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100 Years Ago

Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:


Viroqua



MAY 25, 1921

Blowing of Viroqua’s fire siron [sic] for the regular hours has been done away with for several weeks because of confusion to the fire department and annoyance to those living near it. It is now found that the whistle must be blown once a day in order to keep it in good working order, so hereafter it will be blown at 12 o’clock.

Work on Casper Nordrum’s building to be occupied by Hanson’s garage is progressing nicely. A peculiar feature of the work is the finding of sand just under the level which is being used in the construction.

Big things in city business are happening with surprising and delightful regularity these days... One notice calls for bids for paving the three Main street blocks. Not content with this the Council has also moved to secure plans for paving Main street from the Southeastern tracks at the foot of the hill to the city limits on the south at the foot of Nuzum hill.

During the storm, Monday afternoon, the barn on Oscar Selin’s farm on Irish Ridge was struck by lightning and totality destroyed by fire together with some stock and tools... we have learned of no other serious damage from the storm. Some damage was done to trees and by washing of fields, while ripping of tobacco bed covers and injury to the plants was general.

A few years ago we laughed mightily at the silly fool who prophesied that man would soon be flying the air. Now we are wondering how we can connect up with a plane for use in gathering up the news for this sheet.


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MAY 18, 1921

Only twelve days until the nation’s great and soleum [sic] day of sacred memory is with us again. Let Viroqua prepare for Memorial day in a spirit of humble reverence and fittingly honor the memory of our heroes.

A golf club has been formed in Viroqua, Alderman M.A. Smith being the chief instigator of the outrage. The membership will be limited to forty... The course will be ready in three weeks, and will consist of seven holes in the Eckhart Park. Miles Dawson says it is one of the most natural and sporty courses in the state.

Fig bars 20¢ per pound at Sweger-Fleming’s.

IT SNOWED ON SUNDAY, MAY 15

The almost unprecedented cold snap of Saturday and Sunday has probably done much damage to strawberries, early grapes, and probably other fruits. Ice formed Saturday night, and some snow fell Sunday morning. Accompanying the freeze Saturday night was a magnificent display of northern lights... The phenomenon is electrical, and much interruption of telephone service resulted from it.

Satisfactory arrangements looking to the building of the Masonic temple are rapidly being completed, and active construction will soon commence.

CLINTON – BLOOMINGDALE, May 16 – The Bloomingdale Creamery Co. are improving their creamery by an addition where they will put another vat... Town of Clinton is improving the road between Bloomingdale and ole Miner town... A great number around here have their gardens planted.

CHRISTIANA – NEWERY RIDGE, May 15 – The people of this community were very much alarmed by the cold spell we had but find there was no damage so far... The building of the new Lutheran church in Westby is now begun...


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MAY 11, 1921

Notice to Patrons on Route No. 2

The Department has re-established service on said route, beginning June 1st, 1921. Patrons will please see that their mail boxes are in proper place. Also that the roads are in proper condition for travel. W.N. COFFLAND, P.M.

WANTED

The Viroqua Chrystal Ice Company want to purchase a good, sound horse weighing from 1500 to 1700 pounds. Must be sound and gentle. Please notify C.I. Smith, Pres. At once.

AUTO DRIVERS NOTICE!

Auto drivers must comply with the law, show both head and tail lights at night, have 1921 license plates in front and rear, keep to the right at all corners, not exceed 15 miles an hour, and park cars at the curb on Main street at a 45-degree angle. WM. B. MORRIS, Chief of Police.

The Censor has been sadly interfered with this week by reason of the current being shut off while the connection of a water main was being made.

One of the wells at city hall station was out of commission for several days. A new cylinder has been installed.

The new well is progressing nicely now. Mr. Baley reports a depth of 150 feet and has water, but not sufficient for pumping purposes.

I have loaned out over fifteen dozen milk bottles to my customers, and they must be returned to me or they will be charged for. Please get them back to me at once. Geo. Griffin.

There is an opening on the Viroqua ball team for two infielders at good salary. Any player interested write to L.L. Baptie, Chm., Viroqua, Wis.


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MAY 4, 1921

A factory representative arrived in Viroqua Monday morning and is now busily engaged in installing the machinery in the plant of the Viroqua Chrystal Ice Co. the unseasonable weather is good for at least one thing – there has been no ned [sic] for ice as yet.

Second Cabin ticket to Hamburg or Berlin, Germany, via Norwegian American line costs no more than to Bergen or Christiana, Norway. Passengers have the option without extra cost of taking the famous railroad across Norwegian Alps, a 14-hour journey. Also stop over privileges in Norway before proceeding to other European continent. N.H. Nelson, Agent N-A Line.

Sundays cold rain blighted the hopes of baseball fans all over this part of Wisconsin. None of the league games were pulled off. There were plenty of disciples of Izaak Walton who braved the elements, but it was most unpleasant at the best and catches of trout were small and hardly recompensed for the trials endured.

The weatherman is sure doing penance for the mild winter and balmy March he handed us. Miserable weather, raw winds, cold rains, hard fronts and severe freezes have been the rule the last two weeks. Opinions differ as to how much damage has been done to the fruit.

Betting Prohibited

While Viroqua has been little bothered with this evil in the past, yet over-zealous fans should remember that the Western Wisconsin League representatives passed a resolution to the effect that betting is strictly prohibited at all league games, and this order will be strictly enforced.

Those having clean ashes to dump may use my lot, dump east of the house, easy to drive in and out. Grant E. Johnson.


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April, 1921