Douglas County Past: Dog saves Gordon man from fire; Board names East High School

Jan. 16—Jan. 24, 1924

'Hubby' hard to satisfy

Piling lumber eight hours a day at the Goodwillie-Green Box factory, South Superior, is "child's play" compared to working on the farm stated Mrs. Hilma Hill in direct testimony given yesterday afternoon in superior court before Judge Archibald McKay as evidence in a countersuit brought by her against her husband, Matt Hill.

While on the farm at Brule, Wis. living with her husband, besides doing general housework, which included keeping the house in order, cooking the meals and knitting underclothing for her husband and two boys, she milked the cows, tilled land hundreds of times, harvested the crops, cleared brush, chopped the wood for the fire and in addition to this went out into the forests and sawed and hewed logs.

Notwithstanding her work, she alleges her husband always complained and habitually called her "devillishly lazy" When she arose at 6 o'clock in the morning, prepared her husband's breakfast and placed it before him in bed, she declared he complained because she did not get up earlier.

Unable to bear up under his continual complaints she left him last November and is now working at the box company.

Jan. 12, 1999

Candidate accuses city of murder

Superior City Council candidate Israel Malachi accused the city of first-degree murder in the death of 80-year-old Joe Parzych at a press conference Monday.

Parzych died last month after freezing to death. His body was found Dec. 31. Parzych had been living in his van after his home at 1814 North Sixth St. had been torn down.

In a press release, Mayor Margaret Ciccone extended her condolences to Joe Parzych's family, but asserted that the city was not responsible for Parzych's death.

"The allegation was that a city resident was caused to freeze to death through the actions of the Building Inspection department," wrote Ciccone. "That is absolutely incorrect. The bottom line is that Mr. Parzych was offered every opportunity to relocate ... Mr. Parzych stated in November of 1997 that he had decent housing into which to move."

Jan. 13, 1999

Blatnik Bridge at 55 mph for safer flow

If you have driven over the Blatnik Bridge lately you probably noticed the speed limit has changed from 45 mph to 55 mph.

The increase has been in place since last week and matches the speed on the Bong Bridge.

New terms, challenges at courthouse

The start of the new year means the beginning of new terms for county officials, including Clerk of Courts Joan Osty, Register of Deeds Kathy Hanson, Treasurer Mary Berg, District Attorney Dan Blank and County Clerk Susan Sandvick.

After more than 20 years as county clerk, Raymond "Bud" Somerville retired. Former county clerk secretary Susan Sandvick replaces Sommerville. Sandvick is also the first female county clerk in Douglas County.

Solon singes Mercer

SOLON SPRINGS — The Solon Springs High School girls basketball team improved its record to 6-6, 4-6 in the Indianhead Conference, with a 67-54 victory over the Mercer Tigers in IC action Tuesday night at Solon Springs.

Kim Meller led the Eagles with 24 points and also grabbed 15 rebounds. Aimee Smith had 18 points and nine rebounds for Solon.

SSHS matmen top Northwestern

It was a big match for both teams, being located so close to each other, with Superior coming out on top 37-24.

At 112 pounds, Jared Ludwig of SSHS and Matt Kauther staged a very close match with Ludwig garnering a pin at the 5:21 mark for 6-0.

Then at 119 pounds, Amos Holmes put Superior up by 9-0 with an exciting 12-7 decision over Nate Charbonneau.

Life Verlooy of SSHS scored five takedowns and gave up one to win 12-8 over Josh Dumke at 125 pounds for 12-0.

Dom Haugen returned to the Superior lineup at 130 pounds and decisioned Paul Koski, 4-1, for 15-0.

Northwestern garnered a forfeit at 135 pounds with Ben Sutherland grabbing the six points for the Tigers.

At 140 pounds, Mark Van Rossem of SSHS got the night's quickest pin, a 0:32 victory over Scott Peterson for 21-6.

Tony Rusk raised the score to 25-6 for Superior with a 12-2 decision over Terry Coleman in the 145-pound category.

At 152 pounds, Andy Lisdahl of SSHs won by a pin in the second period over Nate Jipson for a 31-6 score.

Northwestern garnered its first on-the-mat victory at 160 pounds when Kevin Jones pinned Ryan Clark at 1:29 to put the score at 31-12.

Greg Root of NHS garnered a forfeit at 171 pounds to put the score at 31-18.

Then at 189 pounds, Mark Brandt of SSHS came onto the mat and pinned Richard Pfanchuk at 1:12 for 37-18.

In the heavyweight division, Cody Fechtelkotter, now 14-3, pinned Paul Beck at 1:33 to give NHS six points and make the final tally a 13-point deficit.

Jan. 14, 1924

32 criminals given terms

During the past year in superior court, 32 persons were sentenced for criminal offenses, aside from the disposal of a large number of civil actions.

Of those sentenced, 17 persons were sent to penal institutions, 8 were sentenced to the county jail, 5 were fined and 2 were placed on probation.

The following felonies were charged against those convicted: Burglary, 2; assault with intent to rob, 6; embezzlement, 1; forgery, 3; larceny, 4; larceny of auto, 3; rape, 1; violation of the state prohibition law, 8; murder, 1; mayhem, 1 and arson, 1.

Two Superior rinks entered

Two Superior club rinks left this morning for Eveleth to participate in the Northwestern Curling Association's annual bonspiel.

The rinks included Somerville, skip; Ted Barron, lead; and Glenn Harris, skip; E. Moran, third; D. McGill, second; I. Mortenson, lead.

Jan. 15, 1924

'Watch' dog saves his owner from fire

GORDON, Wis. — "Watch" dog belonging to James Bergin, local resident, proved his worth when he saved his master from being cremated in a fire which early this morning gutted the Bergin home here.

Bergin, alone in the house except for the dog, was sound asleep in a bedroom on the lower floor when fire of undetermined origin broke out in the kitchen.

The dog, sensing danger when he smelled the smoke, rushed to his master's side and by frantic barkings and pawings tried to arouse him. Bergin awoke in time to find his room filled with smoke and the kitchen in flames.

He rushed out of the burning place and summoned help. The fire, however, was beyond control, and the entire building together with all the contents, were burned.

It was only through the efforts of neighbors that the L. Thayor home adjoining the Bergin place was saved from destruction.

East High is name selected

Superior's new high school was named "Superior East high school" by unanimous vote of the board of education at a regular monthly meeting held last night at the Blaine school building. It is expected the building will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of the next semester, which opens February 4.

Pupils of the Nelson Dewey school will be given two day's vacation while the furniture in the school building is moved to the new school.

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