In Review
First Week of October 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): While the whole country is convulsed with a frantic financial crisis, and nearly all
the banks and banking houses in the country have suspended, our own stands firm, paying out and
receiving deposits in its usual tone of financial alacrity. We were assured by Cashier Bennett that the
bank stood ready to pay every dollar due its depositors on demand.
130 Years Ago (1883): Remember that Mr. George W. Dibble took first premium at the Cane Growers
Association at Madison, Wis., on making cane syrup. There were some eighteen competitors from the
different states of the north-west, but he came out ahead and is now prepared to make you syrup in
Evansville.
120 Years Ago (1893): Village Clerk Phillips moved into his new office in the south-east corner of the
new city hall on Wednesday of last week. Having a little business with that office we happened to be his
first caller. We found him in his usual cheerful and accommodating mood and gave all the information
desired. He had not his books and papers in as good order as he hopes to have when more time shall
enable him to arrange and properly letter his pigeon holes.
110 Years Ago (1903): John Montgomery and Gertrude Dean of the town of Porter were married last
Thursday. Marriage license was issued to Helmer A. Hanson and Mary Olson of this place, Monday last.
100 Years Ago (1913): The Christian Scientists will hold their services in Mrs. Fisher’s hall, formerly
used as Y.M.C.A. rooms. Sunday morning service at 10:45; Wednesday evening service at 7:30; Mrs.
Nellie Fisher, first reader. [Note: The Fisher Hall was at 19 East Main Street.]
90 Years Ago (1923): Word was received this week by relatives here that Darrell and Roy Crawford,
who started to Casper, Wyoming, September 19th by auto, intending to stay a year, were caught last
week in the same water spout and flood that caused the terrible train wreck where several hundred lives
were lost from a train going through a bridge washed out by the floods. The boys were within thirty miles
of Casper when the water caught them on low land. In a short time the water was coming into the car,
and in order to save themselves had to abandon the car and their baggage and clothes and swim to
higher land. They caught a ride into Casper on an oil truck showing up at Chester Miller’s where they
were given fresh clothes and a welcome reception.
80 Years Ago (1933): Carpenters and painters have been at work here during the past two weeks
remodeling the Baker building at 101 East Main street where the Pierce Hardware company will open a
modern story on Saturday, October 14th. The store will be operated here by Dwight I. Pierce who has
moved his family to the city from Brodhead and is now residing at 326 South First Street.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mr. and Mrs. George Olsen, this city, received a telegram Sunday from their son,
Sgt. Robert Olsen, Great Falls, Montana, stating that he and Miss Anna Zentner, Madison, formerly of
this city, were wed last Saturday. The new Mrs. Olsen was graduated from the Evansville high school
last May and has been employed in Madison during the summer. Sgt. Olsen, a graduate of the local
high school in 1941, was employed here in the plant of the Baker Manufacturing company prior to his
enlistment in the air corps of the armed forces last November.
60 Years Ago (1953): Eight Evansville men appeared before the Water Pollution committee of the State
Board of Health in Madison Tuesday morning to present the Rock county arguments against the
proposed Madison usage of the Badfish Creek for dumping sewage effluent. Evansvilleites expressing
their views were Ray Norin, president of the recently formed Badfish Creek Watershed Improvement
association, Louis Kleven, association secretary, Albert H. Gill, attorney for the association, Lyell Porter,
Frank Viney, Lloyd Stearns, Stanley Witzel and State Senator Robert Robinson.
50 Years Ago (1963): Last Sunday morning 400 pheasants were released early in the morning as is
done annual here in Evansville. Birds for public hunting were given to farmers who will release them in
the areas of these farms: Dean George, Bob Demrow, Pete Howard, George Howard, Ken Dunbar, Don
Bollerud, Fred Brunsell, Robert Antes, Furseth School, Daryl Hagen, Little Gibbs Lake, Nick Golz, Harry
Furseth, Eddie Julseth, Pete Klitzman, Don Collins, Ken Schmidt.
40 Years Ago (1973): Evansville FFA members who will attend the national FFA convention in Kansas
City are Terry Johnson, Terry Buttchen, Ken Janes and Mel Shotliff. Two alternates, Dean Vielhuber
and Rick Templeton will attend as replacements if needed. The youths will spend four days, Oct. 16 to
19 there and Ray Weigand and Douglas Hull will chaperone.
30 Years Ago (1983): Evansville FFA members put on their annual “Food for America” program for the
2nd and 3rd grade students. They told the youngsters where their food comes from and what takes
place on the farm. This year the FFA members visited the elementary school to talk to the youngsters
and followed up the next day with a visit to the Mel Janes farm where they were able to visualize what
they were told the previous day.
20 Years Ago (1993): Pastor Jim Hill, who has served St. John’s Lutheran Church more than four years,
preached his last sermon there on Sunday morning, Oct. 3, followed by a Farewell Brunch and program
about Pastor Hill’s Spiritual Gifts. About 300 attended.
10 years ago (2003): The fall production for Evansville Community Theatre, of “Steel Magnolias” will
come to the stage of JC McKenna Middle School Auditorium this coming Oct. 11th and 12th, Oct. 17th
and 18th. The cast includes Elena Lahti, Nancy Strassburg, Sharon Cybart, Jennie Nehls, Ann Manion,
and Jean Gohlke. The production is directed by Linda Draeving-Hammack and produced by David
Sobeski. The stage manager is Mark Spatafore.
In Review
Second Week of October 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Mr. A. J. Wing, near Brooklyn Station, has an auction of farm productions, cattle
etc. and 15 acres of woodland, advertised for Tuesday, October 14. An auction at Mr. Greatsinger’s
near Owen’s mill, for Saturday, Oct. 19. Another one will be held at the late residence of James Trow,
near Albany, Green county, Oct. 21st. Jacob West, Auctioneer.
130 Years Ago (1883): A rectory for the pastor of the St. John’s church in this place is commenced. Mr.
T. F. Shurrum doing the mason work, which could not be placed in better hands. [Note: St. John’s
Episcopal Church was located on the site of today’s post office. The rectory was the house at 20 South
First Street.]
120 Years Ago (1893): Little Glidden Libby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Libby got his thumb nail taken off
in the cogs of a clothes wringer Monday; the thumb was also badly crushed but no bones were broken
and it is hoped that the thumb can be saved without any serious trouble although it is very painful.
110 Years Ago (1903): George Brigham, Will King and Tom Steel after spending the week looking up
stock came home Saturday with four carloads of cattle and several carloads of sheep.
100 Years Ago (1913): The work of laying the foundation for the building that will be the future home of
the Evansville Review is well under way. The modern steel structure of the interior will do away with any
sort of posts or supports on the inside of the building leaving the floor spaces entirely free. [The Review
was located at 116 East Main Street.]
90 Years Ago (1923): The Baker Manufacturing Co., this week finished a fine steel diving tower for
Lake Leota. This tower is seventeen feet high from the top of tower to water line at its base. There is a
platform one foot above the water, a second one nine feet higher and one at the top of the tower. This
tower will be erected Saturday afternoon and it is desired that all who have a little time and inclination to
work will be on the ground and assist in putting it up. The tower will cost $90 and will be paid for by
popular subscription.
80 Years Ago (1933): Arrangements are being made here this week for the organization of a girls’
basketball team which will compete with Madison, Janesville, Beloit, Milton, Fort Atkinson, and other
neighboring cities in a southern Wisconsin league. The team plans to sponsor an old time dance here
in the near future proceeds from which will be used in the purchase of basketball suits and equipment.
The home games will be played in the high school gymnasium.
70 Years Ago (1943): Pvt. Jerry Fellows arrived here Tuesday night from Nashville, Tenn., where he is
stationed in the armed forces, for a few days’ furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Fellows, and
other relatives and friends.
60 Years Ago (1953): At a special meeting the city council unanimously voted to make demand on
former city clerk-treasurer Phil D. Pearsall for $15,443.76 claimed to be due the city for moneys
received but not deposited to the city’s account during the period May 7, 1954 through August 10,
1954. In addition the council moved to demand the sum of $3,507.29 to cover the cost of the audit by
George K. Hood, Madison certified public account which disclosed the discrepancies in the treasurer’s
records.
50 Years Ago (1963): When Mrs. Grant Howard returned to her rural home near Magnolia Corners
about 10:30 p.m. last week she put her car in the garage as usual and she noticed the door was open.
She entered the house and found everything in a topsy-turvy state. Upon closer inspection she found
that her home had been ransacked and many valuable items stolen, among them a chest of sterling
silver, two valuable rings, one a diamond and one set with a opal and chip diamonds, an alarm clock, a
considerable amount of money, a new purse and other items. Indications are that the robbers gathered
their loot, dumped it all in the middle of the bed and gathered up the four corners of the bedspread and
carried it to a waiting car. Recently the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Klusmeyer was entered and a
diamond ring and transistor radio were stolen.
40 Years Ago (1973): Casting is completed for Evansville Community theater’s “Opal Is a Diamond.”
Players are Myra Reynolds, Dutch Hamacher, Bob Brunsell, Jack McElroy, Sandy Reese, Ken Devlin,
Ron Buttchen and Gary Grossman.
30 Years Ago (1983): October is National Restaurant Month and Evansville restaurants are in
abundance. Eating in Evansville provides a variety of fare from soup to nuts. Several places in town list
a full menu: East Side Steak House, Country Inn, Village Square, Weese’s, Coach House, Port Café,
Stevearea and the Three-in-One Tea Room offer a general menu. On Friday evenings the Evansville
Country Club joins the group, as well as providing for special banquets and parties. Short orders are
popular in such places as My Place, Night Owl and Reilly’s. The Pizza Palace specializes in the fast
foods, pizzas and tacos. Pete’s Inn offers soup, cold sandwiches and pizza.
20 Years Ago (1993): The construction of the Stoughton Trailer facility at the east end of Evansville is
beginning to take shape now, revealing the size of the Varco-Pruden building. Evansville residents will
be watching with interest as the construction continues. The company anticipates being ready to run by
January.
10 years ago (2003): Rebecca Jabs, a junior at Wisconsin Lutheran College, has been chosen to be a
member of the Wisconsin Lutheran Choir for the 2003-04 academic year. Jabs, daughter of Lee and
Jane Jabs of Evansville, sings alto in the choir. Rebecca is also a member of the women’s soccer team
and plays midfield for the Warriors, who compete at the NCAA Div. III level as part of the Lake Michigan
Conference. Wisconsin Lutheran is located on the west side of Milwaukee.
In Review
Third Week of October 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): The First Assembly District Convention was called to order by the chairman,
Hon. Seth Fisher and on motion of Mr. O. W. Gillman of Union, was chosen President and Henry Austin,
of Plymouth, Secretary. The delegates from Union, O. W. Gillman, W. B. Patterson, M. M. Tuller;
Magnolia, E. Blakeley, J. W. Clifford, G. H. Austin; Spring Valley, Wm. Alcott, O. P. Gaarder; Avon, H. H.
Shirley; Plymouth, Jacob Fisher, Henry Austin; Center, S. W. Fisher, C. S. Crow, W. A. Webster. Marvin
Osborn of Magnolia was the unanimous choice for member of the Assembly.
130 Years Ago (1883): Cal Broughton came home last week, and will remain at home on the farm the
coming winter, returning next season to Baltimore, where he has been engaged for $1,600. [Note: Cal
Broughton was a professional baseball player. In 1883, he was a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. He
later served as Police Chief in Evansville.]
120 Years Ago (1893): The largest plate glass front in this town can now be seen in the Baker block.
Size of the largest pan 88 x 120 inches. The enterprising firm Baker & Son have made a valuable and
tasty business block and their efforts in that line are duly appreciated by the public. [Note: the Baker
Block is at 101 East Main Street.]
110 Years Ago (1903): Geo. McMurry received the pleasant news Saturday that his son, Rev. V. G.
McMurry and family would sail from Bombay, India, on Sept. 15th and arrive at his parental home in this
city about Oct. 30th, after spending six years in that far off country as general superintendent of the
Free Methodist Missions. Rev. McMurry and wife will be well remembered as graduates of the Seminary
in this city.
100 Years Ago (1913): The marriage of Mr. Forest Durner and Miss Cleve Gillman took place Tuesday
forenoon at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Gillman, on First street, in the presence
of about fifty of the relatives and nearest friends of this popular couple. Promptly at the hour of eleven
Miss Bernardine Gillman, a cousin of the bride, played the Mendelssohn wedding march, and the bridal
party entered the parlor taking their places beneath a pink and white canopy from which hung a basket
of pink and white asters. On either side were banks of ferns and flowers. First came the clergyman, the
Reverend Archdeacon Blossom, and the groom attended by his brother Terry Durner, followed by the
little Misses Elizabeth Baldwin and Dorothy Durner as flower girls, and the bride, accompanied by Miss
Zora Howard as bridesmaid. The impressive Episcopal marriage service was used.
90 Years Ago (1923): Word has been received here that Mr. Chas. Murphy died very suddenly at his
home town, Galena, Ill., and that funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock. Mr. Murphy
was well-known in this city having been baggage man on the “Bobby” for some years and with his wife
and daughter Kathleen resided here. Friends are grieved to learn of his sudden death.
80 Years Ago (1933): That the Civilian Conservation camp at the fair grounds may be transferred
elsewhere was learned here this week when J. P. Schaenzer, camp superintendent, received information
that plans were underway for removing the local unit to Glenn, Ill., on November 15. There is still a
possibility, however, that the camp may be retained here providing sufficient interest and enthusiasm is
manifested by local citizens in its retention. Flood control and soil erosion work according to Supt.
Schaenzer, can be carried on very satisfactorily in the winter in that the men may be employed on
stream work. This work would consist of driving piling and building stone cribs on ox-bows of the Sugar,
Yahara and Rock rivers.
70 Years Ago (1943): Mrs. Mildred Fish Harnack, native of Milwaukee, and sister of M. D. Fish, this city,
who has been residing in Germany for some years and whose property and estate the Nazis seized after
the execution of her husband for treason, last February is now reported dead, according to information
received here by Mr. Fish. The report said that she died early this year and it looked like a Gestapo
job. The last letter received from her was in August 1942, when she was teaching at the University of
Berlin. She had many acquaintances in Evansville having often visited Mr. and Mrs. Fish and family
here.
60 Years Ago (1953): Mayor A. M. Winn cast a no vote Tuesday night to break a tie vote in the council
to hire a new clerk-treasurer for the city. The proposal urged the city to select a man who was
competent to do the surveying, establish grades, supervise public works and purchasing and head the
clerk-treasurer’s office, assisted by Mrs. Don May who is in the office full time. Don Cadman was
suggested for the post. Several councilmen wanted to know how much longer the city was going to pay
Mayor Winn for help in the city-clerk’s office. The mayor has been helping out in the office since the
resignation of Phil Pearsall, with acting Clerk George Hood. Hood informed the Review that he could not
tell just how many hours the mayor had put in on the clerk’s job without consulting the records, but he
believed the mayor had been putting in almost full time.
50 Years Ago (1963): The new office under construction at Pruden Products, Evansville will provide
10,000 square feet for 25 office employees. It will also serve as a factory entrance, lounge, washroom
and foreman’s office for 55 production men. The nature of Pruden’s business requires an unusual
amount of engineering and merchandising personnel. Fire destroyed the former office on April 20 of
this year.
40 Years Ago (1973): The Rev. O. G. Espeland and his family will be honored guests at an Open house
to be held in St. John’s Lutheran Church from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The Rev. Espeland has
accepted a call to the Holmen Lutheran Church and Half-Way Creek Lutheran Church in the La Crosse
area. The Espeland family will be residing in Holmen.
30 Years Ago (1983): Baker’s one hundred and ten years in Evansville has seen the vision and
aspirations of six men grow from wooden windmills and iron hand pumps to water well and oil well
pumping equipment and sophisticated monochromator instruments used in synchrotron radiation
laboratories worldwide. Baker’s Evansville modern foundry, machine shop and assembly plant presently
employs 220 personnel in Evansville and another 140 at its fourteen Wholesale Division branches
located in Midwestern and western United States.
20 Years Ago (1993): Alan and Diana Eager returned last week from an extensive trip driving through
Scotland and England. They were able to tour Buckingham Palace just two days before it closed for the
season. They visited hill Top farm owned by Beatrix Potter, author of “Peter Rabbit” and Wadsworth’s
home at Grasmere. They also visited relatives in London and Claygate, Surrey.
10 years ago (2003): Megan O’Connell, a 2003 graduate of Evansville High School, has earned the
designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of her exceptional achievement on the
college-level Advance Placement Program Exams.
In Review
Fourth Week of October 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Mrs. Stephen Baker, who has been spending most of the summer at Sioux Falls,
Dakota, in quest of health, returned Thursday considerably improved by the magic of Dakota’s breezy
climate.
130 Years Ago (1883): Mr. Charles Lay, living one mile and a half northwest of Union village, has sold
his farm of 80 acres of land to Alfred Bullock of this place, at $22.50 per acre, and will have an auction
sale at the above named place on October 31.
120 Years Ago (1893): Fred Worthington, known as Josh No 2, was suddenly stripped of his entire
clothing yesterday while assisting Chas. Winship in sawing wood at the Seminary. The bottom of his
overalls caught in the tumbling rod. It is needless for us to say that Fred was not only badly frightened,
but somewhat surprised at the condition he was left in so short a time.
110 Years Ago (1903): Herbert Hungerford, Carrier No. 1, met with a serious accident last Tuesday.
Wm. Kleinsmith’s dog ran out and snapped at the horse’s heels, the animal immediately taking fright.
The carrier in his effort to grab his mail bag was severely kicked over the right eye. Mr. Kleinsmith came
to the rescue promptly, brought the carrier to the city and paid cost of damages.
100 Years Ago (1913): The dance in Mike Dunphy’s new barn was attended by a large crowd and all
thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Music was furnished by the Holmes’ orchestra of Evansville.
90 Years Ago (1923): As previously announced, the gates to Lake Leota Dam will be closed next
Saturday, at 2:00 o’clock. This will be the official closing by the City Council. It has been arranged that
Mr. Fred Wilder will act as official timekeeper as to when the dam is closed and will decide when the first
water goes over it in the interest of those who have placed guesses on when the dam will fill.
80 Years Ago (1933): Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Robinson and Mr. and Mrs. Wade Woodworth spent the
weekend at the World’s Fair in observance of their 25th and 27th wedding anniversaries respectively.
70 Years Ago (1943): Evansville junior livestock breeders were heavy winners at the Junior Livestock
Exposition held in Madison recently. Kenneth and Dorothy Disch won honors in the sheep show, with
Kenneth taking grand champion, while reserve champion honors went to his sister Dorothy. The Disch
family, Kenneth, Dorothy and Wayne also won first, second and third places in the Southdown class.
Another winner was Harold Abey who showed his Duroc Jerseys in the pig class. Also Harold won first
for individual as well as first for pen. Other winners were Archie Reese winning fifth in the Poland China
class and his sister Gladys, eighth on individuals. More than 225 young breeders of fine meat animals
entered the show.
60 Years Ago (1953): Phil D. Pearsall pleaded guilty in Janesville Municipal Court to charges of taking
$15,443.76 from funds of the city while he was clerk-treasurer. Judge Gunn set next Tuesday, October
27 at 2 p.m. as the time for sentencing and ordered Pearsall held in the county jail until then. Pearsall’s
attorney told the court of Pearsall’s record in Evansville, his leadership as president of the Lion’s club,
and as president of the Indian Trails Council of Boy Scouts, church work, and services as an officer in
World War I.
50 Years Ago (1963): At the annual Lutefisk and meatball dinner and supper at the Cooksville Church,
there were fourteen hundred served and several had to leave as the hour of the day was getting late.
The diners consumed 1400 pounds of fish, 1250 lefses, 200 pounds of meat in meat balls, 125 pounds
of cabbage, 135 pounds of butter, pies and gallons of coffee. The weather was lovely that day which
helped make the affair a great success.
40 Years Ago (1973): The Ward funeral Home will be moving this week to their new location at 130 S.
Fifth St. This new building will house the funeral home which has been in operation for many years on
N. First Street. Although not fully completed yet, the Wards will be serving Evansville in the same
capacity and they hope that many of the inconveniences will be overlooked. They anticipate to have
everything completed in the next two months.
30 Years Ago (1983): Have you noticed the fence encircling the property on the corner of S. First Street
and School Street. Jean Swanson has moved her Tree House Play School from E. Main Street to the
new location and a lot of activity has been noted there.
20 Years Ago (1993): The sale of 4.55 acres of land to James Kopecky for the construction of a new
supermarket was approved by the Evansville city Council on Tuesday night of last week at the regular
meeting. The council approved the sale at a price of $99,100. Kopecky said he expects to build a store
that will cover 20,000 square feet. His present store at the south end of Evansville on Hwy 213 has
13,500 square feet.
10 years ago (2003): Both the girls and boys cross country teams finished the conference regular
season undefeated with perfect 7-0 records. At the Championship Finals at UW-Whitewater, both teams
also won Conference Championship trophies. Varsity members of the girls team are: Captain Jenna
Heacox, Amanda McElroy, Morgan Rucks, Andrea Wells, Kaia Schoenenberger, Erin Heimerl, and
Alyssa Keister. JV team members are Anna Martin, Margaret Callahan and Annelise Diedrich. The boys
team members are Captain Erik Haakenson, Pat Fanning, Adam Patterson, Austin Wiedel, David
VanRooy, Jesse Winker and John Jakes. The JV team members are Brandon Rutz, Mark Cufaude,
Lucas Winker and Andy Bifaulk. The teams are coached by Denise Frey and Quentin Yoerger.
In Review
Fifth Week of October 1873-2003
140 Years Ago (1873): Mr. J. T. Dow and wife, who have been spending most of the summer in Europe,
returned safely and well, at their home in Cooksville last Saturday. We met Mr. Dow in the Bank Friday
but had no time for conversation. They arrived from Europe nearly a month since but have been
loitering by the way, visited Massachusetts and attended the Grand Lodge of Good Templars at
Lawrence. They appear to have enjoyed the trip, and returned feeling that their time has not been
wholly lost to them, but enriched with knowledge of the old world, and strengthened in the noble work of
temperance. They went out as delegates to the International Lodge of Good Templars.
130 Years Ago (1883): A collision occurred at this place last Sunday evening about 9 o’clock, one
freight train running into the rear end of another, demolishing the caboose and injuring three freight
cars, one of which was loaded with apples, and yesterday morning the ground was covered with the
fruit. The engine was badly demolished, but no one was hurt. A dense fog prevented the engineer from
seeing the switch lights or the lights on the caboose. Work was commenced early Monday morning and
the cars were removed that day.
120 Years Ago (1893): Our new street is on the book, already one house has been started by Mr. J. C.
Kelley, who intends completing same as soon as possible. Let others follow, for we believe there can be
found no finer building lots in the village than on the westerly extension of Garfield Avenue.
110 Years Ago (1903): Isaac A. Hoxie, aged 78 years, died of heart disease at his home on First street,
Saturday morning, Oct. 24, 1903, about 9 o’clock. The deceased was born in Piscataquis county,
Maine, and was the son of Allen Hoxie, a pioneer settler of this county. In 1866 he established The
Review, continuing his connection with that paper and the printing business in a small way up to the day
of his last sickness for he never gave entirely up until a very few days previous to his death; always
active and persevering in all that he undertook.
100 Years Ago (1913): The marriage of Mr. Luther Graham and Miss Irene Tilley took place in Chicago,
Monday, Oct. 20. They stole a march on their friends who knew nothing of it until the news appeared in
an item in a Chicago paper. Mr. Graham is the proprietor of the Cozy Cafe near the depot. The bride is
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Tilley of Albany. Both of the young people are very well known in
Evansville.
90 Years Ago (1923): As advertised in the Review last week, the city council together with about a
hundred citizens met at the dam last Saturday at 2:00 o’clock to witness the official closing of the dam. It
is stated that the water is rising at a rate that surprises even those who had made the shortest guess on
the time it will take to run over the spillway of the dam. Thanks to the public spirit of the people of
Evansville sufficient money was raised to gravel from the north side of the lake to the center of the
current, a large space for a bathing beach.
80 Years Ago (1933): Although no definite orders have been received, Capt. Max Edelstein has
received authentic information from the Sixth Corps Area headquarters that the Civilian Conservation
camp here will be transferred to Glenn, Ill., as soon as winter quarters are available there. A
replacement of 35 men from Fort Wayne, Ind., is expected here on or about Nov. 2. These men will
replace those who have been discharged to accept employment elsewhere. The Captain spent Monday
in Baraboo and Portage recruiting men for the Civilian Conservation corps. The selectees were sent to
Fort Sheridan for conditioning and will later be transferred to conservation camps throughout
Wisconsin. The arrival of the replacements will bring the company’s strength here to about 200 men.
70 Years Ago (1943): Registration for war Ration Book 4 was completed in Magnolia Center School
Friday. Over 500 books were issued. The work was under the direction of Mrs. Roger Thompson,
teacher of the Magnolia Center school. The following teachers assisted her: Mrs. Doris Drew, Harriet
Clark, R. Broughton, Mrs. A. Templeton, Mrs. Saence and Mrs. Sadie Furseth.
60 Years Ago (1953): Phil D. Pearsall, former Evansville clerk-treasurer was sentenced to a term in the
state prison at Waupun of not more than six, nor less than five years, by Janesville Municipal court
Judge Ralph Gunn for embezzlement of $15,443.76 during Pearsall’s tenure in the city hall from May 7,
1952 through August 10, 1953. Pearsall could be eligible for parole in slightly under two years.
50 Years Ago (1963): Dr. John L. Savage, a native of Cooksville, now resides in Denver, Colo., and is
84 years old. Dr. Savage has earned world renown as a construction design engineer and can point to
about 30 dams and power plants in India. Savage was the Hoover Dam’s chief designing engineer and
the U. S. Reclamation Service chief designing engineer. His know-how also implemented hydro-electric
and flood control projects from Turkey, Pakistan and China to Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America;
from England, Switzerland and Spain to Ceylon and New Zealand.
40 Years Ago (1973): To commemorate Baker’s 100th Anniversary, the city council voted to offer the
company a bronze plaque in the name of the citizens of Evansville showing appreciation for the company’
s significant role in the city’s history. Mayor Wilson Brown presented the plaque to Gordon Baker,
President. The presentation was made during the commemoration day in the company offices before a
group of directors, Baker family members, city councilmen and others close to the company.
30 Years Ago (1983): Clark Prudhon, Evansville and son Dr. Gene Prudhon, Brodhead, returned to
Wisconsin on Oct. 18 from a walking trip to the floor of the Grand Canyon.
20 Years Ago (1993): Firemen were called out three times this past two weeks. On Thursday Oct. 14
they responded to a call at the Kenwood Apartments where someone had pulled the alarms, but there
was no fire. On Tuesday Oct. 19, they were called to a false alarm at 100 College Drive. Three children
were playing and pulled the alarm. Burning hay on the ground caused the firemen to respond on
Friday, Oct. 22. They were called out a 2:12 p.m. to County Trunk C, where a person was using a
cutting torch. The hay on the ground caught fire, but no buildings were on fire.
10 years ago (2003): A very special Veterans Day and Day of Patriotism Ceremony will be held on
Tuesday, November 11th at 9 a.m. in the Evansville High School Performing Arts Center. The ceremony
will recognize all veterans, police officers, fire fighters, Rock County Sheriff’s Department, clergy,
emergency medical personnel, medical personnel, Red Cross and Salvation Army personnel.