Our timeline has been on hiatus since December as we figure out how to move forward with it. With a new year comes a new format that we think is a little more fun. We hope you like it.
February 2024 Timeline
75 Years Ago - February 1949
Local News
Three Army men parachuted to safety in Thursday nights blinding snowstorm – seconds before their B-24 bomber crashed less than 500 feet from the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Alme between Oregon and Brooklyn.
It was the first twin engine army plane crash in Dane County.
The men who were picked up by the county traffic officers and taken to the Edgewater hotel in Madison were first Lieut. R. K Scudder, 30, Salt Lake City, Utah, the pilot; first Lieut. H. M. Swanson, 24, Tuscumbia, Mo, the co-pilot and PFC Apolinor Ortega of Georgetown California.
The plane was on the last leg from Lowry Field Denver Colorado to its home base, Wright Field Dayton, Ohio. It had taken off from Minneapolis at 4 p.m.
Shortly after 6:00 p.m. Lieut. Scudder said one engine “conked out” and while he was deciding to turn back to Minneapolis, the other engine stopped.
Scudder ordered the other two men to bail out.
PFC. Ortega, an Army engineer had “hitched” a ride on the plane for fast transportation to his new assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland, said he was afraid to jump, but the two Lieutenants pushed him out of the plane.
“This was my first jump and my last”, Ortega declared. He suffered a minor forehead cut when the strong wind caught in his parachute and dragged him along the ground. The two officers were uninjured.
Ortega left the plane at about 6,000 feet: Swanson jumped at 5,000 feet, and Lieut. Scudder stayed with the plane until it dropped to a dangerous low of 2,000 feet.
They landed on the farms of Trygve Olson, Willard Garvoille and Urban DeJean, respectively, all within a three-mile radius of the Alme farm where the plane crashed.
Alme said he was completing his night chores when he heard the roar of the plane and saw it pierce through the blowing snow. “At first I thought it was coming straight for the house, and then it sort of did a switch and crashed in the field,” Alme said. Mrs. Alme, who was inside the house, said the crash “rattled” the house.
The Almes ran to the wreckage and finding no one in the plane they phoned Waldo Hanson, the Brooklyn Marshall who notified county police.
Carl Ottesons Home from Western Auto Trip
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Otteson and daughter Ramona returned January 18th from a four-and-a-half-week trip into Old Mexico through New Mexico and Arizona to California. The Otteson’s traveled 8000 miles and passed through 10 states on their trip.
The Carlsbad Caverns were one of the highlights of their trip. They spent Christmas day there and reported the Caverns are open every day of the year. The temperature in the Caverns is a constant 56 degrees although it was snowing outside on Christmas day.
Obituary
Miss Rebecca Manson who fell at home in Stoughton on Jan. 22 and sustained a fractured hip, passed away at the hospital on Saturday at the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 12 days. Miss Manson was born July 17, 1854 in Dunn Township and lived there her entire life until three years ago when she moved to Stoughton with her brother, Wm. Manson. Survivors are her brother and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian church, the Rev. George Conner officiating with burial at Prairie Mound Cemetery.
Household Hints
Plaster will not crack if the nail being driven into it has been heated first.
Wax candles will burn more slowly and last longer if they are thoroughly chilled first.
One inch of rain on one acre of ground weighs more than 113 tons and amounts to 27,143 gallons of water. There is as much water in an inch of rain as there is in 10 inches of snow.
Business news
Oregon State Farm is the owner of a registered Holstein cow which has just completed a lifetime production record of more than 100,000 lbs. of milk on official test with the Holstein Friesian Association of America. Her name is Wisc. Carnation Peerless Bonita (GP) and she is the 1776th Holstein in the nation to produce more than this amount.
Notice to our readers.
Shortly after this issue of the Observer has been mailed the editors will be on their way to the southland. We will accompany Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Richards by automobile. We expect to return home by train in about 10 days. The Richards will remain in the south for about a month.
In our absence next week, the local news will be gathered by Donald McGill and any assistance given to him by our readers will be appreciated by us as well as by Mr. McGill. Call him and tell him of any news you may know. All news must be in by Monday noon when it will be taken to Stoughton where the mechanical work will be done by the Courier-Hub.
50 Years Ago: February 1974
Village News
Announcement was made this week that Sonny McKune and Denny Hanson, longtime Oregon residents, have purchased the popular Sportsman’s Bar on Oregon’s North Main Street from Rollie and Delores Indermuehle. The new owners, both sporting and hunting enthusiasts, are in the process of redecorating and making plans for new innovations as time goes along. They intend to promote a regular fish fry soon.
Three candidates have filed nomination papers for Municipal Justice in the Village of Oregon. According to law, unless one of them withdraws within the 10-day period following filing, the village will be forced to hold a primary election for this office, as only two candidates can be on the final ballot. Candidates who have filed are LaVerne Ringhand, Charles Curran and Larry Rhead.
Burlyn Nelson is Oregon’s new Postmaster. He started working for the post office in 1947 starting in Stoughton as a substitute letter carrier, then as a clerk in the post office and then as assistant postmaster.
Plans are underway for the Ninth Annual Miss Oregon Pageant to
be held April 27, 1974. The contest is open to high school girls who are 16 years of age or older. At least ten contestants are needed to make the production successful.
Sports
Having their finest game of the season, the Oregon basketball team blasted Lake Mills out of the gym 71-52 as a Parent’s Night crowd thoroughly enjoyed the action. Dave Statz had his best night of the season with twenty-two markers, hitting 10 of 16 shots from the field and drilling twelve points in the third quarter when the Panthers broke the game open. Al McMannes showed that he is completely recovered from his ankle injury, dropping in thirteen points, including 6 of 7 shots from the floor.
School
Members of the School Site Selection Committee met on January 31st, 1974, to discuss procedure on studying suitable sites for future school buildings. Committee members are Michael Malony, Myron Bacon, Mrs. Ralph O’Brien, Rockwell Venden, and Philip Peterson. Sites will be visited during this week.
On Sunday, February 10, the Oregon High School Bands, under the direction of Michael Davis, will be presenting a concert in the High School Cafetorium. Performing will be the Concert Band and Varsity Band. The public is cordially invited to attend. Admission is $1.00 per family and 50 cents per individual.
Business Ads
Jerry’s I.G.A.: Butter –$0.69 per 1-lb; 3-lb can Folger’s Coffee – $2.91; 64-oz Fabric Softener –$0.99
R&L Beverages: Blatz 6-pack throw-aways – 99 cents; Potosi Beer, case of 24 – $2.79
Bank of Oregon: 7.0%/7.25 APR 4-year CD ($5,000 min); 6.5%/6.81APR 2 ½-year CD ($500 min); 6.0%/6.27% APR 1-year CD ($500 min); 5.5% 90-Day Golden Passbook; 5.0% Regular Passbook Acct
25 Years Ago: February 1999
Village News
Shaka Smart, a senior at Kenyon College in Ohio, was selected as one of the nation’s top 20 college students in the country. He was chosen from among 984 entrants. The students are nominated by their school and are judged by their grades, awards, activities, leadership roles and public service. Smart’s mother, Monica King, said Shaka attributes his success to four specific Oregon teachers, Sandy Owens Kevin Bavery, Pat Fenner and Brian Root.
Ray Lawry, they call him the “Snow Specialist” with good reason. Ray has been plowing Town of Oregon roads for 50 years. This past January town officials honored him with a potluck and presented him with a plaque that expressed their gratitude for his many years of service.
The Oregon Marching Band has received confirmation that they will be marching in the Fourth of July Parade this summer. Last spring the Oregon Marching Band accepted a nomination from Governor Tommy Thompson to represent Wisconsin at the Independence Day Parade in Washington DC. They have been fundraising ever since.
FFA – Orgon FFA is one of the ten oldest in the state, being 71 years old now. The FFA celebrated FFA week from February 20-27.
Business News
A new veterinarian business called Country View Veterinary Service opened last week. Veterinarian Larry Mahr, who has had a large animal practice under the name of Oregon Veterinary Clinic this week opened Country View Veterinary Service at 786 N. Main St., located between Burger King and Oregon Family Restaurant.
Dr. Mahr said their office is a temporary location until their new animal hospital is built in the town of Oregon at the corner of Fish Hatchery Road and County Highway CC.