Clark County Press, Neillsville,

December 28, 2005, Page 12

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

 

Clark County News

December 1875

 

Robert Schofield’s camp in section twenty-nine three of Clark County, is said to be the boss logging camp on the Black River.  Tip Hilton is the camp foreman.  The camp consists of one cooking shanty and two sleeping shanties.  It is provided with stabling for over thirty teams of horses, besides having warehouses and other necessary buildings.  Eight million feet of lumber will be put in the river, from that camp this present season, which will be the largest amount yet put in on the Black River by one crew.

 

Along with the other lumber camps, it is estimated that there will be about 240,000,000 feet of lumber put into the Black River and its tributaries during the coming winter.  This will give employment to about 2,500 men; 1,200 horses and 800 oxen.  In connection with this business, over $1,000,000 will change hands within the next five months, the greater part of it being handled in Neillsville.  The wages paid to the men employed will amount to over $200,000.

••••••••••

F. C. Hartford, of Loyal, has issued invitations for a dance at Gwin’s Hall, in the village of Loyal, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1875.  This dance will be the first ever given in their new hall and every preparation is being made to make it one of the most enjoyable entertainments given.  Mr. Hartford never goes into anything to fail, and that the party in question will be one long to be remembered for the enjoyment it will afford those who may see fit to attend, is certain to be.

••••••••••

Mr. George W. Montgomery, of this village, has invented one of the neatest and most convenient articles that have ever been offered to housekeepers.  He styles, very appropriately, “the Housekeepers Companion.”  It is, more or less, a meal chest containing apartments for the various kinds of that staple commonly used in every family.  It has a chest of drawers for keeping sugar, soda, spices and such, where they can be found and reached at any time.  It also has a folding leaf, which makes it an entire outfit for preparing bread or cake for the oven.  It is a nice piece of furniture and needs only to be seen by housekeepers to be appreciated.  It is worth going to his shop to see, where it is on exhibition at present.

••••••••••

Mr. P. N. Cobb, at the new meat market has just received a supply of fresh fish, directly from Lake Superior, the finest fish we have ever seen. Mr. Cobb aims to keep a first-class market and will always keep a supply of fish, poultry and game on hand when it can be had.

••••••••••

Last Tuesday, a tin-smith’s forge, going full blast, was left on the roof of the new Court House by the workmen who had been engaged with their duties up there during the day.  It was discovered during the evening, and the natural conclusion was that the building was on fire.  That forge was kicked out of all shape by the party discovering the fire, as the men who left it there probably would have been had they been around.

••••••••••

The most agile man in the nation is liable to break his neck on the neglected sidewalks of the slothful that fail in keeping the ice, not using shovels or brooms vigorously.

••••••••••

Last Monday morning, a team of horses, attached to a heavy wagon belonging to F. D. Lindsay, took a turn around town without a driver.  They did great damage to a barrel of molasses that happened to be occupying the vehicle at the time.

••••••••••

The Clark County Zouaves have received their new guns.  They now have improved Springfield breech-loaders, and the nicest model of gun being made.  The boys have reason to be proud of their organization and outfit.

••••••••••

We now are threatened with trouble from another source.  It is stated that the accumulation of ice at the Poles will tip this earth over in a few hundred thousand years, submerging this glorious country.  Let us pray that we may not live to see it.

••••••••••

A dishwashing machine is the latest invention.  They will continue to invent washers, wringers, ironers, sewing machines and one thing and another until women won’t be worth fifteen cents a dozen.

••••••••••

Coasting on the sidewalk maybe fun for the boys, but it’s hard on us grown up people to be obliged to clear the track or climb an awning post every rod or two to let a train of them pass.  It’s no fun, either, to come so near turning a back-summersault that your head just catches the ground enough to spoil the performance and makes stars appear.  We hope the boys will find some other place besides Main Street in which to practice that art, and not compel those occupying premises along there to strew ashes on the sidewalks.

 

December 1940

 

Special services will be held in the West Side Reformed Church, Sunday, as members of the congregation celebrate the completion of redecorating activities in the church.

 

For the last four weeks services have been held in the schoolhouse, which served as the church several years ago.  The walls and ceilings of the church were repainted, pews and woodwork have been refinished, and new wiring and electric light fixtures have been installed.  A new rug also has been laid on the rostrum.

 

The junior choir will sing special numbers during Sunday’s service, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and the service will be spoken in both English and German languages.

••••••••••

J. H. Parrish has gone into business in Neillsville, operating a retail store in the Odd Fellows building at the corner of Fifth and West Streets.

 

This location was unoccupied for some time, and Mr. Parrish had ample opportunity to use his talent for construction, painting and arranging.  With his own hands, he made the counters and the candy case. He did the painting and decorating, which has made the interior neat and attractive.  He painted the sidewalls a buff and the ceilings white, while the counters and side panels were done in mahogany and black. The front of the store was painted red.

 

“I have gone into business in Neillsville,” said Mr. Parrish, “because I like the town and the people.  I have lived and worked in seven states. They are all good, but to me Wisconsin, and especially this part of Wisconsin, has the edge on all of them.”

 

Upon the opening of this store, Mrs. Parrish joined the ranks of business-women, of whom Neillsville has not a few.  She will help Mr. Parrish in selling.

••••••••••

An automobile belonging to S. G. Patey of Neillsville, stolen while Mr. Patey was attending church services Sunday, November 24, was recovered in Menomonie Tuesday.

 

Mr. Patey was notified by the Menomonie police chief, that the car had been abandoned on a street in that city several days ago.  The car apparently was in good condition, it was reported.

••••••••••

“Old Mary” has made her last “chug” for the city of Neillsville.

 

Old Mary is the first mechanical fire engine the city ever owned; now approaching a mechanical marvel of from 25 to 30 years service.

 

When she first was bought to serve the Neillsville fire department, she was a secondhand machine.  But that stigma never seemed to bother the old Model “T.”  She puffed right along with the best of them throughout the years, and even today she will stand up and give all that she can.

 

At times, while on duty, soe (she) would work herself into a cherry-red heat, as some of the older fire department members recall.  “But,” mused Fire Chief William A. Dahnert, “we just poured some cold water into her and she kept right on plugging; never phased a bit.”

 

No one actually christened the fire engine “Old Mary,” in the sense that a soft drink bottle was broken over her radiator.  The truck’s name was adopted by some firemen, who had a tender feeling for the machine.

 

But now, the city no longer has use for it and its last storage place, in the telephone company’s warehouse, must be turned to some other use.

 

So the best thing to do with it, the council decided, is to sell it to the highest bidder.

 

Although Old Mary has seen upwards of a quarter-of-a-century of service here, no one is quite certain exactly how many years old she is, she has been a ready servant right up to the present day.

 

In the days when the red fire truck was the queen of the department, Old Mary was used as an auxiliary engine, devoted mainly to carrying an extra length of hose.  But in the last year or so, since the white fire truck has been the pride of the department, Old Mary has been relegated to making the lowly chimney fire runs.

••••••••••

Plans for a series of free dances for young people of high school and eighth grade ages were being developed here this week, by a committee of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

 

Civic clubs of the city will be invited to cooperate in sponsoring the dancing parties, with two organizations working together on each party.  The cost per unit has been estimated at $5.  At its meeting Monday night, the Kiwanis club expressed its approval of the plan and pledged its cooperation.  The plan is to be presented to other clubs within the next few days.

 

According to Miss Florence Hansen, a member of the Women’s club committee, the projected parties will be designed to provide wholesome entertainment and a pleasant atmosphere, for young people of the community.  Chaperons would be provided by the civic groups.

 

The first dance probably will be held sometime in January, Miss Hansen said, and the desire is that they be held about every two weeks during the remaining winter months.  The schedule, she indicated, would be subject to the schedule of school activities in order that there would be no conflict.

 

Members of the Women’s club committee, in addition to Miss Hansen, are: Mrs. Hazel Hubing and Mrs. A. E. Russell.

••••••••••

St. John’s Lutheran Church annually conducts an entire German children’s service during the Christmas season.  It is the only one in the city and surrounding community.  Much interest has been shown in this service, for the old familiar Christmas carols, which are sung by the audience from a printed leaflet.  An audience of 300 attended last year’s service.

 

This children’s service is scheduled for Sunday, December 22, at 7:30 p.m.  Recitations, dialogues and catechizations are a part of the program.  The following children have volunteered; Ruby Meihack, Alice Geisler, Arleen Eslinger, Joyce Eslinger, Leana Ott, Elsie Wagner, Grace Baumann, Raymond Zipfel, Paul Bartell, Herbert Jaster, Althea Kluhsman, Edgar Ott, Velda Lewerenz, Betty Marg, Joan Tock, Milton Tock, Harold Schmidt, Roland Jenni, Jeannine Borde, Gary Schroeder, Doris Ott, Delores Marg, Arlene Jelinski, Melvin Dux, Harris Dux, Ronald Meihack, Billy Schlinsog, Wendell Ott, Ruth Wetzel, Walter Wetzel, Marvin Meihack and Richard Tock.

 

St. John’s Lutheran Church cordially invites all who are interested in the Christmas messages through the medium of the German language.

••••••••••

The Rev. E. G. Pfeiffer, of Greenwood, has furnished The Clark County Press a translation of a favorite old German song, popular in the Christmas Season.  This is sung to the tune “Alle Jahre wieder kommt des Christus Kind.”  The last line of each stanza is repeated.

 

Soft, with footsteps holy, comes the Christ Child blest, to the meek and lowly, brings them peace and rest.

Gives them all a blessing, where they bid Him dwell.  My beloved, fear not,” Chimes the Christmas bell.

He will safely lead us, through this world of sin, to the quiet waters, and to pastures green.

Safely, He will guide us, while on earth we roam, ‘til we cross death’s Jordan, to our heavenly home.

••••••••••

Up to 400 aliens, residing in Clark County, have registered under the alien registration act, it was estimated this week as the deadline for registration approached.  The deadline date is Thursday, December 26.

••••••••••

Thirty-four members of the Service Company and Company I, 128th Infantry, to which several local boys were transferred after induction into Federal Service last October, returned to their homes late Sunday for the Christmas holidays.  Four others arrived a day earlier.

 

The main contingent started out on a 10-day furlough from Camp Beauregard, La., at noon Saturday on a special train, and arrived in Merrillan about 9 a.m. Sunday, where they were met by cars, of which many were secured by Legion Commander Harry Roehrborn to transport the guardsmen to Neillsville.

 

Those making the trip home were:

 

Master Sgts. Claude Ayers and Francis R. Welsh; First Sgt. Harley F. Jake; Staff Sgt. Elmer R. Barr; Sgts. LaVerne Gaier, Jessi A. Mike, William E. Neville and Louis A. Zschernitz; Corps. Leonard G. Rupprecht, Thomas A. Flynn and Arthur (Stir) Wagner.

 

Privates Irvin Blackdeer, Wilbur Blackdeer, Edwin H. Bruhn, Willard L. Green, Gerald O. Janke, Elwood D. Seller, Clifford Blackdeer, Eugene L. Cooper, George H. Florence, Ernest M. Fremsted, George Green, Henry W. Herian, Orville R. Jake, Fred R. Marty, William Mike, Carl F. Nauertz, Samuel H. Neuhaus, Donald Paulus, Clarence Shaw, Emanuel Thundercloud, Donald J. Whaley, Herman Moen, Dwayne Felser and Benjamin Winneshiek.

 

Among other things brought back by members of the outfit was word that the 128th Infantry’s football team remains undefeated.  Clarence (Bud) Bremer, former Neillsville High School star, is a member of the team. While Bremer was a backfield man in his high school days, he is used as a utility man on the 128th Infantry squad.

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The above photo depicts the activity of shopping in stores along busy Hewett Street in Neillsville, circa 1940.  (Photo courtesy of Bill Roberts’ family collection)

 

 


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