95 Years Ago – February 6. 1930

J.B. Barrett living three miles north of the city, has been confined to his home for the past several days suffering from injuries received when he was injured by a falling tree, while at work in the woods with his son near his home. Dr. G.A. Legault was called and made an examination, and found that he was suffering from internal injuries and that several bones had been broken in his shoulder and arms.

Elmer William, World War veteran, left Tuesday evening for Milwaukee where on Wednesday he attended the reunion of the survivors of the Tuscania. It was 12 years ago yesterday that the Tuscania was sunk by a German submarine in the north channel between Ireland and Scotland, and 200 American soldiers perished in the waters. On board this ill-fated ship were three Owen men and two Withee young men. All of these men were rescued and saw active service in the front.

85 Years Ago – February 8, 1940

Monday night at a late hour robbers entered the Papierniak department store at Thorp and blew the safe by using nitroglycerine and secured about $1,600 in currency, silver dollars and checks, which included the store’s receipts since February 1. According to Fred Danger of Neillsville, Clark County fingerprint expert, the job was done by professional cracksmen and according to footprints outside the building Mr. Danger believes that three or four persons are implicated in the robbery.

75 Years Ago – February 9, 1950

Considerable property damage resulted to a school bus driven by Malcolm Capes, Withee, on Wednesday, January 30, when it was backed into by a milk truck driven by Lawrence Gehrke, route 1, Withee. The accident occurred as Gehrke was backing out of the driveway of the Smasal farm and rammed the rear end of the school bus.

A 25-year-old Thorp woman, Mrs. Robert Rottier, committed suicide early Tuesday morning by allowing a Soo Line diesel locomotive to run over her. The Tuesday suicide was promised in a note written by the victim, but her husband who found the note did not take it seriously, since the woman had written similar notes without taking action.

65 Years Ago – February 11, 1960

Attorney Ernest Gay of this city has announced his candidacy for the office of district attorney. He will seek the office running on the Democratic ticket and from all indications will be unopposed by his party in the primary election.

Pat Mrotek, an Owen resident, and presently a student at Wisconsin State College at River Falls, traveled to Fond du Lac Saturday night where he figured to make his third bid for the 147 lb. title in the State Golden Gloves bout.

Yes, you’re right, the FHA is having our annual Sweetheart Dance. It will be on February 13 at the Junior High School gym. The admission for the dance is 15¢ for spectator, 35¢ per single, 65¢ per couple.

55 Years Ago – February 5, 1970

Owen-Withee dominated the Cloverbelt wrestling championships at Stanley Saturday with 91 team points and five weight titles.

45 Years Ago – February 7, 1980

The elementary school building referendum held on Tuesday, February 5, 1980 failed to win the approval of the voters of the Owen-Withee School District and lost by a vote of 706 against, with 509 in favor of the referendum.

35 Years Ago – February 8, 1990

Bruce, Gerald and Richard Pribbernow took their mother out to Dave’s for a 50th birthday dinner being that Alvin is in the hospital. Upon arriving back home, her mother and family was waiting with a well planned surprise birthday party.

Sixteen members of the Chequamegon Bird Club conducted their 3rd annual Christmas Bird count on December 19, 1989 in the O-W area. Total species seen was 45. Total number of birds counted were 12,523.

25 Years Ago – February 9, 2000

Thomas Owen Sargent, grandson of the Owen family which founded the city of Owen, will appear on the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) channel on February 14 at 9 p.m. Sargent’s home in Virginia City, MT, along with photos of the historic city of Virginia City will be featured.

15 Years Ago – February 10, 2010

Scott and Lori Jalling gave customers a taste of summer last Friday when they grilled brats made by store meat cutter Josh Jalling. It was actually a tailgate held in honor of the Super Bowl, but no matter what the reason it was welcomed by all who waited in line for a delicious brat!

Warren and Joanne Bottlemy, Withee are celebrating their 60th anniversary on February 18.

The corner of Highway X and Highway 73 in Withee holds a lot of history and now with the expansion of the Withee Mobil Mart and the demolition of the Hi-Way Grocery, it has people remembering back to when it was the Withee Oldsmobile dealership.