From Our Early Files December 6, 2023
25 YEARS AGO
December 10, 1998
With only a few comments from Whitehall citizens, the city council last week Tuesday approved a $1.38 million 1999 budget. The spending total approved was barely half of the $2.65 million budgeted for 1998. The current year’s figure, however, includes major capital outlays for the new family aquatic center, fire station and water reservoir, which were offset on the receipts side by borrowing.
City property owners who had sought compensation from the city for damages caused by heavy rains in late June finally got an answer. The city council voted to deny claims filed by four homeowners and one business for damages caused when sanitary sewer lines backed up into their basements on the night of June 26. But the city is also appealing the refusal by its liability insurer to cover the losses, which amounted to a bit more than $23,000.
Independence City Hall could end up on the National Register of Historic Places, if that city’s application for such designation is successful. The city council voted Monday night to authorize the Friends of City Hall to hire a consultant to write the application for the NRHP status, which is decided by the state Historical Society of Wisconsin. The community group will pay the cost of hiring the application writer, but the city, as owner of the 86-year-old building, must sign the application.
The Independence city council adopted its 1999 city budget. The council approved a budget for $1.85 million, an increase of $195,349 over the 1998 budget. No city residents turned out for the budget hearing prior to the council taking action on the budget.
The Trempealeau County Agency on Aging is actively seeking a provider to prepare nutritious meals for the Arcadia senior dining and fellowship site. Joanne Abrahamson, director of the agency on aging, said that she’s been informed that the Trempealeau County Health Care Center, which has been under contract to provide meals for sites in five communities, will no longer be able to provide the service as of Jan. 1.
An explosion of an oil-fueled hot water boiler caused extensive damage to the Shepherd Oil service station at the intersection of Highways 95 and County Trunk A in Arcadia early Monday morning. Owner Al Shepherd said the explosion, caused by failure of a relief valve, took place sometime between 1 and 5:15 a.m. Shepherd said that when he came to work at 5:15 a.m. Monday, he saw the north side of the building pushed out, and it looked like someone had possibly burglarized the facility. Upon closer inspection by the police, it was determined that the boiler had blown.
The Trempealeau village board approved a request from The Bank of Galesville to allow a percent of land about one acre in size on Block 74, which is bounded by Highway K, 10th Street and Fremont St. to be rezoned from residential to commercial for future use as allocation for an office building.
At their Dec. 3 meeting of the board of adjustments, the Trempealeau County Zoning Department granted Thomas Poellinger and Harold Paaske the right to elevate their cottages that are located in the floodway district along the Mississippi River.
William Zaborowski was the first of several to speak out at a Dec. 3 public hearing on the proposed land use and zoning plan for the town of Gale. A property owner in the township, Zaborowski said he saw nothing wrong with an un-zoned township. “I should be able to manage my own property,” he said.
50 YEARS AGO
December 13, 1973
About 85 Whitehall school district residents turned out Saturday night for a meeting to discuss the effects of the energy shortage on the operation of district schools.
Traffic on Main St. in Whitehall stopped last week Wednesday when a large, mobile crane owned by a La Crosse firm collided with two Green Bay and Western locomotives that were switching cars.
Police chiefs and constables from Trempealeau County communities are refusing to answer any calls that would otherwise be handled by county’s sheriff’s deputies, except for emergencies requiring immediate response. The municipal lawmen are protesting the assignment of former county traffic officer Darryl McBride as a sheriff’s detective, without the hiring of another patrolman to replace him.
Dave Pientok scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Norsemen to a 71-66 win over Eleva-Strum Central.
Pam Rogers, Arcadia High School junior, was the winner in the Trempealeau County American Legion oratorical contest held last week at Osseo-Fairchild High School. Contestants were required to write and deliver an eight-minute original speech on the U.S. Constitution. Judges were Pastor Luther Monson, Strum; Candy Kobler and Juanita Wedland, both of Arcadia. Vilas Hanson, Arcadia, was in charge of the contest.
Western Wisconsin Communications Cooperative was the name adopted for a new cooperative venture involving Trempealeau and a portion of Jackson counties at a meeting held in Arcadia last week. The creation of the new cooperative has resulted from the joint efforts of the Trempealeau County Association of Cooperatives and school districts in the area.
Galesville Volunteer Fire Department reelected all its officers including: Donald McKeeth, chief; Howard Williamson and Louis Knudson, assistant chiefs; John Williamson, treasurer and Carlyle Cory, secretary.
Mary Jane Hilton, Galesville, was elected a director at the annual meeting of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society. She defeated Arnie Hanson of Osseo, 25 votes to 24.
75 YEARS AGO
December 9, 1948
A group of about 300 sportsmen from the surrounding area attended the Whitehall-Pigeon Rod and Gun Club annual party held at the City Hall Friday evening. H.A. Schaefer of Hale entertained the guest by showing a dog movie provided by Purina Feeds, courtesy of P.M. Paulson, local dealer. Mr. Schaefer also showed interesting films of local sportsmen fishing on the Brule River, hunting deer in northern Wisconsin and hunting ducks in northern Minnesota. Mr. Schaefer has developed the technique of operating a movie camera, and his pictures of wildlife and scenery and shots of local sportsmen in action are particularly interesting.
Twenty men left from Trempealeau County for La Crosse Friday for their physical examinations for Army induction, according to Clarence Johnson, clerk of the draft board. Carl Lee and Burton Johnson, both of Whitehall, were the leader and assistant leader, respectively, for the group.
The Negro problem was discussed from many angles in two topics presented at the Woman’s Study Club meeting held at the home of Mrs. E.A. Sletteland at Pigeon Falls last week. Mrs. R.L. MacCornack review the book “Color Blind” by Margaret Halsey, and Mrs. Willie A. Johnson was the other speaker. (Editor’s note: This entry has been reprinted as it was originally published)
Starting this Saturday, the Pix Theatre, in cooperation with Mr. and Mrs. C. Andrew Kuhn, will present a recorded program of Christmas music each evening in front of the theatre.
100 YEARS AGO
December 13, 1923
The businessmen of Whitehall purchased the whole block of tickets from Mr. Newcomer on Wednesday, and presented the students with free admission to the official opening of the new school gymnasium. The program will feature two hours of entertainment, including vocal music, boxing matches, men’s and women’s basketball games, stunts, refreshments and a speech by Judge E.F. Hensel. The one dollar admission goes for gymnasium and dressing room equipment.
Many automobile accidents happen daily, even to careful drivers, but travel is altogether too heavy on public highways to permit “stunt” driving. Recently a young man perched on the back of the seat attempt to guide a car with his feat. His leg became caught in the steering wheel and the car was stopped when it came into contact with the large new telephone pole of the Bell line on the road to Coral City, breaking the pole in half. There were two other boys in the car, but all escaped injury. Should a life be taken or a person seriously injured in an accident in like circumstance, the law would deal harshly with such willful fool drivers.
Judge Higbee of La Crosse Tuesday upheld an order issued by the Trempealeau County Asylum board of trustees that Mr. McKivergin, superintendent of that institution for the past 12 years, submit his resignation. Mr. McKivergin had contested the notice, but the board was upheld, and he has been given until Saturday to turn over the keys to his successor, ex-Sheriff Ed Erickson. It is understood that Mrs. Leitha Gage, who has had experience at the asylum, will be matron of the institution under Mr. Erickson’s administration.
Saturday morning little Roy Havenor met with an accident. He was running out in the street when Paul Moltzau of Strum drove past in his car. Roy’s head was badly bruised, but no internal injuries were found, and he is now better and able to be up and around the house.
Walter Bensend and Lester Brennom have formed a partnership in the restaurant business in the building formerly occupied by Hilman Arneson. Both young men have had considerable experience in their line, and have put in a complete line of confectionery, cigars and tobacco. They have a neat, attractive place.
Arcadia Lodge F & AM was host to a large number of visitors from neighboring lodges.
Officers elected at a meeting of Martin A. Erickson Post 17, American Legion, Arcadia, were Norbert Kostner, commander; Rudy Paul, vice commander; Henry Theurer, post adjutant; Omer Fugina, finance officer; Carl Keller, sergeant at arms and Stanley Gaveney, post chaplain.
Rev. and Mrs. Parri-Jones are back in Galesville from a European tour of five months, mostly in Wales. They experienced a near shipwreck. In a fog, two ships collided. They were forced back and were held in dry dock for two weeks.
125 YEARS AGO
December 8, 1898
Charley Rumsey has returned to Whitehall Saturday from Arcadia, where he had been taking lessons in electricity, previous to taking charge of the village electric plant.
The culmination of the testimony that has been taken here for the past 10 days before Justice Scott is the issuing of a warrant for the arrest of Herman Berg of Arcadia for violation of the Sunday saloon closing law.
Life moving pictures of the Spanish-American War, at the Whitehall Opera House Saturday. All the principal battles shown as they really transpired, moving as in life, showing the smoke and men falling, also the battleships Maine and Indiana, soldiers marching, and many others. Admission, 25 cents; reserved seats, 35 cents, not on sale at the drug store.
Watch for the posters announcing a grand mask ball, to be given under the auspices of Whitehall Camp No. 2549, Modern Woodmen of America, at their hall on Monday, Dec. 26. The best of music will be provided, and a first-class prompter has been engaged for the occasion. A full line of costumes and masks cane be had at the drug store. Supper will be served at the American House. Prizes will be awarded, $1 each to the best costumed lady and gentleman, and 50 cents each to the most comical lady and gent. Dance tickets, 50 cents; supper, 50 cents per couple.
Whitehall school Principal C.F. Huleatt has been incapacitated from school duties the past week, being laid up with inflammation of the idea of a severe character. Mrs. Huleatt, occupies her husband’s place at the head of the graded school.
