Saturday, April 1, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: April 1

April 1, 1913 – F. C. Johnson took office today as mayor of Little Falls, Minn. His first act was to appoint three policemen. F. D. Leblanc was made chief and a demand was made by the new mayor that W. T. Tourtillotte, chief under the previous administration, turn over his star. This he refused to do, but filed with the city clerk a protest to the council against the appointment of Leblanc on the grounds that he did not comply with the provisions of the charter as outlined in section 40 of title 4.

Mayor Johnson stated that if the star is not turned over in ten days, Tourtillotte will be prosecuted under section 34 of title 4 of the charter and that he may be arrested before that time for impersonating an officer.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Mayor Takes Quick Action. Newly Elected Executive Demands Little Falls Chief Turn in ‘Star’ at Once.”; April 2, 1913; p. 1.




Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain April 1, 2017,
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 available.

                                                         


Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Friday, March 31, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 31

March 31, 1917 – Headed by Mayor L. A. Fritsche, a delegation of New Ulm citizens left today for Washington, D. C., to present a resolution memorializing President Wilson, U. S. Senators Knute Nelson and Frank Kellogg of Minnesota and Representative F. E. Ellsworth of this district to use every possible means to avoid involving this country in war with Germany.

The resolutions were adopted at a peace meeting last night at the New Ulm armory. More than 1,000 people attended. The resolutions declare that there is no adequate reason for plunging this country into the war and protest against such action.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “New Ulm Citizens Go to Capital to Oppose War”; March 31, 1917; p. 4.



Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain July 25, 2012,
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 available.

                                                        



Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Thursday, March 30, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 30

March 30, 1934 – Gangster John Dillinger is treated for a gunshot wound at Dr. Clayton May's clinic on Park Av. S. in Minneapolis. He recuperated there for five days before heading to Indiana for a family reunion.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/49452787.html?page=3&c=y




John Dillinger1



Dr. Clayton May's clinic2

1
http://www.squidoo.com/johndillinger

2
Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain March 30, 2017, 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 available.

                                                        


Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.



 Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com





Wednesday, March 29, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 29

March 29, 1979 – The Depot Foundation was established on this date as a charitable, non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Minnesota with a purpose to receive, invest and disburse funds on behalf of the arts and heritage of the Duluth community and greater surrounding area. 

http://www.depotfoundation.org/about-history.php





Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain March 29, 2017,
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 available.




Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com





Tuesday, March 28, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 28

March 28, 1919 – The dry enforcement bill passed by the House of Representatives was amended by the Senate committee today to permit the sale of beer containing not more than 2 percent of alcohol by weight.

The amendment, which was adopted by a vote of five to three, differs from the “near beer” amendment considered and turned down by the House in that it would prohibit the product being consumed on the premises where it is sold.



Temperance Beer1

Senator John D. Sullivan of St. Cloud sponsored the amendment in the Senate committee. Representative W. L. Norton, author of the bill, and George B. Safford, superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League, opposed its adoption.

Passage of the amendment was urged by Senator Sullivan as the only fair method of modifying the dry enactment law to satisfy the majority of the people of this state. Objection to its adoption was made by Representative Norton and Safford on the grounds that it would permit the sale of a beverage that, if not intoxicating, would at least contain sufficient alcohol to be habit-forming and would defeat the purpose of the federal prohibition amendment.

The bill as approved by the committee was also amended with consent of the author so as to exempt from its provisions extracts and liniments not commonly taken as a beverage. Still another amendment, to correct technical wording of the law, was suggested by Senator Sullivan and consented to by Representative Norton. The exact language of this amendment, it was agreed, should be determined by the two and presented to the committee at a later session.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Two Per Cent Beer Is O.K.’d by Committee. State Senate Body Approves Change in House Bill.”; March 29, 1919; p. 1.

1http://www.beerhistory.com/library/holdings/prohibition_1.shtml
               __________________________________________________________

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 available.




Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Monday, March 27, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 27

March 27, 1911 – Captain Ferdinand (Frank) Pearson of Minneapolis No. 10 Engine Company, hero of many fires, made his last run this evening; he died in harness.


1


While his horse was tearing along at a swinging gallop in answer to an alarm of fire at 409 Main St. South, the firefighter sank to the bottom of his buggy, unconscious. When the driver stopped the horse at Second St. and Sixth Ave. SE, his chief was dead. Heart disease was given as the cause of death.

Only 10 minutes prior Pearson had spoken with Sidney Wilson, operator at fire headquarters, over the telephone. He was in a cheery frame of mind and apparently in the best of health. His good nature and joviality made him beloved by his men and he is deeply mourned by all who knew him.

The fire toward which he was speeding was in a shed and in itself insignificant. He had weathered some of the most serious blazes the city has known within the last 18 years, which is the time he had been a member of the department. On many occasions he had distinguished himself and his fearlessness was a byword among the “boys.”

During the memorable night of Dec. 20, 1904, when the O. H. Peck building wall fell, after the big Boutell Bros.’ Furniture Store fire, and eight persons were killed outright, several others being caught in the ruins, he earned a medal for bravery by volunteering to crawl into the mass of wreckage and, at the imminent peril of his own life, extricating two men who were pinned under the timbers. At that time he was a lieutenant of No. 11.





Boutell Bros.’ Furniture Store2

When his driver realized his captain was dead he notified the police and the department’s surgeon arrived only to verify the driver’s fears. The body was removed to the house of the East Side Salvage Corps., Sixth and University Ave. SE, where it was viewed by Coroner Seashore, who permitted relatives to take charge of it. Chief Ringer had taken to the undertaking rooms of Rainville Bros.

Captain Pearson was 52 years old and was survived by his widow and five children, three sons and two daughters.


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Fireman Drops Dead on His Way to Fire. Captain Frank Pearson Falls Victim to Heart Disease Enroute to Blaze. Brave Hero of Many Battles With Flames Responds to Last Alarm. Sinks to Bottom of Buggy as Driver Speeds Horse to Burning Shed.”; March 28, 1911; p. 1.

1http://www.mffma.org/memorial/details/FerdinandPearson.htm

2
The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Dec. 14, 1904; p. 1.

               __________________________________________________________

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 available.

                                                        


Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Sunday, March 26, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: March 26

March 26, 1923 – Mrs. Francis Stephan died on this date of injuries she sustained when her kitchen stove exploded in her farm home near Graceton, Minn., about 14 west of Spooner.


Map of Graceton1

Her husband, who was seated in the kitchen when the explosion occurred, was slightly injured by flying fragments from the stove.  The blast occurred just after she had added wood to the fire, and was of such a force that the stove was shattered to bits and great holes blown in the roof and floor; all of the windows in the house were broken.

The Stephans’ neighbor, Frank Nahadil, was arrested the same day and held without charge pending an investigation.

According to the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff, an examination of the wrecked kitchen revealed a stick of green spruce, which he believes contained an explosive and an empty 45-70 rifle cartridge.

Mrs. Stephan was blown into the cellar by the force of the explosion and died while being taken to the hospital.
_________________________________

On March 30, 1923, Frank Nahadil, held in the Baudette jailed, charged by a coroners’ jury with the responsibility for the death of Mrs. Francis Stephan, committed suicide by hanging himself with a handkerchief.


Red Lake Falls Gazette; “Woman Is Killed By Stove Explosion. Spooner Jury Says Explosive Placed Maliciously; Suspect is Bound Over.”; March 29, 1923; p. 5.

Red Lake Falls Gazette; “Accused Man Hangs Self”; April 5, 1923; p.1.

1http://townmapsusa.com/images/maps/map_of_graceton_mn.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 available.

                                                      



Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com