100 Years Ago

Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:

FEB. 25, 1920

One more week has passed without the weatherman condescending to favor this section with case weather. The local sorting houses are raking in every part-crop they know of and cleaning up all the fag ends in an endeavor to hold things together as long as possible, but unless a foggy spell descends upon us within a few days, the houses must shut down. Probably ten days will see the windup.

Just how the records enclosed in the safes belonging to Sam Sauer and the Masonic lodge, would weather the extreme heat was a matter of speculation on the part of everyone. Upon being opened, the Masonic records were found to be in very fair condition. Mr. Sauer’s books did not fare so well but are readable.

Connolly dress shoes for men, $8.50 to $10.00 at M.J. Felix’.

STODDERD, February 20 – Eighteen young folks enjoyed a masquerade party at the Will Lamprich home, which was prettily decorated for the occasion. Dancing was indulged in and a dainty luncheon served.

Louis Hendrickson is now employed at T.T. Sanwick’s clothing store.

Chassis for the new chemical truck has already been shipped form the Nash factory to Minneapolis. Charlie Honaker was there attending to its shipment.

The Westby Telephone Company asks authority from the Railroad Commission to increase some of its rates on the ground that it is now doing switching at a loss, and that it costs it more to move telephones than it gets for the work.

The hardware trade and general public will be pleased to learn that Sam Sauer will be back in business about the middle of March, occupying the old Weistenberg hotel.

FEB. 18, 1920

The much needed renovation started at the Court House last year, is now being continued, paint and varnish bringing about a better appearance.

The Southeastern trains were stuck in a snow drift this side of Westby all day Saturday, finally being released by a crew of thirty shovelers. The Milwaukee road had three engines in a drift near Cashton all that night. Real transportation grief, these days, to rail and road traffic alike.

“BETTER LATE THAN NEVER”

City Council Purchases $5500 Chemical Fire Engine

The city council did a highly commendable thing last evening, when they placed an order for a chemical fire engine. It will be mounted on a Nash 2-ton chassis, purchased from Ole Jackson & Son at a cost of $5,749. Like insurance, its presence here will be occasion for a sigh of relief from everyone on the business street.

Had anyone said that the blasting head of fire could have laid in smoking ruins in one hour one of Viroqua’s best and largest business houses, he would hardly have been considered sane, yet such is the distressing fate which overcame the Masonic temple building Thursday rendering homeless four fraternal bodies and utterly wiping out the Sauer Hardware, Hendrickson’s Shoe Store, Mrs. Norris’ millinery establishment and Lem’s shoe repair store.

There is very little to chronicle about the tobacco situation this week except the disappointing fact that the eagerly looked for period of soft weather had failed to materialize, bringing the end of the sorting season that much closer in sight. it is devoutly to be hoped that case weather will make its appearance within a few days.

FEB. 11, 1920

The Ford “bug” became unmanageable Friday morning while rounding the corner below the Censor office, with Ira Casperson at the wheel, and tipped over, knocking down Mrs. J.B. Rusk. Fortunately neither Mrs. Rusk, Ira or the car sustained injuries worth mentioning.

Grocery specials for five days only: Pillsbury’s Best flour $3.85 per sack; 24½ pound sack Pillsbury Best flour $1.50; five pounds coffee $1.50; large cans milk 15¢; No. 3 cans hominy, 2 cans 25; 35¢ package Armour’s oat meal 30¢; corn and peas per can 15¢. C.H. Ostrem.

We are thankful to state that the influenza epidemic throughout the community appears to be abating a little although the number of cases is regrettably large and the sum total of human suffering most distressing, and several deaths have occurred from pneumonia. It is reasonable to believe that the peak has been reached and each day will witness steady improvement.

DeSoto Argus reports many cases of flu in western Vernon, the schools being closed in that village.

F.M. Towner has just received another large shipment of Alladin lamps, mantles and chimneys. For a time he was unable to get the mantles. This brings all the brilliancy of gas or electricity into your home while using kerosene.

Genoa creamery company did a business of $674.25 las year, and after adjusting all financial matters had a balance of $915 on hand.

Probably the largest crop of the weed coming to Viroqua this season was delivered to Bekkedals on Monday by the Dach Brothers – a 16-acre crop that brought them a small fortune, $9,583.38.

FEB. 4, 1920

February.

A month of 1920 passed and no report of leap-year popping.

Chas Foreman of Kickapoo town harnessed up his “Henry” and drove up from Viola Monday. The auto is getting to be an all-year around vehicle. Mr. Foreman wears a three-star pin, his three sons serving in the war, all returning safely.

Viroqua and vicinity.... is in the grip of the “grippe” and a goodly share of our population is sticking pretty close to home and bed. However, the epidemic is relatively mild as compared with last year.... The present situation once more emphasizes the need of a hospital in Viroqua, where one trained nurse could give expert care to many cases, instead of wasting precious time and energy caring for only one or two in a private home. The Censor realizes the almost prohibitive cost of building at this time, yet human life and suffering cannot be measured in terms of money. Viroqua needs a hospital.

WHEATLAND – Redmound, February 2 – The men are all busy hauling logs... Elmer Smith is moving his lumber to Cooley valley... Quite a few from the ridge attended the telephone meeting at Genoa.

JEFFERSON – Springville, January 28 – There should be a good catalogue house established on the main street of Springville. It would save our good people lots of worry.

BUD, January 27 – Monday night’s wind piled the snow high, making roads almost impassable to travel. Some farmers started out loads of tobacco but were obliged to turn back, while others made the trip to town... Health Officer George Bakken has been busy fumigating the small pox germs.

January, 1920