MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
JAN. 27, 1926
The town of Forest has erected snow brakes on what is known as the Dilly hill, on the road leading from Valley, to keep the road from drifting full of snow. The brakes consist of a fence made of slats which is placed on both sides of the road, and is said to be proving quite a success in preventing the snow from drifting and blocking the road. We are informed that this is the first attempt made in Vernon county to keep the roads open to travel by the use of snow brakes. – Hillsboro Sentry.
During the extremely heavy wind Saturday afternoon, the Northern States high line to this city parted near Westby, and Viroqua was without current for several hours. The local plant was steamed up to relieve the situation and the gale and drifted roads gave all the light men between here and Sparta a bad afternoon locating the break and repairing the same.
Hats off to the V.H.S. basket ball team! After losing their first three games, they have finally struck a winning stride. Last Friday night they journeyed to Westby and defeated that team by a 12 to 9 score.
The Censor is informed that the despicable dog poisoner is again abroad in the land, the canine population of the city of Viroqua being reduced by three Monday night...advise dog owners to watch their pets carefully for a time.
Viola, January 25 – The weather is extremely cold and the annual ice harvest is on. Men with teams are busy filling ice houses in this place...
DeSoto, January 25 – The DeSoto Co-operative creamery has been leased to Mr. Ed. Seaman of Clinton, Wisconsin, a man who is managing twenty-two creameries. Mr. Seaman will engage a buttermaker and open the business closed for the past four years.
JAN. 20, 1926
John Heck lost two valuable cows from poisoning after eating tobacco leaves, at his farm on Dach Ridge. Three more were sick but Dr. Geo. Minshall was called in due time and saved them.
We have a good line of men’s flannel shirts, in all sizes. Remember, winter is not over, and a good flannel shirt will give you many comfortable days. Surenson & Thompson, The Farmers Store.
The road from Viroqua to Westby is again open for travel after being closed for the past two weeks... On Tuesday afternoon using the county grader, the Buick truck and common plows, [the men] broke up the drifts, threw out the snow, and made a nice track through the blocked stretches. So travel can once more be enjoyed on the pavement until snow and wind again block things up.
The county snow plow arrived last week, but some parts did not arrive. As soon as they come, it will be assembled and put to work.
Since the block up of the ridge roads only two roads have been open out of Viroqua – the Viola road to the east and the Sidie Hollow road to the Mississippi River – and these two roads have been carrying a very considerable amount of traffic... It is now very narrow and with many bumps and dips, but we are informed that an expenditure of $3000 would grade and put this road from Viroqua to the river in good condition. It would certainly be a wonderful convenience... The Censor surely hopes that some action will be taken to bring this matter before the Board at its next session.
The Censor calls attention to the Viroqua Creamery Co...more than five million pounds of cream were received during the year, from which 1,762,842 pounds of butter were made. The cost of manufacturing each pound of butter was reduced from 1.99 to 1.94 cents.