25 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Oct. 31, 1996 City budget reveals plans for hiring local applicant as new police chief By R. E. Herman While no one is talking about plans for selecting a local candidate for police chief, the recent adjustments made by the council following a closed session meeting with the police commission indicate a plan to hire a local candidate.

This can be extrapolated with a high degree of confidence as the council in the latest working budget has cut police wages, FICA, insurance and retirement by almost $60,000 from the initial budget submitted to the department.

Such a cut would only be possible if the department were to lose a full-time officer, a move that would only be possible if a current officer were to become chief and that position has not been filled (continues).

120-year-old city bell to be displayed downtown By R. E. Herman Mayor Jim Richman has submitted a set of plans for downtown amenities that will not only add the finishing touch to the reconstruction of Highway 35 but will also bring back a piece of Prescott history at the Highway 10 gateway to the city.

Included among the planters, benches, and other amenities in the mayor’s plan is the development of a special area for the 120-year-old bell that once occupied bell park (continues).

County tourism promotion now has separate agency The directors of the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) voted early this month to split its operations into two separate organizations, tourism and economic development.

The PCEDC has operated since 1989 and is funded by area businesses and town, city, village and county governments.

Ellsworth 16-year-old dies in Highway 10 accident By R. E. Herman Travis C. Pawlak, 16, Ellsworth, was pronounced dead on the scene of an accident on Highway 10 last Monday evening.

According to a Sheriff’s report, the department received a call of an accident at 6:53 p.m.

The report states that Pawlak was traveling east on Highway 10 near 610th St. when his vehicle collided with a westbound semi-truck operated by Ivan L. Black, 57, Ogilvie, MN.

Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call along with the Ellsworth Fire Department, Police Department and Ambulance Service, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Life Link helicopter.

Pierce County Coroner E. R. Jonas pronounced Pawlak dead at the scene at 8:04 p.m.

The driver of the truck was transported to the River Falls Area Hospital.

Pawlak was a junior at Ellsworth High School and a member of the football team.

The accident remains under investigation.

Oct. 24, 1996

Johnson ends 14-year reign: New fire chief Conway will take over By R. E. Herman After more than 14 years as Prescott’s Fire Chief, Don Johnson has decided that it was time to step down and turn over the chief’s white jacket to someone else.

The department honored that desire last Monday and elected assistant chief Dennis Conway as the new chief (continues).

40 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Nov. 12, 1981 County to Sponsor? Maiden Rock harbor aired at meeting A proposal for a $1.6 million harbor and related facilities at Maiden Rock on Lake Pepin was discussed at a Tuesday, Nov. 3 meeting of the Pierce County Parks Committee. The proposal had been submitted to the county board on Sept. 8 and was then referred to the Parks Committee for investigation.

Wayne Knotts, Corps of Engineers, outlined the progress of the proposal so far. He said the Corps is empowered under Sect. 1760 Rivers and Harbors Act to become involved in small navigational projects where the federal cost won’t exceed $1 million.

The Corps has prepared a preliminary feasibility report. It contains the justification for the project, the need and interest. The report is forwarded to the Chief of Engineers in Washington, D. C.

But before the report is completed and sent, it also has to show there is a local sponsor who will be responsible for 50 percent of the general navigational cost and also all of the cost of the recreational service facilities.

Knott said preliminary cost for the 100-boat harbor is estimated at $900,000 and would be on a 50/50 split with federal and local sources. He said the other estimated $600,000 to $700,000 for recreational service facilities would be 100 percent local cost. Total local cost would be an estimated $1,150,000.

The proposal was presented to the Maiden Rock village board, which did not have any funds for a project of that type, and asked if a ramp only could be built.

Knott said there would be (See Maiden Rock”, page 3 -A as continued at the UW-River Falls Archive and Research Center, Chalmer Davies library).

Nov. 5, 1981

Drugstore To Open in Downtown Prescott A drug store will be opening in Prescott about the middle of December with a registered pharmacist on the premises.

Randy Most, Prescott, said he is working toward a Dec. 15 opening of a fully-stocked drug store. The business will carry a full line of prescription drugs, health-related items, greeting cards, film and film developing. The drug store will be located in the former French’s Liquor store, next to Dr., Gatzke’s dentist office. The building is owned by Clair Eaton. Randy said he will have 1,100 square feet on the main floor of the building.

55 years ago PIERCE COUNNTY HERALD Nov. 17, 1966 $80,000 Fire Destroys Deiss & Nugent Feed Mill, Also Large Stocks of Corn and Soybeans, New Truck (Photos included with article) A disastrous $80,000 fire early Friday morning destroyed the Deiss & Nugent Feed Co. mill and office building at East Ellsworth.

The alarm was sounded about 1:45 a.m., after Mrs. Doris Douglas noticed smoke while returning from work and called night patrolmen C. Ryden.

The fire, of undetermined origin, had broken out when the Ellsworth Fire Dept. arrived. Fire Chief Stan. Most and his men had a tough time keeping the fire from spreading across to the Fullerton Lumber Co., and other buildings. Exfire chief E. G. Druding said when the fire got into the mill shaft, it was a goner.

Two NSP crews were called from Elmwood by local NSP man Felix Markelvitz, and they worked with the firemen to protect three transformers on high line poles, quite close to the building. If these had been burned, the entire village of Ellsworth would have suffered a power failure.

Electrocuted Near Somerset A long-time employee of the Northern States Power Co. in St. Croix County was electrocuted Nov. 8 about 2:30 p.m.

The victim was Ernest Amundson, 57, New Richmond, who was felled after making contact with a live wire, which sent 720 volts through his body…he had been working for the firm for 35 years.

Nov. 10, 1966

NERIKE HILL Locals Sunday visitors of Melvin Anderson’s were Mrs. Richard Martin of Circle Plain, Minn. and Mrs. Gloria Olson and Timmie of Lund.

The Lyle Andersons spent Sat. Eve. with the Melford Larsons in observation of Cindy’s fifth birthday.

Rolland Johnson of Nelson visited Melvin Anderson’s Mon.

Sun. Guests of H. F. Anderson’s were the James Anderson family of Mpls. And Doris Anderson of St. Paul.

Eugene Bock was a guest of F. Rays of River Falls Saturday.

70 years ago THE RIVER FALLS JOURNAL Nov. 22, 1951 RIVER FALLS BOY NOW WITH ARMY IN KOREA Robert K. Dubois, who was employed near River Falls before leaving for service in the Army is now in Korea. His address is: Pvt. Robert K. Dubois…Co. K…, Third Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division…c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif.

Nov. 15,1951 Welcome, Strangers Born at St. Barnabas Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn. on Friday Nov. 9, 1951, to Dr. And Mrs. A. J. Leemhuis, a son.

Born, at the City Hospital, on Friday, Nov. 9, 1951, to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tyler, a daughter, Judith.

Born, at the City Hospital, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 1951 to Mr. and Mrs. John Clark, a daughter, Kay.

Born, at the City Hospital on Monday, Nov. 12, 1951, to Mr.s and Mrs. Alfred Soli, a daughter.

Born at the City Hospital, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 1951, to Mrs. and Mrs. Robert Johnson, a son.

85 years ago ELLSWORTH RECORD Nov. 5, 1936 Roosevelt Again Elected President In Landslide Kjelstad, Sheriff; Swanson, Assembly, Waller, District Atty., Thoreson, Clerk White Beats Hunt for State Senator; Phil Governor, Carries Ticket With Him County Casts Its Largest Vote All Records Broken in Pierce County Tuesday When 9,200 Votes Were Cast at General Election, 1,200 More Than Previous High 115 years ago RIVER FALLS JOURNAL Oct. 25, 1906 BIG RIVER Locals Jay Winn spent Sunday here.

James Boals was a recent caller here.

Several of the young people of this place attended the social at the Glass Valley school house and all report a good time.

126 years ago THE WEEKLY PRESS Maiden Rock, Wisconsin Oct. 30, 1895 SCHOOL REPORT School District No. 5: term ending Oct. 25, 1895. Days taught: 40. Total enrollment: 38. Average attendance 37 1/2. Names of pupils neither absent nor tardy are: John, Carrie, Annie, and Maud Johnson; Emil and Alfred Larson; Minnie, Joe and Chas. Townsend; Alice Sterrett, Roy Peterson and Addie Howe.

G. E. Brasington, Teacher Brasington, Wis. LOCAL AND OTHERWISE Elmer Walsingham and C. W. Carpenter, are owners of a fine ice boat.

A 12-pound boy was born and Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Todd, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1895.

The school house in the Warren town district, has been undergoing repairs.

The WEEKLY PRESS and the Farm News, both for one year for only $1.25 in advance.

There were no trains Monday afternoon, on account of three box cars being ditched near Bay City.

160 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL Nov. 13, 1861 The building of sidewalks in the city is progressing very fairly. A good thing to do.

A general freeze is predicted by those “who ought to know,” to take place the last of this week. We shall see.

Our first snow storm came off last Saturday, but like many other good things, did not last long.

Nov. 6, 1861

The union of lakes—the union of lands—the union of States none can sever—The union of hearts—the union of hands—And the Flag of our Union forever. – Morris.

Election Returns come in: place names emerge!

Prescott, 1st and 2nd Ward, River Falls, Pleasant Valley (now known collectively as Maiden Rock, Union, and Salem), Trenton, Diamond Bluff, Perry (Ellsworth in 1862), Isabel, Martel, Oak Grove.