Kewaunee County & 168 Years of Pabst

Pabst Blue Ribbon beer meant sales at DeGuelle’s Liquor Store on 1st and Steele in Algoma and at local watering holes a generation and more ago. Pabst competed with Blatz, Miller’s, Schlitz, and others. Just about everybody has heard of Pabst Bue Ribbon, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous," but not everybody knows about the Pabst connection with Algoma, or Wolf River/Ahnepee* as it was. It’s a connection dating to 1856.

The Goodrich Line was organized in 1855 and headquartered in Manitowoc. A few years later, the fledgling Kewaunee Enterprize* told its readers that while other lines had side wheelers, Capt. Goodrich felt propellers were more adaptable in ice thus the future. His rickety old propeller Ogontz served lake shore communities before being sold and recalked in 1861, the year before his 158’ side-wheeled steamer Comet was put into lake shore service. Goodrich boats served Algoma into the 1920s.

But it was Goodrich's three-masted barkentine Cleveland that made its first appearance in Wolf River in 1856, thus forming the Pabst connection nearly 168 years ago. Its master was Prussian born, 20-year-old Capt. Frederick Pabst, and it was Pabst who took over as captain of the Comet in 1861. Fred was courting brewer Phillip Best's daughter, Maria, whom he met in 1860 and married two years later. Pabst was popular, and it was said he was "every inch a sailor" who always picked a German crew. The Enterprize told readers that the Comet was one of the best boats on the lake. Pabst began in the ranks as a cabin boy at 8 or 9 years old to beome the youngest lake captain of that time. Kewaunee County residents felt the courtship kept the young captain on schedule as he was alwasy eager to get to Milwaukee.

Capt. Pabst brought new settlers and freight to Kewaunee County, but he also brought the news. In a day before telegraphs on the Peninsula, news came via the boats. Following the firing on Fort Sumter, it was the Comet that brought the news to Kewaunee County. When ice prevented Capt. Pabst from getting around Two Rivers Point, he was forced to return to Two Rivers, however Kewaunee merchant Assemblyman W.S. Finley got off the boat to walk the six miles through the woods to Kewaunee, arriving about 10 PM.

Pabst and the Comet's officers were associated with Wolf River/Ahnepee events, as well as many others along the shore. The summer of 1861 found anxious citizens waiting for the Comet and the newsboys who came with it bringing Milwaukee newspapers informing readers about the war, Baltimore street fighting, the capture of Fort Pickens, and more.

When Kewaunee County had a “draft riot,” it was Capt. Pabst who sailed into town with Co. A. aboard. “Draft riot” sounds far worse than it was, but it did make a point. Drafting was not ethical. Those with money could purchase a disability or an exemption. There were language barriers and for some time, draft lists were not posted. It was predominantly Belgians who were being shafted, although today’s young would use a far stronger word! On Draft Day, Belgians armed with tree branches and pitchforks marched on Kewaunee to Draft Commissioner Finley’s store.

Finley heard the commotion, grabbed his draft box, and skedaddled to the harbor where a Goodrich steamer in port ready to cast off. Maybe he thought he’d be tarred and feathered to be ridden out of town on a rail like Lawyer Neff, but that’s another story. While Finley made the boat and fled to Milwaukee, he left his wife to deal with the angry men. Knowing the “rioters” had to be hungry and thirsty, Mrs. Finley opened barrels and boxes of food. Making their point, the Belgians went home without incident. Meanwhile, Capt. Pabst brought Finley back with Capt. Cunningham (another Kewaunee merchant) with Company A which marched around Kewaunee on the next draft day. Conscripting continued. Besides marching, Company A made a few raids into the countryside searching for delinquent conscripts and the so-called riot ended in Thanksgiving dinner and a future draft where names were pulled from a “hat” by an Appleton man who was certifiably blind.

When Capt. Pabst landed freight and passengers in early December 1861, the pier was covered with snow and ice. Icicles hanging from the steamer’s lines reminded folks winter was not to be trifled with. As Pabst and the Comet left, the Enterprize said they parted with regret and all looked forward to Spring. A week later Milwaukee News told readership that Capt. Pabst had taken command of the Milwaukee-Two Rivers route and planned to carry freight all winter. The News further reported that the Comet was neat, elegant, comfortable and the swiftest sailor on the lake. With Pabst in charge, winter should be one of profit and safety.

According to news, Pabst was in Milwaukee fitting out and renovating the Comet at the end of February 1862 in anticipation of an early spring. Manitowoc Herald wished fair winds and a prosperous season to the Comet which would make weekly trips to Kewwaunee and Ahnepee* The area was looking forward to Pabst and the Comet when the Enterprize reported it got a few coats of new paint for the opening of navigation “with the same genial officers who will always receive a warm welcome.” April 30 was certainly a red-letter day when the Comet came in with passengers and freight. Making daily trips from Milwaukee to Two Rivers, Pabst planned to make Kewaunee County ports on Saturday, known as “Steamboat Day” in Ahnepee, or Sunday.

Capt. Pabst contributed to area’s social life as he did its business. On July 30, 1862, the Enterprize described a pleasant day when a large party of leading citizens from Manitowoc and Two Rivers who came aboard the Comet accompanied by the Manitowoc Brass and Quadrille Band which offered entertainment for the trip. After a short stay at Kewaunee, the boat moved on to Ahnepee so folks were able take hurried looks at both communities. The many who  had never ventured north of Manitowoc County were favorably impressed with the prosperity of farming and business interests in the Kewaunee County wilderness. When the 27^th Regiment was under marching orders and were to leave Wisconsin via the Mississippi River in March 1863, it was Pabst who brought the news.

All good things come to an end and some sources indicate Capt. Pabst’s sailing days ended in December 1863 when he was beached north of Milwaukee during a lake storm. As a family man, the decision was a good one as Fred and Maria had 10 children in a dozen years. Five children survived. Although Fred Pabst was a sailor without brewing experience. he joined his brewer father-in-law who was in ill health. Two of three years later, Fred and his brother-in-law bought out the Best Brewery.

It was in 1844, two years before Milwaukee’s incorporation as a city, that one Phillip Best located in Milwaukee and established the Empire Brewery, also called Jacob Best & Sons Brewery as Phillip’s father Jacob, Sr., and brothers Jacob, Jr., Charles, and Lorenz were part of the company. Charles and Lorenz stepped back and their father retired in 1853. Phillip headed the company and was joined by his sons-in-law, Fred Pabst and Emil Schandein, husband of daughter Lisette. When Phillip retired in 1866 just after the close of the Civil War, Pabst took over.

By 1874 the company was the nation's leading beer producer, which it maintained until about 1900. Part of its growth was greatly affected by the Chicago Fire which was part of the same weather system causing a far greater catastrophe in Wisconsin, the Great Fire of 1871/the Peshtigo Fire. That fire presented new markets as Chicago breweries did not recover, so by 1874, Phillip Best's was the country's largest brewer. When Fred Pabst married Beer Baron Best's daughter, it started the beer dynasty. Ironically, in the years to come, Fred Pabst, Jr. married a Uihlein, and Uihlein was Schlitz beer.

Capt. Pabst was remembered in Ahnapee again early in 1890 when resident William Bie was named First Mate of a new steamship built at Wolf & Davidson's yard in Milwaukee. The new steamer was christened the Fred Pabst and was the largest and finest vessel afloat on the lakes. She was in commission and ready to go for the opening of navigation. The communities that had so much regard for Pabst felt Maria was much like her husband.

Peter Erichsen’s daughter, Anna, was employed by the Pabst family in Milwaukee when she traveled home for the holidays in 1894. When package came from the Express Office, Anna Erichsen found a package of rich and expensive dress goods’ articles. Inside the parcel was a beautiful ladies’ purse containing $25. According to an early February Record, the gift from Mrs. Pabst amounted to a value of about $100. It was Maria Pabst’s way of remembering her domestic who had endeared herself to the family “through the manifestation of zeal and kindness.” $100.00 in 1860 has the same buying power of a little over $3800.00 today.

Not all ran smoothly. Christmas Eve day 1891 changed things for Pabst beer and for other Milwaukee brewers. The International Brewers’ Union lifted a boycott of Milwaukee beer after a year. When Milwaukee brewers accepted an agreement to employ none but union workmen, they again went forward. Under Pabst’s leadership, the company won gold medals at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and at the 1878 Paris World’s Fair. Years later when the company began tying blue ribbons around the neck of its bottles to distinguish it from other beers, customers began asking for the blue-ribbon beer. After winning another blue ribbon at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, the name Pabst Blue Ribbon was born.

Milwaukee County history chronicles Frederick Pabst’s work beyond his captaincy and the brewery. The man who hired German crews when he could also sought to improve life for the city’s immigrants. Providing German books to the German immigrants via a traveling library, somewhat as bookmobiles would 60 or 70 years later, made an impact on his countrymen.

Prohibition did not stop the company which became among the largest breweries in the world. But by then, as in many stories, there was a twist. Fred and Maria’s son, Fred, jr. married Ida Charlotte Uihlein, daughter of August Uihlein. Why is that important? August Uihlein was the chair of Schlitz Brewing Co. which overtook Pabst to become the country’s largest brewer by 1902.

It was in 1923 when the Record Herald harkened back to the old days in an article informing citizens that it was the same Capt. Fred Pabst who adapted to the 18^th Amendment (Prohibition) with a new enterprise in farming. Though the name was the same, the entrepreneur was Fred Pabst, Jr. Fred, Sr. had died in 1904. Fred, Jr. affected farming technology and cheese manufacturing in Kewaunee County just as his father Capt. Fred affected transportation, the Civil War, and beer sixty years earlier.

Going from beer to dairy, Fred Pabst, Jr. contributed to building the dairy industry with impressive innovations. While there were those who felt farming was just a diversion of him, and one that would put others in the poor house, Pabst was pioneering in agriculture and making money.

Because of Pabst the younger, strides were made by demonstrating the value of cow testing, tuberculosis testing, and farm accounting. Pabst had not seen adequate financial returns from his herds when milk was shipped to Milwaukee or Chicago. With that, he built a cheese factory, used his own milk, and employed expert cheese makers and chemists to experiment with technology. Results were shared with the free world.

Pabst was almost an instant diary success and used the Milwaukee Pabst plant as his cheese factory. Within a year’s time, he purchased all the cheese he could buy in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, and then he bought another six million pounds for the largest amount of cheese purchased to that time, December 1923.

Fred Pabst, Jr. created a market for his cheese for which there was no market before. His beer made Milwaukee famous and his agricultural endeavors, said the Stanley Republican, “put the dairy industry  under great obligations to him.”

As early as December 28, 1916, the Congress of American Stockmen announced that Fred Pabst of Waukesha County was continuing as a director of the International Livestock Exposition. In May 1942, he was one of those named to represent Wisconsin breeders at the Holstein-Friesian Association at Minneapolis.

In November 1965, UW College of Agriculture’s Fred Pabst scholarship was awarded to Wayne Seifert of Luxemburg. Seifert was majoring in dairy science when the Record Herald carried the article.

As today’s residents toss back a cold one, there just could be a “relationship” that dates to the 1850s or ‘60s when Capt. Fred Pabst transported their ancestors to Kewaunee County. Area stores and bars sell Pabst Blue Ribbon ensuring that Capt. Fred’s legacy remains in social life and business pursuits across the county.

Notes: *Kewaunee Enterprize was renamed Enterprise in 1865. Ahnepee was the forerunner of Ahnapee which respelled its name in 1873 when it was chartered as a village. The place’s name was incorrectly spelled by the State and others and changed in an “if ya can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” spirit.

7/19/1895 Algoma Record Herald announced that Pabst was opening a beer depot in the city (then Ahnapee) in the leased basement of  Henry Grimm's Ahnapee House. Herman Bruemmer was in charge.

 Sources: Ahnapee Record/Algoma Record Herald, An-An-Api-Sebe: Where is the River, Kewaunee Enterprize/Enterprise. The 1908 postcard is from the blogger's collection. 

https://www.in2013dollars.com>Inflation; https://www.pabstmansion.com/history/pabst-family/; https:www.wisconsinhistory.org 

Algoma Christmas, 1923-2023: A Century Between

Although 100 years have passed since Algoma’s 1923 Christmas, it was not quite the horse and buggy days. Across the U.S. citizens heard about  President Calvin Coolidge lighting the national Christmas tree (left) for the first time. Algoma residents were beginning to see lit trees, although there were still homes without electricity. Folks celebrated in church and with their loved ones just as others across the world did. 

Legends - and history - say the “Christmas rush” started in Ahnapee/Algoma with the Christmas tree ship captains trying to get the trees south first, and in 1923 and a century later, the rush continues with trees, gifts, Christmas cards, baking, and parties. Rereading old newspapers reflecting the days of our grandparents and great-grandparents is to ask, “So, what’s new?”

The 1923 weather matched this year’s unseasonal temperatures. When third grader Charlotte Boedecker arrived at school one mid-December Day, she presented teacher Miss Anna Mueller a bouquet of pansies in full bloom. Charlotte even found a dandelion to stick in the middle. The flowers were in Mrs. Louis Fellows’ garden, although a few days later, Mrs. Fellows couldn’t even see where her garden was when the area got about 20” of white stuff just before Christmas. While some residents faced lay-offs and job loss, the paper said such loss “failed to diminish the joy found seven decades ago.”

Beautifully decorated, bountifully laden trees gladdened hearts. Hagemeister Brewing Co. added to the city’s holiday spirit and such gifts were quite popular. Carpet sweepers were also said to be very popular. Unpopular were the tax bills that arrived just before Christmas. According to the paper, folks who still had money after buying gifts were the first to pay their taxes. The city needed those taxes.

An early December 1923 Record Herald pointed out that Santa Claus wasn’t standing around to take care of public works just because it would be nice to have them. As the paper pointed out, somebody has to pay for such things, and those who say – the new bridge, for instance – won’t cost the city a penny “has been fooling you, possibly fooling himself.” Sound familiar?

Christmas gifting made up the bulk of the Record Herald advertising. and those with more than a few bucks could purchase a Ford Tudor Sedan for $590 at Lake Shore Garage. Ford’s roomy new body type was offered for the lowest ever price. Lake Shore might have had favorable prices but Chevrolet distributor W.M. Gunderson Co. Inc. offered to deliver a new car on Christmas morning. Imagine a family coming out to find an auto with a big bow. Think of the neighbors surely watching pea-green with envy. Not everybody could afford a new car, and Long and Ponath recommended automobile accessories as super gifts. After all, who didn’t need new Hood tires or Westinghouse batteries? Little things mean comfort.

Wisconsin Public Service was advertising its practical Western Electric Irons for $4.50, or 90 cents down and 90 cents a month for four months. WPS felt everyone should have such comfort and convenience. The women of 1923 would have been overjoyed by such a gift. A man who gave his wife an iron in 1993 would have been in the doghouse for life, provided she didn’t wrap the cord around his neck first. Unless a woman of 2023 worked in a thrift shop, she’d have to ask what an iron was.

Westinghouse Light and Power Plant suggested electric current as a gift for the entire family while pointing out electricity was dependable and could be used with a switch. Best of all, it was not complicated while it was convenient, comfortable, economical, and practical.

Hugo Duecker, of the Hardware and Furniture store by the same name, thought a Globe Range was just the ticket as it was a gift that kept on giving, was economical and resulted in great cooking results 365 days a year. To spend that kind of money, the “little woman” might have chosen a new Roadster and freedom from cooking. The man whose wife couldn’t cook before she got a Globe Range probably thought he “got took” when she couldn’t cook after Christmas either.

Bank of Rio Creek told folks it was the depository for contributions to the Relief of Starving and Friendless German Children. Wisconsin was expected to raise $500,000 as part of the 10 million dollars being raised in the U.S. for the destitute children.

Citizens Bank said Santa lived long enough to be a very wise man who knew a Bank Book would be a gift that kept on giving to improve life. A savings account was sure to bring cheer to one’s life, as long as the receiver was a saver.

Algoma Chamber of Commerce touted Algoma as the Gift City (it’s the Bird City today) and the place to trade. Bruemmer Bros. marketed 49-pound Miss Minneapolis Flour. Farrell Lumber and Algoma Fuel Company trumpeted the gift of heat in coal. Lorenz Perlewitz felt Valspar Varnish was a sought-after gift while the Record Herald thought a two-year subscription to the paper would be preferred. In its list of 45-50 gift suggestions, the most expensive item listed in the newspaper was the solid gold cuff links at Melchoir’s for 8 bucks. Just behind was the Walking Mama Doll, selling for $7.50 at Bach-Dishmaker. Not all prices were shown, however more practical gifts might mean few cuff link sets or walking dolls were under the trees.

Bach-Dishmaker Company on the northeast corner of 4^th and Steele promoted itself as “The Store with the Christmas Spirit.” They even offered gift coupons. Dolls seemed to be among the priciest toys even outpacing tricycles.

It made news when Bach-Dishmaker received a radio transmission from the North Pole directing all Algoma children to gather at the store on December 15 between 9 and 11:00 A.M. Santa wanted to meet the children and present them with a little gift.

On December 21, the paper reported on the excited kids who jumped out of bed the previous Saturday. Weather necessitated Santa come by train which suited kids just fine. They worried that he might fly into the lake and drown! Kids ran back and forth on the depot platform listening for the train whistle. The train was late, prompting the youngsters to feel it had to go slower because Santa was a very heavy man.

When the train finally arrived, anxious children followed Santa from the depot to Groessl Drug store on the southeast corner of 4^th and Steele where he stood looking for a sign. Suddenly he saw Bach-Dishmaker and headed across the street. The door opened and Santa walked in followed by about 200 kids who rubbed elbows and wedged between counters that creaked with the pushing kids. Mr. Dishmaker assisted Santa, as he climbed on a counter, and then handed the jolly old man letters from Algoma youngsters. Santa asked one of the townsfolk to read the letters, saying he was getting older and his voice was getting so weak that he might not be understood. How many youngsters began worrying about old Santa’s health and the long trip he had ahead of him? Letters were read while Santa scanned faces to determine who had been good and thus deserving. After that, Santa gave out bags of candy as he said good-bye while promising to be back on Christmas Eve. Santa seemed to vanish before their eyes at 11:00, but the children knew he had to get back to the North Pole where there was plenty of work to be done.

Engelbert’s Department Store touted itself as the Christmas Store. Now Walters at 521 Fourth St., the toyland was on the balcony. Low prices enabled parents to purchase the newest novelties “liberally.”  To make shopping easy, Engelbert’s opened in the evenings beginning December 10.

Duecker sold hardware and other practical goods, but he also sold toys. Toyland had things sure to tickle the fancy of kids. There were roller skates, velocipedes (bicycles and tricycles), trains, embroidery sets and laundry sets. How many laundry sets did little girls find beneath the Christmas trees?

Fluck’s City Drug Store, at 321 Steele, was advertising Day Dream Face Powder. Such powder offered more bang for the buck as the purchase came with three fragrant narcissus bulbs. Purchasers were advised that there would be one offer only to a customer.

Kohlbeck’s, The Quality Store, at 221 Steele St. offered Eagle Shirts that were the finest quality at moderate prices. For those who wanted something to go with the shirt, shoes might be the answer. Reinhart Shoe Store was the place for comfy slippers, dressy satin slippers, shoes, and hosiery. Gift coupons were available for customers who could find just the right thing at a price they wanted to pay. C.J. Melchoir Jewelry, on the southwest corner of Third and Steele, claimed the largest stock in Kewaunee County. Melchoir had it all. He even carried thermos bottles which kept food and beverages hot or cold. Joseph J. Charlier ran the jewelry on 4^th Street. He had every type of quality jewelry including diamonds, wristwatches, clocks, gift coupons and more for those who worried about flat irons and played it safe with pearls.

Music was always in the air in Algoma, and Guth’s Music Store arranged deliveries on Christmas Eve. Charles Guth had bought out August Klatt's business and whether it was a piano, victrola, records, or gift coupons, Algoma’s “Square Deal Music House”at 314 Steele St. made it happen.

Earl Sibilsky’s Delicatessen Store told residents festive Christmas tables should be bedecked with the finest foods available. Luckily, Sibilsky had fresh greens, fruits, nuts, and all kinds of groceries. A dozen oranges cost 25 cents while 2 pounds of chocolate drops, jellybeans, peanut brittle, and molasses candy cost 35 cents. This week (2023) oranges are 99 cents each and a pound of fine chocolates is about the same as a pound of lobster tail.

For those who wanted candy, Bach-Dishmaker, The Big Store on the Corner, had two tons of Christmas candy to be sold for 19 cents a pound. Nineteen cents was a bit pricey, but the astounding thing was two tons of candy at just one store. Algoma’s 1920 population stood at just a fuzz under 2,000. All that candy was probably a boon to the city’s dentists, Dr. Slaby and Dr. Murphy. Dr. Toothacker was another who served the city, but he was a physician rather than a dentist.

Door to door sales have fallen off in recent years while internet scams are rampant. Each fall, folks are inundated with requests for money for groups from A to Z. While honest organizations tear at the heartstrings, a family can only do so much. However, it is hard to resist the fresh-faced, younger kids hesitating over a memorized plea while collecting for whatever organization. A mid-December 1923 Record Herald said every kid in town descended on residents in both morning and after school sieges trying to sell Christmas seals. The paper termed the kids “little marauders” who were trying to break the locks of pocketbooks. Editor Harry H. Heidmann said a fresh supply of Christmas seals meant more to kids than a war hero’s decoration to a soldier.

Christmas is the time for releasing movies, and so it was in 1923. For 15-25 cents, Algoma youngsters could view a Christmas Day matinee, “Hurry for the Christmas Ship.” Added entertainment included Nora Rose singing a Christmas song and a group of 20 boys and girls singing about the Christmas ship. Further adding to the festivities, a large ship filled with presents was on the stage. No less than Santa himself was on hand to present gifts to kids under 12. The more astute kids no doubt wondered why the jolly old man was still up after flying around the world before dawn.

The Majestic Theater advertised “Nothing Too Good for Algoma” and that came with great organ music. Saturday night, December 22^nd , began with an overture followed by High Life, a comedy, and then William Russell in the feature film, The Crusader. Sunday’s matinee began with the overture and went on to the main feature, Worlds Applause with its stellar cast. Sunday evening’s offering was the same, but it included the great Will Rogers in a comedy.

While not offering movies on the 24^th, Christmas afternoon featured movies for boys and girls. Evening movies were adult-oriented and on Christmas night, the city’s baker, accordion player Mr. Knaapen, accompanied the organist. The comedy feature that night was extra-long with three reels. The 26^th and 27^th featured Ebb Tide starring Lila Lee and Noah Berry. The South Seas film was certain to entertain with its breathless thrills, colorful romance, and a great octopus battle packed in between.

On December 24, 1963, the Majestic showed The Duel of the Titans. Admission to that matinee was a box top or bottle cap from any Carnival Guernsey product. Movies released in theaters on Christmas Day 2023 include The Color Purple, Ferrari, and The Boys in the Boat.

It is most unusual if one fails, in 2023, to see Amazon, UPS, or USPS vehicles day and night helping Rudolph guide deliveries. A century ago, dray lines were making deliveries with horse and wagon. Kewaunee County saw Rural Free Delivery (RFD) come into existence a mere 20 years earlier. Postmaster General New urged people to mail parcels early. The kicker was that he approved an amendment giving postal employees a holiday on Christmas Day 1923. Approved for the “welfare and happiness of postal employes”, the mailmen were directed to notify rural patrons there would be no December 25^th delivery. However, the notification was to be accomplished in a way that did not incur any expense to the DPO.

Postmaster New seemed to be blaming carriers in advance for any disappointment that they might experience. New wrote, “We confidentially hope that carriers will put forth their best efforts to effect delivery…….so that there will be no disappointment..….” New went on to say that failure on the part of an individual carrier to do this will subject him  to severe criticism and “will be a severe cause of regret to the postal department.” In 1923, rural carriers needed Donder and Blitzen for delivery. At the time, the vehicles in existence weren’t worth much in snow so horse and buggy was the way to go. In some instances, the mailmen had to rebuild bridges in order to deliver mail. Some found themselves breaking through ice.

Christmas in Algoma, and Wolf River/Ahnapee before it, meant observance of that first Christmas 2,000 years ago. When Pastor A. F. Schlei announced St. Paul’s Christmas services, he said they would be in German on Sunday, December 23. On the evening of the 24^th, the Sunday school and parochial school kids gave their program followed by services in English and German. On Monday the 25^th, German services were at 9:45, followed by services in English at 11:00.

The Methodist Episcopal Church planned “unique” services conducted by the young people on Sunday evening. Christmas candles were to be lit while Christmas music and legends were part of the service. Earlier that day there was a public worship. The Sunday School kids presented their program on Christmas Eve near the Christmas tree. All were welcomed.

Midnight mass was offered on Christmas Eve at St. Mary’s. It was followed by Christmas Day masses at 8:00 and 10:00 and vesper services at 3 PM. On second Christmas Day, the 26^th, mass was offered at 9:00.

St. Agnes Episcopal put out a slightly different schedule. Mass would be held at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve while a 7:30 a.m. high mass was planned for Christmas Day followed by a 9:00 low mass. St. Agnes also planned for second Christmas Day on the 26^th, and for Thursday and Friday, when mass would be offered at 7:30 each morning.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Soures: Algoma Record Herald; 

1923 National Christmas Trees is from https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2023/11/27/100th-anniversary-of-the-national-christmas-tree-lighting/ 

Algoma, World War ll & Billie the Brownie

 

WPR’s Larry Meiller hosted Santa on his show today. Kids from Wisconsin, and some from Iowa, got to share their Christmas wish lists and learn something about Rudolph and the other reindeer waiting on the roof of  Vilas Hall. The kids learned Santa loves cookies, although after the first 200 or so, he slows down a bit. And everything was right on schedule at the North Pole.

Santa never ages and was on the radio 80 or so years ago when the world was a vastly different place. It was World War ll.

Our living room seemed so dark when Mom settled me on her lap to listen to Billie the Brownie on WTMJ radio. Our drapes were pulled over the shades that were always lowered at night. Algoma had its first practice World War ll blackout in mid-August 1942, an event mandated in Kewaunee County. Practicing or not, the shades were pulled.

We were far from Milwaukee, but the airwaves traveled up Lake Michigan’s shore to the Peninsula where I, and so many children, waited for Santa and Billie the Brownie. It was the early days of World War ll, a time when I have far more memories of Billie than I do of of my dad. Blind as a bat without his glasses, he was rejected for military service, however he worked long hours, even on Saturday, superintending boat hulls, airplane wings and noses. I was in bed when Dad left for work and sleeping by the time he got home.

The radio cracked as Mom tuned in WTMJ while she put me on her lap, settling into Dad’s Rock ‘n Ez next to the radio. Then Santa! His “ho-ho-ho,” Billie’s high squeaky voice, and the Christmas letters remain with me today. Also remaining with me is the man whose voice scared me and frightened me years later.

We got our TV in 1953. One 1959 summer evening I turned on the black and white set to see a man sitting in what appeared to be a leather chair while smoke was rising from the cigarette in his hand. I heard that voice and froze. It was that voice, the one that said, “This is London.” When I asked Mom about it, she told me the man was Edward Murrow, a news correspondent who broadcast during the war. How did I know that voice? Mom said she listened to the news while she waited for Dad to come home. I thought the man had something to do with Billie the Brownie, but the news was on after.

Several years ago, I was on the highway listening to public radio when I heard the name Gabriel Heatter. What kid forgets a name like that? Billie the Brownie popped into my mind. Mom said Gabriel Heatter was another newsman we heard on WTMJ.

We all have Christmas memories. Some are good. Some are not. In all my memories, Christmas brings warm thoughts of WTMJ, Santa, Billie and a little barking dog. Those memories are right next to those where a voice and a name frightened a little kid snuggled into her anxious mom’s tensed arms during the dark days World War ll.

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A comment: Within recent weeks TMJ4 carried the story of Billie the Brownie being unveiled in the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame. To find out more about Billie, just Google. Be aware - pictures of Billie are not what our minds envisioned during the broadcasts.