Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI Clark County Press, Neillsville January 23, 1992 Transcribed by Sharon Stelloh Schulte Index of "Oldies" Articles

 

By Dee Zimmerman

"OLDIES"

Reprinted From The Republican and Press

(Originally Compiled by Terry Johnson)

It is estimated that the photo above, looking N.W. over the City of Neillsville, dates towards the turn-of-the-century, from on top of the old standpipe (water tower).  If you look close, you can see the following:

·        (Bottom, left) Allan Hoesly residence, 411 State St. and the Jacob Hoesly residence, 308 E. 5^th.

·        (Middle)   1875 Clark Co. Courthouse

·        (Top, middle)  Neillsville Furniture Factory, which is now the site of the city brush dump.

·        (Middle, right)  American Dairy Stores Condensary, which is now the community fire hall.

·        (Middle, far right)  Hewett St. bridge over O’Neill Creek.

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO – 1967

Gregg and Garth Bertz, identical twin sons of Sheriff and Mrs. David R. Bertz of Clark County, celebrated their 13^th birthday on Friday, January 13^th.  Their great-grandfather, Gilbert J. Thompson (who had also lived at Neillsville) was also a twin and was born on January 13.  His twin, Albert J. Thompson, had lived in Milwaukee.  On the other side of the Bertz boys’ family, their grandfather Forest Thompson (Neillsville) was born on the 13^th of February AND celebrated his 13^th birthday on Friday the 13^th.

“The North View school children… toured Hediger’s dairy plant at Christie last Wednesday morning.  Kurt Hediger explained the powdered milk process and the work of the machines in the plant.”

“46 Below is Official Reading as Area Shivers in Cold Wave”  read the headline on the lead story on page one.

“Seaman John A. Bergemann, USN, son of Mr. And Mrs. John R. Bergemann of Neillsville, is back at sea with the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean after a port visit to Cannes, France, as a crewman aboard the destroyer Samuel B. Roberts, homeported in Newport, R.I.”

FIFTY YEARS AGO – 1942

“Daylight Time – All clocks in the United States will move ahead one hour at 2 a.m., Monday, February 9, according to a law just enacted by Congress and signed by President Roosevelt.  The purpose is to save electricity.  The measure is effective until six months after the war ends.”

“Laura Ingalls Enters A Plea of Innocence.”  “Laura Ingalls, famed aviatrix who spoke in Neillsville on an America First platform a few weeks ago, pleaded innocent in Washington a few days ago to an indictment charging her with failure to register as a paid agent of the German Reich.  Trial was set for February 9, and Miss Ingalls was released under $7,500 bond.”

“Clark County is calling for bids for the purchase of the 160 acre poor farm, located in the Town of York.  Abandonment of the farm was voted last November by the County Board of Supervisors, and jurisdiction of the disposal of the farm was given to the public property committee of the board.”

“NORTH GRAND AVE. By Mrs. Ole Lowe Phone Black 167.”  The ladies of the North Grand Avenue Birthday Club went to the home of Mrs. Julia Dwyer Monday evening to help her celebrate her birthday.  They served lunch after playing checkers.”

SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO – 1917

“New Church to be Opened.”  “The new Christian Science Church has been completed and the first service will be held tonight (Wednesday)…  The new church is a beauty in every detail and one of the very finest public edifices in the city and in every way a credit to Neillsville.”

“Pupils of the 7^th grade have formed a society, the initial purpose of which is to keep the city streets clean, and they have called their organization the “Junior Cleaning Society.”

“A Fine Lecture”.  “On Friday night, Harry S. Bigelow lectured to a very appreciative audience and it was the general sentiment that it was one of the finest lectures ever given in Neillsville.  Mr. Bigelow is a fine speaker and a deep thinker and he gave his audience a grist of material to take home and think about.  The lecture course this year has been especially fine and it is to be regretted that it has not been a financial success.  Plans are under way, however, for another course next year, providing the necessary support is accorded it.”

This issue carried the obituary of Carl Opelt, Sr.  He was born in Rounaburg, Germany, on April 23, 1842, and died “at the age of 74 years 8 months and 17 days” in the town of Levis at the home of his son Max.  Opelt “came to this country from Germany in 1880 and settled in St. Louis, MO and in 1881 came to Wisconsin and settled in Clark County…”  “Deceased led a quiet, peaceful life and was a man well known for his honesty and integrity.  He had a kindly and sympathetic nature and was a friend to all.  He will be greatly missed among his old friends in Lynn.  He was idolized by his grandchildren in the Max Opelt family.”

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – 1892

The front page carried two columns worth of a letter by a James McKinley, who was doing some traveling.  The letter mostly compared the lumber, yield and measurements where he was, (Crawfordsville, Oregon) compared to back here.  The letter ended with, “Expect to leave next week for Los Angeles, and will write another article for the Times, and give reasons why no Clark County man should come to this country.”

A novel, “Love’s Victory” by Bertha M. Clay was carried on page 5 – part of a serialization.

“A hot-water radiator burst at the Clark County Bank Tuesday forenoon and for a few minutes, Cashier Klopf and Bookkeeper Gus thought the accounts would surely be liquidated.  But they managed to grope their way to the cut-off and stopped the rushing steam and water.  The floor got a thorough washing, and the damage was quickly repaired.”

A meeting notice was carried for the annual meeting of the Clark County Agricultural Society.

“There are two new cases of diphtheria in the city this week.”

Sources: Photos courtesy of Billy and Metty Roberts