Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI December 7, 1994, Page 32 Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon. Index of "Oldies" Articles

Good Old Days

By Dee Zimmerman

News of 1894:  County land in neighboring Jackson County had land available at $10 per forty in the Town of Brockway, fifteen miles north of the city.

The Unitarian Ladies Society held a doll fair at the church parlors on Clay Street and 5^th Street corner, on a Tuesday afternoon.  Dolls, fancy work and various useful articles were to be on sale.  Supper was to be served from six to eight o’clock.  Bill of fare: Scalloped oysters, sliced ham, baked beans, salad, brown bread, pickles, fruit lemon jelly, cream cake, devil’s food cake and coffee.

A. Barton & Son will put up an extensive addition to their shops on Sixth Street early next spring, installing a steel roof over the old and new part, and then beginning the manufacturing of vehicles.

Special – mixed Christmas candy, 10 cents per pound at Chas E. Leer’s store.

C. C. Sniteman Co’s Shopping List Specials: Card case, nut picks, pipe sets, cuff and collar boxes, glove and handkerchief boxes, tourist’s dressing cases, crumb trays, work boxes, scrap books, autograph albums, etc.  Celluloid picture frames at 10 cents each.

Alex Holverson received a St. Bernard dog, full-blooded and registered from Davenport, Iowa Tuesday.  Fine dog!  Pay your dog tax, Alex.

After a council of war at the Merchant’s the other night, the boys were all christened and some now wish they had staid way.  The worst nickname of all is “mush head.”

Town of Levis & Pine Valley:  A chandelier is expected soon for the church, given by Rev. Brown.

Miss Osgood of Granton and Della Green of Carlisle have exchanged schools for the winter.

D. A. Neff had a water heating apparatus put on his farm.  This means better results for the same amount of feed and labor.

West Weston:  Wash Loy has bought a horse.  He doesn’t walk to town any more.

Another addition has been built to the creamery in the last few days.  It is a fine building and speaks well for Weston.

Shortville:  Thomas Ward is among the last of those who are not able to work, having cut his foot while chopping wood.

Pleasant Ridge:  Wm. Swann has a new wagon and tool shed.

A meeting was held at the Methodist Church Monday evening to decide upon a Christmas tree.

Christie:  Mr. Burpee has a new ice house.  There was a festival in the church Dec. 1, to raise money to buy a new organ.  Receipts were fourteen dollars.

The creamery is about completed, so bring in your milk.

Humbird:  Bert Albright our young and business-like town clerk is busy, both night and day in order that he may get the tax roll out on time.

G. W. King’s hunt proved a success as he succeeded in getting hungry. George, you are a good hunter, but you can’t kill what you cannot find can you? 

York:  There was a dance at Dick Free’s Tuesday night.

Wm. Harriman came up for the school ma’am Friday.

75 Years Ago:  All sidewalks in City must be cleaned of snow, by its owner; within four hours after each snow storm or the city crew will be put on to do the work at a charge of 40 cents per hour to the owner.

There will be another dance at Christie hall on Friday night.  Dec. 5.  Music will be furnished by the Neillsville Orchestra.  All are invited to attend.

Westboro Lumbering Co. is hiring men.  Any man who wants a good job for the winter call Joe.  Wages $55 to $65 per month

Zimmerman’s have only one natural color coon coat, rat collar and cuffs at less than wholesale, price $150.00.  Men’s horsehide fur lined mittens only 65 cents.

Quite a snowstorm on Saturday: Now all aboard for some good old sleigh rides.

Eugene Short took the high school girls to town Sunday afternoon.

On Nov. 26, Mr. Ferdinand Dahl and Miss Frieda Garbisch were married by Rev. Hasz at his home near Granton.

Amos Kegley, George Kegley, Chas. Mackeprong and Floyd Hagie returned home from up north Sunday and each was the proud owner of a deer and a few bear scratches.

Kenneth Grabe, John Diernszenski, and Dale Fulwiler have resolved to stay in nights until the first of next May.  Well, boys, it’s too early to make resolutions, and besides May is along way off.  Here’s hoping you stick to your resolution.

50 Years Ago:  Dale Armitage is the new city clerk, appointed by Mayor Anderson.

Ration Calendar – Tire inspections still necessary for tire replacements.  For your protection against black market, endorse all gasoline coupons immediately.

A new locker plant is projected for construction in Owen.  The proprietors are Stigsen and Hansen.  The plan calls for 500 lockers, in a building 50 x 80 feet.

Marion Romanowicz was married to Bernard Kiewicki of Thorp.

Twenty-five years ago the county board decided to buy the Withee and Carl Johnson farms east of Owen as a site for the “new” county farm.

L. J. Snyder joined in the fun at the charivari, put on by friends to celebrate his marriage.  He took his bride in a wheel-barrow and pushed her thus to the American Legion Hall in Thorp.  There the party continued, with dancing and refreshments.  A six-piece band led procession to the hall and played for the dancing.

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Tact is the ability to describe people as they see themselves. – Abraham Lincoln

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Do as you would be done by is the surest method that I know of pleasing. – Lord Chesterfield

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People are usually more firmly convinced that their opinions are precious than that they are true.

–       George Santayana

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December is the month for Christmas Season parties and has been through the years.  These Neillsville ladies belonged to a bridge club and like other organizations enjoyed going out to eat once or twice a year.  On this special occasion (circa 1950) they dined at the Fireplace Supper Club, west on Highway 10.  Front row, left to right: Esther Perry, Beth Munger, Lorena Rude, Aleta Allen, and Edna Russell; back row: Evelyn Schwantes, Marie Covell, and Harriet Peterson.

Neillsville Chamber of Commerce toys for Christmas in 1951.  Left to right: Harold Trewartha, Director of Social Services; Herbert Smith, Sec.-Treas. and James A. Musil, president of Chamber of Commerce.  Do you recognize some of the toys looking like those you had in your house during the 40s-50s?  The tricycles, stars & stripes rubber ball that was red, white and blue, the dolls and that little animal squeaky toy-their look-a-likes shared the toy room at our home.