Saturday, May 30, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 30

May 30, 1921 – Tommy Milton of St. Paul, world’s champion motor racing driver, piloted an American-made car to the finish line first in the ninth renewal of the International Sweepstakes race, the 500-mile classic of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.




Tommy Milton
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Tommy_Milton.jpg



Milton’s victory came as the result of a beautifully driven race, which was won after Ralph De Palma, ruling favorite, had set such a terrific pace for the first 250 miles that all but one of the foreign-made cars, including his own, were forced from the track through mechanical trouble or minor accidents.

Of the 23 entrants, only eight completed the 500 miles and seven of these were American-made machines. Ralph Mulford, driving another American-built machine, was awarded ninth position, without finishing, after all the others had dropped by the wayside.

Milton established a new track record for cars of not more than 183 cubic inches piston displacement, by completing the 500 miles in five hours, 34 minutes and 44.65 seconds, an average of 89.62 miles per hour. The fastest time ever made in the Speedway races was but twenty-hundredths of a mile faster per hour, that mark being made by De Palma in 1915, with a larger motor.

The victory brought Milton nearly $36,000 in prize money, $20,000 for first place; $6,200 in lap prizes, and the balance in special prizes given by accessory companies.

The Minneapolis Messenger; “Milton Wins Classic; St. Paul Pilot Averages 89.62 Miles an Hour. Victory Purse of $36,000; Only Eight of Twenty-three Starters Finish.”; June 4, 1921; p. 1.




Tommy Milton with Barney Oldfield and Louis Chevrolet before the 1921 Indianapolis 500

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tommy_Milton_1921.jpg




               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com   





Friday, May 29, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 29

May 29, 1920 – St. Paul Police Chief John J. O’Conner retired from the police force on this date. O’Connor is best remembered for the O’Connor Layover Agreement, which was in use in St. Paul for approximately 35 years.

“The agreement allowed criminals safe travels within the city limits of St. Paul as long as they followed three very simple rules; they checked in with the police upon arrival, committed no serious criminal activity within the borders of the city, and paid all of the necessary bribes. As long as these three things happened city officials turned a blind eye to their misdeeds. The police force even went as far as protecting returning criminals that committed crimes outside of St. Paul - even from federal agents, who lacked the jurisdiction to try these kinds of cases until the mid-1930s.”1

http://www.mnopedia.org/thing/oconnor-layover-agreement1



St. Paul Police Chief John O’Connor1

               __________________________________________________________


If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com  





Thursday, May 28, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 28

May 28, 1896 – If you’ve ever wandered through Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, you’ve most likely seen a small white clapboard house situated on the edge of the park. Maybe you read the sign in front of the house, maybe you didn’t.



Stevens House1

Called the Stevens House, it is the first house built in Minneapolis, preserved in the park for the role it played in the city’s history. It was moved on this date next to Minnehaha Park by relays of school children pulling the house with ropes along the city streets.






Moving the Old Stevens House2

The house was originally built for Col. John H. Stevens in the latter part of 1849 and completed in the first part of 1850. It was occupied by the colonel and his bride, whom he had married on Aug. 6, 1850. The Col. and Mrs. Stevens’ first child, the first white child born in Minneapolis, was born in the house.





Col. John H. Stevens3 

Stevens had the house built on land that at the time was within the Fort Snelling reservation, near the new Federal Reserve Bank Building, 90 Hennepin Ave. downtown Minneapolis today.4






Minneapolis Federal Reserve Building5 


The Secretary of War gave him permission to “squat” upon the claim he had picked out on a condition that he would maintain a free ferry for the use of the government.

Under the roof of that primitive house occurred many historical events. It was a great rallying place for all the settlers and travelers west of the river, both Native American and white. At times there were as many as 30 people sheltered there at the same time. Mrs. Stevens had a hard time entertaining them, and it is recorded that though their entertainment was free, they often complained of close quarters. For the special delight of Native Americans visitors, a barrel of pork and a barrel of crackers were always kept available. Little Crow, the ferocious chief of the Sioux, Good Road, Gray Eagle, Shakopee and other Dakota chiefs often met the government agents in that house.





Little Crow6 

Among the more extraordinary events that occurred there, were the organization of Hennepin County and the election of its first officers, organization of the first school district, organization of the first agricultural society in Minnesota, organization of the first singing school and first literary society in Minnesota west of the Mississippi River. Gov. Isaac I. Stevens started from it in 1853 on his famous overland trip to the Pacific Coast. Charles Hoag sat in its parlor when he proposed to the county commissioners that they call the infant city Minneapolis.

At the time of today’s move, the house had already been moved twice from its original site along the river. An energetic Minneapolis Journal reporter discovered the rundown house, verified its authenticity, and put together a plan that would both give the newspaper some advantageous publicity as well as save the house for posterity. The Journal bought the house and offered to give it the schoolchildren of Minneapolis as long as the children helped relocate the house next to Minnehaha Park.


In 1982 the house was moved into the park. It was turned into a museum and opened to the public in 1985.7

Ironically, Col. Stevens passed away on May 28, 1900, four years to the day his house was moved by Minneapolis’ schoolchildren.8


The Minneapolis Journal; “’Twas a Gala Day. Minneapolis School Children Move The Old Stevens House. Thousands Grasp The Rope. And the Historic Structure is Drawn to Minnehaha. No Hitch Occurs Anywhere. Upon Arrival at the Falls the House is Formally Presented to the City.”; May 28, 1896; pp. 1, 7 & 8.


1Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Nov. 25, 2013, as long as acknowledgement included.

2http://thomaslowrysghost.tumblr.com/post/4024840408/john-h-stevens-house-being-moved-across-the

3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Stevens

4http://blog.startribune.com/may-29-1896-schoolchildren-move-a-house/286391561/

5https://solutionproblem.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/minneapolis-fed-building.jpg

6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Little_crow_c1862.jpg 

7http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/johnstev.htm

8Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain May 28, 2015, as long as acknowledgement included.







Col. John H. Stevens8

Born June 13, 1820 
Died May 28, 1900

First Settler in the City of Minneapolis






Do you know how many times the Stevens House has been moved?

In 134 years, this small wood structure has been moved four times. The third move, which brought the house to Minnehaha Park, is heralded as the first act of historic preservation in Minneapolis.

Built on the banks of the Mississippi in 1849, just south of St. Anthony Falls, the house was the “birthplace of the city” and the site of many firsts in its establishment. As industry took hold of more and more land near the falls, the house was moved short distances in 1872 and 1881. Neglected and forgotten, the sturdy little house was rediscovered in its third location by a reporter of the Minneapolis Journal. The Journal identified the house’s historical importance, saw its potential for publicity and purchased the house.

The Journal noted that every school child in Minneapolis knew the history of the “old Stevens House,” so the paper decided to donate it to the school children of Minneapolis. The Journal then arranged for it [to] be moved to Minnehaha Park, where it would be safe from future city growth. The catch was, the children would receive the gift directly by pulling it into the park themselves!

On May 28, 1896, a public holiday was proclaimed. Children were given badges to take part in one of six relays of the moves. Two 500 foot long ropes (with a team of horses as back up) were hitched to the house. Upon arriving in the park, the house was presented to the Park Board on behalf of the children.


               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 


 

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 27

May 27, 1929 – Minnesota-native and famous aviator Charles Lindbergh (27) wed author Anne Morrow (22) at the home of her parents in Englewood, New Jersey, on this date.



*Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh 


 http://www.historyorb.com/day/may/27

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Morrow_Lindbergh



               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 26

May 26, 1902 – Mrs. G. Fred Stevens, widow of the late surveyor general of logs and lumber for the Duluth district, was today appointed by Gov. Van Sant to fill her husband’s unexpired term. Friends of the late official united in urging the appointment of Mrs. Stevens. This is the first time such an office has been held by a woman. Mrs. Stevens will fill it until Jan. 1.

The Minneapolis Journal; “Mrs. Stevens Appointed. Succeeds Her Late Husband as Surveyor General of Logs.”; May 26, 1902; p. 2.


               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com  
 






Monday, May 25, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 25

May 25, 1917 - The Ramsey County grand jury in St. Paul this afternoon returned indictments against Frank J. Dunn, Mike Moore, Joe Redenbaugh and Frank McCool, charging them with first degree murder in connection with the death of Mrs. Alice McQuillan Dunn, whose husband is among those indicted.



McCool, Connery, Moore and Dunn1

Redenbaugh, confessed slayer of Minneapolis Patrolman and Mrs. Dunn, entered the state penitentiary in Stillwater late today, to begin serving a sentence of life imprisonment as Convict “No. 5569.” He will be assigned to work in the prison twine plant, but in just what capacity is not yet known.


Joe Redenbaugh2



Stillwater State Prison, Bayport, Minn.3


The Bismarck Tribune;”Redenbaugh Starts His Life Sentence”; May 26, 1917; p. 1.

St. Paul Daily News; “Redenbaugh Now Convict No. 5569. Arrest of William Hickey Held Strong Link in Dunn Murder Case.”; May 26, 1917; pp. 1 & 6.


1Reading Eagle; “The Nightmare Murder; Bad dreams at an end, this was reality: her sister being shot to death.”; Reading, PA; May 24, 1964; pp. 71 & 72.

1http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19640524&id=bSArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cZ0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3914,4610516

2St. Paul Daily News, May 16, 1917; p. 1.

3Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain 2-21-2013, as long as acknowledgement included.



               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 


 

Sunday, May 24, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 24

May 24, 1951 – After only three weeks playing for the Minneapolis Millers, Willie Mays was called up by the Giants on this date. Mays found out he was being called up while at a movie theater in Sioux City, Iowa, after a message flashed up on the screen that said: "WILLIE MAYS CALL YOUR HOTEL.”

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




Willie Mays
http://tonyquarrington.wordpress.com/tag/minneapolis-millers/

               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com