Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI June 4, 1992, Page 28

These two photos were taken in the main room or assembly room of Neillsville High School in 1920. The main room of high schools in that era had various purposes. It was used for study hall when students had a free hour from class room studies. Also, some classes were held in that room, as the photo shows a full length blackboard on two sides.

Whenever an announcement had to be made (the days before intercom) to the entire student body, the teachers would tell their classes to meet in the main room or assembly at a set time. So, often that room was referred to as the assembly room as it was usually large enough to have seating room and desks for the entire four classes.

As we think back, we can probably remember such things as note passing and little pranks that went on during study hall. After all, how could any teacher in charge of overseeing study hall possible (possibly) be able to see everything going on in that large room (?) Of course, there were some who had designated desks located around the teacher’s desk to avoid the temptation of trouble.

In viewing the photos, note how the students were dressed. The young fellows wearing dress shirts, neckties and some suits. The young ladies in blouses, skirts or dresses. They are a nice looking group. There were no blue jeans allowed at that time. When I was in high school, I remember a classmate coming to school one day wearing bib overalls and being sent home because of improper attire. We, the classmates, thought he didn’t want to be at school that day and knew he would be sent home if he wore overalls. His scheme worked.

The left half of the main room is shown in this photo. In the center and background is E. J. McKean who was principal at that time. In the front row, middle, is Sally (Olson) Schwarze. Behind Sally and a little to left is her brother, Robert Olson. Then behind Robert is Kenneth Ruddock (the 6’4” basketball center). Between (in next row) Robert and Kenneth is Barbara (Olson) Daniel, a sister to Robert and Sally. If you know and can identify anyone else in the photo let us know. Photo provided by Ken Olson, saved by his sister, Ellen (Olson) Johnson.

The right half of the main room was taken in a second photo. Florence Bradford is in center front row. The second fellow in the second row a Gallagher. There is a Sontag, son of Jules Sontag. Also, Melvin Vine, Isadore Svirnoff and Art Lastofka (somewhere in the photo). If you know and can identify anyone else in the photo let us know. Photo provided by Ken Olson, saved by his sister Ellen (Olson) Johnson.

“Re-elected to a record-breaking 17^th term as chairman of the Clark County Board of Supervisors at their reorganization session here Tuesday was Hastings R. Baird of Greenwood, left (chairman). The 27 member board also re-elected H. H. Quicker of Neillsville to his 16^th consecutive term (as vice-chairman). Both men have served longer in their positions than any other person in the 103 year history of Clark County.”

The county board voted to contract with the Wood County Mental Health services to conduct a mental health program in the county for the last six months of 1967.

The first vehicle purchased by the Municipal Ambulance Service was a 1964 Cadillac. Bids were being taken for the purchase of a station wagon as a second unit.

“County Resident Aids in ‘Expo 67’: Clyde Grambsch of Loyal, president of E-Z Kamper, Inc., of that city, returned last week from Montreal, Ont., where he spent two days of business in connection with Canada’s centennial, ‘Expo 67.’”

The Memorial Hospital auxiliary awarded its sixth consecutive nursing scholarship to Marilyn Anding, a senior at NHS.

Top students for the NHS Class of ’67 were announced. They were valedictorian Lorraine Short and salutatorian Kenneth Pischer.

Al McGuire, coach of the Marquette University basketball team, was scheduled to speak at the athletic banquet sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Editorials of page 6 dealt with the Vietnam War (“The Crisis is Here”) and “Guns and Americans.”

The showing of “Dr. Zhivago” was scheduled to start Wednesday, May 10 at the Neillsville Theater.

An Ad on page 9 offered the opportunity to go into business by owning a Wards Catalog Sales Agency. “How would You Like To Start Your Own Business… And Have A Trusted 94-Year Reputation The Very First Day?” asked the ad.

An ad for Wrigley’s gum appeared, showing a soldier hugging his sweetheart. The copy read: “He’s telling her that nothing he received from home brought more joy, longer-lasting pleasure, greater relief from thirst and fatigue, than WRIGLEY’S, THE FLAVOR LASTS. She slipped a stick in every letter and mailed him a box now and then. Naturally he loves her, she loves him, and they both love WRIGLEY’S. CHEW IT AFTER EVERY MEAL. Three of a kind. Keep them in mind.” The three flavors were Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, and Doublemint.

“Arrested for Arson, Allie Robinson and Edward Thurber are in jail awaiting a trial on a charge of arson. Thurber’s barn in Loyal was mysteriously burned on Sept. 9, 1915, and $800 insurance was collected. The burning looked very much like incendiarism but no evidence was secured at that time. Robinson disappeared and he was not located until a short time ago, when Sheriff Hewett went to Wilbeaux, MT, and arrested him after a clever little bit of detective work. It is understood that Robinson has confessed to his share of the fire, claiming that Thurber agreed to give him $100 if he would set fire to the barn.”

A front page ad by W. J. Marsh Dry Goods Co. reveals economic conditions in 1917. “Sterling qualities at moderate prices are evidence of our sincere attempt to co-operate with your desire for economy at this time. Do you know we are giving you the best models at lower prices than are quoted by out-of-town shops? TRY US.”

“The two greatest and swiftest steam ships afloat now fly our ensign and the United States government has at last adopted the policy which the writer advocated in this paper, then the RUE REPUBLICAN, thirteen years ago, of admitting to American registry enough foreign built ships to put us on our maritime legs.

Among the actions taken by the city council in its first meeting after city elections: “On motion the salary of city attorney was fixed at $100 for the ensuing year, R. F. Kountz was elected to said office for the ensuing year.”

Weston News: “A ‘dudish’ looking fellow was seen in Christie one day last week. They said it was Byron Colvin, but we didn’t believe ‘em,” and “Lively times now hanging May baskets.”

The front page carried an article entitled: “How to Build Permanent Roads.” It gave step-by-step directions. One word of caution given was to use “sharp sand” not “round sand.”

“Local Matters: …Mrs. Dan Gates sports a new porch… Miss Carrie Gotham has joined the cherubic band of schoolma’m’s, and will investigate, illustrate, castigate and elevate, elucidate, deduct and abstractificate, same as the rest of ‘em.” …”Mr. Irish of Shortville, is thinking of starting a Tannery in or near the is city. It would pay.”

Some Chinese proverbs were given on an inside page of the Times: “The turtle, though brought in at the back gate, takes the head of the table.” “True merit, like the pearl inside an oyster, is content to remain quiet until it finds and (an) opening.”