Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-06-09

tanning to the welfare of their beautiful
little village 1t is owing to their
ability to all pull together on all oc-
casions that is making Athens what it
is-a progressive, growing town of
our county.
We cite few things which they have
done there: They went in together and
built an engine house, and organized
volunteer fire department. They pur-
chased the hand engine that did such
splendid service in Wausau for
many years. 1t was the pleasure of
ye editor to go through the engine
house with Messrs. Geo. Sutter and
Rred Damon and the old engine, as it
stood there, looked as good as when it
was first laid down in Wausau, some
thirty years ago. 1t brought back to
memory many pleasant events, as well
as those which were saddening. Many
of the hands that helped work it in
those early days are now cold in death
and those who were the young men
then yourselves among the rest who
helped 10 manipulate the machine, are
beginning to show the wrinkled brow
and silver threads"
pulled their coats and each put in his
time in beautifying the public square,
and they will soon have a handsome
park right in the center of the business
district. In the center of the square is
flag staff Is feet high.
And now about fifteen or twenty have
banded together and are putting up an
opera house and general hall for amuse-
ment, at a cost of about So, 600. The
excavation for this building is already
completed and the lumber on the
ground, and there will he no cessation
of work until the buildings completed.
The opera house is located in hand
some park on the south part of the vii
lage, but easily accessible to all. The
building will be opened probably in the
fall at which time our people should
take an opportunity to go out.
They own their own telephone system
which is connected with the county
seat 1t gives excellent service and
has large number of subscribers.
The citizens are also putting in an
electric lighting plant with which to
light the streets, business places and
residences.
AS before stated, Athens is admirably
laid out; its streets wide and its lots,
50xl5O feet, making it possible to build
stables on the rear without crowding
upon the residences, an between lots
in each block are twenty-five foot al
lGys. In the center Of the business dis
trict is a public square and about it are
stores, bank, hotels, saloons and offices.
On Wednesday last, the occasion of the
meeting of the Western Guernsey
Breeders association, every business
place, public and private buildings
were artisLically decorated with flags
and bunting; large archway carrying
appropriate words of welcome, was
placed across the street at the north
east corner of the public square, and
every citizen of the village was out
helping to entertain the visitors. The
day could not have been more favor
able had it been made to order. A walk
through the residence part of the vii
lage showed cozy homes and many
costly residences surrounded by hand
some lawns, decked with bright flow
ers. The transformation during the
last decade has indeed, been wonderful
and almost magic.
The Abbottsford & North Eastern
r. r. runs into Athens from Abbotts-
ford on the Central road, distance of
eighteen miles This road was built
about fourteen years ago by f. Riet-
brock and has been operated by him
ever since. The Uphan Manufacturing
company has road north from Athens
over which to get out its timber, going
uid & N. K. r. r. and Wis. Central to
Marshfield. This road is opening up
new country, and which taps the lands
of the Rib River Lumber Co, and said
company is putting forth great efforts
to get in settlers, all of which will help
the trade of Athens
Athens has splendid schools, with
Mr.. McCabe as principal They have
fine modern brick building, with four
departments. 1t is state graded
school and has excellent grounds. The
people believe in having plenty of
room for schools as well as for parks.
There are four churches in the viii
lage: The church of the Holy Redeemer,
Roman Catholic, Rev Father o. f.
Muehlenkamp, priest. Two Lutheran,
with Revs w Knuf aud Paul Gehm,
pastors. Presbyterian, Rev. X. Knut
son, pastor.
The Alden Printing company has a
plant that would do credit to even the
county seat From this office the
Athens Record is published weekly. It's
a newsy, up to-date paper all published
at home. James M Alden is man
ager and Levy Williamson, editor A
very pleasant hour was spent in this
office
A brief mention of the principal in
dustrieS and institutions ot Athens will
give the reader better idea OF It's i'm
portance as trading center in our
county. Three saw mills, Rietbrock,
Land and Lumber Co.; Athens Mfg.
CO., NJ Braun d Sons H. Degner's
heading and stave factory; G. ID. Heath's
hoop factory; Ceres Roller mills, E.
Schlegel manager; Geo Kreutzer cream
cry company with skimmiDg stations
in the towns of Hamburg, Halsey, Bern
and Johnson.
The bank of Athens, with capital of
S25, 900. The report of this bank on
$50 5S0.76, the company owns its own
building in which is fire proof vault
and burglar proof safe. Its officers are
A L. Kreutzer, Pres; Ernst Z. Schlegel,
Viee-Pres; F A. Strupp, Cashier. Di-
rectors-H. e. Flieth, A. l.. Kreutzer,
G.. j. Winton, c. S. Gilbert, John H
Chesak, Geo. A. Kreutzer, Ernst E.
Schlegel
Among the principal places of busi-
ness are the following:
Geo. A. Krcutzer, general store.
Henry Degrer, hardware and furni-
ture.
Athens Farmers store.
Henry Kreatzer, general store