1964: Break-ins reported at two separate businesses
Jan. 25, 1919
WAUSA — One of the worst snowstorms of recent years passed over this section of the country last Sunday. While there was not an exceptionally large amount of snow, the wind blew almost a hurricane from the northwest whipping what snow there was about, and making it impossible at times to see even across the street. The temperature, though almost mild in the morning kept gradually sliding down and by Monday morning was down to about 18 or 20 below zero. By this time, however, the wind had gone down and the weather was again bright and fair. The storm resulted in a complete blockade of traffic. The country roads leading east and west were reported impassible Monday, and the roads running north and south, though not quite so bad, were anything but good, and only a few of the farmers living close in ventured into town on Monday. The train service on the local branch was completely demolished. Not a train went down Monday morning and only after a snow plow had been run up the line in the afternoon did the noon train venture out on its run.
Jan. 19, 1939
WAUSA — The little red school house of years ago, may have passed and in its place has come the little white school house. Nevertheless many of these stand out there on a bleak hillside, and offers but very little in the way of appearance as a place where one would enjoy to stop. Among the many other things the government is d0ing these days is the beautifying and landscaping of rural school yards. At present but two in each county. As far as we know there has been no move made by any rural district in Knox County to have this landscaping done. Why not some school board of some of our surrounding districts look into the matter. Mrs. S. A. Lutgen, Third District Chairman of the Federated Women’s Clubs, is pushing the work in the Third district. Take it up with the county superintendent, the county agent. Many others are cooperating with the Women’s clubs to push this worthwhile movement. We may not succeed in securing the plantings in both cases, but the district starting first will stand a good chance of being included. If the districts who cannot get in under the landscaping projects might still secure seedlings through the county agent which include Jack Pine, Red Cedar, Hackberry, Chinese Elm and others.
Jan. 21, 1954
WAUSA — The local volunteer fire department was called out at 1:30 Sun- day afternoon, Jan. 17th, when an overheated furnace caused a fire at the Bob Taylor residence two blocks north of the bank corner. Quick work was made of extinguishing the blaze with damage being confined to the basement ceiling and burn through into a closet above. Smoke damage also resulted. Ordinarily a circulating oil burner is user to heat the home but the furnace was started because of the cold weather. Had the fire occurred in the night, more serious damage may have been sustained. The Taylors have three small children. Their residence is owned by Elvaughn Johnson.
Jan. 16, 1964
WAUSA — Break-ins early Saturday morning occurred at the Gamble Store and at the office of Kansas-Nebraska Gas Co. The burglars also tried but failed to gain entry at the Huigens Real Estate Office. Loss at the Gamble Store included three rifles, a shotgun and $23 cash and electrical appliances. Total loss was about $200. At Kansas- Nebraska they broke open the safe and took $28.88 in cash and a check for $16.66. Both firms were entered through the back door after locks had been broken.
Jan. 16, 1969
WAUSA — The Wausa Vikings well oiled offensive machine creaked to a halt Tuesday night as they were soundly beaten by the Laurel Bears by a score of 83 to 58. The Vikings, unable to handle the fast down court attack of the Bears were behind at the end of the first quarter 26 to 11. In the second and third quarters, the Vikings played on even terms with their opponents, however, the fourth quarter again proved disastrous as the Bears outscored the Vikings 26 to 16. It was a case of too many costly errors by the Vikings which ended up in points for Laurel plus the lack of good solid teamwork and the inability of the Vikings to mount a consistent offense and to get the points when needed. John Olson led the Vikings with 15 points, followed by Ron Nelson and Les Theirolf with 12 and 11 respectively. The Vikings will play at Creighton on Friday of this week.
Jan. 19, 1989
WAUSA — Motorists forced to detour through Wausa this year when U.S. Route 81 is closed for reconstruction will have any frustration at least partially relieved by handcrafted Swedish-style decorations greeting them from the streetlight poles on Main Street. The artful signs will remind them to return voluntarily in June 1990 for the Centennial celebration. The Centennial Steering Committee has as- signed Joan Anderson to prepare the designs - a Dala horse, Viking ship, Swedish boy and girl, a Viking and a coffee pot. They’ll be cut in wood and routed by Alvin White, Henry Hilkemann, Hazen Nelson, Roy Carlson, Vernon Vlasnik, John Blankenship and Gene Baker. LaVada Mainquist will help paint them. Two musical groups, the Swinging Ambassadors and the Rumbles, will perform during Centennial Week. A Centennial Cookbook will be prepared under the direction of Opal Nelson, Jackie Johnson, Twilla Friedrich and Ellen Olson.
Jan. 21, 2004
WAUSA — Swedish Heritage Day was celebrated at the Wausa School Jan. 14. It was a visual, close-up, hands-on experience of what Wausa was like when students’ ancestors came from Sweden. Students were divided into 10 groups of different ages and grades. They went to 10 different “stations” every half hour, where presenters, dressed in traditional Swedish costumes or the clothing of the earlier settlers, told about or demonstrated different aspects of Swedish heritage.
