26 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Feb. 22, 1996 Quote of the Week: “Most communities do exactly the wrong thing in these situations. They apologize.” Mike Jones, Green County, Wisconsin community resource agent on how to deal with downtown road construction Malone to host Eriko Okamoto of Komaki city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Okamoto was coming as part of the Sowing Together for Earthly Peace (S.T.E.P.) Program.

Journal wins state award for creative use of clip art.

Darlene Metzler named new Prescott Chamber of Commerce coordinator 1995 taxes collected in state of Wisconsin total $39.2 billion

40 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Feb. 25, 1982 Ronald Clay convicted and sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife Lila in River Falls. Defense had contended that the .410 shotgun used had discharged accidentally while cleaning a closet in the family room. Clay’s story was contradicted by another family member present at the home when shooting occurred. “because of the contradictions the defendant has tangled himself in a big lie,” Pierce County District Attorney Michael Rajek said in closing arguments.

Jayson Drake awarded rank of Eagle Scout, the first Scout in Prescott’s 50-year scouting history to obtain the top honor.

Young people talk on alcohol and drug abuse at Prescott high school.

Reverend Gary Stillwell of St. John’s United Church of Christ gives Lenten reflection noting martial law in Poland and Western sanctions. “We are the sometimes appalled, sometimes concerned, sometimes apathetic onlookers of another case of large-scale human suffering,” he writes. Contrasted with this is the example of Jesus, who did not flee suffering but instead became so involved in confronting injustice that he was crucified for it, the reverend says.

55 years ago PIERCE COUNTY JOURNAL Feb. 23, 1967 Gary A. Earney of Ellsworth listed to the fall term honor roll at Oregon State University. He was listed to the School of Foresters.

The Mariners take second in a battle of the bands contest at the River Falls Roller Rink. Members of the rock and roll group are Barry Helmueller on lead guitar; Ronnie Hines on chord organ; Tom Glass on drums, and Kevin Helmueller on rhythm guitar. Judgement made on musical talent, showmanship, appearance, and audience appeal. Prize money was $25 ($212.36 today, after inflation).

Mrs. Winifred Doyle honored for 23 years of service to Pierce-Pepin Electric Co-op “by 78 associates, board members, and friends.”

70 years ago THE RIVER FALLS JOURNAL Feb. 21, 1952 Leonard Madison rescues five-year-old Edward Groom from the Kinnickinnic River after the ice gives way under Groom.

Methodist Men form Charter Organizations River Falls group chartered by Methodism’s General Board of Lay Activities in Chicago. Estimated that 2,000,000 men in Methodist Church are prospective members of such groups P.T.A. Gives up meeting to allow for class play to go on.

Please Write Mary Helen Jones, would like to have her little friends write to her. Address Miss Mary Helen Jones, c/o Capt. Grant S. Jones, (military address), New York.

Rifle Club News Bruce Erickson 95 – 95 Bill Feyereisen 95 – 94 LeRoy Armbruster 89 – 95 – 89 G. Kulstad 89 – 90 Frank Deal 90 – 86 Harry Deal 88 – 82 Lyle Larkins 87 – 78 Nolan Kusilek 87 Geo. Wendlick 85 – 85 Robert Johnson 82 – 71 Bill Engel 81 Bob Wendrowitz 79 – 75 – 78 Jack Helmer 78 Gene Brown 77 85 years ago ELLSWORTH RECORD Feb. 25, 1937 Rev. A. H. Ziechel, a former pastor of the Hartland and Ellsworth Presbyterian churches, dies aged 74 and has a funeral held under the Capitol Dome (per the report of assemblyman Theodore Swanson).

The Hager overhead, when constructed, is reported to have cost $62,013.60, “of which the Burlington railroad paid $15,000.”

140 years ago PIERCE COUNTY PLAINDEALER Prescott, Wisconsin Feb. 17, 1882 On the murderer of James Garfield: Guiteau’s brother John says the assassin will be dead before the day of execution.

Stanley, the explorer, has not been heard from for two years. He is somewhere in the interior of Africa.

Bric-A-Brac Edited by the pupils of the Prescott graded school.

The ice on the river is considered unsafe. The Acme library of modern classics is good. Read it.

The amusements seem to be wading mud, falling into dirty water and getting splashed.

Feb. 25, 1882 Bric-A-Brac Edited by the pupils of the Prescott graded school.

Cold once more. A little snow. Good. Historical sketches of Pierce County are being furnished by J. T. Bedall, of Trimbelle, to the River Falls Press.

160 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL Motto: “Let All the Ends Thou aims’t at be thy Country’s, thy God’s, and Truth’s.” E Pluribus Unum Feb. 19, 1862 The News The long and impatiently looked for news has at last arrived, and like many other good things, comes in a heap. Since our last issue, there have (has) been a series of union victories, and the strong arm of our government is being severely felt by the rebels. Roanoke Island and Fort Henry have been taken, Bowling Green and Springfield evacuated and lastly the great victory at Fort Donelson. We look for a united forward movement of all the federal (meaning “government”) forces, and a rapid narrowing of the limits of Secessionism. May these be but the forerunners of still greater victories to come.

Persons are stated to be going through Ireland swearing young men into a secret “brotherhood.” The oaths are of a most treasonable character, in an English point of view, but national in the Irish sense.

From a POW camp: A letter from Col. Wilcox states that himself and other prisoners at Columbia, S. C., are in good health, and that their condition has been rendered comfortable, but the clothing received from the United States authorities.

The confederate batteries on the Potomac still fire at the passing vessels, but have not done any damage.

A Mass Temperance Convention for the Temperance Reform sweeping the land is stated to be planned for the St. Croix Valley at the River Falls Congregational Church.