News From This Week’s Past: Nov. 22 – 30

All items are from the Door County Library’s newspaper archives, and they appear in the same form as they were first published, including misspellings and grammatical errors.

The Expositor,

November 21, 1873

A Mathematical Problem – The Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Canal company have received 50,000 acres, or one fourth of their land grant, in one year, and have dug into the sand during the season just closed, the distance of 150 feet, or 3 feet for every thousand acres received. At this rate of “energetically pushing this great national work,” and with one mile and a quarter more to dig, how many years will it take to complete it?

The Weekly Expositor Independent,

November 25, 1881

A Canal Finished. – The canal authorities having received official notice from Gov. Smith that Capt. John Nader had been appointed by the State to inspect the canal, the Hon. Jesse Spalding, president, Gen. Wm. E. Strong, secretary and treasurer, and Captain Casgrain, Chief Engineer, accompanied by Capt. Nader, a Chicago Times reporter, and a number of our leading citizens, made a tour of inspection to the canal last Tuesday. The brief inspection seemed to fully meet the expectations of all the party. The Canal Company treated the entire party to a dinner at the Exchange, prepared by the landlady, Mrs. S.N. Bacon, with a skill second to none. Appropriate remarks were made, referring with much pride and gratification to the inception, history and final completion of the great work.

The Republican,

November 24, 1892

Dedication of the New Catholic School.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29th, the institute now building near S.S. Peter and Paul church, Sevastopol, will be solemnly dedicated by the Rt. Rev. bishop of Green Bay, who will be assisted by a numerous clergy, if the elements are at all favorable. Services are to begin at 9:30 o’clock a.m., after which a free dinner will be served in the spacious school room of the institute. Instead of the usual collection in the church, a collection will be taken up after dinner, for the Benedictine Sisters, who are to teach in the institute. In the afternoon the children of St. Joseph church, Sturgeon Bay, will give an entertainment, for which an admission fee of 25 cents will be charged.

Door County Democrat,

November 25, 1905

The proposition for an electric railroad to the northern end of the county has been generally discussed since Mr. Becker, of Milwaukee, outlined his plan of building such a road. The sentiment is universally in favor of such a road, and every one should take enough interest in the project to keep the matter before the public, and help to secure the long felt want.

Door County Democrat,

November 23, 1917

MEIKLE ENJOYS BIG BUSINESS

Factory Turned Down by Sturgeon Bay Doubles Its Output at Springfield.

A recent issue of the News-Record of Springfield, Ill., contained a news item of interest to Sturgeon Bay people. It was to the effect that the George Meikle factory, making automobile accessories and automobile parts is just able to keep up with its orders working at full capacity with the $7,000 addition to the factory constructed this past summer. The 1918 output of the factory will double that of 1917.

Mr. Meikle was a former resident of Sturgeon Bay and before moving to Springfield and entering business he made a proposition to the people of this city, similar to the one that he later made to the Springfield people. Sturgeon Bay turned him down. Springfield is now enjoying the prosperity of the Meikle factory, amounting to a large pay roll which is being increased from time to time.

Door County News,

November 22, 1928

GIBRALTAR HALL TO BE OPENED TUESDAY

Seven-Act Vaudeville to Be Given

FISH CREEK–The Town of Gibraltar will open up its new town hall Tuesday, Nov. 27, with a 7-act vaudeville show under the auspices of the building committee. Some of Door County’s best talent will appear at this opening performance, among whom will be Frank G. Blakefield with his banjo, Joe Duclon will entertain with one of his dancing features, and those who saw his performance at Ellison Bay last winter will be sure of another treat if they come.

The one-act feature of the evening will star Mrs. Frank G. Blakefield, an actress of unusual talent and ability. Those who saw last year’s Woodman minstrels will need no introduction to the gentlemen in the black-face skit. They are M.R. Thorp and Wm. L. Bonville. Ikey has several new specialties including a pair of wonderful trained fleas and a ventriloquist stunt which will be sure to please.

The new hall represents about all that could be desired in the way of facilities for community entertainment. The kitchen is now being equipped for the community venison supper which will take place in the early part of December. A large and smoother dance floor has been provided, and the usual run of good times is expected this winter.

Door County News,

November 25, 1938

FINAL PAPERS GRANTED TO SIX RESIDENTS

Six Door county residents were granted their final citizenship papers Thursday by Circuit Judge Henry Graases of Green Bay when he visited Sturgeon Bay especially for that purpose.

Those to receive papers were Mrs. Ida Johnson, Sturgeon Bay, Rt. 5; August Schroeder, Sturgeon Bay, Rt. 5; Bernard Tanck, Egg Harbor; and Robert Christenson, Bernard Gjerde, and Joseph King, all residents of Sturgeon Bay.

There are on file in the clerk’s office here slightly over 1600 records of citizenship at the present time, which show that among the first to be granted papers were Nicolas Amberst, on Oct. 27, 1856, and Richard Ash in 1860.