands at the business.

••••••••••

A post office has been established at Sand’s Mill, in the Town of Mayville.  The upper part of Clark County is still lacking in mail facilities, which we hope to see supplied before long.

••••••••••

Take partners for Ren Halstead’s dance at Humbird, on the evening of July 3rd.  The indications are that it will be the best holiday party given in the county.  The cost of tickets, including supper, is $2.50 each.

••••••••••

We are glad to hear that Mr. Hewett has decided to rebuild his residence and to make even more of a house of it than the one that was destroyed.  It will be larger and of a different style. The work will be commenced at once.

••••••••••

The strawberry crop is the largest that has been known here for years. The woods and fields are red with them.  The boys are picking them to sell, raising Fourth of July funds from their sales.

••••••••••

J. H. Crowns has just opened a photograph gallery over Wells’ wagon shop.  He respectfully announces, to the citizens of Neillsville and vicinity, that he will be happy to take the shadows of all those who may favor him with a call.  Having had long experience in the business, he has kept posted in all the improvements of the art.  He feels confident that he can please the most fastidious.  Specimens of his work can be seen at his gallery.  Pictures can be copied and enlarged, colored in oil, India ink, or watercolor if desired with satisfaction guaranteed.  Good pictures can be taken in cloudy weather.

••••••••••

Mr. H. Parker, who resides a couple of miles west of town, owns one of the most beautiful groves in the county.  He proposes to have a 4th of July celebration in his grove this year.  Every preparation for the entertainment of those who attend will be mad and he extends to all a cordial invitation.  Hon. F. O. Thorpe, who speaks in Neillsville in the forenoon, will be present to deliver an address in the afternoon.  Mr. Parker promises, among other things, some of the best martial music ever listened to.

 

June 1934

 

 large number of cows from farmers’ herds in the Town of Grant and Washburn were moved south to Pray country, early this week.  Many of them were driven and others were taken in trucks. 

 

Farmers took with them, their cans and pails.  The cows will be herded and milked in the new pastures.  Many of the cows will be rounded up on the vacant lands.

 

Len Shaw, Charles Shaw, Ed Dollase and Louis Barton drove their cattle to pastures near Prentice, this week.

 

Donald Acheson came down from Prentice, Friday, and reports that their herd of cattle, driven up there for pasture, is all doing fine.  All of the cattle up there are in good condition, considering the long trip.  Acheson states that the report that some of the Speich herd died, is incorrect.

 

The North Country is filled with herds from the farms farther south.  On that farm occupied by the Acheson herd, there is a barn in which the cows are stabled for milking.  Besides Julius Newman, who went with him, Acheson hires a boy to help with the milking.  The milk is delivered to the plant located in Prentice, a short distance away.

••••••••••

The city of Neillsville and the Town of Pine Valley are cooperating in a project that will give easy access and a shorter route to the swimming hole at Turner’s Eddy.  A road will be built from the north end of Grand Avenue Bridge, leading east back to the water works property, on the opposite side of Black River.  The new road right-of-way is being granted by Herman North.  There are also other donators to the project.  There will be parking space and picnic grounds along the route.  This will be greatly appreciated by lovers of “The old Swimming Hole.”

••••••••••

Mrs. Julius Benedict, one of the community’s oldest residents, passed away quite suddenly early Saturday morning, June 9, at her home on South Oak Street.

 

Celia Ruth Benedict was born on October 21, 1859, at Hatfield, Wis., daughter of Thomas and Lucretia B. Reed.  She attended the local schools and Neillsville High School. On June 20, 1879 she was married to Julius Sydney Benedict.  For many years they lived on their farm in the Town of Grant, later selling the place and moving to Neillsville.  On June 20, 1929, they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding at the old Reed homestead on Pleasant Ridge. There was a large gathering of children, grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.  Mr. Benedict died in July 1931, but Mrs. Benedict continued to live in the old home in Neillsville until her death.  Mrs. Addie Merrill had been employed to stay with her and assist her in the home.

 

To Mr. and Mrs. Benedict were born seven children, four of whom survive: Arthur of Fond du Lac, Mary E. of New York, Murray L. of Berkeley, Calif., and Marion E. of Wauwatosa.  Also surviving are her sister, Mrs. H. O. Huckstead and eleven grandchildren.  The oldest son Russell died in 1920, a daughter Norene died in 1904 and a son Laurel, in 1915.

••••••••••

Neillsville is a city of beautiful trees, but in the past only two few residents have recognized the value of the hardy catalpa, both for the beauty of its blossom and as a shade tree.  These trees are in full bloom this week and specimens may be seen in the yards of Rev. Wm. A. Baumann, Grover Huntley and John Apfel.  The tree, in the yard at St. John’s Lutheran parsonage, was planted by Rev. H. Brandt many years ago.  The catalpa in the south of the Huntley residence was brought here from Onalaska and planted by Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Schuster about 33 years ago.  These trees have been a source of pleasure to many since coming to the blooming stage and a credit to those who planted them. There may be a few other catalpas in Neillsville, but they have not been brought to our attention. 

••••••••••

The working bee at the Hawthorne Golf Course, Sunday, was a big success and the new porch was built in record time.  Mrs. F. J. Baer assisted by Mrs. A. L. Devos, served a dinner to the workers.  Those who helped build the porch were Leo Miller, Alfred Kleckner, Robert Wagner, Frank Johnson, William Crow, E. A. Gustman, D. A. Peterson, Art Carl, Theodore Gall, and E. A. Vanderhoof, Neillsville, father of Mrs. Chet Huyssen, pro at the course.

••••••••••

F. D. Calway, attorney, who has been carrying on a long fight to restore the drainage districts of Clark County as a marsh-land and reservoir of moisture, saw his efforts come to a successful close Thursday.  Judge G. N. Risjord, Ashland, sitting in circuit court here, granted his petition and ordered that drainage ditches may be dammed where such dams do not interfere with agricultural activities.

 

Mr. Calway’s work, in making it possible to reclaim this arid area, is the final chapter in the ill-advised drainage project.  It resulted not only in the loss of thousands of dollars to bond holders but robbed this county of a vast reservoir of water.

 

The Milwaukee Journal in a recent article covering the situation in Clark County makes the following comment:

 

“Neillsville once was a copiously watered land.  It was green everywhere within its boundaries.  It had thousands of brimming lakes, full flowing streams and endless brooks and springs.  Then Wisconsin people cut down the forests, drained the member laid tile in every low-lying field.  They sluiced the water off the land surfaces and drew it even from the underlying soil.  They broke down windbreaks that trees set up. They bared their acres to the sun.  They induced accelerated evaporation.  So they contributed to drought.  Some scientists have said that deserts are man-made; that they formed when men cut down trees, drained marshes, let in the sun and wind.  So men, if they are far-sighted, will do what they can to create local protections against drought.  A major protection is forests.  Another projection is an adequate area of marshlands.  A third is headwater cover, protecting tree growth and shrubbery around lakes and other sources of streams.”

••••••••••

The First National Bank, at Neillsville, opened Monday morning.  It is an entirely new organization, with an entirely new charter.  It has a new official setup, organized under the recently enacted national banking law.  It has a capital and surplus of $60,000, is a member of the Federal Reserve System and comes under the Federal law for the guarantee of deposits.

 

Sixty-five per cent of the deposits in the old bank will be paid off through the new institution.  The remaining assets of the old bank will be collected as rapidly as the times and conditions make it possible with the proceeds being applied on the balance due the depositors.

 

Those who have worked long and earnestly to perfect the new organization, appreciate the patience of the public with the many expressions of encouragement and good will that have come to them.  They feel that this institution will be of service through the coming years in helping to re-build this community, as times improve.

••••••••••

There will be an extra special dance Saturday night, June 23 at Seltrecht’s barn, seven miles south of Lynn and one mile south of Highway 73.  There will be hats, horns and confetti, to help make it a good time for everyone.  Music will be by the 6-piece band, Badger Aces of Abbotsford, accompanied by two lady entertainers. Admission is gents, 35c and ladies free.

••••••••••

Fried chicken will be served Wednesday, June 13, at the Woodlawn Tavern.  It is located 2 miles east and one-half mile south of Neillsville and operated by Art Gall.

••••••••••

You can now buy a standard Sports Roadster Chevrolet for $465 with the new startling price reductions.  Stop in at R. H. Welsh Chevrolet Company in Neillsville.

••••••••••

There are more big values this week at the A&P store.

 

Fine, granulated beet sugar, 10 lbs for 49c; Madison dill pickles, 2 quart jars 25c; Sunnyfield flour, 49 lb. bag $1.79.  The world’s largest selling brand of coffee; Eight O’clock Coffee, 3 lb. bag 55c.  Buy fresh Grandmother’s caraway rye bread, 1 lb. loaf 7c or, white bread, 24 oz. loaf 9c.

••••••••••

Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Marshfield Fair Grounds.  There will be auto races with nationally known drivers in three big events, starting at 2 p.m.  Harness races will be featured with 3 fast heats.  One of the most daring and sensational games of Motor Polo will be presented in front of the Grand Stand.  There will be music and other events.

••••••••••

 

 

A community center, in the village of Lynn, was a busy place for summer gatherings in the early 1900s.  The building had a hardwood floor that was ideal for the many dances that were held there.  Fourth of July celebrations and other occasions used the shelter for their programmed events.

 

 


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