TEN YEARS AGO

Thursday, Oct. 20, 1977

            Supervisor Marvin Tempski of Arcadia has urged the county board of supervisors to conduct an extensive study of the operation of the Trempealeau County Fair. Tempski cited low attendance compared to other area county fairs, and called for a feasibility study of relocating the fairgrounds to county-owned land at the Farm Progress Days site. That step, he said, would permit the storage of county highway equipment in the fair buildings, allowing the county to build a highway shop half the proposed size and much less expensive.

            The Whitehall school board voted Monday night to increase the district tax levy by about $70,000 over the amount approved at the July annual meeting. The increase will mean a $1.25 raise in the mill rate — but the new rate will still be more than $3 below that of two years ago, due to increases in equalized valuation.

            Stacy Runkel, a 13-year-old volunteer at the Strum Nursing Home, has been named the state’s top teen volunteer for 1977.

            Jeff Richter of Whitehall won the eight-year-old competition at the zone Punt, Pass and Kick contest held in Eau Claire Saturday. He is the first area PP&K competitor to advance to the sectional level, which will be held this Saturday in Minneapolis.

            Bruce Berg gained 125 yards in the first half Friday, but when Cochrane-Fountain City began keying on the Norse fullback, Randy Berg took over and ran for 160 yards. Bruce Berg scored 23 of Whitehall’s points in the 29-18 win over C-FC.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Thursday, Oct. 19, 1972

            The city of Whitehall has been granted a three-month extension on a state order to start construction of a new sewage plant. Planning for the plant has been held up by a Department of Natural Resources study of the Trempealeau River basin.

            The Whitehall city council was informed Tuesday night that the Green Bay and Western Railroad will allow the city to use a culvert under the railroad tracks to help solve drainage problems from the Sunset addition.

            The Norse gained only 204 yards in total offense Friday, but Gary Larson ran back two interceptions for touchdowns and Roger Johnson also scored on an interception runback as Whitehall crushed Alma 41-0.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday, Oct. 25, 1962

            President Kennedy announced to the nation Monday that there is unmistakable evidence of a Russian buildup of offensive missiles in Cuba. The president has ordered a naval blockade of Cuba, which was to become effective Wednesday, to prevent any ships carrying offensive weapons from reaching that island country.

            Better water and a more reliable supply of it are on the way for customers of the Whitehall water utility, following approval by the state Public Service Commission of $128,000 in improvements to the city water system A reservoir will be added to the system, water mains will be extended and an iron removal plant will be built.

            Ray Shanklin, Trempealeau County 4-H agent, received the award for outstanding leadership given at the annual state 4-H conference held recently.

            About half of the $3,500 goal of the Whitehall Community Chest fund drive was raised the first night, according to Basil Erickson, fund drive chairman.

            Whitehall scored first, on a 30-yard pass from Rich Jackson to Greg Pavek, but Eleva-Strum Central came back with two touchdowns to hand the Norsemen their fifth loss in the season’s final game Friday night. Whitehall finished 1-5 on the season.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1937

            Village water mains will be extended in east Whitehall under a Works Progress Administration project, the village board decided last week Monday. The board had considered extending both water and sewer lines, but the sewer project is more complicated because the state is demanding that a sewage disposal plant be erected.

            The Ozark Mountains probably appeal to tourists from the plains, but not to Trempealeau County inhabitants. Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Brennom, who drove to the Ozarks on their wedding trip last week, found that the hills in western Wisconsin are just as majestic and more beautiful.

            Rainy weather has delayed construction of Rural Electric Cooperative lines and work crews have been obliged to take a rest. Farmers in the south portion of the county seem to be making more rapid headway in wiring farm buildings than in the northern half.

            The cast of the play “Never Trust a Man,” to be performed Oct. 29 by the Fuller Coulee Community Club, includes Mrs. Palmer Hanson, Alice Julson, Jane Marie Steen, Mrs. Clifford Fremstad, Mildred Engen and Hazel Engen.

            Among the 12 county boys who enrolled last week Wednesday in the Civilian Conservation Corps and left on the afternoon train for the St. Croix Falls camp were Erwin Sather of Independence and Roy Stalheim, Kerwin Johnson and Charles Kimball of Whitehall.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday, Oct. 24, 1912

            Ole Hallingstad of Pigeon is building a new hennery.

            A carload of apples from Illinois was retailed here on track last week.

            Nels Gunderson of Hale was over Friday and purchased a five-passenger Ford auto.

            Ole Jodalen found a purse containing a small sum of money. Describe it at this office and take it.

            For Sale — Buick 22-horsepower, five-passenger car, in good running order. Bankable paper will be taken. Inquire at this office.

            A Norwegian dinner will be served in the Village Hall Nov. 5 beginning at 11 o’clock. Menu: lutefisk, potatoes, meatballs, rullepolse, lefse, wheat and rye bread, creamed cabbage, pickles, cakes and coffee. Also, lunch will be served throughout the afternoon. Dinner, 25 cents; lunch, 10 cents.

            Floyd Van Sickle returned home Monday from Chicago, having given up his dental studies in the windy city. Floyd couldn’t stand the work in the dissecting room.

            Blair — Charles Thomas of Merrillan was here this week. He was one of those who skipped from the back door when the raid was made on Curtis and Kellogg’s saloon. In the operation he lost his billiard table, and is trying to get it back.

            Galesville — W.A. Johnston raised about 600 bushels of apples this season, which he is selling for $2 a barrel.

            Pleasant Valley — Tom Matchey had a runaway again Sunday. The buggy was considerably smashed, but no one was hurt.

            Independence — The loading of the sugar beet crop from this portion of the country has commenced.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Oct. 20, 1887

            News is scarce this week.

            The weather is getting colder. Wild gees are flying southward.

            D. Wood received a large ensilage cutter yesterday, capable of working up six tons per hour. It was purchased through A.G. Buchholz, who will be pleased to supply others with like machines.

            Abbot Lawrence fills the bill as village marshal. Abbot tells the boys on a lark that he will give them “one minute to get out of town,” and we have yet to note an instance wherein the mandate has not been at once obeyed.

            Sheriff Elstad arrested Christian Holte near Unity and brought him here last Friday. The arrest was made on complaint of A.S. Miller. Holte rented and carried on a farm belonging to the plaintiff, and it is alleged that he made away with 125 bushels of oats, the property of the lessor. The case was postponed until today and the defendant liberated on bail.

            Blair — J.L. DeBow, the successful collection agent of the village, is in the northern part of Jackson County looking after delinquents.

            Pigeon — Andrew Stendahl is among us again. He looks hale and hearty, and greets everyone with a pleasant smile. He will go to the woods next week, where he will do the cooking for a crew of men.