Saturday, February 17, 2018

On this Date in Minnesota History: February 17

February 17, 1907 – Warren G. Stearns, one of more than one hundred Macalester College, St. Paul, students who have fallen victim to an epidemic of ptomaine poisoning, is dying at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His parents were summoned to his bedside today. The young man, who has been under the care of Dr. F. E. Balcome, has been in critical condition since he was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital and the physician says that other complications set in that retarded his recovery. At the hospital it was thought that he would not live through the night.


St. Joseph’s Hospital 19111

Mr. Stearns is 23 years old and from Jasper, Minn.

Twenty students of Macalester College were taken ill the evening of Feb. 11 following dinner at the Eutrophian Club, and the doctor who was called pronounced it due to ptomaine poisoning.

     “The Eutrophian Hall is a men’s boarding club, situated two blocks north
     of the college building. Its dining room is light, cheery and commodious,
     having a seating capacity for about forty young men. The club is under
     the care of a competent matron, and a steward, who is elected from the
     members. The amount paid for board by members defrays all expenses.
     It is the aim of those in whose hands the management is entrusted to
     keep the expenses at a minimum. Board ranges from two dollars and
     forty cents to two dollars and seventy cents a week.”
          -- Catalogue of Macalester College and Classical Academy 1906-
              1907, St. Paul, Minn.
2


At first, the poisoning was confined to members of the Eutrophian Club; however, the number of victims continued to grow. The condition of things at the state farm school, where a hundred or more are sick with ptomaine poisoning, was said to be improved today. Only 12 new cases were reported, while 30 had been reported yesterday. There were only 50 confined to bed in the school today and none of them was reported to be in a critical condition.

Evan Evans, another student and member of the Eutrophian Club, whose home is in Le Sueur, is also suffering from poison of some kind, but is able to get around. None of the other members is seriously ill, although several have complained of feeling out of sorts.
Members of the club and the college authorities are at a loss to account for the poisoning, which appears to be ptomaine. The provisions were purchased from downtown stores.
_____________________

Stearns died the morning of Feb. 19. Milk was the primary suspect of the poisoning. Samples were sent to the state chemical laboratory for examination; however, nothing was found in the milk to indicate the presence of any poison.  Stearns was the only victim to die; all others recovered. It is now believed that the food that they had eaten was the cause of the epidemic.


The Minneapolis Tribune; “A Student Is Dying. Victim of Ptomaine Poisoning at Macalester College Near Death’s Door—Others Recovering.”; Feb. 18, 1907; p. 5.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Poison Mystery at College. Several Macalester (Minn.) Students Seriously Ill.”; Feb. 13, 1907; p. 4.

Star Tribune; “Students Poisoned.”; Minneapolis, Minn.; Feb. 12, 1907; p. 6.

Duluth Evening Herald; “Death of Student at Macalester College May be Due to Ptomaine Poisoning. Others Were Taken Sick But All Recovered But Stearns.”; Feb. 19, 1907; p. 1.

1http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/StPaul64.jpg

2https://www.macalester.edu/library/oldcatalogs/cat_1906_1907.pdf

Definition of ptomaine poisoning:
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ptomaine
               __________________________________________________________

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, February 16, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 16

February 16, 1915 – The George Tileston Flour Mills, St. Cloud, now owned and operated by the Great Northern Flour Mills Company, burned to the ground this afternoon. The loss, which is total, is estimated at between $125,000 and $150,000. The blaze originated, it is believed, from a hot box in the upper story and spread quickly to the rest of the structure. The Tileston Mills were built 26 years ago. Several carloads of wheat stored in the mill itself are included in the loss.

It is not known as yet whether the mill will be rebuilt, though present contracts for flour, it was announced this evening, would be fulfilled. The mills were the largest west of Minneapolis, having a capacity of 1,200 barrels. Local firemen had narrow escapes when two walls fell out, burying their hose.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “$150,000 Fire at St. Cloud. Tileston Flour Mills, Largest West of Minneapolis, Are a Total Loss.”; Feb. 17, 1915; p. 2.


George Tileston Flour Mills, St. Cloud

http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/StClou186.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:
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Thursday, February 15, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 15

February 15, 1912 (Friday) - Fourteen young women clerks and stenographers employed in the offices of the P. V. Collins Publishing Company, Minneapolis, resigned and went home today rather than comply with an order of Mr. Collins that they reduce the height of their shoe heels to one inch by Monday. They regarded the order as an infringement on personal liberty, as an attempt to dictate office style, to start a new fashion of office footwear, and they resented it.



Shoe Ad1 


Young women in restaurants wear uniforms, saleswomen in department stores wear black waists or black dresses and nurses are proud of their hospital uniforms. But those are entirely different cases. The young women of the P. V. Collins Publishing Company apparently never thought that their jobs might be contingent on conforming to a certain little matter of dress detail, and that detail the heel of the shoe, which is not supposed to be seen, unless in such weather as this, or studded with diamonds.

But Monday one of the girls, Miss Rose Burkhart, had fallen down the back stairs of the office and hurt her hip, and Mr. Collins told the girls that the accident was the result of the high-heeled shoes the victim wore. The bulletin to reduce the heels, either by altering their old shoes or by buying new ones, was the result, and Mr. Collins is said to have emphasized his ideas in a lecture today at noon.

Meantime, the girls had gone home last night to talk the case over with their mothers. Many of them had arrived at the conclusion that it would be a shame to spoil good shoes merely to conform to the order of an office manager, as their heels were the height of fashion.



1912 Shoe Ad2

William F. Tankerly, a department manager, helped the girls this morning to draw up a petition, requesting Mr. Collins to recede from his stand, or to modify his order. The petition was signed by 35 girls in the mailing department; 15 did not sign.

The petition reached Mr. Collins desk and the noon lecture resulted. The girls were given to understand that their choice was between their jobs and their heels. Twelve of the auditors left their jobs and took their heels at once, and two others followed later. Others are expected to follow unless the feminine right to wear as uncomfortable shoes as she pleases is recognized.

“Stenographers are not going to be dictated to in all matters,” said one of the girls who left today. “We don’t have to dress to suit a manager, and any shoe dealer will tell you that all shoes are being manufactured with high-heels, and that it spoils the shape o the shoe and hurts the foot to cut down the heel. Most of the girls that are working could not afford to have their shoes spoiled. Mr. Collins’ action was arbitrary, and should be resented. So there!”

“During the past four years, three of our girls have fallen down on account of high heels,” said Mr. Collins this evening. “I became tired of carrying the responsibility and I notified them that they would have to keep their heels within an inch. I told them that if their brains were in their heels they couldn’t work for me. I called up several shoe houses and found out that they sold common sense heels as well as high ones. Heels two or three inches high may be all right on a dance floor, but not to business. Tight skirts and peak-a-boo waists are just as bad.”


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Office Girls Walk Out Rather than Cut Heels. Strike at P. V. Collins Publishing Company’s Office Follow Manager’s Shoe Order. Footwear Ruling Results from Young Woman’s Fall Down Back Stairs.”; Feb. 16, 1912; p. 2.

1The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Feb. 15, 1912; p. 10.

2The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Feb. 17, 1912; p. 19.

               __________________________________________________________

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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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 14

February 14, 1907 – A daring and unique jail delivery took place in Owatonna late this afternoon, when William Radke, under arrest for burglary, broke out of the Steele County jail and made good his escape.


Steele County Courthouse 19091


Radke was confined in a cell usually, but was given the freedom of the corridor. In the corridor Radke secured possession of a mop handle that stood there. On the end of this he tied a board and to the end of the board he fastened a nail that he had bent into a sort of hook. Reaching over the grating of the corridor, he succeeded in catching the hook in the keyhole of the drawer in the desk in which the keys are kept. After succeeding in this, he drew the drawer and hook back and again angled until he was able to get the keys on the hook and, having secured possession of these, he opened the doors and calmly walked out of the jail.

His escape was discovered and a posse of men was sent out to recapture him, but up to a late hour this evening, Radke wa still at large, although it is believed he is hiding somewhere within the city limits.

Radke had broken into the depot at Medford Village, just south of Owatonna, while the agent was at dinner, and looted the till in broad daylight.

He was captured in Owatonna and appeared to be exceedingly harmless and a well-behaved prisoner.

Telegrams were sent all over the state notifying the police to be on the alert.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Prisoner Escapes From Owatonna Jail. Gains Freedom by Means of Mop Handle. Ties Board with Crooked Nail to End of Stick. Angles for Prison Keys with Improvised Fish Pole and Rewarded by Success.”; Feb. 15, 1907; p. 3.

1http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Owaton17.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

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Tuesday, February 13, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 13

Feb. 13, 1905 - John B. LaBree, a pioneer of Crookston and founder of Thief River Falls, died in Crookston at noon today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nat Campbell. The LaBrees were pioneers of Minnesota, his father John B. LaBree, Sr., having taken a homestead 52 years ago, which now comprises a portion of the city of St. Paul. John B., Jr., resided in St. Paul for many years and later moved to Crookston, where he was the first city marshal under Capt. E. C. Davis’ administration when Davis was the first mayor of Crookston.

LaBree became interested in real estate and built several residences, residing himself in the home that is now owned and occupied by Judge R. J. Montague, which is near the beautiful home of his daughter. In 1881 LaBree moved his family from Crookston and took up residence on a homestead where Thief River Falls is now located, and started a hotel there, which was the nucleus of the present city, nearly all of which is located on land included at that time in the LaBree homestead. Mr. and Mrs. LaBree reared a family of 12 children, who grew to manhood and womanhood in Polk and Red Lake Counties. Mrs. LaBree died in 1896. All their children are still alive.

The Saint Paul Globe; Feb. 14, 1905; p. 5.

The Thief River Falls News; “Death of a Pioneer. John B. LaBree Died Monday Noon in Crookston.”; Feb. 16, 1905; p. 1.



http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Crooks37.jpg




http://thiefriverfallsmn.govoffice3.com/vertical/Sites/%7BF0A915C0-82C2-43FC-93FF-B561AD75910F%7D/uploads/sign.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

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Monday, February 12, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 12

February 12, 1908 – Commander Bon Ward of Camp No. 8, Sons of Veterans announced at the special Lincoln Day exercise held in Memorial Hall this evening that Local Grand Army posts and allied orders will ask Thomas Lowry to give the Lincoln funeral car, now located in Columbia Heights, a more central location. Lowry is the owner of the car.



President Lincoln’s Funeral Car (National Park Service Photo)1


 The car was purchased by Lowry several years ago out of patriotic spirit and brought to Minneapolis as a cherished relic of the great president. Its present location is too far out to make it readily accessible by the great mass of the people, and Lowry will be asked to give his permission to have it placed in one of the city parks, and to that end the park commissioners will be asked to sanction the site to be selected.

Over 400 veterans, sons of veterans, their families and friends attended the exercises. The address of the evening was delivered by Dr. J. S. Montgomery on the story of Lincoln’s greatness, and the speaker emphasized the sincerity and genuineness that characterized the president in all his motives and actions. Several musical numbers and a recitation filled out the program.

Unfortunately, the funeral car never left Columbia Heights and ended up burning in a prairie fire: http://pjefamilyresearch.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-this-date-in-minnesota-history-march_18.html

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Grand Army members Honor Lincoln’s Memory. Allied Orders Hold Meeting in Courthouse—Dr. Montgomery Speaks.”; Feb. 13, 1908; p. 6.


1http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln51.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 available.

                                                         


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


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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Sunday, February 11, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: February 11

February 11, 1914 – A fire early today destroyed the Indian school at Nett Lake on the Bois Forte Indian Reservation. The school was recently completed at a cost of $4,600.


Minnesota Native American Reservation Map1

The fire means that the 73 children who have been attending the school will have no chance to go to school until other arrangements can be made.

The origin of the fire is a mystery. According to Albert B. Reagan, Indian agent, there was no heat in the place after 10 last night. His theory is that tramps may have taken shelter there or that the fire was purely of incendiary origin.

The Duluth Herald; “Indians’ New School Burns. Recently Completed Structure at Nett Lake Is Destroyed.”; Feb. 12, 1914; p. 13.

1https://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/content_images/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-29%20at%2010.41.29%20AM.png?itok=GlQ61xKb




https://kbft.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2004127.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