1918 Krueger shootout to be discussed Saturday in Wausau

In September 1918, a group of lawmen arrived at a farm outside Withee, Wisconsin with the intention of arresting Ennis, Leslie, Louis and Frank Krueger for dodging the draft during the First World War. The situation escalated to the exchange of gunfire, and the siege of the farmhouse by a large group of volunteers.

For February’s History Speaks, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, find out what happened and how it all fits into the wider story of life in Central Wisconsin during the First World War.

Guest presenter is Lee Kaschinska from the Colby Rural Arts Museum. Kaschinska developed his expertise on the Krueger shootout after a great deal of research on the story for the shootout’s 100th anniversary in 2018. He helped develop a short video about the event called “Hysteria” (which will be shown at the talk) and has presented the story across Central Wisconsin.

This History Speaks program is presented live at 2 p.m. at the Woodson History Center (410 McIndoe Street, Wausau), in conjunction with the Marathon County Public Library and sponsored by Janke Book Store.

This is a free program, no RSVP required. MCHS is located in the Woodson History Center at 410 McIndoe Street, Wausau, Wisconsin. Exhibit and office hours are Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free. The research library is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Tours of the Yawkey House Museum are available Tuesday through Sunday. Call for times and prices.

For more information, call MCHS at 715842-5750, email us at info@marathoncountyhistory. org, or visit www.marathoncountyhistory. org.

The mission of MCHS is to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials related to the history of Marathon County, and to use these materials to help people learn about North Central Wisconsin, connect with their roots, and explore their own historical connections.