davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-02-24
Jumps i'm Front OF Train

A cripple whose name was not
learned by the police recently at
tented to end his life by jumping
in front of the northbound train as
it vas leaving the Tonopah depot.
The engineer saw the man in time
to stop the train before it hit him.
When arrested the cripple said it
was not his intention to end his
life, but that he was attempting to
beat his way out of town on the
cowcatcher. The man was in Gold
field but a short time G and left
here for Tonopah.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
RAILROAD ROADMASTER
ON THE WESTERN CONTINENT

In point of service Frank H. Buff
meier of Watertown is the Oldest rail-
road roadmaster in the United States
or Canada, or for that matter on the
western continent, and he is still an
active and valued employee of the Chi
cagO, Milwaukee & st. Paul Railroad
company, attending to the duties of
the position Of roadmaster on the east
end Of the La Crosse division of the
road
Beginning as water boy when Is
years old and later as section hand,
section foreman and roadmasters his
time on one road encompasses more
than half century and he is still
hale and hearty at the age of .6S years
with virility and aptitude for work
seldom seen in men much younger.
Attends Convention.
Mr.. Buffmeier last week attended
the International Convention Of Rail-
road Roadmasters held in Chicago at
which 800 members were present, and
it was there discovered that Mr. Buff
meier was the oldest official in point
of service at the convention and in
fact the oldest in point of service in
the whole country, a total of So years
He began work as water boy for the
Milwaukee road when Is years old and
was paid 621a cents day, his first
work being at Oakdale, then called
Leroy, west of Camp Douglas. That
was in 1864. He was born April 10,
1S49, at Heath's Mill, in the town of
Sullivan. After serving as a water
boy he work as section hand several
years at Oakdale and then as section
foreman, and was appointed roadmas-
ter of the Wisconsin Valley division in
1888, serving there three years when
he was transferred as roadmaster of
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26

the west end Of the La Crosse division
with headquarters at La Crosse. He
was appointed roadmaster of the east
end of the division in December, 1891,
with headquarters at WATERFOWL
Plenty To Look After.
Mr.. Buffmeier has plenty to look
after. His territory is from Milwaukee
to Portage, Watertown to Madison and
from Madison to Portage, a total of
26S miles of track, with a working
force of 321 men, which is considerably
augmented when the work trains are
put on during the summer.
Are Many Changes.
Since coming to this city many
changes have taken place, grades have
been changed, a double track built
and many new sidewalks put in, some
of which are 5000 feet in length where
formerly they were 1900 and held 80
car trains. Now many of them hold 100
car trains with the length of the cars
almost doubled in size Chain iron
rails SO pounds to the yard have been
replaced by 100 pound rails and tama-
rack ties whose life was six years
have been replaced by treated oak
ties whose average life is thirteen
years.
Man of Family.
Mr.. Buffmeier is a man of family
and resides with his wife in a cosy
home at 1011 Ninth street. He is the
father of two daughters and three
sons. He is member of the Interna-
tional Roadmastery association and
Association Of Milwaukee Road Road
masters. He is charter member OF
the Modern Woodmen lodge and Ma
sonic lodge at Camp Douglas and a
member of Olivet Commandery No. Is
K. T., of Watertown
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
FRENCH OFFICER AIDED
BY WATERFOWL SURGEON

Fort Sheridan, ILL.,, Sept 25-It has
remained for Watertown surgeon to
restore to Capt. George E. Bertrand,
of the Sixth battalion, Alpine Chas-
seurs, the use of his right arm, which
was shattered in front of Verdun
Capt. Bertrand's arm has been help
less. DR.. Ralph E. Kaysen of Water
town, captain of the medical corps,
performed the operation.
Dr. Kaysen said Tuesday night:
Capt. Bertrand was wounded in the
trenches in front of Verdun two years
ago. He was hit by rifle ball in the
upper right arm. 1t shattered the bone
of the right arm and passed through
the shoulder blade on the same side.
"Since that time there has been
what we call sinus, an evidence that
the condition was not perfectly nor
NAL in the arm. Pus was DISCHARGED
all the time. l made an X-ray exam
inatiOn and found that there were
loose pieces Of bone at the site of the
old injury. / recommended that the
captain have an operation, which was
performed on Tuesday"
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
WAR LIBRARY FUND NOW
TOTALS sum OF S135

The war library fund campaign
which was started here a week ago, is
being rapidly pushed in order that
Watertown's quota, $3.50 Of the ST.
100000 to be secured throughout the
United States will be secured before
the allotted time expires So far the
sum of s135 has been signed
The collection that was taken up
after each mass at St Demands Cath
Ole church on Sunday morning netted
the sum of s25.43. So far none of the
team workers have reported and the
result so far to date is the amount Sc
cured by the staff of the public Ii
brary
That subscriptions to this worthy
cause will come in faster during the
latter part of the week is the wish of
Miss Little, who has charge of the
work. 1t is a worthy cause and de-
serves the support of every loyal citi-
zen. : Many corporations, business
houses and individuals have donated
to the cause. but there still remain
great many who have not as yer given
anything toward the fund, and they
are requested to donate to this worthy
cause
The mite boxes which have been
placed about town for the purpose Of
helping along the cause have been a
great factor in raising the sum to
what it now is and several large do
nations have been placed in them.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
FOOTBALL

The high school team scrimmaged
with Northwestern Tuesday evening
on the college campus. Coach Kowal-
Ike is satisfied with the showing made
by his squad. The college team will
practice every evening hereafter, as
new plays have to be tried out to see
if the men fully understand them.
There is lot of promising material in
the second squad who may be eligible
for the first team before long.
Northwestern's first schedule game
is for October with Beloit at Beloit.
The first home game will be with Mil
waukee Normal on October 10.
According to Coach Kowalke the
schedule SO far this year is a good
one but increasing difficulty is being
experienced in booking games as a
great many Wisconsin schools are
abandoning football entirely.
The team will run lighter this year
than last year outweighed the locals
and unless the other elevens are much
lighter they will be much more heav-
Ter than the college bunch
Here is the way the lineup looks to
the coach at present:
Center-Matzke
Guards-Leisener, Sievert, Tackle.
Tackles-Kuske, capt, Falk, Beyl
Ends-Timmel, Wacker, Uetzmann
Right Half-Duxe
arterback-Lange.
Fulback-Zeisler.
Tackle, Beyl and Timmel are trying
out for one of the back positions. Hen
ming has returned to school and will
probably play on the team this year
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
THE DEATH ROLL

Miss Anna Herzog entered into
eternal rest on Tuesday at the home
of her aunt, Mrs. Catherine Peirick,
Oconomowoc avenue. She was daugh-
ter of the late Mr. and Mrs. GOttlieb
Herzog and was born February 5,
1868, and had made her home with
her aunt since the death of her mother
Pneumonia was the cause of death
The funeral will take place on Thurs
day morning to st. Henry's church
where services will be held at 9
o'clock
The death of Mr.. Friedrich Toebe
took place Tuesday afternoon in the
family home in the town of Emmett
He was born in Germany October Is,
1849 and is survived by his widow and
one son, Otto Toebe, Emmett. He has
resided in Emmett since 1903. The
funeral will take place on Friday at
1:3O o'clock from the late residence
Services will be held in ST. Marks
Lutheran church at 2 o'clock
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
DRY,,G0oDs EMPORIUM
OPENED TO PUBLIC
TUESDAY EVENING

The new dry goods emporium of
Charles Fischer & Sons company in
the Masonic temple was formally open
ed to the public ON Tuesday evening
at 1880 o'clock, and for two hours a
large concourse of people passed
through the doors and inspected the
new store and its fine appointments.
The interior was prettily decorated,
fall foliage and natural flowers being
used in profusion, adding warmth to
the welcome accorded the guests by
the members of the firm and the sales
people employed, while the Weber
Stube orchestra rendered some fine
musical selections. Each lady guest
was presented with flower as a SOU
venir of the occasion, while the gen.
tlemen were served with cigars.
Practically all the fixtures are new
and were obtained to suit the needs of
the present building Those articles
which are light and fragile are kept in
dust proof wardrobes. The women's
coat and suit section is equipped with
light and dust proof cabinets, which
hand. All goods are kept on the first
floor with the exception of mems fur
nlshings, carpet and curtain depart
ments, which are located in the base
ment.
1t is a perfect daylight store, semi
direct light being used which bright
ems UP without leaving a glare The
main idea has been to condelse every
thing into units SO that service may
/, be rendered.
The location is one of the most CEN
trail i'll the city, and the firm has the
reputation for carrying line of
goods that will meet the needs of all
classes OF people. Their many years of
business dealings in Watertown is an
assurance that in their new place of
business they will meet with the sue
cess they abundantly deserve.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26

Mr. Buffmeier is probably one Of the
best known and most popular railroad
men on the La Crosse division of the
road. He is affable and always on the
best of terms with his men while ex-
acting the work that is necessary for
the best track equipment that can be
secured. He has faculty for making
and retaining friendships and thus it
is that his friends are legion all along
the line where Buff" as he is famil-
iarly called, is we'll known. A rough
exterior covers a warm and kindly ma
ture, best known by the men who have
been close to him in the years that
have flown since he received his first
check as a railroad water boy.
Early Day RaiIrOading.
In speaking Of his experiences in
early day railroading, Mr.. Buffmeier
says: 1.-THE section crew on which I
was employed was located at Camp
Douglas, Wisconsin. Some of the crew
had a thirty-day credit option with a
merchant at Tomah and others enjoy
ed the same favor with merchants at
New Lisbon. To provision our house
holds we had to make one trip a week
by hand car to Tomah and one to New
Lisbon, but we generally managed to
pump the car one way only, and that
when our car carried only the crew.
After our purchase of supplies were
made they were loaded on the hand
car and on the return trip from Tomah
we hitched the brake staff of the rear
coach on No. 2 with a rope looped so
as to enable us to make quick de-
tachment when we wished to let go on
nearing the car house at Camp Doug
las. The same practice was followed
on return trip out of New Lisbon by
letting train No.. haul the car, crew
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
PRIVATE A. ". KRUGER
WRITES FROM CAMP
TO FRIENDS AT HOME

George r. Henke, letter carrier, is in
receipt Of the following letter from
Private A. w. Kruger, former letter
carrier, now with Battery B, 331st
Field artillery, at Camp Grant, near
Rockford:
Sunday, and nothing to do but write
letters and enjoy myself in any way
care to. All we have to do today is
to report for reveille, mess and re-
treat. Sunday mornings we may sleep
until rs; other days 5:45 and at p.
M, lights out I like the life as far as
went. We have plain food but good,
and enough. The only thing that both
ers little is that some nights it gets
pretty cool and we have only two
blankets. You ought to see us all line
up for meals and afterward wash and
clean our dishes. Saturday afternoon
some of us washed our towels and
socks; you learn everything here.
did not have to work in the kitchen yet
nor take care of quarters, but we all
get chance at it.
Friday morning we had physical
exam; was vaccinated on the left arm
and got shot in the back about at the
right shoulder blade. In the afternoon
our officer took us out for signal prac-
tice, but our right arm was so sore
could not get it up. Most of us are all
right now, but soon we'll get another
dose.
We drill in sections of 16 men and a
corporal, and our cots are arranged
the same way. There are nine sections
in this building. Saturday morning
we got our uniforms, but not complete
got everything but shoes, so I'm
quite a soldier now. Some got no leg
gings, some no coats and others no
trousers, but we'll all be fixed up in a
few days and then we can start in
right
This is some camp. Big buildings
and little buildings, power houses
warehouses as far as you can see and
not nearly complete. Wherever you
look you see men drilling and every
day more men arrive. / have not seen
VSIy muCI VI Tic Cdup yOC OuL CApCSt
to see quite a bit Of it today. This
morning l went over to the stables
and looked at the horses; lots of them
here. While there the switch engine
backed in and they unloaded several
carloads. You can't imagine what it is
like until you see it yourself.
This will be all for this time and
l. Ill ho ~
health and not working too hard
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26

and provisions, thus saving the men
the laborious task of pumping the
loaded car.
We encountered many difficulties in
the days when the railroad was in its
infancy. We suffered some hardships
and many inconvenience; we worked
hard, but were young and in good
health and worried but little, and our
associations with our fellow-men were
pleasing and satisfactory, though our
means of living were of the primitive
order"
In recent sketch of early days on
the La Crosse division, Mr.. Buffmeier
says:
1.-The track was laid with 45-pound
chair iron fastened to hemlock and
tamarack ties, with three and one
half inch spikes We had very few
broken rails in that day, but they
would wear easily by becoming bat
tered at the ends.
Battered and useless rails were
shipped to NJ G. Daniels, foreman OF
the rail mill at WATERFOWL Junction
where they were either cut off, spliced
or the ends squared and returned to
the section received from. Each Sec
ton carried an emergency of IL rails
and if it became necessary to use all
the emergency rails for repairs, before
return of shipment from the rail mill
was received and there was still a
bad rail to be replaced, temporary
repairs were made by fitting in a
piece of wooden rail made from dry
hickory.
All section hand cars at that time
carried as part Of their equipment q
bucksaw and a select piece of hickory
timber, out of which to cut an emer.
gency rail.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
MRS. CHRISTINA OHM
PIONEER RESIDENT
HALE AT SO YEARS

Enjoying good health and able to
read without glasses and other facult-
les active, are the blessings vouch-
safed Mrs. Christina Ohm, who is near
ing "a years of age. She resides with
her son, Herman Ohm, near Ebenezer
at what was once called Ohm's Mill.
Mrs. Ohm is native of Saxony, Ger
many, where she was born January 25,
1925. When young woman Of 81 she
came to this country, the same ship
carrying her future husband, Henry
Ohm, to whom she was married short
ly after their arrival in this country.
Her husband died twenty-three years
ago, since which time she has made
her home with her children in this
city and in the country. After their
marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Ohm settled
at Heath's Mill near Sullivan, and
came to the vicinity of Ebenezer in
1856. She was the mother of twelve
children, three of whom are living:
Henry Ohm, Pipersville, Herman Ohm
Ebenezer, Ernst Ohm, Watertown
There are twenty-four grandchildren
and eighteen great grandchildren liv-
ing.
Mrs. Ohm's advent to Jefferson
county was contemporary with that of
the railroad and the country was but
little better than wilderness, but she
has been spared to see it blossom like
a rose and be converted into land
flowing with milk and honey Mrs.
Ohm was lifelong member of the
Moravian church at Ebenezer and is a
woman greatly esteemed and respect
ed in this community, and her many
| friends hope that her life and health
will be spared so that she may round
out century of a life we'll spent.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
REDUCES DRAFT QUOTA
FOR DEPARTURE OCT. ;

day received telegram from Provost
Gen. Crowder at Washington notifying
him that 20 per cent. instead of 40 per
cent. of the drafted men Of Wisconsin
would be required to go to camp on
October g. Incompleteness of the can
tonments at Battle Creek, Mich, and
Rockford, ILL.,, was given as the reason
for reducing the percentage. All of
the men required to report on October
8 will be sent to Rockford
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
ATTENDING CONVENTION.
League of Wisconsin municipalities
In Session At Racine.

The nineteenth annual convention of
the League Of Wisconsin Municipali-
ties began a three days session at
Racine today The convention will be
addressed by Ex-President Theodore
Roosevelt and Governor E. l.. Philip
Those from Watertown in attendance
today are Mayor Charles Mulberger,
City Clerk F. S. Weber, City Attorney
e. F. Wieman, President of the Coun-
ell w F. GruetZmacher
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
Read the News.
Odor.

Any substance that will not dissolve
In water has an odor 1t is the actual
substance itself, floating in particles
In the air, as In the case Of light and
sound. The damper a thing Is the
more powerful the odor it gives Off A
pleasant proof of the fact can be had
by walking in a garden after rain. 1t
Is the vapOr of liquid that smells and
not the liquid in the mass itself.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
Some Angler, This.

While trolling the waters of Rock
lake on Sunday, A. F. Baumann of
this city ran into twelve pound
pickerel which he landed safely. The
three in the party made a catch of
twenty-one fish, all of good quality,
and think there is no place like Lake
Mills for this class of sport.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
SMALL FAVORS, ETC.
Editor Receives Present of Choice
Hubbard Squash.

Despite the high cost of living, the
editor of this great family journal
partook Of delicious hubbard squash
at dinner today. 1t was made possible
by the kindness of Paul Volkmann,
one of the progressive farmers of this
section, who left one on our doorsill
while we were absent, with his COM
pliments.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
Harlow Robinson in Service.

John Robinson is in receipt of in
from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to
the effect that his grandson, Harlow
is with Uncle Sans troops
on the Atlantic seaboard. He is a son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Robinson,
former residents of Watertown.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
Instructor In Army.

j. Tracy Hale, Jr., first lieutenant in
Co. E, Fifth Wisconsin regiment, has
been detached from the regiment to
take the position of special instructor.
He left for the south this morning.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
FIREMEN ATTENTION,
Asked To Meet At City Hall On Sun
day Morning.

Members of the Watertown fire de-
partment are asked to meet at the city
hall on next Sunday morning at $50
o'clock All members should be pres
ent at that hour
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
Draper Hall Cottage Burns.

The Draper Hall cottage, adjacent
to the hotel property at Oconomowoc
was destroyed by fire Monday. The
loss is about $4,000.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
THE WEATHER

For Watertown and vicinity-Part-
ly cloudy tonight and Thursday, prob
ably showers. Cooler. Coolest during
last night 81; warmest today 76
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26

Oysters served in any style at
Mig Preusse's cafe. Also sold by
pint or quart. 26-3t
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-26
E. 9. EDW Yards
IXONIA, WIS.
J. G. Draeger
Electrical Contractor
PHONE NO. 493-W

We Take Care of Everything in the
Electrical Line-Repair all Kinds of
Electric Apprenticeship and New
House Wiring-Prompt Service Ever.
Office-1N N. THIRD ST-WatertOwn
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-16

Mrs Sarah Lemley and Mrs David Har-
mon, Oakland avenue, spent Wednesday
guests of Mrs. John Hester, Kellam ave
nue..
Mrs Henry Lang entertained with
miscellaneous shower Thursday evening in
whose wedding to Mr.. Nathan Spence of
Chicago, will take place the latter part of
March. The color scheme, pink and white
was carried out in the decorations thruout
the rooms. The guests We're: Miss Lud-
ington, Miss Myrna Orner. Miss Blanche
Lambert, Mrs. Leona Taylor, Mrs. Myrtle
Hooper, Mrs. Hazel Mccall, Mrs. Victorena
Vogel, Mrs. l. NJ. Orner. Mrs. p. J. Berry
man of Chicago, Miss Nell Shehi and Miss
Ann Woodley.
The S. o. ID. H. club will be entertained
Wednesday evening by Miss Alice Linn
at her home, Scotland avenue
Mrs. 2. G. Bergman and children have
returned to their home in Chicago after
spending a few days visiting Mrs Berry
mans parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Luding-
ton.
Mr. and Mrs. f. A. Peters, Miss Myrna
Orner and Ira Orner motored to Kansas
City Wednesday to attend the automobile
show, returning Wednesday evening.
The Oakland Forestry club will give a
social evening next Friday at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. H. n. Oakley. The affair
will be given for the members and their
families.
It is expected that the street lights in
Oakland Will be ready for use the first of
next week.
c. E. Foster. Grattan street, is assist
ing in evangelistical services at the Pente-
costal church, in lola.
Miss Verna Barnard is a guest at the
c. Z. Foster home, Grattan avenue Miss
Barnard is missionary and is stationed
at Johannesburg, South Africa.