Saturday, October 8, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 8

October 8, 1913 - Dr. Carl L. Alsberg, chief of the Bureau of Chemistry of the Department of Agriculture, was the primary witness before Judge Willard in the federal court this afternoon in Minneapolis in the trial of the suit brought by the government to condemn and confiscate a carload of Radam’s Microbe Killer, a patent medicine that had been on the market since 1882, and which the chemistry chief declared had no effect whatsoever on microbes within the body.

Radam’s Microbe Killer Logo1


Dr. Alsberg had taken a personal interest in the fight, since it was the first test of the Sherley Amendment to the pure food law, an amendment fathered by Dr. Alsberg’s predecessor, Dr. H. W. Wiley, after the latter had failed in prosecuting fraudulent patent medicines with the old law. Several prosecutions were made under the amendment, Dr. Alsberg explained, but this was the first contest and the government was bringing every force into play in its endeavor to gain a verdict. A favorable verdict in Minneapolis, according to the officials, would mean a charge of violation of the pure food law, which would be brought in New York.



Radam’s Microbe Killer Ad2

The trial was being held in Minnesota because “Federal agents [had] raided a freight car and seized a large amount of Microbe Killer cartons en route from New York to Minneapolis. The bottles and jugs seized had a retail value of $5,166; government investigators estimated that the cost of producing the shipment at only $25.82.” Dr. Alsberg indicated “that the only effect of the minute amount of sulfuric acid present in the concoction would be to irritate the stomach and upper intestine of many people. The Microbe Killer attorney then asked Alsberg if his only complaint was against the inflammation caused by the medicine as it passed through the alimentary tract.


Alsberg: What we are complaining of is more than that. It is the fact that a man may be very sick and use this medicine until it is too late to use something else.

Q: Then it is the time he loses?

Alsberg: The time he loses may be sometimes the difference between life and death.

“Despite numerous testimonials provided by the defense, the Minneapolis jury found that the Microbe Killer had violated the Sherley Amendment and recommended the destruction of the entire confiscated shipment; the district attorney stated, 'I favor using an ax.' Thus, in December 1913, under the watchful eye of a US marshal and a food and drug inspector, all 539 boxes and 322 cartons of Microbe Killer seized by the government were hauled into a pit in St. Paul. The boxes and cartons were broken open and then set on fire, and the bottles and jugs of Microbe Killer were smashed. This event apparently marked the beginning of the end for Radam's company and his cure-all.”3



William Radam
3

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Microbes Unharmed By Killer, Says Chemist. Dr. Carl L. Alsberg Testifies in Suit Against Patent Concern. Case Is First Test of Shirley [sic] Amendment to Pure Food Law. Head of Chemistry Bureau Holds Conference with Minneapolis Millers.”; Oct. 9, 1913; p. 1.

1http://1898revenues.blogspot.com/2012/10/on-beyond-holcombe-william-radam-and.html

2https://nlmhmd.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/roanoketimes-1894march28-radam.png

3http://www.ntskeptics.org/2004/2004january/january2004.htm#microbe
               __________________________________________________________

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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 


 

Friday, October 7, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 7

October 7, 1913 – Mrs. Ida Leckwold was indicted today on the charge of murder in the first degree for the murder of her daughter, Viola.


Ida Leckwold1

Meanwhile, William Norman, who took advantage of the distraught condition of the woman and encouraged her to break her marriage vows, was taken to the penitentiary at Stillwater to serve an indeterminate sentence, the maximum being three years.

Norman pleaded guilty today before Judge Molyneaux to information charging adultery. The court gave him the maximum penalty allowed by law. In the meantime, 23 men, composing the grand jury, listened to the story of witnesses weaving about Mrs. Leckwold, the chain of evidence on which to base an indictment, conviction on which means a life sentence in state prison.

Several witnesses, including patrolmen, coroner, undertakers and Dean George B. Frankforter, who made a chemical analysis of the stomach of Viola Leckwold, testified before the grand jury.

Dean Frankforter presented the report of his analysis showing that arsenic was found in the stomach. The confession made by Mrs. Leckwold to the police chief and the county attorney was made a part of the record. During all this time Mrs. Leckwold sat in her cell.

Ole Leckwold, arrested Monday on the charge of assault and battery preferred against him because of his treatment of his wife, pleaded guilty today to the charge and sentence was postponed until Oct. 10.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “One Indictment in the Leckwold Case. William Norman Sentenced to Prison After Plea of Guilty. Poison Woman Accused of Murder in the First Degree. Her Husband Awaits Sentence for Assault on His Wife.”; October 8, 1913; p. 11.

1The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Oct. 3, 1913; p.1.
Ida Leckwold is arrested for and confesses to murdering her 9-year-old daughter Viola; see Sept. 30, 2016 blog.

Ida Leckwold claims husband beats her; says she was mentally affected by abuse and constant motherhood; see Oct. 5, 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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 



Thursday, October 6, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 6

October 6, 1910 – While drilling a well on the premises of Carl Lundberg in Pelican Rapids today, natural gas was struck at a depth of 100 feet. Gas comes with considerable force and burns freely when a match is applied, the blaze rising to a height of several feet.

Similar gas was found on the Brunk farm, five miles from the village, a few years ago, but little attention was paid to it.

The latest discovery indicates that the supply underlies a wide territory and business men are very much interested.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Gas On Farm In Minnesota. Good Flow Struck in Pelican Rapids—Big Supply Indicated.”; Oct. 7, 1910; p. 2.




http://findyourinnerotter.com/Uploads/Profiles/1325/1-135MnPelicanRapids.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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 


Wednesday, October 5, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 5

October 5, 1913 – This evening, Mrs. Ida Leckwold, confessed murderer of her daughter Viola, was interviewed for the first time since her arrest, and told a clear story that adds light to her present predicament. Exhibiting bruises on her arm and head, and telling of scores of others that cover her body, the frail little woman sobbed as she recounted her married life. Mrs. Leckwold said that she has lived in constant terror of her husband, Ole Leckwold, and said that she was mentally affected by abuse and constant motherhood.


Ida Leckwold1


“This is the first peace that I have had since my marriage,” she said. “It seems that years have rolled from my shoulders here in this prison room, treated by kind hands, and unafraid that I will be beaten in the evenings, or humiliated before my children.

“I can blame no one for what I have done, but the world must know that no mother would do as I have done that knew what she was doing, or that was surrounded by pleasant home surroundings. My life has been a perfect hell. Often have my children pleaded on their knees for their father to stop beating me. There were hours that it would be impossible to tell you of, and this is the first time that I have ever told these things to anyone, although Matron Schaeffer has suspected since I came here with my eyes blackened by blows, and my body covered with black and blue bruises.

“Please don’t think that I am guilty of all that has been said about me,” she said. Beyond this she would not speak of the charge that is to be placed against her, other than to say that she believed the public would not condemn her if they knew more of her life’s story.

“My father often urged me to come back to his home and leave my husband,” she continued as she gripped the prison bars and tried to smile bravely through her tears. “I could not leave my family and refused, although he told me that I would be killed if I remained. At times my husband would call the children to see him strike me. He is a big powerful man and seemed to delight in pinching me in his powerful hands.”

Mrs. Leckwold then pulled up the sleeve of the house dress she has worn since her arrest and the marks of a bruise fully three inches long and two inches wide was shown. “That is the effect of one of the pinches,” she said.

William Norman, the alleged “man in the case,” still retains his silence on anything that pertains to the charge that he suggested the poisoning of Viola, or the other Leckwold children and their father, other than to deny it.

It is probable that information against the woman, charging murder will be sworn out tomorrow, and she will be in court late in the afternoon. This will depend on the action of Dr. Seashore and County Attorney Robertson in regard to the analysis of the stomach of the dead girl, Viola, now being made by Dean Frankforter of the University of Minnesota.


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Mrs. Leckwold Tells of Her Married Life. Blames Present Predicament to Brutal Treatment she Says She Received. Declares that She Lived in Constant Fear of Being Beaten. Charge of Murder Will Likely Be Filed Against Woman Today.”; Oct. 6, 1913; p. 1.

1The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Oct. 3, 1913; p.1.

Ida Leckwold is arrested for and confesses to murdering her 9-year-old daughter Viola; see Sept. 30, 2016 blog.

Mrs. Ida Leckwold was indicted today on the charge of murder in the first degree for the murder of her daughter, Viola; see Oct. 7, 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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 4

October 4, 1864 – “Albert Henry Woolson enrolled to serve one year in the Civil War [on this date]. He was discharged September 27, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee, as a private of Captain Calvin Reaves’ 1st Regiment of Minnesota Heavy Artillery Volunteers. Woolson was the last survivor of the Grand Army of the Republic and died in Duluth at St. Luke's hospital on August 2, 1956, at age 109. He was buried at Duluth's Park Hill Cemetery with ‘modified complete military funeral’ on August 6, 1956.”

http://www.thehistorypeople.com/data/docs/timeline-part1.pdf




http://civilwarsaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Albert-Woolson-Company-C1.jpg





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Woolson
               __________________________________________________________

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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 



Monday, October 3, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 3

October 3, 1977 – “Rosalie Wahl was the first woman justice appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court.”

http://www.thehistorypeople.com/data/docs/timeline-part3.pdf




Rosalie Wahl
http://alteredfaces.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html

               __________________________________________________________

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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 


Sunday, October 2, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 2

October 2, 1978 - “The Robbinsdale [Minn.] Library opened on January 4, 1926. The cost of construction was funded with donations from local citizens and the library club. The Hennepin County Library system took over the library in 1972, but the library club still owned the building and grounds. After the new Rockford Road Library opened, the old Robbinsdale Library was closed in 1975. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places [on this date]. These days library has been put to good use serving as a home for the Robbinsdale Historical Society and the Robbin Gallery.”

http://robbinsdalehistoricalsociety.org/the-robbinsdale-library/










Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Oct. 2, 2016,
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 MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com