TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

1967

 

Weather made headlines: “Area reels under the impact of a wide variety of weather. Rain storm and sleet hit county” “Several areas of the county were without electrical service for periods ranging from 19 minutes to more than 10 hours at the present writing….”

 

“New Windows: Eight new stained glass windows, all memorials, were installed Monday and Tuesday in the Granton Methodist Church. A dedication service is being planned for a later date.”

 

Henry E. Rahn, auditor and assistant administrator for Memorial Hospital, released payroll figures for 1966.  The actual payroll for the year was $423,725.74. The one page story contrasted this figure with the figure for payroll that had been projected by those who had solicited investors for the initial construction of the hospital. That figure was a quarter of a million. The hospital was in its 13th years of operation at the time of the story.

 

Garry L. Arndt, son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Arndt of rural Neillsville, and a graduate of Neillsville High School, was among U. S. Airmen who rescued two lost U. S. Civilian fliers over the Atlantic.

 

Attractions scheduled at the Neillsville Theatre were: “Cast a Giant Shadow” with Kirk Douglas, John Wayne and Yul Brynner; “Birds Do It” with Soupy Sales; and “Dead Heat on a Merry-go-round,” with James Coburn.

 

Warrior basketball reports were written by Wayne W. Trimberger and Glenn (Gus) Lezotte.

 

Thomas Auto Sales, of Loyal, advertised some used car bargains --  ranging from $2395 for a 1965 Buick 4-dr with power steering and brakes to $150 for a 1957 Buick 2 dr.

 

FIFTY YEARS AGO

1942

 

Lowell Schoengarth, son of County Judge and Mrs. O. W. Schoengarth and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin law school, was admitted to practice before the Clark County Circuit Court Saturday by Judge E. W. Crosby.  Dist. Atty. Bruce F. Beilfuss, his cousin, appeared for the petitioner.

 

A front page story told of the felling of a giant elm tree in the Town of York.  It was estimated to be 400 years old. The trunk was 48 inches. The story also quoted an item in the newspaper 41 years previous: “Richard Selves hauled an oak log to Bruley’s Mill Monday from out east which was a monster.  It scaled 880 feet and measured four feet 8½ inches across the butt.”

 

“County Schools start on early teacher search, severe shortage in 1942 is forecast by the County Superintendent” …With the armed forces drawing increasingly on school teachers, largest pay attracting others to industrial centers, and the diminishing number of teachers to be turned out by colleges and Normal’s this year, Mr. Slock [County School Superintendent] expressed belief that the slack in the situation will have to be taken up by pressing into service once again former teachers who have retired to household duties and other jobs.”

 

In other news related to the schools, the Press reported: “Approximately 20 percent of Clark County’s rural and village schools are conducting Saturday classes in order that children might be released earlier to help with spring farm work…”

 

Mumps was a widespread disease in the county in recent months, with 54 new cases reported for the week ending January 17.

 

An ad for the Hauge Floral Co. advised: “You’d better be SAFE than SORRY and you will be if you ‘Say it with Flowers’ on HER birthday!”

 

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

1917

 

“High School Notes” “Monday night the freshman enjoyed a five-mile sleigh ride which carried them to the home of Marie Hubing, where they ate their lunch, played games and had an enjoyable time generally.  Miss Cronk and Miss Eitelgorge chaperoned them.”

 

Bob Eunson, who had moved to Lewiston, Montana, told how he was doing in ranching, gave his change of address for his subscription to The Neillsville Times, and said hello to all his friends here.

 

Five doctors published a notice regarding their increase in fees. “After February 1, 1917, the minimum fees for medical services will be as follows: Regular visits or consultations at office, $1.00 and upwards; Regular visits to patients residence, $1.50 and upwards; Night Calls: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. double of day rate; other services in proportion. These rates apply to city only.  Country Calls: Country calls same as city calls plus 75¢ per mile one way. Night Calls: Double rate for calls. The increase in charges has become necessary owing to a general increase in the case of all commodities and doctors are no exception to economic laws and must meet their obligations.  Assuring the public of the very best services we can render we are respectfully Dr. C. F. Bachmann, Dr. A. Matheson, Dr. J. H. Frank, Dr. E. L. Bradbury, Dr. R. W. Monk.”

 

Zimmerman’s, “The big store with the little prices,” advertised a sale on “Several lots of Rubbers, broken sizes, are being placed on special sale at prices which enable you to get BIG BARGAINS at VERY SMALL PRICES.  Make your selections early as we have not all sizes of each kind.”  Prices ranged from 85¢ to $2.66.

 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

1892

 

The January thaw, despaired of, got here on time, and the roads were soon reduced to slop.”

 

“One of Dorr Neff’s children has been having a severe whirl at the grippe, but is better.

 

“Flour trains go pounding through here at night, now, making noise enough to wake the dead.”

 

“To prevent logs bruising the dam at Black River Falls, while running in the spring, a boom has been constructed from the chute at falls, 1,600 feet long. This will be effectual if it does not cause the logs to jam, which it seems will be unavoidable.  This is the longest side boom on the run.”

 

“Who is to Blame?  Last Saturday a funeral was held in this city, and the sorrowing procession, bearing the body of a child, arrived at the cemetery, and found the grave only half dug. Friends hunted up picks and shovels and labored from 11 till 3 o’clock in the frozen ground, before the ceremonies could be completed. All that time the anguished parents and friends waited. This is a diabolical outrage, and the person responsible for it should be summarily dismissed.  Who is to blame?”

 

“Frank Maxwell came down from St. Paul last week, and has been doing an artistic job on L. M. Sturdevant’s fireplace.”

 

“The party that went to the dance at Marshfield Friday night was made up of the following: F. S. Hewett and wife, James O’Neill and wife, F. W. Archer and wife and H. W. Klopf and wife. And they report having had a fine time.  Maj. Upham took ladies out for a drive Friday afternoon.”

 

“The Graves of Loyal cracked a petrified smile on our streets yesterday.”

 

 

A late 1940’s view of Hewett Street, looking north from 5^th Street; To the far left is J. C. Penney, Kearns Drug Store and Sniteman’s Drug Store.

(Photo courtesy of Bill and Metty Roberts)

 

(Note that the other photo on this page we could not reproduce, it was an inside view of Wolff’s Meat Market taken around the turn-of-the-century, showing three butchers and looked like they were slaughtering fowl.  Wolff’s Meat market was located in the building now occupied by Mabie’s Barber Shop.  Pictured were John Wolff and Otto Zank, and the third man was not identified. Dmk)

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