In Review
First Week of July 1868-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): To Mr. Nathaniel Blakely we are indebted for a generous quantity of the largest and
finest looking strawberries we remember to have seen produced in a northern latitude. Some of the berries
measure in circumference over three inches and a half. We did not learn the variety, but the berry is rich and
aromatic, with that firm and melting quality so desirable in a good strawberry. Mr. Blakely is giving much
attention to the strawberry culture and produces a berry that is wonderfully large, delicious, and aromatic.
130 Years Ago (1878): A quartette, and select reading by Mr. La Follette, from the Madison State University, at
Grange Hall Friday night was exhibited to a small, but appreciative audience. Mr. La Follette is editor of the
University Press, and besides being a good reader, gets up a good paper. [Robert M. La Follette was a
frequent visitor to Evansville, as he had attended the Evansville Seminary and had many friends in the area.]
120 Years Ago (1888): Fritz Hanson, a boy about fourteen years of age, living a short distance north of Union,
received a dreadful wound of the left hand with slight damages to the right on Tuesday. Mr. Christian Johnson
who brought him to Dr. Evans’ office informed us that the boy was handling a dynamite cartridge which
exploded tearing away the fore finger and thumb to the first joint of the left hand and injuring the thumb and
forefinger of the right hand badly. We saw the hands while Drs. J. M. Evans, Sr., and Dr. W. P. Roberts were
dressing them. The whole side of the left hand next to the thumb was terribly lacerated with the flesh literally
torn into shreds making it necessary for the Drs. to work carefully to secure sufficient skin in the proper places
to take stitches to close up the wound. The boy being the son of a widow who needs his help badly makes his
misfortune more serious.
110 Years Ago (1898): This has been one of the most eventful days in the history of Evansville when 16 of our
brave patriotic boys took their departure for the army as follows: Frank B. Wood, George Bidwell, Jr., George
Hammon, Frank Weaver, Frank Smith, Joseph Levzow, Harry Bagley, Robert Lang, Bert Crawford, Edwin Cole,
Jr., Edwin Setzer, Moody Smith, George Neil, R. A. Neil, better known as Dicky Neil, L. B. Lees and Perry Clark.
When the band gave the notice, with some of their most patriotic music, that the boys were about to start. A
large crowd gathered upon the public square to bid them God- Speed and a safe return, but it was hard for
mothers, relatives and friends to restrain their feelings and tears flowed freely, as all realized that not all of
these boys would ever see their homes and friends again.
100 Years Ago (1908): Our newly organized city base ball team met and defeated the fast team known as the
Janesville Red Sox in a fast and interesting game at the fair grounds on Friday, the 26th, by a score of 5 to 1.
Promptly at two o’clock the two teams headed by the Evansville Military Band, formed in line and started for the
battlefield. The players were conveyed in automobiles furnished by local and visiting enthusiasts. After the
usual warming up and the game was on.
90 Years Ago (1918): The D. E. Wood Butter Co. has just completed a lot of repairs on their plant in the way
of a better drainage system, lockers for the clothing of employees, new toilets, etc., and several other new
features have also been added to the plant that will have a tendency to make it a better place for employees to
work and will also result in an increased production of the plant. This plant is now turning out a carload of
butter every day, June being the banner butter month. It is expected that they will start the manufacture of
oleomargarine the first of September.
80 Years Ago (1928): The directors of the holding committee of the Evansville Fair grounds which recently
purchased the grounds of the late Evansville Rock County Fair Association, met Monday evening and the
following officers were elected: President R. M. Antes; Secretary Zala Miller; Treasurer L. L. Thompson. It is
stated that fully eighty per cent of the stock holders of the old association have pledged themselves to give
their shares to the city, if the city will pay off this indebtedness, so as to let the grounds become the property of
the people of Evansville to be used for athletic and social and recreational purposes.
70 Years Ago (1938): John Gardner Babcock, 93, Evansville’s last surviving Civil War veteran and his son,
Richard Babcock, Janesville, returned from Gettysburg, Pa., where they had been attending the reunion of the
Blue and the Gray on the same field where the old vets locked in combat 75 years ago. Mr. Babcock was born
in Johnstown, Rock County, Oct. 14, 1844. He enlisted in the Civil War at Janesville July 31, 1961 and was
mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1864. He was a member of Company B of the 13th Wisconsin
Infantry.
60 Years Ago (1948): The Rev. James Saunders and family recently moved to Evansville from Fennimore and
are now residing in the Methodist church parsonage. The Rev. Mr. Saunders is the new pastor in the church
here following his graduation from the Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., with a degree of Bachelor of
Divinity. The pastor was born in Litherland, Liverpool, Eng., and became an ordained minister in his mother
country before coming to American in 1937. He is a naturalized citizen of the United States.
50 Years Ago (1958): Patsy Gilbert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilbert, who live near Brooklyn, has
been elected 4th of G. I. Queen for 1958. Six other girls who were chosen to be members of the court are:
Miss Klee Ashbaugh, Pamela Shannon, Susan Petterson, Darlene Muchow, Diane Propst and Sharon Slater.
The queen and her court will ride in the 4th of G. I. parade on the float decorated by the American Legion
Auxiliary.
40 Years Ago (1968): The Rev. Joseph Brechtl has arrived in Evansville and has assumed his duties as pastor
of St. Paul Catholic Church succeeding the Rev. James Kramer, who has moved to Madison. The Rev. Mr.
Brchtl has been pastor of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Verona the past 14 years and also served St. William’
s Mission at Paoli. He is a native of Plain, Wis.
30 Years Ago (1978): Miss Terri Ann Thornton, daughter of Mrs. Rex Thornton, 43 N. Madison Street,
Evansville and Daniel Lawrence Weaver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Weaver, 44 N. Madison Street,
Evansville, exchanged wedding vows at a 3:30 p.m. ceremony on June 10, 1978. Rev. Tim Kehl officiated at
the Congregational Church of Christ, at the altar decorated with bouquets of blue and white carnations, daisies,
and statice with English ivy. The bride is a graduate of Evansville High School and is employed at the State
Medical Society in Madison. The groom, also a graduate of Evansville High School, is employed by GMAD in
Janesville. Following a trip to Wisconsin Dells the couple is now making their home at 61 Fifth Street in
Evansville.
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20 Years Ago (1988): Evansville and Lake Leota are not unfamiliar to Father Robert Hughes, who has come to
serve his first pastorate at St. Paul’s Catholic Church here. Lake Leota Park was as well known in his
childhood as was Palmer Park in his native Janesville. Rose Cullen, a great aunt, lived in Evansville. Father
Hughes has toured the U. S. on a bicycle. Evansville area people may remember his father, Larry Hughes, of
Janesville, who had Brown and Hughes Implement Co., the John Deere dealer, which became McNall’s.
10 years ago (1998): A tornado touched town Thursday night between Fox and Eagle-Roherty Roads on both
sides of Highway 14 at about 7:05 p.m. No one was reported injured. The homes of several families were in
the direct path of one confirmed tornado and possibly a second one joining the first. Of the seven homes in
the area of the tornado, three could not be reclaimed. Homes and families in the path of the storm were Joel
and Kathy Gunn, Karl and Harriet Lindroth, Ron Hansons, Nancy Erdman, Gary Eggers, Dick and Linda
Sanwick and Virgil and Evelyn Ripp.
In Review
Second Week of July 1868-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): MARRIED. At the residence of the bride’s mother in Evansville, on the evening of July
4th, by Rev. A. H. Hueling, Mr. George W. Palmer and Miss Ursula C. Newton, both of Evansville. At the Free
Will Baptist parsonage by the same on July 4th, Henry D. Lockwood and Emma Tolles of Union.
130 Years Ago (1878): Mr. Thomas O’Reilly, of whom we mentioned last week as having suffered the fracture
of his thigh, died at 11 o’clock Sunday, A. m. He was an old man, and the fracture of a limb was more than his
constitution could bear. He was buried Monday from his late residence.
120 Years Ago (1888): We learn that little Ray Clifford, son of Mr. Charles Clifford was quite seriously burned
while the fire works were being exploded by being under the stand which was built for the latter purpose.
110 Years Ago (1898): Frank Smith, Joseph Levzow and Edwin Cole became faint hearted and returned
home. Edwin Setzer, Moody Smith, R.A. Neil, and L. B. Lees failed to pass the physical examination. All the
rest entered the service.
100 Years Ago (1908): The annual school meeting of this school district was held Monday evening and was
attended by about forty people, one-half of whom were ladies. The treasurer’s report showed a surplus of
$508.15 in the school fund and $88.11 in the library fund. In the budget for 1908-9, it was deemed necessary
to raise some $11,552.27 for current expenses, and in addition a further sum of not to exceed one thousand
dollars for fire escapes on the two buildings. The free text book question was voted negatively. In the election
of officers, P. C. Wilder was re-elected to the office of clerk. O. S. Shepard to succeed himself and Mrs. E.
Gabriel to take the place of Mrs. Gertrude Eager, whose term of office expired.
90 Years Ago (1918): The Garden Canning Co. this week placed on their boiler a $40 whistle that can make a
thousand dollars worth of noise in one day; at least it sounds like a thousand dollars when it calls three
different shifts to work that are filling the full twenty-four hours of the working time at the factory. Whistles like
this, and lots of them, is what makes a town, when they call lots of workers to their daily tasks at good wages.
To show the condition of the iron and steel market, it is only necessary to state that this whistle was ordered
last winter and was only delivered this week.
80 Years Ago (1928): Evansville needs the fairgrounds for the comfort and convenience of her surrounding
townships, like Union, Porter, Magnolia and Center, who often have celebrations which they wish to stage
where they can be safe from rain or storm in case the weather changes and where there is a ball diamond and
track. Since the township play day and 4-H Club movements have become so popular, grounds of this kind are
almost essential to any town and Evansville is glad that she has something of the kind to offer the farmers and
their families, when they need them.
70 Years Ago (1938): Two new windows recently purchased and installed in the Cooksville Lutheran church
will be dedicated by the Rev. Theodore Heimark, pastor, at the regular morning service next Sunday. The
window depicting the scene of the Nativity was purchased by the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Haakenson and
will be dedicated in honor of their parents. The window scene of the Resurrection is a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ole
Kjernes. Featuring the dedication service will be a vocal solo by Hans Haakenson, Jr. accompanied at the
piano by Mrs. Theodore Hatlen, church pianist. The Cooksville church was completely remodeled and
redecorated last spring and was equipped with an attractive new altar, new pews, and other attractive
furnishings.
60 Years Ago (1948): Miss Arlene Miller was chosen queen of the Evansville 4-H Club at a preliminary contest
meeting held in the city hall last Friday evening. The other contestants were Mrs. Alma Dunbar Schultis and
the Misses Ruth Krause, LaVena Tronnes, Harriette Clark, Viola Steindl and Harriet Tadder. The judges were
Mrs. R. L. Collins, Mrs. L. L. Thompson and Miss Jane Crow. They based their decision on appearance,
personality, health and 4-H records.
50 Years Ago (1958): Captain Raymond G. Lawry, son of Mrs. Charles E. Lawry of 42 Montgomery Court, has
been awarded the wings of a senior pilot by the United States Air Force. Captain Lawry is general Myers’ aide-
de-camp. The general, commander of the Air training Command, with headquarters at Randolph AFB, Texas,
presented his aide with the wings in an informal ceremony at ATC headquarters.
40 Years Ago (1968): There was a train wreck early Wednesday morning about one and one-half miles north
of the city. Seven ballast hopper cars and one box car were derailed and strewn along about one quarter mile
of the railroad bed. The hopper cars were loaded with ballast and the box car was carrying a minimum load of
furnace filters. The train was southbound. The cars were tipped over and some were on one side of the track
and some on the opposite side. Transportation was laid up only a few hours because there is a siding track
extending up that far on which the trains could pass the wreckage.
30 Years Ago (1978): Jim Patterson, Gordon Kazda, Hazel Thompson and Dave Turner will take part in the 5th
annual Arts and Crafts Fair of the Spectrum Art Club of Brodhead on this weekend.
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20 Years Ago (1988): The Patton M-47 tank was brought into Evansville last Saturday morning by members of
the Monroe National Guard. Some two hours were spent in transporting and setting the tank into its permanent
place in the park, to be dedicated on July 4th. On the Fourth, a huge crowd gathered for the ceremony,
attended by several dignitaries, including Congressman Less Aspin, who was instrument in helping the
Evansville contingent obtain the tank. The tank now stands at the entrance to the park.
10 years ago (1998): At the June 29 meeting of the Evansville Board of Education, Dr. Gary Albrecht was
appointed to the newly created position of Assistant District Administrator. Albrecht is also the principal of Levi-
Leonard Elementary School, a position he will retain. Albrecht wears many hats, including the district
assessment coordinator and managing the adult crossing guards. He also serves on the state board for the
assessment and supervision of curriculum.
In Review
Third Week of July 1868-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): We call attention to the advertisement of Village property for sale, in this issue of the
Citizen. The property is favorably and pleasantly situated and can be had at a bargain. Poor health is the plea
for selling. Mr. Johnson finds the bracing air of the Rocky Mountains an inducement to sell his property here,
even at a sacrifice of its real value, and remove with his family West. Village Property For Sale. A dwelling
house and lots, containing some 10 rods of frontage on Church Street, nearly opposite the F. W. Baptist
Church. The property is held at low figures and on terms that will suit purchasers—a small portion down and
the balance on time. In connection, I will sell 80 acres of marsh situated 1½ miles South of Evansville. For
particulars, inquire at the premises. Frank Johnson, Evansville, July 16, 1868.
130 Years Ago (1878): A sulky horse rake, tobacco cultivator and spinning wheel will be sold at a bargain. C.
M. Morehouse.
120 Years Ago (1888): Died, July 11, 1888, Mrs. M. L. Tuttle, aged 76 years. Her disease was a general
wearing out by old age. She and her husband have lived with their son Charles upon their old homestead farm
about two and one-half miles northeast of this place. The above named son lost his wife but a short time since
and will be doubly grieved over the loss of his kind old mother, who has been one of the most highly respected
in their neighborhood, always kind and accommodating to all. The funeral was held at the house Thursday,
Rev. E. R. Curry officiating clergyman, Potter & Hartley undertakers. [Note: According to Maple Hill Index
records, this was Mariah L. Pitts Tuttle, Aug. 21 1812 - July 11, 1888, wife of Jonathan Tuttle.]
110 Years Ago (1898) A society for doing work that may be helpful to the soldiers in camp, field or hospital,
has been organized and a meeting for the appointment of working committee will be held in the Public Library
rooms on Thursday evening July 14 at seven o’clock. The ladies of Evansville vicnity are cordially invited to be
present. Pearl H. Campbell, President.
100 Years Ago (1908): George W. Hall, the veteran showman, received two lion cubs from Iowa parties,
Saturday, which he has added to his collection of wild beasts, on his farm, just south of this city. These cubs
will probably weighed twenty-five pounds apiece, and were vicious little cusses when seen in their box at the
express office. Cub lions are rare to secure and their value in dollars and cents runs into money fast. Anyhow
we are not over anxious regarding these cubs as pets.
90 Years Ago (1918): Theodore Johnson, the thirteen –year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Johnson, who live
near Union, died the first of the week and was buried at Cooksville. The deceased had been sick for some time
and was a brother of Ben Johnson, a member of Co. M. who died at Waco, Texas, last winter.
80 Years Ago (1928): In recent years there has been such a demand from the farm districts for electrical
service on the farm that every farmer who puts electric power on his farm must sooner or later throw out all his
gasoline equipment and replace it with motor driven machinery. This has created such a demand for motor
driven pumps and jacks which would not only pump water for stock but will force it to some distance to fill high
tanks or to irrigate gardens and lawns. To meet this demand, the Baker Manufacturing Co., which has been
building the Monitor Line of pumping mills and engines for many years have recently placed upon the market
both an electric jack and an electric pump. The jack is made to accommodate those who still wish to use their
own pumps, the pump being driven by gears run by an attached electric motor, which takes the place of the
gasoline engine of former years. The electrical pump is a compact power plant, which has all the working parts
enclosed so that it is dirt and waterproof. When desired, the pump can also be furnished with a belt driven
motor, the motor being placed several feet from the pump. This company is now getting out circulars regarding
these new features in the Baker products, which they will send to their agents all over the country and it is
thought that there will be a good demand for them, as it is stated that they are exceptionally well made and give
excellent results.
70 Years Ago (1938): The WPA project submitted for the erection of a shelter house in Leonard park with
funds donated by Stacia and Richard Henneberry has been approved and work on the building is slated to
start about July 28, it was announced this morning by R. J. Antes, local WPA administrator. The project
includes not only the erection of the shelter house, but the completion of the stream rip-rapping in the park and
the filling in of the low areas. The Henneberrys presented the city with a gift of $600 to be used in the erection
of a park shelter house last December and it was decided at that time that the building be known as the
Henneberry Memorial. The offer was later submitted to the mayor and city council at a special meeting at which
the gift was accepted.
60 Years Ago (1948): Miss Patricia Hensel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hensel, who represented
Evansville at the Badger Girls State camp in Madison last month, was elected a member of the assembly.
Chadbourne Hall on the campus was the home of the campers for the week. Miss Hensel was sponsored by
the Evansville American Legion Auxiliary.
50 Years Ago (1958): With 375-400 entries expected to be on hand here Thursday, the annual Tri-County
Black and White Show this year is expected to be the best yet in this popular series. The show has grown to
the point that it has attracted national attention in breeder circles as an outstanding example of what can be
done on a local basis in encouraging the showing of top flight cattle. Al Ward, who has handled the local
solicitation for donations this year, reports that there has been the usual enthusiastic support from local
businessmen for the free show which brings the top Holstein cattle from Rock, Dane and Green counties here
for competition. Trophies to be donated are on exhibit through Wednesday in the front window of Ray’s Café
on Main Street. Local men in charge of the event include Charles Maas, general chairman, Dr. E. W. Kruger,
secretary-treasurer; and Ed Zamzow, publicity.
40 Years Ago (1968): Miss Candace Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Collins of Evansville , a former
student and graduate of Evansville High School is enrolled as a student of the Madison Academy of Beauty
Culture, Madison, Wis. Upon graduation she will participate in the Wisconsin Board of Health Cosmetology
Examination in Milwaukee and receive her license.
30 Years Ago (1978): Glenn Kruser, new physician assistant in the office of Dr. Roger S. Gray, was introduced
to the members of the Evansville Health Planning Council last week Wednesday at their regular monthly
meeting held at the Village Square. Kruser, 28, a native of Shullsburg, has been in Evansville about three
weeks. He and his wife, Susan, who is employed by Dr. Rhoads, a dentist in Madison, have purchased a home
in the Francis Addition. A graduate of Shullsburg High School, he went on to the University of Wisconsin at
Madison for a year and then served in the Army for 19 months as a medic. Following this he returned to the
UW to obtain a degree in nursing. He was employed in Darlington by a physician and then again returned to
the University to achieve his degree as a physician assistant.
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20 Years Ago (1988): In order to fulfill the requirements for their Citizenship and Craftsman Badges, Webelows
Scouts Matt Reese and Joe Benson elected to build a picnic table for the Evansville Manor. A major portion of
their fund raising for materials was achieved by collecting aluminum cans. Overseeing the project was den
leader, Dr. Ken Reese.
10 years ago (1998): DeEtte Eager of Evansville was a delegate for the Wisconsin Arts Board and attended
the Folk-life Festival in Washington D. C. June 24-28. Wisconsin took center stage as part of the Festival,
commemorating its Sesquicentennial and was highlighted as the featured state of the festival. Mrs. Eager
attended the all-day meeting on Thursday of the National Arts Board, at the home of Alice Roosevelt
Longworth. There was a reception in the evening for Wisconsin delegates, sponsored by Wisconsin Products.
Gov. Thompson spoke.
In Review
Fourth Week of July 1868-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): A baptism took place at the mill pond on Sunday last, Rev. Mr. Hueling officiating. Mr.
David Jones, Miss Pamelia O’Reilly, and Miss Anna Jones, were the candidates, and who were also received
into church fellowship by the F. W. Baptist Society.
130 Years Ago (1878): Mr. Homer Potter returned from his Dakota trip by the train Wednesday of last week.
He is feeling quite elated over the settlement of his boys on a good quarter section of Dakota lands and he left
them to work up a homestead. He built a small house and set his boys to plowing for early work next Spring.
He represents Mr. Richardson’s family as being contented and highly pleased with their new homes. Mr. Potter
got bronzed up considerable, sailing round in search of lands among the prairies of Dakota, but he says that
will wear off now.
120 Years Ago (1888): A Sad Accident. Mr. Martin Brodrick was thrown from his buggy about one mile south
of this place last evening about 5:30 o’clock and killed. He was an old settler, aged about 68 years. DIED.
Friday July 20th, 1888, Mr. Martin Brodrick of the town of Magnolia, by accident, aged 68 years. The subject of
this obituary was born in Ireland in 1820; immigrated to New York in 1842, was married to Bridget Ward in 1849,
moved to Janesville in 1851 and from there upon his late farm in 1855, where he has since remained a faithful
highly respected farmer, whose word was as good as his bond. He became the father of six children, 5 of which
survive him, a daughter Lizzie precedes him to the promised land about 17 years; his daughter Mary is happily
married to Mr. Croak living between this place and Albany; Michael is the proprietor of a successful furniture
store at Brodhead; John is a traveling salesman; James is the proprietor of our City Livery and Martin resides
upon the homestead. The funeral was held at the homestead on Sunday, July 22, 1888 at 8:30 o’clock a.m.
after which the remains were conveyed to their last resting place in the Catholic Cemetery near Janesville.
Rev. Father Kelley of Brodhead officiating.
110 Years Ago (1898) Two accidents occurred on the Chicago & Northwestern railway at the North Madison
Street crossing in this city, this week, where work on the double track is being done. Abraham McDonaldson, a
laborer, had his third finger on his left hand taken off. N. P. Swanson, a teamster, fell beneath a dummy car in
such a manner that a bolt was driven clear through his left leg four inches below the knee and severing the
artery. Dr. Evans and Dr. Colony dressed the limb and he was taken to his home in Chicago, where we
understand the limb was amputated.
100 Years Ago (1908): Art Spencer has been having an unusual run of ill luck of late it seems. Recently a
valuable Shropshire ram got a leg broken which necessitated killing, and a few days after, his dog took the
rabies and bit several hogs and cattle, what effect is hard to tell but the worst is feared.
90 Years Ago (1918): The last week has been one of the busiest of the year for the concentration of men at
the cantonements. All over the country the government has been calling in the last of the men in class one,
and the trains on all the railroads have been busy getting the trained men to new stations and the new men to
their training camps. Nine young men from this city, among the last to be called, left Wednesday. They were
Oscar Leeder, Joe Collins, George Finneran, Roscoe Haynes, Sherman Cushman, Richard Meredith, Joseph
Paulson and Earl Hopkins. These all left in a body and there were many of their friends present at the depot to
bid them farewell and they sent the boys away with rousing cheers, regardless of how little like cheering they
felt.
80 Years Ago (1928): Evansville again occupies first position in the race for the flag in the Southern Wisconsin
league by reason of its trimming the Milton Wolves Sunday 25 to 4. Christianson and Parkinson for Evansville
each hit a home run. Christianson held the Wolves helpless and at no time was he in distress.
70 Years Ago (1938): The Badger Coach Company, one of Evansville’s newest industries is this week
displaying one of its attractive trailer coaches at the trailer show being held at Wisconsin Dells in conjunction
with the annual convention of the Wisconsin-Minnesota Automobile Tourist Association. The coach was taken
to the show Saturday night by Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bruce and son, Mark, who operate the factory here on
North Madison Street south of the viaduct. Mark Bruce returned Sunday evening leaving his parents there to
demonstrate the coach. The Badger Coach Company is the only Wisconsin trailer firm exhibiting products at
the show which is slated to close next Wednesday.
60 Years Ago (1948): Three weeks of concentrated study and group practice will culminate Saturday in the all-
state band concert in the university stadium in Madison when more than 200 of the best high school musicians
in the state give their festival performance at 8 p.m. They have been attending a three weeks band session of
the 19th annual music clinic at the state university. The following Evansville students have attended the clinic
and will play: Ruth Krause and Beverly Amidon, clarinets, and Phyllis Rasmussen, bassoon. It is expected that
a large number of Evansville people will attend the concert.
50 Years Ago (1958): Lake Leota will be drained in August, the City Council voted last night. Working with the
State Conservation Department, the city will remove both game fish and carp. After the lake is refilled, it will be
restocked with game fish. Necessary repairs to dams and spillways will be done while the lake is empty. Extent
of the work won’t be known until the water is out. Dredging to remove silt has been carried out this summer.
40 Years Ago (1968): Approximately 300 citizens of School Dist. No. 6 of Evansville attended the annual
school meeting held Monday night as compared with the usual 45 or 50 in attendance. It appears that only
when a controversial issue is to be discussed and decided that most of the citizens feel it is their duty to attend
the meeting. The budget was apparently the item on the agenda that brought out the crowd. Board of
Education President David Fellows, carefully explained every item in the budget. Contracts for former Supt.
John Bowser who recently consented to return to Evansville and act as consult and William Amundson, hired as
acting superintendent were disputed. During the salary discussion, a representative of the taxpayers’ group
read salary figures of several other cities which ranged from $12,000 to $15,000 for the year 1967-1968. Mr.
Fellows read figures from another group of cities for 1968-69 year which were in the $15,000 to $18,000
range. Dr. Howard Krueger, ex-board of education president, informed the voters that regardless of whether
they accepted or rejected the budget as proposed, the status of Mr. Bowser and Mr. Amundson would not be
changed as their contracts have already been signed by the board members. The group became noisy and
many walked out of the building in protest without waiting to cast their ballots. When the ballots were counted
there were 117 to accept the budget and 111 to reject it.
30 Years Ago (1978): Miss Barbara Blumstein is the new librarian in Evansville, assuming the position Mrs.
Staffeld recently retired from. She holds a Masters degree in library science from the University of Michigan
and has been associated with the University of Wisconsin Stout at Menomonie. She formerly resided in Elk
Mound.
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20 Years Ago (1988): Sally Zingg of Evansville, with her newly established “Bed and Breakfast enterprise, has
joined with the cities of England, Ireland and Scotland in offering hospitality to travelers. Her lovely home now
known as “Pine Grove” lent itself beautifully to the idea. Formerly the Spratler house, located at 262 W.
Church Street, the house originally is one of Evansville’s oldest. It was built by Jacob West and sons in 1864-
65, in the Civil War era, but the finishing touches were put on when John C. Andrews purchased the house in
1868.
10 years ago (1998): Evansville folks who are participating in Oregon High School production of Kiss Me Kate
are Matt Albrecht, Michelle Patterson, J. Peter Shaw, and Elyse Albrecht.
In Review
Last Week of July 1868-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): Sunday night last, several houses in our village were entered by the light-fingered
gentry whose visits have received oft and timely admonition from our columns. The sanctity of Dr. Smith’s
sleeping apartments were visited, his pockets rifled of some ninety dollars in money. The house of Nelson
Winston was also entered, but the burglars were frustrated in their design by the timely awaking of his mother
by whose premises the persons gained entrance to the house. The house of Mr. Pettigrew was also entered at
the same time but the burglars were frustrated in their attempts to steal, but some person in the house hearing
footsteps, and calling out “who’s there?” which had the effect to drive them away. The grist mill was broken
into, and some dollar and a quarter taken from the cash drawer.
130 Years Ago (1878): Mr. Elmer Bullard handed us a shingle the other day which contained the figures of his
wool clip for this and the past year. He has 208 sheep. The number of pounds of wool, new clip, is 1338; old
clip, from 144 sheep is 823 pounds, all of which he sold to Johnson & Stevens Bros. for $643.20. He says this
is the best average yield he has seen this year.
120 Years Ago (1888): Drs. Innis and Smith performed the difficult operation yesterday of removing a portion
of a peanut from the ear of Mr. A. H. Day’s child about 22 months old, which had remained in the ear about 6
months and entirely destroyed the hearing of the same forever. We can only form a faint idea of the suffering
the child must have endured during this time.
110 Years Ago (1898) Mr. Earl Bullard, who had his left thumb and first finger badly mangled between the disk
and standard of the engine at Baldwin & Hynes feed mill two weeks ago, had to have the thumb amputated.
100 Years Ago (1908): Miles Morgan Tullar quietly passed away Friday evening at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Laura Taggart, aged 92 years. Mr. Tullar was one of the pioneer settlers of Evansville, coming here in
1844, with a young wife, and after a brief stop, purchased a farm a few miles southwest of the city, and followed
the avocation of farming till old age necessitated a rest from his labors. M. M. Tullar was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., May 28, 1816. In January 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Lusbe Ann Gallop, who was a
faithful and loving companion for fifty-eight years, when she was called to her home beyond. To this union
thirteen children were born, ten of whom are living and are: John M.; Walter D., Fred, Earl, and Mrs. Laura
Taggart all of this city, Mrs. Emma Layton and Elmer of Eugene, Ore., Frank M. of Beach, N. Dak., Mrs. Carrie
Grove, of Le Mars, Ia., and Miles of Lennox, S. Dak. .
90 Years Ago (1918): The several companies of “Shock Troops” which have been organized in this city to
help the farmers shock their grain after supper in the evenings, are doing fine work and several farmers have
been made happy this week by having these bunches charge their grain fields and fix them so they will do the
Kaiser as much injury as possible. There is quite a rivalry between the different companies and the D. E. Wood
Butter Co. claims that one of their squads, consisting of twenty-six men, charged onto a twenty-six acre field
belonging to Ben Griffeth on Wednesday evening, and in just twenty-six minutes had the field shocked. The
Grange Store Company claims to have beaten even this record as one of their squads of fifteen men shocked
thirty acres of Philip Gransee in such a short time that they will not give it for fear people might doubt their
word. Tonight this same squad expects to go to Elmer Rosa’s where they expect to beat all previous records.
80 Years Ago (1928): Clarence Lamb, 35, has quietly left Evansville to permit his former wife and their 11 year
old daughter to enjoy happiness found after he left them nine years ago. For the first time since 1919 Lamb
came to Evansville looking for his family. The daughter, Louise, was attending school. Before returning home
he bought her new dresses, toys, and candy, but there was no reunion with the former Mrs. Lamb. She had
obtained a divorce and remarried. Lamb wished the couple and his daughter happiness and left for Texas.
70 Years Ago (1938): The city fire department was summoned Thursday afternoon to the Chicago and
Northwestern freight depot to extinguish a roof blaze believed to have originated from sparks from a passing
locomotive. After the firemen had departed, a second blaze broke out making it necessary for the department
to return. Only slight damage was reported.
60 Years Ago (1948): Clarence Grundahl, formerly of Watertown, has been engaged to teach agriculture in
the Evansville high school during the coming year. Mr. Grundahl has taught agriculture for the past ten years.
Mrs. Grundahl and three children plan to move here as soon as living quarters are available.
50 Years Ago (1958): Mr. and Mrs. Ora Green, Evansville, announce the approaching marriage of their
daughter, Miss Lenice Mae Perkins to Jack Covert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Covert. The wedding will take
place Saturday, August 16, in the First Methodist church.
40 Years Ago (1968): Taking advantage of the summer registration-orientation program for new freshmen
during the past week at the U. of Wis. In Madison were three students from Evansville. They are Susan Hagen,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Hagen, Carol Maas, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Maas, and Bonnie
Parsons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Parsons.
30 Years Ago (1978): Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Dobbs and family have recently moved into a new home at 70
Badger Drive in Evansville. They sold their home on S. Madison Street to Mr. and Mrs. Blumstein, who moved
to Evansville from Elk Mound.
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20 Years Ago (1988): K L C Queen of Wetonka 316, shown by Doug Spooner, Evansville, was named the
senior yearling champion female at the 1988 Wisconsin Angus Preview Show, Janesville. This heifer also
captured the “owned” reserve senior yearling title in the junior show. Doug Spooner was named president of
the 1988 Wisconsin Junior Angus Association. The new leaders were elected during the state junior Angus
Preview Show.
10 years ago (1998): The Evansville Police Department is looking for information on a series of tire slashings
that happened during the weekend. The Evansville Fire Department and the Evansville Police Department
responded to a gas leak on July 29 in downtown Evansville at the intersection of Main Street and Madison
Street. The area was sealed off within one block in each direction. Firefighters searched the building that
houses T & W Liquidators and Michaels Restaurant and shut off the gas. The Wisconsin Gas Company said
the leak came from the grill in the restaurant. It will remain off until the grill is fixed.