MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
APRIL 26, 1922
The citizens of Viroqua and every teamster and farmer who travels the street from Main to the Milwaukee depot, will be grateful to our progressive council over their unanimous vote to pave that stretch of street... The road being a veritable hog wallow all spring, and the stream of vituperation loosed upon it by travelers... Due to the fact that it is necessary to grade down the hill somewhat, paving was ordered to end the one block east of the top of the hill, as the grading would leave an ugly pitch where the pavement turns north on East Avenue.
The new Masonic temple building is commencing to take on an air of completion these days. The glass front is in position, the wall paneling almost through and woodwork being painted. The store rooms are almost ready to occupancy, and the fixtures for Henry Rogers store have arrived. It will not be many weeks before theatre patrons and the lodge members will be enjoying their fine new quarters.
Waite grass rugs in fancy patterns, size 4x7 feet, sale price $2.50 each. Suitable for porch and bed rooms. Rogers.
The state of the water on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers was the highest ever recorded. The Prairie du Chien division of the Milwaukee road suffered a bad washout between Wauzeka and Prairie du Chien.
Will the little boy who took the roller skates from the stops at the Felix’ store, please return them.
The political arena is enlivened by the entrance of one of the gentler sex this week, Miss Luna Gosling having been prevailed upon by friends to seek the office of Clerk of the Court...
APRIL 19, 1922
Those who need potatoes for seed or eating purposes should not neglect seeing our supply of those fine selected University of Minnesota potatoes. The supply is limited and the price is right. THE SANITARY GROCERY, J.P. Vigdahl, Proprietor.
Sunday the Mississippi river registered 13.8 feet above the low water mark at LaCrosse. The roads between Victory and Ferryville are both inundated.
The steamer Nevada, will make its maiden trip between LaCrosse and Lansing carrying passengers and freight Tuesday, April 18th. Leaves DeSoto at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in LaCrosse at 11 a.m. Leaves LaCrosse at 3:30 and arrives in DeSoto at 7 p.m. This system will greatly improve the traffic between the river towns and LaCrosse.
In the midst of most seasonable weather, the powers to be are surely entitled to thanks that Easter day was reasonably pleasant. All the churches in the city were well attended.
Resident Engineer Ames came from Madison last Thursday to take up the season’s work in this city. He was on the ill-fated Milwaukee train Wednesday afternoon which did not arrive at all. A work train was off the track ahead of it, and after getting back on, one of the engine tires insisted on coming off, necessitating the services of a crew of mechanics from LaCrosse to remedy the trouble.
Last year at election time farmers were seeding. It is now the 19th and no weather fit for seeding as yet. On Monday, and again today, snow has fallen as in genuine winter weather, and the mercury was below freezing Monday night and today just above the freezing point.
APRIL 12, 1922
Groceryman John Sidie has nicely altered and improved his store building. The west half of the partition between the two rooms has been swung to the south. The front half of the south room will be occupied by the Parkier & Crume barber shop after the 22nd of this month, and the back half has been added to the grocery store. The living rooms above have been renovated and nicely refinished.
LUMBER FOR SALE
After April 25th, all the lumber which has been used in the false work of the Masonic Temple will be for sale. It is all in good condition, and will go at a bargain, $20 and $25 per thousand. Apply to Foreman Carl Ahlman at temple.
At Stoddard... Merchant H. Blashek was at the old stand, surrounded with his wonderful stock of everything from stationary to farm implements – a stock that would put many good sized cities to shame. McLees Brothers are nicely located in the Bundel building with their new restaurant and dance hall and doing a good business.
The village of Stoddard had a hot election scheduled, but the village ballots failed to put in an appearance, and a special election will be held on Tuesday, April 18.
Word is received from Contractor Lampert of Oshkosh that machinery for the Viroqua paving job is being loaded this week, and that if the weather permits the work in our city will start sometime next week. That it cannot start too soon is the opinion of everyone who has traveled Decker street for the past four weeks. Certainly this street, which carries as much traffic almost as Main street, has never been in more wretched condition.
APRIL 5, 1922
Well folks, the spring election is over, and a mighty spirited contest it was, arousing more interest than we have ever noted. The big bonfire and school yells and general demonstration for the successful candidates after the votes were counted was something that the Censor editor does not recollect as having been duplicated here since the hot old presidential campaigns went out of fashion many years ago.
Stoddard – March 20 – Postmistress Olga Peterson has installed a larger cabinet in the post office which makes a fine appearance. It has a large number of lock boxes for the convenience of the people... Our local creamery is building an addition and brick chimney and will install a new churn next week.
Sag City, April 3 – Our school is progressing nicely under supervision of Stanley Jacobus... Our mail carrier, Purrington, is seen bobbing from one side of the road to the other now days, but cheerful and happy and always smiling for he says spring only comes once a year... Chris Call and son made a rip to Viroqua last week. On his return he was asked how the roads were and his replay was: “Just a few holes and ditches where the road used to be.”
If any person, knowing the whereabouts of a library tale and rocker which fell from a dray in front of Hornby’s on Broadway, while moving last fall, will notify me or leave word at Censor office. Will deceive [sic] a reward. A.D. Helgeson.
Gerald Smith and Carl Curtis have opened a modern shoe shining parlor in the Star Theatre building. Telephone 61M. Open afternoon and evenings. Drop in and get ‘em shine up. They’ll do the job right.