105 Years Ago – September 27, 1919

A new two room schoolhouse is nearing completion on the town line between the towns of Hixon and Maplehurst.

95 Years Ago – September 26, 1929

Charging that the Fairchild & Northeastern Railroad laid rails between Greenwood and Willard in Clark County to sell property in the intervening territory, property owners along the line have appealed to the Interstate Commerce Commission to make the road stop tearing up the track between the two points.

When a gun in the hands of his companion accidentally exploded, Henry Dumler, Jr., 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dumler, farmers living near Dorchester, was killed Monday while returning from a rabbit hunting trip. Alvin Wiener, 15, Dumler’s companion was attempting to remove a shell from his gun when the explosion occurred.

85 Years Ago – September 28, 1939

An account of the havoc and horrors of war, the fears and means of living under strict rations and in complete blackout was vividly and interestingly explained to this writer by Miss Else Nissen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Nissen, who reside on the northwest edge of the city, upon her return home Tuesday. Now that Miss Nissen is safely back in her homeland the incidents which occurred to her on her trip, which she originally planned to take her to Denmark for a visit, seem amusing in some respects and then again terrifying when one thinks of having complete darkness in huge metropolitan cities at night with the constant scare of an air raid.

75 Years Ago – September 29, 1949

A burglar early Monday morning made his way into the shop of Bergstrom’s garage, Owen, by worming his way through a small window on the west side of the building. He left the building through the front door with loot estimated at $162 and drove away in a panel truck.

Considerable improving has been done this week to the exterior of the Erickson Feed Store building at Withee while still more changes are contemplated. A new canopy has been built on the loading dock on the south side of the building. Completed this week will be the job of resurfacing the buildings exterior with grey flex-board.

65 Years Ago – September 24, 1959

A deal was completed the forepart of this week transferring the license from Walter Lipprandt, Curtiss, to Chris Baldes, Colby, for the tavern operated by Wally and Marion Lipprandt at the Curtiss Corners.

More than 40 services were put out of order temporarily by a severe electrical storm Sunday night said William Catura, manager of the Owen exchange of the General Telephone Company.

55 Years Ago – September 25, 1969

For the fourth successive year Jim Sowieja reigns as Club Champion at Meadowview. He defeated Jack Tetzner of Thorp in the playoff 3-2.

Army Captain John A. Southworth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claire E. Southworth, Route 2, Owen, was assigned August 23 to the 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces in Vietnam.

45 Years Ago – September 26, 1979

In January of 1979, a new Christian school was started in a church basement in the Village of Withee, with an enrollment of only three students. This fall, four weeks into the school year, The New Harvest Christian School, a ministry of the New Harvest Christian Church, has an enrollment total of 13 children in grades one through eight.

35 Years Ago – September 28, 1989

Representatives from Withee joined the Owen Council at a regular session held at the City Hall on September 19. After much discussion of a water line between Owen and Withee, such as the water treatment plant, the financing, the installation of two lines in anticipation of a future water treatment facility, etc., further studies were proposed with results to be included on the October 3 agenda. Withee expressed concern over the delay, since they have only one working well, but Owen agreed to truck water if an emergency arises.

25 Years Ago – September 29, 1999

The Animal House Pet Shop came to visit the second grade class at the O-W Elementary School to show their reptiles on September 7. They brought in a boa constrictor snake, a blue tongue skink, Carmello the turtle, a chameleon, a baby tarantula, a bearded dragon, a tree frog, a pacman frog and a horned frog.

Just on the banks of Owen’s Mill Pond Park stands an attractive new concrete bench, placed there explains Time Federal’s Vice Pres. Florence Briski, for members of the community to sit down and relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the land.

15 Years Ago – September 30, 2009

Jim and Karen Kalepp of Owen celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on September 12, 2009. A reception dinner, with music by Kenny Schaffler, was held at the Sportsmen’s Club in Withee.

Grandparents Day, an annual fall event, is huge at Owen-Withee Elementary School, when grandparents are invited for a schoolhouse visit with their grandchildren. The event drew nearly 300 grandparents.