Container
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Title
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11/10/76
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:30
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FARM BUILDINGS ON SPRECHER FARM : Originally a house, barn, hoghouse, chickenhouse, part of a shed, corn-crib. Later, most outbuildings removed or replaced. Farmhouse completely remodeled; barn has new addition, com- pletely remodeled on inside. 12 x 45 cement-stave silo built about 1942; 12 x 60 silo built in 1963.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
03:20
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NEW EQUIPMENT ELIMINATES DRUDGERY : Later addition of equipment for automated feeding, silo unloading, and barn cleaning helped to increase production but eliminated much physical drudgery.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
04:30
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WHY SPRECHER DECIDES TO BUILD CEMENT STAVE-SILO : Hard to get wooden-stave silo; convinced by neighbor, a sales- man, to buy one of cement-staves. Built at cost of less than $1,000; later silo cost over $13,000. Considered buying Harvestore silo in 1960s but cost $7,000-$8,000 more than cement-stave structure.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
07:30
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FORKING HAY : Stopped forking hay about 1960.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
07:45
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EXPANDS AND IMPROVES BARN : Barn originally built for nineteen cows; expanded to accommodate forty-two. Built separate, environment- controlled barn for calves. Main barn remodeled three times over the years. First barn cleaner installed about mid-1950s.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
10:00
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PROBLEM OF FARM WATER SUPPLY : Windmill unreliable, often had to pump water by hand until purchase of electric motor. Inadequate water supply until well drilled about 1953.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
11:45
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FORTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT : Very moved by daughter's gift of a metal model of the farm as it was during the early years (hanging on wall of Sprecher's home in Sauk City).
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
12:45
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WHERE TO LOCATE A SILO : Should locate on side of barn rather than on the end to allow room for expansion. Sprecher's newest silo not attached to barn but in midst of cement yard.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
13:50
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LIGHTNING RODS ON BARN : Put lightning rods on barns because of concern for fire; explains how to position rods on barn roof.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
14:55
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IMPROVEMENTS IN LOADING HAY : Forked loose hay until cultivation of alfalfa; use of haylage became widespread in 1940s. Unsuccessfully tried to chop dry hay. In mid-1940s bought a baler with brother and used it for all except silo hay. Later used automated loading machinery.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
17:10
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SHARING MACHINERY WITH OTHERS : Important that farmers share expensive machinery; Sprecher fortunate to cooperate with brother. Together bought McCormick-Deering seed-plow tractor in 1936 for plowing; later purchased a cultivator. Emphasizes acreage covered by modern tractor with five-bottom plow.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
19:10
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FAMILY HELPS LOA LOOSE HAY UNTIL TRACTOR ABLE TO PULL HAY LOADER : Wife and children helped drive team while men loaded hay. Explains how to load loose hay on a wagon.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
21:20
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FALL PLOWING : Liked to plow in fall to save time in spring. Much more fall plowing in Minnesota than in Sauk City area.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
22:30
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USE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS : Soil needs commercial fertilizer in fall. Sprecher first tested it (type C-12) in his marsh. Feels commercial fertilizers, improved seeds, and better soil management all have reduced potentially drastic effects of 1970s drought.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
24:10
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SOIL EROSION BECAUSE OF FALL PLOWING : Soil erosion if winter doesn't bring considerable snowfall.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
25:10
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BUYS MANY SUPPLIES AT SAUK CITY FARMCO COOPERATIVE : Over the years has bought almost all expendables such as seed and twine at Sauk City Farmco Cooperative.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
26:00
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IMPORTANCE OF BUYING MACHINERY FROM DEALER WHO PROVIDES GOOD SERVICE : Bought milking and other equipment from private dealer who provided reliable service. Very expensive modern machinery requires constant care. Gives example of high repair costs in 1970s.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
29:30
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BUYS FIRST COMBINE ABOUT : Ran threshing rig with brother, but about 1951 grain too windblown and tough and bought a combine on the spur of the moment. Recalls German exchange student startled at on-the- spot decision to buy major piece of machinery. Combined extensively in the neighborhood that fall; sold old threshing machine before it became obsolete. John Deere combine cost $700-$800; disliked cranking engine, so after two years got another when purchased bigger tractor with power take-off. In 1970s many individual farmers better off to contract for combining because of high machinery prices.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
33:50
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END TAPE 5, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:30
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SHARING FARM EQUIPMENT WITH BROTHER : Able to save money and buy good machinery by sharing costs and upkeep with brother.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
01:50
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LOCATION OF BROTHER'S FARM : Brother's farm about one mile away; extensive road-running hard on equipment.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
03:00
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SPRECHER AND BROTHER PROVIDE THRESHING MACHINE FOR OTHER FARMERS : Charged farmers various prices; considered $50 per day and $500 for a season of threshing very good. Enjoyed providing the service; threshing crews lots of fun.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
05:00
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MEALS FOR THRESHING CREWS : Farmwives competed to provide most impressive meals for threshing crews; “banquets” every day.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
05:55
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POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG MEMBERS OF THRESHING CREWS : Often tempers flared over political issues.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
06:55
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LAMENT OVER THRESHING DAYS : Misses camaraderie of threshing crews; work easier since demise of threshing, but improvements also have meant sacrificing the good times.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
07:50
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CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THRESHING : Contracted informally to do threshing for same farmers every year.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
09:15
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SHREDDING CORN : Explains how farmers used to shock corn, dry it, then run through shredder to separate ears and stalks. Stalks went to barn for feed and bedding. Shredding hard and dangerous work. Sprecher provided shredding service for other farmers for $5 per hour. Less shredding done after more alfalfa grown for haylage.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
13:00
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HOW SPRECHER AND BROTHER DIVIDED THRESHING RESPONSIBILITIES : Brother responsible for machinery maintenance while Sprecher hauled the grain. Sprecher's first job on threshing crew was tending the blower.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
15:05
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WEIGHING AND ELEVATING GRAIN : Bought first grain elevator at Portage during World War II; received government priority because would be used for many farmers.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
15:45
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SETTING A THRESHING MACHINE : Depends on direction of wind.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
16:00
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BUILDING A STRAW PILE : Sprecher built many straw piles for $1 per day extra. Farmers very particular about position on piles.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
17:55
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WOMEN'S ROLE DURING THRESHING : Women's contribution vital; did most of daily chores including milking to enable men to thresh.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
19:05
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DETAIL ON BUILDING A STRAW PILE : Explains how to build a good straw pile.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
21:25
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DRINKING WHILE THRESHING : Not done in Sprecher's community.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
22:40
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WOODCUTTING : Preferred oak; worked with father, brother and neighbors between chore times. During several winters cut cord wood for dairy plants; once cut four cords to buy an overcoat.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
29:00
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COMPARES WORK IN PAST WITH PRESENT : Recalls hard physical labor on farm; always ate and slept well. Worried more in later years when concerned as cooperative leader with other people's affairs; thirty years ago concerned mostly about his own debts.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
30:10
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USE OF HIRED LABOR : Hired some help after first two children born and wife less able to help. Usually hired single men; had homeless boy for many years. Never asked hired worker to do anything he wouldn't. Good relations with all hired help; recalls hiring debt-ridden alcoholic that wife Della helped to straighten out.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
33:00
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END TAPE 5, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:30
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DESIRABLE QUALITIES IN FARM LABORER : Honesty; able to feel part of the family. Strongly believes laborer should be well-fed. Hired man should be a “little full of fun,” have some of same interests, and be willing to work. Disliked drinkers.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
03:10
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DIFFICULTY IN HIRING COMPETENT LABOR : More difficult in later years to find competent farm workers; greater skills required to deal with expensive, sophisticated machinery.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
04:30
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WAGES FOR HIRED LABOR : Paid hired men wages comparable to those in town; gave extra rewards at Christmas. In 1970s not uncommon for hired men on dairy farm to get $600-$700 per month, plus room, fuel, and some food. Trend towards hiring married men instead of single men.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
06:10
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COMPARES PAST AND PRESENT WAGES FOR HIRED MEN : Sprecher in 1930s earned $200 per year as a hired man; fifteen years ago paid hired man $200 per month .
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
07:30
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MORE ON HIRED MEN : Hired men often went into business after leaving Sprecher's farm, although none farmed. Hired help often farm boys with too many brothers on family farm.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
08:55
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IMPACT OF WORLD WAR II ON FARMING : Brought great increase in farm income; Sprecher able to pay off debts and heavy mortgage. Rented more land during war. “Anybody that didn't make money in those years will never make money.”
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
11:10
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ANECDOTE ABOUT STOCK MARKET INVESTMENT : Recalls rich neighbor who convinced him during 1940s to invest in paper company stock. At first made large profit, then reinvested it and just broke even. Later invested only in safe companies, like utilities.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
13:35
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SPRECHER DECIDES NOT TO EXPAND : Since son wouldn't remain on farm, Sprecher decided not to expand farm in 1940s, but began to get more involved in cooperatives. Feels he missed opportunities by staying status quo; realized later farmer can't progress by leveling off.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
15:30
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FARM IMPROVEMENTS DURING WORLD WAR II : Net income during war despite rising prices. Bought new tractor, cornpicker, barn cleaner; remodeled house as well as barn. Feels his situation typical of other farmers, though some managed badly, overinvesting in land and equipment.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
17:20
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ABSENCE OF HARD YEARS ON FARM : Years uneven, but recalls no real “bad years.” Most problems related to his own lack of initiative in making heavier investments; should have borrowed more money to make improvements.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
19:35
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HESITATES TO SWITCH TO GRADE A WHILE DIRECTOR OF GRADE B CREAMERY : Area farmers began to change to Grade A market while Sprecher director of the Grade B Honey Creek Valley Dairy Cooperative. While Sprecher's brother switched to Grade A, Sprecher stayed with Grade B until bulk cooling tanks appeared in 1954.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
21:15
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FARM CHANGES REQUIRED BY SWITCH TO GRADE A MARKET : Switched to Grade A in fall 1954. Dug new well, had water tested, cemented cow yard, improved lighting in barn, rewired barn, improved floor. Built new, painted milkhouse with adequate hot water heater and new bulk cooler. Never sorry he switched; approves trend toward all Grade A milk in Wisconsin. Recalls long hours of work to get ready for first Grade A inspection.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
24:15
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FARMER AND MILK HAULER OPPOSITION TO GRADE A : Milk haulers without bulk tank bodies lost customers. Some conservative farmers cautious and hesitated too long. Stresses farmer should be neither overcautious nor overanxious to change.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
26:05
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MORE ON STANDARDS RELATED TO GRADE A : Pipeline systems later brought additional standards. Had to watch cows health more closely, especially for signs of mastitis.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
27:05
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MILK HAULERS ADJUST TO GRADE A : Explains how Grade B milk haulers contracted with dairy plants. With switch to Grade A, state Public Service Commission awarded franchises to haulers which ended competitive bidding between plants. By 1976, Sauk City almost all Grade A, although some plants of Wisconsin Dairies Cooperative still take large amounts of Grade B.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
30:20
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COMPARES PRICE FOR GRADE A AND GRADE B MILK : Traditionally prices higher for Grade A, although more recently narrower gap between Grade A and Grade B prices. More prestige in producing A.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
31:25
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COST OF SWITCH TO GRADE A : Estimates overall cost at $5,000-$6,000; bulk tank alone cost $2,000. Again stresses higher status of Grade A producers among dairy farmers.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
32:20
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END TAPE 6, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:30
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CATTLE RAISING AND MARKETING : Over years great changes in raising cattle for meat, mostly because of artificial insemination. Meat producers criticize dairy farmers for raising beef as a sideline. Sprecher raised Holstein steers; sold for around 34 per pound.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
03:05
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MARKETS STEERS THROUGH EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SHIPPING ASSOCIATION : Sometimes sold steers directly to Oscar Mayer Company in Madison, but usually through Equity. Hauler took steers to auction barn at Richland Center. Dairy farming with combination of dairy and beef potentially more profitable.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
05:15
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NEED FOR FAMILY-SIZED FARMS MANAGED BY TWO FAMILIES : Would release dairy farmers from seven-day work week.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
05:25
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PRIVATE BUYERS CONTACT SPRECHER TO BUY STEERS : Private buyers of steers used to contact Sprecher, though less so in later years. Equity reliable, even though didn't always offer top price.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
06:30
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ASSOCIATION WITH EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SHIPPING ASSOCIATION : Attended meetings; never an officer because of involvement with dairy cooperatives.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
06:50
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COMMENTS ON FARM BUREAU LIVESTOCK MARKETING PROGRAM COMPETING WITH EQUITY'S : Didn't like Farm Bureau setting up separate program; Equity and FB could work together more closely instead of competing.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
08:30
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SUPPORTS INCREASED COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES : Supported FB and Equity collaboration on marketing, producing, and research of hogs. Need for livestock marketing cooperatives to cooperate more on regional level.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
09:45
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COOPERATIVE CONSORTIUM BUYS ATLANTIC-RICHFIELD COMPANY (ARCO) REFINERY : Example of cooperation among cooperatives. Regionals joined to purchase ARCO refinery in Chicago area.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
10:20
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COOPERATIVES SELL LIVESTOCK : Cooperatives compete to sell livestock, mostly to Oscar Mayer. Believes it might be necessary for cooperatives to develop own processing facilities to bypass Oscar Mayer.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
11:20
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PROMOTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS : Recalls failure of Wisconsin Dairy Federation to get support from processors and farmers for dairy promotion. Opposition from farmers who fear present and future checkoff rate, and from those who don't believe that farmers should get involved in advertising.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
14:35
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BEGINNING OF INVOLVEMENT IN SAUK COUNTY SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION IN : 1946 law authorized school districts. Sauk county board of supervisors appointed Sprecher to school consolidation committee, organized in 1947. Believed consolidation would provide better schooling opportunities for rural children. Consolidation brought urban and rural people together to share equally burden of financing modern schools.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
18:15
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ADVANTAGES OF CONSOLIDATION OUTWEIGH DISADVANTAGES : While neighborhood lost one-room school as community center and children gave up advantages of close mingling between children of various ages, gains from consolidation greater than losses.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
20:25
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PURPOSE OF SAUK COUNTY CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE : Get outlying areas into equally valuated high school districts so costs borne equitably among taxpayers. Sprecher remembers young generally supported change; older citizens opposed. Personal harassment; once needed police escort to leave meeting. Anecdote about meeting where young mother who supported consolida- tion knocked out man with opposite viewpoint. Great antagonism against “outsiders” on school committee for attempting to run affairs of local districts.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
22:50
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CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL TEACHER-BOARD RELATIONS : Poor communication; teachers don't know how to make their demands known, and school board doesn't know how to negotiate. Opposes teachers' unions; doesn't like children to see teacher-board of education animosity.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
23:55
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HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED IN SAUK COUNTY : Sauk county divided into four districts with approximately equal valuations. Committee members went from school to school to explain law and help make decisions on petitions from individuals for attachment.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
24:45
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE ENTANGLED IN COMPETITION AMONG DISTRICTS : Some school administrators interested in grabbing territory outside their own counties; as many as five school committees involved in some Sauk county territory. School committee members often unwelcome and even hated.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
26:55
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MORE ADVANTAGES ON SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION IN SAUK COUNTY : Pulled together cities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, even though reservations about travel distance for some rural children.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
27:40
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OLD SAUK CITY AND PRAIRIE DU SAC DISTRICTS : Witwen children went to Prairie du Sac; children south of Witwen to Sauk City. Always much rivalry between Sauk City and Prairie du Sac.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
28:10
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE TRIES TO ACCOMMODATE MAJORITY : Purpose of meetings to accommodate wishes of majority.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
28:45
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REPRESENTATION ON SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE : Representatives from both city and rural areas.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
29:00
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OFFICE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ELIMINATED : Because of new redistricting.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
29:30
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OPPONENTS OF MERGER : Consolidation, like any change, blamed by some on socialism and communism. Sprecher involved simultaneously in cooperative mergers, so got double dose of nasty telephone calls. “Nobody put you on a pension plan, I'll tell you, unless it was at the end of a foot.”
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
30:15
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NEIGHBORHOOD DIVIDED ON CONSOLIDATION : Many of Sprecher's neighbors supported consolidation, but some, including splinter religious groups, opposed to change.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
30:50
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END TAPE 6, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
00:30
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RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION TO SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION : Recalls particular sect that didn't believe in high school education. Sect had strong leadership and was an influential minority; appeared first in 1920s and opposed community functions as well as unnecessary education.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
02:35
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PROBLEM OF SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION IN WINTER : Children riding preferable to walking one and a half miles to the one-room school in winter. Concern about mixing elementary and high school children on bus.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
04:05
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COUNTRY CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES : Country children used to fear participation in athletics; became major participants after consolidation.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
05:50
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CONSOLIDATION FAVORABLE DESPITE TRANSPORTATION COST : Cost of transportation doesn't outweigh advantages of con- solidation; insignificant cost if children's lives improved.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
06:40
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CHURCHES AND NATIONALITIES IN SPRECHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD : Immediate neighborhood strictly German. Many religions: Protestant, Catholic, Lutheran, Evangelical (United Brethren Evangelical, now United Methodist). Formerly strong division between Protestants and Catholics to west and east of Sauk City; as a Protestant, Sprecher wouldn't mingle with them. In 1970s religious communities mix and cooperate; optimistic about ecumenicalism in community.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
10:45
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NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES : Three churches, two of which closed. Recalls while a boy the transition from German to English-speaking services to attract young members.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
12:30
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NEW CHURCH BUILT IN SPRECHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD : After two churches closed, members of the third (Evangelical) after many years of discussion, in 1949 decided to build new church. Sprecher on building committee; cost exceeded budget of $100,000; members pledged balance; and $40,000 paid off in seven-eight years.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
15:05
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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE AT EVANGELICAL CHURCH : Church once had 325 members; reduced to 250 with weekly attendance of about 100. Traditional service needs to change to attract young people. Increase in intermarriage also decreases membership.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
17:10
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INCREASED PROPORTION OF CATHOLICS IN WITWEN AREA : Catholics in area tend to have large families; children have bought farms owned formerly by Protestants.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
18:35
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CHANGING ROLE OF CHURCH : “Church changing for the good” in terms of performance and attitude, despite dwindling attendance.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
19:25
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NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS AT OLD COUNTRY STORE : Men met in evenings at old country store at Witwen, sat around pot-bellied wood stove, held wide-ranging discussions, ate peanuts and bologna and drank pop. Some card-playing. Recalls vicious political arguments between stalwart and progressive Republicans.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
23:10
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BUTTERMILK AUCTION AT WITWEN : Men gathered on first Monday of every month to bid on butter- milk. Auctions ceased when it became more profitable to feed buttermilk to people than to hogs.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
25:55
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WOMEN'S GATHERINGS : Women met at church, in homemakers groups, and at one-room schoolhouse for meetings and children's events.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
26:35
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COUNTRY STORE CLOSES : Country store closed about 1964; fell to competition of supermarkets in Sauk City and Madison.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
28:20
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WEEKLY FARMERS SHOPPING NIGHT IN SAUK CITY : Saturday night used to be main shopping night; later switched to Friday.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
28:40
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SELLS EGGS AT COUNTRY STORE : Used to barter eggs at country store; practice ceased when farm pick-up began.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
29:30
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DUCKS AND DICE : Anecdote on how farmers would shake dice for ducks in country store.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
30:00
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MARKETING EGGS AND POULTRY : Occasionally sold eggs and poultry in Sauk City.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
30:35
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NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS : Serious split between stalwart and progressive Republicans, and between supporters and non-supporters of Bill Evjue. Country store arguments often carried over to next day's threshing.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
31:45
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END TAPE 7, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
00:30
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VISITS TO MADISON : First visit to Madison via train; then and later visited state historical society, and later encouraged children to do so. Remembers excitement the first time he drove alone to Madison, and toured the Square.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
03:00
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CHANGING FUNCTION OF COUNTRY BANK : Country bank much more concerned about farmers and agricultural loans than in past.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
04:20
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SPRECHER BECOMES BANK DIRECTOR : Invited to join board of bank to help with loans for bulk milk coolers. Feels that Depression changed bankers attitudes in Prairie du Sac area; now ahead of Federal Land Bank office in making agricultural loans. Mentions meeting of bankers to determine how to help farmer in period of 1970s drought.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
07:55
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BRANCH BANKING : Opposes branch banking because big city banks don't understand local situation. Local banks grant loans more on basis of character and management ability than on collateral.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
09:15
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BANK BOARD SEEKS FARMERS : Eager to get farmers on board of directors.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
10:15
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PROBLEMS OF STARTING TO FARM IN : Despite estimated initial cost of $200,000 for starting a farm, Sprecher feels it can be done but with just as much difficulty as in the past. Startup costs high, but higher returns for hard work.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
12:20
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MODERN LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY FAILS TO GIVE FARMER MORE FREE TIME : Despite labor-saving machinery, farmers seem to have less time, perhaps because they seek greater variety of leisure activities. Less time to socialize with neighbors as they travel to cities for food and entertainment. More emphasis in past on family and neighborliness.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
16:15
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LIFE IN RETROSPECT : Wishes he had gotten a better education, but still would become a dairy farmer, work for cooperatives, and participate in community affairs.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
17:40
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CONCLUDING REMARKS
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
19:05
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END OF INTERVIEW
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