TEN YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 11, 1990

            H.F. Radant Construction Co. of Eau Claire installed a 100-foot-long snowmobile bridge over the Trempealeau River west of Whitehall Monday. The new bridge, located on the Gary Holen farm, will improve the safety of the local snowmobile trail system and reduce the cost of maintaining the trails.

            Windi Racki will be the first Whitehall High School senior to graduate early under a new district policy allowing students to complete their academic requirements early.

            The Norse girls couldn’t overcome a 19-point first quarter deficit and lost 77-65 to Independence Thursday. Lana Halverson of the Indees scored 12 of her team-high 22 points in the first period, and Jennifer Suchla added 19; Tricia Haralson of Whitehall led all scorers with 27.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 10, 1985

            The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department was called out Friday morning to extinguish a chimney fire at the Donald Densmore residence on Schansberg Rd.

            Fredricka Fremstad retired last month as postmaster at Pigeon Falls, after working more than 21 years at the post office there.

            Karen Gleason is the new supervisor at the Western Wisconsin Technical Institute’s Independence Outreach Center, succeeding Ken Geary.

            Jeff Richter and Rick Schmidt keyed a 12-point run that helped the Norse boys break open a close game and defeated Augusta 57-48. Whitehall improved to 7-0 on the season.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 16, 1975

            City police are investigating the disappearance of approximately $600 in cash and checks from the Tarrant, Mattka and Robertson law offices. The theft was reported Monday.

            The Whitehall area escaped the worst of a major winter storm that buried much of the Midwest under snow drifts over the weekend and left at least 45 people dead in its wake.

            Nolan Morphew has sold the grocery department of the Pigeon Falls Store to Clark Kohnert, a Melrose-area native who most recently managed a Copps store in Stevens Point.

            Barry Sosalla scored 21 points as the Norse boys beat Augusta 58-54 Friday. The win, combined with Blair's upset of Osseo-Fairchild, moved Whitehall to within two games of the Dairyland Conference lead.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 12, 1950

            Thirteen girls from Whitehall and the area have entered the Ice Queen contest being sponsored by the Lions Club, and more entries are expected before the winner is crowned at the ball to be held this Saturday evening. The girls entered to date, and their sponsors, are: Faye Thompson, Amundson Standard Service; Ruth Schroeder, Fortun’s Drug Store; Ruth Kildahl, Frances Ellen Smart Shop; Janice Thurston, Mattson’s Mobil Station; Frances Nelson, Coast-to-Coast Store; Mary Wood, Briggs Motor Sales; Dorothy Hamilton, Men’s Store; Mary Foss, Whitehall Variety Store; Louise Kaas, Whitehall Mill and Power Co.; Anne Lee, Pix Theatre; Lorraine Haugen, P.M. Paulson Implement; Betty Olson, Hagen Pontiac; and Donna Johnstad, Len’s Bowling Alleys.

            L.J. Oleson announced last week that he has purchased the entire interest in Erickson’s store, which is now operated under the name of Oleson’s. At one time, Lewis managed the Erickson’s store here, but later established his home at Barron, where he and his family will continue to reside at present.

            Jens Klavestad, Trempealeau County highway commissioner, calls attention to a decision handed down recently by the Wisconsin Supreme Court which will hereafter make it impossible for the county department to do any work for private individuals.

            As part of the Farmers Institute to be held tomorrow at City Hall in Whitehall, Jack Kelly of WRFW in Eau Claire will appear in two live radio broadcasts.

            Alwood Gilbertson, proprietor of the Whitehall Cleaners, is a new Times subscriber. He says work at his plant is easier now with the addition of two employees, Mrs. Palmer Lee, who waits on the customers, and Pete Christianson, presser and general shop man.

            Martin Mattison of Hale was in town Thursday attending to business and mingling with friends. Martin said that he had a pleasant Christmas, but was not as active as in the past when Yulebok was practiced more extensively during the holiday season.

            Jule A. Jacobson, who moved into town last fall, says he gets lonesome in town and is not yet accustomed to city life. His boys operate his farm east of town.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 15, 1925

            At the regular meeting of the village board Monday night, that body acted upon a petition signed by numerous ladies of the village, requesting that the water supply be changed back to the river. Village Clerk W.G. Olson was instructed to inform the state board of health in Madison of the request, and are awaiting their instructions before taking further action. The new water supply contains iron or some other mineral, and in many homes the water is discolored much of the time.

            Mason and Scott have nearly completed storing the season’s supply of ice. Their large ice house near the mill pond was filled in 18 hours. Adolph Olson did the sawing with his power rig, and is also supplying many farmers. The ice is 24 inches thick with practically no slush.

            Hensel Everson is spending a few days at home before starting the new year on the road as salesman for the La Crosse Plumbing Supply Co.

            The Fuller Coulee schoolhouse, which was remodeled last spring, will be further improved again this spring. Hans Engen, Ole Lovlien, O.C. Skumlien and Carl Skumlien were at Whitehall last week and entered into a contract with W.J. Webb for brick to veneer the building.

            At the first meeting of the year, held Jan. 9, the Women’s Civic Club entered on what they hope will be the most successful year that they have yet had. Among the plans for the year are the completion of the marker for Melby Park, and of the plans for Seymour park, the plat north and east of the bandstand.

            Postmaster Mattson of Blair was at Whitehall Friday. Mr. Mattson is still around on crutches, as a result of the thumping he received by two Blair men several weeks ago.

            O.C. Skumlien of Pigeon reports several black birds around his farm buildings this winter.

            Theron Scott assumed management of the Interstate filling station Jan. 1, and is prepared to supply motorists with gasoline and lubricating oils, along with other convenient service. He solicits the public for a share of their patronage.

            Shower baths have been installed in the girls’ and boys’ dressing rooms at the high school, two in each. Booths have not been put in yet, but when they are, the rooms will be complete. However, the showers are in use, and their efficiency is invaluable to all basketball players and physical training students.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 11, 1900

            The village school opened again Monday.

            H.A. Towner will succeed E.N. Trowbridge as insurance agent.

            Read the curfew ordinance, and govern yourself and your children accordingly.

            Ed Everson, who has been in Duluth and other points for over a year, is in the village.

            O.E. Stevens is building an ice house for Wing and Lowe on Mr. Wing’s lot on Dodge Street. The building is to be 26 by 40 feet, 16 feet high.

            Misses Gertrude Richmond of Arcadia and Gunda Olson of this place have secured positions as attendants at the new county asylum.

            Anton Vold was given a pleasant party Monday evening by his young friends in town. Anton returned to Chicago Tuesday to assume his dental studies.

            The asylum is nearing completion. The furnaces are running and the big building is warm. There are numerous visitors these days, especially on Sundays. The old and the young are observers at the asylum, but the most conspicuous figure is the small boy, who may be seen going from basement to garret and storing away in his pocket pretty pieces of wood and stone.

            The funeral of E.N. Trowbridge was held at the Baptist church Thursday, Rev. N.L. Sweet preaching a fine eulogistic sermon to the largest congregation ever gathered at that edifice, the attendance largely exceeding the capacity of the church.

            A.P. Horslein of Independence, the popular and successful traveling agent for F.W. Hart and Co., wholesale liquor dealers of Milwaukee, was a Whitehall caller Monday, and left a cartwheel with us for the Times-Banner for 1900. May his shadow never grow less.

            Blair — When we see boys on the streets and in public places, we often wonder if they know that businessmen are watching them. In every bank, store and office there will soon be a place for some boy to fill, and those who have the management of that business house will select a boy in whom they have confidence. When they select one of these boys, they will not select him for his ability to talk sassy, swear, use slang, smoke cigarettes or tap a beer keg. Boys cannot afford to adopt the habits of loafers and rowdies if they ever want a chance to be called to responsible positions.

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