MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
JUNE 27, 1923
Over a thousand people were out to the Eckhart Park Friday evening to enjoy the concert presented by the boys of the juvenile band who won first place in the state band concert at Two Rivers... That band of youngsters followed their director like one instrument. They were announced with appropriate comment by Editor Goldsmith, who spoke of how miraculous achievement their victory had been when you consider that may of those boys could not play a note six months ago and that the average age of the band was thirteen years... They did not wait for the city to fit them out in fine uniforms and the best instruments, but proved themselves a superior organization before getting these things. Now it is up to the city to provide for them in fitting style.
The fierce electrical, wind and hail storm of last Monday evening did much damage in and around the city... Telephone and light wires were down in many places... Tobacco sheds and trees were injured most it seems, and the northwestern part of Eckhart Park was badly damage... Much damage was done by washing from heavy rain, but at any rate it broke the drought over a very large extent of territory...so the protracted drought has apparently come to a close.
DeSoto – June 25 – A very large number enjoyed the trip on the steamer, Capital, Sunday. DeSoto will soon build a warehouse large enough to house 1,000,000 pounds yearly.
Victory – June 25 – There was quite an exciting time in Victory one evening last week, when a passing car ran over a child of Will Johnson’s. The driver escaped through the woods after shooting at several of the villagers who were attempting to catch him.
JUNE 20, 1923
Yesterday and today Merchant Brenner and Walter hale have been busy erecting in Viroqua and on the principal cross roads leading to this city the large new tourist signs.
Now is the time to think of arsenate of lead and Paris Green for those bugs. We have a good stack of both. O.E. Davis. Druggist.
The elevator located near the Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul depot...was burned to the ground, last Sunday shortly after noon.
It is thought that the fire was started by sparks from the railroad engine, as the train had left just a short time before the fire was discovered. The wind was in the right direction to carry the sparks to the building, which, being of wood construction and very dry, burned quickly.
The fire department reached the fire very soon after the alarm... It was soon evident, however, that nothing could save the elevator, so the fire fighters directed their efforts toward saving the tobacco warehouses and other buildings near by.
The elevator was one of the old landmarks in Viroqua, having stood for nearly half a century.
That sturdy farmer base ball team from Bud is sure going strong. Last Sunday afternoon, on the Viroqua fair grounds, they handed Soldiers Grove a real lemon, winning 16 to 5, and thereby making their hold on the top position in the Kickapoo Valley league that much, more secure.
What about a Horton electric washer for the wife this hot weather? She needs one and it will pay for itself in one hot summer. Surenson & Thompson, The Farmers’ Store.
JUNE 13, 1923
The concrete pavement on the McLees ridge road west of Viroqua has been completed, and the paving crew has moved into the city and is now engaged in layng the block of pavement on Court Street east of Main Street. Should the weather be favorable, they will probably complete this block by Saturday night.
The uniforms for the Viroqua Band have arrived. They are beauties and the boys surely are proud of them – but they cost money. The total cost will be a little over $1200, and the result of the canvas for funds to pay for them is most disappointing – about $400 has been collected to date. This discrepancy of $800 must be made up some way.
Splash Suits – Keep warm while you keep cool. It is essential to comfortable bathing. Wool bathing suits keep bathers warm when exposed in the air – while cotton garments usually chill. A complete showing of wool bathing suits in one piece garments for ladies, men and boys. Ellefson & Johnson, Viroqua’s Largest Clothing House, Located in the Masonic Building.
This community was deeply shocked at the news of the tragic death of Ex-Sheriff Sam Gorsling, which occurred at the foot of the Burns Morrison hill on the pavement south of Viroqua last Friday evening. Mr. Gorsline had been in Viroqua all day on business, and started home shortly after supper. On the way his team became unmanageable and ran away, throwing him out of the rig head first unto the concrete pavement. His skull was fractured and he died an hour later.
JUNE 6, 1923
Quite a little excitement transpired on the Mullin Grocery store corner Sunday afternoon when a Campbell Construction Co. Truck crashed into light pole and the gasoline pump, shattering them to bits and scattering the fragments many feet along the walk. The driver...rounded the silent policeman at a good rate of speed and could not make the turn.
Westby – Our schools closed last Friday with 45 graduates, and Our Savior’s church was packed to capacity for the exercises. The decorations were beautiful.
Martin Berg is having a nice machine shed erected on his farm northeast of Viroqua. Noting remarkable about that, of course, but when you consider who the carpenters are, it is most remarkable. John F. Berg, aged 89, and Lars Gilbertson, aged 90, are the two kids that are doing the work.
Readstown – June 3 – Thursday was picnic day for the Readstown schools, 1st and 2nd grades going to McSherry; the other grades to the picnic grounds near the W. Phillips camp home and the High school to Eckhart Park in Viroqua. Commencement exercises of the Readstown schools were held at the Opera House Tuesday evening, May 29, when eight young people were graduated... Diplomas were also given to [11] 8th grade pupils... Nature indeed handed us a most ideal day for the observance of Memorial day last Wednesday and an unusually large crowd was in attendance to witness the exercises….the fire company...sprinkled the streets, eliminating the dust...
The uniform fund for the band is slowing down, and the amount subscribed is far insufficient to defray the cost of suits for the boys.