From Our Early Files June 28, 2023
25 YEARS AGO
July 2, 1998
Two nights of severe thunderstorms and heavy rains over the weekend caused millions of dollars in damage in the southern half of Trempealeau County. About 30 hours of bad weather started Friday evening when thunderstorms began rolling into the area, spawning reports of tornadoes and dumping heavy rains. The heaviest rainfall was in a band running east from the Whitehall area to Hixton, and resulted in what was described as record high water on the Trempealeau River, which flooded areas in Whitehall. The storms returned again on Saturday, there was less rainfall, but enough to add to the flooding problems. Communities hardest hit were Arcadia, Ettrick and Galesville. Arcadia was under a state of emergency late Saturday evening with buildings damaged, power lines down and electricity out. There were reports of winds between 80 and 90 mph in the Arcadia area.
A barn on the Ed Maliszewski farm, located between Arcadia and Independence on Highway 93, collapsed during the storm. High winds leveled the structure and only 26 of the 43 animals in the barn survived.
Whitehall High School will be represented by five freshmen at the Future Homemakers of America Home Economics Related Occupations national leadership conference next week. Lesley Back, Cassandra Johnson, Erika Larson, Sarah Lessard and Nikki Warner will leave Friday for the eight-day conference, which is being held in New Orleans.
Jill Patzner of Arcadia was crowned Miss Wisconsin last Saturday night. Patzner, who was Miss Western Wisconsin, sang “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” for her talent competition. Patzner, the daughter of John and Judy Patzner of Arcadia, was the first runner-up- in the Miss Wisconsin Pageant last year. Miss Arcadia Kathryn Slaby won the preliminary swimsuit competition and received an elementary education scholarship, but failed to finish in the top 10.
The Trempealeau Community Heritage Society, a newly formed group dedicated to preserving the lock house at Lock and Dam No. 6, has sent a proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposal outlines the group’s plans to preserve the building and make it into a historic museum where memorabilia from the lock and dam will be on display.
Competing for the 1998 Miss Trempealeau title will be Adrienne Tabbert, Rebecca Nelson, Laura Delaney, Shannon Nelson, Michelle Phillips and Tina Eichman.
50 YEARS AGO
July 5, 1973
The state Department of Natural Resources has back off on an order that would have required Associated Milk Producers, Inc., of Blair to cut back the load on its wastewater treatment facility to design limits, and repair a dike that failed last month, polluting the Trempealeau River. The Blair plant will get 120 days, instead of the 24 hours the DNR originally had said, to correct the problems.
Clark Berg, head football and wrestling coach at Whitehall High the past five years, has resigned and will take a teaching position at LaCrescent, Minn.
Sister Mary Stephanie, O.S.F., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Grulkowski of Arcadia was one of two young members of the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who professed their final vows in Sacred Heart Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels Convent in Rock Island, Ill.
Cheyenne Kamla, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Kamla of Arcadia was one of 95 girls attending the sixth annual Girl’s Conservation Camp at Wyalusing State Park. The two-week long sessions took place in June and were sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies.
Roger Klein was chosen as the grand knight of the Arcadia Council 1654 Knights of Columbus.
Seventy-seven Galesville residents attended the Trempealeau County Health Planning meeting at the Trempealeau County Hospital Tuesday. They were all interested in a nursing home for Galesville, which would serve the southern part of the county. Ray Anderson of Galesville said he has a list of 58 people from Galesville, Trempealeau and Ettrick who were in nursing homes outside of Galesville. Dr. R.L. Alvarez said residents would come from those three areas as well as Centerville and North Bend. Ray Nereng, Blair, complained that a nursing home in Galesville would hurt Blair, Arcadia and Whitehall nursing home incomes. He suggested an alternate care facility for elderly in Galesville. John Quinn said Galesville needs a nursing home and is willing to pay for it.
A reunion of the 1993 graduating class of Galesville High School was held at Wason’s Supper Club. In the year 1929, 67 freshmen entered Galesville High school and by June 1933, there were 32 left to graduate.
An investigation is in progress concerning vandalism at the trout rearing pond in Galesville. Last week a float was installed in the cattle watering tank to stop the pump automatically when the tank fills up. Two days later it was discovered that the float was taken, the pump was running and the tank overflowing. Then, there are trout being seined illegally from the upper pond.
75 YEARS AGO
July 1, 1948
The third and most spectacular number in Trempealeau County’s state centennial program will be held July 18 at the grounds of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society in the town of Gale. The historical pageant to be presented then is the contribution of the Homemakers organization of the county.
Ralph M. Immell, native of Blair, commissioned officer in World War I, former state adjutant general and a general during World War 11, has announced that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor. Mr. Immell is a practicing attorney in Madison.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Elmer Barlow, a native of Arcadia and a former Trempealeau County district attorney, died unexpectedly Saturday. Citizens from throughout the county and the state attended funeral rites held this week Wednesday at the Arcadia Masonic Lodge.
The Rev. Virgil Nulton, pastor of the Methodist churches in Whitehall and Independence for the past year, has been transferred to the Neillsville-Granton parish.
Whitehall city electrician Leonard Gruentzel and La Verne Nelson completed the installation of lights on the softball field on the school grounds last week. The field is lighted with 18, 1,500-watt floodlights, which will make it possible for the four Whitehall league teams and the county softball league to hold night games. The six towns in the county league are Arcadia, Blair, Franklin, Independence, Whitehall and York.
Vernon Thompson of Northfield started an apprenticeship Monday with Knute Amble, Whitehall jeweler. Mr. Thompson, who served three years with the Army Air Force during World War II, is taking up the profession under the GI Bill of Rights.
P.O. Pederson is back at work operating his Standard Oil service station on North Main Street in Whitehall. Being at work is nothing new for Mr. Pederson, but going back to a job immediately following a hernia operation is quite unusual for one past 76 years of age.
Whitehall has a crew of workmen on east Irvin Street, where a sewer line has been laid and water mains are under construction. The water and sewer connections extend as far as Peterson Implement Co.
Rev. Francis Brzostowicz was given a farewell party Monday evening in the parish hall by parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church, Pine Creek. He left Tuesday for his new pastorate at Casimir. He was pastor at Pine Creek for five years and four months. The Rev. Florian Marmurowica of Junction City will be the new pastor at Pine Creek.
Arcadia will have a milk pasteurizing plant in the near future. Jeff Larson, assistant buttermaker at the A-G Cooperative Creamery for the last three years, will erect a building and put in milk pasteurizing equipment to meet state specifications. He has purchased land between the new REA office building and the George Ammann station and will erect a cement block and glass tile building immediately.
100 YEARS AGO
July 5, 1923
A perfect day favored this section for the Fourth of July, and the largest and best celebration ever held here was enjoyed by the several thousand people who came to Whitehall to celebrate the national holiday yesterday. The only mar in the day’s program was the absence of the balloon ascension, which had been contracted by the American Legion post with a $250 guarantee to the Rosenthal Attraction Agency of Dubuque, Iowa.
Anton Melby and Albert Peterson of Welch Coulee met with a head-on collision on the curve near the Chas. Anderson farm in Irvin Coulee yesterday. Both cars were badly damaged, but the occupants escaped with minor bruises.
Miss Helen Berg, Trempealeau County superintendent of schools for the past six years, completed her term of office Monday, and has been succeeded by Miss Esther Bjoland of Galesville. Miss Tillie Sylfest, supervising teacher for the past three years, retires with Miss Berg, likewise with a very creditable record.
The annual school meeting for the Whitehall district was held in the auditorium of the new school building Monday, and never before was as much enthusiasm manifested at this session. The election of a full school board, rather than the one member usually chosen each year, was perhaps what called out the large attendance.
There will be a big dance at the Rustic in Coral City July 14, music to be provided by the Tireless Orchestra. Everybody come and have a good time.
F.D. Hopkins and O.F. Immell were showing a 24-pound muskellunge to Whitehall fishermen Friday. The boys made the catch in the lake at Hatfield.
Company A, with three officers and 65 enlisted men, ceased to exist on June 30; in its place was to be the 32nd Military Police Company of the Wisconsin National Guard.
125 YEARS AGO
June 30, 1898
Miss Emma Kremers closed her school in Fly Creek Valley Friday with an enjoyable picnic.
Ziba Harnden has received his street sprinkler. With plenty of water, there is not doubt but what the streets can be kept properly wetted down.
Andrew Bendsen’s many friends were pleased to see him out Saturday evening on crutches after two months’ confinement with a broken limb. In a short time, he will be able to return to his position with D. Wood.
E. Berg, of the firm Bjerke, Berg and Wall, removed his family and household effects from Holmen to Whitehall last week. They occupy the Stallings residence on Main Street, recently vacated by A.J. McNaughton. Whitehall people extend a hearty welcome.
J.D. Southworth has about completed a new barn, 24 by 42 feet, on his farm at Coral City. Cook Stolts is doing the carpentering. Mr. Southworth took out a large flag yesterday, intending to have the Stars and Stripes float from his new building. He is one of the most patriotic old gentlemen in the country.
Blair -- A miniature cyclone passed over the village Tuesday night. Its portentous aspect routed out most of our citizens, or more especially those of a timid nature. The principal damage wrought was the breaking down of a number of the largest shade trees in town.
