From Our Early Files January 1, 2025

25 YEARS AGO
January 6, 2000
The New Year, and the new millennium, arrived with a bang in Whitehall Saturday morning, courtesy of a fireworks show sponsored by the city. Hundreds of spectators turned out on the north side of the city, watching from parked vehicles and taking advantage of the relatively mild weather to catch the 30-minute show.
The Pigeon Falls village board Monday night discussed possible changes in the clerk-treasurer job, one of two positions on the village payroll. Incumbent clerk Bonnie Guse indicated her intent to resign, but would possibly stay on if the duties were split between a village clerk and a village treasurer.
As many as eight members of the Trempealeau County board of supervisors will be challenged on the April general election ballot, most of them by persons opposed to plans for a new county jail. The races for the county board seats, at least several of them, seemed to be the result of an effort by a group called the Citizen Advocates of Trempealeau County. That organization included persons opposed to the plans to build a new county jail and sheriff’s department.
The Arcadia wrestling team placed third out of 16 teams in Division Three at the Bi-State Classic at the La Crosse Center last week. Overall, the Raiders were 12th out of 50 teams in the tournament. Josh Miller went 5-1, losing only in the championship for Arcadia.
The Arcadia boys basketball team upped its 1999-2000 season record to 4-3 with a 60-56 win over Alma Center Lincoln last Tuesday night.
All was quiet on the New Year’s front as far as Y2K computer glitches, according to Trempealeau County’s emergency management coordinator Dawn Vick. She said that personnel who were on duty during the changeover from 1999 to 2000 even got to go home earlier than expected.
The Main Street 2000 project in Trempealeau got the final go-ahead Monday night from the village board which authorized Vierbicher Associates to complete the plans and solicit bids for the project. The state is taking bids for the Highway 35 project, which will take place in Trempealeau at the same time as the Main Street project.
Ettrick’s new village clerk/treasurer began her duties officially on Monday. Sharon Rand took over for retiring clerk Smith Beirne, who had held the position for more than 50 years. Rand has been training under Beirne for the past four months and said she has learned how to handle most of the tasks.
50 YEARS AGO
January 9, 1975
A revaluation of property in Whitehall last year means that city landowners will see a 38 percent increase in property taxes this year, not the decrease claimed in The Times last week.
Over 35 senior citizens have signed up for the new elderly nutrition program being offered by the county and the school district.
Al Lunde, a Stoughton-area native, has been hired as the new Trempealeau County 4-H and youth agent, replacing the retired Ray Shanklin.
The front page of the Arcadia News-Leader highlighted what was said to be a big year for the Arcadia business community. Pictured were new business owners including Paul Halvorsen of Halvorsen Lumber; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Schmidt, Arcadia Super Valu and Glen Bawek of Abts Shoe store, among others. The page also showed new building projects that were completed in 1974 and some that were slated to open in 1975, including Pat’s Slaughtering Service, Sonsalla’s Standard Service and Barge Chiropractic Clinic.
Two Galesville curling clubs entered the state curling bonspiel at Portage. Dave Olsen, Steve Grover, Bob Harris and Todd Johnson played in the finals against the Dennis Fonger rink from Green Bay, the team that went to the national tournament. Members of the other team from Galesville are Buck Salsman, Dick Sacia, Bob Quinn and Don Polzin.
Usually one associates dolls with Christmas, but for Ethel Reiter, they are a year-round project. She has collected dolls since she was seven years old and now has almost 300 of them. “I really love the beauty of the dolls,” she said. In her collection are dolls of many nations including Mexico, Germany, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, Italy and Norway.
Explorer Post 103, Trempealeau, was formed Dec. 18, 1974. Sponsoring leaders are the Lions Club, represented by Clarence Breining, and the Burlington Northern Railroad, represented by Andy Olson. Officers are president, Donna Burt; vice president, Carla Olson; secretary, Deanna Burt; treasurer, Chris Steffes and chairman, Perty Scott.
75 YEARS AGO
January 5, 1950
Elmo Johnson and his Swing Masters, a dance band composed of seven modern musicians, have been engaged to play at the Whitehall Lions Club’s annual Winter Carnival Queen Contest Dance, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at City Hall.
Lloyd Engen, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Engen of Whitehall, has been awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army for meritorious achievements in ground combat in the Mediterranean theatre during April 1945.
The basement of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran congregation’s parish house has undergone considerable improvement the past few weeks at the hands of Adolph Gilbertson, who was engaged to do the work by the Lutheran Brotherhood. Used by the Boy Scouts, the two patrol rooms have been arranged at either end of the basement and the general appearance vastly improved. The Brotherhood sponsors the Scout organization, which at present has 30 Scouts, with Ralph Rasmuson as scoutmaster and Fred Gardner as his assistant.
P.M. Paulson, Whitehall implement dealer, gave his annual dinner Sunday for relatives and employees of his place of business and their families. The meal, served at noon at the City Cafe, included 55 pounds of turkey, and was followed by a theatre party at the Pix and a lunch afterward at the cafe.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ellickson, formerly of Northfield, have completed the construction of their new home in east Whitehall, next to the East Side Grocery, and moved in Saturday. They are planning to sell their 80-acre farm near Northfield.
Ed Gilbertson of Irvin Coulee still has his right hand in a cast. About two weeks ago, Ed was cranking his truck when the motor backfired and the crank struck his hand, fracturing bones in the wrist.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Reuter and son of Beaver Dam spent Christmas Day and Monday with Miss Clara Arneson and other Whitehall relatives. It was the first time in 15 years that Mrs. Reuter had been home for Christmas.
Vogel’s Garage and Arcadia Motor Supply had new Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Chevies in their show room.
Trempealeau REA got a loan for $142,000.
100 YEARS AGO
January 8, 1925
The county officers accepted their oaths of office at the courthouse Monday. Two new officials assumed office at that time, Elmer Barlow of Arcadia as district attorney, succeeding John Markham of Independence; and Ed Erickson of Arcadia as sheriff, succeeding Hilman Erickson. Judge Cowie assumed the office of circuit judge for the sixth judicial circuit Monday as well, and appointed H.A. Anderson as court commissioner, an honor that Whitehall has not heretofore had.
John F. Johnson and Albert Fremstad were at Whitehall the first of the week and closed a contract with W.J. Webb to furnish all building materials for the new school in Pigeon Falls. When the structure is complete, Pigeon Falls will have a school building that will be the pride of its citizens.
The Parent-Teacher Association met on Wednesday evening, and a splendid program was carried out. The Rice orchestra was at its best and their music was thoroughly appreciated.
The Otis E. Hutchins Post 191 American Legion is one of the most wide-awake organizations in Whitehall. When the Legion boys decide on an event, they unite as one to make the effort a success. Following considerable discussion, it was decided last week to put on a “home coming” at Whitehall July 19 to 26, to which former residents will be invited.
In an effort to recoup themselves after a series of defeats, after the holiday recess, the Whitehall High basketball team is scrimmaging daily and working on some new tactics. Hagen, Peterson and Wright have improved their shooting eyes considerably. Gilbertson is out on account of vaccination difficulties.
Sever Fieldstad of Upper Pigeon Creek had a narrow escape while sawing wood at the factory. He was tightening a burr while the saw was in gear and the wrench flew off, striking him on the nose and breaking it.
Rollin Holtan and J.O. Gilbertson, crack marksmen, went out Monday and tried their luck at fox hunting. They returned with a gray fox which they anticipate will sell for about $80.
The Whitehall High School faculty desires that parents be informed that they are not sponsoring any sleigh-ride parties. The faculty does not object to parties of this kind, but wants it distinctly understood that statements that they are back of social activities of this kind, are incorrect.
125 YEARS AGO
January 4, 1900
Theodore Thorson of Pigeon has taken a clerkship at C.E. Scott and Sons.
Sheriff Steig returned William H. Lowery of Trempealeau to the Viroqua asylum this week, Lowery having escaped from that institution.
Albert Nelson has severed his connection with Huleatt and Huleatt the first of the new year, and takes his old position with the Milwaukee Harvester Co.
The county asylum trustees met this week and chose Dr. Parker as asylum physician, and contracted for 100 cords of dry and green wood for the institution.
Archie Webb left Tuesday for Beaver Dam, Emil Ekern for Madison, and Charles Melby for Appleton, to resume their studies. The boys have the college “yell” down pat.
Last Friday, Miss Rose Anderson gave a party for a large number of young people. The occasion was in honor of Emil Ekern. The evening’s entertainment consisted of games, music and refreshments.
John A. Mason of Frenchville, popular special agent for the McCormick Harvester Co., was in town yesterday. John takes a new territory for the above firm this year, and will not be seen in this neck o’ the woods the coming season.
Hans O. Ekeren of Rothsay, Minn. spent the past week renewing acquaintances here and in Pigeon. He was formerly a resident of the latter town, but is now engaged in the harness and boot and shoe business at the above place. It is six years since she was in this section.
Ted Harnden and F.M. Starks, the jeweler, arrived yesterday from Amherst, the latter’s home. While there, they attended the raffle of a horse and Ted was fortunate enough to hold the lucky number. Ted, having more baggage than he could handle, sold the beast for $10.
F.A. Copley will leave Monday for the Buffalo Hump mining district in British Columbia. He says reports are coming in that there will be 10,000 people in that district before next June, looking for the “Almighty dollar.” Single claims have already been sold for a million dollars. With the experience Frank obtained in the Yukon country, he may be able to pan out a little gold dust. He will be absent six weeks, and his business here will be conducted by his wife.