7 moments from Milwaukee’s past
Braves lose; Bucks get their first victory
Oct. 8, 1981: Schoemperlen beating
Arrested in an indecent-exposure incident, James Schoemperlen was beaten by Milwaukee police so badly he wound up in the hospital. In legal proceedings lasting 18 months, one officer was convicted of aggravated battery and another of lying about witnessing the beating.
Oct. 9, 1958: Yankees get revenge
After trailing the Milwaukee Braves 3 games to 1 in the World Series, the New York Yankees — who lost to the Braves in 1957 — won their third straight game, and the Series, at County Stadium, 6-2. It’s the only World Series Game 7 played in Milwaukee — so far.
Oct. 9, 1983: ‘Frankie Bal’ convicted
Frank P. Balistrieri was found guilty of five felony counts of illegal gambling and tax evasion. The reputed Milwaukee crime boss spent most of the next decade in prison (he was released because of failing health and died in 1993 at age 74).
Oct. 11, 1980: Mansion comes down
Demolition began of the Elizabeth Plankinton House, a 90-year-old stone mansion at N. 15th St. and W. Wisconsin Ave. The tear-down of the mansion, after two years of debate, led to stronger historic preservation rules in the city.
Oct. 23, 1952: A new St. Luke’s
St. Luke’s Hospital, at S. 29th St. and W. Oklahoma Ave., was formally dedicated; The Milwaukee Journal called the 177-bed facility the first “all-new general hospital in Milwaukee County in 20 years.” (Now Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, it has more than 700 beds.)
Oct. 30, 1847: With charity for all
At a meeting presided over by Mary Blanchard Lynde, wife of civic leader William Pitt Lynde, a group of Milwaukee women formed the city’s first charity, the Ladies’ Benevolent Society, to help the destitute.
Oct. 31, 1968: Bucks’ 1st ‘W’
In their first win as an NBA franchise, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons at the Milwaukee Arena, 134118. Wayne Embry, who four years later would become the Bucks’ general manager (and the NBA’s first African-American GM), led the scoring with 30 points. The team’s record stood at 1-5.