September 10, 1945, an now semi-famous date, started out normally. Lloyd Olsen was sent out to slaughter a rooster by his wife Clara Olsen. Equiped with a sharp axe Lloyd chose a healthy looking rooster and quickly chopped off its head. The rooster staggered around like most do after being chopped. But the next day the rooster, despite his clering noticeable lacking of a head, was still bobbing up and down for food.

  The reason this rooster did not die like most is a miracle. When Lloyd struck its neck, a clot formed, preventing the chicken from bleeding to death. Half of its brain stem was also still controlling its movements. Mike – as this miracle rooster was named – also had a functioning ear and seemed indifferent to his severe loss.

  Lloyd Olsen found a way to feed his rooster grain and water with an eyedropper. This is how it fed for its remaining 18 months of life. Mike the Headless Rooster became known throughout the country as ‘Headless Wonder’ and had a retail price of $10,000 which was worth much more in their time. Mike was taken around the country where people offered 25 cents to see him. It was at the end of one of these exhibititions when Mike the Headless Rooster died. Unable to find the eyedropper to open Mike’s esaphogus when he began to choke, the Headless Wonder sadly passed away after 18 months of life without a head and growing from 2.5lb to 8lb.

  The third week of May, (May 14 and 15 for 2010) his life is celebrated in the town he was born. Even though Mike has passed away, his memory still lingers with those who know his story.