Headlines from Sussex-Lisbon in 1900

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Fred H. Keller | Retrospect

Village Historian

Headlines from Sussex-Lisbon in 1900

The year 1900 was lead by U.S. President William McKinley with Spanish-American War hero Theodore Roosevelt as the vice president. In 1900, Hawaii became part of the United States andEdward Scofield was the governor of Wisconsin.

Locally, the population of Lisbon and Sussex was 1510 which was up 67 from the 1890 U.S. Census.

Thanks to a collection of newspaper clippings Jeremiah Smith collected over the years that were later donated to the Pauline Haass Public Library and Sussex Lisbon-Area Historical Society, you can flip through 192 pages of 1900s history and see what made headlines. Here are some snippets of what you can find in this historic collection.

Feb. 3, 1900, Waukesha Free Press

“Frank Clary who had his leg so badly used up by fall off the car on the M&S railroad (Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Superior Bug Line) is progressing very favorably and we expect to see him around again in a short time.”

Adjacent to this Clary tidbit was less favorable news, “Hon. Wm Small is seriously and dangerously sick at his advanced age there is but small hope of an ultimate recovery.”

Feb. 14, 1900, Cedarburg News

“Waukesha, Wis. Feb. 10th special. Resident of Sussex for many years passes away. Yesterday afternoon occurred the death of William Small, and old and prominent resident of Sussex. Mr. Small was born in Perthshire, Scotland. He came to this country in 1842.

“He held most every office within the gift of his neighbors who universally respected him for his sterling qualities. He was a member of the (Wis) Legislature, (Lisbon) town chairman, and Justice of the Peace for many years.”

Feb. 17, 1900, Waukesha Democrat

“Wm Weaver 2nd and his daughter and brother-in-law Robert Frost will leave this week on a visit to California. They expect to be gone six weeks.”

Waukesha Democrat, March 2, 1900

“William Butler, one of the earliest settlers in this county died Sunday at his home at North Lisbon after a brief illness. Deceased was born at Yorkshire, England July 2, 1826 and came to Lisbon in 1844 where he has since continually resided. 12 children to survive. Funeral at Lisbon Presbyterian with Rev. H.W. Cornes officiating.”

May 12, 1900 Waukesha Free Press

“About a quarter past 10 Saturday night Sussex area resident Mr. Steward discovered his house on fire. It being of wood, with slight help at hand, soon burned to the ground with nearly all the contents. There is a small insurance in the Lisbon town company. Mr. Stewart being a poor man the loss falls heavy on him. There are petitions circulating soliciting subscriptions for his benefit.”

June 2, 1900 Waukesha Democrat

“The annual carnival of the Sussex Amusement Association is being held in the village Friday. There will be a shooting tournament and a series of athletic contests in the afternoon. The state industrial school band will furnish music during the day. In the evening there will be a grand ball at Marsden’s hall for which Ray Ward’s orchestra of Waukesha will furnish the music.”