On This Date in Minnesota History: December 30

December 30, 1915 - Minnesota Governor Winfield Scott Hammond died expectedly this morning in Clinton, La., where he was inspecting land. Hammond, Minnesota’s first bachelor governor, was 52 years old and governor for only 18 months. It was later determined that he suffered from ptomaine (food) poisoning while on his trip south and died of a stroke.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Governor Winfield S. Hammond Drops Dead at Clinton, Louisiana. Minnesota Executive Dies While Inspecting Lands In The South. Succumbs While in Company With J. A. Newell, Land Man of St. Paul; Was Not Known to Have Been Ill; Expected to Return to St. Paul Next Week. Death is Big Shock to Country; Was Leader in Democratic Circles; Governor Since 1914. Prominent in National Affairs; Formerly Congressman From Second Minnesota Congressional District; Lieutenant Governor J. A. A. Burnquist of St. Paul Next Executive.”; Dec. 30, 1915; p. 1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott_Hammond

Minnesota Governor Winfield Scott Hammond

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott_Hammond#mediaviewer/File:WinfieldSHammond.jpg