In Review
First Week of May 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Married at the Methodist church, Thursday evening, May 1st, 1873, by Rev. Jas.
Craig, Mr. Charles P. Pullen, son of J. T. Pullen, Esq., President of the 1st National Bank and Miss Eva
Winston, both of Evansville. The bride was richly attired in a delicate peacock green silk, trimmed with
white lace. On her head was a wreath of orange blossoms and buds. The groom wore black pants and
coat, white vest, and necktie of the color of the bride’s dress. Both wore flesh colored gloves.
130 Years Ago (1883): Several of the Evansville young ladies have made arrangements to spend the
summer at the following noted resorts: Miss Emma Stearns in Plymouth Center school; Miss Lizzie Frantz,
in Leyden school; Miss Lizzie Baker in the Crowe district, Center; Miss Ella Greenman in the Dwight
district, Brooklyn; Miss Nellie Drown in Union school; Miss Laura Everson in Jones district; Miss Anna
Blackmun in Ballard district; Miss Cora Cadwallader in Tuttle district; Miss Jessie Barbeau in Butts Corners
school; Miss Jennie Lowery in Emery school and Miss Carrie Janes in the Patterson school.
120 Years Ago (1893): Corn planting is not all done yet. The ground is getting quite hard and lumpy.
Some have finished planting and are now working at their tobacco ground. There will be a large amount
of the weed raised this season, although last year’s crop was very unprofitable to many.
110 Years Ago (1903): Another Evansville Boy Honored. Professor L. M. Hoskins of the department of
civil engineering has been made by the Carnegie institute a member of a committee of investigation to
conduct a joint inquiry into mathematical, astronomical, physical, chemical and geological phases of the
earth and problems that lie in the common domain of these sciences. The investigation will be under the
direction of Dr. T. C. Chamberlin, of the University of Chicago. [Note: Leander M. Hoskins was a
professor of mathematics at Stanford University at the time of his appointment to this committee.]
100 Years Ago (1913): At about nine o’clock Monday morning the farm residence owned by C. F. Brunsell
located a mile and a half east of Evansville, was completely destroyed by fire. The house was occupied
at the time by John Spersrud and family, who succeeded in saving a portion of their household effects
and wearing apparel. The building was valued at about $1,500 and was insured for $800 in the Farmer’s
Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of the Town of Union.
90 Years Ago (1923): The City council passed a resolution to install a ten inch storm water sewer will be
installed from the intersection of Jackson and east Main streets south to Franklin Street.
80 Years Ago (1933): Construction work was started here Monday on the erection of the new lighting
system at the kittenball diamond in the city park. The project is being financed by the local American
Legion post which has been given the support of the Lions club and the city council. With the
inauguration of night kittenball in Evansville, which undoubtedly will attract large crowds here from
neighboring cities, it is believed that it would be profitable for local stores to remain open those nights on
which the games of the Southern Wisconsin league are played.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hampel, owners and operators of the Evansville Bakery on
East Main street are unable to obtain help and have therefore decided to close their store all day every
Thursday throughout the summer beginning next Thursday, May 13. Because of current war conditions,
it is impossible for Mr. and Mrs. Hampel to hire a baker and it is necessary for the former to spend the
night and a large part of the day in the bakery kitchen preparing the food to be sold. A day a week at
home will provide the rest that he needs to continue with his work.
60 Years Ago (1953): Capt. Roger S. Gray will be discharged from the Air Force on May 11 at
Cheyenne, Wyoming, after two years of duty. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. R. J. Gray. With his wife, the
former Betty Brunsell, he will return to Evansville to practice medicine with his father. The Grays with their
two daughters, Suzanne 3, and Sandra 3 weeks, will be home Tuesday, May 12.
50 Years Ago (1963): In the state judging contest held at the College of Agriculture in Madison, the
Evansville team composed of Don Krajeck, Vic Spanton and Greg Bovre gained an enviable Superior
rating in the Dairy Cattle group. Of the 176 teams participating, the Evansville team placed third place
winner being topped only by Fort Atkinson and Waterloo.
40 Years Ago (1973): Evansville’s new ambulance will begin service soon. The new unit was recently
purchased for $12,500 from the Automotive Conversion corp., Troy, Michigan. It was used at an accident
Friday on Highway 92, just south of Brooklyn.
30 Years Ago (1983): The annual quilt show and luncheon will be held May 11 at the Congregational
United Church of Christ. A group of women have been working for many years quilting quilts at the UCC
Church every day. Members of the group include Ethel Hermanson, Ruby Templeton, Wilma Ringhand,
Nellie Qualle, Mary Wahl, Hattie Harry, Lottie Powles and Mary Des Rochers
20 Years Ago (1993): Police Chief Chuck DiPiazza promoted Scot McElroy of the Evansville Police
Department to Uniformed Investigator. Scott, 28, is a lifelong resident of Evansville, graduating from
Evansville High School in 1983. He joined the Evansville Police Department in 1985.
10 years ago (2003): This past weekend was the wonderful production of “My Fair Lady” by Evansville’s
Fine Arts Department under the direction of Peter Diedrich. Working together like a well oiled machine
the whole cast, band and crew, gave their audience a fine production. The Performing Arts Center was a
perfect setting for the show. Set design and costuming couldn’t have been more detailed, even down to
the hats.
In Review
Second Week of May 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): The business of Messrs. Pratt & Gray, shows itself in a well gotten up rig, which
they supply from their store, in notions, packages of groceries, &c., to exchange for dairy produce, eggs
&c. To prevent interfering with home trade, it does not commence business until it gets some six or ten
miles away. Mr. James Osborn, than whom no more straight forward young man can be found, has
charge of the team.
130 Years Ago (1883): Mr. John Ryan, of Footville, has taken the job of rebuilding the mill dam at this
place. Mr. Ryan is recommended as being a first-class hand at such business, having taken several
contracts of railroad grading and completed them all in a very satisfactory manner, therefore our citizens
may look for a far better dam than we have ever had before.
120 Years Ago (1893): Mrs. U. W. Slawson, of Evansville, and Mrs. J. M. Randall, formerly of Chicago,
have put in Bath and Massage parlors at the residence of Mrs. Slawson and are now ready to give Vapor
Baths, Salt Glome and Massage treatments.
110 Years Ago (1903): Quite a party of fishermen including Editor Antes, G. A. Higday, W. H. Carpenter,
Geo. Magee and O. C. Colony went to First lake, Wednesday, but nothing was seen nor heard of their
catch.
100 Years Ago (1913): For several years the Evansville Choral union under the direction of Miss Anna L.
Boyce has given a series of concerts that it was a privilege and delight to hear. This year the work will be
presented in a different form. The usual oratorio work will be given at the two commencements held here
the last week of May and the first week of June. The public will have an opportunity to hear the Choral
Union sing, at the close of its most successful year, at the high school baccalaureate services and at the
seminary commencement exercises.
90 Years Ago (1923): The railroad gang, which has been working on the automatic gates on the Main
Street crossing and on the wigwag signals on the North Madison street crossings have about completed
their work and expect to have both crossings fully equipped and working by next Thursday.
80 Years Ago (1933): Miss Jeanette Graham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Graham, has been chosen
as the 1933 prom queen and will lead the grand march as the partner of Robert Smith, junior class
president, at the annual promenade in the high school gymnasium Friday evening, May 19. Miss
Graham, a freshman, has been prominent in the activities of the High School Girls athletic association and
has acted as one of the school cheerleaders during the past year. She will wear pink crepe with pink
slippers and accessories to match the prom.
70 Years Ago (1943): Miss Angela Bewick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Bewick and Miss Roberta
Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Collins, this city, were among those who participated in the
University of Wisconsin “All University Sing” as a part of the annual senior swing-out activities last Friday
evening. The program was held on the union terrace and the group Gamma Phi Beta directed by Miss
Bewick, in which Miss Collins sang, won first honors. Angela is a junior and Roberta, a senior in the
University.
60 Years Ago (1953): The Evansville fire department was still pouring water into the Green Bros. grain
elevator here at 1:15 Wednesday to keep under control one of the most destructive fires in recent city
history. Only prompt action by the city’s volunteer department prevented what might have been complete
destruction of the large building, which contained between two and three thousand bushels of corn when
the fire broke out. The fire apparently started in the drier in the elevator. Ben Green indicated that it
looked like at least $10,000 of damage if nothing further happened. Firemen swarmed over the top of the
structure, pouring water in through the top, under the direction of Assistant Fire Chief Earl Schwartz.
50 Years Ago (1963): Two of the three houses on property purchased by the Evansville Schools in the
300 block of South Firest Street have been removed to provide access and playground space for the
elementary and junior high schools. One of the houses was razed, the second was purchased by Joe
May and was moved to the 400 block of south Second Street.
40 Years Ago (1973): A stolen car turned up and over in the middle of Allen’s Creek. Sheriff’s deputies
were alerted by the Evansville police that the car of John Popanz Evansville had been stolen. The car
was found on Old Highway 92, about one-half mile north of Highway 59. The car had been driven off the
road where it hit a bridge and abutment, tipped over on its side on the mud bank of Allen’s Creek and
rolled over on its top in the middle of the creek.
30 Years Ago (1983): Police Week is May 15 – 21. The Evansville Police Force is a concerned caring
group from the officer in the squad car to the dispatcher. Chief Richard Luers likes to say, “We do more
things for people than we do to them.” The officers are Kent Katzenmeyer, Tom Norby, John Whitmore,
and Jed Sperry. Part time officers are Frank Warner and Art Phillips. The dispatchers are Betty Dunphy,
Dorothea Leeder and Jack Covert.
20 Years Ago (1993): Town of Union Board Action Thursday, May 6 included the approval of a building
inspector. Robert Fahey, Evansville, was selected from four persons interviewed recently for this
position. Ed Hallmark will also be building inspector until the end of this year.
10 years ago (2003): Everyone’s invited to be part of the fun this summer by auditioning for the
Evansville Community Theatre’s production of the musical comedy “The Music Man.” This heart-warming
story features parts for adults, senior citizens, teens, singers, dancers, and children ages seven and up.
In Review
Third Week of May 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Postmaster West has received the necessary apparatus for containing the
weather reports from the Signal Bureau of the U. S. army. Soon as the department is notified of the
receipt, dispatches will be sent and placed therein, for the inspection of all. Farmers will greatly profit by
this, as approaching storms can be accurately foretold, and preparations made to meet them, several
days in advance of their occurrence. Calculations are based upon scientific principles, and it is rarely
that mistakes occur.
130 Years Ago (1883): The annual reunion of the 13th Wisconsin Vet. Vol. Infantry, will be held at this
place on Wednesday, June 6. In connection with the reunion a grand campfire and barbecue will be
given. Every comrade should be present. A good time is expected.
120 Years Ago (1893): Workmen are putting up the metallic ceiling in the town hall. The work requiring
more skill than our home mechanics possessed a resort was had on Chicago at an expense of $4. Per
day. It is very slow work and will require several week’s time to do it. The carpenter took down the
unsightly staging Monday that has disfigured the tower for several months.
110 Years Ago (1903): City Council Minutes, May 12, 1903: A motion was made by Gray, seconded by
Bagley, that ordinance No. 37, entitled an ordinance accepting the gift of Almeron Eager, of the sum of
Ten Thousand dollars for a library, and to consent to the terms upon which the gift is offered, and to
obligate the city to levy and collect an annual tax for the support and maintenance of said library, be and
same is hereby adopted. Motion carried with 4 ayes and 2 noes.
100 Years Ago (1913): Carl Brunsell is erecting a new modern residence on his farm northeast of town to
replace the one recently destroyed by fire.
90 Years Ago (1923): Besides having fun with our city lighting system as usual, the storm Saturday night
blew in the new brick front of the C. C. Lutz building which is being erected just north of the Central
House. The sides of the building had been laid of concrete blocks and the front of brick, but as yet the
front had not been braced by the ceiling and girders from the inside. The whole front was taken down
within three or four feet of the ground. This will prove quite a delay and loss to Mr. Lutz. Work was begun
Monday morning on the reconstruction of the wall.
80 Years Ago (1933): Using high pressure methods and giving false references in a magazine
subscription selling campaign, a group of young boys and girls were ordered out of the city Monday by
Chief of Police Fred Gillman. They were forced to make restitution to 15 customers in Evansville and
Brooklyn. “Although the group comprised of seven girls traveling in one car and five boys in another with
their manager, represented a legitimate publishing house, they will not be tolerated here because of their
high pressure methods,” declared Chief Gillman.
70 Years Ago (1943): The Leon Patterson family has decided that the world is small after all. They
recently received word from the government that their son Bill had reached an overseas country safely.
However, they were not sure of the country until a few days later when they got a message from their
daughter Mrs. Claire Ehle, Chicago, stating that she had a letter from her husband, who they know is in
Australia, in which he said that Bill had telephoned him and they are only a few miles apart and expected
to meet very soon, which they did on Mother’s Day.
60 Years Ago (1953): The 1950 Census of Housing enumerated 875 dwelling units in Evansville, Of the
875 dwelling units counted in 1950, 848 were occupied at the time of the census. Of the occupied
dwelling units, 569, or 67.1 per cent were occupied by owners. Of the total dwelling units in the city 67.9
per cent were single dwelling unit detached structures; 10.2 percent were in structures built in 1940 or
later and 69.6 per cent had hot running water, private toilets and were not dilapidated as measured by
structural conditions and plumbing facilities. The median value of one-dwelling units occupied by owners
was $6,639. The median months contract rent paid was $28.92.
50 Years Ago (1963): Kim Gill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Al Gill, has been appointed to the U. S. Merchant
Marine Academy, King’s Point, Long Island. He will begin training next August.
40 Years Ago (1973): A son was born to Sgt. And Mrs. David Persons on May 21 at K. I. Sawyer Air
Force Base in Michigan. David Erek weighed 6 ½ lbs. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. John Noel, Gwinn,
Mich. And Mr. and Mrs. Donald Persons, Evansville
30 Years Ago (1983): Eight high school juniors were initiated into the National Honor Society and
presented with a certificate of membership by Scott Beckwith, president. Their advisor is Mrs. Janet
Plourde. Paul Bong, Jeff Elmer, Rick U’Ren, Lori Hoffman, Debra Haas, Kim Rhoda, Karen Lien and Mary
Roberts were the initiated.
20 Years Ago (1993): Jacob Peters, son of Randy and Pat Peters, Evansville recently completed a Scout
Eagle Service Project through the Evansville Manor. Peters planned, developed and led in the
construction of 85 new bulletin boards. The boards are now in place for all of the residents at the Manor.
Peters became especially familiar with the Evansville Manor during the time when his great-aunt Beth
Hensel was a resident there. Visiting her often and participating in musical presentations at the Manor
gave him the idea to plan his Eagle service Project for the residents there.
10 years ago (2003): Area students graduating from UW-Platteville include: Andrew Houlberg, Albany,
BS Agricultural Business; Troy Stephenson, Albany, BS communication Technologies Management;
Amanda Vandervort, Brooklyn, BS Industrial Engineering, Psychology; Jennifer Konopacki Brooklyn, BS
Elementary Education; Jeremy May, Evansville, BS Civil Engineering.
In Review
Fourth Week of May 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Seeding is nearly through with for this season. Much of the corn that was planted
before the late heavy rains had to be planted over again.
130 Years Ago (1883): Twelve young misses, daughters of soldiers, have been selected to scatter
flowers on the graves of our dead. To be dressed uniformly, white dresses, blue sash and red stockings
under the direction of Mrs. M. V. Pratt and Miss Lizzie Spencer. Following are the names of those
selected: Elsie Baker, Hattie West, Alice Libby, Jennie Haywood, Nellie Hamilton, Maud Luddington,
Myrtie Williams, Flora Bullock, Eva Burk, Kittie West, Eva Walker and Kittie Clark. The ladies are
earnestly requested to contribute and collect flowers, the children by searching and gathering wild
flowers, arranging them in bouquets and wreaths and delivering them at the town hall anytime before one
o’clock p.m. Wednesday May 30. “Let every citizen young or old that can come on this memorial day,
consider it but a part of their religion to beautify the resting place of our noble dead, the brave who for
you and me gave their life as ransom.”
120 Years Ago (1893): Commencement will be held on the Seminary campus Tuesday, June 6. The
graduates are Bert Biglow, Henry Wolfe, May Wadsworth, and Jennie Baldwin.
110 Years Ago (1903): All Spanish war veterans are especially invited to join with the G.A.R. veterans on
Memorial day in their exercises, as well as all old soldiers whether members of a G.A.R. Post or not.
100 Years Ago (1913): Myron Bowen lost a valuable horse. He tied a fence post to it and turned it in the
road and it got frightened at an automobile and fell and broke its neck.
90 Years Ago (1923): Pleasant Prairie school will close June 8th with a community gathering and picnic at
which time there will be a program and the usual pleasant social time. The men of the community, as well
as the ladies are invited.
80 Years Ago (1933): Memorial day of 1933 finds the local G. A. R. post with a membership of only two, a
striking contrast to the days when there were more than 200 names of Civil War veterans on the roll. The
T. L. Sutphen post, No. 41, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized here August 24, 1882. The first
commander was James R. West with W. F. Williams as adjutant. At one time the post had a membership
of 212 all of whom have answered the last roll call with the exception of John Gardner Babcock and Enos
Baldridge. The last member to die being Henry W. Hamilton, the last charter member, who passed away
two years ago. Miss Cora E. Harris, this city, past state president of the Woman’s Relief corps, was
appointed their secretary seven years ago.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hubbard, this city, received a letter Wednesday afternoon from
the war department concerning a telegram they got on May 19 reporting the death of their son, Robert, in
a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The letter said that the casualty report in his case shows that he died
at Mukden, Manchukua, China, as a result of beriberi, but failed to give the exact date of his death.
Efforts to obtain such information have not been successful.
60 Years Ago (1953): Pupils of Mrs. John Wyse will present a piano recital, Sunday afternoon, May 31, in
the Methodist church. Participating will be Karren Algrim, Barbara Batty, Karen Bennett, Billy Bewick, Judy
Cain, Gwendolyn Farrell, Susan and Linda Grundahl, Merl Halbman, Joyce Norum, Carol and Roberta
Rowald, Elaine Sloan, Bonnie Templeton, Rosemary Waeffler and Marcia Weaver.
50 Years Ago (1963): The memorial parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the library corner and proceed
through the business district to the cemetery. Participating will be gold Star Mothers, American legion
officers, the Wyler School band, Boy Scouts, Baton Twirlers Corps, Girl Scouts, Women’s Auxiliary and
the Evansville School Band. Richard Matson, intern at St. John’s Lutheran Church is the speaker for the
program at the cemetery. Kenneth Devlin will officiate. The invocation will be given by Rev. H. J. Lane,
retired Methodist pastor. Kenneth Devlin, legion commander and Ronald Wall, retired commander are co-
chairmen of the event.
40 Years Ago (1973): Evansville’s Motel Inman is under new management; the 9 unit motel was taken
over Tuesday, May 15th by Stefan and Anne Skotniki from Chicago.
30 Years Ago (1983): Sunday was a special day at the Evansville Manor where hundreds of relatives and
friends gathered in the afternoon to celebrate the birthday of Clarence Franklin. Reflecting on his long
life, Mr. Franklin advises all young people to honor their father and mother. He credits prayer with being
one of the main reasons for his full, long life and when he sings his favorite hymn, “How Great Thou Art”
tears come to his eyes as he sincerely believes what he sings.
20 Years Ago (1993): William C. Hurtley graduated Wednesday May 19, 1993 from Milwaukee Area
Technical School where he completed his Associate Degree in the Wisconsin Mortuary Science Program.
Hurtley has been employed at Ward Funeral Home the past three years, while completing his Intern
Program, and for the past two years has commuted to Milwaukee for his Associate Degree.
10 years ago (2003): Sophomore Ken Koebler was the only individual Rock Valley Conference winner
Tuesday night at Walworth. Ken won the high jump with a height of 5’10”. The girls 3200 relay came
from behind to win the gold medal with their best time of the season at 10:24.19. Team members were
Senior Nichole Crans, Senior Renee Sarow, sophomore Morgan Rucks and sophomore Amanda
McElroy.