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January 3, 2024, Page 10 Contributed by "The Clark Co. Press"
Extracted by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon. Index of "Oldies" Articles |
Clark County News
January 1, 1944
Fought bravely in the Buna Crisis
The Man of the Year of Clark County, as selected by The Clark County Press, is Herbert Milton Smith, lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. In the year just ended Lieut. Col. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart for leadership and heroism at the Battle of the Beaches at Buna, New Guinea. He represented the people of Clark County at destiny’s most critical point in the southwest Pacific and acquitted himself with high honor. In selecting him it is the purpose of The Press, as it would be the desire of all the people of Clark County, to recognize him as the representative of all those who have gone out from this county to the armed services of the nation. He is, so to speak, the composite of some 2,000 people who represent the people of Clark County in the fighting services of World War Two. To all of them, and to Lieut. Col. Smith as their representative, it is the purpose here to pay tribute.
The selection of Herbert M. Smith as Man of the Year was made without consulting him, and in the knowledge that, if he were consulted, he would disapprove. But in his service on New Guinea, Lieut. Col. Smith made history, and the public acts which make history pass beyond individual control. His citations within the service, and this recognition on the Home Front come as the logical sequel of his public and recorded acts, which give him a place in history. All of the information contained in this article has been gathered from publications already made in this country, and more particularly from articles appearing in the Fortune magazine of June 1943, and in various issues of the Milwaukee Journal.
But, if Col. Smith was not consulted, his commanding officer, Lieut. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, was consulted. To a letter from this newspaper General Eichelberger made the following reply; – “You certainly could have made no better selection for the Man of the Year of Clark County than Lt. Col. Herbert M. Smith. He proved himself to be an able soldier and a very brave man.
The Man of the Year Lieut. Col. Herbert Milton Smith (Contributed photo Jan. 1, 1944)
The Citation
Lieutenant Colonel Herbert M. Smith (0241957)
For extraordinary heroism in action near Buna, New Guinea on 7 December 1942.
While commanding an infantry battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, without regard for his personal safety, went to the most forward positions of the units on his right flank and encouraged those troops to continue an attack which had encountered heavy automatic weapon fire from prepared and strongly defended enemy positions.
He continually exposed himself to enemy sniper and grenade fire as he moved among the men and directed their advance.
His courageous, personal example and his energetic efforts were an inspiration to the men of his command.
Lieutenant Colonel Smith was wounded in this action by fragments from a rifle grenade.
Home address: Mrs. Dorothy M. Smith (wife), 209 S. Hewett Street, Neillsville, Wisconsin)
*****
January 1, 1954
Dairying Promises best is judgment
In broad readjustment, Clark County has a definite advantage
In the further development of dairying lies progress for Clark County. This is the unanimous judgment by The Clark County Press in preparation for this New Year edition. This county is now one of the leaders in the United States in the volume of milk production and of the manufacture of dairy products. Its opportunity in the Second Century of its history lies in developing further efficiency in the field in which it is already a leader.
Important considerations prompt the raising and answering of this question about Clark County’s future. The first consideration is that the county, in its first century, underwent two transitions. Starting with lumber, the people of the county gradually developed what is usually known as general farming, with grain as the money crop. But the chinch bug put the brakes on grain, and the early farmers turned to dairying.
Growth of dairying
Throughout the last 50 or 60 years of its first century dairying developed steadily, but as the first century ended and the second began, dairying was in the doldrums. A transition was taking place which was little short of a revolution. The question was whether Clark County would continue dairying as its major pursuit, or whether it would turn, in whole or part, to some other forms of agriculture. The consensus is that Clark County will stick to dairying, and that its opportunity lies in developing further efficiency in the production of milk and dairy products.
*****
Mr. Leach and his son-in-law, Rudy Volk, cut in 1953, the last important stand of virgin timer in the Neillsville area. They were taking about 300,000 board feet of pine, maple and red oak from Section 31, town of Weston. The log upon which Mr. Leach has his hand measures 39 inches in diameter. (Press photo Jan. 1, 1954)
*****
January 3, 1974
City records large jump in 1973 building permits
The city of Neillsville recorded a 288-percent increase in residential and industrial construction in 1973 as compared to 1972 totals, according to Francis Laatch, city engineer, who recently released cost totals for building permits approved last year.
The large increase, totaling $1,006,537, was boosted by the construction of the Court Terrace Apartments which carried a cost of $410,000.
Other permits recorded included 16 new homes, as compared to five in 1972, with a construction cost of $336,500; $90,037 worth of remodeling on existing residential property; and $170,000 of industrial expansion in the city.
The 1972 totals for permits were $289,881.
*****
Local snow racing team wins big
A Neillsville based snowmobile racing team recorded wins at a Black River Falls snow festival this past weekend.
The team, Martin’s Marauders, picked up seven trophies, which included Bonnie Martin winning first place in women’s class III and third in class II.
Other winners from the team include Mike Griesbach, Marshfield, with a first in stock “C” class; Dick Carolfi, Granton, took third in stock “D”, Griesbach taking third in stock “E”, and Carolfi taking an easy second place in the open class.
On Sunday, John Martin, Chili, another member of the Marauders, took first place in stock “C” and second in stock “D” races.
Carolfi traveled to Minocqua on Sunday to take third in stock “C” racing and second in the open class.
Earlier in the season, the team brought back six trophies from races at Taylor.
*****
Advertisement in the Press, (Jan. 3, 1974 issue.)
*****
January 5, 1994
Curb stops present problem
The Neillsville Common Council, in its Dec. 28 meeting, decided to start a maintenance program on the city’s curb stops–those mushroom-shaped water shutoff valves located between the sidewalk and street curbing.
Council members unanimously approved a plan aimed at minimizing the height that curb stops would protrude above ground level. No specifics were discussed, however.
Al Flicek, a Department of Public Works employee at the meeting, said that the curb stops were coming out of the ground due to the effect of frost heave.
The city’s liability insurer had earlier last month settled a personal injury claim filed on behalf of Carl Nemitz, the 11-year-old son of Carl and Barbara Nemitz, Neillsville. The boy fell from his bicycle and onto a curb stop last July.
*****
Mayor’s race one of a few in county
In an election year that is seeing almost all incumbent officials in the county going unchallenged, the seven term mayor of Neillsville was one of the few facing opposition as the deadline for filing nomination papers passed a 5 p.m., Tuesday.
Neillsville mayor Robert Lulloff, whose term expires in April, is being opposed by Diane Murphy, 47, owner of MPC Accounting. This is Murphy’s first try for public office.
Other Neillsville council members up for reelection this year are third ward alderman Harvey Pischer and Sam Ray, alderman of the fourth ward. Pischer is running for a second term. Ray is seeking his eighth term in office. Both are unopposed.
A number of area school board members are also up for reelection this year. In Neillsville, incumbents Marcia Manz and Mel Mueller are running without opposition.
Robert Lulloff (Press photo Jan. 5, 1994)
Diane Murphy (Press photo Jan. 4, 1994)
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