MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
OCT. 27, 1920
School board convention and circuit court sessions falling on the same day – Monday – gave Viroqua one of the busiest days it has seen for some time. The county seat was invaded by an army of lawyers, jurors, litigants, school board officers and oodles and oodles of pretty young teachers. The County Normal was crammed beyond capacity early in the day, and the meeting adjourned to the Methodist church... afternoon session.
Melville Tuhus has resigned his position at the Farmers bank and will on Sunday go to Madison where he takes a position in the State Banking department.
The unprecedented spell of beautiful weather which is closed today by almost freezing temperature recalls the fall and winter of 43 years ago, Thornt Taylor says, when there was practically no snow and wheat was sown in February. Hogs were 3¢ a pound. Wm. Bouffleur was married that winter. The Milwaukee road was then extended as far as Melvina.
Shells put on sheep lined coats. Fur coats relined. Come in and see the lining and get the price. It will pay you. C.M. Powell the Tailor.
JEFFERSON – Bud, Oct. 25 – Weather is fine only a little chilly of late. –Farmers are busy shredding corn, plowing, etc.—Elias Tryggestad has erected a new garage and chicken coop on his farm north of Bud.—Louis Walters having finished his barn had a party in it a week ago last Sat. evening.
HARMONY – Purdy, October 25 – Leonard Engler bought a new Fordson tractor and is now turning the ground upside down.
OCT. 20, 1920
An erroneous statement was published in the Leader last week, to the effect that the standpipe having been cleaned there was no longer any need of boiling the city water. This is incorrect. The water is contaminated in the ground by sewage and no amount of cleaning of the standpipe will change that condition. It is also rumored that only the uncontaminated well is being used. This is also untrue as Viroqua is hard pressed for water even with all the wells running to capacity, and all are being used. Be on the safe side, Viroqua citizens, continue to boil water used for drinking purposes until we officially advise it is no longer necessary. MAYOR and COUNCIL.
For stable floors and bridges buy oak boards or tarmac planks at Thayer’s.
Motorists will notice “No Parking” signs near the fire plugs in the city, this is conformity to the state law, and should be strictly observed.
Thursday night of last week brot [sic] an overwhelming deluge of rain after an unusual period of dry weather, and fall plowing is now the joyful occupation of the farmers. Incidentally the rain has turned Viroqua’s lateral sewerage ditches into veritable catch-traps for automobiles and trucks and passers by have been kept busy releasing unfortunate travelers from their dirty slippery predicament. Three at one time were stuck on the block in front of the Censor office until the editor in sheer desperation and self defense had to erect warning signs on each lateral in order to get some office work done. About the most pitiful sight we know of is a two ton palatial pleasure car stuck in a little foot-deep clay rut.
OCT. 13, 1920
A.E. Surenson has purchased from Wm. Bouffleur the old store building now occupied by Surenson & Thompson. It is one of the city’s landmarks.
Large Crowd Enjoys Exhibits, Ball Game, Stunts and Dance
Friday was a gala day at Retreat, the occasion of the community fair calling together a crowd of about 2000 people, who hugely enjoyed the exhibits and other attractions... a close and exciting ball game between Retreat and the Scrubs... The Scrubs won out 5 to 7. The ladies served supper, and a goodly number remained to enjoy the dance at the hall.
Viroqua’s fire truck has arrived and was tried out on Saturday morning, exceeding the fondest expectations of the city officials and underwriters.
The city wat was turned off at one o’clock and the light plant shut down, in order to permit of cleaning the standpipe. This throws the Censor several hours late due to loss of current for our Linotype.
Vernon’s oldest horse passed away last week. It had been owned by Sam Lake for nearly twenty years and had attained the remarkable age of 38 years. Sam found the faithful family pony dead in a shallow pool of water.
Business at the Chevrolet garage has outgrown the old quarters, and a substantial new building of tile or cement blocks, 40x90 feet, will soon be built. On this account they must dispose of all used casts on hand and will not refuse a reasonable offer.
After several years as efficient salesman with A.H. Dahl & Co., Genial Ira Casperson has decided to branch out on his own hook and accordingly has purchased the Ford agency from Jerome Kinder at Viola.
OCT. 6, 1920
Sympathy is extended to John Holte in the loss of his fine new barn by fire. It caught fire from an unknown cause Sunday morning and was entirely destroyed together with its contents. Mr. Holte lives on the ridge between Esofea and Coon Valley.
All wool, heavy single blankets, size 66x60, suitable for autos and beds. Price $7.50 to $8.00 Rogers.
Louis Walter’s team made a lively dash east on decker street Monday. The wagon and harness were badly broken up.
Rain is much needed. Fall plowing is being interfered with because of hard soil, and tobacco would cure out better with a little moisture.
CITY WATER IN BAD SHAPE BY SEEPAGE FROM CESS POOLS
City Council Orders That All Water Be Boiled Before Being Taken Internally.
Viroqua city is face to face with a most serious situation. Our shallow well is badly contaminated with sewage seepage and utterly unfit for use. Pumping was discontinued, and the water ran down into the second well. Analysis now shows it as badly affected as the first well and the council orders all drinking water boiled... The two remaining wells have not sufficient capacity to supply the people with water unless it is used sparingly. We ask your help and that of each individual water user to help us to SAVE WATER.