From Our Early Files July 12, 2023
25 YEARS AGO
July 16, 1998
Trempealeau County may be declared a disaster area as the result of the severe storms and flooding of late June, according to a county official who met with federal agency representatives last week. But aid for the damage caused by wind and water will almost certainly go to local governments only, county Emergency Government Director Dawn Camacho said this week. Camacho toured the county with evaluation teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week.
Damage to public facilities in the city of Whitehall from the June storms amounted to just over $26,000, according to estimates prepared by city officials. City Clerk Lynn Johnson put together the estimated damages for FEMA representatives.
Two Trempealeau County courthouse offices will be contested in the fall general election. Incumbent Sheriff Ralph Weisenberger, an Ettrick Democrat, will seek a fourth two-year term. He will be challenged by one of two Republicans as Terrence Daffinson of Trempealeau and Stephen Doerr of Ettrick also filed their papers to run for sheriff and will face off in the Sept. 8 primary. District attorney Peter Gierok will have opposition in his bid for a second term from Israel Cooley of Strum.
Col. Kris Koetting Campbell, the daughter of the late John Koetting and Dorothy (Vogel) Koetting and the granddaughter of Polly Vogel, has come a long way since she graduated from Arcadia High School. In September of 1997, Campbell became the first nurse and the first woman in the United States Military to run a hospital in a combat zone. Campbell commanded 69 members of the 396th Combat Support Hospital while stationed in Tulza, Bosni-Herzegovina. She was recently honored in La Crosse, accepting the Outstanding Alumni Award for Professional Development from her alma mater, Viterbo College.
A new 60- by 90-foot building is being constructed at the Trempealeau County Fairgrounds and will be used to display small animals. A seven-member committee has been working along with area children to help raise funds for the construction and material costs for the new building.
Laura Delaney was crowned as the 1998 Catfish Days Queen. Tina Eichman was the first attendant and Adrienne Tabbert was the second attendant.
Jim Auer, former owner of Ace Hardware, is looking to sell his property to “a major La Crosse-based convenience store,” according to Rainbow Realty representative John Shusler. Although Auer has a possible buyer, the sale is pending on whether or not the city of Galesville will put a conditional use clause into their zoning to allow for underground petroleum tanks in an area near the city’s water supply.
Trempealeau Boy Scout Jason Wroblewski is planning to build a shelter house at the Trempealeau Pool for his Eagle project. The picnic pavilion and shelter house will be located between the parking lot for the pool and the Great River State Bike Trail.
Critzman’s won the North American Fastpitch Association Wisconsin state title in Middleton last weekend, winning six games and losing one.
50 YEARS AGO
July 19, 1973
A special meeting of the Whitehall city council will be held next week to decide whether Geno’s Pub will get a liquor license. The bar has had an 18-year-old beer license, but recently-enacted state legislation allows municipalities to issue liquor licenses to holders of the beer-only permits.
The new lake created by the dam built at the Whitehall-Pigeon Rod and Gun Club this spring has become a popular spot for fishermen, swimmers and walkers. Club members and other volunteers last week began salvaging lumber from the former Paulson Implement Co. for use in the construction of a clubhouse.
Bill Flury pitched a three-hitter and struck out 11, and also had three hits, as Arcadia upset Whitehall 13-3 in the first round of Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament play last week Wednesday.
The Arcadia Volunteer Fire Department was called out about mid morning on July 16 to extinguish a grass fire along the Green Bay & Western right-of-way just north of Arcadia. The fire was caused by a hot box on a freight passing through, Fire Chief Martin Rebhahn said. The train was stopped at Whitehall for repairs.
Electors of the Arcadia School District were asked to approve a $1 million budget for the 1973-74 school year at the annual meeting on Monday evening. A public hearing on the proposed budget will begin at 8 p.m. in the high school gym. The annual meeting began at 8:30.
The condition of Tad Schock, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Everist Schock, Arcadia, has improved from critical to fair. He was struck by a car on Main St. about two weeks ago.
An announcement was made by Congressman Vernon Thompson that the Farmers Home Administration has approved for Riverview Apartments, Inc., a loan of $205,000 for funding of a low-income senior citizens apartment building in the village of Trempealeau.
The Galesville Volunteer Trout Club says the vandalism and destroying of property is continuing at the trout pond. The club is offering a $25 reward for any information that leads to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible.
75 YEARS AGO
July 15, 1948
The much-needed rain Monday evening seemed to induce property owners to attend the annual school meeting, as between 40 and 50 taxpayers were present, the largest assemblage at a school meeting in several years. After some discussion, the proposed tax of $45,000 was reduced to $40,000.
Miss Ruth Schlichter of Merton, Waukesha County, supervising teacher in Trempealeau County the past several years, has sent her resignation to Miss Dorris Sander, county superintendent of schools. She has resigned to take a similar position in Green County, so she can be closer to home.
The Orville Dahl Trio was awarded the $50 grand prize at the conclusion of the 13-week search-for-talent program sponsored by Whitehall merchants and held at the Pix Theatre. A total of 7,500 votes was cast in the contest, according to WKBH, the Winona radio station which recorded the programs and broadcast them. The trio is composed of Mr. Dahl, Pleasantville, violin, Ardell Melby of Independence, guitar player, and Charles Winberg of Eleva, banjo.
A business deal took place in Whitehall this week when J.V. Maldonado purchased the interest of Melvin Dascher in the Texaco filling station and garage on Main Street. Messrs. Maldonado and Dascher have operated the business in partnership until this time. Mr. Dascher has not announced his plans for the future.
Alfred Nelson heads the crew of carpenters who are building forms for the reinforced concrete walls to be poured this week for the basement of the new church at Pigeon Falls. The building committee on Friday visited the church being built in Caledonia by C. Guillame, construction engineer for the Pigeon Falls church, and report the highest satisfaction with that building, which is to be identical, only larger.
Independence will hold its fifth-annual community sale in that city this Saturday, commencing at 1 p.m. In the long list of property are horses, motor vehicles, farm machinery and household articles and equipment.
Alvin Boberg is out of the hospital and walking around with the aid of a crutch. He is still in a cast and won’t be able to work for several months, but considers himself lucky to have escaped more serious injury in the accident, which occurred at his farm two weeks ago. He suffered spinal injuries and several broken ribs, in addition to bruises.
100 YEARS AGO
July 19, 1923
A car driven by Miss Zora Kirkpatrick of Blair, and having the Misses Dora Back and Myrtle Back and Elmer Davidson as passengers, going east on Dewey Street Sunday afternoon, struck a telephone pole in front of the F.E. Beach residence, breaking it off at the ground. Nothing but the bumper saved the car from destruction and prevented death to the driver and her companions. That the driver was on the wrong side of the street is the strange aspect of the affair, and can only by attributed to gross carelessness.
The Wisconsin-Minnesota Power and Light Co.’s property has been purchased for consolidation with the Northern States Power Co., which serves 386 cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.
George Quackenbush says that 60 years ago yesterday, July 18, a destructive frost occurred, killing all corn and other tender vegetation. The weather conditions prior to that frost were similar to those prevailing now, George says — hot and dry with cool nights.
F.D. Hopkins has a school of the large type of fish at Hatfield, and it seems all he has to do is go up there, and come home with a muskellunge, and each time he brings one home larger than before. F.D., Howard DeBow and A.E. Van Sickle went up there Sunday prepared for big game, and soon had one of Flory’s pets on the line. After considerable fighting, the fish was brought to the surface three different times, and Howard blazed away with a .38 revolver, which was taken along as part of their tackle, and missed at close range, before it was landed. The boys have experienced every thrill of deer hunting, but say that landing the big fishes is more exciting by far.
Andrew Engvold of Hale left Monday for his old home in Vordahl, Norway, where he will reside permanently and operate his parents’ farm. Andrew has spent 10 years in this locality, the past three in poor health, as he is unable to stand the heavy farm work.
125 YEARS AGO
July 14, 1898
Ziba Harnden’s street sprinkler does good work.
L.N. Agneberg is recovering from a horse kick he received on the leg July 4.
Messrs. Anderson and Ringstad are plastering the new addition to the American House.
Sam Alexander is building an addition to his barn, and also making some improvements on his residence.
A dance will be held at the Grange Hall in Hale Saturday, to which all are invited. Albertson’s Orchestra is booked to furnish the music.
Kit Cook of Sioux Falls, S.D., was called here last week by telegram announcing the dangerous illness of his child. The little one is now improving.
Miss Alice Lennon gave a pleasant party to her Sunday School class Thursday afternoon. The little ones were delightfully entertained.
William McKivergan has placed an order with W.J. Webb for lumber for a fine residence to be built on his farm east of the village immediately after harvest. Messrs. Wood and Stevens have the contract to erect it.
A sensational fake bulletin was posted on the bulletin board in front of the post office Monday evening. If the management of the bulletin board desire to have credence taken in their bulletins, they should not allow waggish parties to fool the people with fake messages. Parties with access to daily papers and in close touch with telegraph and telephone lines are not likely to be taken in in this manner, but when people from the country are “stuffed” in this way, it reflects no credit on the judgment or common sense of the parties in the proceeding.
A party of our young people enjoyed an outing and picnic in the Augustine grove north of the village yesterday. The occasion was in honor of Miss Sadie Webb and Miss Winnie Whitney. Miss Sadie is a former Whitehall young lady and now visiting here, while Miss Winnie shortly makes her departure for the west.
Elk Creek — Albert Olson is working at D.C. Cilley’s harvesting. He makes frequent trips home on his recently-purchased wheel. Since the advent of this wheel, the loafers have had a constant source of amusement. Those desiring to learn the art of riding have had every opportunity to become adepts at it, while the less active have been content with witnessing their antics. Good-natured fellows like Albert are what boom the place.
