Saturday, January 13, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 13

January 13, 1893 - THE DULUTH ST. LOUIS HOTEL FIRE.

The Belief that Many Persons Were Cremated Almost Positively Confirmed.

At 7 o’clock this evening there was no reason to doubt that two lives had been lost in the fire that entirely destroyed Duluth’s St. Louis Hotel at noon today. The two missing men are Baggageman Baudre and Brakeman Preston, of Marquette, who came in from the South Shore train this morning. The men registered at the hotel, and when the fire broke out at 10:30 p.m. both were asleep. Conductor James, of the same train crew, was only a few doors from them. He barely made his escape, but tried to arouse the two men. The smoke was terrible, and though he did his best, he could not warn them. They were probably already overcome with the smoke and gas. The night clerk also made an attempt to awaken them, but without success.

After the middle of the building was burned out and there was no means of going from one side to the other, Chief of Police Horgan saw a number of people at windows on Michigan Street, who he is certain did not escape from that side; he thinks they must have perished in the flames.

The servants scattered after the fire and it is impossible to find who is missing. A bell boy named Saunders and a scrub woman named Oleson are among those who are missing.

The building was a brick veneer and burned like paper. The fire started from a gas explosion in the sub-basement, and in a moment burned up through the elevator shaft and the wooden partitions. Nearly everyone on the upper floors had to be taken out of the windows, so quickly was escape shutoff. In the offices of the city ticket agent of the Omaha Railroad and of the American Express Co., on the ground floor, there was not even time to remove the money from the cash drawers. The express company lost 200 undelivered packages. Their value is estimated at $3,000.

The fire threatened the Brighton Hotel for a time, but was confined to the St. Louis. Both buildings were owned by the Boston Realty Co. The total loss of property is estimated at $185,000; insurance $98,000.

Decatur Daily Republican; Decatur, IL; 14 Jan 1893

http://www3.gendisasters.com/minnesota/7123/duluth-mn-st-louis-hotel-fire-jan-1893




http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Duluth4.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





Friday, January 12, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 12

January 12, 1900 – The most destructive fire in the history of Dassel, Minn., broke out about 12:30 this morning in a barber shop, located in the center of the main business block on Front Street. The flames spread rapidly to the adjoining property, while citizens stood helplessly by, the water works department being found to be absolutely useless. Aid was asked from Litchfield, but before a special train and firemen arrived from that town, a large section of property had been laid to waste.

During the progress of the fire there was a terrific explosion, either from powder in the hardware store or alcohol in the saloons, which scattered the burning fire brands over a wide area, and caused injury to four persons, although none of the injuries were serious.

At 2 a.m., the post office building took fire and was destroyed.

Dassel is a thriving village in Meeker County on the line of the Great northern railway, 12 miles from Litchfield, the county seat, and 56 miles from Minneapolis. It has three elevators, steam flouring and wool carding mills, a bank, a newspaper and a fine school. It was incorporated in 1878, and a few years ago a fire department was organized and equipped. Why the facilities for fighting fire proved inadequate this morning is not known.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Big Blaze At Dassel. Thriving Village in Meeker County Threatened With Destruction. A Large Portion of Its Business Center Laid Waste by Flame. Facilities for Fighting the Fire Prove Worthless When Needed.”; Jan. 12, 1900; p. 1.




Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Nov. 5, 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 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



Thursday, January 11, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 11

January 11, 1916 – Half a carload of British mail enroute to Australia, via San Francisco, passed through Mankato, Minn., today. Since the submarines have made navigation dangerous in the Mediterranean, much mail that formerly went by way of the Suez Canal is being sent across the Atlantic, across the U. S. and to its destination from San Francisco.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “British Mail Crosses U. S. For Antipodes”; Jan. 11, 1916; p. 1.




http://www.mankato-mn.gov/Community/Page.aspx

               __________________________________________________________

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, January 10, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 10

January 10, 1914 – David Craig, 57 years old, and Sandy Rogers, aged 60, both farmers, were shot and killed early today by Harry Reely, aged 35, a farmer who then committed suicide. This is the conclusion of the authorities who found the three bodies this afternoon near Paupores, St. Louis County, Minn.

Reely was said to have been infatuated with a 16-year-old school girl, and objected to the attentions paid her by Craig and Rogers, who were single and lived together. A few days ago, the authorities claim, Reely, in a letter to the girl, threatened to kill Craig and Rogers unless she stopped associating with them.

The young girl alleges she visited the two bachelors occasionally simply to cheer them up. They were old men, she thought, who appreciated a young visitor once in a while. Reely’s parents reside near Paupores.

The bodies of the bachelors were found at their home, while Reely’s body was found near another neighboring farm house.




http://townmapsusa.com/images/maps/map_of_paupores_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








Tuesday, January 9, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 10

January 9, 1905 – Its outside cover musty and soiled, but the paper carefully rolled within in an excellent state of preservation, the long lost original copy of the draft of the constitution of the State of Minnesota was found today by George B. Brown, chief of clerk in the office of the secretary of state.



Cover of the 1857 Minnesota Constitution1

For years the whereabouts of the original of the constitution of the state had been a mystery. Occasionally old settlers familiar with its adoption have called at the secretary of state’s office in the old capitol and asked to see the constitution. They have been told that the draft had been missing for many years, and it had been given up as lost.

But it was found today. In removing to the new capitol, the records of the office were turned topsy-turvy and this is responsible for the discovery. In sorting out miscellaneous records in the vault today, Chief Clerk Brown came across a roll of papers. Beneath the covering was the original draft of the constitution drawn and adopted Aug. 29, 1857. St. A. D. Balcombe signed the constitution as chairman of the convention, and the amendments adopted in 1869 bear the signature of Gov. Alexander Ramsey and Gen. J. H. Baker, then secretary of state.
  



Gen. James H. Baker2

The great green seal of the state is attached to the document. Gen. Baker is still living, being a resident of Mankato. Nearly every other man who signed as a member of the constitutional convention has been dead for years.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Lost Relic Found. Original Constitution of State Discovered in Moving.”; Jan. 10, 1905; p. 5.

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Constitution#/media/File:1857MinnesotaConstitution.JPG

2https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/James_H._Baker.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 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



Monday, January 8, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 8

January 8, 1917 – A railroad car shortage resulted today in the first automobile ride ever taken by 16-year-old King and 20-year-old Basil, who together comprised more than seven tons of elephant, loaded on a truck and transported from St. Paul to Minneapolis. Andrew Downey, owner, was unable to hire the usual freight car for the trip. The novelty of their ride left the two stars in a highly nervous state for their afternoon and evening acts at the New Palace Theater.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Elephants Get Auto Ride as Cars Fail”; January 9, 1917; p. 2.





The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; January 9, 1917; p. 9.

               __________________________________________________________

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






Sunday, January 7, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 7

January 7, 1902 – The bold unbelievers who insisted that they would go to prison before they allowed themselves to be vaccinated, were very meek when they appeared in the Minneapolis police court this morning.

C. H. Kelly and Dr. T. L. Hedderley, were both found in a home on Nicollet Ave. where a case of smallpox has been found, and removed to quarantine, and Charles Johnson was found at a local hotel, where another case was located. All three refused to be vaccinated.

Johnson was fined $10. Sentence was suspended to let him get back home to his sick child. Judge Dickinson advised him to have himself passed by the health department and he hastened to comply.

Dr. Hedderley pleaded guilty, but he was examined by the court. Judge Dickinson gave the three men some wholesome advice.

At first Mr. Kelly was inclined to pay his fine and resist, but when he found that if he paid his fine, they would still insist upon vaccinating him, and if he refused, arrest him again, he submitted. Fines of $10 were imposed in both cases, and they turned themselves over to the health department representatives.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Each Pay Fine of $10. Two Men Who Refused to be Vaccinated—Another Released.”; Jan. 8, 1902; p. 6.




Smallpox

http://www.amnh.org/explore/science-topics/disease-and-eradication/countdown-to-zero/smallpox

               __________________________________________________________

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