MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
DEC. 27, 1922
How sorrowful it seems, at the Christmas season to report that we have some in our midst so lacking in sense of decency as to steal from the Community Christmas Tree. Our businessmen and citizens donated money and time to procure and decorate the tree. It has been illuminated each evening – a sight of rare beauty to all in and entering our Main street, yet each day electrical fittings and decorations are being stolen from it.
The Christmas season brought one of the most welcome spells of weather to this section that could possibly be imagined – case weather. The spell of case was very general, covering all of this part of the state but the temperature was too low for perfect case.
David Smith was in from town of Stark... and informed us that the cars of Attorney A.F. Drew of LaFarge and a Mr. Hollien of Steuben came together in front to his house. Neither car could get clear out of the slippery ruts, and both sustained minor damages. This is treacherous weather for automobiling. It is certainly exasperating how the front wheel of a car will defy a driver’s best efforts to get them out of a shallow slippery rut.
Readstown – December 21 – Our merchants report the greatest Christmas trade that they have ever had and receipts at the local postoffice indicate that more Christmas presents were sent out than ever before, sales of stamps running to more than double any previous season.
A big picture costs us a lot of money, but given to you as a great special at regular admission price. See SHERLOCK HOLMES Monday and Tuesday at the Temple.
DEC. 20, 1922
Viroqua’s second annual poultry show is past and gone, but it established a record of which the Vernon Poultry Breeders’ Assn. may well be proud. In all ways it surpassed the steller [sic] exhibition of last year – both in number and quality of birds shown, and in the number of interested spectators who thronged the Opera House during the three days of the show.
Bud, December 11 – Colder weather roads are very icy which makes the cars slide a little. Everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas. Albert Skrede has opened a blacksmith shop at Bud where he is now prepared to shoe horses.
This section received no small honor at the school band convention for Wisconsin held at Madison last Saturday, when Bandmaster O.G. Brown was elected vice-president of the organization and also elected as one of the committee of three to select the music for the contest which will be held at Two Rivers in June.
The Wis-Minn. Company is busily engaged in constructing the first farmer line out of Viroqua, and by the close of next week the farms of Bert Cunningham, Easton Munson, Harry Porter, Ray Huschka and C.C. Olson will be receiving city current. This is but the beginning, the company is planning to cover the country around this city with lines so that every farmer within a reasonable distance can avail himself of light and power.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS
When you eat your Christmas dinner the thought may come to you that this is a fairly good country in which to live – a country for which no apologies are required.
DEC. 13 1922
EAST SITE SELECTED AGAIN
At the close of the count, Chairman Proctor announced that the vote stood 301 for the West site and 487 against the West site – a majority of 186 in favor of the East site which was selected at the first special meeting... The Censor trusts that the school matter has been definitely settled and that all our citizens will put a united shoulder to the wheel and build that urgently needed school.
During the early hours of Monday morning, the store of Thomas Peterson at Newton was entered by burglars and quite a quantity of merchandise was made way with. The robbers drove up in a car and attempted to enter through the front door. Failing in this because of a heavy bolt on the inside of the door, entrance was gained through a basement window. All of the better grade of cigars cigarettes, tobacco pipes, mittens, overalls and considerable light merchandise was lifted. Just how much the value of the stolen merchandise will amount to is not known.
Several complaints have reached the office of the district attorney concerning the practice at this season of the year of parties gong upon their neighbors’ land and cutting down small cedar and pine trees to be used as Christmas trees without permission... The trees belong to the land owners, and a heavy fine attaches to such an act. Use good judgement, and if you want a Christmas tree buy one at the store.
A Main street transfer of no small importance has just been pulled off, whereby Druggist Paul Dahl, becomes the owner of the very desirable corner lot just south of the Dahl Drug store building, purchasing the same from Will Devlin.
DEC. 6, 1922
On Saturday, Geo. R. Chinn of LaCrosse will open a new bakery in Viroqua in the south room of John Sidie’s building.
Deputy State Health Officer, Dr. Henika, was called to Victory last Monday to investigate concerning a home quarantined for scarlet fever in which the patient broke quarantine. Dr. Heinka succeeded in impressing them with the importance of obeying the state law.
STATEMENT BY SCHOOL BOARD
...A determined attempt is being made to nullify the action of the voters expressed at the special meeting on November 27th, at which time a majority of those present selected the East site [for a new high school]. This meeting was legally called and most fairly conducted. An open debate lasting two hours was indulged in. More voters were present than have ever attended a meeting in the district before. It was in all ways representative and fair... However, a second special meeting has been called, and will be held next Monday evening, December 11th commencing at 7:30 o’clock. The call for this meeting is so worded that if a majority of those present vote “no” the East site will be retained. If a majority vote “yes” the West site will be selected...
At the late session of the County Board veteran Supervisor C.J. Eastman started a move for a County Park.. The intention is to purchase a small tract of land...and convert it into a natural park... Donations will be asked from all sections of the county... The idea is a new one...Vernon county will have the honor of leading the state in this matter.