Douglas County Past: Brothers reunite in Superior after 50 years; fatal disease blamed on deer

Jul. 22—July 22, 1947

Brothers, separated for 50 years, are reunited in city

When Edward Froelich, 52, of 1521 E. Third St., and Fred Krebit, 62, of Los Angeles, met this week it marked the first time in a half-century that the two brothers had been together.

Froelich and Krebit had become separated 50 years ago when their mother died on their North Dakota farm near Minot. Shortly after that, their father also died and the family was broken up.

Froelich, the youngest member of the family, was raised on a farm near Foxholm, North Dakota, and did not know for many years that he had any living relatives.

When Mr. and Mrs. Krebit and their son, Albert, visited Superior this week, it marked the first time they had seen each other since the family had become separated. Froelich, a scant 2 years old at the time of separation, had no recollection of his brother or his sisters as he grew through boyhood into manhood in North Dakota.

He and Mrs. Froelich, who also lived in Foxholm, came to Wisconsin in 1919, living for a time at Solon Springs before coming to Superior in 1922. A friend of Froelich's who was teaching in Sawyer, North Dakota, struck up an acquaintance with a woman at a boarding house who turned out to be Froelich's sister. Through her, they learned that his brother was living in Los Angeles and the two struck up a correspondence.

Model airplanes thrill crowd

Over 500 people turned out for the model airplane show Monday night at municipal stadium and were treated to an evening's entertainment full of thrills and crackups. A feature of the event was the free flight of a plane by Norman Frawley, who set his model to tower high above the crowd and sail in the wind, without motor, finally landing in Central Park.

In the speed event of the evening, Russell Dohls put his ship through the air at 85 miles an hour in three flights. He landed the plane on wheels and also made belly landings.

Two minor youths fined for falsifying age to get beer

First applications of the new municipal ordinance governing purchase of beer or liquor by a minor or misrepresenting age in order to obtain the same, was made Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning in municipal court when two minor youths, aged 19 and 20, were each fined $53 for misrepresenting their age in order to get beer.

July 23, 1897

City briefs

The Northern Pacific has commenced filling in their bridge over the Nemadji.

The little daughter of R. Rice, who lives on West Seventh Street, sustained serious injuries by falling from a fence in front of the residence. It was thought for a time that she was fatally injured, but she will recover.

The grocers' association is making elaborate arrangements for their picnic at Solon Springs July 28, and they expect a large attendance.

Municipal court

Only two drunkards graced the row of chairs just inside the rail at the municipal court today. They both pleaded guilty and both got the same fine, $2 and costs or 10 days. Emil Polaski paid $5 and the sentence of Sam Simpson was suspended. Sam claimed that he was a distant relative of Sockless Jerry Simpson but that years ago he disowned him because of that gentleman's objection to socks and disposition to mix up in politics.

Harry Robinson, charged with assaulting an officer and received a sentence of $10 and costs or 30 days in the work house at stone-cracking.

Mary Berard and Hattie Geroninaing charged with street walking were released today by Judge Parker on the condition that they leave the city in four hours.

July 23, 1947

Girl injured in fall downstairs

Charlene Nelson, 4-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nelson, 3420 N. 21st ST., was reported to be in "fairly good" condition Wednesday at St. Joseph's hospital with injuries received when she was pushed down a 20-foot flight of stairs Tuesday at Billings Park.

The girl was sitting on the steps with an older companion, watching bathers at the beach in the park, when a boy pushed her, according to her parents.

SSC to graduate 29 at night exercises Friday

Dr. Tremaine McDowell, University of Minnesota, will deliver the commencement address to 29 graduating seniors at the close of summer school Friday, 8 p.m. at the State College Auditorium.

"Superior is closing one of the largest summer school enrollments in its history this summer," President Jim Dan Hill said.

The names of the graduating seniors are: Two-year rural, Merlene Lucy Clay, Carroll Dopp, Madge Akins Kildare; three-year rural, Freda Ruth Hoopman. Three-year grammar grade, Alma Johnson Abell, Robert Harry Wangen.

Candidates for degree of bachelor of science, rural, Donald Andrew Anderson, Ernest Warren Pardun, John Harrison Paton, Theodore Frank Yuhas. Kindergarten-primary, Mary Elizabeth Alto, Louise Mae Abramanson, Marie Agnes Coan, Gladys Jane Kuyk, Alice Jean Stevens, Marian Ethel Surch, Joyce Sullivan, Margery Ann Woodgate.

Intermediate, Celia Kathryn Kearney, Geraldine Rose Larveau, Josephine Agnes O'Mark. Grammar grade, Grace Ingelow Underhill. Senior high, Henry De Bryne Jr., Joseph Marion Giuliano, Americo Mortorelli, Doris Kathleen Nelson, Otto Denton Patten and Clifford Roy Saari. Candidate for degree of bachelor of arts, John Merlin Fisher.

July 24, 1947

Fatal disease blamed on deer; compensation sought

Death benefits of $7,500 are being sought by Mrs. Joseph O. Peterson of Upson, Wis., as a result of a rare and infectious disease which her husband allegedly contracted while cleaning a deer, according to testimony taken at an Industrial Commision hearing in Superior Thursday.

Mrs. Peterson, according to information filed with the commission, said that her husband was in good health prior to December of 1946. During that month he was dressing out a deer for the conservation department. The animal had been killed by a car.

The rare disease which Peterson is alleged to have contracted from the deer is known as "guilliam-barre." The illness proved fatal within less than a month after the alleged infection took place, Peterson having died Jan. 11, 1947.

Fire destroys hay at Billings Drive farm

Fire Thursday noon destroyed a six-ton hay stack at the Harold Routh farm, 28th Street and Billings Drive.

Firemen said the loss was estimated at $60 and that children playing with matches were responsible for the blaze.

Hitchhikers on Highway 35 irking drivers

Hitchhikers were given a double-barrelled warning Thursday, both by the Supeiror and Douglas County Safety council and by County Traffic Officer John S. Kane.

Kane reminded the offenders that hitch-hiking is strictly against the law, and the safety council added the warning note that it not only is unlawful, but is also unsafe.

Kane said that the hitchhiking statutes were being violated particularly on Highway 35 between Superior and Pattison Park.

"We've had several complaints about youths being far out in the middle of the road 'thumbing rides," Kane declared. "Motorists have reported that they had to swerve far to the other side of the highway to avoid hitting them."

Articles and pictures courtesy of retired librarian Judy Aunet with Superior Public Library.