MENU100 Years Ago
Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:
JUNE 24, 1025
THE BIG FOURTH AT VIROQUA
It should be remembered that all events will take place at the fair grounds, leaving our beautiful Eckhart park entirely free for the use of visitors. The Parade Committee reports that they now have 14 floats already built for the parade. The Westby and Viroqua bands will also appear in the parade, as well as their morning and evening concerts... We want every man and woman in this territory to load up the boys and girls and come in for the day.
A large truck overturned on an embankment east of here [DeSoto], below the Indian camp, Thursday. Fortunately, the driver was not injured, nor the truck damaged, although it turned over two or three times. It was brought out over the railroad crossing near the camp.
Readstown, June 23 – Dr. P.R. Pierson and family departed last Wednesday for New Albany, Ind. where the Doctor will enter hospital work for a year. This however will not leave us without the services of a physician as he has made arrangements with Dr. McDowell of Soldiers Grove to visit here at stated intervals.
Buy her a box of candy at O.E. Davis Drugstore.
Haying time is at hand. We have everything you need for the occasion, such as rope, forks, carriers, etc. The Farmers Store, Surenson & Thompson.
Candy Bars 5 and 10¢ at O.E. Davis Drug Store.
JUNE 17, 1925
Well, the seventh annual tournament of the Wisconsin School Band Association has passed into history, and the city of Viroqua feels a little like the unfortunate pinch hitter in a ball game in the ninth inning with the score tied and nobody out, who batted into a triple play. Weeks of diligent planning and hard work had laid the plans for Viroqua’s biggest event; nothing could hamper the tournament but bad weather – and we had it with a vengeance. Almost continuous rain for three days was our portion. Nevertheless, in spite of as serious a handicap as could be imposed upon us, the tournament program was carried out without a hitch.
WILL WE SEE BIG SHIP?
People throughout this section, and throughout the northwest, were much disappointed over the failure of the Los Angeles [air ship] to reach Minneapolis. Engine trouble developed in Ohio, and the queen of the air was forced to turn back to her hanger and have her engines over hauled. It is now reported that the Shennandoah has been ordered to make the trip in about two weeks, and LaCrosse has been promised a sight of the ship on the return trip from Minneapolis. And again, here is hoping that Viroqua will be in the line of flight.
The prolonged rain storms covering a period of five days have been of great value from the standpoint of the copious fall of rain... It is possible to get too much of a good thing. The heavy rain did serious damage to tobacco and corn fields. In many fields of tobacco the wash was so serious that the fields will have to be entirely replanted... Corn did not suffer quite so severely.
JUNE 10, 1925
The Viroqua Fourth of July celebration committee is on the look-out for some real fast saddle ponies. Attention is just now being put on a purely amateur event for horses which have never been run for a purse, and which are to be ridden by the owner, or a member of the family. There will be no entry fee. Two dashes of a quarter mile will be run – a tie to be run off by the horses placing. Three prizes are offered... No ”ringers” will be allowed to participate in this event.
The city of Viroqua is resplendent in its decorations today, awaiting the arrival of some 1500 Wisconsin girls and boys who with their friends and parents and the good people of this community will make Viroqua the liveliest place it has ever been in its history during the weekend. The bands and visitors will begin to arrive tomorrow, and on Friday and Saturday the Big Band Tournament will be on in earnest.
These bands are being brought together at an aggregate cost of over $20,000. A transferable “Booster Button” which can be bought for only a dollar will admit to all activities including grand stand and parking privileges.
Tobacco planting is on in full blast throughout Vernon County. Very good weather conditions have brought the plants into prime condition, and transplanting is being accomplished earlier than usual and with everything in its favor.
District Attorney Moen is inaugurating a vigorous campaign against automobile and booze violators, especially those who don’t yet seem to know that alcohol is for the inside of the radiator instead of inside the driver... Friday, the district attorney issued fourteen warrants for the offense [driving a car while intoxicated]. This makes fifty-three cases this year.
JUNE 3, 1925
Seldom, indeed, have we been favored with such a perfect day as was last Saturday for the observance of Memorial Day... A large crowd witnessed the parade which was impressive but would be some so if the World War veterans were not so backward about taking part in Memorial Day observance.
Larson Bros. have razed the old Marble Works Shop and the Inter-State Oil Co. have begun excavation on the lot for a filling station.
Every rose has its thorn, it seems. The heavy storm which swept down through Minnesota, Iowa and Vernon county Tuesday night, bringing untold value to the parched land in the copious downpour of rain, also left its sting along the way in losses... Vernon county felt the fury of the storm in minor losses in nearly every section but the full fury of the storm was vented on a small area on the towns of Jefferson and Christiana... The storm Monday night while not as severe, assumed almost cyclonic form in spots.
A last appeal from the band tournament Housing Committee. We can still use more lodgings. Quite a number of parents of band boys and girls are expected and we would like to be able to take care of them. We don’t want you to furnish the parents any meals – just a place to sleep... Also we would like to hear from any of our country homes near to the city, who can house some of these parents. It will be perfectly alright for you to make charge for these lodgings.
When the city officials went to put up the city flag on Memorial day they were unable to locate it. Inquiry since has failed to locate it. Will anyone who knows anything of its where abouts, please notify W.E. GARRETT, Mayor.