Saturday, December 19, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 19

December 19, 1905 – County Attorney Al J. Smith outlined the state’s theory of the Stella Brennan murder case in his opening statement this afternoon.

The state believes Stella Brennan’s dislike for her husband’s children was the motive for their murder; she was jealous of them and they were a continual source of annoyance. The Brennans’ divorce in April 1905 in Chicago was blamed on the children. She came to Minneapolis and remarried James Brennan with the understanding that he would dispose of the children. After a few weeks, she realized that the father was not going to send the children away, and she decided to get rid of them herself.


Brennan Children - Elizabeth, Tommy, Alice and Arthur
Minnesota Historical Society File Photo


The state also contends that the defendant bought cartridges for her husband’s revolver, which was the one used to shoot the children. She had told Tommy that they were all likely to be killed by a robber. She did not believe there was anyone sleeping in the store beneath the Brennans’ rooms, and on the night of Nov. 4, she put the smaller boy and the two girls in one bed. Tommy, who was his father’s favorite and for whom she had the least aversion, she put to bed on the couch with his clothes on. The state believes that she intended to spare Tommy’s life.

According to the state’s theory, her original plan was to kill the three sleeping children, then wake Tommy with cries of burglary, and with him hurry to the fire station to get her husband. The first part of her plan was carried out, but Tommy was awakened by the shots, and when she rushed to his couch, he sat up. She thought he knew of her crime, and in self-protection she told him to look for burglars, and when he turned his head she fired the shot that was intended to put him where he could never tell on her. Then she shot herself—whether for a defense or with the intention of wiping out the whole family is uncertain.

County Attorney Smith also reviewed the timeline of that tragic morning; from when everyone went to bed Friday evening, to around 1:30 AM Saturday, when shots were fired killing Lizzie, Alice and Arthur Brennan and wounding their brother Tommy and their stepmother Stella Brennan.  Smith described the powder burns surrounding the children’s wounds, indicating they were shot at close range, not through a window as their stepmother had originally claimed.

He described the tumultuous relationship Stella Brennan had with her four stepchildren; how from the time of James and Stella’s marriage until their separation and final divorce, there had been constant trouble between husband and wife over the children; that she had threatened to leave him unless he sent the children away, and that at one time, under false pretenses, they did put the children away in a Catholic orphan asylum in Chicago, and that she made the statement, not once, but many times, that if he did not put the children away, she would.


Stella Brennan in court1

The media and the public were fascinated by the defendant: a young, attractive woman who allegedly murdered her stepchildren was difficult to fathom. Every bench and chair in the third floor courtroom was filled. Much attention was focused on what the defendant wore to court—a black dress and veil (in mourning for her dead stepchildren?)—and her calm and cold   demeanor; she was described by reporters in terms that we would consider more sexist and tabloid-like than newsworthy today: 

“Most of the time the pretty defendant sat with her cheek resting on her shapely white hand, her elbow on the trial table, and her wide-eyed gaze fixed upon the county attorney.”

“Her color increased ever so slightly and there was the merest suggestion of moisture in the blue-gray eyes.”

Minneapolis Journal; “Outlines State’s Murder Theory. County Attorney Al. J. Smith Makes Opening Address. Says State Will Show That There Was no Man on the Roof or in the Room and That Mrs. Brennan Murdered Children Because of Her Jealous Hatred of Them.”; Dec. 20, 1905; p. 15.

Minneapolis Tribune; “Five Jurors. Lawyers Succeed in Securing Half of Jury in the Brennan Murder Case. Prejudice Against Death Stops Many. New Panel of One Hundred Men Is Drawn in Attempt to Complete Jury. Woman Tried For Her Life Is Not Nervous. Mrs. Brennan Chats With Matron and Reporters and Expects To Be Acquitted.”; Dec. 19, 1905; p. 6.

1Minneapolis Journal; Dec 19, 1905; p. 1.     

Murder of three Brennan children while they slept; oldest son and stepmother shot; see Nov. 4, 2015 blog

Stella Brennan indicted by coroner’s jury for murder of stepdaughter; see Nov. 9, 2015 blog

Stella Brennan indicted by Hennepin County grand jury for murder of her three stepchildren; see Nov. 21, 2015 blog

Stella Brennan spends Christmas in hospital room of the Hennepin County Jail; see Dec. 25, 2015 blog

Stella Brennan Found Guilty; sentenced to the State penitentiary for life; admits she is in a family way; see Dec. 30, 2015 blog

Daughter is born to Stella Brennan in Stillwater State Prison; see July 26,2016 blog

        __________________________________________________________

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, December 18, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 18

December 18, 1915 – John Harrison, a tall man dressed in laborer’s clothes, walked into the Bemidji police station this morning and confessed to robbing a livery stable at Glenwood, Minn., a year ago last Fourth of July of $30. He said he wanted to give himself up, and was ready to pay the penalty.

He was immediately arrested and the police authorities at Glenwood were notified. Glenwood authorities said they would send a man after Harrington immediately.

“I was working at the livery barn when I took the money,” Harrington admitted. “I had been drinking during the day and went to the till and took all there was in it, about $26 or $30, I believe. This was July 4, 1914. I lay it all to booze as I never stole before.

“I left immediately and went to work in North Dakota. I came to Bemidji several days ago from Margie where I have been working.


“Everywhere I would go, people would look at me as if I owed them something. I could not stand it anymore. Yesterday two men in Bemidji came up to me and said, ‘hello, Mr., they called me by some name. I told them that they were mistaken, but all day long I kept worrying about it. So I decided to give myself up to the police. I am ready to be punished.

“I haven’t any home. It is over 14 years ago since I left the east and came to this section of the country. Have been in different places ever since. I have had a fair education and am 33 years old. It is just drink that made me steal.”

It is expected that Glenwood authorities will be in the city Monday, Dec. 20, to take Harrington back to that city.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Man Confesses to Robbing Till Two Years Ago. John Harrington, Conscience-stricken, Gives Self Up to Local Police. Too $30 From Livery Barn at Glenwood, Minn. Says Drink is Cause of Downfall; Has No Home; Is Well Educated.”; Dec. 18, 1915; p. 1.




http://www.pctribune.com/images/gw1big.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 

 


Thursday, December 17, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 17

December 17, 1992 – Dave Winfield signed a 2-year, $5.2 million free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins. A St. Paul native, Winfield turned down several more lucrative offers to play for his hometown team.

http://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/dave-winfield-minnesota-twins




Dave Winfield
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DaveWinfieldByPhilKonstantin.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 

 


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 16

December 16, 1932 – During the get-a-way from their robbery of the Third Northwestern National Bank in Minneapolis on this date, the Barker-Karpis gang stopped in St. Paul’s Como Park to switch cars. Unaware of the robbery, Christmas tree salesman Oscar Erickson slowed down to look and was shot to death by Fred Barker.

http://www.placeography.org/index.php/Como_Park,_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota



Fred Barker

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barker%E2%80%93Karpis_gang
               __________________________________________________________

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 

 





Tuesday, December 15, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 15

December 15, 1904 – Blowing her nose too hard caused the death of Mary Meilke, a 15-year-old girl living near St. Charles, Minn. The violent effort produced hemorrhage of the brain. This was the finding of Coroner Muir, who investigated the case. The girl was dressing for school when her sudden death occurred. Shae had been suffering from a cold.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Nose Blowing Caused Death. School Girl Suffering From Cold Dies Suddenly.”; Dec. 15 1904; p.4.



http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-blow-your-nose/
                    __________________________________________________________

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, December 14, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 14

December 14, 1909 – An unfavorable report regarding a proposed canal connecting Minneapolis and Duluth by way of the St. Croix River was made today by Chief Engineer Marshall. “From an engineering point of view,” said Marshall, “the project is practicable, but commercially, it is impracticable and I do not deem it advisable for the government to undertake it now.”

Marshall states that he supports the board of engineers and the district engineer in their report, which is an exhaustive discussion of the condition of the traffic between Duluth and Minneapolis. The board of engineers takes the position that the four railroads extending from Duluth to Minneapolis and St. Paul are amply able to take care of the traffic. It is argued that the boat lines on such a canal could not compete with the railroads.


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Duluth Canal Is Denied. Waterway Between Minneapolis and Zenith City Gets Unfavorable Report.”; Dec. 15, 1909; p. 1. 




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Croix_River_(Wisconsin%E2%80%93Minnesota)#/media/File:Stcroixmnwirivermap.png

               __________________________________________________________

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, December 13, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 13

December 13, 1910 – George Edgar Vincent, dean of the colleges of arts, science and sociology of the University of Chicago, orator, scholar and humorist, was chosen president of the University of Minnesota to succeed Dr. Cyrus Northrop, by the board of regents in their annual meeting today.

The salary of the new president will be $10,000 a year, which is more that was paid Dr. Northrop. Dr. Vincent will assume charge April 1. This afternoon his telegram of acceptance was received by John Lind, president of the board.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Minnesota President Found at Chicago ‘U.’ Man Regents Pick Is Midway Institution’s Dean of Arts and Sociology. Salary of $10,000 Voted and Inaugural Day Set for April 1. Dr. Northrop Will Retire With Title ‘President Emeritus.’”; Dec. 14, 1910; p. 1.




George Edgar Vincent
https://president.umn.edu/about/presidential-history/george-edgar-vincent
               __________________________________________________________

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