TEN YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 18, 1972
The Whitehall Common Council last week Tuesday night passed six resolutions necessary before work on modifications to the city sewage plant can begin. City Clerk A.E. Berg informed the council that the state had denied the city’s request for an extension of the June 1 deadline for a sanitary landfill to replace the condemned city dump.
Mrs. Irene Gilbertson of Whitehall was recently presented with a plaque honoring her 19 years of service to the American Red Cross.
The preliminary hearing of Mrs. Flora Diffie of Whitehall has been postponed again in Eau Claire County Court. Mrs. Diffie, a Whitehall school district teacher, is charged as an accessory to the kidnapping of an Eau Claire youth by her husband, Joseph Diffie Sr. and three Independence-area residents. Mrs. Diffie allegedly brought food to the kidnap victim, and was present when the ransom money was counted.
An Arcadia man killed in a one-car rollover on Hwy. 93 near the Three Mile Bridge, and a Blair man who died in a tractor accident on a town road near Square Bluff, were the fifth and sixth Trempealeau County traffic fatalities of 1972.
Norsemen golfers took first in a four-school meet at Osseo last Friday. Andy Johnson of Whitehall and Mark Jacobson of Osseo-Fairchild shared medalist honors at 39, while Fred Thompson had a 40, Paul Windjue a 41 and Don Reck a 42 or the Norse.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 18, 1967
Three more teachers have been hired recently to fill vacancies on the Whitehall school district faculty. Henry Gerth will teach high school mathematics. Mrs. John O'Leary, who will receive her master’s degree from Stout State this year, will be the home economics instructor. Jane Jacobson, a graduate of Whitehall High who will receive her B.S. from Oshkosh State in June, will teach girls’ physical education.
Whitehall High School again next year will host a foreign student through the American Field Service, its third. He is Ramon Villagomez of Saipan, who will reside with the Ray Reck family.
The Whitehall High Future Farmers of America dairy judging team, consisting of Mark Knutson, Steve Moe and John Manka, received a superior rating in the spring judging contests held last month in Madison.
About 250 persons attended the Whitehall High School athletic banquet held last week Tuesday night in the gymnasium. The event was sponsored by the Whitehall and Pigeon Falls Lions clubs.
Mrs. George Wozney has received a patch from the WIBC in recognition of her having picked up the 4-6-7-10 split, one of the most difficult, this past season.
Ardell Torud picked up the win as Whitehall Lanes defeated Sid’s DX in an intra-city softball tilt last Thursday. Jerry Hagen and Bruce Ausderau had key hits for the Laners.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 23, 1957
Town of Sumner farmer Ardell Ausen was placed on probation by Circuit Judge Lincoln Neprud recently on a charge of cruelty to animals. He was arrested March 27 after 11 cows and calves were found dead of starvation on his farm.
The Rev. Henry Lease of the French Creek Lutheran Church will be the Memorial Day speaker a week from today at Lincoln Cemetery, according to Hutchins-Stendahl American Legion Post Commander Dr. S.B. Ivers.
Trempealeau County 4-H Club Sunday will be observed June 2 instead of May 26, the national day set aside for this purpose. Ray Shanklin, county club agent, says that conflicting dates make this necessary. Departing from past observances of this kind in the individual churches of the county, a joint outdoor service will be held atop the ridge about three miles north of Whitehall at the junction of County Trunks O and D, on the Clifford Anderson farm. The committee on arrangements is planning to have three clergymen of the county take part. The service will open at 8 p.m.
The Russell-Veum rural school north of Independence closed for the term Wednesday afternoon with a picnic. Judith Engum and Janice Kampa were the eighth-grade graduates, and Agnes and Roger Roskos and Jane Goard had perfect attendance during the year, according to teacher Mrs. Mildred Stenberg.
Twenty-two eighth graders received diplomas at joint commencement exercises at the Brick school Monday evening for the children of that district, Bruce Valley, Wagner and Elk Creek. The diplomas were conferred by Miss Tillie Sylfest, county superintendent of schools, who was also guest speaker.
Mrs. R.A. Fortun left recently on a trip east. She was joined at Oak Park, Ill., by her cousin, Mrs. Laura Hopper, and they proceeded to Boothwyn, Pa., to visit Mrs. Fortun’s son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dal Nogare and family. From there they left on a trip to Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Va., New York City, and Niagara Falls.
Ben Engen quietly observed his 85th birthday Wednesday. Ben, a resident of Whitehall most of his life, appears to be enjoying remarkably good health.
Mr. and Mrs. Bendick Olson of La Crosse were here last week Sunday. Mrs. Olson visited her brother, Adolph Hanson at the Community Hospital and Bendick called on his mother, Mrs. Augusta Olson at her home with the Bernard Olsons at Pigeon Falls. Other visitors with Mrs. Olson at Pigeon Falls Sunday afternoon were Mr. and Mrs. Olger Mickelson of York, Mr. and Mrs. John Walters of Eau Claire, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Henrickson of Whitehall, and the Vernon Estenson family.
Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Rice attended the funeral of Harvey Lee at Chippewa Falls Saturday. Mr. Lee was a member of the Zor Drum Corps at Eau Claire, of which Mr. Rice is also a member.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ausderau entertained the vocational agriculture teachers of the county and their wives and the extension department personnel at their monthly meeting Saturday.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 19, 1932
J.E. Garaghan, who for the past 10 years has been engaged in the hardware and furniture business here in Whitehall, contemplates moving to Stevens Point in the very near future. Mr. Garaghan finds it is impossible to give the required attention to the strenuous duties imposed upon him by his position as secretary of the Wisconsin Retail Hardware Association and also maintain for the people of this community a high-class hardware store. At present Mr. Garaghan is negotiating with three parties interested in purchasing his hardware business. Should a deal not be closed this week, Mr. Garaghan will dispose of his entire stock of furniture and hardware in a smashing closing out sale.
The public library has purchased a set of 20-volume World Book Encyclopedias. The book company took an old set in trade and donated a rack for the new books, which are on display on one of the reading tables in the library. The books are especially good for the use of study clubs or for use in laying out a course of study for any organization.
Ed Elland of Blair discovered his car to be on fire in his garage last week Thursday. The flames were extinguished, but not before the top and upholstery were ruined.
The Music Study Club elected officers at its final meeting of the year last Tuesday. They are: Pearl Brennom, president; Mrs. G.N. Peterson, vice president; and Nora Leitzke, secretary-treasurer.
J.C. Schneider of Independence has been awarded by bid the contract to remodel the Trempealeau village school.
The Pigeon Falls band is again busily engaged with weekly rehearsals. They will take part in the Memorial Day exercises in Pigeon Falls on May 30th, and on June 6 will furnish music at the Land O ’Lakes picnic at York.
Dr. A. Vold has completely recovered his health and resumed his dental practice this week in his office in the MacCornack building.
Gilbert and Helmer Johnson of the town of Hale were at Whitehall Monday. The boys had completed spring’s work and took a day off, which they spent at the county seat. Helmer bought the former Elmer Olson eighty two years ago and although prices on farm products are discouraging at this time, Helmer has confidence in the future.
Miss Viola Kongsgaard returned to the State Teachers’ College at Eau Claire Sunday evening after a weekend spent with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Kongsgaard.
Heavy and frequent rains have soaked the ground so that there is no indication of crops suffering from drought in the immediate future.
Seven hundred Boy Scouts of the Gateway Area Council are expected to attend the annual Jamboree to be held at Galesville this year on May 20 and 21.
The first baseball team in two years will be organized in Whitehall before next Sunday’s game with Pigeon Falls. Star catcher Theodore Engen was chosen as manager, Ernest Gilbertson was elected secretary-treasurer,
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 23, 1907
John O. Melby attended a convention of bankers in La Crosse this week.
Village Clerk and insurance agent Ladd has moved his office into the Harnden jewelry store building.
A large number will be instituted at the local Beaver Lodge next Monday night.
Fred Dettinger of Northfield reports that almost 100 residents in his area have signed for a farmer’s telephone system.
The Sons of Norway had a very successful celebration of Norway’s birthday last Friday. Music was provided by the Blair cornet band, Rev. S.S. Urberg addressed those gathered in Norwegian, and the affair concluded with a ball game between Blair and Black River Falls, with the home team winning five to two.
There will be a necktie sociable in Hegge’s grove at Pigeon Falls Sunday, May 26. Ladies are requested to bring baskets. A game of baseball will be played in the afternoon between Osseo and Pigeon Falls.
Mrs. P. Ekern of Pigeon Falls returned Saturday from a visit with her son Ludwig and family at Superior. She was accompanied by her daughter-in-law and daughter, Mesdames Ludwig Ekern and Ben Eimon.
Theodore Johnson, the barber, received a telegram Sunday announcing the death of his brother Gilbert May 18 at Tacoma, Wash., where he went about four weeks ago to visit his father, who resides there. Gilbert was hoping to derive benefit by a change of climate, but his health continued to decline. The young man would have been 24 years old had he lived until Sept. 24.
Ed Schaffer is having his residence and barn painted, Oluf Mattson doing the work.
Henry Loga of Hale and Sever Olson of Strum shipped their household goods last week from the latter place to Walpole, Canada, Mrs. Loga departing for there Monday.
Mrs. William Abbott went to Marshfield Monday to reside with her son, Dr. Andrew, who has located there to practice veterinary, having graduated from the Toronto college.
The Eastern Star gave a social entertainment at Masonic Hall Friday evening. Judge Cowie acted as toastmaster and many impromptu toasts were given, soap bubbles blown and refreshment served.
Alfred Ekern returned to Minneapolis Friday after visiting in Pigeon. He is a mail clerk on the Great Northern railroad.
Albert Brennom of Arcadia visited his brother Lewis here Tuesday and made us a pleasant call. He sold a fine driving horse last week to Otto Hohmann of Arcadia.
A number of friends pleasantly surprised Miss Cora Gibson Tuesday afternoon in honor of her birthday anniversary.
John Mickelson and wife visited the latter’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Tweed, at Northfield Sunday.
Henry Hertzfeldt of Pigeon went to Fountain City Monday to attend the funeral of his nephew, a son of his brother Lewis.
Charles Schilke and wife have moved into rooms on the second floor of the Theodore Johnson residence.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Thursday, May 25, 1882
We are having a spell of unprecedented weather. Farmers in this vicinity complain of damage to barley by the heavy frost of Monday night, which also did considerable damage to fruit.
H. Ruseling of Albion was in town Monday, and reported quite a flurry of snow in his locality on that morning. We would have had snow in Whitehall had it not been too cold.
The festive tramp has taken to visiting school houses, eating the children’s dinners and stealing their clothes. Make a note of this, ye country school ma’ams.
A hen buried under a had stack at Mendota, Ill., lived nine months without food or water, at least so says a correspondent of the Chicago Times. The news will be of absorbing interest to boarding house keepers all over the country, and that breed of hens will be greatly in demand by the hatcheries. Such monumental toughness is the very thing they are looking for.