Sept 2011 big rain/flood , road north of IndependenceFuneral for Louis Wiersgalla . He was an MP directing traffic at the crossroads in Cierges, FR when a German artillery hit. He died the next day from his wounds. His remains were brought home for reburial at the St Peter and Paul Cemetery in 1922Prvt Louis WiersgallaKids Fishing Contest 2018Peter A Sura, USMC 6th Infantry, killed in action July 19, 2018 at the Battle of Chateau Thierry. Son of Peter and Agata.Peter A Sura –the American Legion Post Sura Wiersgalla #186 named for PeterBlacksmith Shop 1926 Ole Huff, A Filla, Ole Hanson at Anvil. Rear-John Gamroth, John and Peter PampuchWreaths Across America St Peter and Paul Cemetery Dec 2018–a wreath was placed on the grave of each veteran.Wreaths Across American sponsored by Sura Wiersgalla American Legion Post #186 Dec 2018Martin Wiemer sold furniture and home supplies, was the funeral director and for many years County Coroner1928 8th Grade for Monica Woycik who attended Wickham Valley SchoolKathy Zeiglin, Jescey Thompson, Kiera Kjos, Vaida Goplin 2017Sts Peter and Paul Catholic ChurchIndependence Milk man _______ MarkhamMike Lyga and the Veteran’s Museum in the Independence High SchoolKids’ Fishing Contest , Bugle Lake, Independence 2017Texaco Station, IndependenceFather Gara, St Peter and Paul Church2016 Main HallRev Kufel of St Peter and Paul ChurchFt Gara’s funeral, July 1922 SSPPFuneral of Ft Gara, July 1922 SSPPSt Peter and Paul about 1910. The old parochial school is on the far left, the steeple poking up from the trees is the original schoolhouse.Ft Peter Rombalski’s First Mass May 22 1932 Niece Margaret Rombalski with pillow, Helen Rombalski on his left, on far left Peter Kulig and ____Pyka. Ft Rombalski (Rabalsky) was one of 15 children born to Frank and Catherine (Roskosz) Rombalski
Holy Name Society badges SSPPSSPP from the southwest side, around 1920Photo of workmen and priests shows old parochial school in the left backgroundCripps School- 1959—Back-L-R ___Cilley, ___Smieja, Ruth Smieja, ___Gruentzal, ___? Middle- ___Dumbeck, Berniece Smick, Bernard Halama ____? Front- Theresa Smieja, Dejno Twins, John Dejno, ___Burt, Vernon Anderson, Joan BurtHigh water–Bugle Lake Dam Independence 4.4.1956St Peter and Paul sanctuary decorated for Christmas 2015Platz Drug in IndependenceJanuary 1915Elk Creek School Founded 1870-closed 1940 Photo from 1930s1936 Elk Creek School StudentsH C Halama late 1940sCripps School Jan 2015 After the school closed the Town of Burnside added on to it and used it for many years. Located north of Independence on Hwy 93Andrew Grulkowski, Independence HS 2015Prom Court 2015 Independence HS–Brennan Christianson, Henry Pfaff, Jordan Speltz, Steve Gamroth, Sophia Woychik, Cheyenne Loewenhagen, Morgan Speltz, GinaGamroth, Tessa BraggerIsaac Pape and Jackson Standafer 2015 football1913 Poultry Show held in IndependencePoultry show 1913J A Markham 1913Independence Business ads 1913Ad from 1930 county plat bookERGC Fishing Contest 2016July 2014 Old span bridge is replaced during Hwy 93 road constructionJuly 2014 Road construction on corner of Hwy 121 and 93 junction. Old gas station/Kevin Benning business is removed
Ada Markham took over the Independence newspaper after the death of her husband. Note the presence of either a big cat or small fluffy dog on her desk.
Top-1939 Independence American Legion Team. They went to state but lost in semifinals. Front L-R-Rudy Smieja, Bill Andre, Saul Isaacs, Ray Reck, Lyman Call, Millard Fellenz, Roman Sobotta Back-Pete Misch, Everett Blaha, Ralph Klimek, Ed Resler, Geo Isaacs, Marcel Marsolek, Norris Olson Bottom photo-Indee Old Timers-Front L-R Ray Hagen, Helmer Neperud, Alan Briggs Edmundson, ernie Fremstad, Len Ellison, Al Windjue, Back row-Cliff Bautch, Ray Reck, Ralph Sygulla, Fred Gardner, Ken Swenson, Don Warner, Merton Hagen, coach De Bow, Peanuts hagenHenry Kurth Family membersIndependence HS 45th Class Reunion 2015Ads from 1914 Plat Book 2009 Kids Fishing Contest in front of City Hall2009 Bugle Lk view east1930 Dam Repair2006 Dale Miemiietz in Bugle Lake quagmireLutheran Sunday School kids 1979Thor Jackson Family 1880Independence Lutheran church 1979Lutheran Ladies Aid 1979Lutheran Ladies 1880s Mrs Ever Anderson, Mrs Ole Marveson, Mrs Bennet Anderson, Mrs Tom Jackson, Mrs ___Jackson, Mrs Lars Kelly, Mrs Ole Nelson, Mrs Ed Larson, Mrs Syver, Mrs AmundsonNorwegian Lutheran Church 1900 Note Independence Public School on the leftMr and Mrs Jacob JacksonMr and Mrs August Anderson 1890sLutheran Confirmands 1920, 23, 241881 pen and ink drawing of Independence. At this time Bugle Lake was almost 90 acres in size.Old bank on left, present day office of Kulig Michalak and Franklin on right next to vacant lot which was once the site of the Runkel Hardware Store and Filla’s Farm Lounge.Louis Slabik enginJune 1896 Independence Young LadiesRailroad Street 1900 looking eastIndependence 1940 at intersection of CR Q and Hwy 93 view westHigh Water in Independence 1906 looking west into town. The grain elevators in the background on the right are the site of the telephone office and lumber yard,(2014)girls team 2014, Coach Kale Kowahl2005 View of City Hall and park from Bugle lake2009 Kids Fishing Contest2010 Kids Fishing Contest on banks by bridgeSept 2011 Flood Bridge to Bugle Park, Independence2010 Kids Fishing Contest Fishboard IndependenceKids Fishing Contest 2010 L-R Bob Pietrek, Al Suchla,__, Ottie BaeckerIndependence aerial shot 2002, Bugle Lake upper rightGeorge Markham Family ( original white settlers of Independence)Old Independence School–1-12 grades Approx 1915John Markham and wifeMay 2010 Kids fishing contestMarkham Farm with octagon house, Ronceval, in mid rearMarkham Castle-Ronceval 1890s. On hill northeast of independence, torn down in 1930’sMarkham Family Octagon House “Ronceval”Fred Maule Family1953 Romelle Schneider RooseveltV. Pietrek FamilyValentine and Barbara PietrekFireworks over Bugle LakeFishing Contest 2005
Romelle Schneider Roosevelt
ERGC dedication of streambank restoration honoring the late James Helgeson
Prohibition woes
Doughboy Martin Matchie 1918
1909 Barn Raising at Mike Skroch farm in Wickham Valley
1940 Cooks at the Monica Mish/Dominic Sylla wedding reception at the John and Julia Sygulla farm front-Martina Sosalla, _____ Back- Sarah Sygulla, Julia Sygulla, Lucy Mish
Hyacinth and Susanna Woychik Kulig Golden Wedding Anniversary front, back row Gertrude, ____, Paul, John
Ben Kampa
Mr amd Mrs John Halama
Wickham Valley School kids in front of the school and Pete Pason’s “bus” Back L-r
R Marion Woychik, Berniece Sonsalla, Delores Wozney, Helen Bautch John and Ernest Sonsalla, _____, Laverne Sura Middle-Beatrice Sonsalla, ____Woychik, ____, Jim Wozney, ____Woychik Front- Bernadine Kampa, Joan Bautch, ____Wozney, Rosaline Puchalla, _____, Grace Kampa Photo Vitus Kampa
wedding invitation to wedding of August Weier and Rose Smieja 1921
Charles Pieterick , WW1 veteran and his four sons
John and Anna Walek Family , Golden Anniversay 1921
2021 FFA Sid Dailey
Ralph Sluga
Ralph Sluga, KIA WW2
Peter Filla Bar Paul Sobieck on left
Albert and Josephine Skrzypietz Bautch 1903
Anna and Lexi Kurth and Fair Steers 2021
Kampa Wedding at the Charles Kampa home in Wickham Valley—from Vitus Kampa collection
Kampa Wedding in Wickham Valley–newly weds are in the front seat of the buggy
1895 Building St Peter and Paul
St Peter and Paul church 1983
Lester Senty and Ken Gallagher
1985 Independence High School Wrestlers
Libowski Bar perhaps—Independence 1904
Bar tender Roman Smieja, owner of bar–Tom Bisek 1904
Libowski Bar perhaps– 1904– photo not identified
1951 Martha Marsolek
Bautch Brothers, Albert and Sebastion in front, Lawrence in back
Independence High School 1953
Indee Cheerleaders 1953 Rita Jackson, Marlene Sobish, Jean Myers and Luvane Helgeson
2020 ERGC Ice Fishing Contest 2020 The fish board
Dr Charles Peterson
Ed Slabik and Ralph Weirsgalla in Korea
1954 Township Queen Contest at County Fair
Bob Pietrek 2018
2019 Elk Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest
Bushy’s Meat Market bear decorated for St Patrick’s Day 2019
Elk Creek village platt 1914
Elk Creek Store 1914
Mary Sluga, Julia Skroch, Jennie Moga, Susie Skroch
ID card used by Frank Halama during WW1
Henry “Hank” Gamroth, rescued in WW2 by Desmond Doss
Peter Sura and Louis Wiersgalla, KIA 1918 Borst Valley School 1929 ( was located on Cty BB) Teacher Effie Filla Back Row L-R- Phyllis Burt, Albert Sylla, Lyle Back, Fred Marsolek, Gladys Lokken, Raymond Sylla Front- Helen Rombalski, Caroline Rombalski, Glenn Hendrickson, Carol Hendrickson, Elmer Lokken, Verna Burt, Euphrosine Rombalski
Borst Valley School girls, 1923 L-R Eleanor Prokop, Agnes Burt, Alla Marsolek, Blanch Burt, Rose Prokop, Phyllis burt Photo from Agnes Amble
New City School 8th Grade Class 1943 (located on Cty X) L=R- Marcus Kuka, Irene Bautch, Florence Bautch, Bill Filla photo from Mrs E Dubiel
Independence 1940
Hero dog of John Bautch 1915
Rust proff corset sold at Wise & MIsch in Independence 1915
Peter Filla, son of Victoria and step son of Edward Jelen
Pietrek”s 1964
Roman Klink
Roman Klink
Romelle Schneider and her husband, James Roosevelt
Joseph Roskos 1956
Peter Slabik in Prussian Army Uniform
Peter Slabik
Thoma’s Scrap yard
John and Anna Bautch Walek family 1921
Sid Dailey 2020
Independence New Wave, Ada Markham, editor 1900’s
Mike Skroch Meat Market 1910
Martin Matchey 1918
1947 Flood
Lyga’s Store 1954
Prom Queen Marie Bautch –later Mrs Don Kloss–Don was the Prom King 1954
Jelen -Libowski Wedding
John and Mary Sluga and family John was born as the family was immigrating to the US
Len Resler Bar–Molly behind bar, Corky, Doug and Ken Klimek
1915 strange happenings at Hoff Family farm
Joe Reck
Ben and Susie Wozney 1941
Independence 2019, Bushy’s Meat Market, shop for rent, Eagle Bar, Coffee Cup Cafe, empty building
Pape wreck, Independence 1915
Happenings February 1915 in Traverse Valley
Autographed advertising fan–Indee Bottling Company
December 1915 Independence News Wave Ad
1915
1915
1915
Indee baseball champs 1915Indee HS grads spring 1915
1913 Independence news
1915
1983 Article on Sts Peter & Paul Church
WALDERA HIGH CRUSH SAND MINE ON COUNTY Q 2019
NEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, 1967 OLD SCHOOL ON THE RIGHT NEXT TO ST PETER AND PAUL CHURCH
ANTI SAND MINE SENTIMENTS IN INDEPENDENCE 2018
SECOND ST PETER AND PAUL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AROUND 1920
1950’s at the Eagle Bar. L-R __Bautch, Gene Bautch, 3 Kucera/Miemietz cousins, Irene Symicke, Carl Kampa, Bea Skroch Front- Gertie Miemietz, Paul Miemietz, Paul Klimek Photo from Vitus Kampa ( note Band Box in upper left corner–a music box with figures that moved)1910 Kampa Farm, Wickham Valley L-R- Carl Kampa, Hattie Miemietz Mylnek, Anna Miemietz Kucera, Julia Miemietz Kampa, Matt Kampa, Mike Kloss(?) Note Carl is dressed in a Silesian outfitFrom the October 1957 Independence News Wave–Curtis Skroch and John LucenteJack Halama, John Lucente and Edward Misch October 1957 Photo from the Independence News Wave
Lester Senty and Ken Gallagher 1957
First Catholic church in Independence 1875
Entrance to Cripps School 2020
Old Cripps Schoolhouse north of Independence 2020
Dumback Family, Travis Valley
Downtown Independence 1908
John Sura, Killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor 1864. He and his friend George Parsons ran away from their homes to join the Union Army. John”s body was never recovered.
Affidavit from George Parson on Battle of Cold Harbor and John Sura
Miemietz Home in Boland Valley
1910 John & Anna Wiersgalla Family Back L-R Louie (killed in WW1) Stanley, Teckla, Frank, Thomas, Anna Front-Simon, Frances, Praxeda, Mary, John, Edmund, Paul, Anna, Polly, Mary, Magdaline Baby Paul ( apparently inserted) Missing from photo-Sophia1955 Independence High School band led by Drum Majorette Cynthia RoskosAugust Weier and daughter Phyllis ( married Leonard Kern)MIddle building was first Post Office in IndependenceSpan bridge in Independence when it was new
Weimer Building on the left, first Post Office
Newest Post Office , Independence 2019
Second post office building in Independence
Independence Snack Shop 1948
August Weier and Rose Smieja wedding 1920
Weier Buillding on left
Maule Farm, present day William Maliszewski farm on Hwy 121
Maule/Sylla Wedding 1895
Wozney UBC Store
Addresses for local men in the military run in the Independence News Wave 1950’s
Auxiliary members on the Matchey Roof 1986
POWER PLANT OPERATOR BOB GAMROTH
FRANK BAUTCH
HENRY WEIMER FAMILY
4th of JULY FLOAT
St Peter and Paul Church interior
LAMBERT STORE AROUND 1905
AREA OF SILESIA IN POLAND WHERE THE ANCESTORS OF INDEPENDENCE EMIGRATED FROM
‘STAJENKA AT CHRISTMAS WITH TOM GIEROK
ST PETER AND PAUL CHURCH
1910 Independence Graduates
A W Liver Home Around 1900
Aerial Photo 1960s
1900 Down town Independence
November 1918
1910 Baseball Team
David Kelly– responsible for the train depot being built in Independence
Crowd by the train tracks–perhaps Armistice Day 1918
Ad in Centennial booklet 1976
East End Bar 1928
Giles Cripps, early settler of Burnside
Looking NE about 1900
1880 First Public School
Drug Store 1915
Ladies Band
John Walek Family around 1900-10
4th of July parade
John Zimmer and Wife early settlers in Travis Valley
Vito Reck Came to the US from Poland in 1869. Died 1913. Father of 22 children
Lamberts Store on Main Street
Formerly Lloyds Sport ShopBuilding believed to have been moved in from New City in 1876
Lyga’s Store
Martha Andersson 1976
View North towards the bridge–around 1920
Pampuch farm on Cty X
1976
ad from 1976
2021 ERGC Ice Fishing Contest–no big tent due to Covid
2009 Kids Fishing Contest in front of City Hall
