Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI, November 3, 2004, Page 12

Loggers are already preparing for their winter’s work. We have learned of several crews having gone into the woods lately to make roads, build camps and get ready for the work before them.

Stafford’s bowling alley and billiard room are both in full blast. The alley is a superior one and the table is one of the best in the country. (Stafford started a village one mile north of Neillsville in the 1860s, which was in existence for only a few years. D.Z.)

They have a set of boxing gloves at a certain place in town and quite a number of fellows have been practicing in the “manly art.” This statement can be verified by a good many sore noses, swelled lips and bad eyes seen about town. Boxing is good exercise and anyone can have a chance to show his skill with the gloves.

O’Neill’s Hall, last Thursday night, was the scene of a ball thoroughly German in its character and nearly so in attendance. The Germans, as it is well known, are lovers of good music and are adept in the “poetry of motion.” We could not help noticing particularly the ease and grace with which an “old country” lady, 62 years of age, waltzed around the room, out-doing even those in their maiden years and of fairer form.

George Lloyd and Hank Myers have rented the first floor of the new building of Hutchinson & Merritt. They have put in a stock of flour, feed and such items. George and Hank are well known as enterprising young men, who do business upon first principles and we wish for them a liberal share of public patronage.

The other day it was a strange sight to see a “buck” Indian carrying a papoose upon his back while walking on the streets of our town. An encouraging sign to those who advocate “Woman’s rights.”

William Hutchinson, real estate agent, offers for sale, a choice lot of No. 1 farming lands in the Town of Eaton, in Clark County. The land is located two and a-half miles from Eaton’s mill, on Black River. The tract is said to contain 520 acres. It will be sold at $3.75 per acre, one-fourth cash down, balance to be paid in three or four year payments at six per cent interest.

The dance given at Arch Day’s Hotel, six miles south of here last Friday night, was a success. About 30 couples were present. The supper was served in excellent style. Arch keeps a good hotel. He is one of these genial, wholesome men, who make it pleasant and agreeable for those who stop to spend time beneath his hospitable roof.

Hewett and Woods are building at their new mill on the Humbird road, two new houses, one to be used as a warehouse and the other for a hotel. The travel upon that road is constantly increasing and it is deemed practicable to start a hotel at that site, for the accommodation of travelers. (That site was soon named Hewettville, located near the present Snyder Dam on Wedges Creek. D.Z.)

We visited the new Methodist Church, this week. We found the plasterers just finishing the last coat of plaster. The building looked well and we are justly proud of Neillsville’s first church. We noticed much that is necessary for its completion. The pulpit and seats remain yet to be built and we know that the Church is unable to do it. Is it not our duty to take it in hand and see that it is done? We all know that Mr. Walker, the pastor, has worked with unflagging zeal to secure the erection of the building. He is poor; the Church is poor. Is not the town abundantly able to render the necessary assistance? Will it not be immensely to our benefit? We think so; not only morally, but in every respect.

Notwithstanding the present hard times, George Lloyd & Company is putting in a logging crew on Rock Creek. They expect to get in about two million feet of logs this winter. Free Lindsay will log on the East Fork, this winter. He will start for the woods tomorrow. He, too, plans to have two million foot of logs on the riverbank, come spring.

We have been enabled to learn that good baskets are made in Clark County, as a number have been brought to us by our subscribers to pay for their newspaper. By our receiving these baskets, the fact is established that from farmers who do not feel able to pay cash, we are always willing to take their produce to the amount of our subscription price.

Members of the Otto A. Haugen Post of the American Legion dined on rabbits Tuesday night. A total of 34 rabbits were bagged in the hunt staged by Legion members, last Sunday. Glen Haven, adjutant, supervised the cooking and the nimrods were unanimous in agreeing that Glen did a super job of it. The hunting party with two volunteer game carries, Glen Haven and George Ebbe, hunted during the morning in the Hewettville country and in the afternoon, northwest of Globe.

There were 500 children, of the Neillsville Public Schools who were immunized last week against diphtheria, by local doctors. Superintendent D. E. Peters said the immunization work is now completed.

With the U. S. Army now using the new M-Hi ammunition, which shoots seven miles as against the two and a-half miles of the old ammunition; Capt. Ben Brown of the local Service Co., is taking steps to enlarge the back-stop at the rifle range to comply with the safety regulations adopted by the Government.

Bids have been asked for raising the back-stop to 25 feet with an additional 20 feet added to each end. The job will require the movement of approximately 3,000 yards of dirt. The earth also is to be raised three feet at each shooting point.

The present road to the shale pit is to be moved 10 rods north and all brush along the Government’s land is to be removed.

The state faced the alternative of either purchasing 250 acres of land back of the targets, or raising and enlarging the backstop, the latter course being deemed the most practical and cheapest.

Tom Bruley, well known resident of Neillsville, passed away at Grand View Hospital in La Crosse, Nov. 7, following a surgical operation.

Tom Bruley, who was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Bruley, was born in Neillsville, March 5, 1869. He attended school here and as a young man worked in lumber camps.

In 1874 (1894?), he was married to Rose Jacklin of the Town of Weston. They went to live in St. Paul where he was a streetcar conductor. Later, they moved to Tenino, Wash., where Mr. Bruley served on the police force.

His wife died about 18 years ago and some time later he came back to Neillsville.

In recent years, he has been a well-known figure on Neillsville streets, in summer operating a small confectionery shop on wheels, known as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Sometimes during the winter, he kept a similar shop in the basement of the Kapellen building. He was genial and cheerful, though for many years his health was poor and he was unable to walk about except on crutches.

He was one of 16 children, six of whom still survive: three brothers, George and Archie in California and Fred in Eau Claire; three sisters, Mrs. Wm. Leroy, Antigo, Mrs. O. Neill, Minneapolis and Mrs. Chas. Toohy, St. Paul. He leaves also three grandchildren.

Ole Lowe, who was a life-time friend of the deceased, had charge of the arrangements for the funeral, which was held at Schiller’s Funeral Home on Friday afternoon. Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiated.

Under changed regulations, effective November 1, the hog tax is not paid by the farmer when he sells to a dealer, the tax will be collected from the dealer. However, where the farmers sells direct to a consumer, the farmer must pay the tax.

A skating rink, for children, is being made on the Zimmerman lot, west of the Masonic temple. The work is being done by the city. The use of the land is being donated by the Zimmermans and will be greatly appreciated by the citizens. Youngsters will be able to enjoy skating on this rink without being exposed to the dangers of deep water in the O’Neill Creek pond.

Floyd Hanson, barber, made a brief hunting foray into Eau Claire County, Sunday. He used an old 45-90 caliber Sharp rifle, which his grandfather used to put down a rebellion; single handed in Norway, many years ago. The gun shoots a shell about the size of a bologna sausage with an explosive bullet and kicks like a Texas steer.

Mr. Hanson states that he took up a position on a stump overlooking a “draw” to await the approach of a hunting party he heard north of him. Within a few moments, after he climbed the stump, a large buck walked into view, standing broadside to Mr. Hanson who pulled up the 45-90 and shot. The forest shook with the concussion and Mr. Hanson zoomed up like a skyrocket, landing on his back in a hazel bush. As soon as he could get himself together, he ran to where the deer had stood.

To his surprise, he found nothing but the horns and tail, the rest of the deer having been entirely shot away. Mr. Hanson says he recalls that his grandfather once said that the gun was too powerful for ordinary game, but this was the first time he had ever tested out the weapon.

Mr. Hanson brought the horns and tail into town and says he intends to mount them on a board as evidence of the story, which he admits is not likely to be believed by many hunters.

O. W. Lewerenz, who is planning to build an addition to the Wagner restaurant, which would occupy the space now filled by the Woelffer Music store, has asked the Otto A. Haugen post for permission to use the west wall of the Legion building and two feet of ground at the west side. The matter has been turned over to V. W. Nehs, attorney, for an opinion and advice.

Grandview School, in the Town of Pine Valley, is having a little remodeling done by WPA relief workers. It will be a fine thing for the pupils and teacher. The basement will be cemented and a playroom fixed up for use in stormy weather. They also have dug the cellar deeper so that at some future time a furnace could be installed without any further work. Mr. Millard has been out and inspected the work several times.

Quite a number of Neillsville people attended the lutefisk supper at the United Lutheran Church, Greenwood Thursday evening. The Good Hope Society of that church had prepared a fine meal and all the tables were filled shortly after six o’clock, with many waiting to be served at the second tables.

Reminiscent of the old days when the horse was supreme, farmers unable to make use of their automobiles because of snow-filled roads have been coming to Neillsville in sleighs the past few days. Old horse sheds, which have stood almost totally unused for many years, are again sheltering teams of horses as rural residents attend to their shopping in the city.

Although the main highways have been made passable by plows, many of the side roads were impassable to cars during the first few days of the week.

Rural mail carriers had difficulty in getting over their routes. One farmer, living south of the city reported he had received mail Tuesday for the first time since Friday. In a few cases, milk routes were unable to reach their patrons.

The heavy snowstorm was general throughout the Middle West. At Minneapolis, Monday, it was necessary to close the grade and high schools, more than six inches of snow fell in that area. On Friday, eight and a-half inches of snow fell in Minneapolis, which added to Monday’s snow fall, then blocking streetcar and automobile traffic.

William Yankee, one of Lynn’s oldest residents, died at his home Tuesday, Nov. 27. He was born in Washington County on March 25, 1847. In 1856, he came with his parents to Clark County and settled on wild land. They were among the first three families to settle in Lynn Township. Later, he went to work in lumber camps during the winters. He went through the usual hardships in developing a farm in new timberland. Mr. Yankee is survived by one brother, Herman.

Attend the roast goose supper, Wednesday night. We will be serving fish and oysters on Friday night, Nov. 2. There will be a chicken supper on Saturday night, Nov. 3. Come to enjoy a good time and good music. There is something going on every week at Katy’s Moonlight Tavern, 5 miles north of Neillsville on Hwy. 73, then ½ mile west.

Hake’s Barn will have a free dance Sunday night. If the weather is cold, the dance will be held in the tavern.

Chapman’s Grill will serve Lutefisk and Halibut on Friday night. Saturday night’s special will be Roast Turkey Plate Lunch for 15 cents. Election Night a Turkey Lunch will be served. Listen to election returns coming in all evening.

Sunday, dance at Grand Eagles Ballroom, Central Wisconsin’s beautiful ballroom in Marshfield. Your favorite orchestra, Al Sky and his Musical Stars will be playing.

The Sleepy Hollow School, in the Town of Washburn, will present a program, followed by serving a plate lunch, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 28.

Zimmerman’s General Store was a familiar business, in Neillsville, during the early 1900s. It was located on the northwest corner of Hewett and 4^th Streets. On the west side of the store were horse sheds made available for the shoppers who drove horses and sleighs, or buggies, to the city. The customers could stable their horses in the sheds, a convenience while they shopped around the city. (Photo courtesy of Bill Roberts’ Family Collection)

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