website watertownhistory.org
ebook
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Miscellaneous set
Luecker Club
1972 - 1996
The Luecker Club
may have gotten its name in an unusual way, but there were no leakers in the club
when it came to charity. Over the years, many organizations and individuals in
the city benefited from club activities, but that is in the past. The club is
closing its books after 24 years for lack of members. “It was a good thing, and
I hated to see it disband,” said Paul Schuenemann,
79, one of the founding fathers of the closely knit social club. “It's harder
to recruit younger members, and hard to find old duffers who want to join. We
could not carry it any further. We couldn't get a quorum anymore.”
1956
11 17 1956
Roger Parish, hard running halfback, has been
elected most valuable player of the unbeaten Watertown High football team.
Parish was a unanimous choice of his teammates for the honor, Coach Jim
Thompson has announced. Parish reaped an additional honor when he was also
elected co-captain of the squad along with quarterback Roger Theder. Both boys are seniors. Parish was also named the
best runner on the team in a special honors election. WDT
1960
07 28 1960
Roger
Theder, one of the top athletes developed at
Watertown High School and a star in three sports, has been selected by
Milwaukee Braves scouts to participate in the annual Silver Sluggers all-star
clash which pits outstanding players from Wisconsin and Upper Michigan against
a team of stars from Milwaukee County. Twenty-two players were chosen for the
state squad. WDT
1981
11 25 1981
BERKELEY, CA - Roger Theder,
who lost his starting quarterback in the opening game of the season, lost his
job as University of California football coach. Theder,
a native of Watertown, had limited success and mostly bad luck, in the form of
injuries to key players, during four seasons. He was fired two days after the
Golden Bears concluded a 2-9 season. It was Cal's worst record since 1962. WDT
11 25 1906
Fred Wendt, who has many acquaintances in
Watertown, is here, the guest of his brother-in-law, E. Kellermann. Mr. Wendt is an inventive genius, his latest
invention being a car coupling for which he has received a patent. It is regarded by those capable of passing
judgment as being the best yet invented and has such merit to attract the
attention of the officials of the Union Pacific railway company who will no
doubt adopt it on that entire system.
He is desirous of organizing a company for manufacturing the couplings
on an extensive scale so as to supply the demand which promises to be very
large. Should he receive sufficient encouragement from local capitalists, he
would erect a factory here and engage in manufacturing the same, which would
furnish employment for a large number of men.
1920
- Watertown Folks In The Far West
The Seattle Times of
Speaking of other Watertown people Mr.
Schroeder writes: "There are here other Watertown people, but they do not
appear to be in touch with anybody there.
“Fred Snyder and wife, the latter is a
daughter of Emil Seibel. Fred was working in Frederick & Nelson's the last
time I saw him. A. P. Chapman, Jr., is western passenger agent of the Milwaukee
line, and years ago was an operator for the
“Of the whole bunch none ever have anything
new from the old home town. I have
stopped asking them and am now taking an entirely different direction.”
12 05 1956
Claire C. Congdon,
60, city manager at East Moline, Ill., is slated to become city manager of
Watertown on Jan. 1. A resolution naming
Mr. Congdon was presented at last night's meeting of
the Council but because of the absence of Councilman Raymond F. Franz, at the
suggestion of Council President E. A. Biefeld, to
defer a final vote until the next regular meeting when every councilman will be
on notice to be present, it was decided to delay the vote until then. Mr. Congdon, a
native of Nebraska, lived many years in Delavan, Wis. WDT
06 29 1960
Claire C. Congdon,
64, city manager of Watertown since Jan. 16, 1957, read a letter of resignation
to the City Council last night. He asked
to be relieved of his duties effective Oct. 1.
The letter did not state his future plans. When questioned by reporters he stated that
he expects his future work to be in the field of engineering. He remarked that he would probably release a
more detailed statement later in the week. WDT
07 30 1960
Claire
C. Congdon, city manager of Watertown for the past
three and one-half years, announced today that he has been appointed director
of public works and city engineer at Delavan, his home town. He will take over his new duties on Oct. 1,
the date his resignation as city manager here takes effect. At Tuesday night's city council meeting, Congdon announced his intentions to resign as manager in
Watertown. Congdon
was appointed to his new position at Tuesday night's council meeting in
Delavan. Delavan has the mayor-alderman
form of government. The present mayor is
Eula Grames.
Six aldermen are on the council.
WDT
11 18 1906
The case of Alex Meitner vs. Joseph Cohn
occupied the attention of Justice Heinze's court
yesterday. Action is brought by Meitner to recover for the injury and loss of a
horse, being $140 and $20 for the care of the horse from the time of its injury
till its death.
It is alleged that on the 12th day of June,
while the plaintiff was exhibiting his horse for sale, at the corner of Third
and Market streets, the defendant negligently drove into the plaintiff's horse,
fatally injuring it. The defense denied these allegations.
The jury after hearing the testimony of the
nine witnesses and arguments of the attorneys, decided to disagree ... An
interesting feature of the case is that the jurymen received only 50 cents per
day for their torture, where with their disagreement they received nothing.
This was not probably known to the jurymen, who, no doubt would have remained
out long enough to agree and receive the hard earned 50 cents. This is only
another illustration of our farce jury system that needs fixing.
12 07 1906
A little incident happened at the New St.
Mary's hospital Sunday, which is too good to keep . . . It seems that a gentleman
... was engaged to do janitor work at the hospital . . . working evenings and
Sundays . . . Nothing was said to the nurses of the coming of the
janitor-elect. But they were informed, however, that on that day a patient
would arrive for treatment and they were given full instructions what to do
upon his arrival. The list of instructions included the command that
immediately upon arrival of the patient, he should be
put to bed. They were informed that the gentleman was of a rather obdurate turn
of mind and might offer objections, but they were further instructed to carry
out the command to the letter despite any protestations that might be offered.
On Sunday, there was a new arrival at the
hospital. The gentleman (on arrival) merely informed the nurse that he was sent
there by “So-and-So.” The situation was taken in an instance and the new
arrival was ushered to a bedroom and given orders to go to bed. “But I don't
want to go to bed,” answered the gentleman. “But you must,” replied the nurse,
not forgetting the instructions. There was a side-step to avoid being subjected
to the execution of the command, but the nurse, it is said, to all appearances
was equal to the occasion, and was succeeding admirably till the supposed new
patient took flight after his coat had been removed.
It was merely a case of mistaken identity and
the supposed new patient was none other than the gentleman who had been engaged
as janitor.
05 20 1905
Many of the business men on Main street are
more than pleased that the street is now being swept by hand instead of with
the street sweeper, as formerly, doing away with the clouds of dust which
penetrate into everything, and damaged merchandize to a considerable extent.
Sweeping by hand is giving entire satisfaction and if water was used
occasionally during the summer season to flush the brick pavement it would be
always in a clean and sanitary condition. Water is used for this purpose in
other cities.
01 15 1907
The members of the Apollo club continue to
make active preparations for their Cantata, which is to be given on Thursday
evening, January 31st, on St. John's Eve. Those who will take part in this
event, which, as on former occasions, will be the event of the season, are
holding regular rehearsals and are fast rounding into shape and if one can
judge from the favorable comment heard, the coming event will far eclipse
anything of the kind ever attempted by this popular musical organization. The
chorus of seventy-five voices will be assisted by a quartette of soloists.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 21 1909
FORMER RESIDENTS VIEW OLD HOME
BENNETT BROTHERS, WHOSE
FATHER
SETTLED HERE IN 1837 ON A PILGRIMAGE
All the old residents of Watertown who left
here many years ago make a pilgrimage to the mother town once in awhile to
renew the old times spent here when children.
Today two brothers, L. W. Bennett of Canton, Minn. and C. D. Bennett of
San Francisco, are in the city and went to the homestead five miles south of
Watertown in section 32 to visit the scenes of their boyhood days. Their father [Oliver ??]
settled in this section in 1837 or 1838 and they left here more than fifty
years ago. C. D. Bennett was born on the
farm and his brother was 2 years old when the family moved here. The brothers took dinner in the old homestead
yesterday and heartily enjoyed the associates.
01 16 1907
Two badly damaged engines and a few railway
employees on the “anxious seat” are the result of the collision of a freight train on the C.M.&St.P. road and another on
the Northwestern at the Junction crossing of the
two roads about 3 o'clock yesterday
morning.
Train No. 19 on the Northwestern road, due at
1:
Nevertheless, the compact was great enough to
badly damage both engines, necessitating sending them to a Chicago engine
hospital for repairs. The Northwestern
engine was turned to the east, the St. Paul engine
carried it along for some distance. The
front trucks of the Northwestern engine were completely torn from the engine,
which was otherwise badly disfigured. The engine on the Milwaukee track was
damaged about in the same proportion.
The C. M. & St. P. road wrecking crew
arrived from Milwaukee about
Another Train Wreck at Junction
08 23 1907
Two
engines collided Sunday afternoon at 2
o’clock at the Junction, one of them being almost demolished, the other
badly damaged. A stock train on the St.
Paul line was going east and on the Northwestern track a loose engine was
coming from the north, bound for the repair shops at Janesville. When the C. & N. W. engine came to
Watertown, it became unmanageable and the engineer was unable to do
anything. When the danger at the
Junction was noticed, both fireman and engineer jumped. A crash followed and both engines were put
off the track. Traffic was delayed on
the North-Western for some time, but within an hour after the accident a
wrecking crew from Milwaukee arrived and cleared the track. Owing to the double track on the Milwaukee,
traffic was not interfered with.
02 16 1907
To say that there was an immense gathering at
the grand prize masquerade ball of the Turner society last evening would be a
mild expression. The Turner opera house
was taxed to its utmost capacity and some idea of the enormity of the crowd can
be conceived when it is stated that there were nine hundred paid
admissions. Nothing like it was ever
before experienced. The dancing floor was crowded like a box of sardines and
comfort in stepping the light fantastic was out of the question.
While no foreign costumer was here to carry
away a large sum in the loan of costumes, there were nevertheless a large
number of handsome costumes on the floor.
Many of them were historical, although we
fear that the wearers took very little interest in the sentimental part of the
business. What they cared for most was
that the disguise fitted them perfectly and gave them a good appearance . . .
As it was, the mingled pageantry and mystery of the whole show, the costumes,
the light, the music, the company, the flittering uniforms, the handsome
ladies, etc., . . . were so dazzling that this reporter came down onto Main
Street after midnight feeling as if he had been pushed from the clouds where he
had been leading a romantic life for ages into an ill-lighted Rough and Ready
dam wrangling miserable world.
Watertown Daily Times, 07 14 1907
Arthur Hintz, who has been a resident of
Watertown for the past nine months, is in the meshes of the law charged with
the theft of $35, the complaint being made by William J. Schumann, who alleges
that the money was taken from his trunk at the home of Mrs. Lutz in the Sixth
ward, where the parties were both boarding. Mr. Schumann claims that he had
been saving the money to celebrate the Fourth. He stated that the money was
intact on the morning of the third, but in the evening it had taken flight as
had also Hintz the individual accused . . . The fact that he (Hintz) made
himself conspicuous by his absence made it appear to Schumann that both left at
the same time . . . The prisoner was to
have been ushered into justice court yesterday morning, but the hearing was
delayed on account of the overtures which had been made for a settlement.
C.
M. & St. Paul discriminating against Watertown?
Watertown Leader,
08 18 1907
Is the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul road discriminating against
Watertown? This is a question many of
our citizens have asked since the announcement was made in The Leader yesterday
morning that the local agent had just received orders to discontinue the
issuing of commutation tickets between Watertown and Milwaukee, with the
accompanying information that the rate would go out of effect after the 22nd
inst.
The new order appears on the surface to be a
brazen discrimination to say the least and strengthens the belief of many that
Watertown does not hold a very warm spot in the hearts of the officials of this
great railway system and that our city is again getting the “double cross.” The first thought was that the order to
discontinue the commutation rate was to comply with the two cent a mile rate
law of the legislature which just adjourned.
But this theory is exploded in the
information that the old commutation rate at Oconomowoc and other resort points
to the east still hold good.
It appears that there is no redress for the
citizens of Watertown and the only thing for them to do is to take their
medicine.
Watertown Daily Times, 08 18 1997
An early morning fire destroyed a building
that housed three Watertown businesses on Saturday. Arthur Lenius,
owner of the building at
Watertown Daily Times, 08 28 1982
An estimated 25 to 30 rings were stolen from
Schneider Jewelry,
Watertown Daily Times, 10 05 1907
A warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest
of Mortiz Kramer the
01 21 1858
Mr. Carl Schurz’
Lecture, last evening before the Young Men’s
Association, was listened to with great attention and evident
pleasure. It was well written, and
contained many finely as well as admirably drawn sketches of the tragic scenes
and eminent men that have marked the revolutions in France, and if, near the
close of his otherwise interesting
address, the speaker had not stepped out of his way to indulge in observations
that might much better have appeared in the course of a passionate and exciting
appeal of an ambitious politician, seeking to build up one party by pulling
down another, we think the whole of the respectful audience would have gone
away with a feeling of unmingled satisfaction.
We believe the most of those present would have
preferred a few “flashes of brilliant silence,” to any vulgar allusions to
purely partisan topics whatever. If Mr.
Schurz is still disturbed by a restless consciousness that some
how he ought to fill a place which he does not, and finds it most
aggravating to get ready to firmly plant his foot on the steps that lead to
power, and then suddenly see the stairs fall down before him, we advise him to
call together an assembly of the large number of Republican “potato diggers,”
who, last fall, staid at home to look after the
safety of that valuable article of common food, now so plenty, cheap and good,
and bore them for two hours with just such sentences of a genuine stump speech
as formed the last few passages of his effort, and we will engage that the next
time he is a candidate , they will flock to the polls, ready to vote for him a
dozen times, if necessary, to escape another such infliction.
We are glad to learn that Rev. Mr. Niles and
Rev. Mr. Russ will probably lecture before the Association before long.
Watertown
mail carriers retire
Watertown Daily Times, 10 30 1957
Two Watertown rural mail carriers will retire
tomorrow, completing long records of service with the Post Office. The two are
Charles J. McKeigue,
Zinda “Postmaster of the Year”
Watertown Leader, 10 30 1982
Watertown Postmaster Albin
Zinda was named “Postmaster of the Year” among the
postmasters serving 138 post offices in southeastern Wisconsin during a special
program Thursday evening at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc. The award presentation made to Zinda and his wife, Betty, culminated a two-day training
seminar held annually for postmasters in the Milwaukee management sectional
center. Postmaster for all of Milwaukee
and sectional manager for southeastern Wisconsin post offices James Oster said Zinda earned his right
to the award due to the performance of the Watertown
Post Office through the past fiscal year which ended Oct. 1. “Watertown had an excellent budget
performance and a fine safety record,” Oster said.
10 25 1907
A well developed case of small pox was
detected by Dr. Shinnick yesterday morning the
patient being Wm. A. Bleecker, son of Edward Bleecker of Lake Mills, who is residing at the home of
George Bleecker, near Hubbleton. The patient was recently employed in
Minnesota, where he contracted the disease. Drs. Wyhte,
Feld and Hoermann
pronounced it a typical case of small pox.
The young man suffering the disease is sixteen years of age. The case
was at first thought to be a case of ivy poisoning, but the physicians soon
made the discovery when the same came to their attention.
Every effort is being made to stamp out the
disease. Drs. Shinnick
and Feld went to Hubbleton
yesterday afternoon and quarantined the home of George Bleecker. Mr. Emil Menzel of
Milford, health officer, consulted with the Watertown physicians and in accordance
with the state law, quarantined the schools at Hubbleton. It is hoped by the authorities that there
will be no further spread and anyone exposed should be vaccinated at once in
order to quell the disease in its infancy.
Dr. Abelmann
11 05 1957
County Judge L. L. Darling is scheduled to be
one of the speakers at the testimonial which has been arranged by the Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American Legion on
Wednesday night for Dr. T. C. H. Abelmann, a member of the post.
Tribute will be paid to the retired Watertown
physician and surgeon for the many services rendered to former servicemen over
a period of many years, and for services rendered the post.
Dr. Abelmann, who
long has been deeply interested in Legion projects, has been particularly
active in the problems of the veteran. In appreciation for the services he has rendered the post, and veterans, over the years, the testimonial was arranged.
↓ More on Dr. Abelmann
↓
Dr. T.C.H. Abelmann
02 02 1960
Glowing tributes were paid the late Dr.
T.C.H. Abelmann at yesterday's meeting of the
Watertown Rotary Club. Dr. Abelmann was the moving force in the organization of the
club, and served as its first president.
Former servicemen, speakers noted, were among his chief interests, and a
great many received the benefits to which they were entitled only because of
Dr. Abelmann's efforts and interest. Among those who paid tributes to Dr. Abelmann were Fred Kehl, club
president; the Rev. Clarence F. Golisch, executive
director of the Bethesda Lutheran Home; Assemblyman Byron Wackett,
who was a guest at yesterday's meeting; Dr. E.E. Burzynski,
club vice president; and John D. Clifford, Daily
Times editor. WDT
11 05 1997
Lebanon State Bank will close the purchase of
the former Valley Bank building in Watertown on
Tuesday, according to M. A. Siegrist, president. That
closing will pave the way for the bank to open its Watertown office late this
year, or possibly early in 1998, Siegrist said.
The bank is purchasing the building from
M&I Corp. M&I acquired the bank as part of its purchase of Valley
Bancorporation several years ago. The office was then closed and all M&I
operations were consolidated at the 205 S. Second St. location.
Watertown Daily
Times, 11 05 1982
A stronger signal, a splitting of the AM and
FM stations, and a new FM format are among the many changes at radio station WTTN in Watertown. The changes are effective Monday. John Timm, who along with Art Gaulke are partners in Select Communications, the new owner
of the radio station. The two
earlier this year purchased Watertown Radio, Inc., from Carl and Marcella Kolata. Probably the
most significant change will be the splitting of the AM and FM into two
basically separate stations, both geared to different types of audiences.
Effective with next week the AM station will continue to be called WTTN, but
the FM station will have new call letters, WMLW.
The FM station, which will be known as
“Mellow-94” will feature an easy listening vocal music format. Timm said it will
have contemporary, middle-of-the-road music from about 1965 forward.
Watertown Daily
Times, 09 19
1958
The Riedeman Thompson Post No. 35, Amvets will hold a joint installation ceremony at its
club rooms Saturday night with the Amvets
Auxiliary. To be installed are:
Auxiliary - Beatrice Kresinske, president; Rita Mohr,
senior vice president; Gladys Wendt, junior vice president; Dorothy Watson,
secretary; Delta Stengel, treasurer; Dorothy Volkert,
chaplain; Clare Peterson, sergeant-at-arms; Ida Kube,
public relations officer and historian.
Post Officers - Lorence Watson, commander;
Robert Krueger, vice commander; John Kube, adjutant;
Donald Haznow, finance officer; Laverne Marshall,
provost marshal; Walter Hornickle, chaplain; Jacob Burbach, quartermaster; Albert Tobalske,
historian; Paul Hibbard, judge advocate; Walter Wendt, Alfred Stengel and
Robert Zimmermann, trustees respectively for one, two and three years.
Stengel
Watertown Daily Times, 10 29 1957
A beautiful plaque has been presented to Mr.
and Mrs. Al Stengel of
↓ More on Amvets
↓
Watertown Daily Times, 09 19 1959
A joint installation ceremony with the Amvets Auxiliary will be held Saturday evening by the Riedemann Thompson Post, No. 35, Amvets. The
affair will be held in the club rooms.
The following will be installed: Robert Krueger, commander; Lorence Watson, vice commander; Donald Haznow. Installing officer will be Department Commander Donald
Chamberlain. Other appointments will be
announced later by the commander. Auxiliary—Dorothy Watson, president; Lee Hornickle, senior vice-president; Gladys Wendt, secretary;
Delta Stengel, treasurer; Marie Jurick,
parliamentarian; Dorothy Volkert, historian and
public relations officer, and Ida Kube,
chaplain.
↓ More on Amvets
↓
Watertown Daily
Times, 10 14 1961
The Amvets
of Riedemann-Thompson Post No. 35 will hold its
annual joint installation of officers Saturday night, Oct. 21 in the club
rooms. The officers are as follows: Commander, Donald Haznaw.
Vice commanders, Robert Krueger and Alfred Stengel. Finance officer, Ralph Volkert. Judge advocate, Paul Hibbard.
Provost marshal, Walter Wendt. Public
relations officer, Lorence Watson. Historian, Al Tobalske. Quartermaster, Leo Checkai. Adjutant, John Kube. Trustee one year, Lorence Watson. Trustee two years, Robert Krueger. Trustee
three years, Alfred Stengel. State S.E.C., Alfred Stengel. Alternate
S.E.C., John Kube.
Quirk Foundation
Watertown Daily Times, 10 29 1997
The Earl and Eugenia Quirk
Foundation today announced a major initiative to help develop Quarry Park in Watertown and also continue a
commitment to install new playground equipment at several neighborhood parks.
The foundation is proposing to make $550,000 in grants, subject to several
conditions which will further enhance park development.
Those grants, coupled with
various other funding sources could total over $2 million in new funding for
Quarry Park over the next several years.
The grants, which Quirk
foundation directors called a blockbuster contribution, are being offered in
hopes of being a catalyst for a communitywide effort to develop Quarry Park by
the year 2000.
↓ More on Quarry Park ↓
Watertown Daily Times, 07 24 1998
The Watertown Unified School Board
isn’t quite ready to commit a quarter of a million dollars to help develop
Quarry Park. Board members, who were
asked to join community efforts to develop the site, instead scheduled a
meeting for next month. The school district
has nearly $250,000 from the sale of the old high school building in a reserve
account but has yet to determine a use for the money. Mayor Fred Smith outlined the first phase of
park development plans to the board, estimated to cost $1.4 million. He noted the potential for school use at the
park. The park is adjacent to Watertown
High School and plans for 12 tennis courts, improved soccer fields and seven
youth baseball/softball fields will benefit students.
↓ More on Quarry Park ↓
Watertown Daily Times, 03 07 1999
Development of Quarry Park will be in
the forefront of discussions in coming weeks, as city officials
work with Quirk Foundation in determining plans to spend more than $1 million
on a youth baseball facility and other projects. Under the joint development project, the
Quirk Foundation and the city would each give a half million dollars for
development. “The reality of what we're
putting together here is going to allow a million dollar development project in
the park funded by grants and development fees at no cost to taxpayers of the
city,” Mayor Fred Smith said this morning.
↓ More on Quarry Park ↓
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 18 1999
A plan for
rapid development of Quarry
Park, using a $500,000 grant from the Earl W. and Eugenia Quirk Foundation and
a matching amount from the city will be considered by the Watertown Common
Council. The council will meet as a
committee of the whole to hear detailed plans for the park development. The resolution before the council, which is
sponsored by Watertown Mayor Fred Smith, commits $500,000 from the city for the
project. This amount would be borrowed
with payments primarily made with parkland development fees the city receives
from new housing units.
Milwaukee Road denied permission
Watertown Daily Times, 12 06 1957
The Milwaukee
Road has been denied permission to discontinue the Milwaukee Road train stops
in Watertown. The permission was denied by the Public Service Commission. The
railroad had petitioned the commission to discontinue an early afternoon stop
for a train going east, and has asked permission to discontinue a middle of the
afternoon stop on a west bound trail. The east bound train (No. 6-16) stops
here at 12:30 o'clock. The west bound train (No. 15) stops here at 2:58 p.m.
The east bound train formerly stopped at 2:36 p.m. The change in time was made
a little over a month ago.
Watertown Daily Times , 12 06 1982
Mrs. Carol M.
Lorenz of Watertown will become an associate attorney with Watertown law firm Niemann, Hibbard, Ullsvik and
Neuberger on Jan. 3, the firm announced today. Mrs. Lorenz, a 1982 graduate of
the University of Wisconsin Law School, has recently
worked in the legal services department of the Wisconsin Association of School
Boards as well as with a labor negotiator.
A former school
teacher and six-year member of the Watertown School Board, she lived with her
husband, Jack, and their five children at 910 Sand Street. She is a member of
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the League of Women Voters and the American
Association of University Women.
Watertown Daily Times , 12 22 1982
When Rev. Eric
Schulze stumbled to the door at 1 a.m. Wednesday, he didn't expect to see Rev.
Jack Hicks. But there was Hicks, four
hours late with a Christmas present for Rev. and Mrs. Schulze. “I hate to disturb you at this hour,” said
Hicks, who was to have brought the gift when carolers came to the apartment the
previous night. Out stepped Edee, Dianne and Tim, the three Schulzes
left in California when Rev. Schulze came to Watertown to become chaplain of Marquardt Memorial Manor in September. A few weeks earlier Mrs. Schulze had told the
Genesis group, an adult class at Watertown
Moravian Church of which Hicks is pastor, that this Christmas would be
different because the children were 2,000 miles away.
Watertown Daily Times , 01 14 1908
. . . during the
last few days, not from any particular section of the city but from all over,
residence and business portion, all have been suffering from the attacks of la
grippe.
Physicians
declare it is but a natural result that this disease should gain a foothold at
the present time. Not a single practicing doctor in the city but confesses he
has numerous cases on his hands.
It is not an
epidemic of the disease; it is claimed, but a natural result of the variations
in the weather which has been experienced during the past few weeks. Not in
years, old residents declare, has the weather been such as experienced this
winter. Variations from cold to that of early fall days, from snow to rain,
come within the short period of twenty-four hours. The fragile lungs of many of
our city's residents unused to the rough tactics of the weather must give way
in some manner and the ever busy la grippe microbes get in their busy season.
Although there
are a great many cases reported, the disease is said to be on the average much milder
than the ravages of a genuine epidemic. Changes in the weather cause much
negligence in regard to wearing apparel . . .
Watertown Daily Times , 01 21 1908
It is not
generally known that the law requires persons who buy liquor at drug stores to
register for public notice and if he does not the druggist is liable to get
into trouble. The law referred to makes it mandatory for every druggist to
provide a proper book in which shall be kept the names of each and every person
who purchases liquor at his pharmacy, together with the date and amount
purchased.
On the third
Tuesday of April in each year the druggist must file with the city clerk a
verified list of all such purchases, which shall be open for inspection by the
public; the penalty for failing to comply with the law is very severe, the
minimum punishment being a fine of $40 with a maximum fine of not more than
$200 besides the cost of suit, and also imprisonment in the county jail not
less than 30 days nor more than eight months.
Watertown Daily Times , 01 25 1983
A
major expansion and improvement program which will cost over $1.5 million, is being undertaken at Wis-Pak
Inc., 860 West Street, according to Arnold Fobes,
vice president and general manager of the firm.
Work is already underway for the projects, which are broken down into
two major areas. They are a new two
liter bottling facility and improvements to reduce the content of waste from
the plant which is sent to the Watertown Wastewater Treatment plant. Fobes said the
two-liter bottle project is being undertaken to meet the needs of the Pepsi
distributors that own Wis-Pak.
↓ More on Wis-Pak ↓
Watertown Daily Times , 09 13 1985
Wis-Pak, the Pepsi Cola canning
facility located at 860 West Street, Monday afternoon announced plans for
another major expansion of its facilities.
This expansion, a 135,000 square foot addition on the west side of the
north end of the present building, will be used primarily for storage of both
full and empty cans. Arnold Fobes, vice president and general manager, announced the
plans at groundbreaking ceremonies.
Oliver Construction of Oconomowoc is construction engineer for the
project. Work is scheduled to begin
immediately, Fobes said. He said the addition was being constructed as
a joint effort with Metal Container Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser
Busch, which is a major contractor with Wis-Pak for
production of cans.
Watertown Daily Times, 01 29 1958
Louis Pingel,
537 Milford Street, “The Grand Old Man of Bethesda,” will be honored tomorrow
by the “children” and staff of the Bethesda Lutheran
Home of which he was the first superintendent. The occasion will mark his having been
associated with the home for 50 years.
In 1921 Mr. Pingel again entered the service
of Bethesda Lutheran Home, this time as superintendent. This position he ably filled for 24
years. During that tenure of his office
Bethesda Lutheran Home became nationally known, having drawn “children” from 36
states of the Union. Bethesda, during
Mr. Pingel's time grew from less than 100 to over
300.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 11 1958
Al Linde, a resident of
Midland, Mich., and son of Fire Chief Al Linde of Watertown,
has been elected to the Amateur Softball Association's Hall of Fame. He was the
only softball player honored in the elections. Linde
began his softball career in 1933 in Kenosha. Only 15 years old, he was a
member of the Nash Motors team which won the National ASA championship. In 1942
he pitched the Deep Rock Oilers of Tulsa to the title and then as a member of
the Hammerfield (Calif.) Airbase team his team won
national titles in 1943 and 1944.
Watertown Daily Times, 01 31 1908
The party given Sunday evening at Liederkranz
Hall on Fourth Street by Ladies of the Deutscher Kreiger-Verein was well attended and all who attended
report a most enjoyable time. A very substantial and appetizing repast was
served during the evening, such as the ladies of that organization know how to
prepare. There is always plenty and to spare. The music for the occasion was
furnished by the Weber-Stube orchestra.
Added note (from 1913-14 Watertown City Directory)
Deutscher Kriegerverein: Meets every Friday at 215 N Fourth
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 02 1945
T/5 John G.
Adam, son of Mrs. Etta Adam, 205 Frederick
Street, Watertown, is among the men from Wisconsin who are serving as
members of the traffic patrol and guard in the Mediterranean theatre of
war, according to a list sent out by the public relations office in Italy.
They are serving under Lt. Gen.
Joseph T. McNarney as part of the 1179th military
police company. The company
commander is Capt. Thomas J. Lewis.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 16 1945
Cpl.
Lawrence E. Adam, some of Mrs. Etta Adam, 205 Frederick street,
Watertown, is a member of the 175th Engineer general service regiment which
recently spanned the Serchio river on the Fifth army
front in Italy with a 270-foot timber pile bent bridge, reports the
public relations office in Italy.
The regiment has built 70
large bridges since Aug. 1, including one 530-foot span across the Arno
River which was completed within seven days.
Watertown
Daily Times, 10 01 1945
Watertown men recently discharged
from army duty at Fort Sheridan, as reported by the public relations office
there, include Cpl. Arthur F. Behling, 1015 Western Avenue, Pfc. Chester C. Ertl, 119 1/2 Church
Street, Sgt. Lawrence E. Adams, 205 Frederick Street.
Local Youth is Aerial Gunner
Watertown Daily Times, 4 October 1943
Great Falls, Mont. - Sgt. Donald
L. Draginis, who formerly lived at 105 North Tenth Street, Watertown, Wis.,
is an aerial engineer and gunner in the Army Air Forces and is completing the
final stage of his overseas training at the Army Air Base, Great Falls, Mont.
He attended high school at
Watertown and was employed as a tool grinder before entering the service.
His mother, Mrs. Marie Draginis, lives at the above address.
Local Flyer is Turret Gunner
Watertown
Daily Times, 24 January
1944
An 8th AAF Bomber Command
Station, England -- (Special) -- Sgt. Donald L. Draginis, son of Mrs. Marie Draginis of 105 North 10th Street, Watertown, Wis., is serving as
top-turret gunner on a Flying Fortress crew of the 8th AAF now carrying out
missions over Germany and enemy occupied Europe.
Recently, Lt. Draginis
has participated in bombing missions to Emden, Kiel, Nazi submarine center, Ludwigshaven, Cognac, and Tours. Shortly after entering the
army in 1942, he underwent intensive courses in airplane mechanics and aerial
gunnery.
Sgt. Draginis
was graduated from Watertown high school and formerly was employed as a tool grinder.
Donald Draginis,
Watertown Flier, Receives Honor
Airman Awarded Distinguished Flying
Cross
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 13 1944
An Eighth AAF Bomber Station -- Tech. Sgt.
Donald L. Draginis, son of Mrs. Marie Draginis of 105 North 10th Street, Watertown,
Wis., was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at a Flying Fortress
base located somewhere in England. The citation accompanying the award reads as
follows:
"For extraordinary achievement, while serving as
top turret gunner of a B-17 airplane on twenty-five bombardment missions over
enemy occupied Continental Europe. Displaying great courage and skill, Sgt. Draginis, fighting from his gun position, has warded off
many enemy attacks and has materially aided in the success of each of the
twenty-five missions. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sgt. Draginis on all these occasions reflect the highest credit
upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."
The Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal were
awarded to the sergeant prior to his recent Distinguished Flying Cross.
Coming Home
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 21 1944
T/Sgt. Donald L. Draginis, shown here, of 105 North Ninth
Street, son of Mrs. Marie Draginis, has been granted a furlough
after 30 missions as an engineer-gunner on a B-17 over enemy territory in
Europe. Among his awards are the air medal, three oak leaf clusters and
the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has been stationed in England and
embarked from there for the United States where he will spend
his furlough.
Watertown
Daily Times, 11 16 1944
Tech. Sgt. Donald L. Draginis is now stationed at Fort Logan,
Colo. His new address is: 1613314, Detach. of Patient,
Section G., A.A.F., Convalescent Hospital, Brk. 235,
Fort Logan, Colo.
Sgt. Draginis
recently returned from the European theatre of operations.
Local Flier's Bomber Group Gets Citation
Watertown Daily Times, 11 08 1944
An Eighth Air Force, Liberator
Station, England -- The B-24 Liberator Four-engined
Bomber Group in which Staff Sgt. Edward H. Dusowsky, 204 1/2 Main street, Watertown,
Wis., is a transportation foreman, recently was cited by Major General William
F. Kepner, commanding 2nd Bombardment Division,
"for distinguished and outstanding performance of duty".
The citation in part reads:
"The devotion to duty, determination and tenacity of purpose exhibited by
personnel of the group reflect great credit upon themselves, their organization
and the United States Army Air Forces."
The Group, which recently
completed its 100th combat mission, is commanded by Col. Luther J. Fairbanks of
Burt, La., and had previously been cited by Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle,
commanding Eighth Air Force, for low-level destruction of a bridge across the
Loire River, near Blois, France. Demolition of the span was ordered
"regardless of cost." To achieve visibility necessary for destruction
of the bridge it was necessary to descend below clouds to 6500 feet, an
altitude usually considered extremely hazardous for four-engined
bombers. From this height the target was reduced to a heap of smoking rubble.
It was the first low-level bombing ever performed by four-motored bombers from
England.
Earlier the group had been
officially commended by General Doolittle for combat achievement on its first
mission, an attack on Berlin and the longest initial mission-ever flown in the
European theater. The attack was one of the heaviest daylight bombings of the
German capital on record.
During its first 100 missions,
"overcoming adverse weather conditions and fierce enemy-fighter and
anti-aircraft opposition," the group attacked 41 targets in Germany and 59
targets in enemy-occupied Europe. Forty-seven hundred tons of bombs were
dropped on vital enemy installations.
Watertown Daily
Times, 18 July
1945
Staff Sgt. Edward Dusowsky, who has been stationed with the
Eighth Air Force in England for the past 17 months, is spending a furlough with
his wife and son, Edward James, at their home in 301 North Church Street, and with his mother, Mrs. Edith Dusowsky, Main Street.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 15 1945
Cpl. Erwin Griep, who had been stationed in the
Southwest Pacific for the past 32 months, has arrived in the city and is
spending a 30 day furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Greip, 1503 Center Street.
Cpl. Erwin Griep
Home From Saipan
Served as Baker In
Hospital Unit; Will Return There
Watertown Daily Times, 02 22 1945
Cpl. Erwin A. Griep, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Griep, 1503 Center Street, after nearly five years in
the Service and 32 months overseas in the Pacific, arrived home recently on a
leave.
He will leave again on March 17
when he reports back for further duty.
Cpl. Griep
was attached to the 148th hospital unit and served as a baker at a hospital on
Saipan. He said it meant lots of work, since he and another man were the only
bakers there, although they had some general helpers.
There are some 500 men in the
unit and the hospital maintained there is a 2,000 bed institution. He said the
hospital is well organized and equipped and gives the wounded men the best
possible medical care and attention.
The medical side of the war is
one thing the people back home do not have to worry about, for Uncle Sam is
doing everything possible to give his wounded men good treatment and the medics
are doing a remarkable job.
