95 Years Ago – September 25, 1930
Kenneth Gilbertson was the victim of severe burns which he received early Sunday morning, when his father attempted to start a fire in a range with gasoline, at their home. The gasoline exploded, and while he was sitting near the stove, flames struck him in the face, burning him about the face, shoulder and on the arm.
85 Years Ago – September 26, 1940
Albert Douphner, 66, passed away at his home at 1104 First Avenue in Eau Claire Friday morning of last week. Mr. Douphner had a wide acquaintance of friends in the vicinity of Owen and Withee as he owned and conducted a hotel in the Village of Withee for years.
75 Years Ago – September 28, 1950
Lovely fall flowers formed the background at the Nazareth Lutheran Church, Withee, for the 7:30 ceremony Friday, September 22, which united in marriage Miss Lillian Dorothy Olsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Olsen, Withee, and Mr. Loren Miller, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Miller, Withee.
While taking clothes from the line about 5 p.m. Friday Mrs. Arno Vater, Rt. 2, Withee, saw what she thought was a belt lying under the line. Upon closer scrutiny, however, she found it was a dark grey snake with large brown symmetrical markings. Thereupon she called her husband and sister to see a young pine snake. Playfully, to hurry its exit, Mr. Vater touched the snake with the toe of his boot whereupon the thing coiled in a figure eight, raised its head and tail threateningly, and at the same time the tail began to whirr. A neighbor who had experience with snakes said it was a small species of rattlesnake.
65 Years Ago – September 29, 1960
The Post Office Department is seeking bids for mail messenger service between the Owen Post Office and the Soo Line Railway station, a distance of .14 miles on schedules arranged by the postmaster.
55 Years Ago – September 24, 1970
A new development in Withee has progressed to the point of reality and we’re speaking of the new mobile home park being developed at the northwest corner of the village.
45 Years Ago – September 25, 1980
For the second time in four months the “100-year flood” hit Owen and the surrounding area. The Popple River was the culprit causing most of the damage to outlying roads and eventually, when it backed up flooding Owen, water damaging homes and basements.
35 Years Ago – September 27, 1990
Miss Shana Susa, 12, of Withee was crowned 1990 Miss Junior Wisconsin Pre-Teen at the Miss Junior Wisconsin 1990 State Pageant held in August at the Grand Theater, Wausau.
A 9 pound 10 ounce daughter was born July 29 to Tim and Nancy Bublitz, Route 2, Owen. Laura Kristine joins a brother Joey 3½ and a sister, Sara 2.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Nowobielski of Route 1, Thorp, would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Patricia Marie, to Duane Edward Jarocki, son of Bruno and Loretta Jarocki of Withee. A November 1990 wedding is being planned.
25 Years Ago – September 27, 2000
A nice crowd gathered at the N.F.O. grounds in Curtiss Tuesday morning to participate in the Curtiss overpass groundbreaking. This $4 million, three lane bridge, diamond interchange, that will carry County Hwy E traffic over the four lanes of Hwy 29, is scheduled to be completed in November of 2001.
On October 1, 1986 Dave and Charlotte Hatlestad, Withee, purchased the grocery store on Hwy X in Withee, from Fred and Alma Hilton. Dave explained that he just recently did some basic remodeling to the store. Commenting it should be a good salable building now, Charlotte added the location is also a plus. The contents of the store will be auctioned off on Saturday.
Customers of the Withee Lunch Box bid farewell to Sheryl Mengel Friday, September 22, as she completed her last day as owner of the popular café. Bob and Sheryl Mengel have sold the business to Withee Pharmacist Dale Schmidt and his wife Kim. Dale’s plans are to close for some remodeling with a projected re-opening date of October 2. The café will be somewhat smaller, as part of it will be turned into a gift shop.
15 Years Ago – September 29, 2010
The former Owen Clinic across from the post office has until recently housed beauty shop La Retreat. The building has recently been taken over by Jennifer Batchelder of Medford. Mystic Rhapsody will offer a beauty shop, massage, facials, two tanning beds, manicures and pedicures.