In Review
First Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Married at the residence of John Dudley, Esq., in Rutland, Wis., Nov. 12th, 1867 by Rev. A. C. Keene, Henry A. Pond and Harriet J. Rose. Married at the residence of the bride’s father in Brooklyn, Wis., Nov. 21st, 1867, by the same, John A. Ogden of Des Moines, Iowa and Nellie E., daughter of William Johnson.
130 Years Ago (1877): FIRE: Stable & Carriages Burned. Loss $2,000 – Partially Insured. About 10 o’clock Monday night a young man discovered fire issuing from the crevices of the rear stable of the Spencer House hotel and immediately gave the alarm. The stable contained several horses, a number of carriages, harnesses, hay, feed &c., amounting in all to between one and two thousand dollars. By a speedy effort the blaze was subdued, doing no essential damage other than burning the front part of a buggy. The fire proceeded from a bunch of hay that was piled beneath the carriage. After the fire was subdued, the horses were all removed, and people generally repaired to their homes, and most were in bed. About half past four, morning, another alarm was given and the bell on the Free Will Baptist church sounded ominously that a fire was going on somewhere. People rushed out, but to find the building, which but a few hours before had narrowly escaped, all in flames, and beyond all possible means of saving any of the contents. The total loss is variously estimated from $2,000 to $3,000 mostly in carriages and livery stock, belonging to Mr. Ed. Fellows. The barn belonged to Mr. Case, and was insured in a St. Louis Co.
120 Years Ago (1887): People who went late to their domiciles Thursday night, thought as they braved the driving sleet and snow, surely we’ll catch a freeze before morning, but were surprised in going out Friday and finding a regular January thaw in progress. It gave people a nice opportunity to clear off their icy walks.
110 Years Ago (1897): Died at her home on First St., Thursday morning, Dec. 2, 1897, Mrs. Margaret Galligan McCoy, aged 74 years. The deceased was born in Ireland where she married Mr. James McCoy, May 10, 1848, and sailed from Dublin for this country the same day, and settled on sec. 17, Brooklyn township where they still own a beautiful farm of 360 acres. Failing health and old age induced them to move to this city seven years ago, where they have since made their home. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, eight of whom are still living, Joseph and Robert at Lakeland, Minn.; George and Arthur at Navoo, Wash.; Charles at Minneapolis; John at New Richmond; Edward F. in Dakota, and Mary who is now here.
100 Years Ago (1907): A homecoming dance will be given in Magee’s Hall Friday evening, Dec. 27th. Music will be rendered by Kneff and Hatch orchestra (including drums) of Janesville. This dance will be given as a reunion of the students who will be home for the holidays, and the old and young people of this city. All are most cordially invited to attend this party. Come one and all and have a jolly good time.
90 Years Ago (1917): Hattie L. Spencer Departs This Life. At her home in Madison, Friday, November 30, Mrs. Hattie L. Spencer departed this life, after a long and lingering illness. The funeral services were held at the home of the deceased at 432 Francis Street, the funeral being conducted by the pastor of the Congregational Church of that city, after which the remains were taken to Milwaukee for cremation, the interment being made in Maple Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Spencer was survived by her brother, Lieutenant G. F. Spencer, of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, her only son, Lloyd G. Spencer, having departed this life in 1905. The deceased had many distant relatives in this city who were present at her bedside during her illiness and mourn the departure of a woman of sterling worth, whom to know was to love on account of the unselfish generous nature with which she was endowed. [Note: Hattie Spencer was a professional photographer in Evansville from 1887 to the 1890s. Her father, George, Sr., purchased a house on North Madison Street and remodeled the second floor into a studio for his daughter. Hattie married William Metcalf in 1878 but the marriage was short-lived. When she divorced her husband, she took back her maiden name. Their son, Lloyd, born the year after their marriage, also used the surname Spencer. Her brother, George, Jr., a physician, dabbled in photography as a hobby. Hattie Spencer took many photographs over the years, including Evansville's circus, Seminary classes, and portraits. When her son was old enough to attend the University of Wisconsin, she moved to Madison and continued her photography.]
80 Years Ago (1927): The Review this week received the following list of prizes which were won in a contest which was put on at the Magee Theatre by some outside parties on November 15-16. Prize Winners November 15: First, Vincent Vreeland; Second, Lloyd Apfel, 243 East Main; Third, Bob Gibbs, 46 North 2nd St.; Fourth, Arthur Smith, Jr., 235 Lincoln Street. Prize Winners, November 16: First, Carl Kertsten, Porter Township; Second, Harry Cowell, Center Township; Third, George Lange, Union township; Fourth, M. A. Otteson, Union township; Fifth, H. Durner, Highland St.; Sixth, George Emery, Union township. Those who donated the prizes are given as Cain’s Grocery, A. E. Harte, The Ellis Store, Variety Store, the Jewelry Shop, and Magee Theater.
70 Years Ago (1937): Miss Dorothy Louise Jahn, granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Archie E. Hart, became the bride of Jens A. Norum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jens Norum, route 1, at a double ring ceremony performed at 4 p.m. Thanksgiving day in St. John’s Lutheran Church by the Rev. Theodore Heimarck, pastor. Mrs. Lester Patterson, sister of the groom, acted as matron of honor and Miss Mildred Funk as bridesmaid. Edwin Haakenson served as best man, Omar Haakenson as groomsman, and Edwin Julseth and Morris Haakenson as ushers. The flower girls were De Ette and Joan Devereaux and the ring bearer, Richard Brunsell. Friends of the bride who served at the reception were the Misses Roberta Collins, Borghild Haakenson, Betty and Luanne Brunsell. Mr. and Mrs. Norum are making their home in an apartment at 137 Maple Street.
60 Years Ago (1947): Two Evansville men, Morris Jensen and Wilbur Ehredt, recently received honors from the State Milk Testing organization and with their wives are spending today in Milwaukee where they are guests of honor of the Luick Ice Cream Company. They will receive $20 in cash and a plaque as gifts from the company. Mr. Jensen came here in Sept. 1934 to take up his duties as Evansville and Brooklyn milk tester. When he arrived in this locality there were 24 farmers and 427 cows in the association and at this time there are 150 farmers and 3,330 cows. He is assisted in his work by his daughter, Miss Lorna Jensen. Mr. Ehredt lives east of the city. His herd average is 505 pounds of butter fat per cow per year. His best cow, a registered Holstein, averages 850 pounds butter fat in a two times a day milking program.
50 Years Ago (1957): A painting by Prof. John Wilde, S. Second Street, is on display in New York now as part of the International Hallmark Award now being shown at the Wildenstein Gallery. Wilde’s painting, “The Glorious Fourth,” is one of fifty paintings in the exhibit.
40 Years Ago (1967): Miss Connie C. Christensen, granddaughter of Mrs. Elsie Christensen of Evansville, Wisconsin was sworn in the Army Nursing Corps on Oct. 14, 1967. She was sworn in by her father LCDR Cyrus R. Christensen, commanding officer of the USS Ability (MSO 519). The ceremony took place on the main deck of the Ability at Charleston, South Carolina. The events of the day were a repeat performance for LCDR Christensen. A year ago, his son, Ronald Chris, stood before him at the same place and took the oath to enter the U. S. Navy.
30 Years Ago (1977): Richard Waller, 39, cashier for the Merchants Bank of Evansville, was approved by the City Council Tuesday night and sworn in as the new second ward alderman replacing Richard Meyers whose resignation, effective Monday, was also approved by the Council.
20 Years Ago (1987): The American Legion’s district award for law and order went to Arthur Phillips of the Evansville Police Department, at a meeting of the Clinton Legion Post last week. Charles Nordeng, Commander of the Evansville Post; Bill Hill, Rock County Commander and Ted Demiche, District Vice Commander presented the award.
10 years ago (1997): Melissa Hughes, 1996 graduate fo the Evansville High School, is a member of the ensemble cast for “Mousetrap” to be presented Dec. 3-6 at Barnett Theater, UW-Whitewater Center of the Arts.
In Review
Second Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): DEDICATION: The Baptists have their new church completed. The Baptist Church is to be dedicated on Wednesday of next week. (Dec. 18th.) Rev. Mr. Everett, of Chicago, and other prominent clergymen are expected to be present and assist in the exercises.
130 Years Ago (1877): A Teachers’ Meeting will be held at Orfordville, Saturday, Dec. 22, 1877, commencing at 10 o’clock a.m. The following is the programme: Reading, Alfred Snyder; Remarks on above; Analysis of Sentences, Helen M. Welch; Fractions, Annah Cummings; Passing Query Box; Intermission; Answering questions from Query Box; Use of Globes and Outline Maps, M. L. Richardson; Discussion on Tardiness; Beginners in Writing, Wallace Taylor; Remarks on above; Miscellaneous business; Adjournment. Teachers are invited to be present.
120 Years Ago (1887): Hon. L. T. and Mrs. Pullen, and daughter May, left for their winter’s sojourn in California, Tuesday. They will first stop in Sacramento, and visit with Rev. Mayhew’s family, and then go to San Francisco where they will make another stop, and before starting on their homeward trip, six months hence, will visit Los Angeles and Mr. Pratt’s people at Pasadena. They will be absent some six months returning by the southern route. [Note: L. T. Pullen’s family lived at 129 West Main. He wrote “Pullen’s Pencilings: Poems and Prose.” The book was published by R. M. Antes Publishers and is available in the Reference Section of the Eager Free Public Library.]
110 Years Ago (1897): Mr. J. F. Ennis, proprietor of the Evansville House, pleaded guilty Saturday to two indictments against him for the illegal sale of liquor, paying $200 fine and $45 costs, a total of $245, which is the highest legal fine that could be imposed. He also signed the following agreement: Whereas the city of Evansville in the County of Rock and state of Wisconsin has been annoyed and put to expenses through the violation of the license laws in said city, and Whereas said city through its officers have refrained from further prosecuting me for such violations of the law, therefore in consideration thereof I do hereby agree and promise not to sell directly or indirectly or give away, for the purpose of evading the law of the state, any liquors of any kind or description to any person in said city for the period of five years. That I do hereby promise and agree to clean out of my house and premises entirely all intoxicating liquors of any kind or nature, and not to allow any liquors to be again brought or used in any premises occupied by me in the city of Evansville, Wis. J. F. Ennis. [Note: the Evansville House was located on the site of “The Station” at the northeast corner of East Main and Union Streets.]
100 Years Ago (1907): The Girl’s basket ball team of the high school defeated the Brooklyn girl’s team at Brooklyn last Saturday night, to the tune of 18 to 10. Our girls feel quite good over their victory, as it was their first game this season and they had had no practice whatever. The Brooklyn girls will come to this city, a week from Saturday night, Dec. 21st.
90 Years Ago (1917): The music class of Mrs. H. R. P. Richardson will hold a musical recital at the music school rooms, Friday evening, December 21. This will be a song and instrumental recital and the parents of the pupils and their friends are invited to attend. The following is the students in the program: Helen Gray, Hildred Gray, Evelyn Rodd, Catherine Rodd, Josephine Antes, Charlotte Colony, Ella Everill, Bessie Brown, Crystal Lee, Josephine Antes, Mildred Blakely. Each pupil will also play a piece of their own composition.
80 Years Ago (1927): Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graham announce the arrival of a baby girl at their home Friday, December 2nd. They will call her Harriett Ann.
70 Years Ago (1937): Common Council, December 7, 1937. Motion by Loomis, seconded by Ballard that the recommendation of the Water and Light Commission in the matter of rural service contracts between the City of Evansville and Mae Miles, Melvin Klassey, Joe Tomlin, Wm. F. Krause, Ferdinand Lange, Mrs. Alvina Krause, Arthur Asmus, Mrs. John Thompson Est., Mrs. Susan DeRemer, Gordon Page, Russell George, Walter Elmer and Leslie C. Ringhand be adopted and that the mayor and clerk be instructed to complete and sign said contracts. Resolved that a sanitary sewer be laid on Garfield Avenue from a point about two hundred-ninety (290) feet west of N. Second Street to N. Fourth Street and that the Street and Alley Committee, acting as a Board of Public Works be and is hereby ordered to cause to be made, the necessary survey, plans and specifications.
60 Years Ago (1947): The street Christmas lights are on again in Evansville and with additions this year. The light poles have been decorated with large wooden stars with colored light bulbs on each corner of the emblem. The stars were designed by Robert Cain, made at the high school by the manual arts class under the direction of Dan Kissel, instructor, and wired by George Mattakat. The committees in charge comprised L. L. Thompson, J. R. May, Ed Teubert, and A. C. Holmes, Lions Club members, and Robert Cain, George Mattakat, and Harry Roderick, Jr., Chamber of Commerce members have announced that if the wire and bulbs can be secured the strings of lights along Main Street will extend beyond the railroad tracks to the intersection of East Main and Union Streets this year.
50 Years Ago (1957): Lions Club next Monday night will spend the time after its dinner meeting filling candy bags for the annual Christmas party for area children provided each year by the club and Rex Theater.
40 Years Ago (1967): The Student Council of Evansville High School has mailed 25 Christmas packages to High School Alumni servicemen. Donations for the packages came from individual students, clubs, and members of the community. With these packages, the members of the student Council hope to express in a small way their appreciation to all of the boys from Evansville serving our country today. Working on the project were Pat Smalley, Sandy Gray, Sue Gray, Kay Shannon, Lucy Rowald, Roger Sarow, Deb Higgenbotham, Joan Kelley, Pam Lowry, Jackie Johnson and Mr. Romano.
30 Years Ago (1977): Seventy-five voices joined in Christmas carols and a cantata Sunday night in the ecumenical choir’s Christmas concert. During the first part of the program, Jenny Stratton directed a group of modern carols and two traditional carols. The last half of the program, was the Cantata, “A Song Unending” by John Peterson, directed by Linda Knuckles. Accompanists were Billie Westbrook and Catherine Fellows, pianists and Alvina Patterson, Organist. Soloists were Larry Olson, Ruth Olson, Betty Hamilton, Lois Schmidt and Sharon Miller.
20 Years Ago (1987): Irma Steinhoff arrived from Santiago, Chile on December 1st to attend the wedding of her brother, Rudy to Lauri Sperry, Saturday, Dec. 5. Also arriving to attend their brother’s wedding were Peter Steinhoff, who came from Orlando, Florida and Wayne who drove from LaCrosse.
10 years ago (1997): On Dec. 6 and 7, the new Inn Care facility held an Open House to launch the project in Evansville. Attending the ribbon cutting ceremony were Joy and Lillian Morrison, Mayor Steve DiSalvo, Thayne Anderson, Scott Arneson, Jeff Hanson, Darlene Einerson, and Ann Koch.
In Review
Third Week of December 1867-1997
140 Years Ago (1867): The Masons of Cooksville, having completed their new Hall, propose to have a Ball, St. John’s Day, Dec. 27. The Evansville Band will do the music, and E. T. Stoneburner prepares the cuisine department.
130 Years Ago (1877): Prof. A. R. Sprague, took to himself an assistant, after his own heart, a Miss Myra Peck, of Racine. The nuptial event was celebrated Wednesday, the 19th inst., the parties arriving here by the P.M. train. Mr. Sprague has had charge of our High School for something more than the year past, and has managed its affairs quite acceptably to the community. The gathering numbered nearly one hundred persons, embodying a highly respectable class of our young people and those farther advanced in life. The parlors of Mrs. and Dr. C. M. Smith’s fine residence were thrown open, and there seemed to be nothing omitted, by the Dr. or Mrs. Smith that could render the comfort or pleasure of their guests more enjoyable. Round after round of cakes, with bon bons and bon mots were passed. We understood that Mrs. Lydia Williams and our own hostess were in charge of the cuisine department. After the tables were cleared away, Mr. D. M. Rowley was called upon for a few remarks, to which he responded in a very excellent manner, wishing the new bride and groom much happiness and love in this life and eternal life and love in the life to come.
120 Years Ago (1887): Thomas Morgan was placed upon a board, closely padded with quilts, taken down stairs by a number of stout men, loaded into a sleigh, floored over with straw, and hauled to his home in Cooksville, last Wednesday. He had lain stretched out on a cot for four long weeks, and when Dr. Smith gave consent that he might be taken to his old home, he felt comparatively happy even with his broken and wounded leg. He struck up the old hymn “Home, Sweet Home,” in his usual musical voice as though he meant just what the words expressed. A postal was received next morning that he arrived safely and was feeling quite well. Later reports confirm the same condition.
110 Years Ago (1897): Mrs. Charles W. Jones died on Thursday, Dec. 9th, 1897, of consumption, at the home of her parents Mr. and Mrs. James Francis, seven miles west of this city. The deceased leaves a husband and seven small children to mourn their sad loss. The funeral was held at the house on Saturday, Rev. Graves, of Albany, officiating.
100 Years Ago (1907): Elmer Rosa, Blaine Davis, C. Snashall and L. Gillies returned from Arizona, Monday, where they went to investigate a mine. We have not learned whether the gentlemen took stock. However, Mr. Rosa says he was well pleased with the country and would have remained the balance of the winter, if his family had been with him.
90 Years Ago (1917): The evening service of the Methodist Episcopal Church next Sunday evening will be given up to a patriotic flag dedication, which will be celebrated by beautiful and appropriate services. The flag will be a beautiful service flag upon which will be placed eighteen stars—seventeen of them each representing a son and a brother who have offered their lives to their country’s service and one gold star for the one who has already answered the call of “taps” from the Great Commander. The names inscribed on the stars for the living: Floyd Neff, Lyle Blakeley, Paul Jones, Brooks Gabriel, Paul Mabie, Harry Thompson, Lloyd Wilder, Glen Estes, Raymond Estes, Chester W. Hurd, Arthur O’Dell, Lloyd M. Rowley, Robert Woodard, Harry McKinney, Harry Milligan, Fay Patton, Harold Seguine, Clarence Stiff, Alfred Stiff and Robert Antes. It was sad that on this beautiful service flag, this early in the war should have been necessary to place one gold star, indicating that one of our boys, Lieut. Ivan G. Walton, had already responded to the call of “Taps.”
80 Years Ago (1927): There will be Norwegian Services at the Cooksville Lutheran church, Sunday, beginning at 2:30 o’clock.
70 Years Ago (1937): Christmas cheer will be brought to Evansville’s needy families on Friday of next week when Miss Ruth Chase, city nurse, starts her annual distribution of yuletide baskets which will include groceries, canned fruits, and vegetables collected in relief barrels placed yesterday in stores throughout the city, and other donations contributed by public spirited organizations and individuals. In addition to the food items being collected in the stores, the pupils of the grade school have placed depositories in the grade buildings where items are being contributed daily.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Kloften entertained a group of relatives at dinner last Sunday at their home on Longfield street. The occasion was the baptism of their three and one-half months old daughter, Linda Kay, in St. John’s Lutheran church that morning. The sponsors were Linda Kay’s sister and brother, Dawn Ellen and Roger Kloften and two cousins, Marjorie Kloften and Barbara Kloften.
50 Years Ago (1957): Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Quinn, Route 2, Evansville, will observe their golden wedding anniversary at an open house on Sunday, Dec. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. at their home southeast of Evansville on County Trunk A. They have four children and twelve grandchildren.
40 Years Ago (1967): Evansville citizens who have not seen the Christmas pageantry, “Living Christmas” being offered by the members of St. John’s Lutheran Church still have an opportunity tonight.
30 Years Ago (1977): The City Council accepted the resignation of Evansville police officer, Robert Hallmark, effective Dec. 17, and accepted the mayor’s appointment of Thomas Norby to fill the vacancy. A beginning salary of $870 a month was approved. Norby is an Evansville High School graduate, has taken a police science course at Blackhawk Technical Institute and a course in criminal law at UW-Platteville, has nearly completed an Emergency Medical Technician course and has worked for the city as a part-time dispatcher.
20 Years Ago (1987): Chad Wallisch, Brandon Whitmore and Matt Nardini decorated the Junior Historian’s Christmas tree, December 3rd at the Eager Free Public Library. Members of the 4th grade Junior Historians group made the ornaments as would have been done years ago. The advisor’s for the group are Terry Straka and Sally Eager.
10 years ago (1997): Junior Girl Scout Troop #343 welcomed Evansville police officer, Michael Goetz, who volunteered to help the girls earn their science sleuth badge. Officer Goetz spoke to the troop members about various ways officers use technology to assist them in performing their jobs. He demonstrated the technique of fingerprinting and the girls enjoyed seeing the special equipment in the squad car.
In Review
Fourth Week of December 1867 -1997
140 Years Ago (1867): Some twenty-five new buildings have been added to our village the past year, many of them are creditable additions to the place. Several new houses were commenced but the cold weather has stopped further progress on them. Mr. Spencer has his carriage shop nearly finished. The building of Mr. Lucas at the end of Winston & Bennett’s block moves slowly owing to the weather being too severe for the carpenters to work to advantage.
130 Years Ago (1877): The following ladies will be happy to receive calls from their friends on New Year's Day: Mr. F. H. Treat, Mrs. T. C. Richardson and Mrs. T. Wallis, at the residence of F. H. Treat, East side; Mrs. Dr. Evans and Mrs. L. Spencer at the residence of Lewis Spencer on Madison Street; Miss Lizzie Pettigrew, Miss Elnora Andrews and Mrs. D. C. Griswold, at the residence of D. C. Griswold, Church Street; Mrs. J. W. Osborn, Mrs. A. C. Goodard and Mrs. J. R. West at the residence of the latter. Mrs. D. Johnson, Mrs. Dr. Smith and Miss Bell Shurrum, at the residence of Mrs. Daniel Johnson, from 12 M to 8 p.m. Those desiring callers on that day, and who have not desired this announcement, can signify the same by suspending a blue ribbon from the door knob.
120 Years Ago (1887): Water Pierce, who has been sometime in Dakota, from union, returned for a visit, Thursday. He was accompanied by Mr. Franklin, also of that place.
110 Years Ago (1897): Married: At Madison, Wisc. Saturday Dec. 11, 1897, by Rev. E. J. Baskerville, Mr. Lyle Patterson and Miss Bernice Lillian Lloyd, both of this city. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lloyd and graduated from the Evansville high School in June 1893, The groom, who is a highly esteemed young man, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ad. Patterson. The young couple will reside on the farm of the groom's father, about four miles west of the city. Both are possessed of a host of friends who will wish them much joy.
100 Years Ago (1907): Mrs. Jane A. Hopkins died at her home on East Main Street, on Monday morning, Dec. 23, 1907, of old age. Mrs. Hopkins was born in New York state nearly eighty-eight years ago. Her people were of English birth. She leaves a daughter, Florence, and two sons, Walter of Delavan, and Virgil of Brooklyn. The funeral services will be held at the late home on Thursday forenoon, Dec. 26th. Undertaker W. F. Biglow will have charge. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery. Rev. T. W. North will officiate.
90 Years Ago (1917): At the Evansville House on Christmas Day was celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bishop. The celebration came in the nature of a surprise to the parties concerned, and it being Christmas day as well, the occasion was made one of great rejoicing and festivity. A fine wedding and Christmas dinner was served to the guests, at the close of which, Mrs. Margaret gray, presented Mr. and Mrs. Bishop with a half dozen silver dessert spoons as a token of their regard. There were about thirty present and a very enjoyable time was had. Among those present were Mrs. George Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Will Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lee and children, Leonard and Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Gray and daughter, Elizabeth, Mr. Orrie Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Lee and daughter, Helen and grandson, Fay, Mr. and Mrs. Worthington and daughter Marion, and Harry Bishop and three children, Marjorie, Orrin, and Evelyn.
80 Years Ago (1927): While leaving his home on West Main Street at 5:30 last Thursday morning; Charles Ross was knocked down by an automobile, the end of the fender catching him as he was walking along, throwing him against the curb. The accident left Mr. Ross badly shaken up, a large cut over his right eye, his leg severely bruised, and his chest injured. Inasmuch as the car kept on going after the accident, it was not ascertained who the driver was.
70 Years Ago (1937): Richard and Stacia Henneberry, 14 Railroad Street, are this week giving to the citizens of Evansville a gift of $600 to be used in the erection of a shelter house in Leota Park, which will be known as the Henneberry memorial. The offer will be submitted to the mayor and City Council at a special meeting this week and will be in the form of a letter signed by the donors. The new shelter house will be an ideal improvement at the park in that it will provide a place for picnic groups and visitors to go during inclement weather and will also serve as a storage place for the park equipment during the winter season. A bronze plate bearing the name of the memorial and the names of the donors will be imbedded in a corner stone.
60 Years Ago (1947): Mr. and Mrs. Orville Devlin, prominent Waucoma Grange members will celebrate their silver wedding anniversary at their home here Saturday. They were married Dec.27, 1922, at the home of Mrs. Devlin, who was formerly Miss Clara Rasmussen. The attendants were Laurence Janes and Alma Rasmussen, who are now Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Janes. Mr. and Mrs. Devlin have lived in Evansville and this vicinity the entire 25 years. For the past 13 years the former has been employed by the Evansville Feed and Fuel Company. The couple has three sons, Marvin, Rolland, and Kenneth Devlin.
50 Years Ago (1957): Order of Rainbow for Girls was formed recently in Evansville. Members include Margaret Templeton, Edith Tomlin, Nicki Estes, Alice Klug, Susan Warner, Jean Marie Decker, Merriellen Ashbaugh, Sharon Leeder, Norma Dille, Mary Lynn Estes, Karen Brunsell, Bonnie Templeton, Bernice Dunbar, Ann Baker, Diane Propst, Pearl Prudhon, Sue Ellen Jones, Judith Cain, Ann Schwartzlow, Barbara Blair, Carol Warner, Donna Jean Golz, Karen Meier, Pam Erstad, Barbara Cornwell, and Patty Hall.
40 Years Ago (1967): Mr. and Mrs. Donald Thompson entertained Sunday afternoon at an open house in honor of their son, Gary and his bride, the former Kristine Westby, who were married in Glessen, Germany. Gary has recently been discharged after serving two years in the United States Army. The young couple will be living at 433 South First Street in Evansville.
30 Years Ago (1977): The Housing Authority of the City of Evansville is accepting proposals for 20 units of elderly housing. The housing shall be constructed according to requirements of FMHA 515 Rural Rental House and HUD Section 8 programs on land controlled by the Housing Authority. The project shall be constructed in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by HSR & Associates, Architects. The Authority anticipates construction to begin on or about April 1, 1978 and be completed 8 months thereafter. Judy Gitchel, Executive Director.
20 Years Ago (1987): A record snowfall which dumped a some of 16 inches of snow on Evansville and the area on Tuesday of last week brought winds up to 73 mph. It was the greatest snowfall in the area’s history. All Rock County roads were closed and even road crews were unable to work on the roads. The snow proved to be Evansville’s number 13, and after Saturday night’s snow, the count now is at 11 remaining. Schools were closed as well as offices and employees were told to stay home and off the roads. Power was out in some areas, on the north edge of town for an hour.
10 years ago (1997): The increased popularity of metal buildings prompted the LTV Corporation, the third largest steel producer in the U. S. to acquire Varco-Pruden Buildings, a leading manufacturer of metal building systems. The acquisition from United Dominion Industries Inc., is valued at $187.5 million in cash. Varco-Pruden will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LTV and has changed its name to VP Buildings. The sale also includes AEP Span, a manufacturer of building products, particularly metal roofing components.
The Eager Free Public Library has subscribed to Ancestry.Com. This database is available for use at the library. Interested in searching historic newspapers? This is a database that includes a newspaper archive “Access Newspaper Archive” http://access.newspaperarchive.com/AdvanceSearch.aspx This resource is free to Wisconsin residents.