Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

July 1, 1993, Page 28

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Good Old Days" Articles 

 

 

Good Old Days  

    

By Dee Zimmerman

 

July 4th Happenings…in the Past

 

1911… a special train was run over the Foster & N. E. Railroad on the 4th of July to accommodate those who wanted to celebrate the day at Greenwood.

 

The train made its regular forenoon run and then ran the special run leaving Fairchild at one o’clock in the afternoon for Greenwood.  It left Greenwood for Owen at 6:30 in the evening and back to Fairchild at 8:30 p.m.

 

1943… a news headline with a note of familiarity (?)  “Black River on Rampage, Threat to Local Homes.”  Heavy rains in the northern portion of Clark County sent the Black River to high levels.  Traffic was stopped from traveling over Highway 10 on Neillsville’s west side when water ran over the pavement and was near the floor of the bridge.

 

The high waters of the river caused back-up of the O’Neill Creek, threatening homes of Mrs. Jacob Schiller and Frank Nauertz.  Gardens along the creek and river were destroyed.  The river even ran across the pavement at Ross Eddy.

 

Near Owen, the Popple River rose eight feet, quickly.  The sudden rise of water stopped a southbound Soo Line passenger train two miles east of Owen.  The roadbed dissolved under the train.  The Locomotive, tender and three cars were derailed and overturned.  Fortunately, about 100 passengers riding in the three passenger cars escaped serious injury when those cars remained upright amongst the swirling waters.

 

How about this for a garden?  Glen Haven had a fruit and vegetable garden which covered two of Neillsville’s city lots. Out of that garden plot, he raised 35 kinds of fruit and vegetables.  By July 4th of 1943, he was dining on fresh garden peas and new potatoes.  There were three varieties of sweet corn with the earliest variety in full tassel.

 

Fireworks at Parrish’s 5¢ to $1.00 store with Buster Comics, Night Shells, Colored Drum Fire, Silver Torpedoes, Sparklers, Colored Fire Cones, Triangles, Fire Pots, Pin Wheels, Screech Owls, Sky Whistle Bombs, Roman Candles, Fire-crackers, Repeating Flash Salutes, Star Mines and Aerial Flash Bombs.

 

1945… A day of some Cloverbelt League Ballgames for fans and players: 

 

Action which may have cost Willard its undefeated standing at the top of the league and the Neillsville Athletics who were second in wins:

 

Some doubt as to the way the record would stand was the game between Loyal and the previously undefeated Willard team.  With a 19 to 18 lead in the ninth inning of a hectic game, Willard walked off the diamond after a dispute arose over a pitchers balk.  Additional controversy turned into a protest on both team’s part and the decision was handed down to league president.

 

Neillsville won 11 over Greenwood’s 5 runs.  Dyre was Greenwood’s pitcher.  Milbreit, Neillsville’s catcher led the assault with three hits in five times at bat; Henchen, Gene Christie, Smith, Drescher and Harvey Mott followed with two hits each.

 

Marshfield defeated Granton 7 to 6.  Granton gave Marshfield a good contest by going all the way to win in the 7 to 6 decision.  Kieffer and the Marshfield Mounds man each allowed nine hits.

 

July 4th weekend of 1953 was the Celebration of Clark County’s Centennial.  There were many floats and units which entered.  One of the prize winning floats was that called “The Front Parlor” sponsored by Russell’s Furniture & Hardware of Neillsville.  Pictured left to right are; Mona and Marlin Hoesly, Mary Beth Roberts (little girl), Myrtle Mattson, Mike Siebert, Metty Roberts, Alice Flynn (organist), Sue Siebert and Francie Blodgett.

 

Another unique float depicted an old time church scene.  It was sponsored by the United Methodist Church.  On the float were, left to right: Iris Musil (organist) and Rev/ Nulton (preacher); first pew: August Janke (janitor), Catherine (Manz) Cowell, girl and boy unidentified; second pew; Patricia (Allen) Wells, Mrs. Pete (Evelyn) Smith and Carol Peterson; third row; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Ketchum, two ladies on right not identified.

 

The life of the pioneer woman was portrayed by left to right: Edna Georgas, churning butter; Hilda Kurth, washing clothes on a scrub board and Ann Hoesly, milking a goat.  The float was made up by the Business & Professional Women’s Club Neillsville.  (Photos courtesy of Ruth Ebert)

 

The color guard leading a July 4th Parade down Hewett Street in 1938 (Photo courtesy of Mrs. Jim Simenson)

 

 


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