From the "Souvenir Book of The Diamond Jubilee of St. Casimir's
Congregation At Northeim (Newton) Wisconsin 1868 - 1943"
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE EARLY DAYS OF NORTHEIM *
* (Information gathered in the form of "reminiscences" from some old
parishioners.)
Close to the main road connecting Northeim with Manitowoc and Newton,
amidst high stumps and virgin forests at that time, there were close to
the shore of Michigan Lake the "Northeim Centerville Piers," Crowds of
sturdy men were busy from early morning until late at night rolling big
timber and various kinds of logs to the shore and uniting them into rafts
to be ferried to Milwaukee, Chicago and other nearby big sawmills. The
candlestraight white pines and other species of lumber from Northeim were
in great demand on the market in this part of the country.
BUSINESS AND TRADE AT NORTHEIM
Just a little distance from the piers, there stood a primitive and large
frame building with a large painted sign: GENERAL MERCHANDISE. The piers
with the adjacent store were originally operated by a certain Mr. Matys.
In the course of time this establishment passed over into the hands of
August Sieglinski. At present, however, it is the property of Martin Rohde
and leased to John Mrotek.
This general merchandise store with an adjoined bar room used to be the
center of gatherings of the people of Northeim at that time; it was their
loop. In fact, in this country-store the farmers could buy everything
they needed at home; from a needle and threads up to a heavy wagon and
various farm implements.
In this big store, visitor's eye could see on some rude handmade selves a
big supply of larger and smaller packages of the cheapest coffee on the
market, few cakes of the cheapest laundry soap known as the "Black Bear
Soap", packages of matches, smoking and chewing tobacco, "Nigger's Hair"
being the popular brand and in great demand; and also bigger and smaller
jars of various syrups, jelly, molasses, etc. etc. On the shelves one
could see a few axe handles, hammer, hatchets, etc. on display. In one of
the corners there stood a small keg, on which were printed in red capital
letters these words: HANDLE WITH CARE! EXPLOSIVES! There were left, still
unsold, sticks of dynamite, the most popular merchandise at the time.
On the rear wall, there were hanging a few pairs of overalls in all sizes
and colors for everybody to match, mittens and cheap shoes waiting for
some customer to be released from the long hanging on the nails in Big
August's store, and to go with the purchaser to the newly erected shed
amidst a high brush.
CLEARING HOUSE OF "BIG AUGUST"
This primitive country store referred to was also the pioneer store of
Northeim, known originally as the Matys' store, but later on the property
of August Sieglinski (*), commonly called "August" or "Big August".
Everybody within a circuit of several miles knew "Big August", and
everybody had a good word for him as a man with a big heart. Always
smiling, he was a giant of a man, over six feet tall, well built, and
resembling a prizefighter; he was also a congenial conversionalist (sic).
"Big August" always had a fresh supply of harmless jokes. The farmers
liked him especially for his wit in recommending his merchandise; "Joe,
you cannot get a duplicate of this stuff today either in Milwaukee or
Chicago".
* (Although of Polish extraction and with a Polish name, "Big August"
spoke German fluently, English pretty good, but very little Polish, just
enough to get along with the women customers.)
Of course, there could be no talk of big business "of getting rich quick"
in those days at such a country store, because most of the business was
done only in trade, money then being very scarce. This store, then, used
to be a real clearing house between the various sellers and buyers from
the entire neighborhood. Here, a farmer could sell his calves, poultry,
farm products etc., and in return buy a wagon, a plow, various farm
implements down to nails and fence wire. The house-wives were also welcome
customers in exchanging their home made butter, cottage cheese, dressed
chicken etc. for groceries, home apparel for themselves, a nice tailored
school dress for little Mary, and a pair of shoes for little Mike also
going to school, and even other smaller items down to safety pins, needles
and threads.
CENTER OF POLITICAL INFORMATION
This store connected with the old fashioned saloon also used to be a
meeting place where social activities and political affairs were discussed.
Whenever elections were approaching, candidates for State and county jobs
were anxious to come and see "Big August", and get first hand information
on what he had to say about them. When "Big August" said YES, the
respective candidate could count on a big vote of the "Polanders" of
Northeim and the entire south portion of Manitowoc county. It was also his
job to get in advance the citizens' papers for his future voters (*). A
big mass meeting, usually on Sundays after services in church, was
arranged for this was the best chance to get all the farmers together. Of
course, if the weather was favorable, the politicians started their
campaign speech with all possible promises "if elected", immediately
after the services; the farmers leaned against their wagons on the church
lawn, while August with some helpers was in the meantime, busy tapping a
keg of beer and in preparing a big picnic table for the glasses. After
such a speech there was free beer for all. In case of inclement weather,
this mass meeting was held in the nearby hall.
* (In those early days of Northeim, the laws governing the naturalization
of immigrants were in easy reach of everybody who wanted to become an
American citizen. A lawyer with a Notary Public came out to Northeim and
took care of all the applications. In a few weeks everybody had his
citizens papers and could vote.)
In those days, a farmer could not well afford to subscribe to a daily
newspaper. It was Sunday after services when the farmer got all the
information about politics. "Big August" was getting several daily
papers for perusal of his customers; a week's or even two weeks' old
newspaper was always a fine gift. In fact, when mother sent Johnnie to
the store for some grocery, she instructed him to bring also a newspaper
from the storekeeper.
JOHN CICHY'S INN *
* (All the information contained in this item is based on reliable
narratives, obtained from some older parishioners)
In writing a reliable HISTORY OF NORTHEIM, we cannot forget about another
important center where our farmers in those early days used to meet.
Just a few yards from the church premises, there stood another log-cabin
known as JOHN'S INN".
This was a real resting place for the men, whilst "Big August's" store
was rather a gathering place for the women folks to do all the shopping
and talking with the people they met there. As a rule, the men folks
always prefer a more quiet place to meet their neighbors and have a nice
drink together. As long as they do not abuse a good drink of "schnapps"
or a few glasses of old-time beer, there is absolutely nothing wrong in
that.
Fathers Buczynski, Wieczorek, Gieryk, Paluch and several other "Broad
minded" former pastors hammered from the pulpit against getting drunk,
and even quite often recommended temperance, but never advocated
prohibition. They knew human nature very well, and for this reason would
not deny a farmer a good glass of beer when he came to town. On the other
hand, these pastors also knew John as a good fellow who would not tolerate
a drunkard or abusive language in his inn. And John had a fine reputation
in this regard. Any traveler in those early days of Northeim knew our
good-hearted John. There, he would count on real American hospitality.
John always carried a sufficient supply of "Old Kentucky 66", some genuine
and well aged rye-whiskies, some assortments of beer in cases and on tap.
Here, a stranger could get a cheap, but substantial and tasty country
dinner or a luncheon; and even his team of horses or oxen would not pass
John's premises, because they also got a good treat here. After pulling a
load of timber or other contents on a primitive wagon over bad mud roads,
these animals were glad to take a short rest and a luncheon with other
teams; they knew John's place "by instinct". John likewise carried a
sufficient supply of oats and hay for these quadrupeds, should they have
been entitled, according to their proprietor's sound judgement, to some
more after an arduous trip.
And Mrs. Cichy took care of the women who came several miles from their
farms to town. A big pot of hot coffee was always on the stove; a cup of
that drink warmed up the ladies who arrived here after a tedious ride
with an oxen-team on a cold winter day.
In the course of time, people preferred to patronize John instead of
August. Gradually, it was John's inn which became a center of gatherings.
It was here, where politicians, businessmen and various agents could reach
the farmers more easily. John subscribed to several Polish newspapers
which carried an abundance of information about and from Poland; that was
exactly what the people wanted to hear whenever they came to town. Here
at John's place, the farmers obtained all the necessary information
concerning the prices of wheat, potatoes, livestock etc. It was
good-hearted John, who assisted his friends in buying another 40 acres of
land, in writing to the county clerk for a marriage license or forwarding
same to him; in helping out Jack and Joe with a temporary loan etc. Even
today, the old people of Northeim have a good word for the kind-hearted
John.
THE BLACKSMITH'S SHOP
Another important man out in a country is a blacksmith. Farmers in a
rural district are indifferent whether or not they have a physician in
their midst; most of them never had one in their homes, at least that is
what the old pioneers in Northeim say. A clever blacksmith, however, is a
great asset for a farming community.
The old people say that they were fortunate in having a very fine
blacksmith in their district. (*) All the farmers from far and near
praised him for his good job. He had a special gift of adjusting the
plowshares, and there was no other blacksmith in the entire vicinity who
could surpass him in horseshoeing.
* (His exact name and nationality could not be established satisfactorily.
For this reason his exact name is purposely omitted. He went under the
general name of the "old blacksmith" [kowal]).
In his yard, people say, there was always a great collection of various
vehicles, plows and other farm implements, waiting in turn for repair.
In those days, the blacksmith made nails, hinges for doors, hatches, axes
and other various articles. The old people simply say about him: "All
the stuff he made, was very good and durable". Some of the articles made
by him are still conspicuous in our church and parsonage.
RECREATION CENTER
Aside of all the hard work and other hardships endured by our first
pioneers, they were fond of social gatherings and celebrations. They
enjoyed good music and also a good dance.
There were two large dance halls in the early days of Northeim; one owned
by John Cichy, and the other by Frank Bonin.
All important national events like New Year's Day, Washington's birthday,
July the Fourth, Carnival, Kirmis, and several other days during the year
had to be celebrated with a big dance in one of the community halls.
Father and mother, boys and girls had a gala-day on such occasions. And
there was nothing wrong about it; when midnight approached, the musician
played for the close a church hymn, and the members of the families
returned home with a great satisfaction. (*)
* ( Information collected from several old pioneers)
THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS
No other community in this part of Wisconsin at that time had such a great
influx of Polish immigrants as Northeim; no other town then in formation
made such rapid progress as the newly organized St. Casimir's congregation.
They first came here, because there was a Catholic church, a parochial
school, some stores and civilization. Although poor, because most of them
did not bring a great capital with them to start a large enterprise, yet
they were good, practical Catholics; honesty, mutual cooperation and
friendliness was their first and fundamental policy. Their young wives
were ready to share their husbands' attempts in this newly adopted country
for better or worse, for richer or poorer. In many instances, these first
Polish settlers brought with them two, three or even more youngsters,
thus augmenting the vanguards of St. Casimir's parish.
Without any special initiation ceremonies, these new settlers were ushered
into the circle of social life and activities of the older pioneers.
This is what history tells us, and we are glad to hear it. A wedding or a
christening party always became a community affair. It was up to the
neighbors' housewives to assist the hostess in performing all necessary
preparations for such an extraordinary doing; in making a thorough
housecleaning, decorating the respective home with garlands; collecting
among themselves an abundant quantity of various meats, butter fruits,
fats etc.; planning out the baking of coffee-cakes, pies, and of preparing
all the food the day before, because the very day on such occasions was a
gala-day for the entire congregation. Pete KUFFEL, playing a clarinet,
Joe LESZCZ, blowing an old fashioned base, John CICHY and John SIEWERT,
first and second violin, furnished the music. An ample platform, erected
in a convenient corner of the yard, told the passerby that there will be
some dancing the next day. In fact as soon as the priest announced the
first call in church about an approaching marriage, the old shoemaker had
to work double time in fixing all sorts of footwear; father and mother,
boys and girls were talking about a big time at the wedding. And there
was no harm in it, because after all, Northeim was one large family,
intermarried in the course of years from various angles and degrees of
kindred.
Besides wedding and christening parties, the families assembled,
especially during the long winter months on Sunday afternoons in some
larger house of their neighbors where parents and grown up sons and
daughters enjoyed themselves. The older men played cards, "sheephead" and
"sixty-six" being the preferable games; of course, the losers had to pay
for the beer. The mothers and the young usually preferred to dance,
"waltzes", "polkas" and some other square-dances then being in vogue.
Although the music, rendered by some novice musicians, some boys from the
neighborhood, was not quite harmonious to the ear, yet it was full of pep
and the participants got a thrill out of it. If another boy or girl could
furnish some kind of accompaniment on an old piano or some old organ,
bought from a second-hand store, then there was real music and an
extraordinary family gala-day to talk about for at least two or three days
afterwards.
Mothers used to have a nice supply of cider, grape-juice, cherry wine, and
all kinds of delicacies which they stored up in the cellar or in the
pantry for future use, especially for Kirmis, Christmas, New Years' Day
and other multiple family affairs; the women folk also had to have their
treat and a nice drink. And let us also bear in mind that at that time
our families were large: from six to twelve children in a family.
Neighbors, relatives and friends thus gathered at their homes for a clean
recreation. The young people were more under the observant eyes of their
parents. There was a spirit of sociability and friendship at that time.
This is what history tells us. The old people of Northeim still remember
those happy days and talk about them to their grandchildren and younger
folks. And the author thinks that it is worth while to have these things
in print as an inheritance of the past.