100 Years Ago

Life in Viroqua from the Vernon County Censor:

NOV. 4, 1925

The Meryl Zimmerman general store and the J.H. Zimmerman hardware store at Ontario were burned to the ground early Saturday morning... Both stores were two story frame buildings, the first floors being used as stores and the second stories for living purposes. Both were of frame construction and were covered with sheet metal. The Norwalk fire department was called but did not arrive at Ontario until 6 o’clock Saturday, after the fire was practically out and both buildings leveled to the ground.

Hallowe’en passed off very quietly in Viroqua, the youngsters enjoying themselves in the usual way with practically no actual damage reported. Modern plumbing and concrete walks have eliminated most of the Hallowe’en joys that used to come to the kids in the old days.

The situation [radio] as regards trouble in the city of Viroqua continues unabated at time reception is good for a little while, and then the fearful roar caused by discharging sparks makes reception impossible... Radio interference is bad enough but a half burned wire menaces public safety... From the amount of interference the past two evenings it is very certain that there are many more bare wires in the city. Latest Report – Just as we go to press...what seems to be the major trouble has been found and corrected...the radios are clear now. Here’s hoping they remain that way.

A short time ago the Viroqua Cooperative Creamery Company installed two new buttermilk machines... In the two months that the machines have been used, 40,000 pounds of powdered buttermilk have been produced, and the product has been sold to a firm for 3½¢ per pound. It is used in manufacturing chicken feed principally.

OCT. 28, 1925

Radio fans in the city of Viroqua have been up against a real mess of radio interference during the past three days... It was found that the interference was coming from the all-night electric circuit and that the whole third ward was badly affected, while a loop reaching down into the heart of the second ward was in almost as bad condition. It was impossible to trace down the trouble, but Manager Fenske and his men are co-operating in every possible way to trace and eliminate the interference. Meanwhile, radio bugs in the affected area are developing nervous prostration and pdaying [sic] that the light men may find the trouble soon.

All ladies hats ¼ off regular price for Saturday. Rogers.

Pleasant Ridge, October 26 – Fred Lieurance is installing a heating plant in his new home. Fred don’t intend to freeze this winter... We have now had five weeks of cold and wet weather and would welcome a little sunshine so we could get thrashing all done.

The delegation of county officials...journeyed to Madison last week to interview Governor Blaine in regards the holding up of work on state highway 41, found a cold reception... Richland and Vernon counties will lose the only chance that they have of securing a Federal road... The government intends to make several highways through the county federal roads and one of these was to be 41. Governor Blaine puts on the old cry-baby stuff and will not O.K. the road...

Hot water bottles guaranteed for a year at O.E. Davis’ Drug Store.

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