In Review
First Week of June 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): We learn that Rev. J. Snashall has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist Church with the
expectation of removing to Missouri. His successor is not yet named.
130 Years Ago (1880): Mr. D. H. Page has sold his 12 acre lot, just out the western limits of town, to Mr. J. F.
Howard, of Magnolia, for $2,200.
120 Years Ago (1890): There was a delightful contrast between Memorial Day this year and last. Last year men
wore overcoats and mittens, and women were closely wrapped in their winter suits; this year “gauzy” garments were
oppressive under the sun’s pouring rays. The next morning after Memorial Day last year, snow fell to the depth of
several inches.
110 Years Ago (1900): Belle Boyd, the rebel spy, has rented rooms on the second floor of Mr. I. A. Hoxie’s
building.
100 Years Ago (1910): T. C. Richardson and the others who went to Western Canada with him, returned last
Friday. Mr. Richardson likes that country very much, for a new country, and states that he wouldn’t mind living
there. A deal has been closed by the syndicate for 10,000 acres of land out there.
90 Years Ago (1920): Dear Comrades of the American Legion: The G. A. R. wishes to thank you for the kindness
shown us on Memorial Day, helping us decorate the graves of our fallen heroes of the G. A. R. We feel glad to
think we have as many young comrades to take our place in decorating their graves. We kindly thank you for
taking us to the cemetery and bringing us back to the opera house to hear the good address from Elder Stephens.
The Relief Corps thanks you also. With kind regards to you all we remain as ever, F. C. L. Commander of T. F.
Sutphen Post G. A. R.
80 Years Ago (1930): The Evansville High School baseball team is undefeated this season. Members are Stanley
Sperry, Robert Hubbard, Maurice Apfel, Vearle Hockett, Roy Sands, Lawrence Merrill, Clifford Fellows, Lloyd
Mabie, Leo McCaffery, Ben Hubbard, Norman Odegaard, Kenneth Cain, Robert Cain, Norman McCaffery, Lester
McCaffery, Leonard Nelson, Coach Peter Finstad, Manager Paul Dooley and Assistant Manager, Donald
Wissbaum.
70 Years Ago (1940): Mr. and Mrs. Chester Hurd, Evansville, have announced the marriage of their daughter,
Betty Jean, to Archie George, son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd George, also of Evansville, on May 19 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen of Evansville attended the couple. Mr. and Mrs. George will make their home in
Evansville.
60 Years Ago (1950): Miss Hazel Murphy has completed her 25th year of teaching in the Tupper school northeast
of Evansville. The first year she was ill and missed four days, but during the past 24 years, she has been neither
absent nor tardy. During the time she has taught in the district, more than 100 of her pupils have been graduated
from 8th grade and entered high school, most of them the Evansville high school. Several of them have been
among the senior groups receiving high honors when they graduated from the local high school.
50 Years Ago (1960): Prof. John H. Wilde, 335 South First St., has been named chairman of the Department of Art
Education at the University for the 1960-61 school year. Wilde was recently promoted from associate professor to
a full professorship at the U. of W.
40 Years Ago (1970): Bob Hrdlicka, a starting outfielder for the Stout State University baseball team, has earned a
baseball letter this season. Hrdlicka, a 1968 graduate of Evansville High Schoo, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William
Hrdlicka, 421 Cherry St., Evansville. His coach Robert Thompson said, “Bob has the potential to be an excellent
college baseball player and I am sure that he will be.”
30 Years Ago (1980): Lyle and Borg Viney, Evansville Dairymen and Brown Swiss cattle breeders, were honored
at a dinner in Madison, Tuesday night, May 27. The occasion was prompted by Viney’s retirement from the post of
president of AMPI’s central division. He had served in various capacities with the AMPI including the national board
of directors.
20 Years Ago (1990): Evansville High School Varsity Baseball team for 1990 included: Jeff Updike, Dan Courtier,
Jeff Kersten, Jeremy Dwyer, Derek Topp, Mike Brickl, Tony George, Sid Badley, Matt Trunkhill, Chris McCoy, Craig
Dammen, Dan Runaas, Steve VonBehren and Mike Maves. Evansville High School Girls Softball team for 1990
included: Colleen Rowley, Tara Schmidt, Shannon Maves, Renae Bratzke, Angie Rowley, Jamie Shotliff, Lisa
Kerten, Shelly Woodstock, Alyson Ford, Heather Weigand, Kelly Williams, and Katie Buttchen.
10 years ago (2000): Each year the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth recognizes students who
achieved particularly high standards in the Midwest Talent Search for Young Students. These young people are in
the top one percent of all students nationally at their grade level. Sixth grader Christina Peterson and Eighth
grader Adam Patterson were among the students recognized at special ceremonies. Both students are eligible for
many Saturday, Summer, and Scholarship opportunities throughout the remainder of their public school career.
In Review
Second Week of June 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): New Livery Stable. Having fitted up the building formerly occupied by Allen Baker as a
blacksmith shop, and added extensive stabling, I am prepared to furnish as good a turnout as is kept in the
country. The size of the main building is 36 x 50, 22 ½ feet high; in the rear of this a barn is already built 28 x 30
feet, making a total length of 78 feet; by far the largest building in town. Having large and comfortable carriages, I
can afford every accommodation to private parties and excursionists. Martin R. Case.
130 Years Ago (1880): Married. Hatfield – Rowley. At the M. E. Parsonage, May 30, 1880, by Rev. C. E.
Goldthorp, Mr. E. Hatfield of Union to Miss Wealthy L. Rowley of Magnolia.
120 Years Ago (1890): Mr. A. C. Gray commenced taking the census of this place June 3, and the same work was
commenced over this entire United States. Mr. Gray tackled Homer Potter, a former enumerator, for the first one,
Monday morning, and succeeded in getting down some half a dozen or more, for the first day’s trail. He wants to
get the hang of the business better before he goes among farmers or old soldiers. A. C. Gray took the census a
part of one day and returned sick and has been scarcely able to leave his house since, or is unable to pursue his
work and W. H. H. Johnson has been appointed in his stead, who will complete the enumeration.
110 Years Ago (1900): Mr. Caleb Snashall and family are going to First Lake next week to spend some time in
their new cottage.
100 Years Ago (1910): Union. School closed very quietly here on Friday noon last. Usually a picnic is held on the
lawn the last day, but on account of the hurried preparations on the part of the teacher, Miss Emma Holt, of
Brooklyn, to start Tuesday for her trip to Washington, D. C., the picnic was not held this year. Miss Holt will be
employed indefinitely in census work. Miss Holt has taught the school here for three years and was well liked by all
her pupils.
90 Years Ago (1920): Citizens of this community were jolted out of their usual self-satisfied complacency on the
morning of June fourth when it was announced that the dangerous Bellman-Williams garage fire that had
threatened for a time to engulf a large part of the city, was not of accidental origin. Excitement was intense and
much indignation was expressed. Both members of the concern were placed under heavy bonds at once. The
court hearing for Mr. J. S. Williams and Mr. Edward Bellman was set for Friday, June 11. Mr. Williams, in his
examination, pleaded guilty to the charges made by the State Fire Marshall. Mr. Bellman denied all claims of guilt
made against him.
80 Years Ago (1930): Mrs. Edith Searles and Mrs. Catherine Graves are opening a new tea room at 339 East
Main Street. It will be called “The Shady Nook Tea Room” and will be open to the public. The proprietresses will
serve lunches of all kinds catering to private parties and will take order for home baking.
70 Years Ago (1940): John Barrenger, Evelyn Hansen, Dawn George and Charles Davis of Magnolia Corners
school; Robert Harnack, Ruth Schroeder, Virginia Fenn, Rita McGuire and Dora Jane Wendall, Cainville school will
receive their diplomas at rural school graduation exercises held in the Janesville High School, Tuesday afternoon
this week.
60 Years Ago (1950): Mrs. Alvin Golz was elected president of the American Legion Auxiliary to succeed Mrs. Phil
Roberts at a regular meeting held Monday night in the Legion rooms. Other new officers are Mrs. Arnold Willis,
second vice president; Mrs. R. J. Antes, treasurer; Mrs. Jerome Matson, secretary; Mrs. L. L. Thompson, historian;
Mrs. Floyd Benway, chaplain; Mrs. Harry Roderick and Mrs. Don Thompson, color bearers; Mrs. Roderick and Mrs.
John Wyse, delegates to the state convention and Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Golz, alternates.
50 Years Ago (1960): Fifty-four seniors were graduated from the Evansville High School Tuesday night, as a
standing-room only crowd of parents and friends watched the traditional exercise. The graduation also marked the
twenty-fifth anniversary of Supt. John C. McKenna’s leadership of the local system. Diplomas were presented to
the seniors by Clark Prudhon, director of the school district board.
40 Years Ago (1970): The Dist. No. 6 board of education met Monday night and salary negotiations were
approved. It was announced that the base pay will be $7,100 reflecting an increase of $400 across the board at
each training level. The business manager will receive an 8.6 per cent increase; clerical, 7.8%; cafeteria, 6.8%
and health clerk, 5%. Contracts for four new teachers, William Kober, Anne K. Biasell, Georgiana Rattan, and
Carol Heinemann were approved.
30 Years Ago (1980): Although a small community, Evansville is always in the forefront for ideas for the betterment
of its citizenry. One such innovative idea was brought to Evansville from Rockford by Chief Richard Luers. This is
the establishment of an Evansville Police Chaplain Organization. The Ministerial Association will decide who, and
when, and what hours that they will be available. Chief Luers believes in using the well trained cadre of clergy to
help the police in meeting the needs of people during crisis. Those who will be on call for a week at a time will be
Rev. Wallace Harless, Rev. I. Dean Jordan, Rev. Robert Garbrecht, and Father Thomas Lourim. The clergy will
have a pager, so that they may be reached easily.
20 Years Ago (1990): Commencement ceremony took place at the Evansville High School on Sunday, June 2, as
the class of 1990, donned in caps and gowns, paraded before parents, relatives and friends to receive diplomas
and awards culminating their years at EHS. A total of $118,075 in scholarships was presented to outstanding and
worthy seniors to be used to advance their education.
10 years ago (2000): The resignation letter of J. C. McKenna Middle School Principal, Vince Maloney, was read
and accepted last night, June 12th at the regular monthly school board meeting. Maloney served the Evansville
School district as Middle School Principal since the mid-70’s.
In Review
Third Week of June 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): Those in favor of celebrating the Fourth in an appropriate manner, met at the office of
Jacob West Esq., and after the appropriate organization, resolved that we have a Fourth of July Picnic Celebration
and elected the following persons as committee to make further arrangements and to report at this office the
following evening: W. B. Winston, Dr. C. M. Smith, L. T. Pullen, A. Adams, D. H. Pratt. It was resolved to have a
basket picnic, each providing refreshments for himself and invited guests.
130 Years Ago (1880): Mr. Potter is almost through with his census taking. He thinks the town population will
hardly come up to the figures we have always set for it.
120 Years Ago (1890): The Grange Store finding their country business so increased that it required additional
hitching posts, extended them past their store out on the west side of Railroad Street almost down to Church, past
the residence occupied by Mrs. Eugene Williams. Mrs. Williams objected and no heed being taken of her
importunities she obtained help and had them all yanked up. The next time she appeared at headquarters she
suggested that a new dress from that institution was hers by rights of removing sundry annoyances from her front
yard. In the last act as well as in the first one, she came off equally victorious. [Note: In 1890, the Grange Store
was located at 19 East Main and today’s Maple Street, was Railroad Street.]
110 Years Ago (1900): The following paragraph clipping from the Milwaukee Sentinel refers to one of our
residents who had made this her home for a few months. While away on one of her frequent trips she suddenly
succumbed to a malady induced by overwork. Kilbourn, Wis: June 11—Belle Boyd, the famous spy of Confederate
fame, died suddenly of heart disease in Kilbourn tonight. She was to have given a lecture Wednesday night and
came here from Portage Saturday. She had not been well, though was not thought to be in unusual health. Today
she was engaged in her usual occupation. She was taken with a sinking spell and told her husband she was
dying. In a few moments she was dead. She was 57 years of age and had been giving lectures in this part of the
state.
100 Years Ago (1910): The graduating class of the Evansville Seminary consisting of the following seven boys
and girls, Jennie Jones, Eleanor Eskins, Freda Johnson, Cora Drafahl, Jay Frost, Harold Lewis and Seymour
Watson all delivered their carefully prepared orations in a very creditable manner.
90 Years Ago (1920): The final chapter of one of the most sensational affairs that have come in the history of this
community was written on last Monday when Mr. Williams of the Bellman-Williams Company, was sentenced to five
years in the State Prison at Waupun . The sentence was but the expected ending of the affair after Mr. Williams by
his corrected confession explained that because of the strong arm methods of his examination in the first
examination he implicated his partner in the nefarious work of which he was accused. A plea of insanity was made
by the legal representatives of Mr. Williams, but after medical advice was had, the Court refused to consider the
plea and sentence was imposed.
80 Years Ago (1930): The Lions Club has appropriated the sum of $100 for the erection of a 12-foot water slide to
be built on the north shore of Lake Leota west of the bathing house. It will be erected by C. E. Winston. The
ground at the base of the slide will be graveled and sanded.
70 Years Ago (1940): Martin, “Bud” Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Anderson, 226 West Liberty Street, who
was graduated last week from the State Teachers’ college, La Crosse, has accepted a position as physical
education and swimming instructor at the new South Park Avenue Junior High School in Oshkosh. Anderson will
assume his new duties at the opening of the school’s fall term in September and will be in charge of nearly 500
students in physical education. He will also coach football and basketball and will have charge of the school’s
intramural program.
60 Years Ago (1950): Evansville was very fortunate to have the Rock County School Committee come Tuesday
night and explain the work they have done in redistricting school districts in Rock County. The committee has set
up a tentative plan for redistricting Rock County. There will be, under this plan, seven school districts. Each
district will have one high school. The seven districts will be Evansville, Orfordville, Edgerton, Milton, Janesville,
Beloit and Clinton. In order to get the best education, each district must have a sufficient number of people and
sufficient equalized valuation.
50 Years Ago (1960): The first Evansville tennis tournament is being planned by a committee including Richard
Eager, Dave Losey and Mick Finnane. Those interested in playing are asked to get in touch with the committee
immediately.
40 Years Ago (1970): The Miss American Teen-ager contest was held Saturday night. Evansville will be
represented in the state contest by Miss Nancy Thompson, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Thompson.
Sandra Kuelz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kuelz, was the runner-up.
30 Years Ago (1980): The Evansville 4-H Club crowned their 1980 Queen at their regular meeting. Julie
Haakenson will reign over festivities locally and also will be a candidate for the Rock County 4-H Fair Queen. Last
year’s queen, Kelly Woodworth crowned the new queen.
20 Years Ago (1990): The school board on Monday night approved the sum of $36,578 to be appropriated for 40
Panasonic computers for the high school business department and one computer graphic for the Industrial Arts
classes. The funds will come from the debt service account. The computers will be compatible with the IBM system
and they will be able to network them. The presently owned Apple computers will be moved to K-8 for their use.
Board President Greg Whitmore said there is no choice anymore, that the need is there to keep up with the world
and other schools.
10 years ago (2000): A Radio Shack store and flower shop will soon be located in an addition off Ringhand’s Meat
& Liquor. The Evansville Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit for Ringhand to construct a 3,200
square foot addition to his store located at the corner of East Main Street and Water Street. The additional would
hold two businesses; a 2,400 square foot Radio Shack electronics store and 800 square foot Flowers for All
Occasions.
In Review
Fourth Week of June 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): A public dinner will be gotten up by the ladies of the Congregational Church and society, of
Evansville, to be served at Mr. Martin B. Case’s new building on Main Street. Also, side tables, where will be sold
ice cream, lemonade and strawberries (if to be had.) To which we invite general patronage from all who may wish a
good dinner on that day. Give us your patronage friend, to serve in a good cause of generous benevolence to the
society and to the community generally, no less than putting a steeple on the Congregational Church.
130 Years Ago (1880): Mrs. Elijah Robinson returned Saturday after six weeks absence at Rome, N. Y., where she
has been treated for cancer. She is feeling quite smart, and is confident of an entire and permanent cure of that
disease. She has congratulations of a host of friends, for her safe return.
120 Years Ago (1890): Mr. Lamont and his crew of men, tore up and commenced putting down a concrete walk on
the north and west sides of A. S. Baker’s residence. [Note: A. S. Baker lived at 39 West Liberty Street.]
110 Years Ago (1900): Letters have been received from Mr. Eager and Messrs Geo. and Fred Clark of their
pleasant voyage and safe arrival at Hamburg the 8th. They were on the water nine days.
100 Years Ago (1910): Mrs. John Robinson and daughter, Olive, attended the commencement exercises at the
Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, Miss Madge Robinson being one of the graduates from the kindergarten course.
90 Years Ago (1920): Classifieds: Borrowed from my lot on Garfield Ave., a drag, about three weeks ago. Will
the one who borrowed the drag please return it at once. If not, I shall hunt the matter up. J. C. Apfel.
80 Years Ago (1930): Old Glory lined the streets of Evansville Saturday in honor of its own anniversary. Although
there was no marked celebration, everyone knew from the banner’s appearance that is was flag day. The day was
observed because on that day in 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first flag act and designated the style
of flag as we have it today except for the fact that with each new state a star has been added. The original plan
was to add another stripe for each new state but it was soon found that the banner would become too bulky.
70 Years Ago (1940): The Columbus Food Corp., known as the Evansville Canning Factory, is in operation with
the packing of early peas here, Manager Earl Gibbs announced Friday. A crew of 125 is on duty. Gibbs said there
are about 800 acres of peas under cultivation and another 300 acres of late peas coming. The firm now maintains
11 viner stations in different communities here, he said.
60 Years Ago (1950): According to information received here early this week by Mayor A. M. Winn, the population
of Evansville is now 2,530, a gain of 209 in the past ten years. Beloit and Evansville led the county in population
gains on a percentage basis. Beloit’s was 16.46 per cent and Evansville’s was nine per cent. In 1940, Evansville’s
population was 2,321.
50 Years Ago (1960): The Dutch elm disease has invaded the Evansville area and is killing a number of elms
within the City limits. It is the most devastating disease of elm trees. This disease is transmitted to healthy elms by
tiny beetles which breed in the bark of dying and dead elm wood. Your City officials are organizing a control
program with all possible haste, but until such a program can be put into operation the cooperation of all residents
is urgently needed.
40 Years Ago (1970): Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gibbs and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gibbs have purchased Graham’s Cozy Café
and the latter couple is operating the restaurant. The new name is Gibb’s Dogwagon Café. The business has
been owned and operated by members of the Graham family since 1910 and for the past many years by Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Graham.
30 Years Ago (1980): On Sunday, June 15, the members of the Congregational Church of Christ voted
unanimously, after their regular service, to extend a call to Rev. Mark X. Pirazzini. Rev. Pirazzini is a 1980 graduate
from Andover-Newton Theological School and is a 1977 graduate of St. Olaf College. His wife Meredith also
graduated from St. Olaf’s where she majored in English and German. Currently she is a type-setter for the New
England Journal of Medicine.
20 Years Ago (1990): It started raining early Saturday morning and kept on all day. But despite the rain more than
3,800 people turned out to enjoy the pancakes, ham, ice cream, milk, cheese and strawberries at the Mel Janes
Farm, located on Cemetery Rd. Serving in the machine shed and food preparation in a tent helped to diminish the
rain problems, but the crafters had a difficult time with their wares. Mud also became a problem as the rains
proved quite heavy at times. Horse drawn rides continued and the band played on, so a good time was had by all
who attended.
10 years ago (2000): A community of bespectacled, white-haired property owners attended the Tuesday June
13th Council meeting with concerns about the upcoming Garfield Avenue road construction. The reconstruction
which is included in Evansville’s 5-year road plan, encompasses 1,000 feet of road work, water main work, and new
curb and gutter on both sides of the street from 3rd to 4th Streets, and is slated to begin in mid-July, with
completion in October. Residents were concerned about charges for curb and gutter, sidewalks, grading of yards,
and trees that might be cut down.
In Review
Fifth Week of June 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): On Monday night of last week the store of D. H. Pratt was entered by burglars and several
pieces of goods taken from the shelves and all the cash from the money drawer. The amount taken as far as can
be ascertained is about fifty dollars. On the night previous, a store was entered in Brodhead and goods stolen,
also at Stoughton on the following night. Somebody is traveling in the business.
130 Years Ago (1880): Mr. Earle Woodbury died at Cooksville, Tuesday, June 15th, 1880, in the 80th year of his
age. Mr. Woodbury moved from Wethersfield, Vt., with his family, in Nov. 1849, and settled in Cooksville, where he
remained until his death. He bought with him a pretty fair property but lost it mostly some years ago in a mercantile
venture. His wife died some years ago. His family are all married and live in this place and Cooksville, save one
son in California and a daughter in Little Rock, Ark. Owing to some confusion of telegrams, in communicating the
deceased’s request to Rev. Jenk L. Jones of Janesville, no funeral services were held. Deacon Gillies offered a
simple but fervent prayer. His remains were deposited by the side of those of his wife.
120 Years Ago (1890): The time is drawing near for our annual School meeting. Our children are our treasures,
and where as women should leave no stone unturned to further their good and to help make our schools as strong
and powerful as possible. Let every lady remember that she has a perfect right to say whether we have an
enlarged school room or good ventilation or free text books. These questions are coming up and a note will be
taken. We hope that every woman will be found in her place at the next school meeting the first of July.
110 Years Ago (1900): Married: June 21, 1900 at eight o’clock by Rev. Mr. Short, Miss Eliza Cleland and Mr. John
Baker at their home, corner of Church and Park Streets, this city, in the presence of about one hundred invited
guests. After the ceremony a dainty repast was served by the bride’s Sunday School class. They left amid
showers of rice and roses for a visit to Yellowstone Park and the Pacific Coast. They will be away one month, then
they will return to their handsomely furnished home on the corner of Church and Park Streets. [Note: Today’s
Second Street was called Park Street for many years. At the north end of Park Street was the entrance to
Evansville’s first park.]
100 Years Ago (1910): Mrs. Olivia Eager, daughter Gertrude and grandson Leonard, left Saturday for their trip to
Europe. They went by way of New York City where they met a party of friends and on Tuesday they sailed on the
steamer Lusitania. They will make an extended trip through the European countries. Their many friends wish them
a pleasant trip and a safe return.
90 Years Ago (1920): The Girl Scouts of the Methodist Church are occupying the Porter cottage at Lake Kegonsa
for a few days chaperoned by the Misses Esther Franklin and Eleanor Porter.
80 Years Ago (1930): Nightly revival meetings at the Free Methodist Church here closed Sunday night when the
Rev. L. S. Hoover, radio evangelist, who has been in charge of the services for the past three weeks, returned to
his home at Tionesta, Pa. Considerable interest was manifest in the meetings this year and fair sized crowds were
in attendance. [Note the Free Methodist Church was in the building now used by the Grace Baptist Church in the
first block of West Church Street.]
70 Years Ago (1940): William G. Patterson, 306 South First Street, sustained a badly bruised and dislocated right
knee and a painful head bruise at 9:30 a.m. Sunday when he was dragged several feet by a young team of
runaway horses on the late William Hubbard farm, two miles north of the city, which he operates. He was removed
to the Madison General Hospital where his knee was put in a cast. The accident occurred when Mr. Patterson
attempted to stop the team from running away with a wagon. He had gone to the farm to cultivate his potato crop.
The team was stopped by his son, Leon Patterson. Mr. Patterson is being cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Byron
Dripps who was summoned from La Crosse.
60 Years Ago (1950): Dr. R. G. Heimerl, Milwaukee, arrived here early this week to take possession of the Dr. O.
G. Libby dental office and practice which he recently acquired. He will begin his work here about Aug. 1. In the
meantime Dr. Heimerl will refinish and redecorate the office at 1 ½ West Main Street.
50 Years Ago (1960): Some fifteen elm trees have been removed by city crews in the past several days, as the
city moved to eliminate trees with the very contagious Dutch elm disease. Any residents who notice anything which
looks out of the ordinary about elm trees on their property are urgently requested to notify the City Hall
immediately. A number of calls have been received by City Clerk Koralyn May from people who suspect their trees
may be infected. The reports are being checked by Harold Tait and Ed Zamzow, and by the state Department of
Agriculture.
40 Years Ago (1970): The sale of the popular “Popcorn Stand”, which was operated at the corner of Madison and
Main Streets for many years, was revealed recently. Mrs. Delbert Zwickey purchased the business from Amber
Kleinsmith. She plans to operate the stand herself. Mrs. Zwickey will keep the stand open afternoons and in the
evenings and all day on the weekends. She hopes to merit the continued patronage of the popcorn customers.
30 Years Ago (1980): The end of an era! The Wyler School has been closed. All contents of 3 buildings to be
sold at auction. This school has been in existence as a semi-military academy, and prior to that, the Evansville
Seminary since Civil War days. There will be antiques & collectibles, some in good condition and some will need
work. Wyler School Auction, Tuesday, July 1, 9:30 a.m. George Auction Service – Auctioneers.
20 Years Ago (1990): Harold “Butch” Beedle, a member of the J. C. McKenna Middle School faculty, was the
recipient recently of a 1990 Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award. Beedle was presented a $1,000 award as was the
Evansville Middle School. Beedle was chosen for his overall dedication to education in ecology, environmental
studies and in teaching. He is very active in the student assistance program, the student council, and in recycling
programs.
10 years ago (2000): Janet Sperry is retiring as Financial Director of the Water & light Department. Jane
Oberdorf is Janet’s replacement. Janet indicates she will be through mid-September. When asked what she is
retiring to, Janet Sperry replied, “I’m retiring to quilt, to garden and to grandma, my three grandkids. As well as
spend more time with my husband.”