In Review
First Week of January 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Married:  At the residence of the bride’s parents, January 1st, 1868, by Rev. Jas.
Watts, Mr. J. T. Norton and Miss Delphine McMillan, all of Evansville, Wisconsin.  Married:  In St. Louis, Mo.,
at the residence of  E. C. Little, Esq., on Thursday evening, Dec. 26th, 1867, by the Rev. A. H. Burlingham,
D. D., Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Mr. David C. Stevens of Evansville and Miss Mary A. Little, of
Rutland, Wis.  Married:  In Albany, at the house of the bride’s father, Jan. 1st, 1868, by Rev. E. Robinson,
Mr. Hosea Bridgman, of Evansville and Miss Hannah A. VanDusen, of Albany.  Married:  At the Union Hotel
in Union, Wis., Dec., 25th, 1867, by Rev. A. C. Keene, Wm. H. Dreher and Susan Babbitt.  Married:  January
1st, 1868, at the residence of the bride’s mother, by Rev. Mr. Barry, Mr. J. A. Warner and Miss Alice
Thompson, both of Center, Rock Co., Wis.

130 Years Ago (1878):  The Evansville Dramatic Association will present the beautiful drama “Among the
Breakers,” to be followed by a farce entitled “Slasher and Crasher,” at Morehouse’s Hall, Thursday night.  
With the popularity that this association has carried, right among our own people, entitles them to a full
house.  They have been idle for some months and now present this play as the first of the season, with the
hope it will meet with the hearty response from our people that it deserves.  Tickets for sale at N. Winston &
Sons.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Married:  Chester Miller, of Cooksville and Miss Inis E. Maxon, of Evansville,
Christmas Eve, December 24, 1887.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Mr. Geo. L. Pullen gave an afternoon party to about forty of his friends at the
Opera House New Years from four until eight, evening.  Dancing was the amusement provided.  Prof. Huyke
furnished music.

100 Years Ago (1908):  The rubber coats for the Evansville Hose Company No. 1, which were recently
ordered through the firm of Ray Gillman & Sons, have arrived.  The coats were purchased by the City
Council for the firemen, and as the boys are very much in need of them, the gift is greatly appreciated.  
90 Years Ago (1918):  The officers of the Evansville Home Guards have received notice from the
government that owing to the scarcity of rifles and uniforms that it will be impossible to federalize the
company at the present time and that many of the companies who have already been promised supplies
and federalization will have to be withdrawn.  Instead of our sixty companies that it was intended to have in
this state, the number will be reduced to forty.  The Evansville company, however, by a decisive vote has
decided to maintain its organization and to keep up its drills as the time may come when they will be
needed, and they want to be ready.
80 Years Ago (1928):  It is announced by the secretary of the Evansville Rock County Fair Association that
the annual stockholder’s meeting will be held at the city hall on the afternoon of January 10, for the purpose
of hearing reports and considering the offer from the Janesville Driving Park Association of $4,200 for the
Evansville charter which will give that Association the right to call itself a county fair and will virtually put the
Evansville Rock County Fair out of business.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Mr. and Mrs. Dan Francis Finnane announce the arrival of a baby son born early
Christmas morning.

60 Years Ago (1948):  According to D. G. Whitmore, secretary of the company, arrangements have been
completed here for the 73rd annual meeting of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  The company which
has its headquarters at 137 East Main Street, is one of the oldest in the state having been in constant
operation since 1874.  Directors will be elected for terms of three years to succeed Fred Miller, Wade
Woodworth and D. G. Whitmore.  

50 Years Ago (1958):  Baker Manufacturing Co., Evansville’s largest industry, expanded its line of products
recently when it introduced a new pitless pump installation system.  The company, which gained fame in
pioneer days as manufacturer of windmills, now makes automatic water systems along with such things as
television towers, pump jacks, hydrofoils and grey iron castings, and is also distributor for pipe, fittings,
motors, hydrants, brass goods, plumbing fixtures, steel cabinets and other supplies.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Evansville skaters have been hoping that the ice on Lake Leota would be safe and in
good condition for the winter sport.  City officials state that they too have been hopeful that the city
youngsters would enjoy the sport but up until Christmas Day the weather did not cooperate.  However, they
have made arrangements for the warming house to be open whenever the ice is safe.  Therefore, skaters
are requested to cooperate and stay off the ice when the warming house is not open.  The ice is being
tested daily throughout the winter for safety.  

30 Years Ago (1978):  Evansville Police Chief Richard Luers was elected President of the Rock County Law
Enforcement Association last week to succeed Rock County Sheriff Fred Falk for a one-year term.  
Members of the group are police chiefs from Beloit, Beloit township, Clinton, Edgerton, Janesville, Milton,
Milton township, Orfordville, Turtle township, in addition to the Rock County Sheriff, Coroner, District
Attorney, Juvenile Probation Officer, State Patrol and other county representatives.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  According to LaVerne Krueger, president of the Meals on Wheels, “We are the only
city that has never missed a day in 15 years.”  Madison did not deliver and several other towns were not
able to as a result of the Tuesday blizzard, December 15th.  Tom Williams and Blaine Ellison, in one four-
wheeled vehicle and Howard Krueger and Ken Reese in another, made fourteen people very happy.  Tom
Williams said the people were also very surprised.  They didn’t think the meals would get to them.  The men,
all veterinarians, with Evansville Vet Service, had to stop in the middle of the road when making the
deliveries because they didn’t dare get too near the curb.  All the meals arrived just a little later than usual.   

10 years ago (1997):  According to city administrator Mike Davis, four have applied for the position of police
chief for the city of Evansville.  Two are local and two are from other areas.  The names will not be divulged
until the screenings have taken place and finalists listed.  Acting Police Chief was Scott McElroy.

In Review
Second Week of January 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  New Wagon Shop:  Mr. Wm. Bedford & Co., have rented the shop and premises of
Mr. Hiram Spencer, and is now receiving stock for an extensive wagon and carriage manufactory.  Mr.
Bedford is from Oregon, Dane county, where for several years he has been extensively engaged in the
business, and his work has always commanded a ready and extensive sale.

130 Years Ago (1878):  The extensive foundry and machine shop of Messrs. A. S. Baker & Co., received a
narrow escape from a severe fire on Saturday evening last.  A spark from the fire in the furnace room flew
into a barrel of fine charcoal which ignited, but was discovered by one of the workmen in the wood shop of
Lehman Bros. who succeeded in extinguishing the flames.

120 Years Ago (1888):  The accidents from the icy walks Thursday were as numerous as they were painful.  
There were many minor mishaps which figure nothing on the records.  Mrs. Apfel slipped and sprained her
arm quite badly.  Miss Betsy Mann went to the well to get water for tea, and slipping on the ice, fell,
splashing the water all over herself, and receiving such injuries that she had to be helped into the house,
after laying sometime in a painful and helpless condition.  She was quite badly hurt.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Mr. George Christman, aged 63 years died at his home in this city of heart failure,
about 12 o’clock Monday night.  Comrade Christman attended the funeral of Comrade H. W. Smith,
Monday, and marched in the ranks of the G. A.R. to the cemetery and back, supposed to be in his usual
health and only commenced feeling a little weak about 6 o’clock in the evening, but rapidly grew worse until
he passed away.  His funeral was held at the M. E. Church, Thursday at 10 o’clock a.m., and his remains
taken to the Magnolia cemetery near his former home.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Miss Emma Kuelz expects to leave for Beloit soon, where she will take a course in
the business college.
90 Years Ago (1918):  Dr. John M. Evans was a life long resident of this city and a son of Dr. John M.
Evans, the pioneer physician for whom Evansville was named, and Emma Clement Evans, of La Porte, Ind.,
died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Monday afternoon, Jan. 7.  Dr. Evans was ill at his home for many
months before he was taken to the hospital last November.  Dr. Evans was born in Evansville fifty-nine
years ago.  He was educated in the Evansville schools and Rush Medical College.  In 1885, he married Miss
May Johnson, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Johnson, of this city.  After their marriage they spent a
year in Vienna and London where Dr. Evans pursued his medical courses.  Following the precedent of his
father, he decided to make Evansville his field of service.  After his father’s death he maintained the interest
in the Pioneer Drug Store which was established before the Civil War.  Dr. Evans is survived by Mrs. Evans,
three children and a sister, Mrs. Edward Cary of Portland, Oregon.  His daughter Adelaide, and son John
Clement, are graduates of the university and Richard is beginning his work there in the pre-medical
course.    
80 Years Ago (1928):  Frank Hall, of Hall Bros. Shows, Whitewater, was in this locality last week and while
here purchased of Dan Finnane a standard bred gelding which he will add to his equipment, as the animal
is said to be of extraordinary intelligence.

70 Years Ago (1938):  For sale:  Tourist cabin at Lake Leota in excellent condition.  Accommodations for
five.  Inquire of Mrs. Ralph E. Smith, 15 ½ West Main Street, above Bliven’s Royal Blue Food Store.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Evansville’s first annual ice carnival was held Sunday afternoon on Lake Leota with
150 in attendance.  The event was sponsored by the Congregational Church with H. L. Tait serving as
general chairman.  He was assisted by the Rev. Francis Kranz, pastor of the church and other men in the
community.  First place winners were Wayne Disch in the boys intermediate 16-17 years; Gordon Brunsell,
boy’s juvenile 12 and 13 years; James Knapp, boy’s midgets, under 12; Jean Butler, girls junior 14- 15
years; Darla Albright, girl’s juvenile, under 14 and Carlyn Krueger 7 and Edwin Krueger, 5, both were
awarded ribbons for their sportsmanship in competing against older skaters.  

50 Years Ago (1958):  Many Evansville business places were closed Monday afternoon, as the community
turned out to pay its last respects to former mayor, William E. Brown.  Services for the well known druggist
were held in the Congregational Church and burial was made in Whitewater.  Brown died suddenly at his
new home here last Friday morning.  He was 55.  His interest in antiques led to his developing one of the
finest private collections of old drug store supplies and equipment.  The antique drug store he set up in the
basement of his former home on Church street was listed as among the outstanding such collections in
America by the Smithsonian Institution, and had been pictured and described in many professional and
general interest publications.  He is survived by his wife, Isabelle, a daughter Susan; two brothers, Donald
and Arleigh, Whitewater, and a sister, Mrs. Bruno Wardin, Beloit.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Holz, Evansville, announce the engagement of their daughter,
Sandra Louise, to David Zweifel, Route 1, McFarland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cloyence J. Zweifel, Evansville.  
Miss Holz, a graduate of Madison Business College, is a secretary for the Madison Diocesan Department of
Education.  Mr. Zweifel, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism, is a member of the
Capital Times news staff.

30 Years Ago (1978):  The Evansville Board of Health will hold a public discussion on January 31 at 7 p.m.
regarding the noise and dust problem from corn drying.  Last fall, citizens living in the area adjacent to the
Union Co-op’s corn drying operation objected to the noise and dust.  No action was taken at that time.  The
city will invite a DNR representative to attend, as well as Union Co-op and interested citizens.

20 Years Ago (1988):  Each year the Evansville Jaycees recognize members of the Evansville community
for outstanding involvement and accomplishments in their profession and their community.  On January 30,
1988 a banquet will be held in their honor at the Evansville Country Club.  Doug Spooner will be honored as
the outstanding young adult; Ed and Denise Arnold, the outstanding young farm couple; Chris Eager,
outstanding young individual; and Ann Krause, outstanding young educator.  Marjorie Hipke, will receive the
Distinguished Community Service Award for her dedication in serving others.

10 years ago (1997):  With the Jan 6, 5 p.m. deadline passed, the following candidates have filed papers
with City Clerk Robert Poffenberger.  Running for Mayor are incumbent Steven DiSalvo and council member
Thayne Anderson.  For First Ward Alderman, incumbent Harlin Miller is being opposed by Paul Baker.  
Second Ward has two newcomers vying, Chuck DiPiazza and Janis Ringhand.  Third Ward alderman Ron
Schmit is being opposed by Diane Roberts and Fourth Ward Alderman has two running former councilman
Dale Bryant and Kent Katzenmeyer.  Thomas Alisankus is the only candidate for Municipal Judge.

In Review
Third Week of January 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  To Farmers.  The subscriber wishes to inform the farmers of Union and the
adjoining Towns, that he has the agency of the following different kinds of Farm machinery and agricultural
implements;  Mitchel’s Celebrated Racine Farm Wagons, Buckeye Grain Drill, The marsh harvester, The
Excelsior Reaper & Mower, the celebrated Joseph Hall Threshing Machine, Collins & Shattock’s Blower
Thresher, Sulky Corn Plow, and in fact, all kinds of heavy farm machines:  which I will sell as cheap and as
good time as can be said in Rock County.  Any one contemplate buying any kind of Farm Machinery, will do
well to call or write to me for circulars, terms etc.  Any person wanting information in regard to any kind of
Farming Machinery, need only to write to me and I will give full descriptions by return mail.  Earl Billings,
Evansville, Wis.  Office with Randolph at Fifield’s Lumber yard.

130 Years Ago (1878):  At the meeting of the first Constitutional Convention which met at the Capitol, at
Madison, the 5th of October, 1846, two gentlemen from this county who were elected as delegates are still
residents of our town, Hon. David L. Mills, and Sanford P. Hammonds.  Hon. Daniel Johnson and family, and
Hon. David L. Mills, went to Madison Monday to attend the opening of the new Legislature and the
Inauguration.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Rev. Arthur J. Hovey, of Stoneham, Mass. will occupy the Baptist pulpit next
Sabbath morning and evening.  We understand the Baptist people have engaged Mr. Hovey for their settled
pastor, for a term, at least.  Mr. Hovey was in town a few days since on his way to Minneapolis, but we had
not the pleasure of his acquaintance.  He is a man of middle age and bears the impress of a Christian
gentleman, that he is, and is well learned in his noble profession.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Twenty-one cars of stock were shipped from this station to Chicago the first three
days of this week, as follows:  Monday evening, Will Campbell and O. F. Collins shipped 3 cars of hogs and
cattle; David Stevens, 2 cars of hogs and cattle; Tuesday evening the Miller Bros., shipped 4 cars of cattle,
and Wednesday evening, C. A. Hollister shipped 2 cars of sheep; W. H. H. Johnson, 2 cars of sheep; John
Wall, 2 cars of sheep; Arthur Franklin, 2 cars of cattle; Chris Jorgensen, 2 cars of cattle; David Stevens, 1
car of hogs and 1 of cattle.

100 Years Ago (1908):  A very pretty wedding occurred last evening at the suburban home of George
Higday, when his daughter, Jane Evelyn, was united in marriage to John Warren Rodd.  The wedding took
place at eight o’clock, and the wedding march played by Mrs. T. W. North announced the nuptial hour.  The
guests consisted of relatives only, and the ceremony which made the happy couple one was performed by
the Rev. T. W. North.  The bride wore a beautiful gown of tan silk and carried pink carnations.  Following the
congratulations, a bountiful three-course supper was served, the tables and dining room being tastefully
decorated with ferns and carnations.  Mr. and Mrs. Rodd will commence housekeeping at once in the
handsome residence which Mr. Rodd recently purchased of Henry Asmus on Garfield Avenue.  Both young
people are well known and popular and hosts of friends will wish them much happiness in their wedding life.
90 Years Ago (1918):  A deal was completed last week whereby the Saxon Garage, formerly owned and
conducted by Harry Loomis and Warren Rowley became the property of Leslie and Blaine Davis, and will
hereafter be run under the name of Davis Brothers.  These two young men are well known in this city and
both of them are experienced in the business, so it is very probable that they will be able to hold and satisfy
the large trade that the Messrs Loomis & Rowley have built up.  The reason for the sale is that Mr. Rowley
has been offered a $4,000 a year position as superintendent of an iron foundry at Anniston, Ala., an iron
foundry town close to Birmingham, which is called the Pittsburgh of the South.  Mr. Rowley expects to leave
to take charge of his new position about the fifteenth of this month, his family to follow later.  [Note:  This
garage was located at 14 West Main.  The Quonset style building was razed and a new building constructed
on the site in the 1960s.]
80 Years Ago (1928):  School Notes:  Next semester school starts at 8:45 in the morning.  This means that
some people will have to get up about fifteen minutes earlier.  School will close at 11:45 and start again at 1:
00.  This leaves the amount of time for noon just the same only it is fifteen minutes earlier.  School will end
at 4:00 as usual.  

70 Years Ago (1938):  At its annual meeting held here last week in the G. A. R. hall, the Farmers’ Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of the Town of Union re-elected officers, chose two new directors, and changed its
name to the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  The officers for the ensuing year have been
announced as follows:  Fred Miller, president; Ed. J. Ellis, vice president; C. H. Whitmore, secretary and
treasurer; and Lyman Gillies, Charles Miller, Lee Barnard, and Victor Tullis, directors.  The two new
directors are W. G. Patterson, Evansville and Harry Hook, Brooklyn.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Plans are being completed here this week for a Parent-Teacher Association card
party in the school lunch room.  The arrangement committee is comprised of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bennett,
Mr. and Mrs. Don Every, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Roderick, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Dan
Kissel, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Becher.  Mrs. Howard Estes, social chairman has announced that the party
will be held in place of the neighborhood parities.  In that the party is the only money making event of the
year sponsored by the P. T. A., it is expected that a large crowed will attend.  The admission prices will be
35 cents per person.

50 Years Ago (1958):  An Evansville girl will be commissioned Friday, Jan. 17, as a Methodist missionary to
West Pakistan.  She is Mrs. Donald C. Wold, the former Shelly Thurman.  She and her husband will be
among a group of 59 who will be commissioned as missionaries or deaconess of the Methodist Church in
ceremonies at Buck Hill Falls, Pa.  In Pakistan, Mrs. Wold will work in the field of library science, and her
husband will teach physics.  Both of them are graduates of the University of Wisconsin, where Shelly was a
honor student.  Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. John Thurman.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Albert Winn is seeking a seat on the County Board, as is also Richard Eager,
present incumbent from Evansville.  Mr. Winn is a former Evansville Mayor and was a member of the County
Board 18 years, two of which he was chairman.  An Evansville business man for many years, Winn had an
automobile agency until 1922, when he entered the coal and gas business, operating the Winn Coal and
Gas Co.  He is now retired.  

30 Years Ago (1978):  John Jordan, son of Rev. and Mrs. I. Dean Jordan, 314 Grove St., is among the
nearly 100 students leaving the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point last week to spend the next four
months in one of four overseas centers operated by their alma mater.  John is a member of the group
headed for England.

20 Years Ago (1988):  At the regular school board meeting Monday night, the board members approved a
plan of action that would create a handicap access to the middle school building.  After much investigation
and study, the installation of elevators appears to be the only reasonable approach to providing access
throughout the middle school facility.  The estimated cost of this project is $270,000 which would include a
seven percent architect cost of $17,520 and about $1,500 to $2,000 for printing and DILHR fees.  The
Evansville School District has recently been awarded a federal aid grant of $50,500 for removal of
architectural barriers to the handicapped.  According to Supt. Tom Benzinger, Evansville was one of 14
districts to receive grants, all of which were for installing elevators.

The Varco-Pruden building, now under construction on Bullard Road in Union Township is taking shape, as
framing was in process this week.  Worthington Tractor Parts is building this 100’ by 150’ facility,
specializing in service to the ag related community.  Worthington of Minnesota will now have its first
Wisconsin branch.

10 years ago (1997):  The Evansville Boys Varsity Basketball Team has 17 straight Rock Valley Conference
wins over the past two seasons.  They are 10-0 for the first half of the season and are presently ranked 4th
in the state in Div. 3.  

In Review
Fourth Week of January 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  For Sale:  A most desirable location within the corporate Village of Evansville, 30
acres of land for sale! Embracing arable land, timber and pasture together with never failing springs of
water.  A most desirable front on Madison Street for building purposes.  The above is offered for
reasonable prices.  Inquire of A. C. Fish, Evansville, Jan. 22.

130 Years Ago (1878):  Mr. James Hopkins of Center, sold last week, and delivered here 13 choice Poland
China hogs, the aggregate weight being 5, 965 pounds, an average of 450 lbs. each, and the Broderick
Brothers delivered 39 hogs that tipped the scales at 403 pounds each, not a bad average for that number.  

120 Years Ago (1888):  The remains of Mrs. Sarah Beebe Collins, who died in Northwestern Missouri, early
the previous week, were brought here for interment Friday night, and her funeral was held in the Methodist
church on Saturday forenoon.  When her brother got to her late residence, owing to a delay of letters and
trains, a funeral and burial had taken place, but complying with her request, her body was taken up,
brought here and laid beside her mother’s which was buried here almost eighteen years ago.  Mrs. Collins
had been twice married, and left, besides a husband and his two children, three of her own, ranging in age
from nine to thirteen years, and who will find homes with her friends about here.  Mrs. Collins was a fine
Christian woman and although she had experienced trouble in her early married life, in the loss of her
husband, yet she bore her trials with Christian grace and fortitude.  The friends here cordially extend thanks
to the people who so kindly lent their aid and assistance in this their sad hour of affliction.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Tuesday evening, Feb. 1, the ladies of the Baptist Church of Union, are planning to
give one of their famous chicken pie suppers, A large turkey will also be served.  Supper from 7 to 10 o’
clock at 25 cents.  In case of a bad evening, the supper will be on the first pleasant evening following.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Early Wednesday forenoon, J. E. Reilly’s residence was badly damaged the result
of an explosion.  Mrs. Reilly lighted the gasoline stove, preparing to do baking and ironing, and crossed the
road to look after her invalid mother.  While attending her mother, the explosion occurred.  Rev. T. W. North
was the first one to arrive at the home, and threw flour on the flames, which were quickly smothered.  
Windows in the room were shattered and pieces of glass were scattered several feet away.  The force of
the explosion was sufficient to force the east side of the building about three inches from the floor sills.  The
roof was also separated a couple of inches.  Considerable other damage was done about the house.  It is
still a mystery what was the cause of the explosion.  It was indeed fortunate that Mrs. Reilly was not in the
house at the time.
90 Years Ago (1918):  Prof. J. F. Waddell is in Janesville attending the meeting of high school principals
throughout Rock County, to consider the advisability of allowing young men in the schools to go on farms in
the spring, without lowering their grades.  [Note:  during World War I there was a shortage of farm workers
and a great need for the crops produced on local farms.]
80 Years Ago (1928):  Dan Williams is mad at the weather man.  Recently he fixed himself up with what is
called a “snow flier,” a Ford equipped with Caterpillar tread which will ramble over all kinds of snow drifts at
a speed of twenty-five miles an hour.  As Dan’s mail route, when there is snow, has more drifts to the
square mile than a route should have, he imagined he was fixed for the winter, when lo, and behold, the
weather man won’t give him any snow to even try it out.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Steffin’s Ben Franklin store, which was opened in Evansville last October in the
former Economy building is joining more than 2,600 other home-owned Ben Franklin stores throughout the
nation in sponsoring a nine-cent sale scheduled to start here Friday morning.  The Evansville store has
purchased a wide variety of new goods, including novelties, wearing apparel and household necessities,
that represent astounding values for 9 cents.   

60 Years Ago (1948):  The newly elected officers of St. John’s Lutheran Ladies Aid Society including Mrs.
Carroll Bly, president, Mrs. Chris Nelson, vice president; Mrs. Donald Persons, secretary; and Mrs. Harry
Hamilton, treasurer, recently held a meeting and named the following committees to serve during the
ensuing year:  Mrs. Ray Rosen, sunshine chairman; Mrs. Lester Patterson, Christian nurture; Mrs. Chris
Olson, mission box; Mrs. Alf Algrim, cradle roll; Mrs. Ole Westby, charity; Mrs. A. M. Romstad, promotion;
Mrs. Harold Spersrud, historian; Mrs. Harold Morrison, publicity; Mrs. Alvin Olsen, chairman of sales items;
and Mrs. Edwin Teubert and Mrs. Merrill Hyne, pianists.

50 Years Ago (1958):  Salvage operations were underway Tuesday and Wednesday as the Antes Printing
Company started going through the rubble which was about all there was left of the interior of the Antes
building.  Fire which raged through the building Monday night destroyed most of the interior in about three
hours.  Will Sumner, Jr., manager of the company, said that no estimate can be made until factory
representatives of machinery manufacturers have completed surveying the equipment in the plant, and until
they have contractor’s estimates on the damage to the building.  Origin of the fire is unknown.  Examiners
from the state fire marshal’s office were expected Tuesday, but had not arrived yet by Thursday morning.  
Although the printing operations were of course at a complete standstill, the company plans to continue with
publication of the weekly Evansville Review and Brooklyn Teller, with the help of other printing plants in the
area.  The first issue is being printed in the plant of the Markham’s, owners of the Brodhead Independent
Register.  [Note:  the Antes Building is located at 116 East Main.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Mayor Ida T. Conroy turned over the final check in payment of the new Evansville
Fire Station to Robert Helgesen, who with Don Helgesen, of Janesville, owns and operates Helgesen
Pruden Sales.  An open house will soon be held at the new Fire Station.

30 Years Ago (1978):  The emergency medical technicians of Evansville presented a plaque to Dick
“Blackie” Meyers “for loyal service as an EMT.”  Meyers has served on the ambulance since 1960 and was
among the first group of EMT’s trained from Evansville two years ago.  He is leaving Evansville this month to
assume a job in Michigan.

20 Years Ago (1988):  Lauri Ann Sperry and Rudolph Maurice Steinhoff exchanged marriage vows,
December 5, 1987,  Reverend Mark Pirazzini officiated in the 4:30 p.m. candlelight service in the United
Church of Christ, Evansville.  A poinsettia altar, built by church ladies, Dee Losey and Ione Gray, provided
the setting with candelabras on each side of the center aisle with evergreen roping and red and ivory bows.  
Parents of the couple are Eugene and Ruth Sperry and Elizabeth Steinhoff and the late Gerald Steinhoff, all
of Evansville.  

10 years ago (1998):  At the January 19 special meeting of the Evansville Board of Education, residents,
board members, and educators exchanged ideas, sometimes in heated tones, about where the district
should locate a new building needed to accommodate growth in the student population.  Mary Potter of
Potter, Lawson Architects, Madison, explained two variations of a plan to place a new building near Fair
Street, to the east of the high school, and two variations of a plan to place a new building to the south of the
current high school just off South Fifth Street.
.  
In Review
Last Week of January 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  A petition has been in circulation, the past week, among the taxable inhabitants of
the two school districts embraced mostly within this village, to present to the Board of Supervisors, asking
for a consolidation of separate interests.  The districts as they have been, and now exist, are formed by a
line running nearly midway of the village, and at either end are two rookeries, that in common parlance,
called school houses.  It is a shame that the districts have been suffered to remain in this condition so long
as they have, and the move which is being now made to unite them, is entitled to the greatest
consideration.  We cannot see how any voter, having the good reputation of the place in view, and the
social and moral advantages attendant thereto, can for a moment question the propriety of such a move.  
When the two districts are once united a respectable house can be erected at a point that will accommodate
both districts nearly as well as what either do now, and be an honor and an ornament to the place, without
drawing heavily upon the tax payers either.  The idea that such an arrangement will work an injury to the
Seminary is all sophistry.  [Note:  for more information about the history of Evansville schools see:  http:
//mywebpage.netscape.com/ruthannmontgomer/Public%20School%20History.html

130 Years Ago (1878):  Some parties captured a large gray wolf on Mr. D. M. Rowley’s farm, some three
miles from town.  He was bearing off the trap set for his wolfship by Mr. Tullar.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Cooksville:  Mr. I. G. Porter has sold the farm he bought of Ed Fellows to the
Brunsells, living on the J. K. P. Porter homestead for $7,000.  

110 Years Ago (1898):  The worst blizzard of the season came Saturday afternoon and night, and
everything was buried deep in snow, but the sun shown as bright and clear on Sunday morning as though
nothing unusual had occurred, but many were late or unable to attend morning church services from
clearing the drifted snow from their doorways and walks.

100 Years Ago (1908):  A part of the high school grounds west of the buildings has recently been flooded
from the city hydrants for the purpose of providing a suitable place for skating.  The ice is now in fine
condition and is being greatly enjoyed by the children.  It is understood that the water was donated and that
one or two of our most prominent citizens were the instigators of the move.  It is to be hoped that before the
arrival of another winter Lake Leota may be restored and as in days of yore make an ideal place where the
younger members of the city may go and enjoy this most healthful of winter sports.
90 Years Ago (1918):  The lecture given by Ivan Fay before a large audience at the opera house last
Friday evening was very interesting and more than delighted all who heard it.  He told in a very entertaining
way his experiences as an ambulance drive in the Verdun district in France.  Here he served five months
and it was in the vicinity of Verdun that some of the heaviest fighting of the entire war has been done.  He
wore his uniform just as he did while in the service and had on exhibition his gas mask, steel helmet, also
shrapnel and splinters of shell that came direct from the battlefields over which he drove an ambulance.  
80 Years Ago (1928):  Miss Helen Ethyln Cain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Cain, and Earl Deininger,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Deininger, Monticello, were quietly married last Thursday, January 19, in
Belvidere, Illinois, with Rev. Mundell officiating.  They immediately left for Rockford and Beloit where they
spent several days.  The couple will make their home in Janesville, where Mr. Deininger is employed.

70 Years Ago (1938):  January 1, of this year marked the 21st anniversary of Herb Lee as custodian of
Maple Hill cemetery, which is rated as one of the most beautiful, modern, and best kept burial grounds in
southern Wisconsin

60 Years Ago (1948):  Miss Carol Brunsell was elected president of the Porter 4-H club for the third
consecutive term at a meeting of the group held last week Wednesday evening in the Eagle school.  Other
officers chosen were Calvin Anderson, vice president; Gertrude Fox, secretary; Thomas Anderson,
treasurer, and Carol Brunsell, reporter.  Committees and project leaders for the coming year are H. S.
Raymond, Mrs. Theodore Hatlen, Mrs. Henry Julseth, Mrs. Malcolm Towns, Mrs. Kenneth Peach, and Lloyd
Stearns, advisory committee.

50 Years Ago (1958):  The Rev. William H. Wyler, who founded the Dakotah School for Boys at Dakota,Ill.,
and the Wyler School at Evansville, Wis., died at his home in December.  He had lived in Dakota since he
retired in 1937.  An ordained minister now the United Church of Christ, he had served pastorates in Ohio
and Nebraska before coming to Illinois.  The Wyler School, which he established in the former Evansville
Academy, has continued under the same name.  

40 Years Ago (1968):  The largest group of young people baptized and welcomed to the Evansville Baptist
Church recently as new members were Bill Shelby, Keith Stoddard, Kevin Stoddard, Norman Hagen, Robert
Miller, Dale Miller, Randy Phillips, Cheryl Phillips, Lorri Rasmussen, Diane Jorgensen, RoxAnn Smith, and
Vicky Thompson.  All of them previously attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and finished a 10
week course in the doctrines of the Bible and Baptist history.  Rev. Arne Waldemar is pastor.  

30 Years Ago (1978):  The 8.5 cents on the dollar that 100 farmers received for $2 million in claims against
Farmers Grain Exchange are all the assets that FGX owner Ben Green had for paying creditors, the trustee
has advised Federal Bankruptcy Judge Leonard Bessman.  The trustee has two lawsuits pending but other
than the proceeds that may eventually be recovered in these two actions, the estates have been fully
administered, the reports said.  The bankruptcy action began Dec. 23, 1974.

20 Years Ago (1988):  With two firsts and three seconds, Evansville placed third at the wrestling match held
at Albany.  Chris Larsh and Mark Zee both placed first; Toby Kelley, John Seig, Shannon Ringhand, placed
second; Jerry Delzer, Shane Zautke, third; Greg Sendlebach and Brian Reilly, fourth; and Bill Benash sixth
place finish..  

10 years ago (1998):  Joseph Wollinger, who has been Culinary Arts instructor at Blackhawk Technical
College for the past 13 years has been chosen Restaurateur of the Year by the Blackhawk Chapter of the
Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA).  The Chapter consists of over 80 member restaurants from south
central Wisconsin.  In addition to teaching in BTC’s program. Wollinger also runs the Evansville Country
Club restaurant.  The award is annually presented to a restaurateur who is dedicated to the industry,
committed to the profession, and is involved in community activities.  Candidates also must have a record of
running a successful restaurant.  

In Review
First Week of February 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  For Sale:  In Brooklyn, Green County, Wis., four miles west of Evansville, 40 acres
of good prairie land; young bearing orchard and small fruit, frame house, granary and stable.  Also 61
acres; 47 under the plow, 30 already plowed, the rest is a young grove of wood.  A good bearing orchard is
on the place, and a school house.  Both places are well fenced and will be sold cheap.  For particular
information enquire of Joshua Adee on the place.

130 Years Ago (1878):  During the several weeks past we have seen numerous strangers upon our streets,
attracted hither by the many advantages that Evansville possesses as a business point, and for its social,
civil, and educational advantages.  We don’t know their motives for coming here, only that business men
are attracted to business centers, and so with all other classes.  We have no room for idlers, loafers or
vagabonds of any sort.  The future of Evansville was never brighter than what the closing season presented
of 1878 and for the opening of the coming season.  More building is being planned than any closing year
before has presented since the completion of the railroad here, for the next year, should no unprovidential
casualty befall us.  Evansville will present an era, another year, for growth and business prosperity, not
heretofore seen by its present inhabitants.   

120 Years Ago (1888):  The Chicago and Northwestern Co.’s coal shed at this place was burned last week.  
The shed was built new about a year ago, and was the largest and best appointed structure of the kind on
the company’s lines, and must have cost not less than some twenty-thousand dollars.  There appears to
have been a mistake in the architecture in getting it too narrow and too low, hardly giving room for a tall
man to stand erect on an ordinary stock car without striking his head against some of the roof timbers.  It
was from this cause that Conductor Frank W. Lewis was killed Sunday morning, January 29.  Conjecture
can only tell how the shed took on fire, but from the fact that three men had been killed outright about it,
and a number of others had their arms broken or their heads mashed, it is no wonder that there should be
little superstitious dread about the place and the company is well enough satisfied that lightning did not
strike it.  However, the shed had been thoroughly looked over and all these defects which experience had
pointed out, would have been remedied.  We regret the loss, and our citizens would have done anything in
their power to have saved it.  The heavy piling on which the structure rested burned even with the ground,
but the filling in done since the shed was built, will make a good foundation to rebuild on.

110 Years Ago (1898):  To comply with the new caucus law, the following inspectors have been appointed
in this city.  First Ward – A. A. Snashall, Ed Fiedler, David Johnson; Second Ward – James Powles, C. S.
Scofield, Fred Gilman; Third Ward, Joel Morgan, Josh Frantz, Darwin Glidden.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Annual meeting of Stock Holders of the Baker Manufacturing Company.  Owing to
the large number of stockholders of this company, the annual meeting this year was held in the City Hall on
the 28th inst.  A resolution was unanimously adopted authorizing the directors to offer to purchase all the
preferred stock owned by any person and the common stock issued to such person in profit sharing at par
and paying for the same in bonds or mortgages at par.  But the matter of the greatest interest was the
election of two directors, owing to the efforts of some of the preferred shareholders to cut out the system of
profit sharing that the company have been operating under during the past nine years with commendable
success.  In order to gain their purpose it was necessary for them to elect both of the directors whose term
of office expired this year.  Had this move been successful it would have been quite revolutionary and would
have changed the present policy of the company radically.  It seems fortunate to all stockholders and to the
community at large that the present management was not displaced, and it is to be hoped that no such
cloud may ever again appear to cause disturbance or distrust.
90 Years Ago (1918):  Mayor Byron Campbell thinks that just because he is confined to the house is no
reason why he should be idle.  He has just completed his fifth quilt, and good judges say that they are
beauties.  Mayor Campbell always had a faculty of doing what he did well, and he followed out the same
policy in quilting.
80 Years Ago (1928):  For some time there has been smoldering in the minds of some men the desire for a
full time athletic and physical culture teacher in our schools.  Why should we have such a teacher, and
where will we be benefited by spending upwards of $1,500 a year for such training.  Do all of the children in
our schools, from the kindergarten to seniors in high school get the necessary muscular training, is it given
under competent direction?  No, most assuredly not, only those boys and girls, who are on a certain
basketball, baseball, or football team, ever receive any knowledge of how to take care of themselves along
this line, or are ever given any real workouts.  Whereas if we did have a full time paid physical and athletic
instructor every child including all ages would receive the necessary physical development along with the
brain development which would broaden their scope of vision.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Woodworth, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Viney and family spent Saturday evening in Janesville where they attended a party given in honor of the
87th birthday of Orin Viney at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Boden.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Dan F. Finnane Sr., 85, dean of auctioneers, who in more than 50 years of “crying”
sales became widely known in Wisconsin and northern Illinois, died at 9:30 p.m. Monday at his farm home,
one mile north of Evansville.  He had been in failing health for more than a year and seriously ill since last
October.  The funeral was at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Finnane home and at 10 o’clock in St. Paul’s
church.  Burial was in Calvary cemetery, Craok Settlement.  Rosary service was 8 p.m. Wednesday in the
Finnane home.  Pallbearers were six grandsons, William, John, Thomas, and Richard Meredith, James and
Dan Finnane.  

50 Years Ago (1958):  Boys and girls of the Forest Academy School, Evansville demonstrated the varied
forms music can take by singing fun songs, popular numbers, a German song and patriotic numbers on
WCLO Schooltime.  Vocalists were Bob Hirschfield, Delbert and Junior Schneeberger, Elaine Bowen, Gloria
and Greg Mani, Joe Peterson, Judy Natz, Darrell Bowen, Lynda Peterson, Susan Hirschfield, Sharon Olson,
Robert Bowen, Robert and Ralph Crull, Terry Olson, Valerie Peterson, Jane Crull.  Miss Kay Arnold is the
teacher and Mrs. Leona Kislia, the music teacher.

40 Years Ago (1968):  The Evansville School Board approved the purchase of new band uniforms for the
high school band.  Ninety uniforms and 15 hats will be purchased at a cost of $7,247.95.  School board
members are Mrs. Vaughn Petersen, Gordon Kazda, Mrs. S. J. Rivers, David Fellows, Dr. Howard Krueger,
Arnold Willis and Robert Kelley.

30 Years Ago (1978):  Eager Free Public Library has been remembered by another former Evansville
resident.  Victoria Glenn Yates has donated a copy of the “Why Me?”  This is a collection of her poems
many of which have been published in magazines.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  Gordon & Margaret Brigham, owners of the Coast to Coast Store will hold their grand
opening sale in their new location at 7 East Main Street on Wednesday, February 3.  The store features a
craft center, custom color paint & wallpaper, rug Rinse ‘n Vac, widow shade cutting, scissor sharpening, dry
cleaning pickup center, key cutting and glass cutting.   

10 years ago (1998):  Grace Independent Baptist Church of Evansville has announced a new pastor.  
Pastor Ronald F. Gay, with his wife Karla, and children, Stephen, Samuel, Simeon, Sylvia and Suzannah,
have recently moved to the parsonage from Aztalan, Wisconsin.  Pastor Gay will be co-pastoring with Pastor
Lyle Trow for approximately one year.  The Trows, who will always minister, are taking a major step in their
lives, and are preparing to retire from the full time professional responsibilities of the pastorate.  They have
moved back to their farm home near County C and E. Pastor Gay is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist Bible
College in Watertown, Wisconsin.  


In Review
Second Week of February 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Mr. C. H. Wilder, of Evansville, Cheese Factory, has been attending the Dairyman’s
Association which was held at Belvidere, Feb. 11.  He takes quite a prominent action in the Association and
offers some remarks that speak of a practical experience in the cheese business.  We copy a few items
from the Chicago Republican, and think the suggestions he offers worthy to be acted upon by the patrons
of his factory in this place.  One, with regard to a proper cooling of the milk before it reaches the factory,
and the expulsion of all animal heat, is a good one.  Another suggestion he offers quite as important to
cheese making – cleanliness.  Mr. Wilder has been spending most of the winter among the dairymen of New
York, and his observations will add greatly to his practical experience in his business here.  His absence
has been the cause for not publishing an annual statement of the cheese business in Evansville the past
year, which we hope to be able to do upon his return.

130 Years Ago (1878):  If there is one thing more that all in which our citizens can take pride, it is the
Evansville Cornet Band.  The boys have purchased their own instruments, procured neat and tasty
uniforms, hired a hall, and meet twice a week for practice under a paid instructor.  Their improvements are
apparent.  Now this has all been done without asking a single cent from voluntary contribution or otherwise.  
They are making themselves thoroughly proficient in all that constitutes a first class band.  Owing to the
unfavorable weather and slim attendance at the entertainment given by the band Saturday evening, they
propose to repeat at an early date with an entire change of programme consisting of vocal and instrumental
music and the immensely funny comedy “Dundecketty’s Picnic.”  

120 Years Ago (1888):  Mrs. Geo. Jones, nee Lizzie Jarman, living near Albany, died Monday Jan. 30,
1888.  Her remains were interred in the English Settlement cemetery.  Died.  Friday, Feb. 10th, 1888 of
heart disease, Mrs. John Nevill of Magnolia Township, age 75 years.  Died.  Thursday Feb. 9, 1888 of old
age and complication of diseases, Mr. Charles Rowley, aged 91 years, 10 months and 7 days.  Magnolia.  
Thos. Gorey died Tuesday night.  A. York, died Monday night.  

110 Years Ago (1898):  Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Fisher expect to start for Alexander, Va. Where they expect to
make their future home, about the 23rd, of this month.  Mr. Fisher will go into the windmill business and
handle the Baker Co.’s goods of this city.  We wish him success in his new undertaking.

100 Years Ago (1908):  The management of the Northwestern Railroad has decided to use gasoline motors
for branch line work in the State of Wisconsin and to gradually extend their use to supplant locomotives
wherever possible.  This decision is due to successful experiments with a motor car for several months on
the new line between Norfolk, Neb. and Bonesteel, S. D.  Yesterday a successful run with the motor was
completed from Omaha to Chicago.  No attempt was made at a record run, but it was stated that on portions
of the road between Clinton and Chicago, a maximum speed of sixty miles an hour was maintained for
considerable distances.  The car was purchased from the Union Pacific, which has agreed to build several
for the Northwestern’s use as soon as possible.  
90 Years Ago (1918):  Golder R. Lawrence, Scout Master, received notice that the Boy Scouts of Evansville
were Federalized and subject to call by the government for local messenger work.  All war bulletins will be
delivered to homes by Boy Scouts.
80 Years Ago (1928):  The second grade has begun a language project on Lincoln, Washington, and St.
Valentine.  LaVerne Helgeson and Evangeline Jorgenson have read more books than anyone else in
second grade.  Both have reported on 14.  On last Thursday the second and third grade boys played a
very exciting game of basketball.  Second grade scored five points and third grade, 3.  Teddy Thompson,
LaVerne Helgeson and Bobby Wolfe starred for second grade.

70 Years Ago (1938):  The crew managed by Jacob Nihart which has been at work here during the past
three months wrecking the old Hotel Central, historic land mark of the city, has now leveled the building to
the ground floor.  The flooring is now being removed and according to Mr. Nihart, the remaining part of the
structure will be cleared away within the next week.  The lack of men on the job and the extreme cold wave
have been a serious handicap during the past week.  

60 Years Ago (1948):  Public Market for the sale or purchase of Baker Manufacturing Company common
and preferred stock shares.  The first quarterly sale will be held at the main office at 133 Enterprise Street
on Wednesday afternoon, March 10, 1948, immediately after the close of the adjourned annual
stockholders meeting.  It is estimated that the stock sale meeting will start about 4 p.m.  In the past, holders
of the shares and prospective purchasers had no ready means of knowing who was interested in buying or
selling shares and no common meeting place in which to consider or close deals.  These sales are open to
the general public.

50 Years Ago (1958):   A student school patrol system is being set up here under the leadership of Police
Chief George Walk, and with the cooperation of school authorities.  The patrol will aid in seeing that young
students get safely across the more dangerous and heavily used crossings in the school area.  The
students in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades will be used on the patrol.  The patrol will be equipped
with white safety belts and badges to be worn during their duty hours.

40 Years Ago (1968):  E. M. Lunning, a research representative for Continental Manors, Inc., a nationally
known group concerned with the organization, building and operation of nursing homes, is presently
conducting an extensive survey of interest and need in the Evansville Community.  This effort is in response
to numerous inquiries received by the company indicating an interest in and need for a nursing home facility
to serve area needs.   

30 Years Ago (1978):  The Evansville Board of Education holds their regular meeting Monday Feb. 13 at 7:
30 p.m. in the high school library.  The following items will be on the agenda:  1.  a curriculum addition,
family life unit; 2.  a request by the student council to permit smoking; 3.  a request by Ron Grovesteen for a
student trip to Washington D. C.; 4. a Title I approval (continuation of previous program; 5.  a teacher
request for a leave of absence; 6.  a contract for the school nurses aide.  Architects for the middle school
remodeling project will also appear to enter into an architectural contract agreement.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Union Bank & Trust Company
held Tuesday Feb. 9, 1988, Leonard P. Eager, Jr. was elected President to succeed his father, Leonard P.
Eager.  All other directors and officers were reelected.  Leonard P. Eager, Jr. joined the bank on July 1,
1948 and has served in many capacities since that time.

10 years ago (1998):  The Evansville Community Theatre’s first production “The Odd Couple,” will be
performed this Friday and Saturday at the J. C. McKenna Middle School auditorium.  Phil Toler plays
Speed; Scott Feldt, Vinnie; Todd Campbell, Roy; Dave Persons, Murray; Mary Whitney-Hartje, Cecily
Pigeon; and Sue Woulfe plays Gwendolyn Pigeon.  .  

In Review
Third Week of February 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Masonic:  A Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was instituted in Evansville on
Wednesday last (Feb. 12th) by acting Most Excellent Grand Master, M. L. Young, when the following
officers were installed:  J. M. Evans, H. P.; C. M. Smith, K; G. E. Newman, S; Nelson Winston, Treasurer; M.
W. Sheafe, Sec’y; J. I. Foot, Chaplain; Hiram Brown, C. H.; Orren Velie, P. S.; J. R. Whitney, H.A.C.; H. M.
Allen, Gr. M. 3d Veil; F. R. Melvin, Gr. M. 2d Veil; Jas. Norton, Gr. M. 1st Veil; Wm. W. Garfield, Guard.

130 Years Ago (1878):  Mr. Frank Springer has deposited upwards of 300 tons of ice in his ice house, and
will continue to deposit so long as he can get ice from 8 to 9 inches thickness, until his house is filled—
holding some 500 tons.

120 Years Ago (1888):  The horse buyers and tobacco buyers are doing the principal wholesale business
in this section at present.  Mr. John Utter, of Delavan, shipped a car of horses from this place last night and
Barnard and son with their buyer, P. C. Wilder, are purchasing large quantities of tobacco, as well as Mr.
George Rumrill of Fulton.  The outlook for business seems to be improving a little as we near the close of a
hard winter.

100 Years Ago (1898):  Electric lights have been added to the new high school building.

110 Years Ago (1908):  Having rented my farm situated four miles N. W. of Evansville and four miles south
of Brooklyn, one-half mile west of the county line, known as the old Harrison Simmons farm.  I will sell at
public auction on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 10 o’clock a.m. the following described property, to-wit:  6 horses,
Holstein bull, 7 choice cows, 13 brood sows, Poland China boar, grain binder, corn binder, mower, hay rake,
gang plow, 15-shoe drill, corn planter, 14-disk pulverizer, walking plow, 2 corn plows, tobacco cultivator,
three section stee drag, high wagon, low wagon, truck wagon, top buggy, 2 bob sleighs, light sleigh, single
harness, 1 set driving harness, 2 set work harness, spare harness, roller, fanning mill, hay rack, corn
sheller, grain sacks, and many other articles too numerous to mention.  Free lunch at noon.  D. F. Finnane,
Auctioneer, W. W. Gillies, Clerk.  Frank Kleinsmith, Prop.

90 Years Ago (1918):   The resignation of Earl Gibbs at the power house this week made a line of
promotion all along the line.  Palmer Slauson succeeds Mr. Gibbs and Lemuel Courtier takes the place of
Mr. Slauson, and George Young is the new man.

80 Years Ago (1928):  Rock County farmers are interested in a movement that is gaining momentum in all
sections of the state.  Many local farms are selecting attractive names for their farm homes and farm
establishments.  Already more than 70 farmers of this county have selected names for their farms and
recorded them with F. P. Smiley, County Register of Deeds.  A state law provides that a farmer may
register, upon payment to the register of deeds, a fee of 25 cents, a farm name, which has not already
been recorded.  Among nearby farms already registered are:  Burr Oak, Lloyd Hubbard; Bonnycroft,
Stanley Perry; Elmwood, Chas. H. Ballard; Evergreen, Wm. A. Davenport; Kozy Knoll, Frank T. Croak;
Maple Knoll, F. W. Holt; Maple Lawn, Geo. Everill; The Maples, B. P. Hess, and Sunny Slope, C. H.
Whitmore.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Donovan Every was elected president at a meeting of the newly organized Evansville
Camera Club held in the American Legion rooms at the City Hall here Sunday afternoon.  Bernard
Sorensen was chosen vice president and William Ware, secretary and treasurer.  Plans were laid at the
meeting for a picture exhibit to be held in the near future.  In preparation for the photo display members will
take their entries to a special club meeting.  The camera club is open to all amateur photographers and
meets every other Sunday afternoon in the City Hall.

60 Years Ago (1948):  A mass initiation of 22 members into the Evansville Veterans of Foreign Wars will be
held here at 2 p.m. Sunday in the K. P. Hall with a Janesville initiation team in charge of the ceremonies.  
Following is a list of those to become members:  Stephen J. Carlson, Gordon M. Jones, Donald L. Weaver,
LaVerne B. Helgesen, Richard J. Shea, Robert P. Levin, Harold E. Zwickey, Wm. H. Keyes, Walter E.
Wieland, Wallace J. Olsen, Warren Adams, George E. Fritscher, Virgil Lamb, Roy J. Wilkinson, Gordon
Hartin, Harold M. Phillips, Howard E. Thompson, Phillip Roberts, Bill N. May, Merlin O. Reese, John B. Wall.  
The organization has rented the Woodman hall in which to hold its meetings.

50 Years Ago (1958):  New officers of Porter 4-H for this year are David Viney, President; Paul Robertson,
Vice President; Donna Haakenson, Secretary; Connie Hatlen, Treasurer; Jean Falligant, Reporter, and
Ardis Templeton and Paul Haakenson, junior council representatives.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Recently elected officers and directors of the Union Mutual Insurance Co. are Ray
Ryan, President; Walter Haberman, vice president; George Krajeck, Potter Porter, Malcolm Towns, Alva
Selck, Leon S. Patterson and Leslie Hook, directors.   Charles Maas, secretary-treasurer;

30 Years Ago (1978):  Hensel’s Antiques recently opened a display area at Ken’s Karpet Korner, featuring
Victorian walnut, French and primitives.  Hensel’s formerly operated a shop in their home on Lincoln St. and
have been in the antique business for fifteen years.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  Customers are becoming used to the new postal boxes in the Evansville Post Office,
which were installed this past week.  The new installation allows for many more postal boxes, than previous,
according to Postmaster Richard Knudtson.  The new boxes have keys insteadof  combination locks.  
Knudtson reminds customers that the stamp vending machines in the lobby are a big convenience.  The
Evansville Post Office has, this past year, taken on a new look in many ways.

10 years ago (1998):  Spring is in the air.  That is what everyone is feeling these days.  With temperatures
nearing the 50 degree mark on Sunday and sunshine to boot, thoughts of winter seem far away.  The snow
has melted and the signs of spring are around.  Geese are flying, cardinals are singing, little plants are
poking up through the ground.  This is the warmest winter in 100 years, the weather people are saying.  El
Nino is given the credit or blame as the case may be for whatever weather befalls us.  

In Review
Fourth Week of February 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Almost a fire.  On Thursday last the usual calmness of our village was startled by
the magic cry of fire.  Smoke was seen to issue in curling masses from the roof of the house of Mr. Wm.
Campbell on Madison Street and now tenanted by Messrs. Adams & Snashall.  Men hurridly grasped water
pails and buckets and rushed to the scene.  The alarm was timely, and before the flames had fairly burst
from the roof its destructive powers were deluged by the timely arrival of water.  Several little hand force
pumps, owned by some of our merchants, did excellent service, as water could be more directly and
effectively applied.  The origin of the fire was from an accumulation of soot in the stove pipe, which
overheating, ignited the adjacent wood work.  The fire occurring at midday ample assistance was readily
obtained and a general conflagration avoided.

130 Years Ago (1878):  The new fire engine was received Friday and put in order for business.  It was
hauled round to the cistern in the rear of the bank building.  The breaks were manned by as many as could
comfortably work, and threw water through one hundred feet of hose nearly across the street to Griswold’s
corner, and up on the roof of the bank building, and the same upon the Spencer House.  It was hardly a fair
test, but a proof that the machine was in working order.  To have made a thorough test heavier men should
have taken the breaks, with a relay close at hand.  It threw a very steady stream, and would have done
good execution in case of a fire, under similar circumstances.  It was evidently a mistake in getting so small
a machine; but our village board, with a due regard for the purse, did not feel justified in purchasing a larger
one at a much greater cost.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Died at his home in Magnolia, Feb. 19th, at 3 o’clock a.m., of pneumonia, Almeron
York, aged about 48 years.  Deceased was a soldier of the late war, enlisting in the 13th Reg. Wis. Vol.,
serving his country faithfully.  He leaves a wife who is nearly prostrated with grief, and two brothers to mourn
his death.  The family have the sincere sympathy of their many friends in this their hour of deepest sorrow.

110 Years Ago (1898):  The most severe storm of the season and in fact for years in this section prevailed
during Saturday and Sunday.  Snow commenced falling Saturday morning and continued without cessation
until Monday morning, when everything outside was buried deep in snow, and even on Sunday morning
many were unable to attend their church duties, being obliged to shovel their way out of their homes, and
walks, which kept them busy a greater part of the day, as the snow continued falling and blowing throughout
the day, so that it became necessary to postpone all regular church meetings in the evening, something
that we fail to recollect of ever occurring in this city before.  No trains from the south have reached here yet,
at noon Monday, and the time of their arrival is still very uncertain.  

100 Years Ago (1908):  Prof. A. H. Sholtz has resigned his position as principal of the high school, to take
effect at the end of the school year.  Mrs. Sholtz and children will leave for their farm near Oregon, next
month.  Mr. Sholtz feels that after twenty years’ service as a teacher, he wishes to devote his time to his
farm duties.  It is with deepest regret that Evansville people accept his resignation.
90 Years Ago (1918):  The following pupils of the Forest Academy who have been neither absent nor tardy
the past month are Myrtle Montgomery, Melvin Montgomery, Mary Montgomery and Edwin Griffith.  
80 Years Ago (1928):  Last Sunday night about 5:30 the fire whistle blew, and nearly everyone shivered,
thinking what an awful night it was for a fire.  The fire department was called to the home of Frank Sands on
Lincoln Street to extinguish a chimney fire.  The department responded promptly and very little damage was
done, however, if the fire had gained any headway, considerable damage might have resulted to the
neighborhood, as it was just such a night as this two years ago that the Milbrandt house burned south of
town and very little of the household goods were saved, and the same thing might have happened here had
the fire been given any headway.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Richard Baird, registered pharmacist and son of Mrs. Peter Baird, this city, who for
the past year has been employed as assistant manager of a Rennebohm drug store in Madison, has
purchased an interest in the Collins drug store here located in the Grange building and will return to
Evansville March 1, to assume his new duties.  Mr. Baird was graduated from the Evansville High School in
1928.  He completed a course in pharmacy at Marquette University, Milwaukee in 1930 and became a
registered pharmacist in 1934.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Despite a limited enrollment for the 1948-49 school year, voters of the Brown school
district east of Evansville at a special meeting Tuesday night of last week decided almost unanimously to
keep their one-room school operating.  The school now has nine children, and next term will have but six.  
Costs of operation were estimated at $2,000 to $3,000 against tuition payments of $85 to $90 per pupil in
the Evansville School system. Herbert Christensen, clerk of the district, said that it is hoped Miss Virginia
Fenn, the teacher, will return next term.  He said that sentiment in behalf of the old school and a desire to
avoid taking any action until further study is made of pending consolidation programs in the Evansville area
prompted the voters to favor the higher costs.

50 Years Ago (1958):   A play “Aladdin’s Lamp,” will be given Friday by some of the fifth grade students.  
The cast is as follows: Dennis Erbs, Bradley Bishop, Kathryn Townsend, Candace Ware, Nancy Lamont,
Sandra Hatlevig, Jo Brown, Sandra Williams, Elaine Skoien, Cheryl Olson and Genevieve Popanz.  

40 Years Ago (1968):  Three Magnolia 4-H members received high ratings in the Rock County Speech
Contest held Feb. 20th at the Rock County Court House.  Lucille Rowald, speaking in the Senior Group
Division received a Blue Rating.  She was also judged Top Speaker for Rock County.  Sally Mauerman
accredited the Junior Division with a top Blue Rating also.  Jo Anne Rowald took over for the Junior Division
and came home with a Red Rating.  

30 Years Ago (1978):  Evansville police officer Alan Christensen accepted a job as Chief of the Brodhead
Police Department Thursday night.  The Brodhead City Council unanimously approved offering the job to
Christensen after searching for a replacement since December when former Policy Chief Bruce Hannan
resigned.  The City Council has not yet determined a replacement.  An Evansville native, Christensen has
been on the local police force since 1972.

20 Years Ago (1988):  Voters in the city of Evansville didn’t show much interest in last Tuesday’s Primary
Election.  Only 127 voters registered their vote for Judge for Branch 7.  In the Town of Union, voting was
just as sparse.  Thirty-five votes were cast.  

10 years ago (1998):  Candidates for the two available Board of Education seats in the April 1998 school
district election are Dennis J. Hughes and Georgia Duerst-Lahti.  The resignation of Alan Pitas as a member
of the Evansville Board of Education was accepted by the Evansville Community School District Board of
Education.  

In Review
First Week of March 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  The election of village officers yesterday was the occasion of a little excitement by
parties desiring the re-establishment of public billiard playing and those who were opposed to it.  Billiard
playing was made the subject of an ordinance nearly a year ago, declaring it to be unlawful to keep a table
for that purpose, and the contest now seemed to be mainly, to elect a Board who would disannul that
ordinance and restore the amusement to the free enjoyment of all.  Below is the ticket elected and resulted
by a clever majority in favor of the anti-billiard party:  For President of the Board: I. M. Bennett; For
Trustees:  George F. Spencer, Levi Leonard, J. W. Hazeltine, Caleb Snashall; For Treasurer:  Nelson
Winston; For Clerk:  John T. Baker.

130 Years Ago (1878):  The vote was the lightest we have polled for a number of years.  Village Election:  
For President:  M. V. Pratt; Trustees, D. B. Huckins, W. W. Garfield, Byron Campbell, Lewis Spencer; Clerk:
James H. Hoskins; Treasurer:  Reuben Winston; Supervisor, M. V. Pratt; Justice of the Peace, D. M. Rowley;
Constable, H. W. Smith.  We mentioned last week that we probably had a pro billiard license board this
year; but this is not the case by reference to the men elected.  We knew that Mr. Pratt loved a game of
billiards and foreshadowed the result accordingly.  In justice to Mr. Pratt, while he loves a quiet game of
billiards, he is an avowed temperance man, and will do more perhaps to suppress the insolence that is too
apt to be the accompaniment of the billiard room than some who have been elected President solely on that
purpose.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Dr. J. H. Innis, our new M. D., called upon us the other day.  He has rented an office
in Mrs. Hyne’s building, on Main Street, and can be roused in night time by ringing the door bell at Mrs.
Sawtelle’s boarding house, next west of the Baptist Church, Church Street.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Married:  At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Rev. O. P. Bestor, Feb. 25,
Mr. John B. Reese and Miss Anna Larson.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Miss Mary Thompson and Clarence George were married at high noon, today,
March 3, 1908, at the home of the bride’s aunt, Mrs. Joseph Shiveley; Rev. D. Q. Grabill officiated.  The
happy couple will reside on the Shiveley farm.  We extend hearty congratulations.
90 Years Ago (1918):  L. J. Davis, of the firm of Davis Bros., who is a knight of the grip, is home from his last
trip and soon expects to retire from the road to give his entire attention to the garage owned by him and his
brother, Blaine in this city.  
80 Years Ago (1928):  A Pittsburg, Pa. paper recently in giving an account of a poster contest which was
put on there recently by the theaters and advertising concerns states that Milford Dake won third prize,
valued at $25.  Mr. Dake won this prize over several hundred competitors and in competition like that it is
quite an honor to get even favorable mention.  Milford is this winter taking a course in an art school and
judging from the success he has had in this contest is doing well.

70 Years Ago (1938):  Downing Lake Mills at Stoughton 30 to 17 before a capacity crowd, Coach George O’
Neil’s high school cagers closed a most remarkable season Tuesday night with 16 straight victories and no
defeats.  Bernie Golz collected nine points to lead the winners with Bob Horne following with five points.  The
team members are Ted Greenway, Ted Thompson, Bernie Golz, Robert Horne, Donald Rosen, Orland
Hubbard, Prentice Eager, Jack McKenna, Jerry Fellows, Robert Graham, Bill Schuster, and LaVerne
Helgesen.  Thompson and Golz are co-captains of the championship team.  

60 Years Ago (1948):  Descending upon Evansville last Friday with very little warning was the worst flood
the city has had in at least 25 years.  It began to rain about 7 a.m. Friday and although many citizens
remarked that it was the first rain we had had this winter, no one was alarmed about the results until about 2
o’clock in the afternoon when the creek began to rise rapidly and it was not until about 6 p.m. that the
situation became serious.  The east end of Leota Park became a second Lake Leota, and basements along
North Madison Street were flooded causing damage to furnaces, motors and canned fruit.  Thousands of
fish went over the spillways and when the water receded were left on the flats which had been covered.  
Both the Main Street and Church Street bridges were under water.  Waeffler Frozen Food locker plant was
flooded with 20 inches of water in the boiler room and Evansville Feed and Fuel Co., sustained a loss when
a basement storeroom was flooded, damaging three trucks and several motors.  The pattern room and
foundry of the Baker Manufacturing Company were flooded.  The rain, along with the melting snow and the
fact that the ground was frozen too hard to soak up the surface water, was the main cause.

50 Years Ago (1958):   Roger Hamilton and David Franklin, high school students at Evansville High School
were winners in the Renk Late Maturity Corn Project.  Roger is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hamilton.  
David is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Franklin.  One thousand five hundred and ninety-eight students
entered the project.  

40 Years Ago (1968):  Claude E. Willoughby left Wednesday for California to attend the wedding of his
daughter, Miss Susan Willoughby on Mar 9.  He will return home Monday accompanied by his other
daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Pierce and son, Jack, who have been residing in Japan the past
three years.  Pierce is being discharged from the service and he and Mrs. Pierce and son plan to live in
Evansville.

30 Years Ago (1978):   A 9.5 per cent increase in base salary for the 1978-79 school year, representing an
approximate $10,000 base salary, was proposed last week by the Evansville Education Association (EEA) in
the opening round of contract negotiations with the Evansville Board of Education.  Another EEA proposal
was for a minimum of 50 minutes of duty-free uninterrupted preparation time per day.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  The public hearing set for Monday night on the proposed Countryside Estates, on
the east edge of town, was cancelled, but still evolved into a public hearing.  Prent Eager, member of the
Plan Commission said the commission had approved the concept, but the council had taken action to make
the change in zoning to a mobile home park.  Harlan Miller said there were many unanswered questions,
such as the sewer system being adequate, taxes, how the housing will be administered, etc.  Mel Janes,
whose property adjoins the proposed project said there would be surface water drained on his land.  Other
citizens registered concerns for the aesthetic value of Evansville.  

10 years ago (1998):  The City of Evansville is accepting sealed bids for riprap shoreline protection along
the bank of Lake Leota until March 23, 1998.  The City of Evansville has approved a budget of $15,000 for
shaping the bank to a 3:1 slope; furnishing and installing geo-textile fabric; furnishing and installing medium
riprap; and furnishing, installing and maintaining erosion control. The amount of shoreline projection
identified by the City is approximately 500 linear feet.  

In Review
Second Week of March 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  NEW STORE:  The store just vacated by Mr. Louis Adler, is now being opened by
Messrs. Smith & Eager.  Their goods are all new—bought expressly for this market, and embrace a general
assortment of domestic goods, groceries, crockery, glass and earthen ware.  Mr. Smith has been for some
years connected with the mercantile business in Janesville and comes to this place with practical experience
in the business he engages in.  He knows the wants of the people and can supply them in a very pleasing
manner from his well filled shelves.  Mr. Eager is known to our townspeople as an honorable, industrious,
independent farmer and requires no words from us to assure this.  Call and see them.

130 Years Ago (1878):  The telephone is no longer an experiment.  Evansville has caught the infection.  
Wires were hung Saturday from Lehman’s furniture store connecting with the office at the depot, and a
person talking in a slow, distinct voice could be distinctly heard at either end.  Ordinary conversation could
be carried on, and musical tunes could be readily understood.  It was gotten up for no practical purpose,
but the process of operation is so simple that one will hardly believe that he is in conversation with a person
miles away and whose voice is carried upon the wave of a single wire.

120 Years Ago (1888):  Mr. M. V. Edwards has leased the Evansville House on the east side, and will
commence to occupy it today.  We understand that Mr. Sale will go back on his farm in Magnolia. [Note:  
The Evansville House, a hotel, was on the site of the Citgo Station at the corner of Union and East Main
Street.  Mordicai Sale was the previous operator of the hotel.]

110 Years Ago (1898):  Bert Campbell has been selected as one of two from the State University at
Madison, to accompany a government survey and geology party to Alaska, who take their departure the last
of this month.  [Note:  Bert Campbell was the son of Byron Campbell.  He sent many artifacts from Alaska to
his father.  Byron donated his collection to the museum in Evansville’s City Hall.]

100 Years Ago (1908):  Chief-of-Police Broughton is suffering from a broken rib and other injuries.  While
he was loading cases of tobacco into a car, the platform, extending from the warehouse door to the car, fell,
and he was caught between the car and a case of tobacco, in such a manner as to cause the injuries.
90 Years Ago (1918):  Last Saturday, Miss Elsie Richards, formerly of Mauston, but for some time a
resident of this city, who has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rooney, was united in marriage at
Rockford to John U. Elmer, an Evansville boy who is a member of Co. D, 331st machine gun battalion and is
stationed at Camp Grant.  The young couple were married at the Methodist parsonage of that city by the
Rev. Fiske.  The young couple then went to the groom’s home at Brooklyn, where a reception was given
them and congratulations tendered.  Sunday, they returned to Evansville, the groom having to leave on the
evening train for his duties at Camp Grant.  The bride will continue to make her home at the Rooney home,
and will go with them onto their farm near Brooklyn, where they are moving this week.
80 Years Ago (1928):  Miss Anna Klutterman, and Archie Crawford both of this city were married at 11:30 a.
m. Saturday in Belvedere, Illinois.  The bride wore a blue georgette gown and carried a bouquet of white
roses.  They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. William Crawford. The happy couple returned Saturday night
and were guests of honor Sunday at a family dinner in the home of the bride's sister Mrs. Herman Smith.  
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford will make their home in the Carpenter flats on East Main Street.

70 Years Ago (1938):  The congregation of St. John’s Lutheran church has been at work here during the
past week preparing and furnishing the house at 20 South First for use as a parish hall.  The house,
recently vacated by the Robert Hubbard family, was purchased by the Lutherans several weeks ago and will
be used for all Lutheran organization meetings and the Saturday school with the second floor reserved for
the church offices.  Members of St. John’s Lutheran Ladies Aid Society have equipped the interior with
chairs, tables, drapes, and other furnishings.

60 Years Ago (1948):  The Evansville Community fire truck was called to the farm home of Mr. and Mrs.
Melvin Reese three miles east of Evansville at 3 p.m. Sunday to extinguish a fire caused by a defective
chimney.  Mrs. Reese and children were in Evansville attending a movie and Mr. Reese was asleep in the
house.  When he awakened the house was filled with smoke and the blaze broke through the roof just as
the fire truck arrived.  An estimated $600 damage was done to the house and very little to the furnishings.  
The farm is owned by Mrs. Reese’s father, Fred Luchsinger.

50 Years Ago (1958):  The Magnolia 4-H Club is presenting a play and chorus selection in the 4-H Music
Drama tournament in the Evansville High School auditorium.  The chorus is under the direction of Mrs.
Frank Hamilton, accompanied by Roberta Rowald.  They are singing, “This Is My Father’s World” and
“Easter Parade.”  Chorus members are Joy Andrew, Mary Ellen Austin, Sue Austin, Tom Butcher, Robert
Dammen, Allen Davis, Jack Hamilton, Dick Harper, David Hamilton, Judy Nipple, Larry Olsen, Dean
Spersrud, Carole Rowald, Sandra Rowley, Carol Spersrud, John Spanton and Victor Spanton.

40 Years Ago (1968):  The Evansville Volunteer Fire Department elected officers for 1968-69 at their
annual meeting March 11.  Elected to Assistant Chief was Les Golz; Captain, Charles Nordeng; Lieutenant,
Donald Olsen; Secretary, Robert Olsen; Treasurer, William Erbs; Steward, Robert Gallman; and Assistant
Steward, Donald Weaver.  The department unanimously elected Laurence Skoien as Chief for the next two
years, contingent upon the approval of the Mayor and City Council.  Kenneth Gallman, Art Harnack, and
Richard Golz were appointed to the new member investigating committee.  Donald Weaver and Art Harnack
donated their prize money for selling the most dance tickets towards the purchase of a new flag for the
meeting room.

30 Years Ago (1978):   Evansville native Mitch Hull earned a fourth place finish in the 190 lbs. weight class
of last weekend’s NCAA wrestling tournament.  Hull lost just two matches in the tournament, a semi-final
bout.  Dave Goodspeed scored one of the biggest upsets of the tournament at 134 lbs. Thursday when he
defeated defending NCAA champion Ken Mallory in the first round.  However, the Evansville native lost in
the next round.     

20 Years Ago (1988):  Thomas Hefty, Blue Cross-Blue Shield President, was in Evansville for a quarterly
meeting and to give the Evansville Chamber of Commerce an update, since their grand opening held seven
months ago in Evansville.  He reported that financially 1987 has been a very good year for the company.  
Today, there are 38 employees in Evansville and it is anticipated that this will reach 63 by the end of the
year.  Hefty also said they were pleased with the great quality and well educated labor force in Evansville.  
Evansville was the second area office to open in the state.  

10 years ago (1998):  About 20 persons attended the Monday morning meeting at the City Hall concerning
the removal of Union Pacific rail track north of Evansville.  Representatives from the larger companies in
Evansville, VP Buildings, Baker Mfg., Stoughton Trailers, Nelson Young Lumber Co., and the Union Coop,
were mainly concerned about the segment of rail which runs from Janesville to Evansville, not north of
Evansville.  Oregon and Fitchburg are interested in retaining the railroad tracks, seeing into the future for a
possible rail transit.  However, DOT officials indicate this would be a very slim possibility.  The 15-mile
section of track to be abandoned could be used as a recreational trail, a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman
has indicated to members of the Evansville Chamber.  The line is a money-loser and has been used lately
for an occasional fertilizer shipment to Oregon.

In Review
Third Week of March 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Married.  At Evansville, March 14, 1868, by the Rev. E. Robinson, John R. Darling
and Betsy G. Griffith, both of Porter.

130 Years Ago (1878):  Married.  Runey – Ballard.  At the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. Joseph B.
Runey, of Oregon, Dane County, Wis., and Miss Adora M. Ballard of Union, Rock County, Wis., by Rev. E.
Bovee, Richland, Wis.  

120 Years Ago (1888):  Stone and other materials are being delivered on the spot for the new Seminary
building preparatory to an early start this Spring.  Mr. Wm. Libby has the contract. [Note:  The second
building in the Seminary complex was a cream brick structure.  William Libby was an Evansville contractor,
responsible for many of the beautiful homes in the city.]

110 Years Ago (1898):  No one seems to feel sorry that to all appearances spring is near at hand.  We
have not had an extremely cold winter, but an unusual amount of snow and bad roads, keeping people
housed up until they feel much relieved to get out and breathe the pure air.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Invitations are out for the marriage of Miss Clara Brunsell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Brunsell, and Mr. Ole A. Westby, which will take place at the bride’s home, on Saturday evening, March
21, 1908, at 6:30 o’clock.
90 Years Ago (1918):  The drive for books for the soldier boys in the camps and in the trenches went far
beyond the hopes of the promoters in this city, there being given in this good cause a little over five
hundred books.  The books were packed at once and will go to the headquarters first and then to the
different camps where they are needed the worst.  Miss May Phillips, librarian at the public library, had the
matter in charge and it was through her efforts and those of the committee that the affair was such a
success.  Many is the soldier, who in his idle moments, will appreciate these books and will silently thank the
ones who contributed them.
80 Years Ago (1928):  It would seem that all the promises made by the promoters of the National Parks
Highway Association, of which this city is a part, will be carried out this summer and that the Coast to Coast
travel will start as soon as the roads get so they can be relied upon.  The folder issued by the Association
shows pictures of hotels along the way.  The traffic on Hwy. 13 is expected to double in 1928.  There is little
doubt but what this summer will show us a traffic on Highway 13 through Evansville like we have never seen
before and it would be well if our business men and Park Commission be prepared for the rush when it
starts, especially in the matter of having tents or some kind of weather protection at the tourist camp.  
[Note:  Highway 13, became Highway 14.]

70 Years Ago (1938):  A crew from the Evansville Construction Company started work here Monday
remodeling the building at 11 South Madison Street, formerly occupied by the Lawrence Hansen harness
shop, for the opening of a new dry cleaning plant to be operated by the Triangle company.  The entire front
of the building is now being removed and will be replaced with a modern store front of plate glass and
structural glass trim.  An attractive lobby to be used as an order and waiting room, is being planned with the
cleaning and finishing departments at the rear.  The Band Box Dry Cleaning system to be installed
represents the last word in modern equipment.  The personnel of the Triangle company includes Marion
Jones and Bryce Baird as active partners and Michael Finnane an inactive partner.  Although no definite
date has been set for the opening of the plant, plans are under way to have everything in operation by the
fore part of April.

60 Years Ago (1948):  The members of the Pleasant Prairie Community club will sponsor a miscellaneous
shower for Harold Abey and Miss Mary Louise McDermott in the Grange Hall Tuesday evening, Mar. 30.  
Members are requested to take with them cards and tables.  Mr. Abey and Miss McDermott will be married
early in April.

50 Years Ago (1958):  East Side Inn, which has been operated here by Ralph Brzezinski since 1944, went
under new ownership Monday, Mar. 15.  The new owners and operators are Ronnie and Peg Berg, who
formerly operated Ronnie’s bar here.  The building housing the tavern is the old Evansville House hotel
building at the corner of Main and Union Sts.  It was purchased by Brzezinski from Emma Bishop in 1943 for
a station for Brzezinski’s poultry and egg business.  In 1944, he obtained a beer license and converted the
front part of the old hotel into a tavern and restaurant.  Wednesday night, Mar. 26, the former and present
owners plan a joint party for the customers with beer and sandwiches for all, to show their appreciation.

40 Years Ago (1968):  Vote April 2, 1968.  Re-elect Ida T. Conroy, Mayor of the City of Evansville.  A full
time Mayor who is always available to discuss with its citizens the projects or problems of the City and give
them careful consideration.  One who is present at all times to work with the other city officials for the
BETTERMENT OF EVANSVILLE.  Evansville Needs and Deserves a Full Time Mayor.  Re-Elect Ida T.
Conroy.  Authorized and paid for by Ida T. Conroy.

30 Years Ago (1978):   A newcomer to Evansville is Mary Koehl who teaches art to the 5th and 6th grades.  
This is her first year of teaching.  Her husband, Dan Emery, is a self-employed carpenter and cabinet maker
and makes furniture in his home at 252 W. Liberty.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  The Rock Valley Conference Solo Ensemble Music Contest was held at Clinton last
Saturday.  Out of the 30 entries, 29 received Firsts and of these 16 will go to State on May 7.  Those going
to State are Greg Wahl, trumpet; Robbie Peters, piano; Carrie Bradley, piano; Guys Ensemble: Jeff Updike,
Greg Wahl, Jeff Gitchel, Marty Loftus, Mark Walmer and Scott Haakenson; Jake Wittwer, Tenor sax; The
Swing Choir:  Joanne Knuckles, Gretchen Youngman, duet; Rachel Mackie, piano; Tara West, alto; Senior
Triple Trip:  Joanna Knuckles, Becky Dobbs, Jan Bue, Emy Wheeler, Kathy Hazlett, Amy Dammen, Gretchen
Youngman, Tracy Neuenschwander and Kate Grimes; Brass Quartet: Greg Wahl, Tara Bradley, Alex
Strassburg, and Scott Straka; Jeff Updike, tenor; Tara Bradley and Bethany Krake, piano duet; Robbie
Peters and Marty Loftus, piano duet; Barbershop:  Jan Bue, Joanna Knuckles, Gretchen Youngman and
Kathy Hazlett; Carrie Bradley, Aimee Krake, piano duet.  This is the third time that the Barbershop Quartet
will be going to State.

10 years ago (1998):  After reading John Grisham’s new book, The Street Lawyer, ten female students in
the Seminar Composition class at the high school decided to donate their time by helping people less
fortunate.  On Wednesday, Feb. 25, they visited the Saint Martin House in Madison.  There the students
helped someone move into a different apartment, and they prepared, served and cleaned up after dinner.  
A total of 184 dinners were served.  The group was chaperoned by Ruth Forstrom and Pat Peters, the
teacher of the class.  [Note:  Five class participants photographed for the article were Amy Woulfe, Allison
Schneeberger, Michele Bitter, Jade Weber, and Crystal Hughes.]

In Review
Fourth Week of March 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  It will be seen in this issue that the firm of Evans, Quivey & Smith, is dissolved by
mutual consent, and a new firm organized under the style of Evans & Smith.  We learn it to be the intention
of Dr. Quivey to try the enervating air of the Pacific coast, for the restoration of his physical health.  He
recovers slowly from the disease which has prostrated him for nearly the whole winter.  [Note:  Drs. John M.
Evans, William Quivey, and Charles M. Smith were partners in a drug store and physicians’ practice at 1
East Main Street.]

130 Years Ago (1878):  Street Commissioner Ballard did a nice job leveling off the hubs the first of the
week, but the heavy rain of Wednesday night and Thursday morning softened the streets up again.  The
work will be lighter next time.  If the pathmasters in some of our out of town districts would go over the roads
with some heavy scraping implement, it would be a vast improvement over the old method—letting them
alone.  

120 Years Ago (1888):  The caucus for nominating town officers for the ensuing year was held Saturday at
2:30 p.m.  Mr. Eager made a motion that citizens of the village do not participate in vote for caucus officers
(of the Town of Union).  The question lost on a show of hands.  Mr. James Montgomery protested against
citizens of the village voting at caucus.  Chairman Gillies stated that he had written to the Attorney General
relating to the separation of the town and village and hoped for a reply by election day.  The caucus
proceeded and votes were cast for chairman and other officers.

110 Years Ago (1898):  The little girl that came to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Scoville, Friday
morning, only remained about 48 hours when its soul took its flight back to its heavenly home.  A short
service was held at the house by Rev. Wm. Rollins and the remains interred in the Evansville cemetery.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Invitations have been issued for the marriage of Miss Ida Ringhand, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Daniel Ringhand and Mr. Herman C. Miller, which will take place at the home of the bride’s
parents, Brooklyn, at high noon, on Wednesday, March 25, 1908.
90 Years Ago (1918):  David Allen Watkins was born near Knighton, England, February 27, 1847 and died
March 12, 1918, being 71 years and fourteen days of age.  He was the youngest of ten children of David
Watkins, all of whom have long since died.  From England his father brought him, direct as a child, to Green
County, Wisconsin, where he was reared on a farm.  For the last three years, he has made his home with
his niece, Mrs. Tirza White, of Lincoln Street, this city.  The funeral services were conducted today at Mr.
Bigelow’s undertaking parlors by Rev. Ezra P. Whitton and Mrs. Gladdis.  Interment was at the Welsh
cemetery.  Mr. Watkins was held in high esteem by his neighbors, as well as by close relatives.  Mr. W. A.
Bourbeau, whom he befriended as a small boy, caring for him in a fatherly way.
80 Years Ago (1928):  There seems to be little interest shown in the coming Spring elections.  Even the
office of Mayor seems to have no attraction to office seekers, as there are no nomination papers filed for
the position against the hitherto invincible E. H. Libby.  R. L. Collins will succeed himself as City Clerk, while
C. J. Smith, our present City Treasurer will have opposition for reelection, in the person of Ralph E. Smith.  
Charles A. Spencer will succeed himself as City Assessor, as there is no opposition against him.  Since the
office of Chief of Police has been made an elective office by virtue of a petition recently circulated, there will
be two candidates for the position, F. W. Gillman the present incumbent and Cal. C. Broughton, who
formerly held the position, in years past.  In the wards, the candidates are W. M. Bewick for alderman and
Phil D. Pearsall for supervisor.  In the 1st ward, the candidates are for reelection for the two years term as
Alderman, H. F. Brunsell and Supervisor, Mr. Harry Roderick.  In the 3rd ward there are new names in the
field, O. C. Jones and Peter Baird will cross bats for the office of Alderman, while C. M. Smith and J. H. Meier
will have a friendly contest for supervisor.  

70 Years Ago (1938):  With a new park project started here Monday and another project approved for the
installation of sanitary sewer and water on Garfield Avenue from Second to North Fourth Streets beginning
April 15, Evansville will profit by an extensive WPA program this spring.  The crew installing the water
system in Maple Hill cemetery has been increased to 45 during the past few weeks.  The lack of funds on
this job has made it necessary to transfer 30 men to the park and 15 to Orfordville where other WPA
projects are in operation.  The new park projects are installing drains and two new showers in the bath
house and replacing the old concrete floor with a new one.  Tiling is also being laid along the building to
accommodate the waste water and a new disinfecting foot bath for bathers is being installed.  Other work
will include riprapping the creek to curtail erosion and filing in low areas.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Mrs. Marge Ware, who for some years has raised extra fine White Leghorn chickens,
recently received a certificate from the Wisconsin State Department of Agriculture stating that her flock has
been culled and inspected and her birds qualify as a Wisconsin U. S. certified flock.  The following
accompanied the certificate:  “Flocks such as yours have been the vital link over the years to improve the
quality of our Wisconsin hens, enabling them to so splendidly meet our enormous egg demands.”

50 Years Ago (1958):  Three local boys, Bob Krajeck, Larry Disch and Ronnie Templeton, graduated from
the Short Course of the Agricultural School of the University of Wisconsin Saturday, March 15.  Ninety-one
boys received their diplomas at the exercises.  Larry Disch won a grand championship on one of his sheep
at the Little International show held last week.  

40 Years Ago (1968):  Marine Private Donald D. Zhe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore L. Zhe, of Route 1,
Evansville, has reported for duty with the First Marine Aircraft Wing at Danang, Vietnam.  The wing provides
aviation support to the First and Third Marine Divisions and other American and Allied forces in the five
northernmost provinces of South Vietnam.

30 Years Ago (1978):   After a long period of waiting, the 52 ton Stella Lynch house rolled down Mill Street
last week on Friday March 24.  It is now set on its new location.  The house had been purchased form the
Union bank and Trust Company by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Petterson.  Mrs. Petterson is Vice President of the
Evansville Historic Preservation Commission.  They will restore the home to its original character as a one-
family dwelling.  The corner land on Madison and Mill Streets, owned by the Union Bank and Trust Co., will
be converted into a drive-up banking facility.

20 Years Ago (1988):  According to Hans Kleisch, owner of the Service Store on Union Street, a wrecker
truck was stolen sometime after 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 18th. The truck was in the shop and the shop was
broken into and no clues were left.  Kleisch said it was an excellent truck and insured.  The loss was
discovered by an employee, Jerry Gower of Monroe, when he went to move the truck out front.

10 years ago (1998):  J. Peter Shaw, executive director of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association
of Evansville, appeared as the “Wizard himself” in Madison’s CTM Productions’ presentation of America’s
most beloved musical fantasy, “The Wizard of Oz” playing in the Oscar Mayer Theater at the Madison Civic
Center.  

In Review
First Week of April 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Brick Yard.  Workmen are already engaged leveling off the ground and making
preparations for going into the brick business as early as the season will permit.  The yard is located upon
lands owned by Mr. Fish and formerly used for this purpose.  Jacob West and Son, and M. H. Fish, are
proprietors and intend to make it a permanent business.  Note:  The Fish farm, owned by Alfred C. Fish,
father of Marcus Fish, was located north of Evansville.  The Fish home, a brick residence on the east side
of North Union Street, is made of Evansville manufactured brick.  A photo of the house can be found at http:
//www.evansvillehistory.net/1898EvansvilleDirectory.html

130 Years Ago (1878):  Mr. Elmer Bullard has sold his “Morrow” farm to Mr. Thorp of Union for $1,500,
cash.  He afterwards bought his father’s farm—Stillman Bullard, Esq.—for $700.  Mr. Bullard expects to
spend the most of his time this summer, visiting.  

120 Years Ago (1888):  Our people are tearing down their yard fences more and more every season as
they become old and rotten, thus opening their premises to the common, but as cows and cattle are not
permitted on the streets, there is no uneasiness from midnight intrusion of Old Crumple.  It looks more
congenial and social than when each neighbor is separated by a high palisade.  The trees that were
thought pretty and nice when small, have grown to stately pines and maples and their large branches
almost entwining over the roofs of some dwellings completely shutting out the warm sunlight of spring; many
of these are being removed and we must say improves the appearance of our fine residences.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Free Public Library.  Rooms in Adams Block south of Pioneer Drug Store.  Open
from four o’clock till seven every afternoon except Sunday.  Mrs. L. A. Wilder, Librarian.  [Note:  The Adams
Block was divided and moved to make way for the Thompson Ford Garage 16 South Madison Street. Half of
the Adams Block is now on Maple Street, south of the Care Closet.]

100 Years Ago (1908):  M. L. Ewing, M. D., Homeopathic Physician and Surgeon.  Adam’s Block, opposite
the M. E. Church.  Office hours:  1 to 5 p.m. and nights.  Country calls promptly attended.  Phone 57-3.  
[Note: Mary L. Ewing was the first woman to practice medicine in Evansville.]
90 Years Ago (1918):  I. S. Brink recently sold his farm north of Evansville to Glen and Roy Peach, of
Edgerton, the consideration being $23,000.  The place having been rented for this year, the new owners
will not take possession until next year.
80 Years Ago (1928):  City Council Minutes of April 3, 1928:  Motion passed that the recommendation of the
Water and Light Commission under date of April 2nd, regarding extension of Rural Electric Service to
Messers. W. J. Ahara, C. B. Devine, A. O. Furseth, B. Wilhelm, Chas. Gibson, F. Croak, E. E. Fraser, and
others be ratified and that the Mayor and City Clerk be and are hereby instructed to sign such contracts as
named in the above recommendation, and as per instruction received from the Railroad Commission.  
[Note:  These farms were located in the southeast corner of Union township and the northeast corner of
Magnolia township.]

70 Years Ago (1938):  Coach George O’Neil’s championship high school hoopsters, who completed their
season with top ranking standings in the Rock River Valley league, the Stoughton Class B tournament, and
the Monroe regional meet, and who are now vying for honors at the state finals in Madison, will play
Cumberland at 3 p.m. today in the University of Wisconsin field house for the consolation championship of
the class B division.  The local preps were eliminated from the championship flight in their opening game
Tuesday night with Shawano.  Evansville, however, advanced to the consolation final Wednesday morning
by taking an overtime game 24 to 23 from Fort Atkinson in which tilt a free toss by Don Rosen in the extra
minutes gave the Blues the one point margin.  Although Evansville trailed throughout the Fort Atkinson
battle, a field goal by [Jack] McKenna tied the score in the last minutes of play and the overtime toss by
Rosen assured the victory.  Don Rosen led the scoring with ten points and co-captains Bernie Golz and Ted
Thompson, stood out for Evansville.  The defeat was the first in 20 games this season for the O’Neil men.

60 Years Ago (1948):  Two Evansville men are seeking to be chosen mayor by Evansville citizens at the
annual spring election to be held in the city hall next Tuesday.  They are Ben T. Green, present mayor and
A. M. Winn, who served as the city’s head officer several years ago.  There is also a contest in the first ward
where Raymond Knapp, the present alderman is being opposed by W. E. Brown.  E. J. Gibbs, is the only
candidate in the second ward, and Leonard R. Finn, present incumbent in the third ward is unopposed for
re-election.  Other incumbents this year are B. R. Ellis, city clerk; Miss Dorothy Richmond, treasurer; Phil T.
Smith, assessor and Earle Hart, justice of the peace.

50 Years Ago (1958):  In the spring election here Tuesday, Evansville voters named Elizabeth Gray,
Kenneth A. Ellis and John Wilde to the school board and re-elected Mayor Bruce Townsend and current
aldermen, and voted to instruct the council to pass an ordinance making it unlawful to let dogs run at large.  
Mrs. Gray, running for re-election, led the field of seven candidates for the three school board posts to be
filled.  Council Finance Chairman, Walter Spratler, Jr., won comfortably over former Water and Light Dept.
Head Huey Lee in the race for the first ward alderman.  In the second ward, Alderman Norman Bone,
running unopposed got 151 votes and in the third ward, Alderman Leonard Finn, unopposed got 94.  The
referendum on tying up dogs at all times of the year passed by a 400 to 133 margin.  The referendum
instructs the council to pass an ordinance making it mandatory that all dogs be either confined, or on a
suitable leash, at all times.

40 Years Ago (1968):  A huge turnout of 1,117 voters filled the ballot boxes in Evansville Tuesday.  In the
mayoral contest Mayor Ida T. Conroy edged out Wilson L. Brown by 607 to 507 votes.  The referendum on
widening East Main Street brought out a resounding ‘no’ votes as the final tally showed 315 ‘yes’ and 780
‘no’.  Richard Eager won over Albert Winn for the County Supervisor post; for aldermen; Merlin Reese, first
ward; Keith Williams, second ward; Francis Erbs, third ward; and Paul P. Pullen for municipal justice.

30 Years Ago (1978):   The Evansville Middle School students will be having a fund drive starting April 14 to
raise money for a memorial to J. C. McKenna.  McKenna, for whom the school is named, was a
superintendent for the Evansville school system for many years.  Sales of candy bars will continue for 11
days as the students attempt to raise $800 for the proposed project.  Featured on the plaque will be a relief
portrait of Mr. McKenna done by Richard Krake of the High School art department along with help from the
Baker Manufacturing Company.

20 Years Ago (1988):  A few long time residents of Evansville gathered recently at the railroad depot and
reminisced and exchanged stories about the good old days, when Evansville was a hub of activity.  
Memories were rekindled as they viewed what remains of the depot today.  Much is missing, but these
citizens were able to tell exactly where things used to be.  Roger Berg, realtor, has purchased the depot,
planning to restore it to a useful function.  Thus, interest in the history of the station has been revived and
thanks to the memory of these gentlemen, history will live on.  Participants were Ray Knapp, Leonard P.
Eager, Sr., Burton Janes, John Montgomery and Roy Sarow.

10 years ago (1998):  Senior Officer Art Phillips, a lifelong Evansville resident, was appointed by Chief Scott
McElroy and approved by the Public Safety Committee last Thursday to become Lieutenant of the
Evansville Police Department.  The new position had been authorized by the Common Council two weeks
ago.  Phillips got the nod of an advisory committee of three and Chief Scott McElroy for the promotion.

In Review
Second Week of April 1878-1998

140 Years Ago (1868):  Messers Reuben Johnson and Samuel Norton left town yesterday morning for
Montana, on a pleasure and prospecting tour.  Their success will somewhat govern their stay, but they
design to make a tour of inspection during the summer months.  Mr. Frank Johnson and party leave this
morning with teams for Cheyenne and the Black Hills.  They have prospecting in view.

130 Years Ago (1878):  Mr. Jas. [James] Powles has been constituted chief engineer of the fire department
with power to appoint a competent assistant.  Mr. Powles is an old hand at the breaks and knows a fire
engine when he sees one.  We think our fire engine could be made to do good service if the boys would
quit ridiculing the thing.  The engine was dragged to the Kohlar fire last week and stationed at the cistern in
the rear of the house, but it was discovered that there were neither coupling wrench nor hose nozzle to be
found.  While these articles were being hunted up the fire had gained considerable headway, although
water was being carried to the roof as well as possible through an open mouth hose.  The engine did good
work while it was in condition to do so, and it appeared evident that with proper management it might be
made very serviceable in a great many cases.  

120 Years Ago (1888):  Caleb Snashall, who has charge of running the tack factory this season, says they
are about ready to commence operation.  The smoke stack that was blown down a short time ago is to be
replaced with a new one, which is being made in F. A. Baker & Co.’s tin shop.  The old pipe was so rusted
and gas eaten that it would not sustain its weight.

110 Years Ago (1898):  Mr. Homer Potter, who has been 31 years connected with the primary class in the
M. E. Sunday school will give its history.  He now has many of the grandchildren of his first pupils.

100 Years Ago (1908):  Hon. and Mrs. A. S. Baker expect to spend the summer sight-seeing in the old
world.  They will leave in time to attend the international convention of Congregational societies which will be
held in the early part of June.  Mr. Baker has been selected as a delegate.
90 Years Ago (1918):  There has been erected on the W. H. Hubbard lot in Maple Hill cemetery a fine
monument by Schlimgen’s of Madison.  The monument was designed by Miss Mina Hubbard.  It is of Barre
granite, axed.  The design is that of a circular arch supported on round pillars, the center of the opening
being filled by a carved flower urn of the granite, which in summer will contain growing flowers and in winter
is designed to contain a little fir tree.
80 Years Ago (1928):  Amza Sheldon Lewis, aged 77 died at his home in Monticello, Monday.  Mr. Lewis
was born in Jug Prairie, south of Brooklyn.  His first marriage was to Miss Mary Magee, she departing this
life thirty-two years ago.  Later he married Miss Fannie Disch, of New Glarus, who survives him, together
with one son and three grandchildren.  The funeral will be held this afternoon, the body laid in the Exeter
Cemetery, where the Masonic burial services will be read by A. H. Devine of this city.  The deceased was
related by marriage to the Devine and Magee families of this city.

70 Years Ago (1938):  In preparation for Evansville’s approaching golf season, the directors of the Country
Club held their annual meeting in the City Hall here last Thursday afternoon to elect officers and lay plans
for the ensuing year.  Dr. J. W. Ames was reelected president; L. P. Eager, vice president; Ed Butts,
secretary and treasurer; and Lloyd Heffel, overseer of the course.  It was decided at the meeting that the
club members themselves would manage the course this year with the assistance of Richard Eager and
Jack McKenna who, following the close of  school, have been engaged to keep the course in shape for
play.  The fees will remain the same as in former years, 25 cents per round; 50 cents for all day play; and
$15 for the season.  Club members stayed a clean-up bee on the links Sunday and burned the entire
course.  They started top dressing the greens Monday and later will fertilize them to insure a good growth
this year.  Directors of the Country Club are Dr. J. W. Ames, Phil Wackman, Leonard P. Eager, William
Benson, Arthur Devine, A. C. Holmes, William Fleming, Lewis Claffin, and Lloyd Heffel.  [Note:  this
Evansville Golf Course was located at the corner of Hwy C and Brooklyn-Evansville Road, west of
Evansville.]

60 Years Ago (1948):  The 1948 Flaming Arrow is well underway and will be in the hands of anyone desiring
a copy after May 20.  The cost of the annual this year is $2, the increase in price being necessary because
of the change from a paper cover to the more durable cloth cover.  The senior and junior classes put out an
annual every other year.  Editorial staff:  Sue Cain, editor; Pat Hensel, Ass’t Editor; Jo Ann Green, Carol
Clark, Marion Benton, Neil Moldenhauer, Ione Curless, Joan Hanson, James Finnane, Ellen Rasmussen,
Alice Coyne, Roger Sell, Delores Dixon, Marcia Patterson, Donna Ebenhardt, Ruth Krause, Viola Steindl,
Delores Reese, Betty Elmer, Betty Giles, Shirley Roberts, Violet Klassey, Bob Apfel, Dawn Kloften, Florence
Oswald, staff.  Betty Lehnherr, Business Manager; Jerry Easton, Ass’t Business Manager,; Marcia
Patterson, Kathleen Miller, Jean Kelm, Roger Wood, Delmar Lunde, Ken Devlin, business staff.  
Photography: Bethana Gundlach, Arlene Miller, Anne Giese, Margaret Benn, Shirley Elmer, Betty Birkeland,
Roland Straka, Donald Sands, Faye Osmond, Bob Apfel.  

50 Years Ago (1958):  Arnold Willis this week purchased the drug store operated here by the late William
Brown.  For the past several years Willis has been with the Rennebohm drug store chain in Madison and
prior to that time was a druggist here with the late Ed Krebs.

40 Years Ago (1968):  The warm weather brought many an industrious person outdoors last weekend for
raking and burning leaves and rubbish.  The March winds that accompanied the weather turned many a
bonfire into an operation for the fire department.  Friday afternoon of last week, a grass fire got out of
control south of the high school campus on the Merlin Francis farm and burned over considerable land.  
Saturday morning, the Evansville Fire Co. was called to the Donald Zimmer farm five miles west of
Evansville to work with the Brooklyn company to extinguish a fire burning over several acres of pasture land
and some corn fields.  It is presumed that the blaze was started by a discarded cigarette.  At 5:50 p.m.
Sunday, the local company was called to the Kenneth Devlin home at 144 W. Liberty Street to put out a fire
in the garage where a pickup truck was burning.

30 Years Ago (1978):   Coming up in the City Council meeting next Tuesday night is the approval of a
policeman to replace Alan Christensen, who resigned to accept the chief position at Brodhead.  Mayor
Robert M. Olsen is recommending the appointment of Tom Brennan.  

20 Years Ago (1988):  Brian Fick is the new owner of Anderson TV and Appliance, located on South
Madison Street.  He took over on Monday of last week.  He comes to Evansville with a lot of experience,
having been service manager at Clydes in Madison for nine years.  Fick is an Evansville native and
graduate of the Evansville High School.  The business will now be known as Appliance Works, offering new
appliances and repair on all makes, regardless of where the appliance was purchased.  Fick plans to
restock and expand the lines an