In Review
First Week of July 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Wanted. A boy from 16 to 20 years of age, who is willing to work, and can make
himself generally useful in the Boot and Shoe business. One that is trustworthy and mechanically inclined, will
meet with a good opportunity at C. K. Landon’s boot and shoe store. None other need apply.
130 Years Ago (1883): The bird’s eye views of this place were delivered last Saturday by Mr. Wm. Patchen, of
Madison, and gave general satisfaction as far as we have been able to learn. They will be a fine thing to refer
to, when our hair becomes gray, and Evansville is the largest manufacturing place in the Northwest.
120 Years Ago (1893): J. W. Calkins has the brick work on his new store nearly completed and it has the
appearance of a neat attractive building. The front is of red brick with iron posts and beams, and when
finished will be a valuable addition to Evansville. [Note: Calkin’s building was at 18 East Main.]
110 Years Ago (1903): The Wilder school closed June 19 with graduating exercises. The graduates being
Miss Amelia Tolles, and Cecelia B. Keylock.
100 Years Ago (1913): A. S. Baker tells of Reunion on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg:
Wisconsin furnished a train made up with twelve tourist cars, two diners and an observation car for the
accommodation of old soldiers whose regiments had taken part in the battle of Gettysburg fifty years ago. This
train left Chicago June 28th with about three hundred and fifty veterans. We arrived in Gettysburg Monday
June 30th and reached camp about 9 o’clock. It was estimated that there were 55,000 in camp on July 3rd.
Many said this reunion would remove the last vestige of differences that remained between North and South.
90 Years Ago (1923): Cy Montgomery, who has been with the Smith & Son market for several years, the first
of the week formed a partnership with C. E. Barnum and together they will run the meat market back of the
Cain grocery. Cy has many friends who will be glad to learn that he is able to go into business for himself.
80 Years Ago (1933): Faced with the job of bringing into reality President Roosevelt’s dream of development
of the Tennessee River Valley, the Tennessee Valley Authority has turned to the reclamation bureau at
Denver to borrow J. L. (Jack) Savage, a former Evansville resident, now a designer of dams extraordinary. Mr.
Savage was graduated from the Evansville high school in 1898 and now resides in Denver. According to
information received here Mr. Savage has been selected to prepare plans for the building of the proposed
$3,000,000 Cover Creek dam, one of the keystones in the development program, which also includes
enlargements of the power plant at Muscle Shoals.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mrs. Emma Kubly, former Evansville resident, received word that her son, Pfc. Robert C.
Kubly has been taken prisoner by the Japanese. Kubly was serving in the Philippines and was at Bataan at
the time that it fell. Kubly, whose family has lived in Portage for the past three years enlisted in the 192nd tank
division at Janesville. He attended radio school at Ft. Knox and went overseas in October 1942.
60 Years Ago (1953): In a large turnout of votes by Evansville and the surrounding area the 1953 4th of G I
queen and her court have been selected. Chosen as queen is Marjorie Lee with Betty Heffel, Charlotte
Steindl, Diane Cromhecke, Kathleen Krebs, Mildred Franklin, Joan Pettersen, and Shirley Franklin as members
of her court. The queen and her court will appear first on the beautiful American Legion and Auxiliary float in
the G I parade and will then proceed to the athletic field in Leota park where the coronation ceremonies will
take place.
50 Years Ago (1963): The 1963 Girl Scout day camp closed Friday night at 4 o’clock after a full five days
activities in Leota park. More than 100 girls; 32 leaders and aids, Mrs. Arnold Willis, nurse and Mrs. John
Townsend, Director and Mrs. Roger S. Gray, assistant director, assembled at the park every morning at 10 o’
clock and remained through the day doing scout work and preparing and eating their lunches there. The girls
accomplished a great deal and were not hampered in any of their activities by rain.
40 Years Ago (1973): Bob Janes suffered bruises and 8 stitches in his back when he was pinned by an
overturned tractor. As the tractor, which Bob was driving, entered the farm drive, the governor stuck and the
tractor struck a piece of cement foundation causing the tractor to tip. Janes was thrown clear of the tractor
and was just picking himself up with the tractor, still in motion, came up behind him and pinned him by the leg.
His father, Mel Janes and his son, used another tractor to lift off the tractor which had pinned Bob.
30 Years Ago (1983): Albany will again be the site of the Horsefeathers 7th Annual Country Music Festival,
Sunday, July 17th from the rolling hills of the Fred Baertschi farm on Dunphy Road just north of Albany. Some
of the best country and blue grass bands outside of Nashville will participate. Sponsored by the Albany Fire
Department and Emergency Medical Service, the event will feature five bands, Pipe Road String Band,
Horsefeathers Cowboy Band, Country 4 + 2, Cherokee Rose and Sidewinder.
20 Years Ago (1993): A sizeable congregation of local citizens and golfers were on hand at the June 12
ceremony launching the new nine holes at the Evansville Country Club. The additional nine holes are located
on some 70 acres just north of the original course. In developing the new tract the entire course was
reconstructed and the parking lot was expanded. Architects Gilmore Graves and Robert and Ross Graves of
Spring Green planned the course and designed and built the greens. This is irrigation on 18 holes, a new well,
and seeding was started in the summer of 1992, so that playing would be assured for 1993. Leo Brunsell, who
for many years served as grounds keeper for the association, teed off with the first ball. Ken Campbell,
treasurer of the Golf Association cut the ribbon and served as master of ceremonies. Vince Maloney,
president of the association, gave the opening and closing remarks.
10 years ago (2003): The Friends of the Eager Free Public Library made more than $2,000 from their ice
Cream Social and Auction on June 27th. Paul George donated his time and skills as an auctioneer again this
year and many people bid on food items made by some of the finest cooks in Evansville. Denise Arnold’s
Carmel Apple Pie sold for a whopping $120.
In Review
Second Week of July 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): The only noticeable crowd that particularly attracted our attention on the Fourth was
five little boys, who were seated upon the steps of the Baptist church, as we came to our office in the morning,
holding a few fire crackers, bewailing the inexorable decree that no crackers or torpedoes should be used
within certain prescribed limits, that day.
130 Years Ago (1883): Cooksville: The ditchers who contracted to drain Frog Pond Marsh, began operations,
but over on Mike Kurn’s farm, struck peat and were obliged to give up the undertaking. We suppose that now
this labor will devolve upon the brawn and muscle of the stalwart Danes and Norwegians living near here.
120 Years Ago (1893): Mr. Mygatt has the frame of the lower part of his house up and carpenters are ready to
enclose. Caleb Snashall is superintending the work. The roof is to be covered with California redwood
shingles, which with the flooring was brought from Chicago. [Note: Mygatt’s house was built at 204 West Main.]
110 Years Ago (1903): Milo Halsey and wife and Will Greatsinger took their departure, Friday, to join their
parents who are pearling near Prairie du Chien. We are informed that all will return to their homes in this city
soon.
100 Years Ago (1913): Mr. and Mrs. Grant Howard and Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Howard and daughter, Mrs. W.
Dougherty, of Evansville spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fellows at Fellows Station.
90 Years Ago (1923): Lloyd Hubbard shipped sixty head of fat hogs to Madison Friday. These were brought
to the stockyards the old fashioned way of driving the herd, a manner that is seldom used, as hogs, like people
usually ride in automobiles these days...
80 Years Ago (1933): One of the best and most extensive July fourth celebrations ever held in Evansville was
staged here Tuesday under the auspices of the Lions club when a crowd of nearly 3,000 persons from all
parts of southern Wisconsin assembled at Leonard park to witness the various events scheduled for the day.
70 Years Ago (1943): Evansville experienced the most quiet fourth of July last Sunday that the city has ever
known. The Evansville booster club planned to sponsor a field day and water carnival but found that due to
current war conditions, local citizens were not in favor of any type of celebration. The city’s private schools
and several citizens shot fireworks in the evening to make the occasion more real.
60 Years Ago (1953): Thieves invaded the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Janes Saturday evening and did a
very thorough job of upsetting the furnishing in their ransacking rampage. Although they didn’t discover a
considerable amount of currency which was in the house, Mr. and Mrs. Janes are missing among other things
a steam iron, radio, flashlight, .32 caliber revolver, a hat and shirt. Police are working on a solution to the
case.
50 Years Ago (1963): Everything is set for the annual Baptist church Community Auction to be held Saturday,
July 13 on the grade school campus starting at 10:30 a.m. The women of the church have completed plans for
the cafeteria dinner to be served at noon and an unusual number of sale items have been collected to be
auctioned off.
40 Years Ago (1973): Ernie and other Muppets greeted youngsters on the Fourth. The Sesame Street
characters were portrayed by the Stoughton Jaycees and were named the “most comical.” They were
sponsored by the Grange Store. Marsh and Al’s Appliance float was named “most original.”
30 Years Ago (1983): There was nothing but high praise for the most beautiful fireworks display that
Evansville has ever seen over Lake Leota on the Fourth of July. The excitement in the air was not the only
place for thrills. According to Duke Farnsworth who bravely lights the displays, “A small shell went off in the
mortar” and he was sprayed with the fireworks. One rocket flew so close to his glasses that it melted part of
the frame and the lens fell out. “I didn’t be burned.” said Duke, “but it did make a hole in my shirt.”
20 Years Ago (1993): Seventy descendents of Oliver Eager, Jr. and William Eager, and twenty of the
descendant’s spouses met in Evansville, June 25-27, 1993 for the Eager Family reunion. Oliver Eager, Jr. and
William Eager were born in Sangerfield, New York, in the late 1790s. Almeron Eager, the eldest surviving son
of William Eager, settled in Evansville and was a successful businessman. They moved to Rock County in the
1850s with their brother, Tyler and a combined total of 16 children.
10 years ago (2003): “The Music Man” Community Theatre presentation takes on its final form in preparation
for its opening night this Friday, July 11th. Director is J. Patrick and the cast includes more than 100 local
performers. The quartet includes Kim Beedle, John VerKuilen, Jeff Farnsworth and Steven Carlson.
In Review
Third Week of July 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): The Evansville Cheese Factory Association becoming satisfied that the experience of
the old board of officers could better serve the Association, the new board resigning, reelected the board
entire, at their late meeting. The officers as they now stand are, Geo. F. Spencer, President, Wm. S. Smith,
Secretary; A. Eager, Treasurer; C. H. Wilder, manufacturer.
130 Years Ago (1883): The side track, running to the several factories near the depot, was put in last week,
giving our shop regions a rather citified appearance, as they can all now load their wares in the cars, right from
their shops without the use of a dray.
120 Years Ago (1893): The Review mentioned last week of the sickness of diphtheria, of little Dorothy,
youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Colton. In spite of the best care and the best medical treatment that
the place could afford, little Dorothy breathed her last about 6 o’clock Friday morning, July 14, 1893, and was
taken hence amid the sorrow of weeping father, mother, sister and friends, and laid in a beautiful flower lined
grave. On account of the nature of the disease, diphtheria, no funeral services were held, but the little child
was placed in a snow white casket and borne on the laps of the parents to the grave, where prayer was uttered
by Rev. W. W. Stevens. It was a sad, sad scene, and the hearts than those of sister and parents bled tears of
unfeigned sorrow. Services in memory of little Dorothy will be held in the Congregational church next Sunday
morning.
110 Years Ago (1903): The razing of the Mrs. Flora Winston house on Main street displaces one of the old
landmarks in this city. Away back in the ‘40s the house was built, we believe by the late Lewis Spencer and
occupied as a residence for many years. The next occupant was the Rev. O. F. Comfort and at one time was
used as a sort of hotel. Afterwards the property was disposed of to the late Edwin Brown of Madison and by
heirship it reverted to Mrs. Flora Winston, which she held for many years, finally reverting to the Evansville
Mercantile company and the Evansville Library association.
100 Years Ago (1913): The big tent is going up in the city park. Just as soon as it is pitched the platform will
be put in and the chairs and seats will be arranged, then the electricians will be busy with the wiring.
Everything will be ready long before the time for the Chautauqua to open the program at 2 o’clock Saturday.
90 Years Ago (1923): Monday evening a lot of volunteers helped in putting down a well near the stock sheds
at the fairgrounds. The first eighteen feet were drilled with a hand drill and then a point was driven down to
twenty-nine feet. A short time after the point was driven there was ten feet of water in the well, insuring a
plentiful supply for the stock. The boys from the Baker shops have been very helpful and have assisted the
association in laying a lot of pipe and have helped in many other ways that the association might be spared
expense.
80 Years Ago (1933): The Evansville Blue Devils, a leading team in the Southern Wisconsin Kittenball
League, has been invited to clash with the championship girls team in a Milwaukee league, according to an
announcement made yesterday by William Bone, manager. The Milwaukee team has won approximately 15
games this season with no defeats. It will play a return game with the local girls here later in the season.
70 Years Ago (1943): One hundred and five girls from Chicago and suburbs are spending the summer
months here at the Leota School for Girls camp at 443 South First street which is owned and operated by Mr.
and Mrs. William Bone. The managers are being assisted this summer by their daughter, Miss Joyce Bone and
the Misses Jean Jobe, Lucy Wolfe and Molly Ann Gaudietz, who are serving as counselors.
60 Years Ago (1953): The School Board approved a contract with the Masonic lodge. The Masons agreed to
provide rooms on the main floor of the building, including two rooms used in the past plus enough space in the
dining room for another class. The lodge will furnish heat, lights, water, and janitor service and pay any taxes
that might be levied. In return the board approved a rental of $350 per month for the nine months of the
school year, assumed the liability for accidents that might happen to teachers, pupils, or visitors for school
purposes in the building or on the grounds. The board also agreed to pay for additional light fixtures desired,
which the lodge may keep when the school is no longer using these rooms for classes, at original cost less
depreciation.
50 Years Ago (1963): Wednesday’s fire broke the tranquility of a peaceful summer night as one of the
buildings owned by May Bros. on Maple Street, was swept by flames. Firemen, who responded quickly fought
the blaze and battled the smoke filled area for a good while before the flames were under control. Evansville
citizens appeared from all over town to watch the fire. Smoke filled the town as the flames raged inside,
escaping through the windows and walls and eventually the roof.
40 Years Ago (1973): The well kept garden of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vreeland at 416 Longfield Street yielded
the first ripe tomato that has been reported in Evansville this year. Mrs. Vreeland stated that she picked the
tomato on Thursday July 12.
30 Years Ago (1983): Two new shops have opened in Evansville recently to provide the Evansville shoppers
with new and used books, and art in several media, ceramics, oil, watercolor, weaving and silk screen. The
book shop located in the home of Maureen Foster, at 32 W. Main is her special interest, and Frank Reighard
has the Art Gallery next door. Both are under the name “My Eyes Book Store” and My Eyes Gallery.”
20 Years Ago (1993): The weather these past couple of weeks has contributed to damage in the Evansville
area. Last Saturday, a large part of a big tree came down during the terrific wind and rain and damaged
Gordon Brigham’s truck, as well as daughter, Julie’s car which was almost totaled. Both vehicles were parked
in the driveway of the Brigham home on W. Church Street. During the previous windstorm a week earlier, the
first portion of the tree fell on the car of Sally Franklin, parked in the same driveway. The tree is now down.
10 years ago (2003): On June 11, Rev. Basil Osuigwe became the new administrator of St. Paul Catholic
Church in Evansville and St. Augustine Catholic Church in Footville. The former pastor, Rev. Eric Nielsen, left
the same day to join St. Mary and St. John parishes in Bloomington, Wisconsin. Born and raised in Nigeria, Fr.
Osuigwe was ordained a priest in 1978.
In Review
Fourth Week of July 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): We have been unable to frame anything like a connected history of Mrs. Croft, whose
remains were brought here from Mason City, Iowa and interred in the public cemetery, at this place, on
Wednesday afternoon of last week. She was a daughter of Rev. C. C. Mason, whose remains with her mother’
s and a brother, lie in the cemetery here. Her first husband was a Mr. Snyder, of Center, who died in the army,
after having been married only about a year. Mrs. Snyder went to Iowa with a sister, and afterwards married
Mr. J. Croft, whose parents reside in Janesville. He is a station agent at Mason City. The funeral took place in
the Methodist church, sermon by Rev. Jas. Craig.
130 Years Ago (1883): Mr. Geo. Higday lately purchased two fillies of Mr. Wm. Patterson, one two years old,
the other a yearling. They were placed upon the scales here last Saturday, the yearling tipping the beam at
895 lbs, the two year old at 1110 lbs. At the same time, Mr. John Crawford weighed two fillies of the same
ages, of his own raising, the yearling tipping the beam at 880 lbs., and the two year old at 1175 lbs. We think
they are four as good colts as are often seen together. Our farmers are finding it profitable to breed good
stock instead of scrubs.
120 Years Ago (1893): Instead of moulding the bricks for Baker’s new store on an angle of 45 degrees, they
came in all shapes, some more and some less, and the masons find it slow work to cut off a thousand bricks
with a hand saw and hatchet to building to corners of the store. [Note: The Baker store was at 101 East Main
Street.]
110 Years Ago (1903): Center township: One of the most destructive storms ever known passed over this
place Thursday afternoon. Barns, tobacco sheds and windmills were blown to pieces. The roof of Fred Topp’s
new barn was blown off and carried several hundred feet away. The windmills on Wm. Demrow’s farm were
destroyed. Three large tobacco sheds on the Chas. Fisher farm were blown down. On the farm of J. B.
Whitmore, two windmills were destroyed and an orchard ruined. Grant Fisher’s windmill and tobacco sheds
were wrecked. James Roherty’s windmill and a part of his barn were blown to pieces and some farm machinery
destroyed.
100 Years Ago (1913): During the month of June the D. E. Wood Butter Company paid in cash the amount of
$18, 168.19 for milk and cream. This amount does not include the money paid for cream and milk shipped in,
but was distributed among the local farmers and producers of milk. The farmers are beginning to realize more
fully the advantages of dairy farming. It not only means a steady and dependable cash income that is very
satisfactory, but it also means the enrichment of the soil, thus increasing the value of the farm itself. As the
class of farming increases the wealth fo the entire community will multiply.
90 Years Ago (1923): Up to date of the issue of this paper, three out of the six coal silos being built by
Brunsell & Fellows are completed.
80 Years Ago (1933): Mrs. George Bidwell, 89, a pioneer Evansville resident and widow of a Civil War veteran,
died in her home at 134 North Madison street following a stroke. She had been failing in health for the past
year, but had not been seriously ill. The former Joanna Thomas was married November 24, 1862 to George
M. Bidwell, a member of Company F, 16th U. S. infantry, who was wounded in the Battle of Shiloh, April 8, 1862
and who remained an invalid until his death Oct. 16, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell moved to Evansville from
Springfield, Ill., in July 1871. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Alfred Halstead and Mrs. Stella Conger,
Evansville; three sons, Ernest Bidwell, Evansville, George Bidwell, Clinton and Frank Bidwell, Racine; ten
grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mrs. J. H. Gillies, 87, and Mrs. W. B. Porter, 85, two Evansville sisters are to be
congratulated upon their achievements in British Relief and Red Cross work during the past several months.
Mrs. Gillies knitted 55 pairs of socks for the British Relief when the organization was active here about two
years ago and while she was visiting her daughter in Princeton, N. J., last year, she completed ten pairs for the
Red Cross in that city. Mrs. Porter knitted 36 pairs of sea socks for the British Relief and approximately as
many pairs for the Red Cross. The sea socks are much longer than ordinary socks and it takes more time to
complete a pair.
60 Years Ago (1953): Fred L. Franklin, N. Madison st., observed his 87th birthday July 18. Mr. Franklin
retired in 1942 after 50 years of continuous association with the Grange Store, having started with the store
when it was located at the corner of Main and Maple streets. Until July first, for the past seven years, Mr.
Franklin has gone to the store each morning to do egg candling and check tobacco supplies.
50 Years Ago (1963): Although there was no serious damage in the city from the storm last week Friday
afternoon, rural areas suffered from the hail and wind. At the Leo Decker farm two miles east of the city, four
trees, two of which were uprooted, blew down. The two trees west of the house fell on the house and crashed
through the roof into an upstairs bedroom. Plaster and wall paper in the entire house, especially in the
bedroom below where the roof was crashed were damaged so that rain poured into the lower rooms. The
other two trees were in the orchard. Mr.a nd Mrs. Keith Neal reside on the farm. At the nearby Reese farm a
corn crib was demolished. West of the city farms were hit by hail so that crops were damaged also buildings.
Trees and limbs were blown down in the city.
40 Years Ago (1973): Bob Berezowitz has been named Evansville High School’s new football coach. A
graduate of Milwaukee Boys’ Tech in 1963 and the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater in 1967, Bob is
experienced in both playing and coaching. Berezowitz is replacing Jim Ganoung, who resigned as football
coach last spring.
30 Years Ago (1983): Purchase Awards in the national art exhibition sponsored by West Publishing Company
include “Portrait of Hugo Black” by Evansville artist John Wilde. The portrait is a silverpoint, pencil, wash. The
show opens July 29 in Atlanta in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association after
which it will go on national tour. Leading national artists Andy Warhol, Jack Levine, Leonard Baskin, Robert
Beauchamp, William Wiley and Aaron Bohrod are among many prominent artists, together with new and
emerging artists from across the country invited to participate.
20 Years Ago (1993): At the regular school board meeting, board members accepted the resignation of
Elementary School Principal, Susan Masterson, who will now go to Janesville. She was presented a plaque by
the school board president, Ken Fenrick.
10 years ago (2003): The Grove Society will be holding an auction to benefit the Baker Office Building, setting
in the park. Included are a pair collages donated by Joan Sands made of pieces of clothing. The materials
are from dresses of Nellie Klusmeyer, long-time, well known 4-H leader.
In Review
Last Week of July 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): We learn that Miss Stella Wheeler, a graduate here of five years ago, has been
engaged to teach in the Seminary. She has been in Iowa most of the time since her graduation, engaged in
teaching. While a student here, she stood among the first as a scholar; is a lady of ability, and we feel
confident that she will do the Seminary an excellent service.
130 Years Ago (1883): R. W. Johnson & Co. lost their horse, last Wednesday, that runs the warehouse
elevator. Its death was caused from eating too much grain, it having got loose and helped itself.
120 Years Ago (1893): A young double twister of a cyclone struck this city of churches Tuesday afternoon
and done considerable damage to shade trees and outhouses. At the Baptist church it tore off the upper half
of the steeple and about ten feet of the eaves. At the Methodist church one of the chimneys was knocked off
damaging the roof and in other places slight damage was done. The storm did not seem to be very wide but
for a baby cyclone it hummed for all there was in it for a time.
110 Years Ago (1903): The oat harvest is pretty well along in this section and is a very good crop. Leo
Campbell residing on the Janesville road about a mile and a half east of here, threshed his oats last Saturday,
which yielded over 50 bushels to the acre, and there are many other fields in this section that will yield as well if
not better. One of the largest hay crops ever grown in this section is about harvested. Tobacco is making very
rapid growth promising to be an exceptional good crop.
100 Years Ago (1913): Just as soon as the weather dries all the men and boys are invited to take pails and
paint brushes to the fair grounds to assist in painting the buildings. You needn’t bring any paint as there is
plenty of that on hand. Help beautify the grounds.
90 Years Ago (1923): Saturday Russell George threshed for himself southeast of the village of Brooklyn and
Monday his threshing rig started working on the farm of Willis Miller and Son.
80 Years Ago (1933): Company 1680, Citizens Conservation Corps, arrived in Evansville via the Northwestern
line at 5:30 a.m. yesterday establishing its permanent camp at the fairgrounds here. The company came from
Camp Custer, Michigan, where it had been assembled, equipped, and organized. Headed by Major Joseph L.
Phillips, cavalry officer of the regular army, the company marched four abreast from the Northwestern station
here. The company comprises exactly 200 men, all citizens of Wisconsin and all veterans of the World War.
The larger part of them were members of the Wisconsin Brigade, 32nd Division.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mrs. Ward Popanz and infant daughter, Mary Eleanor, who arrived here last week from
St. Mary’s hospital, Madison, are spending some time at the home of the former’s brother and sister-in-law, Mr.
and Mrs. Ernest Edwards, South Second Street.
60 Years Ago (1953): A crew of workers employed by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway have been busy
the past three weeks on removal of rails between Evansville and Madison, making it a single track road
between the two cities except for a short strip of track near Butts Corners which has been retained for
switching purposes. It will be recalled in reading past history that the railroad was double-tracked from
Evansville to Elroy around the turn of the century, putting Evansville on the main line of the Northwestern from
Chicago to Minneapolis. The track removal project, which has been in progress since July 6, was completed
Tuesday, July 28.
50 Years Ago (1963): Sherry Golz, Patti Helgesen, Phoebe Wilde, Kay Gill, Janice Montgomery and Margaret
Sumner returned home from Camp Birchwood near Hayward where they had been attending a Girl Scout
Camp. Several other Evansville Girl Scouts are in camp this week.
40 Years Ago (1973): Enthusiastic readers are earning giraffes at the Eager Free Public Library Summer
Reading Club. Those completing their first giraffe were Wade Bellamy, Kristin Hawkins, Wanda Bellamy,
Kimberley Rhoda, Steven Edwards, Peter Steinhoff, Patty Meredith, Randy Jones and Ann Nipple. Another
new member Nathan Edwards, has completed two giraffes and a total of thirty books.
30 Years Ago (1983): Aiming for opening in early August are two new stores, to be located in the Grange Mall
in Evansville on West Main Street. George Nordeng, manager oat the Ace Hardware in Janesville will be
opening an Ace Hardware in Evansville, in the far west main floor area of the Mall. Frank Gildner, publisher of
the Evansville Review, is transforming the east side of the lower level of the mall into a mini department store.
20 Years Ago (1993): Baker Manufacturing Company, as part of the celebration marking its 120th anniversary
of continuous operation in Evansville, erected a seventy-five foot windmill as a monument to the early
craftsmen and founders of Baker Manufacturing company on Tuesday, July 20. The windmill was originally
manufactured in the early 1920s and was acquired from a farm near Maynard, MN and has been totally
reconditioned.
10 years ago (2003): China Wok owner, Shao Lin, with manager and brother-in-law Barry Huang have opened
their restaurant at 603 E. Main.