Rhinelander Reflections

Editor’s Note: In a new, periodical feature, the Northwoods River News presents “Rhinelander Reflections,” which will takes a look back at stories that made headlines of our paper, formerly known as the Rhinelander Daily News, in 1925, 1950, 1975 and 2000. We hope you enjoy this look back at our past.

100 YEARS AGO

Published: Sept. 4, 1925

EARLY SETTLER RETURNS TO CITY

D. E. Briggs, Who Built First Building in Rhinelander,  will Make Home Here.

D. E. Briggs, one of the first residents of Rhinelander, who came to this city 43 years ago, has returned here to make his home with a son, Albert Briggs, after an absence of a few years during which he resided in Spearfish S. D., where he went for his health.

Mr. Briggs came to Rhinelander in 1882 before the town had even been platted. He erected the first building here, was the town’s first justice of the peace and was the first man married here. 

75 YEARS AGO

Published: Sept. 5, 1950

Fishing Still Good, State Men Report

Fishermen would have had excellent catches during the long Labor Day week-end, if predictions of wardens and other conservation field men were fulfilled.

In the latest “How’s Fishing?” Report, compiled from reports of conservation department workers throughout the state, anglers have been getting good fishing for walleyes, northern pike and bass in this area. Muskie fishing was described as being the best in years on many waters, and the big game fish seemed to have omitted their usual summer lay-off this year.

By counties, the latest report summarizes fishing as follows:

Oneida - Warden R. G. Olson: Walleye fishing good. Northern pike fishing good. Muskies active. Pan fishing, perch and crappies, good. Trout fishing best its been all season. Deerskin and Pine rivers, Warden A. N. Knudtson: Walleye pike biting good, Arbor Vitae. Muskies showing lots of action. Crappies, other panfish biting good on flowages.

Vilas - Warden Ervin W. Polzin: Muskies biting very good, Eagle chain, Kathan lake, Twin lakes at Phelps. Big muskies hitting in Lac Vieux Desert on buck tails and surface bait. Walleyes biting better in all waters, large minnows. Bass hitting better on Spectacle camp and Carpenter lakes. Warden Ben Bendrick: Bass and walleyes show little action. Muskies spotty. Three caught on Gresham, two on High lake. Panfish being caught on Fish Trap and Razor Back.

Iron - Warden Warren Holger: Pike and crappie fishing good. Muskies biting fair. Panfish hitting good. Trout fishing fair. Good fishing on Flambeau flowage. Water level normal.

50 YEARS AGO

Published: Sept. 2, 1975

Brush Run Thrills 25,000

By MARY MARTIN News Editor

CRANDON - Carter’s Field became the Crandon Coliseum over the weekend, with upwards of 15,000 spectators clinging to the damp hillside Sunday to watch the finals of the 6th annual running of Brush Run 101.

The grueling off-the-road race drew more than 340 entries, including stocks, motorcycles, 4-wheel drives and dune buggies. Crowds for the two days were estimated by police at more than 25,000.

Breakdowns, washouts and crackups along the 28-mile rugged race course cut down on the number who finished each event, but the crowds still had plenty to see and applaud and howl for before the races ended in a victory party Sunday evening.

The most popular spot for spectators both Saturday and Sunday again was the giant muddle at the foot of a steep incline in Carter’s Field. Drivers rounded a sharp curve coming out of gently rolling pasture land and plunged head on into a mire of mud and water. The course then swung abruptly into a narrow trail hacked through heavy brush and woods.

The waterhole claimed its victims and those that could not get out under their own power were helped along by a giant caterpiller tractor, provided by race officials. At times cars, men and motorcycles were all but buried in the mire, only to struggle out to the roars and sometimes catcalls of the crowd.

At one point the noise from the crowd took on a Roman air as motorcycle after motorcycle was sacrificed to the yawning mudhole to the obvious delight of those sitting high on the hillside.

No serious accidents marred the race although several machines were put out of action when their drivers smacked into trees or cracked up on boulders strewn along much of the course.

Sunday morning race officials were informed that one cyclist had hit a cow on the track and a farmer was dispatched to move the animal to safer surroundings. One of the more colorful Crandonites also said he had heard one of the drivers Saturday had [a] hit a bear “back in the hills” but that rumor was not credited by officials.

Two women entered the races this year, including Carol Statzney of Crandon, co-piloting an American stock entry with Larry Lyons, also of Crandon. The couple finished seventh in a field of 38 starters.

Ten Crandon entries placed in the money in Saturday’s events. The Nicolet Service Center’s entry from Rhinelander, the Saab driven by Roy Javenkowski and Randy Sisco, failed to place.

Forest County officials said the crowds that filled the county seat beginning early Friday “were for the most part orderly,” with few problems developing.

“Most of those visiting here this weekend are real nice people,” said Deputy Bill Glasgow as he directed parking operations at Carter’s Field. Vehicles of every description carried fans to the races.

The race began and ended at the Forest County Fairgrounds and was sponsored by the Wolfhead Sportsmen’s Club. Well over $10,000 in prize money and contingencies was returned to the winning drivers, making this the richest Brush Run in its short history, said Gary Cyrus, secretary of the club.

The race is gaining a reputation as one of the best run off-the-road races in the midwest, and drew spectators from all neighboring states and as far away as Arizona. Race directors Jim Conway and Tom Vollman handled the record number of entries

Sunday’s winners included Jeff Smith of Duluth, two-time international six-day trials champion, who won Class No. 2 (126-2550cc) in 2:50:05.

Published: Sept. 4, 1975

School Enrollment Declines

By LESLIE SCHWANZ Staff Writer

Declining enrollments in Rhinelander schools indicate the “baby boom” is not what it used to be. Statistics from the first day of school show class sizes are up in the upper grades, but down in the elementary division.

Cedric A. Vig, administrator of the district, says the figures are a “reflection of lower birth rates,” which he cites as the main cause of the decreases. Previously, the 4th through 6th grades were larger, he explained. Total enrollment is 4,158 so far this year as compared to 4,232 last year.

“In past years the 5th and 6th grades were over 300 pupils,” he said. “We don’t have any 300 classes any more.”

The effects of these decreases may change the amount of state aids the district receives, he said. With a lower enrollment, aids will decrease, and less will be spent per pupil. The district may now allocate $100 per pupil.

With fewer children in classes, Vig said the quality of education may improve but he doesn’t expect any great changes.

At Rhinelander High School, total enrollment increased from 1,569 in 1974-75 to 1,582, an estimate for this year shows. A slight jump also occurred at the junior high with 15 more students enrolled to a total of 679.

But in most of the lower grades, fewer pupils registered for class. In the 4th grade, classes decreased from 285 to 240; 2nd grade, 274 to 234; and 5th grade, 314 to 279.

This trend ends in the 3rd grade, where enrollment increased from 245 to 264.

Four grade schools showed a decrease of more than 15 students, with none showing a substantial increase. Curran dropped from 192 pupils to 158; Pelican, 204 to 174; Newbold, 204 to 188; and South Park, 204 to 188.

Vig said these figures may change over the year as families move in or leave the area.

25 YEARS AGO

Published: Sept. 3, 2000

Of muskies and men and 35 years in between

Fishing partners return to Lake George for another musky

That was then, and this is now — some things, like straw hats and muskies, never change.

In the 1960’s, Kermit and Kelly Knapp would frequently camp at Lake George Campsite, located four miles east of Rhinelander.

Thirty-five years ago the pair of anglers caught a 40-inch musky on Lake George.

“Let’s do it again, “ decided Kermit and Kelly, now 82 and 80 years young.

During a week in August, the duo returned to Lake George, jumped in their favorite boat and rowed to one of their old fishing spots — and caught another musky.

Quite possibly one for each year since, the Knapp’s caught a 35-inch musky in August. “We call it our ‘memorial musky’,” said Kermit, “and it felt much heavier than the larger one those thirty-five years back.”

The Knapp’s used the same net to land the 35-inch musky, although the net didn’t hold up as well as the fishermen and their hot spots.

“The previous musky tore a hole in the net,” said the pair, “and it was mended, somewhat, but the material was very old. This musky made a bigger hole and nearly got away but was ‘still hanging there’.”

The fishermen managed to land the musky which was caught on a “torpedo” bait on 12-pound test line. In 1965 they used a daredevil, also on 12-pound test line.

“Kelly was the guide and rower,” said the two. “Kermit was holding the rod when the musky jumped on. Kelly had dropped his rod in the water earlier, but located and retrieved it forty minutes later, and he was still drying things out.”

This year marks the 40-year anniversary of Lake George Campsite.