Douglas County Past: Fire destroys Wentworth barn, coop; Shipyard launches 'Alexander McDougall' whaleback
Jun. 26—June 23, 1933
$7,000 blaze in Wentworth
WENTWORTH, Wis. — Fire of unknown origin caused damage estimated at approximately $7,000 to buildings on the Marinus Christiansen farm about one block from the village of Wentworth Friday at 2 a.m.
The blaze was discovered by Mr. Christiansen who was awakened by the crackling of the flames. He put in an alarm and a number of neighbors came to his assistance. The residence is located about 100 feet from the other structures and the firefighters confined their efforts to saving the house.
A large barn equipped with electric lights and modern fixtures was totally destroyed. The milk house with milk cans, pails, pumps and machinery was burned and a number of chickens were lost when the chicken coop was gutted.
Girl's tennis tourney opens
Play in the senior girls' tennis championship tournament started Friday at the municipal courts at Ogden avenue and Fourteenth street, across from the Y.M.C.A. building.
Taking part in the elimination doubles are Jane Paton and Bertha Cheever, Mary Jane Fleer and Kay Peddle, Helen Norberg and Lorraine Strom, Marieth Howard and Louise Hagen.
News in brief
Report thefts — G.L. Baird and Al Oakes have reported to the office of Frank Carlson, Douglas county sheriff, that automobile robes were stolen from their cars at Lake Nebagamon Saturday night. Mr. Oakes also had a flashlight stolen. Matt Rundquist of Wentworth reports the stealing of a cog wheel, shaft and boxings from a sawmill, and a Mr. Bowman of Bennett reports his roothouse was entered and canned fruits stolen.
June 24, 1898
Superior dog census
There are more dogs in Superior than in any other city of the same size in the United States. Last year some 430 canines were licensed by the city clerk; this year over 470 tags have been handed over by the clerk and each one of them represents a dog now running on the streets of the city.
Of the total 478 in the city only 13 are female. The water spaniel is the most multitudinous, there being 94 of them. Next in points of numbers comes that great class known as unrecognizable. There are 81 of these dogs in the city. New Foundlands are by no means scarce, for the records show that there are now 77 males and 6 females of this breed now wearing tags.
The innermost circle of dogdom is represented by 7 species. There is 1 coach dog, 1 "bird dog," 1 mongrel, 1 Esquimaux; 1 short legged dog, 1 "Klondike wonder," and 1 Scotch terrier in the city.
June 24, 1933
Up and down the street
A strip of bacon, says Miss Martha Merrell, head librarian of the public libraries here, is about the only thing she hasn't found used as a bookmark. A book once came back to the library with a $10 bill to mark the place. The owner, however, lost little time in returning for the bill. Among bookmarks found at the library says Miss Merrell are hairpins, matches, combs, nail files, toothpicks, pencils, blank checks and blotters. Once a book returned to the library with a bedbug in it, but librarians aren't sure whether that was intended as a book mark or not.
Over $800 earned by two city golf courses
Over $800 has been taken in by the two city golf courses since the season opened, it was learned Saturday from Councilman Felix Anderson, secretary of the city park commission. The two courses are the Nemadji near South Superior and the Tower avenue course opposite the Tri-State fair grounds.
June 25, 1898
Alexander M'Dougall
Big boat which bears the name of the father of whalebacks launched at 3 o'clock this afternoon with the cheers of thousands of spectators.
Colgate Hoyt, president of the American Steel Barge Company, arrived in the city this morning to be present at the launching of the whaleback "Alexander McDougall."
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"I christen thee," said the captain's daughter (Emmaline, 7), "after my papa, Alexander McDougall." Then with all her might she threw the bottle against the iron hull and broke it into smithereens.
Slowly, steadily, with thousands of persons watching her, the monster slid toward the slip. At the first she seemed to hesitate the fraction of a second; then with a plunge she topped in. A mighty splash and then all was over.
After the launching about 250 invited guests assembled in the upper story of the wood working rooms and partook of a feast prepared by the West Superior Hotel management: Olives, sweet pickles, fresh salmon, mayonnaise, claret cup, bread sticks, chicken salad, fresh lobster salad, Roman punch, assorted sandwiches, Mumm's extra dry, cigars.
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The steamer McDougall is 430 feet long over all and compares with other whalebacks in point of size, like the monster she is. The Thompson, Bartlett and Colby which were constructed here several years ago, were 264 feet long over all, and at that time were considered large vessels and were among the largest on the lakes. Later at the shipyard the Mather, Wilson, Colgate Hoyt and Trevor, which were 320 feet in length, were turned out; then came the Frank Rockefeller 380 feet long, and John Ericsson 404 ft. in length and now the McDougall towing above all other whalebacks with a length of 430 feet.
Whalebacks that have been built
There have been built by and for the American Steel Barge Company 40 vessels of all classes. Forty of these have been whalebacks.
The Alexander McDougall, launched today, is the 30th whaleback built at Superior, the first seven having been built at the yard established by Captain McDougall in Duluth.
June 26, 1933
196 tree soldiers encamp at Brule hatchery
One hundred and ninety-eight officers and members of the civilian conservation corps were encamped Monday at the recently established federal forestry camp a mile south of Brule.
Thirty squad tents were set up Sunday by the recruits. They also set up the necessary recreational supplies, mess, cook and first-aid tents, reports Edward Vanderwall, district forest ranger with headquarters at Brule.
Ranger Vanderwall said Monday that actual planting of seedlings will not get underway until early next week. He said 500,000 spruce and Norway pine seedlings will be planted on about 500 acres of land in the vicinity of Brule. Spruce will be planted on the heavier soil and the pines on sandy soil, he said.
News in brief
Man missing — Morris Kvisler advised police Monday that William French, who was supposed to have left Superior for Foxboro on May 4, has not been seen either here or in Foxboro since that date.
Family needs lumber — For the third time, a South Range family has had its barn burned down. The family is willing to tear down some old building if it can have the lumber. Anyone wishing to donate the lumber may call Broad 460 during the day or Broad 2302W in the evening.
Kulus still missing — Efforts of police to learn the whereabouts of Tony Kulus, missing Douglas county jailer, are still unsuccessful. Letters written several days ago to relatives in other cities have not yet been answered. Lulus' job in the county jail has been given to Frank Zukowski. Should Kulus return now, it is said, his old job will not be open to him. Kulus left the jail at 2 a.m. May 14 after he had been on duty three hours. He left to go to his home because he was ill. Neither his wife or jail attaches have had any word from him since.
Articles and pictures courtesy of retired librarian Judy Aunet with Superior Public Library.
