The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-11-13
Days of Long Ago
Brought to Mind

They were talking the matter over
one day in "Nig's" chilli emporium in
Third street about fishing forty years
ago or more when in dropped Ab. Krue-
ger, the daddy sportsmen of the town,
although Jumbo Keel wants to divide
honors. Kruger states that on one
occasion he went fishing through the
ice on the Crawfsh at Fred Hilker's
place. The latter was a good sports I
man, gone to his reward and cannot
vouch for the story. Sorley Jaehrling,
who is an adept with the rod and gun,
was callOw youth at that time and
asked permission of Alb Kruger to
go along on the fishing stunt He went,
and was SO earnest in his endeavor
that he agreed to stay in the ice cabin
until the owners went for lunch q
short distance away. Alb Kruger says
that he heard a commotion shortly
after and went to investigate The
door of the hut was torn from it's
hinges, the spear and tackle was gone
as was also Sorley. Taking a hasty
survey he espied Sorley in a nearby
ouoAA olO ONlOOuCAy Ill
state of mind. did them big pickerel
come and scare you" asked Kruger.
"Oh, no" was the response, "but when
shark jumps out Of the water, fol-
lowed by devil fish or the devil him.
self, then it's time to quit" The fact
as learned several years later, was
that a muskrat coming up for air"
n ha cd fch int
tried TO grab it. And Sorley left them
to fight it out among themselves.
One of the most affable gentlemen
OF the period of forty years ago or
more was Captain Jaehrling. For
many years he conducted g. buffet in
Watertown, and no matter where To-
Gated certain class of the better
trade, for quiet hour or two.
| followed him. He always had a pleas
ant word and a genial smile for ali
whom he met and was a great favor
lite with the older imbibers of that
period
The days have passed when one
could see line of farmers teams
blocking the streets adjacent to the
local Touring mills and the CHEEKY
voices OF the street buyers accosting
the owners and marking the tickets
which carried price for the day.
Among these buyers was Money"
Moore, who has long since been gath
cred to his fathers, who always had
/ To
little tots H. rs
| Then there was s. E. Randall, who
built the first big agricultural ware
house in the city, where Baumann's
candy store now is. In fact it was re-
modelled into the present structure
John Bird was the bookkeeper and
Tim Driscoll and Frank Driscoll we're
among the statesmen. Further I'D the
street in the Dennis block John w.
Canes, still living, conducted a music
store and sold pianos and organs
| through the country. A familiar figure
about the store was G. S. Hawley.
music teacher and singer of consider
aple local fame. For many years
he boarded" at the old Van Alstyne
House, where the Merchants National
Bank now stands, portion of which
was purchased by P. J. Euper and is
still doing duty as a hotel at the
corner of First and Milwaukee streets.
Peter Martch was a familiar figure
in those days, a portrait painter and
| q nh
him that he painted a likeness for
James McHugh, an early day printer.
and the latter always claimed it re-
sembled any one else better than it
did himself.
Joseph Giles was one of the early
day police officers in Watertown. He
was sheriff of Jefferson county many
years ago, deputy sheriff, constable, in
fact held office most all his life in
WATERFOWL. Joe was always able to
manage the tough boys who came to
town on the old Plank road in the
days OF the oxen, but one John McGraiI
whose father was an early day shoe
maker, gave him no end of trouble
Joe was hot on pursuit one day. but
McGrail saw him behind in pursuit
and Rock river in front of him. He
never hesitated, but took to the water
and swan to the other shore and
safety. Sheriff Giles was great friend
OF the Indian, who were plentiful here
at an early day. and could speak their
language. He was an inveterate to-
bacco chewer and was never seen
without quid of finecut. He has been
gathered to his fathers many moons
ago.
only few of the older ones remem-
Der Jack" Burns, who resided in the
northeast portion of the city forty
years ago or more, but in his day he |
mad the reputation of being one of the
best COW and horse doctors in this
section. The knowledge he had was
self acquired, as he never got near
veterinary school, but Jack was al
ways called when neighbor had an
animal with stubborn case of collie
or some other disease, and he gener-
ally brought the animal out O. K. His
recompense was whatever one wished |
to give and when the customer was a |
poor person like himself he never
would accent anvthinp HI Lo. 1o.~